Why do I have so many masters?-Chapter 573 - 206 Jade Ruin Temple (2/2)

The group did not head to the flat ground that Elder Lu had found with great difficulty. Two Taoists, anxious in their hearts, instead walked the quickest, taking a shortcut towards the highest point of the three-hundred-mile mountain range, "Candle Dragon Perch."

Wang Anfeng, unhurried but persistent, followed closely behind the two Taoists from Jade Ruin Temple.

Since the mountain was known to be the tallest, it naturally was not easy to climb. After traveling upwards for several hours, looking back, one could faintly see the dark horizon gradually dissipating, with a vague white line suspended amidst the black clouds.

The mountain breeze blew head-on, carrying wisps of white mist.

Lin Qiaofu reached out to grab them, unsure if she caught anything, but the mist had already dispersed, leaving only a chill on her palm like touching fresh snow; indeed, the mountains and rivers seemed to loom within the clouds and fog, offering an endlessly expansive view that filled one's heart upon gazing.

Yuchi Jie, not highly skilled in martial arts and climbing fast with no rest along the way, now needed the support of Elder Lu to walk steadily. He stopped on a flat area to rest briefly, looking up to see faint lights at the peak.

He exhaled sharply, his breath already very rapid, but still smiled and said,

"Indeed, the scenery is quite nice."

"Elder Lu, do you think, if there really are immortals who live by dining on wind and drinking dew in this world, they must reside in such places, right?"

Elder Lu replied in a muffled voice,

"Young Master, there are no immortals in this world."

Yuchi Jie chuckled and shook his head, looking up at the not-so-distant "Candle Dragon Perch"; when he stopped, he said nothing, and Wang Anfeng and the others continued walking up, but had slowed down, likely waiting for him.

Yuchi Jie took a deep breath, patted Elder Lu's shoulder, and said,

"Let's go!"

He looked at the mountains shrouded in the morning mist and murmured,

"Heh, 'Candle Dragon Perch,' 'Jade Ruin Temple.'"

"Candle Dragon Perch of humble gates, yet radiant as dawn breaks; I've heard of this place many times, the tallest peak in three-hundred miles, the most magnificent in seven-thousand. We must not let down the name of the Yuchi family," he said.

"Let's go!"

"Yes, Young Master."

Elder Lu responded solemnly, steadying Yuchi Jie with one hand, helping him climb higher.

There were eight youngsters in the present generation of the Yuchi family, five boys and three girls.

Having served as Yuchi Jie's guard for six years, it was a relationship not too long nor too short. He knew this young master was mostly whimsical, but sometimes extremely stubborn, sticking to his word and never faltering.

As a young boy, he angered the Family Head and was punished to stand with a sword in the scorching summer heat. This young noble stood for three hours straight until he fainted, still clutching the sword in his right hand, which could hardly be pried open.

From that day on, he knew that although Yuchi Jie might be reckless, there was an undeniable determination in his bones.

The other sons and daughters grew up in the warm and peaceful environment of the noble clan, playing the zither and reciting poetry, each with greater elegance and grace than Yuchi Jie. But when it came to obstinacy, ruthlessness, or cunning, none could match this frivolous young man.

Eventually, the group reached the front of Jade Ruin Temple before sunrise that day.

Qing Yun and Qing Yan, the two Taoists, despite their injuries and exhaustion, rushed forward, pounding on the beast head with a copper ring on the wooden door, creating a continuous din.

Wang Anfeng looked up, and amidst the swirling morning mist, the three characters on the sign above the temple's entrance indeed read Jade Ruin Temple, not to be confused with Jade Void Palace, the unrivaled temple. Although he had heard of it through the tales of Libo, seeing it in person still felt somewhat strange.

Taoists seek immortal life by cultivating self-mastery, and at the very least they aspire to freedom; they are quite particular about matters of lifespan.

As the saying goes, the Tao does not speak of longevity, and it is indeed very impolite to mention one's lifespan to Taoists. Yet, this Taoist temple did the opposite, hanging the word 'Ruins,' which symbolizes impending end of life, above its own head.

Hong Luoyu glanced at it and chuckled, saying,

"The verses on the doors here do have some mettle."

"It doesn't seem like the work of Taoists."

The wooden door was pushed open just then, one crimson gate on each side, partially covering the couplets on the left and right. The left side showed four characters, "Unpredictable Yin and Yang," while the right side was "Sweeping Away All Demons," just as Hong Luoyu had said, grandiose in tone and ambition.

Wang Anfeng remembered the Jianghu stories told to him by Libo, who described this place with great emphasis many times. Was it when he was six years old? Or perhaps eight? Or even ten, and maybe every couple of years he would tell the story again.

He spoke of the many foods he had eaten here, the many times he drank wine.

The most oft-told tales were of the 'Candle Dragon's Perch' sunrise and its splendid scene. Every time the story ended, he would be left wanting more, never forgetting to instruct Anfeng that if an opportunity arose and he had the ability, he must leave Great Liang Village and visit 'Candle Dragon's Perch'.

A Taoist walked out from the gate's center.

He was dressed in a starch-washed Taoist robe that had turned white, with eyes that were always squinting. Although he had a somewhat robust face, it was kind and benevolent, devoid of any ferocity, which made him seem approachable.

Wang Anfeng felt the old man looked amiable and disarmed his apprehensions.

The two Taoists sighed in relief, too anxious to enter the door. They briefly recounted what had happened in front of the elder Taoist with grizzled temples, who after listening, fell silent for a long while. He sighed and said he was glad they came back safely, then he turned to look at Wang Anfeng and others.

Presumably, he spent too much time reading by lamplight.

The Taoist's eyes seemed to be poor. Squinting, it took him a while to find the right direction before he smiled at Wang Anfeng and his group, performed a cupped-hand salute, and said:

"I am Master Guanxu, and I must thank you all for this time."

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"Without your righteous intervention, these two juniors of our temple might have lost their lives."

Wang Anfeng didn't dare to accept the gesture and responded with a fist salute:

"The Master is too kind."

The elder Taoist smiled, stepped aside to clear the path, and with one hand motioned them to enter the Taoist Temple, saying:

"You've travelled the mountain roads all night and must be tired."

"Please come in to rest a bit, have some food. Our temple is amidst troublesome times, and although you all possess astonishing skills, there's no need to get involved. You may leave via the back mountain trail."

"Please forgive any neglect on our part."

"Master."

Qing Yun called out softly.

The Observatory Master raised his hand to stop him, simply smiling warmly at Wang Anfeng and the others:

"Please come in."

That Qing Yun Taoist was younger and more straightforward by nature, but now, he didn't dare say more and stood silently behind the elder Taoist, without uttering a word.

Wang Anfeng exchanged a glance with Gong Yu, then said:

"Then we thank the Master for his generosity."

The group stepped inside, leaving things like horse-drawn carriages tied to the crooked trees outside the Taoist Temple. Gong Yu led the way, followed by Lin Qiaofu and others, while Wang Anfeng ended up at the back.

As he stepped into the temple, the Observatory Master narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly spoke:

"Young Master Wang, this old Taoist would like to ask you something."

Wang Anfeng paused, looked at the Taoist, and said:

"The Master need not be polite, may I know what it is?"

The Taoist with not-so-good eyes squinted at Wang Anfeng, asking slowly:

"May I ask if Young Master Wang was born at the foot of Great Liang Mount?"

PS: Here is the second update of today...

I've hit a bit of a writing block, please bear with me haha (fist salute)