Chapter 536 - 16: Forgotten Memories

Faced with Wang Ping’s question, Yuan Zheng Taoist fell silent for over ten breaths before finally speaking. "Have you ever felt that disciple of yours, the one called Xuanling, is very strange?"

He posed a question that seemed completely unrelated to their current conversation.

"What’s strange about him?"

Yu Lian asked instinctively.

Yuan Zheng Taoist fell silent again. It seemed he was organizing his thoughts. After a long moment, he looked at Wang Ping and said, "Have you noticed a problem? People instinctively forget anything related to that disciple of yours."

Upon hearing this, both Wang Ping and Yu Lian sank into their memories. After more than ten breaths, Yu Lian was the first to emerge from her reverie. Flicking her forked tongue, she said, "Now that you mention it, I feel like I really have forgotten something. What was it? I remember I probed his soul back then, and then... and then... I can’t quite remember. But that can’t be right."

"If you can’t remember, don’t force it."

Wang Ping reached out and gently stroked Yu Lian’s head. A flurry of thoughts had just flashed through her mind.

’Just now, while reminiscing, I remembered it,’ Wang Ping thought. ’When Yu Lian and I probed Xuanling’s Spiritual Sea Consciousness, an unknown power was tampering with our memories. I can feel the traces of that tampering even now, but Yu Lian has already forgotten the traces themselves.’

’Back then, Yu Lian and I must have read some secret within Xuanling’s consciousness!’

’This might be related to Demon Emperor Yaoyi, since Xuanling possesses one-sixth of his consciousness. But with my current abilities, reading Xuanling’s memories again would be pointless.’

While soothing Yu Lian, he looked at Yuan Zheng Taoist and said, "Are you suggesting that ordinary people can’t form a causal link with Xuanling? And that’s why, after I had Su Hai’s disciple transfer to the Xuanling Sect, Su Hai has been so delayed in sending his disciple back?"

"Is that possible?"

Yu Lian was bewildered.

Yuan Zheng Taoist was equally bewildered. This kind of ability was beyond his comprehension. Faced with another question from Wang Ping, he thought it over carefully before answering.

"Normally, it would indeed be hard to understand. To influence one person’s karma over seven years could alter the karma of millions... Forget it. I won’t think about this problem anymore. I’ve said so much just to give you a reminder."

Wang Ping nodded and then asked, "So, has there been any news about that Demon Race Array?"

"Half a month ago, I discussed this with your Master while we were playing chess. The disciples in internal affairs have already found out that a small nation of about two hundred thousand people has obtained the relevant Array. It’s estimated that they’ll be able to bring the Array back in another two or three years."

Yuan Zheng Taoist said this in a lighthearted tone, which was more in line with his usual personality.

Wang Ping cupped his fist and said, "Understood." Then, he took Yu Lian and transformed into a streak of light, returning to his Mountain Peak Dojo.

At this time, the elders of the Demon Race were coming to the Mountain Peak Dojo to pay him a visit. They were accompanied by Yu Cheng Taoist and Ruan Chunzi, while Liu Shuang, Xuanling, Wang Yang, and Song Qu led the way for them.

The elders’ visit was far more formal than Hu Yin’s. With every section of stairs they ascended, they would, according to etiquette, present a formal visiting card. Only after Wang Ping sent back a reply could they continue upward.

By the time they reached the main gate of the Mountain Peak Dojo, they had presented exactly nine visiting cards.

The preliminaries were extensive, but the process of meeting him was very simple. Wang Ping only needed to stand in the center of the garden and accept a Taoist fist-clasping salute from the Demon Race elders as his disciples led them into the Dao Field. And that was all.

Wang Ping didn’t have to say a single word during the entire process. Afterward, his disciples politely escorted them down the mountain.

After they were a good distance away, Yu Cheng Taoist flicked his Duster, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes. He said, "When I first began cultivating, if I saw a member of the Demon Race, I wouldn’t say a word. I’d just draw my sword and kill them. It was the same when the Demon Race encountered our Cultivators."

He had a deep-seated aversion to the Demon Race, and even a profound hatred for them, because battles meant casualties. And yet, just a moment ago, he had been laughing and chatting with them.

"Isn’t that the truth!"

Ruan Chunzi chimed in, looking at Wang Ping. "Fellow Daoist, you are tolerant of all things, but there are some things one must guard against. An old saying puts it well: ’Those not of our kind are sure to have different loyalties.’ A few members of the Demon Race may have cultivated the Human Dao and even strive to take on human form, but they are still demons. And in this world, one often has no choice in their own affairs."

Hearing this, Yu Lian bristled with displeasure and spat a ball of water at the Fire Salamander on Ruan Chunzi’s shoulder.

Wang Ping glanced at Fire Swift as it parried the water ball and said, "I understand your thoughts, Fellow Daoist. Rest assured, I know what I’m doing."

The greatest possibility of "having no choice" was being swept up by a great tide of events. For example, the Demon Race of Ningzhou Road seemed closer to the Human Dao, but if the Demon Race were to rise as a great power and confront Zhongzhou, then no matter how much Hu Yin and her clan sympathized with the Human Dao, they would be swept up in the tide and forced to stand against it.

"It is good that you understand. Your wisdom is beyond my reach, Fellow Daoist. Consider me to have spoken out of turn."

Ruan Chunzi glanced at the sky and suggested, "It’s still early. You and I haven’t had a good drink together in a long time. How about we have a couple of cups today?"

Wang Ping glanced at his master and replied, "Alright!"

The task of arranging the banquet naturally fell to Xia Wen Yi.

The drinking lasted until dusk, when Liu Shuang, Xuanling, Wang Yang, and Song Qu returned together. Ruan Chunzi heartily invited them to join the table. By nightfall, Yuan Zheng Taoist descended as a streak of light right next to the banquet table, calling out to Yu Cheng Taoist and Ruan Chunzi for starting without him.

As the drinking wound down, Wang Ping’s gaze swept over his disciples, finally landing on Wang Yang. He asked, "Are you prepared to advance to the Second Realm?"

Wang Yang met Wang Ping’s gaze and cupped his fist. "Master, I’m afraid I have no hope of reaching the Second Realm. I plan to set aside my duties after some time and travel the world. I... might not return. A hundred years from now, I will face the direction of Qianmu Temple and pass on through meditation."

His tone was open and frank, as if he had already prepared himself to welcome his fate.

’As an Artifact Cultivator, Wang Yang’s current cultivation is actually quite good. He has a high probability of advancing to the Second Realm,’ Wang Ping thought impassively as he checked Wang Yang’s condition.

"Maintain that state of mind."

After offering this encouragement, Wang Ping looked toward Liu Shuang. In the past seven years, Liu Shuang’s cultivation had all but stagnated. She didn’t even have the courage to try and take a single step forward.

He wanted to say more, but this wasn’t the right occasion. So, he softened his tone and said, "You haven’t asked me any questions about your cultivation in a very long time. Have you already cultivated to the point where you no longer need your master?"

He said this with a smile. Before Liu Shuang could answer, he turned to Yu Cheng Taoist and said, "I remember when Shuang’Er first came up the mountain, she was only about this tall, wasn’t she?"

He held out his hand to indicate her height, then looked back at Liu Shuang. "You were so lively back then, chasing after me every day with questions, as if you had an endless supply of them."

Hearing these words, a mix of joy, astonishment, and surprise appeared on Liu Shuang’s face. The joy was because she felt her master’s concern for her. The astonishment and surprise were because she felt her master shouldn’t be so... human, especially after personally experiencing the battle at True Yang Mountain and the events in Shangjing City.

Seeing Liu Shuang in a daze, Yu Cheng Taoist personally stood up, picked up the wine jar, and poured her a cup. He reminded her, "This is a family banquet today. There’s no need to be so formal. Shuang’Er, toast your master!"