Under One Person: The Taoist Priest Descends the Mountain

The small county town at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain is called Qinchuan.

The county town is small, with several main streets crisscrossing each other. Old buildings and newly built commercial areas are mixed together, giving a sense of time travel.

Cheng Mo walked out of an inconspicuous shop with a wooden sign above the door that read "Jianghu Xiaozhan" (江湖小栈).

Ordinary people might just think of this as a small shop selling local specialties, but in reality, it belongs to the largest intelligence organization in the world of supernatural beings, and is the only force whose core business is selling intelligence. Its current manager is Mu You, one of the "Ten Elders" of the world of supernatural beings.

The Ten Elders are composed of representatives of ten top forces in the world of supernatural beings, and represent the pinnacle of power in this world.

Cheng Mo held a piece of paper in his hand, on which an address and a few words were scribbled.

Just as I put the note in my pocket, a head popped up next to me.

"Little Taoist priest, what's inside?" Xia He blinked her eyes and asked curiously.

"It's the place where they sell information." Cheng Mo looked at the pink-haired girl who had followed him all the way, somewhat helplessly: "Why do you, a little girl, always follow me?"

Xia He looked around, pouting, "Who's this little girl? So impressive, with a five-character name."

Cheng Mo: "..."

He realized that Xia He hadn't joined the Quanxing Sect yet, and even had only a superficial understanding of the world of supernatural beings. She was just somewhat carefree and unconventional, far from the alluring and seductive woman described in the original work.

Although her innate abilities allowed her to witness the dark side of humanity at a young age, she still retained the innocence and curiosity of a young girl at heart.

Cheng Mo suddenly thought that if this girl followed him and understood the principles of cultivating both body and mind, and achieving harmony between form and spirit, instead of being led astray by the Quanxing sect's extreme egoism of "not even plucking a single hair to benefit the world," which only learned half of Yang Zhu's words...

That's quite an interesting thing.

"Fine, go ahead and follow if you want." Cheng Mo shook his head and walked forward.

Xia He immediately beamed and skipped after him, asking, "Little Taoist priest, are you really a Taoist priest? What are you doing down the mountain?"

"Do you need me to show you my Taoist certificate?" Cheng Mo asked casually.

"Great! Great!" Xia He clapped her hands, her face full of anticipation.

Cheng Mo stopped and thought for a moment, then actually took out a small notebook from the inner pocket of his Taoist robe and handed it over.

Xia He flipped it open with great interest and saw that it had Cheng Mo's photo on it, was stamped with the seal of the Taoist Association, and had the words "Taoist Certificate" written on it.

"Huh, you're not from the Quanzhen School?" Xia He looked up. "Aren't all the Taoist temples on Zhongnan Mountain Quanzhen School?"

Cheng Mo was taken aback: "How do you know I'm not from the Quanzhen Sect? Do Taoist certificates specify which sect you belong to?"

He took back his Taoist certificate and looked at it; indeed, it did not state his sect affiliation.

Xia He chuckled, "Of course it's not written on my Taoist certificate, but the Quanzhen Taoists all keep their distance from me like they've seen a ghost~"

Cheng Mo: "..."

The Quanzhen Sect has strict rules, and its disciples avoid the word "lust" like the plague. Xia He's innate charm is a walking violation of the rules for them.

Just then, a deep baritone voice came from beside them:

"Hey kid, what are you asking about me for?"

Cheng Mo was startled and almost instinctively pulled Xia He to the side two steps before turning his head to look.

The man appeared to be in his thirties, dressed in a dark Chinese-style robe, paired with black trousers and cloth shoes. He had a thin face and calm eyes, and stood under the shade of a tree on the street, seemingly blending into his surroundings.

Cheng Mo's heart skipped a beat, guessing the person's identity, but he still asked, "Who are you?"

Tu Junfang's lips twitched, his expression strange: "What, you're asking about me, but you don't know who I am?"

Cheng Mo confirmed it—this was indeed Tu Junfang, the successor of the Three Demons Sect, known as the "Corpse Demon."

But he had just spent two thousand yuan at the Jianghu Inn to inquire about Tu Junfang's recent whereabouts. How come this person appeared in front of him in the blink of an eye?

Could it be that he has an inside man in the Jianghu Xiaozhan?

Cheng Mo had his own reasons for seeking out Tu Junfang.

He practiced life cultivation for fifteen years, tempering his body to its limit, yet he could never sense the existence of "Qi".

The Three Demons Sect's method involves using special magic to lure out the three desires within the human body—greed, anger, and ignorance—and manifest them into physical forms known as the "Three Corpses." Cultivators must train these Three Corpses, which can even be used in combat, and only by ultimately eliminating the Three Corpses can they achieve enlightenment.

Cheng Mo thought that since he couldn't see inward, he might be able to borrow the methods of the Three Demon Sect to manifest the Three Corpses from the outside. These Three Corpses originated from his own desires and were closely related to "sex". Perhaps he could sense the existence of Qi through them.

But the question is—why would Tu Junfang take the initiative to come to his door?

Just then, Xia He happily waved to Tu Junfang: "Uncle, did you come with me?"

Tu Junfang smiled at Xia He and said gently, "Little girl, how have you been feeling these past few days traveling around?"

"Great!" Xia He shook her head. "Uncle, please don't make me go with you. I'll play with the little Taoist priest from now on!"

"Oh~" Tu Junfang shook his head, then looked at Cheng Mo, his eyes sharpening again: "It seems it wasn't you, little girl, who told him. Then..."

He took a step forward, his aura suddenly turning chilling: "Boy, what exactly do you want from me?"

Cheng Mo's thoughts were a bit jumbled at the moment.

The Three Demon Sects may sound like they're related to demonic practices, but they are actually a legitimate and righteous sect, hidden deep in the mountains, with an ancient tradition.

However, if the Three Demons Sect manages to lure out the Three Corpses and fails to eliminate them, the Three Corpses will continuously erode a person's will, eventually turning against them and causing an extremely painful death.

Due to heavy losses during the War of Resistance against Japan, the core method of the Three Demons Sect to sever the Three Corpses was lost. Tu Junfang joined Quanxing, supposedly to hone himself in the great melting pot of Quanxing and seek to revive the method of severing the Three Corpses.

But what is he trying to do by following Xia He? Judging from his attitude, it's not about romance. Could it be that he wants to recruit Xia He for Quanxing? But Tu Junfang himself isn't even a core member of Quanxing, so why is he working so hard for him?

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Tu Junfang slowly raised his right hand, with faint black energy swirling in his palm: "Boy, I think you're tired of living. Today I'll show you why I'm called 'Corpse Demon'."

Cheng Mo snapped out of his daze, looked at Tu Junfang, and his eyes lit up—just in time!

He clasped his hands in a respectful bow, his tone sincere and his voice booming: "My name is Cheng Mo. I have heard that the Three Demons Sect possesses a wondrous method for manifesting the Three Corpses, and I have come here specifically to inquire! I beg Mr. Tu to generously bestow his teachings upon me, to manifest the Three Corpses for me, so that I may see with my own eyes what my greed, anger, and ignorance truly look like!"

Tu Junfang: "..."

Xia He: "..."

The woman selling pancakes across the street poked her head out: "Young man, what 'Three Corpses'? You want to buy a corpse? That's illegal!"

Tu Junfang's facial muscles twitched twice, and the black energy in his palms swayed.

He stared at Cheng Mo for several seconds, confirming that the young Taoist priest had clear eyes and a serious expression, and was not joking.

"You..." Tu Junfang held back for a long time, then laughed in anger, "Good lad, you've got guts! In all my years, this is the first time I've seen someone so brazenly demand the manifestation of the Three Corpses!"

He took a deep breath: "Fine! Since you're so sincerely asking for my guidance, I'll be merciful today—I'll show you what it means to wish you were dead!"

Cheng Mo suddenly raised his hand: "Wait a minute, Mr. Tu."

He pointed earnestly to the bustling pedestrians around him and the elderly woman peeking out from across the street: "There are too many people here. What if we scare the children and Uncle Hat says we're promoting feudal superstition? That would be terrible. Let's find a quieter place."

Tu Junfang: "..."

His breath hitched, and he hesitated, wondering whether he should forcefully make a move—

Cheng Mo grabbed Xia He, who was still completely unaware of what was happening, and hissed, "Let's go!"

Before he finished speaking, he pushed off with his feet and shot out like an arrow, so fast that he almost left a blur.

Xia He exclaimed in surprise as he pulled her away, and the two of them instantly swept across the street and disappeared into an alley.

Tu Junfang was momentarily stunned.

"Hmph!" His face darkened, and he disappeared into the crowd like a ghost, chasing after them.

Cheng Mo was familiar with the paths in the county town, so he deliberately chose quiet alleys, making his way through the streets until he was out of town and arrived at an abandoned brick kiln site by a riverbank.

He stopped under an old locust tree and loosened the summer crops.

Xia He's face flushed slightly as she swung her wrist and looked around curiously: "Little Taoist priest, are you really going to fight that strange old man?"

"It should be 'asking for advice'," Cheng Mo corrected, glancing in the direction they had come from.

Almost simultaneously, Tu Junfang's figure silently floated down to the center of the open space.

He dusted off his robe, looked up at the locust tree, and fixed his gaze on Cheng Mo.

"The location is good; it's quiet and convenient for burial," Tu Junfang said in a flat and cold tone.

Cheng Mo gestured for Xia He to step back, then stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Mr. Tu, please."

Tu Junfang said no more, and in a flash he was already close, his fingers like ink blades aimed straight for Cheng Mo's throat.

Cheng Mo lowered his body to block, and then threw a punch. The punch was powerful and forceful, forcing Tu Junfang to change his move and take the hit head-on.

boom!

The force of the energy ripped away the dust, and Tu Junfang took a half step back, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Such a formidable life force!"

His attacks suddenly accelerated, his palms, fingers, legs, and knees transforming into a blur of afterimages, each move ruthless and insidious, mixed with qi energy that disrupted his blood and qi.

Cheng Mo remained as steady as a rock, integrating the rounded and soft strength honed over fifteen years into his instincts. His seemingly simple parries and counterattacks were always perfectly timed, using force to overcome skill. Every collision caused Tu Junfang's blood and qi to rise slightly.

After a brief struggle, a fierce glint flashed in Tu Junfang's eyes. He abruptly withdrew and retreated, his two fingers pressed together, gleaming with black light: "Now I'll show you what the Three Corpses are all about!"

An invisible wave instantly enveloped Cheng Mo.

Cheng Mo blinked, looked down at himself, then looked up, puzzled: "...Where are my three corpses?"

Tu Junfang: "..."

Unconvinced, he activated the magic method again.

Cheng Mo stood ramrod straight, his eyes clear.

Tu Junfang's expression shifted, and he finally became enraged. Black energy surged around him, and three twisted and shifting black shadows rose from behind him—Greed, Anger, and Ignorance—the three corpses manifested, and a chilling wind swept through the air.

"You've got reason to be proud that you forced me to manifest my three corpses!" Tu Junfang's voice was icy. "Now, feel despair!"