Chen Jiuyang lay on the wooden corridor outside the martial arts hall, observing the Living Arhat with a calm gaze:
"I have nothing to discuss with you, nor do I wish to debate. I simply want to live a quiet, peaceful life. If you don't disturb me, that's fine. Otherwise..."
"I will sever your Shaolin lineage."
"Amitabha!" The Living Arhat clasped his hands together. "Benefactor Qianyang's fortune defies heaven; he has indeed gone further than this old monk."
Much like Han Peiling's surprise upon seeing Emperor Yan, he felt a desire to engage in combat. However, Chen Jiuyang saw through the Living Arhat's thoughts at a glance and refused.
Chen Jiuyang lay there like a salted fish, his gaze still calm. "Say whatever you wish."
"In this era, the demon race and the Buddhist path have stirred up trouble, digging into the foundations of the guardians everywhere and creating karma. Old monk, since you are an Arhat, this is your Buddhist karmic debt. You should go and see the Lesser Thunderclap Temple in the Indian Divine Kingdom."
"Otherwise, I fear that when the great era arrives, your Buddhist path will face a tribulation and be thoroughly purged."
The Living Arhat's expression shifted slightly, and he uttered another Amitabha. "Thank you for the reminder, Benefactor Qianyang. This old monk will depart to investigate."
With that, the Living Arhat left.
Seeing the Living Arhat reminded Chen Jiuyang of the monk Puhui from before. After the last golden great era arrived, there had been no news of him. Perhaps he had already achieved nirvana and sought out the Tathagata.
Chen Jiuyang glanced at the Human King Sword hanging on the wall. It was still dormant and had not awakened. He wondered what had happened. His gaze shifted to the Green Bamboo River. "Tens of thousands of years have passed. The medicinal fields in the cave dwelling left by the Pure Yang Medical Immortal are probably even more valuable now..."
Suddenly.
He sensed a surge of Pure Yang power erupting from a certain place in Green Bamboo City.
Chen Jiuyang's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "A Pure Yang body?"
Naturally, a world could not contain two divine bodies simultaneously. However, his Pure Yang body had long since evolved into the Qianyang Dao body, so it was natural for another person with a Pure Yang body to appear in this world. What surprised him was that this Pure Yang body had appeared precisely in Green Bamboo City.
One yin and one yang, Chen Jiuyang couldn't help but recall Zhou Fangzun's speculation from the past: "Could it be... the Death Book Register is truly in Feng Province... and right here in Green Bamboo City?"
Immediately, he rolled over. "What does that have to do with me? I should first think about how to dismantle this Green Bamboo Museum and rebuild the house. Otherwise, when my relatives awaken and return later, there won't be a place for the whole family to live."
Chen Jiuyang's thoughts were currently leaning towards those of an ordinary commoner.
Not long after, Yunei Zhu, with dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn't slept enough, arrived at the martial arts hall. "Hall Master."
"Mm." Chen Jiuyang didn't offer much hospitality, merely responding, "Let's train."
As Yunei Zhu trained, she suddenly asked, "Hall Master, do beings like you truly have no desires?"
Chen Jiuyang smiled and said, "I'm not a sage, how could I have no desires? Of course, I do. However, my pursuits are unrelated to yours."
Ever since Yunei Zhu saw online that Chen Jiuyang was the martial arts sage of this era, she and her father, Yu Cong'an, couldn't sleep. They spent the entire night poring over their family tree. The outside world was in an uproar, with no one knowing that this martial arts sage had opened an unremarkable martial arts hall in the old district of Green Bamboo City. How could Yunei Zhu remain calm?
What Chen Jiuyang was currently gazing at, apart from the immortal path, was nothing. Having his own abilities and living an ordinary life was the most beautiful thing.
Yunei Zhu's eyes were filled with disbelief. The dignified martial arts sage pursued this leisurely life? She naturally didn't reveal Chen Jiuyang's secret as a martial arts sage to anyone. Why would she let others snatch her opportunity?
Chen Jiuyang said, "That's indeed the case. According to you, what kind of life should I have?"
Yunei Zhu's eyes immediately sparkled. "Of course, it would be to govern a region, to be above ten thousand people, to patrol the Dragon Kingdom, defeat all enemies in all directions, and uphold our national prestige."
Chen Jiuyang chuckled. "I've already done these things before... The higher you stand, the more karma you accumulate. It's not necessarily a good thing."
Yunei Zhu suddenly froze. "Hall Master, it seems someone is looking for you."
Chen Jiuyang turned his head and saw a girl who looked thirteen or fourteen years old, with large, watery eyes that evoked pity, beautiful and charming. She was wearing luxurious clothes, exuding a noble and elegant aura. Behind her stood two bodyguards with considerable martial arts strength.
"Is it her..." A hint of doubt flashed in Chen Jiuyang's eyes. "But it's not possible that she's just been a mortal for so long, without any cultivation?"
Since Gong Liexian was still alive, it wasn't surprising that she could survive.
Chen Jiuyang looked at her. "Do I know you?"
The girl in the luxurious palace dress bowed respectfully to Chen Jiuyang, her voice extremely pleasant. "Brother Qianyang, long time no see."
Chen Jiuyang sat up, but still remained lazily, looking at her and saying, "It really is you. How did you fall to such a state?"
The girl before him was none other than the former adversary, Ming Huatong.
Ming Huatong walked into the martial arts hall in her small leather shoes, elegantly sitting down beside Chen Jiuyang. Her gaze fell upon the Yan Sheng Saber and the Human King Sword on the wall. "If I hadn't seen Brother Qianyang's saber and sword in the news, I truly wouldn't have believed that Brother Qianyang had already awakened and returned to the mortal world."
"So beautiful..." Yunei Zhu admired Ming Huatong and couldn't help but exclaim.
"As for how I fell to this state, it's all because of that adversary," Ming Huatong said.
"Gong Liexian?" Chen Jiuyang blurted out.
Ming Huatong nodded slowly, her gaze continuing to scan the interior of the martial arts hall. Chen Jiuyang was curious. "What happened back then?"
Ming Huatong giggled charmingly and gave Chen Jiuyang a flirtatious glance. "I won't tell you."
Chen Jiuyang, however, showed no reaction, which made Yunei Zhu's eyes fill with question marks. Such a beautiful girl is flirting with you, and you have no reaction. Are you even a man?
Chen Jiuyang waved his hand. "If you don't want to say, then don't."
Ming Huatong covered her mouth and smiled. "However, since Brother Chen has awakened, you must provide me with protection. Little sister is now a mortal, and the Immortal Clan has sent people to hunt me."
Chen Jiuyang smiled and said, "You are welcome to move in as my neighbor. This is my spiritual domain, after all. I'll cover for you. Anyone who causes trouble will be killed."
Ming Huatong smiled enchantingly. "Brother Chen is indeed still the same Brother Chen. Hearing this, little sister is relieved. If that's the case, then I will gratefully accept."
She then turned to her bodyguards. "Buy the building next door and renovate it as quickly as possible."
"Miss, we need to consult with Master about this matter." The bodyguard looked troubled.
Chen Jiuyang, however, was surprised. "Reincarnated body?"
"Mm-hmm," Ming Huatong replied. "I only recently awakened my past life memories."
Chen Jiuyang chuckled wryly. "You're quite bold. Then live here with peace of mind."
In this era of great resurgence, living leisurely and having old friends visit occasionally felt good. He wondered how many more old friends there were. If they saw the once glorious Human King Sword and Yan Sheng Saber, they would surely recognize Chen Jiuyang.