One person said: The essence of Wuhou Qimen lies not in Qimen, but in Wuhou.

Director Li sat in front of the computer, looking at the green ticket verification screen, then glanced at the expressionless soldier with a slight bulge in his waist outside the window, and his hands trembled twice on the keyboard.

Sweat began to bead on his forehead again—he had checked countless tickets in his life, but this was the first time he had checked a ticket for a provincial leader.

He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, and said in a voice that was enthusiastic yet somewhat stiff, "This...this doesn't need to be, I'll take care of it, no need for the leader to worry..."

Zhuge Ming stood outside and gently shook his head.

Director Li immediately changed his tune: "Okay! Okay! I'll do the statistics right away! Right now!"

He sat in front of the computer, opened the backend interface of the ticketing system, and his fingers tapped rapidly on the keyboard.

The soldier standing outside the window waited quietly, holding a mobile phone in one hand and letting the other arm hang naturally at his side, his posture as straight as a javelin.

The other officials from the Yingtan Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism who accompanied them also stood still, and their postures became noticeably more upright.

Zhuge Ming looked down at the little girl beside him. The little girl was looking up at him, her clear eyes, still red and swollen, filled with anticipation for the moment to come and a childlike joy.

Her little hand had unconsciously grabbed the hem of his shirt, as if she had grabbed a piece of driftwood found in a raging storm.

Zhuge Ming smiled slightly, took the small hand in his palm, bent down, and led her towards the steps of the mountain gate.

Holding hands, they stepped one by one onto the smooth, mirror-like bluestone steps worn smooth by countless pilgrims and tourists.

Sunlight streamed through the branches and leaves of the ancient camphor trees on both sides of the steps, casting dappled patches of light on them.

A melodious bell rang from the bell tower of the Celestial Master's Mansion in the distance, echoing slowly through the valley.

The little girl looked up, squinted at the distant vermilion palace eaves shimmering in the sunlight, and finally a smile appeared on her lips for the first time that day.

Zhuge Ming looked down at her and smiled.

Their figures were quietly captured by the photographer who had been silently following at the back of the group, wearing an outdoor vest and holding a camera—in that shot, there were no leaders or crowds, only an adult and a student, holding hands as they walked up the stone steps.

……

At the end of the stone steps, the view suddenly opened up.

The mountain gate square in front of the Tianshi Mansion on Longhu Mountain unfolds before your eyes, paved with bluestone, with ancient camphor trees reaching the sky, and the vermilion eaves of the palace buildings gleaming with a warm golden light under the sun.

There weren't too many tourists in the square. People stopped in twos and threes to take pictures in front of the various halls and pavilions. Occasionally, a few pilgrims would pass by in the side corridors with incense and candles in their hands. The scene was quiet and peaceful, unlike the noisy crowds in popular tourist attractions. It truly had the tranquility and solemnity that a Taoist ancestral temple should have.

But the moment Zhuge Ming stepped onto the last step, his gaze was immediately drawn to two figures in the center of the square.

It wasn't that he deliberately looked at them, but the moment those two people stood there, the surrounding air seemed to change.

The leader was an elderly man with white hair tied in a high bun, white eyebrows and a long beard hanging down to his chest. His face was covered with deep wrinkles, yet he remained strong and composed. His slightly cloudy eyes held a composure and sharpness honed by a century of life.

He was dressed in a dark Taoist robe with wide sleeves and a hem that reached the ground. He stood casually in the center of the square, exuding an aura of authority without anger, as if the entire spirit of Longhu Mountain was concentrated in him.

Without any introduction, Zhuge Ming knew that this was him—Zhang Zhiwei, the 65th Celestial Master of the Celestial Master's Mansion of Longhu Mountain, the pinnacle of the world of extraordinary people, and the Celestial Master of the Zhengyi Sect.

Standing half a step behind was a young Taoist priest with long, silver-gray hair cascading over his shoulders. A bright red mole adorned his forehead, and his features were handsome and refined. His expression was aloof, and his moon-white Taoist robe accentuated his otherworldly and ethereal aura. He was like a sword tempered by moonlight, quietly embedded in the ground, neither speaking nor smiling, yet possessing an undeniable presence.

Zhang Lingyu, a disciple personally taught by the Celestial Master's Mansion.

When the old celestial master saw Zhuge Ming step onto the square, he immediately smiled and went forward to greet him.

His steps were not fast, but each step was extremely steady, and the centenarian's back was still as straight as a pine tree.

He stopped in front of Zhuge Ming, clasped his hands in a Taoist salute, and wore a warm yet solemn smile. His voice was loud and clear, as if he had never lived for a century: "Zhang Zhiwei, the 65th Celestial Master of the Longhu Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion, along with his disciples, has come to welcome our leader! Welcome Secretary Zhuge to the Longhu Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion for inspection and guidance!"

Zhuge Ming extended his hand, a gentle smile on his face as always.

The two hands clasped together in mid-air—Zhang Zhiwei's hands were rough and strong, his palms and fingertips covered with calluses from a hundred years of cultivation, and holding them felt like holding a piece of old tree bark that had been repeatedly polished by the years.

Zhuge Ming's hands were fair and slender, with distinct knuckles, and his grip was neither too light nor too heavy, just right.

Two hands with completely different textures clasped together briefly but powerfully in the center of the square.

When Zhuge Ming spoke, his voice was steady and sincere: "Comrade Zhang, you've worked hard."

Just then, a series of hurried and heavy footsteps and heavy breathing came from the stone steps behind them.

Director Li finally climbed up the stone steps, panting heavily. The back of his polo shirt was soaked with sweat, clinging to his back in a wrinkled mess. Beads of sweat streamed down his temples, and his expression was a mixture of exhaustion from the journey and excitement at finally finishing the task.

He caught his breath, supporting his knees, and was about to report when he looked up and saw Zhuge Ming shaking hands with Zhang Zhiwei. He quickly walked between the two, straightened his back, and made an introduction gesture: "Master Zhang! This is Secretary Zhuge from our Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism! Secretary Zhuge, this is Master Zhang Zhiwei, the Taoist Master of the Celestial Master's Mansion on Longhu Mountain, and this is Master Zhang Lingyu, the Taoist Master's direct disciple."

Both of them are representative inheritors of the Taoist culture of Longhu Mountain.

Zhuge Mingsong released his hand, smiled slightly, and gently waved the hand that had just shaken with Zhang Zhiwei. His tone was gentle and solemn, as if he were making a statement or setting a tone for everyone present.

His words were addressed not only to Director Li, but also to Zhang Zhiwei, and even more so to the group of people accompanying him: "Comrade Li, there's no need for introductions, we already know each other."

Comrade Zhang truly deserves to be called the Celestial Master of the Celestial Master's Mansion; he is upright and a leading figure in Taoism.

We must respect these veteran comrades.

I, Zhuge Ming, will not be impolite.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiwei quickly returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute, a sincere and humble smile on his face, his words still perfectly tactful.

Not long ago, Director Wang reminded him on the phone to "make sure to cooperate," and now he was putting that reminder into practice to the fullest extent. Every word he spoke conveyed the Taoist leader's respect for the government leaders and support for the policies: "Secretary Zhuge, you flatter me, you flatter me."

Director Li, I just met Secretary Zhuge.

Secretary Zhuge personally came down to inspect the work for the development of Taoist culture and the cultural tourism construction of Longhu Mountain. This shows his concern and support for our Tianshi Mansion.

All members of the Celestial Master's Mansion will fully cooperate with the leadership, respond to the call of the nation, and never fail the expectations of the leadership and the organization.