Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 725 The vicissitudes of life

Zhao Wei glanced at a Buddhist pagoda that was faintly visible among the distant mountains and forests, and said softly, "Back then, the Buddhist master Lingci, with a heart full of righteousness, led many people to seek refuge and live in seclusion here."

"Before the master passed away, he left a prophecy, saying that someone would find this place and save everyone, and at that time everyone would be able to leave."

Zhao Wei paused for a moment, then said, "This wait has lasted for hundreds of years. Many people, including myself, don't really believe what the master said."

Lu Zheng smiled upon hearing this, "I don't really believe in fate. Some things you have to fight for yourself."

The master left those words presumably to instill in you a belief, a sense of purpose in living here, since the outside world is not so peaceful these days.

"rational."

Zhao Wei agreed with Lu Zheng's words and then asked, "I heard you have Buddhist markings?"

Lu Zheng raised his hand and showed off another golden Buddhist seal.

Although Zhao Wei was not a Buddhist, he could still sense the special nature of this mark. No wonder Miao Kong and the others firmly believed that Lu Zheng was the person predicted.

Zhao Wei asked with some curiosity, "Would you mind telling me how you got this mark?"

Lu Zheng said, "In short, I did some good deeds in the past and was recognized by Buddha."

Zhao Wei did not ask any further questions upon hearing this. He could tell that Lu Zheng's upright character was not something he had cultivated for nothing. However, he still could not completely trust a stranger he had just met.

Zhao Wei said slowly, "No matter what, those monks, and some others, should be willing to go out with you. I hope you can treat them kindly."

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "I have a certain reputation outside. Everyone knows that I treat everyone equally, regardless of whether they are human, demon, or ghost."

Hu Feng, standing to the side, had a slight change in expression, after all, he knew that the equality Lu Zheng spoke of was true equality...

If the people here were to learn about Lu Zheng's egalitarianism, I doubt many would be willing to enjoy that kind of equality.

"Really?"

Zhao Wei raised an eyebrow and glanced at Hu Feng beside him.

Noticing Zhao Wei's gaze, Hu Feng quickly said, "Young Master Lu has a renowned reputation and is a very virtuous person... I have committed some sins in the past, but Young Master Lu is willing to give me a chance to repent. From now on, I will dedicate my life to doing good deeds and accumulating merit to atone for my sins..."

Hu Feng was afraid that Lu Zheng would sentence him to death or something, so he was trying his best to show a good attitude.

Zhao Wei blinked. He didn't know anything else, but he sensed that this powerful demon was genuinely terrified of Lu Zheng.

After thinking about it, he decided to send a trusted confidant with Lu Zheng to investigate the situation.

Zhao Wei said, "Then I won't disturb your rest any longer. Farewell!"

Zhao Wei cupped his hands in greeting and then hurriedly left with his men.

After everyone left, Hu Feng transmitted his voice, saying, "Young Master Lu, there are actually descendants of the previous dynasty's royal family here. If this matter is not handled properly, I'm afraid..."

He's not stupid. People from the previous dynasty have been taking refuge here for so many years without contact with the outside world. Who knows what big secrets are hidden here?

If relations with these people are not handled well, or if rumors are spread outside, it will inevitably cause some trouble, trouble from the courts of other major powers.

Hu Feng added, "Of course, I guarantee I will never mention this matter again after I leave."

Lu Zheng remained calm and reminded him, "Since you're worried about getting into trouble, then stay here and don't have any other thoughts."

"Yes, yes, wherever Young Master Lu is, I will be there."

Hu Feng nodded repeatedly in agreement, not daring to pry into the secrets of this place.

Who knows if there might be some powerful individuals or amazing treasures hidden here?

When the time comes, once he's suppressed, no one will plead for him.

Lu Zheng calmly returned to his room, with Hu Feng following closely behind.

After waiting for a while, Hu Feng became restless and asked, "Young Master Lu, how should my area be planned in the future? Why don't you tell me so I can be prepared? You can entrust me with any troublesome projects, such as opening up mountains and building roads, building bridges and towers... I will definitely guarantee the quality of these tasks!"

Lu Zheng looked at Hu Feng and said, "You know a lot about these things?"

Hu Feng chuckled and said, "I've been paying attention to the Taiping Domain for a while now and learned a few things..."

The Taiping Domain is too close to his territory, and its development and changes are quite significant. Even his subordinates are always discussing various matters concerning the Taiping Domain, so he, as the king, can't help but pay attention.

"Oh, right, I also have a treasure trove there, with some rare and precious materials, spirit stones, and money that I can share with everyone..."

"I'm quite familiar with some of the demon and ghost forces in the area. I'll definitely help you wherever you can!"

Hu Feng muttered to himself, trying to demonstrate his own value.

Seeing that Hu Feng had said enough, Lu Zheng took out several booklets for him to study.

Lu Zhengdao said, "Study hard. The most important thing is to transform your thinking and raise your awareness. If you can't do that, then you're really hopeless."

"Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Lu. I will definitely study hard!"

Hu Feng quickly thanked him, and immediately felt reassured.

Letting him study means his life is temporarily saved, and if he doesn't make any mistakes in the future, he can still live a peaceful life.

Hu Feng held the book and began to read, realizing that he had never been so serious when he was diligently practicing his cultivation techniques before.

Several hours later, Miaokong brought a group of people to meet Lu Zheng.

These people came from various backgrounds; they were not just monks, but representatives sent by various powerful families in the city, willing to go out and investigate.

One of them was someone Lu Zheng had just met; he was one of Zhao Wei's subordinates.

The Buddhist side also selected more people to go out first.

Afterwards, the group arrived at a secret room in the temple.

The secret chamber was set up with a complex array, and the entire space was filled with a mysterious Buddhist aura.

Miao Kong explained to Lu Zheng, "Ancestor Lingci has set up a formation here. Only that person can break the formation and lead us out of here..."

Hu Feng asked suspiciously, "If no one can solve this, are you going to be trapped here and die?"

Miao Kong said, "If we can't wait for the right person, we can only wait until this grotto-heaven weakens and then force our way out using other means..."

Many years ago, some people proposed to forcibly break the seal and leave to live in the outside world.

However, with the greatest power in the hands of a few individuals and the principle of majority rule, the proposal ultimately failed to pass.

In recent years, people's hearts have been restless, and more and more people have such intentions.

Miao Kong felt that if Lu Zheng hadn't arrived, in a few more years, even the Buddhist sect and the royal family wouldn't have been able to control most people.

Who knows what kind of trouble might arise in this grotto-heaven at that time.

Miao Kong believed in the patriarch's prophecy and was genuinely waiting for someone to arrive so as to prevent a bloody storm brewing in this place, rather than because she truly longed for the outside world.

She also wanted to lighten the burden and pressure on some people. Miao Kong sighed inwardly, then raised her hand and gestured to Lu Zheng, asking him to open the seal on the passage here.

Lu Zheng wasn't in a hurry. He observed the situation for a while before activating the Buddhist seal.

The golden aura flowed around, quickly causing the entire secret chamber to react.

A sense of Buddhist energy gathered, and a wide portal appeared before everyone's eyes.

Everyone present was a cultivator, and they quickly sensed the fluctuations coming from the other side of the portal, which had an aura different from that of this place.

They had never left this grotto since birth, and now their eyes were filled with curiosity.

Lu Zheng was the first to step through the door, and the others followed suit, disappearing into the secret room.

Soon, the door disappeared, and the room returned to calm.

Several elderly men appeared at the doorway, their gazes fixed on the spot where the group had disappeared.

If it weren't for the fact that Lu Zheng's strength was unfathomable and his true nature unfathomable, they would all want to thoroughly investigate Lu Zheng.

But Lu Zheng never showed any hostility or interest in the area, and he didn't even ask to visit the place.

Not wanting to strain relations between the two sides, they quickly selected some capable people as representatives to go out.

"Finally, I can go out. I wonder what the world is like now..."

"Let's wait, let's wait for their news..."

"We still need to be careful. None of our lives matter, but what we protect must never fall into the hands of those who destroyed the Divine Dynasty!"

"Let's go and prepare for the relocation so we can respond to any situation at any time."

Several aged figures vanished without a trace.

Lu Zheng and his group quickly passed through the teleportation portal and arrived at a green mountain.

It was early spring, a time when everything was reviving, and greenery was everywhere, a scene brimming with vitality.

Xuanmiao and the others immediately felt the difference between the outside world and the outside world. They had an impulse to let fish leap freely in the sea and birds fly freely in the sky, without the oppressive feeling that occasionally appeared in the cave.

Someone couldn't help but say, "There's a lot of spiritual energy here... no, it's more like demonic energy."

Hu Feng, standing nearby, explained, "The Northern Region is a gathering place for countless kinds of demon races, so it's normal for the demonic energy to be heavy here. Even if you haven't been outside, you should know something about it from books or your ancestors, right?"

Someone said, "I have indeed heard of it, but I didn't expect the demonic aura to be so strong."

Hu Feng said leisurely, "The Northern Region is pretty much the same. All the good places have been occupied by your human race. If you want to find a spiritual mountain and treasure land suitable for human cultivation, you'll probably have to go to those dynasties or large cultivation forces... However, I still suggest you go to the Taiping Region, that is, where Young Master Lu is. At least there you can be guaranteed your livelihood."

Miao Kong said, "Then I'll trouble Benefactor Lu to lead the way."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng looked at Hu Feng and said, "Then you should go back by yourself."

"Hey?"

Hu Feng was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Can I leave now?"

Lu Zhengdao: "What else do you want to do? If it's nothing major, just discuss it with the regional manager. They should be here by now."

Hu Feng hesitated for a moment, "Why don't you put some kind of restriction on me?"

Hu Feng felt uneasy about leaving like this.

The people around listened with somewhat strange expressions, as they knew roughly the relationship between Lu Zheng and Hu Feng.

Lu Zheng occupied Hu Feng's territory and even took Hu Feng under his command.

But listening to their conversation, they couldn't quite understand it for a moment.

Why is this powerful demon, who has been subdued, still begging people to place a restriction on him?

Lu Zheng said calmly, "Restrictions cannot truly bind or change a person's heart. I have always respected personal choices, so there is no need for that."

With so many powerful demons serving sentences in the Taiping Domain, it would be quite a hassle for him to place restrictive or even life-threatening restrictions on each of them, and it might even be a waste of effort.

Lu Zheng prefers to be more direct.

If anyone dares to run away, he can catch them and kill them.

"Uh……"

Hu Feng understood what Lu Zheng meant: respecting your choice doesn't mean you'll be let off the hook if you run away.

Hu Feng quickly assured him, "Young Master Lu, rest assured, I guarantee I have no ulterior motives. Once I return, I will hand everything over to the collective and actively cooperate with the work!"

After expressing his sincerity, Hu Feng transformed into a gust of demonic wind and flew away.

Seeing Hu Feng leave, someone couldn't help but say, "You can't easily believe what monsters say! What if he runs away?"

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "Some people or demons can't always be completely trusted. But they know me and know that I'm a person of my word."

"Since they made a promise to me and are still thinking of running away, then even if they escape to the ends of the earth, I, Lu, will make sure they suffer a terrible death..."

Upon hearing Lu Zheng's explanation, everyone's expressions changed.

This is quite an ability; to intimidate a powerful demon so much that he dared not break his promise with just words.

Lu Zheng raised his hand and waved, and a wisp of energy transformed into a cloud, which then carried everyone southward.

It didn't take long for Lu Zheng to lead his group to Qingcheng.

Qingcheng is now the most prosperous area in Taiping Domain, which will allow Miaokong and the others to get to know this place better.

When Lu Zheng led everyone to obtain their temporary identities, they were already surprised by some of the scenes around them.

Many things around were different from those in the cave, and the passersby were also different. Whether it was their clothes or their demeanor, they all seemed so energetic.

Once you enter Qingcheng, you'll encounter all sorts of new and exciting things along the way.

When Miaokong learned that there was no dynasty or local government governing this place, and that it was entirely governed by the people and the people they elected...

The people do not pay grain or taxes, and their basic needs for food, clothing, shelter, and transportation are met...

Everyone was dazzled by what they saw; the outside world had changed so much in the past few hundred years.

Miao Kong couldn't help but say, "Didn't Benefactor Lu say that the world is still in turmoil? Why does this place seem so peaceful..."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Because this is the Taiping Domain! Apart from here, other places are not like this, including those great dynasties."

"The rules here are quite different from other places, so please take your time to adapt. After some time, if you'd like, I can take you to the nearby state of Wei to see the differences..."

"As for where you want to stay in the future, that's your choice." (End of Chapter)