togophonebook Chapter 837 Watching Fish
Chapter 837 Watching Fish
Chapter 837 Watching Fish
An Wenli tried to figure out Gong Mengbi's thoughts with a purpose in mind.
The moment he opened his mouth, Gong Mengbi saw through his thoughts. Gong Mengbi simply gave him a subtle hint, without directly pointing it out, so as not to embarrass him.
Foxes have the ability to see through people's hearts. At Gong Mengbi's level, unless one has an extremely high level of spiritual attainment, it is difficult to hide one's thoughts from him.
Although Gong Mengbi saw through it all, he didn't care. Regardless of who An Wenli had worked for before, he was now the head of the Fox Clan, and that was enough.
Gong Mengbi pondered, "I wonder who had the idea to transfer me to the Heavenly Fox Academy, thinking that this would curb the development of the Fox Academy?"
Those gentlemen are always like this, monopolizing the power of the Heavenly Fox Academy and refusing to let the wild foxes participate. Only a very small number of fox spirits from the mountains and fields can stay and serve in the Heavenly Fox Academy. Most of them are sent to all corners of the country, far away from the center of power.
If it weren't for Master Xun serving as the libationer, it would have been even more difficult to see the wild fox spirits in the Heavenly Fox Courtyard.
Wild foxes, scattered across the country, easily disperse and fail to establish a significant presence. But now that the fox farm has been built, a completely different atmosphere has emerged.
Seeing that the momentum of Wild Fox Academy was unstoppable, the idea of transferring Gong Mengbi back to the Heavenly Fox Academy, which was controlled by aristocratic families, to curb it naturally came into the consideration of the masters.
Gong Mengbi sighed softly. He was preparing for the worst. Now that this probing had taken place, the appropriate move would not be far off.
The Wild Fox's roots are in the Fox Clan, but the Fox Clan is now nothing more than a village school, and after the inspection tour, many shortcomings have been exposed.
Fortunately, the shrewd fox spirits knew that working in isolation would only lead to falling behind others, so as soon as word spread that Gong Mengbi was generous with his guidance, they all came to him seeking advice.
Gong Mengbi was indeed generous with his guidance, unafraid of their visits for advice, and tirelessly went to each fox den to teach them according to their individual needs.
He would encourage and reward those who were lacking, and correct those who were not. Whether it was managing the fox territories or guiding their cultivation, he would answer any question, and even if they didn't ask, he would still offer guidance if he saw them doing so. Such earnest teachings and painstaking efforts made those wild fox spirits want to bow down in reverence, not to mention the deep respect they felt in their hearts.
They were called fox spirits because they had all been taught at the Heavenly Fox Academy, but during their time there, they were used to being fawned over and looked down upon. If it weren't for the wild fox doctors they could learn from, it's uncertain how much real skill they would have acquired.
Even those scions of noble families who served as heads of fox brigades were treated equally by Gong Mengbi, who showed no favoritism.
Wild fox cultivates alone, and through trials and tribulations, he has become shrewd and cunning like a commoner. Even scions of noble families scheme and fight for power and profit. When have they ever seen someone with the virtue of Gong Mengbi?
Such magnanimity and such a broad mind are truly admirable.
Having thus visited all forty-six fox dens, plus the fox dens in Wuning County and Lanyin Mountain, making a total of forty-eight fox dens, Gong Mengbi, in his own name, summoned all the heads of the fox dens to discuss the Dharma at Yutai outside Haozhou City.
The five ghosts carried out their rituals on the Fish-Viewing Platform, borrowed gold and silver wine vessels from King Zhongli's tent, and brought Kang Pangzi's immortal wine from Shouyue Tower.
King Zhongli sensed someone using magic and was immediately awakened from his sleep. Looking through the magic mirror, he immediately saw Gong Mengbi.
Gong Mengbi exchanged a glance with Zhongli Wang through the magic mirror and said with a smile, "I have invited some friends to gather at the Fish Viewing Platform today, and I would like to borrow Your Majesty's wine vessel."
Zhongli Wangqiang smiled and said, "So you are a great immortal. Since you are hosting a banquet, I am willing to do my bit."
Gong Mengbi laughed and said, "I'm just borrowing some wine vessels; I apologize for disturbing Your Majesty's peace."
"It's alright, it's alright. The Great Immortal thinks highly of me, so please feel free to take what you need." King Zhongli laughed heartily, covering the magic mirror to block Gong Mengbi's view.
"Why is that fox here again?" King Zhongli felt a headache coming on.
This movement startled the beautiful concubine on the bed, who then inquired about the matter. King Zhongli chuckled, climbed onto the bed, and embraced the concubine, saying, "It's nothing, but it has disturbed my wife."
Gong Mengbi's trip to Haozhou was not for King Zhongli, but because the Fox Prince's Residence in Haozhou had once been here. He was hosting a banquet for guests at the Fish Viewing Terrace, which would inevitably alert King Zhongli, so it would be better to borrow some wine vessels from him.
The bright moon hangs high, falling into the Hao River, shattering into swimming silver fish.
Kang Wen, Huangfu Yuliu, and Huangfu Jiaona were by his side, while the Five Ghosts transformed into valiant servants to greet him.
Before long, the heads of the fox monasteries arrived one after another, some bringing their confidants or servants. The small Fish-Viewing Platform could not accommodate so many fox spirits.
As the Fish Viewing Platform gradually became cramped, Gong Mengbi looked into the Hao River. Behind him, a long trail of smoke fell into the water. With a gentle scoop, the broken silver light gathered into a bright moon. As the long tail dragged, it rose higher and higher, making the Fish Viewing Platform and the people on it appear smaller and smaller.
The Fish Viewing Platform transforms into a tea leaf floating on the water. The Hao River flows serenely beneath the platform, and the moon reflected in the water resembles a white porcelain cup, carrying this tiny tea leaf of the Fish Viewing Platform.
The sound of the flowing water in the Hao River was melodious. Fish swimming in the water near the Fish Viewing Platform transformed into giant fish-dragons, which were agile and majestic under the bright moonlight.
The fox spirits were captivated by it and could not calm down for a long time.
Unable to distinguish between reality and illusion, Gong Mengbi's laughter rang out, saying, "The Moon Worship Method recorded in the Fox Book is right here under the Fish Viewing Platform. You are all welcome to see it."
This startled the fox spirits awake, and they all looked down from the Fish-Viewing Platform, marveling at the bright moon reflected in the water.
Gong Mengbi guided them, saying, "If you get tired of looking at the moon in the water, why not look up at the sky?"
Looking from the water back up to the sky, the bright moon shines alone, and the mountains are desolate and silent—it's a completely different scene.
Each of the fox spirits gained something and had their own enlightenment.
Gong Mengbi said, "What insights have you all gained? Feel free to share them and discuss them."
Then a fox spirit asked, "I see the moon reflected in the water, and it's hard to tell if it's real or not. I can only vaguely see some illusion and the principle of the moon's phases, but I don't know if it's right or wrong?"
He demonstrated his understanding to Gong Mengbi, using the moon to create illusions, which was quite ingenious. He asked Gong Mengbi, but Gong Mengbi avoided answering, saying instead, "Is there anyone who can add a few more points?"
Encouraged by his gaze, another fox spirit stepped forward and made slight additions to the illusion created by borrowing the moon, making it even more exquisite and profound.
Once someone started, things naturally became lively, and the group of fox spirits continued to expand on the Moon Worshiping Technique performed by Gong Mengbi, each gaining their own insights.
The stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade. Although their areas of expertise are different, they are all of great benefit to the practice of the Moon Worship Method.
From the moment the moon reaches its zenith to its gradual descent into the sunset, the phases of the moon change, and so does the moon's reflection in the water, mirroring each other until they both disappear completely.
The fox spirits gradually calmed down.
Gong Mengbi concluded, “Although the Nine Methods of Fox Script are simple, they should not be underestimated. If you understand them deeply, they have many wonderful uses. Today, you have all verified each other’s understanding, haven’t you all gained something?”
A fox spirit said reluctantly, "Master, when will you invite us to discuss the Dharma again?"
Gong Mengbi said, "If you want to discuss the law, why do you need me to make the arrangements? Just form your own society."
"Form a society?" Some of the fox spirits were tempted, while others immediately hesitated.
Gong Mengbi knew that if he didn't speak up and waited for them to take the lead, this matter would probably never be accomplished. So he said, "After the inspection, I visited various fox farms. Some of you did well, and some did not. If we can learn from each other, we can actually save a lot of trouble."
"I invited you here today with this idea in mind, but I also know you have concerns and I'm afraid you'll overthink it, so this is just a suggestion."
"You are all the headmasters of the Fox House. I would like to take the lead and form a society with you all, which will only discuss matters of the Fox House and nothing else, so as to avoid getting involved in other disputes."
"Should we only discuss matters concerning the Fox Prince's Courtyard?" a fox spirit asked.
Gong Mengbi nodded and said, "We will only discuss matters concerning the Fox Clan, and nothing else. There's no need to rush to make a decision. I will invite you all when I have time next time. You are welcome to come if you wish, and it's fine if you don't want to come."
"If that's the case, then it's not necessarily a bad thing."
"I need to think about it some more."