Three Kingdoms Lords: Starting by walking into the mouth of a giant python

Chapter 129 Guests from Kushan, Dian Wei and Yuan Ji Become Apprentices

At the end of the Han Dynasty, Jiangxia Commandery and Jingling County were located there.

Zhang Wei, a court official, led Zhang Xiu, Taishi Ci, and others to a dock on the shore of Yunmeng Marsh.

"Breaking news! Breaking news! Prime Minister Zhuge Liang has appeared in the northern frontier and cursed the Xianbei king to death."

"Sun Yat-sen swept through Vietnam and Laos, and his power shook the southern border."

"Unbelievable! The righteous and chivalrous Guan Yu actually said those words to Liu Bei and Zhang Fei!"

"Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, along with millions of players from the [Kyoto Alliance], are embarking on an expedition to the Three Kingdoms and Japan. Those interested in joining, please check the contact information published in this newspaper."

"The imperial court has launched a lottery [Double Color Ball] in the capital region, costing two coins per ticket, with a draw every seven days."

"In the northwest, Beigong Boyu and Han Sui rebelled, and Dong Zhongying led his troops and family retainers northward to quell the rebellion."

"Jianghu Express, 29 coins a copy, first come, first served!"

The shouts of the newsboys filled the air, drowning out the cries of the other vendors.

There are still more than twenty days until the start of the [Taiping Immortal Sect] "Spirit Pill Gathering". Outside Yunmeng Marsh, many players and natives have already gathered.

Some rode in carriages, some rode horses, some rode giant elephants, some carried knives, some carried swords, some carried gourds half a person's height on their backs...

Bustling and noisy, with people coming and going like a woven tapestry.

Zhang Xiu, the current Commandant of the Changshui Cavalry and Commander of the Hu Cavalry, was curious about the contents of the "Express Report" and bought a copy.

Zhang Xiu already knew about Dong Zhuo, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhuge Liang, and other figures.

He was simply curious about how Sun Jian had become "awe-inspiring in the southern frontier" and what Guan Yu had actually said.

However, before Zhang Xiu could even unfold the newspaper, a young Taoist boy came speeding towards them in a small boat.

Upon reaching the dock, the young Taoist announced loudly, "The time has come! The Immortal Gate is open! You may all disembark!"

"good!"

"Long live the Great Teacher!"

"Arriving on the island!"

Amid cheers, hundreds of boats set sail, and the dock was instantly empty.

Zhang Wei, Zhang Xiu, Taishi Ci and the others searched around before finally finding a fishing boat and giving chase.

The mountain gate of [Taiping Immortal Sect] is located deep in the Yunmeng Marsh.

The boatman rowed for half an hour, and Zhang Wei and the others saw it from afar—

Between the light of the sky and the reflection of the water, there is an island, lush and verdant.

The boatman said, "This is Taiping Island."

Half an hour later, the group landed on the island.

The sun shines on the clear islands, and smoke rises from the green grass.

The scenery was beautiful, but unfortunately, the crowds were too noisy and ruined the view.

Zhang Xiu and his group entered the island, whereupon Song Lou, the chief disciple of the [Immortal Sect], bowed respectfully and announced—

The sect leader is still in seclusion and will not emerge to meet guests until early August. During this period, the disciples of the [Immortal Sect] will receive visiting distinguished guests.

The island is quite large, with restaurants and hostels readily available.

In addition, the [Lingdan Pavilion] exhibits medicinal pills for visitors from all over to appreciate.

There is a [martial arts arena] providing a venue for people to practice and compete.

A new [Trade Zone] has been opened, allowing players and natives to exchange goods and engage in fair trade.

Zhang Xiu and his companions strolled around for a while, but were all somewhat disappointed.

Taiping Island has many tricks up its sleeve, but very few of them are truly respectable.

The group settled down on the island. When they were bored, they would go to the [Drill Ground] and [Trading Zone] to have some fun.

For several days in a row, until July 20th, when Taishi Ci was practicing his spear technique in the inn, it got dark.

He looked up and saw a strange ship with wings flying across the sky.

The next day, rumors spread on the island—

A guest from the Kushan Empire displayed great prowess on the training ground, winning thirty consecutive matches.

------

The world of [The Tale of the Demon Slayer] is shrouded in a hazy night.

At Wang Ze's house, Zhang Luan and the high monk used a purification technique to clean the courtyard.

Zuo Que'er's [Pot Heaven Technique] is one of the seventy-two Earthly Fiend Techniques.

In the context of the late Han Dynasty world, it would only be ranked among the [Mysterious] level.

In fact, the level of power in "The Tale of the Demon Slayer" is far inferior to that of "Journey to the West" and "Investiture of the Gods".

The Egg Monk and the fox spirit mother and son mastered the [Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends Taoist Arts] in just three years.

They were shouting loudly—

It can ascend to the clouds and descend to the earth. It can summon ghosts and spirits, summon bean men and straw horses, paper tigers with snakes. It can summon wind, clouds, thunder, and rain at will, and water, fire, swords, and spears dare not harm it.

But in reality, they are all "using talismans to seize power temporarily, stealing the essence of heaven and earth, and using the power of ghosts and gods." In Buddhism, this is called Vajra Zen evil magic; in Taoist circles, it is called illusion.

Compared to the seventy-two transformations in "Journey to the West," it's worlds apart.

Moreover, if your lips are chapped, you cannot perform the skill, and it will be undone by "pig and sheep blood, horse urine, dog feces, and garlic".

But even these "knock-off" versions of the Seventy-Two Secret Techniques were encountered by Yuan Gong, the deacon of the Heavenly Court, the source of many of these techniques, and known as the "Lord of the White Cloud Cave," who dared not confront them head-on.

They also had to light incense sticks from their sect to ask their elders for help.

According to experience in dreams, although there are many [Earthly Fiend Secret Techniques], their quality varies greatly.

Techniques such as [Money Transformation Technique], [Rice Transformation Technique], [Dream Transformation Technique], and [Five Ghosts Transporting Technique] are all only of the [Yellow Grade]. [Pot Heaven], [Paper Cutting Technique], [Size Ruyi], and [Bean Man and Grass Horse] belong to the [Mysterious Grade].

Only the most top-tier Earthly Fiend spells, such as the [Black Dragon Slaying General Technique], belong to the [Earthly Grade].

When this [Earth Grade] spell was unleashed, even the [Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady], the ancestor of the Nine Heavens Daoist arts and the Heavenly Court, had to resort to trickery to get through it.

It has to be said that the gods in "The Tale of the Demon Slayer" are really disappointing.

……

The [Gourd Heaven Technique], which he had cultivated for many years, was broken in one day. Zuo Que'er felt frustrated, but he couldn't blame the "Gourd Breaker".

After all, the other party had reminded them several times.

The lame fox was not a magnanimous or kind person, but he couldn't find a way to vent his anger. Moreover, this [Fanghu Hermit]'s strength was unfathomable, so he dared not act rashly.

All of this left Zuo Que'er feeling incredibly frustrated, yet he couldn't just storm off. In the end, he could only vent his anger by smashing open a watermelon and burying his head in it.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was somewhat oppressive.

Fortunately, Zhang Luan and the Egg Monk were both shrewd people, and they made a few jokes to ease the awkwardness.

Li Yu then took the initiative to show goodwill, presenting Zuo Que'er with a [non-grade wine tree] as an apology. Zuo Que'er's expression finally brightened.

The essence of [Hutian] is a space sealed with talismans. Combined with incredibly realistic [paper-cutting techniques], it creates a fairyland.

However, when he encountered Fanghu, it was like Li Gui meeting Li Kui, using the false to deceive the true and the small to swallow the big, resulting in a broken ending.

Li Yu, unable to explain the intricacies, simply brushed it off as "secrets of his master's school." He then lavishly praised the wonders of the "pot-shaped heaven" and "paper-cutting art."

He had practiced and dealt with countless spells in his dreams, so his knowledge was naturally quite remarkable. After a few words, not only did Zuo Que'er smile, but Egg Monk and Zhang Luan also gathered around to exchange their insights on Taoist magic.

As they discussed, various wondrous techniques appeared one after another, including holy water, heavenly fire, skeletons, and ferocious beasts, leaving Wang Ze and his companions dazzled.

Left-Waisted Man performed his [Object Manipulation], [Size Manipulation], and [Concealment] techniques with great effort, winning applause from the audience and finally regaining his dignity.

Upon seeing so many "immortal" techniques, Wang Ze could not suppress his longing and wanted to become a disciple to learn them.

Left-side lame man agreed.

Upon seeing this, Cao Cao and his two companions also wanted to become his disciples.

Zhang Luan told the Egg Monk about the sights he had seen in the Three Lives Pool—ministers, generals, and dragons.

He said that all three of them possess extraordinary talent, and if they are carefully nurtured, they will surely become famous throughout the world in the future.

Zuo Que'er shook his head. He accepted Wang Ze only because the other party was the "reincarnation of the Heavenly Queen," and he didn't have much intention of taking on disciples and teaching them skills.

Zhang Luan beckoned the gentle and refined Yuan Ji over, took him under his wing, and made him a fellow disciple of Bu Ji.

The Egg Monk was impressed by Dian Wei's strong and powerful physique. He examined Dian Wei's bones and pulse and was very satisfied, so he took him as his disciple.

Finally, only Cao Cao remained, standing alone in the same spot.

(End of this chapter)