This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 242 Correcting Yourself, Showing Yourself

Taiji Temple, Yuanyou Temple, and Tianqing Palace are the three places that the Bureau of Extraordinary Investigations has come into contact with so far that truly have practitioners.

None of them are well-known tourist attractions in the conventional sense; they are all places that outsiders have never even heard of, except for locals.

The practitioners in these places all have the same attitude towards the Bureau of Investigation and Interpretation—ignoring it, or rather, treating it as normal.

Whether it's social responsibility or national righteousness, the Taoist priests are happy to listen to whatever the people from the Bureau of Investigation say, but they never offer any insightful opinions. Most of the time, they just listen and that's it, without saying another word.

Of course, the Bureau of Extraordinary Investigations still held back and did not reveal all the secrets it knew, including the matter of the Great Limit of Heaven and Earth.

Even so, despite knowing that the other party was a Taoist immortal, apart from Xiong Xuguang successfully becoming his disciple, the other interactions were rather frustrating.
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The past two days have been one of the most important days of the year in various parts of Da Yan, and also the time for thousands of high school students to take the college entrance examination.

Although this time and space is very different from Zhuang Lin's original hometown, there are also many similarities. As the fairest way to select talents, the whole society will make concessions to a certain extent for college entrance examination students in the next few days.

Meanwhile, another meeting was held in a small conference room in Kyoto.

Since the establishment of the Bureau of Extraordinary Investigations, there have been numerous meetings, sometimes almost non-stop, but today's meeting is undoubtedly the most special kind.

There was no video link, the number of participants was small, and everyone was present in person. The attendees were also of a much higher rank than those at typical meetings.

Normally, meetings involving immortal cultivation would be arranged for Xiong Xuguang to attend, or at least via video conference, but he wasn't here today.

Everyone was aware of some basic facts, and the person standing in front of him speaking was Professor Kuang Wenlan of Kyoto University of Social Sciences, an absolute leader in the field, and an authoritative expert in history.

The small conference room space and limited number of people allowed Kuang Wenlan to make sure everyone could hear her voice, see everyone's expressions, and feel her emotions without the need for any amplification equipment.

"Perhaps we should put away our arrogance. Yes, I know that all the leaders and colleagues will want to say that we have been humble enough, cautious enough, and have shown the utmost respect. We have even taken into account the daily routines of the Taoist priests and the incense offerings from tourists, and will consider choosing an appropriate time to visit them."

"But ask yourself honestly, isn't this arrogance?"

Kuang Wenlan adjusted his black-rimmed glasses, his weathered eyes revealing a subtle wisdom.

"We represent the people and control the direction of the Great Yan. Our nation has achieved unprecedented success in this era and continues to progress. People's livelihood, medical care, transportation, and various technologies are advancing by leaps and bounds. We have enough pride, and we also have enough arrogance!"

"So much so that in our eyes, even cultivators are nothing more than people living on this land. We are supposed to control these unstable factors, even if it's just to fight future crises. Subconsciously, we envision them as one of our crisis management departments, wanting to absorb them while simultaneously fearing their power."

"I know there are definitely people here who want to disagree with me, but please believe me, deep down you actually agree with me!"

Kuang Wenlan looked at the faces of the dozen or so people present. Some frowned, some had stern eyes, and some seemed thoughtful. Her gaze finally fell on the person at the very back of the circular table, who seemed to remain calm.

Duan Kang nodded slightly to Kuang Wenlan, who was actually a little nervous, and continued speaking.

Kuang Wenlan continued speaking.

"As for cultivators, what do they think of us? I may not be able to fully fathom it, but I can imagine some things."

As she spoke, Kuang Wenlan laughed, an involuntary laugh tinged with self-deprecation.

"Have they only witnessed this era of rapid development and national prosperity once?"

Many people were slightly taken aback by these words, but Kuang Wenlan continued speaking.

"We've discovered they're immortals, people with powers beyond the mortal realm. Are we the first to discover them?"

"Have they only seen our attitude, our humility, and our respect once?"

Kuang Wenlan's series of questions, seemingly posed as questions, actually revealed the answers to those present the instant the questions were uttered, based on their wisdom and experience.

"We are not, we never have been! From ancient times to the present, for them, for those Taoist priests, and especially for that mysterious immortal Confucian scholar who has remained in this world, we have never been the only ones."

Let's imagine it.

Kuang Wenlan took a deep breath and said in a joking tone.

"On a certain day in a certain month of a certain year in history, an imperial envoy, carrying the emperor's decree, arrived at a certain sacred place of cultivation with utmost piety, hoping that the immortal master could communicate with the court, hoping that a certain immortal master would come out of seclusion to serve as the national advisor, desiring immortality and power beyond the mortal world, promising wealth and glory, and promising power in the human world."

Many present looked enlightened, while others belatedly took a deep breath. "Have you all noticed? What we're doing is actually no different. From the perspective of immortal cultivators, from the perspective of Confucian immortals spanning a thousand years, we are no different from the royal families and nobles of history."

"Let's put away our ridiculous arrogance. Do wealth, glory, and worldly power really mean anything to them?"

Kuang Wenlan spoke the most ironic words in the calmest language. Since joining the Bureau of Extraordinary Investigations, she had been studying the psychology and behavioral logic of cultivators. She discovered that the carefree and unrestrained cultivators actually had a considerable degree of caution towards the contemporary government.

Ignoring the elusive nature of others can also be seen as a form of camouflage, protecting both oneself and those ignorant mortals who attempt to flaunt their power and manipulate everything!

Kuang Wenlan was once a thorough atheist who used all sorts of calculations to measure social relationships in history, including morality. But when her fixed mindset was completely broken, she threw herself into new research and created fascinating new ideas.

What Kuang Wenlan wanted to say today was something he had always wanted to say, especially to the members of the Supreme Council, but he had never had the opportunity.

"So are we really like many dynasties in history?"

Kuang Wenlan paused briefly after asking the question, giving everyone time to think, before continuing immediately.

"Perhaps, perhaps we cannot escape the laws of history, but I think, at least for ourselves, at least at this moment, we do not think that way! We are unique, unprecedented!"

"But it's not enough for us to know for ourselves!"

“Cultivators are indeed very special. They can see people’s hearts by observing their aura, but they can only know people’s good and evil nature. They cannot read minds, at least according to current research. So naturally, they cannot accurately understand our specialness!”

As she spoke, Kuang Wenlan smiled.

"I imagine there must have been many people throughout history, including princes, nobles, gentry, and commoners, who claimed to be special in front of them, right?"

At this point, many people present laughed. Indeed, the Great Yan Dynasty has never lacked people seeking immortality and enlightenment. If you put yourself in their shoes, immortal cultivators, especially Confucian immortals, would probably be annoyed by now.

"It's obvious that someone like Master Xu Ming of Taiji Temple is definitely not just in his eighties or nineties. Some figures can be misleading. As for the Confucian Immortal, if he's real, he's lived for over a thousand years."

The truth or falsehood here is still uncertain, but those present are already more inclined to believe it, especially after listening to this monologue-style debate.

"Like an elder who has lived through many years and seen through the ways of the world, he may know all our little tricks, but he chooses to ignore them!"

"Therefore, we are special, yet not special! We need to showcase our specialness!"

Kuang Wenlan looked at several elderly men in military uniforms.

"I know the military always considers multiple factors and always plans for the worst-case scenario. So, as those of us in the public eye, let's put aside our arrogance, show genuine respect, and be true to ourselves."

"When we understand each other well enough, I believe that a new era will come, and the end of the world will be dealt with in better ways because of our strength, because of the strength of mortals!"

After he finished speaking, Kuang Wenlan waited for a while.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have finished speaking. Rebuttals are welcome!"

Kuang Wenlan sat down, and Duan Kang next to her breathed a sigh of relief. An old man at the head of the table was the first to start clapping, and everyone in the small conference room applauded enthusiastically.
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Ten days after the college entrance examination, many people are still waiting for their results.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Investigation and related personnel are waiting for an opportunity. According to the known information, the young Taoist priest Du Jinxuan, whose Taoist name is Jingwen, will soon be going to Hidden Immortal Valley, and Xiong Xuguang will also have the opportunity to go with this senior brother.

When they set off, they had the opportunity to see the Confucian immortals again, or at least to see the beings in the true immortal grotto heavens.

Kyoto has made preparations for this moment and is ready to show its utmost sincerity.

On this day, Zhuang Lin still came to Taiji Temple in person. Of course, Liu Hongyu also came with him. However, since they were both dressed in ancient costumes and had an elegant demeanor, no one would associate him with the president of Liu Group.

He should have set off immediately with the two young disciples of Taiji Temple, but at Xiong Xuguang's repeated request, he chose to stay at Taiji Temple for a while.

Just over half an hour later, Zhuang Lin met an unexpected person at the Taiji Temple.

Even before the guests arrived, the fortunes of the Yunliu Mountain area were already being affected and changed in this degenerate age, foreshadowing the extraordinary nature of the newcomers.
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PS: I was wondering why it didn't upload; it turns out it was under review.

(End of this chapter)