Taiping Inn

Qingwei Sect occupies more than 360 islands, of which 108 are the main islands, which is the origin of the 36 hall masters and 72 island masters. Among these 108 islands, the three major fairy islands are: Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou.

Penglai Island is the residence of the Supreme Sect Master, and Tiankui Hall has been stationed here for many years. Ordinary people are not allowed to set foot on it. The Taoist scriptures say: "The Fangzhang is the master of the human and heavenly teachings, the master of the world, the righteous law of Longmen, the compassionate boat of the sea of ​​suffering, the model of Quanzhen, and the outline of the law. It cannot be established without a master of Taoism." Therefore, Fangzhang Island is the residence of the sect master and the place where the sect discusses matters.

It was only because the old sect master Li Daoxu was in seclusion on Penglai Island that the focus of Qingwei Sect gradually shifted to Penglai Island, making Penglai Island overwhelm Fangzhang Island. Just like Emperor Shizong did not live in the palace, but in the West Garden, so the focus of the court moved from the palace to the West Garden, and the later Emperor Muzong also died in the Yanbo Hall of the West Garden.

However, when Li Daoxu was in seclusion, many things were still discussed, so Fangzhang Island still played an important role in Qingwei Sect, second only to Penglai Island.

The owner of Fangzhang Island is Li Ruju. She is called the island owner, but in fact she is equivalent to a big housekeeper. She can't make all the decisions, but she has to be careful everywhere. There is a saying in the officialdom: If you are unlucky for three lives, the county magistrate will be in the city; if you do evil for three lives, you will be in the city of the state; if you are full of evil, you will be in the city of the imperial capital. The so-called "county magistrate in the city" means that the county magistrate and the prefect are in the same city, and the county magistrate's every move will be restrained by the prefect, "running around", and completely without the prestige of the "parent official". "In the city of the provincial capital" means that the county magistrate, the prefect, the governor or the governor are in the same city. There is no need to talk about the imperial capital.

Another way of saying it: if you were not good in your previous life, you will be a county magistrate in this life; if you did evil in your previous life, you will be a county magistrate in the city; if you have committed many evil deeds, you will be a county magistrate in the city.

"Fuguo" refers to the county, also called the first county, that is, the county where the county seat and the prefectural city or provincial capital are in the same place, that is, the county magistrate is in the same city as the prefectural governor or governor-general. The place where the county magistrate lives is the leader of the counties under the jurisdiction of the prefecture and state, so his task of welcoming and welcoming the passing superiors is heavier than that of other prefectures and counties, so-called "rushing and rushing, providing millions of services, and running around". Among them, the county magistrate in the city with the governor or governor-general has a heavier task than the county magistrate in the city with the prefectural governor. This feature of the county makes people in the officialdom think that the county magistrate in the city is too difficult to be a county magistrate and cannot be a county magistrate. That is why it is said that only those who did evil in their previous life can be county magistrates in the city. This is retribution. The more evil you do, the heavier the retribution.

Li Ruju, the island owner, is a "county magistrate attached to the city of Guozhou". He lives on the same island with the clan leader and the hall masters. He is really busy and exhausted.

Today, the hall masters have landed on the island. As the island owner, Li Ruju naturally has to make proper arrangements. She is busy again. She counted them carefully. Except for the Tianji Hall Master Situ Xuanlue, the other eleven hall masters who ranked first have all arrived, including the Tiankui Hall Master Li Rushi and the Tiangang Hall Deputy Master Li Ruxian who took over the duties of the hall master because the Tiangang Hall Master was vacant.

After the eleven hall masters arrived one after another, Li Ruju just breathed a sigh of relief and saw a small boat slowly approaching. Li Rujue immediately became solemn and hurried to meet him, saying, "Li Rujue greets the deputy sect leader."

The man was Zhang Haishi. He just said "hmm" softly, abandoned the boat and went ashore. He still held the bamboo stick in his hand and walked alone to the magnificent building in the center of the island.

This is a real Taoist palace, not inferior to the Great Zhenren Palace of the Zhengyi Sect. After passing a memorial archway with the words "Qingwei" engraved on it, there is a huge square paved with white jade, as smooth as a mirror. The entire square is rectangular, like a long sword. The entrance is at the "sword tip". After passing the "sword spine", "sword hilt" and "sword handle", you will reach the sword head. Here are ninety-nine white jade steps, about ten feet wide, and each step is more than a foot high. Climb up all the way, surrounded by white jade railings. There are different beasts carved on the top of the railings, which have the wonderful function of suppressing evil and exorcising ghosts. Various legends of immortals are carved on the railings. The pictures on each railing are different. If you look closely, you will find that these pictures are all extremely brilliant sword manuals. Unfortunately, people who can come here no longer need to learn these sword manuals, and people who want to learn will never come here.

Climbing up the steps, there is a huge palace, the whole body color tends to be blue-black, with glazed tiles, jade eaves, sandalwood floor, and ambergris equivalent to gold burning, the smoke is endless, it is really a place for immortals,

A plaque hangs above the main entrance of the hall, with the words "Qingling" written on it.

At this time, a loud bell sounded in the Qingling Palace.

The hall masters in the palace have already taken their seats, only the top seat is vacant.

The white-haired old man walked slowly with a bamboo stick through the "Qingwei" archway, crossed the sword-shaped square, and climbed the steps.

On both sides of the steps stood disciples carrying swords, bowing their heads in greeting.

Li Ruju, who followed Zhang Haishi closely, felt like he was facing a great enemy. He took a deep breath and shouted loudly: "The deputy sect leader has arrived."

The hall masters who were originally chatting and laughing looked serious, stood up one after another, and looked out together.

Zhang Haishi still walked slowly, seemingly not caring at all that many hall masters were waiting in the Qingling Palace.

Almost at the same time when Zhang Haishi stepped over the high threshold of the main gate of the Qingling Palace, Li Yuanying, the sect master, and his wife Gu Yusheng also walked into the Qingling Palace from the side door.

Li Yuanying took the initiative to greet him and said with a smile: "Senior Brother."

Zhang Haishi nodded slightly and said: "Sect Master." Then he sat directly in his seat, which was the sect master's seat second only to Li Yuanying. Opposite him was Gu Yusheng's seat, and below him was Li Rushi.

When Li Daoxu had not yet stepped down from the position of the sect leader, he held meetings here, sitting in Li Yuanying's position. However, when he stepped down from the position of the sect leader, it was a bit inappropriate to sit in this position again, so the Eight Scenery Courtyard was gradually established for meetings.

After Li Yuanying took his seat, he stretched out his hand and pressed down, signaling everyone to take a seat.

This was the second time that the hall masters took their seats.

Everyone knew that although Li Yuanying was the sect leader, in terms of power, Li Yuanying could only be ranked third. The first was the old sect leader, and the second was the second master Zhang Haishi. How could he be underestimated if he could be called "Second Master" by the old sect leader? Among the hall masters who came today, there were people from Zhang Haishi.

The matter discussed today was the Li Xuandu matter that was making a lot of noise in the martial arts world.

Everyone knew who Li Xuandu was. He was the one who almost became the sect leader, but ended up being expelled from the sect.

At that time, Li Xuandu's fate was not very good. After all, not only did he lose the position of the leader, but he also lost his identity as the Fourth Master.

Who would have thought that Li Xuandu would become the leader of Taiping Sect in the blink of an eye? How long has it been? Many people couldn't help but wonder in their hearts whether the Fourth Master was expelled from the sect by the old leader on purpose? Did he have a plan for the way out and decided to leave the sect? Taiping Sect is not a small sect. Being the leader there is more comfortable than being the leader Li Yuanying. After all, there is no mountain pressing on his head, right?

This is unfair to Li Xuandu. He is not a fortune teller. How could he know that so many things would happen later when he left Penglai Island? It can only be said to be a coincidence, but the world is not short of people who speculate others with the worst mind. In the eyes of these people, Li Xuandu is deep-minded, far-sighted, and skillful. They actually have some awe of Li Xuandu.

Li Yuanying looked around, his eyes swept over everyone's face, and saw their expressions. However, those who could sit here to discuss matters were all old foxes, and none of them would rashly write their thoughts on their faces. Li Yuanying was doomed to be in vain. He pondered for a moment, and slowly said: "I believe you all know the matter, so I will not repeat it. Logically speaking, Zifu has been expelled from the sect by the old sect master. Whether he is the sect master of Taiping Sect or not has nothing to do with our Qingwei Sect, but our Qingwei Sect and Taiping Sect are both the twelve sects of the righteous way, and we are of the same spirit and advance and retreat together. This is one reason. The second reason is that the old sect master only forbade Zifu to act in the name of Qingwei Sect, but did not deny the master-disciple relationship. From this point of view, although Zifu is not the fourth master of my Qingwei Sect, he is still the fourth disciple of the old sect master, which has something to do with us."