Chapter 182

Yin Song fell silent.

Wang Feiyin mumbled incessantly, clearly dissatisfied with Master Zhang.

Yet he could not speak of it outside, not even in front of a few juniors, especially not before Pan Yun, lest her impression of Long Hushan worsen and cause greater conflict between them in the future.

Yin Song thus decided to visit Long Hushan to see his little sister and pay a call on Master Zhang.

He was indifferent to worldly matters, but while holding office, he must fulfill its duties—he could not let them act recklessly; what of the Daoist lineage?

In this dynasty, Confucianism dominates; Daoism and Buddhism are already discriminated against. If we continue to let these people act without restraint, Master Dao Yan's great foundation will be utterly ruined by them.

Yin Song packed his luggage and said to Wang Feiyin: "Senior Brother, since the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion paid such a large sum for medicine, summon Wang Cong—he's nearly at exam time; stop thinking about buying and selling trinkets. He must study and cultivate, and we still need time to travel to Jingcheng."

Wang Feiyin: "Leave him be. I see nothing to worry about with him. But you—I haven't seen you in two years; how have you made no progress in your cultivation?"

"Sigh, officialdom is too exhausting. You'd better quit and return to Huishan to focus on cultivation," Wang Feiyin sighed. "Glory and profit are but fleeting clouds."

Yin Song: "... Senior Brother, I'm talking about Wang Cong's examination for his Daoist credential."

"That's precisely what I'm saying. You've been back only one night, yet you've sent three letters urging him to return. I swear Feng Yan's legs must be worn thin. From last night until now, how many bad ideas have you come up with regarding his credential exam?"

Wang Feiyin said: "I think you've stayed in Jingcheng too long—your heart's been blackened by it. How can this continue? Do you still care for your Dao heart?"

He said: "Why not return? The mountains and waters of Mount Sanqing are splendid; just gathering and refining herbs would suffice for our entire lives. Let go of this wretched official post."

Yin Song: "If Wang Cong fails his credential exam, who will inherit Sanqing Temple?"

Wang Feiyin: "You make it sound like I've only two years left to live. How do you know I won't outlive Wang Cong?"

Yin Song: "... Senior Brother, that's not what I meant."

"Though Dao cultivators must think long-term, in some matters, it's unnecessary to stretch foresight too far."

Yin Song, helpless, could only say: "I am Wang Cong's master; naturally, I must worry about his studies."

Wang Feiyin waved his hand: "He's already an old man—he has his own mind. There's no need to fuss over these things for him."

Yin Song: "... I'm older than him, yet you still urge me to cultivate every few days."

"Don't you dare say that—in character, Wang Cong is far stronger than you. That's why I don't worry about him—I worry about you."

The matter ended with Yin Song being scolded by Wang Feiyin for an entire hour.

This left Yin Song unable to mention Wang Cong's credential exam for the rest of the day.

The next morning, he picked up his bags to head to Long Hushan, but as soon as he descended the mountain, an imperial edict arrived.

After reading it, Yin Song's expression grew grim. "I cannot go to Long Hushan."

Wang Feiyin: "What's happened now in your imperial court?"

Yin Song: "The court just fought a battle with the Luchuan Pacification Commission—and won."

Wang Feiyin: "Isn't that good news?"

"But the cost was heavy. After the army occupied the new territory, incidents began occurring—soldiers and local tribes who pledged allegiance to the court have become Insect People."

Wang Feiyin turned to look at him. "What kind of people?"

"Insect People. Their bodies are entirely filled with insects—organs, flesh, and blood all hollowed out, leaving only a skin shell. Yet they can walk among humans, dressed tightly, indistinguishable from ordinary people."

Yin Song said: "The army is in panic. Some in court claim this is Heaven's warning, urging Your Majesty to withdraw from Luchuan. The Emperor is furious, so he has ordered us to go to Yunnan and investigate."

Wang Feiyin's face darkened. "Blood-Eating Worms."

Yin Song was startled. "Senior Brother, these are the Blood-Eating Worms you mentioned before? But all the Insect People discovered so far are common soldiers—no Qi, barely any internal strength, all martial fighters."

Wang Feiyin glanced at him. "See? You only half-listen in class—you're exactly the kind who doesn't pay attention. Blood-Eating Worms require flesh as fertilizer. You really must go to Long Hushan. A few days ago, your little sister brought down a man whose body harbored the mother worm."

Yin Song was astonished. After a moment of silence, he said: "I'll write to the court immediately and go straight to the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion to meet Master Zhang and bring the man to Yunnan."

Wang Feiyin said: "When reporting, omit your little sister's name—especially her name. She's only been away from Jingcheng for a year; the Embroidered Uniform Guard may not have forgotten her."

"Understood. I'll omit her. When I meet her, I'll make her a ward against divination."

Wang Feiyin nodded approvingly. "I was just about to mention this. A year ago, Master Xuanmiao made her a ward, but now she's drawing too much attention at Long Hushan. Be cautious—make her another one. I trust your skill. Your wards—even Master Zhang cannot divine a single trace."

Yin Song's mood improved greatly. He smiled slightly and nodded. "Senior Brother, rest assured—I'll make a perfect ward for my little sister. Not even Master Zhang or the elders of the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion will detect so much as a speck."

Wang Feiyin happily saw him off down the mountain.

Yin Song arrived at Long Hushan, first paid his respects to Master Zhang at the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion, then requested to meet Mo Ru, the carrier of the Blood-Eating Worm mother.

After questioning Mo Ru about the events in Luchuan, Yunnan, he carried his large and small bundles to the Academy to find Pan Yun and the other two.

The large and small bundles were prepared by Wang Feiyin: besides ready-made medicines, he had packed fine cinnabar and rare herbs in boxes for Yin Song to bring—useful for the three girls whether for talisman drawing or pill refining.

Of course, these valuable items took little space and were the small bundles; the large bundles were their clothes and socks.

Autumn was coming—how far off could winter be?

Wang Feiyin made their autumn and winter garments several inches larger than their current sizes, especially the winter coats: Long Hushan's winters were bitterly cold, piercingly chill, so he prepared thick cotton jackets and cotton pants for them, plus a straight-cut Daoist robe stuffed with cotton—compressed as much as possible, still one large bundle.

On his back, a Daoist topknot was faintly visible; his upper body and head were entirely hidden.

Even so, his hands were not idle—his Daoist attendant Feng Yan was also laden with bundles, all the food and toys he'd bought for the three girls from below the mountain.

Feng Yan walked among pilgrims, blushing, feeling like the country bumpkin who'd never seen the world.

He thought his usually proud master would also feel embarrassed, so he stole a glance—only to find Yin Song's expression perfectly calm, even faintly pleased.

Seeing Feng Yan sneak a look, Yin Song asked good-naturedly: "What's wrong?"

Feng Yan quickly shook his head.

!. Read

Yin Song: "Is it too heavy? Give me one of the bundles."

Feng Yan clutched the bundles tightly. "Not heavy, Master. Are we entering the Academy through this Daoist palace?"

"Yes. We must enter the Great Shangqing Palace's main gate, then turn left along the corridor to reach the Academy," Yin Song said. "The Academy's gate is open, but it's guarded daily—ordinary pilgrims cannot enter. During class hours, students cannot come here either."

Yin Song led Feng Yan into the corridor and walked several dozen steps until they reached a side gate.

The Daoist Priest guarding the side gate, seeing Yin Song's Daoist robe, rose to greet him. "Who are you seeking? Do you have a letter of introduction?"

Feng Yan quickly handed over a piece of paper.

"Ah, you're a fellow Daoist from Mount Sanqing. Please come in."

Yin Song smiled and nodded at him, then walked into the academy.

The buildings inside the academy weren't full of winding paths; as soon as one entered, a straight avenue stretched ahead, with dozens of plum trees planted on either side. After passing through the plum grove, Feng Yan's ears suddenly filled with noise, and when he looked up, his eyes were flooded with activity.

Three boys sprinted past him, shouting as they ran, "I told you not to go play at Qiqu Pavilion, but you wouldn't listen—now we're going to be late! I heard Lin Tangzhu is making his rounds today!"

On the open ground far away, two people were sparring with swords, their blade movements fierce and utterly unlike the Daoist Priests he had seen before; merely standing at a distance, he felt his face sting from the sword qi.

Further ahead, he encountered several people sitting on stones, faces flushed, arguing fiercely—then, before long, they started fighting.

Feng Yan: … This is nothing like the academy he imagined.

But Yin Song took it all in stride. Seeing Feng Yan about to stumble into a pond as he walked, he reached out and pulled him back, gesturing: "This way."

Feng Yan quickly turned and followed.

As Yin Song passed among the academy students, many of whom carried heavy bundles, the students couldn't help turning to stare at the two of them.

Feng Yan blushed slightly, but Yin Song was proud and delighted. The closer they got to Fengqi Courtyard, the fewer people there were. Once no one was behind them, Yin Song said happily, "When I studied here, my senior brother used to come visit me and my third junior brother like this. Every time he arrived with all those bundles, the classmates were envious."

So he himself carried the largest bundle, both hands also full of items.

Yin Song knocked on the door of Fengqi Courtyard. Seeing no one answer, he said to Feng Yan, "They're probably all in class. Let's go…"

After thinking for a moment, Yin Song said, "Shihua Courtyard."

Zhang Ziming had just finished teaching his students and stepped out to see Yin Song, burdened with large bundles. He stared in silence for a long while.

Yin Song asked, "What? Can't I even come to the academy and ask you for a cup of water?"

Zhang Ziming turned and said, "Follow me."

Yin Song followed him.

When they entered his quiet chamber, Yin Song placed all his bundles on the mat he used for daily meditation.

Zhang Ziming glanced at them and looked away, asking, "You came to see your disciple and Pan Yun? If you're not going to Fengqi Courtyard, why come to my Shihua Courtyard?"

"Fengqi Courtyard is empty—they're in class. I didn't want to disturb them too much. I remember their three fellow students from the same courtyard are fifth-year students—why aren't they practicing in the courtyard right now?"

Zhang Ziming said, "I don't know."

Yin Song shook his head and sighed, "The academy's students are worse every year. I heard that when my little sister took her entrance assessment, she defeated the fifth-year students living in the same courtyard?"

(End of Chapter)