Chapter 1443 — The Ethereal Form and the Material Frame
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 5
Xu Shenghua returned the Primordial Liquid of the Taiji, and the two Taiji Ancient Gods were delighted to see him, finding his company as refreshing as a spring breeze. There was no need, as with Yan Tianfei, to keep one's wits constantly sharp against hidden schemes, nor to live in trepidation as one did around Shen Mu.
People differ from one another.
"Young Daoist friend, your bearing is extraordinary and your heart is as vast as an empty valley. You are destined for remarkable achievements."
The female Ancient God said apologetically, "We ought to have prepared a gift for you, but we have only just emerged into the world and possess nothing to our names."
Xu Shenghua replied, "Between fellow Daoists, what need is there for gifts?"
The two Taiji Ancient Gods praised him in unison, saying, "Well spoken indeed!"
Xu Shenghua sought their guidance, asking, "You two Daoist brothers have emerged into the world. Since you are both Taiji Ancient Gods and yet separate from one another, how should I address you?"
"Names are neither existent nor non-existent."
The male Ancient God said, "If we must force a title upon ourselves, then I am the Great Yang, and she is the Great Yin. Yet I am not the Great Yang, for within my yang there is yin; and she is not the Great Yin, for within her yin there is yang. Our path of seeking the Dao is the union of yin and yang embracing simplicity, merging into one—this is the Taiji."
Great Yang and Great Yin—among the Ancient Gods there were similar titles. The Great Sun Star Lord bore a title also called the Great Yang Star Lord, wielding the Great Yang Sacred Fire; and there was a Moon Ancient God called the Great Yin Star Lord, wielding the Great Yin Divine Water.
Yet the impression the Taiji Ancient Gods gave Xu Shenghua was indeed vastly different from those two.
The yin within yang and yang within yin contained profound principles, and the union of yin and yang embracing simplicity, merging into one, was unfathomably deep.
Xu Shenghua gained insight in his heart and sought their teachings. The two Ancient Gods, Taiyin and Taiyang, held nothing back, and he profited greatly. And Xu Shenghua often posed questions that provoked deep reflection—principles they had never grasped in the mining district—benefiting the two Ancient Gods considerably as well.
More than ten days later, Wei Suifeng came at the command of the Mu Heavenly Venerate to seek out Xu Shenghua and request an audience with Yan Tianfei. Yan Tianfei avoided him and ordered Xiu Hongsu to receive him, saying, "Wei Suifeng has shown me kindness; do not treat him coldly. But neither should you indulge him—he is, after all, a rebel."
When Xiu Hongsu met Wei Suifeng, and Wei Suifeng saw her, he recalled the matter of being sunk into the river by the Eastern Heaven Azure Emperor, and his heart grew quite displeased.
Xiu Hongsu smiled and said, "My husband speaks highly of the Yunluo Emperor."
"When I was sunk into the river by him, he did not speak in such terms."
Wei Suifeng gave a cold snort and said mildly, "Where is Xu Shenghua? The Mu Heavenly Venerate grew concerned for his safety when he did not return, and sent me to find him and bring him back."
Xiu Hongsu's abilities were no inferior to his, and seeing him so brazen, she too felt displeased. "What does the Empress owe him? Why does she indulge this fellow so?"
She did not know that the case of the assassination attempt on the Empress in the Longhan Era had been investigated by Wei Suifeng. At that time, Wei Suifeng was the Commanding Lord of the Imperial Guard of the Longhan Heavenly Court, leading the great army to the Returning Ruins. It was because of Wei Suifeng that the rebellion of the Longbo Kingdom was quelled. And it was also because of him that when Lady Yuanmu plotted against the Empress, she could not kill her completely.