Chapter 20

Chapter 654: The Daoists Seek Refuge with Ye Fu! (1)

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The Daoists, having experienced such situations many times, quickly regained their composure. They knew what they had to do now.

"I, Bindo, will go out and check. If they are enemies, I will try to buy some time by luring them."

Without being told, the Daoists skilled in lightness arts rushed out one after another, following Jietao.

Jijian spoke to the remaining Daoists in the hall.

"I, Bindo, am hosting the Xian Dao Competition, so I will take responsibility for the safety of the distinguished guests."

When Jijian nodded, dozens of young Daoists came running from somewhere.

"I, Bindo, will guide the guests to a safe place outside the palace."

Everyone moved busily with dark expressions, but Shangshanchaoweng was an exception. He stood with his hands behind his back, looking as if nothing was wrong.

Then Jijian cautiously suggested.

"Chaoweng, we have prepared a safe place outside the palace, so please go there quickly..."

But Shangshanchaoweng waved his hand.

"Last night, I observed the celestial phenomena, and there was no ominous sign today."

"I am not doubting your divination, Chaoweng. However, can humans completely read the will of heaven?"

"Today is clearly a day of great fortune. Besides, why would thousands of soldiers come to this remote mountain? We are not their target."

"Then what are they after...?"

At this, Shangshanchaoweng's lips curved into a smile.

"Obviously, it's nothing more than a group of bandits trying to loot the imperial residence. I, Bindo, will go out and talk to them."

"What significance does a mere mortal have to us Daoists? If they ask us to vacate Xian Da Palace, we will do so without hesitation. But if they demand our lives, then..."

Jijian opened his collar to reveal the sword he wore at his waist.

"I hope you won't make me display the sword skills of my temple. Killing only hinders the pursuit of the Dao..."

* * *

The approaching army was none other than Zhang Fei's troops. Their intention was to vacate Dongguan and set up camp at Xian Da Palace. However, the Daoists had no way of recognizing Zhang Fei.

Jietao was hiding in the bushes, secretly observing them.

"Whose army is this? No matter how I look at it, they don't seem like a group of bandits..."

Jietao couldn't guess whose command they were under because they didn't carry any banners. Moreover, their orderly march made it hard to believe they were bandits.

Another Daoist approached Jietao and whispered.

"Master Jietao, something is wrong. The Daoists who went to scout the southeast have not returned."

At this, Jietao's brows furrowed.

"Does this mean there are uninvited guests from the southeast as well? Please return to the palace first. I will stay and try to buy some time."

Jietao decided to stay alone, despite the danger. Although he was the best in lightness arts among the Daoists gathered at Xian Da Palace, how much could he accomplish alone?

However, even if a dozen or so stayed, it wouldn't make a difference. The Daoists who had gone out with Jietao nodded grimly and disappeared.

A short while later.

Zhang Fei's troops approached where Jietao was hiding. Jietao climbed a tree like a monkey and shouted from a high branch.

"Uninvited guests, I have no tea to offer you!"

At this, Zhang Fei raised his fist, and the troops halted.

"An ambush? Wen Yao, do you think it's an ambush?"

Zhang Fei knew there was no ambush but hoped Shun Wu would support him. Shun Wu glanced around and whispered to Zhang Fei.

"They are probably just a group of bandits. Let's go in strong."

Shun Wu wasn't worried about an ambush either. With Shun Wu's agreement, Zhang Fei gained confidence and shouted.

"I've never heard of a mountain path having a master. If you want to keep your lives, get lost! I won't chase you!"

"I have my reasons and cannot just leave. If you tell me where you are going, I will consider it."

"Are you afraid, you little rat, hiding like this? I, Zhang Fei Yide, have business at Xian Da Palace. If you have the guts, bring your troops and fight me!"

Seeing Zhang Fei reveal his name and destination, Jietao immediately fled back to Xian Da Palace.

Feng Xian saw the branches shaking everywhere and offered.

"Uncle, I will lead the Feng family troops to catch him."

"No need. How many bandits can there be in such a remote mountain? We have thousands of troops. They won't dare to do anything to us."

"Still, it's better not to leave any lingering threats."

"You have a point, but we won't be able to catch him even if we chase him."

Zhang Fei realized the opponent's lightness arts were at an extreme level, so he told Feng Xian not to chase him.

"Advance to Xian Da Palace, full speed ahead!"

* * *

Jietao returned after scouting Zhang Fei's troops and reported.

"The enemy leader's name is Zhang Fei Yide. He says he has business at Xian Da Palace."

"Zhang Fei? Zhang Fei, Zhang Fei, Zhang Fei..."

Dong Guo Lian Nian repeated the name after hearing Jietao's report.

"Do you know him?"

"I think I've heard of him. Ah! He is one of the two disciples of Taishan Zhenren. Why would this impostor's disciple show up at Taohuashan!"

This time, Jijian was furious.

"That impostor Taishan Zhenren must have made the first move. He wants to eliminate us, who follow the righteous path, and make this world his own. If we are around, his fraud will eventually be exposed."

Suddenly, Jijian's expression turned grim.

"The army from the southeast must be the other disciple of Taishan Zhenren or Taishan Zhenren himself."

Jijian didn't directly confront Shangshanchaoweng but couldn't hide his reproachful gaze.

'Great fortune? This is a great disaster!'

However, he couldn't just blame Shangshanchaoweng's divination, as the threat was approaching.

"Better this way."

Wang Jin tilted his head at Jijian's words.

"Two, or perhaps three, armies are heading to Xian Da Palace. What do you mean by 'better this way'?"

"Usually, our Daoists don't gather in one place. It's better to fight and inflict some damage before dying than to meet our end pointlessly when we encounter them separately."

Despite his serene appearance, Jijian was a hardliner.

Although he sought the Dao through Yangsheng techniques, his innate temperament was that of a warrior, not a Daoist.

Moreover, his martial skills were so refined that he was still formidable at his age. He taught his disciples martial arts, and they had surpassed the level of self-defense.

Jijian didn't ignore the Longcheng disciples but detested those who forcibly violated women.

The more the impostors deceived the world, the narrower the Daoists' position became. Since they couldn't coexist, Jijian wanted to fight the enemies.

"Among us, only a few dozen Daoists have martial skills. How can we fight thousands of enemies? I will try to handle this place, so you should flee and plan for the future."

Jietao indicated his intention to stay and buy time. However, Jijian didn't change his mind.

"I have made up my mind. Don't try to stop me."

Jijian drew his sword and stepped forward, and the Daoists who agreed with him followed.

When they reached the palace gate, Zhang Fei's army was also close.

"Why are you in such a hurry? Xian Da Palace won't disappear if you walk a bit slower."

"Master Wen Yao, take a break and come later. I will go ahead and tidy up the place. It's an old imperial residence, so it will be dusty. If you don't want to breathe in dust, you can come slowly."

The palace had been empty since the death of Emperor Wu, and Wang Mang had never visited. Emperor Wu built 81 palaces, but after so many years, it was questionable whether the imperial residence was still intact.

Even if it hadn't collapsed, it would be covered in thick dust.

"Let's meet again in a while."

"Nephew! Guard the master."

"Yes, Uncle."

Zhang Fei left Feng Jia Bing with Shun Wu and hurried ahead.

Soon, he saw dozens of Daoists standing with swords at the palace gate.

* * *

"End times, end times! Now I see Daoists resorting to banditry! You scoundrels! What are you trying to steal from Xian Da Palace? There's nothing but tea and peaches. I'll give you a few peaches, so leave now while you can."

Zhang Fei threatened. However, the small group of Daoists didn't seem to want to flee. Dong Guo Lian Nian stepped forward and said.

"You scoundrel! Why did you come to Xian Da Palace? All you can find here is tea and peaches. I'll give you a few peaches, so leave now."

"Damn...! Peaches again! Oh! So you know something. Are you assassins sent by Liu Bei? Trying to kill me and shut my mouth? Alright, you've been caught. Tell me where Liu Bei is, and I'll kill you with one stroke."

Zhang Fei mistakenly thought the Daoists were assassins sent by Liu Bei due to the peaches.

"Hmph! Your talk of thousands of troops sounds like a bluff. You must be a bunch of ragtag bandits."

"Want to see if they are ragtag bandits or elite soldiers? Or do you want to see if your heads will roll from my crescent blade?"

Zhang Fei spat on his palm and flexed his muscles, ready to show his strength.

However, Zhang Fei couldn't act.

"Wait! Wait, wait! General Zhang, please stop!"

Shun Wu rushed over and tried to stop Zhang Fei. Zhang Fei frowned.

"Master, why are you doing this? They are assassins sent by Liu Bei."

Shun Wu took a deep breath, hearing Zhang Fei's irritated words.

"Master Jijian is meeting friends at Xian Da Palace, which I forgot to mention. It's my mistake."

Shun Wu approached Dong Guo Lian Nian and clasped his hands.

"Master, please sheathe your sword. There seems to be a misunderstanding. Let's resolve it through dialogue."

"Wouldn't it help to state your name first?"

"I am Shun Wu Wen Yao."

Hearing Shun Wu's name, Dong Guo Lian Nian's doubts were cleared.

"You are the one who was captured by Liu Bei of Taishan. Good. I, this Master, will execute that shameless impostor and clear your name."

At this, Zhang Fei became angry.

"Do you think everyone is a liar? Shameless? What have I done to be called shameless?"

"General Zhang, calm down. Both you and I have ties to Liu Bei, so it's understandable that others see us this way."

"Still, that's a bit harsh, isn't it?"

At that moment, Jijian appeared with his disciples. He had gone to block the army from the southeast but found no one and rushed to help here.

"Master Jijian, I am Shun Wu. Please mediate."

Shun Wu hoped for Jijian's help, but Dong Guo Lian Nian whispered to Jijian first.

"Why did the disciple of Taishan Zhenren come from Taishan to Taohuashan?"

Hearing Dong Guo Lian Nian's words, Jijian sarcastically said to Zhang Fei. Zhang Fei couldn't hold back and stepped forward.

"We, who mock women, don't deserve such treatment. I will destroy you and uphold the principles of Confucianism."