Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting from Immortal Martial Arts

Rongguo Mansion, East Courtyard Main Hall.

Jia She shook his head, his interest waning: "Forget it, we've already lived through one or two decades. The second son is a mortal, and his days are numbered. My martial arts path is cut off, so I might even leave before him."

Jia Tang neither confirmed nor denied: "I was just making a suggestion; after all, this is a matter for the Rong family."

He paused, then added, "Then you must also take charge and prevent the Wang family girl from causing further trouble for the entire household."

"The generation with the character 'Wen' in the family married women from the Wang family, and the generation with the character 'Yu' in the family also married women from the Wang family. The first, second, third, and fourth generations all had members surnamed Jia or Wang."

"The 'Wang' in Jia Wangshi's name probably means 'death'."

"I don't know how you came up with the plan back then, but you just had to choose the Wang family."

"What nonsense about the four great families of Jinling Wang?"

Jia She's expression was somber as he said in a low voice, "Human hearts are hard to control; you'd better keep your eyes open in the future."

"Hey, you worry about yourself."

Jia Tang casually replied, "With the tiger tally and roster, it's clear who's loyal and who's treacherous."

The atmosphere was interrupted, and Jia She was not prepared to mention his plans for the day again.

I felt both relieved and annoyed.

This young man used the conversation as an opportunity to express his dissatisfaction with the chaos in the Rong family, and also to shut him up.

In the other party's mind, the Wang family members are probably all waiting to die.

It's hard to speak up.

The two were speechless for a moment and could only drink more wine.

Finally, Jia Tang asked casually, "Uncle, why do we want to become officials?"

Jia She was drinking with his head tilted back when he heard this. He was taken aback, put down his wine cup, and said with a smile, "Being granted titles and positions has existed since ancient times."

"The world is undergoing a great transformation now, unlike anything before."

Jia She sighed softly and said helplessly, "You're quite the clever fellow. I was originally planning to tell you this after you were assigned to a separate household."

Jia Tang sat up straight, his face serious, waiting for what was to come.

"To be honest, I don't know why I'm still a government official and a general."

"The first two dukes left behind only one proverb: 'When the dynasty is about to be established, the generals will gather their strength,' without any detailed explanation."

"These words are only passed down orally to the heirs of the two households; they are a closely guarded secret. Brother Jing hasn't told Zhen'er yet; he's waiting for you to be assigned to the household."

"You say that fortune comes and goes, but it can't possibly control a person's destiny or luck, can it?"

Jia Tang's expression changed drastically. If the person in front of him didn't understand what Yun Chao had said, how could he not?

This is a mythological concept where one's destiny in one lifetime is equivalent to ten thousand lifetimes, and the emperor reigns supreme over heaven.

To unify the fortune and destiny of the subjects of the unified nation, to establish an unparalleled dynasty, to distribute the world according to fortune, and to elevate the entire nation to new heights through fortune.

At that time, the royal family will be the true emperor, with the authority of the emperor on their lips, and their words will become prophecies, suppressing all civil and military officials under heaven, and holding the sun, moon, and stars in their hands.

With the world undergoing tremendous changes and vitality being restored, it's unlikely that it can actually be done.

Seeing that he was deep in thought and silent, Jia She uttered another shocking secret: "My father once said that the incense-burning way is another side of the dynasty's fortune, but unfortunately the secret method was incomplete and was abandoned by the Chen family."

The other side!

Not complete? Give up?

Boom!

The words struck Jia Tang's mind like a boulder, making him unsteady, his aura emanating from him, and his entire body glowing with a faint golden light.

Did the Chen family truly abandon their involvement, or were they secretly gathering fortune to give back to the imperial court?

Was the incense-burning path formed spontaneously, or was it promoted by the Chen family later?

Upon seeing this, Jia She's eyes narrowed, and he instantly realized that the other party must know something.

"Yu Yin, what's wrong?"

Jia Tang steadied himself, sighed, and said in a deep voice, "The Chen family is playing a grand game, trying to remove the 'Dai' from their 'Dai Tian Mu Min' (acting as the shepherd of Heaven)."

Yes, the dynasty openly bestows its fortune and appoints officials, while secretly it uses incense offerings, rituals, and temple sacrifices to capture souls. One is positive, the other negative, and yin and yang complement each other.

The key question is, where does this power of fortune manifest itself?

Why didn't I feel anything at all?

Jia She's expression changed drastically, his mood shifting between light and dark, as a storm raged within him.

Heavenly Shepherd?

Can the dynasty truly rise to power?

"Uncle She, are there any similar reports?"

"That's all."

Jia Tang's mind raced, and he asked, "Why are there so few records about the incense offerings in the family?"

Jia She frowned, thought for a moment, and then asked uncertainly, "Did Uncle say that the time wasn't right yet? Or is it something we shouldn't worry about?"

Uncle? Jia Daihua!

Jia Tang narrowed his eyes and continued, "Before the founding of the nation, did the Chen family make any promises to our Jia family?"

"I don't know."

Is the legendary founding throne of Ningrong King real?

"I don't know."

"What other secret treasures did the first Duke leave behind?"

"Never."

"in the past..."

As they exchanged questions and answers, their expressions grew increasingly grim.

Things that were once baseless rumors, when laid bare like this, seem to have been the real story. The key point is that nothing was left behind except a single sentence left by the first Duke!

Something must have been overlooked, perhaps a proverb passed down orally, or a secret treasure passed down through generations.

Otherwise, why would the Taoist priests be so determined to fight the Jia family?

"Uncle, let's secretly gather all sorts of secrets about the Incense Way from now on."

"I thought it was just a problem with the technique, but I never expected it."

Jia She nodded, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

The two fell silent and ate in quiet.

After the meal, Jia She, seeing that his nephew had left, quickly entered the study and began to carefully examine the letters left in the mansion.

...

With his hands behind his back, Jia Tang slowly walked towards Daiyu's courtyard, still pondering his conversation with Jia She. Behind him followed Jia He, who was carrying a green goose.

The two strolled leisurely along the paths within the mansion, one after the other, bathed in moonlight.

Just as they reached the corner, they saw the gentle and beautiful Xue Baochai leading Ying'er out of Daiyu's courtyard.

The two were both taken aback when they met, never expecting such a coincidence.

After exchanging greetings, Jia Tang asked with a smile, "Why are you going back so early? Why not stay a little longer?"

"Replying to my cousin, I was a bit crazy today and I'm feeling a little tired."

Xue Baochai replied, her watery eyes looking at the goose Jia He was carrying, her small hand holding the handkerchief stiffening.

Jia Tang nodded; he must be tired from playing with the maids.

"I see. Then you should go back and rest early."

Upon hearing this, Xue Baochai did not leave. She pondered for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Are you all carrying geese?"

Having said that, he glanced at Jia Tang, who had a half-smile on his face, and teased, "Lin is still in mourning, so Yan is probably going to get a scolding."

Looking at the somewhat nervous Baochai in front of him, Jia Tang didn't answer but asked instead, "Has Auntie made arrangements for my cousin's selection of concubines? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Xue Baochai felt a pang of bitterness in her heart and said softly, "Everything is ready. I will send my calling card to the palace at the Mid-Autumn Festival."

That's good.

Jia Tang nodded slightly and continued forward, leaving only a voice echoing in his mind.

"So that my cousin knows that those with physical ailments or abnormalities will not pass the primary selection."

Xue Baochai's almond-shaped eyes narrowed, and she stood frozen in shock, her mind racing with thoughts.

After a long pause, he let out a long sigh and instructed Ying'er, "Don't mention tonight's events to anyone."

Ying'er glanced at her young mistress and nodded emphatically.

She knew the other party was unwilling to be chosen as a concubine, but she never expected that the Earl would see through it.