Journey to the West: Cultivation Begins at Jindou Mountain

Chapter 465 Imperial Plaque
The next day, in the Zushi Academy, many students noticed that Doctor Xu, who was usually very strict, seemed to be in a bad mood and often lost in thought, clearly having something on his mind.

Meanwhile, Niu Yi, the leader of the association, was standing outside the Suzhou city gate with Xiao Qing, bidding farewell to Bai Sheng.

With the help of two men, Bai Sheng awkwardly entered the carriage, then pulled back the curtain and waved to Niu Yi and Xiao Qing outside.

"Alright, alright, stop seeing me off. Go home now. I know you have a lot of things to take care of. Don't worry, I'll definitely deliver this letter to your home."

Niu Yi nodded with a smile and bowed in farewell.

"Uncle Bai, have a safe journey."

Bai Sheng nodded with satisfaction, lowered the carriage curtain, and shifted his position to make himself more comfortable.

"Let's go back to Linjiang City."

"Yes!"

As Niu Yi watched the carriage convoy led by Bai Sheng slowly head towards the main road leading to Linjiang City, he was about to turn around and walk back to Suzhou City when Xiao Qing suddenly called out to him.

"Hey, you old Taoist priest, are you really planning to leave this place in three years?"

Niu Yi turned to look at Xiao Qing, who was deliberately feigning indifference and acting as if he were just asking casually, and smiled:
"It is true, of course. I am devoted to cultivating the Dao in order to achieve the Great Dao and live a long and healthy life. Being the head of the Ancestral Master Association in Suzhou may seem prestigious, but these things are nothing but illusions."

"If that's the case, why did you take over this mess of the Patriarchal Society? And let it develop to this point?"

"It's just a coincidence."

After Niu Yi finished speaking, he didn't explain anything further. He simply walked towards the city gate of Suzhou. Seeing this, Xiao Qing could only purse her lips and quickly followed.

Outside the city gates of the imperial city, two palace guards led Fahai out of the imperial city.

"Gentlemen, please be lenient and report to His Majesty that there are indeed evil spirits in the Baohe Hall in Suzhou, and that the head of the Ancestral Master Society, Niu, is no good person either!"

“Master, you may return to Jinshan Temple now. His Majesty said that there are no traces of demons or evil spirits in the Three Sovereigns Ancestral Masters Association. That Chief Niu is not only a rare divine physician, but also loyal to the court. Even Shennong, the ancestor of medicine, can attest to this.”

Seeing this, Fahai was about to say something more when one of them raised the token in his hand and said calmly:

"If the Master still insists, he may take this plaque to the Three Sovereigns Ancestral Master Association, join it, work for them, and investigate this matter thoroughly. With the Master's abilities, he should be able to accomplish this."

Upon hearing this, Fahai looked at the token in the guard's hand with a somewhat surprised and uncertain expression.

How could he not know that His Majesty's words meant he was about to reject him outright?

Fahai knew perfectly well that His Majesty would never trust that there were any evil spirits in Suzhou City, only because the Duke's son had brought back a miraculous medicine from Niu Guangyi, which had cured a prince's illness.
His Majesty did this to make him back down. If he accepted the token, he would have to join the Ancestral Master Association to investigate and become Niu Guangyi's subordinate, working for him.

If the two of them truly had a grudge, why would he be willing to go?
Fahai remained silent for a long time, and the two guards did not move either, simply watching Fahai quietly.

“Very well, this humble monk will accept this task.”

As he spoke, Fahai took the token and turned to walk resolutely toward Suzhou.

The two guards were clearly surprised by what they saw.

"Has this monk gone mad? If he has a grudge against Chief Niu, why would he take the token to Suzhou? Doesn't he know that the young master of the Duke's mansion has already gone to Suzhou with the rewards and imperial edict bestowed by His Majesty?" "Who knows? But Chief Niu of the Ancestral Master Society is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor. I heard that His Majesty is overjoyed because the Third Prince has recovered from his illness. It would be unwise to go looking for trouble with him at this time."

As the two guards finished speaking, they walked back to the imperial city, preparing to return to the palace to report their mission.

On the other side, Zhong Wen, who had been away from the capital for half a day, looked at the box in his hand with a smile on his face.

"I never expected that the medicine my brother Niu gave me would have such a miraculous effect. I really made the right bet this time."

The pill that Niu Yi gave to Zhong Wen was the Spirit Tempering Pill. After Zhong Wen returned to the capital, he asked the physician of the Duke's Mansion to examine the efficacy of the pill, but they still couldn't find anything wrong.

Left with no other choice, Zhong Wen weighed the pros and cons and decided to take the risk of sending the pill into the palace so that the Third Prince, whom Niu Yi had specifically named, could take it.

Of course, after seeing this pill, the many imperial physicians in the palace would verify its efficacy. It was only after the head of the Imperial Medical Academy confirmed it that it was finally sent to the Third Prince.

"Now I have made a good impression on His Majesty, and the Duke's Mansion has also benefited from it. As for Brother Niu, His Majesty personally wrote the plaque for the Three Emperors Ancestral Masters Association."

Thinking of this, Zhong Wen's smile deepened. This win-win situation earned high praise from his grandfather, so he couldn't help but be happy.

Half a month later, in front of the gate of the Ancestral Master Association in Yangzhou City.

Niu Yi and Zhong Wenzheng were standing on the street, surrounded by a crowd that made the street completely packed. Everyone was looking at the golden plaque with auspicious red flowers on it.

"A plaque bestowed by the emperor—this is the first time I've seen one like this in all these years!"

"That's why Chief Niu is so powerful; he's a divine physician who can even make the ancestor of medicine manifest his divine abilities!"

"That's right, haven't you heard? Chief Niu only heard about the Third Prince's long-term illness, and then he concocted a divine pill. The Third Prince took it, and his long-term illness was cured!"

Zhong Wen smiled knowingly as he listened to these words. He had also asked his guards to spread this information. The world did not know that the person beside him might be a true immortal, but they only needed to know how capable the person beside them was.

“Brother Niu, now that I have delivered the goods, it is time for me to take my leave. However, on my way here, I received some interesting news that I would like to share with you.”

"Brother Zhong, please speak."

"Master Fahai of Jinshan Temple seems to still believe that there are evil spirits in Suzhou. He has already taken His Majesty's token and is on his way to Suzhou to join the Patriarchal Society and investigate the matter."

Niu Yi nodded with a smile, unsurprised.

"Since someone is willing to take the initiative to do the work without pay, I am naturally very willing."

The Three Realms, in the village of Baihua.

More than a year had passed since Daojun settled here and established the school. The villagers of Baihua Village gradually accepted the existence of this man named Jin Lingzi and respectfully addressed him as Master or Daoist Jin Lingzi.

This was mainly because half a year ago, Daojun saved a man in the village who had broken his leg while chopping wood, which made many villagers feel very close to him.

Baihua Village is located in a remote area, and there are no doctors in the village. Suddenly, a doctor with obviously excellent medical skills came. Who wouldn't treat him like a treasure?

(End of this chapter)