Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 551 - 305: Seeking Help_2

Yuan Tiangang hurried over to support his uncle and asked with concern, "Uncle, what has happened to you? Did you encounter some demon or monster on the road?"

Yuan Shoucheng waved his hand lightly and said, "It's nothing. I merely suffered backlash from using our sect's Zhaixing Terrace to divine Heaven's Secret."

Yuan Shoucheng's words were light, but Yuan Tiangang's expression was extremely grave, his eyes filled with self-reproach. He knew that his uncle would only divine Heaven's Secret for matters concerning himself.

Without asking about the result, he quickly, along with Li Chunfeng, helped the somewhat weak Yuan Shoucheng into the room.

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Once the door was closed, Yuan Tiangang knelt down with a thump and said with tears in his eyes, "It is my ignorance that has led me to lightly tread into the mortal world. Now, unable to control my own fate, I have caused Uncle such distress. I cannot atone for my sins enough."

Yuan Shoucheng, however, gently shook his head and said, "I'm not seriously harmed; some rest and I'll be recovered. You needn't be too hard on yourself, but you should take enlightenment from this event. It's time to sever your ties with the mortal coil."

"I understand, Uncle. Once matters here are settled, I will feign death to escape and retreat to the mountains, never to enter the mortal world again," Yuan Tiangang asserted firmly. This event had finally made him realize the terrifying nature of cause and effect. Having been ensnared in the glamour of the mortal world for years, dazzled by its splendor, he had ended up in such a predicament. Reflecting on it now, he realized he had long since lost his way.

Yuan Shoucheng smiled and nodded. He knew that after this lesson, his nephew would completely sever his ties with the mortal world and could cultivate in peace.

He coughed lightly and continued, "I reported this matter to the elders at our sect's gate, and even they felt powerless. Now with Heaven's Secret shrouded in Chaos and the Three Realms in turmoil, nobody dares to take this risk. Having no choice, I borrowed the Zhaixing Terrace. After fasting for seven days, burning incense, and cleansing myself, I divined Heaven's Secret, and only then did I glimpse a thread of hope."

At these words, Yuan Tiangang's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Where does this hope lie?"

"Such persons capable of this are few and far between in the world, and the only one who can withstand the backlash of human Fortune and Destiny is the living Sage among us."

"The Tea Saint? But he is not skilled at divining Heaven's Secret. Even if he is of a high realm, these are specialized skills after all," Yuan Tiangang said, puzzled. Although Lu Yu was indeed immune to the backlash of Fortune and Destiny, there had been no word of him observing the fate of nations.

"That, I do not know," Yuan Shoucheng said gently. "But the hope lies with him."

"Brother, have you forgotten? There is the Empress in the Imperial Palace. We could request an audience with the Tea Saint through her, which would be better than guessing here," Li Chunfeng spoke up with a suggestion.

Yuan Tiangang suddenly realized and said, "Yes, yes, yes, how could I forget her? After you prepare, brother, we shall go see her."

In the evening, Wu Meiniang, who had enjoyed a day of fine entertainment, was in high spirits as she headed to her residence. She had grown up and come into her own, exuding a captivating beauty.

At the doorstep, she saw the respectful Yuan Tiangang and his brother and asked with a hint of a smile, "What wind has blown the two of you distinguished gentlemen to my door today?"

Her words might have been playful, but they lacked much respect. After all, with Lu Yu's prior example, their cultivation seemed less impressive. However, her alluring beauty in every smile and every glance was enough to move even the deeply cultivated brethren.

Yuan Tiangang, forgoing his pride, knelt on the ground and said, "Please, Wu the Talented, lend me your aid."

Wu Meiniang was taken aback by Yuan Tiangang's gesture. Although she didn't think much of the brothers' abilities, she was well aware they were genuine cultivators. What matter could possibly lead them to seek her assistance?

But she quickly cleared her thoughts, realizing that since it wasn't her help that was sought, it must be her master they sought assistance from. Indeed, looking around the world, only her own master would have such power.

"Taoist Priest, please rise quickly. How could a girl like me deserve your prostration? I am but a woman, trapped in the Imperial Palace like a bird in a cage, without freedom. Where would I find the ability to save an Immortal like you?"

Yuan Tiangang couldn't help but inwardly sigh upon witnessing Wu Meiniang's performance. She truly was a Hidden Dragon, wielding her strategies at all times, perhaps even without realizing it.

However, with things having progressed to this point, Yuan Tiangang clearly understood that he could not expect someone like Wu Meiniang to help without a price to be paid.

So, gritting his teeth, he said, "If the young lady is willing to help, Yuan swears to do three things for the young lady that do not go against one's true nature."

Wu Meiniang's heart leapt with joy upon hearing this, but her face remained composed. She softly said, "What is this about, Taoist Priest? Just give your instructions, and I shall comply." Yet, she did not reject Yuan Tiangang's proposal.

Li Chunfeng, standing to the side, gaped in amazement. If only his eyesight were not gone, he would have wished to see what kind of person this woman truly was, as her skills were so naturally executed, without any sense of discord.

Yuan Tiangang too was filled with admiration. She was indeed a True Dragon Emperor; her methods and composure made even him, an old Taoist, feel somewhat ashamed.

But Wu Meiniang was indeed a woman of her word. Having agreed to Yuan Tiangang's terms, she burned the talisman in her possession that very night. This was something her master had left her before his departure, and burning it would allow him to sense it immediately.

Meanwhile, in Mountain Luoxia, Lu Yu was deeply engrossed in his cultivation. He had entrusted the effort of Lu Xun's restoration of the kingdom entirely to Liu Qingyun. He had always had full confidence in this, his most senior disciple, both in his abilities and his character. Moreover, he intended for Liu Qingyun to take this opportunity to stir the Five Qi once again.

Suddenly sensing something, Lu Yu lightly furrowed his brow. The talisman he had left for Wu Meiniang was being burnt. Realizing that the life-saving method he had left her had not been triggered, he understood it wasn't a life-or-death crisis and so he relaxed.

Riding the clouds, he arrived in Changan, where he saw Yuan Tiangang and his brother awaiting him with respect, and he understood that they likely sought his help.

After descending from the clouds, Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng rushed to greet Lu Yu, offering their respects.

Lu Yu exchanged pleasantries before directly asking for their reason for summoning him, and Yuan Tiangang naturally explained the ins and outs of the matter.

Lu Yu couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Do you still think he is that same Monk? A man who can be labeled as irreverent towards Buddhism, do you think he would suffer in silence? You're lucky he didn't come knocking on your door looking for trouble; you would have no chance against the Monk's fist now."

Yuan Tiangang then had a sudden realization; he had been looking at the mountain but hadn't seen its height. Since Tang Monk had ascended to Mount Ling and met with the Buddha Ancestor, naturally, he had cleansed himself of mortal dust to achieve true enlightenment and returned to his original self. And his original self was none other than the Golden Cicada, known for his irreverence towards Buddhism—no wonder he acted this way.

Ashamed, Yuan Tiangang said, "I pride myself on my ability to divine Heaven's Secret, yet here I am, capsized in the gutter, having missed such considerations."

Lu Yu simply shook his head, knowing that Yuan Tiangang's judgment had been clouded by worldly desires which led to his carelessness. He gently said, "Although the world of humans has its charms, if one cannot always reflect upon their true nature, they will fall into calamity and struggle to free themselves."

"You are right in your reprimand, Master. I have indeed awakened to the fact that my desire for the mundane world led me to this predicament, and it is entirely my own fault. I only ask the Master to lend his aid in consideration of our past. Once this matter is settled, I intend to withdraw to seclusion and no longer yearn for the mortal world," replied Yuan Tiangang.

Lu Yu pondered for a moment. Divining the nation's fortune was not an easy task as it involved the mysteries of time. Yet for him, it was not overly difficult because he once had the fortune to witness the river of time and destiny, touched by its essence. If he could leverage the divination techniques of Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng, perhaps he could re-enter that profound Realm. Such an opportunity was rare, and not one Lu Yu wished to forgo.