Chapter 126: Long Live the Mountains and Rivers! Happy Birthday, Zhang Fan

Early morning.

Yujing City, Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance Headquarters.

The morning light barely peeked through, casting shadows through the branches and leaves of the large parasol trees into the quiet, secluded courtyard.

Inside the third-floor office, Lou Hechuan was leisurely sipping freshly brewed tea. White steam rose, and the fresh fragrance of tea instantly filled the entire office.

Brewing new tea with famous spring water, chatting and laughing to dissolve a gentleman's worries.

At this moment, however, the mind of this Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance President was not on the tea. His aged face instead showed a trace of fatigue, and his turbid eyes were filled with bloodshot veins.

Originally, with Lou Hechuan's cultivation, even if he went without sleep or rest, food or drink for three days and three nights, his internal True Yang would be abundant, refining essence into Qi, and he would be as vigorous as a dragon or tiger, showing not the slightest bit of mental exhaustion.

To be in this state after only one night clearly meant his consciousness was agitated, having exhausted his mental blood and spirit.

After all, the news that came from Gusu City last night had made Lou Hechuan jump with rage, his seven orifices emitting smoke, nearly sending him to his grave.

Ten years ago, after several calculations and much painstaking effort, the Xiao Yuanshen he had captured and sealed beneath Long Hu Shan had actually dissipated. Even the 【Weiling Demon-Suppressing Golden Seal】 enshrined by the Wang Xuanmiao Marvel Gate had failed to refine it.

Ten years of plotting, only for it to end in a bamboo basket drawing water—this was enough to make Lou Hechuan's cerebral hemorrhage flare up.

He had called Xuanjizi several times, wanting to get to the bottom of it, but there was no response.

For this reason, Lou Hechuan had sat alone in this office for the entire night.

Ring-a-ling... Ring-a-ling...

Just at this moment, a burst of urgent telephone ringing broke the silence of the early morning.

"President, a call from the Wang Xuanmiao Marvel Gate."

A middle-aged Daoist priest holding the phone walked to the sofa and respectfully handed it over.

"Finally, a call."

Lou Hechuan's aged brows lifted slightly, his gaze narrowed, and he took the phone.

"Hello, I am Lou Hechuan..."

"What?"

Just at this moment, Lou Hechuan's expression changed abruptly. The teacup in his hand shattered upon impact, and the scalding tea splashed out, flowing wantonly across the coffee table; the trajectory it carved was like that of unfathomable fate.

"Xuanjizi... is dead!?"

Lou Hechuan's eyes were wide enough to split, and he stood up abruptly, confirming the question once more.

When a definitive answer came from the other end of the line, Lou Hechuan's gaze trembled slightly; he simply could not believe it.

"How is that possible!?"

This Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance President spoke every word as if squeezing them through his teeth, clearly finding it hard to accept such a reality.

"President, Xuanjizi is dead?"

Seeing Lou Hechuan hang up the phone and stand there in a daze, the middle-aged Daoist priest beside him finally couldn't help but ask.

"The time limit is approaching... the time limit is approaching... that old thing was right again."

Lou Hechuan's gaze narrowed into a line, but in his mind, an aged yet upright figure emerged, and a name was on the tip of his tongue.

Jiang Your Majesty, known among the Daoist sects as 【Your Majesty Jiangshan】, meaning half of the world's Daoist sects, immortal and unfalling.

He was an unparalleled master of the Bai He Gate, his status so high that he could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Chu Chaoran of the Zhenwu Mountain, hence the saying 【South Jiang, North Chu】.

At the beginning of the year, Lou Hechuan had led a Jiangnan Province Daoist delegation to visit the Bai He Gate in Shangjing City.

Xuanjizi had followed along and met Jiang Your Majesty.

At that time, Jiang Your Majesty looked at Xuanjizi and said that his time limit was approaching, his life and death uncertain, and that this year, his calamity would surely arrive, only in the eighth or ninth month.

Lou Hechuan's expression was solemn and thoughtful. He subconsciously looked at the calendar on the wall beside him; the Dharma jar containing the Xiao Yuanshen fragment had been sent to Gusu City on August 31st, and Xuanjizi had passed away last night, September 3rd.

"The calamity will surely arrive, only in the eighth or ninth month." Lou Hechuan muttered softly: "Jiang Your Majesty... that old thing's cultivation has become increasingly unfathomable."

"President... President..."

Just at this moment, the middle-aged Daoist priest beside him called out softly, pulling Lou Hechuan's thoughts back.

"Siqi, you make a trip yourself. Go to the Wang Xuanmiao Marvel Gate and see what exactly is going on." Lou Hechuan instructed.

"Understood, I will depart immediately." The middle-aged Daoist priest nodded.

"Wait a moment."

Lou Hechuan crooked his finger, and the middle-aged Daoist priest walked closer, bowing his head to listen to the instructions.

"Ask clearly... during the Dharma assembly last night, was there anything unusual about that disciple of True Person Chu?"

"Zhang Fan!?" The middle-aged Daoist priest was slightly startled.

"No need to make a scene, after all, he is a True Person's disciple." Lou Hechuan stared and said: "You should be able to handle the scale of this."

"President, I understand."

The middle-aged Daoist priest nodded and turned to walk out of the office.

Noon, Gusu City.

Wang Xuanmiao Marvel Gate.

Zhang Fan and the others had rested for the night and rushed over from the hotel. Upon arrival, they saw white mourning banners and a funeral in plain clothes inside the gate.

"What's the situation? What happened?"

"Someone died? Looking at this formation... it's not an ordinary person who died."

Zhang Fan and the others entered the Wang Xuanmiao Marvel Gate, and after asking around a little, they received a shocking piece of news.

Xuanjizi is dead!?

"The person left last night. I heard he left very peacefully." Sui Brother Chunsheng said in a low voice.

It is said that when Xuanjizi was discovered, his body had already stiffened. He was sitting cross-legged in the room, a smile on his face, having left very calmly.

"Weren't things fine when we left yesterday?" Zhang Fan was thoughtful.

"After all, he was old. Rashly taking action, it's possible he was exhausted." Jiang Hu said in a deep voice.

Fate is always determined by Heaven; no one can be the master of it.

Many, many people, even if they are healthy, walk lightly, and have no issues during check-ups, might eat two bowls of rice in the evening, only to pass away in their sleep in the middle of the night.

This is fate; one's lifespan is already determined, and it has nothing to do with anything else.

Even for those who cultivate the Dao, moving Kan and Li, subduing dragons and tigers, and gazing toward longevity, even if they possess invincible supernatural powers, it is difficult to defy the destiny already set by Heaven.

"Let's go pay our respects."

Sui Brother Chunsheng greeted the group and headed toward the Scripture Treasure Hall.

Xuanjizi was a senior, especially within the Jiangnan Province Daoist sects, and his status was extraordinary. As juniors, they naturally had to go and pay their respects, offering three sticks of incense.

Inside the Scripture Treasure Hall, mourning banners fluttered, and the sound of chanting scriptures was incessant.

Xuanjizi's coffin was placed in the center of the great hall. He was dressed in his Daoist robes, his expression peaceful.

Zhang Fan and the other juniors offered incense one after another.

"People... no matter how glorious they are in life, they are all the same after death..."

Zhang Fan sighed in his heart. Suddenly, he remembered what his close friend Li Yishan had once said: a person lives a lifetime, and in the end, it's nothing more than "three kowtows and three sticks of incense, three taels of wine offered to the center," "a grave mound and a tombstone, a pile of fruit and a pile of ash."

"Old Li really lives with clarity. He's seen through life before even dying."

Zhang Fan thought to himself. When he went back this time, he would definitely drag Li Yishan out and make him treat him to a meal.

"The matter here is settled, we should go back too."

Sui Brother Chunsheng said in a deep voice. They had originally come to escort the Dharma jar, but now the jar was gone, and the great demon inside had also escaped. There was no point in them staying here.

"You wait a moment, we'll go say hello."

Sui Brother Chunsheng and Zhan Xinyue represented the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance; naturally, they couldn't just come and go as they pleased. They had to give notice.

"Finally over."

Walking out of the great hall, Jiang Hu let out a long breath. Calculating it, they hadn't put in much effort on this errand; they were purely just tagging along.

"Last night, the boss even specifically called to ask about it."

"Ask what?" Zhang Fan couldn't help but ask.

"Ask when we're going back..." Jiang Hu rolled his eyes: "We are still temporarily on loan to the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance... don't tell me you really think you're a member of the organization."

"..."

"What was the name of that company of ours again?" Zhang Fan suddenly asked.

"..."

"Night Doesn't Brighten."

"What was our boss's name again?"

"Bai Buran." Zhang Fan and Jiang Hu looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Are you crazy?"

As soon as the laughter started, Zhang Fan abruptly covered Jiang Hu's mouth and subconsciously looked back at the great hall. Fortunately, the sound of chanting was deafening, and no one noticed them.

"Good thing no one heard." Zhang Fan breathed a sigh of relief.

"Daoist Zhang."

Just at this moment, a soft call came from behind, pulling Zhang Fan's thoughts back.

Zhang Fan turned around and saw a young man also walking out of the great hall.

"Gu Jingqiu!?"

Zhang Fan recognized the other party, that young Daoist priest from Laoshan. Although they had only met once, the impression was deep; after all, the person was from a famous orthodox sect.

"Daoist Zhang is a disciple of Zhenwu Mountain. Things were rushed last night, and I didn't have time to get closer." Gu Jingqiu walked up, appearing quite polite.

"Closer... closer!?"

Zhang Fan and Jiang Hu looked at each other, both seeing a hint of something unusual in the other's eyes.

"Perhaps it's a bit abrupt, but I wonder if I might ask for some pointers?"

Gu Jingqiu's eyes held a hint of anticipation and enthusiasm.

A Zhenwu disciple, a successor of the transcendent—such an identity was extraordinary. Since he came from Laoshan and saw such a figure hidden among the younger generation, he naturally felt the joy of the hunt and couldn't help but want to ask for pointers.

"Pointers? Here? That's not very good."

Zhang Fan couldn't help but look sideways. People were holding a funeral, and inside it was noisy with chanting; you want to start a fight at the door? It was more or less inappropriate.

"I was presumptuous." Gu Jingqiu couldn't hide his disappointment and whispered.

In his daily life, there was a sense of pride in his bones, but if he encountered a master of the same generation, he was only fanatical, ignoring everything else.

"How about... we add each other on SuperChat."

Zhang Fan took out his phone and directly displayed the QR code.

"Ah?"

This action made both Jiang Hu and Gu Jingqiu freeze for a moment.

"There will be opportunities in the future, let's keep in touch." Zhang Fan offered a big promise.

"In the future? When?" Gu Jingqiu's eyes lit up.

"Next time... when you come to Yujing City, I will definitely treat you well and fulfill your wish." Zhang Fan chuckled.

Big promises, the most feared are fillings like "wait until next time" or "later."

"Definitely." Gu Jingqiu was extremely eager, took out his phone, and hurriedly scanned Zhang Fan's SuperChat.

Zhang Fan grinned. More friends mean more paths, not to mention the other party was from a famous orthodox sect, born from one of the world's top ten Daoist mountains. Who could refuse such a friend!? "Why do you still have Qi Ji as a friend?"

Jiang Hu glanced over and suddenly discovered a familiar account in Zhang Fan's friend list. The last reply was: See you in Yujing next time! "You guys are already chatting!?" Jiang Hu said with a strange expression.

"Last time... after that matter with the Shen family, he insisted on adding me, saying there might be follow-up investigations..." Zhang Fan said casually.

"Didn't I tell you?"

"..."

"Daoist Zhang, I have to return to Laoshan with my master today."

Just at this moment, Gu Jingqiu said: "After I go back, I will go into seclusion for a period of time, and I will definitely go to Yujing City to pay a visit and ask for pointers."

As he spoke, Gu Jingqiu's expression was more fervent and sincere.

The rules of Laoshan: any disciple who goes down the mountain for training must go into seclusion for a period of time after returning to the mountain to digest what they have gained.

"Good, good, good. I'll wait for you in Yujing City."

"Good wine, good food, and good foot massages." Jiang Hu added.

"Foot massages?"

"Er... that is a popular way of cultivation and health preservation." Zhang Fan glared at him and laughed dryly. 【131】 "You two, the Wang Xuanmiao Marvel Gate is now a place of right and wrong. If there is nothing else, you should leave early." Gu Jingqiu whispered. 【132】 "A place of right and wrong?" 【133】 Zhang Fan subconsciously looked at Xuanjizi's coffin inside the Scripture Treasure Hall. 【134】 "Let's step aside to talk." 【135】 Gu Jingqiu looked left and right, pulling Zhang Fan and Jiang Hu to the side. 【136】 "What? Is there more inside information?" Jiang Hu couldn't help but ask. 【137】 "Everyone says the old gate master was exhausted and died of old age." Gu Jingqiu leaned toward the two and lowered his voice: 【138】 "Actually... there's something fishy." 【139】 "What's the situation?" Zhang Fan couldn't help but ask. 【140】 "The old gate master left last night, and besides that..." 【141】 At this point, Gu Jingqiu paused for a moment, his voice becoming lower, and then said: "That 【Weiling Demon-Suppressing Golden Seal】 of the Wang Xuanmiao Marvel Gate is also missing." 【142】 "What!?" 【143】 Zhang Fan and Jiang Hu looked at each other, both showing expressions of astonishment. 【144】 The Weiling Demon-Suppressing Golden Seal was a Long Hu Dharma seal, enshrined at the Wang Xuanmiao Marvel Gate for a hundred years. It actually went missing!? 【145】 "The old gate master just died, and this treasure went missing... whether there's something fishy inside, you can savor it yourselves." Gu Jingqiu gave them a look that said 'figure it out yourselves.' 【146】 "So... this Wang Xuanmiao Marvel Gate has really become a place of right and wrong now." 【147】 Someone lost their house-guarding treasure; wouldn't they be anxious? If they didn't leave soon, they might even be suspected. 【148】 "You two, let's part here. See you in Yujing." 【149】 Gu Jingqiu performed a Daoist salute and turned to leave. 【150】 That day, Zhang Fan's group didn't linger. Although the Wang Xuanmiao Marvel Gate had lost the 【Weiling Demon-Suppressing Golden Seal】, they were, after all, representing the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance, so they weren't made too difficult for and were directly released. 【151】 The group of one took the afternoon high-speed train back to Yujing City. 【152】 "Finally back." 【153】 In the evening, Zhang Fan returned to Hongfu Garden, the sky gradually darkening. 【154】 Passing by the entrance, Zhang Fan looked toward the guard booth. It seemed Liu Fusheng wasn't on duty today. 【155】 Entering his home, Zhang Fan put down his luggage, as if putting down a lifetime of fatigue, but the cold, quiet room made him feel a touch of loneliness. 【156】 He subconsciously took out his phone and dialed Zhang Lingzong's number, but it was still in a state of no answer. 【157】 Knock, knock, knock... 【158】 Just at this moment, a burst of knocking sounded. 【159】 "Hmm? Who is it?" 【160】 Zhang Fan stood up and opened the door. 【161】 "Your express delivery, please sign for it." 【162】 The delivery boy handed over a package. Zhang Fan was stunned for a moment; he hadn't bought anything recently. He took it and looked—the phone number and name were correct, both his. 【163】 "Thanks." 【164】 Zhang Fan took the package, closed the door, and shook it, feeling it had some weight. 【165】 He couldn't wait to open the package. Inside was an ordinary wooden box and a card with four words written on it: Happy Birthday. 【166】 "Birthday gift?" Zhang Fan was stunned. 【167】 His birthday was the ninth day of the ninth month; calculating it, there was still about a month left. 【168】 Ever since ten years ago, when Zhang Lingzong told him that it was on his birthday that the whole family went out to eat and got into a car accident, and his mother died on the spot. 【169】 From that day on, Zhang Fan never celebrated his birthday again. 【170】 After all, his mother's death anniversary and his birthday were on the same day. Whoever it was, they would only feel guilty; how could they have the heart to celebrate a birthday? 【171】 "Who is it, sending me a birthday gift in advance?" Many possibilities flashed through Zhang Fan's mind in an instant. 【172】 Li Yishan? He knew his situation and wouldn't do such a thing. 【173】 Dad? This wasn't his style. 【174】... 【175】 Zhang Fan's brows furrowed into a "chuan" shape, his face full of confusion, and his narrowed gaze finally landed on that ordinary wooden box. 【176】 "Let's see what the birthday gift is." 【177】 Zhang Fan picked up the wooden box, feeling it heavy in his hand. He opened the box, and a heavy golden light fell into his hand. It was none other than: The Weiling Demon-Suppressing Golden Seal!! (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 127 =====

"The two of you, the Wang Xuanmiao Wonder Temple is now a place of right and wrong. If there is nothing else, you should leave early," Gu Jingqiu said in a low voice.

"A place of right and wrong?"

Zhang Fan subconsciously looked toward the coffin of Xuanjizi inside the Scripture Treasure Hall.

"Let's step aside to talk."

Gu Jingqiu looked left and right, then pulled Zhang Fan and Jiang Hu to the side.

"What? Is there some inside story?" Jiang Hu couldn't help but ask.

"Everyone says the old Xu Xu Guanzhu reached the end of his rope and passed away of old age," Gu Jingqiu leaned in close to the two of them and lowered his voice.

"Actually... there's something fishy."

"What kind of situation is it?" Zhang Fan couldn't help but ask.

"The old Xu Xu Guanzhu passed away last night, and besides that..."

At this point, Gu Jingqiu paused slightly, his voice becoming even deeper, and then he said: "The Wang Xuanmiao Wonder Temple's 【Golden Seal of Mighty Spirit Demon Suppression】 has also been lost."

"What!?"

Zhang Fan and Jiang Hu looked at each other, both showing expressions of astonishment.

The Golden Seal of Mighty Spirit Demon Suppression was a Long Hu Dharma Seal, enshrined in the Wang Xuanmiao Wonder Temple for a hundred years; it had actually been lost!?

"The old Xu Xu Guanzhu just died, and this treasure is lost... whether there's something fishy inside, you can ponder that yourselves," Gu Jingqiu gave them a look that suggested they should figure it out for themselves.

"So... this Wang Xuanmiao Wonder Temple has really become a place of right and wrong now."

If someone loses their temple-guarding treasure, wouldn't they be anxious? If they didn't leave now, they might be suspected.

"The two of you, let's part ways here, see you in Yujing."

Gu Jingqiu performed a Daoist salute and turned to leave.

That day, Zhang Fan and his group did not linger. Although the Wang Xuanmiao Wonder Temple had lost the 【Golden Seal of Mighty Spirit Demon Suppression】, they were, after all, representing the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance, so they were not made too difficult for and were directly let through.

The group of three took the afternoon high-speed train back to Yujing City.

"Finally back."

In the evening, Zhang Fan returned to Hongfu Garden, the sky gradually darkening.

Passing the entrance, Zhang Fan looked toward the security guard; it seemed Liu Fusheng was not on duty today.

Entering his home, Zhang Fan put down his luggage, as if putting down a whole body of exhaustion, but the cold, quiet room made him suddenly feel a bit lonely.

He subconsciously took out his phone and dialed Zhang Lingzong's number; it was still in a state of no one answering.

Knock, knock, knock...

Just at this moment, a series of knocks on the door rang out.

"Hmm? Who is it?"

Zhang Fan got up and opened the door.

"Your delivery, please sign for it."

The delivery guy handed over a package. Zhang Fan was stunned for a moment; he hadn't bought anything recently. Taking it and looking, the phone number and name were correct—they were both his.

"Thanks."

Zhang Fan held the package, closed the door, and shook it, feeling it had some weight.

He couldn't wait to open the package. Inside was an ordinary wooden box and a card with four words written on it: Happy Birthday.

"Birthday gift?" Zhang Fan was stunned.

His birthday was the ninth day of the ninth lunar month; counting it up, there was about a month left.

Ever since ten years ago, when Zhang Lingzong told him that on his birthday, the whole family went out to eat, got into a car accident, and his mother died on the spot.

From that day on, Zhang Fan never celebrated his birthday again.

After all, his mother's death anniversary and his birthday were on the same day; whoever it was, they would only feel guilty—how could they have the heart to celebrate a birthday?

"Who is it, sending me a birthday gift in advance?" Zhang Fan's mind instantly flashed through many possibilities.

Li Yishan? He knew his situation and wouldn't do such a thing.

His old man? That wasn't his style.

Zhang Fan's brows furrowed into a "chuan" shape, his face full of confusion, his gathered gaze finally falling on that plain wooden box.

"Let's see what kind of birthday gift it is."

Zhang Fan picked up the wooden box, which felt somewhat heavy in his hand. Opening the box, a heavy golden light fell into his hand; it was none other than: The Golden Seal of Mighty Spirit Demon Suppression!! (End of chapter)