The night was dark and starless, with a strong wind roaring.
Thousands of stars shone down upon the world.
Ao Qing transformed into his dragon form and sped through the sea of clouds.
The azure dragon rode the wind and clouds, its brilliant golden eyes like two lanterns sweeping across the sky.
It wasn't long.
A misty and ethereal mountain appeared in sight.
Ao Qing landed on the peak of Mount Lao with swirling clouds, transforming back into a human form as he emerged from the clouds, but he didn't retract the dragon horns on his head.
On the top of Mount Lao was a Taoist temple with green tiles and white walls, shrouded in mystery.
As soon as Ao Qing arrived at the entrance of the temple, the wooden door swung open automatically.
A Taoist priest with long white hair was meditating. As the door opened, he opened his eyes and looked at Ao Qing, smiling:
“I didn’t know a distinguished guest would visit at this hour. I didn't prepare any good wine or food."
Ao Qing stared at the Taoist priest for a moment, discerning his approximate level of cultivation.
An Earth Immortal, not very strong.
Far less powerful than the Ji Gong he had seen that day.
However, Ao Qing had come for something else, not to fight the cultivators of Mount Lao. He simply wanted to ask some questions.
“Don’t mention it. I’m Ao Qing, the West Lake Dragon King, from the East Sea Dragon Clan.”
The old Taoist priest stood up and poured tea, smiling as he said:
“What brings Dragon King Ao Qing here?”
Ao Qing didn’t waste any time. He raised his hand and conjured a water curtain, revealing the image and abilities of the pear-selling Taoist from earlier that day.
The Earth Immortal of Mount Lao stroked his long beard and examined the image carefully.
“It is indeed our Mount Lao’s technique of ‘Mirrored Flowers and Water Moon’ that creates the illusion of reality.”
“But please don’t be offended, Dragon King. I have lived for far too long, and countless people have taken me as their master. I truly cannot recall such a disciple.”
Ao Qing retracted the water curtain and asked seriously:
“Do you truly not know, Old Earth Immortal? Is there no way to find out?”
The Earth Immortal of Mount Lao pondered for a moment, then pointed towards the foot of Mount Lao.
“I have a disciple who has also built a Taoist temple at the foot of the mountain. With my permission, he has taken in many disciples. Perhaps it was one of his disciples.”
“If you are in a hurry, Dragon King, I will have him come up right now. You can question him as you see fit.”
Seeing that the old Earth Immortal wasn’t lying, Ao Qing nodded in agreement.
Not long after, a middle-aged Taoist priest descended onto the mountaintop. He bowed respectfully to both the old Taoist priest and Ao Qing before speaking:
“Master, you called for me?”
The old Taoist priest recounted the events once again, and the middle-aged Taoist priest turned to Ao Qing and said politely:
“Please perform your magical arts once more, Dragon King, so that I can see the man’s appearance.”
Ao Qing displayed the image of the pear-selling Taoist again.
The middle-aged Taoist fell into deep thought. After a long pause, he said slowly:
“I have some recollection of this man. Many years ago, he came to me to learn Taoist arts. He was humble and respectful, and he practiced very diligently.”
“However, he was with us for a long time, and his true nature gradually emerged.”
“This man was greedy and stingy. He would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.”
“To gain wealth, he used magical arts to steal and extort merchants in the city. He even tried to kill people to silence them.”
“Although Mount Lao may not be known for its fame, it is still a righteous Taoist sect. How could we tolerate such a vile wretch?”
“Therefore, I removed his cultivation and broke his limbs, leaving him to atone for his sins in the mortal world.”
Ao Qing listened silently as the middle-aged Taoist finished speaking, then asked:
“Does the Taoist know what happened to him in recent years?”
The middle-aged Taoist’s face turned red with embarrassment. He glanced at the old Taoist priest sitting on the cushion, and shook his head:
“I don’t know.”
“It seems he has found a way to reconnect his meridians and has returned to the path of cultivation.”
“Dragon King, do you intend to do something about this fiend?”
Ao Qing looked calm, and he asked in return:
“If this man truly committed some wicked deeds.”
“How do you two Taoists think he should be dealt with?”
The middle-aged Taoist immediately looked at the old Taoist priest on the cushion.
The old Taoist priest snorted, his eyes flashing with a clear killing intent.
“If there are any rats who defile the reputation of Mount Lao, Dragon King, you can simply slay them with a single strike.”
“When the time comes, I will prepare a feast here to entertain you, Dragon King.”
The middle-aged Taoist also said in a deep voice:
“My master’s words are my words as well.”
“We cultivators of the Taoist sect are supported by the people, and we must uphold righteousness and virtue, protecting our land.”
“If this fiend has truly fallen into the abyss of evil and uses our Mount Lao’s techniques to wreak havoc.”
“We implore you, Dragon King, to act righteously and purge our Mount Lao of this wicked influence.”
Ao Qing slowly unclenched his left hand, which was hidden in his sleeve, and a smile appeared on his face.
“Both of you are men of righteousness, Dragon King Ao Qing admires you.”
“I will return now and investigate the truth. I will not allow any scoundrels to tarnish the good name of Mount Lao.”
After Ao Qing left.
The middle-aged Taoist suddenly let out a long sigh, filled with resentment as he looked at the old Taoist priest.
“Master, there are so many of your disciples down the mountain. Why did you have to call me up here?”
“I could feel it, this Dragon King has been holding back his magical arts. If I had said one wrong word, you wouldn’t have this disciple anymore.”
The old Taoist priest looked at his disciple with disdain.
“That fiend was your disciple.”
“Back then, you were the one who couldn’t bear to take his life after he committed a great wrong, giving him a chance to rise from the ashes.”
“Now he’s come knocking, and I’m too embarrassed to say I know him.”
The middle-aged Taoist scratched his head, speechless. He forced a change of topic.
“Master, there is someone named Wang Sheng down the mountain. He seems to have some celestial affinity. Would you like to take a look?”
The old Taoist priest frowned.
“What is this person’s character like?”
The middle-aged Taoist scratched his head again, struggling to answer:
“His character is decent, but he is a bit quick-tempered and lacks depth.”
The old Taoist priest snorted angrily, pointing down the mountain and said with displeasure:
“Tell him to get lost. And you get lost too!”