Prefecture City, High MonasteryThe people living within Ying Prefecture at least had some money to earn lately. Just several years ago, most village were desolated and hunger was rampant. In just a blink of an eye, the dynasty had already been established for nine years. Just a couple of years ago, soldiers often clashed with rebels and bandits. Although they had many small skirmishes and battles, peace was starting to become the apparent trend.
The farming villages recovered very quickly as they started sowing and reaping harvests. At this point a small drought or famine wouldn’t be enough to cause problems.
Besides, the government office regularly provided aid for the poorer villages as well. With the ports and harbors flourishing from sea trade, they had made healthy profits. With an annual income of thirty thousand taels, they were considered wealthy. Although most of it was handed to the authorities as tax, they still had a considerable amount. Hence, they regularly issued large quant.i.ties of rice grains and other food.
Most of the population had forgotten about the hardships they had faced years ago. Maybe it was because there were many children who were born after the dynasty had regained stability. They thus lived in comfort without too much burdens. However, those people who could feel the difference in quality of life from all those years ago toiled themselves in the fields to show their grat.i.tude for the government. They were thankful to the deities for their protection. The incense fires within the shrines were never extinguished, and the frequency of offerings had increased.
The people at High Monastery was no exception to this. They currently resided within a newly renovated monastery. The funds had come from Zhang Jie Yu’s brilliance a few years ago. Many visitors had come to pay their respects to the deities within the monastery. People had started opening stalls in front of the monastery, and the crowd was lively.
Within the monastery, there was a high white washed wall. Within the walls were bamboo plants grown with the sun shining down nicely across. b.u.t.terflies and bees were gathered around, flying. Several birds perched high above, singing.
It was in the afternoon, as the Daoists gathered to have their meals. A succulent smell wafted in the air, as the outer yard was still and quiet.
Within a meditation room, a young girl was seated cross legged. She wore a plain white robe which clung onto her skin tightly. She looked somewhat young, and her features were charming for a girl that age. Just by looking at her, it was evident she was able to charm anyone if she wanted to.
Three sticks of incense were placed within the burner and had started to burn. When the setting sun crept through the windows of the room, and onto the incense, she stood up and stopped cultivating. Her face had lines of delight etched across, "I’ve finally broken through to the eighth stage. I’m yet another step closer to avenging my father. Pei Zi Yun, just you wait."
Ji Ai Guo’s expression was full of hatred as she pushed the door open and exited the meditation room. The meditation room was located within her own room. She then walked out of the mediation room and entered her own bedroom. It wasn’t particularly big, but was very neat. The wall was plastered with colored paper, and the windows used expensive gla.s.s. Her bedsheets were a light shade of pink, with a small white puppy embroidered on it.
Outside her balcony, a Daoist was pacing back and forth. Flowers were blooming all around, making for an adorable view.
The shadow of a small person could be seen from her window. This Daoist was Zhou An. At this point, a curious fire burned within his heart. He paced back and forth several more times and was about to dash into the room. He wanted to use the combination of Yin and Yang to steal this girl’s innate ability and break the gates of heaven effortlessly.
His eyes were burning with greed. At this point, he recalled the old Daoist and trembled. Some time ago, another Daoist took advantage of the old Daoist’s absence and wanted to violate the girl’s innate ability. When the old Daoist found out, he destroyed the person’s cultivation completely, and tossed him out of the sect.
A short period after he was chased out of the sect, he died on the roads some distance away. The rumor was that he met with bandits. But who believed that?
Only after a short two years of cultivation, she managed to reach the eighth stage. This meant that she had the best innate talents. Does Master still feel like Holy Jail Sect cannot protect her?
Thinking this way, Zhou An paced several steps in apparent distress. He then looked towards her room in envy. A look of hopefulness could be seen within the depths of his eyes. His legs seemed to have minds of their own as he took yet another step in her direction.
The minute he walked that step, he could fear footsteps coming from a distance away. Zhou An was taken aback and he hurriedly turned around and disappeared before long. His hasty escape startled several b.u.t.terflies.
Some time later, an old Daoist who was dressed in magnificent robes appeared from the corner. The minute he arrived, he frowned and thought, "Someone’s around. Could it be Zhou An spying? He has been relying on the fact that the Sect Leader specially appointed him and started becoming unrestrained. To think he could even dare to disturb my disciple."
Just as he was thinking this way, he sighed. After two years, the old Daoist had much more white hair than before. Wrinkles had formed at the corners of his eyes, and he looked like he had withered considerably, and looked much more lethargic than in his earlier years.
"I’m already old." The old Daoist adjusted his robes and gently called out at the door. Ji Ai Guo looked out, saw that it was the old Daoist and happily opened the door. She then rushed out to give him a big hug. "Master, I’m already at the eight stage. I’m much closer to the day of revenge now."
Ji Ai Guo’s face was filled with inexplicable joy as she shared her piece of good news.
Hearing Ji Ai Guo’s words, the old Daoist extended out a hand and patted her on the head, "Little Guo’er, that’s very impressive for you to reach the eighth level in such a short span."
Hearing the praise from the old Daoist, Ji Ai Guo beamed in happiness, "Master, please take a seat. I will get you some tea."
She then turned her small body around to retrieve some hot water for the old man.
Watching her back turn, the old Daoist’s heart sink. Pei Zi Yun was already an Yin Master, and his own disciple wanted revenge. He knew that she was still very far away from attaining her wish. It’s just that Dark Altar Sect had just attacked Free Cloud Sect. Holy Jail Sect now had the chance to make things worse for them. Maybe his disciple had a chance at revenge.
After pondering for some time, the old man Sect Elder laughed out, "Your improvement is extremely fast. I finally have someone to pa.s.s on to. It’s just that your current strength isn’t enough to have your revenge. You have to consider and plan things out properly."
Ji Ai Guo was preparing the tea for her master as she listened. When his words were spoken, she spilt some tea around before scrambling to get a cup. She then used a cloth to clean up the mess she had made.
"Master grandpa, please have some tea." Ji Ai Gu spoke out.
The old man received the tea and took a sip, "Ai Guo, I know you want your revenge. It’s just that you’re still young, and your martial arts techniques aren’t strong enough. You have to continue cultivating."
"I have to admit, Pei Zi Yun is an outstanding fighter. The will of heavens will not be on your side if you fight him. Even Dark Altar Sect had difficulty winning against him, and yet you want your revenge. It’s going to be extremely difficult for you to succeed." The old Daoist spoke out.
"Master grandpa, I’m not afraid of hardships. I just wish to avenge my father and uncle w.a.n.g." Ji Ai Guo spoke out stubbornly. Just as the Elder was about to speak again, there was a knock on the door. "Senior Uncle, is Senior Uncle in? I have an urgent report."
"Zhou An?" The Elder squinted and thought, ‘This person has been taking great lengths to avoid me, why would he be looking for me now?’
Thinking this way, he shouted out, "Zhou An, please come in."
Zhou An then pushed open the door and entered the room. Upon seeing the Elder he bowed courteously, "Senior uncle, Free Cloud Sect’s report has arrived. There’s a huge change."
"Oh?" The old Elder’s expression changed as he stretched out his hands to receive the report and take a look at it. Hearing that it was a report on Free cloud Sect, Ji Ai Guo craned her neck and tiptoed to take a look as well.
When Zhou An handed the report over, he stood still and turned his head to catch a glance at Ji Ai Guo. She was dressed in a silvery white robe and looked extremely adorable. His glance lingered for awhile longer.
The old Daoist cast a glance at Ji Ai Guo who was eagerly trying to catch a glance at the slip of paper. He then raised the paper higher. Seeing that her master didn’t allow her to read it, Ji Ai Guo pouted. Since there was someone else present, she didn’t show her dissatisfaction.
After reading the report, the old Daoist was taken aback, "Dark Altar Sect failed in their plans, that comes as no surprise. The few of us powerful sects have been joining efforts, not allowing them to succeed."
"It’s just that without us making a move, Free Cloud Sect won the battle. That exceeded our expectations. Besides, after going through such a difficult period, the sect managed to elect a new leader, and Pei Zi Yun took the Sect Leader position!"
"Additionally, he acted extremely fast and started distributing compensation money, started rebuilding his sect. Also, it states that Pei Zi Yun has disappeared for some time, and even his own disciples didn’t know where he went to."
"He then appeared within the city. It’s unclear what method he used to persuade the magistrate to send his riders and men. With this person as the Sect Leader, it’s becoming harder to maintain a grasp of the situation."
"This person managed to become the Sect Leader?" Ji Ai Guo listened anxiously, her face turning red.
"Ai, True Element Sect blockaded their mountain?" The old Daoist read on and was taken aback. Why would True Element Sect seal off their mountain for no reason? A sense of inauspiciousness grabbed hold of him.
"Could it be that True Element Sect sealed off their mountain so that they can head over to Free Cloud Sect?" The old Daoist asked.
Zhou An watched the Elder and spoke, "Senior uncle, it’s probably because True Element Sect is worried that Dark Altar Sect would attack them."
Hearing these words, the old Daoist cleared his throat and ignored him. He sank deep in thought. Zhou An then took this opportunity to check out Ji Ai Guo. He hadn’t seen her in a long time. The last time he laid eyes on her, she was skinny and frail. How did she manage to look so refined and prosperous at this point.
Ji AI Guo was only twelve or thirteen years old. She had a pair of pony tails and looked someone more nourished. She was still small framed, but her eyes had a sort of determined maturity within.
Just as he was deep in thought, he recalled that she was the old Daoist’s favourite disciple. He then acted normal and asked out, "Senior uncle, now that Free Cloud Sect has sustained losses, are we going to start our plans?"
As he spoke, he moved closer to Ji Ai Guo. The old Daoist caught Zhou An looking at her. His expression turned cold.
As he pondered for some time, he then turned to look at Ji Ai Guo. She was still pouting, clearly wanting to read the report. He sighed, "True Element Sect was allied to Free Cloud Sect. If I’m not mistaken, she must’ve travelled to Free Cloud Sect."
"Although Free Cloud Sect’s strength had been depleted considerably, they have Pei Zi Yun, which makes things harder to deal with. According to the reports, he killed more than thirty Dark Altar Sect men in a day. That’s extremely terrifying."
"Besides, he handles matters extremely efficiently and well. It seems like he managed to convince the county’s magistrate and received the support from the government office and obtained soldiers for his own defense. The difference between soldiers and Daoists is that even if soldiers die, it won’t mean anything for the sect."
"Throwing a hundred men is nothing for the government office. But how much did Free Cloud Sect had to pay for it?"
"Dark Altar Sect is a huge sect. This loss probably cost their strength to dwindle as well. At this time however, we are no match for even Free Cloud Sect, what more Dark Altar Sect. Every man we lose would be crucial for us."
"With such a situation, I stand to lose by making a move."
"If I succeed in attacking Free Cloud Sect, I would just be helping Dark Altar Sect. If I lose, we would be in big trouble."
"I don’t have much longer to live. Sacrificing myself would mean I can enter Paradise, and would be a good sacrifice for my sect."
"But at this point, I have Guo’er to look after. If I were to go, how would Guo’er survive by herself?"
After watching her grow over the years, the old Daoist had developed a paternal instincts for her, and treated her like his own daughter.
"Ji Ai Guo has extremely strong innate talents, and thus cultivate very quickly. This is a good point. But many people are watching her closely and looking at her with envy. Although I am a Sect Elder, I shouldn’t take any unnecessary risks."
"This Sect started out with a dual philosophy of cultivation and using women Daoists to aid with our cultivation level. Once a Daoists managed to gain access into Paradise, he would then gradually wash away all the impurities and begin his new cultivation and start afresh. How could I ever subject my Ai Guo to be the subject of such a plan?"
How could the old Daoist ever give up at this point? His disciple had grown so quickly. In future, she could even vie for the Sect Leader spot. All along, he had already given up looking for a disciple who could succeed him and was more than contented dying and residing within Paradise.
Now that he had such an outstanding disciple, things were different. He could even take a risk and choose to be reincarnated and restart his cultivation journey. Thinking this way, he turned to Zhou An, "Report this matter to the Sect Leader. Tell him everything. Tell him that circ.u.mstances have changed, and that it’s not a good time to attack Free Cloud Sect."