Chen Tang looked at the scene of Chen Shi bidding farewell to several Scholars and Advanced Scholars on Qianyang Street, feeling an indescribable sensation in his heart.
This scene happened naturally, unlike the deliberate actions of the young master.
"The Court deliberately scattered these people, fearing that if they gathered around Xiao Shi, they would beco a force beyond control," he thought silently.
However, the Court overlooked one point. Although Tian Yue’e and others were dispersed, they were also mbers of the Red Mountain Hall Talisman Master Association. When they beca officials across the Fifty Provinces of the New West Bull Continent, they would undoubtedly establish Red Mountain Hall wherever they went.
At that ti, the Red Mountain Hall Talisman Master Association would flourish everywhere and would soon transform from a minor power to a surprisingly formidable one!
"The Ministry of Revenue removed from office; the personnel I left in the Ministry would likely be replaced one by one by them as well."
It suddenly occurred to Chen Tang that these officials were ones he had personally promoted. They shared both his success and failure. Now that he was ousted, these officials wouldn’t be able to stay either, so he might as well get them to work for Red Mountain Hall.
With Red Mountain Hall expanding, there would inevitably be many vacancies, perfectly suitable for accommodating these people.
"As for , as an idle Grand Lord, I could do sothing at Red Mountain Hall, rather than sit around at ho, annoying Xiao Shi whenever he sees ," he thought to himself.
With this in mind, he left the Chen Mansion imdiately and went to Gaoshan County to et with Master Yu at Yu Tiancheng to discuss his plans.
Yu Tiancheng was both surprised and delighted, repeatedly saying, "For Mr. Chen to join our Red Mountain Hall, it is truly an honor for all of us. You are most welco!"
The two talked in detail, and Chen Tang expressed his idea of bringing disgruntled officials from the Ministry of Revenue into Red Mountain Hall, establishing branches in the Fifty Provinces.
Yu Tiancheng’s eyes lit up, and he found their conversation increasingly congenial, unable to restrain himself from saying, "It is wonderful to have the Grand Elder join Red Mountain Hall! With your support, Red Mountain Hall’s future is limitless! May I ask, Grand Elder, what is your code na in the Heavenly Court?"
"What?" Chen Tang did not hear clearly.
Yu Tiancheng asked again, "What is your code na in the Heavenly Court?"
Chen Tang was bewildered: "What Heavenly Court?"
Only then did Yu Tiancheng realize that Chen Tang was unaware of the Heavenly Court, so he explained its origins to him.
Chen Tang was flabbergasted and sowhat saddened in his heart, saying, "Are you telling that the Heavenly Court was established by my father? And after he passed, it was handed down to my son? And neither my father nor my son ever inford of this?"
Yu Tiancheng realized he had made a blunder and thought to himself, "So the Grand Elder is an outsider..."
Chen Tang composed himself and asked, "What was my father’s code na in the Heavenly Court? And what is my son’s code na?"
Yu Tiancheng answered cautiously, "Your father’s code na was Instructor, and your son’s code na is True King."
Chen Tang remained silent for a long ti and slowly said, "Eradication of the nine families."
Seeing him calm and collected, Yu Tiancheng felt relieved.
Chen Shi returned ho but did not find Chen Tang. At this mont, Daoist Guo, Yu Lingzi ca to visit. They were disciples of the Heavenly Master Mansion at the Taoist Sacred Land and Taihua Qing Palace, respectively. After taking part in the Imperial Examination, they did not contend for the top scorer title. They were bestowed the title of Advanced Scholar and were given idle duties at the Daoist Record Bureau.
The two planned to return to their respective Taoist schools for cultivation and ca to say farewell.
Chen Shi bid them farewell, feeling sowhat lancholic. The bustling Beijing would certainly beco much quieter due to the departure of these individuals.
Just then, he noticed a monk standing across from the Chen Mansion, accompanied by a pretty young girl who was standing on her tiptoes to blow air onto the monk’s head and wipe dust off his shiny bald head with her sleeve.
The monk remained motionless. After the girl finished shining his head, he then saluted Chen Shi and said, "Benefactor Chen, my uncle Master Ying and I have co to take our leave."
Chen Shi looked at the girl beside Monk Wu Chen in surprise. Ying Ruming gave him a slight smile, causing an inner struggle in Chen Shi’s heart, which soon returned to normal.
He escorted Monk Wu Chen to the inn, asking, "Monk, are you appointed to any office at the Monk Record Office this ti?"
Monk Wu Chen replied, "Registered to the position of preaching, which is an official of the eighth rank. From now on, wherever I go begging alms at monasteries, I won’t accept incense money. At the Great Baoguo Temple, I can also advance further."
He smiled, with a very innocent expression.
"It is indeed good that you have gained sothing from this journey down the mountain."
Chen Shi’s gaze fell upon Ying Ruming, and he smiled, "And what about the fairy? What has the fairy gained?"
Ying Ruming smiled and said, "I was initially attracted to the demonic nature of this place during my journey to the Western Capital. However, after the completion of the top scorer battle, the demonic nature in the Western Capital significantly decreased, making it no longer a Holy Land for my cultivation. Yet, I have gained much, and now my Daoist practice has greatly progressed. I am about to co of age, and becoming a Buddha is not far off."
Chen Shi questioned, "Can demons also beco Buddha? I am ignorant, could you enlighten ?"
Ying Ruming replied, "A demon can beco Buddha. It’s not the demon’s fault but rather a question of the state of the world. If the world is peaceful, where can a demon find demonic qi and nature in the human world, and how can one talk about becoming a Buddha? Benefactor Chen, please remain here."
Chen Shi stopped in his tracks, watching them enter the inn.
On his way ho, he heard a respectful voice saying, "Young Master Chen, may I have a word with you?"
Chen Shi looked and was startled. He saw Qin Su, Tang Balin, Dou Qi, Fang Tan, and other adept mbers from the Fuzheng Pavilion standing by the street, waiting for him.
In front of everyone stood a man in his forties or fifties, dressed in white, distinguished and exceptional. It was this man who had just spoken.
"I am Shui Xuanzhi, forrly a Changshi at the Fuzheng Pavilion," the man in white approached with a slight bow and said.
Chen Shi returned the greeting and asked, "I have long heard of Shui Changshi’s great na. How old is Shui Changshi this year?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers