The Young Swordsman: The Taoist Priest of Qingcheng Has Descended the Mountain

So, is it an inner demon?

Xiao Se touched his heart, his expression hesitant and uncertain.

But in the end, his gaze gradually hardened, and a bitter smile appeared on his face.

A mere lone sword immortal?

Such words are indeed something only that person could say.

He knew his inner demons and understood that, wherever his heart led, even the Lone Sword Immortal was just a stumbling block.

Since we will have to face it sooner or later, we cannot ignore it.

He clenched his fist, looked in the direction from which Lei Wujie had made the noise, and disappeared without a trace in a few leaps.

Zhou Huanzhen slowly revealed himself, looked at the spot where Wuxin and Xiao Se had been fighting, and smiled slightly: "Youth is truly wonderful!"

He thought of the passionate and unforgettable time in Qingcheng when he gave his junior brother a good beating.

At that very moment, in Muliang City...

The lone swordsman Luo Qingyang, with the Nine Songs resounding in his hand.

Luo Qingyang frowned slightly, his sword heart stirring within him.

He opened his eyes, looked up, and his gaze seemed to pierce through space.

He saw a person, a man dressed in a blue Taoist robe, who blended in with the world.

His sword was already getting excited, almost unable to contain itself.

He was looking at that person, and that person was also looking at him.

The next moment, Luo Qingyang retreated rapidly, instantly reaching the other side of the city wall.

His hand was already on the hilt of the sword, and Jiuge slightly popped out of the scabbard, releasing sword energy that swept across the entire Muliang City.

Because, where he had been standing, a person had suddenly appeared.

Appeared silently.

Luo Qingyang assured him that he had never seen such a fast movement technique.

However, according to his sword aura, the place where that person stood was empty, as if there was nothing there.

"Luo Qingyang, the Lone Sword Immortal? I've long admired your name. It's an honor to meet you."

I've long heard that the Lone Sword Immortal single-handedly defends a city; what a magnificent spirit!

Seeing it today, I was somewhat disappointed.

Your sword seems to be much braver than you.

Upon seeing me, it tried to show off its prowess, but alas...

Your heart is burdened with too many worries. You've nurtured your sword for so many years, not for me.

Therefore, you will not draw your sword today.

Luo Qingyang's gaze darkened slightly, and he fell silent.

He stared at Zhou Zhenhuan's figure, but was shocked to find that this person's aura was in harmony with heaven and earth, and his sword intent could not lock onto him.

At that moment, he felt as if he were facing the entire world.

The person was clearly there, yet seemed to have merged into another space, giving people an unreal and illusory feeling.

But Luo Qingyang knew that the person was indeed there.

There are naturally swordsmen in this world who can defy heaven and earth, but Luo Qingyang understood that the person was not himself, but the person opposite him.

He lost on their first meeting, and lost miserably.

"I know you!" Perhaps because he hadn't spoken in a long time, Luo Qingyang spoke, his voice carrying the unique gravel quality of the desert.

His voice was hoarse yet magnetic.

"Once at Mount Qingcheng, my sword intent soared to the heavens."

Once, in the direction of Sangu City, he cleaved the sky with a single sword strike.

It wasn't obvious during the time I visited the city three times; I thought it was just my imagination.

But seeing you today, I know that the sword truly exists.

Are you from Qingcheng?

Zhou Zhen was not surprised. Although he tried to cover it up during the Three Visits to the City incident, he did not go too far and just did not want to cause too much of a commotion.

However, it is normal for a sword master like Lone Sword Immortal to sense something.

Zhou Zhenhuan nodded slightly: "This humble Taoist is Zhou Zhenhuan from Qingcheng."

Chapter 38 The Heroes Will Surely Arrive

Muliang City, one of the four famous cities in the martial arts world, has no bustling markets or crowds, but it can still stand on par with Tianqi City, Xueyue City, and Wushuang City.

It's all because there's one person living in this city.

But in Zhou Zhenhuan's view, anyone who could stay in this place for more than ten years must have a temperament that is beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Located on the border of the Western Regions, it is occasionally swept by sandstorms.

The low city walls and dilapidated houses all indicate that this place was once prosperous.

But now all the glory has faded, leaving only one person who has nurtured his sword for decades in this desolate atmosphere.

On the city wall, a man in black and a woman in green sat facing each other.

The renowned Nine Songs Sword was planted to the side, occasionally emitting a buzzing sound.

Zhou Zhenhuan pulled out a jar of wine, two plates of pastries, and a dish of braised beef from his sleeve.

Luo Qingyang's brows twitched as he looked at him, and his gaze involuntarily drifted to his sleeve.

Although he wore a Taoist robe with wide sleeves, this person's demeanor and spirit were both extraordinary.

Taking out these mundane items from one's sleeve now seems rather...

It's as if a celestial being suddenly descended to earth and began to eat the food of mortals.

The image of that enlightened master was instantly and completely shattered.

Furthermore, isn't there a bit too much stuff in these sleeves?

"What are you looking at? Do you think I should live on the wind and dew, swallowing mist and sucking the sunset?"

Luo Qingyang's lips twitched, and his usually serious face inexplicably showed a hint of a smile.

"It really shouldn't have been like this."

Zhou Zhenhuan smiled and nodded: "Whether it's a sword immortal or a celestial master, they are all just human beings."

If someone flatters you, just listen to it and let it go.

If you truly harbor such intentions, they will surely become a source of inner demons in the future.

Heaven and earth produce the five grains, which are the essence that nourishes people.

If one truly cultivates to the point of losing even these qualities, I don't think that person should be an immortal, but rather a stone.

"Are all the people of Qingcheng Mountain like you?"

Zhou Zhenhuan poured Luo Qingyang a glass of wine, and Luo Qingyang gestured slightly before accepting it with both hands.

The person in front of him was someone he could treat with respect.

"Are you referring to strength, or something else?"

Luo Qingyang pondered for a moment, then said quietly, "My opinion on immortals."

If everyone in Qingcheng Mountain had your strength, the world would probably belong to Qingcheng.

When you are strong enough, there are some things you don't need to do, and countless people will come to serve you.

Zhou Zhenhuan shook his head: "This is just my opinion. As for us people of Qingcheng Mountain, we don't really have any opinion on immortals."

We cultivate the Tao.

There are actually many kinds of Dao, and the Dao of the Sword is one of them.

Furthermore, we cultivate the Tao not to become immortals, but to cultivate our minds.

If the heart is at peace, even a mortal can be a carefree immortal.

Even a sword immortal is but a mortal if their heart is burdened by worldly concerns.

Luo Qingyang was slightly taken aback, feeling that Zhou Huanzhen's words were implied.

"If the heart is at peace, even a mortal can be a carefree immortal..."

Luo Qingyang silently repeated Zhou Zhenhuan's last two sentences twice, and finally sighed.

"Brother Dao's insights are profound. Listening to your words is more valuable than reading books for ten years."

But in this life, who can truly be without worries?

Zhou Huanzhen clapped his hands and laughed, "So you're saying you're not an immortal, and you can't become one."

Luo Qingyang laughed along, "Absolutely! Of course I don't want to become an immortal."

Therefore, let us drink a large cup of wine.

As they were talking, they both looked into the distance.

There, yellow sand swirls, as if a large army is approaching.

"The Kingdom of Khotan has been quite lively lately."

First came the people of Tianqi, then the people of Tianwaitian, and now even the people of Wushuang City and Jiulong Temple have come.

What exactly is in the Western Regions?

When Luo Qingyang asked this question, his gaze was fixed on Zhou Zhenhuan.

Furthermore, what are you doing here now that you've attained true immortality in Qingcheng?

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, it was self-evident.

Zhou Zhenhuan naturally understood it.

He smiled and shook his head: "Of course there are monks in the thirty-two Buddhist kingdoms of the Western Regions."

In the Kingdom of Khotan, there lived a rather unconventional monk.

Monks who drink alcohol, eat meat, and do not practice Buddhism will eventually get into trouble.

So he attracted the attention of a somewhat eccentric young monk.

But this young monk is involved in an incident from twelve years ago.

Luo Qingyang fell silent after hearing this.

Zhou Zhenhuan acted as if he hadn't seen him.

"This little monk is surrounded by murderous intent. Some people want to obtain his secret techniques from the Rakshasa Hall and dominate the martial arts world."

Some people, however, wanted to use him to control the Outer Heavens and thus overthrow the martial arts world.

Regardless of their motives, these people want to have him.

But the young monk disliked being restrained, so his murderous intent grew stronger.

You should know whose child the little monk is. You only recognized Xiao Yu as your godson. Now I'm telling you, he's in the Western Regions, where danger lurks everywhere. If things go wrong, he might die.

Will you leave the city?

Luo Qingyang remained silent, but picked up the wine jar that Zhou Zhenhuan had placed aside and fell backward.

The wine streamed down his cheeks, not in a dashing way, but rather with a hint of helpless dejection.

"Leave the city? Why should I leave the city?"

Luo Qingyang's voice grew increasingly hoarse.

"They are from beyond the heavens, full of experts, so why would they need an outsider like me to take action?"