Laozi, receiving the intent of Jiang Yuan, instructed him to act as the protector for the Qian Niu.
Jiang Yuan once again bowed, walking to the side of the Qian Niu.
The Qian Niu raised its head to see the Yu Ding at Jiang Yuan's waist and did not dare to act recklessly, lowering its head instead.
The Guanling Yinxie of Hangu Pass approached Laozi, bowing deeply and saying, "Guanling Yinxie pays respects to the Sage!"
Laozi smiled and shook his head, saying, "I am but a poor old man, unworthy of such courtesy from Guanling!"
Yinxie replied, "I have some knowledge of celestial phenomena. I see the purple qi coming from the east, vast like a dragon, knowing that a Sage travels westward. I also see the Master Divine welcoming him; if it were not a Sage, it could not be so. Thus, I know you to be the Sage."
Laozi smiled, his eyes calm as water, saying, "The Master has a broad heart, yet I and the broad heart are merely elder and junior. The broad heart sees my walking is inconvenient, hence comes to guide me with the Qian Niu, teaching me not to be deceived by tigers and leopards. How could a poor old man like me be a Sage? I have heard that many noble lords possess great wisdom; a Sage should emerge from among them."
Jiang Yuan remained silent, standing by the Qian Niu.
Yinxie, upon hearing this, shook his head and said, "Noble lords are often troubled by state affairs; a Sage does not emerge from them. The Master of the broad heart is a disciple of the western Sage. The Master guides the Qian Niu; thus, you must be the Sage. I ask you to grant me the opportunity to protect you with the Qian Niu. I am willing to sacrifice my life for it, without hesitation!"
Laozi said, "Do you truly believe me to be a Sage?"
Yinxie replied, "Indeed!"
Laozi looked at Yinxie for a long time, then nodded and smiled, saying, "A talent that can be molded!"
Yinxie bowed again, saying, "Please, Sage, enter the pass. I have cleared the way and await your arrival."
Laozi said, "Good!"
Yinxie was overjoyed, leading two servants ahead to ensure a worry-free path.
Jiang Yuan gently patted the Qian Niu, which let out a moo and proceeded into Hangu Pass.
He saw Laozi riding the Qian Niu backward and knew there must be profound meaning behind it, so he did not whip or pull the reins.
The Qian Niu was extremely intelligent, following Yinxie's lead, and before long, they entered Hangu Pass.
Laozi looked at Jiang Yuan and said, "Broad heart, this journey will take thirty-three years; the road is not short."
Jiang Yuan nodded and said, "Rest assured, Master Boyang, I will understand."
Laozi laughed and said, "If the broad heart had not entered the Dao, I would not dare to instruct him to walk. However, the broad heart has long entered the Dao, so I can rest easy. Is Bodhi well?"
Jiang Yuan replied, "Thank you for your concern, Master Boyang; my master is well!"
Laozi saw that Jiang Yuan was light yet steady and secretly admired him: "This child will surely attain great magical power in the years to come."
The group walked into Hangu Pass, where Yinxie led Laozi to a resting place so that the Sage could take a break.
Halfway through, they suddenly saw someone blocking the road, kneeling before Yinxie.
Jiang Yuan stopped, recognizing the person but unable to recall his name.
He noticed the 'Tai Xuan Qing Sheng Fu' at the man's waist trembling slightly, knowing that this person also possessed this talisman.
He immediately realized that this man had once been a servant in Laozi's home in Luoyi.
Yinxie was startled and asked, "Who are you?"
The man shouted, "Guanling, listen to me! I am from Luoyi, named Xu Jia. I have served Laozi since childhood, doing miscellaneous work in his household, and I dare not make mistakes. Laozi once said that my daily wage is about a hundred, but he owes me much money that he has not paid. Now that I am leaving the pass, I fear my money will vanish. I ask Guanling to help me collect it; it amounts to over a million."
Jiang Yuan, upon hearing this, felt it was absurd; this person was truly foolish and ignorant.
In his cultivation, he had experienced three generations of the Zuo family, along with several generations of the mortal realm.
This person still did not know how to attain longevity, escaping the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, yet he came to block Laozi, demanding his wages.
Yinxie was greatly shocked and asked, "Are you speaking nonsense?"
Xu Jia said, "I dare not speak nonsense."
Jiang Yuan, feeling secretly angry, did not wait for Yinxie to see Laozi.
He stepped forward, extending his palm from his sleeve and pointing at Xu Jia.
He said, "Do you recognize me, little one?"
Xu Jia looked up and examined him, finding Jiang Yuan familiar but not recognizing who he was, so he shook his head.
Jiang Yuan said, "Years ago, I entered Luoyi with my master and visited Master Boyang's residence, where we had a fateful encounter."
Xu Jia suddenly realized, "Yuan, it is you! I saw you years ago; you were just a little child. Now, seeing you, you appear like a celestial being, and I did not recognize you!"
Jiang Yuan said, "Since you recognize me, do you know when we last met?"
Xu Jia scratched his head, pondering for a long time, then shook his head and said, "I do not know."
Jiang Yuan said, "We met one or two hundred years ago. Do you truly think your lifespan is long? It was Master Boyang who granted you a Tai Xuan Qing Sheng Fu, allowing you to glimpse the side door of longevity. Without this talisman, you would have long been taken by Lord Yan. How can you have the face to demand wages from Master Boyang?"
Xu Jia, upon hearing this, was greatly shocked and turned pale, opening his mouth to spit out a talisman, which flew from his mouth.
As the wind passed, he transformed into a pile of bones, collapsing to the ground.
Yuan is 'the Dao unveils the source, qi leaks and defeats, the side door cannot attain the wonders of longevity.'
Laozi, sitting on the Qian Niu, saw Jiang Yuan's method and smiled silently, giving a slight nod.
Yinxie bowed down and said, "Sage, Master, this person is foolish and does not understand the ways of the Sage. He has failed to advance in the Dao and missed a great opportunity. However, this person does not harbor malice against the Sage. I hope the Sage will grant him a chance at life."
Laozi then said, "I was just about to speak with him. Once we enter the Land of Rest, I will certainly compensate him with gold for his work. I did not expect this little one to be so restless, so anxious. Enough, enough! You teach the talisman to swallow it, and all will be clear."
Having said that, Laozi glanced at Jiang Yuan, who understood and gently patted the Qian Niu, moving forward.
Yinxie placed the Tai Xuan Qing Sheng Fu at the mouth of the pile of bones.
As the wind passed again, the bones grew flesh, and before long, Xu Jia was resurrected, startling the servants.
Yinxie knew this was the Sage's ability.
He straightened his clothing and bowed deeply to Laozi, sincerely prostrating himself.
...
Laozi entered Hangu Pass and spoke with Jiang Yuan, stating that he would reside in this pass for three months and three days.
After three months and three days, he would travel west to the Western Niu Hezhou.
Jiang Yuan originally came to protect the Qian Niu, so he naturally agreed.
His cultivation continued, swallowing the heavenly fire daily, refining a golden public.
The Guanling Yinxie served Laozi daily, treating him with the courtesy of a disciple, listening to the Sage's profound teachings.
Jiang Yuan understood that Laozi's three-month stay was for those who sought the Dao; however, among those who sought the Dao, only Yinxie remained.
Time truly flies in cultivation.
Jiang Yuan practiced daily, and the three months and three days passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, Laozi rode the Qian Niu backward, preparing to exit Hangu Pass, with Jiang Yuan following.
Yinxie led the servants to bid farewell, reluctant to part, saying, "Sage, I can sacrifice my life to accompany you."
Laozi smiled and said, "Your fateful law is not here."
Yinxie replied, "Sage, the Dao is unclear today, dark and without light. Your wisdom is boundless. I have listened to your profound teachings for three months and three days and know your wisdom is vast. I have no fate to follow you, but I ask you to write a book and leave your name, so that in the future, when there are those who seek the Dao, they will not stop due to the obscurity of the Dao. Those who seek the Dao should know the Sage!"
Upon hearing this, Laozi lightly patted the Qian Niu, instructing it to stop, and fell into contemplation.
Jiang Yuan was startled; he had known in his dreams and in the mythological story "Laozi Exits the Pass" that Laozi had left a book to enlighten the world, called "Dao De Jing," which was known as the 'King of All Classics.'
Could it be that this book would manifest in this world?
The opportunity for the Southern Zhanbu Continent might lie in the "Dao De Jing"...
New book period seeking subscriptions, monthly tickets, and recommendations!
(End of Chapter)