Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 204 A Battle of Wits

After Zhou Ning was taken away, A-Shu stood at the mountain gate for a long time.

He watched the crowd gradually disappear on the mountain path, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

Zhou Ning was the only person who was willing to believe in him, and the only person who gave him hope.

If something happens to Zhou Ning, he doesn't know what his future will be like.

"A-Shu." Yan Chixia's voice came from behind.

Ashu turned around and saw Yan Chixia standing at the entrance of the main hall, his face calm, but there was a hint of solemnity in his eyes.

"Master Yan, Young Master Zhou, he..."

Yan Chixia waved his hand, interrupting him.

"He'll be fine. Those people from the Righteous Alliance are just bluffing. They can't produce any solid evidence, so they'll have to release him in the end."

Ashu asked, "Then aren't you going to save him?"

Yan Chixia said, "Going to rescue him now would only confirm his 'crime.' Letting him face it himself will prove his innocence."

He turned and walked into the main hall, and Ashu quickly followed.

"Master Yan, I have a question for you."

Yan Chixia sat down on the futon and gestured for him to speak.

Ashu asked, "When you were young, were you really almost misled by a 'wine-and-meat bodhisattva'?"

Yan Chixia was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes. That was shortly after I broke through to the Dao Integration stage. I was full of vigor and felt that I could save the world. I heard that there was a 'Blissful Sect' in the Western Regions that was bewitching people, so I went there alone."

He paused, his gaze becoming profound, as if he had traveled through time and returned to that distant era.

"I found her lair, but accidentally broke her seal and released her. As a result, I fought her for three days and three nights."

"She is very powerful, but what's even more terrifying is her illusions. She can draw out your deepest desires and then amplify them infinitely."

"I was young and impetuous back then, and my resolve in the Dao was not firm enough. I almost fell into it."

Ashu asked, "So how did you get out?"

Yan Chixia said, "A senior suddenly appeared and saved me. It was Abbot Wuchen of Baima Temple. He arrived just in time and shattered the illusion with the Buddhist Lion's Roar."

"Later, Abbot Wuchen sealed her away again, and then he told me that the Wine and Meat Bodhisattva was actually a pitiful person. She was trapped by her own obsession and needed someone to help her."

Ashu asked, "So, you didn't go looking for her again?"

Yan Chixia shook his head: "No. No one dares to approach her seal. Plus, she's too cunning. I remember once, I was bewitched by her again. After releasing her, she roamed freely for a while. Later, Abbot Wuchen had no way to seal her anymore, so he gathered some experts from the Three Realms to seal her together, and I participated in that operation."

A-Shu's heart skipped a beat: "You also participated in the sealing?"

Yan Chixia nodded: "Yes. I watched with my own eyes as she was sealed away again."

"I still remember her eyes; they held anger, resentment, and a sense of relief. Perhaps she had wanted to end it all for a long time."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the distant mountains.

"Zhou Ning is better than me. He can get the 'wine-loving bodhisattva' to actively seek his help, which I haven't been able to do. Perhaps, he really can convert her."

After a moment of silence, A-Shu asked, "Immortal Master Yan, how do you think the Righteous Path Alliance will treat Young Master Zhou?"

Yan Chixia said, "They will interrogate him, but they will not use torture."

"Because Zhou Ning is a hero who defeated the Heavenly Demon, he enjoys high prestige among the people."

"If they torture him, it will arouse public outrage and enrage the imperial court. So, at most, they will just detain him for a few days and then release him."

Ashu breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."

Yan Chixia turned around and looked at him with piercing eyes.

"A-Shu, I know who you are."

Ashu was startled, then lowered his head.

"Master Yan, I..."

Yan Chixia waved his hand: "No need to explain. Zhou Ning trusts you, so I trust you too."

"But remember this: if you dare to hurt him, I won't let you get away with it."

Ashu quickly replied, "Immortal Yan, rest assured, I will never harm Young Master Zhou."

Yan Chixia nodded and said nothing more.

……

Qingcheng Mountain, the temporary base of the Righteous Alliance.

When Zhou Ning was escorted to Qingcheng Mountain, it was already dark.

The mountains soar into the clouds, Taoist temples stand in rows, and the clouds and mist swirl around, making it look like a fairyland.

But Zhou Ning had no interest in appreciating the scenery. His wrists were shackled to seal his cultivation, making every step feel as heavy as a mountain.

Yu Zhenzi led him into a grand hall.

The hall was brightly lit, and representatives from various schools and sects sat on both sides.

Zhang Tianshi of Longhu Mountain, Liu Zhenren of Maoshan Mountain, Jingxin Shitai of Emei Mountain, Yuxuzi of Kunlun Mountain...

Xuanzhenzi was also there, his expression solemn. When he saw Zhou Ning, he nodded slightly, as if to say "Don't worry".

In the very center of the main hall, there was a chair, which was Zhou Ning's "defendant's seat".

"Sit down," Yu Zhenzi said coldly.

Zhou Ning calmly sat down, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

Some people looked sympathetic, some gloated, some were expressionless, and some seemed thoughtful.

The myriad aspects of human nature were vividly displayed at this moment.

Yu Zhenzi walked to the head of the table, cleared his throat, and said, "Fellow Daoists, we have gathered you here today to investigate the case of Zhou Ning's collusion with the Wine and Meat Bodhisattva."

"The evidence is conclusive and undeniable. However, for the sake of fairness, we will still give him a chance to explain."

He took the jade slip from his sleeve and held it high.

"This is the jade slip we found at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion in Jinling. It records his secret conversation with the Wine and Meat Bodhisattva."

"Zhou Ning, do you have anything else to say?"

Zhou Ning said calmly, "I did meet with the 'Wine and Meat Bodhisattva,' but it wasn't a secret meeting. I was trying to persuade her to repent and reform. If you listen carefully to the contents of the jade slip, you'll understand."

Yu Zhenzi snorted coldly.

"Persuade her to repent and reform? What right do you, a cultivator at the Dao Integration stage, have to persuade a thousand-year-old demon? Clearly, you are plotting to overthrow the Three Realms."

Zhou Ning said, "Sect Leader Yu Zhenzi, you insist that I colluded with the Wine and Meat Bodhisattva, but what evidence do you have? Just a jade slip of unknown origin?"

Yu Zhenzi's expression changed.

Are you questioning the authenticity of the evidence?

Zhou Ning said, "This is not a question, but a fact. Anyone can forge that jade slip."

"If you truly believe I'm colluding with philanthropists, why not provide more direct evidence? For example, a letter she wrote herself, or her confession?"

Yu Zhenzi was speechless.

Master Zhang then spoke up: "Young Master Zhou, it's not that we don't trust you. But with the reappearance of the 'wine-and-meat bodhisattva' in the mortal realm, the righteous alliance is under great pressure."

"We need an explanation. It's a fact that you had contact with those who indulged in pleasure-seeking."

"Can you tell us where she is now?"

Zhou Ning shook his head: "I can't say. I promised her I would keep her secret."

Yu Zhenzi sneered: "See, he admitted it. He has a secret agreement with the Wine and Meat Bodhisattva."

Zhou Ning looked at Yu Zhenzi and calmly said, "Sect Leader Yu Zhenzi, you seem to really want me to collude with the 'Wine and Meat Bodhisattva.' Why?"

Yu Zhenzi's face turned ashen: "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Zhou Ning said, "I'm not lying. From the very first time we met, you've been targeting me at every turn."

"I defeated the Heavenly Demon, and you were unconvinced. I helped the Wine and Meat Bodhisattva find the Phoenix Feather, and you questioned me. I advised her to repent and reform, and you accused me of plotting. What exactly do you want?"

Yu Zhenzi suddenly stood up and shouted angrily, "I want justice!"

Zhou Ning also stood up, his eyes blazing.

"Justice? Is your so-called justice upheld by framing innocent people?"

The two were locked in a fierce confrontation, and the atmosphere in the hall became extremely tense.

Xuanzhenzi quickly smoothed things over: "Alright, alright, calm down. Young Master Zhou, Sect Leader Yuzhenzi is only thinking about the safety of the Righteous Alliance."

"If you truly haven't colluded with those who indulge in wine and women, then please cooperate with the investigation and remain on Mount Qingcheng for now. Once the matter is clarified, you will naturally be released."

Zhou Ning was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay. I'll cooperate."

Yu Zhenzi snorted coldly and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Two disciples from Qingcheng Mountain stepped forward and led Zhou Ning to a side room in the backyard.

The room wasn't big, but it was fairly clean.

Zhou Ning went inside, and the door was locked from the outside.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and regulated his breathing.

Although the shackles on his wrists sealed his cultivation, they could not seal his Dao heart.

His heart was at peace, without the slightest fear or anger.

"The innocent will remain innocent," he murmured.