The next morning.
Ning Tian Prefecture Palace, Rites Observance Hall.
The attendant had already passed the vocal decree to Perfected Master Windwalker yesterday. The Emperor was waiting in the hall for him today.
In the house, there was another man in an official’s uniform waiting with the Emperor. This person looked old, and his wrinkles were so deep that they could kill flies and mosquitoes, but his body still seemed quite strong.
“Minister Yin, how true do you think this Perfected Master Windwalker’s deeds are?”
The Emperor looked at this person and asked casually,
“Since this person has a huge reputation among the people of Ning Tian, he must have some skills… However, I’ve never heard of anyone mastering this method of summoning the wind and rain.”
The man replied respectfully.
This person’s name was Yin Nan, and he was the Vice Supervisor of the Imperial Astronomer Bureau. He was quite trusted by the Emperor.
In the Imperial Astronomer Branch, many Daoists who served the Imperial Court were conferred titles. Among them, there were also people from the worldly sects.
Currently, among the five major sects of the world, the Jade Cauldron Sect on Mt Changmen was the most favored. They occupied the mainstream in the Imperial Astronomer Branch. Their greatest achievement was managing to find and draw the trend of the dragon veins in the world, giving the Emperor a “location plan” and “theoretical basis” for building the Son of Heaven’s Temples.
Yin Nan was one of the members of the Jade Cauldron Sect and was quite favored. This time, he accompanied the Emperor to the south for an autumn tour.
The Emperor pondered for a moment and continued to ask, “What about this person’s alchemy skills?”
Yin Nan replied seriously, “Yesterday, I tested the Longevity Pill with the imperial physicians. Used within were only nourishing herbs and nothing brilliant. The imperial physicians in the Imperial Medical Hall can also use similar methods to make medicine. There’s no harm in eating it, but I really don’t dare to judge this matter of extending one’s lifespan. Your Majesty is healthy, so it doesn’t matter if you use this pill or not.”
The Emperor blinked and said, “I also heard that this Purple Mansion Longevity Pill can refine a kind of Purple Mansion Longevity Pill that can prolong one’s life for dozens of years. What do you think?”
Yin Nan pretended to ponder for a moment before slowly saying, “I’ve read all the books of the Dao Sect, but there’s no record of such a pill. I don’t know how this Daoist discovered the formula for this Purple Mansion Longevity Pill. Why not question this person on how to refine it and if he has any successes? Otherwise, it’s difficult for me to determine if it’s true just based on a name.”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes at him for a bit before he laughed and changed the topic,
“Minister Yin, are you saying that this person is very likely to be a swindler? If the officials of Ning Tian are deceived, can I also be deceived?”
Yin Nan hurriedly knelt down and said in fear,
“This official definitely doesn’t have that intention. His Majesty is wise and divine. Who can deceive you? I’m just worried that this person’s background is unknown and will harm His Majesty… This official dares to make a suggestion. Your Majesty, please retreat for the time being. This official will see Perfected Master Windwalker first and probe his background, lest this person is from an evil sect and has ill intentions.”
The Emperor did not mind and waved his hand,
“Get up. It’s naturally not wrong for Minister Yin to be worried about my safety. However, I’ve already sent a decree to see him personally. I was not joking about it. Moreover, the officials of Ning Tian admire this person. Minister, you don’t have to worry too much.”
“I understand, but please let me interrogate this person’s background and observe him with the Qi Divination Technique.”
Hearing this, Yin Nan stood up and spoke in a low voice.
The Emperor nodded noncommittally.
How could he not hear the belittling and ostracization in Yin Nan’s words? However, he did not care about this little thought.
At this moment, the eunuch’s announcement finally sounded from outside.
“Perfected Master Windwalker, enter the hall!”
Soon, a Daoist priest in a feathered robe followed the two eunuchs into the Yang Yi Hall.
The Emperor sized him and was immediately shocked by Daoist Yufeng’s appearance.
He did not expect this person to be so strange. He looked like someone from the Western Region!
“This humble Daoist, Ling Fengzi, greets Your Majesty.”
Zhou Jing bowed and said calmly.
Yesterday, a eunuch came to pass an order for him to enter the palace to see the Emperor today. He even specially taught him to kneel and a series of etiquettes, telling him not to disrespect the Emperor.
However, he did not take it to heart at all. Because he had to maintain his status as an expert, he deliberately only used the etiquette of an ascetic to greet him today.
“How dare you! You’re lucky to be able to see the face of the Emperor. Why aren’t you kneeling?”
The eunuch at the side scolded sharply.
The Emperor watched silently and did not stop him.
Zhou Jing’s expression did not change as he deliberately said, “I’ve since detached myself from mortal affairs. I only worship the heavens and the earth, the gods and Buddhas in the temple.”
“You…”
The eunuch wanted to say something else.
Only then did the Emperor interrupt. He nodded and said, “Since you’re someone aloof from mortal affairs, there’s no need for etiquette. Come, take a seat.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the servant immediately brought over an embroidered stool and placed it beside Zhou Jing.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Zhou Jing sat down and spoke in a relaxed tone,
“Your Majesty is busy every day. May I ask why you took time out of your schedule to summon me?”
“I’ve also heard of your name from afar in the capital. I also want to see what kind of expert can make the entire Ning Tian Prefecture admire and praise you.”
The Emperor nodded, his expression calm.
Zhou Jing smiled and asked, “Then what does His Majesty think when he sees me now?”
The Emperor glanced up and down and asked curiously,
“I’m really a little surprised. From the looks of it, you’re actually from the Western Region?”
Hearing this, Zhou Jing shook his head and lied, “I was born with this appearance, but I do not hail from the Western Region.”
“There are many miraculous people with miraculous abilities, naturally there too would be people with different features.” The Emperor nodded, then changed the topic, “Then where are you from?”
“I’ve been cultivating in the mountains since I was young. Later on, I traveled everywhere, and wherever I went was my hometown. There’s no need to mention which part of the mortal world I came from.”
Zhou Jing still used the same excuse, but this time, he needed to brag a little more and fool the Emperor, so he added some details.