Chapter 981: Chapter 57: Ancient Yin Warship, Holy Word Academy, Xiyin Dragon Stone
"Fu Xingwen, holding a standard fourth-rank civil official position, also carries the title of Marquis, though he is merely a dispersed marquis."
"There are no talents in the fifth generation."
It’s said that the ancestors served as the Grand Minister of Agriculture, so the family should have prospered.
But this also depends on the character of the ancestors.
Clearly, Fu Tianyang was unwilling to seek benefits for his descendants.
Of course, from the perspective of the time, the Fu family can be considered aristocratic, having both civil and military officials of standard fourth-rank, with ample property and land, though not considered a powerful family.
During the Jing Emperor Period, they couldn’t rise to power.
The Fu family’s residence during the Emperor Wen Period was the Duke Mansion, located in Fengjing East City, occupying a vast area, where every inch of land was extremely valuable.
But later, they voluntarily moved to the South City, becoming just the Marquis Mansion.
Visiting without prior notice was seen as a sudden visit.
Zhao Xing rested for a day beforehand and sent a post before visiting.
After Fu Xingwen learned of the news, he quickly tidied up the mansion and did not receive other guests on that day.
When Zhao Xing and the King Heavenly Destiny arrived at the South City Marquis Mansion, Fu Xingwen was already at the entrance to greet them.
"Greetings to King Heavenly Destiny, greetings to Duke Divine Might."
"Greetings, Marquis Wenxing." Zhao Xing bowed in return.
After entering the Fu family residence, they exchanged a few pleasantries but did not stay long.
The purpose of the visit was stated clearly in the visiting card.
The two were not familiar with each other, had a significant age gap, and King Heavenly Destiny’s solemn demeanor kept Fu Xingwen from being overly hospitable.
Who would dare to forge connections in the presence of a Fate Officer?
The people they feared most were the Fate Officers.
Generally, Fate Officers do not visit homes unless it’s to seize property or to annihilate a family.
"The offerings for the rituals have long been prepared; I have already sent people to wait in front of the tomb temple."
"There is also a Flying Boat ready at the mansion, available at any time." Fu Wenxing said.
"Thank you, Marquis Wenxing." Zhao Xing bowed.
"It is a mere lift of the hand, Duke Divine Might, please."
"Please."
...
The ancestral temple of Tianyang True Monarch is located on the south side of the West City Cemetery.
According to the ritual, since Zhao Xing has already arrived at the West City Cemetery, he must first go to pay homage at Emperor Wen’s temple.
Originally, only members of the Ji Royal Family could go to worship at the ancestral temple, but outside the ancestral temple, there is a Temple of Confucius available for foreign ministers to pay homage.
There are not so many formalities, merely lighting incense suffices.
But it is different for King Heavenly Destiny.
Since he has come this far, not going in to pay homage would be unacceptable.
Thus, King Heavenly Destiny went to the ancestral temple to worship his uncle, while Zhao Xing, under the guidance of the Ling Ceremony Officer, went to the temple of Tianyang True Monarch.
"Duke Divine Might, we will wait outside, should you have any orders, please call us at any time."
"Thank you." Zhao Xing entered the temple.
Things were already prepared.
Three sacrificial offerings: pig head, cow head, sheep head.
Six ritual jade objects: Bi, Cong, Gui, Zhang, Huang, Hu.
The six jade objects are used to perform sacrifices according to the regulations of "Zhou Ritual · Spring Officials · Great Master."
Offer six jade objects to honor the heaven, earth, and four directions; offer azure Bi to honor heaven, yellow Cong for the earth, green Gui for the east, red Zhang for the south, white Hu for the west, and black Huang for the north.
Yin money crafted from objects like cow horn, deer horn, ivory, and seashells is placed inside the jade objects.
But actually, this has little actual use; those in the Yin Realm do not genuinely use money; it’s merely a formality.
If commoners can’t find sacrificial coins, they can offer fruits as substitutes, or some simply skip the coin offering practice altogether.
Then there is the five incense ritual.
Burn aloeswood, sandalwood, Suhe fragrance, musk, ambergris.
The production location and year of the incense have their stipulations.
Majorly specified to be gathered in particular years or during certain lunar months and times.
Even then, this is only the simplest procedure.
Precautions like abstaining from meat and fire, bathing and clean dressing, burning incense in prayer, etc., are needed prior to the ritual.
Thus, it’s no wonder Prime Minister Wei Xuancheng proposed the policy of abolishing ancestral temples.
The intricate ritual customs severely impacted commoners’ labor and squandered financial resources.
"Hiss~"
As he bowed his head to light the fire and incense, a sound of inhaling came from above.
Looking up, he saw Tianyang True Monarch sitting on the divine platform, inhaling deeply from a stick of incense.
"Master Ancestor."
"Disciple Grandson, you have finally come." Tianyang True Monarch said with a face of satisfaction, "It took you half a year to travel from Pinghai State to Tianyong State."
"Disciple Grandson was delayed for some days in Dao Yuan Continent, hoping Master Ancestor won’t blame." Zhao Xing bowed respectfully.
"No blame, no blame, how could there be any blame?" Tianyang True Monarch flicked ash into the nearby jade object.
Goodness, he used the finest six jade objects as ashtrays.
Looking at his comfortable demeanor, Zhao Xing almost felt tempted to join in with a stick of incense.
"You wrote ’Commentary on Two Classics’ and Material Law in Shangluo Academy, which is a tremendous achievement."
"Hehe, your fame is now immense; even I hear the Yin Officials discussing you in the Yin Realm."
"They can’t wait to have you come down to discuss with them."
Zhao Xing turned pale; Yin Officials are essentially ghosts.
No need to be so enthusiastic, having me come down and all.
"Master Ancestor praises too much."
"I’m not joking." Tianyang True Monarch said, "You are now in the Primordial Soul Realm."
"The things I want to give you are in the Yin Realm. If you weren’t third-rank, it would take more time to grasp them. Now it’s perfect; release your Primordial Soul, and come with me."
"Yes."
Zhao Xing sat cross-legged, then in his Sea of Consciousness, the Primordial Soul opened its eyes, and with a gentle leap, floated out of the physical body.
This was Zhao Xing’s first attempt at Primordial Soul release.
The first sensation was a bit chilly, not as warm as being within the physical body.
But warmth soon followed, as the surrounding incense still burned.
"Come to my side." Tianyang True Monarch beckoned.
Zhao Xing obediently jumped onto the divine platform.
Tianyang True Monarch placed a hand on Zhao Xing’s shoulder.