Chapter Eighteen: The Nightfall Snow Mountain Calamity Reveals the Cultivator

Page 1/3

Evening, the final moments of the Shen hour.
The You hour was about to arrive, yet Qingping Mountain was already shrouded in darkness.
The mountain was naturally dark early, especially in the depths of winter.
Jiang Sheng watched as Tian Ming’an finished his chores and came to take his leave, then suddenly said, "You must have heard the county magistrate’s reason for visiting today. There are evil cultivators and demonic forces wreaking havoc in Qingshan County, slaughtering people and throwing the hearts of its residents into turmoil."
"No one knows how many families have lost their children, or how many have lost their husbands; all they know is that dozens of white banners have been hung throughout Qingshan County."
Tian Ming’an paused, then after a moment of silence said, "Daoist, I don’t understand much of the deeper principles. I only know to accept fate and do what I can."
"The county magistrate has asked you to subdue the river demon; naturally, all efforts must prioritize this. We cannot risk losing the greater for the sake of the lesser."
"If you act rashly, Daoist, you might indeed eliminate those evil cultivators, but the demons will surely be prepared."
"If you fail to subdue the demons, their wrath could flood half of Qingshan County, causing even greater loss of life."
"Every gain comes with loss. Even for someone like me, born into a wealthy family, there are things I cannot attain."
"There is no such thing as perfection in this world. The times are harsh; to live with a clear conscience is already a great feat."
Jiang Sheng looked at Tian Ming’an with some surprise, then couldn’t help but chuckle softly. "The times are harsh, and to live with a clear conscience is indeed difficult. Hearing this from your lips carries a unique flavor."
"Remember, even those immortals who traverse the five continents dare not claim to fully understand the hearts of mortals. We humble apprentices should not trouble ourselves with such matters."
"Enough for today. It’s already dark; don’t go home. Rest here at the temple tonight."
Jiang Sheng thought for a moment, then reached out and summoned a flicker of candlelight from the incense table. "It’s dark at night—take this candlelight for illumination."
Tian Ming’an carefully received the faint flame, which hovered gently over his palm, neither burning hot nor cold, but sufficient to provide warmth and light.
"Thank you, Daoist, for the gift of fire," Tian Ming’an said cautiously, holding the light.
"Go ahead," Jiang Sheng waved his hand, then resumed sitting cross-legged before the ancestral master’s portrait, closing his eyes to rest.
Meanwhile, Zhang Qingyun, having returned to the county office, reported the outcome with helplessness.
Zhang Qingling was silent for a moment before saying, "Daoist Jiang is said to be a high-level cultivator from Penglai. His establishing a temple here at Qingping Mountain is likely just a temporary place for practice."
"Moreover, according to the people from Qingping Town, Daoist Jiang clearly avoids worldly entanglements and prefers a solitary, tranquil path."
"Father, you think you persuaded Daoist Jiang to come, but perhaps he had intentions to eliminate the river demons of Taiping River all along."
Zhang Qingyun was stunned for a moment, then asked, "What do you mean?"
Zhang Qingling sighed, "Though he might leave Qingshan County in three to five years, Father, if you were cultivating and a man-eating demon were occupying the land beside your temple, could you truly focus on your practice?"
"Just like if a Wei army suddenly garrisoned the borderlands of our Great Qi, could His Majesty the Emperor sleep peacefully? How could anyone slumber when danger lurks so close?"
Zhang Qingyun suddenly understood, "So you’re saying Daoist Jiang never truly cared about the lives of Qingshan’s people?"
Zhang Qingling nodded, lifting her fair hand to gaze at the cold moon above, "Cultivators are resolute and seek longevity; how many truly care for us mundane folk?"
"But Daoist Jiang did say he exterminated the possessed tiger on Qingping Mountain only because it had taken over his intended temple site."
Zhang Qingyun sighed, "I thought Daoist Jiang was kind-hearted. I never expected..."
Zhang Qingling smiled as she stood, "Father, it doesn’t matter what kind of person Daoist Jiang is. What matters is that he’s willing to help us eliminate the demons of Taiping River."

Page 2/3

Another night fell, and the darkness fully enveloped Qingping Mountain.
At midnight, gentle snowflakes began to fall, their soft descent covering all traces beneath.
Within Qingxuan Temple, quiet and still, Jiang Sheng sat cross-legged before the ancestral master’s portrait, breathing faintly.
Outside, seven or eight figures silently approached from east and west.
Beneath the drifting snow, their tracks were perfectly concealed. Their eyes blazed as they stared at the lone temple deep in the mountains, filled with burning intent.
"I heard the Daoist inside is no ordinary man, quite wealthy too!"
"Indeed. Not long ago, the magistrate of Qingshan County sent a grand gift—enough resources to let us brothers live in luxury for some time."
"More than that, I want to see just how capable that Daoist really is, with so many singing his praises."
"Using his flesh and bones to refine magical instruments—would that enhance their power?"
The voices overlapped—they were a group of evil cultivators!
Calling themselves the Eight Wolves of Dong Commandery, they had clawed their way out of a sea of corpses and blood.
Working seamlessly, they had slaughtered countless people to forge magical instruments and killed many wandering cultivators to plunder wealth.
All eight of them had reached the Foundation Establishment realm!
They were notorious throughout Dong Commandery and even Qingzhou, ruthless and fearless, willing to exchange wounds or even lives for resources, tailing cultivators for hundreds of miles to ambush them.
Skilled in tracking and ambush, they hunted like a wolf pack, surrounding and devouring their prey. Their cruelty and cunning struck terror into countless cultivators.
After infiltrating Qingshan County, they refrained from rash action, watching their comrades kill and practice magic in the county seat, while gathering intelligence.
They concluded that the wealthiest place in Qingshan wasn’t the county office, but Qingxuan Temple in Qingping Mountain!
Its master was said to be a cultivator from Penglai!
Though he was alone in the mountain, no matter how powerful, how much could he withstand against eight opponents?
Thus, they stealthily approached Qingping Mountain, confirming only Jiang Sheng and a half-grown boy remained in the temple.
Seeing Jiang Sheng leave Tian Ming’an behind for the night, even with only one Foundation Establishment cultivator and a frail youth inside, they did not act rashly.
Instead, they patiently waited until deep into the night, when snow blanketed the mountains, before launching their attack.
Having assessed Jiang Sheng’s strength, they knew well enough the capabilities of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Though such cultivators had abundant spiritual power, under the pressure of eight assailants, they would be worn down and left helpless.
Moreover, Jiang Sheng was burdened by the mortal boy beside him—could he truly unleash his full strength?
Resolute, the eight spread out quietly, encircling the front hall of Qingxuan Temple.
Inside, Jiang Sheng, eyes closed in meditation, suddenly opened them wide, a sharp gleam flickering in his star-like eyes.

Page 3/3

“Midnight snowfall, visitors at this hour—what brings you here?”
Jiang Sheng’s clear voice rang out in the snowy night, striking the Eight Wolves of Dong Commandery like an explosion, startling them sharply!
They had been exposed!
“Surround him!” the lead wolf snarled.
Since they were discovered, they would strike head-on!
The other seven snarled and lunged, blood-red chains flying through the snowy air toward Jiang Sheng’s back.
These blood-colored chains were magical instruments crafted by the Eight Wolves for killing and refining. They corrupted cultivators’ spiritual energy, damaged their meridians preventing the circulation needed for spells, and could imprison the cultivator’s dantian, restricting movement.
With these chains, the Eight Wolves had never failed.
This time, unknown benefactors had supplied them with abundant resources to ramp up their cultivation and enhance these chains. Now, the Eight Wolves were stronger and more ruthless than ever.
The blood chains tore through the snow-laden air, stirring the flurries.
Jiang Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly at the foul aura of the chains. "Such vile instruments—truly the ways of the dark path."
"I’ve heard of a high cultivator from Penglai dwelling in Qingping Mountain. Brothers, let us test the Daoist’s skills! Please, Daoist, do not hold back!" the lead wolf boasted, unleashing a volley of poisonous needles tainted with spiritual pollution.
The commotion in the front hall roused Tian Ming’an.
He hurried outside and faintly saw several figures hovering in midair, chains radiating a disturbing aura, attacking Daoist Jiang!
This sight filled Tian Ming’an with dread—such a night ambush could only be the work of evil cultivators!
He worried about Jiang Sheng’s ability to handle so many formidable foes.
One of the Eight Wolves spotted Tian Ming’an and grinned maliciously, directing a chain toward him.
The blood-red chain, laden with corruption, lunged like a venomous snake.
Amid the swirling snow, Tian Ming’an heard the sharp rush of wind and saw the cruel red chain hurtle toward him!
Suddenly, his mind went numb, goosebumps rising, and he froze in place.
Jiang Sheng was about to counterattack but frowned at the chain suddenly striking toward the temple’s rear yard.
He withdrew the ancestral portrait from the incense table and rose, swiftly moving toward the back.
"Haha, he really is worried about that mortal boy!"
"A perfect opportunity!"
The Eight Wolves, like hyenas sensing blood, surged forward, wielding their chains in unison.
"Daoist Jiang, surrender your life and fortune to us obediently!"