"Exorcising the Dragon’s Grudge?"
Zhang Jian was slightly surprised, but he had to admit this was an excellent way of handling it.
When it comes to exorcising Yin Souls and Resentful Fiends, these Daoist High Masters are experts.
The Dragon’s Grudge is also a Resentful Fiend, though more troublesome.
With combined efforts, there is hope to resolve it.
This could also free up some of the court’s forces, allowing more troops to stabilize the situation.
However, if so many Daoist High Masters enter Haojing City together and if any other person infiltrates, it could spell trouble.
Zhang Jian was sure that complications would arise then!
"It seems some preparations need to be made!"
Zhang Jian’s eyes darkened with thought.
After the eruption of the Dragon’s Grudge, Zhang Jian realized it was an opportunity for him; if resolved, it would bring considerable fortune.
Just then, Zhang Chang’an in his arms suddenly moved restlessly. Noticing a strange smell, Zhang Jian glanced and was slightly taken aback, swiftly calling Yu Yao and Qu Lian to take their daughter from his arms.
He then stepped into the hall, where Qi Yuhua was busy.
Recently, Zhang Min from the old family home had arranged a marriage, and Qi Yuhua was preparing to pick out some gifts from the storeroom to send back.
Although Zhang Min wasn’t a legitimate son of the Zhang Family, he was young and had already achieved the title of Scholar. He was on the path to becoming an Advanced Scholar and was close to Zhang Jian, thus securing a good marriage arrangement!
He was betrothed to the legitimate daughter of Gu Chengye from the Gu Family of Fengyang County.
In a sense, he was marrying into a noble family, as he was an illegitimate son paired with a legitimate daughter.
At this moment, seeing Zhang Jian enter the room, Qi Yuhua’s eyes lit up, immediately prompting Zhang Jian for a suggestion.
Zhang Jian didn’t refuse. He picked out some fine writing tools for Zhang Min and, besides those, decided to write a recommendation letter for the family to send back at an opportune time.
This was a recommendation letter for Baiqiao Academy in Jixian County.
Baiqiao Academy was well-known among the Southern Provinces. Within its walls, many tutors and teachers held significant influence in the Scholars’ Forest, with a not-insignificant proportion of Scholars and Advanced Scholars emerging from each examination.
Zhang Jian was acquainted with Shi Lun, and the Shi Family held substantial influence at Baiqiao Academy, which he trusted would help Zhang Min gain admission smoothly.
Watching this, Qi Yuhua teased lightly.
"Husband, compared to others, your brother doesn’t seem very competent. It’s one thing not to return for Brother Min’s marriage, but now you’re writing such a recommendation letter, ’separating’ the couple!"
Zhang Jian laughed.
"All things are of lower grade except for the pursuit of knowledge. How can one indulge in the realm of tender emotions? Moreover, treading the path of imperial examinations has always been the wish of my younger brother; as an elder brother, it’s only right for me to lend him a helping hand!"
In fact, aside from this letter, he had sent several others through different channels early on.
The leakage of Dragon Qi, coupled with the overspill of the Dragon’s Grudge from the previous dynasty, presented an opportunity for the Zhang Family.
An opportunity for expansion.
He foresaw that the dispersal of Dragon Qi would undoubtedly weaken the court’s control over local areas, allowing the Zhang Family to take another step forward.
They could form more trade caravans.
The Heaven and Earth Legal Principle he gleaned from books was not merely applicable to cultivation; the power of knowledge was immense.
A small information gap could create considerable advantages.
For example, the court’s current lifting of the salt monopoly was an opportunity for the Zhang Family. Given their current wealth, they could easily secure the exclusive salt trade route in Fengyang County and extend their influence to surrounding counties.
Of course, not only the Zhang Family of Fengyang would seize such an opportunity; other Noble Families would certainly not let it slip by!
However, Zhang Jian had several methods for refining pure salt in his hands, which would ensure the Zhang Family accrued more benefits in this competition.
Besides, Zhang Jian also had various advanced business operation models.
...
In the summer of the tenth year of Emperor Jingwu’s reign, the Emperor Jingwu of the Daqian court issued an imperial decree, inviting renowned Daoist High Masters from various Daoist temples and academies across the provinces to enter Haojing City for the Peaceful Sacrificial Ceremony.
Officially, the Emperor Jingwu claimed to have dreamed of Yin Souls and Fierce Ghosts lingering over Haojing City, an ominous sign. Demonstrating great benevolence, he invited the High Masters from various Daoist academies to come and perform rituals to exorcise the wronged souls, while also holding a debate on Daoist techniques, offering the winner all sorts of high official titles and rewards, and bestowing imperial plaques to enhance the prestige of their temples, causing excitement throughout the provinces of Daqian.
Even though Daoists in various temples might not desire fame and fortune, for the sake of their temple’s dignity, they still felt compelled to try their best.
South Mountain of Haojing
The mountains here undulate and are thickly forested.
At the founding of the Qian Dynasty, the South Mountain was designated a Royal Hunting Ground, with outposts arranged around it.
Yet hunters and mountain people frequently risked imprisonment to hunt or gather firewood around the South Mountain for household needs.
At this time, a figure with a pale face staggered out from a mountain hollow.
From a distance, two figures could be seen watching this hunter depart.
Among them, a woman in red showed a worried expression.
"Husband, do you think this hunter can deliver the message?"
The other figure, with a handsome face and an air of refined elegance, had a flow of magical power around him, his eyes gleaming with a gray light.
He spoke somberly:
"Hong Luan, you’re just trying anything in desperation. In my view, we should leave this place. While South Mountain is good, it’s not suitable for long stays, especially since the earth vein was damaged this time. Our ancestral home is no longer habitable..."
This was an old fox.
The surroundings of South Mountain were rugged, with many beautiful spots, where mountain spirits stayed, among them was this Fox Race.
However, a while ago, a master used a Secret Technique at South Mountain that damaged part of the earth vein. Now, the Dragon Vein of the Shu Kingdom is damaged, and the Dragon’s Grudge pervades the deep parts of South Mountain, alarming the two Mountain Lords of the Nanshan Fox Race.
Thus, they had a disagreement.
The fox maiden named Hong Luan did not argue with the Gray Fox about it, instead saying: "Even if we are to leave, we should at least inform our benefactor, for he once saved our lives!"
Glancing at the Gray Fox, Hong Luan’s eyes showed a hint of dimness, while Hu Yang seemed indifferent, speaking lightly.
"I’ll contact the other Daoist friends in the mountains to discuss a date for leaving together, so at least we have companions on the way, which is safer!"
With these words, he stepped into the mountain forest and disappeared.
Hearing this, Hong Luan frowned more deeply. While a solitary spirit transferring might be manageable, the migration of so many spirits together might attract the attention of cultivators or even Great Demons, bringing unforeseen dangers.
But she knew she couldn’t persuade Hu Yang otherwise, and her heart was troubled.
At this moment, she looked toward the mountain ridges, seeing thick clouds of Yin energy emanating from the earth vein deep in South Mountain, enveloping a region. It converged near a Yin Sha Earth Cavity, seemingly opening a Ghost Gate to attract countless Yin Ghosts, which was highly terrifying.
In such an area, not to mention wild beasts, even ordinary spirits venturing in would have their essence blood drained.
...
In the Champion Scholar’s Mansion, Zhang Jian picked up the Soul-Cleansing Cyan Lotus Spell once more.
The Soul-Cleansing Cyan Lotus Spell was derived from the Soul Purification Spell.
But it was more profound than the simple Soul Purification Spell.
Zhang Jian, although not limited to this Exorcism Technique, was most familiar with and saw the greatest potential in this method!
He had read numerous Daoist classics, including many on transcendence, and if he set his mind to it, refining and enhancing this technique further would not be difficult.