Chapter 182: Big Bundles, Small Bundles

Yin Song fell silent.

Wang Feiyin muttered incessantly, clearly dissatisfied with Master Zhang.

Yet he couldn't speak of it outside, not even in front of the younger ones, especially not before Pan Jun, lest she develop an even worse impression of Longhu Mountain and provoke greater conflict between them in the future.

Yin Song decided to visit Longhu Mountain to see his junior sister and pay a call on Master Zhang.

He was detached, but while holding his position, he must fulfill his duties—he couldn't just let them run rampant; was the Dao lineage to be abandoned?

In this dynasty, Confucianism dominates; Daoism and Buddhism are already marginalized. If we continue to allow these people to act recklessly, Master Dao Yan's great legacy will be utterly ruined.

Yin Song packed his belongings and said to Wang Feiyin, "Senior brother, since the Celestial Master's Mansion has paid such a large sum for medicinal herbs, let's summon Cong'er—he's nearly at exam time; he shouldn't be distracted by buying and selling trinkets. He needs to study and cultivate properly, and we still have to travel to the capital."

Wang Feiyin: "Leave him be—I see no reason to worry about him. But you, I haven't seen you in two years; how is it that your cultivation hasn't improved at all?"

"Sigh, officialdom is too exhausting—why don't you just quit and return to the mountain to focus on cultivation?" Wang Feiyin sighed. "Glory and wealth are but fleeting clouds."

Yin Song: "... enior brother, I'm talking about Cong'er's examination for the Dao certificate."

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

Wang Feiyin said: "I think you've been in the capital too long—your heart's been blackened by it. If this continues, what will become of you? Do you still care about your Dao heart?"

He said: "Why don't you just come back? The mountains and waters of Sanqing are magnificent; just gathering and refining herbs would sustain us for a lifetime. Let go of this miserable official post."

Yin Song: "If Cong'er fails to earn his Dao certificate, who will inherit Sanqing Temple?"

Wang Feiyin: "It sounds like I've only got two years left to live. How do you know I won't outlive Cong'er?"

Yin Song: "... enior brother, that's not what I meant."

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

Yin Song, helplessly, said: "I am Cong'er's master; naturally, I must care about his studies."

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

Yin Song: "... 'm even older than he is, yet you still constantly urge me to cultivate."

"Don't you dare say that—in character, Cong'er is far stronger than you, so 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 Cong'er's Dao certificate exam for the rest of the day.

The next morning, he packed his bags to head to Longhu Mountain, but as soon as he descended the mountain, an imperial edict arrived.

After reading it, Yin Song's expression turned grim. "I can't go to Longhu Mountain."

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 high. After the army occupied the new territory, a series of incidents occurred: both soldiers and local tribes who pledged allegiance to the court began turning into insect-people."

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

"Insect-people—said to have their entire bodies filled with insects; all organs, flesh, and blood consumed, leaving only a thin skin, yet they can walk among humans like ordinary people. When dressed properly, they appear indistinguishable from normal folk."

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

Wang Feiyin's face darkened. "Blood-sucking worms."

Yin Song was startled. "Senior brother, are these the blood-sucking worms you mentioned before? But all the insect-people discovered so far are ordinary soldiers—none possess even internal energy, let alone Dao power. They're all martial soldiers skilled in bare-handed combat."

Wang Feiyin glanced at him. "See? You only half-listen in class—that's you. Blood-sucking worms require flesh and blood as fertilizer. You really must go to Longhu Mountain. A few days ago, your junior 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 Celestial Master's Mansion to meet Master Zhang and bring the man to Yunnan."

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

"Understood. I'll conceal her identity. When I meet her, I'll craft a protective ward for her."

Wang Feiyin nodded approvingly. "I was just about to mention this. A year ago, Xuanmiao made her a protective ward, but now she's drawing too much attention at Longhu Mountain, so we must be cautious. You should make her another one. I trust your skill—your wards are so potent that even Master Zhang couldn't divine anything from them."

Yin Song's mood lifted considerably; he smiled and nodded. "Senior brother, rest assured—I'll make her the finest ward possible. Not even Master Zhang or the elders of the Celestial Master's Mansion will detect even the faintest trace."

Wang Feiyin happily saw him off down the mountain.

Yin Song arrived at Longhu Mountain, first paid his respects to Master Zhang at the Celestial Master's Mansion, then requested to meet Mo Rushi, the carrier of the mother worm.

After interrogating Mo Rushi about the events in Luchuan, Yunnan, he carried his heavy bundles to the Academy to find Pan Jun and the others.

The bundles were all prepared by Wang Feiyin: besides ready-made medicines, he'd packed precious cinnabar and rare herbs in boxes for Yin Song to bring—perfect for the girls' talisman drawing and alchemy.

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

Autumn is coming—how far away is winter?

Wang Feiyin made their autumn and winter garments several inches larger than their current sizes. Especially the winter coats: Longhu Mountain's winters are bitterly cold, piercingly chill, so he prepared thick cotton robes and cotton pants, plus a straight-cut Dao robe stuffed with cotton. Even compressed, they filled a large bundle.

As Yin Song carried it on his back, a Dao topknot faintly protruded, concealing his upper body and head.

Even so, his hands weren't idle—his Dao attendant Feng Yan was also laden with packages, all the snacks and toys he'd bought for the three girls from the town below.

Feng Yan felt embarrassed walking among pilgrims, convinced he himself was the country bumpkin who'd never seen the world.

He assumed his ever-proud master would also feel ashamed, so he stole a glance—only to find Yin Song utterly composed, even quietly delighted.

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

Feng Yan quickly shook his head.

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

Feng Yan clutched the bundle tightly. "No, Master, aren't we entering the Academy through this Dao temple?"

"Yes. We must enter through the main gate of the Grand Shangqing Palace, 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, and students aren't allowed here during class hours."

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

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

Feng Yan promptly handed over a piece of paper.

"Ah, a fellow Daoist from Sanqing Mountain—please come in."

Yin Song smiled and nodded, entering the Academy.

The Academy's architecture lacked intricate twists; entering revealed a straight path ahead, flanked by dozens of plum trees. Beyond the plum grove, Feng Yan's ears suddenly filled with noise—he looked up, his eyes wide with wonder.

Three youths dashed past him, shouting as they ran: "I told you not to go play at the Wonders Pavilion! You wouldn't listen—now we're late! They say today's inspection is led by Master Lin!"

Across the open ground, two figures sparred with swords, their movements fierce and utterly unlike the Daoist methods Feng Yan had seen. Merely standing at a distance, he felt his face sting from their sword qi.

Further ahead, he encountered several others seated on stones, red-faced and arguing, which soon escalated into a physical fight.

Feng Yan:... his was nothing like the Academy he'd imagined.

Yin Song, however, was unfazed. Seeing Feng Yan nearly stumble into a pond, he grabbed his arm and gestured: "This way."

Feng Yan hurried to follow.

As Yin Song passed students, their curious glances fell upon the two men burdened with packages.

Feng Yan blushed, but Yin Song beamed with pride. As they neared Fengqi Courtyard, the crowd thinned; once alone, Yin Song happily said: "When I studied here, Senior Brother often came to visit me and Third Junior Brother. Every time he arrived with his heavy bundles, our classmates were envious."

So now he carried the largest bundle himself, both hands full.

Yin Song knocked on the door of Fengqi Courtyard. Finding no one answered, he told Feng Yan: "They're probably in class. Let's go to..."

After thinking, he said: "Shihua Courtyard."

Zhang Ziming had just finished teaching his students and stepped out to see Yin Song, laden with bundles, speechless.

Yin Song asked: "What? Can't I even ask for a cup of tea when I visit the Academy?"

Zhang Ziming turned away. "Follow me."

Yin Song followed him.

Once inside his meditation chamber, Yin Song placed all the packages atop the mat where Zhang Ziming usually sat.

Zhang Ziming glanced at them briefly, then looked away. "You came to see your students and Pan Jun? Why come to my Shihua Courtyard instead of Fengqi?"

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

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

Yin Song sighed. "The Academy's students are declining year by year. I heard your junior sister, during her entrance assessment, defeated a fifth-year student from the same courtyard?"

(End of Chapter)