Chapter 20: Uncle Nine and Auntie Zhe Gu Marry, Receiving the Register

Several days later, the wedding of Uncle Nine and Auntie Zhe Gu was held as scheduled. Uncle Nine rode a tall horse to East Head Village, and used an eight-bearer sedan chair to carry Auntie Zhe Gu back to the righteous manor.

Along this journey, even if a Ghost King were present, they would have to run away immediately; any passing lonely spirits or wild ghosts would receive a couple of slaps.

Because Uncle Nine, Auntie Zhe Gu, and the others had a good reputation, the villagers followed along to join in the fun; the children laughed and giggled, asking Qiusheng and Wencai for candies. There were also Jiale and the others scattering copper coins there.

With the music playing all the way, they soon arrived at the righteous manor. Following the procedures, Uncle Nine led Auntie Zhe Gu before Daoist Master Jinbao and their parents to pay their respects.

Uncle Nine's father was also a Daoist priest, but he had sacrificed his life. Auntie Zhe Gu's parents were just ordinary folk, so both parents were still alive.

As the master of ceremonies announced the wedding proceedings, it wasn't until they were sent to the bridal chamber that everyone began to eat the banquet.

Soon, Uncle Nine walked out to toast the guests. Daoist Master Simu and the others began to act mischievously, frequently offering toasts.

Fortunately, Daoist Master One-Eyebrow stepped in and said, "You are getting A-Ying drunk; aren't you afraid Auntie Zhe Gu will come looking for trouble with you?"

At the mere thought of Auntie Zhe Gu, the group of fellow disciples immediately scattered in a flurry.

By the time the banquet ended, it was already night, and it was time for Uncle Nine to go to the bridal chamber.

Daoist Master Simu immediately called for his fellow disciples to go and tease the newlyweds. Zhang Cheng did not join in the fun, thus narrowly avoiding a disaster.

This group was beaten out by Auntie Zhe Gu, with Daoist Master Simu receiving the most beatings.

The lively wedding concluded, and the next day, the fellow disciples bid farewell to Uncle Nine one after another.

Daoist Master Jinbao took Zhang Cheng to bid farewell to Uncle Nine, heading straight for the provincial capital; next, they would take a train to Su Province.

Jinling in Su Province was the stronghold of the Baldy Party. Because the Onmyoji of the Foot-Basin Chickens were running rampant, the Baldy Party relied heavily on the Maoshan Sect to deal with the Foot-Basin Chicken Onmyoji.

Daoist Master Jinbao was worried that Zhang Cheng did not understand these things, so he told him a great deal along the way.

He said, "Back then, the Japanese envoys to the Tang Dynasty took back quite a few things from the Profound Gate, but these Japanese people didn't learn the righteous path; it was all heterodox ways.

Nowadays, the Japanese people are spying on our Heavenly Dynasty, recruiting many traitors, and have learned quite a few spells.

Not only that, they also target the geniuses of our Profound Gate with ruthless methods. In the future, if you encounter a Japanese Onmyoji, you must never go soft."

Zhang Cheng nodded immediately and said, "Master, rest assured. With national hatred and family grudges before me, this disciple will never go soft!"

The Maoshan Sect is another name for the Shangqing Sect, and because it is located on Mount Mao in Su Province, it is called the Maoshan Sect.

The Maoshan Sect is also divided into Northern and Southern Maoshan Daoism. Northern Maoshan is the place of origin, while the Southern Maoshan Sect is at Mount Luofu in Yue Province, founded by Ge Hong.

Daoist Master Jinbao's lineage belongs to the Southern Sect, but the important matter of receiving the register must be conducted at the Maoshan main sect.

Mount Mao is located at the junction of Jurong and Jintan counties.

Mount Mao was anciently known as Mount Juqu. During the Western Han Dynasty, the three Mao brothers from Shaanxi came to the mountain to gather herbs and refine pills to save the people and help the world.

Therefore, later generations renamed it Three Mao Mountain, abbreviated as Mount Mao.

It is listed as the "First Blessed Land, Eighth Grotto Heaven" of Daoism. Mount Mao has beautiful scenery, with nine peaks, twenty-six caves, and nineteen springs.

Traveling a short distance east from Maoshan Town, one reaches the foot of the mountain, where one can look up at the Nine Heavens Ten Thousand Blessings Palace that dominates the summit.

Zhang Cheng followed Daoist Master Jinbao on the train for several days, then took a carriage to reach Maoshan Town. There was a regiment of garrison troops in Maoshan Town.

Maoshan Town was very lively because the Maoshan Sect main branch was stationed there; ghosts and monsters rarely caused trouble, and even if they did, they were quickly eliminated.

Coupled with the garrison troops, there were naturally no blind bandits, so many people came here to do business, as well as believers who came by reputation, or outsiders who came for tourism.

Although this place is a town, it is no weaker than a city.

Zhang Cheng followed Daoist Master Jinbao up Mount Mao, and after showing his dharma seal, a Daoist master soon came to greet them.

That master bowed and said, "Senior Brother Jinbao, the Sect Leader Uncle-Master received the telegram and has already made arrangements."

Daoist Master Jinbao hurriedly returned the salute and said, "It really is troubling the Sect Leader, that old gentleman."

That master immediately led the way for Daoist Master Jinbao. Afterward, several elders inspected Zhang Cheng and said, "Bathe and fast tonight; the register-receiving ceremony will be held tomorrow."

Daoist Master Jinbao bowed and said, "Many thanks, Elder."

Zhang Cheng was receiving the register for the first time. The initial conferment is the "Scripture Register of the Supreme Three-Five Merit Official," abbreviated as the "Merit Official Register," which belongs to the sixth or seventh rank.

The next day, a properly dressed Zhang Cheng participated in the register-receiving ceremony under the witness of his fellow disciples.

At the register-receiving ceremony, three masters were present: the Register Altar Supervision Master, the Transmission Master, and the Recommendation Master.

In addition to being responsible for examining the register-student's basic situation, familiarity with classics, and Daoist cultivation, the three masters also needed to sign the issued "Official Certificate" for the register conferment to take effect.

Once Zhang Cheng received all the items, he was officially a personal disciple of the Maoshan Sect. He had a dharma seal, and with the dharma seal, he could draw talismans.

The face of the dharma seal was engraved with characters having Daoist meanings, and some even had completely stylized talisman patterns. The seal knob was generally a lion or other evil-averting beast.

But the dharma seal Zhang Cheng received was actually the Seal of the Superintendent of the City God Department. Zhang Cheng didn't know at first, but he only found out after checking the system. Seeing that his master did not explain, he did not ask about this matter.

The ceremony ended, and Daoist Master Jinbao went to see the Sect Leader before taking Zhang Cheng away.

Inside Maoshan Town, Daoist Master Jinbao smiled and said, "This Merit Official Register is no problem for you. If you have any difficulties, you can ask me."

Zhang Cheng nodded and said, "Yes, Master!"

Daoist Master Jinbao continued, "The cultivation technique you practiced before can also be continued; the two do not conflict."

Zhang Cheng hurriedly thanked him, "Thank you for your guidance, Master."

On the train back, Zhang Cheng began to practice the technique in the Merit Official Register. It contained not only the technique but also talismans, incantations, and so on.

He only spent ten merit points and one hour to learn the first level of the technique.

The moment he learned it, he felt the Qi in the air. Before this, the Qi he could feel was refined from the treasure gourd.

Having learned this Merit Official Qi-Refining Method, he felt that the speed at which he recovered the magic power in his body was much faster.

It is worthy of being a Merit Official Register that requires one thousand merit points to redeem; this was a direct freebie!

Daoist Master Jinbao, who was on the side, discovered Zhang Cheng's cultivation speed and was greatly surprised. Even Shi Jian, in whom he had placed high hopes, did not cultivate as fast as Zhang Cheng.

He was deeply gratified, never thinking that in his old age he could still receive such a fine disciple. He imagined his fellow disciples would be so envious they would grind their teeth.

With the blessing of sufficient merit points, Zhang Cheng, who had been on the train for several days, spent seven hundred and sixty merit points to cultivate the Merit Official Register to the fifth level.

"Host: Zhang Cheng"

"Profession: Daoist Priest"

"Level: None"

Strength: 4

Constitution: 3.9

Agility: 3.8

Intelligence: 3.8

Cultivation Method: "Valley Clothes Heart Sutra" Lv5 (0/800), "Supreme Three-Five Capital Merit Scripture Seal" Lv5 (0/800)

Spirit Refining Art Lv4 (0/400)

Equipment: Universe Patchwork Robe (↑), Hundred-Year Peach Wood Sword (10/10), Five Thunders Command (1/1), Evil-Refining Treasure Gourd (Refining), Fire Crow Pot, Eight Trigrams Mirror, Seal of the City God Bureau Superintendent

Merit: 3940

Zhang Cheng felt very satisfied in his heart. Now he only needed to cultivate the Valley Clothes Heart Sutra and the Capital Merit Seal well, and it would be enough to deal with most matters. Plus, with a few magic treasures, who could be his match?

Returning to Guangzhou in Guangdong Province this time, Perfected Person Jinbao returned to Mount Luofu, while Zhang Cheng thought about returning to Uncle Nine's place first to refine all the evil ghosts in the treasure gourd before saying anything else.

Seeking collections and tips for the new book!

(End of this chapter)