Chapter 258: Look at Others (Make Up Yesterday

Xuanmiao went to find Cao Yunhuan and said to him directly: "This matter must be brought to the Emperor's attention."

Cao Yunhuan: "... Me? I'm just a ninth-rank minor official—how could I possibly..."

"I will inform the True Person," Xuanmiao interrupted, speaking in a low tone. "The problems in Fujian, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi have grown more numerous and severe over the years—smuggling military equipment, Japanese pirates infiltrating inland, pirates running rampant—all these are minor issues, but if the Emperor knows nothing and does nothing about even these minor problems, how can any larger issues ever come to light?"

After a moment of silence, Cao Yunhuan said: "Even so, as cultivators, we should not meddle too deeply in worldly affairs."

"Then why did you join this alliance?"

Cao Yunhuan: "Those Japanese pirates are too cruel—they violate the Dao. Even for the sake of the Dao, they must be eradicated without delay."

But most of it was internal affairs—he didn't want to get involved, though he didn't mind if other Daoists chose to do so.

Xuanmiao said: "We wandering cultivators, poor Daoist Priests, can ignore it—but you, besides your own cultivation, draw a salary from the imperial court, and that money is all stolen from the people's flesh and blood."

Cao Yunhuan fell silent for a moment, then immediately changed his tone: "Sister Xuanmiao is right—I'll submit a memorial as soon as I return."

Though the Dao Discipline Office is tiny, with only a few Daoist Priests, the highest-ranking officer there is only ninth-rank, and the rest are unranked clerks.

Yet, local Dao Discipline officers truly do have the right to write directly to the Emperor, and the privilege of delivering documents straight to him.

Because their main duty is to observe local weather, qi fortunes, and such.

If any region shows strange omens, faces great disaster, or is about to receive auspicious signs, they may report directly to the Emperor.

Thus, this office is extremely lowly, seemingly insignificant in daily life, yet crucial at critical moments.

Yet since the Dao Discipline Office was established, through five successive emperors, hardly any Daoist Priest ever used this privilege.

This was Cao Yunhuan's first time using this privilege, so he asked twice more: "You really will tell the True Person?"

Xuanmiao nodded.

Cao Yunhuan: "Will the True Person submit the memorial?"

Xuanmiao: "The True Person is always thorough."

Meaning: if he didn't know, fine—but now that he knows, he must submit the memorial; otherwise, if the matter later surfaces and the Emperor learns he knew yet failed to report it, he will surely harbor resentment.

People like Xuanmiao and Tao Ji don't need to care about the Emperor's favor or disfavor—but the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion relies on imperial authority to rule all Daoist Priests, so Zhang the True Person must care.

Once Cao Yunhuan understood this, he relaxed and decided to begin writing as soon as he returned to the city.

They immediately got their chance to return to Huicheng.

Chen Wen, who had been absent, rushed over only after Wu Xiaoli had quelled the unrest: "My lord, I was just handling the transfer of battle spoils from the ships—what happened here?"

In front of everyone, Wu Xiaoli did not lose his temper; instead, he forced a smile and said gently: "It's settled. The martial artists had some concerns—the military will investigate thoroughly later. Take them back to the city for a meal, and treat them well on my behalf."

Chen Wen agreed.

As Wu Xiaoli turned to leave, he paused, remembering something, and asked: "I recall Song Bei had a trusted first bodyguard, a man from the Jianghu, named Zhu Zixun—where is he being held?"

Chen Wen: "He escaped. We didn't catch him."

Wu Xiaoli frowned tightly. "How did he escape?"

Chen Wen: "The plan was to hold them back and capture them at sea—but they were too alert, sensed the movement early, and acted. The Jianghu Alliance and Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion had too few personnel left behind—he slipped away."

Wu Xiaoli sighed: "After returning, coordinate with local authorities to issue a wanted notice. Unlike Hu Jing and Su Ying, he served Song Bei for years—he must have known Song Bei was Japanese. He must be captured."

Chen Wen agreed, promising to contact local officials immediately upon returning to the city. Meanwhile, Zhu Zixun's corpse lay less than three li away, in the forest facing the sea, silent and still.

Because everyone was gathered here, no one had discovered his body yet.

Pan Yun believed no one would find it for a very long time.

Because after this battle, this stretch of sea would become a forbidden zone again—pirates wouldn't dare come, and smuggling fishermen wouldn't dare either.

Even if it were found, it might not be a bad thing.

Pan Yun's gaze swept back and forth between Chen Wen and Wu Xiaoli.

What would they think? What would they do when they discovered the corpse?

Pan Yun turned and left, calling to Seeing Miao Zhen: "Let's go."

Miao He immediately went to fetch their carriage, still dazed: "Little Master, why are we returning to the city just because we changed medicine? Weren't we supposed to sleep on the beach tonight and roast fish and meat?"

Pan Yun: "We'll eat ready-made wine and dishes in the city—what's so tasty about roasted fish and meat? There's not even a bed to sleep on, and sleeping by the sea leaves you sticky, soaked in sea breeze all night—your head throbs the next day."

"Oh—" Even so, Miao He still loved the seaside—no reason, she just did.

!. Read

She looked back longingly at the vast sea.

Pan Yun leapt into the carriage and said: "Stop staring—it's just the sea. We'll come again. We're Daoists—the stars and oceans are ours to behold. What's there to fear?"

Miao He thought that over and nodded, leaping into the carriage and settling in: "Miao Zhen, hurry up."

Miao Zhen climbed in slowly: "Third Master, Fourth Master, aren't you riding with us?"

Xuanmiao and Tao Ji said: "We're going to fetch some things—we'll catch up with you shortly..."

"Coming, coming!" Qu Le ran over, panting, carrying two bundles, shouting: "Master, these are your and your Senior's battle spoils—I brought them all!"

Pan Yun and Miao Zhen and Miao He all snapped their heads toward Qu Le, sized him up, then simultaneously wore expressions of disgust, turning together to Xuanmiao with silent accusation: Is this really the disciple you spent so long choosing?

Xuanmiao's face remained expressionless: "Say that again, and I'll cut out your tongue. If you can't use it properly, don't use it at all."

Qu Le clamped his mouth shut, carefully placed the bundles on the carriage, and whispered: "Master... Great Master, everything's here—would you like to count it?"

Xuanmiao glanced at the bundles and said: "No need. Go."

Qu Le stepped back, but didn't leave. Only after she climbed into the carriage did he follow slowly behind, earnestly asking: "Great Master, how can I become your disciple?"

Xuanmiao: "Impossible."

Qu Le chuckled: "You're speaking too absolutely. Let me tell you—I'm smart, I have great insight, and my family is rich. If you take me as your disciple, my expenses won't trouble you—your expenses? I'll cover them all. Even the costs of Mount Sanqing—I'll guarantee them fully. Cultivation requires eating, drinking, toileting, sleeping—it all costs money..."

Pan Yun's eyes slowly brightened, sparkling with interest.

Even Miao Zhen couldn't help but fall into thought.

Tao Ji rolled up his sleeves: "Say one more word—do you think I won't beat you?"

Pan Yun raised her hand: "Brother, you must really become my sister's disciple? Why not consider others?"

There are still two more chapters tonight for today's update.

(End of this chapter)