Chapter 102 The Emperor Arrives

Over the next period, the government strictly controlled security, awaiting the arrival of the emperor. Ning Tian Prefecture was calm.

The dignitaries who came to curry favor with him every day seemed to have decreased for some reason, giving Zhou Jing much more leisure. Besides refining pills and cultivating, he would exchange information with Miao Xuzi and Xuan Yuanzi, inquiring about matters of the Zhengxin Path of Qingliang Mountain.

Although he had not finalized joining Qingliang Mountain, his words revealed such an inclination. Miao Xuzi was happy to answer, truthfully telling him about some of the sect's situation, such as which spells and classics were inherited, how many true inheritor disciples there were in this generation, and so on.

During their interactions, Zhou Jing also learned about the two men's positions in the sect.

Qingliang Mountain had been passed down for twenty-one generations, and the current leader of the Zhengxin Path was a nineteenth-generation disciple. Miao Xuzi and Xuan Yuanzi were both the leader's junior brothers, also nineteenth-generation disciples. To the new disciples of Qingliang Mountain, they were of the same generation as their grand-masters, so their status was not low.

Moreover, the Zhengxin Path had a tradition where some true inheritor disciples of spells had their own Dao protectors. Xuan Yuanzi was Miao Xuzi's protector, not proficient in spells, but practiced martial arts and possessed outstanding skills.

Although it was a magic sect, Qingliang Mountain had mystical martial arts techniques with Xuan sect characteristics, which were equally extraordinary in this world. However, the Zhengxin Path rarely participated in martial world affairs, so although it was one of the five major orthodox Daoist sects, it did not belong to the Eight Great Sects of the martial world. To ordinary martial artists, it was equivalent to a "hidden" expert.

Perhaps feeling that a little martial arts skill was not worth mentioning in the eyes of a master like Zhou Jing who controlled the Immortal Art of Summoning the Wind, Xuan Yuanzi did not hesitate to demonstrate his own martial arts. He wielded a long sword with a flurry like moonlight, his movements were ethereal and agile, and his palms were light, but the power contained within could split monuments and crack rocks.

Zhou Jing was surprised to discover that this unremarkable old Daoist was the most powerful he had seen in this world in terms of martial arts, far more powerful than Shen Sanqiu. He estimated that he could withstand five or six of Chen Feng's gunshots.

According to the two, there were six or seven Dao protectors with such skills on Qingliang Mountain.

...It seems that such a sect that combines spells and martial arts is more likely to produce top experts than ordinary martial arts sects.

The days passed patiently, one after another.

The weather was cool, with frequent light rain. The maple leaves gradually turned yellow, and the autumn colors deepened.

As the golden color gradually spread across the mountains and fields, the Great Xia Emperor, traveling south, finally arrived in his loyal Ning Tian Prefecture.

...

The city gates opened wide, and the Dragon Carriage, protected by the Imperial Guards, entered Ning Tian Prefecture.

Several Imperial Bodyguards on horseback led the way, followed by eunuchs sprinkling water to clean the streets.

On both sides of the Dragon Carriage were Imperial Guards holding long spears, tall and handsome, with excellent armor.

The Great Xia Emperor rode in the Dragon Carriage, with eunuchs holding umbrellas and fans beside him. The officials and dignitaries of Ning Tian Prefecture, who had come out of the city to welcome him, followed closely beside the Dragon Carriage.

"The Holy Emperor is on tour, idle people retreat!"

A eunuch shouted at the top of his voice.

Wherever the Dragon Carriage passed, the people on the streets knelt down in a flurry, prostrating themselves in fear and trepidation in the direction of the Emperor, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" in a cacophony of voices.

A grand display was needed to show the majesty of the imperial family.

The Great Xia Emperor paraded through the city in this way, all the way to the Imperial Palace in the center of Ning Tian Prefecture.

In the Ye Residence, Zhou Jing, who was meditating, opened his eyes when he heard the news from the steward. A flash of light passed in his eyes,

"This show-off has finally arrived..."

Zhou Jing took a deep breath.

He would see if the deeds and reputation he had accumulated over the past few months could arouse the interest of this dog Emperor.

Compared to taking the initiative to display his divinity, it would naturally be more natural for the Emperor to summon him, with recommendations from various dignitaries.

As long as he could get in touch with the center of power, the path of Bill, the Star Realm Apostle, could be put on the right track.

...

Autumn tours were not uncommon. The Imperial Guards, eunuchs, and maids brought from the north were familiar with the way and settled down in the palace, continuing to perform their respective duties.

"The southern climate is still pleasant and refreshing..."

In the Imperial Garden, the Emperor strolled and took a deep breath, his expression relaxed.

If only the capital could be moved to Ning Tian Prefecture, so he could live here for a long time.

Thinking of this, the Emperor restrained his smile and felt a sense of frustration.

He had mentioned moving the capital several times, but the court officials all opposed it, and even the left and right prime ministers did not agree, so he could not act arbitrarily.

Sighing, the Emperor summoned his personal attendant and asked him to summon Zhao Xing'an and some of the top dignitaries in Ning Tian Prefecture, intending to ask about the progress of the Temple of Heaven project and, by the way, ask if there were any rumors circulating locally.

The personal attendant hurried down to give the order.

Before long, Zhao Xing'an and several top dignitaries from Ning Tian came to pay their respects to the Emperor. They had been waiting outside the palace.

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"

"Rise, my beloved subjects."

The Emperor raised his hand, signaling for them to stand up.

Then, he looked at Zhao Xing'an and asked, "How is the Temple of Heaven near Ning Tian Prefecture progressing?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the two Chong Sheng Pagodas have been completed, but the Observatory Tower and the Taiyu Altar have not yet been completed..."

Zhao Xing'an quickly replied.

The Emperor frowned, dissatisfied: "Too slow. At this rate, when will the entire Temple of Heaven be completed?"

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty." Zhao Xing'an immediately lowered his head.

The Temples of Heaven were being built everywhere, throughout the country, but their locations were not chosen randomly. Instead, they were built according to the national dragon vein trends determined jointly by several Feng Shui experts from the Directorate of Celestial Observations.

These Temples of Heaven were all located at important nodes of the dragon vein, serving as "formation eyes". If one had an aerial map, connecting these Temples of Heaven would form a dragon shape, with each type of building resembling a different part of the body.

According to the Directorate of Celestial Observations, when all the formation eyes were completed, they would suppress the dragon vein, ensuring that the Great Xia Dynasty's fortune would last for thousands of years, and the Emperor who established this achievement would be comparable to the dynasty's founder.

Ning Tian Prefecture was a critical node of the dragon vein. According to the Directorate of Celestial Observations, several Temples of Heaven needed to be built to suppress it.

After inquiring about the Temples of Heaven and the affairs of the local government, the Emperor suddenly remembered something and asked:

"Zhao Qing'an previously reported that a Taoist master who could summon wind and rain had come to Ning Tian Prefecture. What is this person doing now? Tell me about it."

Zhao Xing'an composed himself and truthfully recounted the events, including the legends of True Man Yufeng crossing the river into Ning Tian, the wind sweeping through the Yulin River, and the Azure Dragon soaring to the heavens. He also mentioned that this person was staying in Ning Tian to seek out the secrets of heaven.

"Is there really such a remarkable person?"

The Emperor became interested.

An elderly dignitary beside him nodded and said in a strong voice, "This person can not only summon wind and rain, but also knows the Dao of pill refinement. He can refine a Longevity Pill, which can regulate the body and prolong life. I have personally tried the medicine, and it is quite effective. My spirit has become increasingly vigorous. I brought a bottle with me on this trip and intend to present it to Your Majesty..."

This person took out a bottle of pills from his chest and handed it to a eunuch, who then handed it to the Emperor.

The Emperor curiously opened the medicine bottle and poured out a few crystal-clear, moist, yellow pills, the color of which resembled Tian Huang stone.

"Take this medicine down and have the imperial physician test its quality."

The Emperor would not casually take unknown medicines. He turned his head and instructed his personal attendant.

Then, he looked at the others and asked, "You have all met this True Man Yufeng. What is his character like?"

"This person is a mountain ascetic, a carefree crane in the wild, who values fate in his dealings and has the air of a master..."

Another dignitary explained in detail.

After listening, the Emperor pondered for a moment and said:

"It would be a pity not to meet such a remarkable and unusual person... Convey my decree to summon this True Man Yufeng to the palace for an audience tomorrow."

He was quite curious about the mysterious True Man Yufeng, wondering what kind of tricks he had up his sleeve to appear out of nowhere.

The existence of the Longevity Pill made his heart flutter, and he couldn't help but want to find out.

Coincidentally, he had brought experts from the Directorate of Celestial Observations with him on his trip. Tomorrow, they would accompany him to meet this True Man Yufeng and see if he was genuine or not.