I began heading to Luoyang with Wangliang. If I were alone, I could easily cross mountains and rivers with my lightness skills, but since I had to adjust to Wangliang, we decided to travel by horse. During our journey to Luoyang, we also planned to stop by Wangliang's house for a while.
Wangliang seemed to be tidying up his hut. This wasn't just about organizing the books and personal items he had, but also reorganizing the informants he had hidden all over Jinlang Valley. Over the years, Wangliang had built a subtle network by buying informants and subordinates with the money he earned from fortune-telling and consultations. Stealing a map of the nearby village from the government office was also the work of his subordinates.
I asked Wangliang:
"With a network like that, you could have formed your own sect. Why did you live so modestly, telling fortunes in Jinlang Valley?"
Wangliang waved his hand.
"Of course, if I had formed an information organization and been active, I would be ten times richer than I am now. However, information is only valuable when you have the military power to protect it. If my life is at risk even from a mid-level sect's military power, there's no reason to be in the information business."
"Hmm..."
"Besides, I quite enjoyed life in Jinlang Valley. I made a decent living, read books to my heart's content, and played when I wanted to."
I wanted to tease him about having fun with women, but I decided against it. Instead, I picked up one of Wangliang's books and flipped through it, asking:
"Then why were you living off your teacher's reputation?"
"Because I had his permission. I just had to make sure I didn't disgrace his name."
"But even so, impersonation is—"
Wangliang smiled wryly.
"My teacher is very generous. Even if I disgraced his name, he wouldn't care. He's almost indifferent to worldly affairs and became famous by accident."
"Those with talent will stand out no matter where they are."
"Anyway, the only one who can help us now is my teacher, Master Wangliang. If we can get his help, everything will go smoothly."
I asked a question.
"By the way, why didn't you learn martial arts? If you were in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, you would have had the chance to read martial arts books."
"Of course, I had the chance. But martial arts ultimately involve physical training, and for someone like me, who is used to a desk job, there are limits to what I can do in my spare time. I can cultivate internal energy to improve my health, but it's meaningless. Instead of half-heartedly pursuing both literature and martial arts, I wanted to pour all my energy into my specialty."
Wangliang's way of thinking was refreshing from the perspective of a martial artist. To save time and focus on his studies instead of learning martial arts! But I understood his words because I had seen his genius strategies and wisdom firsthand. By constantly honing his knowledge and wisdom, he became far superior to those who were mediocre.
While tidying up his room, Wangliang suddenly said:
"Oh, don't throw away the vial with the poison. You'll definitely need it."
"Understood."
"Everything is almost packed. If you want to read any books, just let me know, and I'll lend them to you."
I looked through Wangliang's collection, remembering the intense studies I had done over the past three years. At the time, I didn't particularly enjoy studying, but looking back, it had become part of my blood and flesh. Wangliang's collection would certainly be worth studying. I picked a book from the shelf.
"I want to read this."
"Baopuzi (抱朴子)? Are you interested in alchemy?"
"Well, it's said to contain the secret of immortality."
Baopuzi is a book on alchemy, sexual techniques, and various dietary and breathing practices. It wasn't a secret book, and many scholars had a copy. Wangliang chuckled.
"Nine out of ten alchemists in the world are frauds. Even the imperial court no longer believes in alchemy."
"Huh? Isn't alchemy the study of creating elixirs of immortality?"
"The ultimate goal of alchemy is to create the ultimate golden pill, but to make this pill, large amounts of mercury are typically used. However, mercury is highly toxic, so people often die from poisoning when they consume alchemical drugs."
Poisoning!
The word seemed out of place with alchemy, and I was inwardly surprised. Wangliang said:
"True alchemy is passed down in secret by a few left or right Daoist sects. You can't learn it from books. However, the sexual techniques in this book are quite useful."
"True alchemy? So the golden pill does exist?"
"Yes, but obtaining it is almost impossible. Just let it go."
Wangliang then handed me another book.
"Rather, read this. It's the Shanhaijing (山海經)."
"It looks like a picture book."
"Yes. The mythical creatures in this book are quite interesting, so it's a good read for passing the time."
"I'll read it well."
As he said, the Shanhaijing featured strange places and mythical creatures. It didn't seem very practical, but I decided to read it as Wangliang suggested. Having seen monsters with my own eyes, I was strongly drawn to this book.
After finishing the preparations in Jinlang Valley and heading to Luoyang, we arrived in front of Luoyang City after about four days. Luoyang was as impressive as I remembered, with its magnificent and grand city walls and bustling crowds visible from the outer city.
Neigh
As the horse snorted, Wangliang tightened the reins and said:
"We don't need to enter the city. My teacher lives elsewhere."
"You don't live in Luoyang City?"
"He dislikes the hustle and bustle and lives outside the city. Besides, entering Luoyang City now would be extremely dangerous, so it's for the best."
We headed southwest from Luoyang. After about five li, we arrived at a small village with a shrine dedicated to Lü Dongbin.
Lü Dongbin is one of the Eight Immortals of Daoism, known as a legendary immortal swordsman. His Daoist name is Chunyangzi, and he is revered not only in folk religion but also by various Daoist sects. He is also popular in folklore for his legendary sword skills, which are said to have defeated dragons.
Wangliang dismounted at Lü Dongbin's shrine. He respectfully placed his talisman on the altar and said:
"Your disciple has arrived."
A moment later, the shrine trembled. The vibration lasted for about half a minute before stopping.
Then, a strange voice came from behind.
"Senior, the timing is bad. My teacher is out on business."
I turned around.
There was a young man in his early twenties with a youthful appearance. What was unusual was that he wasn't wearing Daoist robes but rather farmer's clothes, and he had an air of nobility about him. Wangliang, upon seeing him, looked embarrassed and said:
"Junior, I have urgent business with my teacher."
"Who said that? He's just not here right now."
"......"
The young man, called junior, spoke expressionlessly.
"Just leave the Five-Flower Seven-Gold Talisman where it is. My teacher said he won't tolerate its further use."
"......!!"
Wangliang was surprised but soon nodded.
"Understood. I'll leave then."
"Do as you please. I'll go back to farming."
The young man, called junior, picked up a hoe from his waist and walked away. He seemed to be a real farmer. I was bewildered and asked Wangliang:
"Farming? Your junior is an excellent sorcerer, so why is he farming?"
Farming was a common occupation for ordinary people. While farming wasn't a bad thing, it seemed odd that a disciple of the continent's top sorcerer, Master Wangliang, wasn't using his abilities.
"My junior is self-sufficient through farming. The nearby people just see him as an ordinary farmer."
"Oh, so he uses his magical skills to achieve incredible harvests."
"No, he doesn't use any magic. He farms normally."
"Is it because he's training under the master?"
"Not at all. My junior has already obtained a license and is recognized as a sorcerer."
I looked at Wangliang, who smiled wryly.
"He's just that kind of person. Secular values mean nothing to my teacher and junior."
"......"
"Anyway, we'll have to wait for my teacher in this village for a while."
"When will Master Wangliang arrive?"
"I don't know. He's quite unpredictable, so it could take years..."
I felt that staying in this small village would be a waste of time. In a few days, the Imperial Guard would likely start investigating the disappearance, and I couldn't afford to waste precious time just waiting. However, there was nothing I could do, so I took out a silver ingot and decided to stay at an inn for a long time.
Wangliang said:
"It's a good thing. You also need to review your martial skills. Let's consider this a training period."
The Imperial Guard wouldn't catch up immediately. We had done enough "cleanup," and there were no witnesses, so there was a high chance they wouldn't uncover the truth even after years. For now, we were just preparing for any