Chapter 921: Hope

"Senior Zhang hopes the Zhang family will make progress, and hopes that when he leaves the palace, the Zhang family still stands."

Pan Xiaohei lifted his head. Did Zhang Zijin say that?

Zhang Shangde and Zhang Xuefang's expressions subtly changed.

There are only two possibilities for Zhang Zijin leaving the palace: one, the Zhang family produces a prodigy descendant who is not the head but has cultivation surpassing his, and can take over his duties in the palace;

two, the Great Ming falls.

Both instinctively thought of the second possibility.

Because the first possibility requires time for a prodigy to grow, and dynastic change follows a cycle; every dynasty proclaims eternal rule, but who truly believes a dynasty can last ten thousand generations?

The Great Ming is already riddled with crises, with rebellions rising constantly; upon waking this time, they had learned much: the late emperor died young in the north, and no one knows how much longer the Great Ming has left.

If this is true of the dynasty, what of the family?

Both felt their hearts pound, seriously pondering Zhang Zijin's words.

They could look down on Zhang Li, ignore Zhang Liuzhen, but they could not disregard Zhang Zijin's words.

He is the Zhang family's highest-cultivated and most profound in Dao arts.

His words are a warning to the Zhang family—could it be he "saw" something?

Speaking of which, Zhang Liuzhen was born with a natural Dao body, capable of knowing past and future; since childhood he vowed to reform the Zhang family—could it be because he saw the future?

Zhang Shangde and Zhang Xuefang exchanged glances and immediately planned to speak deeply with Zhang Liuzhen, no longer wanting Zhang Li and others present.

Zhang Liuzhen's gaze swept over them, knowing their thoughts; he smiled and turned to Zhang Li: "Aunt Li, your second ancestor has passed; you shall take over Xitang on his behalf."

Zhang Li agreed.

This time, Zhang Shangde and Zhang Xuefang said nothing.

Only when the three figures vanished did Pan Yun exclaim in disbelief: "Is the succession already settled?"

Zhang Li shot her a warning glance. "Does it need to be complicated?"

Pan Yun rubbed her chin. "More frivolous than court politics."

Zhang Li sneered. "That's because you've only just become state advisor; once you've spent years in court, you'll see far more frivolous things."

All frivolous acts are nothing but the whim of those in power and the indifference of bystanders.

For instance, now: Zhang Li, a Zhang woman who had already switched allegiance to Mount Sanqing, upon a single word from the new head, not only returned to the Zhang family but now holds real power within it.

The main branch of the Zhang family controls Dongbi; Xitang has always been in Zhang Zhengchang's hands—this was his confidence in challenging the main branch for succession; now, Xitang is in Zhang Li's hands.

When the news spread, every member of the second branch and their allies felt their hearts tighten, their skin contract.

It's no wonder they feared it; Zhang Li has always been ruthless within the Zhang family, showing no mercy.

Many did not want Xitang in her hands, yet many others followed her.

Especially the younger generation of the Zhang family.

Their admiration and affection for Zhang Li even surpassed that for the new head, Zhang Liuzhen—among them were members of the second branch and their faction.

"Zhang Liuyuan only hides behind others; if Big Brother hadn't been ill, I truly wouldn't have joined the second branch back then—I thought then, if only Aunt Li were a man."

"What are you thinking? Even if Zhang Li were a man, she'd still be from the sixth branch."

"So what if she's from the sixth branch? Aside from Big Brother, who in this entire Zhang family isn't a collateral line? If he's incapable of inheriting, the capable should take it—tell me, would you rather serve under Zhang Liuyuan or under Aunt Li?"

"Naturally—Aunt Li."

"There you go. We've gotten what we wanted."

Inside and outside the Celestial Master's Mansion, whispers swirled—expectations and fears alike.

"We all worked under Xitang—will Zhang Li punish us?"

"Big Brother said past deeds are forgiven; since Zhang Li doesn't oppose it, she won't punish us—she has impeccable credibility, never pretends loyalty while plotting betrayal."

"Sigh~ It's better that Xitang is in Zhang Li's hands; though strict, she enforces discipline on others and herself alike, and is fair enough."

"Master, is the family's sky about to change? If Aunt Li can control Xitang, will daughters in the future be allowed to participate in family affairs?"

The other fell silent for a long while before replying: "Zhang Li is different—perhaps she's an exception?"

"I don't think she's an exception; Big Brother said family cultivation methods will no longer be restricted by gender."

"But the Laozu haven't agreed yet."

"Yet Zhang Li taking Xitang, the Laozu didn't oppose— isn't that already a step back?"

"Allowing Zhang Li is a step back; what you suggest is a full retreat—the Laozu will never agree."

"Why not? If Aunt Li can, why can't other daughters?"

"What are you planning? You're not even married yet—already thinking of your daughter's future?"

"Not my daughter—my elder sister. Master, that Wu man always bullies her; sure, I can fight back, but living in this family, it's too hard—I want her to return home with Aunt Li."

"Li? Our Zhang family never forbids daughters to leave marriages—we're not the Northern Kong clan."

"Master, the issue isn't leaving the marriage—it's what happens after: she needs something to do, doesn't have to marry out again."

The Zhang family indeed never forbade daughters to leave marriages.

Aside from a tiny minority who treated daughters like commodities, most Zhangs—even when arranging marriages—did so willingly, with the daughter's happiness as the priority.

If a daughter's life after marriage turned miserable, they would negotiate amicably with the in-laws: either bring her back to live with her natal family, or finalize the divorce and let her return home.

In the feudal context of the Great Ming, aside from forbidding daughters from learning the Zhang family's cultivation methods and denying them control over family power, their attitude toward women was far more enlightened.

After all, they were Daoists—equality among all beings; the mountain academies had many female students.

Zhang Li was spoiled.

The sixth branch's couple had only one daughter.

From birth, she showed extraordinary talent; by the time she could walk and speak, she was even more clever.

Her talent was truly exceptional—so exceptional that the sixth branch couple refused to let her be wasted.

Moreover, the sixth madam herself was a Kun Dao; she had married into the Zhang family and brought her own lineage with her.

The Zhang family cannot pass on their arts to a daughter, so she taught her own cultivation methods.

At first, the Sixth Lady never intended for her daughter to become a Daoist Priest; she merely wanted her daughter to gain more skills. Given the Zhang family's status and position, her daughter would either marry a martial hero of equal standing or a government official or scholar.

In this world, whether man or woman, survival is difficult; living happily and freely is even harder, and for women, it is three times harder.

So she wanted her daughter to learn skills, so she could face the future with composure.

Thus, she began teaching her daughter Wu Gong.

But Zhang Li's martial talent was too exceptional; she quickly mastered all the Wu Gong her mother possessed, so the Sixth Lady could only teach her Daoist methods and Dao techniques.

She mastered them just as quickly.

At that time, Zhang Li was six or seven years old—the age when people despised and dogs avoided her.

The Sixth Lady could only turn to her husband for help.

Zhang Liu took over Zhang Li's education, first teaching her various sword techniques and martial secrets acquired from the martial world.

Zhang Li learned too fast; he soon had nothing left to teach her, and he could not pass on the family's core arts to Zhang Li. Just then, Zhang Li began associating with her peer, Zhang Liuzhen.

Though separated by generations, they were only two years apart, and both were extremely intelligent and extremely mischievous.

The two hit it off immediately and, with a group of followers, stormed straight into the Academy, demanding to study together there.

The Zhang family's arts were secrets, but even secrets have levels.

The arts stored in the Academy were permitted to be taught to disciples, yet the Zhang family had never allowed a woman to enroll in the Academy.

Women in the Zhang family learned music, chess, calligraphy, painting, Daoist scriptures, and sometimes martial arts—but never Daoist methods or Dao techniques, and never entered the Academy.

Because they knew those were not things they could deeply study; thus, they abandoned the idea from the start.

The next level of secret arts was passed to the outer-disciple tier of the Celestial Master's Mansion;

the next level above that was for inner disciples;

and one tier of arts was passed only to the legitimate eldest heir.

Thus, Zhang Liuzhen's early training differed from others'.

What others could learn, he could freely read and study; what others could not learn, he could still observe.

Zhang Liuzhen and Zhang Li's bond was too strong; they were too mischievous and reckless. Even though Zhang Liuzhen had sworn a deadly oath before inheriting the arts, he still resolutely secretly taught Zhang Li.

Both suffered backlash.

After that incident, they became more cautious—but it was also then that both were exposed.

From then on, the elders' gaze toward Zhang Li changed: no longer the gentle look reserved for a mischievous junior, but wary and calculating, as if guarding against a bandit;

the elders' attitude toward Zhang Liuzhen also grew subtle. Once the natural Dao body, the favored child of heaven, the Zhang family's hope, showered with boundless affection, after that incident, their gaze toward him was filled with doubt and suspicion.

Could he truly become the Zhang family's patriarch?

Could such capriciousness and carelessness truly preserve the family legacy and ensure the Zhang family's safe passage through the tides of history?

And as Zhang Liuzhen's ingenious ideas multiplied and his desire for reform strengthened, the elders' suspicion toward him deepened.

Looking back from ten years later, at that time, Zhang Liuzhen lay gravely wounded in bed, his Upper Dantian and meridians damaged, unable to gather even a trace of Yuan force;

while Zhang Li fled far to Mount Sanqing, dragging her injuries and rage with her, her former fellow seekers of dreams—seniors and juniors alike—scattered through time.

Only then, looking back, did they realize their every move held flaws, every point a fatal weakness.

Everyone's gaze toward them changed—but they themselves never noticed.

Zhang Maocheng and the Zhang Liu couple had warned them repeatedly, but they never took it to heart:

Perhaps after receiving warnings they made some preparations, but looking back, those preparations were childish and utterly fragile.

So when the avalanche came, they had no means to resist.

Now, Zhang Li stood before Pan Yun, looking down upon the entire Academy and Shangqing Town, then turned to gaze at her and said: "To kill your way from the mountain's base to its peak, from outside the mansion to within, to break through the Celestial Master's Mansion—that's all desperate flailing. No, it's not even flailing."

"Defeat is defeat. The dead cannot be revived; lost things cannot be fully restored," Zhang Li said. "I won't let you repeat the mistakes I made, but I also know I cannot stop you."

Pan Yun saw her bloodshot eyes and was shaken: "Senior Sister—"

"I won't stop you either," Zhang Li said. "To live in this world, one cannot live merely to survive. Your aspirations are greater than ours."

Pan Yun bit her lip tightly, then after a moment said: "In the next two or three years, Seeing Miao Zhen and the others will likely remain in Japan."

"I know—it's to protect their safety," Zhang Li said. "You've done better than we did. As for me and your Third Senior Brother, you need not worry."

"I worry most about you two," Pan Yun said, troubled. "You've made too many enemies, and you love traveling far. If those in the imperial court wish to target you, they need only link up with your enemies—they could assemble a hundred-man force."

Zhang Li: "Few can take my life or your Third Senior Brother's. You should worry more about your Second Senior Brother and Yin Qingjun—and your father and brothers."

Pan Yun waved her hand: "I've already arranged for my father and brothers."

Zhang Li sneered: "Distancing yourself? Cutting ties? Those people have their own judgment—they likely won't believe it."

Pan Yun: "They're different from you. My father and two brothers serve the imperial court. The court has its own rules—they dare not cross the line. Otherwise, if they break it, they'll be the ones afraid."

So she arranged for Seeing Miao Zhen and the three, even arranged for Yin Song—but did not interfere in Pan family affairs.

Because she knew Pan Hong and his son could handle it well.

As long as they commit no offenses and no incriminating evidence is found, they can live safely in Jingcheng—even if their lives are humble. Seeing Pan Yun's confidence, Zhang Li fell silent. Pan Yun was indeed far more thorough than she had once been.

Cheng Lingzi stepped out of the house holding a bowl of steamed buns. Seeing them still gazing at each other affectionately, he cleared his throat loudly and looked around: "Where's Tao Ji? How could he let you stay here alone? Doesn't he fear you'll be kidnapped?"

Zhang Li gave him a cold glance.

Pan Yun immediately brightened, her eyes darting between the two. Zhang Li tapped her forehead with a "thump" and warned: "What are you imagining?"

Cheng Lingzi, chewing his bun, was also startled by Pan Yun's stare. He swallowed hard and looked at her slowly: "I am the Daoist Priest Cheng Lingzi. My birth name is Zhang Shiyi, because I am the eleventh in line—unluckily, I share the same clan and generation as her."

"Oh," Pan Yun withdrew her gaze and looked around. "Then who are you talking about? Who could kidnap my Senior Sister?"

"You," Cheng Lingzi continued chewing. "Aren't you a person?"

Pan Yun: "—I'm a woman!"

"So what?" Cheng Lingzi said indifferently. "Do Daoists even care about that?"

Pan Yun stared blankly: "Don't Daoists emphasize yin-yang harmony?"

Zhang Li's veins pulsed as he cut off their conversation: "Since you've become the National Preceptor, once you return you must go to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to obtain the Dragon Diagram, then issue an order to the Daoist Registry commanding the Celestial Master Mansion to come to the capital for an audience. There's no need for you to come to Long Hushan again."

Pan Yun hurriedly declared: "Isn't it because I was worried about my senior sister and senior brother?"

"Since you're already here, you can't come for nothing," Zhang Li said. "You were once confined here — do you know what it is that's being suppressed beneath this mountain?"