Chapter 14: The Second Master Passes Down the Teachings (Vote Request)

Chen Huangpi was thrown into confusion; the Five Viscera Divine Refining Method was exceedingly peculiar.

He didn’t even know how he had begun practicing it—almost as if it simply happened because he willed it. Moreover, after entering the discipline, he discovered the method was quite unlike what he’d seen in the memories of other cultivators. Those practitioners needed to meditate and train diligently, but he felt no such compulsion.

Between his kidneys, vital essence arose on its own.

Endlessly cycling, forging the Kidney Temple.

It simply wouldn’t stop.

“So, is the black smoke appearing on my body also because of the Five Viscera Divine Refining Method?”

“No.”

“But before I cultivated, there was never any black smoke on me.”

Chen Huangpi searched his memories thoroughly; truly, this had never occurred before.

“Don’t fret, Huangpi,” the old Taoist in white robes gently stroked his head, comforting him. “You’re growing up now—a bit of black smoke is hardly a big deal. Later you’ll grow hair, and other things besides, but those aren’t important…”

“What is important, then?”

“What matters is, your first master is bad, your second master is good. Remember that?”

“I remember!”

“Do you really remember?” The old Taoist fixed his gaze on Chen Huangpi.

Chen Huangpi turned away, refusing to meet his eyes.

His master had cultivated so much, his mind had been ruined—he’d gone mad.

So he always believed he had three masters: the first master in purple robes, the second in white, and the third in green.

Yet in truth, they were all the same person.

Chen Huangpi cared deeply for his master.

He believed that even if his master were mad, he would never harm him.

“Huangpi, you’ve learned bad ways!”

The old Taoist in white robes lamented, raising his face to the heavens with a long sigh: “What kind of potion did he feed you? Once you master the Five Viscera Divine Refining Method, he will eat you alive!”

“But second master, you just ate me once already.”

“What?”

The old Taoist paled in shock, panic and bewilderment on his face.

He seemed to have forgotten what had happened moments before.

For a time, his expression flickered, shifting between gloom and brightness, as he paced the grand hall restlessly.

“The eldest is bad, I am good—it’s clearly he who wants to eat Huangpi, so why is it me?”

“Could it be that I’m the bad one?”

His steps quickened.

So fast they seemed to leave shadows behind.

“Second master, don’t pace anymore, you’re making me dizzy. No one is bad, everyone is good!”

“No!” The old Taoist halted, turning to stare at Chen Huangpi. “I must be the good one. If I ate you, I’d be bad. But you’re alive and well—I clearly haven’t eaten you, so I must be good!”

His words rambled on.

Chen Huangpi grew even more confused.

He said, “Second master, I wouldn’t lie to you. You asked me how I felt, I told you it reached my stomach—it’s you who forgot.”

“But you’re still alive.”

“That’s because you spit me out.”

“Didn’t eat you after all, so I’m half-good.”

The old Taoist let out a great sigh of relief, laughing contentedly.

“Ha-ha-ha-ha…”

Hearing this half-good laughter, Chen Huangpi also began to laugh.

The medical classics say this: No matter what illness a person suffers, aside from medicines, the best remedy is to keep one’s spirits high.

A cheerful heart aids recovery.

At that moment—

“Though I am good, your first master is still bad!” The old Taoist’s smile vanished, his brow furrowed. “That Five Viscera Divine Refining Method is even worse. Once the five viscera forge the temple, and the gods enter the vessel, your first master will eat you. I am compassionate—I cannot let him take the lead.”

“But…”

Chen Huangpi hesitated, unsure if he should speak.

He felt the method was quite beneficial.

He hadn’t even finished forging the Kidney Temple, yet he was already powerful.

Chopping wood, tending fires, patrolling the mountain for his master would be much easier now.

“Don’t be blinded by petty gains!”

The old Taoist spoke with sorrow. “Since you began practicing that wicked method, haven’t you felt any changes?”

“What changes?”

“The five viscera are the essence of life; the kidneys are its foundation.”

“The kidneys belong to water—firm at the core, gentle on the surface.”

“Don’t you feel more often a low mood, melancholy, lack of joy?”

At those words, Chen Huangpi suddenly understood: “I think you’re right—I’m more easily saddened, I cry more often.”

“That’s only the kidneys—the spleen and stomach, heart and liver will also stir your emotions. These are the five poisons.”

“What do the five poisons do?”

Frightened, Chen Huangpi’s face turned pale.

The old Taoist in white sneered. “At best, you become dull-witted; at worst, you go mad—perhaps even split into five personalities, each vying for your body, and then you’re finished.”

“Second master, save me!”

“I don’t want to go mad—I still want to care for you in your old age.”

Chen Huangpi rushed into the old Taoist’s arms.

The latter patted his back, soothing him. “Huangpi, I know you’re filial—I won’t let your first master’s plot succeed. He wants to take the lead, but I will never allow it.”

“Fortunately, I have a method for you as well!”

“It’s called the Yin-Yang Harmonizing Divine Transformation Technique. Once you begin, you needn’t meditate or practice in the usual way—it’s perfect for you!”

“Second master, you’re so good to me.”

Touched, Chen Huangpi wiped away his tears.

No need for meditation—it wouldn’t interfere with his mountain patrols or herb gathering.

It truly suited him. Second master was so considerate.

“How do I begin?”

“Just close your eyes and feel with your heart—leave the rest to me.”

Obediently, Chen Huangpi closed his eyes.

The nearby brass oil lamp closed its eye too.

“It’s over—Chen Huangpi is too pure, he trusts the temple master too much, can’t see that he’s pretending.”

Indeed, the old Taoist in white was pretending.

As he looked at the closed-eyed Chen Huangpi, the old Taoist’s face suddenly twisted, baring his teeth in agony—as if the pain from the black smoke’s corrosion now burst forth uncontrollably.

It hurt, it hurt terribly.

But after the pain, the old Taoist grinned wickedly.

“Heh-heh-heh…”

“Second master, why are you laughing?”

Chen Huangpi frowned.

“You misheard—I didn’t laugh.” The old Taoist quickly covered his mouth, muffling his voice. “Stand still, I’ll transmit the method to you now.”

As he spoke, he beckoned.

The two candlesticks on the altar flew into his hands.

Candles still sat atop them, but the wax melted away, revealing sharp, blue-black iron spikes connected to the bases.

“Here I come!”

The old Taoist shouted, gripping a candlestick in each hand, and plunged them fiercely into Chen Huangpi’s temples.

With a thunderous sound—

Chen Huangpi felt a searing pain in his mind, as if it exploded.

His head seemed to swell enormously.

Then shrink to nothing.

Then, the vital essence between his kidneys surged, stimulated, and rushed into his head.

Next—

Characters, like birds, flowers, and fish, appeared in his mind.

He had never seen them before.

But as soon as he looked, he knew their meanings.

They were the complete Yin-Yang Harmonizing Divine Transformation Technique.

All the characters spun in his mind like shooting stars, faster and faster, whirling at greater and greater speed.

“Ugh…”

Chen Huangpi retched, his vision went black, and he completely passed out.

...

At that moment—

In the forests near Jade Qiong Mountain—

A group of destitute refugees wandered aimlessly.

They had lost all sense of direction.

Each wore a worried expression.

It was daytime—but at nightfall, the Hundred Thousand Mountains would become terrifying, with all manner of evil spirits emerging.

They were mere mortals, and without the mountain god’s protection, there was only death ahead.

Suddenly—

A cough rang out.

...

“Where are the others? Are you the only ones who survived?”

Granny Tang leaned on a broken branch, her deeply wrinkled face pale as death, barely able to speak.

“Granny Tang!”

The refugees cried out in delight.

“You’re safe! Does that mean the evil god is dead?”

“The mountain god must have prevailed!”

“Long live the mountain god!”

To these refugees, the mountain god was not only their protector, but their lifelong faith, worshipped since childhood.

They believed in the mountain god’s power.

Granny Tang forced a bitter smile.

How she wished it were so.

But now, exhausted in body and spirit, having witnessed the white-robed Taoist devour living beings, she felt lucky to have escaped alive—she had no desire to explain what truly happened.

She was afraid too.

Just then, the refugees noticed Granny Tang was alone—the mountain god’s statue was missing.

“Granny Tang, where is the mountain god?”

“Could it be…”

The crowd seemed to understand, their faces suddenly bleak, despair clouding every heart.

“The mountain god is still here, but…”

“But what?”

Granny Tang looked toward Jade Qiong Mountain, bitterness in her voice. “But the mountain god asked me to save it…”

In truth, she hadn’t explained it clearly.

When the mountain god cried for help, it was two hours ago.

The voice was faint, broken.

If Granny Tang hadn’t served the mountain god for years, she would never have understood.

Now, she could only sense the direction where the mountain god lay.

But there was no response anymore.

She had to find the mountain god.

Without divine protection, they would not survive the night.

Yet Granny Tang knew in her heart—the mountain god had been swallowed by that white-robed Taoist.

She herself possessed only the Golden Core cultivation.

And that strange being could even devour gods…

“Find somewhere safe…”

Granny Tang opened her mouth, then forced a smile. “Where is safe? Just wait here—I’ll go see the mountain god.”

She never said she’d return, for she wouldn’t.

Nor did she offer further advice.

It was pointless.

The only reason she insisted on going was because her only granddaughter was dead—she no longer had any ties.

To accompany the mountain god wasn’t so bad.

...

Chen Huangpi felt hot.

Very dry…

Every breath, the air burned.

He opened his eyes—darkness all around.

His mind was muddled, as if something had been added, or perhaps taken away.

“Have I mastered the Yin-Yang Harmonizing Divine Transformation Technique?”

He felt nothing at all.

But deep down, he sensed he was somehow different.

Though he couldn’t say how.

The technique’s full text mentioned: Six yin means undying darkness, six yang means everlasting life. First comes the yin spirit, then the yang spirit; only when united are you truly accomplished.

As long as he kept practicing, the yin spirit would naturally manifest.

Thinking this, Chen Huangpi’s heart was at ease.

Suddenly—

A clatter sounded.

He felt something atop his head move—the pitch-black lid shifted, letting in a sliver of light.

“Boo-hoo-hoo, Huangpi, so this is where you hid! Your master has searched so hard for you!”

With those words, Chen Huangpi saw his master’s face appear—white hair and beard, hollow cheeks.

His master wore purple robes.

So this was the first master.