Ch 8: Tianbao 7
“Master, Qiu Xue is requesting an audience outside,” a young acolyte hurriedly reported.
Junbao, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but frown slightly, silently pondering in his heart: This is the third time this month! Ever since he grew weary of the intrigue and deception in Jianghu and the Imperial Court, leaving the mortal world in disappointment and coming to this quiet and secluded mountain to dedicate himself to cultivation, he thought he could thus stay away from the troubles and endless struggles. However, he never expected that his whereabouts would still be known to Qiu Xue. Since then, whenever she encountered difficulties or trouble, she would flee to the Daoist temple like a frightened bird seeking protection. What’s more, in the previous few times, she almost got noticed by the keen-nosed Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Thinking of this, Junbao sighed softly and instructed the acolyte, “Take her to the Rear Mountain to temporarily avoid trouble for now.” Having said that, he slowly closed his eyes, continuing his meditation, trying to restore his composure.
Dong dong dong…
A moment later, a series of chaotic, heavy, and urgent footsteps came from afar, as if each step was stepping on Junbao’s Daoist heart, making him unable to find peace. Following that, the surroundings became filled with an uproar, and in the blink of an eye, more than a hundred people in fine clothes surrounded the entire Daoist temple, their bodies emanating a chilling killing intent.
“Daoist Priest Zhang, we are truly ill-fated to meet again here today. To tell you the truth, we are pursuing the rebellious remnants, and I’m sure you know that their crimes are unforgivable. Now that the evidence is conclusive, what else do you have to say?” The leader was tall and imposing, with a stern face, none other than the renowned Thousand-Household Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard—Commander Pang. He held an Embroidered Spring Knife, its tip pointed directly at Junbao, his eyes revealing an aggressive coldness.
Faced with such an array, Junbao remained unfazed. He slowly opened his eyes, stood up, his hands behind his back, calmly facing Commander Pang’s fierce gaze, and said in a deep voice, “Commander Pang, since this person has entered my Daoist Sect, they are my guest. No matter what, I will protect them. If you want to fight, bring it on!” Before his words finished, an invisible oppressive pressure emanated from him, and everyone present felt an indescribable pressure.
This stumped the soldiers. They were aware that this Daoist temple had repeatedly harbored rebels. But if they really started fighting, they were no match for Daoist Priest Zhang. Now that the other party had laid their cards on the table, openly harboring criminals, the soldiers were at a loss for what to do. However, knowing that the rebels were on the mountain, if they didn’t act, not only would they have future trouble, but they wouldn’t be able to explain it to their superiors.
“Everyone, search for them.” Commander Pang, being clever, knowing he couldn’t win a fight, decided against it and ordered a search instead.
Junbao was about to intervene when a louder noise came from down the mountain. The other soldiers were also taken aback by the sound, unsure of what to do. At that moment, a private soldier ran down from the mountain.
“Report, Commander, bandits, they are bandits.”
“What bandits? Where are the bandits?”
“They are Li Zicheng’s troops. They have broken through the Prefecture City, and the troops below the mountain are the bandits’ men.”
Hearing this news, everyone was frightened and at a loss. They forgot they were here to arrest rebels and scattered and fled.
Soon, Qiu Xue arrived with a burly man, followed by a group of ragged soldiers, neither soldiers nor beggars.
“Mr. Liu thanks Daoist Priest Zhang for saving him many times.”
General Liu was the one who infiltrated the Prefecture City to gather information a month ago, got discovered, and was then brought to the Daoist temple and saved by Junbao.
“You don’t have to thank me; I merely did what was convenient.”
“Daoist Priest, your martial arts are unparalleled and have reached the pinnacle! However, the current Imperial Court is overrun by treacherous ministers, and the Emperor is incompetent and foolish, causing the common people to flee everywhere, leaving their homes and hearths, their lives unbearably difficult! Chuang Wang, however, is righteous, and to save countless people from dire straits, he resolutely rose in rebellion, launching a rebellion to overthrow the decayed and dark rule of the Imperial Court. Daoist Priest, why don’t you come down the mountain and help Chuang Wang? When Chuang Wang succeeds in seizing the world, he certainly will not be stingy with his rewards, wealth and glory will surely be yours!”
Junbao shook his head slightly, brushed his sleeves, and said, “I am but a country bumpkin, always free and unconstrained, accustomed to this reclusive hermit-like tranquil life. I only wish to concentrate on my cultivation here and comprehend the Truth of the Dao. Moreover, Chuang Wang’s army is full of talented people, countless skilled warriors, and surely does not lack me. Therefore, I hope General Liu can understand my plight and forgive me for not being able to go down the mountain with you.”
General Liu, hearing these words, showed a look of regret, but seeing that the Daoist Priest’s attitude was firm and he insisted on not going down the mountain to help, he could only sigh and say, “If so, this General will not force you. I wish you an early comprehension of the Great Dao and attainment of Enlightenment!” Having said that, he left with his men dejectedly, leaving the Daoist Priest alone on the mountaintop, gazing at their receding backs, thoughtful…
Junbao watched Qiu Xue and that group of people gradually disappear into the distance, an involuntary wave of helplessness and sighing rising in his heart.
He remembered what Master Jueyuan had told him when he was a child: “Practicing martial arts is to help others.” At that time, he was righteous and full of aspirations for a better world. However, the current state of the world left him feeling confused and perplexed.
He knew his martial arts had reached a peak state, but to change the world with his own strength seemed like an unattainable task. Even if he became the number one expert under heaven, how many people could he truly help? The problems of this world were so numerous, and he felt his power so insignificant.
Moreover, ever since entering Jianghu, he had found that he could no longer easily escape. The conflicts of Jianghu, the entanglements of interests, made him feel helpless. Although he is now hiding in the deep mountains to cultivate, trying to stay away from the noise of the mortal world, trouble always follows him like a shadow.
He began to ponder his choices and future. The Imperial Court and the rebel army each had their own goals and interests, and he could not determine which side was truly worthy of his help. In this complicated world, he felt like a ship lost in the fog, unable to find its direction.
However, deep down, he still believed in the power of justice and kindness. He knew he couldn’t change the whole world, he could only do his best and help those who needed help. Perhaps, this is the true meaning of his martial arts.
Junbao took a deep breath, slowly turned around, and walked towards the Daoist temple. His heart was full of conflict and confusion.
He remembered himself when he first came down the mountain, full of vigor, with the dream of saving the world. At that time, he firmly believed that his martial arts could bring justice to the world and help those who suffered. However, as time went on, he gradually discovered that the world was far more complex than he had imagined.
He thought of Tianbao. Tianbao’s aiding tyranny made him feel heartbroken and disappointed, and how many of those so-called martial heroes truly cared about the common people? They might only be after fame and fortune, or blinded by power and desire.
Junbao began to doubt his beliefs. He didn’t know what was right and what was wrong. He felt like a person lost in the dark, unable to find his way forward. He was tired of the troubles of the world and fearful of the wickedness of human hearts.
At this moment, he only wanted to cultivate in the Daoist temple, away from the noise and troubles of the mortal world. He hoped that through cultivation, he could find inner peace and tranquility. But he also understood that this was also a kind of escape. He was escaping the cruelty of reality, escaping his confusion and powerlessness.
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