Killing Dao Fruit -
Chapter 598 - 546: The Last Eunuch of Great Yan
Chapter 598: Chapter 546: The Last Eunuch of Great Yan
Dai State Capital, Qi State City.
A light drizzle misted the air, by the shores of the Great Ming Lake, where rain-drenched lotuses bent gracefully, one red, one pink, and one white, blooming with an extraordinary and enchanting beauty.
A black carriage, maneuvering through the tight crevice between Yin and Yang, guarded by a troop of Yin Soldiers, gradually halted at the most scenic spot by the lakeside, in front of the solemn and majestic gates of a Civil Temple.
Whoosh—!
Suddenly, a gust of wind and rain swept through.
The carriage and the Yin Soldiers vanished like a dream or a bubble, leaving in their place only a young boy and girl holding up a large red "Six Desires Dust Umbrella."
The passersby, coming and going, showed no surprise, as if the two had always been standing there.
"I originally thought the literary culture in Yu State was already at its peak, but coming to the big city of Dai State, I realized I had seen a small witch only to meet a great one," she said.
Huang Wu lightly clung to Wang Yuan’s arm, gazing in awe at the temple before them.
Even in years of great disasters and chaotic wars, this ancient Civil Temple was still bustling with visitors and dense with incense smoke.
Scholars were the predominant visitors.
From young children who had just entered private school to trembling old men with one foot in the grave, all were incredibly devout.
Looking at this Civil Temple and the hundred sages inside, their eyes shone with a similarly profound brilliance.
Everyone who came here behaved with utmost respect, daring not to make any noise.
This was quite normal.
Not to mention the Confucian Scholar Saint enshrined here, many among the 153 Confucian sages commemorated in the temple had prosperous descendants and had even established long-standing Confucian families.
Especially since the Scholar Saint’s family, through generations of imperial rewards, stood unyielding, the least of them holding a duke’s title.
Gifts of money and goods were countless.
Were it not for the ancestral teaching that forbade the descendants of the Scholar Saint’s family from fighting over supremacy under heaven, nor joining the ’All Living Beings Tribulation’ to assist any emerging power, Dai State might turn its banners to another Lord in an instant.
On the other hand, no matter who ended up as supreme ruler of the land, none would dare to offend all the scholars in one breath.
Thus, these Civil Temples across the country were treated much better than those City God Temples under the command of Old Master Wang.
Upon hearing his sister’s words, Wang Yuan could only shake his head and smile.
"These people come to worship the Civil Temple, not for the ’literary culture,’ but for their own ’official fortune’!"
The people of Yan Han have always been pragmatists.
No matter the method, be it mastering the eight-legged essay, poetry, mathematics, painting, or chess, or any other competitive endeavor.
As long as it can elevate one’s status and transcend one’s class, it would receive the same reverence as the Civil Temple.
No matter how excellent a branch of learning may be, if it cannot provide benefits, it is in vain.
Were it not for my chance entrance on the Immortal Path, I, Wang Xiaoyuan, might also be like them, tirelessly studying only for a shot at a wealthy and successful life.
To end as a Third Place in the imperial examinations, marrying an Elder Princess, would indeed be the pinnacle of life."
As he spoke, he playfully reached out and gently poked the cute, jade-like nose of his "Elder Princess."
In response, Huang Wu let out a coquettish cry and lightly punched Wang Yuan in the chest.
"Let’s go, sister.
Let’s first visit the ’Kui Star Tower’ to meet the Doukui Star Lord who governs the literary destiny of the land, then move on to the ’God of Wealth Temple,’ just a street away, to pay respects to the God of Wealth."
Sister Ruan had sent word ahead, mentioning that today both Immortal Officials, the mighty beings of the Green Decree, rarely found in their own Dojo Domains, will be there.
We wish to borrow their ’Power’ to artificially create a festival that requires all-night vigilance, to stimulate the ’Human Dao Torrent’ in advance.
Though it’s a deed of great merit, it too carries great causality, and one wrong step could lead to demise on the spot."
Even if we are driven by moral righteousness, we cannot forcibly demand any Immortal Official to undertake such risks."
It is still better to be cautious," he said.
Kui Star, originally named "Tianshu," is also the first star of Beidou, known as "Doukui," signifying the foremost one, especially presiding over the great auspicious literary destiny of the land.
As recorded in "Ten Chariot Breeding New Records": On the day when the five planets align under Kui, namely mercury, venus, mars, jupiter, and saturn align in one line.
Kui and Lou stars directly correspond to the Scholar Saint’s homeland, Dai State, embodying the unity of Heaven and Man, deemed the foremost in literature."
In Great Yan, every Civil Temple houses a "Kui Star Tower," symbolizing students’ ambition to attain first place, particularly before the autumn examinations when Scholars of the Imperial Examination come to worship.
Standing at the entrance of Kui Star Tower, one could see inside a deity statue with a black face and red hair, holding an ink brush in the right hand, a golden seal in the left, with the left foot playfully kicking back.
This action, "Kui Star Kicking," signifies the flourishing of literary luck.
"Initially, Sister Ruan even talked about arranging a gathering, preparing good wine and dishes to help introduce us to the two Immortal Officials.
Lately, however, she changed her mind and let us come on our own, suggesting that it would be beneficial for us to make a good impression in their presence."
"But am I, Old Master Wang, in need of money, or official positions?"
"I think it’s more likely that the Alcoholic couldn’t bear to part with the recently brewed ’Thousand-Day Drunk.’"
"Ah, it might also be out of reluctance to come here, avoiding the must-have dish at the Dai State feast... Nine-Turned Intestine?"
Recalling the big sister’s words, although Wang Yuan paid them no heed, he involuntarily became cautious and was about to lead Huang Wu into the "Kui Star Tower."
Clang! Clang! Clang!...
Just then, a disheveled figure appeared, walking down the street, hitting a broken bowl with a stick, and upon reaching the entrance of Kui Star Tower, he plopped down onto the stone steps.
He continued to strike the bowl.
Yet it seemed apart from the two of them, no one else could see this Daoist figure.
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