Snail Village, Pei MansionEven the mansions belonging to royalty within the capital were subjected to rules. Princes were allowed to have up to twenty mu of land for their mansions, Canton Princes were allowed to have up to fifteen mu of lands and other n.o.ble and royal blooded people were allowed up to ten mu.
However, the rules were not strictly enforced within the villages. The newly renovated Pei mansion spanned over eight mu of land, and that was considered rather modest. A third of the mansion was dedicated to a garden, where a pond had been built. A long archway was linked to the pond, so that they could walk around it and admire the sight. There were peach plants, chrysanthemum plants and even plum being planted around.
"It used to be such a beautiful place, but it had been stained with the blood of innocents." Pei Zi Yun returned to his room, and noticed that n.o.body was around. He then extended a finger and pointed it out. Instantly, a white Plum Blossom appeared into view. It started becoming bigger until it eventually became a transparent white information interface, which was emitting a glow.
"Mission : Break through the gates of heaven, become a Core Disciple (Completed)"
Pei Zi Yun touched the words, and heard a buzz. He then felt the Plum Blossom become distinct over his forehead.
The first petal to reveal itself was the white petal. It was then followed by the red petal, and lastly a yellow petal. However, the yellow petal was still transparent and had yet to take on an opaque and definite form. The Plum Blossom remained on his forehead, unmoving. Several moments later, it disappeared, as if it didn’t exist.
"Ai, does this mean I have increased authority to absorb higher levels of Legacies? Oh, it looks like I can now absorb Legacies belonging to Earth Immortals. That’s pretty good. It’s just that, how should I hope to find a Legacy by an Earth Immortal? It’s too far, far too rare. In fact, it’s almost impossible to think that I would actually find one." Pei Zi Yun sighed, and realized that should he actually discover an Earth Immortal Legacy, it would be much greater than any Legacy he had ever discovered.
Just as he was pondering, he could hear another buzz. An entire swarm of memories came flooding into his mind.
"So it seemed that once a person enters the realm of Yin Master, he starts using divine powers."
"Did the Sect Leader banish me from the sect for a year so that I wouldn’t be able to acquire any divine powers from the sect? According to the memories which I absorbed from my senior grand-uncle, there’s no recollection of him learning any divine powers as well. It was probably due to the fact that he was a Southerner and it was thus concealed from him, and not handed down to him."
"Ai, there are some differences between divine powers and Dao arts. Dao arts need to be used every time and energy would be exerted. However for divine powers, the skills would permanently be at my disposal. Once I have it, it will remain activated for a long period of time. It’s no wonder that Yin Masters were of a different league altogether, as they’ve much greater powers." Pei Zi Yun mumbled to himself.
"And there’s another mission which I’ve yet to tap. Although my yellow petal will probably still remain transparent after this, right?" Pei Zi Yun then extended a hand and tapped on the information interface.
"Mission : Weed out Xie Cheng Dong’s influence within Ying Prefecture (Completed)"
Pei Zi Yun tapped the screen once more to retrieve the mission.
"Buzz" Indeed, the petal didn’t turn opaque and remained transparent. However, some news flooded the information interface.
"More memories!" Pei ZI Yun took a deep sip from his wine cup before placing his cup down. He then looked out, and gazed far into the distance. After absorbing and digesting all the memories, he paused. If he was glad to receive the previous bout of memories, he was shocked this time.
"So it seems like the current Emperor will pa.s.s away on his thirteenth year of reign."
"According to the memories of the original owner, the Crown Prince didn’t have an heir. Hence the rest of the other Kings started fighting for the Emperor spot. The person who was most likely to obtain the throne was King Lu."
"Xie Cheng Dong had cast his support for King Lu a long time ago. After King Lu succeeded in ascending the throne, he thus rewarded Xie Cheng Dong’s loyalty by conferring the t.i.tle of True Sovereign upon him. That was how he took control over all the Dao sects under the heaven and became the Imperial General of Daoists. At last, he managed to turn his mortal flesh into a saintly body."
Pei Zi Yun’s face fell. So it seemed that the men which had been placed in all eighteen prefectures not only affected Black Altar Sect, but also caused a certain change in Imperial Qi. These chess pieces which had been planted all across the nation were working for King Lu. Only with immense cooperation and coordination did they succeed in helping King Lu ascend the throne.
Pei Zi Yun had unknowingly been caught up in the dispute between King Lu and the Crown Prince, and their ascension to the throne.
Pei Zi Yun stood still for a long time before inhaling some cold air. He then mumbled to himself, "Such luck!"
At once, Pei Zi Yun understood everything that was happening. The memories from the original owner and his present experienced merged together to form a clear picture in his mind. The vast will of heaven was initially impenetrable and couldn’t be obstructed by any mortal man. However, once he had intervened, the will of heaven started changing, and became extremely obscure.
"When Heaven puts forth its power of putting to death, the stars and constellations lie hidden in darkness. When Earth puts forth its power of putting to death, dragons and serpents appear on the dry ground. When Man puts forth his power of putting to death, Heaven and Earth resume their proper course. When Heaven and Man exert their powers in concert, all transformations have their commencements determined."
"I have to get to know more people in high places, so that I can avoid being killed. At this point, avoiding the problem altogether is impossible." Pei Zi Yun mumbled to himself, his expression was one of extreme distraction. Pei Zi Yun didn’t know that the original owner had hidden so many memories. It was no wonder he always felt like something was amiss. Only at this point did he finally understand why.
"The original owner had been betrayed. The sense of betrayal and hurt had been engraved deep into the corners of his soul. He was afraid that I wouldn’t be willing to risk my life to complete his missions. Hence, he placed many restrictions and boundaries along my knowledge and abilities, which included restrictions on my Dao arts and secrets of being a Yin Master. He was afraid that once I had access to so much power at one go, I would forsake his missions and set out for my own selfish agenda. He couldn’t particularly trust me after being betrayed to this extent, and had to restrict me."
"He was afraid that I would take advantage of the benefits, and refuse to take revenge on his behalf. The extent was that he would even be willing to take the secrets to his grave and not give them up should he deem me unworthy."
"Original owner, original owner, you placed so much thoughts and effort into this, and caused so many unforeseen circ.u.mstances to blindside me. At this point I wonder if I should thank you, or hate you?" Pei Zi Yun whispered to himself.
A normal person might not understand the gravity of the current situation, and yet Pei Zi Yun deeply understood the fearsomeness and might of the power of an Emperor. At this point he realized that he had been standing still for too long, and walked out.
"Master, these magical pills possess some extraordinary powers, and can completely cleanse a person’s body. What’s more it can improve longevity and improve a person’s cultivation foundation. If this were to be used to my Senior Sister, it would be extremely beneficial for her." Pei Zi Yun looked at his master and spoke, as he handed over a clear vial.
Yu Yun Jun retrieved the vial and unstopped the bottle. Immediately a fragrant scent wafted out from the bottle. Just inhaling the fumes of the pills was enough to cause a person’s mind to be completely clear and perceptive.
"Were these pills made up of mystical herbs?" Yu Yun Jun asked, clearly surprised as she looked at Pei Zi Yun. Such pills were unheard of in the cultivation world for over a few hundred years.
"Yes, they are. I happened to chance upon these pills. The reason they’re able to improve a person’s physical traits and cultivation level was because of the mystical ingredients which had been smelted and refined into these pills. It’s only because of the pills that I was able to break through the gates of heaven and become Yin Master in such a short time." Pei Zi Yun spoke, giving him a plausible explanation for attaining his current status so quickly.
"So that’s the case. No wonder you could improve so quickly, was because you had good fortunes smiling upon you, and allowed you to discover these pills. Indeed I wasn’t wrong about you. But do you know that these pills would be extremely beneficial in the Yin Master stage as well?"
"Master, I’ve already broken through the gates of heaven, and can slowly improve on my strengths at my own time. This additional spiritual energy would just be adding more flowers to a forest. Although my Senior Sister is progressing rapidly, her innate talent isn’t the best. This pill would help her improve that aspect."
"Once she breaks through the gates of heaven, it would be easier for her to improve as well."
Hearing Pei Zi Yun’s words, Yu Yun Jun smiled, "You’re extremely thoughtful. I shall help you keep this for your Senior Sister."
At this point the door opened with a loud creak. Chu Xia walked in, her face was all smiles. She looked at Pei Zi Yun, "Thank you Junior Brother, you’re the best."
"Senior Sister, why have you been eavesdropping? This is not a good habit to form!" Pei Zi Yun looked at Chu Xia and felt a sudden headache.
"Hm, if I hadn’t eavesdropped, how would I know that my own sweet Junior Brother has left me such a big gift?" Chu Xia frowned and replied.
"Master, there’s no better time than the present. Now that the pill is here, and my Senior Sister will not be able to stop thinking about it, why not let her consume it now? We can protect her while she’s absorbing it as well."
Yu Yun Jun paced several steps, and looked at Chu Xia. She then patted her on her head, "Since that’s your wish, let’s do it now then."
There were two pills left, which He Qing Qing and Liao Qing Ye can use in future, Pei Zi Yun thought to himself. He knew that time waited for no man.
Meditation Room in Pei Mansion
Yu Yun Jun stood by the side while Chu Xia retrieved a pill and consumed it. She sat cross legged in the middle of the meditation room and felt a warm sensation envelop her entire body. Soon after her breathing became deeper and more p.r.o.nounced, as her thoughts started forming, her mind experienced complete clarity. Soon after, a delightful scent started coursing through the entire room.
Before long, the full effects of the pill kicked in. Chu Xia’s entire body was covered in grime, sweat and filth which had been excreted through her pores from her body. Her abdomen swelled up, and all of a sudden there was a pungent smell.
Chu Xia hurriedly stood up and dashed towards the bathroom as Yu Yun Jun smiled comically. She then went outside and asked a guard, "Have you prepared the hot water yet?"
"The hot water has already been prepared in the adjoining room."
"Senior Sister has already felt the effects of the pill." Pei Zi Yun looked at Yu Yun Jun and spoke. The pill cleansed her entire body, and dispelled all the toxins within her. Chu Xia had to take a bath to rid herself of all the dirt and impurities.
Yu Yun Jun turned around and said to Pei Zi Yun, "Come here, I have something to ask you."
"Yes." Pei Zi Yun then followed Yu Yun Jun out into the corridor. Yu Yun Jun’s was still smiling as she tapped a railing along the corridor gently before asking, "Ever since you were ordered to leave the mountains, you’ve been frowning and looking upset. Is this because of the Sect Leader?"
Pei Zi Yun forced a smile, and was about to reply when he saw his master looking at him suspiciously. She then spoke again, "You don’t have to worry about it. You are already a Core Disciple, and the Sect Leader doesn’t have the authority to dismiss you without cause. It’s just that he’s the Sect Leader afterall, and the Sect Elders had to punish your insubordination by banishing you for a year. You should go out and have some fun for the year."
"Yes master." Pei Zi Yun acknowledged, his face still bore the forced smile. He had been misunderstood, "I’ve been frowning and looking worried because of Xie Cheng Dong and King Lu. I was thinking about how to break their ploy. That’s the real issue here, and even Holy Jail Sect and Ji Bei Hou pales in comparison to the gravity of this matter I’m dealing with."
As he was thinking, there was a commotion at the door, which were punctuated by the loud toiling of drums.
Pei Zi Yun frowned as he walked out. When he reached the door, he saw a bailiff rushing towards him, "Master Top Scorer, there’s an Imperial Edict here for you. I urge master Top Scorer to prepare yourself, and make yourself look presentable. An hour later, an eunuch would present the edict."
"Why would there be an Imperial Edict all of a sudden?" Pei Zi Yun retrieved five taels of silver and handed it over to him. The bailiff whispered, "This humble subject doesn"t know. However, I’ve heard that this edict concerns your esteemed parents and a bestowment of t.i.tles."
"Bestowment of t.i.tles?"
Pei Zi Yun muttered to himself, still unclear of why the Emperor would decide to bestow a t.i.tle for no reason. However, he was a person who had learnt the cultures of proper decorum. He hurriedly called out, "Hurry! Hurry! Get He Qing Qing here."
He Qing Qing wasn’t standing very far away. The minute she heard her name, she rushed over, "Young chieftain, what instructions do you have for me?"
"Grab some men, open the doors of my ancestral temple and ensure that everything is neat and in order."
"Yes!"
Seeing He Qing Qing walk away, Pei Zi Yun hurriedly changed into his Top Scorer robes. The robes worn by a High Scholar were actually the same robes worn by an official, except that the hat worn had a silver feather in it.
He then instructed the village chief who had just walked in, "Clean up this entire street and pour water to get rid of the dirt. Tell everyone to stay within their homes. n.o.body should be walking around without reason."
The village chief’s legs were trembling as he hurriedly acknowledged.
When everything was ready, Pei Zi Yun walked over to the ancestral temple. Although this temple had only been built a year ago, it has already lost its "newly constructed" look, as it melded nicely into the surroundings.
Standing before the shrine within the temple, Pei Zi Yun inhaled two breaths of cold air before walking in. He then observed the memorial tablets before him and started counting them..
He then lit up an incense and allowed it to burn quietly. Suddenly, he heard the sounds outside getting louder. He then hurriedly shifted all the other memorial tablets aside, making only one of the tablets stand out.
Initially, the tablets didn’t have much distinction between them, since the status of all these deceased people were roughly the same. However, now that a t.i.tle was to be bestowed upon his deceased father, it would mean that his tablet should be of a higher placing that all the others. There was no need to be humble about such affairs, and the distinction should be made clear.
This was decorum.
Pei Zi Yun opened his mouth, as though to speak, but realized he had nothing to say. Could it be that he wanted to tell his father that his fate had shifted to an entirely new dimension of difficulty and tribulations?
He sighed before placing the incense in the burner. He then turned around to receive the group of people.