Chapter 1354: Chapter 64: A Spiritual Treasure Awaits Its Fated Owner
After the covenant gathering dispersed, Du Shixun, in order to win over Zhang Yan, pulled him into his Cave Mansion to drink wine. At the moment of parting, he presented him with many Elixir Pills and Magic Artifacts, and personally escorted him out of the mansion gate before he finally stopped.
Zhang Yan rode the wind and tunneled through the sky, descending all the way from Xisheng Mountain. Suddenly he saw a streak of tunneling light fly to his front and stop not far away. Looking carefully, it turned out to be that Chen Shougu, Chen Daoist. He could not help but smile and say, "Daoist Chen, how is it that you have not yet left?"
Chen Shougu glanced around, then said in a low voice, "True Master Zhang, may I borrow a step to speak with you."
Zhang Yan pondered slightly, then nodded his head.
The two of them drove their tunneling lights away, and before long, they landed upon a hill outside the Chu Capital.
Standing firm, Chen Shou sighed toward him and said, "Fellow Daoist, you are confused indeed. How could you have thrown yourself under Du Shixun? This man’s temperament is cruel and violent. In private there are rumors that he is at odds with All Elders of Zhongtai. If you associate with him, I fear unforeseen calamities may arise!"
Zhang Yan gave him a glance and said with a smile, "Daoist Chen, were you perhaps entrusted by some elder to come here?"
Seeing that he had been seen through, Chen Shougu no longer tried to cover up. Simply speaking bluntly, he said, "To be frank with fellow Daoist, I was indeed entrusted by Elder Bai to come. I know that you previously grew resentful toward Elder Lin because of the matter of the gift list, but after Elder Bai learned of this, he already had that Ritual Officer severely punished. Later he investigated the matter and only then came to know of what True Master Zhang did on Divine House Mountain, and deeply felt that a man of great talent had been overlooked. Thus he ordered me to come and act as a lobbyist."
How could Zhang Yan not understand the other party’s intent? Drawing him over was the pretext; striking at Du Shixun was the true aim. If he, who had just in name been recruited over there, were now to turn and join himself under the doors of the other elders, Du Shixun would truly become a laughingstock.
He smiled and said, "Allow this poor Daoist to return and think this matter over carefully."
Chen Shougu said with delight, "Very well. If fellow Daoist changes his mind, you may come seek me at any time."
Xisheng Mountain guesthouse.
Zhang Boyant sat in the Elixir Room, holding two scrolls in his hands and leafing through them with a blank expression.
These were Daoist Books that Song Chuyuan had presented in order to curry favor with him. With cultivation having reached the realm he now possessed, and with the orthodox transmission already in hand, he naturally no longer needed to exhaust himself cultivating other families’ Dharma techniques, though as for Divine Skills and Spells easy to grasp, he would not disdain having more.
In these two books before him, there was recorded a Minor Divine Power barely worthy of his notice. Though its power was not conspicuous, it was very easy to cultivate, and moreover possessed a subtle art of confusing the enemy, fitting quite well with his own style, so he intended to take advantage of this period during the Dragon Pillar Meeting to complete the cultivation of this method.
Just as he was engrossed, a Maid entered, bowed with Wan Fu, and said, "Daoist Zhang, there is a man outside the courtyard seeking an audience with you, saying he is an old acquaintance from the past."
"An old acquaintance from the past?"
Zhang Boyant put down the scroll, a faint Green Light flickering in his eyes, and asked warily, "Did that man give a name?"
The Maid said, "He did not. He only said he wished to see Master Zhang Boyant."
Since the man knew his full name, Zhang Boyant did not bother to guess. Previously, while Seeking Dao for Spiritual Medicine within the Chu Kingdom, he had indeed made the acquaintance of a few people, and likely they had heard that he was here and thus come to pay a visit. He then said, "Invite him in."
After a short while, an old man entered from outside. This person’s face was weary, his bones thin and jutting; he was merely a Xuan Guang Practitioner. Upon entering and seeing Zhang Boyant, he dropped to his knees heavily and wept, saying, "Master Zhang, I beg you to extend a helping hand and save my master’s life."
Zhang Boyant cast him a glance, his gaze cold as he said, "Who are you?"
The old man prostrated himself on the ground and said, "I am Xiang Fu, the Manager of Prince Ying. Back when Prince Ying entertained Master Zhang, this petty one was also accompanying at the side. Does True Master still recall?"
Among the Heirs, Prince Ying ranked sixth; he was precisely that Sixth Prince who had repeatedly tried to befriend Zhang Yan in those days.
Zhang Boyant’s gaze shifted downward and he looked him over a few times, then said, "Indeed, at that banquet there was such a person as you."
Xiang Zhanfu choked with sobs and said, "My master is trapped in prison and urgently needs to be freed from his predicament. I have come this time to meet Master in person, solely to request that Master Zhang, for the sake of that slight acquaintance of former days, rescue my master from the sea of suffering."
Zhang Boyant suddenly let out two cold laughs and said, "What a joke. I have only met your master a few times; at most we are casual acquaintances. How can there be any talk of sentiment between us?"
Xiang Zhanfu hastily said, "Yes, yes, it was I who misspoke. Master Zhang is an Upper Cultivator—how could you be entangled with the likes of us from the mundane world? It is just that Prince Ying is in dire peril, and of all the high personages he once came to know, not a single one is willing to extend a hand in aid. Thus I had no choice but to come here to implore Master Zhang. If this matter succeeds, Prince Ying is willing to present generous gifts in return."
Zhang Boyant chuckled twice and said, "Wasn’t your Prince Ying on good terms with that Old Daoist Hui Xuan? Why do you not go beg him, and instead come to beg me?"
Xiang Zhanfu gave a bitter smile and said, "The Ancestor is the current State Preceptor. It is not easy for a Prince to invite him ordinarily, let alone ask him to take action."
