Daoqi Huangcheng

Chapter 74, Section 73: Deceiving the Heavens to Achieve One's Own Will (6.7K words - Please Subscribe)
Song Chen noticed that his intelligence had improved a little more.

Half a month later, he fully comprehended the meaning of "unknown starlight attraction" in the "mysterious starlight map" of the Niangniang Temple secret realm, and his energy consumption was reduced significantly.

However, this kind of consumption is still beyond his capacity. If he dares to use it, the "Starlight Guiding Intent" will instantly drain all his energy, causing him to faint in an instant, and he will be unable to use any decent techniques because he has not completed it.

In fact, Song Chen had no idea what the starlight was for. He wondered if it was meant to cause great damage to the enemy or something else.

Somewhat abstract
A month later, Song Chen fully comprehended the meaning of "marriage" in the "Mysterious Embroidered Ball Picture". He felt that the power of this meaning had increased a bit. Although he had never tried it, he could feel that once he used it, it would most likely change from the original "brief love" to "brief, heart-wrenching, and reckless love".

Quite abstract
A month and a half later, Song Chen fully comprehended the meaning of "birds getting close" in the "Mysterious Flying Bird Picture". He improved from the original "birds getting close" to being able to easily "summon nearby birds". However, once these birds were summoned, they could neither become his eyes and ears nor help him fight. Their purpose was quite obvious.

It's still very abstract.
However, it doesn't matter if the abstract is abstract or not.

The meaning of the Five Meanings Pagoda is not so much related to the meaning contained in the diagram itself. What this wonderful method requires is that the meaning in the diagram must be at least at the foundation level.

In fact, Song Chen is now a Grand Academician of the Wenqu Hall, just steps away from the Ningxin Pavilion, the imperial library. He can go to read books whenever he wants, and with his master's tacit approval, the Imperial City Temple is also open to him.

A large resource library was opened to him.

Therefore, Song Chen has been reading a lot of books about "intention" these days.

In the past, if he wanted to obtain this information, he would have to consult various sources, and even then, the information might not be comprehensive.

Status brings many conveniences; even without gaining anything special, one already enjoys countless hidden benefits.

Intent is a kind of spiritual power, which is the spiritual power that a subordinate obtains from a superior through resonance. When this power is added to spiritual magic, it is equivalent to giving the "spiritual magic structure" a "soul", thus giving it a certain special supernatural power.

Meaning is layered.

It can convey meaning at every level.

The transmission of Qi Gathering Realm is something that ordinary people can comprehend; the transmission of Qi Gathering Realm is something that can be comprehended, much like a master instructing a junior. However, reverse deduction may not be reliable, because the meaning increases with the level of attainment.

If a Foundation Establishment cultivator draws an exquisite diagram when he is in the Qi Gathering stage, the meaning of the diagram will also increase after he breaks through to the Foundation Establishment stage, becoming stronger than before, but it will still be within the scope of comprehension for mortals.

This is the underlying logic behind the idea that a person's will dissipates upon death.

Of course, a painting that has lost its essence is still a painting in the eyes of ordinary people; it is an ancient painting, a famous painting, and its price will be higher. But in the eyes of cultivators, it is worthless.

As for the methods of communication
Using painting to convey meaning is the mainstream approach.

The remaining forms, such as music and dance, can also convey meaning.

Intention is, in essence, the expression of one's spirit and soul.

However, people at different levels naturally convey their meaning in different ways and at different times.

For example, he already knew the origin of the "Bear Hunting Picture".

"The Bear Hunting Picture" tells the story of a Taoist priest from the Imperial City Temple who was skilled in painting. He accompanied the emperor on a long hunt and spent the night in the forest. When he woke up from a drunken stupor, he suddenly saw a bear demon rushing towards him. He rolled over and dodged the bear demon's blows, while the bear demon smashed the blue stone where he had just been lying.

Upon returning, the monk was moved by what he saw and painted the "Bear Hunting Picture".

Those who comprehend this diagram can imbue every casual strike with the brutal intent of a bear demon, which is why Song Chen, who was still a mortal at the time, was able to shatter rocks with a single blow.

When that cultivator drew this picture, he was only at the fifth level of Qi Gathering.

Take, for example, the painting "Taibai Tu" (The Painting of Li Bai).

Although Song Chen did not know his origins, he could vaguely guess some of them.

The "Tai Bai Tu" is most likely a masterpiece created by a powerful being above the Foundation Establishment stage during their Foundation Establishment period. As their power increased, the meaning contained in the "Tai Bai Tu" also rose, making it far superior to ordinary paintings. Moreover, it requires an existence like Jiu Lingzi to apply for permission to see it.

The four paintings he retrieved from the Niangniang Temple, including the "Mysterious Bridge Painting," are typical examples of paintings that were rendered useless after the person died and no one cared about them.

As for whether paintings can be drawn indefinitely?
That won't work either.

If a painting has already conveyed a certain meaning, then it is impossible to create a second one.

The reason is also very simple.

A painting carries a certain meaning, and that meaning is unique to the artist.

Of course, if the artist reaches a higher level and makes a breakthrough on the original idea, then the old painting will be replaced by the new one.

That being said, the Five Meanings Pagoda doesn't actually care what the five pictures are, but only that they must "meet the standard" and be "powerful" enough.

In this way, the tower supported by the five intentions can play its proper role, gathering the power of the five intentions to resist the "delusion and annihilation of the heart" in the karmic fire on the earth of the realm of illusion and reality.

However, I want a painting at the Foundation Establishment level.

Five paintings!
And you will also be required to fully comprehend the meaning of the twenty lines.

Who could possibly have such extraordinary connections?

Tian Kuizi, that old fox, had spent his whole life in the underworld, and all he had was a Soul-Suppressing Seal to protect against attacks on the soul, which he obtained by betraying the enemy.

Jiu Lingzi used some of his power to burn a golden peach branch, which granted him a day to view the "Taibai Diagram". He used his above-average comprehension to exchange a day for a trace of "Taibai's True Meaning", which was recognized by Jiu Lingzi, indicating that his comprehension was normal.

Ten threads make one line.

Twenty lines means two hundred threads.

It takes a full two hundred days to fully comprehend a painting.

Which Foundation Establishment expert would leave a picture containing their true meaning with the little guy for more than half a year?

No.

so.
The Five Intentions Pagoda is a wondrous method that belongs to the "orthodox method," but it is not a righteous path that ordinary cultivators can practice. Neither the method itself nor the conditions for practicing it can be met.

Instead, there are the bodies of sages, substitute puppets, and soul-suppressing seals.
Song Chen suddenly remembered the question he had asked the Empress Dowager when he was still in the cold palace of Jingyang Palace.

Then he asked, "So, is this bloodwood the only material that can be used to make a substitute puppet?"

The Empress Dowager did not answer, but simply smiled.

He thought the Empress Dowager was "throwing out a brick to attract jade," teaching him "the basics of intention," and that he would have to figure out his own wonderful methods afterward. So he looked enlightened and replied, "Thank you, Mother."

The Empress Dowager replied, "Don't disappoint me."

Now that he has fully understood what "meaning" really is, he suddenly realized that he might have misunderstood it back then.

The Empress Dowager's intention was for him to use his position and status to contact the Northern Witches, find more Bloodwood, and create more substitute puppets.

At that time, with a large number of substitute puppets and the Soul-Suppressing Tower, his chances of surviving the "Obsession and Fallen Heart Tribulation" will still be quite high.

But can surrogate puppets really be made indefinitely?
After thinking for a moment, Song Chen took out the substitute puppet that his master had given him along with the others a month and a half ago.

Master said it needs to be refined before it can be used.

The so-called refining is to "activate" with spiritual energy.

He pondered for a moment and then channeled a wisp of spiritual energy into it.

Suddenly, he felt a slight pain in his soul, like being bitten by a mosquito, and then the substitute puppet opened its eyes.

Song Chen threw away the substitute puppet.

The substitute puppet ran around in the White Wraith Ghost Realm, and even with his eyes closed, Song Chen could still perceive everything around him through it.

He opened his eyes again, retrieved the substitute puppet, and said calmly, "I see."

The creation of a [Substitute Puppet] requires infusing one's own fragmented soul.
Mass production inevitably leads to massive damage to the soul.

The method of transcending tribulation by "extremely damaging one's own soul" is nothing more than drinking poison to quench thirst.

The master made so many "substitute puppets," but they were all made for others; her own creations might be different.

"It seems that Master only hopes I reach the Foundation Establishment Realm."

Song Chen sighed softly.

Immediately, he thought of the people on the Turtle Platform, Jiu Lingzi, and Yuan Tao Fairy, who had previously served as Empress but also "disappeared" after the Crown Prince's leg was broken and he was imprisoned.

There was clearly a strong competitive relationship between the three of them.

Therefore, although the people on the Turtle Platform hoped that he could succeed in breaking through, they were also afraid that he would be too successful, so they planted hidden dangers in his cultivation path in advance.

In the eyes of the man on the Turtle Platform, even though the Yellow Springs Scripture contains wondrous methods, he could never cultivate them. His only way to break free from the calamity was to seek opportunities outside and accumulate as many "substitute puppets" as possible.

That's why she said those words, "Don't disappoint me," with such profound meaning.

If Song Chen didn't follow the paths she expected and rashly broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, it would mean he had lost control.

At that time, he will definitely be investigated, which will lead to resistance and confrontation. Then things will go to an unpredictable point, and he will have to struggle and risk his life before there is a chance to break the deadlock.

However, he has now realized it.

This will not happen again.

Song Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

The Five Meanings Pagoda is still missing one meaning. Originally, he planned to search for and collect it discreetly, but now he has changed his mind.
He knew what he had to do.

About two weeks later.
Yi'an Palace, the residence of the Empress Dowager.

As the weather grew warmer, the Empress Dowager was feeding the fish by the pond when she suddenly looked up at a palace maid not far away and casually asked, "What has the Grand Secretary been doing lately?"

That palace maid was a dragon guard assigned here by the Empress.

Being a Dragon Guardian is another option for cultivators to enter the inner gate of the Imperial City Temple. In other words, they are under the command of the emperor. These people do not need to carry out dangerous missions of the Imperial City Temple, but only need to carry out the emperor's orders, which is much easier.

The number of Dragon Guards was not large, and each of them carried an imperial edict personally written and stamped by the emperor as proof of their identity.

Each Dragon Guard who receives this appointment will cultivate more rapidly, and their luck seems to be slightly better. In addition, they can still accumulate contribution points by carrying out the emperor's orders, so many people are actually willing to become Dragon Guards.

Once they receive the investiture order and become the Dragon Guards, they will naturally develop a magical sense of loyalty to the emperor.

The more sagacious the emperor, the wider the territory, and the more loyal the people, the stronger this sense of loyalty becomes.

This is due to the dragon's aura.

Although the Dragon Guardians did not know about "Dragon Qi," they could feel its influence.

Only those who reach the ninth level of Qi Gathering can resist the dragon's energy. Just like back then, even though Song Chen obtained two imperial edicts from the emperor and directly gained a trace of dragon's energy, he still couldn't save the crown prince.

However, if one has not reached the ninth level of Qi gathering, and has already benefited from the dragon's energy, it is unlikely that one would rebel against the emperor.

It was precisely this environment that gave everyone the illusion that "imperial power and cultivators coexisted," thus preventing them from perceiving the truth.

That palace maid was a Dragon Guard.

She was ordered to protect the Empress Dowager.

This task offers a high monthly contribution point, and many people are eager to do it. She was the most clever, and she succeeded.

At this moment, she reported exactly what had happened: "On the surface, the Grand Scholar teaches every day, but once class is over, he disappears from the Wenqu Hall. It must be some kind of trick of the Grand Scholar."

The Empress Dowager asked, "Anything else?"

The palace maid guarding the dragon continued, "The Grand Scholar had an affair with the lady-in-waiting who accompanied him. When the Empress was away, they stayed together every night. Many palace maids and eunuchs were secretly gossiping about it."

The Empress Dowager said, "They dare to discuss royal affairs? Tell them to stop gossiping and learn some manners."

The palace maid guarding the dragon understood and replied, "Your subordinate will arrange it immediately."

The Empress Dowager asked again, "Anything else?" She had noticed that Song Chen's recent movements were a bit strange. He always went out of the palace at night, and according to the map, Song Chen would go to a place called "Linlang Street" in the west of the capital.

That street was not a bustling marketplace, but rather a place with a cultural atmosphere. It had places like Xiaomoxuan and Danqingge that sold paintings, as well as a "non-fighting force" formed by many literati and scholars in the capital – Tingyun Painting Society.

The name of the society comes from an ancient poem by a poet: "The clouds linger, the rain falls softly."
The phrase "停云" (ting yun) is used here to mean "the paintings here are so exquisite that even the floating clouds would stop to admire them."

This place, though strange, is far from being worth the effort of the people on the Turtle Platform to investigate. The Empress Dowager here is merely a puppet avatar cast with illusion magic; her true self is guarding against interference from the Foundation Establishment experts of the Jin Kingdom while simultaneously pursuing her own cultivation.

So, her puppet clone casually inquired about the Dragon Guard.

The palace maid, Shoulongwei, said, "The Grand Scholar has recently developed a great fondness for calligraphy and painting, and has already collected quite a few paintings. These days, he has also become acquainted with the president of the Tingyun Painting Society, and a few days ago he invited the president to the Wenqu Hall for tea and to discuss painting."

The Empress Dowager asked, "What paintings has he collected?"

The palace maid, Shoulongweidao, said: "The Grand Scholar spent a thousand taels of gold to buy a painting called 'Drunken Immortal Mountain Dwelling,' which is an ancient painting from over a hundred years ago. The painter was Xu Wei, a famous painter in the capital at that time."

There are also rumors that Xu Wei was actually a rogue cultivator of considerable skill, with the Daoist name Qing Teng Shan Ren. His death is shrouded in mystery; some say he died, while others say he had actually broken through to a higher level and was now living in seclusion among famous mountains and marshes.

The Empress Dowager paused for a moment, then said, "I am also quite interested in painting. After the Grand Secretary finishes his classes, I will have him bring this painting by Qing Teng Shan Ren to my audience."

The palace maid guarding the dragon replied respectfully, "Yes, Your subordinate will make the arrangements immediately."

The Empress Dowager then said, "Have him bring all the pictures he has collected recently."

"Yes."

Afternoon
Song Chen arrived at Yi'an Palace, raised his hand, and summoned an antique wooden box inlaid with eight precious stones from his storage bag.

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, and after the palace servants left, she laughed and said, "You've really gone mad. You must have found this box on Linlang Street, right?"

Song Chen smiled helplessly, then sighed, "It's difficult."

The Empress Dowager knew that he was trying to find a bargain by buying the painting, hoping to find a painting that contained the true meaning of the Foundation Establishment stage. However, she did not say this directly. Instead, she said, "I heard that you spent a lot of money to buy the painting. For a while, the Linlang Street in the capital has become much more prosperous. All the painters who used to hide away have flocked there."

Song Chen smiled and said, "Most of them are elderly gentlemen who have a penchant for collecting paintings. They brought their long-treasured paintings, not for money, but to seek good fortune."

The Empress Dowager said, "That's right. Now, if you, Grand Secretary Song, are willing to say a word for someone, you'll have a bright future ahead of you. Those people aren't short of money; what they lack is a word from a powerful person."

As she spoke, she said, "Where is that painting that I bought for a fortune? Why don't you let me see it?"

Song Chen hurriedly opened the wooden box, carefully took out the first scroll of painting, and opened it to reveal the scene depicted on it.

Amidst the splashed ink landscape, eight drunken immortals are hidden, some reclining on pine branches, some riding donkeys backwards, some raising cups to invite the moon, and some riding horses as if on a boat, which is indeed quite charming.

The Empress Dowager only glanced at it and knew that the painting was made by an ordinary person, and that the so-called Qing Teng Shan Ren was just an ordinary person.

She raised her hand to rub her temples, suppressing a laugh, and then said, "Xiao Song, don't waste your time."

Song Chen smiled wryly and said, "I just want to grasp more of the true meaning."

The Empress Dowager said, "Don't aim too high."

After saying that, she continued, "I know you must have read some things in the Yellow Springs Scripture, but the Yellow Springs Scripture is a long-standing cultivation method. In the past, the true meaning may have been quite easy to obtain, but it is not now. You should be more down-to-earth."

Song Chen gritted his teeth and said, "I want to give it a try."

The Empress Dowager said, "I know that Jiulingzi once requested this 'Taibai Picture' for you, but you must understand that even if Jiulingzi were to request it for you ten or eight more times, you still wouldn't be able to get enough of it."

It's not just insufficient, it's far from sufficient!

As for how to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, I have already shown you the clear path. You don't need to figure it out on your own.

Song Chen stubbornly kept his head down.

The Empress Dowager said, "Alright, alright, just don't forget the ten-year agreement. I'm not joking with you."

The marrow-eating crane demon has long wanted to see you, but has been prevented from doing so. Starting tomorrow, I grant your request: if you wish to find the ancient paintings, let them go.

By the way, apart from a very few people, the Imperial City Temple is unaware of the existence of the Marrow-Eating Crane Demon. If you want to see it, you'll have to go to the secret realm.

Song Chen said, "Thank you, Mother."

The Empress Dowager said, "I'm still waiting to hold my grandson. You'd better hurry up and get down to business. The wives of the Marquis of Youxian and the Marquis of Wangji are both pregnant, why haven't you made a move yet?"

The Marquis of Youxian and the Marquis of Wangji were both descendants of the late emperor's uncles. They possessed some abilities, which is why they retained their marquis titles. The titles "Youxian" and "Wangji" fully expressed the late emperor's boundless desire for the royal family to be able to cultivate immortality. Of course, it also indicated that these two members of the royal family had no real power and could be manipulated at will.

Song Chen said, "I will do my best."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand and said, "Go down."

The following day, the Empress was busy with state affairs in the Hall of Mental Cultivation and did not "favor" Scholar Song.

Now the war between the two countries has completely broken out, the front line has become a meat grinder, and the Empress is worried day and night.

But Song Chen's assigned "Royal Palace Area" was completely unaffected.

at this time
Inside Kunning's bedding, Lady Youwei was skillfully attending to Scholar Song.

She was anxious.

It's been so many days, why isn't she pregnant yet?
What if she is infertile? Wouldn't that be the end of the world?
Youwei Nvshi worked hard fearfully.

She didn't even dare to mention it.

Song Chen looked at her and immediately used his secret technique.

He didn't like this tactic, but the people on the platform had given such obvious hints that if he didn't act, he would be courting death.

After finishing this task, he went to the Wenqu Hall for class without any trouble. In the afternoon, he used the Yellow Spring Escape technique and appeared in the secret realm of the Niangniang Temple north of the imperial suburbs a moment later.

The wandering ghosts in the northern suburbs of the capital had been almost completely wiped out in the previous battle at Golden Peach Mountain. Now, with the weather sunny and calm, and the towering mountains and ridges, it really does look like a place of auspicious geomancy.

The Crane Demon Clan that eats marrow has already suffered a terrible fate, and now their glory in the secret realm is far less than when Song Chen first arrived.

They didn't have much confidence in their only patriarch, and now they all seemed to be "just sitting around doing nothing, hoping to sneak out and have a good time eating with a few people."

He Bai is still alive.

It doesn't give up.

Even though its soul had been searched, it still knew that the clan leader chosen by Elder Crane was a remarkable person. Originally, it didn't think that Song Chen had killed Elder Crane, but many things that happened later proved this point.

Take Jintao Mountain for example. So many of its clansmen died at the hands of Meng Cijing, but Song Chen, who was closest to Meng Cijing, is still alive and kicking.

At this moment, Song Chen didn't waste any words and directly gave the order.

"Help me find all the ancient paintings and artifacts scattered outside the Niangniang Temple. Take what you can get directly, and tell me if you know anything about them but are unable to sell them."

"Your subordinate obeys." He Bai replied respectfully, then couldn't help but add, "I only hope that the clan leader still remembers his identity."

Song Chen said, "I remember."

He looked at the crane demons, whose eyes were full of suspicion.

He knew that if he used the "friendship intention of the birds in the Mysterious Flying Birds Painting," the crane demons' perception of him would change drastically, but he didn't.

This place is not yet worth leaving any openings for him.

A few days later, when Song Chen once again took a carriage to Tingyun Painting Society on West Street, a handsome young man was already waiting outside the society.

When the young master saw him, he bowed deeply.

Behind the young master were two other men, one a scholar and the other a warrior, who also bowed in salute.

The lady-in-waiting, Youwei, who was standing nearby, was a know-it-all. She whispered, "Wushan Fu, the heir of the largest tribe in the Northern Witch Clan, sent them here two months ago as a peace offering."

Song Chen nodded, got out of the carriage, took a few steps, and stopped in front of the Northern Witch Prince who was bowing with his hands clasped. He said gently, "Your Highness, there is no need for such formalities."

Wu Shanfu raised his head and said, "I have long heard that there are many scholars and literati in the capital of Dayong, among whom Linlang Street is the most outstanding. I never expected to meet a Grand Scholar here today."

Song Chen burst into laughter.

Wu Shanfu was a little embarrassed; the scholar behind him had asked him to say those words.

Actually, he came with a purpose.

His purpose in coming was to befriend this Empress's son-in-law, this Grand Scholar with a complex and lofty identity, so that through him the Empress could perceive the sincerity of the Northern Witches and coexist peacefully in the coming years, and stop sending troops to the North.

Song Chen said, "In that case, let's join the club together and see how it goes."

Wushan Fudao said, "Thank you, Grand Scholar."

He followed Song Chen into the Tingyun Painting Society, which was not far away.

Upon joining the society, many elderly and middle-aged men in fine robes came over, each holding a scroll and starting to "sell" their paintings. Wu Shanfu was dumbfounded. He awkwardly stood behind them, trying to smile, and occasionally racked his brains to say a few words, but no one paid him any attention.

An hour later.

Song Chen walked out of Tingyun Painting Society.

Wushan Fu gritted his teeth, took out the scroll he had prepared from a carriage, and stepped forward quickly, saying, "Scholar Song, this painting is an original work by a master painter from the Jin Kingdom who left it in my Northern Wu Kingdom many years ago. Please take a look."

Song Chen glanced at him and said, "Get in my carriage."

Wu Shanfu was taken aback for a moment, then said, "This...this..."

Song Chen said, "We are about the same age and feel like old friends. There's no need to keep calling me 'scholar'."

Wu Shanfu stood there dumbfounded, unsure of how to react.

Although he belonged to the Northern Witch Faction, he was chosen by the envoy of Dayong.

The heir chosen by the envoy of Dayong was naturally not a "diplomat," but a true legitimate heir. He was young, of high status, and thin-skinned, but he possessed the purest Northern Witch bloodline and some bloodline inheritance.

"Sir!"

Wushan Fu, a scholar accompanying him, offered a reminder.

Wushan turned back and hurriedly said, "Okay, okay."

He got into Song Chen's car.

Lady Youwei, wearing a veil, sat with the palace maids of the imperial carriage.

Inside the carriage, Wushan Fu opened the original painting and began reciting the comments the scholar had taught him, in an attempt to gain a closer relationship with this painting-loving Song Dynasty scholar.

Song Chen interrupted him, asking directly, "Does the young master know about Bloodwood?"

Wushan Fu looked at him in surprise, then nodded repeatedly and said, "I know, it's not just the Bloodwood that you Dayong people talk about. In my Northern Wu, it's called the Relic of the Ice God. It's nourished by the flesh and blood of those who froze to death in the glaciers."

Song Chen said directly, "I want to buy it."

Wu Shanfu exclaimed "Ah!" and hurriedly said, "I...I understand. I will do my best to act as an intermediary for the scholar."

After a while.
The carriage stopped, and Wushan Fu stepped out.

More than half a month later.

Ms. Youwei suddenly vomited.

The imperial physician examined the patient and found that she was pregnant.

(End of this chapter)