Plundering the Dao of the Immortal Journey

Yu Yun Jun paused for some time, "It’s just that we need you to fork out the money for the good of the sect. Ai!"

Pei Zi Yun was about to coax Yu Yu Jun and to insist that it didn’t matter, but was cut off, "It’s just that we’re at such a critical juncture, and I can’t turn this money down as well. You are the Sect Leader. Whatever instructions you have, I shall do my best. But to be frank, getting five hundred mu of land is going to be difficult."

"Then I would have to trouble you, Master. The sect’s damages are very severe. We have to dedicate all our efforts into the rebuilding in order to get through these tough times." Pei Zi Yun spoke plainly, "As for the money, I am the Sect Leader, why should I be calculative about this?"

The ancient Chinese had always been extremely particular about doing things as a collective. Although there are the Sect Elders and Patriarchs to watch over the sect, using private assets for the sect was deemed to be undesirable, since that would almost mean the Sect was owned privately by the ‘investor’. That was why the previous Sect Leader had been sticking to this rule without changing anything for a long time.

Clearly, Free Cloud Sect was not owned by a single investor, although it looks like Pei Zi Yun was the major shareholder after using so much of his own money to fund the sect. At this point, to be calculative about five thousand taels of silver was simply being short sighted, and ignoring the many problems ahead.

At this point, Scholar Fu asked, "What are your plans going to be like for the next few days?"

Pei Zi Yun stood up and took several steps and stretched himself, "The situation of the Sect is still shaky. Although the Sect Leader of True Element Sect and several Elders are watching out for the sect, it’s still much weaker compared to how we were in the past."

"My few moves were made in order to buy time for us. Visiting the Governor is extremely important. If I were to succeed in this, we would be able to make it out of these difficult times."

"I have to remain here within the city and make full use of my time, while waiting for the Governor to invite me to his residence."

Yu Yun Jun and Scholar Fu looked at each other suspiciously, and roughly understood what he meant, but had certain doubts as well. Pei Zi Yun looked at the both of them and didn’t bother explaining.

Only Chu Xia understood. She knew that her junior brother was going to take her out to have fun for the next few days.

Qi Pan Mountain, Xie Shan Restaurant

Qi Pan Mountain wasn’t far away from Fu Mansion. There was peace and stability throughout the entire region at this point, as many mountain bandits had been wiped out. There were many tourists as well, coming down from the mountains toward a marketplace. A young man was walking along the streets with a young girl. The girl would occasionally pull the young man towards certain stalls to buy food and other merchandises. At around noon, the pair entered a restaurant and walked through the crowded entrance. They climbed up the stairs and walked up into a private room, which was separated from another room by a tall screen. There were other tables nearby eating and drinking wine, and it was clear that people were rather tipsy.

Pei Zi Yun and Chu Xia chose a table next to the window, where they had the view of a lake at the foot of the mountain. Many lotuses were floating around the lake. At this point, Pei Zi Yun called out, "Get me a jug of wine, and six of your signature dishes!"

"Coming right up!" A waiter exclaimed, "Serve some wine to our guests!"

He then hurriedly descended down the flight of stairs. Before long, the table was filled with an assortment of dishes. They were within the city, and Pei Zi Yun had taken Chu Xia around to sightsee. They had been to monasteries, mountains and lakes.

Fu Mansion had also sent out invitations for people to participate in a tea session. Since Pei Zi Yun was renowned throughout these lands as a poet, there were many people who had travelled far and wide in order to get a glimpse of him in person. Many scholars went too.

Chu Xia was extremely contented to have someone around, and was happy all the time. Pei Zi Yun took a sip of wine and thought, ‘She seems very happy, but this is already the third day of sightseeing.’

After some time, the table on their left started speaking louder due to the effects of alcohol. When their topic shifted over to current affairs of Free Cloud Sect, Pei Zi Yun’s heart skipped a beat.

"Hey, have you heard? There were more than ten coffins being prepared for Green Cloud Monastery. I wonder what’s that about?"

The few students were drinking wine and speaking loudly when their topic came upon Green Cloud Monastery, which belonged to Free Cloud Sect’s outer disciples. All the disciples had came up to Free Cloud Sect to fight in the great battle. Of these, dozens came from Green Cloud Monastery. Now that the war had been concluded, the bodies of these fallen disciples were returned back to where they came from, and were thus returned to Green Cloud Monasteries along with the compensation money.

"This I know. I’ve heard that a demonic sect was looking for someone to be their scapegoat, and thus chose Free Cloud Sect." Another table overheard this discussion and chimed in, "It’s the Sect Leader of Free Cloud Sect. I heard he went to a nearby village to perform an exorcism to rid an entire village of demonic influence. After that, many thousands of people went to offer incense as thanks!"

"Hey, what demonic sect? Based on what I heard, it was a war between a good and an evil sect. The war went on for several days, with the leaders of both sects clashing against each other ferociously. The men from the evil sects were all mighty and huge, with each of them standing at seven feet tall. Their eyes were as as sinister as bells." A student took out a fan and spoke, while everyone around turned their attention to him.

"Even the people from the prefectures were alarmed. That’s why troops were dispatched to Free Cloud Sect."

Hearing these words, Chu Xia covered her mouth and started giggling. This was the rumors which was intentionally spread by Sect Leader Pei to the rest of his disciples. "Since we have so many casualties among us, and will be unable to conceal this matter, let’s spread some false rumors around. Each of these rumors should state that the reason this war happened was to protect the villagers and weed out the evil people around. Once these rumors spread for long enough, it will have some basis, and will become a legend of sorts."

"With these rumors, the truth will be hidden. Our Sect will not have any implications as a result."

Chu Xia burst out laughing. The student who had stood up to boast about all his facts looked across at Chu Xia, when he heard someone laughing out. At this point Chu Xia was wearing a gorgeous yellow robe, with a strap hanging down from her waist. She tied her hair into a pair of ponytails. Although she was still young, a certain beauty was already evident in her features. He couldn’t help but to stare at her.

"Hm!" When Chu Xia realized that she was being stared at, she looked extremely displeased and return a menacing stare.

The student folded his fan, and returned to his seat. As he spoke, he shook his head, "You don’t know. I heard a story recounted to me by a woodcutter. He said that many woodcutters and hunters among them had been disappearing over the past few days. rumor has it that they were eaten by monsters."

"That can’t be. There are flesh eating monsters in this world?" Someone asked in clear astonishment.

"They’re not monsters. Those are demonic cultivators. Yesterday I heard a relative tell me that many people had died from the war between the good sect and the evil sect. The wolves were howling for the entire duration, and caves even crumbled down as a result." Someone spoke out. Actually this version of the story was closest to the truth, but many people didn’t believe him.

There were many different versions of these stories, with many different details being added to it. Just listening to stories about demons and monsters were extremely interesting to hear.

When Pei Zi Yun heard this, he decided to ignore the entire group of them and started sipping his wine. That same student spoke out loudly, and repeatedly shot glances towards Chu Xia in apparent interest. Chu Xia realized that staring back at him wasn’t going to make him stop. At this point she was clearly embarrassed. She then tugged on Pei Zi Yun’s sleeves and whispered, "Junior Brother, let’s get out of here."

"Senior sister, what’s the rush to leave?" Pei Zi Yun asked her with a cheeky tone. Chu Xia looked down in embarrassment as she pinched his waist once.

Seeing how Chu Xia looked teased, Pei Zi Yun then decided to whip out a tael of silver, "Waiter, get me the bill."

They then walked across, and was about to descend the flight of stairs when the student burst out laughing, "Look, that young girl is too shy. Haha."

Chu Xia looked extremely irritated as she extended out a finger, as she pointed out at him, ready to teach him a lesson. Pei Zi Yun then caught her hand, "We’re in a busy city. You’re not allowed to use Dao Arts here."

Hearing Pei Zi Yun’s words, Chu Xia cleared her throat and continued walking down. They got onto the ox-cart and traveled back to Fu Mansion. Someone who had been waiting for them approached Pei Zi Yun and respectfully spoke out, "Top Scorer Pei, the Governor invites you to pay him a visit."

Pei Zi Yun heard this and casted a glance at Chu Xia, and saw that she had fallen asleep. He gently carried Chu Xia up, and could smell a strong fragrance. He looked at the messenger and said, "Please wait, I have to settle something first."

Seeing Pei Zi Yun carrying Chu Xia gingerly, this person understood as well. He laughed, "Top Scorer Pei, please go ahead. I shall just wait here."

Pei Zi Yun carried Chu Xia and walked into the mansion and placed her down carefully. He then turned around to leave. At that time, Chu Xia opened her eyes. As if she had just thought of something, her face blushed red as she squirmed deeper into her covers.

Governor’s Mansion

Pei Zi Yun got off the ox-cart, when he was received by a butler. "Top Scorer Pei, come with me. Governor had instructions for me. I’ve been waiting here for you for quite some time now."

Pei Zi Yun then understood and followed him. After going through several winding corridors, he saw a garden with a large pond. A jade bridge extended from one end to another. The butler led the way as he cast several glances at Pei Zi Yun. Based on the reports about him, and all the rumors surrounding this person, he looked very different from expectations.

This young man looked nothing like the killer he was supposed to be. The butler sighed deep down, and knew that a person must not judge another by his appearances.

"Master Top Scorer, the Governor wanted to meet you the previous time, but he was down with a flu. That was why he sent an instruction for you to wait until he was feeling better. Soon after he called for you to come." The butler spoke out.

Pei Zi Yun smiled, but didn’t speak. He continued following the butler until he heard the sound of someone speaking within a room. He then walked in gingerly for some time before returning out to tell Pei Zi Yun, "The Governor is discussing some matters with another official. Please take a seat in the waiting room and wait for a short while."

Right at this point, the Governor walked his guest out. Seeing that his guest had left, he walked into the waiting room and smiled, "You’ve come at a good time. The official was just talking about you, and the works you’ve written. He was very impressed."

Pei Zi Yun bowed once and laughed out, "That’s praise coming from people who are more qualified than me. I just feel that I’m not at where I hope to be at this point."

"Sit, you don’t have to be shy. I’ve read your essays more than a few thousand times, and I am certain that you are at your peak. If you wish to speak of qualifications, then I as a third ranked official can be compared to mud and dung beside your works." The Governor sighed, "Let’s speak of the purpose you’re here. What’s the matter now?"

Pei Zi Yun swept a glance around, and saw that all the servants had left the room. He smiled and spoke, "This time, I’ve come for your help. I’ve taken on the responsibility of Sect Leader of Free Cloud Sect. According to the customs of the Imperial Court, I have to get my local official to write a memo to the Emperor and request for the title of Dao Master to be conferred upon me. I was thinking about this matter for a long time, and finally decided to approach you for help."

Hearing these words, the Governor laughed and looked at him. He then understood. Writing a memo to the Emperor asking for a title for a Sect Leader was a part of the rules. The Governor was compelled to do it. But helping Pei Zi Yun at this point would clearly offend King Lu.

It’s just that the Governor was prepared for this request, if not he wouldn’t invite Pei Zi Yun over as well. He laughed out, "This would’ve been a small matter in any ordinary circumstances. But at this point, it might be troublesome. You have to understand."

It was quiet for a time, as Pei Zi Yun looked at the Governor and smile, "Governor, your excellency. If you really refuse, it’s going to be like the last time all over again right? Now that you’ve agreed to meet me, what would your request be, so that we can both benefit?"

"Haha, you are too sensitive. I can write you this memo, but I have a request as well." The Governor laughed out and took a sip of tea.

Pei Zi Yun mumbled to himself and smiled once more, "Please carry on speaking."

The Governor laughed out once before turning serious, his brows were twisted in a frown, "Ever since the last time you wrote the policy on exterminating pirates, the ports opened up and the pirates started to disperse. All the sea merchants were required to register, and we have a total of ten thousand people."

Soon after, the Governor sounded afraid, "Of these ten thousand people, most of them have turned down the straight path, and can no longer be considered pirates. Their attitudes have changed greatly as well. However, there are still several handfuls of them who refused to be good. A particular bunch of pirates still exist, and they’ve been pillaging and killing at their whim and fancy. If you can get rid of them for me, it would make things easy. Then, I would help you out with the matter of your title. If not, you would probably have to wait several years for all the documents to be processed and approved."

"Based on the way I see it, you don’t have a couple of years to wait right?" The Governor said plainly.