Chapter 174 Entering the Imperial Court

"Reverend, this way, please..."

A eunuch led the way, his expression obsequious.

Zhou Jing strolled along behind him with his hands clasped behind his back, walking out of the imperial retreat all the way.

Before the palace gate, the eunuch cupped his hands and kowtowed, flattering and smiling:

"Reverend has gained the emperor's favor and will surely have a meteoric rise in the future. This humble one offers his congratulations here."

"This poor Taoist is merely following the will of heaven."

Zhou Jing nodded and casually responded.

After the eunuch left, Zhou Jing glanced at the high palace walls, his eyes flickering.

He had just had a conversation with the emperor, spouting a bunch of nonsense. He had finally won the emperor's trust and climbed onto the throne of imperial power.

He had accepted the invitation and planned to enter the Directorate of Astrology as a registrar. Although the official position was not high, his status was special—he possessed profound Taoism and could refine longevity elixirs, allowing him to directly connect with the emperor, which was equivalent to being able to offer advice at any time.

Few people in the imperial court enjoyed such treatment, and he had the potential to become the emperor's favorite minister.

After all, in this era, the size of an official position was not as important as gaining the emperor's favor.

Setting aside the nonsense about the immortal's dream, his supernatural powers were astonishing, and he had hit the official's needs, so he naturally gained the emperor's love.

'Bill is taking the upper-class route and has now entered the purview of the central authorities. In the future, he can plant an eye in the court, inquire about changes in high-level decisions, and incidentally exert influence on the emperor and his ministers... Moreover, he has the excuse of collecting the five elements of essence and heaven and earth's pure qi to refine the Zifu Longevity Elixir. With the emperor's approval, I only need to report it, and I can go out and walk around. Being a registrar won't limit my freedom.'

Zhou Jing secretly pondered.

This apostle was already an Eternal Apostle, acting more freely. Taking this route, in addition to obtaining benefits and exploring the world, was also to give Chen Feng a boost and further gather intelligence.

The current emperor was昏庸(hūn yōng, muddle-headed and fatuous) and believed in metaphysics, which provided him with a convenience to curry favor with the imperial power.

He did not intend to reverse the emperor's thinking and make the emperor wise, as that would be difficult. Similarly, he currently had no plans to kill the emperor.

After all, the real rulers of a dynasty were never the emperor alone, but the aristocratic powers that permeated the court and the localities. If the emperor violated the interests of this class, his decrees would be difficult to implement.

According to the laws of the feudal era, the longer a dynasty lasted, the weaker the imperial power became. Apart from a few founding emperors and emperors who restored the dynasty, the others were just so-so, and the further they went, the more hollowed out they became.

As long as there were no major changes in the world, bumping off an emperor and then supporting the crown prince would not cause chaos. Even if there was no crown prince, the Great Xia imperial family had many relatives, and there would always be one to suit the ministers' wishes. It was more in line with the interests of all parties to have someone easy to use sitting on the throne, preferably a young puppet.

In the current situation, assassinating an emperor was more of a symbolic act, with limited turmoil and would not cause too much chaos. According to Chen Feng's goal, the death of an emperor alone was not enough. Slaughtering the aristocratic powers that truly ruled was a major reshuffle, with all those in power for hundreds of years being cut down, with everyone not living, helping the predecessors to finish singing, and waiting for the successors to take the stage, bringing in some fresh blood.

Now that he was by the emperor's side, the emperor's life was beyond his control, and he could strike at any time. It would not be too late to assassinate him when the time was right... after all, killing this fish at the right time would achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Before that, he would first curry favor with the imperial power and hide his fangs...

As Zhou Jing's mind raced, he drifted away.

...

At the same time, in the Yangyi Hall in the imperial retreat, the emperor let Yin Nan leave and stayed alone.

"Immortal's dream, Zifu Longevity Elixir..."

The emperor muttered to himself, a hint of playfulness hidden in his eyes.

The saying of the immortal's dream scratched his itch, and the Zifu Longevity Elixir made him yearn for it...

However, he had heard so many nice words over the years that he felt that it was more like Yu Feng Zhenren deliberately trying to please him in order to curry favor with him.

He had seen Yu Feng Zhenren's supernatural powers and realized that he was indeed a Taoist master, but that did not mean he really believed everything he said. On the surface, he seemed normal, but in reality, he still harbored doubts.

However, the emperor did not want to expose the truth but directly bestowed a title and official position, demonstrating his favor and expressing his importance to Yu Feng Zhenren.

Because favor could be given and taken back, it cost him almost nothing.

As the Son of Heaven, he did not mind showing who he favored, nor did he mind letting this master curry favor with him and gain benefits under his banner.

He only cared about the results. Regardless of whether it was true or false, he would let Yu Feng Zhenren refine the Zifu Longevity Elixir, and it would be best if he could accomplish things naturally.

If he could not accomplish it, punishing him was just a matter of words, and the favor he gave could be taken back at any time.

Moreover, in the emperor's opinion, Yu Feng Zhenren was a master without a background who could be used by him to restrain the Directorate of Astrology and the ministers.

At the same time, this person would be restrained by the Directorate of Astrology and the ministers in turn, so if he wanted to gain a foothold, he could only cling to him, his backer, making him a useful person who had come to his door.

A simple two birds with one stone and a balancing act was just a small trick that the emperor could easily come up with.

"Immortality... if it's true, then that would be best."

The emperor's eyes flickered as he muttered to himself.

...

The next day, the Ye Residence.

A eunuch who had received imperial orders came directly to the door and publicly read out the imperial decree, conferring Zhou Jing the title of "Shénxiāo Fēng Líng Zhenren (神霄风灵真人)", inviting him to enter the imperial court as an official, and ordering him to offer longevity pills for a long time.

The news that Zhou Jing had received the emperor's title spread quickly, and within a day, the entire city was in an uproar!

"Shénxiāo Fēng Líng Zhenren" became his official title, but people still privately called him Yu Feng Zhenren.

The imperial court's certification was completely different from the nature of civilian prestige. From high-ranking officials to hawkers, they all understood that the Zhenren had gained the emperor's trust and would have a meteoric rise in the future!

For a time, the threshold of the Ye family was almost broken through.

Whether they were acquaintances or strangers, high-ranking officials paid another visit, recreating the spectacle when Zhou Jing had just emerged months ago, and it was even more so.

Although in their eyes, the registrar of the Directorate of Astrology was just a small official, the emperor's favor was undisguised, and Yu Feng Zhenren had a promising future, worthy of them to deepen their friendship in a big way.

Ning Tian Prefecture Governor Zhao Xing'an also came to the door again, saying that he had recommended it to the emperor in his memorial, and shamelessly took credit for it. Zhou Jing could only say yes, yes, yes.

However, although he was sought after by many people, he also aroused the hostility of the literati officials.

Originally, Yu Feng Zhenren's reputation was mostly among the people, so the literati officials did not pay much attention to him. However, now that he had signs of currying favor with the imperial power, the literati officials immediately changed their attitude and angrily denounced him for confusing the emperor and disrupting the imperial court.

Because the Directorate of Astrology supported the construction of the Temple of Heaven, the literati officials had always been hostile to the Directorate of Astrology and scolded them every day as a routine. Zhou Jing's joining them made the literati officials hate him even more and directly labeled Zhou Jing as a "妖道(yāodào, evil Taoist)".

However, no matter how the literati officials scolded, they could not stop the more realistic people from currying favor, making the Ye family's door full of visitors.

At the same time, the imperial decree issued by the emperor also mentioned that the Ye family had served Yu Feng Zhenren well and would also be rewarded.

The Ye family was stunned by this sudden surprise and then realized what an opportunity this was. Ye Taigong was so excited that he almost could not stand still and suppressed his excitement to receive the decree.

Ye Shunzhong, who had invited Zhou Jing in the first place, was extremely grateful for his decisiveness at the time.

Although their Ye family had not risen to the sky with the chickens and dogs in the past few months, they had also benefited from it and become more and more prosperous.

Now that they had received the emperor's reward, it was a great honor, and all the other rich merchants in the city were compared to them. Now, his Ye family was the undisputed richest family in Ning Tian!

The Zhenren's saying that he would "give the Ye family a fate" had already been fulfilled!

Ye Shunzhong had made great contributions. During Zhou Jing's stay, his voice in the family had gradually increased, and no one could shake his identity as a successor. His gratitude to Zhou Jing was like a surging river.

This imperial decree caused a commotion in Ning Tian Prefecture. After the news spread, Miaoxuzi also came to the door to inquire about the reason.

...

Ye Residence, the reception hall.

Miaoxuzi and Xuanyuanzi paid a visit.

After the two greeted each other and sat down as usual, Miaoxuzi could not wait to ask:

"Zhenren has actually received an audience with the emperor and is going to enter the imperial court as an official? What's going on?"

"It's like this. The emperor came to Ning Tian Prefecture for a short stay, heard of my reputation, and invited me to the palace for a talk. Then, he took a fancy to my skills and wanted me to refine pills for him, so I agreed..."

Zhou Jing briefly explained the process.

After listening, Miaoxuzi's expression was tangled, and he could not help but say:

"Zhenren is a Taoist master, why would you go to the murky imperial court and tarnish your reputation in vain..."

He spoke euphemistically, but he also expressed his meaning.

—I thought you were a master who was indifferent to fame and fortune, but I didn't expect you, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, to be a worldly man.

Zhou Jing did not care and said casually:

"This poor Taoist was originally cultivating in the mountains and wilderness, and realized that the heavenly secrets had appeared, so he came to Ning Tian Prefecture to find the heavenly secrets. It was not until recently that I discovered that this heavenly secret should be on the emperor, so I accepted the emperor's invitation and stayed in the court."

Miaoxuzi was speechless.

He had also come to befriend Yu Feng Zhenren because of the Tianyuan Grand Calculation. Perhaps the Zhenren had also decided to curry favor with the imperial power because of some kind of spell.

Whether it was true or false, it was now a foregone conclusion.

Moreover, their Qingliang Mountain was a worldly Taoist sect that did not reject befriending the powerful. It was also a good thing for Yu Feng Zhenren to gain imperial favor.

"Then, about the matter of entering the sect..."

Miaoxuzi asked tentatively, more concerned about this point.

Zhou Jing smiled and said: "I have already made a decision and am willing to join Qingliang Mountain Zhengxin Tao. I have already reported this matter to the emperor, and the emperor will issue an imperial decree soon, allowing Qingliang Mountain to accept me into the sect and impart the Dharma to me..."

Hearing that he had agreed, Miaoxuzi was first happy.

But after listening for a while, he suddenly realized that something was wrong.

The emperor will issue an imperial decree ordering Qingliang Mountain to accept you as a disciple?

What's going on, it's like Qingliang Mountain is acting on orders?

Miaoxuzi's expression was a little subtle.

If Yu Feng Zhenren took the initiative to join, then it would appear that Qingliang Mountain's spells were transcendent, which would make Yu Feng Zhenren willingly "convert". In this way, the status of the sect would be elevated.

But with the addition of the emperor's order, the perception was different. It was as if Qingliang Mountain was forced to do so at someone else's request, which was very passive. And Yu Feng Zhenren, who could ask the emperor to speak, seemed more prominent, as if he was entering the sect on orders, with an extra layer of imperial orders, aloof from the sect, and even more transcendent.

Zhou Jing noticed the change in Miaoxuzi's expression and asked proactively:

"What's wrong? Does Daoist friend feel that something is wrong?"

"Uh, no, it is my Zhengxin Tao's fortune that Zhenren is willing to join my Qingliang Mountain."

Miaoxuzi quickly responded.

Although it deviated slightly from the original idea, at least this master had agreed to enter the sect. This was what the sect needed most, and the form did not matter.

Miaoxuzi then explained that he had to go to Qingliang Mountain to pay respects to the ancestor and complete the entry ceremony before he could truly become a member of Qingliang Mountain. Only then could he learn the true Dharma, so everyone could not be called fellow disciples yet.

Zhou Jing expressed his understanding of this. The entry ceremony was the sect's rule, so it was naturally not easy to break the rules casually. He would just make a trip when he had time.

The two finalized their intentions, and Miaoxuzi's attitude became more enthusiastic, and they chatted with each other.

At this time, Zhou Jing remembered something and asked:

"By the way, this time I entered the palace to meet the emperor and saw a person from the Directorate of Astrology named Yin Nan, who claimed to be a disciple of the Jade Tripod Sect... Do you know him?"

Miaoxuzi thought for a while and nodded: "I have heard of Su Guan's Yin Nan. He is a highly skilled Taoist and has a high seniority in the Jade Tripod Sect."

"If someone from the Jade Tripod Sect is serving in the Directorate of Astrology, then other Taoist sects should also have people there, right?"

Zhou Jing asked curiously.

Miaoxuzi smiled, seemingly not surprised that Zhou Jing would ask about this, and explained:

"To tell the Zhenren, the five great orthodox Taoist sects will send disciples to serve the imperial court. The number of people varies depending on the situation, and the Directorate of Astrology is the biggest place to go. The disciples of each sect restrain each other in the Directorate of Astrology, trying to compete for the emperor's favor, so that their own sect can be recognized by the imperial court and become the mainstream Taoist sect of the dynasty."

Sure enough, if the five worldly Taoist sects wanted to develop believers on a large scale, they would naturally not be able to avoid the imperial court. Sending disciples to serve in the Directorate of Astrology was a show of loyalty.

Everyone claimed to be orthodox, so they were definitely not of one mind. The Directorate of Astrology was a stage, and above it was the epitome of the sectarian struggle of the Great Xia Dynasty.

Zhou Jing understood and then asked:

"Then, in the current Directorate of Astrology, are there any Qingliang Mountain disciples?"

Hearing this, Miaoxuzi nodded and sighed:

"Naturally, my Qingliang Mountain Zhengxin Tao has also been the mainstream, but in recent years, its position has become more and more marginalized. The current powers in the Directorate of Astrology are mainly the disciples of the Jade Tripod Sect. The director is the current leader of the Jade Tripod Sect. They saw the opportunity for the emperor to build the Temple of Heaven and were the first to express their support, using the theory of the dragon vein to win the emperor's favor and then squeeze out the positions of the other Taoist sects in the Directorate of Astrology."

He explained the achievements of the Jade Tripod Sect, the most important of which was providing Xuanxue theoretical support for the emperor's large-scale construction, citing scriptures and saying that doing so was correct.

This was also the main means for the various Taoist sects to compete for the emperor's favor, making various "plans" according to the emperor's preferences, pleasing the emperor, and providing "theories" to support the emperor's actions.

Zhou Jing thought that the emperor was昏庸(hūnyōng, fatuous) and stroked his chin, a little curious: "Why didn't the other Taoist sects imitate the Jade Tripod Sect and also tout the theory of the dragon vein?"

Miaoxuzi shook his head helplessly: "Although the theory of the dragon vein is true, building the Temple of Heaven has no effect like the Jade Tripod Sect boasts. This is an act that harms the country and the people, and my Qingliang Mountain disdains to be with them. The other Taoist sects also have many taboos, so the Jade Tripod Sect has become the only one..."

Listening to his explanation, Zhou Jing roughly understood the reason.

Although the major Taoist sects pleased the emperor, they also had a bottom line. Most of the time, they only offered auspicious omens or used spells to positively interpret certain omens, doing small things. They rarely touted obvious policies that harmed the country in order to gain the emperor's favor. They still wanted some civilian prestige.

However, under the leadership of this generation of leaders, the Jade Tripod Sect catered to the emperor without a bottom line, losing its bottom line, so it rose to the top and did not allow others to interfere with its power.

Zhou Jing narrowed his eyes and said, "In that case, even if I enter the Directorate of Astrology and have no interest in worldly affairs, I will be excluded by the people of the Jade Tripod Sect?"

"That's right, the Jade Tripod Sect will definitely compete with you for favor. Although the Zhenren's Taoism is high, spells cannot break the undercurrents of the imperial court and the changes in people's hearts. You still need to be careful."

Miaoxuzi urged him.

Suddenly, he hesitated and changed the subject, adding:

"If the Zhenren is interested in the imperial court, after the Zhenren enters the sect, I will report to the head of the sect and let the disciples in the court provide assistance to the Zhenren."

In his opinion, if Yu Feng Zhenren gained favor, Qingliang Mountain would also benefit from it, and the sect should not be stingy in helping.

Because imperial favor was an uncertain thing, the various Taoist sects had similar strategies... Whoever in the sect could gain the emperor's trust would be the main focus, and the sect would gather its strength to help this person rise to the top.

"This poor Taoist has not thought so much, let's talk about it then."

Zhou Jing's eyes moved slightly, but he waved his hand and did not immediately agree.

All the hustle and bustle is for profit. He had entered the imperial court as an official, and even if he had not offended anyone, someone would嫌他碍眼挡路 (xián tā àiyǎn dǎnglù, find him an eyesore and blocking their way).

However, he did not care much, as he was not trying to fight for power.

This feeling was like, I curry favor with the imperial power and offer pills to seek favor, but I am really innocent... I just want to gently rebel.

...

On the other side, the east gate of Ning Tian Prefecture.

Shen Sanqiu and many companions rode out of the city gate. Everyone was carrying knives and swords, but the city gate guards turned a blind eye.

There were twenty-eight people in this group, all famous figures in the Jiangchun and neighboring provinces. They had been invited by the powerful people of Ning Tian Prefecture to jointly deal with Chen Feng, the "Life-Taking Yama" who was causing trouble in the Jiangchun territory. Now, they were finally setting off.

Among them, Shen Sanqiu, the leader of the Wu Mountain Sect, had the highest status in the martial world and naturally served as the leader of the team.

"The masters want me to tell you chivalrous men to be careful in this expedition. After the matter is completed, there will be a generous reward."

Several stewards of the aristocratic families followed behind to see them off, cupping their hands and saying.

Shen Sanqiu turned his head and nodded: "Don't worry, we are all experts who have been famous in the martial world for a long time, and we also have the Yanggong Pills that you nobles have sought from Yu Feng Zhenren. This trip will definitely be a success. Please go back and tell the officials that it will not be long before we will bring Chen Feng's head back."

The Yanggong Pills that the Ning Tian aristocratic families had obtained from Zhou Jing had been distributed to this group of famous figures who had gone out to crusade against Chen Feng.

Everyone had tested the effectiveness of the Yanggong Pills and found that after taking them, their internal qi was full and their operating speed was two or three times faster. They were all amazed by the miraculous effect.

Because they only used sparring to test the efficacy of the medicine, stopping when they reached the point, everyone had not yet discovered the side effects that would occur when fighting with all their strength for a long time. They only felt that their control was slightly weakened, but the enhanced power completely made up for this defect, and the benefits outweighed the disadvantages.

Shen Sanqiu even had the idea of visiting Yu Feng Zhenren again through Ye Heng after this crusade to see if he could ask for more of these pills to become the treasure of the sect. He would even let the sect's pharmacists secretly analyze the prescription to become the accumulation of the Wu Mountain Sect.

"Then, I will have to trouble Sect Leader Shen and the other chivalrous men... Twenty-eight riders will kill Yama. It will definitely be a good story in the martial world in the future."

One of the stewards spoke, his tone flattering.

Hearing this, Shen Sanqiu laughed loudly and no longer spoke. He patted his horse and rode away.

In the next moment, twenty-eight riders galloped along the official road, kicking up dust and leaving.

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