Within the White Lotus Main Sect, a lamp gradually extinguished, signifying the death of a cultivator at the Earth Immortal realm.
Who dared to kill in Ying Tian Fu?
Their audacity was truly immense.
Within the Thirty-Six Guards, a peculiar incense-like aura also brewed. No one could have imagined that among the official troops of Ying Tian Fu, there were members of the White Lotus Sect, and that the very existence of the Guards served as a sanctuary for White Lotus cultivators.
With Prince Lu present, anything was possible.
The south was indeed a good place.
Jiangnan had no vassal kings. This was an unspoken rule after Emperor Yongle. Starting from Shun Tian Fu, and since Ying Tian Fu was once the seat of Emperor Jianwen, no vassal kings were enfeoffed there. Other vassal kings dared not mention it; this was a tacit understanding among the imperial clan, a rule that absolutely could not be violated.
Let alone being enfeoffed in Ying Tian, merely daring to come here was akin to treason.
Several cultivators at the Earth Immortal realm had been dispatched from the Thirty-Six Guards. However, they had only received orders from Prince Lu to observe those who had escaped the influence of the 'wish', and the demise of an Earth Immortal was not within their expectations.
"If they are merely Golden Core Earth Immortals and have not yet ascended to Nascent Soul Earth Immortals, they lack the means of escape through their Nascent Souls, nor do they have Yang God avatars for evasion. Thus, with their physical bodies destroyed, their souls are most likely annihilated as well."
"We have already reported to His Highness."
The Guards had become Prince Lu's private armed force. The White Lotus cultivators had their own views on this.
This was the general trend, irreversible, not the act of Prince Lu alone.
In this era, what were these imperial Guards not reduced to mere household retainers?
Being a retainer of the court, or being a retainer of a prince, made no difference.
...
"So you are Lord Shen Jing's younger brother."
Ji Xiang, having clarified the middle-aged scholar's family background, understood where his righteous aura originated. He had long grasped the pattern: those who did not serve in the imperial court but had extensive contact with civilian life and had written numerous plays and storybooks would manifest this kind of power.
The power of Confucianism was too idealistic. Those with immense power were often estranged from righteous aura, and those estranged from officialdom, or repeatedly failing in examinations, who found solace in hardship, often possessed the conditions for the birth of righteous aura. Ji Xiang mused, was it truly that they had nothing left but righteous aura?
Perhaps, setting aside gold and jewels, and the power to decide life and death with a single word, one could see the most important self-essence of a scholar.
Old Mr. Shen Jing had served as a Secretary of the Court of Imperial Entertainments, but he had resigned and returned home in the sixteenth year of the Wanli reign. Although he shared the surname Shen, Ji Xiang did not know if he was related to the current Grand Secretary Shen Yiguan, but these matters were not very important.
In fact, this old gentleman's reputation was quite resonant among the common people, simply because his name appeared on many bestselling books.
In Ji Xiang's view, and even in the view of the common people, apart from his identity as a playwright, the most significant reason for his widespread fame was that he was a "fanfiction author of bestsellers."
"Water Margin" was a bestseller, and Old Mr. Shen had written "The Record of Righteous Heroes," whose protagonist was Wu Song from "Water Margin."
Furthermore, "The Record of Righteous Heroes" was specifically adapted and performed as a theatrical play.
On the streets of Ying Tian Fu, near the bustling markets, there were always opera troupes performing this play. It was quite popular and profitable, after all, who wouldn't want to watch Wu Song's swift justice and bloody rampages?
"My elder brother is currently honing his writing skills. The last time I visited him, he was writing the 'Songbook of the Nine Palaces and Thirteen Tunes' ... Honestly, I don't quite understand what you mean by 'righteous aura'."
"About seven or eight days ago, I received a summons from Shun Tian Fu. A person named Liu Mengyin sent a letter to my elder brother, reportedly inviting him to Shun Tian for a meeting. To be honest, this person was rather impolite. How could one ask an elder who knows the Mandate of Heaven to travel a long distance to meet a pen pal? Moreover, my elder brother has long since resigned from office and returned to his village..."
Ji Xiang smiled, "Did your brother go?"
"Not yet, but my elder brother appears very nervous and sighs repeatedly, troubled for reasons unknown."
"Could this Liu Mengyin be a high-ranking official in the Grand Secretariat?"
Shen Yu shook his head, indicating his lack of understanding.
"Go. If you go, you will have unexpected gains," Ji Xiang said casually.
Shen Yu looked surprised, "Do you perhaps know something about this person's background?"
Ji Xiang replied, "It's not Liu Mengyin asking your brother to go; it's Emperor Wanli asking him."
Shen Yu's mouth widened, his expression slightly stunned and even more bewildered.
"What use would the Emperor have in summoning a playwright?"
Ji Xiang smiled mysteriously, "Perhaps this Emperor has taken a fancy to it."
Shen Yu's face showed concern.
The ruler of a nation being fond of opera?
This was hardly a good omen.
"Then, is this not somewhat concerning? I am a humble person with little influence. The Academician of the Imperial Academy in Ying Tian is merely a ninth-rank official. I fear I cannot speak to the Son of Heaven. Might I trouble you to convey my words to His Majesty on my behalf?"
"The last ruler of Southern Tang..."
Shen Yu spoke halfway, his worry evident without further words.
The small building last night heard the east wind again; the former kingdom could not bear to look back under the bright moon.
If the Emperor neglects his proper duties, this is disastrous.
Ji Xiang mused that Emperor Wanli actually had no proper duties at this time. His daily work should be poring over reports from the Korean campaign. The Grand Secretaries in the cabinet were not dead; the court could still function normally even if he didn't attend court for ten years, and official vacancies were not even filled. It had to be said that Wanli did possess some political acumen.
"No need to worry. This is also part of Emperor Wanli's current work."
"Just go. If you are afraid of being detained by the Emperor, and if you don't mind... you can mention my name."
"Before the Son of Heaven, I still have some standing."
Although Shen Yu did not understand why listening to music and writing books had become part of his work, he did not directly inquire. Since this immortal advised his elder brother to go with peace of mind, then he could only go.
Upon arriving in Shun Tian, everything should become clear.
As for prestige, some official notices from the court reached Ying Tian via the Grand Canal even earlier than Ji Xiang's arrival. After all, Ji Xiang had lingered in several places along the way.
The court's only two experts at the immortal level naturally possessed such influence.
"Immortal Brother, what spell did you just use?"
The little girl Shen Yixiu finally found an opportunity to speak. The three of them were now hidden in the crowd, and what surprised and puzzled both Shen Yu and Shen Yixiu was that no matter how slowly they walked, or in which direction they went, Liu Zimin's figure always appeared not far from them.
"Does the young lady mean flying swords or遁术 (escape techniques)?"
Ji Xiang held gold in his hand, which he had obtained from the Silver Bottle Maiden. The Ascension Assembly was a good event; there were truly many wealthy people here, with gold and silver jewelry everywhere. The Golden Escape technique could be used almost without hindrance, very smoothly.
He never expected that the Golden Escape, ranked last among the thirteen great escape techniques, could also manifest in such a way, adapting to the times and appearing everywhere.
Young Miss Shen had excellent aptitude, perhaps related to her uncle's righteous aura. Having been influenced since childhood, her aptitude had developed extraordinary spiritual and supernatural qualities.
Perhaps this was also why she was not affected by the strange 'wish' in Ying Tian Fu.
Was it the 'wish' arranged by the White Lotus Sect to influence the populace?
It didn't seem like it, and the influence of the 'wish' didn't seem very deep. The word "Prince Lu" had been in Ji Xiang's ears for some time without any news of this prince. He remembered the last time he heard his name was at the Mi Long Casino.
"The White Lotus Sect has some connection with this Prince. However, daring to hold an Ascension Assembly here is no different from rebellion. They are fearless, and must have a powerful figure behind them."
Ji Xiang muttered, then heard the young lady's question about escape techniques.
"This is a type of spell used for fleeing quickly, capable of running faster than a rabbit."
Ji Xiang answered with a serious expression. Young Miss Shen stared with her beautiful eyes, looking as if he were trying to fob her off.
So, she also put on a serious little face and asked, "Can I learn spells?"
Ji Xiang looked at Liu Zimin's startled retreating figure and simply replied to the young lady, "Spells are not something you can learn just by finding them interesting."
"Those who were trying to capture you just now were from the White Lotus Sect. They also use spells, but instead of using them on the righteous path, they use them for wicked purposes. No matter how eloquently they speak of benefiting the world, in reality, most of them merely use spells to accumulate wealth."
"There are far too many people in this world who do not use spells for good but for evil. Cultivators are not true immortals, and true immortals are not the carefree beings you imagine, wandering the seas to the east and dwelling in the Kunlun Mountains to the west."
"Therefore, the first point in learning spells is not to approach it with a playful attitude."
"You must have reverence for the spells themselves. People fear you because of your spells, not because you are a terrifying person."
"Spells possess infinite power; wield them cautiously."
Ji Xiang spoke with earnest instruction.
After hearing this, the young Miss Shen suddenly said seriously, "Do I need to make a vow?"
Shen Yu immediately reprimanded her, telling her not to think about such trivial matters, that vows were not to be spoken lightly. However, he did not expect Shen Yixiu to state that she had already given it careful consideration.
"Learning something stems from one of three motivations: fondness, coercion, or hatred."
"Only when one is fond of something will they proactively learn it."
"When forced to learn something, one will not pay too much attention to its rules."
"Learning something out of hatred is likely the path of evil."
"Currently, I wish to try because of fondness. For this, I am willing to vow never to do evil. We go to temples to worship deities, and the deities will surely hear my oath. I believe this is the best way to express my intentions."
Shen Yu fell silent, looking at Ji Xiang without speaking. At this moment, he suddenly said, "My daughter, at the age of four or five, could recite poems by ancient poets and had a photographic memory. She also understood many ancient thoughts from them. Someone once examined my daughter and said her talent was extraordinary, that she was born with wisdom."
"Indeed."
Ji Xiang nodded slightly and looked at young Miss Shen, "I am quite impressed with you."
He then thought to himself that the time for the unification of the inner and outer territories was approaching. He wondered how many years it would take. If there were any exceptionally talented individuals, it would be better to recruit them under his banner sooner rather than later, lest they be led astray by certain immortals.
The artisan children of Shun Tian Fu, the little fox of Jade Spring Mountain, the Daozi of the Shangqing Sect, and the young Miss Shen before him, who showed promise as a Confucian immortal. If her righteous aura was insufficient, he could borrow some from Feng Menglong, which could be considered a form of absorbing Yin to supplement Yang.
Hmm... the little fox?
In some aspects, Hu Xiao Shi's inability to learn the Golden Light Spell was also a form of genius in another direction.
With these thoughts in mind, then...
"Alright, what shall I teach you?"
"How about... the Golden Light Spell."
The markets of Ying Tian Fu were adorned with colorful lanterns, and the painted boats on the Qinhuai River were filled with beauties as exquisite as jade.
"However, after I teach you the Golden Light Spell, you must also help me with a small favor."
"Take me to some places."
Ji Xiang said. Young Miss Shen politely replied, "That is as it should be. Where does Immortal Brother wish to go?"
"Temples, monasteries, handicraft workshops – in short, places with abundant incense and where various deities are enshrined."
Ji Xiang spoke with a meaningful tone. After saying this, he pointed to a market. It was then that the Shen father and daughter realized that after walking only a few steps, they had arrived at a different street. Liu Zimin's familiar figure was still not far away.
"I just looked at that handicraft workshop."
"There are quite a few Guan Yu statues there."
The sun descended, and the night sky was filled with stars. Yet, Ying Tian Fu remained a scene of revelry. Compared to Shun Tian Fu in the north at the same moment, it must have already fallen into darkness, with Yin Division divine generals commencing city-wide patrols.
Curfews had almost ceased to be observed in most major southern cities in the late Ming Dynasty. Only at various checkpoints and in important border towns was the curfew strictly enforced.
As for Ying Tian Fu, this magnificent metropolis, devoid of vassal kings and emperors, yet the economic center of the south, had long since plunged into a state of carnival. Even the officials of Ying Tian's Six Ministries paid no heed to such matters.
After all, being transferred from Shun Tian Fu to Ying Tian Fu was equivalent to a demotion and exile. Even if the official rank remained unchanged, leaving the true political center meant no longer being able to appear before the Emperor, marking the end of one's political career. If one wanted to earn more salary, they could just muddle along.
If even the officials did not care about such matters, it was natural for the students of the Imperial Academy in Ying Tian to act recklessly. In fact, although the Imperial Academy in Ying Tian was as renowned as the Imperial Academy in Shun Tian, it was widely known that most of the senior members in the southern Imperial Academy were either old court officials or the offspring of local bureaucrats. Their studies in the southern Imperial Academy were secondary to the real purpose, which was to gain prestige.
Noble sons, dressed as students, called their friends, carrying lanterns and wine, and swarmed into the streets. The scholars who gathered to compose pretentious poems had to avoid them. Lacking the spirit to dictate the world's affairs when it was not daytime, they felt ashamed.
However, the bureaucratic scions did not all gather together. As they moved further away, they dispersed into smaller groups. Among them, three bureaucratic scions encountered two beauties.
These two beauties, veiled, invited them to be their guests on their painted boat.
"Three young masters, may I have a word with you in private?"
"His Highness has chosen you."
The three bureaucratic scions were in a daze. The 'wish' distorted their perception, making them feel overjoyed. They even began to discuss how their talents had reached Prince Lu's ears. Behind them, the two beauties revealed scorpion and snake tails beneath their robes.
Demons had begun to gather in Ying Tian Fu and had taken human form.
Near Ji Xiang, many demons also appeared, but they did not greet Ji Xiang immediately.
Instead, they looked at the black robe and recalled what had happened in their minds two days prior.
"It's him..."
"The black robe!"
"He... is also bringing the two people chosen by Prince Lu, the Academician of the Imperial Academy and his daughter, who are also people imbued with righteous aura."
In the crowd, a tall man wrapped in robes, looking like a martial arts master, issued orders to the other demons.
"For some reason, at that moment, it felt as if... this person was like our natural enemy!"
"This black robe, perhaps it's a bloodline instinct... telling us... we must... kill him!"
On the banks of the Qinhuai River, Prince Lie Jie left his painted boat and, as instructed by Prince Lu, prepared to meet Ji Xiang on the night before the fifteenth of August.