13: Chapter 12 Facing Calmly 13: Chapter 12 Facing Calmly The elder named Bao Shi was infused with indignation, for at death’s door, he had no reservations left.
His resentment towards Daoist Sects, built up over decades, gave him an urge to vent, although such outpouring was futile.
“We sense Qi on our own, seek resources ourselves, and fumble for the path of Cultivation Techniques.
The Daoist Sect doesn’t embrace us, and we are not so lowly as to grovel before them.
Yet, even so, they still treat us as burdens, as offerings to beseech heaven’s blessings…
Praying to the Daoist Sects means an uncertain life or death; on the surface, we’re only handing over Spirit Roots granted by heaven, but in reality, there is a huge probability of death when being stripped of Spirit Roots.
Even if I manage to survive, having made numerous enemies over my years of cultivation, now that I have lost my support, where is the way to live?
Right here in Divine City, there are countless scheming individuals covertly watching.
As long as they can live and get out, none will escape Divine City!
Among these people are the assassins hired by the families of those few children, waiting for me; there will certainly also be assassins from your Fufeng City aiming to eradicate us roots and branch!
So, I say, the so-called pleas of Daoist Sects are nothing but the Ghost Gate.
Those hypocritical Daoists don’t bear causality themselves, yet they have pushed us into a situation with no redemption!”
Hou Niao was speechless.
The elderly man had become a bit delirious; but, as a man of law, he had a deep-rooted habit, which was to trust only his judgment.
To him, others’ opinions were merely references.
The Daoist Sects were evasive, but wasn’t this old man also biased and impulsive?
Having been a criminal investigator for only a few years, he had encountered countless cases.
A common feature was that each party had their reasons, and perspectives differed based on one’s position, especially for those who love to split hairs—they often wandered down the wrong path without realizing it, which was nothing new.
His contact with the Daoist Sect had been very limited, with no real opportunity; his interaction with Chong Ling and the other two in the past ten plus days was almost the entirety of it.
In his view, the Daoists being heartless was true, but to say they were exceedingly vicious, he hadn’t seen proof.
A fact was that he had indeed killed someone, and it was without trial.
In this sense, even if he knew the law and broke it, his current plight was his own fault, with no one else to blame.
The breach of law deserves punishment; his own impulses should be borne by himself.
He was a responsible person and, of course, he couldn’t escape it.
This conversation, putting aside its impact on his impression of the Daoist Sect, at least gave him a rough understanding of what the Anhe prayer was.
He wouldn’t die a confused ghost.
…As days passed, Hou Niao found himself unexpectedly gaining weight these days?
To call it gaining weight might not be quite right, but he had fully returned to his original condition.
Apart from Bao Shi, these condemned individuals were unwilling to communicate with others, preferring silence and restraint, quietly passing the last phase of their lives; this was in stark contrast to the hysterical death row inmates he was accustomed to seeing in the prisons of the mortal world.
Indeed, cultivation had profoundly changed their temperament, leading them to view life and death with indifference.
Just as he started to worry that if he kept eating and doing nothing he might end up fat, the time for the prayer was finally set—three days from then, to be presided over by Master Xiao Zhen himself.
What realm was a Master?
He wasn’t quite clear about that, only knowing it was very high, so high he might never even reach it if he tried.
The food had become exceptionally sumptuous, like the last meal of a death row inmate, where requests under the auspices of decency were fulfilled, even certain physiological ones.
Bao Shi’s emotions were stirred once again, cursing the Daoist Sect’s insincerity; the fine food and drink were only to ensure that the offerings were in a better state, not filled with resentment.
However, his body was honest, with an appetite to match…
Hou Niao didn’t know how the others spent this final period, but he always felt that there must be some invisible restraint the Daoist Sect had on these people.
It was simply because he was too weak to even qualify for restraint.
On the eve of the prayer, the rich dinner was served as usual, but even the ever-social Bao Shi did not attend, choosing to spend it alone.
During his final dinner, just as he was reflecting on his unfortunate fate, an unexpected visitor came in—it was Daoist Chong Ling.
I’m not here to help you break out of prison.
I just felt I should keep you company.
Even if you go to the Underworld, don’t feel so resentful!” Chong Ling said.
Hou Niao noticed that Chong Ling now seemed different from a month ago, as if there was a light on his face?
No, that wasn’t right; it was as if his whole body was faintly glowing, giving him a completely different feeling, as if he had undergone a transformation?
Noticing his gaze, Chong Ling smiled slightly, “I’m in luck, I’ve now reached the Tongxuan Realm and can barely be considered a notable figure in Anhe Country, all thanks to you.”
Hou Niao didn’t feel any envy, nor did he feel jealous.
The gap was too vast; there was no real difference between being fifty steps away or a hundred.
Others advance with ease regularly, changing once a month, while he has been stuck on the floor day in and day out for years, a world of difference.
Calmy setting the table, pouring the wine, “This is the fate of a Daoist, don’t say it’s thanks to me.
If that were true, not advancing any further would be the norm.”
Chong Ling didn’t stand on ceremony, picking up his own cup of wine, “A cultivator should confront their own heart.
If help has been given, why not acknowledge it?
And besides, wasn’t it three times?”
Hou Niao remained unmoved.
He didn’t deny what was his, nor did he take credit for what wasn’t his,
“I helped the people of the six-plate water city!
And when the Daoist says three times, I don’t quite understand?”
Chong Ling was composed; he had to make this visit, otherwise, he couldn’t face his own heart.
Cultivation is about cultivating the mind.
Without a clear heart, there’s no bright future.
“Tongxuan is a major barrier for cultivators, different from the five minor barriers before it.
One could say that only by taking this step can a cultivator truly enter the path of the Great Dao and take a substantial step on the road to longevity.
Increasing one’s life by dozens of years is no joke; it’s the foundation that determines how far you can go.
To successfully cross this barrier, countless requirements need to be met, among which the self-improvement of one’s temperament is extremely important.
It’s not about necessarily achieving something, but about not leaving behind any regrets of failure.
And this trip to the Guangchuan Continent nearly led me to a grave error!”
Looking intently at Hou Niao, his expression serious, “So I cannot mislead myself!
I can’t save you because it would affect my Daoist path!
Therefore, I must come here and explain these obstacles to you, whether you can understand them or not; at least having said it, I can achieve some form of relief.
If you feel that way, then you don’t have a correct understanding of the path of cultivation!
Cultivation is inherently selfish!”
Hou Niao listened quietly.
He never expected this Daoist to offer any special help, and even if he did help him escape, what would be the point of such assistance?
It would merely be a futile struggle.
But his actions were not without thought; he was waiting for an opportunity, a chance that might or might not come!
He didn’t know what the opportunity might be, but it certainly wasn’t about sneaking away with the help of this Daoist.
Years spent immersed in complex criminal cases had taught him one thing: don’t rush.
Everything done wasn’t in vain; it just hadn’t reached a critical point of change yet!
Do your duty, and accept your destiny.
Before achieving Dao Fruit, first establish good affinities.