National Division

Chapter 65 Flying Bear Body
Taoist Palace, inside the main hall—

Xue Zhihua pursed her pink lips and said, "If the Empress Dowager were to become emperor, the world would be in turmoil from that moment on."

Murong Yue nodded, then suddenly looked up and saw that the once clear sky was now filled with dark clouds, as if it were about to rain.

A gentle breeze ruffled the nun's robes and hair. As her black hair fluttered, her elegant and refined face took on a mysterious expression, and her clear, cold voice drifted out: "The dragon appears in the field, it is auspicious to see a great man, the ruler and his minister meet, the celestial phenomena change, I'm afraid this Mr. Shen is probably... a flying bear."

When a female protagonist leads a revolution, she needs wise ministers to assist her. When the emperor and his ministers meet, they act decisively and their actions can change the course of events.

"Master..." A sense of inexplicable worry welled up in Xue Zhihua's heart.

Murong Yue gripped the whisk in her hand a little tighter and instructed, "You stay with that Mr. Shen and protect him well."

If he truly assists a virtuous minister, he will face numerous calamities.

Xue Zhihua hummed in agreement, her beautiful eyes filled with determination.

"Master, Shen Xian still wants to cultivate immortality. I plan to take him to meet the senior brothers from other branches," Xue Zhihua said softly.

Murong Yue said, "The path of immortality emphasizes comprehension. The path of immortals and heroes he spoke of earlier has already established his own Daoist beliefs. There are not many people in the sect who can teach him."

It does align quite well with the Daoist beliefs of her lineage; however, she is not particularly keen on accepting male disciples.

Xue Zhihua said, "The main purpose is the ordination. He previously sought the path to immortality and found a book on Qi cultivation techniques from people in the martial arts world, and came to ask for my opinion."

Murong Yue pondered for a moment, then said, "Let me consider it."

Perhaps there is another way: she can take on a disciple on behalf of her master, but this matter is of great importance and needs to be discussed with her senior brother, the headmaster, and it is also necessary to verify whether this person truly possesses the Flying Bear Physique.

Inside the side hall—

Shen Xian and the Empress had just finished their lunch and were enjoying tea and conversation again.

Just then, a female official hurried over and reported, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Zhao has presented his nameplate and requests an audience with you. He is waiting in the South Study of the Qian Yuan Hall."

An apologetic look appeared on the Empress's elegant and beautiful face. She put down her wine cup and looked at Shen Xian: "Mr. Shen, I am busy with state affairs and cannot accompany you for a chat. You have just arrived in the capital. Let Xue take you around first and visit the Vermilion Bird Bureau."

"Your Majesty, state affairs are of utmost importance." Shen Xian rose, cupped his hands, and said, "This humble subject shall take his leave now."

The Empress nodded and said, "Nanzhu, see Mr. Shen off for me."

Gu Nanzhu, who was serving nearby, responded with a "Yes."

The Empress, accompanied by eunuchs such as Gao Yanfu, went to the South Study of the Qian Yuan Hall to meet Prince Zhao.

Shen Xian got up and followed Gu Nanzhu out of the hall. The two walked along the carved and painted corridor toward the Taoist palace where the Imperial Preceptor Murong Yue lived.

It was midday, the spring sun was shining brightly, and the fragrant grasses below the steps were in full bloom.

Gu Nanzhu looked at the young man beside him and said, "Scholar Shen, the imperial edict has been handed over to the Secretariat of the Central Secretariat to draft the seal. After it passes through the Secretariat and the Central Secretariat, it can be proclaimed to the world. For the next two days, Scholar Shen should stay at an inn in the capital. His official robes, official document, waist token, and other items will be delivered to the inn."

Shen Xian said, "I plan to go back to the Shen family ancestral home first."

The Shen family of Lanxi had relatives in the capital. It was a family that was neither too big nor too small. His father had taken him there when he was young.

He wanted to meet the head of the Shen clan, who held an official position in the imperial court, and inquire about the current situation. Otherwise, acting rashly like a hothead would easily lead to setbacks at every turn.

Gu Nanzhu said meaningfully, "I forgot that Scholar Shen comes from the Shen family of Lanxi. No wonder his family has such a long history of scholarship."

Shen Xian smiled slightly and said, "I don't recall mentioning my background before."

He always felt that the female official was more wary of him, perhaps worried that he was some kind of charlatan.

Gu Nanzhu acted naturally, turned to look at Shen Xian, and said, "How could the Empress not know the background of the people she selects? I already informed Her Majesty of this before the meal."

After the audience between the emperor and his ministers, Gu Nanzhu instructed the Hundred Cavalry Division to investigate Shen Xian's background and family relationships. By the end of the meal, they had already uncovered most of the information.

Shen Xian explained, "The main branch of the Shen family in Lanxi serves as an official in the capital. My father and I have lived in Guhe County for more than ten years. We are considered a distant branch and rarely visit each other."

Gu Nanzhu nodded and said, "Shen Shaojian is in charge of books and records and is a learned scholar. No wonder Scholar Shen has such exquisite literary talent."

Shen Xian said, "I am not yet of age to be a man of high standing, and I cannot compare to the clan leader's vast knowledge of the past and present. This gentleman flatters me." Hearing Shen Xian's address to him, Gu Nanzhu smiled and said, "Scholar Shen, my surname is Gu, and I am a Zhaoyi (a high-ranking concubine) by the side of the Empress."

"So it's Consort Gu, my apologies for my rudeness." Shen Xian bowed respectfully.

Gu Nanzhu didn't say anything more. He led Shen Xian around a corner of the palace and said, "We've arrived at Qingxiao Palace. I won't go in. I still need to serve the Empress."

Shen Xian said, "Thank you for your trouble, Consort Gu."

As he spoke, he watched Gu Nanzhu leave.

Shen Xian stood there for a moment, then headed towards the Dao Palace without lingering.

Just then, Xue Zhihua emerged from the hall. The beautiful woman, dressed in a slender and elegant red dress, approached and said, "Mr. Shen."

Shen Xian stepped forward, gave a self-deprecating smile, and said, "Miss Xue, please don't tease me."

The diva called him Mr. Shen, which was a sign of respect for the virtuous and learned. From beginning to end, apart from having to maintain a neutral expression, he exuded the air of a "national scholar."

However, he showed no arrogance in his manners and address.

Offering advice to the Empress Dowager is not considered being confident and assertive; rather, it means not showing weakness in front of the ruler. Otherwise, if one doesn't even believe in oneself, how can one expect to be a strategist?

When Shang Yang met with Duke Xiao of Qin, he discussed three principles, and each time he was righteous and confident.
When Mencius met King Hui of Liang, his spittle almost splattered onto the king's face.

Those who have been subjected to the Manchu Qing dynasty's indoctrination can no longer understand the era of the "shi" (scholar-official) during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, a time when people were confident, upright, and neither humble nor arrogant.

Xue Zhihua's eyes were full of smiles as she teased, "I'm saying you're rising so high, you'll be my boss from now on."

Looking at the beautiful woman whose eyes were initially cold and aloof, but now had a brighter glow, Shen Xian felt a sense of joy and said with a smile, "Alright, I want to leave the palace now. Without you as my guide, I'm afraid I'll get lost."

This also means that without your guidance, he probably wouldn't even be able to get into the palace.

It would take countless years for officials across the land to even get to the Empress Dowager.

Xue Zhihua said, "I'll take you to the treasury first to find some martial arts pills to set up the Jingsui and Jingmo Divisions. You also need to be strong enough to keep the place in check."

Shen Xian nodded and followed Xue Zhihua out of the palace.

As they spoke, they left the palace and headed towards the Qilin Pavilion.

"The Qilin Pavilion was established by Emperor Taizong, and it displays portraits of the founding heroes." Xue Zhihua introduced as she left the palace gate: "The Empress Dowager set up the Qilin Judges, modeled after the Immortal Ranking set up by the Eight Views Palace, to create the Jianghu Qilin Ranking, which is divided into three classes: A, B, and C, to recruit martial arts talents from all over the world in order to attract talent."

Shen Xian said, "The Heaven, Earth, and Man lists, as well as the Qilin list, all have age restrictions for those who are listed, right?"

The term "martial arts prodigy" naturally refers to young people.

Xue Zhihua said, "Those under twenty years old with martial arts cultivation at the second realm or above are qualified to be ranked in the third grade, but their ranking is relatively low. Those under thirty years old with martial arts cultivation at the fourth realm can be ranked in the second grade, and those under forty years old with martial arts cultivation at the sixth realm can be ranked in the first grade. Of course, the three lists of Qilin are all human-made. There are countless heroes in the world, and they are not immortal lists. You can sense the changes in Qi."

Shen Xian said, "Then I still have a chance to get into Grade C."

Before the age of twenty, if you advance to the Innate Realm, you can try to challenge the Qilin Ranking C and become famous throughout the world.

"The first level of martial arts is physical constitution, and the second is resources. Your physical constitution is good, and as long as your resources keep up, it will be easy for you to be listed on the Qilin Ranking." Xue Zhihua chuckled and said.

Shen Xian asked, "What about the Heaven, Earth, and Man lists? What are the benefits of being listed?"

Xue Zhihua said, "The three lists of Heaven, Earth and Man are all similar. They all require breaking through to the Immortal Realm at a young age, but the Immortal Realm emphasizes comprehension, and one cannot accumulate enough resources to reach it."

"What are the benefits of being listed on the Immortal Ranking and the Qilin Ranking?" Shen Xian asked.

Xue Zhihua pondered for a moment and said, "Aside from reputation, the Immortal Ranking doesn't offer any rewards. However, if you are listed on the Qilin Ranking and wish to apply for an official position, the imperial court will consider it."

"It's not perfect enough and can't inspire martial artists across the land to compete for the rankings," Shen Xian pointed out incisively.

This system is too crude.

(End of this chapter)