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Page 51
Chapter 59 The Celestial Master's Foresight
Mianshan has been a strategic location fought over by military strategists since ancient times.
At this moment, this magnificent mountain range has transformed into a giant chessboard.
The ten heroes of the Tang Clan, like ten poisoned daggers, quietly infiltrated, waiting for their chance to strike.
Beyond the mountains, another unseen battle has begun.
The old Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing, along with Zhang Zhiwei and Zhang Yunyuan, arrived at the Tang Clan in Sichuan.
He originally intended to help the Tang Clan, even if it was just by providing support from the outside, it would help relieve them of a huge amount of pressure.
However, Tang Bingwen, the head of the Tang Clan, politely declined after hearing his purpose.
"We, the Celestial Master, deeply appreciate your noble sentiments."
Tang Bingwen bowed respectfully to Zhang Jingqing, but his tone left no room for argument.
"But this job is our Tang Clan's own business."
We've accepted Mr. Zhao's money;
We'll take the lives of these Japanese pirates.
This was done by the Tang Clan alone; it's a fight to the death, and they don't want to get involved with other sects.
These words, though spoken politely, revealed a deep-seated arrogance.
Once Longhu Mountain gets involved, everyone will feel insecure.
The Tang Clan, currently the most ferocious force on this land, does not want to drag other sects down with them.
Zhang Jingqing looked into Tang Jiaren's determined eyes and fell silent.
He understood that this was Tang Bingwen's determination, and also the spirit of the entire Tang Clan.
This pride deserves respect.
Zhang Jingqing didn't press the matter further, but instead gave Tang Bingwen a deep look:
"If this battle is won, I will prepare wine and water at Longhu Mountain to welcome you all back and wash away the dust of the journey."
"Thank you, Master."
Tang Bingwen bowed again, turned and left, his back view resolute.
After leaving the Tang Clan, Zhang Zhiwei couldn't help but speak, his tone carrying his usual laziness.
“Master, although the Tang Clan has a history of thousands of years, it is said that there are not only the Bihe Ren family in Mianshan this time, but also some strange people from Japan.”
"Aren't they afraid of destroying the orthodox tradition by standing alone against it?"
The old celestial master shook his head and sighed:
"The Tang Clan has its own principles. They want to use this battle to tell the world that when the country is in peril, there are no cowards in the Tang Clan."
He paused, a barely perceptible glint flashing in his cloudy eyes.
"Let's go back to the mountain."
The three of them turned and left, but did not return directly to the direction of Longhu Mountain.
Zhang Yunyuan followed behind, somewhat puzzled, and couldn't help but ask:
"Master, where are we going?"
The old celestial master continued walking without turning his head, saying:
"Longhu Mountain will not get involved with the Tang Clan; that's what we promised them."
He changed the subject, his tone taking on a cunning, old fox-like quality.
"But on our way back to the mountain, we, master and disciples, passed through several towns and happened to encounter one or two groups of ignorant Japanese savages who burned, killed, and looted, wreaking havoc on the local area."
As members of the orthodox Taoist sect, it's not wrong for us to help those in need and defend ourselves, is it?
Zhang Zhiwei was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant and a playful smile appeared on his face.
“Master is right. What we are doing is called ‘eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path.’ It has absolutely nothing to do with helping the Tang Clan.”
The three of them looked at each other and smiled, saying nothing.
Over the next few days, the old master, along with his two disciples, began what he called "passing by".
As the righteous sect, Longhu Mountain has a deeply rooted intelligence network that extends to various places.
Soon, intelligence reports about the movements of small groups of Japanese pirates and other supernatural beings began to pour into the hands of the Old Master.
"Wangjiazhuang, a small team of ninjas massacred the village, seemingly searching for something."
"In Lijiabao, Japanese sorcerers are testing a new plague spell."
“In Ganxian County, several Japanese samurai are challenging local martial arts schools with ruthless methods, and many people have already been crippled.”
The old celestial master looked at the intelligence reports with a grim expression.
"Let's go to Wangjiazhuang."
Without the slightest hesitation, he led his two apprentices straight to their target.
These small groups of Japanese pirates, though not very strong, were extremely scattered.
Like a persistent carbuncle, it constantly creates chaos in the rear, diverting the attention of the Chinese supernatural community.
They are like a swarm of annoying flies; though not deadly, they keep other sects busy. Even if some people disregard the rules and try to help the Tang Sect, they are powerless to do so.
What the old master had to do was swat these flies one by one.
Outside Wangjiazhuang, Zhang Jingqing and her two disciples intercepted the group of ninjas who had just succeeded in their attack and were preparing to retreat.
"In broad daylight, under the clear sky, how dare you demons commit such an inhuman act on my Chinese soil!"
Zhang Zhiwei blocked their way, shouting righteous slogans while his actions were swift and ruthless.
A bolt of lightning struck out, instantly turning the two ninjas into charred remains.
The old master stood aside with his hands behind his back, showing no intention of making a move. He simply used his aura as a supreme expert to lock down the entire battlefield, cutting off any possibility of escape for the ninjas.
Zhang Yunyuan was not idle either. He moved swiftly, specifically targeting lone ninjas.
His lightning-fast, ruthless strikes are often so insidious that they can cripple an opponent's mobility with a single blow.
What seemed like a perilous encounter ended swiftly and decisively in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, thanks to the combined efforts of the master and his two disciples.
Along the way, they used this "self-defense counterattack" method to successively destroy several strongholds of Japanese pirates and other people, which greatly reduced the pressure on the flanks of the Tang Clan's main attack direction.
However, Zhang Yunyuan's heart could never find peace.
He knew better than anyone how tragic and devastating Tang Clan's trip to Mianshan was.
In the original novel, the Ten Heroes of the Tang Clan assassinated the leader of the ninja clan. Although they ultimately succeeded, they were almost completely wiped out.
That was a hymn written with life and glory.
Now that I am living in this era, how can I just stand by and watch this tragedy repeat itself?
On this day, after once again "passing by" and dealing with a group of Japanese sorcerers, Zhang Yunyuan finally made up his mind.
He walked up to the old master who was wiping the blood off his hands, took a deep breath, and solemnly knelt down.
"I have a request."
The old celestial master looked at him, as if he had expected this all along.
Zhang Yunyuan raised his head, his gaze intense, his voice not loud, but unusually firm.
"This disciple requests permission to proceed to the main battlefield at Mianshan!"
Chapter 60 The Clash Between Master and Disciple, with the Dao Heart as the Basis
Deathly silence.
The moment Zhang Yunyuan finished speaking, the surrounding air seemed to freeze.
The mountain wind rustled through the treetops, making a mournful sound that added to the somber atmosphere.
The lazy smile on Zhang Zhiwei's face vanished instantly. He looked at his junior brother kneeling on the ground and frowned deeply.
In a short moment, the face of the old Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing turned ashen.
The two words, like two blocks of ice, came out of his mouth without a trace of warmth.
"Do you know what Mianshan is? It's a battlefield, a meat grinder!"
"A large number of Japanese soldiers and extraordinary experts have gathered here. What are you doing here, a mere child?"
The old master's voice suppressed a barely contained rage that was about to erupt.
That was anger at his most beloved disciple for being so arrogant and reckless as to want to die in vain.
"Master, I understand."
Zhang Yunyuan was not intimidated by his master's anger. He remained kneeling upright, his gaze unwavering.
"It is precisely because I know this that I am even more determined to go."
Zhang Jingqing was speechless with anger at his retort. She flicked her long sleeves and said, "Don't mention this matter again! You stay put and don't go anywhere!"
Zhang Yunyuan's voice suddenly rose a few decibels, carrying an undeniable determination.
"This disciple cannot refuse to go!"
He raised his head, and his eyes, which were always clear as water, were now churning with complex and painful emotions.
“Master, you always taught us that those who cultivate themselves are cultivating their hearts.”
"How can my heart be at peace with what I have seen and heard on my journey down the mountain?"
He didn't spout empty rhetoric about national righteousness; instead, he recounted the scenes he had witnessed at the foot of the mountain, scene by scene.
“I saw that the fertile fields had been turned into scorched earth, people were exchanging their own children to eat, and the dead lay everywhere.”
"I have witnessed the iron hooves of the Japanese pirates trampling countless peaceful homes, the elderly dying under their swords, women being violated, and the cries of children being heart-wrenching..."