Chapter 158: The Old Immortal

The Immortal Inquiry Tower

Ning Zhongtian froze.

"Why does this name sound so familiar? I've heard it before—ah, Li Rui!"

As he pondered this.

The old Daoist rose and chuckled: "You must be Master Ning of the Heaven's Alliance. I've long heard of you."

Ning Zhongtian felt deeply honored.

The old Daoist's aura was no weaker than Jiang Lin's—undoubtedly a supreme expert. He, a mere alliance leader, had no right to claim such reverence; it was merely the other's courtesy.

He still had enough self-awareness to know that.

He quickly bowed and clasped his fists: "Master, you flatter me."

They had exchanged greetings.

Jiang Lin did not rush to speak but gestured downward: "Sit first."

Seeing this, Ning Zhongtian could only find a seat near Jiang Lin, but not between the two.

The three sat down.

Only then did Jiang Lin continue: "Master, you've spent years seeking immortal traces—have you found anything?"

The old Daoist's name was Zhang Gu, an Elder of the Immortal Inquiry Tower.

Though the Immortal Inquiry Tower was a hidden sect, it was by no means completely cut off from the outside world; it simply interacted with individuals of such high status that ordinary people could never reach that level.

Jiang Lin had only learned of the Immortal Inquiry Tower by chance, through an encounter with this old Daoist.

The two had become close friends across generations.

Of course, they were friends across generations—the old Daoist had once, while drunk, admitted he was already over one hundred and thirty years old.

They were separated by at least three generations.

Zhang the old Daoist sighed: "The path to immortality is hard to find. I search daily—just as a way to refine my heart in the mortal world."

Jiang Lin asked curiously: "Master, the last time we met was four years ago. Your visit today is truly unexpected."

Zhang the old Daoist chuckled:

"A few days ago, I felt a divine omen, so I scattered some rice."

"Do you know what happened?"

"Sixty-eight sign: Purple paths, red dust, heroes buried. Cultivating Qi, aspiring to cross the immortal heavens. Advantage lies southeast."

"As I traveled, I reached the Anning Prefecture, and then remembered—you serve in Anning Prefecture. So I came here."

A gleam flashed in Jiang Lin's eyes.

The old Daoist's rice-scattering and sixty-eight sign were, in fact, the Daoist Rice Divination Method.

Legend says it was created by Master Lu of the Daoist tradition.

When passing a land god or city god temple, one may grasp three handfuls of rice: the first handful counts as hundreds, then divide by ten and take the remainder—for example, if you grasp 164 grains, the remainder is four, meaning four hundred; the second handful counts as tens, the third as units. After totaling, if the number exceeds 384, subtract 384 to get the divination sign.

Anyone can scatter rice.

The key lies in interpreting the sign.

Only Daoists of profound cultivation can discern heavenly truths from these three handfuls.

Jiang Lin laughed: "Master Zhang, I suspect you're just thirsty and came here to beg me for wine. If your logic holds, then I must be your immortal connection."

Zhang the old Daoist merely laughed heartily.

Divination reveals only a broad direction; the specific opportunity still depends on personal destiny.

Otherwise, after so many divinations, he would have found his immortal connection long ago.

In truth, since the Immortal Inquiry Tower's founding, seventy-three generations have passed—and still no one has truly attained immortality.

It's merely an obsession.

Seeing he had met an expert in immortal studies, Jiang Lin decided to ask earnestly: "There is one matter I hope you can clarify."

Zhang the old Daoist: "Brother Jiang, speak freely."

"Have you heard of the Ghost Ming Sect's immortal treasure?"

"I've heard a little."

In truth, this was Zhang the old Daoist's modesty.

Not only the treasure—he knew of the immortal techniques as well.

Why?

After Jiang Lin handed the immortal treasure to the Dragon Court's master, the imperial court gathered all great Daoists to study and decipher its secrets.

He was not present, but his senior brother—the current master of the Immortal Inquiry Tower—was.

Upon returning,

He said only four words: "Not Dao, but Technique."

"Not Dao, but Technique."

Jiang Lin murmured the words the old Daoist had spoken about the Immortal Inquiry Tower's master's judgment on the treasure.

Zhang the old Daoist continued:

"Countless seekers pursue immortality. The Ghost Ming Sect is merely one among them. This so-called immortal technique likely follows some esoteric path—it has nothing to do with the Dao. But all conclusions are premature; further study and contemplation are needed to know the truth."

Was the emperor pleased to have obtained the immortal treasure?

Of course he was.

But did he truly believe he had gained the chance for immortality?

Not at all.

If you ask which sect seeks immortality most intensely, it is undoubtedly the imperial court. In fact, the court discovers some self-proclaimed "immortal treasure" every few years and sends them all to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau for individual study.

When the Imperial Astronomical Bureau cannot understand them, they seek out great Daoists across the land for joint study.

From the court's actions alone, it is clear the Dragon Court's master does not truly believe the Ghost Ming Sect has acquired any real immortal technique.

He merely follows the principle: better to kill a thousand than let one escape.

On one hand, the Ghost Ming Sect was already showing signs of rising—so troops were dispatched to suppress it; on the other, he sought more information about immortal techniques.

Two benefits in one move.

What if the Ghost Ming Sect truly possessed an immortal technique?

Jiang Lin recalled the expression on the Grand Eunuch's face when he handed over the treasure, and smiled lightly: "Master, you are right. I was clinging to illusions."

"No, Brother Jiang—you are the clearest and most lucid mind I have ever met. Even if I said nothing, you would have figured it out soon enough."

Zhang the old Daoist shook his head.

He had spent his life seeking immortality, over a hundred years, yet had only a handful of friends.

Jiang Lin, at only forty, had already become his confidant.

Why?

Because he saw the faint aura of immortality on Jiang Lin—not the kind of aura one speaks of, but the spiritual essence of a clear, uncluttered heart, close to the Dao.

The two discussed the mysteries of the Dao for a long time.

Ning Zhongtian nearly fell asleep.

Had it not been for his superior's presence, he would have had to force himself to stay awake.

After a long while, the conversation finally turned to him.

Zhang the old Daoist looked at the drowsy Ning Zhongtian and chuckled: "Master Ning, do you have a Thundering Tiger Cavalry under your command?"

Ning Zhongtian immediately agreed: "Master, yes."

The old Daoist had spoken one sentence, and Ning Zhongtian already guessed the coming plot.

"On this journey, I brought three disciples. Had it not been for the righteous intervention of your Thundering Tiger Cavalry, this old man would now be alone."

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Saying this, Zhang the old Daoist genuinely bowed and clasped his fists in a formal salute.

=9+ Shu _ Ba

"As expected—he came to thank me!"

Ning Zhongtian quickly bowed in return, and as he lowered his head, a faint smile curled his lips.

Li Rui had already informed him of this matter.

So when he heard the old Daoist came from the Immortal Inquiry Tower, he had already prepared himself.

Being bowed to by a revered hermit master like this would give him plenty to boast about—enough to drink more wine at any gathering.

Very useful indeed!

Jiang Lin's lips also curled upward unconsciously.

The Anning Guard had saved the Immortal Inquiry Tower's disciples; as their superior, he too could deepen his connection with the Immortal Inquiry Tower.

Though the Immortal Inquiry Tower was a hidden sect, seemingly powerless,

In truth, it was the opposite of what the world believed: its master was a great scholar of immortal studies, wildly admired by nobles in the capital—even the emperor had personally sought his counsel on the Dao.

This favor was not insignificant.

Zhang the old Daoist straightened up: "Master Ning, I have one more request, though it is an imposition."

Ning Zhongtian glanced at Jiang Lin.

He instantly understood.

He patted his chest: "Master, speak freely. Whatever I can do, I will spare no effort to fulfill it."

With Jiang Lin's nod, he had no worries—only needed to show his attitude.

Master Zhang asked, "I wonder if there's a Li official in the Tiger Patrol?"

Ning Zhongtian blinked in surprise.

"Are you referring to the patrol supervisor, Li Rui?"

Master Zhang nodded. "Yes, that's likely him. I came seeking immortals and planned to stay a few days in Anning Prefecture, but my two disciples were frightened—I thought to temporarily lodge them at Anning Guard."

"I humbly request, my lord, that you arrange for my two disciples to stay at Li's residence, as thanks for saving their lives."

Ning Zhongtian's expression turned strange. What kind of request was this?

Not just him—even Jiang Lin was taken aback by Master Zhang's request.

Moreover, Jiang Lin vaguely felt Master Zhang had come for the vinegar, not the dumplings.

Indeed, he himself was the bonus dumpling.

Ning Zhongtian couldn't make sense of the situation and turned to look at Jiang Lin.

The next instant.

Jiang Lin cleared his throat. "My lord, it's just a couple more chopsticks. I recall Li Rui's residence has many empty rooms—let them stay, as long as they don't mind."

He added, "Of course, this still depends on Li Rui's consent."

Master Zhang smiled and nodded.

"Naturally."

The Li residence.

The stable.

The Li residence's stable had always been for show.

Though Li Rui had been promoted to patrol supervisor and was assigned a horse, the horse belonged to the government and was kept under joint supervision at the Anning Guard's Horse Pavilion.

Wang Zhao had habitually kept the stable spotless, but it had always remained empty.

This time, the stable finally had an owner.

"Master, this Red Dragon Horse is truly extraordinary—its sweat is a deep crimson."

Wang Zhao nearly drooled on the ground.

Li Rui glanced at his disciple.

Wang Zhao got more excited over a good horse than over a beautiful girl.

Thinking of his disciple's still-unsettled marriage, Li Rui silently shook his head and concluded:

"Destined to be alone."

Yet, watching Wang Zhao's eyes gleam, Li Rui felt a flicker of thought:

"Perhaps I could train Xiao Zhao to become a stable master?"

Whether he cultivates or not isn't essential—respecting one's interests matters.

Li Rui had always been open-minded.

Just as the master and disciple stood before the stable, studying the Red Dragon Horse—

A heavy knock came at the gate.

"Master, someone's here."

Wang Zhao spoke, but his eyes never left the Red Dragon Horse.

"Fool."

Li Rui rolled his eyes, didn't expect Wang Zhao to open the door, and walked toward it himself.

"Who is it?"

As he called out, he pushed the gate open.

Just as the two gates parted slightly, Li Rui caught sight of the person standing beyond.

He froze.

Besides Ning Zhongtian, three others stood behind him.

One man, one woman—and Li Rui recognized them both.

"Yao Xue?!"

(End of Chapter)