Chapter 492: 346. The Three Pure Ones Accept the Order: Face and Substance

346. The Three Pure Ones Accept the Order: Face and Substance

"Yuan Ya Zi, what are you looking at?"

Zhang Zhang Shixiu turned his head and asked.

Lu Ya withdrew his gaze and shook his head.

His expressionless face revealed nothing.

The two walked one behind the other along a winding mountain path paved with green stone steps inside Snowwood Manor.

Ahead, a cold-eyed Yue woman with a sword at her back led the way.

Zhang Zhang Shixiu was born into the Celestial Master lineage of Taiqing Longhu Mountain.

Since the Han Dynasty, the Celestial Master lineage has held dominion over southern Daoism, overseeing the Three Mountains' talismans; Taiqing Longhu Mountain, where the Celestial Master's mansion stands, is nominally the head of the Three Pure Ones sect, and Daoists of the Zhang family from the Celestial Master's mansion are born wearing yellow and purple robes, honored as "Yellow and Purple Nobles."

The Three Pure Ones sect, though outwardly three mountains, is in truth one entity, especially on major matters, where the ancestral halls of all three mountains speak with one voice.

And any power has its face and its substance.

The face is the polished, gleaming exterior; the substance handles tasks too inconvenient to show. Generally, the face presented to others must be kept spotless, free of even a speck of dust—this requires the substance to act…

Taiqing Longhu Mountain is the face of the Three Pure Ones sect; the Celestial Master's mansion remains secluded, aloof, and exalted;

Yiqing Ge Zao Mountain extends this face, closer to the secular world, backed by Taiqing and Maoshan Shangqing Mountains, receiving pilgrims like a shop opening its doors.

Maoshan Shangqing Maoshan, however, handles the substance: its Daoists are few and low-key, yet the proportion of Daoists with spiritual cultivation exceeds that of Taiqing and Yiqing; when trouble arises, they are the first to act—and truly act.

Regardless of whether Zhang Zhang Shixiu's dispatch by the Celestial Master's mansion indicates he is a standout among the younger generation of the Celestial Master's lineage.

Simply put, Taiqing Longhu Mountain has sent someone, alongside Daoists from Maoshan Shangqing Maoshan.

This time, both the face and substance of the Three Pure Ones sect have stepped onto the stage.

One can imagine how grave the situation must appear in the eyes of the ancestral halls of the three distant mountains…

Zhang Zhang Shixiu followed Lu Ya's earlier line of sight.

There, beside a pond halfway up the mountain they had just passed, a little girl with a topknot squatted by the water's edge, playing with a branch, while a white sturgeon circled faintly beneath the surface.

"Do you know her, Yuan Ya Zi?"

Lu Ya shook his head.

"Could it be you're missing your little junior sister Yuan Meilu Xuan Zi?"

Zhang Zhang Shixiu smiled and asked.

Though they were about to meet the famed, sword-crowned Lady Yunmeng Grand Lady, Zhang Zhang Shixiu showed little tension; on the ascent, he even had the leisure to tease Lu Ya.

Lu Ya gave no reply, speaking in a flat, formal tone:

"The girl is from Prince Xunyang."

"Prince Xunyang in Jiangzhou? How did you know that, little brother Yuan Ya?"

"My master taught me a little face-reading. Also, the girl's hairpin style—your little junior sister used to wear it too. It's a Prince Xunyang specialty."

"Still saying you're not thinking of Xiao Liu Jie Yuan Meilu Xuan," Zhang Zhang Shixiu smiled.

After a pause, he sighed:

"Grandmaster told me Xiao Liu Jie Yuan Meilu Xuan has already reached the Eighth Rank. How quickly—how can we, her senior brothers from the three mountains, bear it? No wonder she was chosen by Yuan Lao on his deathbed."

Lu Ya nodded: "You really are too slow." He added: "I am too."

Zhang Zhang Shixiu was not offended: "Your little junior sister is also our little junior sister—family."

Lu Ya glanced at him longer: "Little Liu Jie hates people getting too familiar."

Zhang Zhang Shixiu asked curiously: "Is Xiao Liu Jie Yuan Meilu Xuan really so hard to get along with? Usually, little girls fresh to the mountain cling to their senior brothers and sisters."

Lu Ya shook his head: "Little Liu Jie came from poverty, grew up early and independently—unlike other girls her age, she's like a little adult… You'll see for yourself when you meet her, Brother Yuan Xiu."

Zhang Zhang Shixiu's expression grew curious.

Currently, the hottest topic among Daoists of the Three Pure Ones sect is the astonishing breakthrough speed of this new junior sister from Maoshan Shangqing Maoshan, whose Dao name is "Yuan Meilu Xuan Zi"—her cultivation advances in leaps every few weeks, leaving her senior brothers and sisters astonished and envious.

Lu Ya suddenly said: "But it's not always like that with her."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Zhang Shixiu grew even more curious.

Lu Ya recalled how, every time he needed to send a letter to Prince Xunyang, his little junior sister, who normally ignored the world and devoted herself entirely to cultivation, would halt all practice, stay up late by lamplight, and write letters with meticulous care…

Seeing Lu Ya's expressionless face remain silent, Zhang Zhang Shixiu asked again:

"Why didn't you bring little Liu Jie this time?"

Zhang Zhang Shixiu turned back, squinting at the pavilion near the summit, where a tall, golden-haired silhouette waited. He said:

"She's reached sufficient cultivation, and she's sensible—this trip would be good practice for her."

Lu Ya shook his head.

The expressionless young Daoist lowered his eyelids slightly.

He did not tell Zhang Zhang Shixiu that the little junior sister and a certain small ink spirit might have been seen by this Lady Yunmeng Grand Lady back in Prince Xunyang…

Soon, the two ended their conversation and reached the summit.

They entered the Spring Courtyard Pavilion.

Xue Xue Zhongzhu and Yu Nianyuan were both present—one seated, one standing.

Zhang Zhang Shixiu and Lu Ya composed themselves, formally presented their sect gifts, and exchanged polite greetings.

Xue Xue Zhongzhu didn't even glance at the expensive gifts on the table; she cut straight to the point:

"No need for formalities. The gifts are unnecessary. Second Sister said you agreed to accept the Lady Yunmeng Order and submit to our sect's command. That's why I'm meeting you. I'll ask again: do the Three Pure Ones still stand by this decision?"

Lu Ya glanced at Zhang Zhang Shixiu's back.

The Lady Yunmeng Grand Lady's demand was unexpected.

The two had been sent here not to mediate, nor to interfere.

Yet when they heard the Grand Lady's condition below the mountain, Zhang Zhang Shixiu had immediately agreed.

Xue Xue Zhongzhu and Yu Nianyuan clearly recognized who held authority among them; their gazes settled on Zhang Zhang Shixiu's face.

A tall Yue woman entered the pavilion, solemnly placing a bronze short sword on the table.

Zhang Zhang Shixiu glanced around, hesitated not a moment, stepped forward, and took the Lady Yunmeng Order.

"I said I, Yuan Xiu Zi, accept the Order," he said calmly.

Amid slightly surprised glances, Zhang Zhang Shixiu apologized:

"But the Celestial Master's mansion still requires Yuan Ya Zi to return and report, to persuade our elders."

Xue Xue Zhongzhu narrowed her eyes: "What do you mean? Speak clearly."

Yu Nianyuan smiled: "So you personally accept the Order, but your sect doesn't?"

Within the pavilion, sword qi surged.

Outside, on the pear trees, Chongniang shot into the sky, circling above the pavilion.

Zhang Zhang Shixiu and Lu Ya's black Dao robes and headscarves flapped violently, as if the mountain wind would soon shatter the pavilion and sweep them away.

Xue Xue Zhongzhu's emerald eyes gazed at the blue sky beyond, ignoring them.

Behind Zhang Zhang Shixiu, Lu Ya's gaze fixed on the snow-white longsword resting on the Grand Lady's knees; his expressionless face hardened into the look of a man facing a mortal threat—certain memories resurfaced.

Zhang Zhang Shixiu stood motionless, smiling, speaking with sincere clarity:

"Grand Lady, please calm yourself. The truth is, my journey with Yuan Ya Zi was rushed; our ancestral hall gave us no prior instructions. We must have Yuan Ya Zi return to consult our elders, to reason with them—this takes time. I beg your understanding."

"But before that, I may accept the Order now and follow your arrangements."

Yu Nianyuan smiled: "You don't expect to spend ten days or half a month just sending a letter, do you? By then, the opportunity will be long gone."

Zhang Zhang Shixiu turned to look at Lu Ya.

The latter instantly understood, lowering his eyes in cooperation: "I will return as swiftly as possible, notify the ancestral hall, and bring back the Order at once. Perhaps even the three Sect Masters will come together…"

Xue Xue Zhongzhu snorted—no one knew what she laughed at—and the atmosphere grew awkward.

Zhang Zhang Shixiu's expression remained unchanged; he said earnestly:

"Moreover, I, a Celestial Master lineage Daoist, am here as a hostage—surely you still don't trust us?"

Yu Nianyuan paused, then shook his head: "What hostage? You make it sound as if our sect forced you."

Seeing the tension ease slightly, Zhang Zhang Shixiu bowed:

"Actually, we came to deliver a message from our elders: we beg your sect not to harm the Prince Xunyang Prince's mansion in Jiangzhou. Everything else is negotiable."

"Do the Three Pure Ones value this Prince Xunyang Prince so highly?" Xue Xue Zhongzhu tilted her head slightly.

Zhang Zhang Shixiu sighed: "There are old ties. If you agree to this, the Three Pure Ones will not interfere with your actions. I guarantee it. And since I remain here, I will fully cooperate."

"Aren't you afraid of angering Zhou Ting and the Empress?"

Zhang Zhang Shixiu lowered his eyes: "Didn't the Grand Lady say this is a matter of great righteousness?"

Yu Nianyuan smiled faintly: "So aiding the Prince Xunyang Prince is loyalty, is it? Then your Three Pure Ones aren't supporting the current Zhou court—you're betting on the Prince Xunyang Prince, hoping to help him ascend the throne and earn a new purple robe from the future Li dynasty. Zhang Zhang Shixiu, your Daoists are truly masters of loyalty and righteousness."

Zhang Zhang Shixiu glanced again at the Lady Yunmeng Second Lady; meeting her bright gaze, he felt a subtle unease—as if his thoughts had been pierced.

"Second Lady jests," he said, masking his wariness, his eyes straight ahead.

Xue Xue Zhongzhu rose, swept her sleeves, and the mountain wind and sword qi vanished instantly; in the world, only her cold, slightly awkward voice remained:

Our sect holds no grudge against the Prince Xunyang Prince's mansion; as long as his people do not obstruct the path of the Donglin Great Buddha, we will not harm them—that is our bottom line. You may deliver this message. Also, I guarantee that only the Yue women will not harm the mansion—if others act and something happens, do not blame me.

Zhang Zhang Shixiu hesitated, found no flaw, and nodded: "Agreed."

"Second Sister, entertain our guests."

Xue Xue Zhongzhu spoke and descended the mountain.

Zhang Zhang Shixiu suddenly called out: "Grand Lady, sometimes the tide of the world cannot be reversed. We Qi-refiners must not clash head-on."

Xue Xue Zhongzhu did not pause, did not turn back—but her voice, sharp as cleaving metal, rang out:

"The tide of the world cannot be defied—yet that is not the same as weakness, nor kneeling in surrender. The Three Pure Ones, choose wisely."

Zhang Zhang Shixiu and Lu Ya cast sidelong glances.

The crowd dispersed.

On the descent path, Zhang Zhang Shixiu quietly pulled Lu Ya aside into a secluded spot.

"Senior Yuanxiu, should I return to the sect to report?"

"Return to what sect?" Zhang Zhang Shixiu shook his head. "Send a letter to report the current situation. You have another urgent mission—hurry to Prince Xunyang Wang Fu."

Lu Ya frowned: "Shouldn't we summon your Uncles and Aunts to guard the Wang Fu together?"

Zhang Zhang Shixiu immediately shook his head:

"No. If the Lady Yunmeng Sword Marsh or the Tiannan Tiannan Jianghu see our senior elders appear at Prince Xunyang Wang Fu—even just inside Prince Xunyang City—they'll suspect us of aiding the enemy. What then, if the Eldest Princess invites them? Will our Sect Master and the Elders help her destroy the Buddha or not?"

"Harming me is trivial, but this would make the situation far more complicated. Unless absolutely unavoidable, our Three Pure Ones' true power must not directly take sides. The Sect Master and the others know this—they'll exercise restraint…"

Lu Ya slowly nodded.

Zhang Zhang Shixiu said solemnly:

"But you, Lu, can go. You're different. Both of us are juniors. You can claim you're lingering. Just as me accepting the Lady Yunmeng Order doesn't mean the Three Pure Ones have accepted it."

"Go to Prince Xunyang Wang Fu immediately. Inform them first not to interfere with the Donglin Great Buddha. This time, Lady Yunmeng Sword Marsh has acted, and the Shenjing Luoyang court is too far to intervene. The situation in Jiangzhou is grim. The Wang Fu must avoid entanglement—don't try to block a cart with your arms."

"Alright." Lu Ya hesitated. "Are you really staying to help?"

Zhang Zhang Shixiu paused thoughtfully:

"The Second Princess certainly doesn't trust me. She won't place me in any key position. Staying here shows our stance, calms them down, and prevents rumors that the Three Pure Ones have abandoned the great righteousness of Tiannan Tiannan Jianghu."

"On the other hand, if they turn against the Wang Fu, I can still intervene slightly, buy time… With you guarding the Wang Fu, we cover both inside and outside."

"Good plan."

Lu Ya hesitated again: "But aren't we acting on our own? What if the Ancestral Hall…"

"Plans can't keep up with change. In moments like this, on the eve of a storm, when everything shifts in an instant, decisive action is essential!"

Zhang Zhang Shixiu's gaze was resolute. "I'm taking responsibility this time. Remember to relay the news back to the Ancestral Hall—they'll understand us."

"Agreed." Lu Ya frowned, pondered a moment, and glanced again at Zhang Zhang Shixiu. "Senior Zhang, your decisiveness is remarkable—reminds me of that fellow at Prince Xunyang Wang Fu nicknamed Tanlang… No wonder the Celestial Master's Mansion sent you down."

"Tanlang?" Zhang Zhang Shixiu, curious, gave a light shake of his head, then suddenly called out to Lu Ya:

"By the way, did you deliver the two Tui Fan Golden Elixirs from our Celestial Master's Mansion to the Young Princess?"

"Yes."

"Take this thunder talisman too—give it to Her Highness, just in case."

"Understood."

"I heard your master's legacy talisman has been ingested by the Heir Apparent?"

"Yes."

Zhang Zhang Shixiu pinched his fingers, lowered his eyes, and nodded. "Should be enough…"

Lu Ya took the purple talisman, tucked it into his sleeve, and prepared to leave.

"Wait."

Zhang Zhang Shixiu pulled a bronze short sword from his sleeve and studied it closely.

Lu Ya's gaze also fell upon the blade.

Zhang Zhang Shixiu closed his eyes; a faint crimson glow surfaced on the back of his hand, flowing like water into the bronze short sword in his palm.

The Lady Yunmeng Order remained silent, unresponsive.

After a moment, Zhang Zhang Shixiu suddenly opened his eyes:

"This object is no ordinary thing. Be careful—it may be linked to a legendary array recorded in the Ancestral Hall."

Lu Ya nodded solemnly.

The two exchanged glances, both faces grave…

After Lu Ya left, Zhang Zhang Shixiu straightened his Daoist robes and followed a Yue woman to his assigned quarters.

Before descending the mountain, he looked back at a tiny black speck circling above the peak.

It's said a proper power must have both face and substance. Lady Yunmeng Sword Marsh once had both—especially formidable substance, once striking terror into all Tiannan Jianghu. For instance, a certain female Hidden Lord once emerged, with several Lady-level Yue women serving as Sword Guardians, nearly invincible.

But since the previous Lady's Hall suffered upheaval, and now the Donglin Great Buddha has provoked the dragon's scales, even the Eldest and Second Princesses of Lady Yunmeng have descended personally. Who knows if even the noble Yue Yue Chu Zi will have to step forward.

This is no different from our Three Pure Ones being forced to enter the fray—perhaps even more inappropriate.

It's all very unseemly, very undignified, because there's no room for retreat.

But now the situation has reached this point: the Donglin Great Buddha has become the Eldest Princess's face too. All sides must hold their ground—there's no choice.

Thunderclouds gathered on the horizon. Zhang Zhang Shixiu gazed afar, murmuring to himself:

"Unless another Hidden Lord of that caliber emerges, sweeping all before him, even if we win and destroy the Buddha, this pyrrhic victory won't preserve Lady Yunmeng Sword Marsh's face—it'll still be stained… Will that Empress in Shenjing Luoyang yield? If both sides keep escalating, they may drag the entire Tiannan Tiannan Jianghu into ruin…"

The Imperial Prince Daoist from Longhu Mountain's Celestial Master's Mansion, his eyes shadowed with concern, sighed.