You, a monster, still want to travel to the West?

(I owe a lot, I will pay back one chapter first)

Chapter 75: Rebellion

Outside the Taoist Palace——

Xia Zhiming and Qing Xin naturally did not ride the tiger again. They just let Tiger Vanguard go to the mountains and forests to find something to eat, and then they stepped into the mountain gate together.

From outside to inside, the two passed through the Lingguan Hall, the God of Wealth Hall, the Medicine King Hall, the Wenchang Hall, and the Tianshi Hall.

Then they went to the Three Officials Hall, the Four Emperors Hall, the Three Pure Ones Hall, and the Jade Emperor Hall. Xia Zhiming and the little girl naturally burned incense together.

However, it was evening class time, and the two of them had not met anyone along the way until they finally saw the real person in front of the ancestral hall.

However, it was different from what Xia Zhiming had imagined - there was only an old man and two young men in the hall, sitting on cushions with their eyes closed and chanting scriptures.

At this time, the old Taoist in the hall also obviously noticed the person coming. He slowly turned around and saw the old Taoist——

White hair and beard, bright eyes and old face

Wearing a crown and covering himself with the eight trigrams, he is a Taoist master.

Seeing this, Xia Zhiming cupped his fists and bowed, smiling, "May you be blessed with infinite blessings. My name is Zhiming. I happened to see the cave today and came to visit you."

On the side, Xiao Qingxin also clasped her hands and said: "May you be blessed with infinite blessings, and may you be accompanied by the nun Qingxin."

In the hall, the old Taoist instructed the two disciples to continue chanting sutras, then hurriedly came to greet them, cupped his fists and said with a smile: "Blessings and infinite heavenly venerable, I am Taoist Zhengying, but I did not expect you two Taoist friends to visit today. Please forgive me if I am rude."

As he spoke, Taoist Zhengying led them to the tea room, sat down and poured tea, performed the rituals, and then asked, "Where did you two attain enlightenment?"

Xia Zhiming smiled and said, "It can't be considered true. We two learned from Lingtai Fangcun Mountain and have been traveling for many years, but we have never met a true Taoist cultivator. Today we can be considered to have a chance encounter."

Upon hearing this, Taoist Zhengying stroked his beard, shook his head, and sighed, "Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. My Little Maoshan is the descendant of the Shangqing lineage. My ancestors and peers have all lived in the three islands for a long time, but I am the only one who has not yet mastered the cultivation. How can I be worthy of this true cultivation of the Tao?"

Xia Zhiming just smiled and shook his head. This Taoist Zhengying's cultivation was not inferior to Qingxin's, maybe even better. He would have a chance to become an immortal in a few years.

However, Xia Zhiming did not dwell on this matter. Instead, he asked, "Fellow Daoist, you are too modest. I have a question. I wonder if you can help me solve it."

"But it doesn't matter."

"Since entering this small Maoshan Mountain, the two of us have passed through more than ten levels of temples, but we rarely see disciples. Could it be that the Taoist priest does not intend to leave behind his legacy after ascending to immortality?"

"Hahaha, fellow Daoist, you don't know this. This is a long story."

Hearing Xia Zhiming talking about this, Taoist Zhengying laughed loudly, and then explained the origin in detail -

The cause of the incident has to start from a few years ago.

At that time, the Cheshi State where Xiaomaoshan was located established a new king. However, the new king was licentious and immoral, the court was corrupt and incompetent, and natural disasters continued, making the people's lives miserable.

Since the people were not living a happy life, naturally more people would pray to gods and Buddhas. His small Maoshan had many pilgrims, so naturally they would come to talk about this matter.

Then, the disciples of the Xiaomaoshan lineage were bewitched by some naughty disciple, and one after another went to Taoist Zhengying to renounce their Taoist membership and returned to secular life.

After a few years, only Taoist Zhengying and two disciples who failed to wear the crown were left in Xiao Maoshan.

Having said that, Taoist Zhengying sighed, then smiled and took a sip of tea without saying anything more.

Seeing him like this, Xia Zhiming thought for a moment but didn't ask what those disciples were doing after returning to secular life. He simply cupped his hands and praised, "The Taoist priest really has a good way of teaching people."

"I'm all alone now, with only two children by my side. How can I have any disciples..."

As he spoke, Taoist Zhengying couldn't help laughing. The two of them looked at each other, then raised their cups to drink tea. Everything was said without words.

Beside the two of them, Xiao Qingxin looked at the two Taoists who were playing riddles, tilted her head and said nothing.

It was already late at this time, and Taoist Zhengying did not talk much. He just led the two of them to find a quiet room and let them stay for one night. Xia Zhiming naturally did not refuse.

That night, Xiao Qingxin wrapped herself in a blanket and patted the white snake in her arms. Then she asked softly, "Zhiming, what are the Taoist's disciples doing?"

"In prosperous times, one must practice in seclusion; in troubled times, one must naturally go out to save others."

"The Taoist priest himself hasn't even ascended to heaven yet, how can his disciples save others?"

"The sky is dead, and the sky is dead."

"It seems that Xiao Maoshan doesn't worship the Yellow Horned Immortal."

"I guess the Great Immortal wouldn't mind them using this slogan."

"..."

--------------

The next morning——

The man and the snake woke up from their dreams. When Xia Zhiming pushed the door open, he saw Tiger Pioneer lying outside the door, gasping for breath, with a wound on his belly.

Seeing this, Xia Zhiming asked: "What happened?"

Tiger Vanguard seemed to feel a little embarrassed, holding his head with his paws and said sullenly: "I encountered a deer last night, and I let it run away without paying attention."

"Then where did you get this injury?"

"I ran into another sheep later, and it slid and slashed my belly."

"You...you have brought shame upon the tiger."

"Cuckoo~"

On the side, Xiao Qingxin couldn't help laughing when she heard this. Then she took the wine gourd from Xia Zhiming's sleeve and poured two sips into Tiger Vanguard's mouth. Then she said, "Don't be afraid. Go find them and fight them later."

Tiger Vanguard drank two sips of wine, and when his wounds were almost healed, he quickly shook his head: "No! No! The sheep in these mountains run a little too fast."

Qing Xin tilted her head: "Aren't you afraid of being hungry?"

Tiger Vanguard stood up and ran around twice before proudly saying, "I've only been hungry for a few days. Great Immortal, please don't underestimate me."

Qingxin: "You can't beat the sheep in the mountains?"

Tiger Vanguard suddenly became furious: "Absolutely impossible! Great Immortal, please don't slander me!"

Xia Zhiming shook his head, took Xiao Qingxin by the hand, and said to Tiger Vanguard with a smile: "I won't slander you, go guard outside the mountain gate."

Tiger Vanguard nodded immediately, then jumped up and soon disappeared.

Seeing this, Xia Zhiming took Qingxin for another walk until they saw Taoist Zhengying in the Patriarch's Hall. However, he discovered that the three masters and apprentices in the hall were talking about something.

"Master, it seems the palace's free-range deer and sheep injured the guest's tiger last night. What should we do?"

"How do you know it's the guest's tiger?"

"The tiger is still guarding the guest's door."

In the hall, Taoist Zhengying sighed and was about to speak, but saw Xia Zhiming coming over, so he hurriedly bowed to welcome him.

Outside the door, Xia Zhiming smiled and said, "Master, there's no need to explain. I released the tiger into the mountains to catch some food, but I didn't expect it to offend a spirit beast. I'm the one who should take the blame."

After hearing this, Taoist Zhengying thought for a moment and took out two talismans from his arms. He then asked, "Your injuries are serious, but I have some healing talismans here."

Xia Zhiming thought about it for a moment, then accepted it and said goodbye to Qing Xinyan.

Seeing that he had accepted the talisman, Taoist Zhengying smiled and nodded. He did not try to keep him, but took his disciples out to see him off until they reached the foot of the mountain. He then stared at the two men and the tiger going away for a long time.

At this time, a disciple asked:

"Master, I think this guest is also a true cultivator?"

"Silly disciple, that is a celestial being descending to earth."

"Why not ask him to give a sermon?"

"Traitor! Are you planning to betray your master?"

"It hurts! It hurts! It hurts! Master, please don't hit me!"

Chapter 76?

More than half a month has passed since Xia Zhiming and Qingxin left Xiaomaoshan, and it is Mid-Autumn Festival.

In front of Cheshi City——

Xia Zhiming and Qingxin leaned against the city wall, and in front of them, Tiger Vanguard squatted on the ground and roared fiercely.

Roar! ! !

In front of the two men and the tiger, as the tiger roared, the people watching at the city gate all shrank their necks and took a step back in fear.

But soon, Xia Zhiming picked up a green bamboo stick and hit it on the forehead, successfully making the stupid tiger lower its head and lie on the ground obediently.

Seeing this, Xia Zhiming nodded, then smiled and greeted the crowd around him:

"Those with money, please support us with your money! Those without money, please support us with your presence! Authentic tiger beasts, three cents to touch, ten cents to ride around, first come, first served!"

At this moment, the surrounding crowd of onlookers, young and old, looked at each other, and soon a scholar shouted, "Master Tena, you are a man-eating tiger!"

Xia Zhiming's face turned serious and he said, "This tiger of mine comes from Jingyang Ridge. I once ate one person a day and devoured an entire village!"

The scholar was unconvinced: "How could such a fierce tiger possibly perform with you?"

Xia Zhiming stroked his nonexistent beard and said with a smile, "This immortal has the ability to subdue dragons and tigers. Ever since this tiger followed me, it has only eaten vegetarian food. If you don't believe me, you can let it bite you and see."

The scholar's face flushed when he heard this. After a moment's thought, he took out a copper coin and said, "Ten cents for a ride, right? I'll give it a try!"

The onlookers around naturally applauded when they saw the scholar's courage.

Seeing that he was doing business for him, Xia Zhiming naturally nodded, and Xiao Qingxin beside him also happily went up to collect the money.

When the scholar trembled astride the tiger's back, was taken for a walk, and finally climbed down from the tiger with wobbly legs, the onlookers finally believed Xia Zhiming's lies and donated money generously.

Half an hour later, Tiger Vanguard shook off its fur that was almost rubbed off. In front of it, Xiao Qingxin looked at the basket full of copper coins, and then nodded to Xia Zhiming with satisfaction.

Seeing this, Xia Zhiming immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and then called out to the onlookers:

"This tiger-subduing talisman of mine won't last long. Please disperse for now, lest you be accidentally injured by my fierce tiger. Come back when I've finished drawing the talisman."

The people around looked at each other when they heard this, and soon dispersed.

Xia Zhiming shook his head, then smiled at Qingxin and said, "Well, isn't this tiger's performance much better than mine?"

"Zhiming, can you grow bigger?"

"What do you want to do with a matter that affects the laws of nature?"

"Then I feel like you must be better than it!"

"Haha, of course."

While chatting, Xia Zhiming sat up with a smile, and then walked directly towards the capital.

Behind him, Xiao Qingxin casually put the bamboo basket into her sleeve, and then followed him with a clattering sound. The Tiger Vanguard also followed obediently.

At the city gate, a captain stopped Xia Zhiming and asked, "Taoist, you said you have the ability to subdue dragons and tigers. Is that true?"

Xia Zhiming, however, held up his green bamboo cane and said with a smile, "Are you really going to let me subdue the dragon?"

The gatekeeper raised his hand and pointed to the notice on the wall: "Please look."

Xia Zhiming turned around and saw that the notice was actually an imperial edict, which read:

By the order of the Heavenly Master, the Lord said:

We are recruiting people who are good at taming dragons and tigers, refining elixirs and collecting herbs, making clouds and rain, raising clouds to heaven, having golden bodies and magical figures, changing talismans, and fortune-telling and geomancy.

Anyone who has extraordinary talents only needs to come to the capital to meet the emperor. If he has real talent, he will be rewarded with 100 taels of gold, 100 pieces of silk, and a mansion!

——Announce it to the world and let everyone know!

Xia Zhiming took a look, then waved his hand and said with a smile: "This reward is generous, but I don't have that much ability, so I can't go."

The captain was not annoyed when he heard this. He looked at Xia Zhiming and Qing Xin for a moment, then glanced at the Tiger Vanguard who was following them obediently. He said no more and raised his hand to let them into the city.

After the two men and the tiger walked away, the lieutenant's deputy asked in confusion, "General, are you just going to let the tiger in like that?"

"You dare to stop me?"

"We are wearing armor and carrying guns, so why are we afraid of a giant insect?"

"Idiot, I'm afraid of that Taoist priest!"

"Can that young Taoist priest have such great abilities?"

"Even a hundred taels of gold can't buy you anything, how much are you worth?"

"..."