I Have A Dual World Seal

"Splash, splash—"

"Splash, splash—"

Lu Zheng gracefully served tea and water to the ladies, providing them with snacks. As Xiaocui stood up to assist, he gently pushed her back to continue playing.

As noon approached, Xiaocui needed to prepare lunch, only after she left did Lu Zheng join the table.

The group chatted as they played.

"Uncle An and Uncle Qian are both absent; it seems Taohua Temple is quite busy?"

Shen Ying nodded, "There have been many people these past two days. The common folk are devout, all hoping for better days in the coming year."

"Congratulations, sister."

"I have to thank your Lu Lang for suggesting 'Peach Blossoms.' By the way, didn't younger sister ask Young Master Lu to write a poem for you?" Shen Ying teased, casting a glance at Lu Zheng.

Liu Qingyan blushed but did not embarrass Lu Zheng, instead shaking her head and saying, "Lu Lang has already painted a picture for me."

"Oh—"

Shen Ying feigned realization, smiled, and then drew another tile, "One bamboo."

...

"I win again, pay up, pay up!"

Playing mahjong without stakes is soulless, so they gambled with small amounts, a penny or two, just for the thrill.

Liu Qingquan's skill in calculation was the poorest, yet she had remarkable luck. Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying only managed small wins, while Liu Qingquan frequently won large, accumulating quite a lot.

Huh? Out of four players, three are winning?

Lu Zheng smacked his lips, pulled out another copper coin, and handed it to Liu Qingquan.

Liu Qingquan accepted it with a grin and joyfully put it into her small purse.

Lu Zheng observed that the little purse was already bulging. It seemed Liu Qingquan had also won quite a bit during New Year's Eve.

Looks like, in the future, Liu Qingquan won't need to ask Liu Qingyan for money when buying snacks.

But with Lu Zheng around, would Liu Qingquan ever lack snacks?

"Time to eat!"

Xiaocui's voice interrupted Liu Qingquan's streak of winnings.

After finishing this round, they had lunch in the front hall, then returned to the room to continue playing. They hadn't had enough yet.

By the end of the day, they neither played chess nor strolled through the woods. Their entire time was consumed by mahjong.

Indeed, a formidable pastime...

Mid-3 PM, it was time for Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan to head back.

"It was quite fun. I'll have Xiaocui carve a set from peach wood next time, so you don't have to bring yours," Shen Ying said.

Xiaocui packed up the mahjong set and returned it to Liu Qingyan. Liu Qingyan accepted it without fuss; they had played a round at her house yesterday afternoon. Had she not planned to visit Peach Blossom Plain today, Madam Liu would probably not have let her take the mahjong set out.

Shen Ying saw them off at the door, waving as their carriage departed, only turning back into the courtyard once it was out of sight.

On the carriage, they rocked gently on the road home, resting and snacking, all feeling quite leisurely.

"Lu Lang."

"Hmm?"

Liu Qingyan hesitated before saying, "I plan to go sit at Renxin Hall tomorrow."

"Not resting another day or two?"

"I'll check if there are any patients and see how busy Father is."

Lu Zheng nodded, "Alright, coincidentally, I need to visit White Cloud Temple to see my master tomorrow, hoping to pick up another spell."

"By the way, when you have time, we can visit White Cloud Temple together. The scenery at Shaotong Mountain is quite nice."

Liu Qingyan blinked, thought for a moment, then said, "Sure."

...

Late at night, returning to the Peach Grove, Shen Ying was touched and once again allowed Lu Zheng to enjoy the meticulous service of the Peach Blossom Fairy until dawn.

Early the next morning, a spirited Lu Zheng carried Stalactite Spring and Reishi Mushroom Wine up to Shaotong Mountain.

"Last time it was Scorpion Wine, and this time it's Reishi Wine. You certainly are thoughtful."

Daoist Mingzhang sipped a bit, "The City God of the county sent thanks, saying you helped eradicate the Netherworld Night Mountain?"

Lu Zheng nodded, "The Ye Lan King created a Nether Stone Ghost Corpse, and Madam Shen obtained the Nether Heart. Both became bitter enemies. It just so happened that Ye Lan King lost a split soul, giving me a chance to test my skills."

Daoist Mingzhang shook his head, "You are quite bold. You've been cultivating for less than a year, yet you dared to enter the Netherworld with the City God.

But it's good for gaining experience and feeling the Nether Qi—so you can recognize ghosts at a glance in the mortal world."

As Lu Zheng and Daoist Mingzhang played chess and drank wine, they chatted casually.

Daoist Mingzhang did not further investigate Lu Zheng's cultivation status since Lu Zheng had successfully refined Qi. It would be intrusive to constantly probe with True Qi.

Lu Zheng also refrained from requesting more teachings from Daoist Mingzhang. What he had learned was sufficient for now, and it would seem rather opportunistic to ask for something every time he visited.

During the grand festival, coming up the mountain to play chess, drink some wine, have a chat with Daoist Mingzhang, and nurture relationships — this is quite good.

"I read your poem 'Peach Blossoms', it's really well-written. Are you really not planning to take the scholar exam this year?"

The imperial examination system of the Great Jing Dynasty is roughly similar to that of ancient Hua Country but is somewhat simpler and more flexible.

The first step is the annual local examination, which takes place in the examinee's registered residence. It's divided into state and county exams. Those who pass gain the title of scholar.

With the title of scholar, one can attend official schools like the county or state school, or choose to study at home or enroll in private academies.

The second step is the autumn examination held every three years by the court in each region, which is much harder than the local examination. Those who pass are called advanced scholars and qualified to become low-level local officials. For example, Chief Clerk Li of Tonglin County originated as an advanced scholar of Lingbei Dao.

Incidentally, the areas of the Great Jing Dynasty are divided into three levels: Dao, Zhou, and County. For instance, Tonglin County belongs to Yizhou, and Yizhou is part of Lingbei Dao.

It's somewhat like the modern administrative divisions of provinces, cities, and counties. Indeed, political governance seems to reach the same destination though taking different paths.

Huh? Thinking like this, haven't I just left the rookie village?

Others who traverse for a year come up with nuclear fusion and space fortresses, or single-handedly fend off a nation and flip the heavens with one hand, am I perhaps dragging down the hangers-on of all the worlds with my shortcomings?

No, no, I haven't even left the rookie village, and already there are bosses like the Ye Lan King, masters like Shen Ying, Daoist Mingzhang, and Xin Zhanting — if I really went out, wouldn't that be disastrous?

Better to play it safe, unless there truly is no Light of Fortune available for cultivation, otherwise, I'd rather continue to fall in love in Tonglin County.

Occasionally indulging in floral art, isn't that wonderful?

Let's steer the conversation back...

The third step is the imperial examination in the following spring, held in Zhongjing. Only those who passed the autumn examination and have not become officials can participate. Those who pass are seen directly by the central hub of the court and are regarded as having leaped to eminent positions, known as jinshi.

Additionally, the Emperor Jing personally selects the top three, and there are institutions like the Imperial College in Zhongjing, which are just supplementary aspects of the Great Jing Dynasty's vast examination system.

...

"No." Lu Zheng shook his head, "I really have no interest in being an official; it doesn't matter if I wait until I'm interested before taking the exams."

Daoist Mingzhang only felt it was a pity for Lu Zheng's literary talent. However, Lu Zheng's decision actually aligned with his preferences. After all, as long as one has cultivation, there is no need to fear official targeting as long as no laws are broken, and with family industries generating income, there are no worries about food and clothing, so focusing on cultivation is quite good.

"Very well, actually, since you've achieved success in Qi Refining, the court would make an exception and employ you if you truly wanted to be an official. However, unless your political achievements are outstanding, you are bound to face exclusion from colleagues who came up through the examination system." Daoist Mingzhang gave Lu Zheng a pre-emptive warning.

Lu Zheng nodded, expressing his understanding.

People painstakingly study and climb up, having their own network of peers, so you'd surely be unwelcome if you parachuted in suddenly.

Don't say that your cultivation in refining Qi is also quite tough — they wouldn't see eye to eye with you because it's not the same discipline.

Luckily, Lu Zheng wouldn't go into official circles.

Jokingly, being registered in Tonglin County isn't almighty. Should he actually achieve success, the court only has to conduct a political screening, and an individual without a "personal history" would certainly get exposed.

The best outcome would be not being employed due to unclear backgrounds, while the worst would be getting treated as a spy for other countries or factions, and directly executed, leading to a foolish end.

Don't underestimate the court of the Great Jing Dynasty; it's a unified empire akin to ancient Hua Country, not like the reckless pirate societies of Angso.

So, unless Lu Zheng possesses the power to obliterate the Great Jing Dynasty with one finger, he vows not to enter the core circles of various factions.

Not entering the core interest circles means no need to investigate him in-depth.

Wait until he reaches adequate strength, then if he truly wants to be an official in the Great Jing Dynasty...

Haha, political achievements, won't they be plentiful at will?

...

After having a vegetarian meal at the White Cloud Temple, playing another game of chess with Daoist Mingzhang in the afternoon, Lu Zheng finally took his leave.

Just as he walked out of the back courtyard, he saw Yuan Jing looking pale, clutching his chest, being supported by the host, Yuan Ning, as they walked in.

Lu Zheng hurriedly stepped forward, supporting Yuan Jing from the other side, "Senior Brother Yuan Jing, what happened to you?"

Yuan Jing shook his head and sighed, "Alas, I was careless for a moment!"

Lu Zheng, "..."

Yuan Ning, "..."

Lu Zheng glanced at Yuan Ning, only to find no hint of surprise on his face.

Seeing Lu Zheng look at him, Yuan Ning explained, "Three days ago, Landlord Zhang from Pingtan County requested help, saying that there were ghosts haunting his old residence, so Senior Brother went down the mountain to exterminate them."

Yuan Ning turned to take a look at Yuan Jing's pale countenance, "Was that evil ghost powerful?"

Yuan Jing shook his head, then nodded, "The Dao practice was ordinary, but unexpectedly, he had the skill of Curse Blood. I carelessly had twenty percent of my blood drained, it was quite a significant loss."

"What about that evil ghost..."

"Already dead," Yuan Jing said.

Lu Zheng nodded; it seemed despite Yuan Jing's tendency to be careless, his fundamental strength was still quite impressive. Even though he was ambushed, he succeeded in completing his mission down the mountain.

"I shall first pay respects to Master, then must rest for five days to fully replenish my Qi and blood."

"There's still some Scorpion Wine left that Junior Brother Yuan Zheng brought last time, I'll pour you a pot."

"Great!"

So, Lu Zheng, having just stepped out, turned back to help Yuan Jing return to Daoist Mingzhang's quietroom once again.

He paid his respects to Master and then reported the ghost-expelling event, where Daoist Mingzhang, full of helplessness, poured a jin of Reishi Mushroom Wine brought by Lu Zheng for Yuan Jing, to be consumed during his recovery.

Having helped Yuan Jing to his bedroom and conversed a bit, Lu Zheng finally left the room, employing the Divine Movement Technique to return to Tonglin County.