Chapter Seventeen: Turmoil Abounds, Mediocrity Breeds Disturbance

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Jiang Sheng possessed an exceptionally fine nature and a rare constitution. Throughout his cultivation journey, he had never encountered any bottlenecks. This was also why Jiang Sheng preferred tranquility, unwilling to be disturbed by external matters.

As long as there were no external disturbances, continuing his cultivation in this manner—advancing smoothly to the late foundation-building stage and accumulating perfection—then opening the Purple Mansion by channeling the primal dragon through the spine would be merely a matter of course.

Moreover, Jiang Sheng’s temperament was inherently somewhat aloof; his heart neither sorrowful nor joyful, viewing the mundane world with detachment. Hence, he much preferred a solitary life of cultivation.

Regrettably, the elder of the Dao Sect saw through Jiang Sheng’s disposition and told him that without experiencing the trials of the mortal world—without tasting the seven emotions and six desires, without witnessing the myriad affairs of humanity—even the highest state of emotionless detachment could never be truly complete.

If one’s mental state had such a gap, starting from the Purple Mansion stage, every higher realm would be prone to invasion by inner demons.

Whether it was the Core Formation, Nascent Soul, or Spirit Transformation stage, the danger was extreme; one could easily lose oneself and become a puppet of the inner demons or descend into madness.

Therefore, the elder insisted that Jiang Sheng must undergo extensive tempering amid the mortal world.

Yet, throughout his journey, Jiang Sheng’s fondness for quietude still led him to establish a Daoist sanctuary deep within Qingping Mountain, intending to continue his secluded cultivation and ignore worldly affairs.

Alas, peaceful cultivation days were difficult to sustain.

Jiang Sheng felt that once he had stepped into the secular world, a myriad of mundane troubles swarmed in, disturbing his peace and robbing him of tranquility.

Just after completing a full cycle of circulation, a small sparrow alighted before Jiang Sheng, hopping and chirping as if to relay a message.

Jiang Sheng, still in meditation, listened to the sparrow’s tale. When it finished, he took out a gray pill from his sleeve, scraped off some fragments with his fingernail, and fed them to the sparrow.

The sparrow pecked happily at the pill fragments, appearing spirited.

Jiang Sheng sighed softly, “Why is true quietude so hard to attain? Perhaps the elder’s intention in sending me into the world to temper myself was precisely this.”

He then glanced toward Tian Ming’an, who was still diligently sweeping snow, and softly called out:

“Forget about the falling snow. A guest is arriving. Go wait at the door.”

“Daoist Jiang, Zhang has come uninvited, disturbing your cultivation,” Zhang Qingyun said with a smile, bowing respectfully. Then he glanced at Tian Ming’an waiting nearby: “Daoist, you truly are a celestial being, knowing in advance that I would come and even having your disciple wait at the gate.”

Jiang Sheng’s expression was indifferent. “You are mistaken—the so-called disciple is merely a mischievous child loitering in the temple.”

Tian Ming’an, eyes fixed inward, acted as if those words were not about him.

Zhang Qingyun was genuinely surprised. For such a young boy to possess such composure and detachment at his age was indeed a promising sign. Even if he could not cultivate, he would surely achieve something official in the future.

Once again, in the front hall, after respectfully offering incense before the portrait of the sect’s founding ancestor, Zhang Qingyun bowed to Jiang Sheng.

“Daoist, you conceal yourself in the mountains, cultivating without concern for worldly affairs. Such leisure is truly enviable.”

“Yet I came uninvited today, becoming a troublesome guest, disturbing your quiet cultivation. Zhang feels uneasy because of this.”

Jiang Sheng’s expression remained calm, sitting cross-legged on the meditation cushion, neither joyful nor sorrowful.

“County Magistrate, if you truly feel guilty, why come up the mountain?”

Zhang Qingyun sighed helplessly, “Daoist, if there were any other way, why would I brave the snow to come here?”

“Do you know that there have already been more than a dozen murders in the county, all caused by evil cultivators and demonic practitioners? These wicked folk secretly kill and practice forbidden arts, plunging Qingshan County into terror…”

Jiang Sheng’s eyes half-closed, unmoved.

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Seeing Jiang Sheng unmoved, Zhang Qingyun continued, “At first, I thought these evil cultivators were just passing through, but such a sudden surge in killings proves it’s not just a few. This matter is definitely connected to the demons of the Taiping River!”

“Initially, I did not wish to trouble you, Daoist, so I issued a bounty and had scattered cultivators assist the government, even the fairy Xu Xiao and several foundation cultivators in the city have intervened.”

He punched his thigh in frustration: “Alas, with little effect. Some scattered cultivators even fell victim to the evil cultivators’ tricks and were injured.”

“If it weren’t for having no other choice, Zhang would not have dared disturb you. But now, only you can help.”

Zhang Qingyun bowed deeply once more.

After a moment, Jiang Sheng slowly spoke, “County Magistrate, the flowers and fruits you sent before were to urge me to confront the demons of Taiping River, not the evil cultivators in Qingshan County.”

“The root of the current problem lies with you, not me. Is there any error in what I say?”

Zhang Qingyun nodded, his voice heavy, “What you say is true. If I had not invited heroes from Qingzhou, the demons would not have been provoked, nor would the evil cultivators have run rampant.”

“But if I had not spread the word widely, how could so many heroes gather in this small county? If Qingshan wants to exterminate demons, then the demons of the river will surely cause trouble.”

“Such troubles are but growing pains. Once the river demons are eliminated, the evil cultivators will disperse, and Qingshan County will be peaceful again.”

Jiang Sheng nodded slightly, his eyelids lowered, his jade-like face revealing no emotion, as if carved from stone without a trace of compassion.

Zhang Qingyun said with some hope, “Daoist, will you descend the mountain to eliminate these evil cultivators for the people of Qingshan?”

Jiang Sheng shook his head, leisurely sipping tea.

Zhang Qingyun’s expression showed reluctance, “Daoist, can you truly not pity the innocent people of Qingshan?”

A light laugh escaped Jiang Sheng before he finally opened his eyes.

“Have you already forgotten the promise you made to me before?”

Zhang Qingyun immediately said, “No, Daoist, I have not forgotten.”

Jiang Sheng continued, “Fine. Today, if I do not speak some truths, you may not be convinced.”

He straightened, turned to gaze at the snow-covered mountains, expression serene and cold.

“County Magistrate, you truly do not understand that the current chaos is merely a test by the demons of Taiping River on Qingshan County?”

“I could intervene, yes. Not only I, but Daoist Qiao, Daoist Wen, and the Empty Prince could all act.”

“But if we act now, our cultivation and methods will be revealed to the demons. Once prepared, how could we launch a surprise attack?”

“Those Daoist friends are not in Qingshan County precisely to conceal themselves and prepare for what comes next.”

Zhang Qingyun was stunned, opening his mouth but unable to speak.

Jiang Sheng continued, “If you only want to deal with the current turmoil without confronting the demons in Taiping River, I can come down now and guarantee to eradicate the demons in Qingshan County within three to five days.”

“But then the matter of slaying demons in Taiping River will be none of my concern.”

“Would you accept such terms?”

Zhang Qingyun wanted to continue persuading, but Jiang Sheng raised his hand to dismiss him.

“If you want to solve the immediate chaos and also deal with the river demons later, expecting all the benefits, where in the world is such logic?”

“I must continue my quiet cultivation and sword refinement here. County Magistrate, please take your leave.”

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Zhang Qingyun finally swallowed his words, standing awkwardly.

“I will take my leave then. Sorry for disturbing your cultivation…”

Before finishing, he hurried away in embarrassment.

Jiang Sheng glanced at the departing Zhang Qingyun, then poured himself another cup of tea.

“You’ve been waiting outside so long—can you still hold out?”

Standing outside, Tian Ming’an shivered and quickly replied, “Returning to Daoist, the boy is still holding on.”

“Drink some tea to warm yourself and continue your work,” Jiang Sheng said, rising and returning to the front hall to resume cultivation.

Tian Ming’an looked at Jiang Sheng’s receding figure, then at the cup of tea on the table, and hurried inside to drink it all at once.

The warmth of the tea spread through his body, restoring feeling to his numb, frozen limbs.

The hunger in his stomach vanished, and a faint energy began to swirl in his lower abdomen, though it soon faded.

Still, Tian Ming’an was elated and quickly bowed toward the front hall before continuing to sweep the snow.

Meanwhile, back in the front hall, Jiang Sheng stared silently at the tall portrait of the sect’s founding patriarch. After a moment, he suddenly spoke:

“Was I wrong?”

“But what does the life or death of others have to do with me?”

Though he said this, Jiang Sheng could not forget that he was but an ordinary being himself—abandoned in a river as a helpless infant and nearly drowned.

It was a disciple of the Dao Sect who found him by chance.

That disciple was old and kind-hearted; seeing Jiang Sheng struggling in the water, he took pity and brought him back to Penglai, raising him as his own.

These memories were etched clearly in Jiang Sheng’s mind. From childhood, he had followed the old man, watching him cultivate, practice methods, and comprehend the Dao.

At age eight, Jiang Sheng formally entered Penglai.

Four years of learning literacy, six years of Qi refinement; ten years of time brought him to foundation building. Many elders in the sect recognized his talent and viewed him as a future heir.

All of this was due to the old man’s kindness—without it, Jiang Sheng would not be who he was today.

Moreover, that old man never abandoned him after bringing him to the sect; he cared for and taught him earnestly, hoping Jiang Sheng would be like him.

Alas, Jiang Sheng’s nature was inherently cold, and he could never show the same compassion.

In Jiang Sheng’s understanding, the sect was paramount; his senior brothers and sisters were his family. As long as matters did not involve Penglai, the lives of outsiders were of no concern to him.

All complicated emotions were shattered in an instant.

Narrowing his eyes to observe the snow-covered mountains outside the temple, Jiang Sheng murmured:

“Watch the flowers bloom and wither in the courtyard, let the clouds roll and unfold at the horizon.”

“The chaos caused by evil cultivators—what does it have to do with me?”

“Alas, the world is filled with fools who torment themselves, unable to sever their ties to the mundane world.”

“What a pity... what a pity.”

With that, Jiang Sheng turned and resumed his cross-legged meditation before the patriarch’s portrait, his eyes half-closed and utterly serene.