Chapter 121: Heavenly Division

After leaving the Hua residence, Hua Changxi took the Ghost Market token given by Eunuch Lin out of her storage prayer beads, placed it in the pouch at her waist, and then, all the way back to the Medical Bureau, kept watch to see if the token would react.

Along the way, she also made a stop at the Shennong Pharmacy in Feng'an Ward.

Unfortunately, throughout the entire journey, the Ghost Market token showed no reaction whatsoever.

"The capital is so vast; if I want the Ghost Market token to react, doesn't that mean I'll have to wander aimlessly all over the city?"

Eager to arrange a teleportation array so she could cultivate immediately, Hua Changxi returned to the Medical Bureau and went straight to Qihuang Hall No. 8 to find Lin Sheng: "Have you ever been to the Ghost Market with Eunuch Lin?"

Lin Sheng shook his head: "Only cultivators can enter the Ghost Market." He paused, then added, "Master, Godfather mentioned that the entrance to the Ghost Market shifts randomly; the entry point is different every time."

Hua Changxi sighed: "It seems I really will have to wander all over the capital."

Hearing this, Lin Sheng suddenly thought of something and hurriedly said: "Master, I recall that whenever Godfather went to the Ghost Market, he would always wander around the border area between the Inner and Outer Cities; that might be where the entrance frequently appears."

Hua Changxi's expression brightened with joy: "Really? Then I'll go explore there this afternoon."

Just then, she saw Wang Yun appear at the courtyard gate, realized it was time for class, and thus exited Qihuang Hall No. 8.

Seeing Lin Sheng follow her out, Hua Changxi said: "You don't need to follow me; I will call for you if I need anything."

Lin Sheng nodded in agreement and prepared to watch Hua Changxi leave, but as his gaze shifted forward, he suddenly let out an "Eh?"

Hua Changxi had already walked two or three meters away; hearing the sound, she stopped, turned around, and looked at Lin Sheng: "What is it?"

Lin Sheng stepped forward two paces, lowered his voice, and said: "Master, I think I just saw the Seventh Imperial Prince."

Hua Changxi's spirit lifted: The Seventh Imperial Prince?

The imperial surname of Great Jin was 'Chu,' and she instantly thought of that Young Master Chu.

Since she often saw Mu Qingying greet Young Master Chu, she had guessed his identity was not simple, but she never expected him to be so significant as to actually be an Imperial Prince.

Looking at Lin Sheng, Hua Changxi asked: "How do you know the Seventh Imperial Prince?"

Lin Sheng replied: "People of the Eastern Depot serve the Emperor exclusively and frequently enter the palace; with Godfather looking out for me, I have had many opportunities to enter the palace and have seen numerous nobles within."

Hua Changxi nodded; since class time was approaching, she did not ask further about palace matters and dismissed Lin Sheng.

Today it was again her turn to lecture at Qihuang Halls No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6; during the lessons, she suddenly realized that attending three consecutive classes in one morning was too many.

Previously, she had rushed to teach so many classes because she wanted to secure control over all the Qihuang Halls quickly; now that the wooden key tokens for all nine Qihuang Halls of the Servant Hall were in her possession, there was absolutely no need for her to rush anymore.

Hua Changxi immediately decided that henceforth, she would only teach for one double-hour each morning in a single Qihuang Hall; she announced this decision to those present in the classroom and asked them to inform the other servants who were not attending.

For those servants who were desperately eager to learn more medical arts yet had no other avenues for study, Hua Changxi's decision came as too sudden a shock, leaving them somewhat at a loss.

Shen Qianfan had been attending Hua Changxi's lectures every day during this period, gaining something new each time; wishing to hear more of her teaching, he directly asked: "Steward Hua, didn't you used to teach three sessions? Why change it now?"

Sensing the servants' disappointment and looking at Shen Qianfan, Hua Changxi's eyes darted toward Mu Qingying and Zhu Qinghuan in the classroom: "Because I have other matters to attend to."

"I cannot lecture for extended periods; under such circumstances, what everyone learns is indeed limited. It would be wonderful if other physicians and alchemists of the Medical Bureau were also willing to give lectures."

Hearing this, the servants' eyes first lit up with hope, but soon that light dimmed again.

How could the physicians and alchemists of Nine Streets possibly be willing to teach them, a group of mere servants?

Mu Qingying felt Hua Changxi's gaze fall upon her; she vaguely guessed that Hua Changxi wanted her to step forward, take the lead in lecturing the servants, and thereby motivate the other physicians and alchemists of Nine Streets to do the same.

However, she chose not to respond to Hua Changxi.

Time was precious; currently, she not only had to cultivate and refine pills but also handle various tasks assigned by her Master; lecturing to servants would inevitably encroach upon her other time.

To expend her precious time on a group of strangers... she simply could not do it.

Seeing Mu Qingying avert her gaze, Hua Changxi turned her eyes toward Shen Qianfan.

Among all those who came to listen to her lectures, apart from Mu Qingying, Shen Qianfan possessed the highest medical skill; the questions he raised in class could also inspire her own thinking.

Seeing Hua Changxi look at him, Shen Qianfan opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately said nothing.

Hua Changxi then glanced at Zhu Qinghuan, who simply lowered her head, busily organizing her belongings as if extremely occupied.

At this moment, Hua Changxi seemed to understand why, before her, no one had ever activated the wooden tokens.

Mu Qingying, Shen Qianfan, and Zhu Qinghuan were all holders of the wooden tokens; judging other token holders through their behavior, they were likely all the same.

Her coming to Qihuang Hall to teach was itself the result of many coincidental factors aligning.

Activating the wooden token required one to possess a certain degree of great love in their heart.

Hua Changxi asked herself honestly: If she did not know that lecturing in Qihuang Hall could improve her cultivation, would she be willing to teach the servants without compensation?

Even if she were willing, how long could she continue?

Hua Changxi smiled; after all, she was merely a worldly person driven by utility!

"Class dismissed!"

Chu Junhao watched Hua Changxi's retreating figure, his eyes flashing: "Equally naive."

Eager to find a talisman master to arrange the teleportation array, Hua Changxi, after class, took Lin Sheng and left the Medical Bureau, heading straight for the border between the Inner and Outer Cities.

On the way, Hua Changxi asked about the imperial family: "How many sons does the current Emperor have?"

Lin Sheng replied: "The Emperor has over twenty Imperial Princes and over thirty Princesses."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi immediately widened her eyes: "So many?"

Lin Sheng added: "And that doesn't even count the dragon sons and dragon daughters currently being carried in the wombs of the nobles, not yet born."

Hua Changxi was truly shocked: "How can there be so many children? Isn't the struggle among the harem concubines said to be very fierce?"

Lin Sheng explained: "This is because during the Retired Emperor's reign, he issued an imperial decree: concubines in the harem may compete for favor, but they must absolutely not harm any Imperial Prince or Princess; otherwise, regardless of who it is, they will be cast into the Cold Palace, and their natal families will be raided and exiled."

"The Retired Emperor's primary wife, Empress Su, was involved in attempting to poison imperial offspring; not only was she stripped of her Empress title, but the Su family was also raided and exiled as a consequence."

"If even an Empress could be deposed, let alone other concubines."

"With Empress Su serving as a cautionary tale, the harem concubines no longer dare to move against the imperial heirs; the Retired Emperor had thirteen sons and twenty daughters."

Hearing that both the Retired Emperor and the current Emperor had fathered so many children, Hua Changxi's eyes flashed, and she asked again: "Did the Retired Emperor abdicate voluntarily?"

Lin Sheng nodded: "Yes."

Hua Changxi asked further: "After abdicating, did the Retired Emperor cling to power and refuse to let go?"

Lin Sheng shook his head: "The Retired Emperor relinquished power very decisively; he handed over all court affairs entirely to the Emperor and never interfered in political matters again."

Hua Changxi's expression shifted slightly; would someone standing at the pinnacle of power relinquish their authority so easily?

"Is the Retired Emperor in poor health, rendering him unable to handle state affairs?"

Lin Sheng replied, "I have never met the Retired Emperor, but since he enjoys studying Buddhism and cultivating the Dao, his health should be quite robust."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi understood why the Retired Emperor had so readily abdicated the throne to the current Emperor; while power was important, immortality was evidently more tempting.

The imperial clan must have known about the resurgence of spiritual qi long ago; bearing so many children not only increased the probability of offspring possessing spiritual meridians but also prepared for potential shocks the clan might face under the grand trend of events.

Under heaven, all land belongs to the king; in the eyes of the royal family, the entire territory of Great Jin was their possession, and only by having many Imperial Princes could they safeguard their family assets.

"Is the Seventh Imperial Prince favored within the palace?"

"He is favored. The Seventh Imperial Prince is the second son of Noble Consort Duan; above him are an elder brother born of the same mother and the Fourth Princess. Protected by the Noble Consort and the Eldest Imperial Prince, the Seventh Imperial Prince is one of the few princes who lives relatively freely in the palace."

As they spoke, the wall marking the boundary between the inner and outer cities came into their view.

Hua Changxi treated matters concerning the royal family as mere stories; upon seeing the city wall, her attention immediately shifted.

"Do you know what that place is?"

Hua Changxi asked, pointing toward a magnificent complex of pavilions and halls encircled by walls.

The pavilions were not only towering but also covered an immense area; from a distance, they appeared even more domineering than the imperial palace.

She had visited this area before, and each time, she was left awestruck.

Lin Sheng looked and displayed a look of awe: "That is the Heaven Department."

"So it is the Heaven Department."

Soldiers patrolled around the pavilions, strictly forbidding commoners from approaching; previously, Hua Changxi only knew this place as a government office, never expecting it to be the renowned Heaven Department.

Lin Sheng also gazed at the Heaven Department: "I once read a biography in the Eastern Depot's library that recorded events from the era of the Founding Emperor."

"Guided by the Divine Lamp, the Founding Emperor established the capital at Jingcheng; upon entering the city, he too was awestruck by what is now the Heaven Department and wished to locate the imperial palace here."

"However, the Imperial Astronomer of that time dissuaded him, claiming this location was unfavorable for the imperial lineage's succession, so the imperial palace was ultimately built at the northernmost end of Jingcheng."

"I have seen the map of Jingcheng; the city's layout is actually circular, with the Heaven Department standing at the very center, which is clearly the finest location in the capital."

Lin Sheng's words revealed quite a bit of information, prompting Hua Changxi to ponder carefully.

The Great Jin Dynasty was a miraculous realm; the Founding Emperor established the nation relying on a Divine Lamp, and the capital's location was also determined by its guidance—a story widely circulated among the populace.

At this moment, she recalled Manager Leng's words: that the royal family had seized the Asura Sect's treasured sect artifact, the Black-and-White Lotus Lamp, triggering a great war between the two sides, during which the Divine Lamp was shattered.

Hua Changxi looked at Lin Sheng: "Does the royal family truly possess the Divine Lamp?"

Lin Sheng nodded: "Yes, but the Divine Lamp is no longer intact. It is said that over four hundred years ago, a group of evil Daoist priests coveted it, causing the lamp to shatter and its fragments to scatter everywhere; to this day, the royal family has yet to collect all the pieces."

Hua Changxi asked again: "Is the Divine Lamp shaped like a lotus flower?"

Lin Sheng nodded: "Mm, the Divine Lamp burns with black and white flames; it is said to be incredibly miraculous."

Hua Changxi confirmed that the Asura Sect's treasured sect lamp mentioned by Manager Leng and the Divine Lamp used by the Founding Emperor to establish the nation were one and the same.

Both sides claimed the other coveted their Divine Lamp; so, whom did the lamp truly belong to?

The Founding Emperor established the nation over nine hundred years ago, whereas the Asura Sect was founded only a few hundred years ago.

Viewed this way, it should be the Asura Sect that coveted the royal family's Divine Lamp.

Yet, how did a single sect dare to challenge the royal family?

Hua Changxi asked again: "Does the book record how the Founding Emperor obtained the Divine Lamp?"

Lin Sheng replied: "The book states the Divine Lamp descended from the heavens, landing precisely before the Founding Emperor; the author exclaimed that the Founding Emperor was a chosen son of heaven."

"Descended from the heavens?"

Hua Changxi fell into deep thought, recalling Elder Daoist Jiang, a cultivator from the Outer Realm; if cultivators from the Outer Realm could infiltrate here, could the Divine Lamp also originate from the Outer Realm?

If the Divine Lamp came from the Outer Realm, then the founder of the Asura Sect was likely from there as well.

Hua Changxi furrowed her brows; it seemed cultivators from the Outer Realm infiltrating the Four Spirits Realm were not few in number. Afterwards, she stopped dwelling on the matter of the Divine Lamp and turned her gaze back to the Heaven Department.

"Since you noticed that the Heaven Department occupies the best location in the capital, the royal family surely couldn't have missed it; why haven't they considered moving the imperial palace there?"

"They attempted to move it, but the matter ultimately came to nothing."

"Why?"

"Whenever the imperial palace was moved to the Heaven Department, a large number of people within the royal family would die; during one such attempt, even an Emperor perished."

"So ominous?"

"Mm."

"Then why was the Heaven Department established here in the first place?"

Lin Sheng shook his head: "I do not know about that."

Hua Changxi walked toward the Heaven Department and soon spotted a tower standing on both its eastern and western sides; the height of these towers was no less than that of the tallest pavilion within the Heaven Department.

"What government departments do those two towers belong to?"

"The eastern tower is the Astronomical Tower, where the Imperial Astronomer conducts office; the western tower is the Time Tower, where the historians compile records."

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi scoffed; the Imperial Astronomer had dissuaded the royal family from moving the palace here, yet they situated their own offices in this very place.

Soon, Hua Changxi's attention drifted away from the two towers.

For no other reason than she felt the Ghost Market token vibrating, an invisible force pulling at the token.

"Lin Sheng, you go back first; I will wander around this area on my own."

After sending Lin Sheng away, Hua Changxi followed the pulling force emanating from the token and soon arrived before a Tudimiao enveloped in swirling incense smoke.

Observing the commoners burning incense before the Tudimiao, Hua Changxi hesitated for a moment before stepping into the alley beside the temple.

Almost instantly, the scenery before Hua Changxi's eyes changed; the alley, previously bathed in bright sunlight, transformed into a pitch-black, mist-shrouded long path exuding a chilling aura.

The clamor of human voices vanished from her ears; the surroundings fell eerily silent.

Hua Changxi scanned her surroundings, but visibility was less than ten meters; she could see nothing, as if the entire world contained only her alone.

To be honest, Hua Changxi felt somewhat afraid now, her heart pounding rapidly; she had not expected the Ghost Market to be so bizarre, giving her the illusion of having arrived in another realm.

All Hua Changxi could see before her was this ghostly, chilling long path beneath her feet; steeling herself, she pressed forward, feeling as though she were walking the Road to the Underworld.