The Imperial City of Mirage, in the Great Fountain Dynasty, greeted the dawn after a refreshing rain. Willows swayed gently, a vibrant scene of early spring where green and gold were in perfect harmony. Poets could capture this moment, but the common folk could only witness its simple beauty. Three carriages slowly came to a halt on a street in the city’s west, and a group of men and women emerged. Beside them lay a tranquil lotus pond. A slender woman in brocade robes, showing no haste to reach their destination, strolled towards the water’s edge. Her fair hand, as white as jade, rested upon the cool stone railing, beholding the verdant sky reflected in the pond, and the lotus leaves floating like jade plates.

Her beauty surpassed even this picturesque scene.

She subtly rubbed her palm with her fingers, then casually rotated her wrist, glancing back at her companions. They patiently waited for her near the street entrance, careful not to interrupt her reverie. Among them stood a man with an empty, dangling sleeve, and beside him, a woman with a gentle demeanor and a sheathed blade at her side. A knowing smile graced her lips. She found herself playing matchmaker, hoping to connect these two Yao family members. These relatives of hers were no longer young, and the City Prefect was the only one still unattached. This stemmed from his experience on the battlefield, where he cheated death but lost an arm and suffered a leg injury, causing him to become somewhat disheartened. Furthermore, her brother held high standards, rejecting the opportunistic women of status who were only after his title and position.

This entourage was led by Yao Jinzhi, the Empress of the Great Fountain Dynasty. Accompanying her were the City Prefect, Yao Xianzhi, and the female cultivator by his side, Liu Yi, nicknamed Yuanyang, with the Daoist name “Yifu.” Liu Yi was now a third-class Imperial Enshrinement of the Great Fountain Dynasty. Recently, the imperial court issued a decree, dispatching her to the Mirage Prefectural Office to serve as Yao Xianzhi’s personal guard – a move orchestrated by the Empress under the guise of official duty, which Liu Yi did not refuse.

Also present was the newly appointed National Preceptor, Han Guanghu, a native of Golden Armor Continent, the chief Imperial Enshrinement, Liu Zong, from Lotus Blossom Paradise, the young Jian Ming, Daoist name “Yue Ren Ge,” hailing from Treasure Bottle Continent, with a Dharma blade named “Ming Quan” tucked under his arm, and a woman whose eyes were beginning to show the subtle signs of age, Yao Lingzhi, the Empress’s sister and the City Prefect’s elder sister. Since losing that “Ming Quan” blade, she had settled down, no longer associating with various martial artists and heroic figures of the pugilistic world.

Yao Jinzhi was on her way to a small Daoist temple to meet a former imperial prince of the previous dynasty, Liu Mao, who should have addressed her as “Sister-in-Law.” He was now a Daoist priest known as Longzhou, registered with the Ministry of Rites.

The small Daoist temple was called the Yellow Blossom Temple, located on the western edge of Mirage City.

Yao Jinzhi approached the street entrance, raising her hands and breathing a warm mist upon them. Yao Lingzhi gave her younger brother a look, signaling him to stop dawdling and lead the way for the Empress.

The Great Fountain Dynasty had always revered Daoism, and the capital was filled with numerous Daoist temples. The Yellow Blossom Temple was an ancient, small temple.

It had once been a temple commissioned by the founding Emperor of the Great Fountain shortly after its establishment, dedicated to the Three Great Emperors, who held a revered position in the Daoist pantheon.

The larger carriages could not navigate the winding, narrow alleys.

Yao Lingzhi walked beside the Empress in the dimly lit alley, whispering, “Your Majesty, the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Ministry of Rites have already notified Liu Mao at the Yellow Blossom Temple to prepare to receive you today. However, they were originally instructed to be ready by Chenshi [7-9 AM]. We’re arriving an hour early. I don’t know if Liu Mao…”

Yao Jinzhi chuckled. “The Yellow Blossom Temple only has three inhabitants, including the temple master. How can Liu Mao prepare to receive us? It’s all very casual.”

In truth, Liu Mao, the temple master with the Daoist name “Longzhou,” had been waiting at the entrance since early morning, dressed in a clean Daoist robe, holding a whisk, with his hands folded in front of his abdomen, his eyes closed in meditation.

Two children, unwillingly accompanying their master, had also woken up early, rubbing their eyes and yawning sleepily. Their master hadn’t told them who they were waiting for. They had already waited for half an hour. It was exhausting.

Just recently, Liu Mao had announced that he was preparing to form his Golden Core and hoped that the court could arrange a suitable Daoist site for him.

The temple doors were adorned with two imposing and colorful paintings of spirit guardians, as tall as a man.

Han Guanghu, who had become the National Preceptor this spring through the “recommendation” of the itinerant knife sharpener, Master Zeng, smiled and said, “Your Majesty, this Liu Mao’s aptitude for cultivation is not bad. He has a chance to form his Golden Core in his forties.”

As long as he was not compared to those unreasonable young cultivators, this third prince of the former Great Fountain Dynasty could truly be considered a “genius” if he could form his Golden Core before reaching middle age.

Now, it depended on the Empress’s intentions – whether she intended to let the Longzhou Daoist ascend to the next level or to confine the former Third Prince Liu Mao to his current Dragon Gate Realm cultivation.

Perhaps the answer would come after the Empress had met with her former “younger brother-in-law.” Or perhaps the Empress had already made up her mind, and today’s brief visit to the Yellow Blossom Temple was merely a formality.

It was said that Liu Mao of the Yellow Blossom Temple would personally write petitions to the heavens, imperial documents, and festive talismans every year and have them sent to the palace. The Empress would then gift them to some of the civil and military officials still serving in the court. In essence, Liu Mao was taking this opportunity to help the Empress prove something – that Liu Mao, the son of the previous Great Fountain Emperor, was still alive and well. He was grateful for the Empress’s grace and, while diligently cultivating, was willing to contribute modestly to the new Yao Dynasty.

Unknowingly, Yao Lingzhi had switched places with the National Preceptor, walking at the end of the alley with her master, Liu Zong, and the young Jian Ming.

Yao Xianzhi, limping slightly, slowed his pace and turned his head, smiling. “National Preceptor, this Liu Mao is not one to be trifled with. Since childhood, he has been deeply scheming, skilled at calculation and winning over people. If he hadn’t gone to become a Daoist, it wouldn’t be my turn to be the City Prefect, and my sister’s matters in the pugilistic world would have been managed by Liu Mao as well. His talent is undeniable. Take that *Comprehensive Topographical Records of the Yuanzhen Twelfth Year* compiled during the previous dynasty, a massive work of over four hundred volumes. The true general editor in charge of the outline was Liu Mao.”

“I kept a close eye on him in recent years, and he was quite well-behaved. Moreover, Liu Mao is a master of calculations. I couldn’t understand the books on arithmetic on his bookshelf. However, I think Liu Mao has been cultivating his mind and nature these years, and perhaps he had some ideas at first, but now he’s not just putting on a show. He genuinely intends to cultivate with peace of mind. The last time I came here, he even spoke some heartfelt words to me. Of course, the words were a bit harsh. Anyway, Liu Mao has always liked to speak sarcastically to those he looks down upon.”
Yao Lingzhi cautiously glanced at His Majesty the Emperor’s face, unable to discern anything. He quickened his pace, reaching out to nudge his younger brother’s ribs, reminding him not to speak recklessly about Liu Mao.

Yao Xianzhi hesitated, ultimately choosing not to voice his true thoughts. Master Chen had said that Liu Mao was genuinely disheartened, and with proper guidance, the Great Spring Dynasty might gain a Core Formation cultivator to help extend its destiny for the next century. It was only because of Master Chen’s judgment that Yao Xianzhi dared to speak as he did today. Otherwise, after serving as the Prefect for so long, would he truly be considered an empty vessel?

Yao Jinzhi smiled, noncommittal.

Yao Xianzhi softly said, “We’ve arrived.”

Turning into a narrow alleyway, Liu Mao from the Yellow Flower Temple composed himself. Holding a horsetail whisk, he walked to the center of the alley. As the Emperor’s party approached, Liu Mao performed a Daoist salute, “Liu Mao, the Abbot of the Yellow Flower Temple, greets His Majesty the Emperor.”

After rising, Liu Mao performed another salute, “Liu Mao greets the Imperial Advisor and Prefect.”

Yao Jinzhi smiled, “No need for such formality. Liu Mao, has it not been many years since we last met?”

Compared to the ambitious and arrogant First Prince, Yao Jinzhi held little personal animosity towards Liu Mao.

The two young acolytes inside the temple were dumbfounded, their minds a blank. They forgot all etiquette, not that they knew much to begin with, as their master had never taught them.

Fortunately, the Emperor seemed unperturbed. Instead, Yao Xianzhi reached out and pressed down on one acolyte’s head, teasing, “Why so timid now? Where’s that usual brashness?”

Liu Mao’s expression grew even more respectful. Abandoning the Daoist salute, he bowed as a subject would, and softly said, “Your Majesty, it has been over a decade since our last meeting, fleeting like a snap of the fingers.”

Han Guanghu studied the Abbot. Liu Mao, as a remnant of the previous dynasty, had survived under His Majesty’s watchful eye. Surely there was a reason for that.

Upon entering the temple, Yao Lingzhi suggested visiting the main hall to offer incense. To the eye, there was only a main hall and a sleeping chamber. Due to its imperial patronage, the temple, though small, possessed a high status. The main hall was deep and solemn, with dim lighting. The heated pavilion was merely three feet from the hall, separated by a yellow dragon curtain. A luxurious carpet was laid down, upon which rested two antique armchairs cushioned with round-dragon yellow brocade, woven with peacock feathers on the dragon’s face. However, the offerings on the altar were meager, with only three pieces of meat and a few grains of millet in the vessels. The ritual implements were simple, mostly vermilion woodenware.

Liu Mao immediately retrieved a censer. After His Majesty took three sticks of incense, everyone quietly retreated from the hall.

After offering incense, the Emperor did not immediately leave the hall. Instead, he pushed aside the yellow curtain and looked around the heated pavilion for a while.

In fact, Liu Mao’s lineage in the Imperial Clan of the previous Great Spring Dynasty, did not belong to the descendants of the Founding Emperor, but rather to the descendants of Emperor Taizong.

Therefore, Yao Jinzhi’s decision to settle Liu Mao in this temple, which was originally commissioned by Emperor Taizong, could not be said to be without intention.

Yao Jinzhi stepped out of the doorway. Instead of going to the more spacious guest hall, he suggested visiting Liu Mao’s study. The room was small, especially since there were only two chairs inside, which looked to be newly made by a carpenter.

Liu Mao remained expressionless.

Before becoming a Daoist, he was a Prince, surrounded by extravagance, filled with clinking cups, and imperial red candles as thick as arms, burning brightly throughout the night, but even that did not feel lively enough.

After becoming a Daoist, sharing space with only one other, he found it noisy.

Han Guanghu, with his sharp eyes, noticed a simply framed calligraphy on the study wall, a passage from the Daoist classic, *The Yellow Court Scripture*. At first glance, it was a unified whole, naturally formed. But upon closer inspection, there were two distinct styles of writing. The last sixteen characters were, “Separating the Dao and scattering the body, freely transforming the form, ascending to supplement the True Man, co-existing with Heaven and Earth.”

The old man stood with his hands behind his back, examining it carefully for a while, and softly commented, “The later comer surpasses the former.”

Yao Xianzhi was overjoyed and moved a chair, intending to invite His Majesty to sit. However, Yao Jinzhi told him to sit instead. The Prefect did not stand on ceremony and sat down, gently clenching his fist and massaging his leg. This old leg acted up during rainy and snowy weather. After years of conditioning, it had improved a lot. When he first became the Imperial Son-in-Law, it was truly a torment. Later, Master Chen sent him two Feather Transformation Pills meticulously refined by the Azure Tiger Palace of the Clear Serenity Mountain. Yao Xianzhi took one pill, and the effect was excellent, almost immediate. Master Chen had even jokingly said at the time, “Young man, your fire is strong enough to bake a pancake on your buttocks!”

His Majesty’s gaze roamed freely. The two chicken-距 brushes in the brush holder were likely Liu Mao’s dedicated brushes for copying scriptures.

In fact, Yao Jinzhi knew everything about this Yellow Flower Temple, especially every brush, every book in this study, and even where they were placed.

For example, the two chicken-距 brushes inscribed with “Clear Seclusion” and “Bright Purity” were actually left for Liu Mao by the Emperor, along with the *Chart of Celestial Phenomena*, which was a forbidden book, during the previous “confiscation of property”.

She kindly advised the young Abbot of the Yellow Flower Temple that being in a place of “Clear Seclusion” required a “Bright Purity” of heart to match it.

In his spare time from cultivating, he could also peruse books like the *Chart of Celestial Phenomena*.

Since he was a cultivator, he should look up at the sky more and stop focusing solely on earthly matters.

As for whether Liu Mao understood her intentions, Yao Jinzhi did not care at all. In any case, if the Dragon Prefecture Daoist of the Yellow Flower Temple made any mistakes, he would suffer the consequences.

Did she, the Emperor who had already spared his life once, have to be so generous and benevolent to him again and again?

Yao Jinzhi moved towards the bookshelf, pulled out the forbidden book, and instantly narrowed her eyes. She quickly flipped through the pages. In the slightly crowded but silent room, the only sound was the rustling of the pages.

On the title page and final page of the book, there were two rows of seals, “Limitless Thoughts” and “Think a Step Back”, “Contentment” and “Knowing Insufficiency”.

Yao Jinzhi casually returned the book to its original position, turned around, extended her hand towards the Daoist-robed Abbot, pressed down slightly, and with a gentle gaze, gestured for Liu Mao to sit on the last chair.
Liu Mao hesitated, but seeing Yao Jinzhi’s unchanged expression, he had no choice but to sit down. Dwelling in a position of authority could indeed nurture an imposing presence. The once delicate woman before him now possessed a true imperial aura.

The young Jian Ming, arms crossed, leaned against the door. Oddly, he had intended to return the national treasure to the Yao family of Great Spring, but the stunningly beautiful empress had not accepted it. Instead, she casually gifted it to him. In exchange, Jian Ming would serve as a third-class registrar in the Ministry of Justice, specifically involved in the upcoming mountain searches of several vassal states, with promotions based on merit. Perhaps due to Old Han’s position as Great Spring’s national advisor, Jian Ming was free to relinquish his position and leave Great Spring at any time.

Yao Jinzhi walked to the desk, tapping a pen holder lightly with two fingers. “Abbot Liu,” she said with a smile, “do you know that our Great Spring Manufacturing Bureau has established a stationery department? Artisans there specialize in crafting these chicken-spur brushes. The factory is located near Lotus Bridge, not far from Yellow Flower Temple, next to the Ministry of Revenue’s Coinage Bureau and Granary. The brushes will soon be sold throughout the continent, though I wonder how well they will sell. I reviewed several official designs submitted by the Ministry of Works, but none quite satisfied me. They all seemed to lack something.”

The chicken-spur brushes of Great Spring were renowned throughout the continent for their suitability for fine calligraphy. Numerous dignitaries and scholars from various nations favored purchasing them, paired with plum-blossom paper produced from Cloud Grotto Paradise, for correspondence and poetic exchanges.

This venture was a joint effort between the Great Spring Ministry of Works and the Azure Float Sword Sect. They adopted a suggestion from the latter, changing “official design” to “imperial design.”

That single word increased the price fourfold.

As one of the allies in the Great Canal project, the Jade Tablet Sect in the south, including the entire Cloud Grotto Paradise and several immortal ferries like Emerald City Crossing, pre-ordered thirty thousand chicken-spur brushes from Great Spring.

Liu Mao carefully inquired, “May I ask Your Majesty, what is the price of these chicken-spur brushes?”

Yao Jinzhi smiled. “One imperial chicken-spur brush costs one snowflake coin. The Divine Inscription Peak of the Jade Tablet Sect has already pre-ordered thirty thousand brushes. The deposit alone is substantial, which is why I am so concerned. I cannot allow the stationery department to carelessly produce inferior brushes to deceive the Jade Tablet Sect. The matter could be minor or major. If the Divine Inscription Peak were to investigate, it would be more than just a refund.”

Liu Mao was speechless. Was this robbery?

Previously, there was a wide variety of Great Spring chicken-spur brushes. If Liu Mao remembered correctly, aside from the customized, extravagant ones, the best-crafted and most expensive mass-produced brushes on the market cost a little over ten taels of silver.

Imperial design? Throughout the entire continent, which imperial manufacturing bureau could produce thirty thousand writing brushes at once?

Seeing the Taoist from Dragon Continent about to speak but holding back, Yao Jinzhi seemed to be in a good mood. She pulled a chicken-spur brush from the pen holder, twirling it quickly between her fingers. She glanced at the inscription, “Bright Purity,” and raised her eyes, glancing at the upright Liu Mao. She casually tossed the brush back into the pen holder and said, “After you leave seclusion and successfully form your core, don’t cultivate in complete isolation. Stabilize your realm while tempering your heart in the mortal world. As your sect says, engaging in the mortal world is also cultivation. For example, the imperial court will soon issue new currency. Since Yellow Flower Temple is so close to the Coinage Bureau and the factory, you should visit often. I will have the Ministry of Justice give you a suitable official title, rest assured, it will be a prestigious and leisurely position.”

Liu Mao quickly rose, bowing to the Emperor. “Your subject receives the decree and thanks Your Majesty for your grace.”

Yao Jinzhi smiled. “Then I will wish Abbot Liu success in forming your core. As for the Daoist sanctuary and the selection of protectors, Prefect Yao will finalize the results within three days at the latest.”

Liu Mao then turned slightly and thanked the Prefect.

Yao Xianzhi was infuriated. Why was he so courteous now when they were alone?

Yao Jinzhi led the way out of the room.

Yao Lingzhi left a gift on the table.

After Liu Mao saw the group out of the temple gate, he gently tugged on Yao Xianzhi’s sleeve.

Yao Xianzhi stopped, lowering his voice in confusion. “Is something the matter?”

Liu Mao whispered, “The temple has secretly stored forbidden books, which violates imperial regulations. Could I request that Your Majesty order someone to take back the ‘Celestial Constellation Chart’ and submit it to the imperial library?”

Yao Xianzhi playfully cursed him but still agreed. Turning to rejoin the group, the Prefect grumbled to himself, “Liu Mao is such a clever fellow.”

Retracing their steps, Han Guanghu frowned in the alley. “Your Majesty, what is Han Jiangshu of the Ten Thousand Jade Sect thinking? She keeps delaying without giving a definite answer. They have already paid the deposit, but no cultivator has contacted the imperial court. Does she think we can’t find another buyer for her Three Mountain Paradise?”

Yao Jinzhi frowned slightly. “It is indeed strange.”

Han Jiangshu had contacted her before. The Ten Thousand Jade Sect intended to order an intercontinental ferry from the Great Spring Dynasty. The negotiations had been pleasant. The female immortal of the upper five realms, whose family owned a paradise, had shown no arrogance and was surprisingly easy to talk to, as if she was seeking something.

Han Guanghu sneered. “Your Majesty, if you ask me, if Han Jiangshu doesn’t reply in another month, the Ten Thousand Jade Sect can forget about getting the deposit back. When someone comes to our door, I will be responsible for arguing the case for Your Majesty. Not only a Jade Purity realm, even her father, Han Yushu, the sect leader himself, can’t expect to get anything from me.”

Liu Zong sighed. People were more irritating than others. This was the confidence of a peak martial artist.

Even the Emperor didn’t dare to press the Ten Thousand Jade Sect too much, only allowing the Ministry of Rites to send a letter to Han Jiangshu’s designated paradise contact, but it was like a stone thrown into the sea.

The Ten Thousand Jade Sect was, after all, an immortal mansion. According to Great Spring’s calculations, the Ten Thousand Jade Sect would likely not be opposed by the Confucian Temple due to their wealth-fueled war effort, and would undoubtedly possess a sub-sect within a few years.

However, for some reason, after Han Jiangshu appeared in Fallen Leaf Continent, she had disappeared like a fleeting glimpse, leaving no trace.

The “Thunder Chariot” intercontinental ferry that was pre-ordered from the Great Spring court remained in limbo.
Yao Jinzhi smiled faintly, “Let’s proceed in this manner. Though the Myriad Jade Sect may possess considerable influence, nothing outweighs the force of reason.”

Previously, the Great Spring Dynasty had, through a combination of purchase and internal development, acquired its first intercontinental vessel, the “Deer Bearing Ganoderma.” The most expensive component of such a vessel was the blueprint, deemed top-secret by various sects. If only the vessel itself were bought, the cost wouldn’t be so exorbitant. The sect in Azure Continent was willing to sell the blueprint and a ship’s framework because, firstly, the Great Spring Dynasty would sign a contract promising not to disclose the blueprint. Secondly, even with the blueprint, the Great Spring Dynasty’s Ministry of Works would be unable to handle the critical repairs, necessitating a long-term partnership with the seller. Furthermore, the seller hoped to establish the largest “ferry port” in Willow Leaf Continent through the sale. Lastly, the sect would receive a share from every new vessel built by the Great Spring Dynasty using the blueprint.

The Yao family of Great Spring planned to build two more intercontinental vessels within the next ten to twenty years, named “Crescent Moon” and “Thunder Chariot,” respectively. Great Spring would keep one for itself and sell the other to replenish the national treasury depleted by the purchase of the blueprint and construction of the three vessels. Two Immortal Mansions had expressed interest in the “Thunder Chariot,” namely the Myriad Jade Sect and the Golden Summit Temple in the north. The Taoist master Baozhen, Yin Miaofeng, and Shao Yuanran, the master and disciple, were once first-class honorary officials of the Great Spring Dynasty. Lu Ying, the chief honorary official of the Golden Summit Temple, had engaged in negotiations with Great Spring, but the Golden Summit Temple’s offering was thirty percent lower than the Myriad Jade Sect’s.

Yao Xianzhi nudged Liu Zong’s shoulder and winked at the old man.

Liu Zong chuckled, feigning ignorance.

Seeing Yao Xianzhi still restless, Liu Zong glanced back at the female cultivator walking alongside her disciple.

Old ginger is spicier, and the Prefect immediately retreated.

As Liu Zong had suggested, Great Spring would retain the “Deer Bearing Ganoderma” and “Crescent Moon” intercontinental vessels. The former would travel the north-south route, passing through three continents: Willow Leaf Continent, Treasure Bottle Continent, and Northern Emerald Continent from south to north. After the “Crescent Moon” was completed, it would join forces with the Liu family of Azure Continent to exploit the Arctic ice plains, passing through Southern Emerald Continent, Central Earth Divine Continent, and Azure Continent. It would form an alliance with over a dozen sects, Immortal Mansions, and subordinate dynasties, including the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, signing detailed agreements for vessel docking at a total of sixteen large Immortal ferry ports.

This matter had been approved during discussions in His Majesty’s imperial study.

However, those with discerning eyes who participated in the discussions knew that the one who proposed the scheme was certainly not the chief honorary official, Liu Zong.

Furthermore, after Han Guanghu assumed the position of National Preceptor, the scheme was altered, mainly with changes to the route. It could follow the trade route of Reed Flower Island, Rain Dragon Sect, Firmament Continent, and Golden Armor Continent.

After all, Han Guanghu was highly respected in Golden Armor Continent, possessing considerable connections and patronage both on and off the mountains.

Han Guanghu didn’t find Liu Zong’s route scheme particularly brilliant, but he did praise one point, saying that Liu Zong had foresight and insight.

Because, as Liu Zong suggested, Great Spring Dynasty should insist on setting prices early and signing long-term contracts with all the sects, Immortal Mansions, and dynasty ferry ports along the vessel’s route. Now that the vast majority of intercontinental vessels in the Grand World were requisitioned by the Confucian Temple,

Various ferry ports needed intercontinental vessels like “Deer Bearing Ganoderma” and “Crescent Moon” that were not requisitioned by the Confucian Temple to dock for trade, boost popularity, and stabilize revenue in order to maintain operations and ensure profitability. Therefore, at this time, Great Spring Dynasty could sign contracts with the ferry ports at a price far lower than in previous years.

The longer the term, the more money Great Spring Dynasty would save annually on tolls and transit fees, thereby saving money in this aspect.

Saving money is earning money, a simple principle everyone understood.

Yao Jinzhi weighed the pros and cons and found it difficult to choose for a moment. After thinking it over, why not build another intercontinental vessel?

She even had a name ready: “Fire Pearl Forest.”

Yao Lingzhi, already a married woman, was a woman who longed for the martial world the most, but she married a scholar from a literary family. Now with both a son and a daughter, she was the first in the “Zhi” generation to start a family.

Previously, Chen Ping’an had entrusted Yao Xianzhi to deliver two red envelopes to her children. During the New Year’s greetings not long ago, this gesture from her younger brother had completely stunned the two children.

In the past, the two children had always been skeptical of Yao Xianzhi’s claims, “Uncle, are you really that familiar with Chen the Hidden Official? Aren’t you just bragging? You probably just exchanged a few casual greetings, right?”

But since receiving a red envelope from Yao Xianzhi, the two children became extremely respectful to Yao Xianzhi. Especially after learning that their uncle had even become a nominal guest minister in the Ancestral Hall of the Green Plume Sword Sect, their eyes lit up, and they admired their uncle even more. They would flatter him whenever they met, “Uncle, do you want a shoulder rub or a leg massage? Uncle, you look even younger and more handsome than the last time I saw you. Uncle, I’ll help you persuade Sister Mandarin Duck. If you don’t mind, I’ll just call her Auntie…”

After all, for children, among the many Immortals on the mountains, Sword Immortals were the most fascinating, without exception.

And that young Hidden Official from the Great Wall of Sword Qi was the Sword Immortal among Sword Immortals.

In fact, His Majesty the Emperor, Yao Jinzhi, and even Grandpa were all happy to see this happen, but the Prefect had been slow to catch on, causing the delay.

Liu Yi, maiden name Yuanyang, Taoist name “Yifu,” was a native of Great Spring, from a local prominent family, and was sixty-three years old with a Dragon Gate Realm cultivation.

Her youthful appearance indicated excellent cultivation aptitude.

Previously, Liu Yi had risked her life on the battlefields of the capital and Mirage City, displaying great courage and strategy. As a female cultivator with Dragon Gate Realm cultivation, her accumulated battle merits were comparable to those of several Golden Core cultivators.

However, in the end, Liu Yi only requested a third-class honorary official position from the Great Spring Dynasty. According to her battle merits, a second-class honorary official position would have been more than sufficient.

Some things, a woman’s lack of opposition was already an obvious indication of her feelings. How much bolder could she be?

Yao Lingzhi looked at Liu Yi beside her and smiled again and again.

Liu Yi only pretended not to notice, but her ears turned red.
Yao Lingzhi felt deeply sorry for her sister and hurried forward, kicking Yao Xianzhi, who stumbled. Yao Xianzhi steadied himself against the wall, turning to ask, “What now?”

Yao Lingzhi retorted, “None of your business!”

Yao Xianzhi chuckled in exasperation, “Sister, you kick a cripple for no reason and then act like you’re in the right? I’m going to tell my nieces and nephews, and we’ll see who they side with.”

Yao Lingzhi spat. “Cripple? More like an imbecile.”

No wonder she’d heard that Grandpa had a conversation with Mister Chen near the ferry, one saying Yao Xianzhi wasn’t worthy of a certain young lady, the other agreeing wholeheartedly.

Yao Jinzhi ignored the squabble behind him, continuing to discuss serious matters with the Old Minister. “The Imperial Stationery Office can’t rely solely on chicken-距 brushes. Within the Great Quan Dynasty, there are some old inkstone pits that have been sealed for years. Even if we take a step back, new pit stones aren’t necessarily inferior to old ones. Take the Tao River near the southern border, for example. When I was little, I often went to the inkstone pits there with Lingzhi and Xianzhi. Mining began quite early, producing a kind of inkstone material that shimmers like jade. In my opinion, its ink-releasing quality isn’t inferior to other famous inkstones. It has a history of over twelve hundred years, but it’s been abandoned for many years. It’s located in the border region, which makes it hard to get.”

Yao Xianzhi nodded in agreement. “It’s true that the main mines are located deep within the Tao River. If we don’t utilize a certain number of Qi Refinement cultivators, it’ll be too difficult for ordinary stonemasons to mine. The biggest problem is that there are no specialized books recording them. Within our Great Quan, the Tao River inkstone is still relatively unknown, let alone selling it to other countries. Otherwise, those Eyebrow Pits, Temple Front Greens, and Temple Back Reds that we used to frequent as children wouldn’t be so abandoned. The quality of the stone is genuinely good. Sadly, everyone here favors the ancient over the modern. Otherwise, if the price was right, and the quantity was large, the imperial court could simply continue mining from the old pits, and it would be a considerable profit.”

Liu Zong stroked his beard and chuckled. “I heard that several hundred years ago, there was a book dedicated to extolling the famous old inkstone pits of Tung Leaf Continent, the ‘Dongtian Qinglu Ji,’ which listed over a dozen kinds of precious inkstones? Why don’t we have the imperial court reprint a version, find a few decent writers in the Hanlin Academy, and secretly add a chapter called ‘Tao River Green Inkstone’? We’ll focus on how good the Tao River inkstone is, how difficult it is to mine, and add a few tales of strange events and immortal traces. Don’t the rich scholars like to favor the ancient over the modern? Well, this will be very ‘ancient’!”

Yao Jinzhi turned to look at the Chief Protector.

Yao Lingzhi was even more amazed. Had Master entered the Distant Excursion realm, and his business acumen had become enlightened along with it?

Yao Xianzhi stifled a laugh, secretly amused, and gave Old Liu a thumbs-up. “Impressive, impressive.”

Han Guanghu pondered for a moment and nodded. “A sure-fire profit. It’s worth doing. If we manage it well and establish a reputation, we can sell it to other continents, along with chicken-距 brushes and other Great Quan specialties. It will certainly be a substantial source of income.”

The Old Minister once again looked at the Protector Liu Zong with renewed respect. He was truly not just dead weight.

Liu Zong stroked his beard and smiled, recalling his youth when he was known as “Little Zhu Lian” in the martial world for a reason.

At the Yellow Flower Temple, two young Daoist novices squatted under the eaves, chattering excitedly. “His Imperial Majesty is so handsome!”

Inside the study, Liu Mao opened a small brocade box on the table, containing a round, imperial-made inkstick, inlaid with gold and inscribed with the words “The gentleman cultivates with auspiciousness” in clerical script on the front, and the words “Nine Longevity Endowments” above, filled in with cyan ink. On the back of the inkstick was a painting of the Five Elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

Liu Mao exhaled a long breath, admitting that he had to thank that man named Chen for helping him overcome this crisis.

Near the carriage, His Imperial Majesty walked back to the lotus pond railing where he had stopped earlier. After a moment of silence, she asked the Old Minister beside her, “I heard that the latest Three Teachings Debate is about to begin?”

Han Guanghu nodded. “It was delayed for several years due to that great war.”

Yao Jinzhi hesitated, asking, “With your status as Minister, are you able to listen to the debate?”

Han Guanghu chuckled, shaking his head. “I am merely a martial man; I don’t have the qualification. Back in Golden Armor Continent, even with the title of Minister, I wasn’t able to participate in such a major event.”

Yao Jinzhi nodded, seeming somewhat disappointed.

Perhaps being reminded of Golden Armor Continent brought a touch of homesickness to the old man.

Everyone has someone they long for, separated by vast distances.

Yao Jinzhi also had a faraway look in her eyes, her expression distracted. People are far away, but also in the heartland.