Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 497 Fellow Celestial Masters
Upon hearing Wang Meng's words, Lu Zheng couldn't help but say, "I have traveled to some prefectures and counties in the State of Chu. Although I have seen that many gods and officials do not manage much, there are temples and eyes and ears of the great gods of Chu in various places. If General Wang wants to make a plan or do something, it will probably not be so easy."

Upon hearing this, Wang Meng chuckled and said, "Those great masters? They do indeed possess extraordinary abilities, but they wouldn't pay attention to these kinds of things..."

Wang Meng was naturally quite familiar with the situation in the State of Chu.

Wang Meng paused for a moment and then said, "Judging from what you've said, it seems you've been in contact with those great figures?"

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "I have witnessed the Moon Goddess in person; her strength is unfathomable."

Wang Meng laughed and said leisurely, "The Moon Goddess? Such a great goddess is an old monster who has lived for hundreds of years. It's normal for a young person like you not to be able to see through her."

"But you have a lot of potential. Study hard, and you might just reach that level..."

The Shu Kingdom revered Taoism and also valued other scholars.

The Shu region also had imperial examinations, but the examinations not only tested Confucian classics, but also other books by sages or officially compiled books.

The subjects taught in the imperial examinations were more numerous and diverse than those taught by scholars in Anguo.

Besides the imperial examination system, local governments could also recommend talented individuals.

Anyone who excels in any area, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to be granted an official title.

In terms of talent cultivation and selection, the Shu Kingdom was more casual, which was also related to the prevalence of Taoism in the area.

Overall, the Shu Kingdom treated Taoists the most favorably.

Taoist priests who are conferred titles here can receive salaries from the imperial court and can even recommend themselves for official positions.

Officials often enjoy practicing Taoist methods for longevity.

If you can't recite Taoist classics by heart and can't refine elixirs, you won't be able to fit into certain circles.

"I heard you also know Taoist thunder magic?"

Wang Meng looked at Lu Zheng with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Seeing this, Lu Zheng raised his hand and rubbed purple lightning, which flashed with lightning.

Upon seeing this pure lightning power, Wang Meng exclaimed, "It really is Purple Heaven Lightning! A proper Taoist lightning technique. Where did you learn it?"

Wang Meng was puzzled. How could a Confucian scholar from Anguo be so skilled in such advanced Taoist techniques?
Lu Zheng explained, "A Taoist priest from Shu sold me this thunder magic. I heard he also has a past connection with Qingyang Palace."

"Hmm?" Wang Meng's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.

Qingyang Palace was the most prestigious Taoist temple in the Shu Kingdom. Even the current emperor of Shu would occasionally take his concubines there to listen to Taoist sermons.

Wang Meng asked in surprise, "You know the Taoist priest from Qingyang Palace?"

Lu Zheng had an idea. He found a plaque in his little world and handed it to Wang Meng for inspection.

It was the very plaque that Master Yunxiao had given him before.

Wang Meng took the sign, examined it carefully with a keen eye, and confirmed that it was genuine.

Wang Meng's eyes flashed with a strange light as he said, "It's actually a token from Daoist Yunxiao. Tsk tsk, I didn't expect that Brother Lu would know him!"

Seeing the change in Wang Meng's tone, Lu Zheng couldn't help but ask, "General Wang, do you know this Taoist priest?"

Wang Meng smiled and said, "How could I not know the junior brother of the current Celestial Master of Qingyang Palace? I've met him several times before. It turns out he even traveled to Anguo."

A Taoist master with profound Taoist practice is revered by the world and thus honored as a Celestial Master.

The Celestial Masters currently residing in Sichuan are all those whose titles were bestowed upon them by the imperial court.

Every Celestial Master is an extraordinary cultivator, at the very least a powerful figure at the Dao Inquiry Realm. The current Abbot of Qingyang Palace is a young Dao Inquiry Celestial Master, deeply favored and respected by the Shu Emperor.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng was slightly surprised and said, "He's actually a fellow disciple of the Celestial Master? I saw him before, but he was only at the fourth level. It seems he's been hiding his true abilities..."

He had always thought that Yun Xiao was indeed a Taoist from Qingyang Palace, but perhaps not of high status.

In the end, he was still the junior brother of the contemporary Celestial Master of Qingyang Palace?

Thinking back on his previous interactions with Daoist Yunxiao, Lu Zheng was completely surprised that the other party possessed such a superior demeanor.

Back then, he could even haggle over half a spirit stone; he was a bit too down-to-earth.

Seeing Lu Zheng's reaction, Wang Meng laughed and said, "Haha, so you didn't know his identity. No wonder you were able to learn such orthodox thunder magic; it turns out he's the one who taught you thunder magic."

Wang Meng showed a hint of envy and said quietly, "Few people have the honor of receiving the teachings from Daoist Yunxiao."

Even as a general of the country, Wang Meng spoke of Yun Xiao with considerable respect.

This also shows the prestigious status of Qingyang Palace in the Shu Kingdom.

“Uh, I bought the cultivation technique from him,” Lu Zheng said.

Wang Meng's expression froze upon hearing this. "Bought it?"

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "Yes, he sells a lot of cultivation techniques. I used some books and spirit stones to do business with him several times."

Wang Meng's expression shifted several times, completely surprised that Yun Xiao would be doing some kind of business deal with Lu Zheng.

He thought for a moment, then added, "Perhaps it's because I see you have considerable talent that I'm passing on this knowledge to you. Things bought will be cherished even more..."

Wang Meng felt that there must be a reason behind the actions of such a wise person.

Lu Zhengze felt that Yun Xiao was genuinely short of money at the time and had no other intentions.

Qingwan, who was standing next to him, suddenly spoke up: "He also sells cultivation techniques to other people, and they're quite cheap."

As she spoke, Qingwan took out several booklets. "These cultivation manuals are the cheapest; they only cost a few dozen spirit stones."

To prove she wasn't just making things up, Qingwan even brought out the martial arts manual that Yun Xiao was selling. Since this general knew Yun Xiao, he should be able to tell the difference between the real and fake.

Wang Meng picked up the booklet and flipped through it. It really was the work of Daoist Yun Xiao. This booklet only cost a few dozen spirit stones.

The calligraphy and paintings of such masters alone are worth more than this price, not to mention the techniques contained within.

Wang Meng pondered whether he should send his subordinates to Qingyang Palace to see if Daoist Yunxiao had returned, and if so, to ask someone to buy some cultivation manuals.

Uh, we've gotten a bit off-topic... Wang Meng suddenly snapped back to reality, still thinking about some master's writings.

Wang Meng asked curiously, "I wonder where you met Daoist Yunxiao, young brother?"

Lu Zheng recalled, "Last autumn, when I was still in Hongzhou, I met that Taoist priest several times. He helped me a lot, and we also discussed some academic matters together..."

Lu Zheng slowly recounted some of his experiences with Yun Xiao.

Upon hearing this, Wang Meng thought to himself that Yun Xiao and Lu Zheng seemed to have a pretty good relationship, and that it wasn't just a one-time encounter.

Wang Meng returned the booklet to Qing Wan, his expression becoming even more amiable. Since she was an old acquaintance of Daoist Yun Xiao and had given him a token as proof, it was clear that the Daoist Yun Xiao also valued Lu Zheng highly.

With this connection established, Wang Meng felt increasingly close to the young man from Anguo.

(End of this chapter)