Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 648 A Visit to the Funeral Hall Meets a Noble Person; The Perilous Path of the Nascent Soul Realm Warns of Worldly Ties

—A few days later
The mournful winds of Yingzhou soon reached both the north and south sides of the mountain, and the Fei family, from Fei Tianqin onwards, were all as if they had lost their parents.

Upon hearing of Fei Yeyi's passing, Sect Leader Kang felt a deep sense of regret.

After all, in his mind, if this Fei family patriarch could become a Nascent Soul cultivator, then even if Chongming Sect was far away in the southwest, its actions would be much less constrained.

However, apart from the aforementioned individuals, most of the officials and subordinates of the Duke of Qin's mansion were quite excited.

The Wenshan Sect, the Luochuan Baili family, and the Yuelu Su family have all been entrenched in the vicinity of the capital for many years, but none of them are considered particularly obedient to the Dawei Immortal Dynasty.

Even the veteran officials of the Demon-Suppressing Bureau have discovered that these three families had been in frequent contact with Taiyi Temple since the start of the war in the southwest.

However, Emperor Wei was still mindful of the feelings of each family member and did not act rashly.

But after Fei Ye-ling set up the scheme on his deathbed and the two prime ministers reached a tacit agreement, the more than ten rich provinces under the jurisdiction of these three families were devoured by the royal family of David and the Han and Gui families, which was a matter of course.

The Kuang family was not unaware that this would provoke a sense of shared fate among the various Nascent Soul sects, and the Nascent Soul sects that were close to the Immortal Dynasty were also aware that continuing to be close to them was like seeking a tiger's skin.

However, the royal family of David, who had gained advantages in various parts of the Immortal Dynasty, were already quite confident. Now was not the time for just a few people to take risks and make the Emperor and the two princes very angry.

For Emperor Wei, acquiring a few Nascent Soul portals is not a particularly complicated matter.

If all the families in the Immortal Dynasty could work together with one heart and one mind, and form alliances to counterbalance the Kuang family's authority, it would certainly be a good thing.

Just by looking at how busy Taiyi Temple has been for so many years, yet how slow the progress has been, one can imagine how difficult it must be to accomplish this.

All we can say is that in the past, everyone only knew that David was clinging to life and it wasn't time for him to give up yet.

People all over the world have been hoping that as the resentment between various families accumulates, there will eventually be an extraordinary figure who can lead the true men of each family to accomplish this upside-down thing.

However, the sudden emergence of Kuang Liuting's top-grade golden elixir and the great victory in the southwest campaign seem to have given the Kuang family clan a life-saving boost.

If Emperor Wei's successor can master this appeasement strategy and make good use of this masterful political maneuvering, perhaps there will be signs of a revival?

The sect leader, Kang, who was still just a pawn, couldn't care less about these things. He simply comforted his wife, whose eyes were red, and instructed the Elder of the Archives and the Steward of Ceremonies to prepare the funeral offerings.

Then, he led Jiang Qing and his family to the mourning hall that the Fei family had set up in Fengming Prefecture for Fei Yeyi.

It's unclear why Fei Nanying didn't show up for such an important event; only Fei Tianqin and a group of Fei family elders were there to greet and see off the guests.

It was here that Kang Dabao saw for the first time that Fei Tianqin's eyes were so dim, as if even the sharpness covering his golden feathers had been somewhat worn down by the news of Fei Yeqing's death.

"I heard your family has produced another Golden Core cultivator. I was going to have Nan Ying bring people over to congratulate you, but..."

With Fei Yeling's death, Fei Tianqin's usual eccentric and sharp-tongued aura actually faded considerably. This time, the old bird spoke in a gentle tone, truly like a kind elder.

A look of sorrow appeared on Master Kang's face, but he no longer had his usual witty remarks. Instead, with a solemn expression, he offered incense at the altar, then bowed and paid his respects to Fei Tianqin.

"I hope you will take heart and accept my condolences, ancestor."

"It's nothing. I, your ancestor, have lived for over three thousand years and have witnessed more life and death than two true immortals combined. There's nothing to comfort me about."

Although Fei Tianqin said these words, the sorrow in his tone was unmistakable.

Kang Dabao, being naturally astute, didn't expose him. He exchanged a few more words with the old man before stepping aside and instructing his children to offer incense at the altar.

Seeing this, Fei Tianqin's expression softened slightly, and he even had the energy to joke with Kang Dabao:
"You're quite lucky, kid. You've only had less than ten children, yet five of them possess spiritual roots. You're truly the envy of everyone. You're also fortunate to have been born during a time of imperial decline."

If Emperor Taizu were still alive, upon hearing of your situation, it would have been commonplace for him to lock you in some underground palace and assign you to some noble families' daughters to focus on breeding you.

The sect leader, Kang, estimated that the benefits of his descendants frequently developing spiritual roots must have come from consuming spiritual dew.

However, upon hearing the old bird's words, he was still so shocked that his face twitched, and his tone revealed a hint of disbelief: "Was the founding emperor really so domineering?!"

"Ha, so what if you're domineering? You, the current emperor and the king of the North and South, don't you like domineering ways?!"

Fei Tianqin's tone turned desolate, and he shook his head again, whispering to Kang Dabao, "My brother risked his life to make our Ying and Fei family famous throughout the world."

Within the next sixty or fourty years, unless there is a deep-seated blood feud, even a Nascent Soul cultivator would have to think twice before daring to harm the Fei family. Therefore, the title of "the most powerful family in the world" may still be preserved for a few more years.

But this "most powerful family under heaven" is still just a "powerful family." Within the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty, without reaching the Nascent Soul stage, one is ultimately powerless and deserves to be preyed upon.

It paused abruptly at this point, its tone carrying a hint of warning or caution:

“Ancestor, I observe that your cultivation has progressed quite rapidly, and there is not a trace of superficiality about you. This is truly rare.”

However, even reaching the late stage of the Golden Elixir at two hundred years old is extremely rare. If one becomes complacent because of this, loses the sense of vigilance in times of peace, and abandons the ambition to reach the pinnacle, then one has fallen into a lower level.

The process of achieving infant formation is extremely difficult and allows no room for negligence.

"This junior will remember the teachings of the ancestor." Master Kang immediately bowed respectfully.

“We have had many visitors lately. You are now considered a respectable person. If it is convenient, you may stay a few more days to enhance the reputation of the Fei family.”

"This humble servant will obey the old master's orders."

“Good,” Fei Tianqin said. Even though he knew that Kang Dabao valued relationships highly, a hint of joy still appeared in his sharp eyes after seeing this scene.

The white banners in the mourning hall fluttered in the breeze, and the smoke from burning paper money drifted out through the carved window frames, mingling with the dark clouds over Fengmingzhou, making people feel suffocated.

Kang Dabao and Jiang Sanye stayed in the mourning hall as instructed, while Fei Shuhe and her children stayed near the incense altar to greet the arriving guests.

These guests were mostly heads of prominent families and local officials from surrounding counties, as well as elders from clans with a long history with the Fei family. Although their faces were etched with sorrow, their eyes concealed their own calculations.

In the following days, various Nascent Soul families, such as the Han family and the Yu family, which had connections with the Fei family, sent envoys to offer their condolences.

The Grand Master Kang overheard everything clearly. Although these people spoke kindly, the distance in their tone was undeniable. The saying "the world is cold and indifferent" was quite apt here, leaving one no choice but to sigh.

To be honest, Kang Dabao has received a lot of support and guidance from the elders of the Fei family over the years. Therefore, he feels that with his personality, if the Fei family encounters any problems in the future, he will not implicate his own sect and will do his best to help.

Given Fei Yeqing's fondness for making friends, some of these Nascent Soul cultivators might have received similar opportunities as Headmaster Kang.

However, based on his observations, few were willing to reciprocate the favors shown to them after the changes in the Fei family. Kang Dabao was, after all, a guest, and aside from the visits of these important figures, he spent most of his time cultivating in the Fei family residence.

Fei Tianqin, the old bird, was as generous as ever. Except for a few important places, the Fei family's library allowed the headmaster Kang and the Jiang brothers to borrow and refer to the rest of the books.

After several days of searching, the two found many precious teachings that were hard to find elsewhere, and thus gained much. Although they were reluctant to leave behind the treasures that filled the room, they also felt it was time to take their leave.

Just as the two were preparing to bid farewell to the elders of the Fei family, Fei Enwen came from outside to invite them:

"Sect Leader Kang, Senior Jiang, the immortal Shen Lingfeng, the Silver Knife Prince Consort, has just arrived. Ancestor Tianqin invites you two to pay your respects."

"Shen Lingfeng?!"

The sect leader Kang felt a slight chill; this name was not unfamiliar to him.

To be honest, it was because of the incident involving the Silver Knife Prince Consort that Master Zhang left his ancestral home in Fenli Prefecture and migrated to Yunjiao Prefecture to settle down.

The Chongming clan that Kang Dabao inherited was, in essence, a consequence of the fortunes of this silver-knife prince consort.

Kang Dabao had been curious about this legendary figure who came from a poor background but was promoted by Emperor Wei and eventually reached the Nascent Soul stage for many years. Now, upon hearing that the real person had come in person, he felt a surge of emotions.

He immediately replied, "Please lead the way, brother-in-law. My junior brother Jiang and I will go to pay our respects to the Master."

The side hall where the Fei family received Nascent Soul cultivators was even more solemn and dignified than the mourning hall.

The interior furnishings were simple and elegant, devoid of any extravagance, with only the heavy scent of sandalwood and an invisible pressure permeating the air. Fei Tianqin's enormous golden-feathered figure stood in the hall, even his usual sharpness concealed, revealing a touch of solemnity.

The Silver Knife Prince Consort Shen Lingfeng appeared to be in his thirties or forties, with a calm demeanor that suggested he had long held a high position. However, upon closer inspection, the corners of his eyes and brows bore the marks of hardship and adversity. In particular, his eyes were deep and unfathomable, calm and undisturbed, yet seemingly capable of piercing through people's hearts.

Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing dared not be negligent. They stepped forward and, following proper etiquette, bowed deeply to the head of the table: "Junior Kang Dabao/Jiang Qing of the Chongming clan pay their respects to the Imperial Son-in-Law and wish the Imperial Son-in-Law good health."

Shen Lingfeng's gaze swept over the two of them, lingering particularly on Kang Dabao.

The gaze was not scrutinizing, but it carried a heavy weight, making Kang Dabao feel instantly seen through from the inside out. The pride he had felt from his previous fight with the Nascent Soul cultivator, which had returned unscathed, vanished without a trace.

He remained respectful and showed no sign of slackening.

"No need for formalities." Shen Lingfeng's voice was not loud, but it entered the ears of the two people with exceptional clarity, carrying a peculiar sense of stability, as if it could soothe the lingering sorrow brought by the mourning hall.

"The Grand General and I were both teacher and friend. Hearing this tragic news, my heart is truly heavy. It is kind of you two to be able to pay your respects and express your grief before the Grand General's spirit." His tone was calm, revealing little joy or sorrow, but the respect he showed for Fei Yeqing was very genuine.

"Senior, you flatter us. Our ancestor Ye Sui has been kind to us, and it is only our duty," Kang Dabao quickly replied, bowing his head in humility.

Shen Lingfeng nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Fei Tianqin: "Senior Tianqin, please accept my condolences. Your noble spirit and selflessness, your decisive action, have bought the Fei family a chance to breathe and cast a heavy stone into this chaotic situation. Such courage and magnanimity are truly admirable."

He didn't offer empty words of comfort, but directly pointed out the essence and value of Fei Yeyi's death and the resulting scheme, revealing his understanding and respect for his predecessor's choice.

A flicker of emotion crossed Fei Tianqin's dim, sharp eyes, and his voice deepened: "My brother... he did indeed make a good move. But the price... well, never mind. The Silver Knife Prince Consort's personal condolences have deeply moved the entire Fei family."

It paused, its golden beak slightly open, and steered the conversation back to Kang and Jiang, "This Kang Dabao is the current head of the lineage that Master Zhang passed down in Yunjiao Prefecture. In a way, he has some connection with the real person."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lingfeng's gaze fell on Kang Dabao again, this time with a hint of inquiry in his deep eyes.

"Oh? Yunjiao Prefecture... Patriarch Zhang?" He hesitated for a moment, as if searching for a distant fragment in his memory, before slowly saying, "Is it that Fellow Daoist Zhang Hong, who is skilled in using talisman arrays?"

"A talisman array? My ancestor's surname is Zhang, given name Yuandao, originally from Lizhou, Gyeonggi Province."

“Zhang Yuandao? From Lizhou, Gyeonggi Province?” Shen Lingfeng pondered for a moment. “He seems to be a junior officer in the army. Thinking about it carefully, I have some impression of him. He is quite brave.”

Shen Lingfeng looked at Kang Dabao, and in the depths of his calm and unwavering eyes, a faint, indescribable sense of reminiscence and complexity seemed to flash by, so quickly that it was almost an illusion.

"The turmoil of that time seems like a distant memory. Your ancestor was truly blessed to have a descendant like you." His tone was quite casual, yet it also carried a hint of warmth.
"The path of cultivation has an end. You have inherited his mantle and carried forward the Daoist tradition in Xianzhou. You have achieved such a great result in a short time, which can be considered as living up to what Fellow Daoist Zhang taught you. Very good."

"You flatter me, Master. I am humbled. This is only due to the concerted efforts of the entire sect, plus a bit of luck." Kang Dabao dared not take credit.

"Hmm." Shen Lingfeng responded noncommittally, her gaze lingering on Kang Dabao's face for a moment, her calm eyes seemingly able to see through all his thoughts and schemes.

"Huangpi may seem remote, but protecting it is protecting the peace of the region. Since the Duke of Qin values ​​you, I hope you will take good care of yourself."

Kang Dabao quickly bowed: "This junior will remember Your Highness's teachings! I will certainly be selfless and devoted to public service, protecting the land and ensuring the safety of the people!"

Shen Lingfeng said no more, turning his gaze to Fei Tianqin: "Senior Tianqin, the incense has been offered before your spirit tablet, and my condolences have been expressed. The legacy of the Pillar of State must be carried on by us. The Duke of Qin is still in seclusion, and there are many affairs to attend to in his residence, so it is inconvenient for him to stay any longer. I shall take my leave now."

"Please take your time, Your Highness." Fei Tianqin did not try to stop him, and with a slight flap of his golden wings, he gestured for Fei Enwen to see him off.

Shen Lingfeng rose, dressed in black robes and a plain cloak, her steps steady. When she reached Kang Dabao's side, she paused almost imperceptibly.

Kang Dabao felt an invisible, overwhelming aura sweep past him. Although it was not malicious, it caused his blood and spiritual energy to stagnate.

Shen Lingfeng didn't look at him, but left behind a low voice, barely audible to Kang and Jiang:
"The path to Nascent Soul is paved with countless bones. Talent and caution alone are far from enough. One must have the determination to burn one's bridges and sever ties with the past. Even the Grand Pillar of State was perhaps short of this step back then. In my opinion, being bound by worldly ties is not a good thing. You should think about it carefully!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he disappeared like a breeze outside the side hall door.

Only the faint scent of sandalwood and its heavy aftertaste remained, weighing on the hearts of Kang and Jiang.

Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing exchanged a glance, both seeing the solemnity and shock in each other's eyes.

"Break the boats and burn the boats, sever ties with the past, and don't be bound by worldly ties," Kang Dabao murmured to himself, his eyes gradually sharpening.

Fei Tianqin's advice and Shen Lingfeng's warnings were like two whetstones, completely grinding away the slight complacency in his heart, leaving only a more steadfast and focused heart toward the Dao.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his turbulent emotions, and bowed deeply to Fei Tianqin once again:
“Ancestor, the Imperial Son-in-Law has departed. Junior Brother Jiang and I have troubled you at your residence for many days, and it is time for us to take our leave and return to Yangming Mountain. There are many matters to attend to in the sect, so we dare not linger.”

The gloom in Fei Tianqin's sharp eyes seemed to have been dispelled somewhat by Shen Lingfeng's arrival, and a glimmer of light returned.

It looked at Kang Dabao, its golden beak opening and closing, its voice deep yet powerful:

"Go. Remember my words, and cultivate yourself well. Don't worry, even though my brother is gone, with me here, the Fei family will remain as stable as Mount Tai! I don't need to worry about implicating your family in anything."

"You flatter me, Ancestor. This humble one takes his leave!" Sect Leader Kang, along with his family, bowed, unaware on their return journey that Jiang Qing seemed to be muttering to himself, "Being bound by worldly ties is not a good thing."

(End of this chapter)