The Golden Carriage has arrived
trained to look up at my hands, bound like a stake. Forget about casting spells; if I was lucky enough to be able to move, the only thing avoiding amputation would be the fact that my limbs were dying...Close the mountains to protect oneself...
Over these days, many things have happened in places I can't see or understand.
I have a hunch that all this is connected to the demon realm. Perhaps, across this vast land, those copper talismans and small Buddhas hidden among the people have caused quite a stir.
Eight hundred years ago, the world was in turmoil. The atmosphere was thick with violence and bloodshed, which greatly strengthened many demonic cultivators. Perhaps in that chaotic era, people valued power over goodness. In a world where survival itself was a struggle, who had the strength to accumulate virtue and do good deeds
These copper amulet Buddhas, though they appear to be objects from the esoteric Buddhist tradition, are merely a facade. In reality, they are tokens of the Northern Celestial Black Emperor Demon Lord from another realm. His demon generals use these tokens to manage the believers left behind in the human world.
Within the profound Taoist traditions, gods and demons exist on a single line. They represent the two sides of cultivation: difficulty, obstacles, hardship, temptation, desire, and so on... A cultivator's thoughts can be fleeting, and one wrong thought could lead them astray into the demonic path.
So much has been happening around me lately, I feel like wanting to go somewhere else. There have also been many things related to the demon realm happening in other places as well.
Liu Daochang said that in their circle in the north, there was a secret saying about sealing the mountain for self-preservation. It meant that cultivators felt that a calamity was imminent, and if they frequently interfered with cause and effect, they would inevitably invite disaster.
“How’s your daughter doing lately” I tried to lighten the mood with a casual question.
Liu Daochang's expression softened, and he clasped his hands together and said: "I have been recuperating at home, and I also went to the Taoist doctor Yin's house to seek medicine. The effect is obvious. In a few days, it should be fine. After this incident, she will not dare to show off her abilities outside again."
"Discipline still needs to be strict... Of course, our Mu family also needs to learn from this, and we must strictly control the younger generation." I said a couple of polite words.
Liu Daochang bowed with some guilt and said, "Miss Mu, before I was a little too reliant on my seniority, and influenced by rumors, I underestimated the Mu family. Here I apologize to you. If you come to travel in Sanjin in the future, be sure to let me know."
I heard his polite words, but then I thought to myself, where is Sanjin anyway
People in the yin-yang circle don't like to inquire about each other's background because Taoism emphasizes lineage. Either you come from a prominent family or have a recognized school and master.
It's annoying when someone constantly shows off their background or digs into other people's origins.
And their speech is rather archaic, difficult to converse with without some culture.
After pondering for a long time, I still mustered up the courage to ask, "Excuse me, where is the region of Sanjin..."
Master Liu was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, “You’re really sincere. If you don’t understand, just ask! Haha.”
He smiled and told me about his hometown. As soon as I heard it, I was stunned—wasn't this the place where Shen Qingrui had brought back news, saying they had found out the whereabouts of the Six Extremes Ghostly Apparatus
"Sorry, I'm not familiar with the north. Is there a place called Shilipu there"
"There are shops every ten miles, even twenty miles and thirty miles apart... all in the countryside. What do you want to know this for" asked Liu Daochang.
Shen Qingrui met Master Zong, who was returning to the mountains for a second chance at cultivation, on this very line. It was also here, within this circle, that she heard rumors of a master of soul summoning and divination who possessed a secret treasure artifact, seemingly one of the Six Extremities Ghostly Artifacts.
I made a mental note and told Master Liu that if I happened to pass by again in the future, I would visit Yunyun.
If we could really find this master of summoning spirits, and confirm that the treasure in his possession is one of the Six Extremes Ghostly Artifacts, then we should be able to negotiate borrowing it for a while. We could even offer to pay for its use.
We were waiting at the hospital. Mrs. Official was afraid I would run away, so she followed me even to the restroom. She eagerly transferred money to me, but my card limit is small, so I could only transfer it in batches to Cheng Banxian, that "lazy ghost."
If it weren't for the Emperor, Cheng Banxian wouldn't even give me face. He'd rather lounge in his little nest, basking in the sun, playing mahjong or kneading his harem of admirers.
Before dawn, Cheng Banxian arrived at the hospital panting heavily.
I glanced out. It was still that beat-up little van. That van is really tough, it's been driving so fast and hasn't fallen apart.
All of them are within the province, a high-speed drive is just a few hours. Once Cheng Banxian arrives, I'll feel much better. Patting his shoulder, "Hmm, I'm leaving it to you."
He frowned and said, "Little lady, you really know how to order people around..."
"I'm introducing a business opportunity to you, and it's not as difficult as my dad's detox. It'll allow you to make twenty million easily, giving you time to indulge for a while."
Ching Banxian rolled his eyes, and I still don't know how he blames me in his heart.
Jiang Qiyun asked me to return to the Pure Land of Bliss, there must be something he wants to tell me. Although after having three little ancestors at home, our private space has moved inside, it's not like we go there often.
"I'm fine, I'm fine." I grabbed my bag strap and hurried to Jiang Qiyun's front.
I'm afraid he might get impatient waiting too long, but ever since he came back from his meditation retreat, I haven't seen any of the anger he used to have towards me.
He was originally a detached and aloof primordial deity. The fact that he made me so angry was during the initial period when my body and mind couldn't communicate.
Now he mostly looks at me with a detached smile, watching my stumbles and fumbling with a knowing smirk.
"What's with you today... you didn't even try to attack me."
He would always lecture her: "Why are you so slow with the incantations You're working too hard and not sleeping well! And why are you so soft-hearted, letting ghosts manipulate you..."
Today, Xiaoxiao was surprisingly patient and in a good mood.
Jiang Qiyun did not answer me, reaching out to pull me into the dharma gate passage. The wind howled in my ears. When I opened my eyes again, I was already in the familiar field of 彼岸花 (Paradise Flowers) of Qingjing Jiletian.
Here is where he was first enlightened.
The endless Yinshan Mountains, the boundless red sea of flowers, and the shimmering River of Forgetfulness, all complemented by a towering three-story building.
"Now you can tell me, why are you in such a good mood" I pressed.
Jiang Qiyun smiled and poked my forehead with a finger, pushing me away. "What I can't be in a good mood Do you want me to keep a straight face every time I see you"
"That's what you say...but I can obviously tell you're in a good mood today!" I persisted, tugging on his sleeve.
Jiang Qiyun smiled without answering, swaying leisurely from the flowerbed to the riverbank, as if wanting to take a walk.
"Could there be something good in the underworld" I guessed.
"What good could there be in the underworld... Not happening is already a good thing." Jiang Qiyun replied faintly.
"So, what's got you so happy" I pressed.
He smiled slightly and replied, "About that."
Oh, oh, oh, it's rare to find something that could make him happy.
"What happy things could you possibly have... I can't even imagine." I furrowed my brow, thinking.
Encountering your first love Or getting a promotion and raise Or having your cultivation level soar to the heavens… These are all the joys we ordinary people seek.
How could he possibly be happy about this.
"Stop guessing, your eyebrows are about to meet." Jiang Qiyun chuckled and rubbed my brow.
"No, you have to tell me, I'm too curious!"
"Mmm~~ Heavens cannot be divulged…" The curve of his lips grew wider and wider.
Celestial Mechanism, Celestial Mechanism……
Haven't I heard all about your "Heavenly Secrets" from you while lying in bed these past few years!
It's not about not leaking, but the pillow talk isn't enough, right I understand.
Jiang Qiyun couldn't help but smile: "Mu Xiaqiao, you have eyes gleaming with green light, what do you want to do"
I tiptoed up and hugged his neck, gritting my teeth as I said, "Blowing pillow talk!"
He's so intriguing to me! That smile just drives me crazy.
Jiang Qiyun chuckled softly, reaching out to pull me back from the flowerbed: "No matter how much you try to whisper sweet nothings in my ear, this is something you can't talk about."
"At least give me a hint! Let me figure it out myself, okay"
It's really driving me crazy!
"Hmm... okay." Jiang Qiyun's eyes held a smile, his icy fingers tapped lightly on my lips.
This kiss held an unspoken intensity, a feeling of being consumed.
Lips swollen from the kiss, thoughts numb, not even wanting to open my eyes.
His cool tongue lightly grazed my lip, a soft chuckle rumbling in his chest, a sound as crisp and clear as dewdrops falling on jade.
"...While I was touring the Upper Realms, I happened upon a venerable deity. To my surprise, I heard your name from their lips."
Ah… how did my name become like this… The Divine One knows it’s normal for a mere mortal to have a name…
"Hmph... Mu Xia Qiao, some things that this deity had been puzzled about before suddenly became clear..."
"What have you figured out..." I craved his scent, unwilling to move away from him even an inch.
"The time will come, you'll know it when it does...Heh...Anything that interests me at the moment naturally concerns you."
"Then you—"
"Humph... Can't say."
“……”
That point is as good as saying nothing.e, and serve the old master day and night, attending to him morning and evening. Who would have thought that the old master completely ignored them!My grandfather looked at me and Yun Fan, his express...