PCJ – Chapter 305 Inherited Treasure

“Chengdao, are you still not awake?” The voice of the old Taoist priest echoed in Zhang Jiaohua’s ears.

Chengdao? Why does that name sound so familiar? Zhang Jiaohua was startled. From the first time he dreamed of the old Taoist priest, Zhang Jiaohua had never heard anyone call that name. It seemed that whenever someone called a name, his head would buzz, but why did he hear this name so clearly this time?

“Chengdao, are you awake?” The old Taoist priest’s voice sounded again.

“Old Taoist Master…” Zhang Jiaohua instinctively wanted to speak, but no sound came out of his mouth.

Feeling his body being pushed, he opened his eyes. The old Taoist priest was standing by the bed.

“Master, I accidentally fell asleep.” In the dream, Zhang Jiaohua’s body got up on its own. As expected, in the dream, Zhang Jiaohua was just a “spectator.”

“Your third senior brother has returned. Something has happened at Dalubao. I was about to go there. If you’re too tired, you can stay home and rest,” the old Taoist master said.

“Not tired, not tired.” Zhang Jiaohua hurriedly sat up from the bed, dressed in the same blue robe as the old Taoist master. This clothing gave Zhang Jiaohua a strange sense of familiarity, as if it were an old friend. If it were in his hands, he could put it on effortlessly.

“Alright, then come with me. Chengdao, this matter is not trivial. You must follow my instructions. Do not act on your own. Keep the talismans I gave you ready. If you encounter danger, use them to protect yourself. I will handle everything. You just need to observe and do not act recklessly,” the old Taoist master repeatedly reminded him, clearly anxious about the upcoming situation.

“Alright, alright, Master, you’ve said it so many times already,” Zhang Jiaohua, now feeling a bit impatient, heard “himself” say.

The old Taoist chuckled, “Master is old and useless. Old people love to nag.”

“Master, you’re not old at all,” Zhang Jiaohua suddenly felt a pang of sadness in his heart upon hearing this. His eyes grew hot, and he wasn’t sure if tears had flowed.

“Hahaha, not old, not old. Your master is still an immortal,” the old Taoist master said, laughing happily.

The old Taoist had finished packing and handed a bundle to Zhang Jiaohua, who quickly grabbed the old Taoist master’s bundle as well.

The old Taoist did not object, laughing heartily as he gently waved his dust whisk, moving gracefully like an immortal. Dalubao was not close, and it took the master and disciple half a day to reach their destination.

Dalubao was named for its famous large furnace, as its people were artisans. The fortress was not small and had a gate-like structure on the outside.

Before they even entered, a group of people was already waiting at the entrance.

They knelt down in unison, and an elderly man at the front pleaded, “Heavenly Master, you’re finally here! Something terrible has happened in the fortress! Please save us, Heavenly Master!”

“Stand up. Since I’m here, I won’t turn a blind eye. Now tell me, what exactly happened?” The old Taoist master’s voice had a new layer of authority that wasn’t there before.

“It was all caused by that eunuch slave! The old master of the fortress always followed your orders and sealed off West Mountain, but that eunuch slave forced the old master to reopen the mines. Less than a month has passed, and disaster has struck.” The elder spoke, tears in his eyes.

The old Taoist master was shocked and grabbed the elder by the shoulders, exclaiming angrily, “What? You reopened the West Mountain mines? If that’s the case, why are you coming to me? You dug your own graves, and now you want to drag me down with you? Do you forget how many of my Mei Mountain disciples died to seal that mountain? Let’s go, Chengdao, we’re leaving!”

The old Taoist master turned to leave, but the people of Dalubao blocked his path, kneeling and kowtowing frantically without daring to touch him.

“Heavenly Master, save us! Without you, Dalubao is doomed!”

“Heavenly Master, have mercy on us!”

The old Taoist was furious. “Who will have mercy on me? You seek death and want to take me down with you! I told you not to touch West Mountain, but you disobeyed. Now, why come to me?”

“Move aside! Don’t block my master’s way! If you want to live, run for your lives! Why drag my master into this? He’s just recovered from a severe illness, and you want him to sacrifice himself for you?” Zhang Jiaohua shouted.

“Young Taoist, if we could leave, we wouldn’t bother the old master. But we’re born here, and we’ll die here! So be it. If we die, let it be on our terms. No need to burden the Heavenly Master.” The elder spoke with resignation and disappointment as he stepped aside.

But others were not as willing, crawling to the old Taoist master’s feet, pleading, “Heavenly Master, we were forced! If the old master hadn’t touched the mountain, the eunuch slave would have killed the young lord! The old master had no choice, but the eunuch slave wouldn’t listen!”

“Stop talking! It’s Dalubao’s fate. Whether that eunuch survives or not, you’re doomed.” The old man shouted angrily, leading the group back to the fortress in sorrow.

“Chengdao, let’s go!” The old Taoist master called Zhang Jiaohua, his heart heavy with the sight of the fortress’ doomed people.

As they walked, the old Taoist master sighed, “Remember, Chengdao, we can’t save everyone. Dalubao isn’t something we can fix. Even if we sacrifice ourselves, it won’t help them.”

From behind, the elder’s voice rang out again, “Heavenly Master, do you know why the eunuch slave forced us to open the mines?”

The old Taoist stopped but did not turn around.

“It’s not the minerals he’s after—it’s what’s hidden in the cave! Do you know why we dare call him a eunuch slave? He entered that cave, and so did the old master! But they never came out!” The elder’s voice trailed off.

“Don’t think bringing that up will change my mind! Whatever is in there is not worth the lives of me and my disciple. If Dalubao wants to live, escape while you can!” The old Taoist snapped.

“Teacher, what is that thing the elder mentioned?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

The old Taoist sighed. “Years ago, Dalubao opened an ancient tomb. Ghostly creatures emerged, and we Mei Mountain disciples fought them off with our sacred treasures, sealing the tomb. But our treasure was left behind, and many of our disciples perished. Since then, our sect’s power has waned.”

“Master, how do they know of this?”

“The fortress fighters were with us. It seems the eunuch slave learned of it from them. Now, if I don’t return, go back to your hometown and live a normal life. The eunuch will leave no survivors if he gets our treasure,” the old Taoist warned solemnly.

“I won’t leave! If you die, I’ll die with you!” Zhang Jiaohua protested.

“Chengdao, I know you are loyal. But I have already accepted my fate. If I return with the treasure, all will be well. But if not, leaving would only waste your life.”