Chapter 126

At the foot of the mountain, a teahouse,

Its dilapidated exterior seemed to have suffered the ravages of time, yet the stream of customers coming and going was unceasing.

Because this place is also a necessary passage to Mount Zhongnan, and thanks to the recent flourishing of incense at Chongyang Palace, this teahouse has become a spot where passing pilgrims drink tea and rest.

Inside the teahouse,

Perhaps because it was morning, the interior now had only a few scattered patrons, among whom were two young Daoists.

The older one is Quanzhen Sect third-generation disciple Zhao Zhijing, while the one opposite, about fourteen or fifteen, is his junior martial brother Yin Zhiping.

At this moment, the two were chatting quietly.

'Junior brother, don't worry,' Zhao Zhijing said softly, 'Uncle Qiu's martial arts are superb; next year, when he goes to Xiangyang, several uncles will accompany him, so naturally nothing will happen.'

Although he said that to comfort him, a hint of schadenfreude could not be hidden in his eyes, and he had already uttered those words more than once in private to this good junior brother.

Yin Zhiping is still young now, and some complicated thoughts cannot match his senior brother Zhao Zhijing, but he can also sense that this senior brother seems to have been targeting him all along.

Thus he replied lightly: 'Thank you, Senior Brother Zhao, for your consolation; my master's martial arts are superb, so he will naturally be safe.'

Since learning that his master Qiu Chuji would go to Xiangyang next year to settle grudges, he has often worried about his master's safety these past six months.

'Brother Niu needs to soak it in a bucket, otherwise it can't be fed,' Miss Huang said, kicking the old tortoise with a laugh.

It's nothing more than: if next year my master meets with an accident, there will be no one to support me in contending with him for the position of third-generation sect leader.

Thinking of the task assigned by the sect leader, Zhao Zhijing and Yin Zhiping both involuntarily perked up.

'Niu Dingtian,' Niu Dingtian said lightly, 'I hold your master Qiu Chuji in great esteem.'

Zhao Zhijing?

After Niu Dingtian glanced over, his gaze involuntarily fixed on Yin Zhiping's face: to be able to match Zhao Zhijing tip-to-tip like that, could it be that dragon rider?

Immediately, his gaze scorched as he sized him up.

'Just a taste will do,' Niu Dingtian said with a smile, 'An old fellow cultivating in the world naturally wants to experience mortal life.'

But this senior brother would, for no reason, sidle up and say the same thing; at first he felt a little grateful, but later he realized the meaning.

All the old tortoises kept at Chongyang Palace put together aren't this big!

Now the shopkeeper had no objection, and quickly went inside to prepare tea and snacks.

'Then I'll trouble you, Daoist,' Niu Dingtian said, clasping his hands with a grin.

'Please excuse me, shopkeeper; this is an old tortoise handed down from our ancestors—give it a pot,' Niu Dingtian said apologetically, 'We'll leave shortly; consider the morning booked.'

I originally had no such thoughts, but now that this good senior brother has driven me to this point, insisting on a showdown; otherwise, in the Quanzhen Sect there would be no good days for me.

'Shopkeeper, two pots of Zhongnan Silver Dew!'

Then came a man leading two women; the man entered first, then slowly walked inside and began to look around.

It was Niu Dingtian, Han Xiao Ying, and Miss Huang.

Finally unable to bear it, he rose and clasped his hands: 'I am Daoist Yin Zhiping; if you wish to go to Chongyang Palace, my junior brother and I happen to be able to show you the way.'

Having said that, he handed over a piece of broken silver, which already amounted to half a month's income for the teahouse.

Niu Dingtian, Han Xiao Ying, and Miss Huang sat by the window, while the old tortoise lay beside the wooden table, squinting.

Now I am deeply favored by the sect leader and several uncles, yet this good senior brother always likes to contend with me over any matter.

The teahouse owner is an old man; perhaps having seen many demons and monsters, he isn't particularly frightened by the old tortoise, only worried it might affect his business.

Afterward,

When the three entered the house, a huge tortoise kept crawling in at the door; Zhao Zhijing's eyes narrowed in shock, he involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air, and his left hand went straight to his sword hilt.

Nowadays, few can return his clasped-hand salute; unless one admires him to the utmost, Daoist Yin's dragon-riding exemplar makes him admire him greatly.

'Sir…'

The old tortoise rolled its eyes and ignored him; now following these two‑legged beasts, it goes hungry one meal, full the next, and the promised bath water hasn't appeared in three months.

'I am Daoist Yin Zhiping, third‑generation disciple of the Quanzhen Sect; my master is Changchunzi Qiu Chuji. If you don't disdain me, you may follow me up the mountain shortly.'

Seeing Niu Dingtian ignore him, Zhao Zhijing's face darkened, while Yin Zhiping felt much relieved and thus smiled, asking: 'May I ask your esteemed name?'

Yin Zhiping lowered his gaze, looking at the teacup, and did not retort; in front of outsiders, he still did not want to lose face for the Quanzhen Sect.

Both involuntarily looked over; coming here so early, could it be they intend to go up the mountain?

'Looks like the junior brother has grown up,' Zhao Zhijing thought with a cold snort, and replied with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

But I'm not made of mud!

Seeing this scene, the sole ordinary teahouse patron tossed two copper coins onto the table and fled out the window.

Thinking of this, Yin Zhiping felt a cold snort in his heart; pressed by reality, his immature spirit has gradually matured.

Zhao Zhijing's face grew somewhat gloomy; he hadn't expected to be slighted, and Yin Zhiping also seemed a bit ill at ease under the gaze.

'Senior brother, why panic? It's merely a spirit‑endowed divine tortoise,' Yin Zhiping said, his brows and eyes still showing youth, but now, suppressing his inner discomfort, he began to mock Zhao Zhijing.

While the two each harbored their thoughts, sipping tea mouthful by mouthful, a greeting came from the teahouse door.

'I am Daoist Zhao Zhijing, third‑generation disciple of the Quanzhen Sect; may I ask if you intend to go up the mountain?' Zhao Zhijing said with a smile, rose, and clasped his hands toward Niu Dingtian.

'Qiu Chuji?' Han Xiao Ying's eyes turned slightly cold, and she involuntarily looked toward Yin Zhiping.

He had not forgotten the task assigned by the sect leader; the few people opposite wore extraordinary attire, possessed such a spiritual object, and their speech had become much more courteous.

'Hiss~'

Now the old tortoise follows at his side; he also has no leisure to seek fresh food for it, and to cultivate his humanity, naturally he eats what he eats and the tortoise follows suit.

Yin Zhiping's smile froze on his face; Zhao Zhijing involuntarily reached for his sword and tensed up on guard.

Neither of them expected that the person they had awaited day and night for over half a year would suddenly appear before their eyes.

Since Wang Chuyi and Sun Bu'er returned to the Quanzhen Sect, Sect Leader Ma Yu has ordered the two to wait down the mountain, and to report any situation promptly to those above.

Now, their mission is finally about to end.

'How so? Do you two know me?' Niu Dingtian said with a half‑smile.

These two don't look like passersby resting here; it's normal for a Quanzhen Sect disciple to react this way.

But who would idle away with nothing to do, sitting at their own doorstep early in the morning chatting nonsense.

"Niu... Niu Sect Leader's great name, I, your humble Daoist, have naturally heard it like thunder," Zhao Zhirong was extremely nervous at this moment, fearing Niu Dingtian would strike directly.

Even if he is sly, he's barely twenty; besides, his uncles aren't around, so he doesn't have to worry about saving face right now.

"Senior Brother!!" Yin Zhiping suddenly shouted.

I don't know where he got the courage; seeing Zhao Zhirong in such a sorry state, he couldn't help but feel anger.

How could the Quanzhen Sect's prestige tolerate your disgrace? At this moment he became even more determined to contend with this senior brother.

If in the future the Quanzhen Sect were handed to such a weakling, where could one still hold up one's face in the martial world?

"What? Daoist Yin, do you have an objection to me?" Seeing Yin Zhiping's reaction, Niu Dingtian narrowed his eyes slightly.

This kid's disposition is still not bad—his stance is firm, his fighting spirit fierce—it's just that the trouble between his legs hinders his future cultivation.

Should I help him in advance?

His yin power hasn't been used by anyone yet; he doesn't believe that inserting a bit into the kidney gate will still allow him to remain firm later.

But after thinking, he decided against it; after all, he's just a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boy, and it's uncertain whether his hair has even fully grown.

We'll talk about this later!

Seeing Niu Dingtian's gaze, Yin Zhiping began to feel a little timid; after all, he's still a child, and yielding a bit isn't a problem. He then softened his expression, clasped his fists, and said: "I, your humble Daoist, dare not! It's only that the sect leader ordered my fellow disciples and me to await the Sect Leader here; Senior Brother Zhao still has business, and I will shortly guide the Sect Leader up the mountain."

"Sir, your tea is here!"

Just then, the shopkeeper brought up the brewed tea, along with three simple snacks.

Seeing that this table of guests seemed to have a conflict with the Daoist across from them, he didn't dare linger and retreated.

He still hoped to make a living at the mountain's base, but he couldn't afford to offend the local boss.

After the old man left, Niu Dingtian said lightly: "Then I'll trouble you, Daoist Yin."

Having said that, he no longer paid attention to the two, poured tea into the three bowls, then placed a large bowl in front of the old turtle, intending to let the old creature lick it up himself.

Afterward,

Inside the house, only the low murmurs of the three by the window could be heard; meanwhile, Zhao Zhirong and Yin Zhiping were both somewhat absent-minded.

Half an hour later,

A pot of clear tea had already been drained; Niu Dingtian then took the two women and the old turtle, following Yin Zhiping up Mount Zhongnan.

"Shopkeeper! Quick! Quick, bring my carrier pigeon!"

Just after the three left, Zhao Zhirong hurriedly shouted at the shopkeeper inside.

"Coming, coming! I've had it ready for you!" The old man came running out holding an iron cage.

"Goo-goo~"

"Flap-flap~"

After releasing the carrier pigeon,

Zhao Zhirong breathed a sigh of relief.

Not knowing what he had thought of, he picked up his treasured sword, went out the door, and ran straight down the mountain.

Meanwhile, the group going up the mountain

only after setting foot on the mountain path did they realize how perilous Mount Zhongnan is.

On the sparsely stone-paved path, looking up, the mountain trail resembled a winding, twisting earthworm, stretching straight into the clouds.

"Does that senior brother of yours, Daoist Yin, seem to be targeting you on purpose?" As they walked, Niu Dingtian suddenly said to Yin Zhiping beside him.

Yin Zhiping startled at the words, his face showing some unnaturalness; he forced a smile and said: "Sect Leader Niu, you misunderstand; I and Senior Brother Zhao are fellow disciples—how could there be any targeting or not targeting?"

Although he is young, he hasn't lost his wits; he would not expose his family's disgrace in front of outsiders.

But after all, he is still young; wanting to conceal it, he simply cannot hide it.

"Daoist Qiu, at such a young age you already have this breadth of mind; in the future, the third-generation leader of the Quanzhen Sect will undoubtedly be you." Niu Dingtian replied with a smiling, narrowed gaze.

He didn't believe Yin Zhiping had no thoughts at all; moreover, being in his position, facing the narrow-minded Zhao Zhirong, he would have to contend even if he didn't want to.

In the early days of the Quanzhen Sect there were only a few people, and any contention would be over just a few copper coins; but now the sect is large and prosperous, with many disciples and descendants, so the position of sect leader is quite different.

After hearing this, Yin Zhiping's eyes held a hint of bewilderment; he spoke softly: "Sect Leader Niu, you overpraise me; I have never thought of the sect leader position, Senior Brother Zhao is the eldest senior brother,"

his martial arts are the highest, and it is only right that he should succeed to the sect leader position.

"I fear that while you, Daoist Yin, think this way, your senior brother won't think so; from now on you must be careful." Niu Dingtian shook his head and chuckled lightly.

Yin Zhiping fell into a silence at these words, and the hand gripping his treasured sword unconsciously tightened.

After all, he's still just a child.

But in previous years he had indeed never harbored such a thought; yet now, while his master is still alive, he is being mocked and targeted by his senior brother.

If one day his master dies and that person becomes sect leader, will there still be a way to survive?

Thinking of this, Yin Zhiping felt that he ought to do something.

And after Niu Dingtian finished speaking, he no longer paid attention to them.

After withdrawing his gaze, he lifted his head to look toward the distant mountain peak.

At this moment, white mist filled the distance, the vapor rolling incessantly; occasional golden light shone through, giving the impression of a mortal paradise at first glance.

The group continued toward the summit; wherever they passed were green mountains and clear waters, fresh breezes and white clouds; in sight stood sturdy, ancient pines, full of vitality.

Along the way,

Niu Dingtian occasionally whispered a few words to Han Xiao Ying and Miss Huang.

Yin Zhiping seemed somewhat absent-minded; the old turtle followed closely behind, panting, its climbing speed not much slower than the others.

Two hours later,

Mount Zhongnan's summit,

White mist filled the air, as if it were a fairy mountain.

When several people reached the mountaintop, the time was already nearing noon.

Gazing at the blue stone gate that appeared and disappeared among the clouds and mist ahead, Niu Dingtian narrowed his eyes and stood still, staring for a long time.

This place seems to be fated with him!

After a while, he reached this conclusion.

Upon setting foot on the mountaintop, he clearly felt that this place was beneficial for cultivation; Wang Chongyang really knew how to pick a spot!

He then strode forward, facing the fresh wind and mist, walking toward the gate of the Quanzhen Sect.

Gradually,

from far to near,

Seven Taoists standing in neat rows began to come into his view, as if they had been waiting here for a long time.

After Niu Dingtian led the two women forward, the person leading the opposite side smiled and clasped his hands, saying:

"I am the humble Daoist Master Dan Yang, Ma Yu,"

"I have met the Chief of the Niu Sect!"

Regardless of whether Niu Dingtian had come to seek revenge, his every gesture already displayed an extraordinary, grand demeanor.

Meanwhile, Changchunzi Qiu Chuji standing to the side, upon seeing Han Xiao Ying, his face showed a slight unnaturalness.

Enemies meeting,

naturally they are especially filled with hatred.

At this moment, Han Xiao Ying saw Qiu Chuji again, and killing intent involuntarily welled up in her eyes, but since Niu Dingtian had not yet spoken, she ultimately forced herself to suppress it.

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said: "I, Niu, have come especially to commemorate the Chongyang True Person! Greetings, several Daoist masters."

Indeed, this trip to Mount Zhongnan was precisely to commemorate Wang Chongyang, and additionally to sweep the tomb.

As for the matter of grudges or not, it will be resolved naturally next year. (End of chapter)