Chapter 10: The Ritual at Mount Bai—Part Three
The next day, at the foot of Trinity Gate Mountain.
After the discussion between Zhao Zhen and Li Muxuan the previous day, the two finally decided to visit openly and directly.
Although both were disciples of the Quanxing Sect, they were still young and had not formally sworn in under Quanxing.
Moreover, Zuo Ruotong was a man of kindness and great virtue. Even when dealing with the true Quanxing disciple Wang Yaozu, he gave three chances. How much more so for two children?
On the way, seeing Li Muxuan’s face remained uneasy all along, Zhao Zhen gradually stopped walking.
“Brother Li, if you still have reservations about Trinity Gate, you don’t have to accompany me. I can climb the mountain alone.”
Li Muxuan was momentarily stunned, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face as if his thoughts had been exposed.
Yet, despite this, he nonchalantly retorted, “What reservations do I have? It’s just Trinity Gate. If I want to go up, I will.”
Zhao Zhen smiled slightly, pointing at the sweat on Li Muxuan’s forehead.
“All right, the mountain path ahead is still long. Brother Li, you should regulate your breathing a bit. If you continue like this, you’ll be exhausted halfway.”
He said this deliberately, aiming to spur Li Muxuan on so he wouldn’t chicken out midway.
Zuo Ruotong, the Great Ying Immortal, was renowned throughout the world of the supernatural. Countless sought to become his disciples, but not all were fortunate enough to meet him. This was the so-called “fate.”
Li Muxuan had gained Zuo Ruotong’s favor largely because his father was the greatest patron of Trinity Gate.
Naturally, Zuo Ruotong could hardly refuse a request from such a benefactor.
Zhao Zhen knew well that given his own status, Zuo Ruotong would never meet him directly, so he had to bring Li Muxuan along.
Zuo Ruotong felt a certain guilt towards Li Muxuan, believing that his own mistakes years ago had led Li Muxuan astray.
Therefore, now that Li Muxuan had taken the initiative to visit, Zuo Ruotong would certainly see him, which would also open the door for Zhao Zhen.
Li Muxuan wiped the sweat from his forehead, then glanced at Zhao Zhen with some suspicion.
“Your constitution is extraordinary. After climbing so long, you haven’t broken a sweat.”
“No choice, I’m used to it. Since I was five, climbing mountains and traveling have been everyday matters.”
Zhao Zhen shrugged, inwardly reflecting that with his current physical condition, if he returned to his old world and went to climb Mount Tai, it would be no different from earning money lying down.
“Amazing.”
Li Muxuan muttered softly, then fell silent, lowering his head as he climbed the steps.
After a brief while, looking at the somewhat worn courtyard ahead, a trace of nostalgia flickered in Li Muxuan’s eyes.
“Are we here?”
“Not yet. This is just the lower courtyard of Trinity Gate, used to test those seeking discipleship. The true Trinity Gate disciples live in the upper courtyard. We still have to climb further.”
Li Muxuan shook his head.
“Then does that mean you once lived in this courtyard for a time?”
“Yes, I was here with a young master from the prestigious Lu family, Lu Jin, and another whose name I can’t quite recall—Liu… Liu Deshui, maybe? Anyway, among the three of us, only Lu Jin succeeded in becoming Zuo Ruotong’s disciple.”
“The famed Lu family…”
“You’ve heard of them?”
“One of the four great families. Even though I’ve traveled all over with the old man, anyone in our circle would know the four families.”
“Is that so…”
Li Muxuan nodded but seemed disinterested.
It was no surprise—he had once had the chance to become a disciple of Trinity Gate.
When Li Muxuan had once confronted Wang Yaozu and Zuo Ruotong had personally intervened, he had even spoken in the tone of a disciple.
Had Li Muxuan been obedient and returned with Zuo Ruotong that time, to prevent him from going astray, Zuo Ruotong might well have taken him under his wing for guidance.
Unfortunately...
“Let’s keep going.”
After climbing for another half hour, nearing noon, the two finally reached the true upper courtyard.
“Finally here,” Li Muxuan panted.
Zhao Zhen was relatively fine; the climb was merely a warm-up for him.
When he had once climbed Mount Hua with the old man, it was truly harrowing—one wrong step could mean death.
By comparison, Trinity Gate’s mountain was nothing special.
Knock, knock, knock—
Zhao Zhen stepped forward and, before Li Muxuan could react, knocked on the vermilion door.
The sudden noise startled Li Muxuan, a flash of panic crossing his face.
“What are you doing?”
“Knocking, of course.”
“Are we just going in like this?”
“What else?”
Though still a child and despite his bravado, Li Muxuan’s heart fluttered nervously at the prospect of facing the Great Ying Immortal again.
Creak—
With the vermilion door slowly opening, a boy about Li Muxuan’s age stepped out.
“Who are you?”
The boy looked at them with some confusion.
When his gaze fell on Li Muxuan’s face, he paused for a few seconds, then uncertainly spoke:
“You’re… Li Muxuan?”
“Lu Jin, long time no see.”
Li Muxuan took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. Before Lu Jin, he refused to show even the slightest weakness.
“Is it really you? What brings you here?”
Lu Jin frowned. Over the years, he had heard from senior brothers about Li Muxuan and knew he had now apprenticed under the Quanxing demon and was learning from the Ghost Hand King Yaozu.
Though Li Muxuan was not yet a true Quanxing disciple, given the sect’s reputation in the supernatural world, Lu Jin’s attitude was no longer as friendly as when they first met.
“I’m not the one who came; he is.”
Li Muxuan crossed his arms and pointed to Zhao Zhen.
“And you are?”
Lu Jin scrutinized Zhao Zhen warily.
Could he also be a Quanxing demon, traveling with Li Muxuan?
“I’m Zhao Zhen. I’ve long admired the Trinity Gate’s renown, especially the legendary Great Ying Immortal Master Zuo. Passing through here, I came uninvited to seek a glimpse of the Master’s immortal presence and to witness the grandeur of Trinity Gate. I hope Brother Lu will inform him.”
Seeing Zhao Zhen’s refined manners and courteous speech gradually eased Lu Jin’s suspicion.
Indeed, if he were a Quanxing demon, how could he dare to wander here recklessly?
“Greetings, I’m Lu Jin. Please wait here for a moment; I will notify the Master.”
“Thank you.”
Lu Jin nodded and closed the door behind them, then hurried to Zuo Ruotong.
At that moment, Zuo Ruotong was instructing disciples in the square. Upon seeing Lu Jin rush over, he turned with some curiosity.
“Jin’er, what is it? Who is at the gate?”
“Master, there is a boy about my age outside. He says he’s passing through and came up the mountain specially to pay respects and hopes to see you.”
“A boy?”
Zuo Ruotong was slightly taken aback. His first thought was that the boy might be here to become his disciple.
“Did the boy come alone?”
“No, he’s with someone else. It’s that Li Muxuan.”
At the mention of Li Muxuan’s name, Zuo Ruotong’s brow furrowed slightly as memories of that stubborn, rebellious youth surfaced.
“Jin’er, bring them in.”