Chapter 123

Fifty, and one knows the Mandate of Heaven.

After Zhang Jian tried to persuade him to stay a few more words, he directly agreed.

"Uncle Hu, when you return to Fengxi, I will have the elders of my household step forward to help you find a companion locally, to help you find a partner, to continue your lineage!"

Hu Shan was stunned for a moment, then his old face flushed slightly, and Zhang Lu beside him started laughing and jeering.

"Old Hu, why don't you thank the young master!"

Hu Shan also performed a bow sincerely; at his age, he had indeed already been thinking of returning to his roots, and if he could also find a widow from Shuangju to have his own children and enjoy family bliss, that would naturally be the best.

Hu Shan looked at Zhang Jian, feeling exceptionally grateful.

Then he rose and left.

Beside him, Zhang Lu watched Hu Shan's departing figure, also feeling somewhat sorrowful, for people inevitably grow old and depart, and only the young master, such a cultivator, can retain time and possess a longer span to savor slowly.

Witnessing the departure of this old captain of the guard, Zhang Jian's state of mind became increasingly resolute.

The restless qi around his body at this moment seemed to stabilize and settle down.

Many peculiar runes on the walls of the Three-State Sovereign Cauldron inside his body became clearer.

Zhang Lu's mood beside him, however, quickly calmed; he was just a hot-blooded youth, and soon dispelled the sorrow of parting in his heart, rose and said: "Young master, there is plenty of game in these mountains; it's rare to have such good times, I'll have my brothers go hunting and also prepare some game to send over to you!"

Zhang Jian nodded upon hearing this.

At this moment, the image of Red Flower Lady appeared in Zhang Jian's mind.

"Young master, I do have many capable and extraordinary people under my command; if not, I'll send them over to you, reorganizing a guard unit entirely formed by extraordinary individuals!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian coldly snorted: "What background do those guards of yours have? Dragging them out would probably still require me to wipe their backsides; it's not them guarding me, but me guarding them!"

Red Flower Lady was rebuked into silence at once.

Those people under her command are indeed of mixed quality.

Almost all of them are from heterodox paths, and those whose hands have never been stained with blood are almost nonexistent.

Zhang Jian at this moment immediately turned his attention again to this manual on artifact refinement in his hand.

Just a glance, and Zhang Jian couldn't help but become immersed in it.

The study of artifact refinement is vast and profound; after Zhang Jian 'dissected' it, it actually contains several deep disciplines: first, immortal material science; second, runology; third, casting.

To refine artifacts, one must learn to discern the properties of various immortal materials, so as to mix and forge them.

The application of runes is even broader.

Artifact refinement, forbidden arts, and even cultivation techniques can all make use of them.

Zhang Jian also felt a yearning toward this.

With Bai Xianyun beside him, Zhang Jian was not polite; upon encountering a problem, he would immediately go to see Bai Xianyun to seek answers.

Bai Xianyun is indeed an extremely qualified guide; in runology, he has considerable attainments, but after a period of time, he also found he could not bear it much longer.

Not only because the frequency of inquiries is extremely high, his patience is insufficient; secondly, his attainments in runology are also quite limited, and after several times, he immediately felt that continuing like this would likely drain him dry.

He could only hurriedly return to the Tongshan Dao Tong to seek a solution for Zhang Jian.

……

In Fengxi County, within the county office, Yang Qing at this moment had a face that changed unpredictably.

Not long ago, he received news that the court had dispatched an imperial envoy into Fengyang Commandery, inside and out, to thoroughly investigate the 'rebellion' of Governor Yu Tongguang.

This made the shrewd Yang Qing immediately realize this might be an opportunity.

An opportunity to free himself from the Zhang family's restraint.

The Zhang family's actions over many years in Fengxi County, he had seen with his own eyes, and at the same time ordered people to secretly monitor.

The Zhang family, as obviously having already surpassed the scope of local magnates.

If he could seize the opportunity to meet this imperial envoy……

Yang Qing's eyes darted back and forth, his heart somewhat unable to restrain itself.

During this time, he had already been completely sidelined by the many corrupt clerks in the county office; even many of the subordinates in the county office began to obey him outwardly while defying him inwardly, even completely ignoring the dignity of this old parent, which made him extremely furious inside.

Yet he was also very helpless.

Because he knew he could do nothing against the Zhang family.

Yang Qing's eyes flickered; he knew doing this was dangerous; he was now different from before; before, he had forcibly gathered a portion of the power within the county office, and moreover had the support of the Gu family, enough to match wits with the Zhang family and other local magnates.

Now, a single misstep would get him killed by a mob.

Beside him, Zhao Xing, seeing the situation, said: "Master Dong, would you like me to send someone to try it out!"

"You know, I still have some sworn brothers inside and outside the Shuangfeng Mountain Range; I can use their channels to help you!"

A hint of sternness appeared deep in his eyes.

Just then, a cold laugh came from beside him.

"If the master wants to die, or even have his wife and daughter seized and abducted, then one can try it!

"

But then, a graceful figure walked out from within; seeing this figure, Yang Qing's mustered courage instantly withered away.

"Madam!"

Zhao Xing, seeing the situation, gave a slight bow and hurriedly retreated.

And after leaving the county office, he then, under the cover of night, sent the message out through special channels.

In the dark night, Zhao Xing's yin-like face showed traces of yin coldness, and he also glanced toward the direction of the county office.

In fact, he had long been a chess piece planted by the Zhang family beside Yang Qing; earlier, the Zhang family destroyed his gambling den, and even intercepted his wife and daughter, all to gain Yang Qing's trust.

Now, having reached this point, Yang Qing still does not know good from ill-intent, aiming to expose the Zhang family; naturally, one must do something.

……

In Fengyang Commandery, not long after, Zhang Yi received the information sent by Zhao Xing.

He didn't care about this; a Yang Qing was now insignificant to him, and he could make Yang Qing vanish silently at any time.

Zhang Yi's eyes flashed with a ruthless hue as he waved his hand, directly ordering the steward Zhang Hu beside him to go handle it.

Under the lamplight, Zhang Yi gazed at the message delivered to the side table, yet he felt somewhat troubled.

During this period, he had also been waiting for news to arrive.

Qi Yuanwu had been imprisoned, and naturally the Qi family sought ways to rescue him.

On the other hand, the Zhang family also gathered news of the capital's movements through the Dingnan Marquis's manor, but the reports received were far from ideal; it seemed the Princess Qingfeng's side had made no progress.

In fact, it was easy to imagine: although the current emperor was young, he was extremely opinionated and wished to become a wise ruler of a peaceful age, so the influence of the inner palace women over him was likely limited.

But just then, Zhang Yi's expression shifted slightly, and he heard a commotion coming from outside the house.

Zhang Yi couldn't help but step outside, and moments later he heard a servant report: a snake had crawled into the garden!

This struck Zhang Yi as odd—it was nearly the end of autumn, yet snakes were still crawling into the estate.

The Zhang manor was no ordinary peasant's courtyard; it had many servants constantly patrolling, sweeping, and cleaning. If any strange creature had entered the garden, it should have been cleared out long ago.

Meanwhile, in the suburbs, within the villa, Zhang Jian also sensed an ominous sign.

In the mountains and countryside, it seemed snakes and insects had suddenly increased in number.

Inside the villa, the lights were bright.

Zhang Lu was leading a team of guards to scatter medicinal powder everywhere, driving away insects and snakes.

Inside the courtyard, Zhang Jian frowned, realizing that since obtaining the special destiny of Dragon Phoenix Appearance, snakes, insects, rats, and ants around him had usually been scarce, most avoiding him.

Because remnants of the Dragon Pearl and Phoenix Soul's spiritual resonance lingered on him.

Yet now, snakes and insects had entered the manor at night.

Zhang Jian immediately sensed something unusual.

Sure enough, not long afterward, Zhang Jian received another message.

"My lord, news has come from many rural households at the foot of the mountain—they too have found traces of snakes and insects entering the courtyards!"

At this moment, Zhang Lu's expression grew somewhat solemn.

To see so many snakes and insects appear in a single night—such a strange tale he had never heard before.

Zhang Jian's heart also felt astonished; he immediately tried to contact the spirit of Mount Fengling.

As the mountain god of the Double Phoenix Range, Fengling should know and could provide more information.

Sure enough, not long afterward, the spirit of Mount Fengling sent word.

"My lord, do not worry—this time it is the Venom Dragon Palace from Yangyang Commandery seeking revenge, and it has little to do with us."

"Venom Dragon Palace?"

Zhang Jian's pupils flickered.

At that moment, in the courtyard, Bai Xianyin's figure appeared; hearing Zhang Jian's words, she couldn't help but ask.

"Young master, I seemed to hear you mention the Venom Dragon Palace just now—could it be that the spiritual snakes around here were brought by the Venom Dragon Palace?"

"Xianyun, you also know of the Venom Dragon Palace's existence?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's expression showed some astonishment.

Bai Xianyun laughed with a clear voice: "Young master, of course I know—this Venom Dragon Palace originates from Venom Dragon Lake, a considerable water system, but long ago it was occupied by an old viper, which bred and multiplied within; thus many snake descendants in the southern commanderies are its offspring, and with great fortune, it received the orthodox imperial investiture of the State and Gods Dao, giving it considerable influence!"

"Yet this old snake still observes propriety—though it has many snake offspring, it has always been bound by restrictions and will not let these little demons run wild; it is rather timid..."

Hearing this, Zhang Jian couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "It seems the White Water Dragon Lord is in trouble!"

Upon hearing Fengling Mountain God's words, that the Venom Dragon Palace had already declared its intent to surrounding forces in broad daylight—this journey was solely to avenge their dead son, and they would not disturb other powers.

Their banner bore the words: for revenge.

The gods naturally would not easily oppose them.

Seeing Bai Xianyun turn her divinatory gaze toward him, Zhang Jian immediately shared the news he had received.

"The Venom Dragon Palace comes for the divine position of the Water Well Dragon King; the two Water Well Dragon Kings in Fengyang Commandery are both snake offspring of the Venom Dragon Palace!"

Bai Xianyun laughed.

"No wonder that old viper has grown so bold—but she is merely a spiritual snake; how could she give birth to two dragon-blooded dragon species? Could it be she has mated with another dragon lineage?"

She chuckled, yet inwardly speculated.

Seeing Zhang Jian watch the spectacle, he too inwardly shook his head.

This probably involves divine Dao struggles and other secrets, for now unrelated to him.

That White Water Dragon Lord has a violent temper and is not easy to deal with.

……

Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Jian continued to contemplate the artifact-refining secret manual in his hand, while also beginning to study the《Nine Heavens Riding Wind and Controlling Thunder Method》.

This great art shares a subtle similarity with the cultivation of wind and thunder techniques, and can likewise be divided into wind technique and thunder law.

However, unlike the wind and thunder technique, if successfully cultivated, it can truly summon wind and thunder, forming a mighty powerful art.

This is a true primordial spirit transmission.

It can be cultivated directly to the primordial spirit level.

It is extremely formidable.

Primordial spirit-level arts are near the Dao!

Capable of interfering with the changes of heavenly phenomena and laws; for ordinary cultivators, its complexity is like reading heavenly scriptures.

But upon entering Zhang Jian's eyes, after a period of his research, he gradually found the clue.

The Nine Heavens Riding Wind and Controlling Thunder Method can be divided into the Nine Heavens Riding Wind Secret and the Nine Heavens Controlling Thunder Method.

The Nine Heavens Riding Wind Secret requires first visualizing an image of the Wind Earl deity, gradually refining it into the Nine Heavens Wind Earl Diagram, and finally refining it into the Wind Earl Talisman; through these steps, one can gradually control the wind energy everywhere between heaven and earth.

The details are as fine as silk threads, penetrating the Nine Depths.

Great, it is like a storm of blades between heaven and earth, enough to destroy mountains and break ridges.

Zhang Jian, however, did not place much importance on the killing techniques in the Nine Heavens Riding the Wind Technique, but rather valued the accompanying Qingming Wind Travel Technique.

He chose this method, and one of the main reasons was this factor.

Once mastered, the Qingming Wind Travel Technique allows one to traverse the Qingming like a divine golden-winged bird, with speed surpassing thunder.

Its mastery requires no recitation reversal; instead, the mind follows the method, and the initial speed is extremely fast, with no prior signs.

It is said that the evasion speed in this technique is also top-tier between heaven and earth.

Next is thunder magic.

Thunder magic is Zhang Jian's old profession; his Nine Heavens Command Thunder Technique can summon the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder and transform it into a killing weapon.

The Nine Heavens Divine Thunder belongs to yang thunder, which is more majestic and vast than yin thunder, with greater power.

Once mastered, killing and exterminating demons becomes extremely fierce.

But it also possesses extremely unstable characteristics.

If a cultivator lacks sufficient thunder-attributed spiritual roots, they are easily injured.

Moreover, among the many techniques in the Ancestral Master Hall, this technique ranks among the most difficult to cultivate.

However, for Zhang Jian, this is not a problem.

After a period of contemplation, he gradually entered a favorable state.

Possessing the Nine Apertures Exquisite Heart, contemplating the various difficult aspects of this technique became his strength.

In just a few days, Zhang Jian first visualized the Wind Earl Diagram.

At this time, within his Niwan Palace, he visualized a Wind Earl surrounded by countless azure misty lights, treading on dragons and snakes, with a wind bag tied at his waist, forming in his mind; the azure light condensed into form, and next came the need to transform it into a Wind Earl Talisman.

Once the Wind Earl Talisman is formed, he can cultivate the various wind techniques in the Nine Heavens Riding Wind and Controlling Thunder Technique.

This includes the Qingming Wind Travel Technique.

However, after successfully visualizing the Wind Earl Diagram, Zhang Jian hesitated momentarily regarding the subsequent cultivation of the Nine Heavens Command Thunder Technique.

If he were to continue cultivating thunder techniques in the short term, it would certainly scatter his focus.

And hinder the cultivation speed of the Nine Heavens Riding Wind Technique.

But if he only cultivated the Nine Heavens Riding Wind Technique and neglected thunder techniques, it would inevitably be a pity.

After a moment of hesitation, Zhang Jian made up his mind to first cultivate the Nine Heavens Riding Wind Technique to a certain level before proceeding.

For now, he should focus on one direction.

In the early stages of cultivation, breadth is not as good as depth!

With his decision made, Zhang Jian immediately devoted himself fully to contemplating the marvels of the Wind Earl Diagram.

With his foundation and comprehension, progress was rapid.

After a few days, he successfully transformed the Wind Earl Diagram completely into a Wind Earl Talisman Scripture.

Once this Wind Earl Talisman Scripture was formed, Zhang Jian clearly felt that his divine sense became more sensitive to the flow of spiritual mechanisms between heaven and earth.

Wind qi is essentially the power generated by countless spiritual mechanisms flowing between heaven and earth; if unleashed, it greatly assists oneself.

……

Meanwhile, as Zhang Jian diligently cultivated, in the Bai Shui River of Fengyang Commandery, celestial phenomena had been frequent during this period, with continuous rumbling; the White Water Dragon Lord had already fought several battles against the incoming poisonous dragon water god.

The divine dao battle inevitably affected both banks; at this time, a Daoist from the Dongshen Observatory had already intervened to mediate, but gradually a program emerged.