Wei Ming and his team continued south.
Wei Ming, as always, practiced drawing talismans whenever he had free time. The unlock rate of the Heavenly Talisman was slowly increasing.
Whenever they reached a state or county, they would conduct a routine inspection and examination, paying special attention to officials who had been appointed, dismissed, resigned, or promoted within the past three years.
They secretly investigated the fake officials who had been replaced by Bai Yu Jing.
Pei Xi Jun assisted in identification, as her father, Pei Jian, was the Minister of Personnel. Any officials returning to the capital for duty or promotion would visit Pei Mansion, so Pei Xi Jun had met many officials who had been sent out to the provinces. This helped to reduce Wei Ming's workload.
Everyone remained silent along the way.
Finally, they reached a scenic spot with beautiful mountains and clear waters to rest.
Fei Ji Shi could no longer bear it and spoke up: "Since you're all too embarrassed to ask, I, old Fe, will boldly ask for everyone. What exactly is going on?"
"Wei Ming, just explain it," he said.
Wei Ming was taken aback: "Explain what?"
"Your ghostly abilities! In the Chang'an Red Tea Case, you, a mere scholar, silently killed the Four Eerie Ghosts. Now, in the Gan Tang Yi Case, you draw talismans in mid-air, using Daoist talisman techniques to subdue ten thousand serpents and slay an ancient mythical beast. We're all on the same side, so there's no need to hide anything, right?"
Su Wu Ming added: "Also, how did you, junior brother, uncover the hidden secrets behind Gan Tang Yi?"
Wei Ming smiled as he grilled meat: "Alright, let me explain."
Su Wu Ming, Lu Ling Feng, and the others all pricked up their ears, even Pei Xi Jun and Song A Mi were incredibly curious.
Fei Ji Shi and Xue Huan, needless to say, were even more eager to learn.
It's worth mentioning here that Song A Mi insisted on accompanying the team south for a while.
She would accompany them to Nan Zhou and then turn back to Han Zhou as a way of repaying their kindness.
After this incident, Song A Mi abandoned her plans to go to Chang'an, deciding that Han Zhou was safer. She was a stranger in Chang'an, and if anything really happened, no one would be able to help her.
But in Han Zhou it was different. With the Heavenly Rhinoceros, she could confidently say that the entire Tai Yin Mountain was her private domain.
In fact, she wanted to serve by Wei Ming's side even more, but Pei Xi Jun was like a hawk guarding her, which made her extremely unhappy.
She didn't dislike Pei Xi Jun. On the contrary, she was incredibly envious of her. To be able to stay by the side of the person she loved, watching and guarding him every day, how beautiful that would be!
Upon learning that Pei Xi Jun was the daughter of the current Minister of Personnel and a direct descendant of the Hedong Pei clan, she felt a sense of inferiority. Indeed, only a noble lady like Pei Xi Jun was worthy of Wei Ming. She was just a hunter's daughter. What right did she have to compete with her, what qualification did she have to receive Wei Ming's affection?
Wei Ming, a disciple of Di Gong, a great-grandson of Wei Zheng, a newly appointed champion, the most talented and extraordinary young man in the Tang Dynasty. He was handsome, gentle, and a true gentleman. At such a young age, he had already achieved great things and held a high position. He was kind and selfless, fighting for the people.
Such an exceptional young man, she, Song A Mi... was indeed daydreaming too much.
But she couldn't help her heart's desire.
Gazing at Wei Ming, who was explaining the details of the Gan Tang Yi Case, Song A Mi was mesmerized.
Wei Ming explained with a smile: "...That's roughly the situation with Gan Tang Yi. In simple terms, pay attention to details. When you have free time, read more local books, including geography, biographies, history of customs, etc."
"When it comes to strange cases, you must pay attention to the details. Details decide victory or defeat. The three Liu brothers were born from the same womb, twins who looked alike, but their individual experiences were different. By carefully observing, you can discover the differences."
"That county magistrate, Su Yun, came too deliberately. If Liu Seventeen hadn't lured him here, I wouldn't have been able to convict him. Speaking of which, the main credit for solving this case should go to Xue Huan!"
He said, handing Xue Huan the grilled meat skewer in his hand.
"Ah, for me?" Xue Huan was taken aback.
"Don't be surprised, it's you. If you hadn't found County Magistrate Wang Nai Ling in time and learned about the Liu family's situation, the case wouldn't have been solved overnight. So, I say, you, Xue Huan, deserve the main credit for the Gan Tang Yi Case!"
"You worked hard, Xue Huan. Eat more!"
"If you want anything, just tell me, I'll try my best to fulfill your wish."
Xue Huan hesitated for a moment and asked tentatively: "Really?"
Wei Ming nodded: "Yes, but my methods cannot be spread, so aside from this one, I can help you achieve your desires. Of course, you can't ask me to pick stars or the moon for you. I have some abilities, but I'm not a god."
Hearing this, Xue Huan was a little disappointed, but he quickly recovered and bowed to Wei Ming, Lu Ling Feng, and Pei Xi Jun.
"The lady said I am a descendant of Xue Li and Xue Ren Gui. Naturally, I want to emulate my ancestors. I want to learn martial arts, so that one day, I can ride into battle, display my skills, fight for my country, demonstrate my aspirations, live up to the reputation of my ancestors, and live a worthy life as a man."
Wei Ming nodded: "Good ambition! This is what a young man of the Tang Dynasty should be!"
He then turned to Lu Ling Feng: "What do you think, brother Lu? Are you willing to take him as your disciple? I've looked at this boy's physique, it's quite good. He will surely live up to your reputation in the future."
Lu Ling Feng remained silent for a moment, looking at Xue Huan with a serious expression: "I can teach you martial arts first. As for whether you can become my disciple, it depends on your aptitude and talent. From here to Nan Zhou, it's about a month and a half's journey. During this time, if you can learn one-tenth of my skills, I will formally accept you as my student."
Xue Huan was overjoyed, kneeling half-way: "Xue Huan will not disappoint you, General, he will definitely become your disciple!"
"Alright, everyone is happy. Now, let me tell you about the mysterious methods I possess."
Everyone paid close attention, their ears perked up, ready to listen.
"Before I talk about my mysterious methods, I want to ask you all a question. Do you know how many branches the Daoist School was divided into at its founding?"
Among those present, besides Wei Ming, Su Wu Ming was the most knowledgeable. After a brief pause, he said: "The Daoist School originated in the late Eastern Han Dynasty!"
"The Daoist lineage can be traced back to the Yellow Emperor and Laozi, when Daoist thought first emerged. It was later perfected by Daoist scholars like Guan Yin Zi, Zhuang Zi, and Lie Zi, gradually developing into a school of thought."
"By the time of the Qin and Han Dynasties, the Daoist School had taken shape, dividing into branches such as hermit scholars, Daoist priests studying scriptures, and alchemists."
"Later, in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the main branches were the Left Ci, Nan Ji Lao Zhuang lineage, the Zhang Daoling, Dragon Tiger Celestial Master lineage, and the Taiping Zhang Jiao lineage. The other branches were more diverse, with dozens of different categories."
"But by then, the Daoist School had become a system, with the Five Pecks of Rice Teachings as the main branch. Later, it became the leader of the Zheng Yi Alliance, and by the time of the Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties, it had become a system of Daoist sects."
"During the Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties, the times were turbulent, with frequent changes in dynasties. Hermits increased, and in those troubled times, people yearned for immortality and sought inner peace and spiritual freedom. Many enlightened Daoist priests emerged, such as Ge Hong, Ge Xuan, and Tao Hong Jing."
"During the Sui Dynasty, the Daoist School was divided into eight main branches, including Lou Guan Dao, Wan Fu Gong, Mao Shan Zong, and Tian Shi Fu. Further subdivided, they could be classified into inner alchemy, outer alchemy, life and destiny, and three mountain talisman branches."
"By the time of our dynasty, the three emperors Gao Zu, Tai Zong, and Gao Zong promoted Daoism, which led to the rise of many great masters, such as Yuan Tian Gang, Li Chun Feng, and Sun Si Miao."
"Today, the Daoist School is led by Sima Cheng Zhen, Ye Fa Shan, and Zhang Guo. It is said that the Crown Prince has also presented a memorial to His Majesty, wishing to add Daoism to the six classics of Confucianism in the civil service examinations. This shows that the Crown Prince himself promotes Daoism in governing the world."
As Su Wu Ming finished speaking, everyone's expressions varied, especially Fei Ji Shi and Lu Ling Feng.
Fei Ji Shi was a close disciple of Sun Si Miao, so from this perspective, Fei Ji Shi himself could be considered a member of the Daoist School.
As for Lu Ling Feng, he was originally a close confidant of the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince wanted to govern the world with Daoist teachings, and the Li Tang dynasty revered Laozi Li Dan as its ancestor. However, his family, the Fan Yang Lu clan, had a tradition of Confucianism.
Although he himself intended to follow the path of military service, their different ideologies on governing the world would inevitably lead to disagreements and conflicts in the future.
"I wonder why you asked about the Daoist School, junior brother? Could it be that your methods are passed down from the Daoist School?"
Wei Ming nodded lightly: "I do indeed inherit the Daoist lineage. My sect follows the teachings of Zhuang Zi, originating in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. It was almost lost due to the upheaval of the times."
"Fortunately, it was passed down through the generations. Although our sect had few members, only passing down the teachings to one person per generation, it was not completely lost to the dust of history. Later, I was fortunate enough to receive teachings from my master and learn some ancient magical skills."
Su Wu Ming frowned: "Since our master Di Gong passed away ten years ago, you returned to your ancestral home in Ju Lu and devoted yourself to your studies, avoiding the world. How could you have had the opportunity... wait!"
"Originating in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, almost lost, and you studied in seclusion in Ju Lu for ten years..."
Late Han Dynasty, Ju Lu!
Su Wu Ming's eyes lit up: "Junior brother, your teachings wouldn't be from the Taiping Dao, Zhang Tian Gong's lineage, would they?"
"That's right, I do indeed inherit the Taiping Dao lineage. I am the fifteenth generation descendant!"
"As for those magical skills, they are the secrets of one of the three Taiping arts, and our sect forbids us from spreading them outside. Furthermore, the lineage is passed down through generations. Maybe I will find a disciple to teach in the future, but the Taiping Dao emphasizes the importance of destiny. If the time is not right, I cannot accept disciples."
Alright, the fabrication is over. Whether they believe me or not is none of my concern.
In fact, the time and place match. After all, the founder of Taiping Dao, Tian Gong Zhang Jiao, was from Ju Lu. Makes sense.
Another thing is, although the Taiping Dao is famous, it has never been passed down. It's perfect for putting on airs.
Moreover, not to mention Zhang Jiao's Yellow Turban Rebellion, just his status in the Daoist School is on the same level as Zhang Daoling. They are equal in status, both being Daoist Ancestors. If it's ever revealed in the future, their reputation will not be diminished.