Ji Xiang had already selected the examiners for the demonic trials.
To deal with demons, one needed to hold a piece of [gold] in hand, momentarily sever all distracting thoughts, recite the [Three Chapters of the Demon King], form the [Divine King's Hand Seal] with the left hand, place the [Seal of the Heavenly Treasure Lord] in front, draw the [Great Demon Talisman of the Five Emperors], and then burn incense, reciting two lines of the spiritual treasure's three cavernous dharma words.
These items were all relatively easy to obtain.
Gold could be obtained directly with a gold striker.
The Three Chapters of the Demon King could be requested as a printed copy from the Han Jing Factory and read aloud.
The Divine King's Hand Seal was not difficult; forming seals was basic for a Daoist.
The Seal of the Heavenly Treasure Lord could be replicated by having a craftsman carve a bootleg seal, as the genuine article was unobtainable and in the hands of Old Zhang.
The Great Demon Talisman of the Five Emperors could also be purchased ready-made from the Han Jing Factory.
"Are these printed great demon talismans effective?"
"Well, they certainly wouldn't be as potent as one drawn by yourself."
After obtaining the printed Great Demon Talisman of the Five Emperors from the eunuch in charge of the Han Jing Factory, Ji Xiang proceeded to prepare other items for the demonic trials.
Of course, to be safe, if demons couldn't be summoned, he would have to summon other fiends as quickly as possible. Some fiends required specific circumstances to be summoned and dismissed easily. Besides demons, there were also earth demons.
Daoism had footwork-based spells like the Star-Treading Steps. By setting up a simple earth altar in the wilderness and performing the罡步 (gangbu) steps haphazardly, focusing the mind, then suddenly allowing chaotic thoughts, there was a high probability of summoning earth demons.
By burning the Divine Light Jade Purity Five Directions Guardian Spirit Talisman, one could pass the earth demon examination.
"Five Directions Guardian Spirit Talisman, give me a few."
As it happened, the craftsman's quarter, Ming Yu Fang, was nearby. Ji Xiang immediately turned right and followed the alley to the end of the street.
The bells on his waist jingled incessantly. Despite the heavy Yin energy, no ghosts appeared.
After all, this was within Shun Tian City. The Underworld patrolled every night, and the Heavenly Officials manifested during the day. Ordinary ghosts, even if present, would have no time to hide, let alone dare to show themselves.
"Hey! Daoist brother!"
It was time for the first meal. The children who had been playing in the bustling market had all returned. A child with a Nezha-style hairstyle spotted Ji Xiang entering Ming Yu Fang and waved enthusiastically.
Seeing the child, Ji Xiang thought that fate had brought them together, and it was perfect timing.
When the Nezha-style child heard that Ji Xiang was looking for someone to carve a seal, he eagerly recommended his father.
The child's father lived in a corner of Ming Yu Fang, running a dilapidated carving shop. Upon hearing from his son that the divine official he had met earlier had arrived and needed a seal carved, he became flustered and nervous.
"I am not a high official, merely an ordinary Daoist. I met your child earlier in Chaoxian Market, and he is quite bright and adorable."
Ji Xiang stated that a simple carving on radish or wood would suffice, as it was urgent, and then presented several coins.
The craftsman readily agreed. With this small sum, he could afford food for two to three days. Not daring to be negligent, he took out the best piece of wood from his shop and began working.
During the carving, conversation ensued. The craftsman apologized for his son's previous impolite behavior, but the Nezha-style child began a small argument with his father.
The child did not want to be a craftsman and wished to pursue other livelihoods, his desire for immortal cultivation still unfulfilled. His father could only sigh repeatedly.
In the early Ming Dynasty, the household registration system was still strict, but by the Zhengde and Jiajing periods, it gradually loosened, and the thoughts of handicraftsmen became more liberated, leading to the flourishing of various folk arts.
"Daoist brother, can you check if I have immortal bones?"
The Nezha-style child's ambition remained undimmed. Ji Xiang, seeing the craftsman father repeatedly signaling to him, smiled and said to the child, "Alright, I'll feel them for you."
Immortal bones could be innate or formed later. In Buddhism, they were referred to as "roots of capacity," which is more commonly known, with three grades: upper, middle, and lower.
Of course, those without immortal bones would find immortal cultivation twice as hard with half the results, their greatest achievement not exceeding the sixth realm, usually hovering around the third or fourth realm, at most achieving "minor accomplishments in techniques," and "rarely obtaining the true dharma."
Ji Xiang examined the Nezha-style child's immortal bones. His spiritual energy flowed over the child's small body, and he unexpectedly discovered that the child's roots were pure and clear, his spiritual energy could be quickly converted and absorbed, and despite his slender appearance, he possessed great vitality.
Pure and clear roots indicated a pure and tranquil immortal bone. Such individuals would achieve the Dao very quickly!
Ji Xiang was greatly surprised, but seeing the craftsman father's demeanor, he told the child that his immortal bones were not suitable, but he was not an ordinary person. If he worked diligently, he might achieve something else in the future.
The child was immediately delighted, and his father was also happy. However, Ji Xiang privately told the father that his child possessed a pure and tranquil disposition.
The father's expression shifted from surprise to a mixture of joy and worry, even becoming somewhat flustered.
At this moment, Ji Xiang thought of his impending departure from the Forbidden City to return to Wudang in two days, and thus spoke:
"This poor Daoist previously said I would not take disciples, but I can bring this child to Wudang... I wonder what your thoughts are..."
...
Not far from the Han Jing Factory alley, a Daoist in a large red robe appeared. It was Tian Fengyu.
According to Emperor Wanli's arrangements, he should still have been under strict guard at the Dongyue Temple. Yet, here he was, openly appearing in this western city alley.
He entered the Han Jing Factory, found a young eunuch, and immediately asked,
"How many yellow talismans do you have left?"
The young eunuch replied that they were all sold out. Tian Fengyu chuckled, stating that money was not an issue!
"I can pay more!"
"I will buy all the talismans you have."
"I've already said there are none left... left... left..."
The young eunuch's eyes widened at the large piece of gold before him. He shuffled forward step by step, and soon the eunuch in charge of the factory came out. Seeing the large gold, his eyes lit up with greed, but remembering Ji Xiang's instructions, he swallowed and asked,
"What is this for?"
Do I look like a eunuch who can be bought with money?
"How much money would it take to buy all the talismans here?"
Tian Fengyu produced another large piece of gold: "Is this enough?"
"Enough, enough!"
The eunuch's professional integrity was instantly shattered by the prospect of money.
While Ji Xiang was a noble from the palace, he took thirty to forty catties of talismans and then refused to pay, intending to claim reimbursement from the Imperial Palace Supervision. This was essentially a risk-free transaction. However, this Daoist before him was so generous...
The eunuch in charge had a thought.
Ji Xiang had only said that the large talismans needed to be delivered before the hour of Wei (1 PM-3 PM) in the afternoon; he hadn't mentioned the small talismans. So, the small talismans in the factory could be given to this Daoist, and Ji Xiang's order could be expedited for printing later.
As long as they were delivered to the palace before the first watch (7 PM-9 PM), it would be fine!
"Go, bring out all the talismans!"
"Your Excellency, people from the Imperial Palace Supervision are still inside..."
"...Tell them we miscalculated and are short on paper, and are printing more now. Bring out the others secretly."
The eunuch in charge arranged everything and asked Tian Fengyu if he needed to wait, as a batch of talismans was about to be printed.
Tian Fengyu simply smiled and said he didn't need to, as the ready-made ones would suffice.
"I am very busy."
"Heh heh, the Daoist just now said the same thing. What else do you Daoists do all day besides reciting scriptures and burning incense? I truly don't understand."
The eunuch in charge chatted with Tian Fengyu for a while, hoping to win over this wealthy patron, and expressed his hope for future orders.
Tian Fengyu took the talismans and walked towards the end of the alley. After only a few steps, he suddenly saw Ji Xiang playing with a child from a craftsman's family in a corner across the street.
He immediately hid in the shadows. The midday sun shone, but his shadow appeared faint.
He even overheard Ji Xiang say, "I will come again in two days."
The child was playing happily with Ji Xiang.
Tian Fengyu narrowed his eyes, a vengeful smile appearing on his lips. After Ji Xiang left, he looked at the craftsman's family with a thoughtful expression.
"Perfect, let's start with this family."