Yinshan Record

Chapter 18 Zhongshan Meeting

Su Che really wanted to say something to this mysterious person.

Friend, you've mistaken me for someone else.

But given the situation before him, he was really embarrassed to say that.

The other party had an incredibly strong aura; they looked like an ancient monster that had crawled out of some ancient legend.

Moreover, according to the other party, their previous life's misfortunes were caused by someone setting them up.

Who exactly is targeting me?

Could it really be that "Six Harmonies Azure Dragon" destiny?
The monster trapped in her room also mentioned the so-called "Six Harmonies Azure Dragon". Could it be that she is also related to them?
"According to the original plan, you would be given the mask of the Eastern King after you destroyed the Kulin Temple, but some problems have arisen and we have to bring it forward."

The man who called himself Zhongyuan slowly said, "This is Zhongshan Society, a place where the disillusioned and the avengers gather. We welcome you and will protect you. After all, given Bailudong's style of doing things, even if you hide in Shanyin County, you can't live a life of solitude."

Su Che sorted out the information he had just received.

First of all, this is the base of an organization called Zhongshan Society, and the man who calls himself "Zhongyuan" is the leader of Zhongshan Society.

Then, he revealed that all his previous experiences, or rather, those of his predecessor, were the result of a scheme orchestrated by someone else, and according to this "Zhongyuan," the force that framed him was the White Deer Cave...

One of the four holy sites of Confucianism, it is a place where masters emerge in an endless stream. Both the Southern Liang and Northern Wei dynasties held it in high esteem. How could I, or rather my predecessor, possibly offend them?

Finally, it seems that Zhong Yuan has been keeping a close eye on him all along. With such a grand scheme, what is he, or rather Zhong Shan, plotting?
Without saying a word, Su Che picked up the wooden mask and felt a cool sensation upon touching it.

He slowly put the mask on his face, and the wooden mask automatically and tightly adhered to his face.

Just kidding, nobody really thinks there's any choice they have here.

No way? No way?
If you can't resist, then close your eyes and enjoy it.

Judging from what Zhongyuan said, he must have been paying attention to him since his time in Jiankang City, and even knew very well that his next goal was Kulin Temple.

However, Su Che couldn't quite understand what Zhong Yuan meant by "White Deer Cave won't let him go."

Perhaps it can be interpreted as his threatening words.

Su Che couldn't understand why such a renowned Confucian holy land would target him.

However, after putting on the mask symbolizing the Eastern King, Su Che felt a long-lost sensation rising in his dantian.

That was the residual power of the elixir within his body after consuming the golden elixir. This long-lost power seemed to have been reawakened under the influence of the mask, and began to nourish his body.

"It is beyond my expectations that you chose to start with the path of sword cultivation. It is a pity that although the Dingtian Jun Sword is a decent sword intent cultivation method in the East Sea, it is only confined to cultivation and has no application. This Mirage Yuan Sword comes from the East Sea Sword Palace. You should cultivate it well."

Countless years seemed to flow through Zhongyuan's eyes. With a flick of his finger, a beam of light entered Su Che's Niwan Palace, and he immediately gained a cultivation outline for a sword technique.

Su Che carefully examined the sword technique, almost wanting to draw the ancient sword from the sword box and practice it immediately.

He finally understood the feeling Lin Pingzhi had after seeing the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual—the kind of feeling he couldn't even wait for his wedding night.

This Mirage Sword technique is an extremely sophisticated swordsmanship method. When you first start learning it, you can conceal your weapon and hide your killing intent. When you reach a higher level, you can even create clones and move without a trace, making it incredibly mysterious.

Su Che looked at Zhongyuan, who was sitting at the head of the table, with great satisfaction.

This guy is indeed generous; he has the air of a leader of an evil organization.

"Since you are willing to join my Zhongshan Society, you should know the rules of our society. In the society, you only need to follow my orders. No matter who the other members are or what level of cultivation they have reached, they are no different from you."

"The meeting will last for thirty-six days, with a gathering every day. There are thirteen days until the next meeting. Each time we meet, I will use the Lesser Universe Technique to summon you. So you must make preparations in advance to avoid revealing your whereabouts."

"The Zhongshan Society operates on the principle of equal exchange and mutual assistance," Zhongyuan explained. "If you are willing to pay the appropriate price, you can ask them for help."

Su Che understood.

According to Zhongyuan's description, this Zhongshan Association should have two characteristics.

First, Zhongyuan is the core of this organization. Without him, the organization would have no chance of functioning at all.

Secondly, there is the element of coercion; the entire organization's operating principle should be based on Zhongyuan's will, or rather, his goals.

"Wait a moment, I will call a meeting to introduce you to the other members. Listen carefully."

As he spoke, Zhongyuan took out a jade chime from his sleeve and placed it on the table, then gently flicked it with his right index finger.

"Wuzhiqi, Gushe, Yuqiang, Su Nu, come on, come on..."

As he chanted the incantation, Su Che felt waves of dizziness in his Niwan Palace.

Suddenly, several more faces appeared on the other chairs at the long table.

The first one has a face that resembles that of an ape, with a small nose, a high forehead, golden eyes, and snow-white teeth.

The second one has a mask that makes her look like a young girl, except that her eyes are sewn together with gold thread. The third one has a mask that reveals two expressions: the left half is a smiling face, and the right half is a fierce and angry face.

The fourth figure's face is covered with a mask that appears to belong to a woman, but it is decorated with cloud and thunder patterns, and her eyes resemble those of a snake.

The figures of the four seemed to be shrouded in thick fog, with only a mask visible floating in the air.

"Gentlemen, the reason I have gathered you all here today is to introduce a new member, who is none other than the Eastern King Duke."

Su Che was startled; his mask was actually that of the Eastern King Duke?

The titles used by the others in the Zhongshan Gathering—Wuzhiqi, Gushe, Yuqiang, and Su Nu—were all names I had seen in myths from my previous life.

Could it be that these gods once existed in this world?

Moreover, that guy who calls himself Zhongyuan, no matter what kind of being he is, his name is completely different from that of Dongwanggong, Wuzhiqi, etc. Could there be something else going on here?
These four people seemed to be familiar with this process, and perhaps the same scene unfolded when they joined the Zhongshan Society.

They merely glanced in Su Che's direction without saying anything more.

After a moment of silence, Gu She was the first to speak.

"Yu Qiang, the matter you asked me to investigate has yielded some results."

"Wei Huaiwen halted his troops in Beiyu for two reasons. First, there was a shortage of military supplies. Second, the Northern Sect of the Celestial Masters had already assisted Prince Yuan Ying of Zhongshan, refining the corpses of those who died in the war into demons, causing a calamity in Beiyu, with many ghost immortals and demon kings appearing. It is expected that the two sides will be able to make peace soon."

"The imperial court is preparing to send Hai You'an, the Right Vice Minister of the Censorate, as an envoy to negotiate with the Northern Dynasty. The location should be somewhere in the Ten Continents of the East Sea."

Yu Qiang chuckled twice.

"Thank you, thank you very much."

Gu She continued, "This message is a gift. The reason for the Huai River's sudden rise is that the Northern Wei persuaded the Lord of Dongting Lake, and that old dragon went crazy and caused trouble in the Huai River. The Southern Liang Imperial Censorate, the Imperial Guards, and the Jingye Division have already dispatched experts to Dongting Lake to punish him. It seems that the old dragon has been severely injured."

"Wuzhiqi, if you want to go further, why don't you try to take advantage of that old dragon?"

Wuzhiqi, wearing an ape mask, smiled.

"Thank you for your kindness, fairy. It's better to use this trick on monkeys than to try to snatch chestnuts from the fire. We'll decline."

Gu She and Yu Qiang were talking about important national affairs. They must both be people of high status in the government, otherwise why would they care about these things?
Su Che was absolutely certain that this Gu She must have very high-level connections.

Since his own elder brother was a general in Wei Huaiwen's army, he didn't even know that Wei Huaiwen's army was short of food. How did this Gu She get the information?
As for the other Yu Qiang, what exactly is his motive for paying so much attention to the battle situation in the north?

This Zhongshan gathering doesn't seem like a retirement tea party for a group of old monsters; it looks more like a stage for a group of young schemers.

"Your Excellency Zhongyuan, why haven't we seen Miss Qingqiu?"

The person wearing the Su Nu mask asked, her voice hoarse and indistinct, with a slightly androgynous quality.

This made Su Che think that perhaps the gender of their owner could not be determined by the mask.

"Qingqiu has encountered some trouble, and she cannot come today."

Su Che was quite certain that Zhong Yuan's eyes, hidden behind the flat mask, glanced at him when the words "Qingqiu" were mentioned.

Could it be that this "Qingqiu" is the same Qingqiu as that other Qingqiu?

Su Che probably understood why this Zhongyuan had mentioned earlier that he didn't want to recruit him into the association so soon.

If I don't join soon, I might end up killing that "Qingqiu".

However, it seems that the members of the Zhongshan Society are actually quite weak.

He wasn't even a ninth-rank cultivator, yet he, who wasn't even a ninth-rank cultivator, had defeated Qingqiu.

"Su Nu, there's news about the person you asked me to inquire about." The person behind Wu Zhiqi's mask replied to Su Nu, who had just asked the question. "Should we have a private conversation or let all of them hear it?"

"Please make this public."

Su Nu replied directly.

"Haha, Miss Su Nu is indeed quick-witted."

Yu Qiang chuckled.

"Hmph," Wu Zhiqi sneered a few times, "The person you want to inquire about is called Su Che. He comes from the Su family of Duling. His destiny is indeed that of the Azure Dragon of the Six Harmonies. It's just a pity that you asked too late. Three months ago, someone set a trap for him and removed his destiny. Now he is a cripple."

Hey, can you at least speak politely? What do you mean by "already a useless person"?
Su Che looked at Wu Zhiqi. Although this man acted eccentrically, he might be testing Zhongyuan.

What was the purpose of this woman asking about her situation?
The people in the Zhongshan Society are indeed not to be underestimated.

(End of this chapter)