Chen Shi pulled open his clothing to reveal the green ghost hand on his chest and said, "It might have entered my body through this ghost hand. Granny Sha, Uncle Green Sheep and Uncle Hu know about this, but every ti I ask them, they’re evasive and unwilling to speak plainly."
Chen Tang looked at the green ghost hand and saw it move slightly as if it were alive.
"Does it hurt?" he asked.
Chen Shi felt a warmth in his heart and smiled, "It hurts. It has ’killed’ many tis, but thankfully grandfather, Granny Sha, and Black Pot have saved ti and ti again."
Chen Tang glanced at Black Pot sitting beside the table and served it so food.
As father and son were dining, Chen Tang said, "If you’re unhappy working at the Guangji Storehouse, I can use my connections to transfer you out."
Chen Shi smiled and replied, "I’m quite happy with my job."
"Don’t be corrupt or break the law."
"I haven’t!"
The next morning, Chen Tang went to court early while Chen Shi, accompanied by Black Pot, headed out and arrived outside the Ministry of Works office, with Black Pot looking around curiously.
Shortly after, a minor official hurried out; Chen Shi left, and the minor official followed.
Chen Shi took a seat at a tea house, and the minor official sat across from him. Looking at Black Pot at the door, he said with a hint of surprise, "Lu Ban Sect’s Yan Jiu, at your service, instructor!"
Chen Shi asked, "Do you work at the Ministry of Works? What’s your position?"
"I don’t hold an official position, just a clerk."
Clerk Yan Jiu said, "Those of us responsible for construction don’t have ranks; we’re just tasked with doing the work. The ones with ranks are the authorities like the Manager of the Prison. Those of us without family backgrounds can’t move up."
Chen Shi was shocked, "People who do the actual work can’t beco officials? What kind of rule is that?"
"It’s been the rule since ancient tis. That’s just the way it is," replied Clerk Yan Jiu.
Chen Shi said, "Where is your Sect Leader? I need to mobilize the power of the Lu Ban Sect to investigate sothing."
Clerk Yan Jiu stood up, smiling, "Please wait a mont, instructor, I will inform the Sect Leader."
"Situ Wen is also in the Western Capital?" Chen Shi was surprised.
It wasn’t long before Situ Wen arrived at the tea house, covered in dust. He approached Chen Shi with haste, took one look at Black Pot guarding the entrance, sat down across from Chen Shi, drained the cup of tea in front of him in one gulp, and laughed, "Instructor, how can I assist you?"
Chen Shi asked with curiosity, "Why is the Heavenly Craftsman in the Western Capital?"
Situ Wen laughed, "Disciples of the Lu Ban Sect are scattered all over the world. Half of the ministry’s clerks involved in construction are from our sect. Although our cultivation isn’t high, the construction of city towers, city defenses, and the crafting of treasures still require our tough work. The business in the Western Capital has been brisk lately, necessitating my supervision."
Chen Shi recounted his search for Zhong Kui in Xinxiang County. Situ Wen laughed and said, "Many disciples of the Lu Ban Sect are all over Xinxiang County. Over the years, construction of houses, funerals, relocation of graves, bridge building, and road repairs in Xinxiang County have all required the Lu Ban Sect. However, when it cos to finding people, the Red Mountain Hall Talisman Master Association is the expert."
"Red Mountain Hall?"
Chen Shi was astonished and exclaid, "When did Red Mountain Hall open a branch in the Western Capital?"
Situ Wen explained, "They established a branch here in the Western Capital before the New Year. Although the Western Capital itself doesn’t have evil spirits, the outskirts are plagued with nurous and fierce evil spirits. Despite repeated military campaigns by the governnt to exterminate them, the efforts haven’t been very successful, leading many talismanic magic workers who depend on this for livelihood. Hence, Master Yu ca over before the New Year and set up a branch of the Talisman Master Association."
He continued to clarify that the Red Mountain Hall Talisman Master Association hadn’t entered the capital proper but was active in the counties and rural areas around the Western Capital, worshipping Mazu to avoid governnt intervention.
In Western Capital, there were nurous talisman masters with extraordinary abilities, who work as minor, rank-less clerks in the six ministries and offices because the court’s stipend was too low. Outside their positions, they would sell talismans, eliminate evil spirits, and earn a living in the villages.
As a result, the Red Mountain Hall Talisman Master Association was even more successful in the Western Capital than in Gongzhou.
The Talisman Master Association itself was a mutual aid society for talisman masters, exchanging talismanic magic and Taoist skills, and providing support to one another. Many of these clerks who weren’t from noble families couldn’t rise through the ranks, nor did they have superior cultivation thods, so their cultivation also couldn’t advance, but joining the association allowed them to learn decent cultivation techniques.
Situ Wen said, "Leave this matter to Zhuge Jian; within three days, he will definitely find that Zhong Kui for you."
"Zhuge Jian is also in the Western Capital?"
Chen Shi stared at him, "With Zhuge Jian here too, are you hiding sothing from ?"
Situ Wen shook his head, "Not at all. Zhuge Jian is currently serving as the Incense Master with Red Mountain Hall, having co to the Western Capital with Master Yu for the establishnt of the Western Capital branch."
Chen Shi looked at him with a half-smile, "What about Shao Jing? Has Shao Jing arrived?"
The previous year in Xinxiang, he had revealed to the Red Mountain Hall’s talisman masters that Shao Jing was the Shopkeeper of the Heavenly Court, asking them to convey the ssage to Yu Tiancheng.
Situ Wen laughed, "The Shopkeeper’s business in Xinxiang is booming, but the Xinxiang County is ultimately a small place. So, he opened a branch of the Juxian Building in the Western Capital, located on Nanjing Street. The Shopkeeper also ntioned that the Resurrection Pills you provided sold well, regrettably all are gone, and he hopes you can send another batch."
Chen Shi crossed his arms over his chest and scoffed, "So the instructor is also in the Western Capital?"
He was referring to Fu Leisheng, the private school teacher from Bridge Bay Town.
Situ Wen shook his head, "The instructor isn’t in the city. He’s teaching talisman masters at the Western Capital branch of Red Mountain Hall, which is located in Gao Shan County under Western Capital’s jurisdiction."
Chen Shi frowned and asked, "Who else has co to the Western Capital?"
Situ Wen laughed, "Also the seniors from the Heavenly Court."
Chen Shi’s heart skipped a beat, "Granny Sha? Uncle Green Sheep? Uncle Hu? Have they also co to the Western Capital?"
Situ Wen laughed, "Nowadays, they are Guest Elders at the Western Capital branch of Red Mountain Hall. While we younger generations may not be fighters, the Guest Elders are quite capable."
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