Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting from Immortal Martial Arts

In the underground chamber, Jia Tang only withdrew his spiritual consciousness from the visualization of the diagram when his soul was somewhat tired.

Below, in the dantian, the vital energy was constantly being compressed as the martial patterns rotated, and a little vital energy liquid appeared at the bottom, accumulating into a shallow, thin puddle.

After a while, Jia Tang opened his eyes and sighed. It had been five and a half months since he broke through to the second rank. If he wanted to break through to the third rank, it would take at least ten years.

"Alas, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is still thin, and spiritual stones are even scarcer. It has been almost half a year, and we have only just managed to condense half a batch of spiritual liquid."

"But even if we don't break through to the third rank, we still need ten second-rank individuals in the jade book, which is still half short."

"We need to find another way."

Jia Tang got up, left the underground room and came to the courtyard above ground. He then led Jia He, who was guarding outside, and headed towards the West Mansion as the sun set.

···

In a secret room, a young man named Xiu Lan read through a secret letter, his expression thoughtful: 'In the northern lands, the Li family, the He family, the Su family, and the Xianjing lineage all have the ability to release the messenger. Who could it be?'

"Jia Tang? Could it be you? Do you have others secretly working for you?"

"What a pity. It will take some time before the rioters can rise up again. We were just one step behind."

···

In the Tianshou Palace, Emperor Chongwu sat cross-legged on the dragon bed in the center of the hall. He picked up a jade bottle from the table, poured out a pill with intertwined red and yellow colors, swallowed it, and then closed his eyes to refine it.

The man in black beside him quietly reported the latest secrets. Emperor Chongwu listened and gave a noncommittal "hmm": "It's alright, as long as we can reap the rewards. The work was still a bit sloppy, and we gave ourselves away."

The tone shifted abruptly, and the question was asked, "Was the Zhen family involved?"

"Your Majesty, no."

"Ha, they're useless even when given a chance. There's no need to bring them along anymore. Let other places speed things up."

"only!"

···

In the West Mansion, in Daiyu's courtyard.

Lin Daiyu spent the afternoon admiring the lotus flowers in the East Mansion, and then played and laughed with her sisters, working up a good sweat. She had just finished bathing and changing into a silver-threaded white peony rain-patterned brocade skirt and a four-happiness auspicious cloud pattern shirt.

Her graceful figure lay half-reclined on the soft couch in the hall, while Zijuan styled her hair into a flying fairy bun.

Lin Daiyu's eyes were like pearls and her teeth like pearls. A faint smile graced her fair and rosy face. She leaned her arm against the windowsill of the window that had been propped open, her delicate face supported by her arm. She quietly watched the sunset turn into a splendid glow. Every gesture she made exuded a quiet and gentle grace, a far cry from her usual aloofness.

When Jia Tang strolled in, the first thing he saw was Lin Daiyu's delicate face, which looked exceptionally beautiful in the afterglow of the setting sun.

In that instant, I felt that the world was peaceful and serene.

Lin Daiyu saw Jia Tang's tall figure standing at the courtyard gate. Her big eyes curved into crescents, and she smiled gently. She got up and went to the front of the main room, greeting him with a smile.

Jia Tang entered the room and first offered incense to Jia Min. Then he sat down, accepted the fragrant tea handed to him by Chunxian, and listened with a smile as Lin Daiyu shared the playful antics of the girls while admiring the lotus flowers that afternoon.

Lin Daiyu smiled enigmatically, her words carrying a hidden meaning: "Sister Bao is so grateful to Brother Bao, she's trying to find a way to invite him to a banquet, but I just don't have that ability."

Jia Tang smiled helplessly and changed the subject: "I see that your face is even fairer and smoother, little sister. Could it be that you've made further progress in your skin-refining technique?"

As he spoke, he took Lin Dai's small hand and began to examine her.

Lin Daiyu blushed slightly and said coquettishly, "Pah, what a lewd thing! He hasn't even finished his tea and he's already making moves."

Looking at the delicate beauty before him, Jia Tang said to Chunxian and Zijuan, "Go out and see why Qingwen and Xueyan haven't brought the food yet. Don't just stand here."

Lin Daiyu pinched Jia Tang's hand, then pulled it away sharply, stopping him, "You're not allowed to go. Everyone knows what you're up to. Besides, they're my maids, and you're ordering them around."

"Alright, I have something to tell you. You two can leave now."

Although Chunxian and her companion glanced at Lin Daiyu, they did not stop walking. In the blink of an eye, they walked out of the house, and Zijuan kindly closed the door behind them.

Lin Daiyu shrank back in fright at the sight, her body trembling slightly: "Brother, please don't do anything rash."

Jia Tang chuckled, patted the boy's head, and said softly, "Starting tomorrow, I will lead my household guards and the Tiger Guard out of the city to hunt for Yuan Beasts. It will take at least a month, and at most three months."

As he spoke, he took out a small triangular flag from his bosom and placed it in Lin Daiyu's hand. This was the secondary flag of the Tiger Demon Extermination Flag, which could transmit sound to the main flag, but the distance limit was currently unknown.

"After I leave, I will leave Jia Kang in the manor to oversee affairs. My sister is clever and can help me with matters involving the East Mansion. She can also gain some experience. If there is any urgent matter, just give him the small flag."

Lin Daiyu's smile vanished, and she frowned, asking, "Is there new fighting?"

"Yes, there are, but that's none of our business. I'm just preparing to hunt down the Yuan Beasts and their soldiers."

Lin Daiyu nodded slightly, rose and went to the inner room. She put the small flag into the box and placed it beside her pillow before returning to the main hall. All her words were summed up in one sentence: "Come back soon."

Jia Tang smiled and nodded, agreeing.

Before long, Qingwen, Xueyan, and Hupo returned with lunchboxes. Zijuan and Chunxian hurriedly went inside to set out the tableware. After everyone finished their meal and chatted for a while, Jia Tang took the two maids back to Ningguo Mansion.

"Thump, thump, thump~"

As Jia Tang and his two companions entered the front courtyard of Ningguo Mansion, they heard the powerful and resonant sound of a bell. The Jingyang Bell rang, and all officials of the fourth rank or above in the capital were to immediately assemble in front of Dazhao Gate. Anyone who failed to arrive within an hour would be executed on the spot.

He quickly returned to the courtyard, put on his armor, and hurried to the gate. He saw that Jia Zhen was also dressed in his court robes, and warhorses were already prepared on the street.

The two mounted their horses, met up with Jia She from the Western Mansion, and hurried to the Dazhao Gate of the Imperial Palace.

When Jia Tang arrived, many civil and military officials had already gathered at Wu'an Gate, and everyone was discussing and speculating about the reason.

As Jia Tang greeted the various relatives, Jia Zhen, standing beside him, asked Niu Jizong, "Uncle Niu, what's the reason?"

"A secret agent from the Flying Eagle Division has come from the northwest; I suspect trouble has arisen." Niu Jizong shook his head, indicating he knew nothing.

Jia Zhen: ...

"The bell has been rung, there must be trouble ahead," he thought. Seeing that Lao Niu didn't want to tell him, he smiled sullenly and hid behind Jia Tang, waiting for instructions.

When the summons was about to begin, the palace gates opened, and Xia Shouzhong came out and announced loudly: "His Majesty's decree: The Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, the Military Governors and their assistants, the two high-ranking officials of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, the Assistant Commander of the Beijing Garrison, and the Commander-in-Chief shall enter the palace for a meeting. All others shall return home."

Those whose names were called followed Xia Shouzhong into the palace. They walked all the way to the Maoqin Hall on the west side of the Qianqing Palace, where Emperor Changwu was already inside. In front of him was a huge map with various triangular flags stuck on it.

Emperor Changwu raised his hand to stop everyone from bowing: "No need for formalities. Xia Shouzhong, please tell me what happened."