In the blink of an eye, five years had passed.
In the Donglai Continent, due to the gradual recovery of the spiritual opportunity in the continent, demons appeared frequently. Fortunately, the Le Dynasty was at its peak, and there were strong and elite soldiers guarding the area. Once these demons formed a group, they were immediately destroyed. Although they rose and fell continuously in the beginning, it was difficult for them to become powerful.
Changping County, Prefectural Governor's Office.
"Lord Yuan, I have brought the head of the Cloud Moving King of Horseshoe Mountain."
A general with a pair of pheasant feathers on his hat stood at the bottom of the stairs, holding a black wooden box high in his hand. Everyone in the hall could see that there were traces of blood seeping out of the box.
Yuan Zhenping raised his hand, and a personal guard beside him went down to bring the wooden box up.
He reached out and opened it. In an instant, a stench spread out, but he did not seem to smell it. He even personally held up the hideous demon head to examine it. After confirming that there were no mistakes, he waved his hand for someone to take it away, and then drew a mark on the merit book.
However, when he saw the names of a few demon kings on the book, his brush paused slightly.
The generals below him were all jubilant. This Cloud Moving King was a flower sparrow that had turned into a demon. There were hundreds of demon soldiers under him, and he often went down the mountain to capture humans and animals for food.
Because he could fly and escape, it was extremely difficult to kill him. The prefecture had spent several months to set up a bait to lure him here. It was only yesterday that he was finally eradicated. Although a few small demons escaped, they could not cause much harm.
At this moment, a civil official stepped out and said loudly, "Lord, once this demon is eliminated, the mountain road to the south will be opened. We will gather our troops and attack the Seven Arcana Demon King entrenched in this mountain. This way, the prefecture will be settled!"
Yuan Zhenping said in a low voice, "Yes, we must eliminate him, but we cannot be too hasty."
The civil official was stunned. This speech of his was something that had already been decided. Otherwise, he would not have dared to say it on his own. After thinking about it, he knew that there was a change in the situation. He quickly changed his tone and said, "Lord, you are right. I was too impatient."
Yuan Zhenping waved his hand and said, "It has nothing to do with you. The day before yesterday, I found out that this Seven Arcana Demon King is not one. There are seven of them. "
"Seven Demon Kings?"
The generals present all cried out in alarm. If it was a few hundred years ago, Daemon Kings were nothing. At that time, the Yue Chao Great Lord could kill dozens of them in a single battle. However, after the world was pacified, Daemon Kings were rarely seen. Two or three Daemon Kings in a county were enough to alarm the imperial court.
One had to know that a demon needed at least ten Iron Spear Generals, as well as strong bows and crossbows. Only then could he take it down.
However, such a person had to consume the essence blood of demons and use secret medicines to wash their bodies. At the very least, they had to be refined for more than ten years. If they were placed in the army, each of them would be able to fight against a hundred.
Originally, there were 32 Iron Spear Generals in the county. However, after killing the demons several times, there were also some casualties. Now, there were only 27 people left to fight against the seven Demon Kings. Their chances of winning were extremely low.
One of the generals said worriedly, "During the reign of Emperor Wu Zong, the demons were chased into the sea. We thought that the world was peaceful. Who would have thought that it would not be peaceful for another twenty years. "
Another person added in a low voice, "There are rumors that a female demon has infiltrated the imperial harem and caused chaos in the imperial court …"
Yuan Zhenping's face suddenly darkened. He shouted, "Nonsense! This is only a rumor among the people. As officials of the imperial court, how can we talk nonsense? You will be fined half a year's salary! "
His prestige as an official was very strong. With this stern face, most of the people in the hall did not dare to speak. Only the civil official who spoke first was not afraid. He said with a solemn face, "Sir. The Seven Arcana Demon King needs to be eliminated quickly. Otherwise, it will become a big problem. "
Yuan Zhenping said in a deep voice, "I also know this. However, the county's soldiers have been dispatched repeatedly and are already exhausted."
The civil official thought hard for a moment. Suddenly, he raised his head and said, "Sir, I heard that an Imperial Celestial Master came to Shangde Celestial Temple a few days ago. Why not ask for help from there?"
Yuan Zhenping's eyes lit up. He felt that it was a good idea. He nodded slowly and said, "Let me think about it."
Ever since Zhang Yan's double imparted the Qi Cultivation Method, this method had been widely spread in the mortal world. Even though no one had been able to open their meridians and break through, those who were slightly successful had a strong physique. They could run as if they were flying. They had only cultivated for a few decades, but their strength was already comparable to that of a general in the army.
Moreover, this method did not require external medicine. As long as one had perseverance and practiced hard, even if one could not enter Dao, one could at least strengthen one's body.
However, this kind of hard work was not as easy as using the demon's bones and blood to cultivate. Therefore, it was not used by the aristocratic families. Instead, it was liked by some poor disciples.
There were more common people who practiced it. In the past, in order to deal with demons, they had to invite soldiers to encircle and suppress them. But with this method, some of the weaker mountain demons could be dealt with by themselves.
This also attracted the attention of the imperial court. They were afraid that after the common people learned the method, they would disturb the hierarchy. However, seeing that this was passed down by the Shangde Celestial Master, they did not dare to prohibit it. Thus, they bestowed the title of Celestial Master to all the double immortals and allowed them to set up temples in various places. Every year, they could pick some disciples to enter the imperial court as officials. Even though some power was given out, this way, they did not have to worry about any chaos.
After Yuan Zhenping left the hall, he was thinking about how to ask the Celestial Master to come out and help when a subordinate came to report, "Master, Eldest Master is here."
Yuan Zhenping said happily, "Is Qing 'er here? I am looking for him. Quickly call him in."
After a while, Yuan JIngqing came into the hall. He knelt down and said, "Son greets father."
Yuan Zhenping saw that after not seeing him for a long time, his son had become more and more handsome. His behavior was also calm. He was very pleased and said, "My son, quickly get up."
After the father and son sat down, they chatted in the back hall. After talking about some trivial family matters, Yuan Zhenping asked about Yuan JIngqing's purpose for coming here. Yuan JIngqing replied, "Son wants to return to the capital and go to Mount Qing He to seek Taoism."
Yuan Zhenping was startled. He muttered, "Can't you wait for a few more years?"
Yuan JIngqing said, "Recently, I feel that it is difficult to improve my cultivation. After thinking about it, it is time for me to enter the mountain."
Yuan Zhenping nodded and said, "That's good. After you finish your studies, I hope that you can be like the Celestial Master to protect the country and the people. Coincidentally, there is a matter that I need you to handle. It is suitable."
Yuan JIngqing said with a serious face, "Father, please speak."
Yuan Zhenping told him the reason and said, "Now that the imperial court is sending troops everywhere, even if I request the Heavenly Army, I will have to wait for at least half a year. However, if the Celestial Master of Shangde Temple helps, I think it will not be difficult to eliminate the seven demon kings."
Yuan JIngqing thought for a while. These years, he did not shut himself away and made friends with many Daoist cultivators who practiced this art. Some of them even entered the Celestial Master's temple. He said seriously, "I will definitely pass on the message."
Because this matter involved the safety of the people in the county, it should not be delayed. He decided to leave immediately. Yuan Zhenping wanted to send a few family warriors to follow him, but he rejected them all.
Yuan Zhenping also knew that his son was different from others. Not only did he have his own ideas, but he also faintly possessed magic power. He was not too worried, so he gave him two good horses and ordered the servants to prepare his luggage. He personally saw him off.
After bidding farewell to his father, Yuan JIngqing rode the horse out of the city and headed north along the main road.
The two horses took turns and galloped for a night. He did not feel tired, but the two horses were sweaty and panting. He found a clean spot by the road to rest, untied his water bag and took out some dry food to fill his stomach.
In reality, he was born with the ability to absorb spiritual vigor from the outside, so he did not need water. However, after being suppressed by the Talisman for more than 20 years, he was already used to it. Although he went out this time, he did not do so.
After resting for a while, his head suddenly darkened. He was very vigilant. He looked up and saw a strange bird circling in the sky.
"Young man, you are in big trouble."
A voice came from not far away from Yuan JIngqing. He turned his head and saw a sloppily dressed man, Daoren, under the shade of a tree by the road.
He kept the water bag calmly and said, "Daoist, what do you mean?"
Daoren said, "Just Now, one of the Demon Kings of Qiqiao, Demon King Bo Du, passed by. There is no trace of anyone within a 10 mile radius. But it is circling above your head, I'm afraid it has its eyes on you. "
Yuan JIngqing took another look. "Is that the Demon King of Qiqiao?"
The old Daoist saw that he was not panicking at all and was surprised. He took a few more looks and said, "Are you not afraid?"
Yuan JIngqing said confidently, "I am also half a cultivator. If that Demon King comes, even if I don't win, I can still force him to retreat."
The old Taoist chuckled and said, "Cultivator? Young man, do you know that there is a difference between big and small? "
Yuan JIngqing said, "I have never heard of it."
Daoren said slowly, "Exorcising ghosts and bewitching people is the lower Dao, calling the wind and summoning the rain is the upper Dao, maintaining one's health is the small Dao, and living a carefree life is the big Dao."
Yuan Jingqing nodded and said, "May I know what Dao you're cultivating?
The old Daoist laughed and said, "Of course I'm cultivating the Carefree Dao."
Yuan JIngqing asked again, "What is the Dao of Carefree?"
"Walking in this world, can you do as you please?"
Yuan JIngqing thought for a while and said, "Nothing can be accomplished without rules. Even the emperor of the world cannot do as he pleases."
Daoren clapped and said, "That's right. Daoren cultivates this Dao to be free and unfettered. Once he succeeds, the heavens and the earth will not care, and he can come and go as he pleases."
Yuan JIngqing said, "Even so, it's not like I have a lifespan of a hundred years. So what if I can be carefree?"
Daoren praised, "Well said. But there are still ways to live a long life in this world. One can live forever and live as long as the heavens."
Yuan JIngqing raised his eyebrows and said, "What a big tone."
Daoren smiled and said, "If you insist on it, you are not a guest outside the door. Whether you believe it or not, it's all up to you."
Yuan Jingqing said, "I have a technique that can also allow you to live forever.
The old Daoist priest said, "What technique?"
Yuan Jingqing took out a book from his bosom. The moment he took it out, the old Daoist reached out and grabbed it. The old Daoist took a few glances at it and laughed in disdain. He threw it on the ground and said, "I was wondering what kind of technique it was. So it's this little technique again. Although this technique can strengthen the muscles and bones, it's too shallow and can't be cultivated into any supernatural powers or mana."
Yuan JIngqing frowned and picked up the book. He patted away the dust, smoothed the wrinkles and kept it carefully.
Daoren sneered and said, "I've told you that these are useless. Why did you pick it up?"
Yuan JIngqing didn't answer and asked, "Where can I find the wonderful art that Daoist is talking about?"
Daoren instantly became spirited and said, "Five hundred miles from here, there is a remote mountain. There is a celestial living there. His name is Enlightened Person Banyun. He is very powerful. You can go there. As long as you are sincere, you can find celestial fate."
Yuan JIngqing turned around and got on the horse. Looking at the direction, he was still heading north.
Daoren saw this and called out to him, "You're going the wrong way. You should go south."
Yuan JIngqing said, "When did I agree to go there?"
The old man's face darkened and said, "Then why are you asking me where I'm going?"
Yuan JIngqing sneered and said, "Other than the disciples of Shangde, everyone else in the world is evil. I'm asking you where you're from because I'm going to kill my way to your door in the future. I'll destroy your family, execute your disciples, destroy your scriptures and break your Dao roots!"
…
… (To be continued)
PS: Happy New Year to everyone!
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