Daoqi Huangcheng

Chapter 75, Section 74: Condensing the Five Intentions Tower, Walking the Path of a Powerful Minister (6.6K words - Please Subscribe)
After being diagnosed with pregnancy, Lady Youwei was overjoyed. Her gaze towards Song Chen was less fearful and more grateful, gentle, and dependent.

When Song Chen was drinking tea in the courtyard, she would secretly watch the Grand Scholar, and when the Grand Scholar's lips would occasionally curl up in a smile as if he were thinking of something, she would be overjoyed.

Her belly wasn't showing yet, but she was already touching it from time to time.

She began to feel anxious and worried that the child was a girl.

She began to feel secretly sad again, because the child did not belong to her.

Another half month later, the imperial physician made another diagnosis.

It's still a positive pregnancy test.

This time it's definitely correct.

Empress Fengqing, who was busy with state affairs, finally made an appearance. She rarely visited Kunning Palace and spent half the night with her husband, the Emperor, enjoying the beauty of their marriage. After it was over, she did not lie down lazily like the Pei sisters, nor did she diligently search for a silk handkerchief like Lady Youwei. Instead, she simply wiped herself, straightened her undergarments, and then lay down on her back next to Song Chen, letting out a long sigh.

There was a rare sense of relaxation in that breath.

Her usually cold and tense face finally released some pressure, revealing her fatigue.

“Starting tomorrow, I will reassign female officials to accompany the scholar.”

As for Youwei, I plan to have her stay at Lanling Garden to rest and recuperate during her pregnancy. Lanling Garden is quiet and sparsely populated, making it a suitable place for her to live.

I know that Youwei has feelings for the scholar, so I trouble the scholar to visit her often.

Lady Youwei's pregnancy naturally needs to be handled discreetly and with care. Lanling Garden is indeed a good choice for her to rest and prepare for childbirth.

"What will happen to Youwei after the fetus is conceived?" Song Chenwen asked.

The Empress said calmly, "Send her away from the capital, hide her identity, and live as a wealthy woman. Consider it my compensation to her."

Song Chen paused for a moment, then said, "You were actually planning to kill her halfway, weren't you?"

The Empress paused for a moment, then said frankly, "That's better."

Both of them fell silent.

Song Chen suddenly said, "You must not kill them."

The Empress turned around, her back to him, and said, "I never imagined that the scholar could be so genuinely emotional."

Song Chen said, "It's a pity that you, Feng Qing, are not like the little girl I remember who leaned against the car window, sympathizing with the weak."

The Empress said, "The little girl living in the golden cage can only sympathize with the pitiful people she sees, but the Empress has to control the entire Great Yong territory. The little girl can do whatever she wants, but the Empress has to be watertight, otherwise people will have an opportunity to take advantage of her."

When a little girl makes a mistake, she's criticized and cries, and that's it. But when the Empress makes a mistake, it's all the people of the Great Yong who suffer.

I live in the palace and cannot witness the suffering of the people, but I know that I must not make any mistakes and must not leave any loopholes.

If killing one person can bring peace and safety to all living beings, why can't I do it?

If the Crown Prince's birth mother is indeed Youwei, then ten or twenty years later, if someone were to use this to attack him, causing trouble and resulting in more than one death, what would the scholar do then?

Song Chen said, "I'm taking her away; she won't appear again."

The Empress asked, "Really?"

Song Chen said, "Really?"

The Empress said, "I have learned that for a cultivator to reach the ninth level of Qi Gathering by the age of a scholar, both talent and temperament are indispensable. Does a scholar have the leisure to care about ants?"

Song Chen said, "She is not an ant."

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard the empress beside him seem to let out a faint laugh.

That wasn't mockery, but a lighthearted laugh.

The Empress said, "Finally, I can get a good night's sleep."

The more ruthless a person is, the more they crave affection from those around them.

The Empress said it was merely a test.

Song Chen did not reply.

Establishing the necessary trust with the Empress, just as Jiu Lingzi did for the late Emperor, is also his task.

As for rescuing Lady Youwei, it was merely a side effect; otherwise, it would all be an act, and he wouldn't have actually gone to save her.

Just then, the Empress said again, "Youwei has gone to Lanling Garden, and I can't come back often. If you get bored, Scholar, you can take any of the beauties in the harem you fancy, as long as they are not from the generation of the late Emperor."
As long as the scholar doesn't lead the person back to this bed in Kunning Palace, it's fine. Two, three, four, five, or even dozens of palace maids playing hide-and-seek, I have no objection.”

The next day, Lady Youwei went to Lanling Garden.

Song Chen now has another female official by his side.

But he had no intention of touching the female official, nor any of the palace maids.

In the afternoon, the female official, imitating Lady Youwei, brewed tea for him and went to the Imperial Kitchen to urge him to prepare some snacks.

But tea is just tea, and snacks are just snacks.

Without missions or acting, Song Chen was happy to relax.

As the weather got warmer, the lady-in-waiting brought an extra pot of plum juice.

Song Chen grabbed the plum juice, intending to drink it directly, but then he noticed a finely carved, somewhat majestic ice and snow landscape painting at the bottom of the pot.

Mountains, rivers, bridges, hunters, woodcutters, and hermits in the mountains—though somewhat blurry, this is due to the thawing process. One can imagine that before being placed in the pot, this must have been a rather exquisite ice sculpture.

The person who created this ice sculpture must have put in a tremendous amount of effort to achieve such a form.

Song Chen sighed with emotion. The royal family's top-tier lifestyle was indeed luxurious. Even adding ice to plum juice had to be done with "artistic ice cubes." Not only did they have to drink the refreshing coolness, but they also had to enjoy the visual pleasure.

He saw the female official looking at him expectantly.

Song Chen asked, "This ice sculpture is quite nice. Who carved it?"

The female official said, "Reporting to the scholar, it is Xiao Gaozi from the Imperial Kitchen."

Before entering the palace, Xiao Gaozi carved ice horses and swallows at the residence of the Prince of Yan. Every summer, the Prince of Yan would give these exquisite ice sculptures as small gifts, which were very popular.

The late emperor once tasted it and thought it was good, so he instructed his servants to ask for Xiao Gaozi.

This incident caused quite a stir at the time because the person below made an excessively demanding request, saying that as a mere heir to the Prince of Yan, the best things should naturally be presented to the imperial palace, which was extremely humiliating.
Later, Xiao Gaozi did enter the palace, but the late emperor felt that Xiao Gaozi was too ambitious and impulsive, so he was kept in the Imperial Kitchen.

Song Chen was stunned for a moment.

He did know about this.

The late emperor wanted to suppress the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Chu, so he created conflicts in all aspects.

The purpose was to ensure that the two capable princes from the Li family could live well outside, instead of being killed in the same basket.

He commented, "That's thoughtful."

The first is about the late emperor; the second is about the female official; and the third is about Xiao Gaozi.

The female official smiled and said, "I'm glad the scholar likes it."

The reason she recommended Xiao Gaozi was because she had received a lot of money from him. In addition, she was a little flustered as she first arrived at the Grand Secretary's side, so she naturally thought of using his connections to curry favor and make a good impression on him.

Now that the Grand Secretary has uttered the words "You've put your heart into this," he's referring not only to Xiao Gaozi but also to her. However, the harem is cruel. If one catches the eye of a noble but isn't promoted, the fate could be dire. Xiao Gaozi could suddenly disappear or even fall into the water.

Just then, Song Chen added, "Have him carve some more tomorrow."

The female official replied, "Yes."

She secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Since the important person has personally selected Xiao Gaozi, Xiao Gaozi's path to advancement is now secure.

Song Chen drank the soup, enjoying the pleasure of the iceberg inside the pot.

He can't just be an empty shell as a Grand Secretary. If he can promote some subordinates and cronies at will, then he'll do it.

He remembered that when he first arrived at the palace, the guards at the gate, upon hearing that "he was going to see the Grand Secretary," enthusiastically led him there.

Furthermore, the trip to Golden Peach Mountain must have been initiated by Jiu Lingzi, and that initiative was successful.

Besides, General Que's Northern Expedition and similar campaigns were all orchestrated by Jiu Lingzi to achieve certain unknown goals.

These are not just the influence of the "Master".

After all, if the "master" wanted to exert influence in a forceful manner, it would be deliberate, but it would disrupt the balance, shake the foundation, and completely affect the "ecological environment" of the "Dragon Qi Cultivation Base," which would likely not be allowed by the higher-ups.

Therefore, to influence people subtly and effectively, one must wield absolute power.

In fact, Song Chen had learned about Jiu Lingzi after becoming a Grand Scholar.

It can only be described in eight words: extremely high status, and a large number of cronies.

With Jiu Lingzi as a role model, this impetuous young man naturally had to learn by trial and error.

After finishing his tea and snacks and drinking plum juice, Song Chen returned to the Wenqu Palace, closed the palace doors, and then sank into the White Demon Realm.

Wow.
Wow.
He took out the ancient paintings he had collected.

Open all the boxes one by one.

Then I took out the Time Capsule and began to try it out.

Ancient paintings were placed inside, and new paintings emerged from them.

He looked at each painting, then discarded them one by one.

After a busy afternoon, by evening he had confirmed that all the ancient paintings he had collected were just paintings, and the best one among them was the original work of the Jin Kingdom's master painter, "The Cat Catching Butterflies," which was given to him by the Prince of Beiwu.

In the picture, amidst hydrangeas, a calico cat leaps through the air to catch a butterfly, so lifelike it seems to leap off the page.

It contains a hint of lightness and etherealness, but it is only at the level of gathering qi. It is slightly better than the "Bear Hunting Picture", but not by much, and is completely unsuitable for the construction of the "Five Intentions Pagoda".

He left the White Demon Realm, and in front of the female official, angrily piled up all the paintings, then burned them all to ashes, muttering curses: "Mediocre works, all mediocre works!!"

The lady-in-waiting was dumbfounded; she knew the value of these paintings.

It's very valuable.

The news spread that very night.

In Yi'an Palace, a palace maid guarding the dragon said with a smile, "The Grand Scholar is truly a refined person. He actually got angry over the painting and burned it. It seems he was really upset."

The Empress Dowager couldn't help but smile as she listened.

She naturally knew why Song Chen was furious.

After all, so much effort was spent collecting so many paintings, only to end up with nothing. How could one not be furious?
This isn't over yet. After all, Song Chen is still searching for ancient artifacts in the Crane Demon Secret Realm. He will have to experience despair time and time again, and he'll probably be furious in the future.

The Niangniang Temple does indeed possess several treasures: two jade slips, a rosary, an incense burner, and a banner. However, like the "Yellow Springs Sutra," these treasures require a special opportunity or await unsealing.

Song Chen took the "Yellow Springs Scripture," which means she has a connection with it. She has her own destiny. She might still covet some treasures, but she won't take more of this kind of cultivation technique.

When the treasures of the Niangniang Temple are unsealed and disappear, the secret realm of the Niangniang Temple will also disappear, and the Niangniang Temple will reappear, just like the Kushi Zen Temple in the capital city today, devoid of any spiritual energy.

However, besides those five treasures, she was certain that the Niangniang Temple would never find a sixth treasure.

There is no such thing as finding a bargain in this world.

Xiao Song was still inexperienced and too young, which is why he harbored some侥幸心理 (a sense of侥幸, a belief that he could get away with something). The Empress Dowager stood by the fishpond, looking at the half-acre pond reflecting the moonlight, its surface as clear as a mirror.

The fish in the pond swam to and fro, thinking themselves carefree, completely unaware that they were in a pond, completely unaware that the pond they were swimming in had been searched hundreds and thousands of times, completely unaware that if people outside the pond did not throw in delicious fish food, they would never find such fish food.

She grabbed some fish food and threw it in.

The pond suddenly came alive as red, white, and spotted fish swam in from all directions, frantically fighting for food, splashing and creating a lively scene.

More than two weeks later.
Crane Demon's Secret Realm.

Song Chen arrived once again.

On this visit, he found that some houses were dilapidated and looked like they had been demolished.

Without asking any further questions, He Bai led him directly to a room.

Before opening the door, He Bai said, "Following your orders, we have collected everything that originally belonged to this secret realm, and it's all in this room."

Song Chen nodded.

He Bai pushed open the door.

A pungent, mixed smell wafted out, a mixture of rotten wood, mud, bricks and tiles, and an indescribable odor that resembled vomit.

Looking at it, Song Chen saw clumps of black, muddy material, and blocks of wood and bricks piled up in the room in a fairly neat manner.

He Bai explained, "Many of the original items in this secret realm were too dilapidated. Some were thrown into the ornamental lake, and some were used to repair pavilions and towers. We followed your orders to retrieve what needed to be retrieved and dismantle what needed to be dismantled, but the ancient painting you are looking for is indeed not available."

Song Chen nodded, waved his hand, and put all the items into his storage bag. Then, in a tone that suppressed his anger, he said, "Look for more."

He Bai wasn't surprised to see him angry; it would be strange if he weren't angry.

These broken things were simply because the crane demon clan couldn't find anything else to hand over, so they settled for second best and shifted their collection focus from "ancient paintings" to "antiques".

Tell me, aren't these broken pieces antiques? Did they diligently complete the tasks assigned by the clan chief?
Song Chen gathered his belongings and was about to leave when he stopped abruptly at the door.

Because there was someone watching him from the opposite side.

An acquaintance.

He was a short old man with white hair, a youthful face, deep-set eyes, and a vibrant aura about him.

It was Gu Youwen from the "Sewing Man's Mansion" who captured him and sent him to the Crane Mansion to "recognize his ancestors."

From Elder He's letter, he learned that Gu Youwen was actually a disciple of the Five Elements Sect.

But after following the people on the Turtle Platform and living with them for so long, he learned that Gu Youwen was actually both a disciple of the Five Elements Sect and not.
Gu Youwen's status was slightly better than that of the crane demons.

The crane demons are "outsourced," while Gu Youwen is a "long-term outsourced" entity.

Through the three secret methods of tribulation crossing in the "Yellow Springs Sutra"—the Five Intentions Pagoda, the Yang Yang Puppet, and the Yin Yang Puppet—Song Chen further realized that Gu Youwen's method of sewing the flesh-meat monster was actually the Yang Yang Puppet.

The reason why Gu Youwen befriended the Crane Demon and even went so far as to do him a favor is now clear.

He had actually been waiting for the "Yellow Springs Sutra".

Because he wanted to learn a more complete version of the [Yang Puppet Technique], or more secret techniques beyond the [Yang Puppet Technique].

He also belongs to the lineage of the "Yellow Springs Sutra".

【Yang Puppet】, although it is the main secret technique to fight against the "True Tribulation of Karmic Fire", it is also a very strong fighting force in itself. It is basically "made by sewing a puppet with the flesh and blood of the strong. The puppet has dense flesh and blood and has an incomparably strong physique. Once it is made, the master can enter into it and use the puppet to fight against the many physical damages of the True Tribulation of Karmic Fire".

【Yin Yin Puppet】, although it is the main secret technique to fight against the "Fire Hell Calamity", is also very powerful. It is basically "made from special ice materials and evil spirits to create an extremely cold and yin puppet. Once it is made, the master can also control the puppet to fight against the high temperature of the Fire Hell Calamity".

The two faced each other from a distance. The next moment, the short old man stepped forward with a smile and cupped his hands, saying, "Clan Chief Song, Scholar Song, I have been in seclusion since we last parted. I only recently came out of seclusion and learned that you are a true master who does not reveal your abilities."

As he spoke, he pretended to pull at his eyelids and said, "Look at this old man's eyes, sigh, he really can't recognize an important person, can't recognize an important person, he should be torn apart, he should be torn apart."

He Bai said, "Clan leader, he has been here for half a month."

Song Chen looked at him.

Gu Youwen hurriedly said, "The Crane Demon Clan owes me a favor, Clan Chief Song, please at least have a chat with me for a bit?"

Song Chen said, "Go ahead and tell me."

Gu Youwen glanced at He Bai.

He Bai's pupils widened.

Song Chen said, "Aunt Bai is not an outsider."

He Bai felt inexplicably relaxed, and the whole crane seemed to have some energy and hope.

Gu Youwen coughed twice and said, "Actually, I had an agreement with the previous patriarch of the Crane Clan. If I could help them find someone to enter the Goddess Temple and retrieve the Yellow Springs Scripture, he would lend me the Yellow Springs Scripture to read for a few days."

Song Chen had already learned about the matter of the *Yellow Springs Scripture* at the Niangniang Temple from He Bai and others. The gist was that a powerful being had sealed the entrance to the Niangniang Temple, allowing only humans to enter; and some of the treasures sealed within the temple belonged to former powerful figures who had fallen into its clutches. Each of these figures had sealed their greatest treasure before their death, making it forbidden for anyone outside their clan to take it. Therefore, to enter the Niangniang Temple and obtain the *Yellow Springs Scripture*, both of these conditions had to be met simultaneously.

This is just a rumor, and no one expects anyone to be able to meet both conditions at the same time. The Crane Demon Clan is trying various methods to enter the Goddess Temple.

After Song Chen appeared, both Gu Youwen and the Crane Demon Group were overjoyed.

As for "bloodline inheritance," the crane demons couldn't explain it clearly, but Song Chen had his own understanding. He thought it was a kind of "long-lasting, special intention containing some cultivation information," which was passed down from the ancestors and continued to exist in the bodies of the descendants.

That is why, although he does not actually have the bloodline of the Crane Demon Clan, he has a copy of the Crane Demon Clan's power within him because of the [Mirror of Illusion and Reality], which is why he is qualified.

Of course, if he were to take it now, he would still be willing, because he has regained that power through the "Yellow Springs Sutra".

After listening to Gu Youwen's words, Song Chen thought for a moment and said, "Go find Master."

He often used this kind of buck-passing tactic when he was a corporate slave.

Gu Youwen was stunned for a moment.

Song Chen said, "The Yellow Springs Scripture is an important resource that Master values ​​highly. If I give it to him without asking, how can I explain it to Master?"

Gu Youwen:
He took a deep breath and got straight to the point: "It's not that I necessarily want to get my hands on it and borrow it, but... well, you should know that my method of sewing people is actually called [Yang Polarity Puppet], and what I'm looking for now is a [Yin Polarity Puppet].

Song Chen asked, "What level of cultivation does Mr. Gu possess?"

Gu Youwen said, "Half-step Foundation Establishment means I failed once, but fortunately I survived without serious injury, so I can try again. Alas, Foundation Establishment is difficult. That's why I don't take any chances and am determined to obtain the [Yin Yin Puppet]."

Song Chen thought for a moment and said, "I cannot tell you about the Yin-Yang Puppet, but when I ask for its help, I will definitely ask you for assistance."

Gu Youwen said quietly, "Is there really no way to discuss this?"

After hesitating for a long time, Song Chen said, "Aunt Bai, you go first."

He Bai said "Yes, sir" and ran off.

Song Chen then looked at Gu Youwen and said, "The [Yin Yin Puppet] is a secret technique that my master values ​​highly. It is a legacy that I obtained at the risk of my life. How can I give it to you, Master?"

Gu Youwen looked distressed, took out a dark red bead from his pocket, and handed it out without even looking at it, saying, "Is this enough?"

Song Chen glanced at it and examined it briefly.

This red bead is a type of substance called "Blood Marrow Bead" recorded in the "Yang Yang Puppet". Its function is to be integrated into the Yang Yang Puppet, thereby using the blood and qi within it to nourish the Yang Yang Puppet and make its physique stronger. It is considered a rare supplement.

However, since it is an external object, it cannot be used again once the blood and energy have filled the entire body of the Yang Yang Puppet. It has an upper limit and saturation point. Generally speaking, if it is made into a normal-sized humanoid figure, there are about five of them.

As for the materials used to refine the "Blood Marrow Bead," they are demonic beasts at the ninth level of Qi Gathering, and the success rate of refining them is not very high.

The divine fire beast in Song Chen's [Mirror of Illusion and Reality] is a demon beast at the ninth level of Qi Gathering.

After refining, they are further classified into different grades based on their color.

Ordinary products are dark red with a mixed blood-like color; superior products are scarlet with a rich blood-like color.
It is said that there are even better ones, but those are for those at the Foundation Establishment stage. Song Chen couldn't even open and read the corresponding information in the "Yellow Springs Scripture".

Although this bead is only dark red, it is still quite precious.

Song Chen said, "I will give you the five scarlet blood marrow beads and the crafting method of the [Yin Yin Puppet] in a jade slip."

Gu Youwen:
"Five? I only have three. What will I use them if you give them to me?"

"Don't you already have an Anode Puppet?"

"Those are just inferior products used on a daily basis. I am still collecting materials for the ones that are truly used for foundation building."

"How many dark red ones do you have?"

"Three."

"Ha, you have three scarlet ones and only three dark red ones? Mr. Gu, you're not being sincere."

"One scarlet, four dark red."

"Three scarlet, two dark red."

The two argued for a long time.

Gu Youwen agreed, clearly he had more than three scarlet beads, but he still made an additional request: "I want to watch you record it with my own eyes."

Song Chen said, "Then what will happen if you steal the 'Yellow Springs Scripture'?"

Gu Youwen asked, "What if you record something randomly?"

Song Chen said, "I will check it for you after I finish recording. Only when you check and find no errors can the transaction be considered successful."

Gu Youwen's eyes darted around, and he asked, "When will the transaction take place?"

Song Chen said, "Next time I come to the Crane Demon Secret Realm, I can't possibly bring the 'Yellow Springs Scripture' with me."

Gu Youwen nodded and said, "It's a deal."

Song Chen didn't linger. He transformed into a beam of light and left. Once outside, he sank back into the Ghost Realm and skillfully returned to the Wenqu Hall of the Imperial Palace.

Several days later.
Song Chen actually managed to recreate a picture from a pile of junk in the Crane Demon Secret Realm.
It was recreated from a puddle of soft mud.

The process of restoration is like the clay slowly solidifying, turning into a wad of torn paper, then into a crumpled picture, and then slowly unfolding into an old picture without any real meaning. In this way, it eventually becomes a picture that contains profound meaning and is still fresh in its brushstrokes.

Clearly, someone had gone in to look for the treasure, but after seeing this picture, they were very disappointed. They simply crumpled it into a ball, tore it up, and threw it aside. When the crane demons arrived, they carelessly tossed the wreckage into the lake.

The painting depicts a secret chamber, where flickering candlelight illuminates a vermilion-red, ancient-style, wide-sleeved robe. The robe hangs in the painting without wind, its hem seemingly held up by an invisible figure, exuding a serene and mysterious aura.

half a month later.

Song Chen comprehended the meaning of the "Mysterious Red-Clad Figure".

This idea is very strange.

Song Chen couldn't even find a way to describe it.

He vaguely sensed that once he unleashed it, he would be controlled by some strange will, his strength would instantly increase, and he would become stronger in every way, but his temperament would also change drastically.

However, the Five Meanings Pagoda has nothing to do with what the true meaning is; it only matters how strong the true meaning is.

The true meaning of the "mysterious red-clad figure" is clearly sufficient.

Another half month passed.

Song Chen wove together the five meanings and condensed them into his own [Five Meanings Pagoda].

This tower protects against all evil and delusion, keeping out all kinds of karma. At the same time, the soul within it can feel a bit like "borrowing the tiger's power," becoming much stronger than before.

(End of this chapter)