The old Daoist priest with the Daoist name Golden Lotus spoke languidly, “A few days ago, this poor Daoist suffered a grave injury and had no choice but to hide in the capital. My intuition told me I would encounter someone who could help me resolve this crisis.
“This poor Daoist waited by the roadside for a long time, and finally, you came along, benefactor. However, while I knew you were blessed with good fortune, I didn’t know your background.
“As for the lady in the carriage at that time, her aura was magnificent and diverse, with an inner radiance rarely seen in this world. You gifted her a string of beads; you two will have a fateful connection in the future.”
He spoke eloquently, yet without addressing the main point. Isn’t this just fortune-telling nonsense? Xu Qi An asked, “Did you choose the other seven members of the Heaven and Earth Society the same way you chose me?”
“Yes!”
“May I ask why?”
The old Daoist smiled for the first time: “You may, but after hearing what this poor Daoist has to say next, benefactor, you’ll have no way to back out.”
Xu Qi An pondered for a long while, weighing the pros and cons in his mind, then nodded: “Go ahead.”
The old Daoist nodded, “Everything this poor Daoist has done is to save the Earth Sect.”
Save the Earth Sect?
“Doesn’t the benefactor find it strange? The Earth Sect cultivates the power of merit, yet my Purple Lotus junior brother wanted to bring about your demise and killed the death row inmate who replaced you in the transaction. This goes completely against the Earth Sect’s cultivation principles.”
Number Nine killed my substitute… Xu Qi An maintained a calm expression, but a chill rose in his heart.
He hadn’t been clear about the transaction process, and Minister Wei hadn’t explained. Only now did he learn about this.
Fortunately, he hadn’t been blinded by treasures and gold, choosing instead to follow his heart.
Not only did he avoid this crisis, but he also demonstrated his loyalty.
“This matter concerns the Earth Sect’s secrets. Benefactor, remember not to speak of it to others.” Seeing Xu Qi An nod, the Golden Lotus Daoist didn’t explain immediately. Instead, he remained silent for a long time before sighing:
“The current Sect Leader of the Earth Sect has fallen into demonic cultivation, affecting almost everyone. Only a small number of disciples, including myself, haven’t been influenced by the Sect Leader.
“And what protects us is the Earth Book.”
“Fallen into demonic cultivation?” Xu Qi An found it hard to believe. The Earth Sect cultivated merit; as the leader of a sect, the Sect Leader must have immeasurable merit. Picking up a tael or two of silver on the street wouldn’t be too much, right?
If even such a person could fall into demonic cultivation… is society this cold?
“Merit can make or break one.” The old Daoist Golden Lotus gazed at the candle flame in a daze:
“When the Virtuous Celestial Lord founded the Earth Sect, he left a warning: ‘Fortune and misfortune have no doors, only people invite them. The rewards of good and evil follow like shadows.'”
Speak plainly, will you… Xu Qi An thought to himself.
“Benefactor, do you think saving a life is meritorious?” Golden Lotus Daoist asked.
“Isn’t it?” Xu Qi An countered.
“What if you saved someone who has committed unforgivable sins? They should have faced divine punishment, but because of your intervention, they survived and continued to do evil,” Golden Lotus Daoist looked at Xu Qi An. “Is this still considered doing good?”
Xu Qi An pondered for a moment, frowning: “Human nature is changeable, a mix of light and darkness. We can’t become cynical and reject the light just because we’ve seen darkness.
“It’s not realistic for me to thoroughly investigate someone’s past before saving them.”
The old Daoist’s back straightened imperceptibly, his gaze appreciative as he smiled, “That the benefactor can say such words truly puts my mind at ease about entrusting the Earth Book to you.
“Ah, for ordinary people to follow this principle is indeed correct. But for us, this is the most terrifying karma. The deeper the accumulation of merit, the heavier the karma.
“Sixty years ago, our Sect Leader failed in his ascension, and the backlash of karma caused him to fall into the demonic path. This is what is meant by ‘extremes beget their opposite.’
“To seek enlightenment through merit, one must bear the corresponding karma. One thought leads to immortality, another to demonhood – this is the inescapable fate of every disciple of the Earth Sect.”
So the Earth Sect had such a hidden secret!
This is where the Confucians need to educate you, about being moderate and balanced… extremism cannot last long… Suddenly, Xu Qi An thought of something, and his expression changed.
If the good fortune on me comes from the same source as the Earth Sect, don’t I also risk falling into demonic cultivation?
He didn’t fully trust Golden Lotus Daoist yet, so he refrained from asking this question outright.
“Don’t the Heavenly and Human Sects intervene?” Xu Qi An seized the opportunity to probe for inside information. “After all, you’re all part of the Daoist school.”
“The Earth Sect has the risk of falling into demonic cultivation. Do you think the Heavenly and Human Sects, coming from the same Daoist origins, don’t have similar risks?” Golden Lotus Daoist sneered:
“Besides, this is our Earth Sect’s business. What does it have to do with them? Why should they meddle?”
So what are the hidden risks of the Heavenly and Human Sects… Sixty years ago, the Heaven and Earth Society also appeared, which matched the information Xu Qi An had researched. He asked, “Then, Daoist, you established the Heaven and Earth Society…”
Golden Lotus Daoist said solemnly, “To kill the Sect Leader and clean house.”
“What realm is the Earth Sect Leader in?”
“Second Grade.”
… You’d better take that mirror back. I have a backbone of iron and steel and won’t accept handouts.
The old Daoist with deep-set features seemed to see through Xu Qi An’s thoughts and smiled:
“This old Daoist has cultivated merit for decades. While I may not have great abilities, I’m quite good at reading people. Among the eight members of the Heaven and Earth Society, including you, benefactor, none will remain ordinary in the future.
“You are scattered across the land, but one day you will all meet. It’s better to join the Heaven and Earth Society early and form connections, to avoid future conflicts and casualties when outstanding talents clash.”
Xu Qi An, who had initially been reluctant to join the Heaven and Earth Society, suddenly changed his mind.
If what the old Daoist said was true, and everyone in the Heaven and Earth Society was talented and exceptional, then mixing in this circle would be beneficial to him.
It could play a crucial role at critical moments.
“Alright!” Xu Qi An nodded.
The old Daoist slightly inclined his head, “If you need help, you can seek my aid through the Earth Book, or ask for assistance from other members through the Earth Book if they are in the capital. Mutual help is the founding principle of the Heaven and Earth Society.
“Also, Earth Book holders are known by their Earth Book number.”
After saying this, the old Daoist transformed into a wisp of green smoke and drifted out of the room, swaying towards the distance.
Yin Spirit!
Xu Qi An sat by the table, poured a cup of tea, and replayed the conversation in his mind.
From what I can see, this Earth Sect expert doesn’t seem to bear me ill will… But old foxes often have deep, far-reaching plans. You can never see through their true schemes from the surface… He gave me the mirror, using the Night Watchman to deal with his sect members… then reaping the benefits as the biggest winner. This alone shows that the old Daoist is a cunning old fox.
But there’s no need to worry. Xu Qi An had plenty of experience in this regard. He had already thought of how to leave himself a way out.
The only one who can deal with an old fox is another old fox.
Minister Wei!
This grand eunuch was highly educated, capable of governing the country and commanding armies, and had been supported by the current emperor to this position to keep a hundred officials in check.
This was enough to show that this man was extraordinarily skilled.
“If I want to make it in the capital, I must cling to this big leg…” Having made up his mind, Xu Qi An was no longer anxious.
He picked up the “Earth Book” fragment on the table and immersed his consciousness in it.
The chaos enveloped him again, and before his eyes was a mirror world. In the gray, misty chaos floated eight points of light, one of which was the brightest.
Number Six!
Xu Qi An lit up the halos one by one, then exited the chaotic world.
Using his finger as a pen, he wrote on the mirror’s surface: “Hello everyone, I’m a newcomer. Please take care of me.”
For a long time, there was no response.
This is a bit awkward… Xu Qi An input a new message: “Everyone, my name is Chen Jinnan. Please guide me.”
[Six: Brother Chen, I contacted the Daoist through the Earth Book and learned the general situation from the Golden Lotus Daoist. Thank you for helping the Daoists resolve the crisis there.]
[Three: It was a small matter, not worth mentioning.]
A small matter?
In his conversation with Purple Lotus Daoist that day, he had appeared confused at every turn, clearly showing a low cultivation level… Yet he was able to help Golden Lotus Daoist kill Purple Lotus and reclaim the Number Nine Earth Book… This Number Three might not be strong himself, but his background must be unfathomable… Number Six secretly speculated, seeing Number Three’s casual response.
At this moment, Xu Qi An saw another member’s text message appear in the mirror:
[Two: I haven’t been paying attention to the Earth Book transmissions lately. What happened?]