togophonebook Chapter 864 Jixian Pavilion
Chapter 864 Jixian Pavilion
Chapter 864 Jixian Pavilion
Jin Ting Da Xian longs for Ming Xia Zhenren's early return so that he may have the opportunity to speak with him, but Madam Hui cannot wait for Ming Xia Zhenren's return before taking action.
Juxia Si had already stumbled twice in the previous demonic trials and couldn't afford to lose a third time. Originally, these three demonic trials were a good thing with multiple benefits: they could both warn Gong Mingfu and help him make friends with fellow cultivators.
I thought Gong Mingfu was a smart man, but I never expected him to be such a stubborn and foolish fellow.
We've already offended two Heavenly Gods; if True Immortal Mingxia were to return, we'd likely offend a third great cultivator from the mortal realm as well. At that point, it wouldn't just be a loss of face; repairing those relationships would require an even greater price.
Lady Hui made up her mind, and the next day, the invitation from the Prince of Lu's residence was delivered to Gong Mengbi.
King Lu summoned all the cultivators who had passed the arena and planned to host a banquet for them at his palace.
Gong Mengbi handed the invitation to Chun Jingshu: "Come to the banquet with me tonight."
Chun Jing Shu's heart pounded. Ever since the servants from the Lu Prince's mansion came to visit, she had been feeling uneasy. Now that Gong Meng Bi had spoken, she felt even more anxious.
This unease was so obvious that she herself had to find an excuse to explain: "The Prince of Lu is a regional vassal king. When he is invited to a banquet, all the gods will probably be present. We must be careful."
Gong Mengbi nodded and said, "It's alright, I already have a plan in mind."
"No, you didn't," Chun Jingshu retorted in her heart, secretly glancing at Gong Mengbi, only to be caught red-handed by him.
But there was no teasing or mockery in Gong Mengbi's eyes, nor any probing or scrutiny, only a calm as deep as an abyss, so calm that even Chun Jing Shu couldn't help but wonder if he really knew everything.
Could these clandestine actions truly escape Gong Mingfu's notice? Chun Jing Shu had no way of knowing.
Anxiously, Chun Jing Shu waited until evening, then ordered the coachman to drive the dragon carriage, and together with Gong Meng Bi, headed to the Prince of Lu's residence.
This journey was extremely long, and Chun Jing Shu's mind was completely preoccupied with Gong Meng Bi. Every move Gong Meng Bi made would cause ripples in her heart.
But he didn't make any move; he just closed his eyes to rest. So the boulder that had stirred up a storm in her heart turned into a calming needle, and she gradually calmed down as well.
Once she calmed down, her mind cleared, and she noticed many clues. But before she could sort everything out, the long journey was over in the blink of an eye.
The dragon carriage stopped outside the Prince's Mansion. Gong Mengbi and Chun Jingshu exchanged invitations and, guided by the servants, walked along the Zhongyu Bridge across the Jinshui River. Upon reaching the north bank, they were led by Xiao Luo Daoist from Mingxia Temple and his fellow disciples.
Xiao Luo Daoist led them into the towering city walls, then handed Gong Mengbi and Chun Jingshu over to his fellow disciples, saying, "I still need to greet guests here, so I won't accompany you two inside. Junior brother, please take these two fellow Daoists to the Jixian Pavilion."
The Prince Lu's Mansion features a series of pavilions, with golden beasts holding rings, jade steps gleaming, vermilion roofs and green tiles, and flying eaves and brackets. The Jixian Pavilion is located in the South Garden, with its double eaves and towering structure. Inside, there are sandalwood tables and rosewood bookshelves. Climbing up the pavilion, one can see the winding stream of the South Garden and the pine and cypress trees standing tall.
When the Taoist priest from Mingxia Temple led Gong Mengbi up to Jixian Pavilion, several practitioners were already chatting happily.
The Taoist priest invited Gong Mengbi to take a seat. Opposite him sat the Taoist priest Gong, whom he had not seen for several days.
Gong Mengbi smiled and said, "Brother Gong, it's been several days since we last met."
As always, Master Gong wore his old, bluish-gray Taoist robe. His gaze met Gong Mengbi's, but he quickly looked away.
He ignored Gong Mengbi's pleasantries, simply closing his eyes and remaining as still as a stone.
Chun Jing Shu was somewhat indignant and said, "What an impolite Taoist priest."
Gong Mengbi shook his head and chuckled softly, "He's trying to make things difficult for me today. I don't know how to talk to me, and I don't want to be too close to him, lest we fall out. I don't need to pay him any mind."
Master Gong clearly heard it, otherwise he wouldn't have pressed the corners of his mouth down again.
Today, Master Gong was indifferent to everyone, his once passionate heart seemingly dead. The surrounding cultivators didn't want to embarrass themselves by approaching him, but instead showed great enthusiasm to Gong Mengbi, who was willing to give feedback.
It's hard not to like Gong Mengbi. Although she didn't know why, Chun Jingshu came to that conclusion.
He was neither arrogant towards the lowly nor obsequious to the honored, and he was generous with his own spiritual practice, offering guidance when offered, without envy of others' spiritual achievements, and praising when deserved. He was born as bright as the moon, yet he did not use his beauty to be arrogant, and his words possessed a convincing power.
Chun Jing Shu pondered, "If I had such abilities, I wouldn't still be a mere envoy. But could I achieve what he did by cultivating the Purple Immortal Technique?"
But if you really think about it carefully, why can't you?
Just as he was pondering this, a report came from outside the pavilion: "His Highness has arrived!"
Prince Lu ascended the Jixian Pavilion accompanied by Lady Hui, followed by Master Guiyuan and Immortal Jinting.
At the same time, the gazes of all the guardian deities in the palace turned towards him, causing the aura around Prince Lu to surge, like a dragon reaching out with its claws, which made the cultivators in the pavilion feel a subtle impact.
Gong Mengbi shifted his gaze from the top of Prince Lu's head to Prince Lu himself, and then looked past Prince Lu to see the Golden Court Immortal behind him.
"The Hu family has some nerve. They've even released the Golden Court Immortal just to oppose me," Gong Mengbi sighed.
Chun Jingshu lowered her voice and asked, "And who is the Great Immortal Jin Ting?"
"This is an unruly demon king. Even if he submits temporarily, he will retaliate tenfold. The Hu family thought he was easy to control, but little did they know they were asking for trouble."
Gong Mengbi smiled at Jin Ting Daxian, who returned a smile full of murderous intent, his golden eyes almost overflowing with cold light.
The collision of divine thoughts occurred in the blink of an eye, yet it almost produced a bone-chilling white light in the void.
It was only when the Prince of Lu spoke up that their attention was drawn away, thus preventing the impending clash from escalating.
The Prince of Lu rose to his feet, raising his cup. His voice, as clear as a bell, resounded: “Gentlemen, your presence, graciously gracious from afar, is truly my honor and the glory of this pavilion. The name ‘Gathering of Worthies’ is not without merit—for the true talents of the world are not found in the high halls of power, but in the mountains and rivers. Some of you are skilled in medicine, bringing the dead back to life; others are proficient in divination, able to shift the stars; some refine metals and stones to preserve youth; still others command beasts to communicate with spirits. I have long admired the Dao and deeply respect those of extraordinary talent. I am overjoyed to have you all gathered here today. Come, let us drink this cup to the brim.”
The group of practitioners raised their cups and drank together, and the atmosphere at the banquet quickly became lively, suppressing any unusual activity.
After several rounds of drinks, the Prince of Lu clapped his hands, and servants came with precious stones, rare herbs, and exotic flowers to present to the practitioners at the table.
Prince Lu laughed and said, "Today, besides building the Wind, Cloud, Thunder and Rain Altar, I am setting up this competition to recruit talents, in order to cultivate good relationships with you all. How can talented people be buried in the wilderness? Those who wish to reside in my residence will have their alchemy rooms freely available, with no limit on the cost of medicines. I will not be stingy at all. If you have any requests, please speak freely. Gold, silk, carriages and horses will be provided at any time. Furthermore, I will build a quiet courtyard and refined residence for you to study the Dao and expound the Dharma, free from worldly affairs, and to enjoy the treatment of an honored guest!"
Those who accept the invitation are only after this wealth and honor; otherwise, why would they bother wading into the murky waters of the world? From the moment they arrive at the banquet, they are no longer just guests, but rather valuable assets to the Prince's household.
(End of this chapter)