Chapter 40: Dwelling in the Secluded Mountains, Resonating Throughout the Eastern Commandery

“When will Daoist Jiang emerge from seclusion?”

“Little Daoist, we truly only wish to burn a single stick of incense at the temple.”

“Yes, Little Daoist! We have traveled a long way; please, inform the Master for us!”

In front of the mountain gate of Qingxuan Temple on Qingping Mountain, gentry and wealthy merchants from all over Dong County had gathered, hoping for a chance to see Jiang Sheng.

Surprisingly, the number of local gentry from Qingshan County was no fewer than those from outside.

Ever since these gentry learned of Jiang Sheng's abilities, some hoped to gain his protection to provide an extra layer of security for their families.

As for the local gentry of Qingshan County, they would rather travel to Qingping Mountain to seek an audience with Jiang Sheng than deal with Zhang Qingyun, who demanded exorbitant prices.

After all, Zhang Qingyun demanded more than half of their family wealth and land holdings; while this County Magistrate looked imposing, he was actually merely riding on Jiang Sheng's coattails.

What was the use of paying respects to a Magistrate when one could directly worship Daoist Jiang?

Who in all of Qingshan County did not know that Daoist Jiang was the only true deity of the fifteen towns of Qingshan?

Tian Mingan had truly experienced what it meant to live in the spotlight.

In recent days, countless gentry and merchants had come to request incense and talismans, and every single one of them addressed him with utmost respect as "Little Daoist."

This respect was not, of course, due to Tian Mingan's own prowess.

But what choice did they have, given that Tian Mingan was currently Jiang Sheng's only disciple?

Though these people used every trick in the book to curry favor with Tian Mingan, he was not blinded by their promises or flattery.

At the mountain gate of Qingxuan Temple, Tian Mingan stood expressionless in his simple gray Daoist robes.

"Master is currently in seclusion for cultivation and has no time to attend to you. This is not a place for your clamor."

"Disperse. Master is a practitioner of pure cultivation who does not concern himself with the secular world. Do not make a ruckus here."

Standing at the mountain gate, this thirteen-year-old boy single-handedly blocked the gentry, making them dare not step forward.

It wasn't that these gentry hadn't brought servants; how could they travel thousands of miles without guards?

Yet, they simply did not dare to act rashly.

The mere thought of the figure standing behind Tian Mingan prevented them from even considering any forceful movement.

Consequently, even when Tian Guofu brought a large group of servants up the mountain to bolster his grandson's prestige, it proved utterly useless.

Tian Mingan had used only a single sentence from Jiang Sheng to intimidate the gentry into submission.

In the end, the gentry could only wait at the foot of the mountain, refusing to leave even if they could not see Jiang Sheng.

As the Lantern Festival approached, these gentry still refused to go home, still harboring the hope of catching a glimpse of Jiang Sheng.

Meanwhile, inside Qingxuan Temple, Jiang Sheng had just finished refining another batch of pills.

After calculating the number of pills on hand, Jiang Sheng confirmed he had enough and ceased his alchemy.

Long-term mental tension was of no benefit to cultivation; instead, Jiang Sheng turned to drawing talismans to soothe his state of mind.

"Mingan."

Hearing Jiang Sheng's call, Tian Mingan hurried to the rear hall. "Master, your disciple is here."

"What has all that noise outside the mountain gate been about lately?" Jiang Sheng asked while drawing a talisman.

Tian Mingan explained, "Master, gentry from various counties have come seeking incense and talismans, and the local gentry of Qingshan County are even more eager to see you."

Jiang Sheng chuckled softly upon hearing this. "They weren't this devoted to the Dao before; now they suddenly know how to seek incense and worship gods."

Tian Mingan added, "The demons used their magic to flood the six towns, leaving countless people displaced and destitute."

"These merchants and gentry have occupied Qingshan County for so many years, exploiting much land and wealth, yet now that they are asked to contribute to disaster relief, they make every excuse to avoid it."

"With such crooked hearts, they still have the audacity to seek Master's grace. It is truly absurd."

The brush in Jiang Sheng's hand moved with precision, channeling spiritual energy into the cloud-patterned talisman. As the final stroke was completed, a second-tier Feather-Light Talisman was finished.

Picking up the talisman to inspect it, Jiang Sheng said, "As the saying goes, those who dwell in the secular world often neglect the gods. If they wish to come, let them wait at the foot of the mountain. As long as they do not ascend, let them be."

Though Jiang Sheng possessed a cold temperament, he did not take pleasure in taking lives indiscriminately. As long as they did not trespass upon the mountain, he would not act against these mortals.

The mountains were good for cultivation. Jiang Sheng continued his secluded training, ignoring worldly affairs and focusing entirely on his efforts toward the Purple Mansion realm.

As the Lantern Festival arrived, lanterns were hung high throughout Qingshan County.

Recently, Zhang Qingyun had used the wealth and land seized from the raided gentry to subsidize the disaster-stricken towns, and he had even distributed funds to the officials within the county magistrate's office.

For a time, the common people of Qingshan County spoke highly of Magistrate Zhang Qingyun, and the magistrate's office was firmly under his control.

The current Zhang Qingyun finally possessed the aura of a powerful local official.

However, a knot remained in Zhang Qingyun's heart: Jiang Sheng of Qingping Mountain.

He could not forget how humbly he had knelt before Jiang Sheng.

Especially now, as he was praised by the people and feared by his subordinates, and as the gentry and merchants became sycophantic in his presence—the more he was elevated by these people, the more he could not forget the massive mountain that loomed over his head.

Jiang Sheng was simply too strong. Even while living in seclusion in the mountains, his every word and action could influence the entirety of Qingshan County.

Lately, countless gentry had rushed to the foot of Qingping Mountain to request an audience, yet Zhang Qingyun did not dare to send men to arrest them, which undoubtedly made him feel even more stifled.

Even though he knew these gentry had been kneeling at the foot of the mountain for days without seeing Jiang Sheng, he still felt uneasy.

However, Zhang Qingyun suppressed these feelings deep within.

Just as Zhang Qing had said, a divine figure like Jiang Sheng was merely living in seclusion for now; sooner or later, he would soar through the nine heavens.

Thinking of his current prestige, Zhang Qingyun sighed again. "Should I go to Qingxuan Temple to burn a stick of incense?"

Seeing her father's hesitation, Zhang Qing said, "Father, of course you should go to offer incense."

"Daoist Jiang does not like this." Zhang Qingyun hesitated; he truly did not want to go to Qingxuan Temple.

Every time he went there, he felt he lost his dignity as a county magistrate.

Because every time he met Jiang Sheng, it was he who had to bow and scrape. There were even rumors in the streets that the Magistrate had knelt his way into his position through Jiang Sheng. How could he accept that?

But that was the reality. In Jiang Sheng's eyes, perhaps Zhang Qingyun was no different from a beggar, for Jiang Sheng viewed them all as mere ants.

Knowing her father's internal resistance, Zhang Qing said, "Father, it is true that Daoist Jiang does not like being disturbed."

"But today is the Lantern Festival. Daoist Jiang may decline, but you cannot fail to go."

Those words completely dissolved Zhang Qingyun's reluctance.

"Qing'er is right. Prepare the gifts immediately. Your father will go to Qingxuan Temple to offer incense."

Soon, the servants prepared the gifts, and Zhang Qingyun and Zhang Qing hurried toward Qingping Mountain with the bailiffs.

At the same time, Cha Liangping had also arrived in Qingshan County with several gifts, and his destination was also Qingping Mountain.

Thus, Zhang Qingyun and Cha Liangping arrived at the foot of Qingping Mountain one after the other.

Looking at the gathered gentry from various counties and then at the magistrate's procession being blocked at the foot of the mountain, Cha Liangping knew exactly how much prestige his fellow Daoist Jiang held in Qingshan County.

Without rushing up the mountain, Cha Liangping took out a calling card and used his spiritual energy to send it into the mountains.

Before long, Cha Liangping saw a young Daoist in gray robes hurrying down the mountain toward him. "Greetings, Senior. Upon learning of your visit, my Master specifically sent me to welcome you. Master is already waiting at the mountain gate."

Cha Liangping smiled and produced a red envelope. "I have long heard that Daoist Jiang has taken on a fine disciple. Seeing him today, he is indeed a young talent. On such a festive occasion, this old man has brought no grand gifts; please accept this as a small token of my regard."

Receiving the red envelope with both hands, Tian Mingan said hurriedly, "I dare not refuse a gift from an elder. Thank you, Senior."

With that, Tian Mingan led Cha Liangping up the mountain. The gentry and merchants gathered at the foot of the mountain watched with wide eyes, none knowing the background of this middle-aged man who appeared to be dressed as an ordinary wealthy gentleman.

Upon reaching the mountain gate, Cha Liangping indeed saw Jiang Sheng.

Jiang Sheng was currently wearing a green Daoist robe and a Daoist cap. Seeing Cha Liangping from a distance, he smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist has traveled from afar, yet I failed to meet you properly. My apologies for the rudeness."

"It was my sudden arrival that was impolite. Please do not blame me for coming without notice," Cha Liangping replied with a sincere smile.

Jiang Sheng invited Cha Liangping into the temple. Cha Liangping first offered incense in the front hall and then followed Jiang Sheng on a tour, occasionally offering words of admiration.

"The mountains are tranquil and the temple is elegant. No wonder Daoist Jiang prefers seclusion here. If I were not burdened by my clan, I would also wish to find a mountain to live as a hermit and cultivate in peace."

Hearing Cha Liangping's sentiment, Jiang Sheng smiled. "Fellow Daoist, do not joke. This is a desolate place; I can only endure it because I am accustomed to a simple life. If there were better places to go, I would not be cooped up in these mountains."

After the tour, Jiang Sheng invited Cha Liangping to sit in the side hall and proceeded to brew spiritual tea for his guest.

"There is nothing of note in these mountains, save for the mountain spring, which is quite pure. This tea is a simple brew I prepared myself, using water from the mountain spring. I hope Fellow Daoist does not find it lacking."

Though Jiang Sheng spoke modestly, Cha Liangping was very solemn.

From the fragrance wafting from the tea leaves, it was clear this was absolutely no ordinary tea; otherwise, it would not make even a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him feel so refreshed.

"Please, Fellow Daoist."

"Please, Daoist."

After finishing a cup of spiritual tea, Cha Liangping smiled. "Daoist Jiang has made quite a name for himself in Dong County recently."

"Now, throughout all of Dong County and even half of Qingzhou, who does not know that a high-level cultivator from Penglai is in seclusion on Qingping Mountain—one who can strike down a Purple Mansion demon while only at the Foundation Establishment stage!"

"Daoist Jiang has truly become famous in Qingzhou."

Jiang Sheng chuckled softly. "That is not exactly good news. A tall tree attracts the wind. Now that I am attracting such attention, I fear it will be difficult to find peace here on Qingping Mountain in the future."

Cha Liangping fell silent for a moment before finally revealing his true purpose. "In truth, I have come here at the request of my elder brother to give you a warning."

"Fellow Daoist, your calamity is approaching."