The Northern Song Dynasty returned south, seeking the truth of the Dao.

Seeing Wang Zhenhuan nod, the middle-aged Taoist priest smiled with satisfaction. Wang Zhenhuan agreed for no other reason than that he had seen this Taoist priest in town before.

Indeed, this Taoist priest was the one in the purple robe from Xiayi Town. However, since he was dressed in casual clothes, Wang Zhen didn't recognize him at first glance.

Seeing that Wang Zhen had agreed, the Taoist priest took out a bamboo tube from his sleeve. He pulled the fuse at the bottom of the tube, and a beam of light shot straight into the sky, exploding in the air with a loud bang.

He nodded to Wang Huanzhen and said, "Don't panic. It's just a small communication device used by the government. Why don't we go ahead? And let the soldiers take your friends with them, okay?"

Wang Zhenhuan pondered for a moment, but still didn't trust them. He then shook his head and said to Chong Hezi, "Please go first, Master Chong He. My friend and I will follow shortly."

"Haha, since you're worried, then we'll wait. I see you're not very old, but your hair and beard are all white. You must have used some kind of secret method to extend your lifespan, right?" Oki Kazuko smiled and asked in a warm voice.

"Yes, I'm ashamed. My cultivation is inferior. If it weren't for this secret technique, I would have perished at the hands of this mirage dragon long ago." Wang Zhenhuan nodded with a wry smile and explained to Chong Hezi.

"No wonder, the balance of Heaven is imperfect. Most of these secret techniques come with serious limitations and consequences. Unless in dire straits, it's best to use them sparingly. Fellow Daoist, would you be willing to let me take a look?" Chong Hezi nodded.

"You can see for yourself..." Wang Zhenhuan sighed, then handed over his wrist. Nachō Kazuko extended two fingers to take his pulse, closed his eyes to sense it for a moment, then opened his eyes and looked at Wang Zhenhuan.

"Fellow Daoist, were you aware of the consequences before using this secret technique?"

"I know that, but I don't know how serious it is. Please tell me, Master, how much of my lifespan I have lost." Wang Zhenhuan nodded and asked calmly.

Using the Yin-Yang borrowing technique was a choice he made after careful consideration. Given the circumstances at the time, if it weren't for the Yin-Yang borrowing technique, he and Ling Zhizi wouldn't have been able to hold out until Daoist Chonghezi arrived, so he didn't regret it.

He simply wanted to know exactly how much of his lifespan he had lost and whether there was any way to recover it. Hearing Wang Huanzhen's words, Chong Hezi looked at him with admiration and said...

"In my humble opinion, fellow Daoist's lifespan should have been shortened by more than one cycle."

"A cycle?" Although he was somewhat prepared, the answer still made him gasp. A cycle is twelve years. How many twelve-year periods does a person have in their lifetime?

"This price is truly unforgettable," Wang Huanzhen sighed, his voice tinged with bitterness. Although he had been prepared, the reality was still hard for him to accept.

"Such a secret method should be used with caution in the future, fellow Daoist, so please don't worry too much. There are still quite a few rare and precious materials that can replenish lifespan. I have a bottle of Longevity Pills that I refined myself some years ago, which I will give to you."

Okiko patted Wang Huanzhen on the shoulder to comfort him, then took out a blue porcelain bottle from her bosom and handed it to him. Wang Huanzhen hurriedly waved his hand and stepped back, declining the offer.

"How can this be? Longevity pills are priceless. This humble Taoist has only met you by chance. How can I accept such a great gift? Please, Master, take it back."

"Fellow Daoist, please accept this. This Longevity Pill was refined by me in my early years, and its effects are not satisfactory. One pill only extends one's life by one year. Moreover, you have rendered meritorious service in helping me subdue this mirage dragon. If the imperial court were to bestow a reward, it would be nothing more than this."

Okiko smiled and nodded, then pushed the porcelain bottle back. Wang Huanzhen hesitated for a moment upon hearing this, but still blushed and put the porcelain bottle into his pocket.

Seeing this, Daoist Chong and Master Zi nodded in satisfaction. Just then, the sound of marching soldiers came from behind them. They turned around and saw a man dressed as a clerk leading a troop of soldiers up the mountain path.

The advisor's face lit up with joy upon seeing Daoist Chong Hezi. He hurried forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said with a fawning smile, "Master Tongmiao, my master saw the signal and sent me with soldiers to assist you. I hope I haven't delayed your business?"

Oki nods in response. Then he says, "It's not too late. I thank Master Lu. Please have your soldiers take this fellow Daoist's friends with them, and be careful not to harm them."

"Of course, you can rest assured when I, Lu Zhaohua, handle things. You lot, did you hear what I said? Go and take him away immediately. If even a single hair is harmed, I'll hold you all responsible!"

The clerk named Lu Zhaohua patted his chest and assured them. Then he began to call out to the soldiers behind him, though his language was vulgar and carried a hint of petty smugness.

However, his soldiers carried out his orders meticulously. This alone shows that the clerk was not the incompetent person he appeared to be.

And so, with Okiko and the advisor leading the way, and Wang Zhenhuan following behind, the group made their grand return to Xiayi. On the way, Wang Zhenhuan kept pondering Okiko's identity.

Previously, when he drew talismans and performed rituals, he used the edict of Yuqing, indicating that this person was a Taoist priest of the Yuqing lineage. However, what puzzled him was that the Yuqing lineage had strict rules and regulations, and he had never heard of a Taoist priest holding an official position.

Moreover, when Wang Zhenhuan was talking to Ao Shuang earlier, he vaguely remembered that Ao Shuang seemed to have said that the generational order of the Yuqing lineage was: Yanyun Yinzhen Gong, Zhouxing Xian Baihe.

Among them, there was no one with the character "He" in their name. But the problem is, this Taoist is a genuine Purple Qi True Man; there's no faking it. How could this be so strange?

Wang Zhenhuan was puzzled, especially since the advisor named Lu Zhaohua had addressed him as "Master Tongmiao." Master Tongmiao? Usually, only rogue cultivators would refer to themselves as "Master."

Could this Chong Hezi be a rogue cultivator? But how could a rogue cultivator be granted the Jade Purity Talisman? Moreover, he has a noble status and knows thunder magic, which doesn't seem to fit the identity of a rogue cultivator in the mountains.

The more Wang Zhenhuan pondered, the more doubts he had. After walking with the main group for half an hour, they finally returned to Xiayi. By then, a temporary river embankment had been built in the large pit by the Huai River.

Following the group, they headed towards the town center and arrived at the back courtyard of a government office. The clerk instructed the soldiers to find an empty room to settle Ao Shuang, Xiao Liu Zi, and Ling Zhi Zi.

After bowing respectfully to Chong Hezi, he withdrew. Wang Zhenhuan followed behind Daoist Chong Hezi, his doubts still unresolved, and couldn't help but ask, "I am ashamed to say that although we have met for a long time, I have not yet asked for your esteemed name."

Chong Hezi smiled at him and said, "It's just a common name, nothing to brag about. Fortunately, the current emperor has appreciated it and bestowed upon me the title: Master Chongxu Tongmiao." After a moment of contemplation, he continued:

"My secular name is Wang Wenqing..."