Chapter 842: Zhengyang Tongbao

Yang Zong was filled with emotion, while Lu Xiaoyou was simply there to accompany his junior brother and naturally couldn't speak. After waiting for a long time, with neither immortal speaking, the Emperor on the dragon throne grew a little anxious.

"Immortals, how are the millions of common people doing?"

Yang Zong snapped back to reality and replied with a smile.

"Your Majesty, all else is well. However, these people have lived for generations in a land of demons, humans, and beasts, lacking a proper understanding of the human world. Although they have been warned beforehand, most are still anxious. We hope Your Majesty and the ministers are prepared."

The Emperor nodded, looking at Yin Qing.

"Minister Yin, please explain."

"As you command."

Yin Qing received the order, bowed to the two immortals, and then detailed the preparations made. "Our court has been preparing for over three months. All prefectures and counties have planned resettlement areas, allocated fertile land, and arranged for food and water supplies. Doctors are ready in all regions to attend to the citizens' ailments, and we have also prepared administrative officials and teachers to instruct them in reading and writing... I believe we can settle them appropriately..."

Yin Qing spoke at length, his explanation coherent and well-organized, covering every aspect. He even considered the psychological issues of the incoming populace, offering both inclusivity and room for adaptation.

After Yin Qing finished speaking, Yin Zhaoxian and the other ministers nodded slightly, and the Emperor on the dragon throne was also very pleased.

"What do the Immortals think?"

Yang Zong now scrutinized Yin Qing, surprised that Yin Zhaoxian's son was also so capable. He then looked at Yin Chong on the other side, whose vitality was strong, and with the martial arts path now open, an undeniable martial destiny was gathering around him. Leaving strategy aside, he was certainly a formidable general. The Yin family truly was remarkable.

Although in the Golden Hall, Yang Zong instinctively began to consider matters from the imperial court's perspective again. In reality, none of this stirred much emotion in him; only his affection for his homeland, descendants, and old friends remained.

"Minister Yin has spoken very well. With Da Zhen prepared, we are relieved. The Land Boat will arrive soon. We hope that imperial officials will go aboard to inform those on board of the arrangements for their arrival. We will use our magic to help transport the people, and only then will the Land Boat dissipate, its dust returning to the earth. Yes, I believe Minister Yin is perfectly suited for this task."

Yang Zong was, of course, referring to Yin Qing. The Emperor nodded upon hearing this, as it aligned with his original plan, and then looked at Yin Qing and asked.

"Minister Yin, I command you to lead the relevant officials aboard the Land Boat."

"Your subject obeys!"

The purpose of the court session was for initial contact; the real work would unfold afterward. Therefore, the assembly did not last too long, as subsequent interactions would require private discussions among the relevant officials.

Until the court adjourned, Yin Zhaoxian had been observing the arriving immortal. The immortal always seemed to give him an inexplicable sense of familiarity, though he couldn't quite pinpoint why.

Returning to his old home, other things were fine, but Yang Zong felt a pang of longing for Yang Hao, his son who had lived up to expectations but had already passed away.

That afternoon, Yang Zong arrived alone at the imperial study. At that moment, his grandson, Yang Sheng, was inside reviewing memorials. It was the cusp of autumn and summer, and the young eunuch standing guard outside was drowsy.

Yang Zong's form shimmered into existence in the outer hall of the imperial study. He glanced at the tired young eunuch, then, like a gentle, indistinct breeze, drifted into the study. Seeing Yang Sheng's diligence, he nodded slightly.

About an hour later, Yang Sheng, feeling somewhat drowsy, lay down on the couch at the back and fell asleep.

Yang Zong no longer looked at Yang Sheng. His gaze drifted through the familiar imperial study, sweeping over every table, chair, and bookshelf, finally settling on the upper part of a large bookshelf beside the imperial desk.

Yang Zong extended his hand, and a brocade box wrapped in green silk flew down, landing in his palm.

The eunuchs cleaning the imperial study had clearly been a bit lazy; a layer of dust had accumulated on the box, indicating that it was rarely, if ever, moved or opened.

Yang Zong gently opened the box to find only one book inside. Its plain cover bore the title "The Fox's Shame," which, by its name alone, suggested it was not a serious publication.

"It seems this belonged to Hao'er..."

Yang Zong smiled. He had intended to close the box and put it back, but after a moment's thought, he took out the book, intending to see if it contained lewd content.

As soon as he took out the book, he noticed a bookmark inside. Yang Zong instinctively flipped to that page, and a golden object dropped from the book. He instinctively tried to use his object manipulation spell to catch the bookmark but found it was still falling naturally. Luckily, Yang Zong was quick-witted and swiftly reached out to catch it mid-air.

In a daze, a memory seemed to surface in Yang Zong's mind: a scene from long ago in the imperial court when he frantically tried to catch a mooncake but failed. Looking down again, what he held was not a bookmark at all, but a copper coin.

Yang Zong picked up the copper coin and examined it closely, front and back. It was inscribed with the four characters "Zhengyang Tongbao."

"Zhengyang Tongbao?"

Yang Zong frowned. This was clearly not Da Zhen currency. Could it be a coin minted by an emperor from a neighboring kingdom?

While pondering, Yang Zong's gaze inadvertently fell upon the open page of the book. The first line read: "The nation was in decline, and the people suffered. Fortunately, our Emperor emerged to support the realm, like the 'Zhengyang qi' cleansing the impurity. The people declared, 'Our Emperor is Zhengyang.'"

If it were something Yang Hao had foolishly minted for amusement, it didn't quite fit, especially with that strange feeling he just experienced... Yang Zong frowned slightly, his thoughts inexplicably troubled.

Holding the copper coin, Yang Zong was a little indecisive. Should he put it back in the book and return it to its place, or should he take it with him?

After a moment of hesitation, Yang Zong placed the book back in the box and returned the box to its original spot. He took the Zhengyang Tongbao coin, not to keep for himself, but planning to visit the Underworld Bureau of the Imperial Capital Prefecture once his current matters were concluded, to see Yang Hao, who should still be in the underworld.

After the dragon girl successfully navigated the currents, she would complete the final stage of her transformation into a dragon in the deep sea. This process would not be quick and required no one to accompany her, including Ji Yuan and the old dragon couple.

Gazing at the Land Boat sent by Qianyuan Sect in the distance, and sensing that the Zhengyang Tongbao coin in the imperial palace had been disturbed, Ji Yuan's expression was an unreadable smile. He neither divined anything nor expressed any sentiment, simply turned and flew on his cloud towards the heartland of Da Zhen.

For an immortal cultivator, a few years was not a long time, but Ji Yuan still missed home. And his dates were all gone.

This time, returning to Ning'an County, Ji Yuan didn't alert anyone. He certainly wouldn't be staying long, just wishing for a quiet period to write down his thoughts. He flew directly into Tianniu Ward, landing at his doorstep. Although he saw a copper lock on the gate, Ji Yuan knew Zao Niang was inside.

"Click."

The sound of the copper lock opening startled the person sitting in the courtyard. The gate pushed open, revealing Zao Niang's green silk dress and a pair of bright eyes filled with joy.

Zao Niang's long hair was half-up, half-down, adorned with a pearl hairpin gifted by the dragon girl. She held a book, half-read, in her hands. She stood up, her face beaming with delight as she looked at Ji Yuan.

"Sir, you're back! I'll brew some tea for you. And the dates that ripened, I've saved them all for you."

Zao Niang gestured, and dates continuously fell from the tree, twisting in mid-air to change direction, piling up into a small mound on the stone table.

"Mm."

Ji Yuan smiled, flicked his sleeve, and both the "Sword Intent Scroll" and the Xiezhi painting scroll flew out. He then naturally sat down at the stone table.

The next moment, the tranquility of Ju'an Pavilion was broken. The little characters' chirping sounds continuously echoed as they flew around joyfully. Zao Niang in the kitchen was also amused by them.

The Xiezhi painting scroll immediately dematerialized into mist, transforming into its human form—the very one that often cadged food from Ji Yuan. Without any formality, it instantly sat opposite Ji Yuan and began to grab and eat the dates.

"Hehehe... Ji Yuan, I've been urging you to come back for a while. Even if you don't miss home, you have to come back for the dates. It's good you're back this time; look how many dates are on this tree!"

As Xiezhi munched on the sweet, fragrant dates, it gazed at the fruit on the tree, its eyes particularly drawn to the faint red glows hidden deep within the branches and leaves.

In the kitchen, numerous little characters had already flown in together, chirping around Zao Niang.

"Zao Niang, Zao Niang, someone's stealing your dates!" "Yes, yes, he's even eating them without asking the master!"

"That's right, he's eating the ones on the table while eyeing the ones on the tree."

"He even wants to eat the fire dates!"

The little characters' mischievous tattling in the kitchen was not at all subdued. Xiezhi, hearing them, twitched his brow and looked at Ji Yuan.

"Ji Yuan, aren't you going to rein in these little rascals?"

"They're not lying, are they?"

Ji Yuan smiled, then wanted to see what book Zao Niang had been reading. He flipped to the cover and saw the title: "The White Deer's Shame." Ji Yuan's eyelids twitched; it looked very much like a successor to the original "The Fox's Shame."

He opened the book and casually browsed a couple of pages, discovering it was a reinterpretation of "The White Deer's Fate." It seemed to elaborate on the emotional relationship between Lady Bai and Zhou Lang, and contained many more explicit, amorous sections—definitely the type of book Yang Hao used to enjoy most.

The sound of Zao Niang setting down teacups came from the kitchen, and Ji Yuan quickly put the book back.