Chapter 8

"Since you are a Taoist who has been practicing in Wudang Mountain, I wonder what level of cultivation you have reached?"

Zhao Shu laughed and asked.

"My cultivation is profound, and I am only a few steps away from ascending to immortality!"

Zhang Junbao smiled, made a Taoist salute, and assumed an air of profound mystery.

"Ha ha, little Taoist, you dare to boast in front of me. I see that you are just an ordinary person. I have heard that all Taoists have magical powers. Why don't you show me a few tricks?"

Zhao Shu laughed, revealing a cunning look.

"I am a Taoist who has been practicing in Wudang Mountain, the abbot of Zhenwu Temple, proficient in the Six Divination Arts and the Art of Concealment. How could an ordinary person like you fathom my abilities!"

Zhang Junbao turned his head, showing a look of disdain, his face becoming more solemn, but his tattered Taoist robe made him look somewhat ridiculous.

"Little Taoist, follow me!"

Zhao Shu laughed heartily, revealing a royal jade plaque at his waist, which made Zhang Junbao's face change slightly. He inwardly cursed his misfortune, having only noticed Zhao Shu's extraordinary demeanor and splendid attire, thinking he must be a person of great wealth and status, and wanting to swindle some money. He hadn't expected to encounter a prince. With a thought, he tried to run.

"Don't even think about running. I remember your face. You won't escape with a wanted poster. I see that you are quite good. Follow me, and you will have a life of luxury. I need a Taoist."

Under Zhao Shu's intimidation, Zhang Junbao immediately wilted, feeling both unwilling and worried, but reluctantly followed behind.

"Zhang Junbao, you look very unwilling?"

Zhao Shu, seeing Zhang Junbao's expression, couldn't help but ask.

"How could I be unwilling, being favored by the Duke of Wu?"

Zhang Junbao said with a somewhat mournful face.

"You're quite clever, knowing who I am. Tell me why, and if you do well, I might rebuild the Zhenwu Hall for you in the future."

Zhao Shu became more interested and couldn't help but look at Zhang Junbao more closely.

Hearing Zhao Shu's words, Zhang Junbao's heart stirred, and he immediately perked up. "Your Highness has a royal jade tablet, so you must be a prince. Today is the Lantern Festival, and the sage is watching the fireworks at the Xuan德 Gate, with all the princes accompanying him. The only one who can be leisurely on the street is Your Highness. Moreover, the common people say that Your Highness has the skills of Tao Zhu Gong, able to amass a fortune easily. Your Highness is dressed in luxurious attire, with a cloak made of white sable fur from Liaodong, worth a fortune. Only the Duke of Wu has such abilities among the royal disciples!"

"Ha ha, well said, Zhang Junbao!"

Zhao Shu laughed heartily, not angry at his identity being revealed, but instead showing a look of great pleasure, becoming even more certain of Zhang Junbao's identity.

"Zhang Junbao, do you know why the Imperial Song Dynasty reveres the Northern True Wu Emperor?"

Zhao Shu suddenly stopped, his face serious as he asked Zhang Junbao.

"I do not know, Your Highness!"

Zhang Junbao no longer joked, his face serious and a hint of confusion showing.

"Ha ha, you will know in the future."

Zhao Shu headed towards the Zongzheng Temple, and Zhang Junbao's face became increasingly solemn. When they reached the Zongzheng Temple, his face froze. "Your Highness, I will wait outside. I cannot enter here!"

Zhao Shu looked at Zhang Junbao's nervous and pale face, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, and without further ado, he stepped inside.

As Zhao Shu entered, two figures in black robes suddenly appeared before him, their eyes cold and piercing.

Zhao Shu's body trembled slightly. These two black-robed figures were of unfathomable strength, and he couldn't discern their abilities.

Zhao Shu handed the royal jade tablet at his waist to the guard in front of the Zongzheng Temple, and a guard led him inside.

A middle-aged man in a golden robe sat on a chair, his gaze deep and terrifying, watching Zhao Shu as he entered.

"The fifth prince of the Imperial Song Dynasty, Zhao Shu, pays respects to the Grand Zongzheng. I have already comprehended the True Qi Realm and hope to receive the Zhenwu Decree."

Seeing the seated middle-aged man, Zhao Shu did not dare to be careless and immediately bowed. The Grand Zongzheng was a person of high moral standing and great power within the royal family, responsible for handling royal affairs and keeping the royal secrets.

"Fifth Prince Zhao Shu!"

The Grand Zongzheng's deep voice carried a hint of surprise, his eyes flashing with a sharp light as he sized up Zhao Shu. His tone then returned to calm, and he lightly tapped the table. "Bring out the Zhenwu Decree up to the Heavenly Man Realm!"

With these words, an old man in a black robe emerged from the darkness, holding a scroll of silk.

"Zhao Shu, according to the rules, you can only receive the Zhenwu Decree up to the Innate Realm. However, I will make an exception and give you the Zhenwu Decree from the True Qi Realm to the Heavenly Man Realm. If you can reach the Heavenly Man Realm, come back to the Zongzheng Temple to find me!"

The Grand Zongzheng's words made Zhao Shu's face tremble. The Zhenwu Decree could be cultivated to the Heavenly Man Realm, and according to the Grand Zongzheng, there might be even more powerful realms beyond.

"Go! Cultivate diligently!"

The Grand Zongzheng waved his hand, and Zhao Shu left with the scroll. After Zhao Shu left, the old man in black robes asked, "Grand Zongzheng, why did you give him all the techniques? This goes against the ancestral rules!"

"I sense a great crisis, a terrifying crisis. This child has given me great hope. Let's do more, and there will be more hope."

After speaking, the Grand Zongzheng's figure merged into the darkness, and the entire Zongzheng Temple fell silent, like a thousand-year-old ice block.

"Let's go! Follow me back to Qinghe Manor!"

After putting away the Zhenwu Decree, Zhao Shu smiled at Zhang Junbao. Having obtained the Zhenwu Decree, he felt extremely relieved. Zhang Junbao, seeing the Zongzheng Temple, felt even more terrified and did not dare to linger, immediately leaving.

"Your Highness, the Lantern Festival is very lively. Why not stay and enjoy it?"

As soon as they left the Zongzheng Temple, Zhang Junbao's playful nature returned. Looking at the bustling lantern festival, he asked Zhao Shu.

"Flowers may be in full bloom, but there will also be a time when the lights dim."

Zhao Shu scanned the bustling lantern festival, his sense of urgency and crisis growing stronger, and his pace quickened.

"Old Long, this is Zhang Junbao. Arrange a residence for him. There's no need to hide anything about the manor from him."

Upon returning to Qinghe Manor, Zhao Shu instructed Old Long, while Zhang Junbao curiously observed the surroundings, his confusion growing.

"Zhang Junbao, you can look at anything you want to see."

Zhao Shu smiled at Zhang Junbao, but inwardly thought, "Once you've toured the manor, you won't be able to leave even if you want to."

After Zhang Junbao left, Zhao Shu took out the Zhenwu Decree. It was a paper-like material, neither silk nor paper, with an image of the True Wu Emperor in the center, depicted as a black-robed figure with golden armor and a jade belt, wielding a sword, glaring fiercely, standing on a tortoise and snake, and surrounded by a halo, exuding immense power.

Beside this divine image, there were depictions of a tortoise and snake intertwined, roaring, and various martial characters. The entire scroll contained the oral formulas and techniques of martial arts.

Zhao Shu knew that to cultivate the form of the True Wu Emperor, one must first cultivate the form of the Black Tortoise, following a step-by-step process until reaching the Heavenly Man Realm.

Zhao Shu did not immediately start cultivating, knowing that such a precious technique required a calm and composed mind. Otherwise, not only would it be counterproductive, but it could also harm oneself.