Chapter 1

Jiupo Village, a mountain village surrounded by mountains, is known for its clear waters and beautiful scenery.

Legend has it that deep within these mountains lies the burial site of a great general. When the general was buried, his head was missing, and his brave soldiers crafted a golden head to complete his body for burial. The burial site is called "Jiuling Shisanpo."

The vast mountains have countless ridges and slopes, and later generations could never pinpoint the exact location of "Jiuling Shisanpo."

On the mountain path behind the village, Asheng, carrying a bamboo basket and a book satchel, walked forward. His washed-out clothes could not hide his scholarly demeanor. Tall and handsome with fair skin, he looked every bit the part of a scholar.

He was the most accomplished scholar in all of Jiupo Village and had passed the local examination to become a candidate for the imperial exams. This journey was to take him to the capital for the exams.

Before setting out, he had to make a trip into the mountains first.

About five or six miles behind Jiupo Village, deep in the mountains, there was an old Taoist temple called Linglong Temple, which had long been deserted.

He was going to find the abbot of Linglong Temple.

The mountain path was rugged and difficult to navigate. Asheng walked and stopped, gazing at the vast mountains and sea, his face flushed and breathless, wiping sweat and resting, but he would not let go of the satchel on his back.

This was because the satchel contained an important item, something of great significance that no one could imagine.

His father had secretly told him before passing away that this item was of great importance, even related to immortals!

By the time he reached the verdant Linglong Temple, it was already noon. As he climbed the steps at the foot of the hill outside the temple, he heard the sounds of a struggle.

What was going on? He hurried up to see what was happening.

The first thing he saw was a distinctive black iron tower in the temple, followed by the dilapidated Linglong Temple, where white banners still hung.

The old abbot of Linglong Temple had passed away three months ago, and the temple seemed to have lost its soul. After the funeral, the disciples left the white banners hanging for months without removing them, and the grass on the walls and roofs was left unattended, clearly showing signs of the temple's decline and disintegration.

As he stepped onto the open ground outside the temple, Asheng's eyes widened. He saw three bruised and battered Taoists struggling on the ground, and a young Taoist with a ponytail standing on one of them, forcibly searching his fellow disciple and putting the money he found into his own pocket.

At the entrance of the temple, covered in moss, there was a couplet:

"The world's prosperity has nothing to do with me."

"The years in the mountains are unmatched."

The two "nothing" characters in the couplet spoke of the gains and losses of those on the path of cultivation. In contrast to the scene of robbery at the temple entrance, Asheng was speechless.

The young Taoist was named Yuming, the new abbot of Linglong Temple and Asheng's childhood friend. They were about the same age.

He had refused the villagers' escort and specifically came to find Yuming because they had secretly agreed that Yuming would secretly escort him to the capital. Compared to the villagers, Yuming, being a martial artist, was better suited for the task, providing more safety in these turbulent times.

However, the agreed time had passed, and Yuming had not come down the mountain to meet him. Had he forgotten such an important matter? Not knowing what to do, Asheng had come to find him. Now he understood that Linglong Temple was in the midst of an internal conflict, with fellow disciples turning against each other!

The three Taoists lying on the ground were familiar to him; they were Yuming's senior brothers, the oldest being over fifty and the youngest nearly forty.

The old abbot had only these four disciples left.

Could Yuming, alone, defeat his three senior brothers?

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Asheng wouldn't have believed it. Given their relationship, he had no idea Yuming had such strength.

He had never understood why the old abbot had passed the position of abbot to Yuming, who was neither old enough nor experienced enough, and was not particularly mature. Now he seemed to understand something. Had the old abbot chosen the most capable disciple to inherit the mantle?

With the money in hand, Yuming turned his head and saw Asheng. The fierce expression on his face disappeared, and he grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. He still looked quite handsome, with a touch of wildness from living in the mountains.

The young beard on his face was noticeable; those who knew him knew he used to be clean-shaven.

He moved his foot from his senior brother's body, walked to the steps outside the temple, picked up a bag, and slung it over his shoulder with his sword. Ignoring the groans of his three senior brothers, he walked past them, grabbed the surprised Asheng, and dragged him away.

The oldest senior brother, regaining his strength, half-crawled up and shouted angrily at the departing figure, "Yuming! For your own selfish desires, you openly rob your fellow disciples of their money. You are unworthy to be the abbot of Linglong Temple, unworthy to be a disciple of Linglong Temple. When the youngest uncle returns, he will not spare you!" His voice was filled with endless sorrow, and his trembling beard was stained with blood.

The old abbot had a younger brother, a disciple of the old abbot's uncle, whom Yuming and his brothers called the youngest uncle. He was often traveling and rarely returned.

Now, there were only five Taoists left in Linglong Temple, and it was indeed in a state of decline. It was a dying profession, and the fact that there was still a temple here was a miracle.

Asheng, being dragged down the mountain, heard the shout behind him and asked his childhood friend in surprise, "Are you really robbing your fellow disciples?"

Yuming snorted, "Don't listen to their nonsense. Linglong Temple is too poor. I wanted to reorganize the temple's finances... They don't respect me as the abbot, you know. I ordered them to hand over the money, but they refused and caused trouble, so I had to take action."

What's the difference between this and robbing? Asheng was truly shocked. He knew Yuming had always been greedy, but he never thought he would rob his fellow disciples. He had thought there was another reason for the scene of money being taken, but now he realized it was indeed robbery.

This was crossing a line! Asheng glanced at the beard on Yuming's face and sneered, "Your youngest uncle used to beat you a lot, didn't he? Growing a beard to look mature won't help. He's even more shameless than you. Don't think he won't punish you just because you're the abbot. Just wait until he comes back, and he'll skin you alive!"

Yuming seemed calm and indifferent, snorting in disdain. Seeing Asheng, a scholar, struggling under the weight, he took the satchel from his back, put his own bag inside, and carried it for him.

The two avoided Jiupo Village and only descended the mountain when they reached the only road out of the village. By then, Yuming had changed into civilian clothes to avoid drawing too much attention.

It was not market day, and there was no one else on the mountain road, the mountains were quiet, and the wind was gentle.

As they approached the exit of the mountain, just before the main road, the silence was suddenly broken by the sound of hooves.

A carriage approached at a steady pace, and the two stopped, moving to the side of the road to let it pass, both puzzled. Jiupo Village was very poor, and carriages rarely came here.

The carriage did not pass them but stopped in front of them. The driver, dressed as an ordinary villager, removed his hat, revealing a man of about fifty with a dignified appearance, long eyebrows, and a square face. He got off the carriage and bowed to Asheng.

Asheng was clearly surprised, "Mr. Pu, why are you here?"

They knew each other? Yuming looked back and forth.

Mr. Pu, seeing Yuming, whom he did not recognize, hesitated.

Asheng said, "He's one of us, no need to be cautious. Mr. Pu, is there something you need?"

Mr. Pu pondered and said, "I came to stop you from going to the capital. Please delay your participation in this year's examination. You can take it next year."

What's going on? Yuming's eyes darted back and forth.

Asheng frowned, "Why?"

Mr. Pu looked around, put his hat back on, covering half his face, but his expression was serious, "You have been secluded in the mountains, unaware of the outside world. Something has happened. In the southwestern six provinces of Jin, there are suddenly many demons causing chaos, and their actions are strange. They seem to be targeting candidates going to the capital. There have already been cases of candidates being harmed in other counties. For your safety, you should delay your trip."

Asheng frowned, "How can such an unreasonable thing happen?"

Mr. Pu pondered and said, "I don't know the details, but the information is being suppressed. However, there are rumors that it's related to the Sinan Mansion. It seems they are behind it. I believe it's likely true, as the Sinan Mansion has the influence to silence the authorities."

Sinan Mansion? Asheng and Yuming were both inwardly shocked, knowing it was a formidable existence.

It was said that in the early days, there were some immortals living in this world, but they disappeared for unknown reasons. Some say they returned to the immortal realm, and no one has seen them since. It is said that the immortal caves still exist, and some people have stumbled upon them and gained great benefits. For some, wealth and honor are not lacking, but what they lack is longevity. Nothing is more valuable than elixirs and medicines that can extend life, especially to emperors, whose allure is unimaginable.

To find the immortal caves and to avoid internal interference, the emperor specially formed a dedicated force, the Sinan Mansion.

The Sinan Mansion not only gathered talented individuals but was also responsible for the emperor's quest for immortality. Although independent of the court, its power was immense, almost overwhelming.

Speaking of the Sinan Mansion, Yuming couldn't help but look at Asheng's reaction. His childhood friend's father had a deep connection with the Sinan Mansion.

It was only three months ago, when his master passed the position to him and revealed some secrets, that he learned that Asheng's father, Ajiezhang, the long-dead old man in the wheelchair, had another identity.

One of the six departments of the imperial court, the Ministry of Works, had four divisions, one of which, the Yu Department, was led by Ajiezhang. Asheng's father was the Deputy Minister of the Yu Department.

Leading the Yu Department was no small matter, and its influence extended beyond his rank.

Finding immortal relics often required venturing into deep mountains and forests, and when it came to mountain exploration, no one in the court was more skilled than the Yu Department. Whenever the court undertook large construction projects or the Ministry of Works needed materials like wood and stone, the Yu Department was responsible for procuring them.

Long-term interaction with the mountains and forests naturally led to expertise in mountain exploration.

Cooperating with the Sinan Mansion to find immortal relics naturally became the responsibility of the Yu Department.

As a key participant in the emperor's quest for immortality and closely associated with the powerful Sinan Mansion, the significance of Ajiezhang in his time was evident.

And Linglong Temple had also received great favors from Ajiezhang during that period, which led to the friendship between the two.