Secret Buyer-Chapter 210 - 163: Taiqing

Within the enclosed carriage, strands of a chilling aura seemed to seep through.

It quickly calmed down.

Inside the carriage.

"Qingfeng, Mingyue, Zhen Yuanzi..." The woman chewed over these three names, a trace of bewilderment appearing on her face, as if reminiscing.

Her expression grew extremely complex, and the carriage sank into a deathly silence—truly a deathly silence.

No sound of breathing, no heartbeat, not even the flow of blood.

Miss Mingyue reached out and brushed her hand over the small table in the center of the seat, where a pot of hot tea and two empty cups appeared.

She poured tea into the empty cups, gently inviting.

Zhang Fusheng hesitated for a moment, pointing to his own empty chest cavity—his Plague Ghost form was just a skeleton.

Miss Mingyue laughed lightly, taking a sip herself, as if the tea soothed her turbulent emotions.

She asked:

"What kind of person is the True Man?"

Zhang Fusheng slightly raised his head, the two red points in his hollow sockets flickering slowly,

He gazed at Miss Mingyue, pondered for a moment, then spoke:

"Very mysterious, very powerful. His cultivation seems not high, yet he possesses incredible powers—all likely derived from the Celestial Venerate."

Pausing, the skeleton pressed its hands together. Respectfully, it sighed—"The Celestial Venerate is above!"

The woman with cinnabar on her forehead listened quietly, her eyelids trembling slightly, muttering to herself:

"Who could this old acquaintance be?"

She had also witnessed the scene when the old man questioned the Celestial Vault but did not recognize who it was, with no impression.

Another brief silence.

Miss Mingyue exhaled, her voice elegant:

"The Celestial Venerate, above the High Heaven... I’ve heard that those who join this High Heaven can trade anything?"

Zhang Fusheng nodded affirmatively:

"Indeed, it is true. To be honest, Miss Mingyue, I myself traded years of life and cultivation spirit to obtain an extremely extraordinary technique."

He casually said:

"That technique is called the Strong Bull Demon Body. Upon entry, one gains Intention and Spirit Unity, and upon Perfection, one may attain the title of Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven."

As the words Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven fell, Zhang Fusheng subtly observed Miss Mingyue’s expression—there was no change.

She only casually remarked:

"Achieving the title of Great Sage? The Dharma Scripture does boast significantly."

Far away, Zhang Fusheng’s true form raised an eyebrow. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The Plague Ghost naturally showed no anomaly, nodded steadily, and continued probing:

"Indeed, but the Dharma Scripture contains a spiritual secret collection, which I have successfully opened, seeming to glimpse its owner’s past."

Miss Mingyue seemed momentarily distracted, unclear if she was listening attentively.

Zhang Fusheng paid no mind, instead speaking in a tone of reminiscence:

"In that vision, the banner of the Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven fluttered, surrounded by numerous terrifying beings hailed as Great Saints, like the Sea-Overturning Great Saint, Chaotic Heaven Great Saint, Ventilation Great Saint..."

"And also, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven."

These four words fell.

The picturesque eyebrows were startled, elegance faded, replaced by confusion, puzzlement, and... furrowed brow recollection.

A moment, two moments, three moments passed.

Under Zhang Fusheng’s empty gaze.

Miss Mingyue suddenly appeared to have an epiphany:

"The Great Sage Equal to Heaven... I remember now, there was such a character, a reckless monkey."

Thin embarrassment and annoyance appeared on her face, as if memories were resurfacing more vividly.

"The Great Sage Equal to Heaven, a monkey, hmm, he does possess some strength. Given that the Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven could be mentioned alongside him, this Dharma Scripture is indeed remarkable."

The skeleton-like Plague Ghost let out a dry laugh, seemingly joyous.

Zhang Fusheng felt exceptionally bizarre.

This Miss Mingyue is indeed the same Mingyue, yet not quite right.

She clearly did not recognize the Ox Demon King.

But Old Bull had some renown in that era, right?

Moreover...

Zhang Fusheng mused, Miss Mingyue even hesitated for a moment before recalling the Great Sage.

Is it because something happened between the old epoch and now, wearing down her memory, or some other reason?

Just then, his thoughts racing in his mind.

Miss Mingyue tidied her hair, then softly inquired:

"Have you ever seen that so-called... Celestial Venerate?"

Zhang Fusheng nodded seriously.

Miss Mingyue appeared thoughtful:

"Is the Celestial Venerate a being who has preserved the legacy of the old world? Where did he learn the name Zhen Yuanzi? Did he uncover an ancient relic?"

Zhang Fusheng’s heart tightened, as this Miss Mingyue seemed wholly skeptical of any ancient beings surviving to present times,

Even when Qingfeng, Mingyue, Zhen Yuanzi were mentioned, she firmly believed the Celestial Venerate to be a lucky individual who stumbled upon a relic from the old world?

Why so certain?

It’s fortunate I didn’t directly bring this person into the High Heaven.

The only option is to use a special move.

The thought had only arisen when Miss Mingyue precisely aligned with Zhang Fusheng’s thoughts, casually asking:

"What does that Celestial Venerate look like?"

Zhang Fusheng pondered momentarily, then said:

"Sitting atop a high meditation mat, like a god of the world, surrounded by faint darkness, resonating with profound silence, enshrouded in deep Chaos Mist."

Miss Mingyue furrowed her brow:

"You’ve never seen his true form?"

"I have!"

"That Chaos Fog once opened a glimpse of grace before me!"

Zhang Fusheng exhaled Yin Qi, his skeletal face showing no expression, his voice growing increasingly solemn, like a chant!

"He is an old man."

"Appearing fair and balanced, wearing a Taoist robe with a hairpin, the robe a faint white, with Yin-Yang fish swirling behind him."

Zhang Fusheng spoke each word deliberately, describing the vision he saw back then.

From the old man’s eyebrows, facial features, to his attire.

Miss Mingyue’s expression shifted, breaking under Zhang Fusheng’s description.

Her eyelashes trembled, pupils contracted, breathing became rapid!

Zhang Fusheng grew more excited as he spoke:

"When I saw him, though he was vague, his features were discernible."

"At that time, a giant green ox lay beside him, but later the ox vanished, seemingly following his will to an unspeakable place."

Zhang Fusheng detailed everything about the Celestial Venerate.

As for the reference, of course...

It was drawn from the scene anchored at the Eight Sceneries Palace, where he saw that old man seated there!!

When Zhang Fusheng finally said:

"After the Chaos Mist closed again, I respectfully inquired of the Celestial Venerate’s title."

"The Celestial Venerate said the world once called him..."

"Taiqing."

’Boom!’

A thunderbolt seemed to explode in the boundless starry sky outside the carriage—how could there be thunder in the starry sky?

Yet there was indeed a thunderous sound!

The carriage shook, and Miss Mingyue, seemingly unsteady, tilted, her arm sweeping, knocking over the tea on the table.

Far away.

Zhang Fusheng’s true form’s pupils contracted abruptly.

Damn!

Supreme Master, no offense intended... eh, offense intended, please be magnanimous, don’t hold me accountable...

The thunderous sound echoed three, four, five times in Zhang Fusheng’s ears, gradually fading.

He didn’t know when he had become drenched in sweat.

It... succeeded?

Zhang Fusheng swallowed a mouthful of saliva. In this world, it was said to be ’Six Qings’,

with the Eastern Sect honoring the Supreme Celestial Lord of Tao and Virtue, Primordial Celestial Venerate of Fuli, and Jade Emperor Spirit Treasure Celestial Venerate;

whereas the Western Sect honored the Supreme Sect Leader, Primordial Sect Leader, and Heaven-Reaching Sect Leader.

But the world only knew these could be called ’Qings’, without knowing specifics, and never had the words [Taiqing] been circulated.

Only then did Zhang Fusheng appropriate these words.

"All those who secretly occupy celestial positions have appropriated them; you can’t hold it against a little guy like me..."

Even though he said this, he was still terrified, confirming there was no follow-up before he turned his thoughts back to the Plague Ghost.

At that moment.

Miss Mingyue sat absent-mindedly, her hair tightly clinging to her skin like jade—sweat.

After a long while, she returned to normal.

"Tai..." she ultimately didn’t dare to utter that word, spending a long time before her eyes refocused.

Miss Mingyue murmured to herself:

"How could it be His elder self... a seal?"

"Or is it like me?"

"Miss Mingyue?" Zhang Fusheng tentatively asked, seal?

What does she mean by like her?

"I’m fine."

Miss Mingyue looked back at the Plague Ghost in front of her, pupils trembling slightly:

"Just now, was there a thunder sound?"

"Yes!"

Zhang Fusheng nodded.

Miss Mingyue was silent for a moment, suddenly growing tense:

"Since you’ve seen His elder self, can you take me to see Him?"

Zhang Fusheng scratched his skull:

"I also only saw Him once because of the True Man. Regarding this question, I need to ask the True Man, how about I take you to see the True Man first?"

Miss Mingyue shook her head, bitterly saying:

"I can’t leave here for now."

Zhang Fusheng was stunned, glancing at the starry sky outside the carriage:

"Miss Mingyue, are you in some trouble?"

The woman raised her eyes, gazing at the Plague Ghost, thinking for a moment before speaking:

"Due to some reasons, I have been constrained to stay in the starry sky for a period, but..."

She changed her tone:

"If Young Master Zhang can help, that constraint might be lifted, but I want to ask one thing."

Zhang Fusheng nodded, his spine crackling:

"Please, Miss Mingyue, speak."

Miss Mingyue bit her lip gently:

"When you saw the Celestial Venerate, where was He...?"

Where was He?

Zhang Fusheng was puzzled, but he did not hesitate and straightforwardly replied:

"He was in a indescribable Taoist Palace."

"That Taoist Palace transcends beyond thinking, but I was blessed to remember—it’s called Eight Sceneries Palace."

Miss Mingyue’s tense body suddenly relaxed.

"It truly was Him..."

The woman lowered her head, seeming reverent, turning to speak softly:

"I have an item, left in the Golden Province. If Young Master Zhang helps me retrieve it and brings it to that [Eight Sceneries Palace], my constraint will be instantly lifted."

Zhang Fusheng’s heart jolted:

"What might it be?"

"A painting."

Miss Mingyue spoke softly:

"The painting is in a subordinate city, but if Young Master Zhang is to go there, he needs to be cautious, as a little fellow—a Celestial Human—hides there."

Zhang Fusheng asked again:

"A Celestial Human, a painting... what is the city’s name?"

"Chongshan City."

Chongshan?

Zhang Fusheng understood.

He knew the place, having heard of it while inquiring about the whereabouts of [Milo Celestial Palace]’s plaque in the waiting area.

According to the account of those three little ones,

On Mangtou Mountain outside Chongshan City, they once stumbled upon a strange place, where [South Celestial Gate] was hung, slanting with [Milo Celestial Palace]’s plaque,

and a powerful creature lay hidden, asleep there.

Miss Mingyue carefully described the exact location, and as expected, it was indeed Mangtou Mountain.

"However, Miss Mingyue."

Zhang Fusheng said cautiously:

"A Celestial Human, no matter how careful I am, it’s likely..."

"Don’t worry."

Miss Mingyue nodded:

"That Celestial Human is indeed unusual, mastering a Supreme Treasure called [South Celestial Gate], but I have severely injured him to the brink of death, and he hides under the protection of the South Celestial Gate."

After pondering for a moment, Miss Mingyue continued:

"The painting I mentioned is with him, and his injuries are severe, nearly dead. You can send a doppelgänger to steal it, and your own being won’t be in danger."

Zhang Fusheng realized instantly, the Plague Ghost?

It seems she asked for his help because of his Plague Ghost body, as even in case of accidents, life wouldn’t be affected.

Moreover...

The painting must be extremely important to Miss Mingyue, or else she would have sent many followers to seize it long ago.

She doesn’t want too many people to know about the painting.

Zhang Fusheng nodded decisively:

"Coincidentally, I will be visiting a subordinate city soon and will bring the Plague Ghost then."

Pausing for a moment, he bowed in apology, simultaneously controlling his true body in Chongyang City to perform a ceremony, petitioning the True Man.

He had to keep up appearances.

After the true body petitioned the True Man, he closed his eyes without moving, and after a moment, his thoughts returned to the Plague Ghost.

The Plague Ghost took a prayer-like posture, solemnly saying:

"I have informed the True Man of your matter, and the True Man said... the Celestial Venerate has nodded."

"Granting you, Miss Mingyue, permission to leave your name above the High Heaven."

Miss Mingyue’s eyes widened.

The Plague Ghost prostrated as if silently praying toward some mysterious and arcane existence far away.

He spoke in a loud voice, solemn and respectful.

"Petitioning..."

"Tai! Qing!"

Zhang Fusheng inwardly apologized a thousand times, then recited the name again.

"Above the High Heaven, the Celestial Venerate is compassionate!"

"Today, following the Heavenly Path, seeking, the Celestial Venerate bestowal!"

"Blessings! Rejoice! Heaven and Earth!"

A large expanse of the Sea of Spirit surged from behind him, billowing out his own vague Divine Realm!

’Creak!’

In a daze.

Miss Mingyue heard the sound of a great door opening wide.