Chapter 686: The Daozhang's Noble Righteousness

Zhi Xu Daozhang is a very warm-hearted person; Chen Wuji didn't even ask him to do anything, but he took on the matter of Songzhou's spell talismans himself.

This deeply moved Chen Wuji.

For someone who has already roughly guessed some of the truth, Songzhou is now no different from a demon's den.

Yet Zhi Xu Daozhang still plans without hesitation to go investigate, taking on this matter that originally had nothing to do with him.

"Daozhang, if those who can heal people with spell talismans are truly as rare as ancient legends, then the matter of Songzhou actually needs no further doubt; you also have no need to personally go to Songzhou to wade through those troubled waters—for you, that place is now too dangerous."

"I also have some understanding of the medicine you mentioned, Daozhang; those addicted to it absolutely cannot heed others' advice. Unless they are forcibly controlled, very few can, while under its control, still muster great willpower to forcibly break free of the poison in their bodies." Chen Wuji advised.

Zhi Xu Daozhang blew on the slightly hot tea, took a light sip, and said, "What the Commander said saves me the trouble. But as an old Daoist who knows that the people of such a place suffer deeply from illness, I cannot simply stand by and do nothing."

"What we cultivate at Fuyun Guan is not the path of sitting idle in the mountains, absorbing purple qi at dawn and bathing in sunset glow at dusk for personal longevity; what I cultivate is solely the Dao and Virtue."

"Great virtue, Daozhang!" Chen Wuji bowed, then said, "But Songzhou is now extremely perilous; if you insist on going, why not wait until I lead my troops north to pacify the region's turmoil, then go to save the people? By then, with my army suppressing things, even if there are waves, they won't be too big."

"It's just a small matter; no need to wait. Although I am skilled at nurturing life, I also know a bit of martial arts, so it's no problem."

"If a few days pass, perhaps we could save more people. In the past, the consequences of that medicine have been greatly demonized, but I think: since it is a medicine that cannot instantly take a life, its very existence already leaves room for maneuver; I want to try to see if I can eliminate its poison with a simpler method." Zhi Xu Daozhang said with a light smile.

Chen Wuji actually already heard his purpose from his words.

It is simply to go try to save people.

But it is probably extremely difficult.

Although what is used in this era is probably the most primitive lump of black ointment, its dependence is still extremely terrifying.

Wanting to quit, Chen Wuji here can't think of any good solution.

Traditional Chinese medicine is helpless against that thing.

Chen Wuji thought it over and did not say those dampening words.

Zhi Xu Daozhang's attitude is already clear; saying more would be useless.

"In that case, I will select a few elite soldiers to escort you, Daozhang." Chen Wuji said.

Zhi Xu Daozhang waved his hand, saying, "No need for the Commander to worry; I can go with my disciples. Although our Fuyun Guan's martial arts are not fit for the grand stage, in a chaotic world they are enough to preserve a small life."

Chen Wuji was refused again.

But he also sensed Zhi Xu Daozhang's confidence.

If Fuyun Guan truly cultivated martial arts unfit for the grand stage, he would not say that.

That is confidence disguised as humility.

Thinking of this, Chen Wuji helplessly chuckled and said, "Since Daozhang is confident, I won't insist further; I wish you a smooth journey."

"Borrowing the Commander's auspicious words, I also wish the Commander's forces to advance like a broken bamboo, achieving all wishes!"

After saying a couple of meaningless pleasantries, Chen Wuji took a sip of tea, shifted the conversation, and asked, "I don't know if Daozhang knows Lu Jia Village? It is the westernmost part of Zhenqiang County, adjacent to Yingzui Ridge."

Zhi Xu Daozhang's confidence in his family's inherited martial arts suddenly made Chen Wuji think of this.

Both of them are experts in their gangs, so perhaps there could be some exchange between them.

Zhi Xu Daozhang's expression flickered slightly, and he said, "Commander, why would you suddenly take an interest in a small village?"

"It seems Daozhang knows something." Chen Wuji said with a light laugh.

Zhi Xu Daozhang suddenly fell silent; after a while he said, "Lu Jia Village is not far from my Fuyun Guan; for various reasons I do indeed know something about it. But I want to know why the Commander would take an interest in such a small village? If the Commander does not explain the reason, I fear I may offend him."

Chen Wuji smiled and said, "It seems Daozhang has deep ties with Lu Jia Village."

Zhi Xu Daozhang chose to remain silent.

Chen Wuji nodded and smiled lightly; it seemed that before he himself explained the reason, Zhi Xu Daozhang would not say more, and this made him involuntarily feel a bit more admiration for Zhi Xu Daozhang.

Such a thing is something ordinary people cannot do.

He now commands over a hundred thousand troops, and in this Nan Jun region he can be considered high-ranking and powerful.

His loyalty and righteousness, courage and boldness are not maxed out; normally no one would dare offend him over a small village.

One must know that a king's anger can bury a million corpses, while a feudal lord's anger often leaves a scar the size of a bowl on one's head; such a price, few would dare to gamble.

But Zhi Xu Daozhang did so openly and blatantly.

"Actually, this is quite simple." Chen Wuji said, "Zhong Qiang, Linglu, and Langdu escaped from my grasp, and now gathers defeated troops at Yingzui Ridge; because of him, I noticed this village neighboring Yingzui Ridge."

"They live next to the Qiang people yet remain peaceful—how abnormal is that? With Nan Jun undergoing a major upheaval, even a slight abnormality I must consider seriously and not overlook."

Zhi Xu Daozhang suddenly looked startled, saying, "Actually, it's for this reason that I earlier advised Lao Zamao not to choose such a conspicuous spot, but he refused to listen, insisting it was an auspicious feng shui location."

"Serves him right, that Lao Zamao deserves it!"

Chen Wuji laughed and waved his hand, saying, "Daozhang, you need not worry; if Lu Jia Village is not colluding with the Qiang people and has done nothing wicked, unlawful, or disorderly, I will not do anything to them. Understanding them is merely because of this one abnormality; Yingzui Ridge has become a place of rising winds and surging clouds, and I must clarify both internal and external changes."

"Come to think of it, my lady had me look for a wife, and it just so happens to be the daughter of Lu Jia Village. With all these reasons combined, I must now clarify things clearly."

"In that case, can Daozhang rest easy? This is me laying my heart and liver bare for Daozhang."

Zhi Xu Daozhang bowed and said, "Commander... you truly show favor to this humble Daoist."

"The Commander is so candid; if I still hide things, that would be my fault. In fact, this humble Daoist is extremely well acquainted with both the past and present heads of the Lu Family; to say we are bosom friends is no exaggeration, and we often make appointments to go to Qiang Land to enjoy the scenery."

To Qiang Land... to enjoy the scenery?

Is that true?!

Chen Wuji didn't want to think too much, but this statement truly cannot withstand scrutiny.

"I don't know how the so-called 'appreciating the wind and viewing the scenery' is supposed to be appreciated?" Chen Wuji asked.