Chapter 309 - 169: True Monarch Guangcheng Preaches the Chess Dao

Chapter 309: Chapter 169: True Monarch Guangcheng Preaches the Chess Dao

The day was bright and clear. Thin clouds did not obscure the sky, and one’s gaze could travel for thousands of miles.

Zhuo Hansheng and Jin Yuanzai arrived at the shore of Dinghu in a golden carriage. Several verdant bamboo rafts were moored at the bank, while a few more drifted upon the lake’s surface. Daoist Children paddled them, ferrying passengers toward the heart of the lake.

A look of confusion crossed Zhuo Hansheng’s face. He walked to the lakeside, glanced at the attire of the Daoist Child on a raft, and offered a single-handed salute before asking, "Excuse me, young one. Is this ferry bound for the True Monarch Dojo?"

The Daoist Child on the raft returned the salute, his demeanor respectful but not deferential, and affirmed that it was.

Zhuo Hansheng gave a slight nod and beckoned for Jin Yuanzai to board the raft. The Daoist Child saw them get on, pushed off the bank with a long bamboo pole, and the raft immediately set off toward the heart of the lake.

Jin Yuanzai asked, "I’ve heard it’s common for True Monarch Guangcheng to give lectures on the Dao. As a direct disciple of Dinghu, Brother Zhuo, how is it that you seem so unfamiliar with the proceedings?"

Zhuo Hansheng replied, "There’s something you don’t know, Brother Jin. The Guangcheng Dojo is the True Monarch’s residence, after all. Even people from our two sects cannot enter without permission. In the past, whenever he gave lectures, we were always ferried across by Master Huang Xiang, who serves the True Monarch. I simply don’t know why the arrangements have changed today."

At this, the paddling Daoist Child couldn’t help but explain, "Not long ago, a mighty figure paid a visit to the True Monarch. The two of them sat and discussed the Dao. Master Huang Xiang, who was listening nearby, had a great epiphany and has since entered secluded cultivation. That is why it has fallen to us Daoist Children of the dojo to ferry everyone this time."

"Is that so?" Zhuo Hansheng said in astonishment. "I wonder what sort of exalted figure could discuss the Dao with the True Monarch..."

The Daoist Child said thoughtfully, "From what the ceremonial attendant announced, he was a great master called Taixuan Profound True Monarch."

"Taixuan Profound True Monarch?" A look of yearning filled Jin Yuanzai’s eyes. ’Every Pure Yang True Monarch is a figure nearly out of legend. Even for disciples of major esoteric sects, it’s rare to even hear their titles, unless by some stroke of fate.’

’Figures as renowned as True Monarch Guangcheng are a rarity. Simply hearing such a title is enough to make one’s heart soar with fascination.’

Zhuo Hansheng sighed. "To be unable to listen in while True Monarchs discuss the Dao... that is truly the regret of a lifetime."

Hearing this, the Daoist Child sighed. "When the two masters were discussing the Dao, every Cultivator in the dojo could hear their voices... Unfortunately, my own cultivation is too shallow. I just drifted off into a deep sleep."

The two men fell silent for a moment. Jin Yuanzai simply shook his head and gazed forward.

It was quite strange. Back on the shore of Dinghu, there had been no sign of fog over the lake’s heart. But as the raft advanced, a vast, swirling mist suddenly materialized before their eyes. The rafts ahead of them were sailing into it one by one.

Jin Yuanzai suddenly let out a soft sound of surprise. Zhuo Hansheng’s six senses were sharp, so he noticed at once. "What is it, Brother Jin?" he asked.

Jin Yuanzai gave a faint smile and pointed toward a raft at the limit of his vision. "Those people up ahead... are they also disciples from your esteemed sect?"

Zhuo Hansheng narrowed his eyes and looked, just in time to see the five figures on that raft glide forward and vanish into the mist.

He raised an eyebrow and replied coolly, "Among those people ahead, two of them were the very subject of our discussion the other day."

"Oh?" The subtle gleam in Jin Yuanzai’s eyes dimmed as he nodded thoughtfully.

...

Xuzhuang, Changhua, and the others traveled through the mist on their raft for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Suddenly, they heard the sound of lapping waves. As the raft pierced through the clouds and mist, the world before them suddenly opened up.

Looking up, they saw a vast, endless expanse where the water and sky merged into one. Spirit birds skimmed low over the surface while flying fish leaped from the waves, a sight that instantly soothed the soul.

Gazing into the distance, they could see several Floating Islands that resembled inverted mountains upon the water’s surface. They appeared and disappeared within the swirling vapor, presenting the very image of an immortal’s paradise.

"So this is True Monarch Guangcheng’s dojo." Xuzhuang took a light breath of the pure air, letting it circulate for a moment within him before it dissipated. He couldn’t help but praise inwardly, ’Truly worthy of a True Monarch Dojo, a true Immortal Grotto Heaven.’

The raft didn’t stop, but continued on. Soon, it arrived at the base of one of the suspended islands. In a surprising turn, it began to travel up a waterfall that poured from the island into the lake below, going against the current. After ascending onto the island, it soon came to a stop at the shore of another lake.

Only then did the Daoist Child stop paddling. He gestured with a hand and said, "We have arrived at the dojo. Please, go ahead."

The group returned his salute before stepping ashore. As the Daoist Child steered the raft back the way they had come, Changhua took the lead. "Fellow Daoists," he said, "please follow me."

Xuzhuang and his two companions readily followed Changhua and Changxin down a small path. Before long, they reached a clearing in the forest. "We’re here!" Changxin announced.

The place where True Monarch Guangcheng gave his lectures had no grand halls or elegant pavilions. It was simply a clearing in the forest, where many prayer cushions were placed casually about under the shade of the verdant canopy. It had an air of returning to simple, unadorned truth.

Many people were already seated in the clearing. There appeared to be no assigned seating, so the group found an empty spot in a corner and sat down.

Cen Fenghong said with great enthusiasm, "I wonder what the True Monarch will lecture on this time."

"The True Monarch’s lectures always follow his inspiration of the moment; there’s no set curriculum," Changhua said with a smile. "But no matter the topic, it is always enlightening for us of the younger generation."

"You speak the truth, fellow Daoist," Cen Fenghong replied. "I was fortunate enough to attend the last lecture. The True Monarch spoke on the Dao of nurturing the spirit, and I benefited immensely."

As they were chatting, Changxin suddenly said, "The man beside Junior Brother Zhuo must be Jin Yuanzai."

The group looked over with interest. They saw a Golden Crown Taoist, accompanied by Zhuo Hansheng, arrive at the clearing. He seemed to sense their gazes, for he glanced back, offered a faint smile and a slight nod, and then found a seat in another area.

Cen Fenghong raised an eyebrow and couldn’t help but ask Xuzhuang, "Brother Xu, judging by that Jin Yuanzai’s aura... could he be...?"