Chapter Fifteen Human World (Five)

  Bang!

  A chess piece carved from a sheep's fat white jade fell heavily onto the thousand-year-old cypress wood chessboard, and the two fingers holding the chess piece, like withered branches, seemed reluctant to part with its warmth, stroking it several times before finally withdrawing.

  The old man Tianhai was beaming with joy, laughing extremely happily, and said: "This move is a great success, the whole situation has turned around. Ziyang True Man, it seems you're going to lose again!"

  Ziyang Zhenren's face was solemn, and he held a black piece in his hand. After a long time of contemplation, he finally made a move on the empty white chessboard, then smiled and said: "Tianhai Dao brother's chess skills are impressive, I admire you, I admire you!"

  Ziyang Zhenren's years may be many, but his hands are like jade, warm inside and smooth outside. This is not the result of careful nurturing, but rather the effect of Daoist principles defying heaven.

  Ziyang Zhenren's move was made, and Tianhai Lao Ren's long eyebrows immediately jumped up. He stared at the chessboard for a moment before smiling and saying: "Your move is extremely fierce and risky, but it's a deviated sword stroke, not the orthodox way. As for this game of chess, I think it's hopeless to turn the tables. Playing chess is like cultivating the Tao - being off by just a little bit can be as different as heaven and earth! Hehe, Ziyang Dao brother, your chess skills are almost on par with mine, but after nine games in a few days, you've lost all nine. This shows the difference!"

  Ziyang Zhenren didn't seem to be ashamed of his nine losses at all, but instead stroked his beard and smiled, saying: "Heavenly Dao Brother's words are indeed correct. Cultivation and chess skills have always had many similarities. The secret method of Yunzhongju is unpredictable and profound, exhausting the ultimate principles of heaven and earth. This has also been my long-cherished aspiration."

  Tian Hai old man laughed with his mouth wide open, holding a white chess piece that hesitated to fall, saying: "Zi Yang Dao brother is too modest, the precious Three Purity Secret of your sect was left by Guang Chengzi when he ascended to immortality, it won't be inferior to our sect's Xuan Huang Record. However... your sect's method of teaching young disciples isn't quite right, these disciples are numerous but not talented, what use are they?"

  As soon as he spoke, the faces of Yu Xū and Tai Wei, who were watching the chess game on the side, suddenly looked a bit unsightly. In fact, it was no secret that the young disciples of Daoguo and Yunzhong had been competing with each other for several days, and everyone knew about it. The disciples of Daoguo, including Ji Bingxian, all lost, how could these true immortals not know? Although they had been staying in the palace with Tianhai Lao Ren day and night, playing chess without leaving the house, this Taishang Daode Palace was too big, and what happened here couldn't escape their spiritual consciousness.

  In fact, the eyes of true people are extremely sharp and there is no need to really debate or compare. Just seeing the three disciples of Yun Zhongju is enough to know that not one person under his door can pass the test of Gu Qing.

  However, this time several true men all endured and did not speak out. Tian Hai Old Man smiled and glanced around for a week before slapping down the white piece, sealing off Zi Yang True Man's retreat cleanly.

  Ziyang Zhenren stroked his beard and smiled, picking up a chess piece. He pondered for half a day but couldn't bring himself to make the move. He looked up at Tianhai Lao Ren and said with a smile: "The outstanding disciples of Yunzhongju are indeed exceptional. I'm sure Tianhai Dao brother has put in a lot of thought. Especially Gu Qing, who is so young yet already has an aura that blends seamlessly with heaven and earth. It seems he has the potential to become a flying immortal. Such a person would normally be able to crush my younger disciples from Daode Zong with ease. It looks like Yunzhongju's resurgence is just around the corner!"

  Plop, Ziyang True Man's black sesame fell down.

  The old man Tian Hai couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Haha, that's it! To take in Qing'er as a disciple of my Cloud Dwelling Sect, indeed requires some good fortune, haha, hohoho!"

  He laughed heartily, but his mind didn't become muddled. After one move fell, he again tightened up the Purple Yang True Person's breath, not giving him any opportunity.

  Tian Hai didn't notice that the faces of the other onlookers were somewhat strange, as if they were trying to hold back their laughter.

  Ziyang Zhenren picked up another chess piece, not in a hurry to put it down. He smiled slightly and said slowly: "I don't know how old Gu Qing is this year?"

  "Just twenty!" Tianhai old man was delighted.

  Ziyang Zhenren nodded and smiled: "This is great! The ages match, the characters are all good, and they get along well. Our two families can be considered a perfect match. It's rare for Tianhai Dao to bring his disciples here, and it's a beautiful thing that has been accomplished! Tianhai Dao is a man of high virtue and prestige, and I am a few years older than him, so I can still make some decisions for the younger generation. In my opinion, let's take advantage of this auspicious day and settle the marriage between Xiaotong and Guqing early on. It will be a grand event for our sect!"

  Tian Hai Lao Ren was shocked, staring at Zi Yang Zhen Ren for half a day before angrily saying: "What is Brother Zi Yang talking about?! What marriage of Qing Er?! For 15 years, Qing Er has never left the mountain, what does she have to do with your disciple?! This kind of absurd idea, you can forget it!"

  Ziyang Zhenren didn't think much of it, casually dropping the chess piece in his hand, and said: "Although Gu Qing hasn't left Yunzhongju for 15 years, she obviously has some predestined relationship with Xiaotou. On that day, after Taichengchi met Xiaotou, she came to find me, wanting to consult our sect's scriptures. I thought that although the two sects have had deep prejudices against each other for a thousand years, Qing'er and Xiaotou are both naturally talented people. In this chaotic world, these sectarian prejudices can be temporarily set aside. So I agreed to let her freely read any scriptures in our sect."

  The old man Tian Hai let out a loud shout and immediately jumped up, pointing at Zi Yang Zhen Ren with his face completely red, unable to speak for a moment. Just now, Zi Yang Zhen Ren had already spoken of engagement, in the capacity of taking over as the head of the Dao De sect, every word he spoke was like being carved into stone, without any intention of joking. In this world, each sect's techniques were kept secret and not publicly announced, but the Dao De sect actually allowed people to watch their grand examination, which was unprecedented. Therefore, Gu Qing asking to observe the Dao De sect's ceremony as a disciple of Yun Zhong Ju was already an extremely presumptuous request, yet Zi Yang Zhen Ren had surprisingly agreed!

  This betrothal gift is a bit too expensive.

  Tian Hai Lao Ren glared at Zi Yang Zhen Ren for half a day, seeing that he was calm and composed, without the slightest hint of joking. He sat down again, casually throwing down a chess piece, and said in a low voice: "So what has Qing Er been up to these past few days?"

  Ziyang Zhenren immediately responded with a smile, saying: "For the past three days, she has been in seclusion at Xiaotu's place, reading scriptures and getting along very well. I have seen this and therefore made this sudden request to Tianhai Dao brother. If our two sects are like connected branches, there will be many benefits. Dao brother is a wise person, so there is no need for me to say more."

  Tian Hai Lao Ren remained silent and focused on the chess game, this time his moves were swift but full of mistakes, ruining a good situation.

  From the moment he entered Daodezong, Tianhai Lao Ren separated from his three disciples and only played chess with several true people of Daodezong day and night. He was confident in himself, knowing that if he wasn't present, Shi Ji and others would be able to act freely without any worries. Indeed, the three beloved disciples did not disappoint him, and they easily killed off the younger generation of Daodezong's disciples like falling flowers and flowing water.

  But he never thought it would end like this!

  If this marriage really came true, it would indeed be a sensational event, but he, Yun Zhongtian, had changed from challenging the door to sending someone up the mountain, leaving behind an eternal joke.

  But Gu Qingcai went up to Moganshan, how did he get entangled with the disciple of Ziyang Zhenren like this? Fate? Believe it or not!

  Tian Hai Lao Ren left the Tai Qing Hall, with a murderous aura like a tide, taking one step for every hundred feet. In the blink of an eye, he arrived at the residence of Gu Qing and the other two. At this time, the night sky was low and the cold stars were high, but before he even stepped into the courtyard, he heard the sound of quarreling coming from inside.

  "You rush to Mojie Dust's residence every morning and return late at night, what kind of behavior is this?! Cloud Dweller's face has been maintained for a thousand years, can it be ruined on Moganshan like this?!" Chu Han's tone was severe, and he sounded somewhat agitated. This was an extremely rare occurrence for someone known for his composure.

  "It's not about me, Brother Master," Gu Qing said calmly.

  "Whatever it is, you are not allowed to go to Ji Ruochen's residence tomorrow!" Chu Han shouted.

  At this time, Shi Qi seemed to feel that the atmosphere was not right and hastily interjected: "Why must you get angry, Brother Shifu? Gu Shijie probably has other plans..."

  Shi Qi's words were cut off by Gu Qing, whose tone was indifferent but with a hint of coldness: "Chu Han Shixiong, let's talk about that later when you're in charge of the Yunzhongju gate."

  "You!......" Chu Han was speechless for a moment.

  Tian Hai Old Man hummed heavily and stepped into the main hall.

  Gu Qing, Chu Han and Shi Ji saw Tian Hai arrive, all of them paid their respects and asked after his well-being. Gu Qing remained as calm as ever, Shi Ji had a faint smile on her face, making it hard to discern what was on her mind, while Chu Han had a hint of joy in his expression.

  Tian Hai Lao Ren sat upright in the middle, his gaze as solid as substance, staring at Gu Qing, silent and expressionless, with a hint of thunder on his face. After staring for a whole incense stick's worth of time, Tian Hai Lao Ren slowly spoke: "You've been staying at that Ji Ruocheng's place for three days now?"

  "Yes."

  "Have you asked Ziyang Zhenren for advice on the moral classics of Daoism?"

  "Yes."

  "So tell me, what have you been reading these past three days?"

  "Time was limited, but I had read a few articles from Sanqing Zhenyue and Taiching Zhenyue."

  "The Three Pure Ones' Secret?!"

  Tian Hai Lao Ren let out a loud shout, and with a heavy slap, he struck the iron-hearted wooden turtle chair beneath him! The palm fell silently, yet the chair, which was impervious to water and fire and harder than fine steel, vanished into thin air, as if it had never existed in this world.

  The old man Tianhai's few strands of remaining hair danced in the windless air, and he spoke slowly: "I have countless secret methods in my cloud abode, which one of the Huangdi's precious records is inferior to the Three Pure Ones' true formula? Do you want to go read the classics of the Dao De Zong? Do you know or not, today Zi Yang True Man has already proposed to me with this as a betrothal gift!!"

  Shi Ji heard this and couldn't help but cover her cherry lips, letting out a soft "ah" sound. Chu Han's face also changed in an instant.

  Gu Qing smiled faintly and said, "Then I'll agree."

  The soft whispering sound of the sand, like a spring silkworm eating leaves, passed by, and the magnificent main building of the Water Pavilion's three-story high tower suddenly turned into thin sand, gone with the night wind, leaving nothing behind. Even the green jade floor and the dark rock foundation were completely erased. For a moment, in the center of the Water Pavilion, only a deep pit over two zhang remained.

  Tian Hai Lao Ren sat empty-handed in mid-air, still maintaining the posture of clapping and striking downwards. Gu Qing stood with his hands behind him, calmly facing Tian Hai, his plain white shirt spotless and dust-free.

  After a long time, the old man Tian Hai finally spat out a mouthful of turbid air. This mouthful of air sprayed out with a rumbling sound, like thunder in the middle of the night: "Although I may not be able to control you, it is still possible for me to take you back to the mountain. Tomorrow morning, I will bid farewell to Ziyang True Man and set off on my journey back to the mountain!"

  On the second day at dawn, Ji Ruochen, who was worried, looked at Gu Qing and walked into the courtyard with the first light of morning, just like he did for the past three days.

  The taste of these three days is really indescribable and inexplicable.

  On the first day, Ji Ruochen still subconsciously didn't dare to look at Gu Qing, perhaps because of her profound and mysterious nature, or perhaps because of her piercing gaze that seemed to see through everything.

  It wasn't until he finally overcame this habit and was able to face Gu Qing directly that he discovered Gu Qing's stunning appearance. However, she was truly too majestic, so majestic that it seemed as if the universe itself was contained within her chest. In front of her, Ji Ruochen could only retreat, not even feeling a spark of surprise or admiration.

  In these three days, Gu Qing really accompanied him to clear his mind and study hard, researching the true meaning of the Great Way. Ji Ruochen knew that she was about the same age as him, but whether it was astrology, divination, alchemy, or legendary tales, Gu Qing was well-versed in all of them, with a depth that seemed bottomless. Whenever Ji Ruochen drew talismans or meditated for a moment, Gu Qing would occasionally lend a hand to tidy up their living quarters, leaving Ji Ruochen looking at her with a mixture of shock and awe.

  Ji Ruoxuan wasn't afraid that while cleaning the room, he would discover more secrets. Since he already knew the secret of separation, what other secrets couldn't be known? He just really didn't understand why Gu Qing would stoop to clean his room for him.

  To be honest, she and Gu Qing were just acquaintances at first, so her actions are even more inexplicable. Thinking about the possible implications behind these actions, even Ji Yedu felt that it was unthinkable, absolutely impossible.

  Just then, Gu Qing said that Zi Yang Zhen Ren allowed her to consult the classics. Ji Ruochen still had some doubts. Firstly, at that time, all the true people were playing chess with Tian Hai Lao Ren, and he couldn't find Zi Yang Zhen Ren. Secondly, on the second day, when Gu Qing came to his door as agreed, she already had three ancient scrolls in her arms, namely Taiqing Shangsheng, Gaosheng, and Taisheng Sanjing. These three classics can only be obtained from the Cang Jing Dian, and it was not until then that Ji Ruochen knew that she could indeed read all the classics at will, including the Three Clear Secrets.

  In these three days, Ji Ruochen gained nothing in his Taoist practice. Every night at midnight was the time he meditated and cultivated his mind, but as soon as he sat down and entered a state of tranquility, Gu Qing would quietly leave, returning with the first light of dawn the next day. Even though she had left, Ji Ruochen always felt that her bright eyes were watching him, how could he calm his mind? His Taoist practice naturally made no progress.

  On the fourth day, early in the morning, Gu Qing walked into the study as if she were entering her own home, and sat down on the main seat behind the desk. Ji Ruochen smiled awkwardly and had to sit down on the guest seat with a nervous look, just like he did the previous few days.

  Gu Qing descended like a divine dragon from the heavens, and as soon as she appeared, she grasped the handle of Ji Ruochen's Separation Spell. From then on, no matter what she desired - wind or rain - how could Ji Ruochen not comply?

  Gu Qing stared at Ji Ruochen, silent. Ji Ruochen was already used to her staring and could bear it, but under the gaze of those clear eyes, he felt as if every single secret couldn't be kept hidden, this feeling was still inexplicably uncomfortable.

  "Brother Dust, can I take a look at your hand?"

  Facing the snow-white slender hand stretched out in front of him by Gu Qing, Ji Ruochen couldn't help but be stunned. He hesitated for a moment, although he felt it was absurd to the extreme, in this situation, he should have exchanged roles with Gu Qing. But Ji Ruochen knew he had no other choice and still had to raise his right hand and place it on Gu Qing's snow-white palm.

  Two hands, just like this, lightly placed together.

  Gu Qing sank into thought for a moment before saying, "Yu Xun brother, our meeting has been brief and it's already time to part ways. After noon today, I will be returning to Yun Zhong Ju."

  As soon as Ji Ruoxue stepped onto the stage, it was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, and she let out a long sigh of relief.

  Gu Qing couldn't help but smile slightly, and in an instant, Ji Ruochen's eyes lit up.

  She flipped her hand over and gently patted Ji Ruocheng's wrist, saying softly: "Brother Ruocheng, in today's world, the way is fraught with danger, and both our fortunes are extremely ominous. I see that your will is as strong as steel, you thoroughly understand the art of hiding one's strength and enduring hardships, and your hands are full of murderous intent, so it shouldn't be difficult for you to kill and fight. However, if you want to survive this disastrous fate, it's still not enough. You have an excess of gentle endurance and a lack of bold decisiveness. Ruocheng, as a man of seven feet tall, you can't always think about hiding and using strategy, you should also have the heroic spirit of charging forward with all your might!"

  Ji Ruocheng was taken aback by the words, and all sorts of past events flooded his mind in an instant. He also saw Gu Qing's gentle and warm demeanor for the first time, and for a moment, he only felt a loud noise in his ears, his thoughts were chaotic, and he couldn't think clearly anymore.

  Gu Qing let out a soft sigh, patted Ji Ruochen's hand, and stood up. He spread paper and ground ink at the desk, and in an instant, he wrote a new poem. The characters were like silver hooks and iron slashes, containing sharpness without revealing it, with a hidden meaning that encompassed heaven and earth.

  Ji Ruoxuan also stood up and read in a low voice:

  Immortal

  Ancient Peak, Famous Mountain

  Nourishing and beautifying

  Eat the dew of a hundred flowers, drink from the fountain of youth

  Enjoying the sound of pine waves, watching the crane's shadow dance

  The cycle of reincarnation resolved all grudges and grievances, cultivating truth abandoned all entanglements.

  Who says the immortal path is lightly dusty, will know that my body continues the previous fate

  ……

  Although Ji's skills in poetry and books are limited, after reading this poem, I can appreciate a bit of quiet and ethereal meaning, and for a moment, I was stunned.

  Gu Qing looked up at the sky and smiled: "The time has come, let's part ways for now. We'll meet again in this dusty world someday."

  Ji Ru's eyes were dazed for a moment, and all he could do was silently see him off. As they walked to the gate of the courtyard, he stopped in his tracks, wanting to speak but hesitating. Gu Qing didn't rush him, simply standing with his hands behind his back.

  At last, Ji Ruochen sighed and said: "According to your words just now, your calamity is also extremely severe. From now on... be careful all the way."

  This time it was Gu Qing's turn to be stunned.

  Silent.

  Gu Qing suddenly smiled and said with a hint of flirtation: "There's no need to worry about this matter. I only pretend to be gentle and elegant in front of you!"

  Her words still linger in my ears, but she has already gone far away with her feet on clouds.

  Ji Ruocheng was speechless, standing still for a long time, before shaking his head and closing the courtyard gate.

  That night, he didn't move a single thing in the courtyard, as if only by doing so could he hold on to these chaotic past few days.