Under one person: I, Zhang Zhiwei, the arrogant Zhang.

The convoy lined up neatly at the city gate, with Zhang Qishan standing at the head, his military green cloak fluttering in the wind.

The lightning on the other side dissipated, revealing two figures.

Zhang Qishan strode forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "It's been many years since we last met, Little Celestial Master, your supernatural powers have grown even more extensive!"

Zhang Zhiwei returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Buddha, how have you been?"

"I dare not accept the title of 'Buddha,' it is merely the kindness of my friends in the martial arts world." Zhang Qishan said humbly, "We are actually from the same clan, so you can just call me Qishan, Little Celestial Master."

“Speaking of which, we are indeed half from the same clan.” Zhang Zhiwei pondered for a moment: “You’re from the Zhang family in Northeast China, aren’t you?”

Zhang Qishan was taken aback and looked at Zhang Zhiwei with some surprise. His origins in the Zhang family of Northeast China were a closely guarded secret, known to very few people. How did Zhang Zhiwei know about it?

"Indeed!" he asked. "Has the young Taoist master met any other members of the Zhang family?"

“I’ve met one.” Zhang Zhiwei nodded. “This person was the last martial arts champion of the previous dynasty. Although he has Zhang family blood, his ancestors had already intermarried with other ethnic groups and moved away from Changbai Mountain.”

“I see. Speaking of which, my situation is somewhat similar to his; neither of us is a pure Zhang family member,” Zhang Qishan said. “There aren’t many pure-blooded Zhang family members left in this world.”

Zhang Zhiwei nodded: "Bloodline tends to become thinner over time, but occasionally a reversion to ancestral traits can occur. Judging from your Qi, the power of your bloodline should be quite strong, only slightly weaker than Zhang Sanjia's."

“Actually, if I could, I would rather not have this bloodline,” Zhang Qishan said.

Zhang Zhiwei smiled but didn't say anything. Although he was surnamed Zhang, it was an adopted surname, and he had no connection with the mysterious Zhang family.

"The young master seems to know a great deal about the Zhang family in the Northeast?" Zhang Qishan probed.

“I know a little, but not much. If you want to delve deeper, you can go to Longhu Mountain and ask my master or uncle. They should be happy to answer your questions,” Zhang Zhiwei said.

“If I have the opportunity, I will definitely go to Longhu Mountain to pay my respects to the Celestial Master and all the high priests,” Zhang Qishan replied. Then he changed the subject: “Speaking of the Zhang family, I heard that the Zhang family has a new patriarch who has been frequently seen in the southern border region in recent years. The people there call him ‘Feikun Balu’. Have you heard of him, Little Celestial Master?”

“No!” Zhang Zhiwei said, “What does ‘Feikunbalu’ mean?”

"It means warrior, similar to the Baturu of the previous dynasty," Zhang Qishan said.

Zhang Zhiwei nodded and didn't say anything more. He just wanted to finish the air-raid shelter in Chongqing as soon as possible. He wasn't interested in the Feikun Balu.

Lu Ci, standing nearby, keenly sensed that the other party seemed to want to use Senior Brother Zhang to deal with the Zhang family patriarch.

"What's so special about this Zhang family patriarch?" Lu Ci interjected.

Zhang Qishan said, "As for the true nature of it, it's probably near immortality, possessing powerful self-healing abilities, vast Qi, extraordinary perception, immense strength, and the agility of a swallow..."

Upon hearing this, Lü Ci couldn't help but be surprised. "Immense strength and lightness are one thing, but what does immortality mean? That's a bit far-fetched. If you really live forever, how did your Zhang family's patriarch die? Was he murdered?"

“No.” Zhang Qishan shook his head. “Most clan leaders died from ‘dissociation syndrome’.”

"Dissociative identity disorder?" Lu Ci asked, puzzled.

Zhang Qishan said, "The Soul Dissociation Syndrome is a disease that only the Zhang family patriarch can get. It will flare up every once in a while or when he is stimulated by certain things. It is also called the Divine Gift. Once it flares up, he will lose all his memories."

"To achieve immortality and longevity, yet periodically forget everything?" Lü Ci pondered. "What is the point of such immortality?"

Zhang Qishan remained silent, then looked at Zhang Zhiwei, wanting to know his opinion.

Zhang Zhiwei wasn't too surprised; wasn't this just like Feng Baobao? Indeed, Feng Baobao was special, but she wasn't the only example in the world…

Zhang Zhiwei said, "It is only meaningful to lose memories every once in a while. The longer you live, the more memories you have, and the greater the wear and tear will be, just like a crack that keeps expanding over time."

"Without a sufficiently resilient soul to match it, the wear and tear accumulated over the long years will cause this crack to grow from a tiny, insignificant fissure to one that can tear the soul apart."

"Losing your memory is like cutting your losses in time, but it's only a temporary fix. The wear and tear is still there, but it won't keep accumulating."

The group felt a chill run down their spines upon hearing this, and Zhang Qishan even showed a look of sudden realization. As long as the bloodline of the Zhang family was pure and their bloodline power was activated, almost everyone lived a long life and maintained a youthful appearance.

It is difficult for them to die a natural death, but very few people are able to truly die of old age. Most of them die in their early thirties due to various reasons.

Some people have studied why people can live peacefully for the first few decades or even a hundred years, but not in the later years. Even though their bodies are not aging or sick, they still die.

But after a long period of research, no results were found, and there were even rumors that they were cursed. Now it seems that this may be the reason that the little Taoist master mentioned.

"Senior Brother Zhang, is it possible to find the secret to immortality from this Zhang family patriarch?" Lu Ci asked Zhang Zhiwei.

Zhang Zhiwei shook his head: "I am not interested in these things, nor do I intend to get involved. The so-called immortality is not a great pursuit for me."

Lu Ci nodded: "That's right. If the price of immortality is forgetting everything every now and then, then it really has no meaning. If I lose all my experiences and all my memories, am I still myself?"

Zhang Zhiwei said, "Subjectively, it is still you, but it is not the you shaped by objective factors. It is equivalent to returning to the initial infant stage of human beings."

“Then that’s not me,” Lü Ci said.

“It can’t be simply attributed to whether it’s you or not; essentially, it’s still you. This is actually a spiritual goal that many people dream of,” Zhang Zhiwei said.

Lu Ci said, "Perhaps my cultivation level is too low, and I can't comprehend it. However, I always feel that although the results of my cultivation to this goal and achieving the goal under the influence of some kind of soul disorder may sound similar, they are actually worlds apart."

Zhang Zhiwei praised: "The feeling is very accurate and very real!"

Zhang Qishan stood aside, silent. He had deliberately mentioned the Zhang family patriarch earlier, intending to use this matter to attract Zhang Zhiwei's attention and then get involved.

In this way, he could also accomplish certain things through Zhang Zhiwei, but unfortunately, Zhang Zhiwei's reaction was indifferent, and he was obviously not interested in it at all.

Since the young Taoist priest wasn't interested, he didn't bring it up again. It was just a fleeting thought that came to mind, and he didn't intend to scheme against or use Zhang Zhiwei.

He didn't dare to scheme against Zhang Zhiwei; ultimately, he had to face and resolve these matters on his own.

Zhang Zhiwei originally intended to go to the Changjun morning market to try the sugar-oil rice cakes and pig's blood soup, but seeing the commotion Zhang Qishan had made, he had to give up.

“Let’s go to Changsheng Mountain,” he said.

"It's not far from here, should we fly there directly?" Lu Ci asked.

“Now that we’ve arrived in Changjun, we should follow the host’s lead and listen to Brother Qishan’s arrangements,” Zhang Zhiwei said.

Zhang Qishan said, "It's only a few dozen kilometers from here to Jiangyin, and a few hours to Changsheng Mountain. There's really no need to trouble the Little Celestial Master with his supernatural powers. I'll just lead the convoy there directly; it'll be much easier that way. Changsheng Mountain is infested with many bandits, most of whom are ordinary people with limited knowledge. Guns and cannons are more effective against them." Zhang Zhiwei nodded and stepped into the car Zhang Qishan had prepared. As soon as he sat down, someone handed him a box of fine food.

“It’s still early, Little Celestial Master and Brother Lü probably haven’t had breakfast yet. I had someone bring some local Changjun specialties for breakfast,” Zhang Qishan said as he sat in the passenger seat of the car.

"Thank you, then I won't stand on ceremony with Brother Qishan."

Zhang Zhiwei lifted the lid of the food box, and a sweet and fragrant aroma wafted out. Zhang Zhiwei picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of a golden and shiny sugar-coated glutinous rice cake, and found that the outer skin was crispy and sweet without sticking to the teeth, while the inside was soft and chewy with a caramelized fragrance.

"The breakfast in Changjun is truly unique."

While Zhang Zhiwei was eating breakfast, the car drove very slowly, only accelerating after he finished eating.

“It was inconvenient to ask earlier,” Zhang Qishan said, “What business does the Little Celestial Master have with Chen Yulou?”

“I plan to hollow out several mountains in Chongqing and build several super-large air-raid shelters. Aren’t the people from the Unloading Ridge Sect good at moving mountains and unloading ridges? So I want to ask them for help,” Zhang Zhiwei said.

Zhang Qishan said, "Since the Little Celestial Master personally came to invite Chen Yulou, he will definitely agree. However, why does the Little Celestial Master need to build such a large air-raid shelter? Could it be that..."

“A new era is coming, and I can smell the blood in the wind, so I’m making some preparations in advance,” Zhang Zhiwei said, looking at Zhang Qishan. “You should also make preparations in advance.”

"Please speak frankly, Little Celestial Master," Zhang Qishan said.

“As the garrison commander of Changjun City, you have the troops in charge of the city, so you definitely know more than I do. Just follow your own instincts,” Zhang Zhiwei said. “Of course, if you are hesitant about any decision, you can also ask for my opinion.”

"Thank you, Little Celestial Master!" Zhang Qishan said.

In his heart, however, he thought that although the little celestial master told him to follow his feelings, his realm was higher and he could see further.

Moreover, unlike other wise men, he did not withdraw from the world. Perhaps he can keep a close eye on the movements of the Tiantong Church, especially the movements of the Tiantong Steel Plant.

The convoy set off, driving out of Changjun and through several towns before turning into the mountains.

As the mountains rose higher, the population dwindled, and the sky grew darker.

Looking out the car window, all I could see were mountains, rocks, and forests.

The group set off early in the morning and arrived at a sentry post at the foot of Changsheng Mountain at noon.

The outpost was set up at a narrow pass between two peaks, with several logs as thick as bowls blocking the road and black iron chains wrapped around them.

Behind the sentry post, seven or eight people were lurking in the shadows, all dressed in close-fitting short-sleeved shirts with their pants tucked into their trousers. Each of them held a Hanyang rifle, but none of them dared to actually raise their guns.

After all, the convoy from Changjun was too conspicuous. A dozen or so trucks were lined up one after another, with machine guns mounted in the cargo compartments, gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

“Little Celestial Master, we are now in the territory of Changsheng Mountain,” Zhang Qishan said. “It looks like a stronghold, but it is actually laid out in a mysterious way. People live in the open and hide in the dark. It is a place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack.”

"Please state your name!"

A shout came from behind the sentry post, its firmness tinged with a hint of insecurity.

Zhang Qishan did not answer, but only slightly turned his head towards his adjutant.

The adjutant understood and stepped forward, saying loudly, "Master Zhang has personally gone to Changsheng Mountain to see your chief, Chen Yulou. Go and inform him immediately."

After a moment of silence on the mountain, the voice rang out again, tinged with surprise:
"But... Zhang Dafoye from Changjun City?"

“Exactly!” the adjutant replied proudly.

Another silence fell, then dozens of figures could be vaguely seen moving about. A short while later, dozens more emerged from the road.

The leader was a lean man, about thirty years old, with high cheekbones and deep-set eyes. He held a copper pipe in his hand and wore a long blue cloth robe with centipede patterns embroidered on the cuffs.

Zhang Qishan said, "Centipede hanging mountain ladder, pangolin claws, strongman pushing mountain, unloading command flag, these are the main skills of the Unloading Ridge Sect. This person has centipede patterns embroidered on his cuffs, so he should be an Unloading Ridge strongman."

Zhang Zhiwei nodded and looked over with great interest.

The strongman who unloaded the mountain circled halfway around the adjutant, his gaze sweeping over the convoy behind them before returning to the adjutant's face. He then cupped his hands and said:

"I was unaware of Your Excellency's presence and have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me! But... what is the purpose of Your Excellency bringing so many brothers with you?"

"The Buddha wishes to see your leader," said Zhang Rishan, the adjutant, in a deep voice.

“If the Buddha wants to see our leader, he will naturally see him. However, Everlasting Victory Mountain has its own rules. The Buddha’s entourage… makes things very difficult for the brothers,” said the Unloading Ridge Warrior.

“If you find this difficult,” the adjutant raised an eyebrow, “then why don’t you quickly invite your leader out to meet us?”

The Unloading Ridge Warrior did not get angry, and said, "Then I will go and ask him."

After saying this, he turned and left the place. About 15 minutes later, he reappeared.

"Master, the leader has already prepared a banquet in the front hall. However..." He glanced at the convoy, "Our Changsheng Mountain temple is too small to accommodate so many people. If you trust the chief, you can bring a team of personal guards with you."

"Buddha, you've come all this way, and none of the gang leaders have come to see you in person. They're not giving you any face!" Lu Ci laughed from inside the car.

Zhang Qishan said, "Chen Yulou has many skills, but his hand-to-hand combat is a bit lacking. Given my imposing presence, it's understandable that he's wary and won't come to greet me."

"In that case, let's go and meet him," Zhang Zhiwei said calmly.

Zhang Qishan nodded: "This man is quite righteous. He invited us to the front hall for a banquet, so there shouldn't be any accidents. However, I am an official and he is a bandit. He can't help but be wary of me bringing so many people with me. The entire Changsheng Mountain will probably be in a state of panic, seeing enemies everywhere."

“That’s excellent.” Zhang Zhiwei’s lips curled up slightly. “It’s more convenient to have everyone on the mountain together… to gain their respect.”

"Neat and tidy..." Lu Ci thought of his senior brother's past behavior and immediately felt that this was not a good word.

"Does Senior Brother Zhang intend to wipe them all out in one fell swoop?" Lü Ci asked.

“Nonsense, I’m trying to win people over with virtue!” Zhang Zhiwei corrected.

Immediately, the group alighted from the carriage. Zhang Qishan, leading a squad of personal guards, escorted Zhang Zhiwei and Lü Ci, and guided by the unloading men, headed deeper into Changsheng Mountain. (End of Chapter)