Immortal Travel of Longevity

The disciple set down the tea and hurried away.

Chen Changsheng withdrew his gaze and looked at Daoist Sanyuan. "The disciples of Quanshan seem rather afraid of This Chen."

Daoist Sanyuan paused. "Our disciples lack proper discipline. I hope the Immortal Master will forgive them."

Chen Changsheng shook his head. "That is not what This Chen meant. I simply wished to point out to the priest that these disciples were likely not frightened by This Chen. After all, yesterday's scene—the sky-piercing malefic energy and the ground littered with corpse puppets—was not This Chen's doing."

Daoist Sanyuan stiffened at those words and lowered his head.

Looking at Chen Changsheng, he said, "Immortal Master, such are the methods of Quanshan. Whether we walk the Righteous Path or the demonic path is not determined by our Arts and Techniques, but rather by our character and our heart for Cultivation."

Chen Changsheng nodded. "This Chen agrees with the priest. Of course, This Chen is not insinuating that Quanshan walks the demonic path. At the very least, the Quanshan before my eyes has its redeeming qualities; it could never be called the demonic path."

Daoist Sanyuan's expression eased slightly, and he nodded. "Thank you, Immortal Master."

Chen Changsheng took a sip of tea. Forgoing further pleasantries, he spoke frankly. "Your Quanshan Sect Master died beneath This Chen's Sword. The situation that day was complicated, leaving This Chen no time to deal with you elders and disciples. This Chen has come today to tie up loose ends."

The true torment had begun.

None of the three could fathom what he intended to do. His next actions would decide the survival of Quanshan, as well as their own fates.

Priest Sanyuan spoke up. "Immortal Master, let us speak plainly. Quanshan has no strength left to oppose you. The Sect Master is dead, and the disciples have lost their resolve. Many have already abandoned the sect, leaving only a scant few who are willing to remain. Quanshan angered the Immortal Master with its many past transgressions, and we naturally offer our deepest apologies. We only ask that the Immortal Master leave Quanshan a single root to survive."

He was simply begging for a way out.

Chen Changsheng replied, "Priest Sanyuan is too tense. This Chen is not someone who slaughters indiscriminately."

A glimmer of hope returned to Daoist Sanyuan's eyes.

Chen Changsheng continued, "However, in This Chen's view, perhaps you should simply shut down this Quanshan of yours."

Daoist Sanyuan froze. "Immortal Master..."

He wanted to plead their case, unable to suppress his agitation.

Chen Changsheng raised a hand to pacify him. "Quanshan's disciples are not merely a mix of good and bad. Whether in character, aptitude, or Dao Cultivation, they are utterly unqualified to be practitioners. When a cultivator with an upright heart walks the Mortal World, even if they do not dedicate themselves to charity and accumulating merit, they will at least bestow some small blessings. But if one harbors a wicked heart in Cultivation and walks into the world... forget expecting them to behave. Merely hoping they will not bring disaster to a region is already asking a lot."

Daoist Sanyuan hastily interjected, "Immortal Master, not all of Quanshan's disciples are like that..."

Chen Changsheng cut him off before he could finish.

Raising his hand, Chen Changsheng said, "The priest need not be so anxious. Let This Chen finish."

"In truth, whether judging by its disciples or its teachings, Quanshan cannot be considered a proper Cultivation sect. Of course, you make a fair point. There are naturally disciples within Quanshan who incline toward the Righteous Path. But it comes down to proportions. In a sect of a hundred people, having a dozen scoundrels is understandable. If that number exceeds half, however, it becomes a severe problem."

Chen Changsheng looked at Daoist Sanyuan. "On the way here, This Chen asked Xiao Er at the tavern and a few commoners on the road. Relying on their meager skills, Quanshan's disciples have tyrannized this area and committed countless misdeeds. The people claim that eight or nine out of every ten men who come down from your mountain are wicked thugs. Your Quanshan Sect Master bears responsibility for this, and you elders bear it just as much."

Daoist Sanyuan did not know how to refute this.

His face flushed red and he quietly clenched his fists. What he felt most was resentment—he was being cursed right to his face, yet he had no choice but to admit the reprimand was completely justified.

After a long silence, Priest Sanyuan let out a heavy sigh and lowered his head. "The Immortal Master is right to lecture us."

The other two elders also bowed their heads, echoing in unison, "The Immortal Master is right to lecture us."

Daoist Sanyuan looked up. His face was bitter, fraught with deep helplessness. "Immortal Master, I beg you to give Quanshan one more chance. I will thoroughly cleanse our ranks. Never again will Quanshan accept anyone with a twisted nature."

"And what of the current ones?" Chen Changsheng asked.

Daoist Sanyuan fell silent for a moment before replying, "Anyone who has committed atrocities in the past will have their foundations destroyed. They will be banished from the path of Cultivation forever."

Chen Changsheng nodded, giving Priest Sanyuan's proposal his approval.

Daoist Sanyuan slowly looked up to study Chen Changsheng's expression. "Immortal Master, will that suffice?"

Chen Changsheng replied, "The priest must still enforce stricter discipline. A person's character is of utmost importance. These are not martial artists of the jianghu, but practitioners of Cultivation. The righteous bless the world, while the wicked bring disaster to all living beings. The laws of karma and cause and effect lie within it all. Moving forward, Quanshan must exercise better judgment."

"The Immortal Master speaks truly."

Daoist Sanyuan formally agreed to Chen Changsheng's demands.

Overnight, the Quanshan Sect Master had perished and the disciples had scattered. In the blink of an eye, the sect had been pushed to the brink of life and death.

"Let us discuss another matter."

Chen Changsheng said, "It is the other reason This Chen came here today."

The three elders bowed their heads respectfully, waiting for him to speak.

They then heard Chen Changsheng say, "Regarding the matter of the demons in Jindi, Priest Sanyuan himself understands that Arts and Techniques are neither inherently good nor evil; character is the only metric that matters. The same principle applies to demons. The reason so many demons are appearing across the world right now is twofold. First, the surges in qi destiny over the past few years have showered the world with blessings. Second, the demon path in the Mortal World already boasts many predecessors, allowing them to grow endlessly."

Chen Changsheng proceeded to tell the three priests about the Demon Market.

Slaughter was not the answer—there were simply too many to kill.

All living things possessed a spirit, and time would always allow beasts to develop consciousness and gain sentience, turning into monsters and demons. New lives would constantly emerge. Slaughter was the wrong way to stop this tide. The demons of the Mortal World had to be guided and bound by established rules.

Daoist Sanyuan fell deep into thought.

He frowned slightly, his face displaying obvious concern.

Chen Changsheng looked at him. "If the priest sees a flaw in this, please speak freely. Do not hold back on my account."

Daoist Sanyuan paused. "Immortal Master, this penniless Daoist is not saying your approach is wrong. Finding a path forward for the Demon Race is an act worthy of the Righteous Path; it is how things should be. It is just that, in my view, establishing a peaceful coexistence like this... it might... it might not end well."

"Humans will always harbor prejudice against demons. That prejudice will only intensify our conflicts and plant the seeds of karma. If the Demon Race is allowed to grow and share this same land, I am afraid..."

Chen Changsheng understood Daoist Sanyuan's point perfectly.

He smiled. "The priest can rest assured on that front. The human Dao also has its countermeasures. As this land prospers in response to its qi destiny, new rules will naturally be established. The spirits and demons in the mountains will be managed by celestial officials and deities bound by the Investiture Scroll. The situation will never deteriorate to the point you fear. When it comes to certain things—what is given to them, they may take; what is not theirs, they cannot touch!"

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