Chapter Eleven: The Taoist Emerges, Heroes Gather

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Once again, a period of quiet passed as Jiang Sheng continued his secluded cultivation within the Taoist temple. Meanwhile, news of Qingshan County’s campaign to slay demons and eradicate evil had already spread like wildfire throughout Dong Commandery. Indeed, much of Qingzhou knew that the county magistrate of Qingshan had issued a grand call to heroes, inviting cultivators from all paths to come and eliminate the demons.

Those who could slay the monsters would receive the county’s patronage and the opportunity to establish a Daoist sanctuary there. Moreover, the magistrate would report to the imperial court, petitioning to grant the victor the official title of Daoist Officer of the Great Qi, thereby securing a government position under the Great Qi dynasty, along with a corresponding salary.

For those scattered cultivators lacking resources and profound cultivation techniques, this was a blessing from the heavens. Becoming a Daoist Officer under Great Qi meant receiving cultivation methods from the imperial Daoist palace and access to ample cultivation resources. The imperial court’s stipend was guaranteed, and one could establish a sanctuary in any county under Great Qi’s jurisdiction.

For those without background or support, this was akin to gaining the patronage of the greatest power in the Qi Kingdom. As a result, many confident scattered cultivators from various prefectures across Qingzhou flocked to Qingshan County in Dong Commandery, eager to seize the opportunity presented by the demons of the Taiping River to secure a promising future.

Among them, the Moon Embracing Sect, one of Qingzhou’s three great sects, also declared it would dispatch inner disciples at the Foundation Establishment stage to Qingshan County to slay demons and maintain peace. This declaration was undoubtedly influenced by Zhang Qing’s connection with Zhang Qingyun, the county magistrate.

Gaining reputation and additional patronage was advantageous to the Moon Embracing Sect. As for whether the demons of Taiping River posed any real threat to the sect—that was laughable. Everyone knew that the sect’s grandmaster was a renowned Golden Core cultivator. With such a master, the Moon Embracing Sect was secure for centuries.

Thus, under Zhang Qing’s persistent recruitment, many young cultivators, including some from Dong Commandery, were eager to try their luck and make a name for themselves in Qingzhou. However, their families quickly restrained them. The Taiping River was deep and mysterious, so much so that even noble families in Dong Commandery did not fully understand it, only knowing it was best avoided.

To cultivators from beyond Dong Commandery, however, the demons of Taiping River represented a golden opportunity for fame and advancement. They feared not danger, but the lack of prospects.

In the 39,825th year of the Shanhua calendar, Qingshan County issued a grand summons, inviting heroes and young talents from across Qingzhou to gather in the depths of winter and partake in this grand endeavor!

“Mayor Tian, your county magistrate Zhang has certainly made a great stir,” Jiang Sheng said.

During midwinter, most of Qingping Mountain’s trees had withered yellow, and the weather had turned sharply cold. The mountain air was even colder than the plains below. Yet Jiang Sheng remained cloaked in a thin, azure Taoist robe.

In contrast, Tian Guofu, dressed in brocade robes and sable fur, looked like a giant field mouse shivering uncontrollably, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his face flushed from the cold.

“Daoist Jiang truly is an immortal among men,” Tian Guofu admired. All year round, Jiang Sheng donned that single azure robe, unfazed by wind, rain, or frost.

“If I were truly an immortal, I would not be so restless nor concerned with affairs beyond the mountain,” Jiang Sheng replied softly, raising a hand as a sparrow flew to perch there, chirping and occasionally tilting its head to look at him.

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Tian Guofu understood Jiang Sheng’s meaning well. Since Qingshan County Magistrate Zhang Qingyun issued the grand summons, everyone in Qingzhou knew a major event was about to unfold there. Many skilled scattered cultivators had already arrived, intent on slaying demons and making their names.

Among these cultivators, many were at the Foundation Establishment stage. After receiving Zhang Qingyun’s enthusiastic hospitality, they grew arrogant, believing that fame through demon-slaying was within immediate reach.

This arrogance bred internal strife and mutual suspicion among them, each viewing the others as rivals trying to steal credit. They even resented Jiang Sheng, who had not yet appeared in Qingping Mountain, thinking him a pretentious poseur with little real skill, merely fishing for fame.

Some even dared to seek Jiang Sheng out, hoping to outshine him by trampling on his reputation. Naturally, Jiang Sheng did not tolerate such provocations. In recent times, he had dealt with four or five troublesome scattered cultivators. Though their abilities were mediocre, their disturbances during his quiet cultivation were intolerable.

Tian Guofu chuckled as he recalled those dust-covered cultivators hastily fleeing down the mountain after defeat. “Daoist Jiang’s skills are truly extraordinary. How could those scattered cultivators compare to a master of Penglai’s caliber?”

Jiang Sheng glanced at Tian Guofu but said nothing further. Since calling Tian Guofu an interesting character, the town mayor had occasionally visited the mountain—not seeking divine fate or making requests but simply sharing news and stories from the outside world to relieve Jiang Sheng’s boredom. Indeed, he was quite the character.

Jiang Sheng accepted this arrangement, recognizing the need to stay informed despite his secluded life. Gradually, the two came to resemble friends. Jiang Sheng even allowed Tian Guofu to bring his grandson to offer incense and prayers.

Looking at the young Tian scion studying beneath the portrait of the Penglai Patriarch in the front hall, Jiang Sheng turned back to Tian Guofu. "Mayor Tian, you surely understand what I mean."

“If Magistrate Zhang’s call has attracted only these mediocre scattered cultivators, then the demon-slaying campaign is but empty noise.”

“These people are arrogant yet lack real skill. When the time comes, will they help or hinder?”

“If it’s all like this, I might reconsider returning the rewards and gifts.”

Tian Guofu smiled. “Daoist, if you truly want to assess their abilities, why not test them yourself?”

Jiang Sheng gazed at the winter sky, then at the sparrow in his hand, softly remarking, “Winter is harsh—the wind biting, the snow solemn.”

“Mayor Tian speaks wisely. Tomorrow, I shall descend the mountain to meet the heroes of Qingzhou.”

The next morning, after a night of meditation, Jiang Sheng had adjusted his spirit and mind. After dressing neatly, he closed the temple and soared on the wind straight toward Qingshan County.

Meanwhile, within Qingshan’s county office, Zhang Qingyun looked helplessly at the crowd of heroes who had arrived from across Qingzhou, drinking and feasting boisterously. The scene resembled a gathering hall more than a government office.

There were four or five dozen people present. While most were Qi-stage scattered cultivators, every seat flanking Zhang Qingyun was occupied by a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Cultivation was difficult for scattered cultivators, and those who had reached Foundation Establishment were indeed fortunate.

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Though these Foundation Establishment scattered cultivators lacked refined techniques or magical tools, each had survived countless battles against other cultivators, proving their competence. Their ability to reach Foundation Establishment indicated genuine skill.

Among the most famous were several individuals: a barefoot, disheveled middle-aged man named Wen Renjie, who carried a heavy sword and had reached mid-Foundation Establishment stage; a young gentleman dressed in white brocade robes, known as the Void Lord, who, though a scattered cultivator, inherited a legacy from a predecessor and also possessed mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation.

There was also the elderly Joe Xuan, dressed in the multicolored garb of the Hundred Schools and wielding a green bamboo staff. He was the most advanced among them, at the late Foundation Establishment stage, attending primarily to secure a future for his disciples. The boy standing behind Joe Xuan, around thirteen or fourteen years old, was one such disciple, already at Qi-stage level five and close to Foundation Establishment.

Besides these renowned scattered cultivators, one female cultivator drew particular attention. She did not mingle with others but sat chatting with Zhang Qingyun’s daughter, Zhang Qing. Her almond-shaped eyes and delicate brows framed a refined face crowned with a jade hairpin. Draped in a fox fur cape over a pale yellow silk skirt, she radiated an ethereal elegance.

This woman was Xu Xiao, a disciple of Elder Kong Lan from the esteemed Moon Embracing Sect of Qingzhou, herself at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage and famed throughout Qingzhou as a celestial beauty admired by countless young talents.

As they ate and drank, someone suddenly remarked, “Speaking of which, didn’t the county magistrate also invite some Penglai Daoist? Where is that Penglai Daoist now?”

This prompted agreement from others: “Yes! Wasn’t he supposed to be a high-level master from Penglai, the one who slew the tiger demon with a sword? If he’s so powerful, why hasn’t he appeared?”

“If he truly had skill, he would have already cleared the Taiping River of demons. Why would he need us?”

“Hahaha, the county magistrate had to invite him personally. We’ve waited for days without a sign of him. Probably just a show-off seeking fame!”

The scattered cultivators laughed and jeered, dismissing Jiang Sheng entirely. Even Wen Renjie, the Void Lord, and Joe Xuan did not intervene, instead conversing among themselves as if anticipating some entertainment.

Suddenly, a Foundation Establishment cultivator slammed the table, “I am Wang Tianfang. Though I have forged my Dao foundation, I do not underestimate the heroes of the world!”

“I have never seen so many heroes gather from all over Qingzhou!”

“What skill does this Jiang Sheng possess? To look down on so many Qingzhou heroes and still not show himself?”

The others echoed his words as a figure clad in azure robes swiftly approached. Before he arrived, his voice rang out:

“A band of mediocre, mediocre cultivators dares to call themselves heroes? Are you planning to feed more meat to the demons of Taiping River?”

“Who speaks with such arrogance?!”

The cultivators looked around, then someone shouted, “Look east!”

All heads turned to the eastern sky, where a blue figure was rapidly drawing near. Within moments, he stood before the county office.

Clad in azure Taoist robes, wearing a jade crown, his face like polished jade, dignified and handsome—this was none other than Jiang Sheng himself!