Chapter Thirty-Two: Hongjun's Enlightenment

  Zhuang Xiong listened to Qing Feng and Ming Yue's smooth and uninterrupted conversation, clearly not knowing how many times they had heard it before. He couldn't help but feel extreme sadness and anger, his hair standing on end, but he couldn't blame the two young children. Unable to hold back, he shouted at the sky: "Zhen Yuanzi, you soulless thing! Get out here! Look at the good deed you've done! What have you told people about me? Return my reputation! Accompany my dignity!"

  Only to hear a loud crash and the sound of breaking glass and overturned tables coming from inside Wuzhuangguan, a gust of wind swept past, and Zhenyuanzi suddenly appeared at the door with a smile all over his face: "I said early in the morning that the magpies were chirping loudly on the branches, but I couldn't calculate it. I thought some great god was visiting, but it turned out to be you, Master Xiong. The small Wuzhuangguan is flourishing. Come in quickly, my ginseng fruit is just ripe, and you must try a few." As he spoke, he wanted to pull Zhuang Xiong into the temple, while giving Qingfeng Mingyue a fierce glare.

  Zhuang Xiong remained unmoved, coldly laughing and saying: "I will indeed eat that ginseng fruit, but first let's clarify the issue before eating it. You'd better explain how you framed me after returning? What do you mean by saying I'm despicable and shameless? What do you mean by saying I'm sinister and cunning? And what about saying my face is thick and my heart is black, that I'm cruel and violent, lazy and gluttonous? Did you say you'd like to flay my skin and extract my tendons? Trample me on the ground a thousand times? Fortunately, I still had a good heart and helped you write a couplet for the door, but this is how you treat me?"

  Zhenyuanzi only turned his head now to see the couplet on both sides of the door, and couldn't help but feel a headache. The couplet was indeed not bad, and he was still quite satisfied with it. However, at this moment, writing such words, wasn't it just asking for trouble? Moreover, Zhenyuanzi also knew that Zhuang Xiong would never tolerate him modifying the couplet, especially when he was still angry. Zhenyuanzi didn't dare to say anything about the couplet and hastily smiled: "Where did I say such things about my friend? My friend's cultivation is profound, and his character is carefree, I have always admired him very much. Perhaps it was just my junior speaking nonsense or my friend misheard."

  Zhuang Xiong retorted, "Don't say I misheard you. You should know that with my three eyes and six ears, I have divine insight. I wouldn't mishear a few words like this."

  The young master did not secretly call out in distress, and Qingfeng was also clever. At this time, seeing the young master in difficulty, Qingfeng knelt down and cried: "Master, it's all my fault, a little child's mistake. Usually, I listen to Master talk about Xiong Daolong educating us, but sometimes I feel uncomfortable listening to it, so I secretly resent him in my heart. Today, seeing Xiong Daolong writing on the door, I was afraid of taking responsibility and spoke out the resentment in my heart, causing trouble for Master. I know I'm wrong, please punish me." While saying this with his mouth, he thought to himself: "Although I'll be punished, Master will definitely not mistreat me afterwards. But what magical powers does that Xiong Daoren have, that even Master is so afraid of him?" On the other side, Mingyue saw Qingfeng kneeling down and crying, and quickly knelt down as well, saying: "I'm willing to share the punishment."

  Zhuang Xiong didn't know what was on Qingfeng's mind, but he knew that Qingfeng's words were just to help Zhenyuanzi take responsibility. He thought it was Zhenyuanzi who had hinted at Qingfeng to do so and couldn't help but look down on Zhenyuanzi. He thought to himself: "Children won't lie, Zhenyuanzi must be framing me. I didn't expect that someone as honest and kind-hearted as Zhenyuanzi would also make a child take responsibility for something. Even if Qingfeng is no longer considered a child, it's still not right to let others take the blame."

  Zhenyuanzi saw the look in Zhuang Xiong's eyes and knew what he was thinking. Although he felt relieved that Zhuang Xiong wanted to help him out, he also felt displeased with his smoothness, especially since this move had put himself in an awkward position. Zhenyuanzi was after all a straightforward person, and after some thought, couldn't think of anything else to do, so he smiled wryly and bowed, saying: "I'm sorry for the mistake, but I've made you laugh, although there's been a bit of misunderstanding in between, this matter is my fault. I'll apologize to you here, I don't have anything good here, only those fruits are worth giving out, please help yourself to a few."

  Zhuang Xiong sneered, "You're really something. Earlier, you said that if I won, I could eat as much of this fruit as I wanted. Now, you're using it to apologize? Don't you think this is a bit off?"

  Zhenyuanzi's old face turned red upon hearing this, and he said: "Don't be offended, fellow Daoist. Apart from these fruits, I really don't have anything else worth giving. If you see something you like, just tell me. Even if you fancy my Wanshou Mountain, I'll admit defeat."

  Zhuang Xiong snorted and said, "I live with Nüwa on Mount Buzhou, carefree and happy. What do I need Mount Wanshou for? Are you trying to separate us? But I'd like to ask what's on your mind?"

  Zhenyuanzi smiled bitterly and continuously, bowed down to the ground, and didn't say a word, putting on an air of being at their mercy.

  Zhuang Xiong's heart felt somewhat uninteresting, and he said with a lack of enthusiasm: "Forget it, since you're being sincere, I'll let you off this time. Consider it a favor owed to me, we'll talk about it later when I think of it."

  Zhenyuanzi heard this and couldn't help but break out in cold sweat. He was worried that he wouldn't be able to find a good reason to fight, and would have to swallow his pride. Who would dare to fight with this madman? And what did he mean by "owing him one thing"? Was it so easy to repay the debt? His reputation for being honest and straightforward had been tarnished because of him.

  Just as Zhenyuanzi was thinking about the situation, Zhuang Xiong let out a long sigh and exclaimed excitedly: "Alright, the matter is settled! Let's go in and taste the ginseng fruit quickly. I've been craving it for so long!" He didn't care about Zhenyuanzi's worried expression, and pulled him along as he walked into the pavilion. Zhenyuanzi had no choice but to put on a brave face and follow him with a forced smile.

  Zhuang Xiong was someone who didn't know the meaning of politeness, and after entering, he acted as if he had arrived at his own home. He drank a few mouthfuls of tea and heard Zhenyuanzi call Qingfeng Mingyue to go pick some fruit to entertain the guest. Without thinking, he stopped two young boys and said loudly: "What's all this fuss about? Are you going to eat one and have two people go pick one? Won't that tire out Qingfeng Mingyue's legs? Or is it that Zhenyuanzi is actually a stingy person who doesn't want to part with his ginseng fruit? Why not just set up the tea table under the tree, and we can discuss Daoist theories while enjoying the fruit together. What do you think?"

  Can't Zhenyuanzi say anything? He was already at a disadvantage, and he also felt guilty. Moreover, if he didn't respond, wouldn't that be equivalent to acknowledging that he was petty? So he had no choice but to call Qingfeng Mingyue over to move the table. However, Zhuang Xiong wasn't going to wait for him to make things so complicated and simply waved his hand to have the tea table taken away, urging Qingfeng Mingyue to hurry up and lead the way.

  Qingfeng Mingyue was also quite experienced and had never seen such a person before. No wonder even their own master was afraid of him. At this moment, he was in a difficult position and didn't dare take charge, so he could only look at Zhenyuanzi with pleading eyes for help.

  Zhenyuanzi shook his head helplessly and waved his hand to have the two servants take care of it. However, during this brief delay, Zhuang Xiong gave him another disdainful glance. Zhenyuanzi couldn't help but sigh deeply, feeling like crying but having no tears.

  Poor ginseng fruit! Who knows how much would be left? Or maybe there wouldn't even be any left? What did I, Zhenyuanzi, do wrong to end up befriending such a person?

  When he saw that the room was empty, he reluctantly walked towards the back garden with a bitter face. In the end, he still had to accompany this guy; otherwise, who knows what kind of trouble would arise if he were to offend him?

  That ginseng fruit was indeed as legendary as it was said to be, only the size of a three-year-old child's fist, and its flavor was extremely fresh and delicious. Zhuang Xiong loved it after eating it, and on the spot decided to stay at Zhen Yuanzi's place for a while. Zhen Yuanzi didn't want this guy to linger around but couldn't find an excuse, so he could only instruct Qingfeng Mingyue to clean up the guest room and himself sat on the side with a gloomy face. Zhuang Xiong pretended not to see it and continued to play happily, eating to his heart's content.

  It has been over a hundred years, and every day, Zhuang Xiong would either sit in meditation at night to comprehend the Tao, or practice his martial arts skills in the morning. During the day, he would either drink tea and taste the fruit of the ginseng tree with Zhen Yuanzi, discussing the Tao, or go on excursions to enjoy the scenery. Although Mount Wanshou was not as renowned as Mount Zhou or Mount Kunlun, it was still a sacred mountain with breathtaking views, a place where the heavens and earth converged. Over the past century, the ginseng tree had long since stopped producing fruit, leaving only leaves behind. Even Zhen Yuanzi's stockpile of ginseng, accumulated over millions of years, had been almost entirely depleted by Zhuang Xiong, with only 20-30% remaining. On this day, Zhuang Xiong felt that he could no longer obtain any more ginseng and had rested enough, so he decided to leave.

  Zhenyuanzi heard that Zhuang Xiong was about to leave, and he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. Even the two young boys seemed to be invigorated for an instant, their bodies straightening up even more.

  Zhuang Xiong saw this and couldn't help but shout: "What's the meaning of your expressions? Are you treating me like a wicked guest, finally leaving with great joy?"

  "After a hundred years of getting along, although I still can't get used to it, Zhenyuanzi also knew something about Zhuang Xiong's character, so he smiled and said: 'That doesn't count, although you're a bit greedy and a bit crazy, but it can't be said that you're a bad guest. However, as an honest person, I was really tormented by you, so at this time, I also couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.'"

  Zhuang Xiong smiled and said, "You're too polite, too bound by etiquette. I'm getting tired just watching you. Never mind, I won't make things difficult for you." As he spoke, he casually pulled out two precious swords and said, "Let's have a friendly exchange. I didn't bring any gifts, so these two swords will be given to Qingfeng Mingyue instead. The name of the swords is also 'Qingfeng Mingyue', which suits you two perfectly. These past few days, serving me has been quite exhausting for both of you. As for Zhenyuanzi, I think he doesn't lack anything, so let's just consider that couplet I gave him as a gift to him. He can take it seriously, and even if he didn't have such an opportunity, I would still find a way to give it to him, making it true." Of course, people in the 21st century all know that the more fake something is, the more likely it will be exposed. Zhenyuanzi's couplet was written on a stone tablet, and as long as he didn't fall from power, his couplet would not be able to escape... but would Zhenyuanzi really fall?

  Zhenyuanzi is not a person of the 21st century, so he naturally doesn't know these things. Upon hearing this, he was moved to say: "Friend, your words are indeed excessive. I can sense your intentions, but such opportunities, if they were mine, would be impossible to escape. If you need my help, I won't be polite, but if it's not mine, please don't force the issue."

  Zhuang Xiong smiled but did not speak, nor did he answer. He shook his head and drove a cloud to rise into the air, then departed.

  Zhenyuanzi gazed at the slowly drifting clouds, his heart filled with a mix of emotions, unable to articulate his feelings towards Zhuangyong. He couldn't help but let out a deep sigh, and for a moment, he stared blankly at the clouds on the horizon, seemingly entranced.

  But said that Zhuang Xiong drove the cloud all the way, and stopped and walked, freely searching for the spiritual roots and strange fruits in the vast wilderness. Seeing that the vast wilderness had already begun to see some witch tribes, small monsters, he couldn't help but frown and sigh. Suddenly, he missed Nüwa Fuxi of Mount Buzhou. Thinking of the warmth of the three people's get-together, his nostalgia was unstoppable. So, he simply stopped collecting spiritual roots and toured the vast wilderness. He activated the Road Travel Technique and rushed towards Mount Buzhou.

  Before Zhuang Xiong returned to Bu Zhou Mountain, a sudden and vast pressure came, directly pressing Zhuang Xiong to the ground. Zhuang Xiong lifted his head again and saw that the sky was filled with purple mist, spiritual energy condensed into flowers scattered across the sky, the earth burst forth with hundreds of flowers, spiritual beasts lowered their heads, and trees and plants bowed down. A strange fragrance wafted through the air, which was very pleasant to smell. Just as he was wondering, a voice suddenly echoed throughout the sky: "I am Hong Jun, I have now attained enlightenment and become a saint. One hundred years later, I will begin to lecture at Zi Xuan Palace, those who are destined may come to listen."

  Zhuang Xiong was shocked, had the lecture started already? He hastily pulled his legs back and was about to rush back to Bu Zhou Mountain, but suddenly stopped in his tracks. He thought to himself: "I've already told Nü Wa's sister and the others about Hong Jun's matter, as well as the importance of this lecture. They must have gone back to listen, and since Bu Zhou Mountain is close by, it's possible they'll arrive even earlier than me. It would be better to head straight to Zi Xuan Palace." He quickly changed direction and drove his cloud chariot towards the horizon, rushing towards Zi Xuan Palace in the vast expanse of the sky.

  But just as they were about to leave Mount Zhou, Fuxi and Nuwa heard the sound of Hongjun's voice calling out. Fuxi pulled Nuwa along, wanting to set off immediately, but Nuwa was reluctant to go. Fuxi couldn't help but smile and say, "I know you want to wait for that silly bear, but we only found out about Hongjun's news because he told us himself. He must be aware of the importance of this matter. We'll just head to the Purple Mist Palace and wait for him there." Nuwa heard Fuxi's words and knew they made sense, so she followed him as he drove the clouds and took off into flight. However, she couldn't resist turning her head back to take one last look, as if the person in her mind would appear before her eyes just by looking.

  Kunlun Mountain, Sanqing also heard the sound of Hongjun. Laozi said: "My three brothers and I have been trapped on this Dajin Golden Immortal Peak for tens of thousands of years. Since Hongjun can prove the Tao, he should have some skills. We might as well go and listen to see if we can break through." Yuanshi said: "Big brother is right, let's hurry up and set off!" Thus, three clouds rose from Kunlun, like flowing light rushing towards the sky.

  The Sun Star also heard a voice saying, "Big brother, this Hong Jun's sacred power is so strong, and the heavenly signs are extraordinary. Why don't we go listen to what he has to say?" Another voice said, "Alright, but I don't know where the Zi Xuan Palace is. Never mind, if we have fate, we will meet. Let's go search for it in the Primordial Chaos."

  Hongjun's voice spread throughout the vast expanse, and those who sought the Tao were numerous. At that moment, the sky was filled with people riding clouds and rushing towards the heavens. Those who knew their strength was insufficient and could not go to the Zixiao Palace looked up at the sky and saw the flowing lights, only then did they realize that the vast expanse had so many great divine powers, and such a magnificent scene was created.

  But said Zhuang Xiong, although he had pushed his magical powers to the limit, he still felt it was not fast enough. Seeing more and more people in the sky, he couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. While using all his might to urge on his magical powers, he rummaged through his collection, looking for something that could be used. For a moment, he couldn't find anything anywhere. Suddenly, Zhuang Xiong discovered three immortal peaches in an inconspicuous corner, which the Old Master of Kunlun Mountain had given him in the past. A flash of inspiration struck him, and he thought to himself: "Those branching immortal peaches can make Lei Zhenzi grow a pair of wings; I wonder if this original version can also make me grow wind and thunder wings, increasing my speed." Although Zhuang Xiong knew that his magical powers were far inferior to those of Lei Zhenzi, and it would be difficult for him to have any effect by eating them, he was desperate. In one swift motion, he swallowed all three immortal peaches.