From Under One Person: Sincere Journey Through the Heavens

Although his status was far from legitimate compared to that of a Living Buddha appointed by the emperor, he was still incredibly skilled in combat!

Not wanting to get a beating, he said to the messenger who came to invite him, "I hope you will understand, sir. Meditation and seeking the Dao require single-mindedness, and I do not wish to get involved in worldly affairs."

Seeing that each of these orthodox Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist lineage successors was finding excuses—one feigning illness, another claiming a breakthrough, and yet another bluntly stating they didn't want to go—

Upon receiving the reply, Mr. Jiang was stunned, then enraged. However, considering that these three were the legitimate bloodline inheritors of the three religions, he couldn't easily harm them. Yet, he couldn't swallow his anger, so he sent someone to find Zhang Enpu again, not to go to Yuhang, but to say: "A local tyrant has appeared in the Qinling Mountains of Sichuan. The bandit leader there is said to be the reincarnation of Sun Wukong, named Wugensheng. He has seventy-two Quanxing masters under his command and has gathered 84,000 men. He's a threat..."

That being said, he did not intend to wipe them out, but instead planned to send Zhang Enpu to persuade Wugensheng to join his side.

The Northern Expedition has now succeeded, but the Sichuan region remains chaotic, with serious factional strife and even the two major local factions acting independently and refusing to obey his orders.

Therefore, a balance of power is needed.

The "Flower and Fruit Mountain" established by Wugensheng is a good choice.

Besides that.

Quanxing is an object of hatred in the world of supernatural beings. If he can subdue them, wouldn't that prove that he is the one destined by heaven?

There were two main reasons why Zhang Enpu was ordered to go.

First, Zhang Enpu was an extraordinary person and a Taoist priest, and was most familiar with the Quanxing sect.

It's easier to get things done if you know someone.

Secondly, Zhang Enpu's two trips to Yuhang to target the Confucian Society both ended in failure, and many people below him already had opinions about him. He had to achieve something to change that.

otherwise.

Zhang Enpu was able to keep his composure, but behind his back, others would say he was supporting a freeloader.

Upon learning that he was to go to the Qinling Mountains in Sichuan to find Wu Gensheng and persuade him to surrender, Zhang Enpu was full of questions and asked the messenger, "Did the Commander-in-Chief really say that?"

"Master Zhang, the commander said you have to go, whether you like it or not, otherwise it will be embarrassing for everyone." The messenger said helplessly, repeating the commander-in-chief's words.

Although the words were unpleasant, it didn't matter if he offended Zhang Enpu. After all, he was the 63rd Celestial Master, a man of high moral character who wouldn't stoop to the level of a mere servant.

If you offend the Commander-in-Chief—

Hey!

Being able to pack up and leave is considered lucky.

"Go back and tell the Commander-in-Chief that I've taken on this job."

really.

Zhang Enpu didn't hold the messenger against him; in fact, he personally saw him off, showing utmost sincerity.

After watching the messenger leave, Zhang Enpu's eldest son, Zhang Yunxian, said indignantly, "Father, that Jiang fellow must think you failed twice, so he's making things difficult for you!"

The second son, Zhang Yunkang, then said, "Father, why don't we go find some foreigners?"

"Second brother, how could you say such a thing? They are a different race."

Zhang Enpu's only daughter, Zhang Wanxiang, scolded, "We are all descendants of the Celestial Master's Mansion. If we were to side with a foreign race, we would become the biggest joke in the world!"

That's just how the world is; whoever is stronger, goes with them!

Zhang Yunkang also admired Western science and argued that "it is said that those who cultivate themselves should cultivate their mind and nature."

But reality doesn't care about character!

Let's talk about strength!

It's all about power!

Weren't the princes and nobles of the Qing Dynasty also of foreign races?

He ruled China for nearly three hundred years with a braided hairstyle, but after that incident, how many Han Chinese officials and nobles were driven to the brink of death because of cutting off their braids?

They're all the same!

Zhang Wanxiang had nothing to say.

But Zhang Enpu retorted, "Now is the time to say such things? Aren't you afraid of being overheard!"

"I was wrong, Father."

Zhang Yunkang apologized hastily, but deep down he didn't take it seriously.

His father was only concerned that these words might reach the ears of that man surnamed Jiang...

···

"Dad, are you really going to go find the leader of Quanxing Sect?"

Seeing that her father had spoken, Zhang Wanxiang stopped bringing up the matter and instead inquired about Wugensheng's situation, saying worriedly, "Ninety-nine percent of the Quanxing members have been subdued by Wugensheng, and he has also gathered a large group of bandits and robbers, reportedly more than 84,000 people. I'm afraid..."

That guy surnamed Jiang clearly wants them to go by themselves!

No troops will be sent to protect you!

But that "Flower and Fruit Mountain" has 84,000 "demon monkeys"!

If they really go to that area, and if Wugensheng has evil intentions, they will definitely not return!

"call--"

Zhang Enpu took a breath to calm himself down and said, "I have no choice but to go, otherwise there will be no place for me in this world."

The Celestial Master's Mansion has already partnered with the Confucian Association, and Zhang Jingqing is quite ruthless, wanting to sever ties with him...

There's no going back to the Celestial Master's Mansion.

As for seeking refuge with foreigners—

It really comes down to that one in a million possibility.

His son can.

But he couldn't.

Otherwise, he will surely be infamous for eternity!

at the moment.

He only has one path to take: to walk that path with Jiang Ruiyuan to the very end.

"Yunxian, you stay."

If Wugensheng truly lacks morality, he will surely die without a chance of survival, but the direct bloodline of the Celestial Master must never be severed.

“Yun Kang, I know you are interested in Western ingenuity and crafts, so go study abroad and don’t come back to China for a while.”

With the country in turmoil and the situation uncertain, even he could hardly see things clearly. Just in case, it was best to take precautions.

"Wanxiang, come with me to Sichuan."

"..."

"Yes."

Zhang Wanxiang was somewhat disappointed, but she dared not disobey her father.

Chapter 1303 "The Seven Great Saints"

Sichuan and Shu.

Qinling.

When Wugensheng returned from his journey, he rode on the mist, just like the legendary immortal who had attained the Great Dao.

Inside the fortified mountain stronghold, as solid as a fortress of copper and iron, bandits and robbers knelt down and worshipped devoutly.

Wugensheng was already used to this, so he ignored them and went deeper into the mountains and forests. After crossing a grove of trees, he came to a valley, where a large group of golden monkeys ran out from the narrow "One Line Sky" canyon and surrounded him as he entered the valley.

After discovering this place, Wugensheng made it his lair here and added some finer lines to the original patterns on the canyon walls.

Ordinary people who enter this place will obtain Qi, open the Ren and Du meridians, and continuously circulate it throughout their bodies, but they do not know how to stop their practice until they explode and die.

In this way, even if bandits or thieves from outside accidentally stumble upon this place and obtain Qi, they will die suddenly.

But the main purpose was to raise a group of monkeys that were intelligent and human-like.

After all, he's been called the reincarnation of Sun Wukong, so how could he not raise a bunch of monkeys?

The purpose of this trip was to bring back some macaques.

This is because this area was previously inhabited only by blue-faced golden monkeys.

Before they gained Qi, these blue-faced golden monkeys were docile and obedient, never bothering anyone. But after gaining Qi, they were extremely respectful to him, the "Monkey King," but were extremely ferocious towards others who did not follow the correct path to this place.

And what about macaques?

He is naturally irritable.

However, after gaining Qi and straightening its body, it became more and more composed. Unlike the golden monkey that gained Qi, it would not gouge out eyes, take out bullets, or bite necks of those who accidentally wandered into this place. Instead, it would mainly scare them.

If intimidation doesn't work, it won't attack, but will follow them and steal from them while they rest.

Tools, food, packages, and anything that isn't attached to a person will be taken away by the monkeys that have acquired Qi, forcing anyone who ventures into this place to give up.

Prior to this, Wugensheng had already captured a number of macaques from outside, and with the addition of the macaques he brought back this time, their numbers were now comparable to the original number of golden monkeys.

Wugensheng handed the captured wild macaques to the macaques that had already attained Qi. He watched as the wild macaques followed the one that had attained Qi into the "One Line Sky." As they continued to move forward, their originally hunched bodies gradually straightened, and they went from crawling on four legs to running on two legs. Their originally wild temperament gradually calmed down. He couldn't help but laugh out loud: "No wonder the description of Sun Wukong in 'Journey to the West' is that of a macaque."

Blue-faced golden monkey?

That's all.

"What's making you so happy, Seventh Brother?"

Just as he was laughing, he saw six people emerge from the canyon. Wugensheng strode forward to greet them and said, "I've been wondering, how did our ancestors—the ancient apes—become human? Was it really the evolution that the West has speculated, or did they pass through places like this, obtain Qi, and straighten their backs?"

"Oh? Didn't our ancestors become human through this canyon?" Gao Gen asked with a smile among the six.

"This is clearly deliberate, isn't it?"

Wugensheng laughed heartily, "There's even a small pavilion in my cave."

"Seventh Brother, why don't you tell me, who exactly built this place?"

A young girl dressed in Miao ethnic clothing asked about this.

"Seventh? Wei Shufen, aren't you the youngest one?" a man next to her complained.