Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 98 Qingfeng Taoist Temple

In the courtyard, Xin Shisi Niang, Liu Niang, and Xiao Cui were standing at the door, silently watching him.

"Young Master Zhou, are you going to the North again?" Xin Shisi Niang's eyes reddened.

Zhou Ning nodded: "That's right. The troubles in the North are endless, and we can't rest easy."

Zhou Ning smiled and said, "Don't worry, Miss Xin, I'm not fighting alone."

Xin Shisi Niang said, "Young Master Zhou, you must come back safely."

Zhou Ning nodded, then looked at Liu Niang and Xiao Cui.

Liu Niang didn't speak, but simply bowed deeply to him.

Zhou Ning returned the greeting, turned around, and strode down the mountain.

When he reached the mountain gate, he looked back.

Yan Chixia stood at the entrance of the main hall, hands behind his back, watching him leave.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on him, bathing his blue robe in a warm golden hue.

Zhou Ning took a deep breath, turned around, and strode away.

The Golden Elixir Path has been achieved, and the Dao Heart is firmly established.

When Zhou Ning left Lanruo Temple, it was not yet fully light.

The morning mist permeated the mountains, shrouding the pine forests and temples in a hazy veil.

He didn't alert anyone, and didn't even look back.

He knew that once he left, he didn't know when he would be able to return.

But he also knew that some things had to be done by someone.

He had walked the path down the mountain countless times, but this time, it felt exceptionally different.

The bluestone slabs underfoot have been polished smooth as a mirror by the years, the pines and cypresses on both sides are still green, and the mountain breeze is still crisp.

But Zhou Ning felt a sense of heaviness in his heart.

The Black Mountain Demon has emerged from seclusion.

His injuries healed, and his strength increased significantly.

He is gathering men in preparation for a major southward march.

The people of the North will once again be plunged into misery.

This time, Zhou Ning was going to stop him.

He was no longer that greenhorn who couldn't even handle a demon in disguise.

He has already formed a first-grade golden core, mastered the "Demon-Slaying Slash" and the "Sky-Splitting Slash", his divine sense can cover a range of three hundred feet, and his sword control technique has also been partially mastered.

He was confident he could fight the Black Mountain Demon.

But he also knew that confidence was not the same as ability.

The Black Mountain Demon has cultivated for over a thousand years, possessing profound knowledge and employing unpredictable methods.

He alone is probably no match for him.

Therefore, he needs help.

Xuanzhenzi mentioned "meeting" in his letter.

Although Qingfeng Temple is not a major sect, Xuanzhenzi has cultivated for many years and has extensive connections, so he should be able to gather some righteous cultivators.

Han Wei of the Demon Suppression Division is also a reliable person. Although his cultivation level is not high, he is experienced and knows the terrain of the North and the distribution of power in the Black Mountain like the back of his hand.

"Let's go find Xuanzhenzi first," Zhou Ning decided.

He traveled north along the official road.

After walking for three days, he arrived at a ferry crossing called "Qingfeng Ferry".

There was a tea stall next to the ferry crossing, where several traveling merchants and travelers were resting and drinking tea.

Zhou Ning also ordered a bowl of tea and sat in the corner, slowly sipping it.

The owner of the tea stall was an elderly man in his fifties surnamed Sun, who was very talkative.

While greeting the guests, he talked on and on about the situation in the north.

"I heard there's fighting again up north. The people from Black Mountain are arresting people everywhere, saying they're going to perform blood sacrifices. Many villages are empty; everyone's fled." Boss Sun shook his head and sighed.

A businessman chimed in, "That's right. I have a friend who does business over there. He said the Black Mountain Demon himself took action, and an entire village was wiped out overnight."

"Amitabha, what a terrible sin!" Another old man clasped his hands together and chanted the Buddha's name in a low voice.

As Zhou Ning listened to these discussions, his heart grew heavier.

He finished his tea, paid the bill, and continued on his way.

After traveling for two more days, he arrived at a city called "Qingyun City".

This is the last major town in the north still under the control of the imperial court, with towering city walls and strict defenses.

At the city gate, officers from the Demon Suppression Bureau were checking passersby, creating a tense atmosphere.

Zhou Ning presented the token given to him by Han Wei and entered the city smoothly.

The city was even more desolate than when I last visited.

There were few pedestrians on the street, and most shops were closed.

A tense atmosphere hung in the air, like the calm before a storm.

Zhou Ning found an inn to stay at and planned to inquire about the location of Qingfeng Temple.

The innkeeper was a middle-aged man in his forties, surnamed Liu, with a kind and honest face.

When Zhou Ning inquired about Qingfeng Temple, Manager Liu's expression changed slightly.

"Sir, what brings you to Qingfeng Temple?"

Zhou Ning said, "Find someone."

Manager Liu lowered his voice: "Qingfeng Temple is on Qingfeng Mountain to the north, more than a hundred miles from here. However, that area is not peaceful now, and the Black Mountain people often appear. Sir, it's too dangerous for you to go alone."

Zhou Ning said, "Thank you for the reminder, shopkeeper. I know what I'm doing."

He stayed at the inn for one night and continued north the next morning.

Qingfeng Mountain is a famous mountain in the north.

The mountains are steep and the forests are dense, with clouds and mist swirling around them year-round.

Qingfeng Temple is a small Taoist temple built on the mountaintop, and it is said to have a history of several hundred years.

Zhou Ning climbed upwards along the mountain path.

After walking for about two hours, a dilapidated Taoist temple appeared ahead.

The Taoist temple is small, with blue bricks and gray tiles. It has been in disrepair for many years, and the courtyard walls are covered with withered vines.

Above the door hangs a faded plaque with the three characters "Qingfeng Temple" written on it, the characters now illegible.

Zhou Ning stepped forward and knocked on the door.

A short while later, a young Taoist priest dressed in a gray robe opened the door.

He looked to be in his early twenties, with delicate features and clear eyes.

"Who are you……"

Zhou Ning cupped his hands and said, "I am Zhou Ning, and I request an audience with Daoist Xuanzhen."

The young Taoist priest's eyes lit up: "You must be Young Master Zhou? My master has been waiting for you for a long time. Please come in."

He stepped aside and led Zhou Ning into the Taoist temple.

The Taoist temple is not large; the main hall is located in the front courtyard, where the Three Pure Ones are enshrined.

There are several side rooms in the backyard, and a few pine and cypress trees are planted in the yard, creating a quiet and secluded environment.

The young Taoist priest led him to a side room and knocked on the door.

"Master, Young Master Zhou has arrived."

An aged voice came from inside the door: "Come in."

Zhou Ning pushed open the door and went inside.

Inside the side room, an old Taoist priest with gray hair and beard sat cross-legged on a futon, closing his eyes and regulating his breathing.

He was wearing a blue Taoist robe, with a thin face, sunken eyes, and looked somewhat weak.

It was Xuanzhenzi.

"Young Master Zhou, you've arrived." Xuanzhenzi opened his eyes and smiled slightly.

"Please sit down."

Zhou Ning sat down opposite him and asked with concern, "Master Xuanzhen, your injury...?"

Xuanzhenzi waved his hand: "I'm almost fully recovered. It's just that I'm getting old, so my recovery is slower."

"I would like to thank Young Master Zhou for clearing the name of my Qingfeng Temple. Now, my Qingfeng Temple has failed to live up to its reputation and has attracted many swindlers who use the names of my Qingfeng Temple and Qingxu Temple to swindle people. If it weren't for Young Master Zhou's intervention, my Qingfeng Temple would have been truly disgraced."

Zhou Ning cupped his hands and said, "You're too kind, Daoist Master. This is simply what we should do."

Xuanzhenzi smiled, then took out a map from his sleeve and spread it on the table.

"This is a map of the North. The Black Mountain Demon's lair is here."

He pointed to a location on the map marked "Black Mountain":

"After he left the pass, he did not rush south, but instead deployed a large number of troops around Black Mountain. I suspect he was waiting for something."

Zhou Ning frowned: "Waiting for what?"