"Master, why have you decided to come downstairs?"
Seeing the Moral Lord descending the stairs with his characteristic shuffling gait, Gustave felt genuinely surprised. During recent days, the venerable master had essentially become a permanent resident of his room, completely absorbed in various gaming pursuits and seemingly abandoning any pretense of traditional Taoist cultivation.
When Gustave had previously inquired about this dramatic shift in behavior, the Moral Lord had cheerfully explained that playing games was also a legitimate form of enlightenment and spiritual realization.
It was exceptionally rare to witness the Moral Lord venture downstairs outside of designated meal times, making his current appearance all the more noteworthy.
"Oh, the Cola supply in my room has been completely depleted. I've come down to replenish my stock," the Moral Lord replied, briefly lifting his eyes from his phone screen to address Gustave's question before immediately returning his attention to whatever digital entertainment had captured his focus.
Gustave couldn't help but remember when the Moral Lord had first arrived at the Bamboo Staff Bistro. Although he had appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary elderly gentleman, the aura of transcendence and otherworldly wisdom that surrounded him had been unmistakably obvious to anyone with spiritual sensitivity.
After spending considerable time at the Bamboo Staff, however, that sense of transcendence had gradually faded away, leaving behind what could only be described as a completely internet-addicted old man who had embraced modern technology with startling enthusiasm.
"Very well, Master. Please help yourself with whatever you need. The Cola is stored in its usual location," Gustave responded simply, having long since become accustomed to his master's peculiar modern habits.
When Zhang Zhiwei and Lin Jiu observed the traditional Taoist robes worn by Laozi, their first instinct was to recognize him as a fellow practitioner of the Taoist arts. However, even Zhang Zhiwei, with all his extensive knowledge and worldly experience, found himself somewhat shocked by the decidedly unconventional image this particular Taoist presented.
The contrast between traditional robes and modern gaming addiction was jarring, to say the least.
"This humble practitioner would be honored to know the esteemed master's name," Lin Jiu finally inquired, his curiosity overcoming his initial bewilderment.
Being the more naturally inquisitive of the two visitors, he stepped forward to address the enigmatic figure directly.
Chu Zihang, positioned nearby, prepared himself to observe what promised to be an extremely entertaining exchange. His expression suggested he was anticipating quite a show.
"I didn't expect new guests to arrive today. How delightfully unexpected!" the Moral Lord exclaimed with genuine pleasure, only then becoming fully aware that two strangers had appeared in the Bamboo Staff Bistro during his gaming session.
His attention had been so thoroughly focused on his digital entertainment that their presence had completely escaped his notice until this moment.
"All these names and titles are merely false constructs and temporary designations," the Moral Lord continued with characteristic cheerfulness. "You may simply call me by my common name, which is Li Er."
The casual way he delivered this information suggested he found nothing remarkable about the revelation.
"Li Er!" both Lin Jiu and Zhang Zhiwei exclaimed simultaneously, their voices carrying unmistakable shock and disbelief.
This particular name could not be used casually by anyone, especially not by practitioners of Taoism. For someone to claim this name would be considered extraordinarily treasonous and blasphemous, given its legendary associations with the founder of their entire philosophical and spiritual tradition.
"Please don't jest with us, fellow Taoist," Lin Jiu said after recovering from his initial shock, his expression becoming gravely serious as he fixed the Moral Lord with an intense stare.
He was absolutely certain that this had to be some form of elaborate joke or test of their knowledge and reverence.
"It's simply my common name from birth. How could I possibly be joking with you about such matter?" the Moral Lord replied with continued good humor.
Internally, he was quite pleased by their reaction. Observing Lin Jiu's response, he began to wonder if this practitioner might possibly be descended from the lineage of his second brother, Yuanshi Tianzun. The level of reverence and shock seemed to indicate deep familiarity with the traditional teachings.
Looking carefully at the Moral Lord's demeanor and body language, neither Zhang Zhiwei nor Lin Jiu could detect any signs of deception or mockery. Gustave had indeed explained that the Gate of All Worlds connected countless realms and realities throughout all the heavens and worlds, and perhaps someday they might even encounter the legendary Grandmaster himself. But how could a Taoist saint possibly appear in such an unconventional and seemingly mundane form?
"Uncle Jiu, Old Heavenly Master, my master genuinely does have the secular name Li Er, and he is indeed the exact person you're thinking of," Gustave interjected, stepping forward to provide clarification as he observed the profound confusion written across both visitors' faces.
His tone carried absolute certainty and respect, leaving no room for doubt about the truth of his statement.
"How can this possibly be real?" Zhang Zhiwei whispered, his voice barely audible.
Although Zhang Zhiwei's spiritual cultivation and realm of understanding were considerably higher than Lin Jiu's, and his usual demeanor was that of an approachable, ordinary elderly man who would cheerfully pose for photographs with tourists visiting Longhu Mountain, he found himself just as unable as Lin Jiu to accept that the figure before their eyes could truly be the legendary Taoist saint of such immense power and wisdom.
"You two are far too attached to superficial appearances and conventional expectations," the Moral Lord observed with gentle amusement, shaking his head at their inability to see beyond the surface.
With a casual gesture, he pointed his finger toward the space in front of Lin Jiu and Zhang Zhiwei, and immediately a swirling black void materialized before them.
Both Taoist masters were instantly drawn into this dimensional portal, where they witnessed scenes of unimaginable cosmic significance. They observed Pangu creating the entire world from primordial chaos, watched the epic battles between saints that shaped the fundamental nature of reality, and saw Laozi riding his green ox through Hangu Pass toward the west while purple qi flowed from the eastern horizon, marking transformations that would change the world forever. All of these momentous events unfolded within what seemed like a single thought, compressed into an instant yet experienced as eternal.
After what felt like countless eons but was actually only a brief moment, the two finally emerged from the black void and returned to the familiar reality of the Bamboo Staff Bistro's main dining area.
Seeing both men's vacant, stunned expressions and glazed eyes, Gustave and Chu Zihang couldn't determine exactly what had happened to them, but they were absolutely certain that the Moral Lord had taken some form of decisive action to demonstrate his true nature.
If the Moral Lord had encountered ordinary Taoist practitioners who expressed casual doubts about his identity, he wouldn't have bothered to concern himself with their skepticism. However, since Lin Jiu and Zhang Zhiwei had been specifically invited through the Gate of All Worlds, it indicated that they shared a destined connection with this establishment. Moreover, the Moral Lord could sense the distinct favor of heaven upon both of them, and seeing that they possessed such blessed fortune, he decided to intervene personally and provide them with profound enlightenment.
"Zhang Zhiwei of Longhu Mountain has been honored to see the saint!" Zhang Zhiwei declared with overwhelming reverence.
Having achieved a higher level of spiritual cultivation, he was the first to emerge from his dazed state of cosmic revelation. Without hesitation, he immediately prostrated himself before the Moral Lord, performing the complete ritual of three kowtows and nine full prostrations with perfect form and absolute sincerity.
"Lin Jiu of Mount Mao has been honored to see the saint!" Lin Jiu followed, emerging from his own state of profound confusion and immediately joining Zhang Zhiwei in the traditional three kowtows and nine prostrations.
His movements carried the same reverence and recognition of the tremendous honor that had been bestowed upon them.
This time, the Moral Lord did not lift Zhang Zhiwei and Lin Jiu to their feet as he had previously done with Chu Zihang and other visitors. When Chu Zihang and various guests had attempted such formal reverence, the Moral Lord had declined to accept their gestures because they were not practitioners of the Taoist tradition, making such ceremonies inappropriate.
Zhang Zhiwei and Lin Jiu represented an entirely different situation. Both were genuine Taoist practitioners, and the Moral Lord was indeed a Taoist saint of the highest order. Additionally, he had just provided both of them with profound spiritual enlightenment and cosmic revelation, making it entirely natural and appropriate for him to accept their three kowtows and nine prostrations as proper recognition of what had been shared.
"Well, now that the proper ceremonies have been completed, everyone should return to their respective activities," the Moral Lord announced with casual satisfaction.
With that simple declaration, he collected several bottles of Cola and made his way back to the fourth floor to resume his gaming pursuits, leaving the two Taoist masters to process their extraordinary experience.
Watching the Moral Lord's departure, Lin Jiu and Zhang Zhiwei could only exchange glances and smile with helpless understanding. Neither had ever imagined that they would have the incredible fortune to encounter such a legendary saint in person, and certainly not in such unconventional circumstances.
Although they had both received profound enlightenment and cosmic revelation, a saint who behaved in such an unorthodox manner was truly... beyond all conventional expectations and categories.
"Uncle Jiu, Old Heavenly Master, would it be possible for you two to take me along when you travel to your world?" Gustave inquired with obvious enthusiasm.
Having grown somewhat tired of his extended gaming sessions, he found himself eager to follow Lin Jiu and explore a completely different reality. Gustave had never encountered actual eastern zombies before, and the prospect was both thrilling and professionally intriguing from a culinary perspective.
Eastern and Western zombies come from very different traditions. In Chinese and East Asian folklore, the "jiangshi" or hopping zombie is a stiff corpse animated by magic or restless spirit energy, moving with outstretched arms and feeding on life force (qi) rather than flesh. They fear talismans, peach wood, or roosters and are often tied to Taoist rituals. Western zombies, popularized by modern horror, are decayed or infected corpses driven by hunger, spreading their condition through bites or viruses. They focus on flesh-eating, survival horror, and apocalyptic settings.
After Gustave made this request, Lin Jiu and Zhang Zhiwei suddenly realized that following their reverent worship of the Moral Lord, they should also pay appropriate respects to this other figure. This person was the direct disciple of the Moral Lord himself – what an incredible level of seniority and spiritual hierarchy! The implications were simply staggering!
Consequently, both Taoist masters prepared to perform the three kowtows and nine prostrations before Gustave as well, but they were immediately halted by his firm intervention:
"Zhang Zhiwei, Lin Jiu, as Laozi registered desciple, I hereby command you both to refrain from bowing when you encounter me in the future. This is my direct order, and you will obey it."
While it certainly felt gratifying to possess such elevated seniority and to receive worship from other practitioners, the novelty could become somewhat tedious if it occurred too frequently. Gustave preferred a more relaxed and practical approach to their interactions.
"Yes!" both men replied in unison, bowing their heads in acknowledgment of his command.
After hearing Gustave's direct order, they had no choice but to comply with his wishes, regardless of traditional protocol.
"Zihang, would you be interested in accompanying us to observe Lin Jiu's world firsthand?" Gustave asked, turning to address the dragon blood hybrid before their departure.
He valued Chu Zihang's insights and thought the experience might be educational for the young man.
"No, thank you. I still need to continue my cultivation and training," Chu Zihang replied with a respectful shake of his head.
He was well aware of what the zombie-filled world entailed, and rather than spending time on what he considered mere sightseeing, he preferred to focus on his ongoing spiritual and physical development.
"Let's depart then, Uncle Jiu, Old Heavenly Master," Gustave announced with excitement, since Chu Zihang had declined to join their expedition.
"How should we properly address you in the future?" Lin Jiu inquired, seeking clarification on this important matter of protocol.
Hearing Gustave continue to call him Uncle Jiu, Lin Jiu felt compelled to address the potential confusion regarding their respective titles and forms of address.
"Master just explained that all names are merely false designations and temporary constructs," Gustave replied with a casual pat on Lin Jiu's shoulder. "You call me Gustave and I call you Uncle Jiu."
His tone was both affectionate and gently instructive, encouraging a more relaxed approach to formal hierarchies.
"Fellow Taoist, since Gustave has spoken so clearly on this matter, we should simply follow his guidance," Zhang Zhiwei agreed, supporting Gustave's practical approach to their interactions.
"Very well, Lin Jiu will obey your wisdom and guidance!" Lin Jiu sighed with resignation, ultimately accepting Gustave's unconventional but reasonable perspective on their forms of address.
"Excellent! Then let's proceed quickly. I can hardly contain my anticipation to see your world, Uncle Jiu!" Gustave declared with infectious enthusiasm.
With that excited proclamation, he took the lead and began walking toward the Gate of All Worlds on the third floor.
"No wonder Gustave was accepted as a disciple by the Saint himself," Lin Jiu murmured thoughtfully, observing Gustave's confident figure as he moved ahead of them. "This level of enlightened understanding and spiritual flexibility is something Lin Jiu could never hope to match."
He shook his head with genuine admiration and a touch of humble self-reflection.
"Come along, fellow Taoist! We shouldn't keep Gustave waiting anxiously. I'm also quite eager to experience the unique scenery and atmosphere of your world! Hahaha!" Zhang Zhiwei laughed heartily, his excitement evident as he followed Gustave toward their interdimensional adventure.
Seeing both of his friends moving ahead with such enthusiasm, Lin Jiu had no choice but to hurry his pace and catch up with them, his own curiosity beginning to overcome his natural caution.