[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber":3,"chapter-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-24":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","My Life as a Rising Force in the Red Chamber",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2310822,4515,"Chapter 24: Daoist Grand Master","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-24",24,"\u003Cp>Jia Cong asked curiously, “Master Liu, this man has such grandeur—who exactly is he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bi smiled and said, “In all the world, only one man may ride four horses, display the imperial yellow, fly talisman flags, and bear the Yin-Yang fish of the Zhou Tian Eight Trigrams.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That man is the Supreme Master of the Orthodox Teaching, the Great True One who oversees all Daoist affairs of the realm—Grand Master Zhang Yuzhen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong understood: the most revered clan in this world was the Kong family of Qufu in Shandong, a true millennium-old lineage unmatched even by imperial houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for later generations’ devotion to scripture recitation, that is a matter for another time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If any other clan could rival the Kong family, it was none other than the Zhang family, heirs to the Daoist lineage founded by Zhang Daoling of the Eastern Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong was astonished: Prince Jia Shun had such immense influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Nanxi Literary Gathering had not only summoned the reigning literary patriarch, Master Liu Jing’an, but even the Zhang family’s Grand Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet there was more he did not know: the Nanxi Literary Gathering was originally meant for scholars to exchange ideas and meet—there was no precedent for inviting a Daoist leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhang Yuzhen was no ordinary Daoist patriarch; since childhood he had loved reading, mastered the teachings of all schools, and excelled particularly in poetry and calligraphy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yanxiu stroked his beard and replied, “Of course I remember—that Heart Sutra was profoundly mysterious, its brushwork ancient yet elegant, already forming its own school, exceedingly rare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had it been another faction, their relations might have been distant, but Liu Bi revered Jia Cong’s astonishing calligraphy and his refined, unpretentious nature, free of any haughty aristocratic frivolity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Liu Bi still recalled his earlier remark and asked again, “Brother Cong, who exactly brought you here? Let me pay my respects—he must be a senior of your family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Changyan, standing behind Prince Jia Shun, recognized Jia Cong at once; after just over ten days, Jia Cong had changed somewhat, surprising him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take Jia Cong, for instance—everyone knew he was a junior son of Rongguo Mansion, destined in a few years to be separated into his own household, never again to share in the prestige of the Duke’s residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When encountering those more capable than himself, he became warm and approachable, almost chameleonic—a peculiar trait likely shaped by his literary family upbringing: broad horizons, respecting talent over status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong said, “No senior brought me—I came on my own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then patted Jia Cong’s shoulder and said with a touch of irritation, “Fine then—when the time comes, come with me. We’ll follow Grandfather; who dares stop you? Since you’re here, you must broaden your horizons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not assumed the title of Grand Master, he too might have become a literary patriarch like Liu Yanxiu; such a man attending the Nanxi Literary Gathering was naturally fitting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bi’s voice had grown louder without realizing it; the group chatting with Prince Jia Shun turned to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Born into a distinguished family and successful in the imperial examinations, Liu Bi carried himself with a touch of arrogance—typically reserved for those he deemed mediocre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yanxiu frowned; his grandson had fine character and talent. Though passing the provincial exam at twenty was not outstanding in the Liu family, it was still commendable—he was simply young, and his conduct still showed some restlessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Jia Shun smiled at Liu Yanxiu beside him: “Master Jing’an, do you recall the Heart Sutra we saw a few days ago at Father’s New Year’s Prayer Banquet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was fortunate: since the current Emperor’s ascension, Zhang Yuzhen had annually prayed for the Emperor’s fortune before the New Year, and this year he happened to be in the capital—otherwise, Prince Jia Shun could not have invited him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He whispered a few words into Prince Jia Shun’s ear; the prince turned to study Jia Cong closely, his expression subtly shifting, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bi exclaimed, “How can you be here alone? Without an invitation, you couldn’t even enter the Shuyun Villa’s gates!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled how Wang Dong had told him of the Sutra’s origins and Jia Cong’s humble circumstances within the Jia household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before assuming the Grand Mastership, he had traveled the land, his literary fame spreading far and wide, earning him the title of Daoist Sage among scholars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These qualities suited him perfectly; raised under his grandfather’s influence, he had long cultivated his own judgment. At such a young age, Jia Cong already showed such promise—he would surely become extraordinary, worthy of sincere friendship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dared not mention it: Prince Jia Shun had personally written to invite him to the gathering and appointed him as the recorder—a peculiar arrangement that would sound like boasting if spoken of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had meant to ask His Highness who had penned it, but I never found the chance. I’ve dwelled in solitude on Mount Luocang for ten years and knew nothing of such a remarkable new calligrapher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Jia Shun smiled and gazed toward where Liu Bi and Jia Cong stood. “The man who wrote it stands right before you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yanxiu followed his gaze—he knew the prince was not referring to his grandson. When he saw Jia Cong beside Liu Bi, his expression froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He collected himself and asked, “Your Highness means that Heart Sutra was written by that boy? How is that possible? How old is he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Jia Shun said, “I myself doubted it at first—but Changyan witnessed the boy’s own handwriting. There is no mistake. The boy is Jia Cong, son of Jia She, First-Rank General of Rongguo Mansion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yanxiu, as a literary patriarch of profound learning and vast experience, knew that gifted talents arose endlessly across the land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet what Prince Jia Shun claimed was truly beyond reason—he still harbored doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled that day when the Retired Emperor, with the New Year approaching, held a New Year’s Prayer Banquet at Jinyang Palace, inviting retired officials and elder members of the imperial clan to dine and converse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Heart Sutra had hung prominently in the hall; all present were connoisseurs, and someone soon noticed the extraordinary calligraphy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many praised the profound Buddhist scripture and its peerless brushwork, declaring their union a marvel of divine craftsmanship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yanxiu, immersed in scholarly circles his entire life, had seen countless masterpieces of calligraphy—but never before had he seen such a script; it must have been the calligrapher’s own invention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still clearly remembered the Retired Emperor’s expression of pride and delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only later did he learn the scroll had been presented to the Retired Emperor by Prince Jia Shun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Retired Emperor, deeply devoted to Buddhist studies and passionate about calligraphy, had cherished the scroll beyond measure; in his joy, he had gifted Prince Jia Shun numerous rare ancient texts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, that astonishing Heart Sutra was said to be the work of this boy—Liu Yanxiu’s astonishment was beyond words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bi, why are you standing there? Bring that young brother over to pay respects to His Highness and Grand Master Zhang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bi was stunned: his grandfather asked him to pay respects to elders—that was fine—but why include Jia Cong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong heard this and felt a stir within, though his face remained expressionless; he followed Liu Bi forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Prince Jia Shun, Liu Yanxiu, and Grand Master Zhang Yuzhen all fixed their gazes on Jia Cong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bi, born into nobility and accustomed to grandeur, rarely encountered such a scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was the refined and cultured Prince Jia Shun or Grand Master Zhang, who held sway over all Daoist affairs, both were towering figures of their age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Grand Master Zhang: clad in a deep-blue feathered Daoist robe, crowned with a golden seven-star lotus cap, his bright eyes gleamed with profound radiance, so deep they seemed to dazzle the beholder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere of the moment, usually so carefree, now made Liu Bi feel inexplicably tense, a hint of awkwardness showing on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet beside him, the much younger Jia Cong stood calm and composed, drawing curiosity from Liu Yanxiu and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They saw Jia Cong standing tall and slender, his black hair like ink, lean but with features as finely carved as a painting, his eyes clear and tranquil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dressed in a crimson Xingxingzhan  cloak, illuminated by the snow’s glow, he seemed to glow like crimson clouds, standing out utterly alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even under the scrutiny of all, he remained composed, unruffled—such bearing and demeanor were impossible in an ordinary child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yanxiu and Grand Master Zhang silently marveled and applauded: though the Jia family was in decline, it still possessed enough fortune to raise such a youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your humble servant Jia Cong pays his respects to Your Highness, Master Jing’an, and Grand Master Zhang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Jia Shun smiled, “I deeply admire your calligraphy. Today I finally meet the master. A youth with your bearing and talent is rare indeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope you fulfill your role as recorder today and bring glory to the Nanxi Literary Gathering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong replied, “Your Highness overpraises me. I shall give my utmost and not disappoint.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yanxiu, though Jia Cong was still a child, noted his steady, clear responses and humble, composed speech; he could not help smiling inwardly and nodding in approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Grand Master Zhang Yuzhen’s gaze was deep, studying the noble bearing of Jia Cong; his empty right hand flickered slightly, as if some revelation had dawned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1596,"2026-06-20T12:19:54.434Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d47644fed4d65e339cf53065b87c65c371baff5c5edd0b8c34683b27f723be62","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-25","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-23",920,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-cover.jpg"]