Quickly conquer the martial arts world, and let your fists dominate the heavens!

Chapter 330 The Master of Providing Opportunities in Dreams! (Two Chapters Combined)

The constable was taken aback upon hearing this and quickly looked Chen Zhan up and down.

The man before them was neatly dressed and composed, showing no trace of the frivolous and unruly manner of a rogue. Moreover, he dared to directly accept the challenge and had an air of otherworldly elegance, so he didn't seem like a fraud.

Moreover, this was someone the emperor himself ordered to be found; no one would dare to deceive the emperor at this time, even if they had ten lives.

The constable dared not delay any longer, quickly composed himself, and respectfully bowed.

"So it's you, Daoist Master, who has graced us with your presence. My apologies for my rudeness. Daoist Master, please come inside with me for tea, and allow me to announce your arrival."

Chen Zhan nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and followed the yamen runner into the yamen.

After a routine inspection by the officials of the Court of Judicial Review, which confirmed that he was not carrying any weapons, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review rushed to the scene.

The Dali Temple, the Eastern Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and all other government offices in the capital received the order.

Anyone who claimed to be Huangting Daojun was brought into the palace to meet the emperor.

Xu Long, Shen Tong, and others were already waiting inside the palace.

When Zhang Songzhi, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, entered the hall, he immediately sensed that Chen Zhan possessed an extraordinary bearing and was no ordinary Taoist priest, so he dared not show the slightest disrespect.

He personally stepped forward to lead the way: "Master Daoist, you have come a long way and have had a long journey. His Majesty has issued an urgent decree to summon you. Please follow me into the palace to see the Emperor."

Chen Zhan nodded calmly, followed the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, got into the sedan chair, passed through layers of palace roads, and walked straight into the depths of the palace.

The palace walls were high and the guards stood in rows.

Carved beams and painted rafters, vermilion gates and jade steps.

Chen Zhan followed the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review into the palace on foot. He had been to this forbidden area of ​​the imperial palace several times before, so he had lost his curiosity. His steps were steady and his expression was indifferent.

After walking for about half an incense stick's time, Chen Zhan suddenly narrowed his eyes and turned his gaze to the palace road in the distance.

A commander of the Imperial Guards led a Taoist priest in a purple robe towards them. The commander was dressed in a flying fish robe, with an embroidered spring knife at his waist, and had a solemn expression.

The purple-robed Taoist beside him held a whisk, walked lightly, and had a somewhat arrogant expression on his face.

The commander of the Southern Garrison Command was often away on missions and did not know Zhang Songzhi, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. He only saw that the other party was wearing official robes and had a higher official rank, so he bowed and greeted him.

He then led the purple-robed Taoist and they parted ways, heading together to the same temple.

Chen Zhan glanced at the purple-robed Taoist a few more times with interest, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.
He hadn't expected that someone would dare to compete with him for this business of deceiving the emperor and impersonating Huangting Daojun.

Zhang Songzhi already possessed some basic martial arts skills, so he moved quickly. Chen Zhan followed even more easily, and in no more than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they arrived outside the palace where the old emperor was.

The palace was divided into inner and outer levels. Zhang Songzhi led Chen Zhan into the outer palace. As soon as they entered, both of them were stunned.

Inside the hall stood three Taoist priests, each with white hair and youthful faces, dressed in brocade Taoist robes, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance and radiating brilliance. Their every move displayed the demeanor of a master.

He doesn't seem like a fraudster at all.

Zhang Songzhi was stunned for a moment, secretly marveling. How did so many "Huangting Daojun" suddenly appear?
He had previously seen Chen Zhan's astonishing demeanor and refined appearance, clearly indicating he was no ordinary person, and had assumed he had brought the right person.
But the three Taoist priests before him were no less elegant and imposing than Chen Zhan, and he couldn't tell who was real and who was fake. He stood at the entrance of the hall, feeling somewhat at a loss.

Chen Zhan was slightly startled, but quickly regained his composure.

He glanced at the three Taoists in the hall, his divine sense quietly probing out. Instantly, he sensed that the three had a steady aura, and two of them possessed internal energy, demonstrating considerable skill in cultivating their inner strength.

A moment later, the purple-robed Taoist who had met Chen Zhan earlier on the palace road followed the commander of the Imperial Guards into the outer hall.

Including Chen Zhan, there were now five people gathered in the hall, each of whom called themselves "Huang Ting Dao Ren".

Zhang Songzhi's expression grew even more solemn, and he stood to the side without saying a word.

He didn't understand why the old emperor suddenly had this urge to find some Taoist priest named Huangting.
These five Taoist priests, each with a different demeanor but all possessing an extraordinary air, made it impossible for anyone to distinguish the real from the fake for a time.

Faced with the scrutiny of everyone in the hall, the five Taoists remained calm and each explained their origins and backgrounds.

In fact, the name Huangting was not unfamiliar at this time, because the Huangting Jing was widely circulated.

This classic text is divided into two parts: the "Huangting Neijing Yujing" and the "Huangting Waijing Yujing". The "Huangting Neijing Yujing" was written by Wei Huacun, a female Taoist sorcerer in the Jin Dynasty. She was the first Celestial Master of the Shangqing School of Taoism.

The *Huangting Waijing Yujing* has an even more prestigious origin, and is widely believed to be a work attributed to Laozi, involving the Supreme Daoist Master.
With the Shangqing Dao Ancestor as a predecessor, the name Huangting became the symbol of the Shangqing lineage.

However, throughout history, the Shangqing School has branched out into countless sub-branches, scattered in all directions.

Of the five people in the hall who called themselves Huangting Daoren, apart from Chen Zhan, the other four were all from the Shangqing lineage.

They each have their own lineage and claim to have studied the "Huangting Jing" (Yellow Court Classic). They all call themselves Huangting Daoren (Yellow Court Taoists), which is not entirely nonsense; each has some merit.

Only Chen Zhan remained silent. The four men glanced at Chen Zhan, who was dressed in a simple blue robe. Although he was handsome and refined, he was only in his thirties, but they did not take him seriously.

At this age, what level of Taoist cultivation can one possibly have?
The other four Taoists from the Shangqing lineage sized each other up, their words carrying a subtle hostility, though they did not openly argue.

They all wanted to gain the emperor's favor, spread the orthodox tradition, and establish their lineage as the foundation of the Ming Dynasty's orthodox tradition, to carry it forward and inherit the legacy of the Shangqing Daoist Ancestor.

Although the atmosphere in the outer hall was somewhat tense, no one dared to make a sound, after all, this was inside the imperial palace, and the reigning emperor was in the inner hall.

The young eunuch beside the screen stood with his head bowed, eyes downcast, not daring to peek into the palace.

Before long, Shen Tong strode out of the inner hall, his gaze sweeping over the five people in the room, his expression calm.

He had already been instructed to first verify the origins of the various "Huangting Daojun" (Lords of the Yellow Court).

As Shen Tong glanced around the hall, he could see clearly that the four Taoist priests in brocade robes had already handed their respective lineage documents to the officials attending them. Only Chen Zhan stood there, not submitting a single piece of paper.

Shen Tong's gaze finally landed on Chen Zhan.

The Taoist priest in the green robe stood in the corner. He was about thirty years old and dressed simply in a plain robe, yet he possessed an indescribable air of composure that belied his age.

Keep in mind that this is inside the imperial palace, and there is a group of "fellow comrades" with ill intentions.

Seeing Shen Tong looking at him, Chen Zhan nodded slightly and spoke in a calm tone: "I have no master. The Shangqing lineage has been scattered throughout the world since the Sui and Tang dynasties, with too many branches. I am merely from a minor Taoist temple in Huangting."

Shen Tong nodded upon hearing this, asked no further questions, picked up the document, and turned to report back to the inner palace.

The purple-robed Taoist priest standing to the side spoke up at this moment, his tone carrying a hint of mockery:

"A small Taoist temple? How dare it call itself the Yellow Court Taoist Lord with such a small Taoist temple?"

Chen Zhan slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on the purple-robed Taoist, his expression unchanged, his tone still indifferent:
"Yeah, so what?"

These words were spoken so decisively that the purple-robed Taoist was momentarily stunned.

Before the other party could react, Chen Zhan continued, "Your large temple can be called the Yellow Court Dao Lord, but a small temple cannot?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the purple-robed Taoist:
"Your title of Dao Lord, could it be that it was personally bestowed upon you by the Supreme Dao Lord? They are both self-titled titles, so what's the difference?"

The purple-robed Taoist opened his mouth, but couldn't find a single word to refute it.

These days, Taoist titles are bestowed by individuals based on their lineage.
Even the other three Taoist priests in brocade robes paused, silently thinking to themselves that although this young Taoist priest was young, he was quite formidable.

Shen Tong didn't take the verbal exchange to heart and quickly returned to the inner palace to report.

The old emperor held the document and examined it closely. After a while, he couldn't discern anything. The descriptions of the lineage and transmission were all very mysterious, but the actual abilities...
If they were truly capable, they wouldn't only have Wudang as a major Taoist sect.

The Sendoh in the dream didn't say anything.
He only said the four words "Huang Ting Dao Jun".

However, Zhu Yijun was naturally a smart man. Recalling the scene in his dream last night, he said a few words to Shen Tong and Xu Long.

The two men kept their expressions unchanged, but they began to complain inwardly.

"Here we go again. Three generations of this family, all still searching for immortals and hoping to receive divine assistance."

Shen Tong and Xu Long received the imperial order without showing any emotion on their faces, and turned to walk out of the inner hall again.

His gaze swept over the five Taoists in the room, and he solemnly said, "My lords, His Majesty has a question, and I ask that you answer truthfully."

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines, knowing that this was the crucial moment, the key to deciding the outcome. They all bowed and replied:
"Your Majesty, please ask any questions you may have. We, your humble servants, will answer to the best of our knowledge."

"Your Majesty wishes to ask, given your long-standing lineages and rich doctrines, what abilities do you possess that can assist the Great Ming?"

Shen Tong relayed the question word by word, and after he finished speaking, the hall fell into a brief silence.

These words sounded clear, yet were also quite vague.
What help will it provide to the Ming Dynasty?
Is it to consolidate the country, quell border troubles, or solve the problem of an empty treasury?
If that's the case, who would dare to make that promise?
If you have that ability, why would you need to come to their door?
Everyone was completely baffled.

The purple-robed Taoist frowned slightly, about to ask for more details, but Shen Tong spoke first:
"You may answer aloud; His Majesty can hear you from inside the palace."

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around and retreated back into the inner hall, leaving the five Taoist priests, the Imperial Guards, and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review frozen in place, all looking bewildered.

To aid the Ming Dynasty?
What Taoists can do is nothing more than cultivate their character, pray for blessings, and ward off disasters.

However, the scope of "assisting the Ming Dynasty" is too broad and difficult to grasp.

While everyone was still hesitating and weighing their options, the old Taoist priest in the white brocade robe standing on the far left stepped forward.
Clearing his throat, he answered loudly, "Your Majesty, my Shangqing Dao lineage is well-established, and we can communicate with the gods through rituals such as burning incense, chanting scriptures, and drawing talismans. If Your Majesty accepts my belief, I can lead my disciples to pray for rain to stop droughts, exorcise evil spirits, and ward off disasters. Furthermore, I can set up altars to perform rituals to drive away plagues, protect the people of this region, and solidify the foundation of the Great Ming!"

These words are somewhat exaggerated.

However, the rituals of prayer and exorcism that were in line with the traditions of the Taoist sect were understandable to the Imperial Guards and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review in the hall, and Zhu Yijun in the inner hall naturally understood them as well.

But after he finished speaking, there was no sound from the inner palace for a long time, neither praise nor reprimand.

It was as if the old emperor hadn't heard at all.

The composure on the old Taoist priest's face gradually faded. Standing in the hall, unable to move forward or backward, he could only awkwardly retreat to his original position, his expression full of embarrassment.

The old Taoist priest in the white brocade robe bowed and withdrew, and a brief silence fell over the room.

The other Taoist priests exchanged glances, all trying to decipher the Emperor's thoughts.
A moment later, a Taoist priest dressed in a light gray brocade robe stepped forward, cupped his hands, and answered loudly:

"Your Majesty, I am a descendant of the Shangqing Daoist lineage and am most skilled in the art of health preservation. I am proficient in methods such as 'breath control and fasting' and 'guiding exercises,' which can help people strengthen their bodies, consolidate their foundation, and cultivate their vitality. Furthermore, I have learned the Daoist medical knowledge, know hundreds of herbs, and can prepare medicines. I can treat common diseases and some difficult and complicated diseases, and can regulate people's qi and protect their health."

After these words were spoken, there was finally some movement in the inner palace.

Inside the hall, Zhu Yijun straightened his expression slightly, pondering the Taoist's skills, particularly his expertise in medicine.
It was somewhat related to the immortal path in his dream, but also a bit mundane. The immortal path's healing methods weren't so worldly; they could heal with a wave of the hand. But he dared not miss it.
Zhu Yijun's voice came through the screen, carrying a hint of contemplation: "This Taoist priest's skills are quite useful. Let's rest for a while."

The Taoist priest in the light gray brocade robe instantly beamed with joy, bowing deeply and speaking with utter obsequiousness:
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty! This humble Taoist will certainly serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty!"

This obsequious remark made Zhu Yijun frown slightly, and his impression of him immediately dropped a few points.

The person recommended by the immortal in the dream should be a person of outstanding character and integrity. Such sycophancy is ultimately a common and clichéd approach.

He didn't speak again, and the hall returned to silence.

Seeing an opportunity, the remaining two Taoists no longer hesitated.

First, a Taoist priest in brown robes stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I am skilled in feng shui and divination. I can survey the feng shui of imperial tombs and palaces, and adjust their layout to gather auspicious energy; I can also use divination, Qimen Dunjia and other methods to predict the fate of the nation and provide guidance for the court's decision-making."

The inner hall remained silent, and seeing this, the brown-robed Taoist could only silently retreat to the side.

Immediately afterwards, the Taoist priest in purple robes walked out slowly, his posture upright and his tone steady:
"Your Majesty, I am also versed in medicine and can heal injuries and illnesses. Furthermore, I have devoted myself to the study of military affairs and have used divination techniques to predict the fortunes of military campaigns, thus resolving several small-scale crises for the Ming army. If Your Majesty appoints me, I can do my best in military matters."

"Military assistance? And also skilled in medicine?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yijun in the inner palace suddenly became serious, and his previously languid posture straightened up.

He suddenly remembered what the immortal had said in his dream last night: "Send someone to help you, and you will take Liaodong within a year."

These words resonated in his heart like a thunderclap, instantly making him more moved by the purple-robed Taoist.

Zhu Yijun had two main desires: to cure his illness and prolong his life, and to defend his homeland and restore the Ming dynasty.

It seems that this purple-robed Taoist priest fits the description somewhat.

The purple-robed Taoist outside the hall sensed a change in the atmosphere inside and was secretly delighted.

Shen Tong and Xu Long exchanged a glance, both seeing the understanding in each other's eyes.

Unexpectedly, His Majesty is more concerned with military affairs.

But isn't it a bit of putting the cart before the horse to have a Taoist priest give advice on military affairs?

Xu Long felt that the old emperor was starting to grasp at straws in his desperation.

The silence in the inner palace didn't last long. Zhu Yijun's voice rang out again, carrying a hint of barely concealed urgency, yet his tone remained exceptionally polite:

"Is this Taoist priest the abbot of Shangqing Zixia Temple? He is indeed exceptionally skilled. Please have a seat and rest for a while."

These words reached the ears of everyone, and they all understood.

The emperor's attitude toward this purple-robed Taoist was noticeably warmer than that toward the previous ones, his politeness tinged with expectation.

The purple-robed Taoist felt a surge of joy, straightened his back with a refreshed and invigorated air, and couldn't help but smile.

He secretly concluded that the matter was already a foregone conclusion. From now on, Zixia Temple would be able to rise rapidly with the help of the Ming Dynasty's national fortune and receive the support of the entire country. At that time, its fame would spread throughout the world, and the restoration of Shangqing's glory would be just around the corner.

Shen Tong and Xu Long exchanged a glance, their thoughts perfectly aligned.

Apart from the purple-robed Taoist, the abilities of the others were clearly not up to His Majesty's standards, and their fates were basically sealed.

This is just routine; we're simply going through the remaining procedures.

The eunuch quickly brought over a brocade stool, and the Taoist priest in purple robes thanked the emperor for his grace and sat down calmly.

He glanced up at Chen Zhan standing in the corner, noticing that the other was still dressed in a simple blue robe, his expression indifferent. A sense of superiority inexplicably rose in his heart, and he spoke:
"This Daoist Lord, everyone has already stated the abilities of their respective lineages, but you've remained silent the whole time, not planning to say a word?"

Chen Zhan remained unperturbed by this deliberate provocation, a faint smile playing on his lips as he nodded slightly.

"Okay."

Having said that, Chen Zhan took two steps forward and said loudly:

"I come from a minor sect and cannot compare to the extraordinary abilities of other Taoist masters."

He paused, then spoke in a relaxed tone:
"I am only skilled in one skill."

"An opportunity was bestowed upon me in a dream!"

Chen Zhan spoke those last five words very softly, but they resonated throughout the inner and outer halls.

The purple-robed Taoist was closest to Chen Zhan, and he smiled upon hearing this.

"Hahahaha, Daoist Lord, are you joking? His Majesty is asking how to help the Ming Dynasty! How can your ability to enter dreams help the Ming Dynasty? Do you intend to kill people in their dreams?"

The other three Taoist priests also looked over, with expressions as if they were looking at a fool.

What Chen Zhan said was completely irrelevant.

Xu Long and Shen Tong inside the hall also frowned. Chen Zhan's words, to put it mildly, were irrelevant and meaningless; to put it more seriously, they were a disregard for imperial authority.

It remains to be seen whether His Majesty will pursue the matter.

Xu Long looked at the old emperor, whose gaze was vacant, and he stood there dumbfounded.

I was stunned for a good ten seconds.

Chen Zhan's words still echoed: "An opportunity granted in a dream! An opportunity granted in a dream!"

Only then did he raise his hand, trembling, and point at Xu Long, "Quickly...quickly invite the Taoist priest in for me."

Xu Long was taken aback and asked, "Which Taoist priest is Your Majesty referring to?"

Zhu Yijun was somewhat speechless, and flicked his sleeves, "Sigh, help me up."

He was somewhat overweight, and with Xu Long supporting him and two eunuchs helping him, he walked out from behind the screen.

Upon seeing Zhu Yijun, dressed in a dragon robe, appear in the outer hall, they immediately knelt down and paid their respects.

"Greetings to Your Majesty."

"Greetings to Your Majesty."

The four Taoist priests in brocade robes were no exception; only Chen Zhan stood still, staring at Zhu Yijun.

"How dare you! You've come to see His Majesty, yet you don't even bow?" Chen Songzhi, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, said to Chen Zhan.

Chen Zhan seemed oblivious, and the old emperor Zhu Yijun also seemed not to hear. Instead, he walked up to Chen Zhan, spread his hands, and pulled at Chen Zhan's sleeves, saying, "Daoist, I have been waiting for you for too long. I have finally found you."

Chen Zhan took a step back, leaving the emperor vulnerable, but fortunately, two eunuchs reacted quickly and held the old emperor up.

"Your Majesty, I do not like physical contact with people."

Zhu Yijun chuckled awkwardly, "Hehe, I understand, I understand, you're a master."

"Master Daoist, would you like to come inside for a chat? I have something to discuss with you."

This attitude is no longer a matter between ruler and subject, nor even an equal relationship; rather, it suggests that His Majesty the Emperor is inferior.

Several Taoist priests, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review have been ignored.

They all stared blankly, unsure of what to say.

Chen Zhan nodded: "Alright, Your Majesty, please dismiss your attendants."

Zhu Yijun immediately turned around and said, "You all go down. The Taoist priests will be seen off, and each of them will receive a hundred taels of silver as a reward."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Several commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Chen Songzhi withdrew and pulled away the Taoist priests they had brought with them.

The purple-robed Taoist priest was still somewhat unwilling. He stood there, looking at Chen Zhan and the old emperor Zhu Yijun. Just as he was about to speak, he was forcefully dragged away by the commander beside him.

Zhu Yijun led Chen Zhan inside. Xu Long and Shen Tong were still there, along with several eunuchs serving them.

He glanced at them and said, "You may all step back and wait outside the hall."

Xu Long immediately said, "Your Majesty, this is inappropriate. What is the background of this Taoist priest?"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Yijun interrupted him, "You don't need to tell me your background. Just wait outside the palace and listen to my decree!"

Xu Long nodded helplessly: "If Your Majesty has any needs, you must summon me."

After saying this, he left with Shen Tong. The eunuchs did not dare to linger and retreated outside the door.

Only Chen Zhan and the old emperor remained before Zhu Yijun said, "I have heard the immortal in my dream speak of the Daoist's abilities. May I ask what the relationship is between the two of you?"

Chen Zhan smiled calmly and said, "The Way of Huangting has its own wonders. The Immortal Way is the ancestral way of my lineage. I have specially sent this humble Taoist to lend Your Majesty a helping hand."

Seeing that Chen Zhan was being straightforward, Zhu Yijun stopped beating around the bush.

"Daoist Lord, can you truly lend me a hand? Given my ailments and my age, I'm afraid..."

"Your Majesty is still more concerned about your own health," Chen Zhan said with a smile.

"Well, if my health isn't good, how can I pacify Liaodong and revitalize the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Yijun's reasons for himself were also quite valid.

Chen Zhan nodded: "This matter is neither difficult nor easy. My supernatural powers are insufficient, and I need something to assist me."

"Please speak freely, Daoist Master."

"Buddha's Relic!"

(End of this chapter)