Journey to the West: Cultivation Begins at Jindou Mountain

Chapter 331 Left Commander Joins

Upstairs in the tavern, the group was chatting and laughing when suddenly the sound of footsteps on the stairs came from behind. Everyone turned to look and fell silent upon seeing who it was.

Commander Zuo cupped his hands in greeting to the group, then strode over to Niu Yi, knelt on one knee, and respectfully said:
“Immortal Guangyi, I have resigned from my official post and can leave with you today.”

"I was previously misled by the false teachings of the Bodhisattva of Compassion and killed loyal and virtuous people. Now I am filled with remorse and wish I could die!"

"But I beg you, Immortal Master, to accept me and bestow upon me your Taoist arts. I am willing to give my life to you! I only wish to follow you in slaying demons and monsters, and use this body to wash away my sins. Even if I fall into hell, I will not hesitate!"

Everyone was deeply moved upon hearing this, and Niu Yi nodded slightly, seeing the unwavering determination in Zuo Qianhu's eyes.

"Alright, since that's the case, you shall begin your cultivation with me from today onwards."

"Yes, thank you, Immortal Master!"

Upon hearing this, Commander Zuo bowed again to express his gratitude, then stood up and stood aside without saying another word.

Niu Yi was naturally very happy that Zuo Qianhu had joined him. The man in front of him had finally been persuaded by him to practice Taoist arts with him so that he could eliminate demons and protect the righteous path in the future and atone for his sins.

Zuo Qianhu was able to fight demons without fear with his mortal body. If he were to learn Taoist arts in the future, who knows how strong he would become.

Niu Yi is also quite looking forward to this.

Seeing this scene, Zhi Qiu Yi Ye felt a little itchy. Yesterday, the few moves that Immortal Guang Yi had just made seemed incredibly powerful to others.

But only he knew just how powerful those moves were, and how much better it would be if he could learn even a single move from them.
As Zhi Qiu Yiye was pondering this, he saw Niu Yi looking at him and smiling:

“Zhi Qiu, if you are willing to cultivate with me, I would be quite happy to do so. After all, in the entire chaotic Kunlun Sect, you are one of the few who take it upon yourself to eliminate demons and protect the righteous path.”

"Judging from what Senior Guangyi said, you are very familiar with my Kunlun Sect?"

Looking at Niu Yi, Zhi Qiu Yi Ye was quite surprised, but also slightly annoyed. Although he and his master were just nobody in the Kunlun Sect, they still loved the sect deeply.

Hearing outsiders say that the Kunlun Sect was no good, he couldn't help but feel a little annoyed, but he also had to admit that the fact that the seniors who had mastered the art of preserving youth were so powerful was probably true.

If it weren't for the fierce infighting within the Kunlun Sect, his master wouldn't have sent him down the mountain to cultivate in the world before he had fully mastered the Kunlun Daoist arts.

"I am naturally aware of the Kunlun Sect. In fact, I have already spoken with many members of the Kunlun Sect, so I know their situation. But that is not really important."

"If you are willing, you can come with me when I leave tomorrow. I think you are a good person, so I am willing to teach you some Taoist arts."

"Hehe, you have a good eye, senior."

When Zhi Qiu Yi Ye heard someone praise her, she couldn't help but get a little carried away, but Fu Yue Chi nudged her arm and she calmed down a bit.

Ning Caichen turned to look at Niu Yi.

"Brother Guo, are you leaving tomorrow? May I accompany you this time?"

Upon hearing this, Niu Yi smiled and shook his head, then, under Ning Caichen's somewhat surprised gaze, slowly said:

"Brother Ning, you should wait here a little longer. In just a few days, something important concerning you will happen."

"When that time comes, if Brother Ning is still willing to follow me, then come find me with this paper crane."

As Niu Yi spoke, he took a paper crane made of folded yellow talisman from his sleeve and presented it to Ning Caichen. After watching him accept it, he smiled and said:

"Everyone, I should go back and pack my things, so I'll be leaving now."

Niu Yi cupped his hands in greeting to the people in front of him, then led Zuo Qianhu towards the stairs of the restaurant, and soon disappeared from sight.

That night, after settling Zuo Qianhu in, Niu Yi was drinking alone in a courtyard in the imperial city, gazing at the bright moon and murmuring thoughtfully:
"Indeed, calamity has now arrived, and the lives of the people are filled with unbearable suffering. Disasters and injustices are everywhere. And these hatreds and resentments, when gathered together, will not only cause the demonic energy in the world to continue to increase, but will also make it easier for demons to be born."

"This move by Pudu Cihang has almost drained the last bit of life force from this imperial court."

As Niu Yi was pondering, a figure in official robes strode into the gate and bowed to him.

"Immortal Guangyi".

"Lord Fu's visit so late at night must mean he has something important to discuss with me. Please have a seat."

Niu Yi stood up, cupped his hands in return, and gestured towards the seat in front of him.

Fu Tianchou nodded, quickly walked to the seat in front of Niu Yi, and said sincerely:

"I believe that with your abilities, Immortal Master, you must know why I have come and what I seek, so I will not keep you in suspense any longer."

“I have come here to invite you to serve as the Imperial Preceptor of my court. Now that Pudu Cihang has passed away, the position of Imperial Preceptor is vacant. It is a perfect opportunity for someone with great magical power and real ability like you, Immortal Master.” Niu Yi looked at Fu Tianchou’s sincere face, but shook his head without hesitation and refused.

"Lord Fu, you are too kind. I am a person outside the secular world. Cultivating immortality and seeking the Dao, subduing demons and eliminating evil are what I am good at. I would never accept the position of Imperial Preceptor."

Upon hearing this, Fu Tianchou immediately became anxious and hurriedly said:

"Immortal Master, I know you are a man of great compassion. The court is in a terrible state because of the 'Compassionate Salvation' sect. Only a master like you can save the crumbling edifice!"

Niu Yi looked at Fu Tianchou and sighed slightly.

"Lord Fu, let me be frank with you about this matter. The current court is beyond my ability to save."

The current state of the court is not something that arose because of the salvation of the Buddha. Corrupt officials are in power and the emperor is incompetent; this is not just a saying.

Although Lord Fu has now overturned the case and is being given more weight because of the evidence provided by Niu Yi, the court, which has lost the support of the people, will soon be overthrown by various rebel armies.

All the capable civil and military officials in the court have been devoured by Pudu Cihang. With their last backbone removed, the collapse of the court is only a matter of time.

Upon hearing this, Fu Tianchou remained undeterred and still wanted to try to extend the life of the court, but Niu Yi rejected all his attempts.

"Immortal Master, is there really no way at all?"

Fu Tianchou looked around in despair. He had been well-versed in literature since childhood and wanted to bring peace to the world, but his "home" was now in a dilapidated state and could collapse at any moment.
Niu Yi shook his head at Fu Tianchou, then stood up and turned to walk into the house.

Lord Fu may not necessarily be in trouble in the future, but the fate of the imperial court has completely run out. In a year or two, the imperial court may become history.

But none of this mattered to him; it was time for him to find a place to build his own mountain gate.
Seeing that the immortal who had saved him still refused to help him, Fu Tianchou could only leave the room in deep sorrow. But as a subject, he would never stand idly by!

The next morning, Niu Yi packed up his animation supplies and set off with Yan Chixia, Poison Witch Xiao Hai, and the newly joined Zuo Qianhu, speeding towards Jinhua.

"Are you planning to build a mountain gate at Lanruo Temple?"

Yan Chixia looked at Niu Yi with a slight surprise.

Niu Yi nodded and said:
“Indeed, Senior Yan, we are quite familiar with that place. Although it is far inferior to Kunlun and cannot be considered a feng shui treasure land, it is convenient and quiet.”

"Moreover, if a person who cultivates the Tao can keep his mind as still as water, where can he not cultivate himself?"

Zuo Qianhu, who was watching the technique in his hand from the side, nodded in agreement upon hearing this, while Yan Chixia frowned.

"I have sent out many paper cranes during this period, but none of them have responded. If we don't have enough manpower, how long would it take for just a few of us to kill all the demons in the world?"

"Guangyi, I know you are very capable, and may have reached the pinnacle of the world, but you have seen the current situation. In fact, in this world, some people are more terrifying than demons."

"It is precisely because of the existence of these people that demons can never be completely eradicated. My previous desire to live in seclusion was not because of those demons, but because of those people."

Yan Chixia spoke these words with great earnestness, his tone filled with complex emotions.

When he was a judge, if he hadn't known that the current court and the people's world had completely deteriorated, why would he have wanted to go into seclusion?

Niu Yi understood the complex emotions in Yan Chixia's heart and comforted him:

"Senior Yan, this world is not our fault, nor can we change it. We can only do our own thing and help eliminate the demons of this chaotic world as soon as possible."

"As for matters of the mortal realm, such as the changing of dynasties, these are beyond our control."

Niu Yi knew in his heart that if he had become the Grand Preceptor of this world's court ten years earlier, he could have extended the court's lifespan and brought it back to glory.

The people of the world can live in peace and prosperity with less suffering, and such a period of time is enough for him to wipe out evil spirits, comprehend the Way of Heaven, and even take control of the Way of Heaven.

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs" in this world. By the time he awakened his true spirit, the imperial court was already beyond saving. With Pudu Cihang's meddling, the imperial court is now a complete mess.

"Don't worry, Senior Yan. Exorcising demons and monsters is also the righteous path of humanity. Once we eradicate the evil spirits in the world, there will naturally be fewer people suffering in the world."

Upon hearing this, Yan Chixia simply sighed slightly and took a sip of wine.

He trusted Guangyi, but he still felt sorry for those who were suffering. If he had stayed in seclusion in Jinhua, things would have been better. But he happened to witness the changes in the world around him, which rekindled his motivation.

The Poison Witch and Xiao Hai listened silently. Xiao Hai was engrossed in reading the magic book in his hand, while the Poison Witch's poison pills were constantly circulating, continuously condensing the deadly poison within her body.

For Xiao Hai, the most important thing is to learn the skills so that one day he can truly help his young master.

For the sorcerer, the prince will be the sun that guides him and that he looks up to. As long as this sun never sets, he will follow him forever.

(End of this chapter)