Thinking of this, I couldn't help but smile bitterly. I remembered that when I first read about reincarnation in Buddhism, I wondered if I was the reincarnation of a historical figure because my name was Zhou Yi. At that time, I wondered if I was the reincarnation of King Wen of Zhou. I didn't expect to see a merchant ancestor who looked exactly like me …
I had some knowledge about history, but the pre-Qin period was more like a myth than a history. I had no impression of the merchant ancestor.
As for reincarnation, I didn't believe it at all. Although both Buddhism and Taoism had the theory of reincarnation, Taoism believed that reincarnation was fundamentally different from the reincarnation of the Living Buddha in Buddhism.
Zhang Tianshi believed that reincarnation was just a new carrier for the Three Corpses God. It was a sin of being possessed by an evil spirit.
Even the relatively positive Quanzhen Sect believed that reincarnation was just a process of the six paths of reincarnation, which was completely different from the so-called reincarnation of a virtuous eminent monk in Buddhism.
Metaphysics was inherited from Taoism, and its theory was more inclined to Quanzhen Sect. Similarly, there was no such thing as a virtuous person reincarnating and continuing to cultivate.
If it wasn't reincarnation, then what was it?
Was it just a coincidence?
In the past, I would have believed it was a coincidence. However, after experiencing so many things, no matter how open-minded I was, I knew it couldn't be as simple as a coincidence.
Just as I was deep in thought, Nangong suddenly called me softly. I turned to look at him, but he reached out and pointed at Zhang Kanwen, who was lying on the ground.
I lowered my head and saw that Zhang Kanwen had opened his eyes at some point.
I immediately put aside the chaotic thoughts in my mind and quickly asked him, "Brother Zhang, how are you feeling?"
He seemed to have just woken up, and his eyes were not focused yet. After a while, his eyes showed some spirit. I hurriedly asked him again. Zhang Kanwen coughed and said with difficulty, "I'm okay … What's the situation now?
Where are we? "
I briefly told him what had happened after he had fainted. After hearing that Nangong and I had been captured and that our cultivations had been sealed, Zhang Kanwen said to me with some guilt, "It's all my fault … I was too impatient and implicated you. I …"
I shook my head and interrupted him. "What's the point of saying all this?
Both of us are fine now, but you, on the other hand, suffered such a serious injury, especially in your chest and abdomen. I'm afraid … your cultivation will also be affected. "
Hearing my words, Zhang Kanwen's expression darkened. If I could think of this problem, how could he not think of it?
Back then, Lu Zhenyang's injuries were similar to his. Although he managed to preserve his life, he became a cripple. Although Zhang Kanwen's injuries were slightly lighter, once his Heaven Veins were damaged, his ending wouldn't be good either.
Both of us were silent. In the end, Zhang Kanwen spoke first, "I can still faintly feel the presence of Dao Qi in my body … It shouldn't be the worst case scenario. To be honest, I thought I was going to die. I didn't expect to be able to survive … I should be thankful."
I pointed at President Gu who was not far away. "President Gu's pills saved you … I didn't expect you to be friends with President Gu."
"Friends?" Zhang Kanwen furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm not that close to him. Why did he save me?"
I was stunned. I thought that there was some relationship between the two of them for President Gu to be willing to use elixirs to save his life. I didn't expect that they weren't close at all … Could it be that President Gu just cherished his talent?
I shook my head. An old fox like him definitely wouldn't do something that wasn't beneficial to him. Who knew what he was planning?
"Let's not talk about this for now. You should recuperate first. No matter what President Gu's motive is, he has expressed his goodwill. After we get out of here, he shouldn't make things difficult for you. At that time, with his care, you might be able to recover completely." I comforted Zhang Kanwen.
Zhang Kanwen shook his head. His expression showed that he wasn't willing to give up. He said, "I came here because of my master's last words. If I leave with my tail between my legs … Even if I fully recover after I get out of here, so what?
The Shang Dynasty's sacrificial ceremony is held once every three years. If I come again, it will be three years later. At that time, I don't even know if the sacrificial spirit will still be here. Most importantly, if it causes trouble in these three years, it will be my fault … "
Looking at his sorrowful face, I sighed. I didn't know what to say.
He couldn't even take care of himself now, yet he was still thinking about his master. I didn't know if he was loyal or stupid.
However, I understood him.
Because the Wen Mountain branch didn't have many people, Zhang Kanwen had always been thinking about his master. Moreover, the tragic deaths of Zhao Laoye and Zhang Wenfei made Zhang Kanwen feel guilty. Rather than saying that he was extremely loyal to the stone gate, it would be better to say that he wanted to use this method to make up for his guilt towards Zhao Laoye.
After a moment of silence, I opened my mouth and comforted him. "Don't think about it for now. We'll cross that bridge when we get there. Let's talk about it later."
Zhang Kanwen nodded. He seemed a little tired. He didn't say anything and closed his eyes to adjust his breathing.
At this time, the three heavenly masters of the Taoist Association had woken up. They seemed to have something important to discuss. They walked over to the Metaphysics Association's side and whispered to President Gu.
They discussed for more than ten minutes. Finally, President Gu laughed and said, "President Ren, don't worry. Although I can't make the decision, I believe the old president won't refuse. When the time comes, as long as the old president doesn't have any objections, you can do whatever you want."
Hearing his words, President Ren sighed in relief. He smiled apologetically and said, "As long as this matter succeeds, the Taoist Association will pay any price. When the time comes, if President Gu needs anything, just say the word."
Then, the two of them looked at each other and smiled. It was obvious that they had reached an agreement.
After the discussion, President Ren suddenly turned to look at Nangong and me. His eyes were filled with intense hatred. "That key belonged to the Taoist Association six years ago, but it was snatched away by the shamans. If it wasn't for the fact that the old president asked for it, I would have killed him today!"
I immediately understood. The Taoist Association had their eyes on Ye Maolan. From what he said, Ye Maolan should have belonged to the Taoist Association, but Nangong or someone else from the shaman tribe had snatched it away.
I turned to look at Nangong. He was resting with his eyes closed. I didn't know if he hadn't heard what President Ren had said or if he hadn't.
I didn't ask him, but I was secretly anxious.
Seeing that this matter was over, it was probably time for everyone to leave. Just now, Nangong had solemnly said that the two of us weren't people who would die young. However, if we can't find a way to escape in this royal tomb, we might not have a chance outside. What should we do now?
I waited for a long time, but Nangong didn't seem to want to talk to me. In the end, I couldn't help but wake him up. "What do you plan to do?"
He didn't look anxious at all. He smiled at me and said, "Don't panic. There are four gates for the Spring Sacrifice, and only three of them have opened. The fourth gate hasn't opened yet. They won't leave this place for a while.
Just wait patiently. There will be a chance. "
After he said that, I remembered that President Gu and the others had mentioned something about the third gate. From Nangong's words, it seemed that there was another gate to enter.
I lifted my head and looked around. After searching for a long time, besides the gate that we had just entered, I didn't see any traces of other gates on the walls. Where was the fourth gate that he had mentioned?
My doubts didn't linger long. Soon, I heard President Gu ask President Ren of the Taoist Association, "The fourth gate is about to open. Brother Ren, how is your recovery?
That Yin God evil ghost isn't weak. When the time comes, we will have to rely on our fellow daoists' help. "
President Ren waved his hand. "I just lost some of my lifespan. As long as my origin isn't damaged, it's nothing. Brother Gu, don't worry."
Yin God evil ghost?
Is he talking about the well ghost for the Spring Sacrifice Ceremony?
The well ghost had a Yin God cultivation base, and it happened during the Spring Sacrifice Ceremony. It couldn't be a coincidence that there would be another evil ghost with Yin God cultivation base.
Moreover, the Han family had occupied the true dragon vein, which the Metaphysics Association could use. They had a reason to eradicate the well ghost.
This unexpected good news cheered me up. I hurried to wake up Zhang Kanwen, who was meditating. I told him what President Gu had just told me.
Zhang Kanwen was elated when he heard that. He struggled to sit up and said, "I want to see President Gu for confirmation."
With his current condition, of course, he couldn't find President Gu. Fortunately, President Gu saw Zhang Kanwen sitting up and proactively walked over to ask about his situation.
Zhang Kanwen seized the chance to ask.
President Gu gave me an affirmative answer. Then, he checked Zhang Kanwen's body and gave him some advice. Afterward, he got up and left. "I'm going to prepare for the opening of the fourth gate."
After he left, Zhang Kanwen heaved a sigh of relief. The wound on his chest seemed to have recovered a little. He sat cross-legged on the ground and didn't lie down again.
I felt inexplicably nervous. This time, I had come with Zhang Kanwen to find out more about the well ghost. I wanted to know why he had behaved strangely toward me in Shenzhen.
After the Metaphysics Association had captured me, I thought that I wouldn't have a chance. Who would have thought that the situation would change so quickly? The other forces had joined in.
That well ghost was like a turtle in a jar, unable to escape. I just didn't know if President Gu would give me a chance to ask the well ghost.