Chapter 791: On Dragons

Jiangzhou Fucheng.

The flow of people was bustling, all queuing to wait to enter the city.

Aaron was still dressed as a farmer, wearing a set of coarse hemp clothing, but when it came time to enter the city, he produced a Daoist Certificate!

This was an ancient top-tier residency permit and travel pass!

After all, the Great Song also had a Travel Permit system, issued by the county; if commoners wanted to travel far, they had to report to the government and obtain approval.

And in reality, it was unlikely for a farmer to ever leave the county they lived in for their entire life!

Only scholars, or those with academic honors above a Cultivated Talent, would travel with a sword, putting into practice the saying: "Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles."

Aside from them, there were Daoists and monks who possessed a Monk Certificate or Daoist Certificate.

After possessing a Daoist Certificate, Aaron could now theoretically go anywhere without needing a Travel Permit, and could also stay and eat for free at any legitimate Daoist temple... Theoretically speaking, he possessed the possibility of traveling across the entire Great Song without spending a single copper coin!

"In reality... besides scholars, monks, Daoists, and big merchants, ordinary people simply cannot afford to travel far..."

The gate guards carefully examined the Daoist Certificate; it was specially made and easy to distinguish from a fake, and they compared the facial features described on it with Aaron one by one before finally believing it, waving him through: "Please, Daoist!"

At the same time, inside a clothing store.

However, as long as one succeeds, it is a massive profit!

Cangsong's expression became grave: "In my view... I fear it can respond to a portion of the Qi Number. The Great Song has been founded for over two hundred years, and the national strength is declining day by day. Of course... if the ruler were to strive for prosperity, it might not be impossible to recover several decades of Qi Luck, but this Emperor dotes on treacherous officials and is single-mindedly seeking immortality, consuming Golden Core pills... It is truly, hard to describe in a word!"

But these things could not be told to Senior Brother Cangyun.

Using Daoist Technique on officials brings Backlash, and if one were to directly take action to harm them, the Backlash would be even greater! Even a Daoist Master could not withstand it!

Aaron couldn't be bothered with the trouble, so he chose some ready-made clothing to try on.

"This... the world is collapsing, how could it be saved by the strength of one person?" Daoist Cangyun widened his eyes.

"I encountered some things on the road..." Seeing that the young attendant had already closed the door, Daoist Cangsong relaxed his tone a bit and sat down on a chair of his own accord: "I just met a young man; observing his physiognomy, he is someone with the fate of an Anti-King..."

These words were a bit heavy, even carrying the scent of a traitor.

He also knew deeply the shortcomings of Daoist Technique, which was that it was countered by Official Qi, Dragon Qi, and even those with great Qi Luck!

For example, Cangsong, whose surface-level skills in Face Reading were fine, but if he were to forcibly delve into the interior to check someone's foundation, he would immediately suffer Backlash!

A so-called Hidden Dragon, though appearing unremarkable, must have hidden Qi Number in their surroundings!

"Daoist, are you satisfied with this outfit?"

"Not bad, not bad..."

On the street, the flow of people gathered like a hundred rivers, and from time to time, peddlers carrying shoulder poles hawked their wares along the streets and alleys; even plain boiled water had people buying it!

If a true country bumpkin entered the city, they would likely be dazzled and unable to even find a place to stand!

"In reality... the prosperity of this Jiangzhou Prefecture can only be considered average; the legendary Jingcheng is the most prosperous place in the Great Song... The masters of Dajingang Temple descend to manage lending, it is a top-tier prosperous club and a place where all kinds of goods gather. According to Provincial Graduate Gu, the roasted pork personally prepared by 'Huiming' is a world-class delicacy; he ate it once when he went to take the Presented Scholar examination, and he still remembers it to this day..."

Fifteen strings of cash, which is fifteen taels of silver, is truly not cheap.

However, Aaron had serious business coming here this time.

The city of Jiangzhou Prefecture was indeed very prosperous; on both sides of the street were money shops, pawnshops, blacksmiths, sugar shops, cosmetic shops, tea houses, cloth shops, restaurants, brothels, tea and snack shops...

After his impassioned speech, Daoist Cangsong became somewhat discouraged: "Sigh... my Face Reading and Spirit Eye methods are but minor arts... In reality, they are of little use. Although I can read a person's face and determine fortune or misfortune, wanting to find a Hidden Dragon remains somewhat inaccurate... A dragon can be large or small, can rise or hide; when large, it swallows clouds and spits mist, when small, it hides in a mustard seed; when rising, it flies through the universe, when hiding, it lurks within the waves... How could it be found by mere Face Reading? When a Hidden Dragon has not yet emerged, it is truly no different from an ordinary person, and when the other party is a dragon flying in the sky, everyone in the world knows they are the True Dragon, so what use is it then?"

In reality, Daoist Cangsong still had a layer of doubt in his heart.

He also knew that he was able to manage such a large family business in Jiangzhou Prefecture not only because of his own profound Daoism, but also because of the support of the Wuxiao Sect behind him!

In short, as the signs of a chaotic era appeared, ambitious people in the Buddhist and Daoist circles of the world were all silently looking for a wise lord to invest in.

The common people of the Great Song loved Taoism, and even ordinary wealthy families liked to buy a few sets of Daoist robes to wear while discussing metaphysics, so there were many ready-made garments in the shop.

"Got it." The clerk's eyes lit up, his face full of smiles: "This set of Daoist robes, our shop sells for five strings of cash, three sets for fifteen strings..."

Therefore, the first taboo for a True Cultivator of the Daoist Gate is that one must never kill an official, especially an official with grand Qi Number!

On the contrary, people in the martial arts world act recklessly, and if they kill an official, they kill them.

Not long after, a young Daoist with a topknot entered and served fragrant tea.

And the tailor shop in a small town like Luzhouji was somewhat not to his liking.

Forcibly checking the foundation of a fifth-rank official could cause him to vomit three liters of blood and fall into a serious illness.

Daoist Cangyun's expression became a bit more solemn; he had always known that this Junior Brother had obtained the true teachings of the sect's physiognomy and that his fortune-telling was incredibly accurate, but he still couldn't help but ask: "Really?"

With the help of the clothing, Fang La's originally not-ugly face seemed to become three parts more handsome out of thin air.

Daoist Cangyun's face twitched.

"But if I don't do this, it won't work. Those of us who cultivate, whether Buddhist or Daoist, are all heavily restricted by Dragon Qi. Don't the Buddhists say—without the support of the national ruler, one cannot perform religious rites? It is the same for our Daoist Gate..." Daoist Cangsong hissed: "If we don't get the support of the Imperial Court, how can our Daoism flourish? The lessons of history are everywhere... Not to mention seizing the True Dragon's Qi Number to greatly boost our Daoist cultivation, just from a worldly perspective, if there is no Imperial Decree, any random Prefect or County Magistrate could label us as heretics and confiscate the temple's assets and land. If it were you, could you endure that?"

Otherwise, those officials, big and small, would sooner or later swallow him skin and bone.

For one thing, after possessing a Daoist Certificate, he was theoretically a proper Daoist, so he had to have a few sets of Daoist robes to change into.

"So... has it really reached the time of a chaotic era? Our 'Wuxiao Sect' sending you, Junior Brother, to walk the world, I fear it is also because you want to find a Hidden Dragon to invest in, right?"

"I bet that within the next ten years, there will be a great change in the world!"

He was just preparing to report back to the sect to send someone to make contact first.

And watching the foundation of a Hidden Dragon might just cost one's life!

"Who knows... it's nothing more than a brave man cutting off his arm, or a gecko shedding its tail, to find another place to raise a dragon. It might even lead to a southward migration..." By the time Daoist Cangsong finished speaking, his voice was as low as a mosquito's hum.

At this time, Daoist Cangyun laughed: "Junior Brother, you have come late..."

Aaron was changing into the Daoist robe, looking left and right, with a glib-tongued young clerk following beside him.

But with the gifts Provincial Graduate Gu had given him several times, Aaron was still quite well-off.

"Senior Brother, can you not trust my eyes?"

Daoist Cangyun sighed: "The world is in chaos, flood dragons are rising together, what sin have the common people committed? Furthermore... there is only one True Dragon, and if you don't succeed, you die! If the sect fails to support the Dragon Court, it will inevitably suffer heavy losses..."

"Hmm."

A moment later, another Daoist walked in; he had gray hair, but his complexion was as ruddy as an infant's, and his appearance was excellent.

Although he knew he could haggle, he couldn't be bothered with the noise, so he paid the full price directly, shouldered a parcel, and walked out of the clothing store amidst the shop assistant's enthusiastic send-off.

At this moment, he let out a wistful sigh and continued on his way.

But for a Daoist to kill an official, even if they use martial arts to do it, as long as they possess cultivation, they will still face Backlash!

Otherwise, if their Daoist Technique reached the heavens and they did not fear Dragon Qi... this world would have long ago turned into the world of immortal cultivation Aaron had previously experienced, with sects carving up territory and enfeoffing Emperors; how could it be in this state?

Pedestrians on the road saw a handsome Daoist striding forward with high spirits, dashing and debonair, and could not help but cast glances of admiration.

However, while Daoist Technique cannot directly interfere with Qi Number, it can subtly influence it.

Cangsong Daoren helped himself to tea and snacks, saying leisurely: "The fate of an Anti-King... actually doesn't amount to much. The Great Song territory spans ten thousand miles with tens of millions of people; every year, a few are bound to emerge... If the Heavenly Mandate of the Imperial Court still remains and is suppressed by a True Dragon, then even flood dragons and pythons must lie dormant... What can the fate of an Anti-King do? Instead, because their own destiny is countered by the Imperial Court, their life path is full of twists and turns; a moment of carelessness and their family is broken, their life lost, and their clan exterminated... Only in times of chaos might they perhaps ride the wind and achieve something... But an Anti-King is just an Anti-King; their physiognomy has too many dark patterns, and they are destined to be nothing more than a precursor for a True King... If they see the situation early in the future and defect to a True Dragon, they might manage to secure a title as a General of Miscellaneous Titles or an Earl/Marquis... If their character is any more rebellious, I fear their entire clan will be executed..."

Cangyun Zhenren listened intently, then could not help but sigh: "Then, according to Junior Brother, does this current fate of an Anti-King count as having met the Heavenly Mandate?"

What is Qi Number? It is power!

Having your own fields and people, having fame and courage—these are all Qi Number!

When the time of chaos arrives, one call brings a hundred responses; by gathering the strength of the masses, one can accomplish a great cause!

Cangsong Daoren had long since cultivated the sect's arts of Physiognomy and Feng Shui Geomancy to the peak, reaching the realm of Chushen Ruohua, and was no longer restricted to an individual's facial features, which was how he found a few clues.

"Uncle-Master Cangsong has arrived."

While he was lost in thought, a Daoist walked over from the opposite side.

This Daoist looked back a few times, wanting to find Aaron's retreating figure, but how could he possibly find it?

The glances cast from time to time by passing young women were proof enough of everything.

Aaron did not intend to be too flashy, but at least he could not be below the average standard of his peers—to be honest, he had endured the uncomfortable coarse cloth robes on his body for a long time.

Secondly, it was to look for opportunities to expand his Qi Points; after all, the village and town were too small, and their potential was limited.

At this moment, his Daoist robe was primarily black and white, he wore Cloud-Stepping Boots on his feet, a Yellow Wood Daoist Crown on his head, a Silver-Edged Crane Cloak over his shoulders, and on his back was a pattern of the Yin-Yang Taiji.

Cangsong nodded slightly and, familiar with the path, arrived at the backyard and entered a side chamber.

He was about thirty years old, with an ordinary appearance, wearing a cyan Daoist robe and Black Cloud Boots, his eyes bright and piercing; upon seeing Aaron, he gave a cry of surprise.

'Hmm... the attire is set; next is to investigate the faith ecosystem of the prefecture city and then decide whether to come and play the god or ghost...'

"This can also work?" The old Daoist Cangyun's face was drained of all blood, pale as could be.

'When the time comes, it will also be the moment for our sect's Hidden Dragon to stir up trouble...' Cangsong Daoren added in his heart: 'It is only a pity that the one with the fate of an Anti-King left today; otherwise, I could have used him to clear the path early, to hack through thorns and brambles for the Hidden Dragon, and even offload quite a bit of the Backlash...'

Even if the relationship between the two was excellent, this matter concerned the life and death of the sect, so it absolutely could not be leaked!

The old Daoist Cangyun did not know the twists and turns in his Junior Brother's heart, only sighing: "Daoist Technique, Daoism... sigh..."

Although the other party was also of the 'Cang' generation, because he had been sent out to preside over a temple, he was vaguely excluded from the core.

He was the Abbot of the local Wuyun Temple—Daoist Cangyun.

Aaron was quite satisfied: "Like this one, give me two more sets; I'll wear them in rotation!"

A young Daoist who was sweeping saw this person and hurriedly bowed: "Master is waiting in the back side chamber..."

And in the cultivation world, there is a specialized term for this, which is—Contending for the Dragon!

In the end, when the final True Dragon is decided, that is the future founding Emperor, and the winner takes all!

However, those outside the secular world do not place much importance on these things.

Those who are good at observing Qi Number are often easily misled by it; what they see is not necessarily the truth, and if they were to lead their sect into a state of eternal damnation because of this, they would truly be unable to atone even with a hundred deaths!

Thinking of this, he could not help but think of the Hidden Dragon he had found some time ago.

"Besides this, flood dragons are rising everywhere in the world's prefectures, and all have sects supporting them from behind... some have even found their way to the Hu people!"

For example, the Feng Shui Geomancy that the Daoist school is most proficient in can perform Dragon Pointing; after burying the bones of ancestors, it can silently protect descendants and increase Qi Luck, serving as the capital to start a career!

Of course, this is only the first pot of gold, equivalent to venture capital; in reality, the majority are failures.

Nowadays, the Daoist robes of the Great Song are very particular; the Daoist headwear alone includes nine types: the Hunyuan Kerchief, Jiuliang Kerchief, Chunyang Kerchief, Taiji Kerchief, Heye Kerchief, Kaoshan Kerchief, Fangshan Kerchief, Tang Kerchief, and Yizi Kerchief.

Cangsong's eyes rolled, and he spoke of the affairs of other Daoist Lineages: "However... this chaotic world is hard to say... I hear that the 'Chongming Dao', which the current Son of Heaven favors most, heh heh, has already merged itself with the Qi Luck of the Imperial Court and is inseparable; they will absolutely not watch the Imperial Court collapse and lead to the downfall of their Daoist Lineage, so they are trying every possible way to extend the life of the Dragon Qi..."

Beyond this, there is substantive support; for instance, if temples gather together to provide people and money, that is also supporting Qi Number, and it is even more direct and effective!

At this thought, he could not help but pay more attention to the matter of Contending for the Dragon: "Junior Brother... have you found them?"

Among them, the shops doing small-scale food and drink business were the most profitable.

Not long after, he arrived at a temple named 'Wuyun Temple'.

"The Heavenly Mandate... is unfathomable!" Cangsong Daoren also sighed: "The Chongming Dao has received massive enfeoffment from the Imperial Court, and their Qi Number is flourishing; they have produced five True Men in the world, and even one Grandmaster... Their foundation is incomparably deep, and they have supreme treasures to suppress their Qi Number; who is to say they don't truly have unfathomable methods to save the Heavenly Mandate?"

If one is simpler, they use a Yellow Wood Daoist Crown on their head; if one is more luxurious, gold, silver, or even jade crowns are common.

If it were the previous Fang La, he might have had to sell his own land to afford it.

Besides this, even the Daoist robes and crane cloaks had many embroidered with gold and silver threads.

Aaron showed no change in expression as he walked into the city.

The current Emperor favors Taoism, so the status of Daoists has also been raised accordingly, at least a little higher than that of monks.

Aaron could not be bothered to pay him any mind, directly merging into the crowd and disappearing...

'Ugh... I feel the impact of the jujubes isn't enough; I still need to find a living signboard...'

Aaron's eyes rolled, and he had an idea.

(End of chapter)