Chapter 38: The Mysterious Shadow of the Sect

  Qingshan Road is now lined with tall buildings, and this time around, it seems even more solemn than before.

  I was startled, closed the door and asked in a low voice: "Is something wrong again?"

  Qingshan Dao stroked his stiff goat beard, his face solemn as he said: "Master has finally finished the ritual of closing the spirit and supplementing the soul. This time, due to the Southern Barbarian's unprovoked collision, Master was severely injured, but fortunately, Master's cultivation is high and he was able to overcome this calamity through closed-door meditation. This time, Master has an important matter to entrust to you, specifically regarding the Ghost Sun Knife, which we must discuss in detail."

  Speaking of Gui Yang Dao, it's a hard knot in my heart that occasionally flashes through my mind, and it's really branded with a burning pain. Because of my momentary confusion, I was deceived into becoming Gui Yang Dao, although it wasn't my original intention, but since the matter has already happened, I naturally can't escape responsibility.

  I said: "Daozhang, I really owe you an apology for this matter, I truly didn't know."

  Qing Shan Dao Chang waved his hand and said, "This is also the fate of the Yin realm, it's not your fault, nor can you blame anyone else. Now is not the time to assign responsibility. The Ghost Sun Knife has fallen into the hands of Wuyin Gate, and its appearance in the Yin realm has led to two major murder cases. The Yin realm is shocked, and Zhengling Gate is also unable to rest easy. Wuyin Gate is taking advantage of the situation to expand its power, using the Ghost Sun Knife as a catalyst, wanting to stir up another bloody storm in the Yin realm. They are waiting for an opportunity to make their move, and they have planned carefully."

  "I said: 'The Ghost Sun Blade is now in Wuying Gate. Why don't we attack Wuying Gate and take back the Ghost Sun Blade?'"

  Qingshan Daochang's face turned even more gloomy, and he said: "If it were that simple, then so be it. But now the yin realm is wary of Guiyang Knife, and all are afraid of Wuying Gate's three divisions. Zhengling Gate wants to seize the opportunity, but I'm afraid it's not a sure win. Even if my respected master personally took action, there wouldn't be a guarantee of victory. So this time, finding you... there are some things that need to be made known at the right moment."

  "There's still something hidden."

  Qingshan Daochang said, "It's about Wuyingmen and Zhenglingmen. My respected master has told me the causes and consequences in detail. It was because of these reasons that some things were complicated and delayed until now. However, due to Guiyangdao, some things can't be delayed any longer."

  I said: "This I know, when I first heard Moonlight Forest Master say it, wasn't it just a struggle between two sects? But the Shadowless Sect was so evil that they took advantage of the situation to harm Yang Shi, resulting in the Right Spirit Sect being short-handed and ultimately losing. From then on, their vitality never fully recovered."

  Qingshan Daochang said: "You only know one side, but not the other. Why are the two doors fighting? And why did it end up like this in the end? There must be some hidden reasons behind it. I came here today to tell you all about the causes and consequences, because you are a righteous spirit and the key to the Cheng Ling knife. So, you must understand, only then can we proceed with our plan."

  I said, "No wonder Lin Zhu and I were talking that day, Li Yan was on the side as if he wanted to speak but stopped, and said that family matters are not necessary now, it seems that there is indeed a hidden truth, then I listened carefully."

  I pulled over two chairs and said to Qing Shan Dao Chang: "Please sit down, I'd like to hear more."

  Qingshan Daochang suddenly burst out laughing, and the seriousness on his face was somewhat alleviated. Laughing, he pointed to my house and said: "Such a good story, you just let me sit here and talk with you? Your house is even worse than my Seeking Truth Pavilion! I'm considered your friend, aren't I? When friends come, shouldn't you invite them in for a cup of tea?"

  The Taoist priest spoke, and I burst out laughing. This Taoist priest was indeed a high-ranking person. In an instant, he transformed into a lovely old man, just like when we first met and he asked me to treat him to noodles.

  I smiled and pulled Qing Shan Dao Chang saying: "Let's go, old man, we'll go to the best teahouse in town, I'm sure it will live up to your good story."

  Qingshan Road was long, haha laughed and walked out with me, drove straight to the tea house in the city.

  As we entered the teahouse, I instructed the waiter to brew two pots of good tea and not to disturb us unless necessary. The waiter responded promptly and soon brought in two pots of fragrant tea, which was refreshing and pleasant. Now, let's talk.

  Qingshan Road Longpin said with a sip of tea: "Good tea."

  I looked forward to the road ahead.

  Qingshan Dao slowly opened his mouth, and I indeed heard a passionate past that was different from the one in Yu Guanglin's mouth.

  Qingshan Daochang said: "Actually, in the beginning, there was no distinction between Zhenglingmen and Wuyingmen in the Yin realm. They were all part of a unified whole under the Yin realm. Of course, this is also a case of 'unity must divide'. In our Yang world, we emphasize that people gather with similar kinds and separate into groups. The Yin realm is no exception. Those with similar hearts naturally gathered together, and over time, they became two relatively distinct factions. One group took pleasure in helping the Yang realm and assisting Yang people, while another faction was obsessed with their own greatness and had ambitions to dominate all. As a result, there were two factions. The faction that took it upon themselves to help Yin souls cross over and drive away evil spirits publicly elected a leader, known as Zhenglingmen. The faction that emphasized being formless and traceless also publicly elected a leader, known as Wuyingmen. The style of the two factions was vastly different, often leading to conflicts and friction over matters such as mountain strongholds and Yin dwellings. In reality, outsiders didn't see it as so clearly divided because they were all in the Yin realm, crossing ghosts and turning spirits. One faction acted with integrity and sat upright, always harboring compassionate hearts, so many isolated Yin souls and lonely ghosts flocked to them. The other faction, however, did things conditionally, requiring returns for everything, often causing disputes over matters like prosperous lands and water sources. So, people still had some reservations about them. But since they were divided into two factions, this existence was acknowledged."

  "It's been a long time, and of course, there have been rumors that Zhenglingmen is actually the most ambitious, wanting to dominate the Yin realm and be called the boss. Then, it would gather all the vengeful spirits and ghosts to occupy the best land and houses. The Wuyingmen group was also stirred up by their leader, feeling indignant and saying, 'Why should Zhenglingmen be considered orthodox? Who decided that they are orthodox, while we are heretical?' From then on, the two factions had an unresolvable feud."

  "What really caused the two factions to be at odds was a major event. A flood occurred in the Yang world, killing some people, which was originally a matter of the Yang world. According to convention, the Yin ghosts would have just crossed over. However, among them were several beautiful female ghosts, and Wú Yǐng Mén (No Shadow Gate) had an idea - they wanted to take these beautiful female ghosts for themselves to serve as lantern-carrying ghosts. In the Yin realm, all lantern-carrying ghosts are beautiful female ghosts; the lamp is yang, the beauty is yin, and together they harmonize, making the light shine brightly. At that time, Zhēng Líng Mén (Right Spirit Gate) was telling the truth - they really didn't have any intentions of taking them in as lantern-carrying ghosts like Wú Yǐng Mén did. They were just following convention and guiding them along the Yin road. But Wú Yǐng Mén took a step ahead, sending two ghostly guides to escort them, not realizing that on that day, perhaps because the female ghosts were too young, they were still in their prime, so their families were extremely grief-stricken and set off long strings of firecrackers, causing the sky to darken. In the Yin realm, there is a rule: as long as the firecrackers keep sounding, generally, one is allowed to fully express their emotions."

  "The two ferry ghosts at Wú Yǐng Gate were fed up with waiting and ran off to one side to secretly eat the offerings of food and wine. Meanwhile, the two ferry ghosts at Zhèng Líng Gate stood guard faithfully on one side, their eyes blurry with tears as they prayed for blessings that would not cease. When the cannon fire stopped, the two ferry ghosts at Zhèng Líng Gate were about to follow their usual custom of guiding souls across, but just then the two ferry ghosts from Wú Yǐng Gate arrived from afar, albeit a tad late. Seeing that the ferry ghosts at Zhèng Líng Gate were about to perform the ritual, they panicked and suddenly conjured up a gust of dark wind, extinguishing the lanterns known as Míng Tǎ in the underworld. This made it impossible for them to find their way. The Míng Tǎ is crucial when ferrying souls across in the underworld; new souls who have not yet entered the spiritual realm can only recognize the bright fire and cannot move an inch without it."

  A group of beautiful female ghosts suddenly stopped in their tracks, shocked and at a loss for what to do. The two ghostly ferrymen from the Zhengling Gate were also stunned, having never encountered such a strange occurrence before. After all, extinguishing the Ming Tower was as important as cutting off water, food, and roads in the mortal world. Meanwhile, the two ghostly ferrymen from the Wuying Gate were overjoyed, thinking that this was their chance. They held torches and hastily approached. However, things took a strange turn - the Ming Tower suddenly lit up again, and the two ghostly ferrymen from the Wuying Gate were just one step too late, unable to do anything but watch as the Zhengling Gate ferrymen led the female ghosts away. This was unbearable for the two Wuying Gate ferrymen, who had failed in their task and had also made a mistake by secretly eating the offerings of food and drink. They knew that if their master found out, there would be only one outcome - they would be reduced to ashes. The two ferrymen were frantic and decided to cover up what had happened. When they returned to report back, they cried loudly, exaggerating and adding false details, claiming that the Zhengling Gate ferrymen had snatched the female ghosts away and almost caused them to be reduced to ashes. The master of the Wuying Gate was furious when he heard this, his anger burning like fire. He secretly went to investigate and found that indeed the female ghosts had been taken by the Zhengling Gate ferrymen. This matter couldn't be proven or explained, as both sides were ferrymen and couldn't say who was right or wrong. So, the master of the Wuying Gate could only seethe with anger in his heart, forced to swallow his pride. And so, a grudge was formally formed between them.

  Hearing this, I seemed to be moved.

  Qingshan Dao chuckled and said, "Don't ask, I'll tell you. Actually, this time it was because of your unintentional ignition of the candle that saved these female ghosts. Among them is a female ghost who is now the ferryman Li Yan of Zhengling Gate."

  Oh, I was shocked and my eyes widened. Good heavens! No wonder this Shadowless Gate seemed to be stuck to me like glue, opposing me everywhere. If not for my righteous spirit body, I'm afraid I would have been eliminated by them long ago. It's no wonder Li Yan helped me with such careful consideration. So it turns out that everything has its reasons and causes, everything is interconnected... this really fits the mechanism of cause and effect in the Netherworld!

  Qing Shan Dao Chang said: "Actually, everything is a coincidence. If that day you weren't by my side, if you weren't born with the right spirit, if you didn't have the right energy of the right spirit, if you didn't possess the compassion and tolerance required for the body of the right spirit, then all these things might not have been related to you at all. But precisely because you are the only one who possesses all these conditions, it is destined that all these things will be related to you."

  I finally understand why Li Yan found me when she was thinking of crossing the Nianyang River, why Qing Shan Daozhang came to help me out of trouble alone, why Nan Manzi has been thinking of me all along, and why Guan Lingdao still holds three points of apprehension towards me. All of this is due to a chance encounter from my childhood.

  It seems that fortunately I had prepared in my heart, and I actually used the thinking of the Yang world to solve it. I thought that to get out of this situation, we must break through this situation, and to break through this situation, we must first enter into this situation.

  Qingshan Daochang suddenly became serious and said to me: "These previous events were actually a struggle between schools, which can happen between all schools. But what I'm going to tell you next is something that really happened between the two schools, and it's also the reason why Zhenglingmen was defeated so badly and still can't recover until now."