Chapter Twenty-Five: Debt of Human Life

  Suddenly, a bell rang outside, and the air seemed to vibrate with an invisible wave. The two people were shaken by this force. A disciple rushed past the door, and the two exchanged a glance before hurrying after him.

  Just as I arrived in front of the main hall, I saw the gate suddenly open wide. A figure flashed by in mid-air and was sucked into the door in an instant. The gate closed with a loud bang.

  The disciples who rushed over did not say much, and the well-trained ones stood guard outside the temple.

  The two of them were stopped abruptly: "Both of you, halt!"

  Wasn't that person Dao Jing? Lu Jian and Duanmu Chengyang looked at each other in dismay, and when they asked the disciple again, he didn't say anything.

  Yu Gong sat at the end of the long table, looking at the person who had rushed in, with a complex expression.

  He didn't say a word, but the void illness beside him had already jumped up, slamming the medical book to the ground, pointing at that person and scolding loudly: "You heartless Dao Jing, before our master's bones are even cold, you want to sneak away first?"

  It turned out that this person was Dao Jing. He had just heard the news of Xuan Yi's injury and rushed to his sword in a hurry, but unexpectedly he was blocked by the curse of Tong Chen Palace.

  He fell heavily, enduring the pain to get up, although disheveled but still unchanged in demeanor, he tidied his collar and bowed to He Yu: "Just now I heard that my master was seriously injured, unable to bid farewell to the palace owner, please forgive me. Thank you for your hospitality, please let me go!"

  Before He Ping and Yu could speak, Xūn Wú had already stormed over, his face red with rage, and stood between the two of them, looking as if he was about to throw a punch.

  He stood still, neither dodging nor resisting, but simply gazing at the void with a cold expression. The latter felt guilty under his gaze and swung his fist in the air, saying viciously: "How dare you know?"

  "I don't know."

  "You... are a waste of all your cultivation just to recall your divine wisdom, if it weren't for you, how would you have attracted assassins? Should my senior brother have saved you? Now that you're better, not only do you not avenge him, but instead you want to leave! Is your master's life valuable, while my senior brother's isn't?"

  Dao Jing heard the words and was extremely surprised, but suddenly a figure of Wang Er appeared in his mind, being knocked to the ground in the firelight. What's going on?

  "Immortal doctor, don't be impulsive! These things Daojing doesn't know about, why are you asking so urgently?" The master of the Yu Palace came down and told everything he knew about the frequent harm to Void. Daojing also tried hard to recall, but after comparing them, there were some discrepancies.

  According to Yu Gong's account, Dao Jing was left in the Void Temple for treatment and disappeared when the black-clad men attacked. Dao Jing himself only had a vague memory of being knocked down by someone in the Void Temple, and when he came to, he was already at Dongyue, where he bid farewell to Yun Su before following the spirit symbol all the way to the banks of Ming Shui River.

  "Xu Wu Chang uncle seemed to have told me something, he wanted me to return to Tiantai Mountain as soon as possible."

  "Hum! Elder brother's benevolent heart still thinks of your safety even in death, don't you feel ashamed to receive this?"

  "Alright!" Yu Gong's face turned serious, sternly looking at Xu Wuji: "Dao Jing is also recovering from a severe injury and should be resting. Moreover, the current situation is unclear, how can we act rashly? The black-clothed man has a deep background, how can he resist alone? Don't force others to do what they can't."

  "Hum! Can't Brother Shifu's entire family be avenged just like that?"

  "You..." Yu was about to explain, but suddenly turned around and walked away. He could only turn to Dao Jing and comfort her:

  "Don't take it to heart, he's also upset and angry, there's no intention of targeting you"

  Dao Jing bowed respectfully, sank his heart and thought for a moment, then saluted the back of Wu Chang with a big bow: "Uncle Wu Chang is the closest friend of my master and also my elder. This time, when our whole family was killed, I will definitely investigate this matter and seek justice for him! Please don't worry, Uncle, I am not an ungrateful person, but please give me half a day's time, after confirming my master's safety, I will lead the Tian Tai Shan sect to rush back immediately!"

  Xu Wu turned his head back and glanced at him, then looked at Yu Gong Zhu, meaning to let him decide.

  Dao Jing stood upright, his hands still in a salute, his expression solemn and serious as he said: "Please, Palace Master, fulfill your promise!"

  Yu Gong Zhu sighed, gently patted Dao Jing's shoulder: "Xuan Yi Shang Xian went to see you early yesterday morning. You may not remember, but he is indeed out of danger now. Recently, the Heaven Prison officials have been rotating shifts, and within a 500-mile radius, everything has been sealed off. Even if I let you leave Ming Shui, you won't be able to go back. Why don't you rest in the palace for a few days first?"

  Xu Wu suddenly interrupted: "Tian Yu has been replaced? What's going on?"

  "He privately imprisoned the Tian Tai Mountain, and both the South Yue God and the Hengshan God reported to the North Emperor. Embarrassed by the face of the immortal family, the North Emperor had already demoted him to Fengdu."

  "Is this for real? Then who's taking over here?"

  Yu Gongzhu said casually: "Ma Mingsheng," and then ignored him again.

  Watching Dao Jing's expression, which was somewhat unwilling, standing aside, I thought he wouldn't wait here honestly. He probably agreed for the time being and would think of a way to leave again. After a moment of contemplation, he said: "You follow me into the back hall, I have a few words to ask you."

  The back hall is simple and unadorned, all the utensils are half old, Dao Jing's eyes were attracted by a painting on the wall. The yellowed silk has misty clouds, half covering the outline of the mountains, in a plain color, there is a faint red glow spreading over the mountain waist, surrounding a bay of emerald water. A few strokes of elegant and quiet writing.

  Yu Gong Zhu followed Dao Jing's calm gaze and smiled slightly: "How is it?"

  "The scenery is so vast and distant, did you paint it?"

  "A gift from a deceased person." The mistress of the Yu Palace sat down wearily and poured herself a cup of water.

  "It seems very familiar." Dao Jing was momentarily unable to distinguish whether this sense of familiarity came from the scenery in the painting or the brushwork. But this thought flashed by, and what he cared about most at this moment was still how to get back.

  "What does the Duke have to say?"

  Dao Jing refused to sit down, and Yu Gong Zhu didn't insist, only anxiously asking: "How's the recovery now?"

  "Thank you for your concern, I'm fine now. You should also take care of yourself and rest more when you're not feeling well. I'm sorry to have caused you worry, it's my fault."

  Yu Gong Zhu lightly smiled and nodded, he asked Jing: "There must be many doubts in your heart, why not say it out loud and let me hear?"

  Dao Jing's heart was slightly surprised, and he said slowly: "The reason why the junior came to the banks of Ming Shui River is because the spiritual symbol that sensed the dragon's breath fell into this place. What's going on, please enlighten me, Palace Master!"

  Yu Gong Zhu suddenly smiled and asked: "Don't you suspect Liu Jian and his wife?"

  "I don't doubt it." Dao Jing smiled and said, "Lu Jian's faction is simple and makes people feel close. Duanmu Cheng's young and impulsive, not a profound or cunning person either. The two of them have gone through hardships to find me and take care of me. Although I don't fully understand the reason, this kindness is truly heavy."

  "Then be kind to both of them."

  He solemnly said that it was natural.

  "As for your doubts, I can explain to you. You have just personally experienced the curse seal of Tongdun Palace. This curse seal is a protective barrier that protects Tongdun Palace in extreme situations. Any spiritual body that enters the range of Ming Shui will be sensed, and those who intend to approach will immediately have their spiritual power absorbed. Those with strong magical powers can still escape, but if it's a talisman or spell, it will be absorbed and become part of the curse seal. This is not due to the Jiaolong."

  Yu Gong Zhu paused for a moment, seeing that Dao was calm and composed as usual, without revealing any anxious expression. He simply waited quietly for his unfinished words, apparently having already determined in his heart that he had some connection with the Jiaolong.

  He spoke again, "I'm sure you've heard about what happened at the Ming River. I won't repeat it. The Jiaolong is now being held in the Xiutian Prison for two reasons: Firstly, when Mount Tiantai was banned, he secretly escaped; secondly, during the massacre in Nangong County, he appeared there and some survivors accused him of being the murderer. The first point was made by Tianyu, who has already been punished for it, so Jiaolong can be exempt from this crime. However, the second point is a bit troublesome. I'm not clear about what happened in Nangong County, but fortunately, Lu and Jian are both eyewitnesses. Moreover, the newly appointed Shenguan Ma Ming is relatively inexperienced and has a soft heart. He was originally the mountain god of Zhongshan, but due to his father-in-law Chulong's prestige on Zhongshan, he would rather wander the four seas than compete with him for power. He also helped Lu and Jian in the past. You might be able to ask Lu to take you to Xiutian Mountain and find a way to clear Jiaolong's name."

  He Yong Gong thought carefully and should have adopted his opinion. However, Dao Jing was somewhat puzzled by his intention. Tong Chen Gong had no dealings with Tiantai Mountain before, let alone friendship, why did he care about himself so much?

  Although he thought so in his heart, Dao Jing still nodded and agreed, saying that everything would be asked of the master again.

  The young man stood before him, as elegant as a jade tree, although born of noble birth, he was humble and courteous. Looking at his appearance was like seeing the immortal Xuan Yi in his youth. That immortal must have been just as handsome when he was younger. After hundreds of years of fleeting time, experiencing countless changes in human affairs, seeing the child he had raised with his own hands grow into a mature adult, Immortal Xuan Yi did not know how to feel.

  Parents' love for their children is deep and far-reaching. However, in taking care of them and making plans for them, there should be a limit. Ultimately, one must let the child go through some experiences on their own, so that they can understand what path to take in life. Just like the revered and powerful Xuan Yi Shang Xian, he will surely hand over his vast enterprise to Dao Jing in the future. But if the successor is as helpless as a young bird leaving its nest, it won't do.

  Just thinking about it, Yu Gong's master is now exhausted, seeing Dao Jing persist like this, he might as well let him have his way.

  "If you want to go to Xiuyan Mountain, someone will escort you. If you want to return to Tiantai Mountain, just try."

  Lu Jing and Duanmu Xiangyang waited anxiously outside the Jade Pivot Hall for half a day, when suddenly the door slowly opened, they hastily gathered around.

  Duanmu Chengyang had already received Lu Jian's education and had also reflected on himself for half a day, so he was mentally prepared with words of apology and comfort. Seeing Dao Jing walk out, he rushed up to her and gave a fist bump:

  "Dao Jing Shao Xia, please forgive me for my momentary rashness in telling you about Xuan Yi's situation, but don't worry. Yesterday we all saw him, and the immortal looked fine, so rest assured."

  Her calm and clear eyes glanced at him briefly, then returned to the front, her expressionless face opening: "Young hero, you're overthinking, you were not wrong, no need to blame yourself."

  Duanmu Chengyang let out a long sigh, seeing Lu Jian's small face tense up as if she wanted to say something but didn't know how, so he quietly nudged her with his elbow, hinting that she should quickly speak up.

  Lu Jian stuttered: "Uh, that... I didn't intentionally hide it from you, it was Yu Gong Zhu who told me not to tell you about Xuan Yi's situation. You, don't be mad at me."

  Dao Jing heard the words and turned his head to look at her, but all he could see was the top of her hair. Her small face hung low, and she shrank her shoulders, looking guilty and ashamed.

  He stared at her for a long time, but the girl in front of him refused to look up. Tao Jing's eyebrows were furrowed tightly, and this time she really looked angry, but her lips moved slightly, and she muttered something indistinctly before turning around and walking away quickly.

  Lu Jian remained in that pose for half a day until he was bumped by an elbow again: "Alright, alright, don't be so formal, he's gone."

  "Ah..." He also let out a deep breath, and just now it seemed like he had heard something. Lu Jian looked at Duanmu Chengyang with confusion: "What did Dao Jing say?"

  "Get out! I don't want to talk to you!"

  “……”