Tao and Heaven

Chapter 3 I am a commoner, destined to be a fairy in the mortal world
In the palace, the red building and yellow jade add fragrance and warmth.

The singing girls dance with light gauze, the pipa plays melodiously and gracefully, and the dignitaries wear silk and satin.

Zhao Feng did not occupy the main seat as usual, but sat in the guest seat like a guest, with a decent and elegant smile on his handsome face, his body slightly bent, seeming approachable and even more like a compliment.

And in front of him was a woman in white.

But her hands were as slender as those of bamboo, and her graceful jawline was faintly visible under the gauze of her bamboo hat, and her every move was so graceful that one could not help but imagine the image of a goddess who was detached from the world and independent.

She lowered her eyes, and the prince's words seemed to be a million miles away. The richest and most noble son of the Zhao family in the mortal world, she could not even look at him.

The more this happened, the hotter Zhao Feng felt.

This is a god, this is a fairy.

She had no dignity to speak of, but the awe of countless nobles around her gave her an incomparable sense of oppression.

"I wonder if the immortals can eat all kinds of food?"

"I practiced breathing wind and drinking dew. When I was young, I ate mostly grains before I started fasting."

"That's good, that's good."

Zhao Feng put on an apologetic smile, without any of the demeanor of a royal son in the past, and the family members and confidants present did not think there was anything wrong.

I'm afraid only Gu Wen, an oddball, would laugh at him in secret.

You have to know that in the past Zhao Feng had always been upholding the "legacy of Taizu", and his character was that of a prince with the ability of a wise king. There was a prophecy among the people that "when the ninth son is established, the world will be at peace."

But now he bows and speaks in a low voice before the immortal, which is laughable. His nobleness ultimately comes from his birth. To put it bluntly, he is just taking advantage of the power of others.

The woman in white looked extremely aloof, just sitting there quietly and saying little. Zhao Feng thought that the immortal didn't like noise, so he waved his hand and asked everyone to leave before the family members finished eating, leaving only the eunuch Feng Xiang by his side.

He served the tea and asked, "I don't know the immortal's honorific title yet."

"Inheriting the name of the ancestor..."

The goddess's elegant voice paused as she put down the teacup. Her tone did not change, but due to the perfect pauses and movements, her tone became solemn, making people subconsciously hold their breath and listen.

"Qingcang."

hiss……

Zhao Feng's breathing stagnated.

He is no longer a mortal, and has always known about the outside world. The mortal world and the outside world have always been connected, but ordinary people don't know it. As the master of the world, the Zhao family can naturally come into contact with people from the outside world.

The Taoist name cannot be called casually, as it involves one's destiny. There are many people who are crushed to death by the Taoist name if it is called too loudly, so many people choose a moderate Taoist name.

Qingcang means to hold up the sky.

Even the legendary master who moved mountains and chased the moon would not dare to take the name of "Qingcang". However, according to legend, this is the most powerful being closest to the existence of "immortals" and is also the master of the sect behind this goddess.

She actually dared to take on this title.

Zhao Feng's forehead was sweating, he wiped it and said: "The name of the immortal family makes people panic."

"This name is indeed too big, you can just call me Yu Hua."

The goddess is more talkative and peaceful than she looks. Fairy Yuhua is indeed a common Taoist name, which is neither depressing nor vulgar.

Zhao Feng heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Then Zhao Feng greets Fairy Yu Hua."

"Your jade pendant..."

The goddess in white raised her jade finger slightly and pointed directly at the jade pendant on Zhao Feng's chest. It was the size of a palm, with a mottled stone and a shallow circular groove around the edge.

Zhao Feng replied, "Three years ago, I got this opportunity with the guidance of a master."

"Seizing someone's opportunity is not a good opportunity." The goddess in white said bluntly, her ears moving slightly, and wisps of thoughts like smoke lingering.

She didn't need to verify or guess, the heaven and earth would tell her the cause and effect.

There is no such thing as fate without a master in this world. It is all caused by the previous generation and the next generation will reap the fruits. The opportunity that Zhao Feng had was not originally his, but somehow it fell on him. At first, Yu Hua was still unsure and was a little confused as to why he was given the surname Zhao instead of the surname Gu that was decided three thousand years ago.

"I can't explain this matter in a few words." Zhao Feng took out the jade brocade he had prepared long ago from his sleeve and handed it to the goddess in white with both hands. "Please take a look, senior. Three years ago, the elders of your clan had already changed their fate to me."

The goddess in white picked up the jade brocade and opened it. On it, golden threads showed elegant words, and the aura was indeed that of an elder in the sect.

just
"The cause and effect that was determined three thousand years ago, you can change it in three years?"

She dropped the jade brocade, which landed silently but made Zhao Feng nervous.

"It was an order from Master Huayang." Zhao Feng explained, "And I didn't steal it by force. The descendants of the Gu family have become beggars on the street. After thousands of years of inheritance, there is only one son left with blocked meridians. That's why the elders of the immortal family gave me the opportunity, and I will also give the descendants of the Gu family wealth and honor."

"But it's not Uncle Huayang's chance. There are millions of chances to become immortals, and each has its own owner. The chance planted by the ancestors of the Gu family three thousand years ago should have benefited future generations. How does wealth and glory compare to the opportunity to transcend?"

Fairy Yu Hua's eyes behind the veil of her bamboo hat seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, and her originally calm and elegant voice became deep.

She knew that Daqian must have given some benefits to the sect, so he acquiesced to the other party depriving Gu of his chance. But how could the sect's long-term plan allow for personal gain?
Zhao Feng was sweating even more and said, "Master Huayang said that we should put the overall situation first. My Zhao family is a royal family and should be able to help your clan better than beggars."

When talking about the royal family, Zhao Feng's voice became a little tougher.

How can a beggar compare with his family? Even if there is an opportunity, it doesn't matter. Now his Zhao family is invaluable. It is his blessing to accept Gu Wen as a retainer, so why should he compete with himself for an opportunity?

Besides, the results have already been discussed within the Immortal Sect, and the benefits of Daqian have already been given out. Could they still go back on their word?

The overall situation is important.

"." Fairy Yu Hua was silent for a moment, then said, "Call the descendants of the Gu family. I need to confirm it in person."

"Send Gu Wen here."

Zhao Feng ordered the eunuchs around him. He was very confident in this regard. How could a household slave have the capital to rebel against him? Moreover, he believed in Gu Wen's loyalty. He had trained this servant for so long that he would not dare to say no.

This is a matter of course.
-
Half an incense stick later, footsteps approached from afar, and Gu Wen walked in quickly.

Gu Wen hurriedly stepped over the threshold of the study, two pairs of eyes shot towards him, and his gaze instantly fixed on the goddess in white in the room.

It was definitely not that Gu Wen was attracted by the beauty, but the plain clothes were too eye-catching in this magnificent palace. It was obvious without any guessing that this was an immortal.

Putting everything else aside, how can this sissy Zhao Feng be as pretty as a real woman?
The woman in white raised her head slightly, her eyes behind the veil were like stars in the sky. She looked directly at Gu Wen, her voice clear and melodious.

"What is your name?"

Gu Wen was stunned for a moment. His good psychological quality did not allow him to indulge in a woman whose face he could not even see for too long. He lowered his head and replied respectfully, "I am a commoner without a name. My surname is Gu and my given name is Wen."

Then there was no sound, and the atmosphere fell into an eerie silence. The starry eyes behind the veil made Gu Wen feel a little creepy.

Fairy Yu Hua fell silent. She looked at the mortal in front of her, wondering if it was a good thing to ask for the opportunity back for him?
Although it was decided three thousand years ago that the descendants of the Gu family would be his protectors, times had changed and he was obviously not as good as Zhao Feng. Besides, could he really get it back? What would he do after getting it back?
The power of the Zhao family is not something that an ordinary person can resist.

It is obvious that the sect will not support me.

Is the overall situation more important?
Fairy Yu Hua asked, "Three thousand years ago, the ancestors of the Gu family had a cause and effect relationship with our Sanqing Sect. Do you want to hear it?"

Gu Wen's eyes lit up slightly, and even he couldn't help but nodded and said, "Please tell me, Immortal."

“If the descendants of Gu family are ambitious, they will be led to the path of immortality. Otherwise, they will enjoy a life of wealth and glory.” Fairy Yu Hua spoke softly, and she felt a little regretful when the words came to her lips. The young man in front of her raised his head for the first time, and his dark eyes were bright and clear.

He doesn't look like an ordinary citizen at all, nor like a numb and ignorant mortal.

He must have realized that fate is more important than wealth.

I can't help him decide.
At this time, Zhao Feng interrupted and said, "I have already told Gu Wen that he voluntarily gave it to me. His Majesty the Emperor Daojun can bear witness to this."

The last four words "Emperor Daojun" were emphasized.

Fairy Yu Hua frowned and wanted to say something, but the aura of the True Lord emanating from the jade brocade had already helped her make a decision.

She couldn't make the decision on this matter. Yu Hua stopped looking at him and turned the jade brocade with her head down, pretending to be nonchalant and reading the words on it.

"The descendants of the Gu family are ignorant of progress and have become street beggars, selling the karma of their ancestors. Their immortal fate should be taken away and given to the nine sons of the Zhao family."

"The nine sons of the Zhao family inherited the fruit and should return the cause."

After saying this, Fairy Yu Hua glanced at Zhao Feng, who was sipping his tea calmly and contentedly. She said with a gentle smile, "Zhao Feng will obey the decree and write to the emperor on a chosen day to ask for a title for him."

"That's good."

She turned to look at Gu Wen, who stood there in a daze, and then the light in his eyes shattered like ashes.

Gu Wen just whispered, "Gu Wen obeys your command."

A hungry person cannot be considered enterprising. If he were to choose again, Gu Wen would still sell it, even if Zhao Feng did not rob it. In the past few years, Gu Wen has seen too many people starving to death or freezing to death, and he has also seen too many high-ranking officials enjoying themselves in the Jade Tower.

It is never the fault of beggars, refugees, and vagrants who are homeless all over the world.

The fault lies with the aristocratic landlords who endlessly occupied the land, the Daqian Emperor who built the Taoist palace year after year, the excessive taxes, the scholars and officials, and the royal family...

However, the immortals' view of good and evil is obviously different from mine. But just as the common people know that no matter how much they farm, they cannot pay the heavy taxes, they still farm year after year.

People have to live after all.

Either endure till death, or I'll seize the opportunity and take off with the wind.

Ugh--

Fairy Yu Hua sighed secretly and complained quietly, it was clearly the elders in the sect who did the evil, why am I the one blaming him?
He was so dignified even in his resistance, so if he cursed me viciously, I might feel at ease.

He stood up and walked in front of Gu Wen. He took out a jade bottle from his sleeve and poured out a red pill. He said, "This is the life-saving elixir prepared for me by the sect. Swallowing it will make you live a hundred years. This is also my compensation for you."

Gu Wen looked at the red pill and felt a slight pain between his eyebrows, as if something extremely important would leave him as long as he took the red pill.

Is it fate?

But so what? Just like he knew the heirloom was important, didn’t he still have to hand it over honestly?

Fairy Yu Hua said softly: "I won't harm you. If you don't eat it, you may not live past your thirties."

Gu Wen was ill and had a very weak constitution, all because of the opportunity that was taken away from him. Just like a tree being grafted, Gu Wen was the root, providing for Zhao Feng's Dao fruit.

Since you have already lost your destiny, you should live your life in peace.

Zhao Feng frowned slightly, but he didn't say much. If he could cut off the cause and effect, then losing Gu Wen, the "root" that nourished his luck, would be acceptable.

Perhaps this would be more beneficial, being aboveboard is better than stealing. Moreover, this Fairy Yu Hua should be from the Yuqing Sect, which is a sect that is most stubborn, so you cannot argue with her unless it is necessary.

At this thought, his brows relaxed again.

Gu Wen looked up at her on the Dragon Bridge just as he did before, and asked, "Master, can I still practice cultivation without a destiny?"

Fairy Yuhua nodded and said, "Of course you can. Opportunities are destiny, given by God. Everyone has their own destiny. The founder of my sect, Taoist Qingcang, is a man who defies the will of heaven. He can become an immortal without the destiny of heaven."

Zhao Feng watched coldly.

That being said, how many Taoist Qingcang are there in the world? Now that the road to becoming an immortal is open, it is the greatest opportunity in the history of the ages. If Gu Wen still holds on to the immortal fate, then in ten years, I am afraid that Zhao Feng will have to bow to him.

On the contrary, today he has completely lost his chance to become an immortal and there is no chance for him to catch up with me.

Even my noble destiny is something he can never dream of in his entire life.

Zhao Feng said in a commanding tone: "Eat it, and I will give you a hereditary title, even a marquisate."

Fairy Yu Hua frowned slightly, but could only advise again: "If the descendants of the Gu family have the qualifications in the future, they can join our Sanqing Dao Sect."

Gu Wenru had no choice back then and had to swallow the red pill.

It seemed as if a string had broken in the dark.

The woman in white returned to her seat and said nothing more, but Zhao Feng was very happy and directly promised Gu Wen a marquisate, an additional ten thousand households, and a life of wealth and glory.
-
After welcoming the immortal, the royal palace held a grand banquet. The street in front of the door was filled with tables and chairs. Everyone was welcome to the banquet, and even beggars and refugees could beg for food in the alley.

The evening happened to be the Grain Rain Lantern Festival, with countless opera troupes performing on the streets, and the people gathered in three layers inside and outside.

The singers in the palace sang the tunes, and the nobles liked the simple and elegant tunes.

In brothels, people prefer slang songs with obscene content.

Gu Wen didn't understand the tune, but he could hear the time of midnight.

He was carrying a pot of wine, walking drunk on the street, with candlelight flickering in his eyes and beautiful and winding songs filling his ears. He had the illusion that the country was prosperous and the people were well off.

It seems like the war, heavy taxes and miserable lives that happened thousands of years ago. It seems so far away and as if it will never come.

But tomorrow, when the wind called "life" blows, people will wake up unwillingly. They will still have to face corvée, taxes, war, hunger, cold and death.
He will never have peace in his life.

When he reached the Dragon Bridge, the wind from the river woke him up.

The dark clouds dispersed, and the moonlight made the reflection of the well clearer. It was ordinary, but it was ugly enough to be wrapped in the cocoon of loyalty and filial piety. Gu Wen smiled at himself.

"To be humble is my way of survival. But if I can stand firm, who would be willing to be humble in order to survive?"

When he lost his destiny, he was also freed from his shackles and everything of his original body.

He was not completely penniless. He had 10,000 taels in his pocket and a hereditary marquisate, which were enough to provide him with a comfortable life. The title also allowed him to legally have three wives and four concubines.

Gu Wenru realized the truth and found joy in suffering.

He laughed loudly and poured the wine into the bright moon on the water, as if inviting the bright moon to drink.

Suddenly, it was as if the tide receded to make way for bigger waves, and finally gathered at the center of the eyebrows, as if some kind of primitive beast was trapped in it, crashing endlessly.

Break through the cocoon of feudal ethics and tear apart the cobwebs that bind your heart.

Fate can no longer cover up that brilliance. The departure of the so-called immortal fate is nothing more than wiping away the dust and the stone shell of the jade. What remains is the Taoist rhyme of the auspicious light and feathers, and the destiny that is equal to heaven.

A thought, a ray of golden light, a line of text, a message.
What could not be described, seen, or fathomed finally became something he could understand.

【Destiny Red Dust Fairy】

[Ten thousand years of heavenly marrow, ten thousand years of imperial juice, after going through the mortal world, knowing the destiny, transforming from a mortal to an immortal, should live as long as heaven and earth, transcending all things]

What is celestial marrow and what is imperial juice?
A white light flickered, conveying a subtle message.

【Ten Years of Tiansui】

That elixir is Tiansui.

The thoughts kept repeating over and over again, deepening his memory over and over again, and only one extremely clear thought remained in Gu Wen's mind.

As long as he could gather the celestial marrow and imperial juice that he had accumulated over ten thousand years, and nurture them until he was eighty years old, he would be able to ascend to heaven!

He will get rid of all constraints, be free and at ease, and seek immortality!
Gu Wen was like a man who had been thirsty for years and suddenly found a clear spring. He licked it greedily and madly without stopping. He didn't care if he drowned or even died of starvation.

Screw the glory and wealth, I want to become an immortal!

Wow!

He plunged his head into the river, letting the cold water wash away his turbulent emotions and distracting thoughts.

On April 29th, the Grain Rain Day, the moon was very round.

I plunged my head into the bright moon in the water, as if I had received a glimpse of immortality.

(End of this chapter)