Chapter 429: Chapter 386, Merit Perfectly Accomplished
Bai Jin’s eyes lit up, and he greedily said, "Master, this cow nose ring is just made of ordinary material, how can it match your esteemed status?
Your disciple feels heartache seeing you using such a simple cow nose ring! I will replace it with a Magic Treasure cow nose ring for you."
"Mo~" Big Horned Bull moaned, staring at Bai Jin with wide eyes filled with anxiety as a small hand reached for the cow nose ring.
Li Er extended a hand to pat on top of Bai Jin’s hand and said disapprovingly, "This cow nose ring contains the Qi Fortune of Buddha transformation, it will be of great use later."
With a stretch of his hand, the cow nose ring instantly flew towards Li Er and landed in his palm, casually hanging it on the bull’s nose.
"Mo~" "Mo~" Big Horned Bull excitedly mooed twice.
Li Er turned to Yin Xi and said, "You have led the ox and driven the cart for me, thus we have formed a connection. Would you like to become my registered disciple?"
Yin Xi eagerly knelt down, exclaiming, "Disciple pays respects to Teacher!"
Li Er smiled slightly, and suddenly a scripture appeared in his hand. He handed it to Yin Xi saying, "Here is a scripture I wrote, take it and ponder it well."
Yin Xi held the scripture up with both hands, receiving it respectfully and replied, "Yes!"
Li Er turned to get on the ox cart, saying, "Bai Jin, let’s return home!"
Bai Jin rubbed his slightly sore hands, stung by Master’s slap, and replied, "Yes!" He then took the ox’s reins and turned back the way they came, setting off on the return journey.
Yin Xi held the scripture in both hands, kneeling and watching the ox cart disappear into Hangu Pass until he could no longer see its silhouette, then he stood up.
Holding the "Tao Te Ching," Yin Xi’s heart was ablaze with passion, "I have received the inheritance of the Saint, there’s no need to keep this official post!"
Not long after, Yin Xi resigned his official position and went to the deep mountains to cultivate, achieving sudden enlightenment. In Shu Mountain, he established the three generation Taoist inheritance of Shushan Sect.
Bai Jin led Big Horned Bull, escorting Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad back to Chen Country.
Outside the capital city of Chen Country, in front of a small fenced courtyard, an old woman with graying hair stood holding a dragon head cane, her eyes cloudy as she looked towards the distance. As the sunset descended and dusk approached, the old woman, disappointed, shook her head and turned to walk back into the courtyard.
She took a few steps, yet couldn’t help turning her head to continue looking west, her eyes brightening suddenly as she turned, expectantly watching the distance.
With the sunset in the west, a small dot was slowly enlarging, a horse carriage approaching slowly in the sunset.
Tu Shan Xiyu excitedly said, "Brother Li, you finally returned."
The carriage moved slowly, yet it was very fast, quickly arriving in front of the small courtyard.
Bai Jin respectfully helped Li Er down from the carriage.
Tu Shan Xiyu came out to meet them, her wrinkled face unfolding with a smile, "You’re back."
Li Er slightly nodded with a smile, "I’m back." "Cough cough~" He covered his mouth, coughing twice.
Bai Jin quickly said, "Auntie, Master is a bit tired from the long journey. I’ll help him rest."
"I will do it!" Tu Shan Xiyu supported Li Er as they walked towards the house. While walking, she complained, "You! At such an old age, still running around, thinking you’re still young!"
Li Er chuckled, "I won’t run anymore, everything is taken care of, from now on, I’ll accompany you."
"Mm~" Tu Shan Xiyu nodded happily, feeling blissful.
...
The Hundred Schools have developed over a century, intertwining closely with the lives of the Human Clan, with mechanical techniques ubiquitous, hospitals treating the injured, courts clearly distinguishing right from wrong, and schools fostering wisdom, among others.
The founders of the Hundred Schools have all passed away, leaving behind legends of Saints.
Outside the fence of a small courtyard in Chen Country, spider webs formed across, the vegetable garden lay neglected, and a mound stood prominently.
Holding a hemp rope, Tu Shan Xiyu leaned on her Dragon Head Cane, standing before the mound, melancholically said: "Brother Li, your Taoism is thriving, with Taoist Temples found everywhere; you can rest easy now. Also..."
She paused, whispering softly: "In this lifetime, I have no regrets."
Trembling, she tied the rope around her waist, holding the cane as she walked outside, transforming step by step from an old woman back to her youthful, beautiful self, just as she always was.
Tu Shan Xiyu stood outside the small fenced courtyard, lifting her Dragon Head Cane suddenly then setting it down with a thud—the courtyard rippled and vanished.
Clouds formed beneath her feet as she flew northward to Qingqiu, unaware that a streak of True Spirit ascended toward the sky, soaring straight into the Nine Heavens.
...
Above the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor and Queen with the Four Imperial and all Heavenly Gods gathered in front of the South Heavenly Gate, clouds billowing and Divine Light shining brightly.
A True Spirit rose from the Lower Realm, appearing before the Gods and transformed into an old Taoist wearing a Taiji Robe.
The Jade Emperor and Queen together bowed and said: "We welcome the return of Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad!!"
The Four Imperial and all the Heavenly Court Gods bowed and respectfully declared: "We welcome the return of Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad!!"
Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad chuckled and raised his hand: "In the future, we shall serve the Heavenly Court together; no need for such formalities, please rise!"
The Gods then stood.
Lao Zi, stroking his beard chuckled: "The last of the Hundred Schools of Saints to return, I am ashamed!" He looked up into the sky.
Buzzing~ Clusters of Merit Gold Clouds formed in the sky, densely covering the Primordial World, dazzling to behold.
Above Lord Lao Zi’s head, a Merit Gold Cloud split into three; fifty percent descended towards Lord Lao Zi, thirty percent towards Bai Jin, and the remaining twenty percent towards the Earth Immortal Realm, dividing into myriad as a shower of Merit Gold rained into the bodies of the Taoist disciples.
Inside Chaos’ Yu Yu Heaven, likewise, a Merit Gold Cloud formed; fifty percent of the merit went towards Tongtian with the remaining fifty percent scattering into the Primordial World, thirty percent acquired by Bai Jin, and the rest descending upon the Earth Immortal Realm, turning into Merit Gold showers for the Confucian Disciples.
Legalist merit in Qingwei Heaven, Mo School merit from Wuzhuang Temple, Military School merit above the Blood Sea, Medical and Music Family merit from the Fire Cloud Cave...
In front of the South Heavenly Gate, the Gods saw an incessant flow of merit from all directions descending towards Bai Jin, turning him entirely into a golden figure, shining brilliantly.
Many Divine beings envied, their eyes turning red, exclaiming: "My heavens, how much merit is that!"
Among the Deities, Gu Liang murmured: "I finally understand what my fellow disciple meant by ’sponging merit,’ he’s truly impressive!" This distribution of the Hundred Schools’ merit far surpassed that from establishing a single school!
The Law Enforcement Team too felt moved, admiring their fellow disciple’s prowess.
After a long while, the unceasing tide of merit finally disappeared, all of it entering Bai Jin’s body. While the Hundred Schools led in their individual ways, the one who ultimately benefited the most surprisingly wasn’t any of the Hundred Schools, but rather, the often low-key Bai Jin, who had discreetly garnered benefits here and there.
Bai Jin, surrounded by the others, bowed and cheerfully said: "Such modest merit has caused you all amusement."
The Queen Mother of Yaochi, smiling, said: "This is by no means a modest amount of merit; if Emperor Gouchen is ever free, come over to the Turquoise Pool for some mahjong."
Bai Jin chuckled in response: "If my granduncle invites me, I shall certainly come."
Lord Lao Zi looked at Bai Jin, seemingly touched, and said: "The Hundred Schools preached and, it turned out, made your stage."