69novels Page 212
Page 212
One of the Taoist priests made a judgment.
The others shared the same thought.
"What revenge for my junior brother? It's all fake, just a smokescreen."
A Taoist priest sneered, "He must have been sent by the Heavenly Gate to give us a warning. Otherwise, why would he arrive as soon as you went?"
"Tianmen felt that they would be at a disadvantage if they confronted us head-on, so they asked Huashan Sect for help."
The Taoist priest's words reflected the thoughts of the others.
"Then what do we do?"
A Taoist priest looked worried.
"Jiang Ning is not someone to be trifled with."
"Let's just fight Tianmen to the death!"
Another Taoist priest slammed his fist on the table and stood up.
"If Tianmen can commit such a heinous act as murdering his own uncle, he probably won't show us any mercy either. Let's just fight him to the death!"
"His lineage has two hundred people, and our various lineages combined also have quite a few. At worst, we'll fight to the death!"
"Tianyi, calm down."
At this point, the other Taoist priests began to persuade the Taoist priest.
"How can we fight now? Master and Uncle have been secretly killed by Tianmen. None of us can defeat Tianmen. Now Jiang Ning has arrived, and he is clearly in cahoots with Tianmen. We are at a disadvantage. How can we fight?"
Upon hearing this, Tianyi sat down, his face extremely grim: "Then what can we do? Aren't we supposed to avenge Master and Uncle? If he can find Jiang Ning from the Huashan Sect, why can't we find someone? Let's write to the Songshan Sect and ask Alliance Leader Zuo to send someone to help us set things right."
"Senior Brother Tianxin has already sent a letter to the Songshan Sect."
The Taoist priest who had previously advised Tianyi said again, "Let's not act rashly for now, and wait for Senior Brother Tianxin's arrangements."
Tianyi remained silent, sullen.
"Junior Brother Tianqi, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Ping Le and the others brought back food from Zhexian Tower, all of which are your favorite dishes."
One of the Taoist priests spoke to Tianqi Taoist priest, and as he called out, two Taoist priests dressed in mourning clothes came in carrying lunch boxes and brought out the food inside. They were the same two people Jiang Ning had seen during the day.
"Thank you, senior brother, but I really didn't eat any."
Daoist Tianqi expressed his gratitude, but he had little appetite at the moment.
He was truly angered by Li Yong'an.
That idiot actually thought he was in cahoots with Jiang Ning, acting all smug.
A mindless brute!
Daoist Tianqi cursed inwardly.
……
Mount Tai.
In terms of fame, it is far more famous than Mount Hua. Mount Tai has been the place where emperors performed the Fengshan ceremony since ancient times.
Since Qin Shi Huang performed the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, every emperor in successive dynasties regarded it as the highest honor. Those emperors who performed the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai all left a brilliant mark on history: Qin Shi Huang, Emperor Wu of Han, Emperor Guangwu of Han, Emperor Gaozong of Tang…
Except for Emperor Zhenzong of Song...
After Emperor Zhenzong of Song performed the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, no subsequent emperors went to Mount Tai to perform the ceremony, and Mount Tai's glory came to an end.
Jiang Ning had nothing good to say about the former emperor who single-handedly ruined the historic Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai. He was just marveling at how long the journey to Mount Tai truly was.
The saying "Mount Hua cures a stubborn life, Mount Tai cures a stubborn mouth" is not just a saying. If Jiang Ning were an ordinary person, his legs would probably be as limp as Laudenau's after climbing Mount Tai.
Luckily, I'm an expert.
Jiang Ning thought to himself.
He has now arrived at the entrance of the Taishan Sect.
At this time, two Taoist priests were guarding the main gate.
“If you wish to offer incense, please go that way. This is the territory of my Taishan Sect, and outsiders are not allowed to enter.”
The two Taoist priests spoke as soon as they saw Jiang Ning approaching.
Jiang Ning smiled and said, "Senior brothers, I am Jiang Ning from the Huashan Sect. I have come to visit my senior uncle Tianmen."
"The Huashan Sect?"
The two Taoist priests were taken aback. They didn't notice what Jiang Ning said, but they did clearly hear the words "Huashan Sect".
The two quickly bowed and said, "So it's our junior brother from the Huashan Sect. Please come in."
One person welcomed Jiang Ning through the gate, while the other hurriedly left to report.
"May I ask your Daoist name, senior brother?"
Jiang Ning followed the Taoist priest inside, chatting as they went.
The Taoist priest quickly replied, "This humble Taoist priest is a disciple of Master Tiansong."
Jiang Ning nodded.
It belongs to the lineage of Master Tianmen.
While the two were chatting, Jiang Ning was also looking around at the buildings.
As the place where ancient emperors performed the Fengshan ceremony before Emperor Zhenzong of Song, Mount Tai's buildings were magnificent and grand. Although later emperors stopped performing the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai due to Emperor Zhenzong's personal reasons, the buildings were not demolished but preserved to this day, appearing ancient and majestic.
Along the way, Jiang Ning saw many disciples of Mount Tai, which was much more lively than Mount Hua.
Although the Taishan Sect has more than 400 members, the actual number is much higher. Including the young disciples and many registered or unregistered disciples, the total number in Jiangning is unknown, but it is at least 600.
As Jiang Ning followed the Taoist priest named Fa Xing inside, he also observed the Taishan Sect and noticed something unusual.
He discovered that although these Taishan disciples were all on Mount Tai, some were dressed in mourning clothes while others were wearing Taoist robes. These two groups of Taishan disciples were clearly separated and did not disturb each other. Even when they saw each other, they acted as if they did not see each other, and some even showed hostility towards each other.
It seems that those wearing mourning clothes are disciples of Yu Jizi and Yu Panzi's lineage, while those wearing normal Taoist robes are from Tianmen and his junior brothers' lineage.
Looking at these two groups of Taishan disciples who were under the same roof but were strangers to each other, Jiang Ning couldn't think of any words to express his feelings.
Tianmen Daoren's management skills were indeed lacking.
If the current situation of the Taishan Sect is not handled properly, it will inevitably lead to trouble in the future.
At this moment, several Taoist priests, surrounded by other Taishan disciples, walked towards Jiang Ning not far in front of him.
The one leading them was none other than the Taoist of Tianmen.
"This junior disciple greets Senior Uncle Tianmen and all the other senior uncles and senior masters."
Jiang Ning bowed to Tianmen Daoist and the several Daoists around him.
"How did you come?"
Upon hearing the news that Jiang Ning had come to Mount Tai, the Taoist of Tianmen was also surprised. He only asked the question after actually meeting Jiang Ning.
"Why didn't you write me a letter before you came? I could have picked you up earlier."
Jiang Ning smiled and said, "My junior brother came down the mountain to travel and encountered Jinan, so he thought he would come and see his senior brother."
When Jiang Ning came to Mount Tai, he thought about sending a visiting card, just like when he went to Mount Emei last time. However, since the Mount Tai Sect was part of the Five Sacred Mountains Alliance and the Tianmen Taoist was one of his own, he decided not to go through all that formalities and just went to visit them directly.
Jiang Ning glanced at the somewhat haggard look on Tianmen Daoist's face.
"I haven't seen you for several months, and Uncle Tianmen has lost a lot of weight."
Chapter 293: The Dilemma of the Heavenly Gate Taoist
Unlike when Jiang Ning last saw Tianmen Daoist, Tianmen Daoist was now thinner, with sunken eyes, a slightly sallow complexion, and a melancholy air about him.
In just two or three months, Tianmen Daoist has changed into what he is now.
Upon hearing Jiang Ning's words, Tianmen Daoist slowly shook his head, said nothing, and asked a question.
"How is Jinyu's injury?"
Jiang Ning replied, "Senior Brother Li's injuries have almost healed, and he can go to Mount Song with my master and the others in June."
Upon hearing this, Tianmen Daoist nodded, as if it were just a casual question, and then began to introduce the other people to Jiang Ning.
Instead, he introduced other people to Jiang Ning.
“You’ve never been to Mount Tai before, and you don’t go out much, so you don’t know your senior uncles and elders. Let me introduce you.”
These old Taoist priests were junior disciples of Tianmen Taoist. Jiang Ning recognized one of them; he was Tiansong Taoist, who was lying on a stretcher during Liu Zhengfeng's Golden Basin Washing Hands Ceremony.
“This is your Senior Uncle Tianyi, and this is your Senior Uncle Tianfeng…”
Tianmen Daoist introduced Jiang Ning to the people of his lineage one by one.
Upon learning that Jiang Ning had come to the Taishan Sect, the Taoist of Tianmen summoned all his fellow disciples from his lineage, intending to make Jiang Ning more familiar with him.
"Nephew greets Uncle Tianyi and Uncle Tianfeng."
As Tianmen Daoist introduced them, Jiang Ning bowed to each of them, and the Daoist opposite him returned the bow in kind, without being arrogant just because he was of a higher seniority than Jiang Ning.
"Since this is your first time visiting Mount Tai, if you're not in a hurry, stay here for a few more days. I'll have your Uncle Tiansong show you around Mount Tai."
After seeing that Jiang Ning had already gotten to know his fellow disciples, Tianmen Daoist finally spoke.
"Okay, Senior Uncle."
Jiang Ning nodded.
Everyone walked into the hall together.
"Uncle-Master, I heard that Senior Yujizi and the others have passed away from a serious illness?"
Jiang Ning brought up this topic on the way.
"Ah."
Tianmen Daoist nodded, his face somewhat gloomy.
Jiang Ning observed his expression, analyzing the situation in his mind.
Judging from the mood of Tianmen Daoren when he left Shaanxi last time, Yujizi and the others should not have been infected with the so-called evil disease, but rather it was Tianmen Daoren who caused it.
It's understandable, really. Zuo Lengchan sent assassins to ambush Tianmen Daoist, killing all fifty-odd disciples he brought with him except for Li Jinyu. Even Tianmen Daoist himself almost died in Jiuhegou. This hatred is enough to show that Tianmen Daoist didn't immediately organize people to take revenge on Songshan Sect upon his return. It would be abnormal for Tianmen Daoist to tolerate the survival of disciples like Yu Jizi who had already defected to the enemy.
"Master Uncle, after Yu Jizi and the others die, I'm afraid their disciples might harbor disloyal thoughts."
Last time, Yu Jizi and his disciples left with the Songshan Sect, which means that their stance was the same as Yu Jizi and Yu Panzi. Now that Tianmen Daoist has killed these uncles of his, their disciples will probably not let it go.
"I have my own sense of proportion."
Hearing Jiang Ning's reminder, Tianmen Daoist nodded, but still didn't say anything, clearly not wanting to discuss the matter further.
Seeing his expression, Jiang Ning frowned slightly.
If you continue to cut off, you will be subject to chaos.
If Tianmen Daoist doesn't deal with these people properly, he'll definitely suffer a major setback later.
Jiang Ning wanted to offer a reminder, but Tianmen Daoist was unwilling to elaborate, so he had no choice but to swallow his words.
After all, he wasn't a member of the Mount Tai sect, so there were some things he couldn't say too much.
Jiang Ning could only stay in Mount Tai for a few more days to see if Yu Jizi's disciples would make any moves.
Tianmen Daoist seemed to be busy, and after chatting briefly with Jiang Ning, he left, leaving Tiansong Daoist behind.
"Nephew, let me take you to your room to rest first."
Tian Song Daoist said to Jiang Ning.
"Thank you, uncle."
Jiang Ning nodded and thanked him.
Daoist Tiansong led Jiang Ning to a room filled with ancient charm, and by then it was getting late.
“Junior Brother Jiang, why don’t you rest for the night? Tomorrow I will take you on a proper tour of Mount Tai.”
Upon hearing that Tiansong was indeed going to take him to visit Mount Tai as instructed by Tianmen Daoren, Jiang Ning said, "Uncle-Master is busy with many affairs, so there's no need to trouble you. I can just wander around by myself."