Why do I have so many masters?-Chapter 570 - 203: Where the Candle Dragon Resides (4000 words) (1/2)_2

"But neither of us has lied."

"With so many bandits around, it would be better if you come down the mountain with us. My brother and I often traverse these mountains and know some hidden paths. Once we reach the town at the mountain's foot, they would dare not be so bold..."

He noticed that Wang Anfeng and his companions were young, and although equipped with weapons, their martial arts abilities seemed only comparable to his own, capable of achieving the eighth rank at most. They were already quite exceptional young martial artists in the area, but he didn't think more deeply about it.

A rustling sound of clothing sweeping through the air came from above.

The two Taoists tensed their bodies slightly, stiffening up. They intended to flee, but were already running low on inner strength, causing their complexion to turn somewhat pale. On the other hand, Yuchi Jie, who had been hiding behind his elder, Taishu Jian, briefly brightened his eyes.

In the darkness of the night, the family retainer, Lao Lu, landed on the ground and said in a deep voice with clasped fists:

"Young master, not far in the mountain, a clearing has been found where we can rest for a while."

"However, at the moment, twenty or thirty people are heading this way, all armed with swords and blades. Most of them are just mountain bandits, but the leaders are not ordinary. It's clear that their martial arts are refined. Do you want your subordinate..."

Lao Lu raised his right hand and drew a line across his neck expressionlessly.

Yuchi Jie thought for a moment, waved his hand, and said not to rush. Lao Lu then nodded and resumed his position behind Yuchi Jie.

Yuchi Jie gently stroked his chin with his right hand, while his gaze fell on the two Taoists. He couldn't help but grow suspicious, instinctively feeling that the individuals with special martial arts skills Lao Lu mentioned might be related to these two disheveled Taoists.

Wang Anfeng's hand had already loosened from the hilt of his sword at his back. Gong Yu's expression remained unchanged, still cold as jade, but the Heavenly Secrets Crossbow hidden under Yuchi Jie's sleeve, powerful enough to pierce through thirteen layers of heavy armor within ten feet, had yet to be lowered.

His hand appeared to sway, but his standing position ensured that he could raise his hand and the crossbow would simultaneously pierce the chests of the two Taoists in front of him.

Wang Anfeng looked at the two Taoists.

The two Taoists were stunned by the impressive entrance of Lao Lu and for a while, couldn't speak.

Lin Qiaofu finally found the antiseptic medicine from the Qingfeng Edge in her small bag, rushed forward to present it to Wang Anfeng, then hopped back to stand behind Wang Anfeng and Gong Yu.

The older Taoist regained his senses and with a clasped hand, he sighed:

"It turns out that we brothers did not recognize a True Master, and there was disrespect in our previous words. I hope the young hero will not take offense."

Wang Anfeng shook his head indicating it was nothing, and said:

"Taoist priest, please tend to your wounds first and then come with us to the place we found to rest. If there really are bandits, let them wait."

"We might as well eliminate them as a way to rid the people of a scourge."

The Taoist hesitated for a moment, but still took the porcelain bottle and said with a bow:

"Then I shall respectfully comply with your command."

"Thank you, everyone."

The younger Taoist, perhaps feeling embarrassed about his earlier gaffe, showed slight reluctance on his face but still bowed respectfully to Wang Anfeng and the others.

The Taoist Sect was skilled in various medicinal and acupuncture techniques. The older Taoist borrowed some water from Wang Anfeng, used his dagger to skillfully tear his clothing, and carefully treated his wound before applying the antiseptic medicine from the Qingfeng Edge to it. After treating the wound, he returned the remaining medicine and water bag to Wang Anfeng.

The mountain path was rugged, and it was already night. Wang Anfeng and the others walked with a torch in one hand and led their horses. The Taoist, although injured, declined to ride in the carriage, saying he had female company and did not wish to enter. Instead, he sat on the shaft of the cart, keeping company with Taishu Jian.

The other younger Taoist only had some scrapes and walked behind the group.

During the casual conversation on the road, the two Taoists did not hide their origins. Indeed, they were Taoists from 'Candle Dragon Dwelling' located in the hundreds of miles of mountains and rivers, quietly practicing with their master. Though the members in the observatory were not few, with a size of two to three hundred people, it still was not considered a major sect in Jianghu.

This time, the two of them were running errands down the mountain. Normally, with their skills as Ninth Rank Martial Artists, ordinary highway robbers wouldn't stand a chance against them. Hoping to return to the observatory sooner, they traveled through the night.

However, they hadn't expected to encounter such ferocious individuals today. Had it not been for the bandits playing around and their own familiarity with the mountain routes, they might have really ended up dead in this remote wilderness tonight.

Walking two steps behind Wang Anfeng, Yuchi Jie heard this and asked with a smile:

"Are you located at the mountain's peak? That must truly be a fine place. A mountain does not need to be high; if it hosts immortals, it becomes famous. It seems your masters are genuinely skilled hermits. May I ask what it is called, and does it have any distinction?"

The Taoist sitting on the cart axle sighed with a smile:

"We are merely outsiders after all, with no special distinction. It is called Jade Ruin Temple."

Yuchi Jie stroked his palm and laughed,

"Jade Ruin Temple? What a nice name."

"Jade Void knows neither day nor night, such a radiant spirit scene, truly a superior realm."

"It seems that the Observatory Master of your observatory must indeed be a true cultivator deep in Daoism, a member of the Immortal Families, impressive, impressive!"

The older Taoist felt somewhat embarrassed.

The young Taoist, who was carrying a sword and holding his senior brother's sword, couldn't help but mutter:

"It's not the 'Jade' of the Jade Void Palace."

"It's the 'Ruin' of Return to Ruin."

"Really, I've said before that this name is unlucky, but none of the old folks in the observatory would listen to me, insisted on calling it this name, without fearing it brings misfortune."

As the saying goes, men die turning to dust and countries to ruins.

Talking about longevity is naturally greatly unlucky.

Yuchi Jie's face showed a strange expression.

Wang Anfeng, however, laughed and said, "I, in fact, know of this place."

The young Taoist raised an eyebrow at him, full of disbelief.

Wang Anfeng laughed and said,

"When I was young, my family elders used to tell me stories, mentioning the Jade Ruin Temple many times. They said if I ever made something of myself, I could visit those places in the stories to see firsthand whether they had exaggerated or not."

"Coming here now, I had indeed planned if the opportunity arose to ascend 'Candle Dragon Perch' for a visit, but I never expected to meet two Daoists here; it must be fate,"

"My elder once said, on flat ground, sunrise happens only around Hours before or after, but at Candle Dragon Perch, sunrise comes about an hour sooner, and three hundred li of mountains and rivers arise from the mists, truly like the Candle Dragon breaking through clouds with magnificent aura."

The young Taoist, hearing this and realizing he truly knew and spoke sincerely, warmed considerably towards Wang Anfeng and nodded, saying,

"This gentleman is knowledgeable."

"Candle Dragon, with the body of a dragon and head of a man, regarded as day when seeing and as night when closing its eyes, winter when blowing and summer when exhaling, drinks not, eats not, rests not, its rest is the wind. The scenery at Candle Dragon Perch is the best, sunrise is even earlier, three hundred li of mountains and rivers form the dragon's body, and whoever steps on the summit is atop the Candle Dragon's head."

"The grandeur is naturally vast and unmatched by other places."

Although he made a show of being calm and indifferent, he couldn't help but lift his chin slightly, eliciting a chuckle and a shake of the head from Hong Luoyu, who thought the lad quite green still,

It was obvious to everyone what he was thinking.

Lin Qiaofu leaned on the side window of the carriage, thought for a moment, and said softly:

"Return to Ruin also has other interpretations."

"'Liezi · Tang Wen' mentions, beyond the Bohai Sea, countless miles away, there is a great ravine, truly a bottomless valley, it's called Return to Ruin.

"It also states that beneath Return to Void there lies a spirit-linking land, broadly beneficial, embodying the function of aiding all beings, a vast realm of rebirth from annihilation, perhaps this name carries a profound meaning."

The Taoist's eyes filled with increasing astonishment.

Wang Anfeng paused briefly in his step, looking ahead, followed by several people stopping behind him. The young Taoist still somewhat puzzled, then heard Wang Anfeng speak calmly:

"It seems, casual chat should pause for a little now."

"Everyone, please come out."

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PS: Today's first update is presented...

Well, four thousand words, according to common sense, should this count as a 'forced' extra update, or do two four thousand word updates count as one extra? (Attempting a trade to repay a debt).