Chapter 836: Same Path, Different Path

The Dean braved the wind and snow to arrive, and departed just as quickly, coming and going in haste.

Before leaving White Tree Town, the old gentleman looked at the row of white trees and stood there, cursing, “What the hell, just because you were born white, you’re white?!”

The white trees were silent, the wind and snow unyielding. If the white trees could speak, they would probably feel wronged: I was born here quietly, why does it bother you?

"Dean?"

A voice suddenly sounded out in the wind and snow, curious and surprised.

The Dean turned to look and saw a figure in a dark red daoist robe appearing in the frozen landscape, leaving a trail of footprints in the snow. The Dean felt some awe when he saw the arrival too. In the world, there might be those with higher cultivation, but in terms of bearing and presence, this person seemed peerless.

The arrival was none other than the current young temple master of Infatuation Daoist Temple, the youthful leader of Daoism, Yun Jianyue.

Yun Jianyue stood there, performing a serious bow. Extending his divine sense, he indeed sensed a fluctuating aura somewhere in the town.

After a moment of thought, this Infatuation Daoist Temple Master understood about seventy to eighty percent of the situation. Hesitating briefly, he asked softly, “Mr. Wei is here?”

Many knew that the famous Mr. Wei of the Divine Capital had gone mad and disappeared long ago, but Yun Jianyue did not expect to encounter him here.

The Dean narrowed his eyes and said, “What, now that you are the leader of Daoism, you want to do the same shameless things as Wuyang?”

Yun Jianyue was momentarily taken aback, but quickly realized that the Dean had misunderstood him. He shook his head and explained, “This junior only traveled north from Infatuation Daoist Temple. Arriving in this place was just by chance.”

The Dean snorted coldly, uncertain whether to believe Yun Jianyue’s words.

Yun Jianyue pondered for a moment, then asked gently, “This junior heard that Mr. Wei’s mind is now impaired. Might this junior offer assistance? This junior have studied the Mind Calming Hex, which could help restore his clarity.”

The Mind Calming Hex was not considered a secret technique in Daoism; almost everyone knew it. This method was not particularly special, it was a basic spell for daoist cultivators to regulate and calm their mind during training. Few could master it to a profound level, but since Yun Jianyue was offering, he clearly had some confidence.

At the very least, his Mind Calming Hex would not be poor.

The Dean frowned slightly, then relaxed his expression. Looking at the young daoist before him, a trace of approval appeared in his eyes. Yet he still shook his head and said, “He has trapped himself; no matter what anyone else does, it won’t help.”

Yun Jianyue spoke with a hint of apology, “To be honest, Mr. Wei ending up in his current state is somewhat connected to the temple. This junior feels responsible for that.”

“Somewhat connected? If it weren’t for your Infatuation Daoist Temple scheming behind the scenes back then, would Wei Xu have ended up like this?”

Not mentioning it would have been fine, but once it was brought up, the Dean felt furious. Those Wei family traitors, if it weren’t for the Infatuation Daoist Temple constantly working behind the scenes, things wouldn’t have turned out so badly.

Yun Jianyue remained silent. Although he had no involvement in those matters, now that he was the Temple Master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple, he couldn’t really push off responsibility.

The Dean stared at Yun Jianyue for a few moments, then suddenly asked, “Do you really feel guilty, boy?”

Yun Jianyue nodded. His guilt was not just for Wei Xu, but also for many other matters, all things the Infatuation Daoist Temple had done over the years, which he felt were wrong.

“Feeling guilty is enough. At least this shows that you are different from that ox-nosed Wuyang. But don’t think too much, he is him, you are you. The past cannot be changed, but the future starts now. If you act with a clear conscience from now on, this old man thinks that’s acceptable.”

Hearing this, Yun Jianyue quietly nodded and smiled, “Thank you for your guidance, Dean”

The Dean waved his hand, somewhat irritated, “At your age, you are still too young. It’s okay to have thoughts now, but I hope you can always remain like this. In the future, don’t become a person you yourself would hate.”

“If This junior has the chance, I really want to listen to Dean's lectures. Those sage teachings that have been passed down for so many years must all make sense. This junior wants to hear them, then think them over.”

The Dean glanced at him, narrowed his eyes, and did not answer this question. Instead, he asked, “You’ve been traveling in haste, where are you heading?”

Yun Jianyue did not hide anything and spoke directly, “I heard that there’s a war in the north. This junior wants to help, but this junior's identity is sensitive, so this trip down the mountain is done in secret, without telling anyone.”

The Dean clicked his tongue, “The leader of the daoist world, the Temple Master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple, such a young great daoist sage, and you do things so timidly?”

Yun Jianyue smiled bitterly. He didn’t mind the Dean teasing; the fact was true - he was not Chen Chao, and he couldn’t act recklessly in everything.

But speaking of which, even Chen Chao who acted recklessly must have been careful in his heart. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have done so many things, seemingly walking through so many dangerous situations and still coming out unscathed.

“Still, since you have this heart, this old man thinks you’re better than that ox-nosed Wuyang. That guy may have cultivation talent comparable to yours, but all his life he acted too selfishly. this old man dislike him for that, but I just couldn't beat him, damn infuriating.”

The Dean continued speaking to himself, “But in one thing, this old man is better than him - that old man is dead now, but this old man is still alive.”

Yun Jianyue just brushed it off with a smile.

Although he respected Daoist Wuyang greatly, it wasn’t to the point of madness where others couldn’t speak a word.

The Dean didn’t want to say more, and finally only instructed, “Yun Jianyue, today’s events, and Wei Xu’s whereabouts, do not tell anyone. This old man knows that you and I could be considered temporary enemies. But since you, Yun Jianyue, are not an ordinary daoist, this old man's request shouldn’t be rejected, right?”

Yun Jianyue smiled, “Dean, you have placed such a high hat on this junior's head, what else can this junior say?”

The Dean did not reply and simply went deeper into the wind and snow. Yun Jianyue stood in place and suddenly asked, “May this junior accompany you, Dean?”

“Why accompany this old man? This old man is just a poor, pedantic scholar who never said anything meaningful in my life. You, a young man so full of vigor, if you want to accompany someone, you should go with other young people. Sticking with this old man has no meaning.”

The Dean’s voice came through the wind and snow, but his figure had almost disappeared.

Yun Jianyue pondered the Dean’s words. The so-called young people, he must mean that guy?

Yun Jianyue smiled. Wanting to accompany him is not so simple.

......

......

The war reports from the desolate north, as usual, arrived once a day by fast horse, delivered to the Northern Frontier General’s Office.

Today, many generals with outstanding battlefield achievements had gathered at the General’s Office. Originally, this probing battle between the two sides would have been ordinary for these generals, who had already made a name for themselves on the battlefield.

Even though, in the past few days, they were restricted at every turn and often outpaced by the demon race, these generals never thought to interfere at the General’s Office. But now, everyone had a reason they couldn’t avoid coming.

At this moment, in the vast General’s Office, except for the Great General Ning Ping, who sat calmly like Mount Tai in the main seat, the other generals could not stay seated. They all got up and walked around the hall.

Especially the cavalry commander Li Changling, known as the unmatched fierce general of the Northern Frontier Army. His tall frame kept pacing, the clashing sounds of his armor constant and unending.

Great General Ning Ping quietly watched everyone, picked up a cup of tea, drank a sip of the cold tea, and said with some helplessness, “Li Changling, what the hell are you so anxious about?”

Li Changling listened to Great General Ning Ping speak, but his feet kept moving. He frowned and said, “Great General, can you really sit so steadily like Mount Tai?”

Ning Ping glanced at Li Changling and clicked his tongue, “Why not?”

Li Changling gritted his teeth, “This is not something ordinary. Has Great General seen this before?”

Ning Ping shook his head, “No.”

“Then Great General is not even slightly agitated?”

Li Changling’s burly frame suddenly stopped. He stared at Ning Ping, frustrated, “How could I have misjudged things back then!”

Ning Ping half-smiled, “How was this general supposed to know? You insisted on this course, and this general couldn’t stop it even if I wanted to.”

Hearing this, a burst of laughter suddenly erupted in the hall. Li Changling who was usually composed, rarely showed such agitation.

So how could they not laugh?

A general who was often close with Li Changling laughed heartily, “Li Changling, just thinking about you losing and having to do that sort of thing makes me feel so free, as if I've drunk dozens of jars of wine and gotten completely drunk!”

Li Changling shot back without restraint, “You think Your Father doesn't know how little alcohol you can stomach! Dozens of jars? You couldn’t handle that. At most three jars, and you’d be sleeping under the table.”

The general, who normally hated having his weaknesses exposed, didn’t mind this time. He just smiled at Li Changling. Normally, he would have wanted to fight Li Changling for real. But at this moment, he felt nothing at all.

The reason was because Li Changling was definitely embarrassed and angry!

Seeing that his words failed to provoke the other, Li Changling grew even more frustrated but muttered, “You may not really be able to win!”

Just as he finished speaking, a voice came from outside.

“Great General, the military report has arrived!”

Hearing this, all the generals in the hall seemed to perk up and almost simultaneously looked toward the door. Among them, the most anxious was the cavalry commander Li Changling.

Ning Ping stood, narrowing his eyes. Though his face was full of smiles, there was a trace of nervousness in his eyes.