Chapter 364: Great Xia Dragon Veins

The next day, Zhang Jian summoned Zhang Yi into the ancestral hall.

Only after several days did he let him go.

Joyful reunions are always brief, no matter how much reluctance there is; Zhang Yi, Zhang Chang'an stayed in the imperial palace for several days before departing again.

Before the palace gates, watching several streams of light carrying Zhang Yi and Zhang Chang'an away, Zhang Jian, with two dignified figures behind him, could not help but let a trace of worry appear on the beautiful empress's jade-like countenance.

Even the cool, pale face of Bai Li Ying showed some emotion.

Not long after Zhang Yi and Zhang Chang'an departed, the True Monarch of Slaying Demons and several eminent cultivators of the Tongshan Dao Tong descended together.

Clearly, the Tongshan Dao Tong had already reached an agreement with other eminent cultivators of other Dao Tong!

For this, Zhang Jian held a grand celebration feast within the palace gates.

The True Monarch of Slaying Demons also took this opportunity to introduce Zhang Jian to another part of the eminent cultivators within the Tongshan Dao Tong.

This time, the second-generation patriarch came only with the Violet Lightning Patriarch; the Green Origin Patriarch of the Main Peak lineage remained in seclusion guarding the sect.

The third-generation patriarch, however, came in numbers: besides the Sect Leader Jue Ming Dao Ren, there were also the Wu Liang True Monarch and the Burning Bone True Monarch, whom he had previously exchanged words with the True Monarch of Slaying Demons, the Qing Yun True Monarch... there were Daoist worthies familiar to Zhang Jian from the sect, as well as those he had never heard of.

For example, that Qing Yun True Monarch had once traded with him for the《Great Peacock Sutra》, though the trade was never completed.

At this moment, under the hand of Jue Ming Dao Ren, Wu Liang True Monarch laughed: "Zhang Shifu, if you ever have such good fortune again, just notify us, your uncles and elder uncles; we will surely be able to help you resolve any problems!"

The Burning Bone True Monarch in red robes joked:

"So you won't have your master constantly chattering in our ears, always saying we uncles are taking advantage of you!"

Zhang Jian smiled faintly, simultaneously raising his wine cup: "It is the uncles' affection for the younger generation; the uncles' deep kindness is remembered by the younger generation—I first offer a cup to all the uncles!"

Wu Liang True Monarch, hearing this, turned to the True Monarch of Slaying Demons beside him and laughed.

"Junior sister, look—still, the nephew knows how to speak, unlike you, who can't utter a single pleasant word all day!"

The True Monarch of Slaying Demons glanced at this Wu Liang True Monarch, his eyes calm and indifferent, yet it made Wu Liang True Monarch's heart skip a beat; he dared not continue teasing.

At this moment, Jue Ming Dao Ren noticed Zhang Xian accompanying Zhang Jian at his side.

His pupils flickered slightly.

After the guests and hosts had enjoyed themselves fully, and after the other eminent cultivators of the Tongshan Dao Tong had departed, Jue Ming Dao Ren, citing the need to discuss with the Great Xia the allocation of Daoist temples and palaces across the regions, remained behind first.

The Great Xia, newly established, has a hundred neglected affairs awaiting revival.

There are too many places needing to be reorganized.

For example, as the former dynasty's dragon veins collapsed, many heretical paths and demonic beings have again brought disaster to the populace.

This is an urgent problem requiring the Great Xia's Imperial Astronomy Bureau to resolve.

The Zhang family has never cultivated its own immortal practitioners; although they have taken in the Cave Spirit Observatory and some scattered cultivators, it is but a drop in the bucket.

During the prolonged decade-long backlash of the dragon qi, many cultivators of the Cave Spirit Observatory were scattered—some left on their own to seek vitality in the Two Realms region, while others were harmed by demonic beings and heretical paths during the heaven-and-earth backlash.

Fortunately, Zhang Jian protected a portion of the elders; now, having been gathered into the Great Xia, they can still exert some effect.

The foundation of the Cave Spirit Observatory remains.

Next is the land annexation issue.

This is the Great Xia's top priority.

This matter involves broad connections; Zhang Jian had previously suppressed it, but now that the imperial position is secure, he prepares to secretly begin organizing the mountains and rivers; he dispatched a team of inspection envoys to the four directions, to measure the mountains and rivers, to investigate the fields, and of course, nominally still to inspect local 'taxation' and investigate black households.

This team of envoys was led by Song Yingzhen as imperial commissioner; Zhang Jian deliberately selected several elders of the Dong generation to take charge, having them escort and safeguard, determined to ensure this mission proceeds smoothly.

……

After arranging all manner of worldly affairs, Zhang Jian then discussed with the True Monarch of Slaying Demons the residence of the Zhang dragon veins.

Since the establishment of the Great Xia, the Zhang dragon veins must be moved to Haojing City, simultaneously re-determining the dragon den, to allow the dragon veins to rest and recuperate, and also to suppress the gods of the state and land.

Three figures gazed down from above the imperial city upon Haojing City; the True Monarch of Slaying Demons swept his gaze over and said to Zhang Jian: "Within Haojing City, as the newborn dragon veins arrive, future auspicious geomantic caverns will surely re-form, but as your master, I feel you need not rush; my Tongshan Nine Cauldrons Secret Law is profoundly wondrous—it can create nine special dragon dens, not only for the dragon veins to dwell, but also to augment the fortune of the Great Xia state!"

"Nine Cauldrons Secret Law?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes brightened.

This is the Tongshan Dao Tong's untransmitted secret.

It is also the supreme great secret of the Sage King Ancestor Yu the Great, who established the cauldrons of state and heaven and earth.

Zhang Jian had indeed inquired several times before, but such wondrous law seems to have a special mode of transmission.

"Master, Sect Leader Uncle, may this disciple seek the Nine Cauldrons Secret Law?"

At this moment, Jue Ming Dao Ren stood to the side, smiling faintly, and said.

"Zhang Shifu, do you know why, within the sect, few can cultivate the 'Nine Cauldrons Secret Law'?"

Zhang Jian pondered, then spoke frankly.

"I have heard my senior brothers mention that cultivating the 'Nine Cauldrons Secret Law' has special requirements; it is rumored to be an unparalleled transmission of the Sect Leader's lineage!"

Jue Ming Dao Ren, hearing this, shook his head with a light laugh; the True Monarch of Slaying Demons glanced at Zhang Jian and rebuked: "This is mere hearsay!"

"The fundamental reason the 'Nine Cauldrons Secret Law' is not personally transmitted is that it is a state-fortune immortal law, and also a Sage King immortal law!"

"It has a prerequisite: the most basic is to condense a Son of Heaven's destiny, or to found a dynasty and condense the state's fortune!"

"Besides this, there are no other restrictions; if the human race has other Sage Kings who can pass the trial left by the Tongshan Dao Tong's ancestral founder, they too may hope to obtain this wondrous law to protect the Dao—for the ancestral founder harbors no selfishness!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's expression stirred.

"Then, does this disciple need to enter the sect and undergo the trial?"

The True Monarch of Slaying Demons glanced at him.

"That is unnecessary; you only need to go before the ancestral founder's memorial, offer a stick of incense to the ancestral founder, and you will naturally obtain the wondrous law!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes brightened, and he could not help but praise.

"The ancestral founder truly possesses noble integrity and the bearing of a Sage King!"

The True Monarch of Slaying Demons, hearing this, let out a soft snort.

"Fine words—say less; bring something more practical……!"

"Something practical?"

Zhang Jian blinked his eyes, and in an instant began to loudly complain.

"Master, your disciple here is a penniless wretch, the only family property I have is Wang Jinren, which you even helped me seize!"

"You must see clearly!"

Zhenmo Zhenjun watched as Zhang Jian immediately began to complain, and at once shook his head.

"You slippery fellow, as your master I don't need your treasures, I only need your 'person'!"

"'Person'?"

Zhang Jian's expression froze for a moment, but he saw Decision Bright Daoist smiling at him from the side.

"Stop pretending confusion, your third son Zhang Xian has been taken a fancy to by the Sect Master's senior martial brother, so tell me, are you willing or not?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian froze for a moment, then said.

"This is a good thing, Xian'er being able to become a disciple of the Sect Master's uncle is something I would beg for, how could I not be willing?"

Zhang Jian bitterly smiled in his heart; during the banquet he had noticed Decision Bright Daoist's eyes occasionally glancing at Zhang Xian.

Indeed, as he had expected, Decision Bright Daoist had taken a fancy to Zhang Xian.

Zhang Xian's talent could be said to be the best among his several children.