Chapter 33

PS: Third update, wishing all fellow Daoists a happy Qixi Festival. If you're about to head to the hotel, leave a vote first.

Qingyun County Government Office.

The back yard was where County Magistrate Yang Wenqing and his family lived. Yang Wenqing was also a descendant of the Sui Dynasty's Yang royal family. His ancestors were once a branch of the Hongnong Yang clan, and had a distant relationship with the Duke of Shang, Yang Xuangan.

In history, Yang Xuangan was the first noble to rebel against the Sui Dynasty, truly shaking the foundations of the Sui Empire. He was later defeated and killed by his brother Yang Jishan. However, in this history, Yang Xuangan did not die but instead became a meritorious official of the Li Tang Empire, ranking among the Three Excellencies, deeply trusted by Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan, and appointed as Grand Tutor, entering the cabinet with great authority.

Therefore, the Yang clan still held significant power in the Li Tang Empire, which was why Zhang Qing was cautious. He was a supporter of the Crown Prince, and Yang Xuangan was the Grand Tutor. If he moved against Yang Wenqing and Yang Xuangan found out, it would inevitably create a rift, and he would face difficulties from the Crown Prince.

Yang Wenqing took office two years ago, and his position as county magistrate was due to his family connections. Originally, he was just a scholar, but he had great ambitions, wanting to emulate Yang Xuangan, excelling in both literature and martial arts, and befriending many heroes. Unfortunately, he failed to become a hero and instead befriended a group of bandits. They committed many heinous crimes, and Yang Wenqing found himself increasingly entangled in their affairs.

Although he was foolish, Yang Wenqing was not completely unintelligent. He knew that if his crimes were exposed, he would surely be dead. So, he used his family's influence to secure a position as a local ruler in this mountain, hoping to escape the bandits.

After two years, he had almost forgotten about the bandits. However, during this year's Lantern Festival, the imperial court ordered a crackdown on bandits. The bandits who had been roaming in Hongnong fled to the state, where they were again driven out by the state's army and ended up in Qingyun Mountain. Coincidentally, they encountered Yang Wenqing, who was out hunting.

The rest of the story is self-evident.

Yang Wenqing had two wives and three concubines. He had seven or eight daughters but only one son, whom he loved dearly.

This son was also very ambitious. He was intelligent and wise, passing the child examination at the age of twelve. However, he had a flaw: he was a womanizer. While being a womanizer wasn't unusual for a man, this particular son only liked women from the pleasure quarters, which greatly annoyed Yang Wenqing.

Yang Wenqing was reading in the hall when he saw his son return, reeking of perfume. He knew his son had been with those courtesans again.

"Father..."

Yang Wenqing closed his book, and a wave of alcohol fumes hit him, making him frown. However, he did not scold his son as he usually did. Instead, he asked sternly, "Did you find out anything?"

"No, that fatso is tight-lipped. I couldn't get anything out of him. Father, what is it that's so important?"

Yang Wenqing raised his head, a look of worry appearing on his refined face. "It's not just important; it concerns our family's life. Tomorrow, we must find out from that Zhao family boy where the thing is, but don't let him see that you're after it. Zhao Lian is a sly old fox."

"Father, don't worry. The little fatty is eager to be a lackey. Give him a bit more favor, and he'll search the house for us."

"Hmm!"

Yang Wenqing nodded slightly, stroking his beard, feeling a sense of unease.

The next morning.

Ning Wuxie woke up from his cultivation, facing the rising sun and practicing his breathing. Every morning, the fire qi in the air is the most gentle. Practicing breathing in the morning light helps to invigorate the body and mind, and it also allows one to absorb the fire qi from the sun, strengthening the heart fire.

If one day Ning Wuxie could extract a thread of purple qi from the rising sun, his heart fire cultivation would be considered a minor success.

However, the morning light is only gentle for a short time. As the day progresses, the fire qi in the air becomes more violent and chaotic. Practicing breathing in such conditions can harm the body and damage one's essence.

After his cultivation, Ning Wuxie picked up the Book of Songs and began to read aloud. The clear and resonant sound of his reading was particularly pleasant in the quiet morning. Ning Wuxie's voice was not loud or fast, but it was clear and well-articulated, giving a sense of peace and tranquility.

Reading can calm the mind.

Ning Wuxie found that whenever he was agitated or felt the violent qi from his demon blood rising, which could affect his mood and judgment, reading could help him calm down.

"From the Book of Songs, Qin Wind, Morning Wind: The morning wind flutters, the northern forest is dense. Not seeing the gentleman, my heart is troubled. How can I forget you, who have forgotten me so much..."

Zhang Qing entered the room and saw Ning Wuxie reading. He smiled in satisfaction. Remaining calm in the face of adversity was a rare quality for someone of Ning Wuxie's age.

Ning Wuxie saw Zhang Qing and quickly put down his book, standing up to greet him. "Lord Zhang..."

"I have already sent a servant to the prison to see your brother. How did you sleep last night?" Zhang Qing sat down in a chair.

After Ning Wuxie visited Zhang Qing yesterday, Zhang Qing arranged for him to stay at the Zhang residence, giving him a place to stay.

Thinking of the events of the previous night, Ning Wuxie smiled. "Thank you, Lord Zhang. I appreciate your concern. I slept well."

"Hehe, don't keep calling me Lord Zhang. I'm not that old. If you don't mind, just call me Uncle Zhang. It's commendable that you can still focus on your studies in such a situation!"

"Uncle Zhang." Ning Wuxie smiled, a bit embarrassed. "I just find that reading can calm my mind. When I'm agitated, I read."

"Oh?" Zhang Qing was surprised, looking Ning Wuxie up and down, stroking his beard. "You are a promising young man. Reading and writing can enlighten the mind, calm the spirit, and stabilize the heart. These are the virtues promoted by the Confucian Six Arts. Reading is not just for fame and fortune. Your perspective is truly commendable. The sages of old believed that reading could communicate with spirits and understand the changes of heaven and earth, filling one's heart with a righteous spirit, standing tall and firm. Alas, few people think this way nowadays."

Ning Wuxie looked at Zhang Qing in surprise. Reading to communicate with spirits and understand the changes of heaven and earth? Could Zhang Qing know something? After all, someone who could associate with a Taoist like Baiyun Daoist might know about the existence of demons and spirits.

With this thought, Ning Wuxie became cautious, careful not to reveal any weaknesses in front of Zhang Qing. If he did, it could bring Baiyun Daoist into the picture, which would be troublesome.

"Your brother..." Zhang Qing realized he had said too much and changed the subject, looking at Ning Wuxie.

Ning Wuxie smiled confidently. "Uncle Zhang, Zhongyuan has a plan to save my brother, but I need your help."

"Oh?" Zhang Qing looked at Ning Wuxie in surprise.

Ning Wuxie leaned in and whispered a few words in Zhang Qing's ear. "Like this... and this will do it!"

"Is it that simple? Do you really need no more help from me?" Zhang Qing's eyes widened, wondering where this young man's confidence came from to save his brother's life.

"Uncle Zhang, just trust Zhongyuan. That's the biggest help you can give."

Zhang Qing nodded, stroking his beard, and smiled. "It's a small matter, a trivial task. I'll see how you work your magic, Uncle Zhang will be watching!"