Chapter 550: Damn it, my Dao heart is in chaos again

Qingxu Daoist weaved through the streets and alleys of History Tiger City, his heart filled with anger at the old woman, determined to expose the fraudster's true face and make all cultivators in the city despise him. He began inquiring everywhere in the city, asking every passerby, every vendor, every regular at the taverns, hoping to find the old woman's whereabouts.

Just when he was almost about to give up, suddenly he heard a familiar laugh coming from a corner in the east of the city.

He quietly approached and saw the old woman standing among a group of weak cultivators, waving an old map in her hand and eloquently telling a story about a treasure.

The old woman's voice was sharp and full of allure: 'Look, children, the place marked on this map is the legendary Soul Essence Vein!'

'As long as you follow me, I guarantee each of you will get a big handful of Soul Essence!'

The cultivators listened, stunned, with greedy light flashing in their eyes.

One young cultivator couldn't help but ask: 'But why should we believe you? What evidence do you have to prove this map is real?'

The old woman gave a hehe smile, pulled out an old compass from her bosom, and said mysteriously: 'Look at this, this is a Soul-Seeking Compass passed down from ancient times; only a true Soul Essence Vein can make it move.'

As she spoke, she lightly flicked it, and the compass needle spun wildly, as if it really sensed something.

The cultivators were amazed, nodding one after another to show their belief.

Qingxu Daoist watched from the side, stunned; this was clearly a ridiculous farce.

Qingxu Daoist coughed, strode over, and said loudly: 'Everyone, you cannot fully trust what this old woman says; the compass in her hand is merely an ordinary object.'

Upon hearing this, the old woman's face changed, but she quickly regained composure, glared at Qingxu Daoist, and sneered: 'Who are you? Dare to spout nonsense here and ruin my plans!'

Qingxu Daoist smiled slightly, took out a genuine piece of Soul Essence from his bosom, and said: 'The true Soul Essence is here; look, its light is soft and steady, whereas what she holds are merely ordinary stones.'

Upon seeing this, the cultivators indeed agreed, and they all cast doubtful glances at the old woman.

Seeing this, the old woman realized her scam was exposed, her eyes shifted, and she suddenly shouted loudly.

'Ah, a monster!' Then, taking advantage of everyone's distraction, she snatched up the map from the ground and turned to run.

Qingxu Daoist didn't expect her to pull this trick, and hurriedly gave chase.

The old woman ran extremely fast, like a cunning old fox, weaving through the crowd; Qingxu Daoist closely followed, and the two engaged in a comical chase through the streets of History Tiger City.

While running, the old woman didn't forget to look back and threaten Qingxu Daoist.

'You meddling Daoist, stop chasing me, or I'll turn you into a toad!'

Qingxu Daoist laughed and cried at the same time, then shouted back: 'You liar, I will definitely catch you today and let the people of History Tiger City see your true face!'

Their chase attracted the attention of passersby; people gathered to watch, and some even started placing bets on who would win the chase.

Some bet the old woman could escape, others bet Qingxu Daoist could catch her.

Just then, the old woman suddenly made a sharp turn and darted into a dead-end alley.

Qingxu Daoist felt a surge of joy, thinking she had no escape, but he didn't expect the old woman to pull out a rope from her bosom, throw it at the wall, climb up like Spider-Man, and then leap onto the roof of another house.

Qingxu Daoist froze, not expecting the old woman to have such a trick. He looked up at the smug old woman on the roof, shook his head helplessly. The old woman laughed loudly and said: 'Daoist, you should just go back to your cultivation; you can't catch me!'

Just then, a cat suddenly darted across the roof; the old woman was frightened, screamed, lost her balance, and rolled off the roof.

Qingxu Daoist, quick-eyed and quick-handed, stepped forward in a stride and firmly caught her.

The old woman, still shaken, looked at Qingxu Daoist and stammered: 'You... how did you end up here?'

Qingxu Daoist smiled slightly and said: 'I said I would expose your true face. Now, what else do you have to say?'

The old woman knew she had no way out, so she admitted her scam. She sighed and said: 'Alright, I admit I'm just a con artist who specializes in swindling greedy people. But I was also forced by life circumstances to do this.'

Qingxu Daoist looked at her sternly and said: 'No matter how hard life gets, it can never be an excuse to deceive others. Your actions have already harmed many people; you must take responsibility for them.'

The old woman lowered her head, indicating her willingness to accept punishment.

However, the old woman suddenly stopped, turned around, and wore a sly smile on her face.

Qingxu Daoist eyed her warily, unsure what scheme she was hatching now.

The old woman suddenly sighed and said: 'Daoist, I actually bear you no ill will; I'm merely struggling to survive. Before you take me away, I want to give you a gift to express my apology.'

Qingxu Daoist frowned, not believing the old woman's words, but he subconsciously relaxed his guard.

Just then, the old woman lunged forward and unexpectedly planted a kiss on Qingxu Daoist's cheek.

This action left everyone stunned, and Qingxu Daoist was left completely dumbfounded.

He had kept himself chaste for decades, never having such intimate contact; this sudden kiss made him feel as if struck by lightning, his whole body burning up.

His face turned from red to blue, and finally blood poured from his nostrils before he collapsed straight to the ground.

Seeing this, the old woman couldn't help teasing: 'No way, Daoist, such a huge reaction—are you still a novice? This is my honor.'

The surrounding crowd burst into laughter, some even bending over from laughing.

Qingxu Daoist lay on the ground, feeling unprecedented embarrassment and shame.

He never imagined he would lose composure in such a situation, especially being toyed with by a fraudulent old woman.

The city guards rushed forward to check on Qingxu Daoist's condition, while the old woman stood aside, gloating. His disciples hurried over, helped him up, and anxiously asked about his state.

Qingxu Daoist shook his head to indicate he was fine, but his heart was a mix of emotions.

He knew he must recover quickly, otherwise his image and dignity would suffer severely.

He took a deep breath, struggled to calm his emotions, and then slowly rose to his feet.

He looked at the old woman, his voice trembling slightly: 'You... what do you mean by this?'

The old woman laughed heartily and said: 'Daoist, I'm just giving you a little lesson. You're always so stern; you occasionally need to relax.'

Qingxu Daoist helplessly shook his head, knowing that reasoning with this old woman was futile.

He decided not to pursue the matter further, merely warning her not to do such things again.

After the old woman was taken away, Qingxu Daoist returned to his Daoist temple and began reflecting on his actions.

He realized that when facing such sudden situations, he still lacked the ability to cope.

He therefore resolved to strengthen his mental cultivation to avoid such embarrassing situations again.

A few days later, Qingxu Daoist sat in meditation in his Daoist temple, trying to forget that day's embarrassment.

However, whenever he closed his eyes, the old woman's face would appear in his mind, preventing him from concentrating.

His disciples also noticed the master's abnormality, discussing it privately, unaware of what exactly had happened to him.

Some even speculated whether the master had been bewitched by the old woman with some spell.

While Daoist Priest Qingxu struggled to forget that embarrassing experience, the old woman spent her time in prison carefree and at ease.

She quickly bonded with the other prisoners in jail using her wit and eloquence.

She told them about the outside world and her own adventures, and the prisoners listened with relish.

The old woman's reputation quickly spread through the prison, and some prisoners even began to admire her, regarding her as an extraordinary person.

The old woman also enjoyed this treatment, and she even started planning how to continue her adventures after release.

However, just as the old woman was thriving in prison, Daoist Priest Qingxu fell into deep confusion in the Daoist temple.

Daoist Priest Qingxu repeatedly asked himself, his state of mind like stirred pond water, difficult to calm.

He knew his cultivation level should not be so easily shaken, yet that sudden kiss was like a stone dropped into the heart of a lake, raising ripples upon ripples.

He strolled through the rear courtyard of the Immortal Sect, moonlight like water, sprinkling on the blue‑stone path, his shadow stretched out long.

Daoist Priest Qingxu drew a deep breath, trying to dispel the distractions in his mind, but the old woman's sly smile and teasing words continually lingered in his heart.

"Impossible," he muttered, "my heart has long been given to the Supreme Pure Temple, to the Demon Master, and to the Supreme Pure Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable. Falling in love? Only a ghost would do that."

Yet his excuse seemed unable to convince even himself. Daoist Priest Qingxu stopped, lifted his head to gaze at the night sky, the starlight twinkling as if mocking his self‑deception.

"Daoist Priest, are you still troubled by today's affair?" a soft voice broke the night's silence—it was his disciple Qingyun.

Daoist Priest Qingxu turned to face Qingyun, his expression somewhat embarrassed: "Qingyun, Master… Master is merely a bit confused."

Qingyun gave a faint smile, his eyes showing understanding and sympathy: "Master, you are human, so you naturally have feelings. Although the old woman's conduct is improper, her behavior also reminds us that cultivators are not emotionless; they must learn to control and guide their feelings."

Daoist Priest Qingxu fell silent; Qingyun's words plunged him into deeper thought.

He began to reflect, wondering whether he was truly as detached as he imagined.

"Master," Qingyun continued, "feelings are not an obstacle to cultivation; rather, they are part of our practice. By understanding and mastering our emotions, we can draw closer to the truth of the Dao."

Daoist Priest Qingxu nodded, feeling the mist in his heart begin to clear. He realized that his reaction to the old woman's kiss was not due to being moved, but because he had never truly confronted his own emotions.

"Qingyun, thank you." Daoist Priest Qingxu's voice carried a hint of relief: "Master understands, feelings are like flowing water—neither can be resisted nor suppressed, only guided."

Qingyun smiled and nodded, knowing his master had found his answer.

Daoist Priest Qingxu returned to his room, deciding no longer to evade, but to confront his inner self.

He began seated meditation; this time he did not try to banish all feelings, but let them arise naturally and then examined them one by one.

As time passed, Daoist Priest Qingxu's heart gradually calmed; he realized that emotions were not his enemy, but part of his cultivation.

He began to learn to accept his emotions rather than resist them.

A few days later, Daoist Priest Qingxu reappeared before everyone, his demeanor more tranquil, his eyes gleaming with the light of wisdom.

His disciples noticed the master's change, knowing he had broken through to a new realm.

Meanwhile, the old woman in prison also heard of Daoist Priest Qingxu's change and couldn't help feeling a hint of surprise.

She never imagined that one of her pranks would actually spur a cultivator's state of mind to rise.

The old woman sat quietly in prison, began to reflect on her conduct, realizing that perhaps she should use her wisdom and wit to do something more meaningful, instead of deceiving and fooling others.

In the end, after leaving prison, the old woman truly turned over a new leaf, she began to use her abilities to help those in need.

And Daoist Priest Qingxu continued his cultivation, but he was no longer an aloof cultivator; he had become a more rounded, more humane master.

At a temple fair in History Tiger City, the place buzzed with voices, various stalls and performers gathered, and the city's residents were immersed in the festive joy.

Daoist Priest Qingxu was also pulled by his disciples to go along, to experience this annual grand event, wearing a Daoist robe, his steps leisurely; although his heart held transcendent worldly cultivation, he could not help but feel a touch of curiosity toward the bustle.

Just as Daoist Priest Qingxu was enjoying a splendid lion dance performance, a familiar figure appeared at the edge of his vision.

He turned his head and saw—it was indeed the old woman who had once made his heart flutter, now seemingly transformed, dressed in plain clothes, bustling about at a stall selling candied hawthorn.

The old woman's face bore a kindly smile, she warmly greeted the passing children, her eyes no longer holding their former slyness, replaced instead by gentleness and sincerity.

Daoist Priest Qingxu's heart involuntarily stirred, his cheeks warmed slightly, and his heartbeat quickened.

He stood there, somewhat at a loss, silently thinking to himself: "Damn it, my Dao heart is getting muddled again."

He had thought he had completely transcended that accidental heart‑flutter, yet he did not expect that seeing the old woman again would so easily shatter his inner calm.

The old woman also seemed to notice Daoist Priest Qingxu's gaze, she turned her head, and their eyes met in mid‑air.

A flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes, then she gave a friendly smile and nodded at Daoist Priest Qingxu.

Daoist Priest Qingxu drew a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions, knowing he must face this sudden surge of feeling rather than flee.

He approached the old woman and said in a calm tone: "Benefactor, we meet again."

The old woman set down her candied hawthorn, smiled and replied: "Daoist Priest, long time no see. You look well; I suppose your Dao heart has made progress."

Daoist Priest Qingxu gave a wry laugh: "Benefactor, you jest; my Dao heart is again troubled today, truly shameful."

The old woman waved her hand, saying: "Daoist Priest, there's no need to blame yourself. Humans are not plants—who can be without feelings? Even cultivators possess the seven emotions and six desires; what matters is how to turn these feelings into motivation for practice."

Daoist Priest Qingxu nodded and asked: "Benefactor, how have you been lately? It looks like you've turned over a new leaf."

"After leaving prison, I began to reflect on my past. I realized that deceit and trickery cannot bring true happiness and peace. Therefore, I have decided to spend the rest of my life making up for my past mistakes, doing something genuinely meaningful." the old woman sighed and said.

After hearing this, Daoist Priest Qingxu felt a stir of respect: "Benefactor, to have such awakening is truly not easy."