Ji Xiang's hand gripped Liu Mengyin's eye, gently pulling it open. A clear divine light circulated within, visible to Ji Xiang, reflecting each other in their gazes.
The Inner Scenery Divine Tablet provided an answer regarding the origin of these eyes.
[Yang Shen Dong Shi (Three Days): Illuminates inside and out, clear as reality.]
[This Dharma Eye must be obtained by forming a "Divine Affinity." Upon acquisition, one can see the formless, and all omens of fortune and misfortune before they occur.]
[When a divine will exists, and a person responds with their thoughts, if they correspond, a divine affinity is formed between the divine and the human. Pulled by the divine will, a spiritual light from within the person's body surges from the forehead... If it emerges from the eyes, the gaze becomes bright and clear, untainted by filth, thus becoming "Yang Shen Dong Shi."]
[The fortune or misfortune foreseen by Yang Shen Dong Shi will occur within three days.]
Ji Xiang's expression gradually turned cold as he shifted his gaze away from Liu Mengyin's eyes.
According to the blank divine tablet's explanation, Liu Mengyin had acquired the ability of Yang Shen Dong Shi. The chains he saw should be omens of impending fortune or misfortune. However, people wearing chains around their necks were undoubtedly ill omens.
"When did you discover you could see the chains?"
"This morning."
Liu Mengyin dared not conceal anything. He was terrified by these changes in himself, so he recounted everything that had happened the previous night, including the palace stories he had heard, all with complete honesty.
The expression of the chief eunuch of the Divine Palace Supervision turned grim. The events during Emperor Jiajing's reign, while not considered particularly major secrets, were not entirely secret at the time. Emperor Jiajing frequently visited the Daogao Xuan Hall for sacrifices, and everyone in Shuntian knew of Emperor Jiajing's "superstition" regarding curses.
However, now these events were being circulated as horror stories in the streets and alleys, which was a very unfavorable development.
Of course, the more serious issue was not the horror stories told by the old man at the inn, but the old man himself.
"Lei Xuan?! You said that old man's name was Lei Xuan! How is that possible? Who would dare to use such a name! Point it out to me, where is that inn!"
Lei Xuan was Emperor Jiajing's Daoist appellation. How could a commoner possibly name himself that? Even if they did, they would have changed it.
Liu Mengyin swore he was telling the truth. The old man's name was indeed Lei Xuan. Could he possibly beat the man to force him to change his name?
Ji Xiang, however, felt a slight tremor in his heart, thinking that Shuntian was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and the divine position the other party had invoked was clearly not low.
It was merely an ill omen, but there was no way to know its source or what would happen. Such vague prophecies were the most annoying.
"Perhaps this old man deliberately let you out to seek help from the Ministry of Rites? In any case, Your Excellency should return first, bring this person to the Ministry of Rites, and then inform the Emperor of this matter, instructing the Northern Commandery to send people to guard him."
"And also to see if anyone in the Forbidden City is wearing chains."
In this matter, Ji Xiang did not directly seek out the inn. Instead, he told the chief eunuch of the Divine Palace Supervision that this matter had nothing to do with him. If it were a minor ghost, he would have killed it in passing. But if the entire city was problematic, then this matter should be handled by the authorities.
Oh, he was also part of the authorities, but he couldn't handle such a major issue.
"Does Lord Ji truly believe the ramblings of this Korean official?"
"It's not ramblings; these eyes are called Yang Shen Dong Shi..."
Ji Xiang offered a casual explanation, and the chief eunuch of the Divine Palace Supervision became half-convinced. He sized up Liu Mengyin, thinking that with so many capable people in the Great Ming, if that old man truly possessed any abilities, why would he seek out a Korean official to deliver a message instead of the official heavenly generals?
"You ran out in the middle of the night just to watch the Yin Division's bell ringing? You also like writing stories? Now you've become the story yourself!"
The chief eunuch of the Divine Palace Supervision reprimanded Liu Mengyin with annoyance, while Ji Xiang made a brief summary: if nothing goes wrong, it's a story; if something goes wrong, it's an accident.
Thus, he urged them to hurry back and report.
As for Ji Xiang himself, he had to stay here, order more talismans, and after drawing them, find a place in the nearby forest to conduct a demonic trial to quickly advance to the fifth realm. This was the real business.
Improving his realm would allow him to better deal with the events that were about to unfold.
Ji Xiang judged that he, at the fourth realm, could contend with those at the sixth realm. If he entered the fifth realm, he might be able to briefly engage with those at the seventh realm. He could only say briefly, as the gap between "Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown" and one or two flowers was still significant. When he fought with Huo Jun, he couldn't even last a few moves; in fact, he was instantly killed by her once at the beginning.
To defeat opponents of a higher realm, one's own basic attributes must be strong enough.
Thus, he entered the Han Jing Factory. After the young eunuch announced him, Ji Xiang met the factory director eunuch and stated his needs, causing the other party's eyes to widen.
Thirty catties of talismans for yourself? Are you eating them?
"More than that, I also want to commission large talismans from you! According to my requirements..."
This and that!
"We can't make many of these large talismans on the spot."
"Make as many as you can, and I need them before the first quarter of the afternoon!"
Of course, the reimbursement for the expenses would be handled by the Divine Palace Supervision, as this was a normal procurement plan. Ji Xiang began to use his authority for personal gain, to get more benefits for himself!
The time also had to be strictly managed. After the night watch began, he wouldn't be able to return to the city. He would pick up the talismans in the afternoon and had to complete the demonic trial and realm advancement before seven o'clock, and also draw the Great Majestic Divine Talisman. Time was quite tight.
The items needed for the demonic trial also had to be purchased now. The young eunuchs were responsible for helping Ji Xiang transport the thirty catties of talismans to the palace, while Ji Xiang himself pocketed a large handful of talismans, yellow, black, and red.
Of course, these thirty catties of talismans were just a bonus. The important thing was the large talismans. As long as he held the Great Majestic Divine Talisman, no one below the eighth realm would dare to speak loudly to him!