In their spare time from official duties, the immortals delve into the study of feng shui, divination, and alchemy, as well as the mysteries of the array, their knowledge and understanding far surpassing that of ordinary immortals and not at all intimidated by disciples of major sects.
However, all things end, and today Master Jingxu made it clear that seven years mark the threshold for teaching the Tao, and this time is her final session.
After explaining a certain alchemical confusion to Bai Xiaoxian, Master Jingxu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Being debt-free is a relief, and the debt of a hundred thousand incense offerings is finally settled.
Just as Master Jingxu felt relieved, Daoist Yizhen approached with a spherical creature that appeared to weigh at least two to three hundred pounds.
Upon hearing that the Golden Simurgh had evaded a five-century thunder calamity, Master Jingxu rarely offered praise:
"I thought it was someone crossing the tribulation at the Baisha River, but it turned out to be you, the creature of five virtues!"
The rooster is a creature of five virtues, possessing the qualities of literary (crown), martial (spurs like weapons), bravery (daring to fight to the death), benevolence (summoning others to eat), and trustworthiness (crowing at dawn).
It should be noted that Master Jingxu used to call the Golden Simurgh a 'timely animal,' indicating how high the old lady's evaluation was this time.
However, as Master Jingxu heard that the Golden Simurgh had incurred a debt of a hundred thousand incense offerings to dodge disaster and calamity, the old lady was exasperated.
"You feathered beast! How dare you ask me to repay your debt? Even if you sold the Five Elders Temple, it wouldn't cover that hundred thousand incense offerings!"
Under the Five Filthy Evil Worlds, those grand temples had long fallen in value. Besides, even in times of peace, a hundred thousand incense offerings are not what an ordinary temple could repay.
Could it be that the old lady has to serve those fur-covered immortals as an apprentice for another seven years?
Just when she was frustrated, Master Jingxu suddenly had a spiritual light. Her heart moved as she said, "Did you not sign a contract of indenture with Xu Kid? Then you may serve as an immortal there for a few years, and once the debt is cleared, you can plan your return!"
The Golden Simurgh not only did not feel punished after hearing this but was overjoyed.
Seeing this, Daoist Yizhen couldn't help but lean next to the Master and utter in a coquettish voice: "Letting Junior Brother Xu take care of the Golden Simurgh for seven years is already a considerable favor. Master, why do you still want to send the Golden Simurgh there to disturb..."
"Hah! I wasn't the one forcing him to raise this dumb chicken. Enough! It seems your wings are all grown, and you're favoring outsiders now. Why don't you just go with the Golden Simurgh, so I don't get in your way."
"Oh! That's not what your disciple meant..."
Daoist Yizhen stamped his foot, feeling an awkward embarrassment.
Tao Sanmei sat on a tree, legs swinging under her skirt, and upon hearing that the Golden Simurgh had signed the temple list, becoming an immortal and owing a hundred thousand incense offerings, her eyes immediately shined brightly.
The Sect Leader is indeed wise; with this loan granted, the old lady will have to reveal more of her true skills!
...
Luojing City.
Xu Qing crossed the Gaoliang Bridge, went through the Xizhimen, and strolled towards the center of the Imperial City.
This was his first time stepping into the crucial area of the Capital.
If it had been during the prosperous time of the national fortune dragon, he would never have ventured to a place where the fortune of the human race gathered.
If he were to engage in conflict and inadvertently reveal his aura, letting the national fortune dragon detect evil entering the city, turning into a defense tower to grind away a few layers of his fortune, wouldn't that be a grievance?
Now, with the true dragon in the wild, he, who possesses four layers of Emperor's Purple Qi, is the true master of this Capital City.
Xu Qing walked on the streets full of anxiety, some commoners privately discussing whether to leave the Capital with their families before the Beixiang Army opened, to avoid the military calamity.
Then someone said, "These days, where isn't chaotic? It's better to stay in familiar places than anything else!"
"What if the Beixiang Army wins? We don't know how they'll manage this place..."
At this moment, a pale-faced youth appeared in the teahouse, interrupting, "What 'if'? Isn't that a certainty? Moreover, not to mention the strict discipline of the Beixiang Army, but even if replaced randomly, can it be worse than how the dog emperor governs?"
"Indeed..."
The crowd agreed heartily, to the point that they looked at the young man with a newfound kindness.
"You speak too boldly, young man. How can you speak so disrespectfully about the current Holy Emperor? In the future, be careful and don't say such things in public..."
"Waiter, bring this gentleman a pot of good tea, on me!"
...
Imperial City's crucial place.
Having just finished drinking tea and eating snacks, Xu Qing digested while wandering as if strolling his own family's graveyard, all the way to Yangxin Hall.
Yangxin Hall combines governance and residence, with the front hall being the place for handling state affairs, also known as the Hall of Diligence and Kind Masters, and the back hall is where past emperors lived, in addition to reviewing memorials and summoning ministers.
Entering the hall, Xu Qing didn't see the old emperor's figure but instead encountered a gatekeeping dog of the Grandmaster Realm on the way leading to the back hall.
"Who are you? I'm Feng Dehai from this place, the residence of the imperial family. If you seek an audience, do you have a palace token?"
Hearing this name sounded familiar to Xu Qing, and after a little thought, he remembered who this person was.
"So it's Eunuch Feng; it has been a while since I've seen you, Eunuch."
Xu Qing was telling the truth; he had been on the Ancient Yin River Dao these years, not often transiting souls from the palace, so it indeed had been a long time since he'd seen Feng Dehai in the revolving lanterns of others.
"You know me? Why don't I remember you?"
Feng Dehai, wearing a five-clawed dragon pattern, put away his duster with a face full of confusion.
Xu Qing leisurely said, "There's a grudge between us. You followed the emperor's order in your early years, seeking celestial medicine on Yunmeng Mountain, which cost my family's cat its life; that's an old grudge. A dozen years ago, your foster son Long Engui collaborated with the Jinmen Gang in Jin Sect to rob my goods, that's also an old grudge."