The more you believe me, the more real it becomes.

Chapter 235 Official Appointment (3k)

The three schools of thought each have their own merits, with Confucianism implicitly holding the top position, which can be attributed to the significant influence of one's birth year character.

This supernatural power is truly domineering, resembling both the aura of the heavens and the power of a great position, yet it is not so difficult to obtain—any scholar could possibly comprehend it on their own.

Therefore, when the Sage pioneered this path, the most crucial words were secretly kept in the hands of the three founders of religion with their tacit approval.

She was clutching something incredibly powerful in her hand, while that damned bastard, determined to oppose her to the very end, was also clutching something equally formidable.

Hearing today that Du Yuan plans to study Confucianism, she had actually been thinking about giving him the character she had been holding onto.

But why won't this guy say anything? If you don't ask, I can't just force it on you, can I?

Hearing this, Du Yuan finally realized what was going on and asked:
"You mean, you're hiding a very important word?"

As soon as she said that, her face lit up with a smile—at least he wasn't a complete blockhead!

"That's right, I have a very special, very special character that represents my destiny! If you beg me a few more times, and I'm in a better mood, I might lend it to you to play with."

After saying that, he waited with a smile in his eyes for Du Yuan to come closer, thinking that he could either beg her softly or praise her in the same way so that she could say a few more words to him.

However, Du Yuan solemnly cupped his hands towards her and said:
"I would never ask to borrow something so important!"

"Hey?"

She turned back to look at Du Yuan in astonishment. How could this be completely different from what she had expected?

But Du Yuan remained in the cupped-hands posture, her tone so sincere that there was not a trace of joking in it:
"You just said that this character is something that Confucianism, both internal and external, has longed for for many years, and that it carries the divine power of the Great Dao. How can such a treasure be treated so casually?"

"Your willingness to tell me this is already a great trust and kindness towards me. I will keep it in my heart and dare not ask for anything more."

Du Yuan was serious; he had already taken a lot from her. Since it was so crucial, he couldn't let someone else take it based on that life-saving favor.

Moreover, Du Yuan didn't think that her abilities were good enough!

Such things are naturally best obtained by oneself!
"Why--!"

Wait, this shouldn't be like this, how could it be like this?
For a moment, she was completely panicked, but she didn't know what to do.

The bewildered kitten reappeared right before Du Yuan's eyes.

"You, how could you..."

She opened her mouth, but the words got stuck in her throat.

She figured that if she said that, Du Yuan would either beg her softly or flatter her.

Then, she slowly handed him the character she had been clutching all along, adding, "Since you're so sensible, I'll let you play with it for a while."

These were all scenarios she had rehearsed in her mind countless times, but what was this compared to that?

I'm already in this state, shouldn't you come over and beg me a couple of times, and then I'll just give it to you?

If you put it that way, how am I supposed to give it to you?!

Du Yuan's voice softened considerably, as if afraid of startling the kitten again:

"As you yourself said, this calligraphy is a priceless treasure that the Confucian school has longed for for many years. How can it be given away so easily just because the next sentence is 'request to borrow'? I am naturally very grateful for this sentiment, but please take back this calligraphy!"

Upon hearing these words, the kitten's ears and chin instantly turned bright red!

She finally realized, belatedly, that this guy wasn't ignorant at all; he was clearly pretending to be confused when he knew perfectly well!
He had long seen that she was eager to give him this crucial birth character, but he refused to accept it and made it sound so dignified. What was the meaning of her previous hesitation?
In an instant, the kitten's fur stood on end. After looking around, she asked Du Yuan:

"Is this robe of yours very important to you?"

Du Yuan respectfully cupped her hands in greeting:

“This item was a gift from my fellow villagers in the Southwest. Every stitch and thread is imbued with their heartfelt sentiments, and its significance is extraordinary. Therefore, it is of utmost value to me.”

She made a soft, cat-like sound in her throat, then nodded and pointed to his shoes, asking:

"And what about these shoes?"

Du Yuan looked down at her shoes; the fabric wasn't luxurious, but it was very durable.

"These shoes? I bought these shoes in a small town for several tens of coins, and they're very comfortable to wear!"

Before she could finish speaking, she lifted her toes and stomped on Du Yuan's cloth shoes with a hint of resentment.

The force wasn't heavy, but it carried a strong sense of catharsis. Immediately following, a cold snort, laced with resentment, rang out:

"Hmph! Get lost, get lost! I don't want to say another word to a fool like you!"

After saying that, the cat, its fur standing on end, stormed back to its temple, giving Du Yuan no chance to tidy itself up.

But spring water is spring water after all. Even so, at the very end, it still paused before the temple, turned back, and softly said:
"Come see me again when you've thought it through and are willing to beg me!"

Having said that, even after entering the temple, she cautiously peeked out from the temple entrance, adding, "I'm afraid he'll find this troublesome,"
“I will open a great river here as soon as I turn back. You have my seal in your hand. As long as you want, any river can send you back in an instant.”

Du Yuan looked down at his cloth shoes. Despite being stepped on, there wasn't a single stain on the cloth, which made him chuckle.

He then straightened his posture, cupped his hands, and said earnestly, "Du Yuan will keep this in mind!"

These words reached her ears, and a muffled sound rolled through her throat, as if she had something left unsaid, but in the end she only mumbled:

"Go, go! I don't want to talk to you right now!"

Du Yuan remained silent, only bowing respectfully with her hands at her sides. Then she turned and slowly left.

He had already made plans for this trip, intending to visit a few old friends first.

I didn't go to the Temple of Living Type, because I had just left there not long ago.

So Du Yuan went to Yishui Lake. Before he left, he kept saying that he wanted to give that old gentleman a proper official title.
-
First, he prayed for a torrential rain by drawing a dragon, and then he personally broke the great calamity in the southwest. Thanks to Du Yuan's two actions, the Yishui Lake, which had been dried up to the bottom, finally began to shimmer with water.

Even the old willows by the lake have sprouted new buds.

Only the small shrine leaning against the willow tree and beside the lake saw fewer and fewer people coming to worship, until it finally disappeared completely. The old man guarding the shrine was not bothered at all; he still sat happily in the shade of the willow tree, squinting as he watched people come and go.

In his mind, the only reason others would remember this inconspicuous little shrine was because it had suffered a calamity or a disaster, to the point that they had to ask for anything and try their luck.

The fact that no one comes to worship anymore is a testament to the fact that the calamities of the southwest have long since passed and life is slowly returning to peace.
This is clearly a great thing!
As for the rise and fall of the incense offerings, he never cared. If there was a donation, he would accept the simple sentiment with a smile; if not, he would never insist on receiving even a little.

For him, seeing this land safe and sound is more meaningful than any flourishing incense offerings.

But at that moment, a slightly familiar voice came from the side:
"Sir, how have you been lately?"

The old man was startled, then turned around with delight and found that it was indeed Du Yuan!

"Oh, it's really you!"

Du Yuan chuckled and said:

"Of course, I've always remembered and wanted to give you a surprise!"

As she spoke, Du Yuan walked to the old man's side and stood with him under the willow tree, watching the shimmering water and feeling the gentle breeze on their faces.

Soon, Du Yuan spoke first, her tone carrying a hint of relief:

"The calamity in the southwest is finally over."

The old man nodded and said:
"Although I haven't been able to leave this place these past few days, I've heard quite a bit of news, so it's all about you, isn't it?"

Du Yuan nodded slightly:

"Success came by sheer luck."

At this point, Du Yuan looked at the old man and said:

"I came here specifically to see you, hoping to give you a proper title. However, after seeing some things on the way, I think it might be better to wait a little longer."

The old man still didn't seem to care much:

"I have already received many benefits from you, why would I need you to go to such lengths? However, I am quite curious, what exactly is this scene you are talking about?"

Du Yuan didn't answer, but turned and pointed in a direction, saying:

"You'll see right here!"

The old man looked in the direction Du Yuan pointed. At first, he only saw a few wisps of dust floating on the official road in the distance. After squinting for a while, he saw the outline gradually appear in the dust—it was a group of people whose clothes were tattered but who were neatly dressed!
They were currently surrounding two tall horses, one carrying a wooden box wrapped in red silk on its back, and the other carrying a military general wearing a half-robe.

As they drew closer, it became clear that most of the people in the crowd were disaster victims who had prayed for peace before the shrine. At the end of the procession followed a group of armored soldiers carrying weapons, their steps perfectly synchronized, clearly veterans of countless battles.

"This, this is?"

For a moment, the old man couldn't help but recall the calamity he had suffered that day.

Fortunately, Du Yuan immediately grabbed his hand and said:
"Oh, old sir, don't think too much. These people who have received your kindness have gone to the government specifically to ask you for official recognition!"

If the disaster victims stopped worshipping at this small shrine afterward because the disaster was over, then why didn't the disaster victims who had been saved by the old man come to worship there either?
It wasn't that they had forgotten the great kindness of saving their lives, but rather that, led by insightful individuals, they went together to the government to request an official title for the old man!
"This... this is how it is?"

The old man was so flattered that his hands trembled and he could barely speak.

He never expected anything in return, so when he saw that someone actually remembered him like this, he was truly overwhelmed with emotion.

The military general riding a tall horse reined in his horse from a distance and then came over carrying the wooden box.

Just as he was recalling the key points his nephew had made, his eyes suddenly widened in surprise.

"Immortal Master? You...you're here?"

The person who came to bestow the title on behalf of the government was none other than Wang Pingzhang!

Looking at Wang Pingzhang holding the wooden box, Du Yuan smiled and said:

"Indeed, indeed, I have been waiting for you all along. So, is the document for sealing the gate in the box?"

Wang Pingzhang nodded hurriedly, his tone full of respect:

“That’s right, that’s right! This document was personally signed by the General, and even the format and wording were drafted by my nephew himself. There’s absolutely no mistake!”

Du Yuan nodded after hearing this and said:

"Since it was Young Master Wang who arranged this, I am quite relieved. So, may I have the documents?"

How could Wang Pingzhang refuse? He hurriedly opened the wooden box, carefully took out the neatly folded sealed document inside, and presented it to Du Yuan with both hands.

It wasn't until the document was handed over that he belatedly froze—he had somehow ended up kneeling on the ground!
'No wonder I felt the immortal's aura was becoming more and more noble, and even the old man beside him seemed more and more solemn and tall. So that's how it is!' He muttered to himself, his face showing even more awe.

Du Yuan took the sealed document, opened it, and looked at the old man and Wang Pingzhang, saying:

"Since the imperial court has come here, I shouldn't interfere. However, I have already promised to give you a surprise, so today I'll take advantage of this opportunity. What do you two think?"

Seeing that even a great immortal like Du Yuan had said so, how could the two of them still object?
Wang Pingzhang, in particular, hurriedly cupped his hands and said:

"Please, Immortal Master, do as you please, so that this humble general may broaden his horizons!"

The old man also bowed and thanked him, saying, "This old man also thanks the immortal for his kindness!"

Only then did Du Yuan nod and take off the small seal engraved with "Imperial Responsibility for the Emperor" from her waist.

Then it landed on that imperial document.

It was simple and unadorned, and even the old man himself did not feel much change, but with Du Yuan personally placing the seal.

The name of the Water Goddess of Yishui immediately struck the eyes of the still-frizzy little cat.

Such an honor, if those who know the ins and outs of the matter knew about it, would surely be green with envy!

(End of this chapter)