I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 358: Chapter 191: The Family’s Marriage Alliance (2)

The Flying Shuttle rose smoothly, heading out of the city toward the Taoist retreat where Qin Huaiming practiced in seclusion.

Returning to the familiar retreat, Yang Wenqing found the estate peaceful and quiet. He walked straight to the rear courtyard. In a pavilion near a bamboo grove, Yang Wenjian and Qin Feng were huddled together over a translucent Rune Board floating in mid-air, discussing something in low voices.

Seeing his older brother return, Yang Wenjian quickly stood up. ”Big Brother, you’re back! Did you win the competition?”

”Yeah, I won.”

Yang Wenqing nodded and glanced at the Rune Board before them. ”What are you two studying?”

Qin Feng jumped in to answer, ”Martial Uncle, we’re trying to simplify the activation rune sequence for a Gentle Wind Array. Junior Brother Wenjian has a lot of ideas, but his Spiritual Qi control is still a bit unstable.”

Yang Wenjian scratched his head in embarrassment.

”There’s no rush. Take your time.”

Yang Wenqing patted his brother’s shoulder in encouragement.

After a few more words, Yang Wenqing left. Lan Ying had disappeared the moment they returned, most likely off to lord it over the medicinal garden.

Suddenly, Yang Wenqing felt a bit at a loss. This was the first real vacation he’d had—one lasting over a month—since he began working.

He thought for a moment. Instead of rushing back to his Quiet Chamber to meditate and cultivate, he went to the main hall and sat on a low couch by the window, where he brewed himself a pot of light tea. As the fragrant steam swirled upwards, he casually pulled a slightly yellowed volume of Taoist classics from a nearby bookshelf and began to read.

Ever since he had become a disciple, received his Xuanyue identification token, and read the many Taoist classics stored within it, Yang Wenqing had developed a profound interest in these words, which held the wisdom of ancient sages and the ultimate principles of the Great Dao.

He discovered that cultivation was not just about accumulating Spiritual Qi and honing Magic, but also an exploration of and an insight into his own existence.

The Chapters on self-improvement and nurturing one’s character in these Taoist classics often brought him unexpected inspiration and calm whenever he hit a bottleneck in his practice or his mind was in turmoil.

He continued to read quietly, occasionally sipping his tea, his mind immersed in a dialogue with the ancients as dusk slowly enveloped the mountains outside.

He wasn’t sure how much time had passed when the familiar sound of light wingbeats approached, carrying the slight chill of the night dew. Lan Ying flew in silently and landed on a soft cushion beside Yang Wenqing. She gave a tiny yawn, curled into a blue fluffball, and soon began to breathe with a soft, steady rhythm.

Yang Wenqing glanced up at her, the corners of his mouth lifting in a slight smile, before he returned to his book.

About half an hour later, familiar footsteps sounded from outside the hall. He looked up, and just as he expected, his master walked in.

”Master.” Yang Wenqing set his book down, rising to offer a bow.

”Mm, sit.” Qin Huaiming took the main seat, his gaze falling upon the sleeping Lan Ying and the book beside Yang Wenqing. A flicker of satisfaction crossed his eyes. ”It’s rare to see you with the leisure to read.”

”Just stealing a moment of leisure from this fleeting life,” Yang Wenqing said with a smile as he poured his master some hot tea.

”You set off for the Provincial Government tomorrow. Are you ready?” Qin Huaiming asked.

”Yes.” Yang Wenqing nodded.

Qin Huaiming took a small jade box from his sleeve and placed it on the table. ”Inside is a small gift for Wangchong Mountain, the current Patriarch of the Wang family. It’s a fine piece of ’Heart-Calming Warm Jade.’ Not priceless, but it shows our sincerity. When you go to the Provincial Government to see Wang Yufei, deliver this gift on the side. Consider it a courtesy from our Xuanyue Lineage.”

He then produced a communication Jade Talisman. ”After you arrive at the Provincial Government, use this to contact Tang Yuan. He works at the Provincial Hall. You can consider him a senior brother; he was accepted as a Registered Disciple by your Elder Gu You many years ago. I’ve already spoken with him, and he will be there to assist you. Don’t hesitate to ask if you don’t understand something or need help.”

Yang Wenqing accepted the jade box and the Jade Talisman. ”Thank you for the arrangements, Master.”

”Good.” Qin Huaiming took a sip of tea, then instructed, ”After the Provincial Hall’s grand competition ends, I will come and meet you. I will then take you to the sect’s headquarters to participate in the grand competition between our Three Sects. Until then, remain humble and patient. Do not let anything get in the way of the Three Sects’ competition, understand?”

”I will remember.”

”As for the matter of marriage with the Wang family...” Qin Huaiming paused for a moment. ”Let fate decide. If it comes to pass, it would be a fine thing and beneficial for your future. But if not, there’s no need to force it. Don’t let this affect your partnership with Wang Yanzhi.”

”Yes, Master. I understand.”

The two of them—master and disciple—chatted for a while longer about various figures in the Provincial Government and other matters needing attention. When the night had grown deep, Qin Huaiming finally stood up. ”Alright. Get some rest now. You have an early start tomorrow.”

”You should also get some rest, Master.”

After seeing his master off, Yang Wenqing glanced out the window at the deep, star-filled night sky, then looked at Lan Ying sleeping peacefully beside him. He placed the Taoist text back on the bookshelf, then gently scooped up Lan Ying and headed for his Quiet Chamber.

He settled Lan Ying into her small nest, then sat cross-legged on a cushion in the Quiet Chamber. With a single thought, he summoned a circle of intricate, crimson Array Patterns.

This was an Array designed to aid the Second Transformation’s ”Scripture-Burning Meridian Tempering” practice. It was called the Bing Fire Li Palace Meridian Forging Array.

Its Array Base consisted of twelve ”Crimson Flame Crystal Plates” embedded in specific locations, arranged according to the Earthly Branches to form a stable circulation field of Fire Element Spiritual Qi.

At the heart of the Array, a ”Li Fire Essence” the size of a walnut floated about a foot in front of Yang Wenqing, emitting the core power for forging and control.

Between the plates and the essence, the Spiritual Light of runes traced in golden sand flowed, activating the power of Bing Fire while simultaneously guarding the critical nodes of his meridians. Forty-eight energy crystals, embedded in grooves on the plates, provided a continuous and abundant supply of driving power.

This Array set wasn’t considered expensive, valued at around 700,000. Qin Huaiming had prepared the materials for it long ago. In his master’s words, Yang Wenqing wouldn’t need to worry about any cultivation materials before reaching the Entry realm.