Chapter Thirteen: Clear Wind and Bright Moon

  Just then, in front of the big pit, there were three people surrounding it. All three wore green woolen Taoist robes and carried precious swords on their backs. One of them bent down to pick up a piece of clothing from the pit and said, "Chong Ming, my junior brother, take a closer look and see if this is the one."

  All that could be seen was that the white garment was covered with curved, bright red marks. It was precisely the Daoist robe with the ghostly symbol that Cheng Jun had worn. The junior monk who had been questioned saw it and nodded, saying: "That's right, this is the one. I saw it together with my senior brother."

  As soon as he spoke, both Xiao He and Xiaoshi recognized him at the same time. This was the young man who had been following Chong Yuan earlier, but at that time he was still dressed in ordinary clothes, now he was wearing a Taoist robe.

  The other two Taoists, Xiaoshi looked at them and recognized them, frowned and said: "They are Qingfeng and Mingyue from the Purple Cloud Temple, they also came."

  As soon as he mentioned the two names, the two Taoist priests, who were not far away, naturally heard them and looked up together. They saw that both of them were young men with weak crowns, looking very similar, with five officials and eyebrows, like one person, obviously a pair of twin brothers. The two looked at Xiaoshi, frowned at the same time, and said: "Hmph, it's you." This sentence was spoken very neatly, even the sound of "hmm" seemed to come from the same nostril.

  "Hey, it's you, Chai Dage," said Xiaoshi with raised eyebrows, "what's up?"

  Chong Ming heard from behind and was outraged, scolding: "What are you, daring to be rude to two senior brothers?"

  The clear wind and anger flashed by, and then revealed a hidden color, raised his hand and said: "Hmph, forget it." Mingyue followed up and said: "Don't be on the same level as him." Chongming was stunned, and swallowed back what he wanted to say next.

  The little stone saw the two of them holding that piece of clothing, their faces looking even more unpleasant. "What's going on? You're taking this piece of clothing away? Did you get permission from our master? Taking something without telling is thievery, has Purple Cloud Temple become so poor that it's resorting to stealing everywhere?"

  "Who are you talking nonsense to? I was ordered by my master to come and take... the host, where is the host?" His gaze shifted, and he happened to see Little Monk, his eyebrows furrowed even deeper, saying: "It's you, what brings you here too?"

  "Hello there, young monk! I happened to be passing by."

  "Are you the owner of this garment?"

  Cheng Jun stepped forward and said, "That's mine."

  The clear wind and bright moon four eyes suddenly looked at him together, with Chong Ming behind them saying in a low voice: "Two masters, it's this person. I saw him frozen in the ice before, didn't expect him to come out now, ah!" Suddenly letting out a surprised cry, this sound was not soft, and scared Clear Wind and Bright Moon, who asked together: "What's wrong?"

  Chong Ming said: "Chong Yuan Shixiong once said that someone who has been possessed by the corpse symbol will turn into a zombie in no time, how is he still fine? Has he already turned into a zombie? Be careful, Shixiong, he's coming over to bite you!" As he spoke, he retreated three steps, but didn't realize that behind him was a pit. His retreat landed him right in the pit, and with a "ah yo" cry, he fell in. Fortunately, the pit wasn't deep, and he didn't fall flat on his back. He quickly scrambled to his feet, his face full of panic, and climbed out, only to find himself standing on the other side of the pit, even farther away from this side.

  Qingfeng and Mingyue exchanged a glance, both revealing an expression of "being fed up". Qingfeng said: "What did Chongyuan say? How can his words be trusted?" At the same time, Mingyue rebuked: "Shut your mouth, don't lose face."

  At the same time, they turned to Cheng Jun and asked together: "Is this dress really yours?"

  "Of course it's mine."

  The clear wind and bright moon nodded together, saying: "Good, then you come with us for a trip." As soon as the words were spoken, the two of them took a step forward at the same time, standing diagonally in front of Cheng Jun, with a subtle intention of surrounding him.

  Cheng Jun ignored their threats and didn't even bat an eyelid, saying: "Oh, where are you going?"

  The clear wind and bright moon saw him with a faint expression, only to feel that this person's life was weak and feeble, and he was empty-handed, without any threat whatsoever. However, for no reason at all, he felt a chill in his heart, and both of them shivered simultaneously. Their minds connected, feeling threatened, they immediately drew out the Seven-Star Treasure Sword from behind their backs with a "brush" sound. The snow-white sword blade flashed in the air, pointing straight at Cheng Jun.

  Qingfeng said: "My master is interested in the ghost symbol on your body, and wants you to go back and ask questions. Don't think wildly, just follow us honestly, and we won't do anything to you."

  Cheng Jun looked at the sword blade in front of him as if he didn't see it, his expression calm and unruffled, without any sign of anger. "Yue Hua Zhen Ren wants to see me? Well, that's not impossible..."

  At this time, a small stone jumped out and landed in front of the two men, facing their sword tips. "Don't listen to them," it shouted. "Zi Yun Guan is the Ghost Gate Pass; once you go in, you can never come out."

  "Qingfeng frowned and said, 'Chai family's young master, don't interfere. We're being polite to you because of your sister, so don't get too full of yourself. Today's matter was personally instructed by our master, we've got this person under control, even if it were your sister here...' "

  Someone was heard saying: "If I were there, what would happen on the other side?"

  Only then did Chai Huo Nu emerge from behind, striding forward with one hand on her hip and the other holding a hunting knife. She charged over to Xiao Shi Tou, using the knife to knock against his long sword, and cursed: "You two scoundrels, how dare you point your swords at my brother! If you've hurt him in the slightest, I'll have your heads chopped off!" With a flick of her knife, she shouted: "Get out of here!"

  Qingfeng and Mingyue took a step back, eyes locked on each other, and finally slowed down their breathing. "Miss Chai," they said, "this is a misunderstanding. We didn't mean to be rude, nor were we targeting Young Master Chai. We just wanted to invite this one person..."

  "Cut the crap, I don't want to hear your excuses. Get out of here now, or I'll smash your brains right this minute."

  The clear wind and bright moon changed their expressions, after a while, they finally made a decision, saying: "Alright, today we'll first return to report back - that little kid, don't be too pleased with yourself, your master will definitely summon you again, at that time you can still fly up into the sky?" As they spoke, the two of them simultaneously jumped backwards, landing several feet away. Bright Moon kicked Chun Ming, who was standing stupidly beside her, saying: "Aren't you going back yet?"

  The three of them took the clothes and disappeared into the forest.

  After the three of them left, Chai Huo Niang snorted and said: "If you want to leave, then just leave. Don't say anything cheap. Little Cheng, come live with us, as long as I'm around, I'll see who dares to take you away."

  "Wow, what a big show-off you are, Chai Huo Niang! You really have the style of Master Mother of Purple Cloud Temple!"

  Chai Huo Niang listened and didn't get angry, instead she smiled and said: "You're being stubborn again, aren't you? Don't worry, even if your sister gets married, she'll still take care of you." As she spoke, she poked Xiaoshi Tuo's forehead with her finger.

  Xiao Shi Tuo suddenly dodged and jumped, saying: "Who cares about you? You can marry whoever you want, I know that when a girl grows up she should get married. But it's okay to marry anyone, just don't marry that stinky old Taoist who won't die, he's a complete scoundrel! If you marry him, you'll regret it for the rest of your life!"

  "Hey, you little kid, what do you know about regret? I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice, can't tell what's good or bad. I like who I want to marry, and if you oppose it, it won't work. Your aunt has worked hard to raise you, considering everything for your sake, even willing to suffer herself. Now that I have someone I like, can't I just marry a good person? Even if I really regret it later, it's none of your business."

  Xiao Shi Tou's face turned red with anger and sadness, tears welled up in his eyes, and he finally shouted: "You marry him, don't recognize me as your brother. I'll move to Xiao He Shang's place tomorrow and become a monk with him."

  Chai Huo Niu gazed at him, her expression unable to convey whether she was annoyed or sorrowful. Finally, she said: "You're all grown up now, do as you please, become a monk or a Taoist priest, I can no longer control you. Fine, fine, it's good this way. I'll marry my man, and you'll leave your family, even if we are siblings by blood, in the end, we'll still be two separate families. Who can control who for their entire lives?" As she spoke, she turned around and walked away, disappearing into the forest.

  Xiao Shi Tou listened, only to feel a chill run down his spine, and tears began to flow. He suddenly turned around and said: "Little monk, think of a way for me, I must get rid of that old Taoist, no matter what!"

  "Alright, I'll think of a way. First, go and coax your sister, don't always be at odds with her, she's not easy either. You two shouldn't really fall out, all because of an old evil Daoist, how can you let things get to the point of brother and sister becoming estranged?" Xiaoshi said solemnly. Little Stone lowered his head and didn't speak.

  Cheng Jun listened on the side, although he didn't know what was going on, he could guess a bit. Seeing him looking confused and holding back his true energy, Tong Chunlei shouted: "Leave!"

  The true energy surged, and there was a sudden enlightenment. The little stone woke up with a start and said in a low voice: "Sister." Then it rushed into the forest.

  The little monk looked worriedly at the forest and said, "Those siblings have the same temper, even if they made up today, they will still quarrel tomorrow. If you want to really solve it, there's only..." He shook his head here.

  Cheng Jun's expression remained calm as he suddenly asked, "Is that Yue Hua Daoist going to marry Chai Huo Niang?"

  The little monk murmured and said: "It was mentioned last year, but it was delayed due to the approaching New Year. This spring, it's likely to be inevitable."

  Cheng Jun asked: "But isn't it a forced marriage?"

  The little monk hesitated for a moment, then said: "No. Chai Jie herself is willing to do so. That Yue Hua Dao Ren... although he's a bit older, but he's well-preserved and has some immortal aura about him, with some accomplishments in the Taoist way. Compared to other hunters in the village, he stands out like a crane among chickens. Although he drove away the people from our temple, he didn't harm the villagers, on the contrary, he did some good deeds, such as killing that big bug that had been terrorizing the mountain for so long with just one sword strike. Several village hunters also respect him as 'Old Immortal'. Chai Jie herself said that a man like this, who is stable and formidable, is worth entrusting her life to."

  Cheng Jun nodded and said, "So that's how it is." He had a good impression of the Chai siblings, and if there was indeed coercion involved, he would have to intervene. But if it was just Chai Huo's own wish and only Xiao Shi Tou was unwilling, then it was their family matter and outsiders shouldn't interfere. The Daoist sect didn't prohibit dual cultivation, although promising disciples usually restrained themselves and didn't marry early. However, Daoists in rural areas often had a hard time achieving the Dao, so they were willing to take wives, have children, and enjoy worldly wealth and glory, and no one stopped them.

  Xiao He Shang said: "It was actually Xiao Shi Tou, he once told me that the old Taoist is actually of poor character and has an ulterior motive."

  Cheng Jun said "Huh?" and asked: "What did he see?"

  Xiao Heshang said: "He told me that he saw the old Taoist's wife, who came to the mountain to find the old Taoist. He said she was an extremely beautiful woman, even more beautiful than Chai Jie, and her temperament was not like a mountain girl at all. She also asked him about the old Taoist's whereabouts."

  Cheng Jun Dao said: "Oh, if so, why would Chai Huo Niang still be willing to get married?"

  Little Monk said, "Only he himself said that, no one else saw such a person. Even after he himself searched for the woman in the mountains and couldn't find her, he still didn't give up. The woman he described was as beautiful as a fairy, but it sounded unbelievable, so no one believed him. Chai Jie didn't believe him either, and they had a big fight over this matter. Xiao Shi Tou almost became a monk here because of me."

  Cheng Jun thought to himself: If that old Daoist is also a cultivator, his wife might also be a cultivator. Since they are cultivators, ordinary people wouldn't easily see them. What the little stone said isn't necessarily false.

  The little monk sighed and changed the subject, saying to Cheng Jun: "Let's go back first, you've been targeted by them, but don't worry, you can stay in my small temple, nothing will happen."

  "What's the reason?"

  The little monk showed a few more proud looks and said, "In this Wan Ma Mountain, only my place is where Yue Hua Zhen Ren dare not go. My place has a Bodhisattva, which can subdue him."

  Cheng Jun suddenly laughed and said: "Although it's like this, we have to go back first before saying anything."

  Xiao Heshang let out a cry of "Ah?" and Cheng Jun pointed forward, only to see Qingfeng and Mingyue returning on the road they had come from, holding swords and blocking their path.