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

"Alas, we Taoists should refrain from speaking ill of the Emperor." Although Chong Hezi said this, the smile on his face betrayed his true thoughts.

Wang Zhenhuan held the oil lamp in his hand, examining it repeatedly, unable to get enough of it. Ever since he learned that this thing could aid in cultivation, he had become quite fond of it.

He had completely forgotten that he had almost died at the hands of the mirage dragon. However, since this thing was ultimately not his, although he liked it, he had no desire to covet it.

After watching for a while, Wang Zhenhuan put the oil lamp back on the table. Without the slightest trace of lingering affection or reluctance in his eyes, he calmly pushed the oil lamp towards the direction where Okiwako was.

"What? You don't like it? This is a treasure that countless cultivators dream of." Chong Hezi didn't touch the oil lamp, but turned to look at Wang Zhenhuan and asked with a smile.

"To say I don't like it would be a lie. I believe no cultivator could resist its allure. But it's only a matter of liking it."

"Let's not even talk about the fact that this thing doesn't belong to the underworld. I still know the principle that 'a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime.' Such a treasure should be left to a virtuous person!" Wang Huanzhen shook his head and explained.

"Haha, what a virtuous person! Since you say so, fellow Daoist, I believe you are the virtuous one. I will give you this oil lamp!" Chong Hezi laughed heartily and then pushed the oil lamp toward Wang Zhenhuan.

"Master, this is absolutely unacceptable. I already know not how to repay your kindness in increasing my elixir. If I were to accept this oil lamp as well, how would I be any different from a wild beast that knows no manners?"

"Please, Master, don't make things difficult for me. Quickly withdraw your words." Wang Huanzhen hurriedly stood up and bowed to Chong Hezi. He truly liked the oil lamp, but the world was so big; he couldn't possess everything he liked, could he?

Greed is human nature, and in its original sense, it refers to a desire that is never satisfied. The Chu Ci (Songs of Chu) states, "To love wealth is called greed, to love food is called avarice." The key element here is the phrase "never satisfied."

The essence of spiritual cultivation lies in cultivating the mind. This oil lamp may be good, but it is ultimately just an external object. If one only wants to use external objects to take shortcuts, one will inevitably become indecisive and greedy, ultimately achieving nothing.

Having experienced the inner demons of the City God Temple, Wang Zhenhuan deeply abhorred it. The essence of greed is the inability to understand loss and the lack of knowing when to advance and when to retreat. One must know that the way of Heaven is balanced, without the slightest error; for every gain, there is a loss.

Hearing Wang Zhenhuan's words, the admiration in Okinawa's eyes became even more evident. He smiled and waved to Wang Zhenhuan, gesturing for him to sit down. Then he spoke.

"Don't rush, let me finish. This oil lamp isn't a free gift. I have a condition; you can refuse after you've heard it."

"May I ask, Master, what are the conditions? To be honest, I have been entrusted by someone and will soon continue my journey south." Wang Huanzhen cupped his hands, sat down again, and said to Chong Hezi.

"This matter is both difficult and easy. It is related to this oil lamp. As I mentioned before, this oil lamp was made by the former head of the Yuqing lineage."

Its original purpose was to aid the cultivation of the Yuqing Sect members. However, after the former sect leader ascended to immortality, the oil lamp was gifted to the current emperor by the current Yuqing Sect leader, Yan Lingzi.

Looking at the oil lamp, Okiko spoke with a reminiscent expression. Wang Huanzhen nodded and replied, "That's natural, but the Master didn't explain it in such detail before."

"You know what happened afterward, fellow Daoist. Now this oil lamp has fallen into my hands, but I have important matters to attend to and cannot make a public appearance, so this is my condition."

"I humbly request that you, fellow Daoist, help me. If you have the time, please return this oil lamp to the Yuqing lineage. In return, you may use this oil lamp freely during this period. What do you think, fellow Daoist?" Chong Hezi stroked his beard and turned to ask.

"Since this is not an urgent matter, you can return it yourself later. Why entrust it to someone else? It's not that I'm ignorant, but this item is simply too valuable."

"If it were to be lost by chance, I truly do not know how I would face you, Master." Wang Huanzhen's heart stirred upon hearing Chong Hezi's words. He then spoke hesitantly.

"It's alright, it's not a serious matter. Besides, the Yuqing lineage doesn't even know that this thing has come into my possession. If it is accidentally lost, you can simply pretend you've never seen it before," Chong Hezi said nonchalantly.

"This..." Wang Huanzhen felt increasingly unreliable after hearing Oki Kazuko's words. He was about to refuse again when Oki Kazuko picked up the oil lamp, stuffed it into his arms, and then spoke.

"Oh dear, fellow Daoist, please stop with the pleasantries. Let me tell you the truth. Years ago, I had some disagreements with the Yuqing lineage. It wasn't that it was inconvenient, but rather that I simply couldn't show my face."

However, as you have seen, what I bestowed upon you was the Jade Purity Register. I thought I would be expelled from the Daoist order, but unexpectedly, so many years have passed and it has never happened, and even the Dharma Seal has not become ineffective.

Therefore, I have always felt guilty towards the Yuqing lineage. If you have the time in the future, please entrust this oil lamp to me. Please do not refuse.

"Alright, I'm going to find Master Lu to get medicine for your friends. You can rest here without worry." With that, he turned and left before Wang Zhenhuan could speak.

Wang Huanzhen watched as Okiko's figure disappeared into the courtyard. He lowered his head, held the oil lamp in his hand, and pondered. Okiko's words confirmed his earlier guess.

Although Chong Hezi's Daoist name did not include the seniority of Yuqing, he was granted the Yuqing Register. At the time, Wang Zhenhuan guessed that he must be from the Yuqing lineage and have some connection with it.

Now it seems that was indeed the case. Although Kazuko Oki only mentioned it briefly, the matter was definitely not that simple. It must have been much more complicated.

According to his own account, after receiving the ordination, he actually left the sect to cultivate in the mortal world. This might not seem unusual in ordinary sects. But this is the Yuqing lineage, which has strict rules.

Leaving the mountain without permission is tantamount to betraying one's master and is punishable by expulsion from the Daoist sect. However, so many years have passed, and Chong Hezi's Daoist status is still intact, and the Yuqing Sect has never searched for him. This is strange no matter how you look at it.

Moreover, he not only left the sect but also took a position in the imperial court. Yet, the Yuqing lineage seemed to turn a blind eye to him. If there were no hidden reasons behind this, no one would believe it.

Just as Wang Huanzhen was deep in thought, he suddenly heard a soft moan coming from the bedside not far away. He quickly put down the oil lamp and went to the bedside to take a look.

It turned out that Ao Shuang had woken up...