Wife, you didn't really drug me, did you?

Wudang, front hall.

Looking at the magnificent hall, Li Zhong exclaimed in amazement, "This is Wudang! It's truly awe-inspiring. I never thought I'd be able to drink tea at Wudang in my lifetime."

This is indeed what I truly believe. You must understand that Wudang holds a position in the martial arts world that is almost like a deity, especially Wudang Mountain, which is considered a sacred place by many martial arts masters.

If Wudang only had the Seven Heroes of Wudang, then Wudang would at most be considered a first-rate sect.

If Wudang only had Zhang Zhenren, then this place would be the abode of immortals.

If the Seven Heroes of Wudang and Master Zhang were here, then this place would be a top-tier sect, even more so than the abode of immortals.

Therefore, Wudang should be called Zhang Sanfeng and his seven weaknesses.

However, no matter how desolate Wudang was, it was not something that a small-time镖师 (bodyguard/escort) like Li Zhong could come into contact with, much less be invited to the front hall for tea as a guest. It was something he had never dared to imagine before. Moreover, he might even meet the legendary figure of the martial arts world, the old immortal, Master Zhang, in a little while.

This was like a dream, and Li Zhong was incredibly excited.

In fact, not only Li Zhong was excited, but Chen Jie was also very excited. After all, he was facing the peerless Master Zhang, the man who stood at the end of everyone's martial arts path.

Chen Jie had seen his share of ups and downs, but he couldn't help but get excited when facing Master Zhang, though he performed even better.

Meanwhile, on the other side, although Little Immortal Venerable Hengqing had only heard of Zhang Zhenren's great name from her father, seeing the way everyone around her was, she knew that the person she was about to meet was definitely someone who could help her.

So everyone waited, and soon their teacups were almost empty, but Master Zhang still hadn't shown up, and they were getting a little anxious.

Just then, Zhang Cuishan returned. As he entered the room, he clasped his hands in greeting to everyone present and said, "Everyone, everyone!"

Chen Jie and Heng Qing stood up together, and then Zhang Cuishan said, "Sorry to keep you all waiting."

Chen Jie and Heng Qing both had smiles on their faces, but their eyes were looking behind Zhang Cuishan. The meaning was clear: We don't want to see you, we want to see Master Zhang. What are you doing here?

Zhang Cuishan seemed to understand what the group was thinking and said, "I clasp my hands in greeting. My master is in seclusion at a critical juncture, so it is inconvenient for him to see you all."

Upon hearing this, Hengqing and Chen Jie exchanged a glance, and Hengqing said, "Didn't you show the jade pendant I gave you to Master Zhang?"

Zhang Cuishan realized what was happening and laughed, "I saw it."

"What did Zhang Zhenren say?"

"Heng Qing asked urgently."

Zhang Cuishan said, "My master said that you are a descendant of an old friend, and that we should treat you well."

Chen Jie frowned slightly. He treated the guests well but didn't mention the matter of Gang Leader Heng Qing. It seemed that Master Zhang was not going to get involved in this matter.

Thinking this, Chen Jie glanced at Heng Qing, who, as expected, couldn't hold back and asked directly, "When will Master Zhang come with me back to Kunlun to quell the rebellion?"

Zhang Cuishan shook his head and said, "Young lady, my master has never agreed to let you go with him to Kunlun to quell the rebellion."

"Ah~ but I have a jade pendant."

When Hengqing spoke up, Zhang Cuishan asked, "Does the young lady know the origin of this jade pendant?"

Hengqing shook her head, and Zhang Cuishan said, "This jade pendant is not something my master promised your father. It was just a gift to keep as a memento. Your father never helped my master back then, and my master never did favors for your father. We were just casual acquaintances. How could you think that you could get my master to come down from the mountain and help you just because of this jade pendant!"

"Ah~"

Hearing this, Hengqing's face changed drastically, and she plopped down in a chair. She had originally hoped to rely on Zhang Zhenren to quell the rebellion and rescue Aunt Yun, but who would have thought that everything would be for naught today!
Thinking of this, Heng Qing couldn't help but sigh, clearly her mind had completely broken down.

Looking at Hengqing's appearance, Chen Jie shook his head. He didn't have a deep relationship with Master Zhang, so how could he possibly ask this true god to come out of seclusion?

Heng Qing was heartbroken, but she still forced herself to look at Zhang Cuishan and said, "Master Zhang, are you really unwilling to lend a helping hand and save Kunlun?"

Zhang Cuishan looked at Hengqing and said, "Young lady, although my master said he wouldn't help you, he has pointed out a clear path for you."

Upon hearing this, Heng Qing immediately perked up, stood up, clasped her hands in greeting, and said, "Please enlighten me, Daoist Master."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cuishan said, "You can ask this disguised hero Chen for help, right, Brother Jiu Si?"

As Zhang Cuishan spoke, he turned to look at Chen Jie, who was taken aback that his identity had been seen through at a glance. He then smiled bitterly and took a step forward, saying, "As expected, nothing can be hidden from you, Brother Cuishan."

Zhang Cuishan looked at him and laughed, "Hahaha... It really is you, Brother Chen."

Chen Jie then reached out and removed the human skin mask from his face, looking at Zhang Cuishan and asking, "How did you recognize me?"

As Chen Jie removed the human skin mask from his face, Heng Qing stared in shock, realizing that he had disguised himself without her noticing.

Then Chen Jie revealed his handsome face, no longer looking old and decrepit; he was clearly a strong and vigorous young man.

Seeing this, Heng Qing looked at Chen Jie in surprise, amazed by his disguise skills. On the other side, Li Zhong and the others were also astonished. They had been in contact with Chen Jie for so long, yet they had not recognized him.

At this moment, Zhang Cuishan stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Brother Chen, it's been a year since we last met in Nanyang, hasn't it?"

Chen Jie nodded slightly and said, "More or less."

"I really miss my brother."

Zhang Cuishan said, "Let's stay in Wudang tonight. I'll arrange a sumptuous meal for you. We'll drink until we drop to our hearts' content."

Chen Jie waved his hand and said, "Alas, let's not go to this Taoist paradise. We can have a good drink and conversation when we get to Huangzhou Prefecture. Today, a vegetarian meal is enough."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cuishan looked at Chen Jie and said, "This is what I said myself. Don't complain to Susu later, saying that I didn't treat you well."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jie immediately said, "Hahaha, very well. When I get to Su Su, I will only speak well of her and will never undermine her. But even though I'm disguised like this, how did you recognize me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cuishan laughed and said, "How could I recognize Brother Jiu Si? If I had, I would have revealed my identity at the mountain gate. Actually, it was my master who recognized you."

"Ah, it's a real person!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Jie became solemn and asked, "Did the True Man see me?" Zhang Cuishan replied, "No, my master sensed your identity by communicating with heaven and earth."

"To be able to communicate with heaven and earth and perceive my identity, you truly are a living deity!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Jie sighed. Zhang Cuishan then said, "Master's cultivation has reached a level that we cannot comprehend."

"By the way, you just said that Master Zhang asked me to help her resolve the Kunlun matter?"

Chen Jie looked at Zhang Cuishan, who said, "That's what my master said, but he only said it was possible, not that he was forcing you. As for whether you're willing to help, that depends on you and this young lady."

As Zhang Cuishan spoke, Hengqing, who was standing to the side, understood, but Chen Jie looked at Zhang Cuishan without understanding and said, "I am not familiar with that Kunlun Wonderland, and there are at least two enemies at the fourth level of the Fusion God realm inside. I'm afraid that going there will be more danger than good!"

Zhang Cuishan said after hearing this: "The specifics will definitely depend on you, Brother Jiu Si, but my master asked me to pass on a message to you."

"Oh, listen, the teachings of a true master!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cuishan said, "My master said that you are to act freely because you are destined for a calamity. You have only two paths: life or death. If you advance, you will live; if you retreat, you will die."

Chen Jie was taken aback by Zhang Cuishan's words, and his brows furrowed.

Those destined for this calamity will either live if they advance or die if they retreat!

It seems that Master Zhang has figured out his own path. If he can go further and forge ahead, he may have a bigger world and a broader future. If he cannot go further...

The only option is death and annihilation. These numerous enemies are his death warrant, so he cannot retreat.

Thinking about it further, Zhang Sanfeng's act of asking Hengqing for help was clearly a way of forcing him to help Hengqing resolve the Kunlun matter. It's even possible that Zhang Sanfeng had already foreseen that there might be a cultivation technique he needed in Kunlun.

This was clearly a case of using him as a pawn, and he couldn't even refute it, let alone refute it. He couldn't even refuse. It has to be said that this "Land Immortal" was truly not called that for nothing. Whether it was wisdom, martial prowess, or his understanding of heaven and earth, he had reached a level that Chen Jie could not comprehend at the moment.

At this moment, Chen Jie took a deep breath. Even though he knew that Zhang Sanfeng had used him as a tool, he couldn't get angry.

The reason is simple: they didn't pressure you at all, and given Zhang Zhenren's strength, you wouldn't dare to show any displeasure.

Thinking this, Heng Qing looked at Chen Jie, then at Zhang Cuishan, and said, "Master, could you please speak to Master Zhang again and ask him to come out of seclusion? This..."

She glanced at Chen Jie, but didn't finish her sentence. Chen Jie frowned slightly at her expression. She had seen Chen Jie in action before. Although he was very strong, he was clearly no match for a terrifying being like the Eastern King.

Even if we could persuade him to come out of retirement, it wouldn't make any difference.

Thinking this, he could only look at Zhang Cuishan and plead.

Zhang Cuishan initially disagreed, but Hengqing was clearly determined to pester him. Left with no other option, Zhang Cuishan could only say, "I promise you, I will go and find your master again for you, but whether your master agrees or not is not something I, as his disciple, can interfere with."

Hengqing immediately clasped her hands in thanks and said, "Thank you for your trouble."

Chen Jie looked at her without showing any reaction, neither displeasure nor happiness, but simply smiled without saying a word.

He could understand Hengqing's thoughts. After all, he was in Wudang. It would be unreasonable to ask him for help instead of asking a terrestrial immortal. If Master Zhang agreed to help, it wouldn't matter whether he helped or not.

But Master Zhang doesn't agree to come out of seclusion.
Sure enough, Zhang Cuishan returned quickly and said to Hengqing, "My master said that he is concerned with the future of the world and cannot leave Wudang without permission. He is unable to help with the Kunlun matter."

After saying this, Zhang Cuishan looked at Hengqing and said, "Little girl, stop making trouble. My master can't leave Wudang Mountain easily, so it's no use for you to beg him."

Upon hearing this, Heng Qing looked at Zhang Cuishan and said, "Master Zhang, are you really willing to watch the immortals suffer? Aren't you afraid that the Eastern King will rule Kunlun and then lead Kunlun to cause chaos throughout the world?"

After Hengqing finished speaking, Zhang Cuishan looked at her and smiled, "Kunlun is indeed powerful, but if Kunlun really wants to leave the Immortal Realm and invade the Central Plains, then let them be prepared. Although my master has not fought demons for decades, he is not truly unable to wield the Zhenwu Sword. I hope that your Eastern King can truly unleash the power of immortals and gods."

Upon hearing this, Heng Qing paused, realizing that she couldn't seem to threaten the other party.

Zhang Cuishan glanced at her calmly, then said to Chen Jie, "Brother Jiu Si, my master said this is an opportunity for you..."

Zhang Cuishan didn't finish his sentence before Chen Jie interrupted him.

At this moment, Chen Jie said to Zhang Cuishan, "Cuishan, I really can't help with this. They didn't even want to ask me."

Hearing this, Zhang Cuishan looked at Chen Jie and said, "Let's go, Brother Chen. No matter what, I have to treat you. I've already asked the kitchen to prepare some food. Have some."

Chen Jie nodded, ignoring the young woman.

Hengqing stood there stunned. This was a huge blow to her at the age of ten. In the past, no matter what, she was always treated with respect wherever she went. People would not only do whatever she wanted, but they would also treat her like an honored guest and would never dare to neglect her.

But now things are really different. He has been slighted time and time again, and he can't even invite Zhang Sanfeng. There are rebellions breaking out in his family, and his most important aunt, Yun, has been captured by the Eastern King. Only he has escaped in a miserable state.

But now I can't do anything about it.

Thinking about it, Heng Qing couldn't help but burst into tears. After all, she was still just a child. Even though she had powers that ordinary people didn't have, she was still just a child.

Seeing this, Li Zhong sighed and went to comfort Heng Qing. This willful little girl reminded him of his own crybaby sister.

Li Zhong carefully comforted her. After crying for a while, Heng Qing stopped and looked at Li Zhong, saying, "Brother Li, what should I do now? Aunt Yun is still waiting for me to go back and save her, sob sob..."

Li Zhong looked at Heng Qing and said, "Miss Heng, you're confused."

Hengqing looked at Li Zhong in confusion. Li Zhong said, "Hasn't Master Zhang already pointed out a clear path for you?"

"what?"

Li Zhongdao said, "I told you to ask your senior to come back and help you, why didn't you?"

Heng Qing looked at Li Zhong and said, "He is very powerful, but he is still not as good as Dong Wang and the others. What use is it to take him back except to add another life to the list?"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhong looked at Heng Qing and said, "Miss Heng, I don't know whether to call you stupid or dull. Do you know that the person who recommended you to the senior is Master Zhang of Wudang, a living immortal?"

"Since he dared to recommend that senior, it means that Master Zhang also believes that the senior can solve this matter. Otherwise, he could have simply dismissed you. Why would he bother recommending someone else? If you can't even trust the person Master Zhang chooses, who else can you trust?" (End of Chapter)