Dao Equaling the Heavens

The atmosphere had become even more peculiar, and even Zhao Feng, who hadn't thought much of it before, had a strange look on his face.

Were the Yuqing Sect and the Gu family so closely related?

He felt somewhat fortunate that the Emperor had given him complete "ownership transfer procedures" and vaguely understood why, among the myriad fortunes under heaven, the Zhao family, as the rulers of the world, did not possess them all.

Merely this opportunity alone could involve an earthly representative of the Sanqing Taoist Sect, a sacred place within the Daoist community; if they had taken it all, he feared they would have met their end the very next day.

However, it was displeasing that Gu Wen, a mere servant of the Gu family, had received the immortal's concern again and again.

Yu Hua, the immortal, could comprehend thoughts, but she didn't care much about it.

Ritual propriety was irrelevant to her, and she needed not to be bound by mundane etiquette—she simply praised based on the facts at hand.

Zhao Feng changed the subject, saying, "In a while, once the Emperor's decree is issued and I have official status, the large households in Bianjing may well trample over this threshold. The immortal didn't come to discuss this matter, so why don't we wait until Gu Wen arrives and ask about the matter of the water veins? He manages the Water House and is most knowledgeable."

Immortals stepping into the world was not simply to meet those who held their tokens, nor to see how the descendants of the Gu family were faring. Contrarily, the Gu family was a chess piece that the Sanqing Taoist Sect had placed in the mortal realm, only to be replaced by him.

Yu Hua had come into the world for an opportunity related to the Sanqing Taoist Sect, which was said to be a certain treasure planted three thousand years ago. What exactly that item was, Zhao Feng could not know; opportunities with the immortal sects were the most core secrets.

What he knew at the moment was that Yu Hua wanted to understand the water veins of Bianjing, and the officers in the palace speculated that the Sanqing Taoist Sect might be searching for some kind of Divine Medicine.

At this moment, footsteps were heard, and Gu Wen walked over from the left corridor, with Jiang Fugui afraid that he might fall and trying to help him, but Gu Wen refused the assistance.

The descendant of the Gu family appeared in plain black clothes, his face slightly pale and weak, yet his demeanor was neither humble nor arrogant as he clasped his hands and said, "Greetings to the Ninth Prince, greetings to Yu Hua, the immortal."

As ever so respectful, Zhao Feng's expression eased, seeing that the other party did not harbor resentment or arrogance because of the revelations about their identity and karma.

Yu Hua, the immortal, asked, "I hear you've caught a cold?"

"It's but a minor illness, I should recover in a few days, definitely not to the extent of troubling the immortal with important matters."

"I came today just to have a look at your residence."

"The immortal's kind concern is deeply humbling."

Distant, extremely guarded.

Yu Hua, the immortal, understood his thoughts but was not surprised; after all, she had played the role of the stern face before.

"The commoners outside your door..."

As soon as she began to speak, Gu Wen quickly answered, "They are all poor beggars. Seeing them in such a pitiful state, I allowed them to work in exchange for food; if they work hard, they can always have enough to eat."

Seeking the favor of the immortal, Zhao Feng frowned and chastised, "All are Daqian's citizens, why should it be like this? I will write to the court on an auspicious day to provide relief to the refugees."

"Your Highness's virtue and righteousness are beyond my capacity," Gu Wen bowed once again to the prince, but his heart skipped a beat, knowing that trouble loomed.

The government's relief for commoners generally meant grain and money, but the money would likely end up in the hands of officials, while the grain would mostly be porridge, just enough to prevent starvation, yet leading to further weakness. The government often used this method to boil frogs in warm water; by the time the hungry people might have revolted, they would already have starved to death.

Now, with the court's treasury empty, they probably wouldn't even have porridge. Thus, even in Bianjing, there were annual uprisings, although on a much smaller scale and quickly quelled by the imperial guard.

Gu Wen could not allow unrest where he resided; before the mob could breach his family estate, the troops sent to suppress them would also take a severe toll on him.

Money was a minor issue; life could easily be endangered during times of turmoil.

"The Water House is short-staffed, and the Weaving Bureau at the royal mansion was recently burnt down by rioters. We could provide relief with work instead of money, reducing a lot of expenses, and when your Highness reports to the Emperor, you would also gain credit."

"Still a merchant's heart, hard to change. If you were to be ennobled, wouldn't that be a laughingstock?" Zhao Feng criticized, yet Gu Wen's flattery and unwavering manner pleased him, and with a grand wave of his hand, he offered, "The mansion also controls a textile factory, I will let you manage it temporarily."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Ashamed of oneself?

Behind the veiled bamboo hat, thin lips couldn't help but curve upward; this descendant of the Gu family was truly spouting nonsense. Yu Hua could not discern his thoughts at the moment; his temperament was steadier than most, and acute listening could not minutely probe into a person's heart.

But she could feel the disdain Gu Wen harbored for Zhao Feng, a merchant looking down on a noble son of heaven from the bottom of his heart, which was indeed interesting.

This descendant of the Gu family was also quite capable; there were few in the world who saved others, and even fewer who saved both others and themselves.

Zhao Feng, as always, condescendingly encouraged Gu Wen, "Although you don't have the fortune or talent to practice cultivation, and are not of noble birth, fortunately, you have a commendable temperament and know when to advance or retreat. Once ennobled, you could study and seek official recognition, best not to be excessively involved in trade affairs to avoid tarnishing yourself."

"If I could gain the title of a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, it might not be unsuitable to serve in the imperial court."

Gu Wen repeatedly bowed his thanks: "With such great expectations from your Highness, I shall definitely seek official recognition."

"Excellent, excellent," Zhao Feng patted his shoulder, beaming with joy, and with a grand gesture had Feng Xiang hand out money: "Feng Daban, here's another reward of a thousand silver for the future Marquis Wen of Daqian."

Being called "Marquis Wen" by the servants was once a compliment, but once the imperial decree comes down in time, it will be an honor well deserved.

Eunuch Feng Xiang took out a piece of Daqian Treasure Paper and, in stark contrast to his previous arrogance, offered his compliments to Gu Wen. The surrounding servants and maids looked at him with fiery eyes, excited beyond measure upon hearing that their master would truly be ennobled.

Gu Wen simply smiled in response, maintaining proper etiquette without showing too much excitement.

He was very aware that becoming a marquis was but a title, a title without many benefits. The current imperial decree of Emperor Daqian did not extend beyond a thousand miles from Bianjing, with the rest of the lands feeling alienated.

At most, he'd receive a stipend, but who knew how many more years the court could sustain it.

At this time, a Daoist nun in plain clothes stood up, immediately attracting everyone's gaze. She looked at him and asked, "How do you find the wealth and honor given to you by the Zhao family?"

Gu Wen was taken aback for a moment before responding, "Wealth that can't be mentioned."

"That's good."

Yu Hua, an immortal, left the hall on her own and stepped onto the blue stones in the courtyard. Zhao Feng and others had no choice but to follow, while Gu Wen, with a group of servants, escorted them to the gate.

Suddenly, he noticed that the trusted aide who had come with Zhao Feng did not leave but instead stood behind him.

Gu Wen felt a sense of foreboding and said, "Your Highness, this trusted aide..."

Zhao Feng, with one foot on the carriage, turned back with a look of concern and said, "Recently, Bianjing has been unsettled with households being wiped out by bandits. I've brought some of the prince's trusted aides to protect you, lest you be harassed by rabble."

At these words, Yu Hua slightly raised her head to look at Gu Wen, sensing a hint of murderous intent.

For the first time, this descendant of the Gu family showed such an intense emotion.

Gu Wen, with his head lowered, felt his pupils contract slightly, and a chill difficult to suppress flashed through his eyes.

Since crossing over to this time, from a beggar to Marquis Wen of Dragon Bridge, he had faced countless life and death situations using both hands. From food fights as a beggar, to murder in business, assassination in the streets, to being poisoned and jailed – he had survived them all. Being cautious was his principle, and security was his primary need.

The prince's trusted aides seemed more like executioner's blades than protectors, and Zhao Feng had crossed his red line.

He refused without showing any trace of emotion, "This humble merchant adheres to the laws of the Great Ancestor and cannot have personal guards, let alone armed servants. The prince's trusted aides are all descendants of generals, and this humble one lacks the merit and capability to have them protect me."

"You will soon be a marquis."

"Becoming a marquis is a significant matter, and I fear it will not happen until next year. Being of humble origins, I must adhere to proper etiquette even more."

Gu Wen shook his head in refusal.

What he received, however, was Zhao Feng's 'kind' smile. Zhao Feng beckoned, and one by one, armored soldiers walked out from the house, their swords hanging from their waists, a total of twelve trusted aides.

"The agreement between the Immortal Sect and the Zhao family cannot be voided; the immortal Yu Hua would not allow it either. Are you defying an edict?"

The last sentence sounded like a greeting but was more of a threat.

Any further refusal would be seen as treasonous thoughts.

Without hesitation, Gu Wen bowed with hands clasped and said, "Thank you for your great grace!"

Sometimes, a leader did not care about right or wrong, but rather whether one obeyed or not.

Having endured until this day, Gu Wen figured revenge could wait a moment longer, especially now that he possessed the Fate Diagram, he should be even more cautious and bide his time until he could turn the tables.

At this moment, his patience was not that of a shrinking turtle, but a progressive process that would eventually push the Zhao family into the abyss.

Zhao Feng displayed the smile of a victor, exerting authority over others was considered one of life's greatest pleasures.

'He's bowing again; he's really grown accustomed to debasing himself.'

In Yu Hua's eyes, the descendant of the Gu family was too weak, always yielding from beginning to end. But this was not a disgrace. Humans have their ways, as do rats. Accept the way others live their lives.

Besides, he had no margin to resist. Perhaps a future descendant of the Gu family might reclaim all that belonged to them.

Yu Hua threw these thoughts to the back of her mind, considering them part of a larger karmic debt incurred by the sect elders; her only concern was to find the opportunity to become immortal.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

The donkey tread on the stone slabs, unfazed by the impressive Zhao Feng; he was not worthy of Yu Hua's notice.

The whisper of the spiritual wind by her ear brought strands of thoughts, and she murmured a self-encouragement.

'Heaven, when about to place a great responsibility on a man, always first tests his resolution, wears down his muscles and bones, starves his body, deprives his life, disrupts everything he does. This is to stimulate his mind, toughen his nature, and enhance abilities that are difficult to grasp.'

The reins suddenly tensed, and the donkey stopped and turned its head, its eyes revealing a spirited and irritated look. Yu Hua instinctively turned back, her gaze under the hat shooting directly at Gu Wen.

She stared at that unremarkable face, neither servile nor overbearing, a humble and modest merchant.

He had caught Yu Hua's attention.