Chapter 1221: Seeking Dao (I)

The long staircase gleamed translucently as white mist swirled upward. Faint chimes of music came from the small pavilion at the horizon. Inside, along the inner hall's side, stood a row of jade chime bells. Two maidens in long robes played them quietly, their garments trailing across the floor, half-concealed within the drifting mist.

Before them sat a long desk, which was occupied by a woman in a pale tea-colored gown. She rested her chin upon one hand while writing with the other, displaying a serene and ethereal bearing. Beside her on the desk lay a pipa, its surface faintly reflecting light.

Shaohui had been stationed at the horizon for many years. Few immortals ever set foot in this place. Even the maidens within the pavilion were spirit attendants sent by the Supreme Yin Court. They could not speak, and were only capable of performing simple tasks; such as remembering rhythms to strike the bells.

She oversaw eight courtyards and towers. The four outer courtyards were staffed with attendants and clerks, while three of the four immortal pavilions had their Immortal Officials reassigned elsewhere, leaving her largely undisturbed.

Shaohui was content with the peace. She had always been able to endure long periods of quiet cultivation. The immortal officials of these towers were not directly under her command, and the domain itself belonged to others. Zhen'gao had assigned this tranquil post to her, and she rarely interfered. Only the endlessly talkative official of the remaining pavilion occasionally sought her out.

Her brush paused for a moment. The Lesser Yin art she was transcribing was about seventy percent complete. Setting the pen down, she looked up as a maid entered, bowed respectfully in the center of the hall, and said, "My lady, Dangjiang has arrived."

Shaohui frowned slightly, helpless. It had been exactly thirty days, and he was right on time. She could only nod and say, "Let him come up."

The maid withdrew. Soon, a young man stepped into the pavilion. He had a broad forehead and thick hair, and after flicking the patterned sleeves of his robe, he bowed deeply, saying, "Immortal Official Dangjiang of the Seventh Profound Pavilion Archives pays respects to Lady of Wu-Gui Lesser Yin."

"You've come again." A pale circular mark glowed faintly between Shaohui's brows as her slightly weary gaze scanned him. She said, "You—why do you never stay on the eastern side to proof and correct the scriptures properly? Why must you come to me every time? What is it this time?"

Dangjiang had already learned Shaohui's temperament over these days. Though her tone carried reproach, it was mere complaint; she never truly meant to punish him. Apart from her quiet nature, she was an excellent superior.

Feeling pleased, he simply replied, "If only I were truly comparing and editing texts, my lady. You know I can't keep my mouth shut. I only proof but never cross-check, and I'm constantly worried about making errors in the techniques."

The act of cross-checking required two people, and Dangjiang was merely looking for company. Shaohui knew he would complain of boredom, so she didn't engage in idle talk. "Speak your business."

Only then did Dangjiang draw from his sleeve a command token, as long as his forearm and entirely pure white, etched with the silvery patterns of the Supreme Yin. It shimmered faintly as he held it up with both hands and said respectfully, "I am under orders for a mission, and I beg your aid in accompanying me, my lady!"

Shaohui raised her brows and finally rose to her feet. She picked up the pipa from the desk and held it in her arms, gliding gracefully downward as she said casually, "It's been so long; at last, there’s something proper to do."

"

Hehe.

" Dangjiang chuckled and hesitated before speaking, "One of my subordinates in the mortal realm, not nearly as capable as I am, of course, but with some skill, sent me word at year's end. He claims to have captured a peacock this time! And not an ordinary one either; it supposedly practices the Buddhist spell arts of the western lands. I've no idea how much merit that's worth, or how it compares to the last demonic creature we caught."

A pale tea-colored cloud rose beneath Shaohui's feet, lifting both of them as they drifted southward. She replied softly, "That subordinate of yours, Chi Buzi, was it? How much merit was recorded in the court for the last demonic creature he captured?"

Dangjiang quickly replied, "Three hundred immortal merits."

"

Oh?

" Shaohui nodded lightly. "Then this peacock should be worth around three hundred and fifty immortal merits."

Dangjiang quickly lifted his head. Though he had been living comfortably of late, he still remembered his promise to Chi Buzi to help him seek the Golden Core Great Dao. The matter had been weighing on his mind, and he'd been waiting for a chance to consult Immortal Official Liu.

But Liu never returned, and that connection turned out to be hollow. Now, with the matter growing urgent, Dangjiang could only ask Shaohui. He hesitated as he said, "My subordinate cultivates the Purple Mansion Golden Core Dao, pursuing self-refinement. He has already passed the Purple Mansion Threshold and lacks only the final Dao lineage. But the Pristine Water Fruition Attainment under that Dao is already held by someone else in the mortal realm..."

Shaohui reacted quickly, already forming a few guesses as she asked, "So there is someone. Likely, the one who holds that Fruition Attainment is unwilling to let him attain the Dao. That makes things troublesome. He might as well begin with Metallic Essence instead. What is the state of Pristine Water?"

Dangjiang shook his head. "Not good. He's currently engaged in a duel beyond the Outer Heavens and cannot be disturbed. That's why I'm anxious. Whether we proceed to attain the final Purifying Dew or seek a hint from the Supreme Yin, or abandon this Dao altogether, we must decide now. Once that True Monarch returns, there won't be many ways left open."

"I see." Shaohui seemed intrigued. Though her former self had been a low-ranked demonic creature at the early Purple Mansion Realm, born from a wisp of Lesser Yin, and retained traces of immortal arts in her memory, resolving such matters was far from easy. She asked, "Since he's your subordinate, why not ask Zhen'gao? Even if Pristine Water lies within the mortal realm, there may well be heavenly generals under that same Dao—you could inquire."

"I'd like to, my lady!"

But Dangjiang could hardly leave his post; ten, fifteen days would often pass without him seeing a single soul. Even if he wanted to replace the two attendants in his courtyard with female servants, there was nowhere to find them, let alone anyone to ask.

Chi Buzi, oh Chi Buzi... your cultivation Dao truly is a dead end.

Shaohui clearly understood as well. After a brief moment, she said, "Then arrange a meeting with Zhen'gao and seek his counsel properly. It may cost a good deal, but Zhen'gao is a man with a cold face and a kind heart, and his cultivation is deep. He won't make things difficult for you."

"But... someone as insignificant as I, how could I ever find a way to seek out such a lord..."

At Dangjiang's question, Shaohui nodded and said, "I happen to be heading to the Supreme Yin Court myself this time. Since you've asked, you can come along when the time comes."

Overjoyed at having found a way, Dangjiang thanked her profusely. A vast grand hall appeared once again as he stood waiting atop the clouds, with twelve white jade bridges arcing through the air, spanning across a golden lake.

Shaohui descended from the clouds, and they made their way deeper into the hall until they reached the courtyard outside. Dangjiang could already see the two attendant girls still standing outside the courtyard from afar. The one who had previously held a white-edged jade pipa now carried a pure cloud jade bottle, while the other held a flower basket. When they noticed his gaze, they returned it with courteous bows.

"..."

Dangjiang strode toward the courtyard, keeping his eyes straight ahead. Shaohui stopped behind him. Out of the corner of his eye, Dangjiang caught a glimpse of the maid's basket, filled with glistening fruits, each one the kind of treasure that could bankrupt a man.

Afraid that Shaohui might recall the matter of the Golden Branch of Laurel he still owed her, Dangjiang all but fled into the courtyard. The four lantern pillars within shone brightly, and the round pool at the center had turned into a milky white hue. He quickly formed a hand seal and activated the command token.

"Manifest!"