Chapter 31: Zhuang Xiong's Reputation

  Hong Jun couldn't help but laugh when he heard Zhuang Xiong ask this, and gloated: "These years must have been uncomfortable for you too? Always worried and fearful, with a knife hanging over your head, the pressure in your heart can't be small?"

  Zhuang Xiong sneered, "Am I the kind of person who worries about these things? Although I thought you might have known, but if you want to come, just come. Is worrying useful? But originally, I had high expectations for you, yet it's nothing more than this."

  Hong Jun couldn't help but laugh and said, "Originally, I didn't have anything special either. My fame is just because I was luckier than you guys, walked ahead of you, and also knew how to work hard, so I took the lead step by step. You know a lot too, if you hadn't been suppressed for too long, you should be one step ahead of others as well."

  Zhuang Xiong rolled his eyes and said, "Let's just not mention those things, okay? I have psychological trauma. So, why did you come looking for me?"

  Hong Jun smiled and said: "Actually, I was aware of you 30,000 years ago when you mentioned me. I went to Bu Zhou Mountain for a walk and saw that you were still quite interesting. Your Open Heaven Merit is also very troublesome. You killed someone with great merit, causing trouble and creating karma that's not beneficial to your cultivation. Why bother? Moreover, my cultivation was at a critical moment back then, so I returned. Until recently when I came out of seclusion, as you said, I indeed went to help the Three Pure Ones open a small furnace. However, it turned out they had already found their own way and whether or not to open the furnace didn't matter anymore. Then I knew it was your doing again, you little scoundrel. Initially, I wanted to kill you on a whim, but after hearing what you said, it sounded pleasant and you seem to know some rules. Maybe in the future, you can help me out. Also, letting the Three Pure Ones know their own way is beneficial and harmless, so I decided to observe you. It seems your physical body has reached the quasi-sage realm, right?"

  Zhuang Xiong's heart skipped a beat, and he felt a chill run down his neck. He couldn't help but ask, "As the Heaven's Chosen One, is it okay for you to do this? Won't someone else come to kill me in the future, like Yang Mei or something?"

  Hong Jun was taken aback, looking at Zhuang Xiong with an eerie gaze: "I didn't think you actually knew quite a bit? Even Yang Mei? However, I estimate that you don't fully understand the rules of the Heavenly Way. I also can't tell you too much, so let's just use your previous statement about Hong Huang being Pan Gu's play stage. I'm in control of creating the Jade Disc, destined to be the one filming, everything is under my control. The Heavenly Way is like a boss, as long as there are benefits, that's all that matters. Whoever causes losses will be eliminated. Actually, it doesn't matter if there are many or few people performing, it's just multiple actors playing their roles. But I'm different, this play is like the report card I submit to the Heavenly Way. And then you appeared, an uncertain existence who knows the process. What should I do? However, for now, it's fine. I know you won't cause trouble for me and might even help me make the play better. I actually acknowledge your existence."

  Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but want to cry without tears and said: "So that means my life and death are actually in your hands?"

  Hong Jun thought for a moment and said, "It can also be said that the Heavenly Way only controls the overall situation, while who plays the role, what play is played, all fall under my control."

  Zhuang Xiong said, "A typical county official is not as good as the current manager." Then he said, "I still don't feel at ease, why don't you take me on as an apprentice now? Teach me your rules again, so I won't do anything wrong."

  Hong Jun looked at Zhuang Xiong with disdain and said, "Do you still want me to give you a few more congenital treasures?"

  "That's the best."

  Hong Jun said: "I hold the jade disc of creation, and I am in charge of teaching the heavenly way. However, I cannot casually accept disciples, unless there is a hint from the heavenly way. As for whether you can enter the eyes of the heavenly way, it's not something I can control. Now, even if you know the process, tell me how this play of mine will end?"

  Zhuang Xiong thought to himself, "I suppose the so-called Heavenly Dao hint is referring to those few meditation cushions in the Purple Cloud Palace. I'll have to fight for one of them sooner or later. Of course, I won't snatch Nüwa's sister's cushion, and neither will I take Hongyun's abandoned son - let him find his own way to death. I'll just go after Kunpeng's instead. After all, even if I don't snatch it, you'll still be squeezed out by Zhunti and Hongyun anyway. It's better for me to benefit than for them to do so. Ideally, I should occupy the seat from the very beginning."

  But just as Zhuang Xiong was thinking about how to occupy a seat in the Zi Xuan Palace, he suddenly felt a gloomy gaze staring at him, and he couldn't help but snap back to reality. He awkwardly smiled at Hong Jun, who was about to speak to explain, but Hong Jun impatiently interrupted him, saying: "I know you know a lot of things, but since you're helping me out, I won't mind if you get some benefits too. However, can you please not space out at this moment? I'm asking you, how did my play end up in the end?"

  Zhuang Xiong smiled slyly and said: "Is it okay for us to talk like this? What if the Heavenly Dao Lord finds out that we're saying something unpleasant?"

  "Hong Jun coldly smiled and said: 'Could it be that you still think there's something that can deceive the Heavenly Dao? I just told you that to make it easier for you to understand, but the true Heavenly Dao is not something you can guess. Even I don't fully comprehend it, so I won't say more. Just give me a straightforward answer to my question.'"

  "Your play was okay, but it almost got out of control and nearly smashed the stage, the cost is too high."

  Hong Jun sank into thought for a moment, then sighed and said: "Many things I also can't control, nor can I tell you. But you know that the greater one's ability, the greater one's responsibility. How can you still be so reckless? If one day you need to sacrifice your life, will you still be willing? Or will you regret it?"

  Zhuang Xiong coldly snorted and said: "Personally, I think that in the world of Hong Huang, having a big fist is the hard truth. If you don't climb up, you're just an ant, and sooner or later, someone will come and kill you. Moreover, even if I didn't want to climb up, you would still force me to do so. Otherwise, it's better to just kill me off and take my body away to use as you please. Whether I agree or not doesn't make much of a difference. It's the typical 'fatten them up before killing' approach."

  Hong Jun couldn't help but chuckle a few times upon hearing Zhuang Xiong's blunt words, and didn't say whether Zhuang Xiong was right or not. He gave Zhuang Xiong a profound look and said: "Since you know so much, take some time to control the situation, don't let it get out of hand. We've talked enough, I'm at ease now, and it's time for me to leave and break through to the final realm. Please don't forget our conversation today."

  Zhuang Xiong hastily called out: "Speaking of which, I've helped you so much in the past and will continue to help you in the future. You won't give me any benefits at all? Even if you can't teach me your skills ahead of time, giving me a few magical artifacts would be fine."

  "Hmph, I knew you weren't so easily gotten rid of, you sly little brat. Fine, if I didn't give you anything, you'd say I'm stingy too. Can't have you putting in effort for nothing, so here are a few things. However, let me remind you, having many treasures is useless, the Three Pure Ones being the descendants of Pangu, blessed by the heavens, how could they not have gained anything from the Great War of the Three Clans? But it's just that those few treasures are enough, your own life-bound treasures aren't few either, and their quality isn't inferior. Take these as a gift, play with them, give them to someone else, don't bother refining so many, it'll only add to your troubles." As he spoke, he casually waved his hand, and a pile of treasures appeared on the ground.

  Zhuang Xiong's eyes instantly converged on the treasures scattered all over the ground, and he casually said: "I know, I'll just take them for collection, and give some to my apprentices in the future. By the way, you also know that I love to eat spiritual fruits, so give me those peaches too?"

  "Hong Jun couldn't help but laugh and scold: 'Good you, glutton, I knew you'd be insatiable. That's all, nothing else. I'm leaving now.' As he spoke, his entire person suddenly vanished, as if erased into thin air."

  Zhuang Xiong was unaware and unconscious at this time, but when he felt Hong Jun leave, he couldn't help but feel a little down. He looked up at the sky and sighed: "This guy must have sensed something earlier. It seems that I really was affected by the original words, and the heavens must have arranged some big event for me to appear." Then he smiled bitterly: "What's the point of thinking so much? Who knows how long it will take? When the time comes, things will naturally become clear. What's destined to come will come, and what's meant to be avoided can't be avoided. Can I even resign from my position? Let me change my mood by looking at the treasures left behind by Hong Jun, who is the number one wealthy landowner in the world."

  Zhuang Xiong thought to himself, "This is great! I can finally relax and take a closer look at these treasures." Hong Jun's collection was indeed impressive, with no ordinary or inferior items in sight. They were all top-notch, extraordinary goods. Zhuang Xiong was so thrilled that he soon forgot about his worries and exclaimed, "Wow, it's the Dinghai Divine Pearl! And what's this? The Hunyuan Golden Cauldron? And is that... the Thirty-Three Layered Luminous Pagoda?" He thought to himself, "That Rengongzi is really pitiful. He lost the Qiankun ruler and now I've taken his pagoda too. What other treasures does he have left? I wonder if he'll still be eyeing Zhao Gongming's Dinghai Pearl? No way, the pearl is mine now. But should I give it to Zhao Gongming in the future? He did seem to like it back then..." He also thought about Yun Xiao, "Zhao Gongming can suffer, but we can't bully a beauty." He decided, "I'll just have to ask our boss for another good treasure to exchange with them later. But what will Li Jing do without his pagoda? I don't like him, but it's not right to take the pagoda from him either." He thought, "Our boss doesn't care about these things, so I'll just discuss it with my supervisor later. Who cares about Li Jing's life or death?" Zhuang Xiong had indeed become more cunning, knowing that speaking ill of his supervisor behind his back was fine, but he should never mention his name, lest he be discovered. Having a clever and perceptive supervisor made life difficult indeed.

  Actually, Hong Jun left behind only a dozen or so magical artifacts, but among them were indeed several famous ones that would be renowned in later generations. It's no wonder that Zhuang Xiong was shocked and suspicious at first, wondering if it might not be appropriate. The Lantern, Li Jing, could just forget about it, letting him die in poverty would serve him right, and he might even secretly rejoice. However, the thought of that girl's things still didn't sit well with him. Only later did he think that these were all things Hong Jun had given to him, and the causal relationships involved were much clearer to him than to himself, so presumably it was nothing to worry about; why was he bothering his mind for no reason?

  Zhuang Xiong gathered up the crowd of magical treasures, and had long since forgotten his troubles. After some thought, however, he realized that he couldn't just wander aimlessly, so he used his divine powers to get a clear view of the direction of Wanshou Mountain's Five Villas Temple, and then set off once again with a light step.

  All the way, they naturally collected countless spiritual fruits and gathered a lot of spiritual treasures and materials. Along the way, they played and traveled, and it took nearly a thousand years to finally arrive at Wanshou Mountain. Looking at the warm and gentle atmosphere emanating from the Five Elements Pagoda in front of him, Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but feel that he was indeed tired from his journey, so why not take a good rest first? After all, he had to eat enough ginseng fruit before leaving.

  As he walked closer, just about to knock on the door, he suddenly felt like something was missing. Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but circle around in confusion, gazing out at the distant mountains which were both majestic and elegant, with peaks reaching into the sky, cranes flying and apes dancing, surrounded by clouds and mist, with green pines and bamboo forests standing tall, and flowers blooming in profusion. It was truly a beautiful scene. After observing for half a day, he finally slapped his forehead in realization - it was missing the finishing touch of a couplet on the door. Forget it, today I'm in high spirits, why not let me add it myself? When Brother becomes famous, this mountain will inevitably become even more renowned.

  That couplet became as famous in later generations as Zhenyuanzi himself, but at this time it had not yet appeared. Looking at the bare doors on both sides, Zhuang Xiong's mind was moved. He didn't hesitate and waved his hand to carve a sword aura on both sides of the gate with the couplet "Longevity is not old, the immortal mansion, and the Taoist household are the same as heaven." He also casually carved four large characters "Yu Shi Tong Jun" above the door as a horizontal title, regardless of whether it was original or not. Zhuang Xiong's handwriting in his previous life was not very good, but in the Honghuang, he had the Yuanshen to correct it, and he used the law to carve the characters, but there was not a single mistake. The few words of Zhuang Xiong were also elegant and flying, yet sharp and piercing, making Zhuang Xiong extremely satisfied.

  But then, Zhuang Xiong didn't even greet anyone, and casually scribbled on the door of someone's house. This startled the two gatekeepers, Qingfeng and Mingyue, who quickly opened the door to take a look. They saw a silly-looking man standing in front of the door, grinning foolishly at both sides. They hastily looked at the door and were immediately shocked. Although the words weren't wrong and the couplet was fine, things weren't that simple! If someone wanted to carve something, their own master wouldn't be much worse than him. Their master hadn't even carved anything yet, but a reckless man had casually scribbled on his own door. The responsibility of being a gatekeeper couldn't be escaped, and they suddenly felt tears welling up in their eyes.

  At this time, Qingfeng and Mingyue had not yet seen many powerful beings, nor had they developed an arrogant attitude. As soon as they saw that they couldn't see through Zhuang Xiong's cultivation, they knew it wasn't something they could handle. Qingfeng hastily said to Mingyue: "Mingyue sister, I'll keep an eye on him here, you quickly go call Master. If we block him in time, the punishment will be lighter."

  The bright moon knew it was dangerous to face a roughneck with unknown superior cultivation in front of the door, so she hastily said: "Brother Qingfeng, let me stop him instead. I'm a girl, maybe he won't hurt me. You go inform Master."

  "Listen up, I'm a man, so obey me! Go quickly, if you let this thief escape, we'll both be held responsible for the crime."

  Zhuang Xiong, who was standing beside them, turned black with rage and shouted: "I say you two little kids, can't you stop gossiping in front of others? And I'm not some kind of thief, I'm your family's friend, Huang Daoren, the good friend of Zhen Yuansu. Quickly call out Zhen Yuansu to see me!"

  The clear wind and bright moon were initially shocked, thinking he would get angry, frightened to the point of pale face, suddenly heard him say that it was indeed Bear Dao Ren, and couldn't help but say in unison: "Are you the despicable, shameless, sinister, cunning, cruel, violent, thick-skinned, black-hearted, lazy, gluttonous, yet lucky to the point of defying heaven, making people hate you so much they want to rip out your tendons and peel off your skin, envious to the point of wanting to trample you a thousand times, Bear Dao Ren that Shifu mentioned?"