Journey to the West: Deer Power Immortal, Starting from Becoming a Disciple of the Supreme Lord Tais

The old man selling candied hawthorns squeezed to the front, trembling as he pulled out several skewers from his pocket and forced them into Lu Qingxuan's hands, tears streaming down his face.

"Taoist priest, you saved us. This old man has nothing to repay you with, but please don't mind these candied hawthorns."

The news spread like wildfire, reaching the entire county in less than half an hour.

People flocked to East Street from all directions, all wanting to see this Taoist priest who was associated with the River God.

In an instant, firecrackers and gongs resounded, and a dazzling array of offerings of pig heads and fruits were displayed.

Lu Qingxuan was somewhat at a loss for words at this scene. Although he had cultivated for many years, he was not used to such a scene and could only wave his hands repeatedly to let everyone disperse.

Finally, after Zhou Mingyuan's persuasion, the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving behind a mess of eggs and vegetables at the door that they couldn't push away.

"Master, what about the county government office..." Zhou Mingyuan asked cautiously.

Lu Qingxuan said, "No rush, let Magistrate Qian be anxious first."

Although he can subdue demons and monsters, he has no way to directly deal with officials of the mortal court. However, as soon as this matter is reported, the county magistrate will be dealt with without his intervention.

Compared to the lively atmosphere at the Zhou family's residence, the county government office was shrouded in gloom and despair.

Magistrate Qian also didn't sleep a wink last night. He sent Long Da to keep watch by the river and report back as soon as there was any news, but Long Da still hadn't returned by dawn. Instead, he heard firecrackers and cheers all over the street.

Only then did he send his advisor out to inquire.

Before long, the clerk stumbled back, his face ashen: "Master, something terrible has happened! That Taoist priest... that Taoist priest killed the River God!"

Magistrate Qian was holding a teacup when he heard this, and his hand trembled, causing the teacup to fall to the ground and shatter into several pieces.

He suddenly stood up, the chair tipped backward, and crashed to the ground with a loud bang.

His mouth was agape, his eyes wide, and after a long pause, he managed to squeeze out a few words: "What...what did you say?"

"Master...the River God is dead..." The clerk slumped to the ground, trembling all over. "That Taoist priest turned the River God into a pile of ashes. Everyone's saying it. Long Da's gang has all fled. Nobody dares to go to the river anymore..."

Magistrate Qian plopped down in his armchair, his face ashen, unable to utter a single word.

During his years in office, he plundered the people's wealth and oppressed them, all thanks to the support of the river god.

Now that he has a powerful backer, how can he keep his past deeds a secret?

"Master, what should we do?" the clerk asked in a panic.

Magistrate Qian's lips trembled a few times, then he suddenly slammed his hand on the table, his voice stern yet weak, "What are you afraid of! I am an official appointed by the imperial court, and that Taoist priest is nothing but a charlatan. Does he dare to touch me? I... I will go to the prefectural city to accuse him of spreading heresy and misleading the people!"

Despite saying that, the fear in his eyes betrayed him.

The clerk looked at him and knew in his heart that this county magistrate was finished...

really,

No sooner had he finished speaking than a series of hurried footsteps came from outside.

A constable stumbled in, stammering, "Sir...sir, a lot of people have come outside and surrounded the county government office!"

Magistrate Qian's face turned pale. He stumbled to the window, pushed it open, and looked out. He saw a huge crowd of people standing outside the county government office, numbering at least a hundred. They were all indignant and holding things in their hands, looking as if they were about to tear down the county government office.

"Qian Demao, come out here!"

"You corrupt official, you colluded with evil spirits to kill my son! Today you will pay with your life!"

"Come out! Come out!"

The shouts grew louder and louder, making the windowpanes vibrate and hum.

Magistrate Qian's legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant: "It's over...it's all over..."

At a street corner not far from the county government office, Lu Qingxuan stood with his hands behind his back, watching this scene from afar without stepping forward.

For Qian Demao, this might be the best outcome...

...

After Lu Qingxuan dealt with the Black Fish Demon and left the county town, he went to Luojia Cliff on Mount Putuo in the South China Sea.

In the lotus pond, lotuses of various colors bloom in succession, and the water is so clear that a koi can be seen swimming leisurely in it.

The Great King Linggan has been cultivating in this lotus pond for hundreds of years, listening to the Bodhisattva preach the Dharma every day, and has become quite spiritually gifted.

On this day, King Linggan was meditating in the pool when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if a sharp blade had pierced through it. He quickly composed himself, did some calculations with his fingers, and his expression changed drastically, a layer of bluish-gray appearing on his face.

"Black Scale...is dead?" Golden Scale asked incredulously.

He and the black fish spirit had known each other since childhood. Although they later had different opportunities, one went to the South China Sea and became a spirit under the Bodhisattva, while the other stayed in the mortal world and became a spirit of the water palace, their affection never faded.

Now, the feeling is clear: Black Scale is dead, his body and soul are destroyed, and even his inner core has been taken away. How could he not be furious?

He suddenly leaped out of the water, transformed into human form in mid-air, took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and carefully calculated with his fingers.

Although he did not attain enlightenment, he still possessed some spiritual attainment. Furthermore, having cultivated under the guidance of a Bodhisattva for many years, he was far superior to the demons and monsters of the mortal realm.

Before long, he had made a rough calculation.

"Lu Qingxuan..." King Linggan murmured the name, his eyes burning with hatred like thunder and fire. "You damned Taoist, how dare you lay such a cruel hand on my brother! I swear I will not be a demon if I do not tear you to pieces!"

He turned and headed towards the outside of Mount Putuo. Just as he reached the edge of the Purple Bamboo Forest, he saw a figure in white slowly emerge from the forest, holding a vase. The willow branch inside the vase was lush and green, and it was none other than Guanyin Bodhisattva.

The Bodhisattva, with a compassionate face and eyes as clear as water, looked at the Great King of Inspiration and asked, "Inspiration, where are you going?"

King Linggan was taken aback, then quickly knelt down and kowtowed, whispering, "Bodhisattva, I...I have an old friend who was murdered in the mortal realm, and I wish to seek justice for him."

The Bodhisattva shook his head slightly and sighed, "Is your old friend the black fish in the Clear Water River?"

King Linggan felt a chill run down his spine, knowing he couldn't hide it from the Bodhisattva, and could only lower his head and say, "That's right."

"Do you know what that black fish did in the mortal world?"

Linggan raised her head, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Disciple...disciple does not know. Disciple only knows that she died tragically at the hands of a Taoist priest, and even her inner core was taken away."

"Bodhisattva, I've known it since childhood, we were like brothers. How can I stand by and watch it die?"

The Bodhisattva gazed at it, his eyes gentle yet carrying a profound meaning, and slowly said, "That black fish, in the name of the gods in the Clear Water River, demanded young boys and girls, harming living beings. It ate a total of forty-nine children. The Taoist priest killed it to rid the people of a scourge, not to indiscriminately kill innocents. If you seek revenge, you will be aiding and abetting evil, how are you any different from that black fish?"

The King of Inspiration shuddered, his face turning deathly pale. He opened his mouth to argue, but found himself speechless.

The Bodhisattva continued, "The path of cultivation values ​​doing good. That black fish went astray and brought about its own destruction. It has no one else to blame but itself. If you truly cherish past feelings, you should repent for him, not seek revenge. When will this cycle of revenge ever end?"