This humble Taoist priest, Qianhe, begins his quest for immortality by slaying demons and monsters.

Chapter 179 Zhong Bai Emerges from Maoshan, Jinshan Temple Awaits Him

"Sect Leader, this old Taoist is willing to negotiate with Jinshan Temple!"

Seeing the confident smile on the face of the Changsheng Zhenren, who was nominated by the elders, Zhong Bai knew that Jinshan Temple would have to spend a lot of money to get Maoshan to help them this time.

However, since the Immortal of Immortality met the conditions for negotiation, Zhong Bai naturally could not refuse.

"Since Martial Uncle Changsheng is willing, then this matter will be left to you to handle."

With a wave of his hand, Zhong Bai was quite casual. Changsheng Zhenren understood that Zhong Bai didn't care about the things at Jinshan Temple, so he handed over the right to negotiate.

"This old Taoist priest will certainly not fail the sect leader's trust!"

After the brief meeting, the Immortal of Longevity left the main hall and headed straight for the small courtyard where he was temporarily residing at Jinshan Temple.

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In front of the stone table in the courtyard.

Master Huikong had already brewed a pot of fragrant tea in the teapot in front of him and was waiting.

Everyone here is a sensible person. The elders of Maoshan must be discussing matters concerning their Jinshan Temple. It's estimated that the Maoshan elders who will be negotiating terms will arrive soon. Huikong is already prepared to negotiate a lower price. It's just a transaction, and Jinshan Temple can't let Maoshan ask for an exorbitant price.

With a creak...

The door to the courtyard was pushed open by Changsheng Zhenren. The moment Changsheng Zhenren stepped into the courtyard, Master Huikong, whose eyes had been slightly closed, immediately opened his eyes!
"Amitabha! The arrival of the Immortal of Longevity is truly timely. The tea I just brewed is still fragrant. Would the Immortal like to sit down and have a cup with me?"

“Master Huikong, you are too kind. This is my home turf in Maoshan. According to the way of hospitality, it should be this old Taoist priest who brews tea and waits for you.”

As he spoke, the Immortal of Longevity also sat down at the stone table.

The two exchanged a smile, both understanding the deeper meaning in each other's eyes.

"Come, Master, please!"

As he spoke, Master Huikong picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and then pushed two fingers toward the Immortal of Longevity.

"Please, Master, as well!"

The two raised their cups of tea and took a small sip at the corner of their lips.

"Let's not beat around the bush. Master Huikong, the purpose of Jinshan Temple's presence at Maoshan has already been explained to us by the True Lord of Maoshan..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Master Huikong began to feel a little nervous, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"Alas! Jinshan Temple's predicament is truly unavoidable. If we could resolve it on our own, we certainly wouldn't have come to Maoshan for help. Maoshan is divided between good and evil, and this old monk and my abbot are thinking of the common people, which is why we spared no expense to come to Maoshan for assistance..."

Hearing that Master Huikong still wanted to flatter him, the Immortal of Longevity immediately raised his hand to interrupt him.

“Master Huikong, it’s true that Maoshan is divided into good and evil. However, Maoshan seems to have several True Lords in charge now. But more than ten years ago, my senior brother Xuanmingzi and my current junior nephew Zhongbai broke through to the Golden Core True Lord level, which consumed a lot of Maoshan’s resources. With the capital city about to wipe out the Manchu imperial court, if someone is injured while fighting a snake king, the resources needed to recover will be enormous.”

Master Huikong, our opinion is that the sect leader should not agree to Jinshan Temple's request. After all, the Buddhist sect's foundation is no less than that of the Taoist sect. If Baima Temple and Wutai Mountain are willing to help Jinshan Temple, it would not be difficult for them to kill a peak demon king who has been suppressed for five hundred years.

However… my esteemed Master Zhenjun is merciful, and considering Jinshan Temple's sincerity, if Jinshan Temple is willing to provide some precious medicines beneficial for recovery, Master Zhenjun is willing to personally descend the mountain for the journey!”

Upon hearing this, Master Huikong looked somewhat resentful. What he said made perfect sense, but the precious medicine that could heal the injuries of a Golden Core True Monarch was the most valuable in any top sect.

Jinshan Temple could not possibly use precious medicine to exchange for Zhong Bai's opportunity to make a move, or rather, it could not exchange it with precious medicine alone. Master Huikong, who knew that he would most likely have to pay a price this time, sighed inwardly.

In his mind, his senior brother, who was in charge of the discussion, had already told him to continue.

However, Abbot Huian suggested that it would be best to replace the precious medicine with something else.

“Amitabha, what you say makes sense. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Jinshan Temple would never ask Headmaster Qianhe to help us without any effort. However, Jinshan Temple has very limited precious medicines available for the recovery of Golden Core True Monarchs. Could we exchange them for other medicines needed by Maoshan?”

coming!

A faint smile appeared on the lips of the Immortal Changsheng. He knew that Jinshan Temple could not possibly produce the precious medicine, but now that Jinshan Temple had made concessions to Maoshan, it would be difficult for Jinshan Temple to refuse the Immortal Changsheng's next request.

"Haha, it's alright, Master Huikong. Before we came, my sect leader Zhenjun said that we shouldn't put too much pressure on the fellow Daoists of Jinshan Temple."

The precious medicine can naturally be replaced with others.

"By the way, I, Master Liuguang of the Maoshan Pill Hall, wish to obtain one lotus seed from the Eight Treasures Pond of Jinshan Temple. What is your opinion, Master?"

"Green lotus seeds?"

Before Master Huikong could continue, Immortal Changsheng blurted out everything that the elders wanted.

Upon hearing this, Master Huikong's lips twitched. He truly hadn't expected that Maoshan wouldn't want the precious medicine to heal his injuries, but instead desired the extremely rare treasures of Jinshan Temple.

Just now, Master Changsheng had already backed down. If he were to refuse now, or even say no, it would not only be a loss of face, but also an indication of disrespect for Maoshan. Just as Master Huikong was in a dilemma, the voice of his senior brother, the abbot, came to his mind again: "Junior brother, agree... We have no choice. Maoshan has already been very merciful!"

Upon hearing this, Huikong's face turned bitter.

Yes!

It's already good enough that Maoshan didn't ask for an exorbitant price; they only wanted what Jinshan Temple already had...

If we were to seek help from the Buddhist community, those people would absolutely refuse. They also want to enter their respective secret realms and blessed lands without any injuries, so how could they risk their own lives for the sake of Jinshan Temple?

Only Maoshan has the confidence to say that they can go to Jinshan Temple to help slay the demon!
Upon reflection, Master Huikong instantly felt relieved.

"These requests from the Master are all acceptable. After I and my senior brother return to Jinshan Temple tomorrow, we will definitely be able to get the elders of Jinshan Temple to send the items to Maoshan within ten days!"

"Excellent! Master Huikong is truly straightforward!"

In this respect, even the Immortal Changsheng had to admit his mistake. He had prepared his arguments for continuing to argue with Master Huikong, but now it seemed that he had been judging others by his own petty standards.

The negotiations were over. After the two finished drinking a cup of tea, the Immortal of Longevity left the courtyard.

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Inside the main hall of the sect leader.

The elders did not leave; they were all waiting for the return of the Immortal of Longevity.

In the once quiet hall, the sound of Changsheng Zhenren's footsteps was so melodious and pleasant, like musical notes, that the once silent hearts of the elders began to beat.

"Reporting to the Sect Leader, the negotiations with Jinshan Temple have been completed, and Jinshan Temple has agreed to all of Maoshan's demands!"

As the words of the Immortal Changsheng fell, the already tense hearts of the elders instantly became excited. Jinshan Temple really didn't haggle.

"Uncle-Master Changsheng, you've worked hard. Please take a seat!"

Zhong Bai waved his hand, and the Immortal of Longevity sat down cross-legged on his futon with a smile.

"Since Jinshan Temple has agreed to the request, I will have to go down the mountain and make a trip there in a few days."

When the Venerable One is not present, the elders may discuss and decide on daily matters.

"We will obey the sect leader's decree!"

The elders held Zhong Bai in high regard. They had all witnessed his talent; he had only just entered the Golden Core True Monarch realm, and who knew what heights he could reach in the future.

If they weren't all from the Maoshan lineage, it would be extremely difficult for these elders to meet a Golden Core True Monarch like Zhong Bai, let alone simply to show him respect with words.

Not to mention that Zhong Bai addressed them with respect, addressing them as "Uncle" and "Master."

The next day, Master Huikong and Abbot Huian of Jinshan Temple left Maoshan and returned to Jinshan Temple to begin paying Maoshan for Zhong Bai's services.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

When a senior monk from Jinshan Temple arrived with the reward for Maoshan, Zhong Bai essentially handed over Maoshan's affairs to the other senior monks.

True to his word, Zhong Bai left Maoshan and went to Jinshan Temple.

Logically speaking, Zhong Bai should not easily leave the position of the head of Maoshan Sect after just assuming the position. After all, an unstable foundation is a major taboo for the head of Maoshan Sect. However, Zhong Bai's current cultivation level is different from that of previous Maoshan heads. As soon as Zhong Bai took the position of head, he left all the elders far behind. Who would dare to have any ideas about him?
Moreover, Xuanmingzi has just stepped down. Even if Zhong Bai is not in Maoshan, with Xuanmingzi, Ming Wanqian, and the other two elders in charge, no one can cause any trouble!
Jinshan Temple is located in Suzhou and Hangzhou.

It is said that there is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. Even in times of chaos, the liveliness of this place can be compared with that of the north.

After arriving in Hangzhou by flying on his sword, Zhong Bai landed and traveled around like an ordinary person.

In a pavilion by West Lake, Zhong Bai watched the ripples on the lake outside the window and smelled the special aroma of West Lake Vinegar Fish on the table in front of him. Without even Zhong Bai having to go to Jinshan Temple, the Grand Elder Huikong of Jinshan Temple had already arrived outside the pavilion after hearing the news.

Upon reaching Zhong Bai, Master Huikong smiled faintly and said, "Huikong greets Sect Leader Zhong. I originally thought you would arrive in a few days, but I did not expect you to come so soon. I hope Sect Leader Zhong will forgive any neglect!"

Zhong Bai shook his head.

"Master Huikong, you are too kind. I did not inform Jinshan Temple of my arrival. The fact that you were able to meet me so quickly shows how much Jinshan Temple values ​​me. Yes, West Lake is beautiful, but it lacks that profound charm..."

Zhong Bai stood up, and Master Huikong hurriedly greeted him before leaving the pavilion.

Jinshan Temple has been closed for more than a month. There's no other way; if the Green Scaled Serpent King under Leifeng Pagoda isn't dealt with, how can Huikong and the others dare to let worshippers come to offer incense?

Upon arriving at the mountain gate, Zhong Bai saw a group of elders and disciples of Jinshan Temple waiting for him in an orderly fashion...

(End of this chapter)