Chapter 275: Chapter 212: Rain Falls in Wild Torrents While I Play the Zither

“As your master, I am not only teaching you cultivation but also the ways to conduct yourself.”

Within the vacant Martial Arts Dojo.

This is a branch of Hongji, much like the Peace Hotel, though this dojo doesn’t partake in any underground activities,

it was merely established by one of the master’s named disciples back then.

At this moment, the named disciple walked over and offered two cups of tea.

“Senior brother.” Hong Xuesheng curiously observed this young man, offered the hot tea, and quietly sat at the side, waiting.

She shares the same surname as her teacher from back in Jiangzhou. Because of this, even as a named disciple, she was allowed to establish a branch under the name of Hongji.

Zhang Fusheng nodded, picked up the tea, took a sip, and then looked at his solemnly seated first disciple, continuing:

“When I first entered, the master also taught me bit by bit, and now, I pass on to you.”

Putting down the teacup, he gently asked:

“Lingzhu, let me ask you, if you have an enemy, and after you defeat them when you confront their family, what should you do?”

Wei Lingzhu seriously thought for a moment, then said:

“I would first explain the principles of benevolence and righteousness to them.”

Zhang Fusheng frowned. This disciple is exceptionally talented, but his nature is too soft.

Just about to shake his head in disapproval.

Wei Lingzhu continued clearly:

“I would cut off the head of the enemy and ask them if, in the name of benevolence and righteousness, they are willing to seek revenge?”

Zhang Fusheng paused, then asked:

“And then?”

The girl smiled, her eyes curving:

“If they wish to follow the path of benevolence and righteousness, to sacrifice themselves for it, I would fulfill their wish, send them to their deaths, completing their grand wish for sacrifice.”

She paused, her smile retracting, and continued:

“If they are unwilling to uphold that righteousness and only wish to live in disgrace, I would have to, for the greater righteousness of the world, send them to their deaths.”

“By this, the world’s benevolence and righteousness is upheld.”

Hong Xuesheng nearly couldn’t hold her composure.

Zhang Fusheng lowered his eyelids, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and silently said:

“Wouldn’t such an approach have oversights?”

He intended to describe the Human-shaped Radar Technique he learned from his master.

But he heard his disciple shake their head:

“I would leave the eldest, make an opening at their chest, hang them on a tree, and then leave.”

“Generally, the ones hidden are the youngest family members, and they are often closest to the oldest.”

Wei Lingzhu exhaled a breath:

“I would quietly wait to see if someone comes to save the eldest. If none, I would continue to wait to see if anyone comes to collect the body.”

“If no one comes, I would have people throw the decayed corpses into a mass grave where wild dogs roam, and plant a fierce poison that activates after several days in the bodies, then leave grandly.”

At this,

The girl closed her eyes:

“In this way, anyone coming to collect the bodies would be tainted and die of poison. If there are still survivors in such a situation, I fear nothing.”

Zhang Fusheng twitched at the corner of his mouth:

“Why fear nothing?”

“I am confident that they won’t catch up to me.” The girl merely said this.

The dojo plunged into dead silence.

Hong Xuesheng uneasily shifted in her seat, finding this little girl’s nature… a bit too ruthless.

Zhang Fusheng listened to the rhythmic sounds of rain outside the dojo, finally asking:

“Don’t you advocate for benevolence and righteousness?”

Wei Lingzhu solemnly began:

“Benevolence and righteousness are never about being soft-hearted. I wouldn’t do the act of sacrificing one to save hundreds. If the sky falls, I’d be willing to hold it up with my shoulders, sacrificing myself for righteousness.”

“However, anything that threatens me, I will not ignore.”

Zhang Fusheng was lost in thought for a moment:

“If you prioritize yourself, why sacrifice for righteousness? If you pursue righteousness, why the killings?”

Wei Lingzhu shook her head:

“Killing isn’t evil. Can a gentleman not avenge his parents’ death?”

“As for saving people, I certainly wish to protect myself and not stand under a crumbling wall—it is the correct thing to do, but some things need someone to do them, someone to rise and take the responsibility.”

“Killing and saving, they have never conflicted.”

Zhang Fusheng remained silent, carefully examining Wei Lingzhu.

The little girl seemed to have her own philosophy of action, not necessarily right, but not necessarily wrong either.

“In this respect, there’s nothing more for me to teach you.”

Zhang Fusheng sighed softly and suddenly changed the subject:

“Your master-grandparent is here.”

Hong Xuesheng’s eyes widened suddenly, who?

Wei Lingzhu also froze for a moment, curiously looking around:

“Master-grandparent? Where is he?”

The rain outside grew heavier.

Gradually turning into a torrential downpour.

Yet, oddly, despite the downpour, the long street outside the dojo remained crowded, many shops forced to stay open.

Listening to the rain, listening to the bustling crowd.

Zhang Fusheng calmly spoke:

“At this moment, they are probably catching up with an old friend.”

After a pause, he serenely began:

“Never mind, today I shall speak of the Dao to you, just listen.”

Hong Xuesheng saw the young man glance sideways, his gaze falling on the ancient zither in the corner.

Zhang Fusheng asked:

“Is this your zither?”

Hong Xuesheng quickly nodded, watching this Zhang senior brother, who was both younger and joined later than her,

She spoke to explain:

“I often like to play a tune or two.”

Zhang Fusheng nodded, politely asked:

“May I borrow the zither?”

Hong Xuesheng quickly nodded:

“Of course!”

Upon her words, she saw the young man extend his hand, and the zither floated up, resting on his knees!

Hong Xuesheng gaped in astonishment, controlling objects from a distance? This Zhang senior brother, whom she met for the first time, actually possessed such abilities?!

She swallowed, could it be that Senior Brother Zhang had cultivated the Contemplation Technique to the Minor Perfection level, giving birth to the legendary Illusory Divine Realm??

Wei Lingzhu wasn’t surprised, merely asking in confusion:

“Master, you also know how to play the zither?”

Zhang Fusheng nodded and smiled:

“When I was young, my mother signed me up for interest classes, and I learned a bit, but such an ancient style zither, I haven’t played before. Might as well try, might as well try.”

With these words,

He placed his palm on the strings, gently pressing, then plucking with his fingers.

’Thud!!’

Hong Xuesheng heard a clear zither sound.

As the zither sound started, her vision blurred.

When clarity returned, she and Wei Lingzhu found themselves amidst a lush flower cluster.

The flowers emitted a faint glow, standing there, it felt like standing at the Other Shore’s abode.

There was light above.

Hong Xuesheng blissfully looked up.

In the sky, tens of thousands of indistinct figures shrouded in golden light sat solemnly, their vast chanting gathering like a morning bell,

and also like a sudden enlightening stroke.

The chaotic thoughts suddenly became clear, and past doubts dissipated at this moment.

The two women sat cross-legged in the Other Shore Flower Cluster, quietly comprehending the Dao.

Because of fate, Zhang Fusheng bestowed upon her an opportunity.

“Mercy, mercy.”

……

Outside the Martial Arts Dojo.

The rain intensified, yet more people walked the streets.

“No one willing to take the lead yet?”

The Innate Realm covered in tattoos murmured, coughing softly,

Injuries from the Ten Directions Vortex days ago had yet to heal completely,

Recalling that day still left a lingering fear,

If I had acted to push back the Celestial Patrol Vehicle into the vortex then…

It would be me, slapped by the Ten Thousand Feet Bull Demon to the peach tree, drained and fallen.

Thinking about the Ox Demon, the Divine Favor Envoy’s eye twitched, then shook his head, banishing the terrifying figure from his mind.

Beside him, an Upper Envoy inquired:

“Sir, your condition is not good, we may not contend with the other sects…”

“Who said we need to compete?”

The Divine Favor Envoy exhaled, coldly said:

“As long as the other sects don’t obtain it, we aren’t at a loss, and that’s success on its own.”

The pupils of several Upper Envoys shrank, someone asked:

“You mean…”

The Divine Favor Envoy coughed softly, stroked his chest to calm the restless blood before speaking again:

“When chaos arises, strike immediately, seize the opportunity, and kill Zhang Fusheng.”

The Upper Envoys’ expressions grew stern, then they silently nodded.

The tattoos on their bodies twisted even faster.

Meanwhile.

Atop the high building.

Hong Tianbao was escorted here, the moment he saw the old Taoist, his tense nerves slightly relaxed:

“Old Xu… It’s been years.”

The old Taoist turned, gazing at Hong Tianbao, sensing the other’s still at the Grandmaster level, sighed slightly:

“Things have changed over time…”

The voice paused, then shifted direction.

Taoist Xu spoke softly:

“Hong Tianbao, you shouldn’t have come, this moment, this place, is extremely dangerous, far beyond your involvement.”

The chubby old man stayed silent for a moment:

“That’s my disciple.”

Taoist Xu chuckled, gazed at Hong Tianbao:

“It’s about the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle Iron, you should know what that means, other sects are half convinced, but I’m seventy percent sure of this news.”

After a pause,

Taoist Xu continued:

“After all, I know you used to be part of the Ling Mountain faction, including your master Yuan Feidao and of course, your disciple.”

“And the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle Iron is indeed a Supreme Treasure of the Ling Mountain lineage.”

Hong Tianbao’s lips trembled, but he shook his head and said:

“Believe it or not, the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle Iron is not on my disciple.”

Taoist Xu stared at the chubby old man for a while.

He nodded:

“I believe you, but I still have to try—however, since it’s your disciple, if in the end I win for the Eastern Sect, I can have a good talk with the kid.”

Hong Tianbao felt relieved, gently exhaled.

The rain continued to fall.

He looked up, the sky was covered in dark clouds, the time reached evening, but the moon was not visible.

The heavy rain poured continuously.

Taoist Xu patted Hong Tianbao’s shoulder, sighed softly:

“Once, I was not as good as you, you were the brightest star in our generation, across dozens of cities, it’s a pity…”

Hong Tianbao said somberly:

“What’s past is past, at least now I have a good disciple, he is exceptionally talented, I want to watch him continue, to go higher.”

Taoist Xu pondered for a moment:

“I can’t guarantee anything, but if today, he survives the dispute, my Eastern Sect will not trouble him…”

“Provided, he cooperates.”

After a pause,

Taoist Xu said earnestly:

“Old Hong, go see your disciple, persuade him.”

“The rain has intensified, the dispute is about to start.”

Upon finishing, he glanced aside, signaling a Director at the Grandmaster level to step forward, supporting the chubby old man down the high building,

The two walked in the rain, amidst gazes, weaving through the crowd, reaching the Martial Arts Dojo’s entrance.

Inside the Martial Arts Dojo, suddenly came the sound of a zither.

The zither sound was not intense, very serene, as if the lofty mountains and flowing water.

“Elder Hong, please.”

The Grandmaster spoke, assisting the chubby old man into the Martial Arts Dojo, just seeing two women meditating with eyes closed, seeing a young man with his back to them, engrossed in playing the zither.

They stepped forward.

It was little Fusheng.

The young man played the zither while glancing sideways, not speaking, but mouthing silently—”Master.”

He silently said:

“Please be seated first, and as for you… Eastern Sect’s Grandmaster?”

The Eastern Sect Grandmaster frowned, softly said:

“Young man, our Divine Favor Envoy sent a message, if you are willing to cooperate, we will make every effort to protect you.”

He saw the youth playing the zither smile, not responding, only mouthing silently:

“Sit and listen to me play.”

The Grandmaster was displeased, wanted to interrupt, but was horrified to find he couldn’t control his body!

He awkwardly, slowly, and rigidly sat cross-legged,

The gentle zither music suddenly grew passionate!

The music pierced through the torrential rain outside the house.

At this moment, in the dark clouds, a bolt of furious lightning struck down, illuminating everyone’s face——

Then, at this instant.

Amidst the rain, under the lightning, within the zither music.

Conflict erupted suddenly, fighting surged.

First were the disciples, then the Stewards, Grandmasters, and Upper Envoys all joined, buildings collapsed and evaporated, streets tore apart.

Amid the roar,

Only the Martial Arts Dojo remained intact.

The fight grew fiercer, seemingly involving the Innate, dazzling lights pierced the night, lighting up half of Dragon Boat City.

The chilling murderous air swept in from outside the Martial Arts Dojo.

The zither music resonated.

The young man was still playing fervently, fingers plucking, dancing on the strings.

The zither sound grew stronger, even stronger.

In the zither’s sound, Hong Tianbao was filled with a thousand doubts and worries, the Eastern Sect Grandmaster couldn’t move, as if sunk into the deepest, thickest quagmire.

Outside came the sound of overturning.

Half of the Dragon Boat was sunken.

The zither music still continued.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep