Dragon-locking Dam, with torrents rushing like ten thousand valleys of thunder.
Zhang Jian stepped in front of the dam but did not walk onto it. He knew that a strong Dragon and Tiger Qi swirled above the dam, hiding mysterious mechanisms within it. The Dragon Maiden was reluctant to enter this place lightly.
From afar, he already spotted a beautiful young lady under the willow by the riverbank!
"Fourth Princess!"
"Brother Zhang!"
Underneath the drooping willow, Bai Liying wore a dark colored Jueqiao Cold Li Robe. Her figure was tall and slender, with a graceful posture. Her long hair was simply tied with a light-colored butterfly ribbon, resembling a fishtail, and her jade-like face carried an indescribable gentle charm.
Zhang Jian's expression carried a smile.
The two were already quite familiar with each other. After a brief exchange, the Dragon Maiden got to the point—she was here to remind Zhang Jian.
"Brother Zhang, recently a group of people highly skilled in Daoist techniques arrived in Fengyang County. You should be cautious!"
"Qi Observation?"
Zhang Jian's expression showed slight surprise, and the Dragon Maiden recounted the events surrounding the Qi Mansion once more!
Besides that, she also explained the intricacies of Qi observation one by one.
Zhang Jian did not know much about Fengshui or divination, and his expression tensed upon hearing this.
"To forcibly suppress the Dragon and Tiger Qi above the Third-grade Wei Yuan General's Mansion, these individuals must be..."
Zhang Jian's demeanor turned solemn, and he had already guessed the answer.
Imperial Envoy!
It certainly must be the Imperial special envoy sent by the Court.
Many officials within and outside of Fengyang County were awaiting the arrival of the Court's Imperial envoy, and it was unexpected that the envoy had already arrived!
They were probably secretly investigating the death of Yu Tongguang!
Zhang Jian furrowed his brow slightly.
He wasn't concerned about these investigations, as the three major families had already unified their statements, and those who hadn't been unified had been sent away by the joint efforts of the three families.
But what worried Zhang Jian was that the Court's Imperial Envoy might discover the Dragon Vein deep within the Zhang Family Ancestral Land.
Moreover, he possessed the Hidden Dragon Fate.
However, Zhang Jian was not too worried since the Hidden Dragon Fate could be concealed. If need be, he could later reach out to the Tongshan lineage for assistance, seeking ways to conceal it.
This was precisely the opportunity to address two matters at once concerning the enshrinement of the Kitchen God, which he planned to discuss with the Sect.
As for the changes in destiny above the Zhang Family Mansion, Zhang Jian was unconcerned. The Zhang Family Ancestral Land was under the protection of the ancestors, with a Treasure Mirror for suppression, there should be no problems.
However, the Fengshui layout around the ancestral tomb still required the help of the Feng Ling Mountain God for some concealment.
With the message from the Dragon Maiden, he was already prepared in advance.
Instantly concocting a plan in his mind, Zhang Jian thanked solemnly, "Thank you, Princess, for informing me in advance. This will save me quite a bit of trouble!"
Bai Liying had a smile on her face.
"As long as it helps Brother Zhang!"
Exemplifying the saying: He who gains the Way receives much aid; he who loses the Way finds little support.
Zhang Jian helped the Bai Shui Dragon Monarch escape, a significant favor for both her and the Dragon Monarch.
She had regained a pillar of support.
The Dragon Monarch had also freed himself from entrapment, regained his freedom, and safeguarded the foundation of the Bai Shui Water Lineage.
Such a great debt of gratitude felt immense.
Delivering such a message seemed only natural to Bai Liying.
...
After receiving the message from the Dragon Maiden, Zhang Jian communicated with the Sect to seek ways to conceal the Hidden Dragon Fate, and on the other hand sought the Zhanmo Lineage's opinion on the enshrinement of the Kitchen God.
At the same time, he mobilized the Zhang family's network to find the whereabouts of the Imperial envoy mission, which was crucial to Zhang family's strategies?!
Naturally, Zhang Jian also shared this intel with their allies, the Qi Family.
The Qi Family were the local bullies of Fengyang County.
Their network in Fengyang County was more extensive and comprehensive than the Zhang family's.
As expected, by evening, news came from a Qi Family steward that the strangers who entered Fengyang County had visited the Dong Shen Temple.
"It seems the old man was unfortunately right again!"
Upon receiving the news, Zhang Jian's expression slightly changed.
Learning that the Imperial envoy mission had gone to the Dong Shen Temple, Zhang Jian instead wore a smile on his face.
The Dong Shen Temple had been a primary target for Zhang Yi upon entering Fengyang County.
For this, Zhang Yi had not been stingy in spending.
Not only did he have Madam Zhang Qi frequently worship at the Dong Shen Temple, but he also commissioned the construction of a 'separate courtyard' for the temple in Fengxi County!
Indeed, the Fire Spirit Temple Zhang Jian seized from six Daoists was turned into a 'favorable favor,' exactly with an imposing Xuanyang Copper Body statue to offer merit to Dong Shen Temple!
...
Dong Shen Temple
The Yuhe Daoist within the Dong Shen Temple, after learning of the Imperial envoy mission's intentions, was delighted to offer his advice!
First and foremost were the four great families!
When mentioning the Zhang Family, he showed undisguised admiration.
"In my personal opinion, the chances of the Zhang Family holding rebellious intentions are slim. Firstly, the Zhang Family is not from a prestigious background, with limited influence inside and outside of Fengyang County. Even if a prominent official or Advanced Scholar emerged from the family, they would be stationed elsewhere, beyond reach!
Secondly, their rise was too rapid, and they lack depth, neither public recognition nor military strength, only relying on martial artists drawn by wealth. In front of us, what counts as a Hidden Dragon?"
The Yuhe Daoist chuckled softly, finding his own statement amusing.
Cai Hengxing and Xue Dongming nodded secretly in agreement.
"It seems the primary suspect remains the Qi Family; they control the army of the entire county, and have both reputation and manpower. The Observatory Platform's recent divination about a Hidden Dragon appearing in the Southern Provinces' intelligence certainly isn't false, and the Qi Family is definitely suspicious!"
Cai Hengxing stroked his beard and scoffed coldly.
The Yuhe Daoist observed this with fluctuating eyes. Regarding the Qi Family, he could do nothing, while he felt that he had already done his utmost for the Zhang Family by speaking well for them, honoring the towering Xuanyang Copper Body they had gifted him.
After hearing Yuhe Daoist's 'advice,' Cai Hengxing immediately made up his mind, summoning his trusted aide.
"Take my seal and immediately go to meet County Captain Wang Shao, assisting him in retaking command of the 8,000 county soldiers, and dismiss Chief Patrol Officer Qi Yuansi from his position. He must submit to the Court's assessment and await the Court's findings. If he resists, kill him on the spot!"
"Yes!" Several impressive and robust martial artists immediately agreed.
Shortly thereafter, a team of black-clothed guards on light horses rode out from the temple, heading directly toward the Commander's Mansion.
...
Deep into the night
Zhang Family Mansion
Zhang Jian awoke from the Luo Bed, which was scented with a fragrant aroma, noticing that this time he was once again in Yin Soul Divine Travel.
In front of the Luo Bed hung a painting, from which a meteor-like fiery glow burned fiercely, instantly entering the depths of Zhang Jian's brow.
"Vast Flame!"
Zhang Jian opened his eyes, revealing a thick layer of invisible pure white flame flowing around him, with a strange Qiankun Spiritual Mechanism of utmost yang and rigidity boiling around him. He grasped with his palm, gathering a pure white flame seed.
This was the benefit he gained during the ancestral worship.
This vast righteous Qi flows between heaven and earth, nurturing within countless classic records, birthing a point of vast flame.
This vast flame is pure and majestic, capable of purifying the soul's thoughts, protecting the Primordial Spirit's Divine Soul from falling into demonic thoughts, and enhancing one with unparalleled vast righteous Qi.
Ultimately, it can form the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart and cultivate the Benevolent and Virtuous Body.
"It's truly a waste for this to fall into my hands!"
Just by faintly sensing the mystery of the flame seed, Zhang Jian had this thought arise spontaneously in his heart.
Nonetheless, vast righteous Qi is also a type of Heaven and Earth Spirit Charm, and by gathering vast spirit, it can be transformed into his magical power.
The vast flame can purify the soul, significantly benefiting his cultivation.
Additionally, the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart is a special constitution, which can be transformed and integrated into his Innate Dao Embryo Body being nurtured according to the "Tongshan Pure Treasure Record."
The "Tongshan Pure Treasure Record" can accommodate the Qiankun Spiritual Mechanism of Heaven and Earth, nurturing an Innate Dao Embryo Body. This Innate Dao Embryo Body has already absorbed the essence of his Innate Purity Body and Postnatal Pure Yang Body. Further condensing the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart would greatly benefit his cultivation.