Chapter 9: An Immortal in Qingping Mountain

“When inviting someone, one must show the proper etiquette.”

“If he wants Father to personally invite him, then Father should prepare ample etiquette and personally make a trip to Qingping Mountain.”

“He can be beaten or scolded, but he must show enough sincerity to persuade that Daoist Priest.”

Zhang Qingyun sighed, thinking of his daughter’s advice.

They truly had no one they could rely on now, and their safety was completely unprotected; otherwise, why would they need to invite a mountain Daoist Priest?

But Zhang Qingyun also knew he had no room to negotiate, so he painstakingly prepared many good things.

He had only one thought: he hoped that the Daoist Priest in Qingping Mountain had some real skill, so he wouldn’t make the trip in vain.

At this moment, in Qingping Mountain, Jiang Sheng was meditating and cultivating in the Daoist Temple.

The Daoist Temple was not large, but it was exceptionally quiet and elegant, which perfectly aligned with Jiang Sheng’s philosophy.

The Daoist Temple faced south, and in addition to the front, middle, and rear halls, it also had several guest rooms, a refectory, quiet rooms for cultivation, and so on, all very completely built.

One could say it was small but complete in every detail.

Jiang Sheng was currently meditating in the front hall, where a portrait of the Ancestral Master who founded the Penglai Dao Sect was enshrined.

In front of the portrait, on the incense table, fruits were neatly arranged, three sticks of sandalwood incense burned, sending up wisps of green smoke, and Jiang Sheng, dressed in a green Daoist robe and wearing a Daoist crown, sat cross-legged on a futon, reciting his Cultivation Technique.

Outside the front hall, a few birds occasionally landed, tilting their heads to look at the Daoist, without any chirping or noise, remarkably quiet.

It was as if it formed its own world.

The deep mountain was serene, and the Daoist Temple was elegant.

Wafts of sandalwood incense drifted out from the hall, turning into green smoke that ascended and gathered above the Daoist Temple without dispersing.

Birds were attracted, quietly landing on the eaves of the Daoist Temple; beasts were attracted, obediently crouching outside the Daoist Temple.

Various birds and beasts, even those that were natural enemies in daily life, now huddled together obediently, listening to the Daoist in the Daoist Temple softly reciting.

Jiang Sheng was lecturing on the Cultivation Technique he was currently practicing, which included not only the Dao Sect Elders’ explanations and interpretations of the Cultivation Technique but also much of Jiang Sheng’s own understanding of the Cultivation Technique and of nature.

Jiang Sheng’s Heart-Nature was excellent, and his Comprehension Ability was even more extraordinary, so he had always been highly regarded by the Elders.

After forging his Dao Foundation, the Sect passed down the Purple Mansion chapter of the “Heavenly Water Scripture” Cultivation Technique, which was enough for Jiang Sheng to cultivate to Major Achievement of the Purple Mansion.

And the entire “Heavenly Water Scripture” was an advanced Cultivation Technique that directly led to the Nascent Soul stage.

Jiang Sheng even knew that this “Heavenly Water Scripture” was merely one volume of a fundamental Cultivation Technique of the Dao Sect.

Time for cultivation passed quickly. After Jiang Sheng completed his daily Cultivation Technique, he softly said, “That’s enough for today. You may disperse.”

As if understanding the Daoist’s words, the birds and beasts obediently left, without any chaos.

All things have spiritual nature; Jiang Sheng enlightened them, and they naturally knew how to be grateful.

Every day, Jiang Sheng did not need to trouble himself to find any food; birds and beasts would naturally bring fresh fruits.

And Jiang Sheng offered all these fruits before the Ancestral Master’s portrait. Jiang Sheng himself had already barely achieved Biguan (abstinence from grains), and daily consumption of morning glow purple Qi and moon essence was sufficient.

But such quiet days never lasted long.

Just three days after Jiang Sheng drove away Tian Guofu and the others, the county magistrate of Qingshan County truly came to visit.

Led by Tian Guofu, Zhang Qingyun ascended the mountain with gifts at dawn, arriving at the Daoist Temple halfway up Qingping Mountain around Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

Tian Guofu pointed at the Daoist Temple and said, “Your Excellency, Daoist Priest Jiang cultivates here. This used to be a mountain god temple, occupied by that evil tiger that had become a spirit.”

“After Daoist Priest Jiang slew that evil tiger, I and the gentry and common people of Qingping Town worked together to build this Daoist Temple for Daoist Priest Jiang.”

Zhang Qingyun surveyed the Daoist Temple and suddenly noticed venomous snakes coiled in front of it, and hungry wolves surrounding it!

Looking at the walls of the Daoist Temple, there were even birds of prey like eagles!

This, is this really a Daoist Temple?!

Zhang Qingyun looked on in surprise and uncertainty, then suddenly realized that beside these fierce beasts and birds of prey, there were also ordinary wild animals like sparrows and wild rabbits.

Yet, there was no conflict among these creatures; even when the sparrows and wild rabbits were within striking distance, these birds of prey and fierce beasts showed no intention of attacking.

All creatures quietly found a spot and looked towards the Daoist Temple.

Suddenly, chanting sounds began inside the Daoist Temple, and wisps of green smoke ascended from within, forming clouds that lingered above the Daoist Temple.

As the chanting began, Zhang Qingyun’s originally anxious heart suddenly became peaceful, and the chaotic thoughts in his mind were suppressed, making his entire being clear and lucid.

Only then did Zhang Qingyun realize why so many birds and beasts gathered in front of this Daoist Temple. Daoist Priest Jiang was no ordinary Daoist Priest; he possessed great skill and great magical power!

This Daoist Priest has an extraordinary background!

Unconsciously, Zhang Qingyun’s contempt for Jiang Sheng diminished by three points.

Whether it was Zhang Qingyun’s attendants or Tian Guofu and the others, everyone was quietly listening to the chanting at this moment, their expressions very serene, as if their Souls were being cleansed.

The Cultivation Technique scriptures of the Penglai Dao Sect all had miraculous effects.

For example, the passage Jiang Sheng lectured on today could calm the mind and body, making one's body and mind clear.

When the chanting ended, Jiang Sheng’s clear voice came from within the Daoist Temple; the voice was not loud, yet it resonated in everyone’s ears: “That’s all for today, you may all disperse.”

As soon as he spoke, the birds and beasts scattered.

Only then did Zhang Qingyun come back to his senses, and he quickly motioned for his attendants to step forward.

Arriving in front of the Daoist Temple, Zhang Qingyun also saw the plaque of the Daoist Temple clearly: Qingxuan Temple.

Taking a deep breath, he straightened his attire. Zhang Qingyun had already confirmed that this trip was not in vain, and he would use his best attitude to invite Jiang Sheng to come out of the mountain.

So Zhang Qingyun bowed deeply: “Zhang Qingyun, the county magistrate of Qingshan County, heard that a high-ranking Daoist Priest was living in seclusion in Qingping Mountain, and specially came to visit and disturb him.”

However, silence fell within the Daoist Temple.

Zhang Qingyun, still bowed, had a somewhat grim expression. He, a dignified county magistrate, was here to invite someone, yet was treated with such disregard!

But he also knew the importance of this trip, so he forced himself to continue waiting.

After a long while, a voice finally came from within the Daoist Temple: “This humble Daoist is a man of the mountains, wishing only to cultivate in peace here, and does not wish to be disturbed.”

“If Your Excellency has no other business, please return.”

Zhang Qingyun quickly said, “Daoist Priest, please do not be angry. My previous actions were my fault, and I have come specifically to apologize to the Daoist Priest.”

Saying this, Zhang Qingyun had someone deliver the gifts of flowers and fruits to the front of the Daoist Temple, then sincerely said, “My purpose in coming, Qingyun, is truly to invite the Daoist Priest to come out of the mountain.”

Jiang Sheng’s cold voice rang out again: “Does Your Excellency not understand this humble Daoist’s words?”

Zhang Qingyun was filled with shame and indignation.

Thinking that Tian Guofu, these wealthy gentry of Qingping Town, and his own attendants were all here, yet Jiang Sheng showed such little Face, Zhang Qingyun couldn’t help but want to flick his sleeves and leave.

But in the end, Zhang Qingyun thought of his ambitions, and his and his daughter’s future—

Finally, he steeled his heart, gritted his teeth, and knelt down.

The curtain rises, my lords, please collect, recommend, and follow. If you can help Linyuan promote and share a little, Linyuan will be endlessly grateful. Thank you, my lords, for enjoying what Linyuan writes. Linyuan bows in thanks.