Master Quanzhi immediately praised her, saying,"Xian'er is truly clever! This Immortal Lady before us is none other than the reigning emperor's aunt—Princess Yuzhen!"
Upon hearing this, Wu Tong hastily rose, stepped forward, and cupped his hands in salute to Wushang Zhenren."Wu Tong, Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, failed to recognize Your Highness. I beg your forgiveness."
Wushang Zhenren raised her right hand slightly."Please, no formalities. I have already entered the Dao. When I first came to Mount Hua to cultivate, my imperial brother entrusted the former Hall Master of Loyalty and Righteousness, Han Zhen, to accompany me along the way. Time flows swiftly—twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye."
She paused, then turned her gaze toward Ling Xian'er."Xian'er, how did you discern my identity?"
Ling Xian'er replied,"Senior cultivates here, yet your noble aura cannot be concealed. Your dignified bearing, graceful composure, and refined elegance are far beyond those of ordinary Daoist nuns. From this alone, it is evident that you were born of imperial lineage—a true branch of jade and gold.
"Moreover, I heard Master Quanzhi address you as Wushang Zhenren. That must be your Daoist title. 'Wushang' is no ordinary name—who but one of supreme status could bear such a title? Earlier, you asked Hall Master Wu whether he was returning to the capital to report, and you asked him to bring several bottles of Royal Jelly to your nephew. Who could this nephew be, if not the reigning emperor? Therefore, you must be the emperor's aunt!"
Wushang Zhenren nodded."Young lady, you are indeed perceptive. My given name is Yuzhen. Before cultivating the Dao, I was Princess Yuzhen. My Daoist name is Wushang Zhen—certainly not an ordinary title."
Ling Xian'er had long sensed the unapproachable quality about Wushang Zhenren—an innate nobility born of imperial blood, something no ordinary woman could possess.
The group spent a most pleasant time at the Daoist temple and stayed the night there.
The following morning, Wushang Zhenren prepared breakfast for everyone. The meal was honey congee. Though it sounded simple, honey in ancient times was an expensive ingredient, far beyond the reach of ordinary folk. Though cultivating on Mount Hua, Wushang Zhenren was meticulous about food and allowed no carelessness.
She instructed her attendants to rinse the rice, add the proper amount of water, and boil it over high heat. Local Mount Hua vegetables and honey were then added, and the pot was simmered slowly until the rice grains fully dissolved into a smooth porridge.
This honey congee was anything but ordinary. It nourished the five internal organs, enriched yin, and moistened dryness. It was especially beneficial for those with constitutional weakness, chronic fatigue, low-grade fevers, lung dryness, persistent coughs, rough or withered skin, constipation, or scant dark urine.
After eating, everyone was deeply impressed. None had imagined that a single bowl of porridge could be so extraordinary.
Master Zhenkong sighed and said,"Wushang Zhenren, this old monk must speak honestly. The porridge is fragrant, sweet, smooth, and delicate—truly a delicacy of the human world."
Wushang Zhenren replied modestly,"Mount Hua is cold. Drinking this porridge helps warm and nourish the stomach."
Daoist Whitebrow laughed."Zhenkong, Daoism truly surpasses Buddhism! Why not join us? Look how carefree Daoist cultivation is—we eat well and eat wisely!"
Daoism also advocates vegetarianism, yet its philosophy differs greatly from Buddhism. Daoism views humans as born of the energies of Heaven and Earth, emphasizing balance between yin and yang, moderation in diet, and harmony between meat and vegetables. Buddhism, on the other hand, adopted strict vegetarianism in China after Emperor Wu of Liang mandated it, primarily to reduce karmic killing.
Master Zhenkong said,"You, Whitebrow, are deliberately mocking me! The Buddha is compassionate—what a sin, what a sin!"
Seeing the two about to resume their bickering, Wu Tong quickly interjected,"Eat the porridge!"
Daoism itself has differences: Quanzhen Daoists eat vegetarian food, while Zhengyi Daoists may eat meat and drink wine outside of fasting days.
Master Zhenkong was about to retort, but upon hearing Wu Tong's words, he nodded."The young brother is right—eat the porridge! You, Whitebrow, are always trying to make me break my vows!"
"The Madman of the West," Situ Kong, laughed."That's right—eat the porridge! Wushang Zhenren, we want a few more bowls!"
Wushang Zhenren smiled gently."Heroes, there is plenty of honey porridge. Please, have as much as you like."
Thus, the group finished an entire large pot of porridge to the very last drop.
After breakfast, it was time to part. Wushang Zhenren entrusted Wu Tong with the Royal Jelly, instructing him to deliver it to Chang'an and present it to the emperor. With heartfelt farewells, the group departed.
Less than two days later, Wu Tong and his five companions returned to the official residence in Chang'an. Wu Tong instructed Steward Tang to prepare guest rooms and a meal for the Two Eccentrics of Jianghu and Situ Kong.
Wu Tong introduced Situ Kong to Li Qian, Zhao Rou, and Liu Yun. The Two Eccentrics were already old acquaintances. Everyone gathered in the great hall, sipping tea and chatting.
Liu Yun asked about the journey, and Ling Xian'er began recounting their adventures in vivid detail—how they had accidentally encountered Situ Kong in danger, how Wu Tong stepped in to help, only to face Western Sacred Matron Chen Jinfeng and Palace Mistress Nangong Yan, who jointly attacked Situ Kong.
Upon hearing that Chen Jinfeng was not dead, the women were all shocked.
Liu Yun exclaimed,"That Western Sacred Matron faked her death—how dare she emerge again to commit evil!"
Ling Xian'er said,"Not only did she show no restraint—she even devised a poisonous scheme to murder Brother Tong!"
Ling Xian'er narrated the perilous events in full. The women all broke into a cold sweat on Wu Tong's behalf.
Later, when the group reached Mount Hua, martial artists were already coveting the White Lotus atop the peak. After a fierce struggle, the White Lotus fell into Chen Jinfeng's hands.
Zhao Rou cried anxiously,"If such a treasure falls into the hands of that demon woman, would not the world suffer!"
"Don't worry, Sister Rou," Ling Xian'er said."At that moment, Senior Situ seized the White Lotus while the Western Sacred Sect was bowing in worship."
She continued, explaining how Chen Jinfeng wrongly blamed the Judges' Guild, how Situ Kong decided it was better to consume the White Lotus himself than let Chen Jinfeng do so, and how, at the critical moment, Chen Jinfeng tore away half of it with a sudden claw strike. Fearing it might be taken again, Chen Jinfeng immediately consumed her half and sat down to circulate her energy.
At the same time, Situ Kong noticed the wounded White Lotus Sect Patriarch meditating nearby and gave her the remaining portion of the White Lotus, instructing her to help deal with Chen Jinfeng.
Li Qian praised him warmly."Senior Situ's strategy was brilliant. This junior truly admires you."
Situ Kong laughed."Madam Wu flatters me. Your father, 'Heaven-Fearing Lü Qiang', was the true hero—wandering the martial world with the Xiang River heroine Luo Ping, leaving behind countless legends."
He paused, then looked at Wu Tong."Hall Master Wu, fearless as a young bull, since taking charge of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness you have roamed the martial world, eliminated evil, united righteous heroes, resolved conflicts, upheld justice, worried for the state while serving in court, and braved fire and blade for the nation.
"You are a man who stands between Heaven and Earth. Such a man is truly worthy of having the four of you entrust your lives to him."