Chapter 222

No wonder those young jinshi, when mentioning the East Study, all wore expressions of longing and reverie...

Zhang Jian noticed the palace maids' glances, feeling a faint smile in his heart, yet also sensing that the atmosphere here was indeed quite different.

Compared to this, a bureau with only men, and old men at that, this place is truly a fairyland.

Zhang Jian suppressed this sudden strange thought welling up in his heart.

His steps were light as he strode straight toward the East Study.

Zhang Jian's appearance at this moment also made many palace maids inside the palace feel a sense of novelty.

The officials of the Literary Affairs Institute, both high and low, had many grievances about the institute's single-gender nature; many palace maids, long residing in a palace with only one man, also harbored much helplessness, and similarly held various expectations for the outside world.

Seeing other men for the first time, novelty is inevitable!

Especially Zhang Jian, who is so handsome and ethereal.

Outside the East Study, Zhang Jian also noticed many palace maids secretly following him along the way; they were bold, almost tantamount to tailing, and a few older ones chuckled, still discussing Zhang Jian's identity.

Before the East Study, Zhang Jian produced his credential tablet; the two burly guards at the door exchanged a glance and immediately cleared a path.

Upon entering the East Study, Zhang Jian's gaze swept over, and instantly his eyes lit up.

This place truly lives up to being the imperial non-public imperial scripture repository: not only is the number of ancient texts extremely large, but their quality far surpasses that of the other two studies.

And the environment.

The interior is arranged with exquisite elegance, featuring private reading spaces and dedicated female attendants serving tea within.

Red sleeves adding fragrance.

At this moment, there were no other readers in the East Study; the six female attendants serving tea were all sweeping, and upon seeing Zhang Jian enter in the morning light, one of them gracefully stepped forward.

She first performed a salute, then guided Zhang Jian to a sandalwood table to register his name in the ledger.

Clearly, the rules for entering this place differ from those of the other two studies.

"So you are Zhang Shidu, maid Zhou Yinyin—do you require the maid to serve tea?"

Upon seeing Zhang Jian's registered official post, this female attendant clearly showed some change; her lovely eyes became alluring, her expression more respectful.

"No need—I dislike being disturbed while reading; if I need anything, I'll call you!"

Zhang Jian calmly refused with a composed expression.

He entered the East Study to 'sweep up' books, not for these 'red sleeves adding fragrance' theatrics.

Seeing this, the attendant surnamed Zhou slightly bowed and retreated to the side!

At this moment, Zhang Jian, starting from the first shelf of the bookcase, directly borrowed several ancient volumes and entered the elegant pavilion.

Those several ancient volumes were none other than a set of the *Taiyin Jing Shi Jing*!

At a glance, he recognized this classic; it is likely a text looted after the Great Qian court purged a left-path sect, containing part of its doctrine written in runes, quite profound.

It expounds on the connections between the myriad yin and yang of heaven and earth and the Taiyin star, many of its arcane phrases possessing the power to mobilize Taiyin spiritual essence.

After comprehending this *Taiyin Jing Shi Jing*, Zhang Jian successfully grasped a set of Taiyin Body-Refining Technique!

This is a method for strengthening the yin spirit, enhancing absorption and refining the efficiency of Taiyin spiritual essence.

Its power is quite considerable.

Only see: in the elegant pavilion, a dense stream of Taiyin moonlight spiritual essence was drawn by Zhang Jian, manifesting in broad daylight, transforming into a torrent of Taiyin starlight that Zhang Jian infused into his physical form.

This is still without his yin spirit emerging to attract; if his yin spirit emerged, he could condense a Taiyin dharma form himself, and the effect of absorbing Taiyin spiritual essence would be even better.

After a moment, Zhang Jian sampled lightly and then stopped.

After all, this is the imperial palace; too much movement would still cause trouble.

Having gained benefit from this *Taiyin Jing Shi Jing*, Zhang Jian's enthusiasm for this East Study grew even higher.

After leaving the elegant pavilion, returning the volumes, he successively exchanged for several more texts.

Just then, he heard many footsteps approaching the door, along with two voices!

One alluring and gentle, the other innocent and guileless.

In an instant, Zhang Jian saw a splendidly dressed, tall palace beauty enter from the East Study doorway, accompanied by a small boy in extremely noble attire, followed by over ten maids, female attendants, and elderly women.

"The maidservants pay their respects to Consort De!"

"All rise!"

This beauty who entered the study had a dignified and noble countenance, exuding an aura like a spring breeze, yet her brows and eyes retained their dignity.

"That is Consort Lan De!"

Zhang Jian's gaze swept over this palace beauty and the boy she led.

Emperor Jingwu had never established an empress, but the inner court housed many concubines, and his offspring were also quite numerous.

Currently there are four consorts and nine concubines, plus many ladies, beauties, and so on.

Basically, the roster is full.

The four consorts are respectively the Noble Consort, the Virtuous Consort, the Consort De, and the Worthy Consort.

In the absence of the empress, the Noble Consort holds the highest rank, equal to a vice-empress, temporarily overseeing palace order.

As for the other Virtuous Consort, Consort De, and Worthy Consort, they hold no particular hierarchy, but Consort De is especially favored.

Because she has raised the Third Prince, Wei Zhen, at her knees.

At this moment, seeing Consort Lan De notice his presence, Zhang Jian made a slight bow.

"Who are you?"

Consort Lan De also noticed Zhang Jian's presence; she furrowed her willow brows, her gaze turning to the nearby female attendants as she sternly rebuked and questioned.

"Why is an outsider male appearing in the East Study?"

The head attendant, Zhou Yinyin, dared not delay; she hastily lowered her head and eyes, whispering: "Reporting to the Consort, this is Zhang Shidu, specially permitted by His Majesty to enter and exit the East Study at will!"

"Zhang Shidu?"

Consort Lan De, upon hearing this, let her lovely eyes fall upon Zhang Jian, her gaze scanning him up and down, with scrutiny in her depths; beside her, a female attendant brought forward the registration ledger.

"Mother Consort, I don't like it here!"

At this time, the Third Prince swept his gaze around, but he was frowning. He looked to be about five or six years old, but he was already tired of studying.

Upon hearing this, Consort Lan De no longer paid attention to Zhang Jian, and her stern gaze fell upon Wei Zhen.

"Your Highness, you have reached the age suitable for study. Before long, your father the Emperor will arrange a tutor for you to begin your education. But if you fall behind, you will naturally lag behind your several elder brothers and younger brothers. By then, your father the Emperor will not like you!"

Upon hearing this, the Third Prince wrinkled his little face and asked: "Why does Father Emperor not like me?"

Consort Lan De shook her head and said: "Your father the Emperor does not like lazy people. If you become more diligent, then in the future your father the Emperor will allow the Empress Dowager to come see you!"

Zhang Jian, standing nearby, overheard this and quietly retreated.

Zhang Jian had no wish to come into contact with this Consort De, even though his Holy Scrolls were unprecedented. But prolonged contact with the imperial consorts in the inner palace would easily earn him a reputation for improper conduct, and more seriously, possibly even charges of colluding with the consorts to overthrow the court—grave crimes.

……

In the Jingtai Hall

At this time, Emperor Jingwu stood somewhat wearily before that Bodhi Enlightenment Diagram, for some reason he had recently felt somewhat fatigued, his energy seeming to have waned.

"Grand Attendant, you say whether the leakage of dragon vein vital energy is affecting Me?"

Emperor Jingwu looked toward Chao Mu beside him.

His spirit at this time was still fairly good.

The rebellion in Lingwu Commandery of the North had been quelled, and the battle at Dongshen Guan had dealt a great blow to the remnants of the Xuèsà Sect, invigorating the people, which also lifted Emperor Jingwu's spirits considerably.

Chao Mu's countenance remained unchanged, but he sighed inwardly, the influence was certainly present.

The most fatal thing was not only that the lightning strike on the imperial mausoleum damaged the dragon vein, but also that this time the former dynasty's dragon vein had encountered a major problem, causing the Great Qian dragon vein to become polluted.

The vengeful spirits had drilled into the Great Qian dragon vein, causing evil dragons to appear within it.

But Chao Mu still comforted him.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. With us here, the dragon vein will not affect Your Majesty!"

Emperor Jingwu nodded.

Seeing Emperor Jingwu shift his attention, Chao Mu nevertheless looked at him with concern.

Although it would not affect Emperor Jingwu's governance, the pollution of the Great Qian dragon vein by the vengeful spirits of Shu's dragon vein would cause all consequences to fall upon Emperor Jingwu.

This would involve every aspect.

However, he could not speak of this matter, and could only do his best to perform rituals to lessen the backlash's impact.

Chao Mu's mind flashed with some methods for dispersing the vengeful spirits; these spirits could be appropriately transferred and dispersed onto some civil and military officials in the court.

If Emperor Jingwu were to bear it alone, he would certainly be unable to endure it, but if the many civil and military officials of the entire court helped, it would certainly be greatly alleviated.

Many of these officials actually possessed astral knowledge and could help bear some of the burden.

"Then, how should that former dynasty's dragon vein be handled?"

Emperor Jingwu again mentioned the Shu dragon vein, frowning.

The Shu dragon vein was currently only temporarily suppressed; the dragon vein vengeful spirits had not yet been vented or refined. If mishandled, it might well trigger heavenly disasters.

Upon hearing this, Chao Mu spoke in a deep voice.

"This is also the purpose of this old minister's re-entry into the imperial palace. I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict inviting the high adepts of the Great Qian Daoist temples to come to Haojing, so that our Great Qian may hold a grand fasting and offering ritual to transmute the vengeful spirits within the dragon vein!"

"The vengeful spirits within the dragon vein are mostly the military souls of those who died or were wounded in Shu's conquest war, as well as the evil spirits of the imperial clan from the palace halls. After transmuted, they can then be resolved along with the Shu dragon vein!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu could not help but ask.

"Why not just entrust this to the National Preceptor now? Why trouble the people and waste wealth?"

Emperor Jingwu was somewhat reluctant to spend money.

Chao Mu sighed: "Your Majesty, the National Preceptor Jingming has suffered grave injuries and likely cannot accomplish this alone!"

Sometimes it is not that higher cultivation or greater spiritual power means deeper attainment in the Daoist scriptures.

Specialization exists: in the aspects of invoking and sacrificing to deities, those professional Daoist masters may far surpass them, for they have spent their lives serving the gods, frequently performing rituals at Daoist altars, and are thus more familiar with the gods.

However, inviting the many high masters from the Great Qian Daoist temples into Haojing also indeed requires a leader to guide the many Daoists in setting up the fasting and offering altar, and here such a leader is indispensable.

Chao Mu's eyes flickered; this leader, naturally the best choice, is the National Preceptor Jingming Daoist.

But now Jingming Daoist is gravely injured and needs rest; he should not be taxed mentally or physically.

However, it would be possible to let Jingming Daoist recommend a candidate!

……

On the Observation Heaven Platform, Jingming Daoist at this moment had a layer of intense spiritual energy circulating around his body, and he was rapidly devouring the vast spiritual energy gathered on the Observation Heaven Platform to restore his own spiritual power.

His withered, emaciated form was gradually becoming fuller, flesh beginning to fill out, but the two other Daoists on the Observation Heaven Platform knew this was merely superficial.

The loss of essence and blood cannot be fundamentally restored without decades of quiet nurturing.

Even if the reserves of Dongshen Guan were used.

But at this moment, Jingming Daoist was seen with a ring of azure-blue thunder and lightning flashing around his body, the lightning containing a strong sense of vitality. Crackling lightning burst forth from beneath his skin, with vital energy of creation circulating and merging into his limbs and bones, restoring his spiritual power.

Dongxiao Daoist and Dongjue Daoist knew this was the Dongshen Guan's untransmitted secret treasure, the Wuji Creation Golden Elixir.

This is a pill personally refined by the Patriarch of Dongshen Guan, said to be able to revive the dead and restore flesh to white bones, a peerless treasure for healing injuries.

But even the Life-Creation Golden Elixir cannot restore Jingming Daoist's Dao injury.

Dongxiao Daoist used his divine sense to communicate with Dongjue Daoist, their words full of regret.

"What a pity that Jingming Shidi possesses an immortal body and Dao bones, yet is dragged down by such mundane affairs. The Patriarch once said that Jingming Shidi's chance of transforming into an infant spirit far surpasses that of Second Shidi and Third Shidi!"

He was referring to Dongzhen and Dongxuan.

At this moment, the two were still in Lingwu Commandery exterminating the remaining cultivators, and had not yet returned.

"Jingming has enjoyed deep blessings since childhood; I believe he can overcome this trial!"

Dongjue Daoist's expression was different; he merely gazed at Jingming Daoist, also full of care, for he had watched Jingming Daoist grow up, and the two shared a bond like mother and son.

At this moment, Jingming Daoist slowly refined the medicinal effects of the golden elixir within his body, his gaze toward the two Daoists.

"Elders, is there something urgent that brings you here?"

Upon hearing this, the Dongxiao Daoist immediately handed over a letter in his hand and said.

"Sect Master's junior disciple, the previous generation sent someone to deliver a letter, saying there is a major matter to discuss with you?!"

Seeing this, Jingming Daoist's eyes flickered; he reached out and took the letter before him, opened it, glanced at it, and immediately furrowed his brow.

"Inviting the sages of the Great Qian Daoist temples to hold a Grand Peace Ritual Assembly to pacify the vengeful spirits of the dragon veins..."

He frowned; indeed, he now had the will but lacked the strength.

As for recommending a leader to shepherd the various Daoist temples, that is not a problem—although Dongshen Temple focuses on cultivation, as the orthodox leader of Great Qian, it certainly does not lack high adepts versed in ritual sciences.

The Dongxiao Daoist before us is precisely an expert in ritual sciences.

……

《Mirror Moon Canon》

At the Zhuangyuan Manor, after work, Zhang Jian held Zhang Chang'an with one hand, gently patting her back to lull her to sleep, while his gaze fell upon a borrowed ancient text.

This《Mirror Moon Canon》floated in midair under his magical control; he had already memorized its contents entirely—it is also a cultivation scripture written in ancient gold script.

It is not a secret art or technique, but a book describing various rituals related to mirrors and the lunar yin.

These rituals are quite interesting; most are used to communicate with deities, or to employ mirrors to exorcise evil, refine demons, or control demons.

However, the key point is summoning.

According to the《Mirror Moon Canon》, mirrors and the bright moon are indispensable in many summoning and transformation rituals.

Mirrors can penetrate numerous formless void dharma realms.

Zhang Jian found this quite intriguing.

From it, he comprehended a special summoning method capable of randomly summoning nearby spirits and apprehending deities.

Zhang Jian named it the God-Seizing Method.

"God-Seizing Capture!"

At this moment, as Zhang Jian chanted, a lunar radiance formed above his head, took shape in his hand, turned into a flowing light that entered the mynah bird in the nearby cage; instantly, under sunlight, the mynah's shadow was seized in his hand—seemingly, with slight force, he could annihilate the mynah's true form.

This is a most marvelous technique.

Not only does it seize shadows; if he wishes, even deities in the celestial bureaucracy or spirits hiding in the void dharma realms can be easily seized by him using this method.

"It seems I have inadvertently comprehended another formidable technique!"

And as news arrived from outside, Zhang Jian also learned that Emperor Jingwu intended to convene a grand Grand Peace Ritual Assembly.