Chapter 537: Northern Emperor

"Still got this kind of ability?"

Hearing this, Li Yan was momentarily startled.

The Buddhist sect has the Four Heavenly Kings; the Daoist sect also has the Four Guardian Deities: Wang Lingguan, Zhao Lingguan, Ma Lingguan, and Wen Lingguan.

Wang Lingguan needs no introduction—he is the Great Inspector of the Heavenly Court, the foremost of all Lingguan, commanding thunder and fire, subduing plagues and absorbing toxins, known as "Three eyes see all under heaven, one whip awakens the world."

At the gate of most Daoist temples, the guardian is Wang Lingguan.

"Zhao Lingguan" is Zhao Gongming, also called "Black Tiger Xuantan General Zhao," commander of thunder's deputy, leader of the underworld's Thunder Bureau generals, one of the Five Directional Plague Gods, and the rightful God of Wealth, governing the world's sources of fortune.

This Zhao Gongming has nothing to do with the Investiture of the Gods.

According to Daoist and folk legends, he was originally from Mount Zhongnan, fled into the mountains during the Qin dynasty, cultivated the Dao, and ascended to godhood.

Ma Lingguan is equally renowned.

The Great Emperor Huaguang, "Ma Prince with three eyes," is venerated not only by Daoist sects like the Huaguang Sect but also by the common folk, whose incense offerings are abundant; many places have Ma Wang temples.

"Wen Lingguan" is less known.

But to stand shoulder to shoulder with the other three, he could hardly be ordinary.

His name is Wen Qiong, also called "Earth Deity Zhaowu Supreme General Wen," a Heavenly Court "Kangjin Great Deity," holding the imperial tablet inscribed "Unbound by Heaven."

This tablet, legend says, grants free passage through the Southern Heavenly Gate.

Moreover, he is the First of the Ten Protectors of Mount Tai and one of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals under the True Warrior Emperor.

In Jiangsu and Zhejiang, on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, Wen Lingguan's birthday, the people carry his statue in procession to ward off evil, dispel calamities, and avert disaster.

He too ascended from mortal to deity—remarkable indeed.

Of course, all this is still understandable.

After all, the Daoist sect venerates many great deities, each more formidable than the last.

What startled Li Yan was that the Earth Deity Sect could summon Wen Lingguan.

In Daoist sects, summoning spirits and commanding troops may sound impressive, but the entities they control are fundamentally yin beings.

Every Daoist temple and Buddhist monastery has Buddha and immortal deities guarding it, but these are merely manifestations of incense offerings—mere nominal folk deities, not even true incarnations.

After all, the Heavenly Code is strict; direct interference in the mortal realm is forbidden.

But this rule is not absolute.

Some orthodox Daoist sects, with sufficient heritage and connections, may submit a yellow tablet petition through proper channels when facing demons they cannot handle, and thus summon aid from the Great Luo Dharma Realm.

In plain terms, it's calling in reinforcements.

But whether they can summon them depends entirely on how powerful their backing is…

"Naturally."

Seeing Li Yan's surprise, Lingyunzi whispered: "The Earth Deity Sect was founded by Master Zhang Jixian, building upon the Northern Emperor Sect."

"The Northern Emperor Sect excels in controlling the Six Demonic Spirits and warding off evil and calamity; the Earth Deity Sect focuses on worshipping Earth Deities and cultivating magical arts—many temple attendants today base their methods on their teachings."

"Moreover, Wen Lingguan's elevated status, becoming one of the Daoist Guardian Deities, owes much to Master Zhang Jixian's vigorous promotion in those days."

"So that's how it is…"

With this explanation, Li Yan suddenly understood.

Changes in mortal human worship can influence the Great Luo Dharma Realm.

Whoever knows this secret is certainly not alone.

If carefully cultivated, it must yield rewards.

But such matters require influence over the mortal dynasty's policies and sufficient Daoist power to drive them—impossible for an ordinary person to accomplish…

…………

"That is the highest peak of Mount Qingcheng—Mount Pengzu. No one knows why this place is named after Pengzu…"

"But there is one theory: Rongchenggong, one of the Eight Immortals of Shu, excelled in health cultivation and once served as the Yellow Emperor's teacher, and Pengzu was a descendant of the Yellow Emperor…"

"Records mention Rongchenggong retreated into the Primordial Chaos—now this very Mount Qingcheng. There may be some connection between the two…"

"On Mount Pengzu once stood an ancient temple, of unknown age. During the Da Xing era of the previous dynasty, devout believers from Shu raised funds to build this temple…"

Lingyunzi, as Qingcheng's "Guest Master," was indeed eloquent.

Along the way, his explanations of Qingcheng's legends made the journey far from dull.

Following his pointing finger, Li Yan looked up.

They were nearly at the summit; this place towered far above other peaks, shrouded in clouds and mist, snow-capped mountains stretching endlessly, peaks hidden in the distance.

At the summit stood, unmistakably, a palace.

Most of its walls were hidden within snow-laden forests; only a few golden rooftops stood out sharply against the white snow.

The path up the mountain was exceptionally steep.

The stone steps, carved from blue stone, were nearly vertical, and with snow-covered, slippery surfaces, one misstep could send you tumbling off the cliff.

Even with iron chains along the side, the climb was heart-stopping.

Li Yan and his companion had no fear; they used their light-body arts and swiftly ascended the snowy steps, reaching the summit in no time.

There, amid the snow at the summit, red walls and golden tiles stood beside green pines and cypresses; a young Daoist acolyte in cotton robes was sweeping snow, his cheeks and ears flushed red from the cold.

"Greetings, Master Lingyunzi."

Seeing them arrive, the acolyte hurried forward to bow, stealing a glance at Li Yan, then said: "Master Zuxi has already instructed that if you bring a distinguished guest, you may proceed directly to the side courtyard to meet him."

"Mm, understood."

Lingyunzi nodded slightly and led Li Yan into the temple.

This Laojun Temple primarily venerates Supreme Elder Lord, but also enshrines Pengzu and the Eastern Flower Emperor.

The structures built by the previous dynasty were not particularly exquisite, but their location atop the highest peak offered a magnificent, serene, and tranquil environment.

Though grand, Li Yan had seen many Daoist temples and Buddhist monasteries; he could even guess their architectural standards, and had no interest in sightseeing.

But as soon as he entered the Laojun Temple, he stopped.

The soul-mark in his bosom was faintly trembling!

This was not the signal of a new task.

It was the presence of something similar.

When he first arrived at Fengdu and sensed other living Yin Officials, this had happened before.

But this time, it was different.

The source of the trembling came from the thunder-charm on the reverse side of the soul-mark!

At that moment, Li Yan understood the reason.

That Daoist Juechenzi was likely just like him!

"Young Master Li, what's wrong?"

Seeing him halt, Lingyunzi immediately asked.

"Nothing."

Li Yan shook his head slightly and continued following behind him.

Building a temple atop such a high peak was never easy, and this mountain was not a spiritual nexus—it was entirely funded by donations, so its area was naturally small.

Passing through the main hall's corridor, they soon reached the side courtyard.

Before they could approach, an old Daoist in bright yellow ritual robes stepped out from the side courtyard.

The old Daoist was hunched, with white hair and beard, two long white eyebrows hanging straight down to his chest, appearing utterly ancient.

Even his hand held a walking staff.

"Greetings, Master Zuxi!"

Lingyunzi bowed, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Juechenzi's ritual robe was extremely ornate, embroidered with patterns of Yuluo Xiao Tai, pagodas, immortal cranes, qilins, dragons and phoenixes, and auspicious clouds.

The color of ritual robes in Daoist sects carries meaning.

Yellow signifies nobility and sacredness.

It is worn only by imperial ancestral temple Daoists or the head of a sect—and only on specific occasions.

During rituals, most wear purple or red.

In short, yellow ritual robes are exceedingly rare.

Juechenzi held high seniority on Mount Qingcheng and naturally had the right, but Lingyunzi had never seen him wear yellow robes before—and now he wore a purple-gold jade crown as well.

What was he planning?

Juechenzi, the old Daoist, clearly saw Lingyunzi's confusion, yet offered no explanation; instead, he gazed at Li Yan with cloudy eyes and said calmly: "Come in. I have private matters to discuss."

"Yes, Elder."

Li Yan bowed respectfully.

He vaguely understood something.

The old Daoist wearing yellow robes to meet him likely represented his identity as a Heavenly Messenger.

Lingyunzi was not invited, yet dared not be offended; he carefully waited outside.

After Li Yan and Juechenzi entered the courtyard, Lingyunzi's heart tightened.

Within the Laojun Temple, no spiritual suppression could be cast.

Yet as the two entered, he sensed nothing at all.

Please... collect 6... ... ooks....!

Clearly, there were things he was not meant to hear.

Lingyunzi's curiosity deepened further.

The abbot said he wished to transmit the Dharma.

But now it seems there is another matter.

What secret could even the abbot be hiding…

………………

Juechenzi was very old, his vital energy nearly exhausted; though his Dao cultivation was profound, he walked with trembling steps.

Leaning on a cane, he moved slowly through the snow.

"Master, take it slow."

Li Yan, seeing this, moved to assist him.

But Juechenzi merely waved his hand slightly and said coolly, "Slow has its virtue, fast has its merit—have you grown impatient?"

This was utterly baffling…

Li Yan was left with a head full of questions and said no more.

After entering the main hall, the old Daoist slowly closed the door, then trembled as he poured tea for him, dawdling for a long while.

"Thank you, Master."

Li Yan could not fathom his intent, so he submitted to the host's ways.

After finishing this, the old Daoist shook his ritual robe, sat down on the chair opposite him, and raised his eyes once more to scan him up and down.

His cloudy eyes seemed determined to see straight through Li Yan.

"Master, if you have something to say, speak plainly."

Unable to bear the scrutiny, Li Yan spoke up directly.

"I am a 'Celestial Official.'"

Juechenzi suddenly spoke, "The office of 'Celestial Official' is somewhat akin to a living yin clerk, but one acts under Heaven's command, primarily to apprehend those who violate the Heavenly Code."

"Celestial Official?"

Li Yan, upon hearing this, fell into thought.

The secret strategy he obtained from Liu Gang mentioned that "living yin clerks" were once called "Guests from Mount Tai" and "Messengers of the Yellow Springs."

The orthodox Daoist sects had similar cases, but they were exceedingly rare.

Even Liu Gang had seen one only once, with no exchange.

So this profession was called "Celestial Official."

Juechenzi took a sip of tea and continued, "Those who hold the office of 'Celestial Official' are mostly from orthodox Daoist sects, yet few among them ever obtain the soul-binding warrant."

"I am curious—how can you hold both offices?"

With matters now laid bare, Li Yan no longer concealed himself and asked curiously, "I myself do not know. May I ask, Master, how did you learn of my identity?"

Juechenzi fell silent for a moment, then said, "Not long ago, a golden-armored divine being appeared in my dream and informed me of this matter."

"My days are few. I no longer care why Heaven chose you, but you must surely possess exceptional qualities—something worth passing on."

Saying this, he rose shakily and carefully retrieved a finely crafted wooden box from the antique shelf next door.

With his withered right hand, he trembled as he caressed the box, shaking his head, "My lineage belongs to the Earth Deity Sect. I taught several disciples, but none could inherit its essence."

"With you, it will surely be more useful."

He opened the box and removed several books.

Each manual was wrapped in brocade, written on thick yellow paper with cinnabar, the characters neat and imbued with an aura of authority.

The old Daoist spoke solemnly, "The Earth Deity Sect is a branch of the Northern Emperor. The Northern Emperor School evolved by absorbing the Heavenly Master Sect's methods of summoning deities and commanding generals, as well as the Three Sovereigns Sect's essence of denouncing the names of ghosts and spirits."

"Within the Northern Emperor's methods, there are five branches: Earth Deity Law, Tianpeng Law, Fengdu Law, Demon King Law, and Zhenwu Law. In my dream, I was commanded to transmit two of these to you."

Li Yan's heart stirred, "May I ask which two?"

Juechenzi shook his head, "The Northern Emperor's methods are vast and profound—I could never master them all. I merely safeguarded them. Which to learn is up to you."

Li Yan's heart pounded.

The old Daoist's words were strange indeed.

Yet he felt a faint sense—his path, receiving the living yin clerk's office, being chosen by the Thunder Department, seemed to be watched over by many forces.

Choosing which method would determine his future path.

He hesitated, then asked, "Could Master describe them one by one?"

Juechenzi, though showing no particular fondness for him, did not conceal anything on this matter and spoke solemnly, "Each of the Northern Emperor's methods has its own merits."

"Tianpeng is one of the Four Holy Ones of the North Pole, governing the Big Dipper and Fengdu. The Tianpeng incantation is the core great method of the Northern Emperor School—unmatched in destruction, and the foundation of Thunder Law."

"But it is difficult to enter, and even harder to achieve results—I never mastered it myself."

"The Purple Microcosm North Pole Jade Void Great Emperor governs the stars above, commands all methods in the middle, and rules Fengdu below—he is the Lord of all celestial constellations. Fengdu Law is naturally a key focus."

"You are a living yin clerk—do you cultivate the Six Paths Scripture?"

Li Yan shook his head, "No. I cultivate the Luo Feng Scripture and the Northern Ghost Emperor Scripture."

"Oh?"

The old Daoist's expression softened at last, "That's better. At least you haven't forgotten your roots."

So that was why…

Li Yan now understood why the old Daoist had acted that way earlier.

It was said the Northern Emperor School despised the Buddhist sects, and today's living yin clerks mostly cultivate the Six Paths Scripture, which is mixed with Buddhist methods.

With the misunderstanding cleared, Juechenzi explained in greater detail.

"This Fengdu Law can complete your lineage. If mastered, you will obtain the 'Nine Springs Edict Seal of Fengdu' and the 'Inspector Seal of the Three Realms' Ghosts and Spirits…"

Li Yan's heart stirred, "May I ask, Master, what are these treasures?"

Juechenzi glanced at him, his gaze profound, "These two treasures belong to the Purple Microcosm North Pole Jade Void Great Emperor. If you obtain them, you gain the power of the Dharma Realm."

"The power of the Dharma Realm!"

Li Yan gasped, leaping to his feet.

He knew perfectly well what the power of the Dharma Realm meant.

The Soul-Grabbing Chain was one such power.

Juechenzi stroked his beard, "Those who cultivate Fengdu Law are rare, for they must abide by the Black Edicts of Fengdu. But since you are already a living yin clerk, you may bypass these edicts—and your lineage will be completed."

"I know the Luo Feng Scripture requires the construction of Six Palaces. If you cultivate normally, you will only gain ordinary yin-bureaucratic powers. But with Fengdu Law, when you build the final two palaces, you will obtain the 'Nine Springs Edict Seal of Fengdu' and the 'Inspector Seal of the Three Realms' Ghosts and Spirits.'"

Li Yan's heart pounded, "What is the difference between these two powers and the ordinary powers of the Luo Feng Scripture?"

The old Daoist glanced at him, "Official and clerk."

Li Yan's mind cleared instantly, "Then I shall learn this method!"

(End of Chapter)