A Tale of Encounters with Immortals: A Peach Blossom Temple in the Martial World

Wuling County, east of the city, a Taoist medical clinic.

The clinic is now closed for business.

In the courtyard, Hei Jia stood to one side pouring tea for Zhang Zhengdao and the white-bearded, white-haired old Taoist priest, then stepped back to the side, his eyes fixed on the ants on the leaves, forcibly suppressing the urge to stick out his tongue.

The white-haired old Taoist said, "Master Zhang has eliminated demons and evil, restoring a bright and clear world to this land. This is truly a blessing for all people. With your cultivation, why don't you take a position in the Heavenly Court..."

Zhang Zhengdao's eyelids twitched. What's wrong with this old man?

He tentatively asked, "Are you from the heavens?"

The white-haired old Taoist knew he couldn't hide it from him any longer, so he nodded and smiled, "It really came from heaven."

That makes sense now.

Based on this deduction by Zhang Zhengdao, there should only be one white-haired old man in Journey to the West who most enjoys recruiting people to heavenly positions, and that is—

"Are you Venus Li Changgeng?"

The white-haired old Taoist priest was stunned, and his hand holding the teacup stopped.

"You should have said so earlier, you are Venus."

Zhang Zhengdao laughed.

In Journey to the West, Zhang Zhengdao had a rather good impression of Taibai Jinxing, seeing him as a kind old man. However, in other Taoist classics, Taibai Jinxing is a powerful figure second only to the Three Pure Ones and the Jade Emperor, and is a disciple of Laozi.

The white-haired old Taoist touched his white hair. "Am I my disciple?"

"Is there something you need to do on your descent to the mortal realm?" Zhang Zhengdao asked tentatively.

When Venus descended to earth, the first thing he did in Journey to the West was to summon the Monkey King to the Heavenly Court. Then, the Jade Emperor gave him an official position, which later became the famous Bi Ma Wen (弼马温).

The white-haired old Taoist priest said, "I descended to the mortal realm for one person..."

Zhang Zhengdao: "It's for a monkey, isn't it..."

The white-haired old Taoist was taken aback. "I descended to the mortal realm for a monkey?"

Zhang Zhengdao continued, "Are you thinking of summoning this monkey to the Heavenly Court and giving him an official position? Let me tell you, although this monkey is extraordinary, he's also a very troublesome one. Who knows, he might cause a complete upheaval in the Heavenly Court..."

The white-haired old Taoist said, "No, I came to the mortal realm only to find you, fellow Daoist."

Zhang Zhengdao was taken aback: "You know me?"

The white-haired old Taoist said, "I know. After the Heavenly General ascended to Heaven, he told me about your situation. Because no one could break your immobilization spell, I shamelessly came here to ask for your help."

The truth has come out.

This was Zhang Zhengdao's first thought.

There is still hope.

This was Zhang Zhengdao's second idea.

"Then... what about the Heavenly General?"

Zhang Zhengdao tentatively asked, "He made the heavenly general swear an oath to suppress it with the thunder of the Great Dao. Won't that kill the heavenly general? If he does, will I be falling into a trap if I go to the Heavenly Court with this old man?"

The white-haired old Taoist priest sighed, "He was struck by lightning!"

Zhang Zhengdao stammered, "Dead?"

"Even if someone dies, their soul remains and can still be reincarnated, so it's alright."

Zhang Zhengdao nodded: "That's good." He breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, when I made my oath, I didn't ask the heavens to swear a cruel oath that would annihilate my soul and condemn me to eternal damnation. Thank goodness it was me, thank goodness it's a mythical world!

I'm such a smart person.

"Well... there are many gods in heaven, it's just a magic spell to freeze people, could it be..."

Zhang Zhengdao also had doubts!

The white-haired old Taoist priest blushed, looking embarrassed, and began to fidget restlessly, his buttocks throbbing like pimples. He pretended to take a sip of tea to calm himself down.

What kind of scene haven't Taoist practitioners seen?

From my own philosophical perspective, the world is already ordered, and I just need to do what I want.

He coughed lightly.

"Well... everyone has their own unique method of cultivation, and spells are the same. It's not that they can't be broken, but if you forcibly break them without following the spellcaster's spell rules, it will damage the recipient's body and mind. After all, the Seventh Princess is the Queen Mother's daughter..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhengdao understood.

So that's how it is. I was wondering why, with so many powerful figures in Heaven, they couldn't even break free from a simple immobilization spell. They're truly privileged; the treatment they receive is indeed different.

Zhang Zhengdao immediately nodded happily: "Then I'll go to heaven with you!"

The white-haired old man said awkwardly, "I can bring it to you. Going to Heaven... going back and forth to Heaven would take too long. You see..."

"I also can!"

Zhang Zhengdao did not insist on going to heaven.

Although he really wanted to visit the Heavenly Court, it was the Heavenly Court, a place where all the big shots gathered. If the monkey got into trouble and accidentally exposed himself, everyone would know him, and he'd be beaten up wherever he went.

Upon hearing this, the white-haired old Taoist priest sensed an opportunity and immediately waved his sleeve.

Instantly, the hidden universe within the sleeve connected to the Heavenly Palace of Tushita, and the two strangely posed figures of the Seventh Princess and Dong Yong, who resembled clay or wooden sculptures, were captured.

Then, with a flick of his sleeve, the two of them fell out of the sleeve.

The way he was lying on the ground was a bit strange.

The seven fairies arched their backsides, knelt on one knee, and raised one leg high. Dong Yong grinned, seemingly astonished by something unbelievable…

The white-haired old Taoist priest cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your trouble, fellow Taoist."

Zhang Zhengdao nodded and said, "No problem, no problem."

He chanted the incantation, pointed two fingers together like a sword at the two people, and softly said, "Release!"

Is that all?

The white-haired old Taoist priest hadn't clearly heard what Zhang Zhengdao was saying either.

It's not that I don't want to listen, but these words, spoken by Zhang Zhengdao, seem to be the words of the Great Dao. Since they are the Great Dao, even if I hear them, I won't understand what they are.

The secrets of heaven were automatically obscured, leaving the white-haired old Taoist priest completely bewildered.

The two of them were still in that strange posture.

like a statue.

The white-haired old Taoist looked at Zhang Zhengdao with suspicion.

Zhang Zhengdao walked over and kicked the Seventh Fairy in the buttocks, sending her sprawling face-first into the mud. He then kicked Dong Yong in the buttocks, who rolled several times on the ground.

After a long while, the seven fairies finally let out a wail.

Then came Dong Yong's agonizing screams today.

After being in that position for so long, this sudden release made me feel like my bones were breaking the moment I moved.

The white-haired old Taoist quickly waved his hand, and the two of them recovered. They groaned as they got up, one holding his waist and the other pinching his mouth, glaring angrily at Zhang Zhengdao.

"Laojun—" the Seventh Fairy Maiden cried bitterly, "Please, do justice for me!"

Zhang Zhengdao was taken aback. He turned to look at the white-haired old Taoist priest, and then at the Seven Fairies.

"No...you're not Venus?"

Zhang Zhengdao was shocked.

This old man is the most awesome person in Journey to the West...

"You...you are Laozi?"

The white-haired old Taoist was quite satisfied with Zhang Zhengdao's reaction, which showed that he held a respectable position in the old Taoist's heart. While satisfied, he couldn't afford to be too complacent.

"It is indeed the old Taoist priest, but... I didn't reveal my identity before, it's really..."

"It's okay, it's okay."

Zhang Zhengdao became enthusiastic.

"Drink tea!"

He poured another cup of tea for Laozi. He began to mutter to himself.

What's going on with Laozi?

Could it be that he can't even break free from his own immobilization spell? That shouldn't be possible. Could it be that he's testing me, doing me a favor, and then inviting me to become an official in the Heavenly Court?

"His-"

Thinking this, Zhang Zhengdao couldn't help but gasp. Had he been chosen by a powerful figure? Could it be that he was a genius of unparalleled talent, one in a million...?

Or perhaps he still has a place in this world of Journey to the West?

Thinking of this, Zhang Zhengdao couldn't help but tentatively ask, "Lord Lao, you came here... just for these two people?"

Lao Tzu nodded and said, "I came here for two reasons..."

Here it comes, the real purpose has arrived.

Zhang Zhengdao sat upright, and even the Seven Fairy Maidens dared not speak. Dong Yong shrank to the side, terrified. What had he done to deserve such favor from so many immortals? Even Laozi himself had been alarmed.

"Please tell me!"

"My first point is... that you please release the two of them from the immobilization spell. After all... they are the Queen Mother's own daughters, and it's not good to harm them. This is also a way to make amends. Please forgive me if I have offended you before."

"This little problem is that they're spoiled and don't know how to be afraid of people."

Laozi continued, "Secondly, I came to pay a visit to the Daoist Master, as a way of acknowledging your favor. If the Daoist Master is interested, why not go to the Heavenly Court..."

Zhang Zhengdao hesitated: "How about... I think about it."

Laozi was taken aback. He had originally intended to invite Zhang Zhengdao to the Tushita Palace as a guest and to discuss the true meaning of Taoism, but he was unexpectedly refused.

"That's fine then. You've done me such a great favor, and I have nothing to repay you with. I have ten Nine-Turn Golden Pills here; please don't think they're too meager, just accept them..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Zhengdao swept his sleeve and snatched the ten golden pills from Laozi's hand.

"Thank you, thank you!"

What an unexpected surprise!