Chapter 9: Kongtong Clears the Void

  Xiao Shi pulled Xiao Lan, who didn't dare to look back, and left. It was as if that wasn't a Taoist priest but a plague god. Xiao Lan found it strange and asked, "Shi Tou, what are you afraid of? I think that Taoist priest doesn't seem like a bad person."

  The little stone walked and said, "Bad people can't be seen, Xiaolan. The big bad guys often look more like good people than good people." Thinking of Guo Yunjie, who also looked like a talented person, but... thinking about it made his hair stand on end. He turned back to take a look, fortunately the Taoist priest didn't follow him.

  The Taoist didn't follow, so Xiaoshi slowed down and his footsteps became slower.

  Xiao Lan said "Really?" with a suspicious tone. Xiao Shi looked back and saw that the Taoist priest hadn't followed them, so he stopped and turned around, his face serious, saying "Xiao Lan, as a girl you must be more careful, remember not to easily trust people."

  Xiao Lan knew that Xiao Shi Tou was thinking of her and felt touched, saying "I remember!" Xiao Shi Tou saw her agree and was also very happy. The two looked at each other and smiled, becoming closer to each other again. Although they were the same age and grew up together since childhood, Xiao Lan was a girl, and after growing a bit older, they rarely played together anymore. Xiao Shi Tou felt that Xiao Lan almost got into trouble last night, although it wasn't because of him, but he still felt sorry for her.

  As for why the Taoist priest is not a good person, it all started when he was picked up by Old Man Zheng. At that time, Little Stone had been adopted by Old Man Zheng for less than a month when he suddenly came down with a high fever that wouldn't subside. After seeing a doctor and taking medicine to no avail, Old Man Zheng was frantic like an ant scurrying around in a hot wok. It was then that a traveling Taoist priest arrived in town, claiming to specialize in treating strange and obscure illnesses. In his desperation, Old Man Zheng asked the Taoist priest to treat Little Stone's illness. As a result, a lot of silver was spent but the illness wasn't cured; if someone hadn't stepped in to rescue Little Stone, something terrible would have happened!

  Zheng Lao Die was furious when he found out that his son had become a wandering Taoist priest, and almost cut the priest alive with a knife. Later, when Xiao Shi Tou grew up, Zheng Lao Die told him that most Taoist priests were not good people. Under Zheng Lao Die's influence, Xiao Shi Tou thought that Taoist priests were very evil and terrifying.

  Zhao Wuji was shocked in his heart when the Taoist spoke, and he secretly thought to himself: "This person's clear Dao power is so pure, I didn't notice it just now. I wonder which generation of disciples from the Kunlun Sect he is. What a powerful hidden energy technique! The Kunlun Sect indeed has potential! Hmm, they have potential!" He then immediately thought again: "What are people from the Kunlun Sect doing here? This Red Gold Town is really not peaceful!"

  Xiao Shi Tou didn't know that Zhao Wu Jin was a Taoist priest and was surprised. At this time, he had already arrived at Da Ye's house with Xiao Lan. This mute old man had a strange temperament, and no matter how hard Xiao Shi Tou tried to persuade him to celebrate the New Year together, he refused. There was nothing they could do about it, so they just let it be. Today, when Xiao Shi Tou came over to pay his respects for the new year, Da Ye was extremely happy. He even gave each of them a red envelope with money inside, but Xiao Shi Tou and Xiao Lan knew that Da Ye usually made a living by growing and selling vegetables, which wasn't easy, so they refused to accept it. In the end, Da Ye got angry and shouted "Ahhhhh!" Xiao Shi Tou and Xiao Lan had no choice but to take the red envelopes. After keeping Da Ye company for a while, Xiao Shi Tou said to Xiao Lan, "Later, I'll take you to see the beacon tower!" Xiao Lan had already heard Liu Pang Zi mention that there was a beacon tower here. In recent months, Xiao Shi Tou would often come over and play, saying things like "sunbathing" that no one could understand.

  "Is this where you sunbathe?"

  Xiao Shi Tou was taken aback and said "How did you know!"

  Xiao Lan smiled and said, "I heard Liu Shangbin say that it's really true, I thought he was cheating me!" Liu Shangbin is actually Liu Pangzi, Xiao Lan is a girl, she can't always be called Liu Pangzi.

  Little Stone muttered, "Dead Liu Pangzi, just a big mouth!" Seeing Xiao Lan's bright smile and radiant complexion, he was so moved. He couldn't help but think of Lian Qingyan's smile that day, and these two people were surprisingly identical.

  "Hey! Thinking of little girl again?"

  Little Stone was startled and his face turned red. Xiao Lan didn't understand what was going on and asked "Are we leaving now?"

  "Where are we going? Let's go to Beacon Tower!" Xiaoshi said, coming back to his senses.

  He bid farewell to Da Ye and the two of them headed towards the Beacon Tower.

  The beacon tower was covered with thick snow, and standing on it would cover your feet. Xiaolan had never been here before, looking around everywhere. She buried a small stone and said, "You didn't bring me here before, how fun!"

  The little stone bitterly smiled and said "This place is too far from the town, what's a girl doing running here! Besides, your mother won't agree!"

  Xiao Lan thought for a moment and said, "How about coming here secretly from now on, just like today?"

  The little stone readily agreed. Today the weather is not bad, after a big snow, all around is white and vast, with clear sky and blue sky meeting at the distant horizon, it's really breathtaking and endless.

  Looking at the vastness of the world, a small stone couldn't help but sigh and say "The world is really big, I am really small!" Xiao Lan looked at his body which was much older than his age, and also his tone which didn't match his age, asked "Stone, when you grow up what do you want to do?"

  Little Stone thought "I want to fly and escape!" but said "When I grow up, I'll go out and take a look, this world is so big!"

  Xiao Lan looked envious and said, "It's always better for you guys, you can go out and take a look, but I'm not allowed to!"

  Xiao Shi Tou knew that girls here get married at the age of 16 or 17, then give birth to children and serve the elderly. Some people never leave their homes for their entire lives, let alone go out and explore. Xiao Shi Tou comforted her by saying "Don't worry, when I grow up, I'll take you out to see the world!" Xiao Lan was thrilled and said "Really? You promise?"

  "Of course, just don't get married then."

  Xiao Lan nodded vigorously and said "I won't marry!"

  Zhao Wujin secretly thought "Foolish kid, daring to agree to anything! Alas!"

  The little stone suddenly took a deep breath, then puffed out hard, and a white mist shot out far away. Xiao Lan thought it was funny and tried too, but she couldn't blow as far as the little stone. The little stone laughed "ha ha" and teased Xiao Lan into hitting him with snowballs.

  They made a big fuss for a while, and Xiao Lan was so tired that she couldn't breathe. Xiaoshi pleaded "Okay, I was wrong!" Only then did Xiao Lan stop.

  The little stone looked at the sun and said, "It's almost noon. Let's go back! It's late, your mother will be looking for you again!"

  Xiao Lan was having fun, but thinking of her mother, she could only say "Okay! Next time!" Xiao Shi Tou supported Xiao Lan as they walked down from the beacon tower and headed home.

  Xiao Lan chattered all the way, and even reminded Xiao Shi Tou not to forget what he promised him when they reached his doorstep. Xiao Shi Tou kept nodding, his neck was sore. Finally, Xiao Lan returned home, and Xiao Shi Tou shook his head and walked towards his own home.

  As soon as I entered the house, I heard Zheng Lao's laughter, seemingly very happy. In my heart, I muttered "won't he be drunk again". When I came to the front of the main room and pushed open the door, I was stunned at a glance.

  Zheng Lao Die was not drunk and was talking to someone. Bai Fu Zi was also there, but he wasn't the one Zheng was talking to. It was a Taoist priest, wearing a green robe with large sleeves, with refined eyebrows and starry eyes, who was the same Daoist that had come looking for him earlier.

  Zheng Lao Die saw Xiao Shi Tou coming in and was about to speak, but heard Xiao Shi Tou and the Taoist priest exclaiming "How is it you!" at the same time. Xiao Shi Tou was both shocked and angry, this Taoist priest had actually deceived his way into their home. Old Die also said that the Taoist priest was a scoundrel, how could he have been cheated again.

  The Taoist was both surprised and delighted: "I really have a fate with you, and I met again here."

  Zheng Lao Die didn't know any of this and said, "Stone, do you know Dao Zhang?" Before Xiao Shi Tou could respond, the Daoist's expression changed upon hearing Zheng Lao Die call him Dao Shi Tou. He no longer smiled and said, "So you're Qi Xiao Shi... Ah! Not bad, not bad... What a pity, what a pity!" His expression was both happy and disappointed, it was really unclear what he meant.

  "Old dad, what's wrong with you? What is this Taoist priest doing here?" Zheng Lao Ye hastily shouted: "Shi Tou, don't talk nonsense! This is Qing Xu Dao Zhang, the great apprentice of Guang Xian Lao Shen Xian from Kong Tong Mountain. He has come to take you to Kong Tong Mountain!"

  Xiao Shi Tou was momentarily stunned, "What's this about Cuiyun Mountain, Old Immortal, coming to take me up the mountain?" Xiao Shi Tou didn't understand.

  "Let me tell you instead," said Bai Fuzi with a light sigh. "What Old Zheng just said was a bit hasty. The stone is actually like this!" And then Bai Fuzi told them some things about small stones that they had never known before.

  It all started twelve years ago when Xiao Shi Tou fell ill. At that time, a Taoist priest deceived Zheng Lao Die, and Xiao Shi Tou was on the verge of death. Coincidentally, Guang Yan Dao Ren and his disciple Qing Xu were passing through Chi Jin Town. Bai Fu Zi thought they didn't seem like ordinary people, so he asked them to treat Xiao Shi Tou's illness. Guang Yan Dao Ren wasn't famous, but he was a master of a sect. With just one look at Xiao Shi Tou, he determined it was a case of yin deficiency and yang excess, and with a wave of his hand, the illness was cured. Zheng Lao Die was grateful and wanted to repay the kindness. Guang Yan Dao Ren said, "I have a predestined relationship with this child. If you're willing, twelve years later, I'll send my senior disciple Qing Xu to take him to the mountain as my closed-door disciple. If you're not willing, we can just forget about it and not force it." Zheng Lao Die saw Guang Yan's divine demeanor and that he was Xiao Shi Tou's lifesaver, so he agreed. Guang Yan also said, "I'll take him as my disciple for six years on Mount Cang Tang. After the six-year fate is fulfilled, he can return to you and live out his old age, and from then on, we won't have any more dealings with each other." Zheng Lao Die heard that he could still come back and didn't hesitate anymore. He just waited for twelve years later when Qing Xu came to take Xiao Shi Tou to Mount Cang Tang because Xiao Shi Tou was too young and had never been told about it.

  Xiao Shi Tou heard such an incredible story that happened to himself, it was really hard to believe. But with the person in front of him, it must be true. He thought for a moment and asked "Dad, then why do you always say that Taoist priests are no good, there aren't many good people?"

  "Ah! Hehe, this is not the same thing," Zheng Lao Die looked at Qingxu with embarrassment and said "Stone, I was deceived by that Taoist priest, and then Guangxian Old Immortal saved you, so I never changed my mouth. The Taoist priests on Kongtong Mountain are all good people, you go there to study hard and listen to the Taoist priests' words!" As he spoke, his voice choked with emotion, and his eyes turned red. After all, he had lived with Little Stone for twelve years, like a father and son, thinking that they would have to leave soon made him sad.

  The little stone's eyes had also turned red early, and tears were swirling in his eye sockets, sobbing "Dad, I won't go to Kongtong Mountain, I want to stay with you!" After finishing speaking, he hugged his dad tightly and wouldn't let go.

  Qingxu sighed and said, "Master Zheng, before our master came down the mountain, he told me that if you and Qi Xiaoshi are not willing to part ways, then don't force it, just let things be as they may!" He glanced at the two of them, thinking to himself that if he didn't leave now, he would be a great villain. He added, "Farewell, everyone, I'm taking my leave."

  "Qingxu Daozhang, take the stone away!" he shouted. After finishing speaking, he looked at the small stone and truly couldn't bear to part with it. He then said to the small stone, "Stone, Father also can't bear to part with you, but in the past, Guangxian Lao Shenshen had a lifesaving kindness towards you. We cannot forget his kindness and be ungrateful. I told you before, this life doesn't necessarily have to do great things, but also cannot do things that betray others. Forgetting kindness and being ungrateful is something we cannot do, listen and go!" As he spoke, old tears flowed horizontally.

  Xiao Shi Tuo had already cried until his eyes were red, and he just hugged Zheng Lao Die without saying a word.

  Qingxu shook his head and said, "Alright then, I'll come again tomorrow morning. Zheng Shizhu, some things can't be forced! Farewell!" After finishing speaking, he floated away.

  Bai Fu Zi looked at the two old men who were holding their heads and crying, and could only sigh. He shook his sleeves and left as well.

  Men cry, it's not a sin! The two of them cried for a whole hour, and Zhao Wuji got a headache from crying. He shouted, "Xiao Shitou isn't leaving forever, he'll be back in six years! What are you crying about!"

  The little stone, who was also feeling sad, rubbed his eyes and looked at his father. Seeing that his father had cried so much that his eyes were swollen, he said, "Father, don't cry anymore. Tomorrow I'll go to Mount Kongtong. It's only six years, isn't it? I'll be back soon."

  Zheng Lao Tou also stopped crying, wiped away his tears and said "Good child, just listen to me!" Looking at this child who was now taller than himself, he felt another pang of sadness.

  The two of them cried for a while, and it was almost dark. Old Zheng thought to himself, "Tomorrow the child is leaving, I'll get some good food ready!"

  Zheng Lao Die said to Xiao Shi Tou, "Shi Tou have a good meal tonight, if you want to eat dishes cooked by Lao Die again, you'll have to wait until six years later."

  Xiao Shi Tou nodded and said, "Dad, don't worry, I'll listen!" The father and son ate for a long time, Zheng Lao Die instructed this and that, Xiao Shi Tou responded with a full mouth until finally Zheng Lao Die got drunk and fell asleep.

  Xiao Shi Tou settled Lao Die down and returned to his own room. He then thought of Zhao Wu Jin, who hadn't spoken for a long time. So he said, "Big Brother, I have many things I want to ask you."

  Zhao Wu Jin always arrives on call and responds with "Ask away!"

  The little stone's words surprised him, "Big brother, you said that the Kunlun School has great potential, is that right?"

  "Yes, this little Taoist priest who came today is not simple at all."

  Xiao Shi Tou was a bit skeptical and said "Really? How come I didn't notice that!"

  "Nonsense! What can you see? Qingxu Dao's cultivation is very deep, and it seems that Guangxian is not simple either." Zhao Wujin said.

  The little stone was very curious about this unfamiliar master and asked, "What is he like? Is he very powerful?"

  Zhao Wujin said, "If there are disciples, then there must be a master. Guangxian, you're not an ordinary person, are you?"

  Xiao Shi Tou heard him say something a bit off-key and continued to ask "How fierce is it?"

  Zhao Wu Jin just said, let's talk when we meet in person, and then he stopped talking.

  He didn't speak, and the little stone was helpless. Thinking about going to Kuangtu Mountain made him excited, but wanting to leave Chijin Town, leaving his old father behind, was a bit sad, and he slowly fell asleep.

  Zhao Wuji couldn't help but think, "The Kongtong Sect, a sect with a thousand-year legacy yet always unknown and silent. Guangxian, the leader of this non-major sect, Qingxu, the leader's disciple of the Kongtong Sect, has such unfathomable cultivation. Is this still the forgotten Kongtong Sect? What secrets do you have? And you, little stone, do you also have some secret? Why did someone take you as a disciple twelve years ago?"

  The answer is in Mount Taihang!