Chapter 443: Yu Ji, Zuo Ci

Originally, Yu Ji and Zuo Ci had not intended to enter court service.

But the Dark Guard's strength was simply too overwhelming, and the one who defeated them was merely an ordinary member of the Dark Guard.

At the time, upon learning this news, both of them fell into a measure of self-doubt.

When had so many powerful experts appeared in this world, and they had known nothing of it?

And so, the two were brought to Luoyang City by the Dark Guard.

Moreover, the soldiers the two saw within Luoyang City gave them both a sense of being extraordinarily powerful.

And after witnessing the Commander of the Shadow Guards, Tai'a, the two were instantly shocked.

They had not expected such a powerful person to still exist in this world.

Upon learning of the Imperial Court's strength, the two abandoned any other thoughts.

At this moment, Liu Bian did not yet know what these two were thinking. Seeing that all four had agreed,

and that the loyalty of the four was still passable, he said to them in a commanding voice:

"Good. Since you four have all agreed to join my Han Empire, this Emperor permits you to cultivate the Martial Cultivation Method unique to my Han Empire."

At this, Yu Ji and Zuo Ci, who knew what a cultivation method was, could not help but cry out to Liu Bian:

"Your Majesty, do you mean to say that you possess a Martial Cultivation Method?"

Having spoken, the two looked at Liu Bian with some astonishment, and in their eyes there was also a measure of disbelief.

However, upon seeing their reaction, Liu Bian was rather surprised. Judging by their stunned, disbelieving expressions, it seemed they knew about Martial Dao methods.

Immediately, Liu Bian asked them in a solemn voice:

"What? Judging by the two of you, could it be that you know of Martial Dao, and even possess a cultivation method?"

Upon hearing Liu Bian's question, the two exchanged a glance, and Yu Ji spoke first:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the two of us, Daoists that we are, are in fact disciples of Nanhua Laoxian. We two are fellow disciples."

"Back then, our master told us of Martial Dao, but we suffered from the lack of a cultivation method."

"The 'Dunjia Heavenly Book' that I cultivate and the 'Taiping Dao Scripture' that my junior brother cultivates simply cannot produce internal force."

Hearing Yu Ji's words, Liu Bian asked in some puzzlement:

"But how is it that this Emperor has heard that there is no such person as Nanhua Laoxian? Now you say that you two are both his disciples — what is going on?"

"Hehe, Your Majesty may not know, but our master Nanhua Laoxian truly did exist."

"It's just that, before our master passed away, he instructed us two fellow disciples not to spread word of his existence."

"That is why we two fellow disciples claimed to the outside world that there was no Nanhua Laoxian!"

After hearing Yu Ji's explanation, Liu Bian and the others understood — so this was the hidden story behind it all.

"This Nanhua Laoxian was indeed a remarkable man!"

At this, Cao Cao, the Minister of War, who had heard Yu Ji's explanation, could not help but sigh.

"Your Majesty, this is the 'Dunjia Heavenly Book' that this Daoist cultivates. I have practiced it for so many years without ever fully comprehending it. Now, I am willing to offer it to Your Majesty!"

Just then, Yu Ji suddenly produced a yellowed ancient record from his robes and spoke to Liu Bian with reverence.

"Your Majesty, this Daoist is also willing to offer the 'Taiping Dao Scripture' to Your Majesty!"

At this, Zuo Ci beside him, seeing Yu Ji's action, immediately produced a similarly yellowed ancient record from his own robes and spoke to Liu Bian with reverence.

Seeing Yu Ji and Zuo Ci offer up the methods they cultivated, Liu Bian was rather surprised.

"Good. Since you two ministers are so generous, this Emperor cannot be stingy. I shall now transmit to you four the Martial Dao method cultivated by the Civil and Military Officials of my Han Empire."

Having spoken to the four in a commanding voice, Liu Bian waved his hand toward them.

A streak of Golden Light flew from Liu Bian's hand and vanished into the space between their brows.

Before the four could even marvel at Liu Bian's method, they felt a vast stream of information pour into their minds.

"Steady your minds and focus on receiving the method in your heads!"

For a moment, all four were somewhat flustered.

Just as the four were at a loss, Liu Bian's voice rang out in their ears.

The four hurriedly did as Liu Bian said, each striving to concentrate and receive the method's information.

About a quarter of an hour later, the four slowly opened their eyes.

In Yu Ji's and Zuo Ci's eyes, a glint of brilliance flashed, and their faces were filled with joy.

Gan Ning and Taishi Ci, who had never come into contact with a cultivation method, stared at Liu Bian in utter astonishment.

Liu Bian's display had so shocked the two that they stood rooted to the spot.

That Liu Bian could directly transmit things into another's mind — the impact on the two was simply too great.

The clear information of the method in their minds told the two that all of this was real.

"This Daoist thanks Your Majesty for the grace of transmitting the Dao!"

Coming back to themselves, Yu Ji and Zuo Ci immediately expressed their gratitude to Liu Bian with reverence.

Their words also jolted Gan Ning and Taishi Ci out of their astonishment.

They then expressed their thanks to Liu Bian with awe:

"Your generals thank Your Majesty for transmitting the Martial Dao method! From this day forth, we shall lay down our lives in Your Majesty's service!"

"Your Ministers, please rise!"

Seeing this, Liu Bian said with satisfaction.

Then, he extended his right hand, and two books appeared in his grasp.

Seeing this, the four were so shocked that their eyes went wide, and they all looked at Liu Bian with awe.

The others, too, turned their gaze to Liu Bian's hands.

They knew these two books might well be the reason Liu Bian had sought out these four.

Liu Bian took in the expressions of everyone present, then turned his gaze toward Minister of Rites Cai Yong.

"Minister Cai!"

"This old minister is here!"

Cai Yong immediately rose and, bowing to Liu Bian with cupped fists, answered.

"These two manuals — one is the *Basic Artifact Refining Compendium*, which records three hundred and sixty basic artifact refining techniques, and catalogs weapon refining methods of all types up to Mystic Grade Extreme Grade. Once one has mastered the refining techniques, one can become at most a Xuan Grade Alchemist."

"The other is the *Basic Alchemy Manual*, which records three hundred and sixty basic alchemy techniques, and catalogs pill recipes of all types up to Mystic Grade Extreme Grade — three thousand six hundred in total. One can become at most a Xuan Grade Refiner."

"Of these two manuals, you may have Zuo Ci copy a duplicate of the *Basic Alchemy Manual*; the specific procedure is described within the Identity Jade Token."

"Keep the original safe. Once the Royal Academy is completed, it will be stored in the Academy's Library Pavilion."

Liu Bian briefly explained the details of the two manuals to everyone, then handed them over to Cai Yong.

At present, he had not yet found a suitable candidate for artifact refining.

As for alchemy, the Myriad Herbs Immortal Body possessed by Zuo Ci made him the finest of alchemists.

This was also the reason Liu Bian had wanted Cai Yong to have a copy made for Zuo Ci.