"The armored general crosses the pass at night, court ministers wait for the fifth hour in the cold. Monks at the mountain temple don't rise though the sun is high, it seems fame and fortune are less than idleness."

This poem is both right and wrong.

The world only sees the splendor enjoyed by kings and generals, but those who pursue fame and fortune never have peace, and there are few who can sleep soundly.

Yet practitioners of the Dao also do not have it easy.

Just like the Taoists on this mountain, with daily morning and evening lessons, meditation and martial training, studying Taoist classics, daily chores, and performing various rituals...

Truly idle like clouds and cranes, however, are few and far between.

Swish, swish, swish!

The sound of a Daoist sweeping the snow echoed outside the courtyard.

In this situation, how could Li Yan fall asleep? He got up at once and, along with Wang Daoxuan who was just leaving, went to the dining hall to have some breakfast.

"Please, wait a moment, gentlemen."

Just as they were about to return to their rooms, a young Daoist hurriedly approached and saluted, saying, "Master Mingshanzi told you not to leave yet, as he has something to discuss with you after finishing his morning lessons."

Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.

They had already inquired about the whereabouts of Shuiyue Temple, planning to visit early and then head to Qingcheng Mountain.

The matter of the Cheng Family was discussed last night.

Today, it probably concerns Qingcheng Mountain.

After waiting for a short time, Mingshanzi completed his morning lessons and hurried to the room, greeting them with a clasped hand, "Thank you both for waiting."

Without beating around the bush, he sat down and immediately said, "Yesterday, I was disturbed by news from the ancestors, and I neglected to inform you of certain matters."

"You must know, my Cheng Family has been operating in Shu for many years, and we have a significant foundation, with even more complicated relationships."

"I've heard about your conflicts with the Shu Prince Mansion. I wonder if there's any intention to resolve this matter?"

"Oh..."

Li Yan squinted his eyes, "What do you mean, elder?"

He didn't expect Mingshanzi to bring up this matter.

If possible, he certainly wouldn't want to become enemies with the Shu Prince Mansion, but at this point, handing over the "Ruyi Treasure Pearl" was impossible.

This matter is not just about saving face.

If he guessed correctly, the Shu Prince and those like Zhao Changsheng have already connected, and in the future, it may be a life-or-death struggle.

The "Ruyi Treasure Pearl" may very well be the key to their conspiracy.

At a time like this, how could relations be eased?

Mingshanzi naturally did not know of this and slightly shook his head, saying, "To tell the truth, although the Mystical Sect does not wish to meddle in the Shu Prince affair, my Cheng Family has a daughter married to the Fifth Prince."

"The current situation in the Shu Prince Mansion is quite complicated. In recent years, the Shu Prince has become increasingly eccentric and frequently bedridden due to illness, yet he still hasn't established a Princely Heir."

Lowering his voice, he said, "The Fifth Prince is known for his honest and virtuous reputation, and because of his relationship with my Cheng Family, he has been ostracized by the other princes."

"News from within the Shu Prince Mansion reports that after the death of the Third Prince, the Shu Prince was furious, bursting into a rage of evil fire, and after returning to the mansion, he fell ill again. Whether he will last through the year is questionable."

"Now, whether one wants to fight or not, they have no choice but to fight."

"The Fifth Prince's teacher, the great Confucian Yang Duo from Shu, has made contact with the court. According to news from the Capital, once the Shu Prince passes away, the Ancestral Affairs Office will confer the title of Princely Heir to the Fifth Prince."

"The condition is that the Shu Prince will become the King of Chengdu in the future..."

Hearing this, Li Yan immediately understood.

Indeed, none of these princes are pushovers.

Just like this Fifth Prince, who appears on the surface to not compete, but in reality, he has quietly secured court support by openly building roads and secretly crossing the river.

He sees it clearly as well.

Once the Shu Prince dies, his line, and the emperor's relationship will immediately cool, and the downgrade of the vassal king's rank is inevitable.

If something happens, the entire lineage of the Shu Prince could suffer. It's better to seize the opportunity to negotiate the terms.

To put it bluntly, he has already betrayed the Shu Prince Mansion.

"Elder, you might as well speak directly."

With this in mind, Li Yan spoke up directly.

Mingshanzi nodded and said, "Currently, the internal strife in the Shu Prince Mansion is fierce. The Fifth Prince remains reclusive, waiting for his opportunity, but fears the other princes might take desperate measures and send someone to manufacture an accident."

"My Cheng Family can't intervene openly, as doing so would be taboo and not only elicit backlash from the Shu Prince Mansion but also raise the court's suspicions."

"Therefore, I'd like to request the Twelve Primordial Spirits to provide covert protection until the Shu Prince passes, and the matter is completely resolved, freeing everyone from trouble."

"When the time comes, the Fifth Prince will present generous gifts, and my Cheng Family will also offer something to satisfy everyone."

Li Yan casually asked, "What thing?"

In reality, he had already decided to refuse.

Matters involving the struggle for royal interests were the most troublesome.

He just wanted to find a reason to decline.

Mingshanzi, being shrewd and experienced, naturally saw through it, stroked his beard and smiled, looking at Wang Daoxuan, "Daoist Wang, you belong to the West Xuan Lineage, right?"

Li Yan and his companion were not surprised to hear this.

Their reputation had spread, and some information must have leaked out long ago.

Mingshanzi, noticing their expressions, continued, "The West Xuan Lineage, when mentioned, also has deep roots, no less than any Mystic Sect."

"Daoist, do you know why it has declined to this state?"

Wang Daoxuan's expression became grave. He hesitated for a moment and said, "In our lineage, Chen Tianjun studied under Pei Xuanren of Western Han, and going further back, he was one of the Eight Immortals under Tang Yao, 'Chi Jiang Ziyu.'

"Later... later there was a problem. It seems someone intentionally erased records of Chen Tianjun, possibly related to the Shangqing Sect."

Mingshanzi was visibly surprised after hearing this, nodding, "I didn't expect the Daoist to have investigated this matter."

Li Yan solemnly asked, "Senior, do you know what happened in between?"

Mingshanzi shook his head slightly, "This matter is extremely secretive and has been lost to time, few know about it, even the Shangqing Maoshan may not be aware."

"In my Cheng Family's records, there's only a vague mention that it violated the 'Heavenly Rules,' leading to the severance of Qi Fortune for the West Xuan Lineage."

"Violated the 'Heavenly Rules'?"

Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan looked at each other.

They never expected it to be for this reason.

Wang Daoxuan frowned deeply, "That's not right. I set up an altar for tribute, and although Chen Tianjun never responded, I could still use his power to perform spells. If he violated the 'Heavenly Rules,' how could this be?"

Mingshanzi laughed with a trace of helplessness, "That's a matter of the heavens, how could us mere mortals know."

"Though it's unclear what happened, my Cheng Family has something the Daoist certainly wouldn't want to miss."

"Among Tang Yao's Eight Immortals, the root of the Qingcheng Technique is Ning Fengzi, perhaps there's some connection, and a copy of 'Chi Jiang Ziyu's' 'Five-Headed Divine Technique' was secretly preserved."

"This technique is an Ancient Qi Refining Technique and the foundation of the West Xuan Lineage, useless to my Cheng Family, but if you agree to this matter, it will be given to the Daoist, perhaps it will be of some help."

"Deal!"

Li Yan agreed without hesitation.

As a Wandering Immortal Team, it was their main task to help companions find inheritance, but unfortunately, this journey had only one clue, which was related to Shangqing Maoshan.

With the passage of time, it's feared that today's Maoshan wouldn't know either.

To be honest, they had already given up.

Unexpectedly, a glimmer of hope appeared, naturally, they couldn't miss it.

"Hahaha, good!"

Mingshanzi took out a token from his bosom, crafted from yellow brass, intricately designed, surrounded by cloud patterns, with a Tai Chi Diagram and Treasure Sword engraved on the back, and a raised "Cheng" character on the front.

"This is the Cheng Family Token."

Mingshanzi said seriously, "Take this token to Chengdu, to the gold and silver shop of the Wu family in the east of the city, and someone will make arrangements!"

...

"This matter... carries substantial risk."

After leaving Jianfu Palace a few miles, Wang Daoxuan finally spoke in a deep voice.

He expressed concern, "The Cheng Family is a Mystic Sect family of Shu, having already abandoned the Qingcheng Master, why entangle in royal affairs again, there must be some motive."

"I do know a bit."

Li Yan glanced towards Jianfu Palace, sneering, "They're probably like us, aware that the Human Dao revolution is at hand and cannot stay too far from the court."

"However, we chose Qiankun Academy, and they aim to leverage the future King of Chengdu's power."

"No matter what, that 'Five-Headed Divine Technique' must be obtained, besides, to complete the Dragon Lady's task, we'll likely need the support of the Fifth Prince."

Wang Daoxuan sighed, "What exactly is this transformation of the Human Dao?"

Li Yan looked into the distance, seeing the vast mountains wrapped in clouds and mist, he inexplicably thought of the steam engine prototype they found in the Mo Family Mechanism Tomb at Liangzi Lake.

"Perhaps, it's a whole new era..."

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