Chapter 74: Did He Become an Immortal or Turn to Ashes?

As Song Meiqin's words fell, the air in the entire room seemed to freeze solid.

Not only was Zhao Qiao'er stunned, even the maidservants attending nearby instantly stopped their tasks, not daring to breathe heavily.

Soon, a captivating blush abruptly bloomed on Zhao Qiao'er's stunningly beautiful face.

Who could have thought that a woman like her, who looked like a fiery steed that could make any man bow down, would now reveal a pure, maiden-like shyness.

"You... what nonsense are you spouting..."

"I don't understand a word of it..."

Zhao Qiao'er's voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum. She no longer dared to look at Song Meiqin, turning her body directly and burying her face into the cushion of the soft couch.

Song Meiqin raised an elegant eyebrow, looking at Zhao Qiao'er's turned back and the incredibly plump, round, and generously sized bottom she was presenting. A playful smile appeared on her face.

"Oh?"

"Could it be... you're still thinking about monopolizing my dear nephew all by yourself?"

After saying this, Song Meiqin shifted to an even more languid posture, picked up the dark frozen pear again, and brought her cherry lips close to it for a gentle suck.

A satisfied, soft sigh escaped her.

"You should think it over carefully by yourself."

……

"Is the famous dish here the one called 'One Pot Stew'?"

In the Tianzi private room on the second floor of Songtao Pavilion, Lu Yuan put down the menu and looked at Dequan beside him.

Dequan immediately grinned and replied,

"Nephew Master, you've hit the nail on the head! Not just the One Pot Stew, but also our Golden Meat Rolls!"

"The pork belly is sliced as thin as a cicada's wing, rolled with wild leeks from beyond the Great Wall and crushed mountain walnuts, smoked first, then steamed, finally brushed with honey, and roasted until golden brown and fragrant!"

He added, "And there's frozen tofu stewed with blood sausage! Our Master Liu here is nicknamed 'Liu One-Knife'! He can slice a single blood sausage into a hundred pieces without breaking it!"

"You've also got to try the hot spring tofu pudding! Made on the spot with hot spring water as the coagulant! Mutton sauce, mushroom sauce, seafood sauce, you can pick whichever you like!"

"Matsutake mushrooms braised with bear paw, Southern fried meatballs, snow frog stewed with pear..."

Dequan rattled off a long list of dish names as if reciting a treasure catalog.

Truly worthy of being Fengtian City's number one restaurant; the signature dishes were indeed plentiful.

After listening, Lu Yuan simply waved his hand,

"Alright, just bring the first few dishes you mentioned."

He glanced at Wang Cheng'an and Xu Erxiao beside him, who had already started secretly swallowing their saliva, and added,

"Also bring two bowls of rice, two steamed buns, and three bottles of orange soda."

Then, he turned to Song Yan sitting opposite, who was still in a daze,

"Senior Brother, rice or steamed buns? Soda or wine?"

Song Yan's eyes were glazed over, nodding blankly,

"Either... either is fine!"

Dequan, standing nearby, immediately chuckled,

"Got it, Nephew Master! You wait here, I'll go straight to the kitchen to hurry them up, have them start cooking our dishes first~"

As soon as Dequan left, Song Yan could no longer hold back. He leaned forward, lowered his voice, and asked urgently,

"Junior Brother, what on earth is going on?"

"You have connections with this White Deer Chamber of Commerce too?"

"And what's this 'Nephew Master' business?"

This matter involved Wuqing Temple, so Lu Yuan couldn't explain in detail.

After all, it involved Wuqing Temple abandoning their client and fleeing at a critical moment.

If this messy affair got out, it would really be disastrous.

He had benefited quite a bit from Shen Shulan; this matter absolutely couldn't be revealed.

Lu Yuan simply picked up his teacup and explained lightly,

"I previously helped the Zhao family with a job, saved Madam Zhao's life, so we became sworn relatives."

"I call her Aunt, she calls me nephew."

This explanation, however, made Song Yan's expression even more peculiar.

What Song Yan found strange wasn't that Lu Yuan could become sworn relatives with Zhao Qiao'er.

As a fellow Taoist priest, Song Yan was clear about such things; they were actually quite common.

Although, the relationship between a Taoist priest taking a job and the client might seem like a business transaction, like an old landlord hiring tenant farmers to harvest wheat.

One pays money, the other does the work.

But the reality is, because some matters are very dangerous, the Taoist priest is essentially a lifesaver.

So even though the Taoist priest is the party being paid for services, in the eyes of the client, they are still a lifesaving benefactor.

The debt of a life-saving grace is greater than heaven. Afterwards, if there's a connection, becoming sworn relatives or something similar is perfectly normal.

That Lu Yuan could become sworn relatives with President Zhao of the White Deer Chamber of Commerce just meant Lu Yuan had good luck.

Other than that, Song Yan had nothing else to say.

But the problem was...

How could Zhao Qiao'er have ended up at Zhenlong Temple's doorstep??

If Zhao Qiao'er had an urgent matter at the time, there was Baiyun Temple right next to Fengtian.

If it wasn't urgent, with Zhao Qiao'er's status, she could have gone directly to Wuqing Temple.

No matter how you looked at it, she shouldn't have ended up at Zhenlong Temple, right?

For a moment, Song Yan asked with a completely baffled expression,

"What kind of job could make President Zhao seek you out?"

"Junior Brother, I'm not looking down on Zhenlong Temple, it's just... in Fengtian City..."

"For urgent matters, there's Baiyun Temple nearby. For non-urgent matters, with President Zhao's status, she could directly request Wuqing Temple."

"By any calculation, it shouldn't have fallen to Zhenlong Temple, right?"

Hearing Song Yan's persistent questioning, Lu Yuan took a sip of hot tea, his expression unchanged, and uttered four words,

"Introduced by an acquaintance."

This was a catch-all reason, but seeing Song Yan still wanting to ask more, Lu Yuan just felt a bit of a headache.

After all, Aunt Qiao'er never actually sought out Zhenlong Temple in the first place.

Just as Song Yan was about to speak again, a sudden commotion erupted from downstairs, the noise growing louder and louder.

It sounded like someone had drunk too much and was throwing a drunken tantrum.

Sweetie!

This disturbance couldn't have come at a better time!

Lu Yuan's eyes lit up, as if he were truly someone who loved watching a spectacle. He "sprang" to his feet and headed out.

"What's all that noise outside?"

Xu Erxiao and Wang Cheng'an, those two little rascals, were the type to watch a fire without worrying about it burning high. Seeing Lu Yuan move, they immediately followed.

Song Yan, with a bellyful of questions, was forced to swallow them back and could only follow helplessly.

The four of them came to the railing on the second floor, craning their necks to look down.

They saw a group of martial artists firmly guarding the staircase entrance leading to the second floor. Opposite them was a bunch of red-faced, thick-necked Taoist priests.

"I, your father, vanquish demons and exorcise evil, protecting the common people! Can't I even take a look at your second floor?!"

"Not getting to eat the One Pot Stew is one thing, but you won't even let us broaden our horizons?!"

"What's the matter! Looking down on us followers of the Daoist path, are you?!"

The leading priest, his neck stiff, shouted loudly, while the disciples behind him joined in the noisy clamor.

One look and you could tell they were drunk.

Earlier, after coming upstairs, Lu Yuan learned that the One Pot Stew at Songtao Pavilion was limited.

Ten portions in the morning, ten in the evening, ten in the early hours after midnight. Once sold out, that's it.

The One Pot Stew was so famous that anyone coming to Fengtian naturally wanted to try it.

Probably, this group came, didn't get to eat it, and felt a bit aggrieved.

Then, as the meal was almost finished and they had drunk a bit too much, the more they thought about it, the more aggrieved they felt, and so they started picking a fight.

"Tsk, they really are from a minor sect, a small school."

"Don't even have the rule that disciples can't drink alcohol outside~"

Song Yan, standing nearby, looked down at the group of priests with disdain.

Hearing Song Yan's words, Lu Yuan became somewhat curious,

"Where are they from?"

Song Yan said casually, "Biyu Temple from the Jilin area. They're in the same region as Wuqing Temple. They've benefited quite a bit from Wuqing Temple's influence in recent years."

Huh?

Hearing this, Lu Yuan was curious. What did that mean?

Before Lu Yuan could ask, Song Yan opened the chatterbox himself.

"Those who flock to Wuqing Temple but can't get in line all turn and go to Biyu Temple instead."

"Originally, Biyu Temple was only a few decades old. Leaning on Wuqing Temple, they've prospered in just a few short decades."

"In the previous Celestial Master Grand Ceremony, the abbot of Biyu Temple was even selected as a Celestial Master."

Hearing this, Lu Yuan couldn't help but blink,

"Wow~"

"The abbot has even become a Celestial Master, and you still call them a minor sect?"

Hearing this, Song Yan puffed out his chest, his face filled with immense pride,

"Compared to our Tianlong Temple, they are a minor sect!"

"Our Tianlong Temple is a top-tier temple in the entire region beyond the Great Wall, sitting firmly in third place, contending for second, and aiming for first!!"

"Put in the old terms from when the Qing demons were still around, we are one of the Upper Three Gates~"

Lu Yuan looked at the proud Song Yan with a bewildered expression,

"What exactly is this 'Upper Three Gates'?"

Hearing this, Song Yan looked at Lu Yuan strangely,

"You haven't heard of it??"

"Your master hasn't told you about the prestige of our Tianlong Temple???"

Uh...

Hearing this, Lu Yuan honestly shook his head, indicating he hadn't.

Before this, forget Tianlong Temple.

Lu Yuan didn't even know his own old man had such a powerful Celestial Master senior brother.

At Lu Yuan's words, Song Yan looked as if he'd seen a ghost,

"Why not?!"

Lu Yuan, however, simply waved his hand,

"We'll talk about that later. What exactly is the 'Upper Three Gates'?"

Song Yan was momentarily stunned, then shrugged,

"Wuqing Temple, Riyue Temple, Tianlong Temple. These are the Upper Three Gates."

"The meaning of the Upper Three Gates is simple: no matter how times change, no matter how the winds shift beyond the Great Wall."

"As long as they don't court death themselves, don't ruin their own prospects like that Baiyun Temple did, then the abbots of the Upper Three Gates will always be Celestial Masters!"

After saying this, Song Yan lifted his chin, pointing at the still-noisy group from Biyu Temple below,

"The remaining four Celestial Master positions basically rotate. This term it's your family's, five years later in the next term, it's someone else's family."

Hearing this, Lu Yuan finally nodded in understanding. He really hadn't known this before.

As for why the abbots of the Upper Three Gates were always Celestial Masters, Lu Yuan didn't need to ask.

What else could it be?

Because they're powerful, of course!

Meanwhile, the leading disciple of Biyu Temple downstairs shouted angrily again,

"Do you even know who we are?!"

"I am a disciple under a Celestial Master!!"

At this moment, Song Yan mysteriously leaned in again, chuckling,

"Just watch, they're only putting on airs for now."

"The abbot of Biyu Temple is definitely stepping down this year."

"Who knows when it'll be their turn again next time."

As he said this, the smile on Song Yan's face suddenly vanished.

His expression turned serious. He cautiously looked left and right, then lowered his voice, leaning close to Lu Yuan's ear.

"Junior Brother..."

"Listen to your senior brother's advice. Stop messing around, just take it easy."

"I've seen the Celestial Master list."

"It was decided long ago..."

Huh?

Lu Yuan looked at Song Yan in astonishment.

Song Yan's eyes were incredibly earnest, speaking word by word,

"Believe it or not."

"The Celestial Master list for this year's ceremony was already finalized ten years ago."

Lu Yuan: "????"

Song Yan, as if offering comfort or persuasion, patted Lu Yuan's shoulder heavily.

"Even the lists for the next two ceremonies, ten years from now, are already out."

"So..."

"Unless, within these ten years, those families on the list commit a crime grave enough to warrant extermination..."

"Even if you saved the Queen Mother of the West, it still wouldn't be your master's turn."

……

An extravagantly luxurious carriage silently rolled through the swirling goose-feather snow of Fengtian City.

The wheels turned, but not a trace of noise could be heard.

Inside the carriage, it was as warm as spring. The rich, alluring feminine fragrance was almost dense enough to form a tangible pink mist.

Inside the carriage, Song Meiqin had one beautiful leg crossed over the other. Her jade-like foot, adorned with purple nail polish, lightly swung a pair of purple high-heeled shoes from its toes.

"Look how wanton you are~"

Song Meiqin smiled as she gazed at Zhao Qiao'er sitting opposite, her voice incredibly flirtatious as she teased.

Her mood right now was brighter than the white snow outside the window.

Because Zhao Qiao'er had agreed.

To be honest, this wasn't really a surprise. Song Meiqin knew it was bound to happen sooner or later~

She just hadn't expected it to be this fast~

Zhao Qiao'er was dressed to the nines right now~

Her jet-black long hair was meticulously combed back, coiled into an exquisite bun. Not a single stray hair could be seen on her smooth, full forehead.

Her face bore meticulously applied, heavy makeup—fiery red lips, eyes that sparkled with life.

Both her earrings and necklace were adorned with dazzling, gem-encrusted jewelry.

A luxurious black fox fur cloak wrapped around her voluptuous, mature figure, but the length of that cloak was somewhat excessively short.

Not that she wasn't wearing pants; it was just that the pants were too short, completely hidden by the hip-hugging black fox fur cloak.

Further down were a pair of plump, smooth, pinkish-white, slender legs encased in black stockings, gleaming with an alluring luster under the dim yellow light.

And of course, those high-heeled shoes the same color as those fiery red lips.

"Tsk~"

"When did you buy me clothes like this? My bottom's almost showing!"

Zhao Qiao'er chided with her words, but her voice carried a hint of coquettish charm she herself hadn't noticed.

Her beautiful peach-blossom eyes glanced seemingly disdainfully at the short cloak she wore, but deep within them swirled an indescribable gleam.

Song Meiqin covered her red lips with a hand, letting out a delicate laugh.

"Last time when I went to Lushun Port, I called you, but you didn't go. I saw it myself, thought it looked good, so I just bought one for you on the way."

She leaned forward, coming closer, her voice dropping lower, more seductive.

"Alright now, dear sister~"

"Stop pretending~"

"This looks so much better, doesn't it~"

Song Meiqin's gaze roamed freely over Zhao Qiao'er's body, finally ending with a mischievous smile,

"When the time comes, the two of us, one red, one purple, two big mares, presenting ourselves on the kang~"

"Wouldn't that just bewitch that little thing to death~"

Zhao Qiao'er's face flushed crimson at her explicit words. She couldn't help but spit out in mock disdain, shooting her a charming, coquettish glare.

"I'm not going to present myself!!"

Song Meiqin laughed now with all the wantonness and sauciness she could muster, waving her hand as she giggled,

"Then you can just lie down~"

……

Meanwhile, the farce at Songtao Pavilion was nearing its end.

It seemed someone capable of taking charge had arrived on the Biyu Temple side, now quietly reprimanding the troublemaking disciples.

The leading priest's drunkenness also seemed to have dissipated somewhat. Though he no longer shouted loudly, he still muttered curses under his breath, looking very unconvinced.

"Nephew Master."

Dequan had, at some point, quietly arrived behind Lu Yuan, bowing slightly as he whispered.

"The dishes will be ready soon. Shall we wait inside?"

He glanced at the chaotic scene downstairs, already accustomed to such sights.

"Once this Luotian Grand Offering begins, all sorts of demons and devils come to Fengtian City. It's not normal if there aren't several disturbances a day."

Hearing this, Lu Yuan didn't say much more, nodding and preparing to go back in to eat.

To be honest, after hearing what Song Yan said earlier...

He'd pretty much lost his appetite...

This matter was even more complicated than Lu Yuan had previously thought.

Lu Yuan was just about to turn and return to the room.

But at the very last moment as he withdrew his gaze, his eyes suddenly focused sharply.

Huh?

He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze sharp as a torch, firmly locking onto the waist of the leading troublemaking priest downstairs.

It was an ornament.

Yellow Immortal Tribulation Knot?

Also called the Three Lights Life-Protecting Tassel.

It was a palm-sized, three-dimensional knot ornament, hanging from the priest's cloth bag.

The core was made from the hairs of three hundred and sixty-five Yellow Immortals who had undergone tribulation, wrapped and woven with Kunlun Jade Silkworm silk into cord.

Then, using the "Eight Treasures Interlinked Knot" method, the core was woven.

The overall shape of the knot was "teardrop," narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, symbolizing "connecting to heavenly light above, connecting to earthly spirit below."

Where the weaving was finest, faint light flowed as if it were breathing, alive.

This was a good item. It could warn of danger and also slightly influence fortune.

Most importantly, if one encountered confusion or obstacles, it could communicate with spirits to ask for direction and protect its owner's safety.

It was quite a powerful item.

The main thing was that the hair of a Yellow Immortal who had attained the Dao was hard to come by.

After all, a Yellow Immortal that had attained the Dao either became a Household Guardian Immortal or an Outbound Immortal.

Having become an immortal receiving incense offerings, where would you get their hair?

Seeing this item, Lu Yuan suddenly remembered Yellow Braised Chicken.

Counting like this, today was the fifth day. He didn't know if Yellow Braised Chicken had become an immortal... or turned to ashes...