Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 552 Listening to the Law
—Ten days later, Fengming Prefecture
On this day, when Kang Dabao brought Jiang Qing to visit Fei Nanying again, the latter ignored Kang Dabao and focused his gaze on Jiang Sanye, scrutinizing him carefully.

It's no wonder that these family leaders so highly value marriage alliances, because even a powerful family like the Kuang clan, which is nominally wealthy, cannot produce outstanding individuals in every generation.

After all, the children in a family are related by blood, so how can they be screened?
However, choosing a son-in-law is different. If one wants a man of great talent, one can go to Taiyuan to find a son-in-law during the imperial examinations in the Jiazi year; if one wants a man of exceptional talent, one can select from among the rising stars in the surrounding area.

Rather than placing all their hopes on these good-for-nothings in their own homes, it is undoubtedly more worthwhile to choose a good son-in-law to marry into the family and cultivate him properly.

The current emperor greatly favored this matter, and during his reign, at least eleven out of ten women from the imperial clan married into families of humble origins. Although this proportion may not seem high, during the reign of the previous emperor, this number was probably less than one-fifth of what it is today.

However, the Wei dynasty was mired in deep-seated problems. Even though Emperor Wei was able to push this matter forward despite the pressure from powerful families and clans, it would be difficult to turn the tide.

At least for now, with the current emperor nearing the end of his life, nine-tenths of the kingdom is still controlled by powerful families and clans. The Kuang family and their relatives still have to feign compliance with them and rarely change their minds.

However, the fact that the Kuang family, with its vast wealth and power, could hardly revive itself using this method does not mean that the Fei family of Yingzhou would be in the same situation. And for the Sheshan Hall, which had already seen results with Master Kang, the effect was even more pronounced.

It took Fei Nanying a while to turn his gaze away from Jiang Qing. After nodding in response to the two men's bows, he said, "There are a few fellow Daoists who are going to hold a Daoist gathering this time. You two can come with me."

"Yes,"

The two bowed in agreement. Fei Nanying's departure this time was as simple as that of the Great Master Kang. He did not bring any marquis's regalia. The three of them did not make a show of themselves. They traveled in a simple manner like ordinary cultivators and arrived in Meng County, the capital of Fengzhou.

As Kang Dabao walked, he noticed that even Foundation Establishment cultivators who were considered prominent figures in Yunjiao Prefecture were everywhere in the city. Moreover, cultivators from various lineages were all traveling together, and while they didn't appear to be living in perfect harmony, they were at least peaceful and at ease.

This scene was rarely seen elsewhere, which made Master Kang sigh in his heart that Kuang Liuting was now truly like a piece of celestial jade. Even if ordinary people knew that they could not get close to him, they were still willing to come from afar to absorb his celestial aura.

Before the three even reached the city center, Master Kang could see a rather familiar tall building standing there from a distance.

"When did Wanbao Trading Company move here from Tengwen Prefecture again?"

He whispered a soft "hmm," and Fei Nanying, walking ahead alone without looking up, responded:
“There’s no reason for his family to take back the properties they’ve acquired. They’ve simply opened a new one. Now, in addition to the Wanbao Trading Company that’s opened in Fengming Prefecture, there’s another one in Yuan Prefecture in Shanbei Road, and it seems they’re planning to open another one in Santing Prefecture as well.”

Headmaster Kang nodded in agreement. Yuanzhou was where Mount Wulao was located, while Santingzhou was guarded by True Person Jiangxue and a group of disciples from the Hehuan Sect.

Fengming Prefecture is connected to these two prefectures, so there was no need to establish such a prefecture. It is likely that this action was taken because of Kuang Liuting.

In this light, while the veracity of the widely circulated rumor that Kuang Liuting has faded into obscurity is unknown, at least forces like Wanbao Trading Company are still willing to remain idle.

When the three arrived at the building, they were greeted at the entrance. A voluptuous and beautiful butler, carrying fragrant scents and bowing deeply, led them into the hall.

Fei Nanying was clearly familiar with the place. He used a jade token to break through the barrier and led the two into a quiet cave.

Wanbao Trading Company does not only engage in the trade of goods. Providing a safe and quiet place for high-level cultivators to hold gatherings, such as today's event, is one of the businesses that Wanbao Trading Company has been operating for a long time.

After all, most spiritual practitioners are meticulous and wary.

A Taoist gathering like this, which includes people from all walks of life, is indeed suitable to be held in a neutral place like Wanbao Trading Company.

After all, his family had a great reputation within the jurisdiction of Bitter Spirit Mountain, and even True Monarchs had some credibility in their eyes.

Therefore, for ordinary Golden Core cultivators, coming here is reassuring, as they are not worried about being tricked or killed by the master.

The host of the Taoist gathering was called Master Sanyan. He was a kind-faced, white-haired old man whose body was so frail that it seemed he could be crushed by a single slap from Master Kang.

However, his cultivation level was not bad. A mid-stage Golden Core cultivator was considered rare in the former Shanbei Dao region. It was only after the Qin State Duke's Mansion in Kuang Liuting moved to Fengming Prefecture that it became somewhat less valuable.

He was not particularly outstanding among the cultivators of Shanbeidao, but his social skills were certainly not bad.

However, few people at this level are willing to reveal their true feelings. Therefore, it is uncertain whether the Venerable Sanyan has many close friends, but he certainly has fewer enemies than the average person, which is already quite remarkable.

"The arrival of the Marquis of Gucheng has brought a lively atmosphere."

“Master, please do not be modest. It would be truly strange if any cultivator from the northern mountain path did not want to attend your gathering.”

Fei Nanying, unusually, put aside his arrogance and exchanged pleasantries with the Venerable Sanyan. The latter then naturally turned his gaze to Kang and Jiang.

He showed no airs of seniority whatsoever, but simply bowed and smiled, saying, "I have long admired the illustrious name of Marquis Wuning, and I have always longed to see his noble character. It is truly an honor to have the chance to visit his esteemed residence."

Master Kang naturally possessed a charming and easygoing demeanor when interacting with others, and having slept on the same couch with Fei Shuhe for so many years, he had naturally developed a certain air of nobility. Therefore, he simply returned the greeting with:

"As a humble student with unpolished ambition, I am deeply honored to have the honor of visiting you today. I am filled with gratitude and shame!"

After the two exchanged pleasantries, it was Jiang Qing's turn to step forward and greet them.

Compared to his senior brother, the sect leader, Third Master Jiang of Chongming was indeed less hypocritical. He simply greeted the Venerable Sanyan with "Greetings, senior," and then disappeared behind Sect Leader Kang without uttering a word.

However, since Master Sanyan himself had no intention of finding a son-in-law, he didn't put too much thought into Jiang Qing. Out of respect for Fei and Kang, he returned their greetings with a bow, and without exchanging any pleasantries, considered it a farewell.

The old man led the three into an elegant room, which was simply furnished with only a few plain low tables and a mirage screen hanging in the room. However, the Kang and Jiang brothers were used to simplicity, and Fei Nanying showed no particular expression, calmly taking his seat.

Master Sanyan bowed and apologized, saying, "I have been slow to entertain the two lords and young friend Jiang."

“Not at all,” Fei Nanying said, waving his hand. “As the master, you are busy with your affairs. We should take care of ourselves and not neglect our fellow Daoists outside.”

Master Sanyan thanked him and then left. Afterwards, Fei Nanying spoke up again to remind him: "Don't think that this old man is unknown. He has millions of ordinary people's lives on his hands."

Upon hearing this, a fierce glint flashed in Kang Dabao's eyes. When they first met, he had genuinely thought this old man was a kind old man, but he hadn't expected him to be a living devil.

"What are you glaring at? He's a rogue cultivator. If he didn't act like this, where would he get the resources to form his core?" Fei Nanying added, "He's been getting quite close to Zhu Tong lately, and he might be working for the government in the future. You should rein in your temper. Even if you don't want to befriend him, you mustn't offend him, lest you cause trouble in the future."

"I understand," Kang Dabao replied in a low voice, and then sat down next to Jiang Qing.

The speaker at today's Daoist gathering is Gu Hongzi, who was invited by Master Sanyan at a high price. The latter can be considered the number one rogue cultivator in the northern mountain Daoist community, and has already reached the late stage of the Golden Core realm.

He had known the Venerable Sanyan for many years, but they weren't exactly close confidants. However, they were quite compatible in their business dealings.

One person is the main speaker and the other organizes the event. Over the years, they have worked together very well and there has been no sign of any discord between them due to conflicts of interest.

To the independent cultivators in the Daoist sect, this could be considered a beautiful story.

Most of those who came to listen to the lectures were alchemists and true cultivators with low cultivation levels. Even if they gave up all their possessions, they still did not have the privilege of entering the meditation room.

He could only sit quietly in the hall, waiting for Gu Hongzi to make his appearance.

While waiting, Sect Leader Kang was somewhat curious. After all, according to Fei Nanying, the principles spoken by that rogue cultivator Gu Hongzi were quite enlightening for even an elder of the Jushi Sect.

It even lured him to come here twice to listen to the Dharma, until he was moved to the idea of ​​recruiting Gu Hongzi into the Fei family as a retainer.

It is extremely rare for such a figure to emerge from among the rogue cultivators, and even Kang Dabao is beginning to look forward to this Daoist assembly and its lectures.

Having received a large sum of money, he couldn't keep the seekers of the Dao waiting long, so Gu Hongzi didn't put on airs and quickly made his appearance. Unlike the Venerable Sanyan, Gu Hongzi had an elegant name, but he was a burly man with a face full of scars.

Even without a closer look, Master Kang could tell that Gu Hongzi's wrist alone was probably thicker than the waist of the Venerable San Yan. However, despite his rough and unrefined appearance, Gu Hongzi wore a brightly colored feathered robe when he went on stage, which looked truly strange.

Even in this attire, the group of seekers below the stage were not willing to be distracted in the slightest. As always, their eyes were fixed intently on Gu Hongzi's enormous figure as he sat down cross-legged and began to preach in a calm voice.

At first, Master Kang didn't take it seriously, but as Gu Hongzi's explanation became more and more profound and insightful, he gradually became solemn and no longer dared to underestimate him in the slightest.

“This Taoist must have a lineage to inherit, and he is definitely not comparable to those foolish and wild cultivators who only gained their cultivation through luck.”

Kang Dabao was astonished when Gu Hongzi's sermon abruptly ended at the crucial moment.

This caused not only the sect leader Kang, who was in the elegant room, to be greatly dissatisfied, but also the usually obedient seekers of the Dao who were below the stage began to suppress their fear of the high-ranking cultivators and gradually started to make a fuss.

However, how could they possibly offend the might of the cultivators above? Gu Hongzi didn't even need to speak; he simply swept his gaze across the cultivators below the stage, and all he saw were those with bowed heads, not a single arrogant man.

At this moment, the kind and amiable Master Sanyan stepped onto the stage and said with a smile, "As the saying goes, 'the Dharma should not be lightly transmitted.' If you fellow Daoists still wish to hear more, you will have to show your 'sincerity' once again."

Kang Dabao raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, inwardly marveling, "This guy is quite clever. How come I never thought he could do business like this?!"

Jiang Qing frowned slightly, seemingly looking down on the two cultivators outside. Like many other alchemists and true cultivators, he was also anxious because Gu Hongzi had broken his vital point, so why would he give them a kind look?

Only Fei Nanying, who shared a room with him, seemed unfazed by the scene before him, and even defended the two on stage: "Although their methods are somewhat despicable, at least they are teaching real things, which is a hundred times better than those who deliberately mislead students."

As soon as Fei Nanying finished speaking, Sect Leader Kang saw those cultivators who were short of money begin to leave one after another.

Once all the reluctant cultivators had left the arena, the once packed audience was reduced to almost only a handful. After all, the "sincerity" demanded by the Three Words Master was several times greater than what they had received upon entering; how could ordinary people possibly afford to pay that?
Fortunately, just as Fei Nanying had said, after the two received a large sum of money, they were not stingy in passing on the true teachings.

Another hour or so passed before Gu Hongzi finally saw that many of the alchemists and cultivators below the stage were already weeping uncontrollably, and no longer showed any sign of heartache or resentment.

Gu Hongzi did not respond to the crowd's bowing and salutations. Feeling that the money and goods were settled, he left gracefully. It was only after San Yan Shangren had dealt with the crowd of cultivators who kept bowing and thanking him that he said, "There will be an exchange fair in the back courtyard tonight. If any of you fellow Daoists are interested, you may also go and attend."

Seeing this scene through the mirage screen, Kang Dabao knew that this was the main event Fei Nanying had mentioned was about to begin. Before he could speak, he heard the latter speak:
"This Taoist's teachings are truly excellent, insightful and penetrating. To be honest, when it comes to teaching, apart from the two patriarchs Ye Ling and Tian Qin, even the two elders Dong Wen and Dong Gu in the Fei family are far inferior to him. Young man, what do you think if I hired him to be a lecturer in the Fei family?"

Master Kang had no objection to this, and simply said in agreement, "That is indeed a blessing for this Taoist."

Fei Nanying had already made up his mind, so he didn't need Kang Dabao to advise him. Hearing the latter's words, he smiled and said, "His body-refining method is quite interesting. Even the last time the Old Ancestor Tianqin saw it, he praised it. You might be able to give him some resources and learn from him in the future."

Without waiting for Master Kang to speak, he added, "Let's go, let's go see that damned barter association, and I'll also introduce you two to the other fellow practitioners."

After the three arrived at the courtyard mentioned by the Venerable Sanyan, they saw the other Golden Core cultivators from the other elegant rooms also coming out one after another.

Fei Nanying had encountered a bottleneck in his cultivation over the years, so he shifted his focus to socializing, and Sect Leader Kang naturally got to know the upper-level cultivators in the arena as well.

"Xu Lingzhi, a direct descendant of the Xu family of Dai County, is skilled in the Five Elements magic and serves as a consultant in the government office."

“Gui Baifu, the head of the Gui family of Liaoyuan, once practiced under the Southern King sixty years ago, and is now the guard of the Duke’s mansion.”

“Shashan, the current Daoist of Zangchun Tomb, is a descendant of Sha Xuansong, the sect leader of Zangchun Tomb. He only joined the sect a month ago and has no official duties yet.”

Headmaster Kang had previously heard that the Qin State Duke's mansion was already teeming with talented people, but now that he had truly witnessed it, he was deeply moved. Just as he and Fei Nanying finished speaking, several remaining alchemists and true cultivators who had come to listen to the teachings condescended to set up booths.

In their own little corner of the land, they were all quite influential figures, and selling goods on the ground was a job that many people had never done before, so they naturally felt it was somewhat beneath their dignity.

However, there was nothing they could do. Those who remained had some wealth, and they had just spent most of their possessions listening to the Dharma. If they could take advantage of the arrival of many cultivators to sell their valuables for a good price, it would be a good thing.

However, after picking up several storage bags, Kang Dabao's eyesight had indeed improved considerably. There were very few things on these people's stalls that could make him stop and look at them.

As for the Golden Core he so desperately wanted, he would only be able to see it when the group of Golden Core cultivators were exchanging items later. How could he possibly find it in a place like this?

But just as he shifted his gaze from one of the stalls to a curvaceous young woman, a piece of old silk next to her delicate hand caught the attention of Master Kang.

(End of this chapter)