Chapter 90: Jiang · War Wolf · Ce
The journey passed in silence until they arrived at the Celestial Master’s Mansion. Perhaps Lou Leshan felt more comfortable, as he got out of the car and started taking photos.
But after the bumpy ride, Liang Zhi Che’s nausea became even worse.
He looked at Jiang Ce resentfully. The latter noticed and gave him chicken soup, saying to learn tolerance.
Ku Zhen, bringing Ling Xun, suddenly said: “My disciple and I will wait here at the foot of Longhu Mountain. Contact us if there’s something important.”
“Why not go up together?” Jiang Ce was a bit puzzled.
Xuan Qing explained: “Because of the Daoist Grand Ceremony, the Daoist Sect already has grudges with the Buddhist Sect. The Daoist Grand Ceremony is about to be held at the Celestial Master’s Mansion, meaning many Daoist Sects will come. Normally, with the relationship between the Celestial Master’s Mansion and the Gatekeeper, going up would be fine. But now the timing is sensitive, so it’s best to avoid trouble if possible.”
“Amitabha, exactly so.” Ku Zhen nodded.
“In that case, perfect. Hand over the things robbed from the Lu Shan Sect to Master for safekeeping. If recognized, there might be trouble.”
Jiang Ce handed the items to the two, then led the others up the steps of Longhu Mountain.
For some reason, everyone, including himself, subconsciously ignored the fact that Jiang Ce was also a Buddhist Cultivator.
Though said to be led by Jiang Ce, Xuan Qing was actually guiding the way. He had come to Longhu Mountain many times before and knew the route.
Xuan Qing knew Longhu Mountain like the back of his hand, introducing everything to the group as they walked.
Soon, everyone arrived in front of Longhu Mountain’s Mountain Gate.
On a large rock beside the Mountain Gate, a black-bearded Daoist Priest was meditating.
Sensing someone approaching, he slightly narrowed his eyes. Seeing Jiang Ce and the others dressed as ordinary people, he closed his eyes again: “Longhu Mountain is closed for half a month. Please leave, everyone.”
Xuan Qing had just confidently said that the Daoist Priests of the Celestial Master’s Mansion were all amiable, but now he encountered a pretentious one, which made him lose face. He immediately said proudly and loudly: “Gatekeeper envoy requests to see the Old Celestial Master.”
Hearing “Gatekeeper,” the Daoist Priest abruptly opened his eyes, jumped down from the large rock, and smoothly changed his attitude: “So it’s friends visiting. Welcome, welcome!”
But he did not usher Jiang Ce and the others in, instead asking: “I wonder if the Gatekeeper’s visit to the Old Celestial Master has any important matters?”
Jiang Ce was a bit stunned. He was unclear about these formalities in the Cultivation World and just felt offended.
Who the hell are you to ask why I’m here? Am I supposed to announce in public that I came to the Old Celestial Master for impotence-curing tonic? Don’t I have any face?
Just as he was about to speak, Xuan Qing took out the Purple Talisman and the Gatekeeper’s official document, flashing them in front of the other: “Important matters, inconvenient to disclose. Hope you understand.”
Seeing the other relax, Jiang Ce then realized that the earlier questioning was not interrogation, but a probe to test if they were really Gatekeepers.
Beyond Jiang Ce’s expectations, the Gatekeeper’s hierarchy didn’t seem to be any secret; even the gatekeeping Daoist Priest knew its weight, and he immediately became more respectful:
“So it’s a Purple Talisman predecessor. My apologies, my apologies. Please follow me.”
The group followed the Daoist Priest up the mountain. Jiang Ce looked around curiously as he walked. Qin Shen Bo followed closely behind, eyes straight ahead. Lu Yun supported the weak Liang Zhi Che, asking if he had an upset stomach. The latter just kept shaking his head, muttering that he was cultivating and needed to practice tolerance, while Lou Leshan continued taking photos.
Jiang Ce suddenly felt his mobile phone vibrate. He opened the Gatekeeper group chat and found that Lou Leshan had already posted the photos with the caption: Heard Zhang Daoling is buried under this crooked-neck tree.
Xuan Qing was chatting with the Daoist Priest.
“Previously when I came, there was no one guarding the Mountain Gate, no one checking. Why is it so strict this time?”
The Daoist Priest sighed, also quite helpless: “Predecessor may not know, originally our Celestial Master’s Mansion commands awe in the region, petty villains dare not intrude. Even for the Daoist Grand Ceremony, there was initially no arrangement for defense.
But last night, friends from the Lu Shan Sect fled overnight to our Celestial Master’s Mansion, saying they were attacked by Gluttonous Ghosts, including at least Unity of Heaven and Man realm experts. Not only did they rob the gifts they brought, but they also declared they would soon annihilate the Lu Shan Sect.
Sigh, the world has grown more chaotic lately, Gluttonous Ghosts increasingly arrogant and rampant. Truly don’t know what to do.”
Their conversation was not deliberately lowered, not loud but clear enough to reach everyone’s ears.
Jiang Ce curiously asked for details. Qin Shen Bo remained impassive. Lu Yun looked somewhat worried. Liang Zhi Che didn’t hear. Lou Leshan snickered.
If this topic were brought up at the dinner table, the group’s reactions would be enough to paint a world-famous painting, The Last Supper.
Xuan Qing perhaps also felt this was black history and didn’t want to mention it, wanting to gloss over it, but Jiang Ce kept asking for details.
“Did anyone die?”
“Were the injuries serious?”
“What did the perpetrators look like?”
Only after learning that the Lu Shan Sect people provided no useful information did Jiang Ce relax, patting his chest and guaranteeing to the Daoist Priest:
“Rest assured, all evil will eventually be brought to justice. Our Gatekeeper War Wolf will one day eradicate the Gluttonous Ghosts and restore clarity to this world!”
“This is…” The Daoist Priest awkwardly looked at Xuan Qing.
“This is our leader for this visit, Jiang Ce.” Xuan Qing said with a straight face.
“Ah, not you? I see. Young hero Jiang, my apologies, my apologies.”
“Call me War Wolf!”
Ignoring the other’s bewildered face, Jiang Ce pondered, vaguely remembering that it was Ku Zhen who had beaten those Lu Shan Sect people away back then.
Then from the Daoist Priest’s mouth, he learned that all of Lu Shan Sect had sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The severe ones even had internal injuries that wouldn’t heal in ten days or half a month.
No wonder the Buddhist Sect and Daoist Sect are on bad terms. Everyone was just playing around, but Ku Zhen got serious.
A kind-looking person could strike so ruthlessly. Damn, must carry some personal grudge.
Following the steps upward, soon the group arrived at the main hall of the Celestial Master’s Mansion.
There were still a few days until the Daoist Grand Ceremony, but the Celestial Master’s Mansion had sealed the mountain, no pilgrims, and most Daoist Sects had not yet arrived. The vast Celestial Master’s Mansion thus seemed very quiet and empty.
“Please wait a moment, I’ll go report.” The Daoist Priest saluted the group and jogged toward the hall.
Shortly after, a disheveled-looking middle-aged Daoist Priest came out laughing heartily, with the previous black-bearded Daoist Priest following respectfully behind him.
Jiang Ce secretly observed and found no light halo on the middle-aged Daoist Priest, but five light orbs at his five viscera, nothing above his head. This meant he was a Heaven-Reaching Dharma Master at Five Energies Returning to Origin.
“Xuan Qing, long time no see!” He greeted Xuan Qing. The two seemed to know each other well.
Xuan Qing also returned the courtesy, introducing the disheveled Daoist Priest to everyone: “This is the Old Celestial Master’s son, Zhang Ze Zhi. His brother Zhang Ze Xing is the current Celestial Master of the Celestial Master’s Mansion.”
