Chapter 2148: Text Cocoon

Looking at Ku Di's back, Huang She Li seemed to be thinking, "This old monk doesn't recognize a true Buddha, it's fine if he treats me coldly, but why are you, Jiang Zhen Ren, also so distant?"

"The head of the Guan Shi Yuan has always been like this," Jiang Wang said. "Maybe it's his personality, or maybe it's because he and Senior Ku Jue don't get along very well. I've seen them scold each other many times, and they scold very harshly."

"Sūnkōng Temple is this ill-mannered?" Huang She Li said in confusion. "Since you came to find Zhen Ren Ku Jue, even if Ku Jue isn't here, they should at least send someone who has a good relationship with Ku Jue to receive you."

Jiang Wang thought for a bit. "It seems no one at Sūnkōng Temple has a good relationship with Senior Ku Jue... He quarrels with everyone."

Ku Di might have had to come back. After all, he manages the Guan Shi Yuan. Supervision and precepts are under his control, and he's also responsible for external affairs.

Huang She Li didn't even know what to say. After a while, she spoke again, "Monk Ku Di just said you came last year, the year before, and now again. Is Zhen Ren Ku Jue very important to you, that you remember him this way?"

"Not really," Jiang Wang smiled. "It's just been a long time, so I'm checking on him. If one day you write a letter and don't reply, I'd have to go ask about the situation, right?"

Huang She Li 'tsk'ed, "Are you saying I'm important or not important?"

Jiang Wang said, "You are still an important friend to me!"

Huang She Li grinned, "That's my honor." Jiang Wang laughed, "Right! My honor!"

As they spoke, the old monk Ku Di had already returned, holding three envelopes in his hand. He handed them over with a serious face, "I took these out from the abbot's room. There are a total of three letters. Return them to me after reading, I still need to put them back."

Jiang Wang took the envelopes, took out the letter paper, and saw four words.

"You bunch of melon skins, don't miss me."

The handwriting was very sloppy, just like the yellow-faced old monk's lazy smiling face.

Looking down, it said again,

"What's so great about touring all the heavens! When can Buddha Grandpa return? Another day."

"Is Abbot Senior Brother still alive? Don't hold on if you're sick, don't hide things from me if something happens. Don't take advantage of Buddha Grandpa being away, let Ku Bing that sickly ghost snatch it first."

"How is that little bald head, Jing Li? Write back quickly and tell me."

Finally, it said,

"Has Jing Shen come to ask about me?"

As Jiang Wang read, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

He opened three letters in a row, approximately one per year. The letters inside either scolded this or cursed that, but at the end, there were always two sentences: "How is Jing Li?"

"Has Jing Shen come to ask about me?"

It seemed the yellow-faced old monk was forcibly sent on a tour of all the heavens by Sūnkōng Temple...

Jiang Wang covered the letter and asked, "Why is Senior Ku Jue on tour? He doesn't seem willing."

Ku Di reached out to take back the letter and said coldly, "This matter involves a secret of the mountain gate, it's not convenient to inform."

Jiang Wang asked again, "Then when can he return?"

Ku Di said, "This matter involves..."

Huang She Li loudly finished his sentence, "A secret of the mountain gate, it's not convenient to inform!"

Ku Di glanced at her, turned and walked away, with quite the attitude of "I cannot coexist with false believers."

"Head Seat!" Jiang Wang hurriedly called out to stop him. "I still haven't asked about the little saint monk Jing Li! With his talent, it's impossible that he hasn't reached Dòngzhēn yet. Why hasn't he come out of seclusion by now?"

"Entering Dòngzhēn is a self-validation, but he is cultivating for a Fruition Position, which is not that simple. He will not leave the Pure Land in a short time," Ku Di said without turning his head. "Donors should come to the Buddhist Pure Land less often."

Jiang Wang chased after him with a sentence, "If your esteemed temple has to reply to Senior Ku Jue, tell him I came!"

And then another sentence, "Right, I'm the first one to enter the Tài Xū Cabinet with full votes! Don't forget to tell him!"

The old monk tapped on a stone far away, and the mountain temple closed its doors.

Jiang Wang didn't really care about anything. How could he not care about Sūnkōng Temple? Unless Old Monk Ku Jue one day asked him to help sack it. Then the respected Jiang Géyuán would have to properly chat with the head of the Guan Shi Yuan about this neglect.

"You seem very happy?" Huang She Li asked.

"Huh?" Jiang Wang walked through the air, his clothes fluttering.

Huang She Li said, "The smile on your face now is more sincere than when you received Dǒu Zhào's money. It seems Zhen Ren Ku Jue is indeed a very important person to you."

Jiang Wang laughed heartily and leaped into a rainbow, "Don't think too much, let's go drink!"

Huang She Li immediately chased after him, "Okay! You did take Dǒu Zhào's money! What did you take his money for? Why didn't you want mine?"

A long shadow hung in the sky, and laughter gradually faded into the distance.

Mainly, Old Monk Ku Jue refused to accept getting old, never content with anything, always scolding this and that. This time, they couldn't get in touch, and Jiang Wang was genuinely worried something had happened!

In recent years, he had repeatedly come to Sūnkōng Temple, only to be blocked by Ku Di's simple sentence, "on tour, not returned."

Today, he used his new identity as a Tài Xū Cabinet member to visit, finally getting the cold-faced head of the Guan Shi Yuan to show some respect. Knowing that Old Monk Ku Jue was just "voluntarily" on tour for some reason, the stone in his heart was also put down.

To be honest, with the yellow-faced old monk's playful nagging energy and constantly missing his hair... He really couldn't see him often. Being on tour is good!

Back to Xīng Yuè Plain, someone named Jiang used proper fine wine and food to host a banquet for Huang She Li.

Of course, in the wine house of Bái Yù Capital, no matter how high-level a feast, it couldn't compare to Huang Géyuán's life.

But fortunately, beauty can be food.

Bái Yù Xiá is a first-class handsome man, even Yù Chán is exquisitely lovely, and Zhu Wèi'ěr, although dirty-faced, cannot cover up all her elegance. Add the one who always thinks Jiang Immortal is just sitting beside her, Huang Géyuán bursts into laughter after a drink. She immediately expressed her desire to acquire them, and the entire Bái Yù Capital was also very willing to be acquired, but unfortunately, they only sell the wine house, not the people. This business naturally didn't succeed.

After sending Huang She Li away, Jiang Wang wrote a letter in his study.

He was writing a letter to Xú Xiāng Qián, its purpose being related to Xuě Country. Xú Xiāng Qián had once accompanied Zhào Wú Yán on a tour all the way, their last stop being Xuě Country. At Tiān Běi Xuě Lǐng, Zhào Wú Yán confirmed her path and proved Shén Lín with the majestic momentum of blending a hundred schools.

Among Jiang Wang's friends, besides Huang She Li, Xú Xiāng Qián and possibly Zhào Wú Yán might have some understanding of the situation in Xuě Country.

Xuě Country has always been mysterious, never lifting its veil to the world. He naturally wouldn't go there rashly, not naively thinking that his identity as a Tài Xū Cabinet member could easily open Xuě Country's firm ice.

If it were really that easy, would it still be their turn in the Tài Xū Cabinet to handle? Xuě Country should have opened long ago in the era of Xú Yuán.

As the saying goes, "To do a good job, one must first sharpen one's tools." Before rushing to Xuě Country, Jiang Wang would use all his abilities to first understand Xuě Country.

He invited Huang She Li back to drink, letting Senior Brother Zhu, Manager Bai, and Lián Yù Chán all accompany them, which also had this meaning. Jǐng Country dominates one side and has been laying out in the northwest for many years, so it definitely has a very profound understanding of Xuě Country.

Alas, Huang She Li is truly a model of a heartless wanderer. Every word she spoke was filled with boundless beauty, her eyebrows held a smile, and her eyes contained emotion. At the wine table, she said this sister was beautiful, that brother was truly handsome, smiling like a flower. She said she was willing to do anything but asked nothing, remembering nothing. As soon as the wine feast ended, she immediately said she had important matters to attend to, turned her head and walked away without a hint of attachment.

Jiang Zhen Ren truly hated that. What kind of place is Bái Yù Capital?

Worldly heroes are like fish crossing a river; they all lower their eyebrows here. Looking at the world, the only one who can take advantage in Bái Yù Capital is her – oh no, it should be the second one.

The first one is Xú Xiāng Qián, who travels the world and specializes in freeloading.

But the problem is, Xú Xiāng Qián is truly penniless, like a blunted knife; you can't squeeze any oil out no matter how you try. Huang She Li is so rich she's overflowing with oil, and she can still wipe oil and leave.

Calculated, Huang She Li still wins by a chip.

She pinched Lián Yù Chán's little face, held Bái Yù Xiá's hand, drank the wine offered by Jiang Wang... But she didn't give a single piece of important intelligence about Xuě Country from Jǐng Country.

It wasn't until he sat at his desk to write a letter that Jiang Wang suddenly remembered that the last time Xú Xiāng Qián came to Bái Yù Capital to freeload wine was already two years ago.

The previous time they met was during Zhào Rú Chéng and Hé Lián Yún Yún's grand wedding on the grassland.

Cultivators endure years, so they are not sensitive enough to the passage of time. Moreover, everyone's cultivation is at this level.

Above Shén Lín, the lifespan starts at at least five hundred years, so not being in contact for three or five years is common.

They are still young now, and there are still often feelings of missing. When they gradually become accustomed to worldly emotions after a hundred or a thousand years, they won't feel anything.

He sent messages simultaneously to Xú Xiāng Qián and Zhào Wú Yán in the Tài Xū Illusion Realm but didn't get a response. Then he wrote letters to Qīng Yǎ Book Academy and Lóng Mén Book Academy to try.

After all, not everyone pays attention to the Tài Xū Illusion Realm all day long. Like Zuǒ Guāng Shù, a regular of the Tài Xū Illusion Realm, since reaching Shén Lín, he often goes out with Qū Shùn Huá to relax and doesn't go to the Debate Sword Platform.

Xú Xiāng Qián and Zhào Wú Yán's relationship has gradually deepened, so it's understandable that they have their own lives.

Of course, since he was already writing letters, it was also reasonable to write a few more to greet relatives and friends in Lín Zǐ, elders in Chǔ Country, and that slightly troublesome mother-in-law from outside the heavens.

"Master, you are clearly on Xīng Yuè Plain, why is the signature 'at Tài Xū Cabinet'?" Chǔ Yáo asked in confusion.

"Oh, I wrote it out of habit," Jiang Zhen Ren waved his hand. "I'm also too lazy to change it. It's harmless, just send it out like this."

Chǔ Yáo was about to ask more, but Lián Yù Chán grabbed his ear and pulled him away.

Jiang Wang was reading a book, reading books about the current northwest world, reading about the fleeting glimpses of Xuě Country in "Mù Lǜe," reading about the faint traces of the Frost Immortal Monarch in history...

Three amber lamps hung from the ceiling, illuminating the room like bright lamps.

One was gorgeous and splendid, evolving life.

One was filled with vertical and horizontal sword qi, with ten thousand sword lights turning. One was filled with changing light and shadow, and sound waves.

In countless days and nights, he passed like this – reading and cultivating, reading and cultivating.

Two days later, replies from both major book academies had already arrived.

Qīng Yǎ Book Academy didn't know Xú Xiāng Qián's whereabouts, with quite a bit of resentment like "a grown son doesn't listen to his mother." The letter said that the whereabouts of Qing Ya's wild disciple were unknown, and if he wanted to find him, he might as well go to Lóng Mén Book Academy to look...

However, Lóng Mén Book Academy's reply came from Zǐ Shū.

Jiang Wang was supervising Chǔ Yáo's practice while smilingly unfolding the letter, his expression gradually becoming serious.

"What happened?" Zhu Wèi'ěr, who was sitting not far away, just copying the gun edge with the character edge, was concerned for the first time.

"Senior Sister Zhao from Lóng Mén Book Academy had an accident," Jiang Wang said. "I'll go there. You all look after the house."

With a thought, he activated Tài Xū Wú Jù. After the light and shadow flew and turned, he heard the roar of a long river—he was already outside Lóng Mén Book Academy.

In front of the majestic tall archway, two book academy disciples hung their swords out, "Comer, stop!"

Jiang Wang specifically released his aura to let them detect it. He didn't want to waste time, so he said directly, "I am Jiang Wang. Please have your academy's girl Zǐ Shū come see me."

A person's name, a tree's shadow. As soon as the two words "Jiang Wang" came out, the mountain-guarding disciples of Lóng Mén Book Academy didn't say a single word of nonsense and hurriedly went back to deliver the message.

"Big Brother Jiang!" Not long after, Zǐ Shū flew out, tears in her eyes, tearful.

"Long time no see, Zǐ Shū. Where is Senior Sister Zhao now? And Xú Xiāng Qián? The letter didn't say in detail. Take me to see." Jiang Wang stepped forward, his voice gentle.

He seemed to have a kind of innate ability to soothe emotions. Looking at his peaceful eyes, you always feel...

...There is always hope.

Zǐ Shū felt as if she was suddenly not so afraid. She turned and led the way, "Senior Brother Xu just accompanied Big Senior Sister..."

Without the heart to appreciate the magnificent scenery of Lóng Mén Book Academy, they flew quickly all the way and soon arrived at an independent courtyard. Jiang Wang finally saw the lost soul of Xú Xiāng Qián.

At this moment, Xú Xiāng Qián was leaning against a corridor pillar, sitting on the stone steps in front of the courtyard, looking up at the sky, but his eyes were clearly spiritless. The hair that he used to meticulously comb shiny was now piled up messily. That shiny high forehead also had several clearly visible forehead lines.

Shén Lín doesn't age, alas, his heart is sad.

Seeing that he was still alive, Jiang Wang didn't worry but first asked Zǐ Shū to lead the way inside.

This should have been Zhào Wú Yán's boudoir, but all the furnishings inside were removed, leaving only dense array patterns covering the four walls. These array patterns were undoubtedly from the hands of a high person. Even with Jiang Wang's current insight, there were many he didn't understand.

In the center of the room stood a text cocoon about one zhàng high, constantly changing in light and shadow.

Its outer shape was too much like a cocoon, but it wasn't composed of silk, but countless dense text connecting lines.

Jiang Wang just briefly glanced at it twice and already captured many text segments. Among them, one was exactly the "Five Punishments General Theory" that he had read.

Inside this text cocoon, he felt Zhào Wú Yán's life breath.

"Can you tell me what happened?" He looked at it carefully for a while, then asked Zǐ Shū.

Zǐ Shū said with red eyes, "Teacher sister, she walks the path of 'blending a hundred schools, opening her own source and flow,' but she alone..."

"Though the shoulders carry mountains, alas, the heart hides the universe," a voice connected.

Along with the voice, a handsome and elegant middle-aged man appeared in the room. He wore a long shirt, and his voice was extremely magnetic. "Simply put, her ambition far exceeds her ability. A thousand threads and ten thousand strands are knotted together into a ball. She is no longer able to untie it, thus becoming this cocoon."

Jiang Wang bowed and said, "Greetings, Lord Yáo Mountain."

This person was naturally the Lord Yáo Fú of Lóng Mén Book Academy.

He raised his hand to stop Jiang Wang's bow, a wisp of worry in his eyes that he couldn't brush away. "My disciple is ambitious and seeks suffering... Thank you for your concern."

With Jiang Wang's current cultivation and insight, he no longer needed Yao Fu to say too much. He looked at the text cocoon, his expression serious. "Are these all the paths she cannot control?"

Zhào Wú Yán is the eldest disciple of Lóng Mén Book Academy, learned and talented, a person pious towards the Dao. Discussing talent, discussing knowledge, she is at the top of the Confucian school.

Initially, when Jiang Wang was still in the Inner Mansion realm, she could already reach Shén Lín at any time, but she was troubled by too many choices and didn't know which path was optimal, thus stopping without progressing.

Later, she traveled the world just to find the most satisfactory path for herself. She went as far east as Crescent Island, as far north as the border wasteland, as far south as the Fallen Immortal Forest, and as far west as Xuě Country.

In Xuě Country, she received Xie Ai's guidance, enlightened at Tiān Běi Xuě Lǐng, endured a period of hardship, and finally became Shén Lín. Then, at the Dragon Palace Banquet in Dao Calendar 3923, she greatly displayed her splendor.

Jiang Wang originally thought that a broad road awaited her. After opening her own abyss flow, Zhào Wú Yán's cultivation indeed progressed a thousand miles a day and had the appearance of a master. He didn't expect to see her again today, only to find she had become a cocooned person!

What worried him even more was that on this text cocoon, he could already see divine brocade light...

Yao Fu sighed, "Initially, when she left Lóng Mén to travel the world, I only advised her to choose a path and specialize. But her heart was high and proud, unwilling to be mediocre. Blending a hundred schools, how easy is it to say, how difficult to do? Even former saints did not succeed, how could she? I thought of a way to hang her life and condense her divine soul, but the remaining path can only be relied on by herself. Unless, before the end of her life, she truly penetrates what she has learned and emerges from the cocoon... She has no other choice."

Yao Fu is a contemporary True Monarch, one of the top five successive mountain lords of Lóng Mén Book Academy, the creator of "Diǎn Shì Zhī Jiàn" and "Twenty-Four Solar Terms Sword Canon."

If he says there is no other choice, Zhào Wú Yán truly has no second path to choose.