Under One Person: The Seeker of the Dao in the Lü Family

Chapter 379 A Sincere Offering of Faith and Prayer

In North China, nestled in remote, secluded low mountains far from the capital, winding mountain roads connect the inside and outside of the mountains, yet few people travel there, making it not much different from otherworldly places.

On the low mountainside stands a palace or temple, neither too big nor too small, complete with halls and pavilions.

There was only one person in the temple, the one Zhao Fangxu called Senior Brother Liu, who was cultivating there. At this time, he was not preparing for evening prayers as usual, but like Zhou Meng in the Golden Hall of Wudang, he was sitting cross-legged in the Ancestral Hall with his eyes closed, chanting incantations.

"The wondrous method of the Golden Elixir preserves life and nature; the Pure Yang Wisdom Sword refines the true spirit."

"The Yin and Yang harmonize the fire elements of Bing and Ding, working together to mend the soul of heaven and earth."

At the Celestial Master's Mansion on Longhu Mountain, the old Celestial Master sat cross-legged in a pavilion nestled in the mountains. The last rays of the setting sun slanted down from the horizon, casting a golden glow on the white-bearded, white-haired, and white-robed figure, making this centenarian Taoist appear even more otherworldly, like a painted golden statue in a temple.

Zhang Zhiwei, from the time he was hailed as "the best" by the world, has now lived for more than 60 years.

For sixty years, everyone in the world of supernatural beings has known that this seemingly unorthodox celestial master is actually incredibly powerful. They cannot fathom the vastness of Zhang Zhiwei's abilities and can only look up to his height.

Few people in the world know how far the height of the "Summit" is from the "Heavenly Realm" after decades of accumulation.

Facing Haoyang, with his back to the bright moon slowly appearing in the sky, the old celestial master, like the many old cultivators on this earth, was softly chanting incantations.

"Those who walk the path of all Dharma gates will eventually achieve great success and knock on the gates of Heaven."

……

The sound of chanting mantras faded away with the wind, like an unconscious murmur in a dream, yet an intangible and ethereal aura lingered around it. The pavilion, open on all sides and with winds blowing from all directions, seemed to transform into a ancestral hall, exuding an inexplicable majesty and warmth.

After the recitation was completed, the calm and majestic atmosphere dissipated completely, leaving only a sense of tranquility and otherworldly peace that lingered in the mountains.

"Senior brother, are you about to ascend to immortality?"

Tian Jinzhong, who had been disabled for most of his life, sat in a wheelchair and quietly watched the old master's back as he gazed into the distance. He sensed the mysterious atmosphere but did not have any doubts, because this harmonious and peaceful life had never changed in decades.

The old Celestial Master Zhang Zhiwei, his senior brother, is always here, always guarding himself and his disciples, always protecting Longhu Mountain...

After a long silence, Tian Jinzhong, who was still carrying his own thoughts, finally broke the stillness of time by speaking. He asked his senior brother, who was like a teacher and a father to him, but his tone was as if he was advising him on something.

Upon hearing this, the old Celestial Master opened his eyes, and a fierce glint, barely suppressed, shone from beneath his pupils, which had been indifferent and reserved for decades. He did not turn around, but closed his eyes again and, in a drowsy voice, gave an answer that did not match.

"Hmm, Jinzhong, what are you talking about?"

In the past, Tian Jinzhong didn't think much of such a perfunctory tone. In fact, he was already used to the old master's frivolity, because Tian Jinzhong himself had his own worries and was keeping them from the other party.

But today, Tian Jinzhong, who had been fooling around all his life, no longer chose to play along with his senior brother. He sighed deeply, as if he wanted to vent all the resentment and exhaustion that had accumulated over half a lifetime of disability.

"Senior brother, we're getting old, and I'm nearing my end. You've taken care of me your whole life; it's time to let go."

This highly accomplished Taoist priest, who had suffered greatly, smiled as he faced the distant sunset, as if he had let go of everything, and almost slid off his wheelchair with ease.

"What do you mean by letting go? Everyone says that the eldest brother is like a father. I am your senior brother and also the Master of the Zhengyi Sect. Isn't it only natural for me to look after you?"

The old master, who had been facing away from Tian Jinzhong, opened his eyes. His pupils regained the restrained indifference of the past few decades. He stood up, smiled, and came to Tian Jinzhong, pushing his junior brother to the windy spot.

"The evening breeze is chilly, and my crippled old bones can't bear it. Senior brother, are you perhaps planning to send me away as soon as possible?"

"Haha, I just want this evening breeze to blow away your overthinking head. Instead of thinking about living life properly, you're worrying about too many meaningless things."

The old master deliberately pushed the wheelchair of his subordinates towards the cliff, allowing Tian Jinzhong to be more directly exposed to the mountain wind.

"I never regret anything. I will consider what to do and when to do it. There's no need for others to worry about me."

"Not only are you here on this mountain, but I also have so many disciples and followers to play with and amuse me. I can't bear to part with such a carefree life."

"Senior brother!"

……

The playful banter on Longhu Mountain had its own warm atmosphere. At this moment, inside the train station in the northeast, Lü Qian stood still, the burning flames in his pupils completely dissipated, and the bud mark on his forehead, composed of crimson flame patterns, looked even more like a bud about to bloom.

Besides the sounds of wind and snow outside, he could hear Gao Lian and others kneeling and praying before him, and it seemed as if he could also hear the mantras and praises of people from all directions. He received the prayers and blessings in the world that were related to him, either clearly or vaguely.

"Is this what it feels like to embody the will of Heaven with my own heart, and to see the hearts of all as a reflection of it?"

Lu Qian stepped forward and stood before Gao Lian. He did not become arrogant because of the flattery he received from the world or the humility of Gao Lian and others.

He was simply ordinary and easygoing, yet exuded the spirit of youth, humbly and confidently revealing his true self.

"Uncle Gao, please get up."

Lu Qian's gentle words and familiar address startled Gao Lian, who was prepared to die for him. He involuntarily raised his head and stood up uncontrollably.

Only now did he truly face Lü Qian, the junior he hadn't seen for several years and had only met once before. Lü Qian addressed him as "Uncle Gao" just as he had when they first met, unchanged.

On his way here, Gao Lian considered every possibility. Perhaps Lü Qian, this living sage, would treat him coldly because of the Gao family's disgraceful behavior; or perhaps he would show him some respect because of the karma he had helped Lü Qian resolve the mess of Bi He Ren years ago...

When Gao Lian actually faced Lü Qian, he realized that all his assumptions were wrong.

The person before me has never changed; he is still that little Taoist priest from Wudang Mountain. The only things that have changed over the years are the world and himself; their hearts have changed.

Youth fades quickly, beauty changes, and when we see the white-clad figure again, it is only because people's hearts change.

Before he could even process the disappointment in his heart, Gao Lian quickly stepped aside and led the hospital bed to him, so that Lü Qian could see Gao Erzhuang, whose life was hanging by a thread, inside the recovery pod, and pleaded.

"Nephew, I beg you to save Erzhuang. Only you can save Erzhuang now, and only you can save Erzhuang."

"The Gao family... will shut themselves off from the future and will not easily venture south again."