Mei Qing was quite intrigued by such a magical treasure capable of concealing one’s aura, but unfortunately, although he had indeed found mentors, both of them were stingier than the next. Just thinking back to how Bi Zhen, before even forming her core, already had a wide array of protective magical items at her disposal made him feel even worse. As for himself, aside from a set of stationery tools, he had absolutely nothing. And even that set of stationery tools, from Mei Qing’s years of experience in the antiques trade, was clearly the kind no one would bother to pick up if dropped on the ground.
“It turns out Master still has such fine treasures,” Mei Qing said with a grin. “Poor me, your disciple, is so destitute I don’t even have a single protective item to call my own. Sigh, to be honest, if someone asks me which sect I belong to, I’d be too ashamed to answer…”
Before his words had even finished, a sharp “slap” rang out, and naturally, the back of his head had been struck again. Zhang Shisan huffed angrily, “Hmph, you foolish boy, how come your eyes are sharper than even that thieving monkey beside you? Once something catches your eye, it’s stuck there forever. What’s so special about it? It’s not even a real treasure—just a common magical artifact. Staying by your Master’s side is far safer than any artifact could ever be. Why would you even need such things?”
“An artifact? So does that mean there’s a difference between artifacts and treasures?” Mei Qing quickly changed the subject, adopting a respectful posture as if eager to learn.
“Of course there’s a difference! It’s like comparing sweet potatoes to Hami melons—they both end with the character ‘melon,’ yet their tastes are worlds apart!” Zhang Shisan gave him an exasperated look. “You are, after all, my eldest disciple. Although you might be a bit slow, naive, and inept, you shouldn’t be this utterly hopeless.”
“Yes, yes, Master’s teachings are always in my heart,” Mei Qing continued, feigning earnestness. “Earlier, Master mentioned ‘Yan Ling’—what exactly is that?”
Zhang Shisan’s expression grew grave as he slowly replied, “The skeletons here, big and small, resemble the legendary Yan Ling. However, I’ve never seen one in person, so I can’t be certain. It’s said that Yan Ling are summoned through ancient forbidden techniques—using the bones of ancient spirits, bound and controlled through secret rituals. When unleashed in battle, they possess immense strength, are indestructible, and as hard as tempered steel, able to withstand countless attacks without a single scratch. This kind of forbidden art doesn’t originate from the Central Plains. It was said that during the invasion of the Mongol Yuan dynasty, several powerful shamans used this technique to summon hordes of Yan Ling into battle. At that time, the Daoist sects of the Central Plains were obsessed with the concept of karma and focused only on self-preservation. Only a few minor sects stood up to fight. Initially, they could hold their ground against the Mongol cavalry, but once the Yan Ling appeared alongside the combined efforts of those shamans, those sects were utterly destroyed, their lineages extinguished… Alas…”
Mei Qing was deeply moved as he examined the motionless skeletons before him, realizing that each one exuded a deadly aura. Combined with the sinister, deathly energy emanating from the coffins, the surrounding area was filled with malevolent qi. Though it was still the afternoon, with the sun only just beginning to set, when he looked up, the sky appeared gray and murky. He could only imagine how much more sinister this place must be, given the effort someone had gone to in constructing a reversed Seven Yang Formation to suppress it. “These bones before us are clearly summoned through dark arts. They must be the Yan Ling you spoke of, Master. But how do we deal with them?” Mei Qing asked after a long observation.
Zhang Shisan frowned and shook his head. “Although they bear a strong resemblance to the Yan Ling, there are some discrepancies. According to legend, Yan Ling are summoned only through the combined efforts of several powerful shamans performing a grand ritual. These creatures here, although similar, have talismans affixed to their skulls, clearly a Central Plains technique, which contradicts the legends. Furthermore, once unleashed, Yan Ling are indiscriminate in their destruction, used only in large-scale warfare or battles where careful planning is essential. What would such a thing be doing in a remote coastal area like this? Besides—”
Zhang Shisan glanced at the seven towering spirit-binding banners and the scattered coffins around them, sneering, “These seven banners and the coffins are clearly meant for cultivating paper soldiers, paper horses, and battle zombies—tools meant for warfare, not for battling cultivators. My dear disciple, it seems we’ve stumbled upon someone’s grand scheme.”
Mei Qing was shocked. From Zhang Shisan’s words, it was clear this place was a secret base for someone plotting rebellion. The Yan Ling were the very tools used by the Mongols during their invasion of the Central Plains, and the paper soldiers, paper horses, and battle zombies were all meant for large-scale warfare. If someone was creating such things now, it could only mean one thing—treason.
“But… Master, what should we do? There are only a few of us. We probably can’t handle this alone,” Mei Qing said, his face paling.
Zhang Shisan gave him a strange look and snorted, “Foolish boy, why would we even bother? These things may be powerful, but they’re not meant for us. Why should we go out of our way to provoke them?”
“But Master, if they’re making these things, doesn’t that mean they’re planning rebellion?” Mei Qing asked, astonished.
“So what if they are? What does that have to do with me? They’re not rebelling against us, and I’m not the emperor. You’re not even a local magistrate. Right? Oh, wait—you are technically a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. But just pretend you don’t know anything and don’t report it. After all, no one will ever know you kept quiet. Alright, let’s not go any further. Let’s head back.”
“But Master, isn’t that a bit too heartless? Think about it—once a rebellion starts, chaos will ensue. The common people will suffer, displaced and in misery. Alas, as the saying goes, ‘Bones lie bare in the fields, and for a thousand miles, no rooster crows…'”
Mei Qing tried to persuade Zhang Shisan with impassioned reasoning, quoting classics, invoking emotions, and speaking at length. But all he got in response was a series of yawns from Zhang Shisan, who finally interrupted impatiently, “Are you sure you didn’t read too many books and fry your brain? So what if it’s a rebellion against the Ming dynasty? The people are the emperor’s subjects, not mine. If I know rebellion is coming, I’ll just stay out of it. If things get bad, your Master can just take you back to our mountain retreat and hide. Why should you care about any of this?”
“But Master,” Mei Qing countered, “the rise and fall of a nation concerns every commoner. A true hero protects the country and serves the people. Could it be that you, Master, are so entangled in karma that you’ve become fearful and hesitant?”
Before he could finish, a gust of wind whistled behind his head again. But this time, Mei Qing was prepared. He grinned and didn’t dodge. There was a soft “puff,” and Zhang Shisan’s slap landed on what felt like a cushion of air.
“Hmph, not bad, you foolish boy. That talisman technique was quite cleverly applied,” Zhang Shisan remarked, though he hadn’t really put his full strength into the strike. Still, Mei Qing’s clever use of the talisman deserved acknowledgment.
After a moment’s thought, Zhang Shisan turned serious. “Mei Qing, you’ve read too many books and have no real experience in the cultivation world. It’s understandable that you’d have such thoughts. But everyone in this world has their own role to play. As for me, I avoid karma precisely to escape its entanglements. But even if there were no karma involved, I still wouldn’t get involved unless it directly affects me.”
He continued with a mocking tone, “You talk about heroes who protect the nation and serve the people. Have you ever considered how the Embroidered Uniform Guard would deal with such a person—someone who truly fights for justice and the people? More than likely, you lot would be the first to hunt them down. Tell me, isn’t that the case?”
Mei Qing was momentarily speechless. If such a hero truly existed, going around exposing corruption and fighting for the people, according to the Ming legal code or the practices of the court and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they would likely be arrested and punished first.
Seeing Mei Qing at a loss, Zhang Shisan laughed and said, “Now you understand, don’t you? The most important thing in life is to know your place. Protecting the nation and serving the people—that’s the duty of government officials. After all, their salaries come from the people’s taxes. It’s their job to handle such matters. If everyone starts playing hero, interfering in affairs not their own, the world would descend into chaos.”
“But Master, then what about me…” Mei Qing hesitated.
Zhang Shisan shook his head. “Since you come from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it’s only natural for you to gather intelligence and report it to the authorities. As for how they deal with it, that’s their responsibility. If you go charging in, trying to play the hero, not only will you likely fail, but you might end up getting yourself killed. And why should you pretend to care so much for the people? Even without rebellion, there are plenty of people suffering under the Ming dynasty. In fact, the dynasty itself is the greatest oppressor of the people. So maybe, just maybe, those who rebel are truly fighting for the people, just like you said. Why would you fight against them? Life, death, aging, illness—these are the natural ways of the world. Are you going to storm the underworld just because you see the suffering of old age? The rise and fall of empires is the way of Heaven. From the Qin, Han, Tang, and Song dynasties, how many times has the world changed hands? I don’t see the current Ming emperor as any better. Why shouldn’t someone rise up and change the world? Who do you think you are? Even the Three Pure Ones and the Four Emperors don’t interfere. What makes you so special?”
“But… what if my family suffers, or my loved ones are hurt? Should I just stand by and do nothing? Is the Dao truly so indifferent, and cultivation so emotionless?” Mei Qing asked, confused.
“You really are a fool,” Zhang Shisan shook his head like a drum. “Didn’t I just say—everyone has their own role. Isn’t protecting your family and helping your loved ones part of your role? Whether the Dao is emotional or not, cultivation is about your own heart.”
Mei Qing opened his mouth, feeling that Zhang Shisan was wrong, yet unable to find the words to argue back.
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