It is said that Jiang Yuan was protecting Li Xingshi as they traveled eastward.
Unbeknownst to them, two or three years had passed.
During this time, they had worshipped many mountains, eliminated demons, swept away monsters, and fought off strange creatures, clearing a tranquil path.
Jiang Tong'er wielded the Jade Dust Whisk, and indeed, its divine power was evident.
Whenever demons and monsters encountered him, they could only be swept away by the whisk, leaving no resistance.
Seeing the celestial youth's prowess, Li Xingshi no longer dared to mention changing weapons, only stating that the Demon-Subduing Staff in his hand was not an ordinary weapon.
Little did he expect that the celestial youth's whisk was even more formidable.
One day, as Jiang Yuan walked the path, holding the whisk, Li Xingshi followed closely with the Demon-Subduing Staff in hand.
Jiang Yuan turned his head and asked, "Li Xingshi, in these two or three years, how many mountains have we worshipped?"
Li Xingshi stopped, struck the ground with the Demon-Subduing Staff, and said, "Master, there are twenty-eight mountains. Counting the roads I have traveled, I have worshipped one hundred and six mountains without gaining any insight. If Master thinks otherwise, please lead me back. I will sincerely ask the old immortal to accept me as a disciple."
Seeing the celestial youth's divine might, he dared not call him 'child' and instead referred to him as 'Master.'
Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "My master said that your fate lies in the east. Why return? Just keep moving forward."
Li Xingshi asked, "Master, how far must we go?"
Jiang Yuan replied, "You have come this far, worshipped the mountains, and sincerely sought the Dao. After walking for so many years, how can you not continue? If you do not go forward, you might as well retreat. I will return to Fangcun Mountain."
Li Xingshi urged, "Master, do not go, do not go! I truly have sincerity; Master, protect me on this journey! Along the way, there are demons and monsters that I cannot defeat."
Jiang Yuan lightly flicked the whisk and laughed, "The Dao is always present; do not speak of discouragement. Just keep moving forward. The path may be obstructed and long, but if you walk, you will arrive."
Li Xingshi agreed, holding the Demon-Subduing Staff firmly.
If any demons approached, he would assist Jiang Tong'er.
The two walked on, one in front and one behind, as the yellow sand swirled around them.
Before long, they came upon a 'country.' They were surprised, as throughout their journey, they had passed through many countries.
Rather than calling it a 'country,' it was more like a tribe, with a thousand or more people gathered in one place.
Jiang Yuan walked toward the country.
As he entered, the earth trembled, and his primordial spirit came to aid him.
He focused his qi and looked ahead.
He noticed that this country was different from those they had seen along the way.
The people were well-dressed, unlike those from the previous country who wore animal skins.
The people here were less soiled than those from the previous country, which was indeed unusual.
Seeing Jiang Tong'er stop, Li Xingshi raised the Demon-Subduing Staff and said sternly, "Is there a demonic barrier ahead, Master? Wait a moment! Let me capture the demons and discern right from wrong!"
Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "It is not a demonic barrier; this country is extraordinary, which is why I want to observe it a little longer."
Li Xingshi asked, "What is so extraordinary about it?"
Jiang Yuan smiled but did not speak, holding the whisk as he walked into the country.
Li Xingshi was puzzled but followed along.
Once they entered, they saw children playing, men farming, and women weaving, with a good atmosphere.
An old man approached them.
The old man bowed and said, "Master!"
Jiang Yuan returned the greeting and asked, "Old brother, why do you call me 'Master'?"
The old man replied, "Master has a divine presence; I can see clearly that you are not an ordinary person. Although I am old, my eyes are still clear, and I cannot be mistaken."
Jiang Yuan praised, "Old brother, you have good insight. To be honest, we have traveled here and would like to rest and have some tea and millet. I wonder if you could host us?"
The old man smiled and welcomed them, saying, "It is a blessing for our country that Master has come."
The old man then led Jiang Yuan and Li Xingshi into the country, through a gate, and invited them to sit by a grass bed.
He brought an old table with holes and no lacquer, set it up, and added some tea and millet.
Jiang Yuan placed the Jade Dust Whisk down and picked up the tea and millet.
He looked at Li Xingshi, who was ravenously devouring the food.
After the meal, Jiang Yuan asked, "Thank you for the hospitality. May I ask the name of your country?"
The old man smiled and said, "Master, our country is called 'Bao Liang.' I am old and have some prestige, so I have taken the title of king. My name is 'Gan Mu.'"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan stood up again and bowed, saying, "I did not recognize the king."
The old man helped him up and said, "It is a small country; there is no need for Master to bow to me!"
Li Xingshi stood by silently, continuing to eat two more bowls.
Jiang Yuan helped the old man to the grass bed and sat down beside him, asking, "King, I have traveled with this person and seen many countries along the way, but I have never seen a country like Bao Liang. You must govern it well."
Gan Mu shook his head and said, "It is not my merit; how can I take credit for it?"
Jiang Yuan asked, "If it is not the king's merit, then how does Bao Liang enjoy such prosperity?"
Gan Mu replied, "Master, you are new here and may not know. Our country, Bao Liang, was once like other countries where people had no food to eat. It was because an elder came from the east and taught us how to farm, weave, and observe etiquette that we now have the scene of Bao Liang. I should not take credit for the title of king; it is because the elder needed to go to another country that I shamelessly took the position."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan was astonished.
There was indeed such a person in the Western Niu Hezhou.
He asked, "Who is this elder? Where is he going now?"
Gan Mu shook his head and said, "I do not know who the elder is. He only said he found a book on the ground, which taught him how to instruct us. I do not know where the elder came from, but a person from another country once said that the elder was killed by the people of the country for 'bewitching the masses' with 'demonic words.' I do not know if it is true."
Jiang Yuan understood the cause and effect and felt astonished.
He suddenly remembered that many years ago, he had traveled west with Laozi, and after thirty-three years, they had made no progress.
Later, Laozi met a middle-aged man who bestowed a book upon him to go into the world.
Could it be that the elder was that middle-aged man, who received Laozi's book and traveled through Western Niu Hezhou, spreading the teachings of the Dao?
Jiang Tong'er had an inkling in his heart but did not expect that the elder had been killed, losing his life.
The elder had been granted life by Laozi, and now that the elder was killed, how could the vitality of Western Niu Hezhou not be extinguished?
Otherwise, Bao Liang would still exist.
The spark still remained.
Jiang Yuan understood the way forward and sighed inwardly, saying, "The king is also a good person. The prosperity of Bao Liang is not solely due to the elder's efforts but also your labor."
Gan Mu hurriedly bowed and said, "I am guilty, I am guilty! I am just an old man; I had no food or clothing. How can I compare myself to the elder?"
Jiang Yuan said, "The elder has already left. How do you know you are not the next elder? Now that Bao Liang has become 'the granaries are full, and people know etiquette; when food and clothing are sufficient, they understand honor and disgrace,' surely this journey will lead to the great prosperity of Bao Liang. Why do you not act as the elder?"
Gan Mu listened carefully, deeply understanding the reason in Jiang Yuan's words.
He fell to the ground and said, "Master is indeed not an ordinary person. Please teach me about Bao Liang!"
Jiang Yuan shook his head; he was merely a traveler passing through this place.
Just as he was about to refuse, he suddenly noticed that the yellow sand around him had diminished significantly.
He was struck with inspiration and understood that the five remaining people, including Huang Po, should be requested.
Huang Po was originally malevolent but had the potential for harmony.
He needed to be refined of his malice, educated, and allowed to cultivate a capacity for tolerance before he could be requested.
It was necessary to carry out the work of 'education' to help Huang Po eliminate evil and embrace goodness.
Once there was a harmonious effort, Huang Po could play a significant role among the five, and they could unite in their cultivation of the Dan Path and resist the two gods together.
Jiang Yuan felt joy in his heart, not expecting that he would gain the method to request Huang Po in this place.
(End of Chapter)