Chapter 8, Establishing a Relationship through Marriage

The hermit Tao Hongjing of the Later Qi established the Maoshan sect of Taoism, integrating Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. Since the Tang and Song dynasties, Maoshan has consistently been regarded as the "First Blessed Land of Taoism and the Eighth Heavenly Cave"

At a critical moment, I suddenly heard two crisp sounds enter my ears. Just as I was about to turn around, I felt a weight on my shoulder, as if a strong hand had grasped it. Immediately afterward, my body felt light, and I was pulled behind a sturdier mountain peach tree by an invisible force. It was only then that I clearly saw that the person was Yang Yuanshan, the middle-aged man who had been in a coma for countless days. He, miraculously, had awakened at that moment

"Mr. Yang, who are those with ulterior motives? Why do they want to harm our family like this?" I asked anxiously

Just when I was in despair and helplessness, my grandfather's eyes suddenly opened wide, and my heart momentarily stopped because his eyes... were not of a normal color, but rather a pair of ghostly blue eyes. Following that, my grandfather, with a face full of anger, said: "Kid, at the third watch of the night, the Yin Cliff will be wed. If you are even a moment late, you will all die"

"Uncle Zhao, if you are still sane, please take my grandfather home and tend to his injuries. If I do not return, it means that you are all safe. After my grandfather wakes up, I kindly ask you to comfort him and encourage him to live well!" I gritted my teeth, holding back my cries, but my tears flowed uncontrollably.

Clap!

While frantically clawing at the ground, my grandfather emitted a chilling sound from his mouth, "hiss... hiss..." Upon hearing this sound, I was covered in goosebumps, and I suddenly realized that something had happened to my grandfather

Grandfather, what has happened? I rushed forward, crying out, and embraced him tightly, not allowing him to move an inch. To my surprise, Grandfather suddenly shook me off with great force; the strength was unimaginable for a human. If I had not released my grip in time, my arm would have been torn off.

As a master of the Esoteric Buddhism, Yang Yuanshan is accompanied by the master of the Maoshan Exoteric School, who is also his brother in the same sect and currently serves as the head of the Maoshan faction. The recent scheme involving the fox clan to frame the Li and Zhao families is merely a facade, while the true intention of the mastermind is to eliminate Yang Yuanshan. From the moment he awakened, Yang Yuanshan anticipated this conspiracy, yet in order to save our Li and Zhao families, he resolutely chose to stay and assist me.

The Maoshan sect has produced numerous talents, and its influence has gradually expanded, reaching its peak during the Tang and Song dynasties. Notable Maoshan Taoists from the Tang dynasty include Wang Yuanzhi, Pan Shizheng, Sima Chengzhen, and Li Hanguang. Particularly during the Song dynasty, many masters of the Maoshan sect were bestowed the title of "Xiansheng" by the Song court, culminating in its utmost prosperity during Liu Hunkang's tenure as the successor of the Dharma master.

From the Southern Dynasties of Liang to the Northern Song Dynasty, the Maoshan School flourished for several hundred years, remaining a mainstream sect of Taoism. After the Southern Song Dynasty, it gradually declined, yet it continued to be passed down, with notable masters occasionally emerging. The Maoshan School is a branch of the Shangqing School, which developed with Maoshan as its center, and it has been transmitted to later generations. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Taoist traditions faced strong opposition from the ruling authorities, leading to the emergence of various branches within the Maoshan School. However, the "Shangqing Dadong Zhenjing" of the Maoshan School has been continuously transmitted to this day, renowned as the Maoshan Xianzong. By the late Qing Dynasty, the conflict between the orthodox Daoist sects of the Maoshan Xian School and the Mipi School began to emerge. The Maoshan Xian masters adhere to the "Shangqing Dadong Zhenjing," focusing on meditation, alchemy, and recitation, while the Mipi masters practice secret techniques, jade talismans, and ancient spells, remaining hidden from the world. Why is it that today, true Taoists are becoming increasingly rare, while fake Taoists and charlatans are becoming more rampant? This has deepened the public's misunderstanding of Maoshan, distorting the once reputable Maoshan School into a chaotic and polluted state. Tracing back to the source, the Maoshan Xian masters adhere to the "Shangqing Dadong Zhenjing," focusing on meditation, alchemy, and recitation, while the Mipi masters practice secret techniques, jade talismans, and ancient spells, remaining hidden from the world. Why is it that today, true Taoists are becoming increasingly rare, while fake Taoists and charlatans are becoming more rampant? This has deepened the public's misunderstanding of Maoshan, distorting the once reputable Maoshan School into a chaotic and polluted state, inescapably tied to the mysterious and legendary conflict between the Mipi and Xian.

Wuwuwu... Old Li, I am truly sorry, if I do not do as they say, my wife will also die, I am sorry, Old Li... Wuwuwu...

Having just climbed the hillside, a sudden fierce wind arose, the cold and strong gusts violently striking against my body. I seemed to realize that even if I wished to form a bond with the underworld, the process I would have to endure would not be easy. Yet, despite this awareness, the road ahead remained several times more difficult, as if the wind were blowing solely for me. Before long, I had no choice but to hold onto a mountain peach tree to steady myself.

Grandfather! Grandfather! Grandfather...

The main door and the courtyard gate were both wide open, yet in the blink of an eye, my grandfather had vanished without a trace, and Zhao Liushun was nowhere to be found. I was suddenly thrown into a state of confusion, momentarily forgetting the deadline of the last day. Grabbing my head, I rushed out of the room and quickly ran out of the courtyard, shouting in all directions as I ran: "Grandfather! Where are you, Grandfather!"

Immediately afterwards, I heard my grandfather let out a cry of agony from the pit, and then there was no more sound. I hurriedly ran down the slope and pulled my grandfather out of the deep pit. I saw that his hands were already a bloody mess, with his fingers in a terrible state. I shook my grandfather vigorously, crying out: "Grandpa, sob... wake up, Grandpa!"

Watching their disappearing figures, I felt a slight sense of relief, gathered my emotions, and turned to face the vast mountains. If I am destined to be unable to escape this calamity, then...! ... let it be death!

You are mistaken! It is not the Fox Clan that is obstructing your progress, but rather... it is those with ulterior motives!" Yang Yuanshan said with a serious expression as he pulled me forward quickly, adding as we walked, "I should have realized that those who practice spiritual cultivation are usually reasonable, yet this time they have caused an extraordinary uproar. Behind these events, it must be the instigation and manipulation of those with ulterior motives!

What method? You say! I immediately released my hands and asked loudly with righteous indignation

The only responses I receive are the chilly night breeze and the silent, soundless mountain path

I was completely shocked by everything that Yang Yuanshan said, because the Daoist sect, Daoism, and the Maoshan School are truly too distant for us villagers. Perhaps some people will only hear legends throughout their lives but will never see the real person. Yet, I, surprisingly, encountered a master of the Maoshan Esoteric Sect in such circumstances, how 'fortunate' I am!

Suddenly, a voice filled with tears came from the slope opposite me. I abruptly raised my head, and in the dim light, I could still make out that this person was indeed Zhao Liushun from Zhao Village. Upon seeing him, I lost my mind, took a swift step forward, waved my hand to brush aside my hair, and lunged at Zhao Liushun, shouting loudly: "You old bastard, you old turtle! Tell me! What have you done to my grandfather?! What have you done to my grandfather?!"

No matter how much I called out, my grandfather remained silent. The voice of that old woman echoed continuously in my mind: at the third watch of the night, the Yin Cliff... I know about the Yin Cliff; it is a steep precipice that is shrouded in darkness all year round. Beyond the mountain in front of me, behind the highest peak, lies the cliff that the locals refer to as the Yin Cliff. Fine, as long as I can save my grandfather and everyone else, I am willing to enter into a ghostly marriage.

Pieces of gravel were swept up by the fierce wind, striking down like rain. I was so frightened that I hid behind the peach tree, but still, a few stones hit me hard, causing pain, a searing pain... It felt as if my flesh was being scraped away bit by bit. I thought to myself, if this continues, I might not even make it to the cliff before losing my life...

Having spoken, my tears blurred my vision, and my legs gradually gave way, collapsing to the ground like Zhao Liushun, as I knelt down and began to weep uncontrollably

Throughout the journey, upon hearing everything that Yang Yuanshan said, I finally realized that my family and Zhao Liushun's family had inadvertently become entangled in a vortex of conflict within the Daoist sect. It was not only the Fox Clan that was involved; even my family and Zhao Liushun's family were similarly exploited by the person who was manipulating all of this behind the scenes, and that person turned out to be the one closest to Yang Yuanshan

I searched everywhere, yet I still could not find my grandfather. I was terrified and could not bear to imagine what might happen to him. If something were to happen to my grandfather, I would not know what to do in the future. Grandfather, you are my only family, my sole support... you absolutely cannot come to any harm.

He... Yang Yuanshan hesitated and glanced at me, then said: "If you want to know the ins and outs of the matter, just follow me."

"Mr. Yang, how did you wake up?" In my surprise, I showed a hint of joy, but immediately frowned and looked at the turbulent waves opposite me, saying, "Since they have reached a consensus with me, why do they still have to make things difficult for me?"

As I ran and shouted, I unknowingly arrived at the foot of the back mountain. Not far away, I could vaguely make out a figure. Could it be my grandfather? I was shocked and walked closer, only to see my grandfather at that moment lying on the ground, frantically digging at something. Clumps of dirt and fragments of stone were being tossed aside in a flurry. By the time I reached him, my grandfather had already dug a hole!

Just after Zhao Liushun had taken a few steps, I silently knelt down before my grandfather and then heavily knocked my head three times. Zhao Liushun may have heard something, as he slowly came to a stop, but he did not turn back. After a pause, he continued walking straight ahead

"Grandfather, Grandfather..." I asked in a trembling voice behind my grandfather. At this moment, he was somewhat frightening; what he was doing had far exceeded the limits of a normal person. I swallowed hard, bent down, and patted my grandfather's shoulder, calling out to him once more. To my surprise, he wildly swung his arm and pushed me away, once again clinging to the pit.

"Agree to their terms, and you will be able to save your grandfather, cough, cough..." Zhao Liushun said hurriedly before collapsing to the ground and coughing violently.

Looking at Yang Yuanshan's serious expression, I have no reason to doubt what he said

It was also learned from Yang Yuanshan that he is actually a disciple of the Mazu sect of Taoism. Speaking of this, it is necessary to mention the Mazu sect and its historical origins. During the Western Han Dynasty, the three brothers of the Mao family from Xianyang, Shaanxi, namely Mao Ying, Mao Gu, and Mao Zhong, came to Juequ Mountain to practice Taoism and do good deeds, benefiting the world. In order to commemorate the merits of the Mao family, Juequ Mountain was renamed Sanmao Mountain, abbreviated as Mao Mountain, and the three brothers of the Mao family were also referred to by later generations as the founding masters of Mao Mountain Taoism.

Child, if there were any other way, we wouldn't need you to... Sigh! I won't say anything more. What you just said, I will definitely help you accomplish it, don't worry. Zhao Liushun touched my head, choked up, lowered his head, picked up my unconscious grandfather, and turned to leave

"Er Gou... Er Gou, I..." Zhao Liushun was being choked by me, his face flushed red. He desperately tried to pull me away, but now, in order to save my grandfather, I could not care about so much, because I knew that my grandfather had become this way because of him coming here, all because of him! Zhao Liushun kept coughing and then loudly said: "Er Gou! If you want... if you want to save your grandfather, there is a way, let me go... cough cough!"

The voice, it was that of the old woman. After grandfather finished speaking, he instantly fell into a deep unconsciousness

What conditions should I agree to? What conditions should I agree to? I shouted loudly, and in an instant, I saw my grandfather had already burrowed into the pit, and he was still digging, as if he would not stop until he buried himself completely. The consequences... Thinking of this, I immediately shouted into the empty night: "I agree to your conditions, I am willing to enter into a ghostly marriage! Please spare my grandfather! Please spare him! I beg you!"

"Er Gou, I have come to assist you in your journey to the Abyss of Shadows!" Yang Yuanshan seemed to be aware of everything. He reached out and broke off a section of a peach branch, casually tidying it up, and effortlessly cleared away the scattered stones. It is quite strange; wherever the peach branch in his hand reached, those stones were all knocked down. To be precise, it seemed as if those stones were deliberately avoiding the peach branch held by Yang Yuanshan.