Secret Buyer

Chapter 578 - 352: Erlang Bestows the Celestial Eye, At Last Enters Douluo Palace (Part 2)

"May I ask where Erlang’s hometown is?"

"Far, far, far away. Not only far but also obscure and of no significance."

"Then, Yang Er-lang, let me ask you, how many years of cultivation have you had, and how is your cultivation level?"

"To answer the Daoist Venerable, I have only lived to be 26 or 27, and my cultivation is exceedingly low, having just completed the training of my flesh, muscles, and bones, within this physical shell."

The two exchanged questions and answers at a rapid pace,

Zhang Fusheng, at some point, had risen from within the pavilion, exhaling a word, stepping forward, step by step, creating ripples in the void with each stride.

"Only completed the training of flesh, muscles, and bones? The Martial Artist’s Twelve Refinements trains the flesh, muscles, and bones, but I have heard of those who achieve sanctification in the flesh. Don’t they also train the flesh, muscles, and bones?"

"Sanctification in the flesh? To think there are such people in the world makes Er-lang yearn for it greatly."

"Has Er-lang achieved sanctification in the flesh?"

"Daoist Venerable jests. How could my mere three-foot life relate to the word ’sanctified’?"

"Then why has Yang Er-lang come visiting?"

As the last word fell, Zhang Fusheng stood before Yang Er-lang,

The ripples of the void beneath his feet slowly spread, shattering grass and trees, obliterating the muddy ground, even reducing Yang Er-lang’s trouser legs and straw sandals to dust,

Yet, oddly enough, his pristine skin remained untouched, not a single hair fell.

Zhang Fusheng laughed, pointing at Yang Er-lang’s legs:

"Is this not sanctification in the flesh?"

Yang Er-lang shrugged, spreading his hands:

"It’s definitely not sanctification in the flesh."

Zhang Fusheng’s smile faded:

"Speaking lies with open eyes."

Yang Er-lang spoke softly:

"What about with eyes closed?"

The lakeside suddenly fell into a deadly silence, the pair’s words seemingly illogical and aimless,

yet they bore an air of mutual confrontation beneath the surface narrative.

Zhang Fusheng suddenly exhaled a rich, clear breath, fixing his gaze on Yang Er-lang:

"The closed eye, it’s on the forehead, isn’t it?"

Yang Er-lang looked surprised, repeatedly clasping his fists:

"As expected of Daoist Venerable, who even sees through this small secret of mine. Impressive, truly impressive!"

After Yang Er-lang had completed his salute to him, Zhang Fusheng then spoke calmly:

"For this True Monarch Erlang’s salute, how could a mere humble being like myself possibly bear it?"

Yang Er-lang smiled:

"Since I have saluted but haven’t been struck by divine lightning, it means the Daoist Venerable can bear it. As for me, I’m not sure I can withstand a salute from the Daoist Venerable."

Zhang Fusheng chuckled:

"Why has the True Monarch come seeking someone so insignificant as me?"

Erlang said leisurely:

"You are not insignificant. The Grand Minister calls you a fellow Daoist, and the Speaker seems to treat you as an honored guest—otherwise, why would he send that maiden to this mansion?"

Saying this, he gestured towards the backyard, evidently referring to the Six Desires Celestial Maiden.

Zhang Fusheng stared at Yang Er-lang:

"So Erlang was sent by the Speaker to find me?"

"No, no."

Yang Er-lang shook his head animatedly:

"I, Erlang, have long since broken away from the Yuxu lineage."

Zhang Fusheng’s expression turned serious:

"The Erlang I knew seems somewhat different from the Erlang before me now."

"Oh? Could you tell me, Daoist Venerable, how is it different?"

"The Erlang I know wouldn’t act so frivolously—that was someone who would scour mountains to subdue demons, someone who wouldn’t even heed the Celestial Emperor."

"Daoist Venerable ought to know, people change. I, Yang Er-lang, have severed ties with the Yuxu lineage; what else couldn’t happen?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fusheng raised his eyebrows:

"After all this talk, Erlang still hasn’t clearly stated why you’re here?"

"No reason."

Yang Er-lang’s smile vanished, speaking calmly:

"I’m entrusted by an old acquaintance to come see the Daoist Venerable."

"Which old acquaintance? What is there to see in me?"

"Which acquaintance the Daoist Venerable will naturally come to know in the future... Even if there was no entrustment from an old acquaintance, I would want to see who can make the Grand Minister call a fellow Daoist, who can have the Speaker send the Six Desires Celestial Maiden."

Zhang Fusheng felt a forewarning, knowing he was caught in another maelstrom—yet this whirlpool must have signs,

Where is the root?

When did this vortex begin?

As thoughts raced, he asked further:

"Having looked, what does Erlang plan now?"

"No plans, no plans."

Yang Er-lang shook his head repeatedly, suddenly reaching out, causing Zhang Fusheng’s expression to change as he used all his means in an instant.

Chaos Seal, Pangu Banner, All Things are Void, Fourfold Sword Dao!

Various means, whether for attack or defense,

But before that white jade-like hand, none caused the slightest ripple—this hand seemed immune to all laws, all ways retreat before it!

Yet.

Yang Er-lang simply lightly knocked three times on Zhang Fusheng’s forehead, then turned, crossing his hands behind his back, walking steadily with waddling steps,

heading straight for the main gate.

Zhang Fusheng paused for a moment and called out to him as Yang Er-lang neared the door:

"Are you treating me like I’m Sun Wukong?"

In myth, when Sun Wukong apprenticed under Master Puti at Fangcun Mountain, he was thusly knocked three times, hands behind his back, leaving the door.

Standing at the gate, Yang Er-lang turned his head, speaking earnestly:

"I came to see you to confirm certain things."

"Now that everything needing confirmation is confirmed, naturally I shall leave... After all, when all is said and done, I am merely an ordinary person without cultivation."

"Ordinary person?" Zhang Fusheng enunciated these three words heavily.

Yang Er-lang spoke calmly:

"Speaking frankly, it’s merely the naked truth. I have a body left from those days but lack the will to command the laws of heaven and earth, nor the mana to shake the sun, moon, and universe."