[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-living-among-all-heavens-achieving-immortality-t":3,"chapter-living-among-all-heavens-achieving-immortality-t-living-among-all-heavens-achieving-immortality-t-chapter-369":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Living Among All Heavens, Achieving Immortality Through Merit",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2323937,4545,"Chapter 369: The Topic Shifts: Preparing to Rebel","living-among-all-heavens-achieving-immortality-t-chapter-369",369,"\u003Cp>The Lingyin Temple’s eaves were carved with ornate tiles, its mountain gate majestic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing led Bai Suzhen down the steps, exiting the mountain gate before turning to bid farewell to Abbot Yuan Kong of Lingyin Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My conduct within Lingyin Temple was reckless and caused much trouble; I humbly beg Abbot Yuan Kong’s forgiveness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing clasped his hands and said, “After Lingyin Temple’s summer retreat, I shall come to apologize in person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing had overturned Lingyin Temple’s latrine; though he used true qi to push the waste back, traces remained, and the stench lingered—Lingyin Temple would need extensive cleaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abbot Yuan Kong smiled gently and said, “Merely excrement and urine—I am not so narrow-minded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We borrowed your sacred ground to settle our karmic debts; we are deeply grateful to Lingyin Temple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Suzhen, guided by Guanyin Bodhisattva, held deep reverence for Buddhism and sincerely thanked Abbot Yuan Kong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Amitabha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abbot Yuan Kong clasped his hands and said calmly, “Buddhism divides worldly suffering into the Twelve Nidanas and the Three Lifetimes of Karma. These Twelve Nidanas never cease; all beings wear chains. Only by breaking through [Ignorance] can one be freed from the Twelve Nidanas.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have defeated Fahai, but you have not broken through [Ignorance].”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abbot Yuan Kong looked at Gu Qing and said, “Earlier, you asked Fahai what the Buddha is—your question carried profound Dharma, but Fahai was consumed by wrath and could not grasp its essence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Buddhism, [Ignorance] is the mind’s ignorance and the root of all suffering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will Fahai still pursue us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Suzhen spoke with surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your karmic debt is settled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abbot Yuan Kong told Bai Suzhen, “From now on, as long as you abide by your true nature, you shall naturally ascend.” He then studied Gu Qing and added, “But you, Immortal, will face much suffering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fahai holds a grudge against you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing smiled faintly: Good, say more—better yet, make Bai Suzhen cry with emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Suzhen watched Gu Qing’s calm, smiling demeanor and felt her heart stir, her gaze softening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The matter at Changming Temple is settled today too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing brought it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, the Changming Temple affair had drawn Jigong to Gu Qing, leading to a bargain; the Buddhist sect refused to reveal its magical intervention, and Gu Qing likewise did not display Daoist power—he instead used gold and silver to bribe the third concubine of the Qiantang County Magistrate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though this third concubine appeared rarely, she held sway over Magistrate Yang; through bribery and emotional appeal, Gu Qing rescued all the Changming Temple monks without using any magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent, excellent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abbot Yuan Kong said, “Gu Immortal, at the end of April, melons and eggplants are just sprouting, and market prices are high. If you could deliver ten baskets of fruit and vegetables to Lingyin Temple, good fortune may follow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Abbot Yuan Kong turned the jade prayer beads Gu Qing had gifted him and returned into Lingyin Temple’s mountain gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten baskets of fruit and vegetables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing glanced at Bai Suzhen beside him; she slightly turned her face, avoiding his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This Abbot Yuan Kong seems deeply versed in Buddhist doctrine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Suzhen whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing drew out the syllable. Legend said that when Jigong trained at Lingyin Temple, its abbot was a ninth-life bhikshu who immediately recognized Jigong as a Luohan reborn. Perhaps Abbot Yuan Kong of Lingyin Temple possesses similar divine insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two descended the mountain path; not far ahead, they saw Xiao Qing waiting. Seeing them, she rushed forward, examining them closely and asking for details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu Qing shattered Fahai’s golden bowl with the [Hunyuan Golden Dipper].”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Suzhen smiled sweetly. “That’s how I barely won against Fahai.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Qing knew the [Hunyuan Golden Dipper] was a toilet; she guessed Gu Qing’s trick and gave him a playful scowl. “You’ve got so many devious ideas.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t tell you beforehand to avoid leaking secrets.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing said gently to Xiao Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Qing nodded vigorously. “I know—that hateful Fahai was watching us with his golden bowl!” At this, she felt distressed. Her feelings for Gu Qing were already deep; she had repeatedly wanted to share a bed with him, but Fahai’s constant surveillance had prevented them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fahai now holds a grudge against Gu Qing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Suzhen looked at Gu Qing, her eyes filled with concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This, this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Qing, after thinking carefully, suddenly said, “This is too easy. If Fahai must avoid you, then no matter how much he hates Gu Qing, as long as you stay with us, he can’t act against us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fahai must stay ninety li away from Bai Suzhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fahai wants to target Gu Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So by binding Gu Qing to Bai Suzhen, Fahai can only fume helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The logic was sound, yet somehow, Xiao Qing noticed Bai Suzhen’s cheeks flushing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, defeating Fahai was a great joy. Gu Qing, Bai Suzhen, and Xiao Qing relaxed, wandered freely around Hangzhou, and at night rented a small boat to drift on West Lake, savoring the scene: “Moonlight glimmers on the water; pavilions rise through mist and rosy clouds; flutes echo from beyond the clouds; laughter drifts through the sky—mortals in Penglai.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing, at the center, played the role of a perfect air conditioner—joking with Xiao Qing while tending to Bai Suzhen’s emotions. That night on the boat, Bai Suzhen’s brow grew softer, yet also more sorrowful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Doctor Gu, what are you doing here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As dawn neared, while Gu Qing was returning the boat, he heard a shout. He looked up to see a young stranger who greeted him with familiarity, bowing and saying, “Perfect timing—Ye Great Ming is dying. Your compassionate heart, please save him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Gu Qing did not recognize the youth, he sensed his sincerity. He nodded to Bai Suzhen and Xiao Qing behind him, and the three followed the youth toward the dock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place should have been bustling, but the youth led them to low thatched huts, narrow alleys, muddy roads. After several turns, they entered a straw hut. Gu Qing peered inside and saw a middle-aged man lying beneath the broken shed, emaciated, eyes vacant, awaiting death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is bloody dysentery.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing stepped forward and, merely by his expression, diagnosed the illness. After checking his pulse, he confirmed it—yet the man had suffered long; recovery was nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it’s bloody dysentery.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth said beside him. “How can such an illness be treated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing raised an eyebrow, glanced at the youth, then pressed his hand on Ye Great Ming’s chest. From within his robes, he drew a prepared pill. He told Xiao Qing to find water to dissolve it. Xiao Qing turned in the courtyard, stepped outside to borrow water, returned moments later, holding a cup—its water murky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dysentery stemmed from unclean water; seeing this water, Gu Qing instantly understood Ye Great Ming’s cause of illness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Suzhen took the tea, lightly touched its surface with her fingertips—the murky water instantly cleared. Gu Qing then dissolved the pill into it and had Ye Great Ming drink it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you used magic tricks to save him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth murmured beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me see your well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing rose and said to the youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth nodded, leading Gu Qing through the area, explaining its conditions: most people here made a living at the dock, having migrated from elsewhere with no land, barely surviving. Unnoticed, thatched huts multiplied, and the population grew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The authorities neglected oversight, allowing huts to sprawl unchecked, sanitation in chaos. Gu Qing reached the well and saw nearby latrines; locals said that after heavy rains, floods overflowed, rivers surged…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clean and hygienic indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After observing, Gu Qing sought a leader among the people, but they had no organization. He turned to Xiao Qing, who turned away, summoned the Five Ghosts, and had them knock on every door to summon the residents for Gu Qing’s lecture on safe water use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those idle here, raise the well’s rim and leave drainage channels outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing said, “Later, I’ll add medicine to the well water for disinfection. For drinking or washing, you should boil the water.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing’s words carried true qi; though soft, they rang with piercing force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the people here were neglected, they knew their households often fell ill. Seeing Doctor Gu take charge, explain the dangers, and organize repairs, they eagerly joined, quickly gathering to fix the well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will this truly save the people here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth asked Gu Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing noticed the youth’s humble clothes but refined bearing and spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just call me Xiao Lv.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Lv said, “Come with me this way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing followed Xiao Lv to another place. In a thatched hut, he saw a family of three, covered in sores, lying together, moaning pitifully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sore ulcers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing examined their wounds and said, “I happen to have Snake Sore Ointment. Clean their wounds, and I can cure them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The illness posed no difficulty for Gu Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The family bowed repeatedly in thanks, but Gu Qing frowned slightly—upon hearing their words, he learned they lived on boats, in damp conditions; sores were common for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You need to change your living place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they stayed here, the illness would return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The family smiled bitterly and shook their heads. “We have no roof above us, no space to stick a needle—we’re lucky just to live here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could not find another place to live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems you can save them for now, but not for life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Lv sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finding a decent place to live isn’t hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing lowered his eyes and said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you find good housing for one family? Can you find it for a hundred, a thousand families?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Lv countered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing pressed his lips shut, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Over there, Wu San is also dying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Lv moved confidently through the area; Gu Qing followed. After passing many alleys, they reached a house. Before entering, Gu Qing heard coughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is consumption.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing recognized the illness by the sound, rushed past Xiao Lv into the house, and observed the family’s condition—better than the ulcerated trio and Ye Great Ming’s dysentery. Beside them sat a sand pot, its residue still holding herbal remnants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These residues...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing held the residues, examining them closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of them were taken from the Huimin Pharmacy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Lv spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing looked at the residues, then at Wu San, who was coughing, and sighed softly—this man did not have tuberculosis; he had poverty disease. He could only get medicine from the Huimin Pharmacy, an official Song institution meant to cap drug prices, whose medicines were rotten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This stuff had no healing power left. Wu San had taken it several times at home, and his condition only worsened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What can we do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Lv looked at Gu Qing and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, report it to the authorities!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing met Xiao Lv’s gaze and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t fathom what Xiao Lv was after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Report it to the authorities?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Lv sneered. “Perfect. The current head of the Huimin Pharmacy is Doctor Shi, the same man you humiliated at Baojiashan. Behind him stands Chancellor Qin Gui. Now that you know who’s harming the people, go ahead and bring them down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Gui...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing heard the name and sighed silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this world governed by fate, it was just that damn unfair: Gu Qing could have easily crushed Zhao Gou and Qin Gui, turned the tide, even reclaimed the Central Plains—but he could not act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing looked at Xiao Lv and asked seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patients Xiao Lv had shown him, and his words, did not sound like those of an ordinary man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who I am doesn’t matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Lv countered: “Who you are matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who am I?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing said calmly: “I’m just an ordinary physician who received a Daoist talisman and has a little ability to heal the people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Lv drew out the word: “Zhang Jiao was the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you trying to provoke me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing stared at Xiao Lv, utterly stunned—he had never expected this turn. They had just been discussing healing the sick, and now the conversation had veered straight toward rebellion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think about it carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Lv stepped before Gu Qing and handed him a pill. “This is Lu Dongbin’s Detoxifying Powder. It can counteract poisons beyond remedy, but the potency is limited—it can save only one person, or one snake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One person, one snake...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing stared at Xiao Lv, mouth slightly open. “Are you Lu Zu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Lv said nothing. He turned and vanished into the alleyway—the mortal world closed behind him, his figure gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qing tucked the pill into his robe and headed toward the direction of Bai Suzhen and Xiao Qing. Encountering Lu Dongbin after leaving Lingyin Temple was a rare stroke of fortune—but before he reached Bai Suzhen and Xiao Qing, he heard a cry from ahead. He hurried forward and saw Xiao Qing collapsed on the ground, Bai Suzhen clutching her chest, half-unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2194,"2026-06-20T17:04:27.745Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","904e7d544e2a36cb6c48e1f9d409b80623c755101988585c1c9c4eb7d4092964","living-among-all-heavens-achieving-immortality-t-chapter-370","living-among-all-heavens-achieving-immortality-t-chapter-368",449,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fliving-among-all-heavens-achieving-immortality-t-cover.jpg"]