Chapter 846: Six Unmissable Places

In just a few days, Hu Yun naturally changed his address for Xiezhi from ‘Mr. Xie’ to ‘Master’. Originally, Hu Yun only intended to call Xiezhi ‘Mr. Xie’, always hoping that one day Mr. Ji would accept him as a disciple. However, after Mr. Ji spoke to him a few times in a dream, Hu Yun’s attitude towards Xiezhi improved significantly.

At this moment, Hu Yun excitedly ran in, taking out several sweet potatoes from the sack he was carrying and placing them on the table.

“You can eat this raw; it tastes pretty good, and I hear it’s even better when cooked!”

The sack was quite large; ten catties of sweet potatoes only covered the bottom.

“Baked sweet potatoes will be even more delicious. Steam some, and once the rice is cooked, put some in the stove to roast with firewood or charcoal.”

Ji Yuan said this, his gaze shifting towards the entrance of Ju’an Small Pavilion. Hu Yun hadn’t closed the door tightly, leaving a gap, and a figure was visible outside, indicating someone was standing there.

Sure enough, a knock on the door soon followed.

“Knock knock knock…”

“Come in.”

Ji Yuan spoke, and the person outside gently pushed the door open. It was Yang Zong and Lu Xiaoyou. After entering Ju’an Small Pavilion, they immediately bowed to Ji Yuan.

“Greetings, Mr. Ji! Greetings, fellow Daoists!”

Besides Ji Yuan, they didn’t recognize anyone else in the courtyard.

Ji Yuan smiled and waved his hand.

“Compared to Elder Lu, you two are quite particular about such courtesies. There’s no need to be so formal. Come in and sit; we’re just about to cook sweet potatoes.”

Besides the four stone stools in front of the stone table, there were also some bamboo and wooden chairs in the courtyard, so there was no need to worry about seating. Yang Zong and Lu Xiaoyou knew Ji Yuan’s temperament and didn’t stand on ceremony. They came over, found stools, and sat down, their eyes naturally falling on the sweet potatoes on the table.

“Mr. Ji already has sweet potatoes here; it seems the efficiency of my Great Zhen is indeed much faster than before.”

Yang Zong exclaimed, while Hu Yun thoughtfully observed him, then suddenly asked,

“Your name is Yang Zong? That’s the same name as Great Zhen’s emperor from two reigns ago.”

Yang Zong cupped his hands towards the young man holding the sack.

“You jest, fellow Daoist; I was indeed that person.”

Although this youth seemed to be a manifestation, Yang Zong couldn’t discern his true origin. His aura appeared normal, yet a faint spiritual light flickered, suggesting he was definitely not simple.

“You’re really that emperor?”

A few feet above Hu Yun’s head, the tiny characters surrounding the “Sword Manual” mostly turned downwards, and several of them made sounds.

“He is Yang Zong.” “Yes, he is.”

“That Emperor Yuande.” “Exactly!” “He’s Elder Lu’s disciple.”

Yang Zong and Lu Xiaoyou looked up and only then realized that the tiny characters and the densely written content of the hanging scroll were obscured by dark light, so they couldn’t see what was written. However, they dared not look too closely, fearing they might glimpse some forbidden technique.

“Oh.”

Hu Yun simply responded “Oh” and then, carrying the sack, went to the kitchen with Zaoniang. Knowing he was the emperor was enough; there wasn’t much else of interest.

Xiezhi had already picked up a sweet potato, peeled it, and took a bite, making a crunching sound.

“Is there something you need at Ju’an Small Pavilion?”

Lu Xiaoyou looked at Yang Zong, who then stated directly,

“Mr. Ji, the Qian Yuan Sect intends to establish an external sect blessed land in Great Zhen. Furthermore, they also plan to send disciples to the Great Zhen Heavenly Master’s Office. Since you are home, we specifically came to ask for your opinion.”

Ji Yuan nodded. The Qian Yuan Sect’s intuition was quite sharp.

“What opinion could I have on establishing an external sect blessed land? However, you must also consult the Great Zhen court. As for entering the Heavenly Master’s Office, I will set a rule: cultivators who have practiced for more than thirty years should not go, lest they bring the habits of the Qian Yuan Sect into the Heavenly Master’s Office. Let Dao Yuanzi consider suitable young and vibrant disciples to adapt to future changes.”

Yang Zong frowned slightly but quickly relaxed, then solemnly cupped his hands and said,

“Yes, I will relay your words.”

“Hmm, you might not need to consult other wandering cultivators, smaller sects, or family practitioners, but there are two places you must inform in advance: one is Yu Huai Mountain, and the other is Tongtian River.”

Hearing Ji Yuan’s words, Yang Zong again replied solemnly,

“Understood, Mr. Ji. Master has already personally gone to Yu Huai Mountain as the Qian Yuan Sect’s junior sect master. We came to inform you first, and Master will also surely make a trip. As for Tongtian River, Master will go there, and I imagine there shouldn’t be any issues.”

Yang Zong was well aware that those who had jointly refined the Immortal Binding Rope back then had good relations. There should be no significant problems with the Dragon King of Tongtian River.

Lu Xiaoyou, however, suddenly spoke again.

“By the way, Mr. Ji, where are the other two places we need to inform?”

Ji Yuan looked at Lu Xiaoyou, bewildered.

“Two more places?”

“Before we came, the Sect Master said there should be six places in Great Zhen that require attention. You, Mr. Ji, are one; the Great Zhen court is one; Yu Huai Mountain is one; Tongtian River is one. Where are the other two?”

“Dao Yuanzi didn’t explain it clearly himself?”

Lu Xiaoyou scratched his head and said,

“The Sect Master said he only calculated six places but not all of them were clear. Then Master said if we didn’t know, we should ask you, sir. Since he’s not here now, I’m asking on his behalf.”

Two more places?

Ji Yuan was a bit perplexed. Could there be important places within Great Zhen that he was unaware of?

Two Realms Mountain? No, that’s already overseas, it has little to do with Great Zhen, right?

As Ji Yuan pondered, the tiny characters above his head began to chatter. These little fellows firmly believed in their Master’s immense power, and thus they also believed that their Master surely knew everything within Great Zhen.

“Master definitely knows!” “Yes, definitely knows.”

“If he doesn’t say it, he’s forgotten!” “Right, right, no, no, that’s not right, how could a celestial being like Master forget?”

“Then he overlooked them.” “Right, right, overlooked them. Where could they be?”

“I know!” “Quick, tell us!”

“Yunshan Temple and the Underworld Hall.”

“Yes, yes, yes, that must be it! No wonder Master overlooked them!”

“Exactly, exactly.”

The hundred-plus tiny characters made a lot of noise debating, but amidst the clamor, the conclusion they reached was clearly audible to Ji Yuan and everyone present.

Ji Yuan showed a look of sudden understanding. Indeed, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had overlooked these two places.

“Mr. Ji, where are Yunshan Temple and the Underworld Hall?”

Yang Zong immediately asked. Since these spirit-characters knew, and Mr. Ji also looked enlightened, it was clear he knew.

Ji Yuan thought for a moment, then carefully said,

“As for the Underworld Hall, come, look.”

As he spoke, Ji Yuan poured some tea from his cup onto the stone table. The tea flowed and quickly spread into a shape.

“This is the current map of Great Zhen. And this…”

The shape not only changed but also showed variations in light and shadow. One half was brighter, while the other was darker. Furthermore, the combined shape extended significantly beyond the original map of Great Zhen, especially to the north.

“You can understand this as the Underworld, with Great Zhen as its primary region. The bright parts are under the jurisdiction of righteous deities like city gods and local gods, while the darker parts either have no or very few ghost deities for now. The Underworld Hall generally governs these types of areas, guiding the souls of the deceased, restraining wild ghosts, and eliminating evil spirits.”

The Underworld?

He had never seen an underworld force of this scale, and it wasn’t under the conventional jurisdiction of righteous deities?

“Do common people offer incense and worship at the Underworld Hall?”

“Perhaps, but it’s mainly worshipped by ghosts. It’s truly a place of orthodox ghost cultivation, not to be underestimated. Hmm, some righteous deities and city gods should now have some understanding of the Underworld Hall, and even interact with them. The Qian Yuan Sect can just go and ask.”

“Yes.”

Yang Zong calmed himself, wondering if this would affect Great Zhen’s plan to officially confer titles upon ghost deities. He decided to find out more through direct contact, pushing the matter aside for now, and continued to inquire,

“What about Yunshan Temple?”

Ji Yuan smiled.

“Yunshan Temple doesn’t concern itself with these matters, so there’s no need to ask them.”

“Yes, I will heed Mr. Ji’s instructions.”

Since Mr. Ji had said so, Yang Zong assumed there might be some taboo and didn’t press further. At most, he would mention it to his master later, letting him clarify things.

Thinking that the main business was concluded, Yang Zong, after a slight hesitation, took out a copper coin.

“Mr. Ji, is this copper coin something you left behind?”

Ji Yuan reached out, took it, and examined it.

“Zhengyang Tongbao, yes. I took Yang Hao out for a stroll back then, and gave it to him as a memento when we returned.”

“Sir, since Hao’er also managed to catch this coin, unlike how I dropped the mooncake back then, could it be that…”

Ji Yuan placed the copper coin on the table and pushed it back towards Yang Zong.

“It’s just a memento; it’s not as complicated as you think. If you miss Yang Hao, you can go see him at the Imperial Capital Prefecture’s Underworld Office. Although an emperor’s lifespan in the underworld is short, it hasn’t been many years yet; he’s still there.”

“Yes…”

Yang Zong responded helplessly, daring not to say more. Some things lose their grace when overdone, and Mr. Ji had already spoken very plainly.

As an emperor, the path of immortal cultivation was cut off after death, and the path of ghost cultivation was equally slim. A brief lifespan in the underworld was like a lamp burning out. Yang Zong recalled his own situation; he was entirely saved by his master’s great magical power, and even then, he wasn’t considered a ghost yet.

“When you go to see him, don’t forget to take this copper coin with you.”

Ji Yuan was examining a sweet potato, and this quiet remark brought a look of joy to Yang Zong’s face.

“Sir, are you going to guide him?”

Ji Yuan was noncommittal, weighing the sweet potato in his hand, thinking to himself, *Perhaps in the next life.*