Xie Lingyun knew that Zhang Chen was a person with true abilities, and staying in the mountains was a waste of his talents.
She knew how terrifying the Great Freedom Celestial Demon was, so she was even more aware that this matter would not end. Because the demon seeds of the Great Freedom Celestial Demon had already spread out, how many people in this world would be harmed by the Great Freedom Celestial Demon? When the time comes, Zhang Chen will certainly have to exert effort.
"For me, royal power and wealth are not worth longing for. Compared to glory and riches, I prefer leisure," Zhang Chen refused Xie Lingyun’s invitation: "Sister, you surely won’t forcibly compel me, right?"
"Oh, you, others beg to join the Inspection and Supervision Department without success, and yet you resist at every turn," Xie Lingyun couldn’t do anything about Zhang Chen; since he even called her ’sister,’ she naturally knew there was no further chance.
"Don’t worry, you can put all the responsibility on me, just say that I didn’t relent," Xie Lingyun understood the meaning when Zhang Chen brought this matter up with her, so she took the initiative to shoulder all the responsibility.
"Thank you, sister," Zhang Chen solemnly bowed.
"There’s nothing to thank, you helped me suppress the Celestial Demon and saved my life. If thanks were due, it should be me thanking you," Xie Lingyun’s eyes were as pure as the lake water: "There’s no need for formality between us."
Zhang Chen nodded: "I have learned, sister."
Xie Lingyun then looked at Zhang Chen meaningfully and said: "I must go down the mountain. News from the Academy says that the young master Zhu Xun has left the Academy for the Northern Land, intending to come here for a literary engagement with the Madman Chen Sanliang. It’s said that under pressure from the Academy, Chen Sanliang has truly created a path, prompting the Academy to move to kill. This time, they are bound to destroy Chen Sanliang. Zhu Xun will likely arrive in about a month and a half, and the Inspection and Supervision Department sent a message instructing me to go down the mountain ahead of time to make arrangements so as to avoid any trouble when the time comes."
Zhang Chen was a smart person, and hearing the strings understood the elegance; he knew Xie Lingyun was conveying a message to him, so he nodded and said: "It’s truly a grand event for Confucian Dao, and many scholars will undoubtedly come."
"I’ve heard that the Southern Qilin and the North Wulong from the Confucian Dao are already on their way. These two are the leaders of the young generation in the Confucian Dao, reputed to be the best of the young generation, and their Confucian Dao accomplishments are exemplary for the world. If you are interested, you can go down the mountain for a bout, and it would be good to weigh the stature of the youngest generation," Xie Lingyun said.
"I have nowhere near that qualification; I am just a mountain villager. How could I compare with the Qilin or Wulong?" Zhang Chen laughed self-deprecatingly.
What he sought was nothing more than enough food, warm clothes, family health, and research into mystery. As for fame and fortune, they truly held no great appeal to him.
Xie Lingyun looked at Zhang Chen, sensing the genuine indifference in the youth before her—he truly did not regard fame and fortune as shackles.
Zhang Chen thought of his parents; he originally wanted to ask, but then realized that with Xie Lingyun’s wisdom, she would undoubtedly arrange everything perfectly even if he did not ask.
Seeing Zhang Chen hesitate to speak, Xie Lingyun seemed to understand Zhang Chen’s thoughts and said: "Speaking of which, a few months ago my father brought a mother and son back to the Inspection and Supervision Department, and they are well arranged, treated so well that even I, as his daughter, am jealous, sometimes doubting whether I am even his biological child."
Upon hearing Xie Lingyun’s words, Zhang Chen secretly praised in his heart: "What a clever girl she is."
After the two spoke for a while, Xie Lingyun rose and left, taking a large group of people down the mountain in a flurry.
After Xie Lingyun left, Zhang Chen was pondering runes in his room, when Liu Feng walked in: "Did you mention that matter to the noblewoman?"
Zhang Chen lied to Liu Feng without batting an eye: "The noblewoman said I’m still lacking a bit; neither my literary nor martial skills are accomplished, so I need to continue working hard. I must have something outstanding before arrangements can be made for me in a department with real authority."
Liu Feng nodded with satisfaction upon hearing this, and began to paint a bigger picture for Zhang Chen: "The Ancestral Master says that if you can enter the Inspection and Supervision Department, your future prospects are assured. Our Daoist Temple has everything planned for you. You must have seen with your own eyes the great commotion that our temple stirred up before; there are indescribable and mysterious powers in this world. If you can enter the Inspection and Supervision Department and master an authoritarian department, the sect could grant you mastery over mysterious powers, and even immortality is not out of reach."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen’s face suddenly seemed ’excited,’ and his breathing began to quicken: "Is what the Observatory Master said true?"
Liu Feng replied: "Such secrets are not normally shared with you, as they are the highest secrets of the Yellow Heaven Dao, but I find you agreeable, so I do not mind telling you. Martial Dao cultivation from Ming Jin, Dark Force, Huajin to Sitting Cross-legged and Embracing the Core is merely mastery of force, and even the highest Martial Dao Seeing God Unbreakable is insignificant before mysterious power. Our Yellow Heaven Dao has now pioneered a path beyond the Martial Dao, renewing life for Martial Dao, which will advance farther and farther down the path of Martial Dao. If you can enter the Inspection and Supervision Department and work meritoriously for the Daoist Temple, the sect will reward you based on your contributions, so you will not be disappointed."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen immediately felt his blood boil, patting his chest with promise: "Rest assured, Daoist Temple, this disciple will leave no stone unturned to enter the Inspection and Supervision Department to earn merits for the sect."
Liu Feng looked at Zhang Chen’s excited expression, flushed (effect of Blood Control Technique) as if he couldn’t wait to go down the mountain and join the Inspection and Supervision Department, and he showed a satisfied smile before turning to leave.