Chapter 816 - 389: Jiang Lai’s Warning! Fate Unfinished_2

Chapter 816: Chapter 389: Jiang Lai’s Warning! Fate Unfinished_2

"Everyone can die, except you," Jiang Lai said solemnly.

"You mean if I go to Zhenwu Mountain, there will be a disaster?" Zhang Fan asked curiously.

"I have a sense of your life and death."

Jiang Lai said in a serious tone, "Just like that woman next to you last time, she will also bring you a calamity, a calamity concerning life and death."

"Li Miaoyin!?" Zhang Fan remained silent.

He finally understood why, when Jiang Lai met Li Miaoyin that day, she would start a fight without a word.

"You will be in danger if you go to Zhenwu Mountain," Jiang Lai continued.

"Is it possible that there will be complications during the Transcendent Zhenren’s apprentice acceptance ceremony?" Zhang Fan pondered.

Chu Chaoran is in the Realm of Pure Yang Wuji, a living Zhenren of this age, the foremost person in the world. What complications could there be with him?

"Jiang Lai, I appreciate your kindness."

At this moment, Zhang Fan was at a loss, he looked at Jiang Lai and whispered, "A cultivator, in avoiding tribulations, can perceive profound truths."

"A calamity is both a deadly peril and an Elixir of Immortality."

With these words, Jiang Lai’s gaze slowly withdrew; she knew Zhang Fan had made up his mind and was unshakeable.

"I understand."

The cold and clear voice echoed in the quiet, old neighborhood, as a gust of night wind swept by, the silhouette before him vanished without a trace.

Zhang Fan looked towards the direction Jiang Lai had departed, his eyes deep with thought.

Returning home, he took out the Mighty Spirit Demon-Suppressing Gold Seal and black iron plate, offering them at the shrine, as incense burned, he returned to his room.

Buzz...

Under the dim moonlight, the black iron plate subtly vibrated, sending out an imperceptible ripple, pushing the Mighty Spirit Demon-Suppressing Gold Seal to the corner, while the rising incense smoke grew exceptionally intense, all swarming towards the black iron plate.

...

The next day, at dawn.

Zhang Fan rose early and headed to the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance Headquarters.

Lou Hechuan died in Shangjing City, Wu Qingnang had mentioned that the ashes of this former helmsman of the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance Headquarters would be transported back to Yujing City and buried at a chosen place.

Zhang Fan, and even his family, had benefited from Lou Hechuan’s generosity, his first act upon returning to Yujing City was to pay his respects.

"Where have you been lately? Haven’t seen you in a while."

In the office, Sui Chunsheng had just brewed a cup of tea, holding a thermos cup, he looked at Zhang Fan.

Since Gao Sheng had taken the position, his face was glowing, although his cultivation hadn’t progressed, his complexion had improved greatly, truly a case of official privilege nurturing health.

"I made a trip to Chang’an," Zhang Fan said as he sat in a chair, speaking casually.

"Why did you go to Chang’an again?"

"I even ran into your Wu Vice President in Chang’an," Zhang Fan replied without explanation.

"You can’t call him that now."

Sui Chunsheng waved his hand and put down the thermos cup, "The announcement came down yesterday, the ’Vice’ title was removed."

"Wu Qingnang!"

"Chairman Wu!"

Zhang Fan’s eyes slightly focused, admiring, "He really did get promoted."

"A new emperor brings new ministers; who knows what this new chairman’s approach will be?" Sui Chunsheng murmured softly, yet he began to worry about his own future.

"Has your Chairman Wu returned?" Zhang Fan asked.

Since parting at the Wang Family Mansion on Luoying Mountain, he hadn’t seen Wu Qingnang again.

"He returned a couple of days ago. Right now the apprentice acceptance ceremony of Transcendent Zhenren is approaching, and all regional Daoist Alliances have to show their support," Sui Chunsheng said.

The economy of Jiangnan Province is among the top nationwide, and at this crucial moment, there’s much to be busy with.

As the new official, Wu Qingnang’s appointment also serves as a test.

"Has Elder Lou’s ashes been transported back?" Zhang Fan fell silent for a moment, finally stating the purpose of his visit.

"Yes!"

Sui Chunsheng gently hummed and immediately said, "They were flown back yesterday, personally delivered by the people of White Crane Temple."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fan sneered coldly without speaking.

Lou Hechuan’s death had peculiarities; this was something he knew, as did Wu Qingnang.

"Where is he buried? I’d like to pay my respects."

"You probably can’t pay your respects just yet," Sui Chunsheng shook his head and said.

"The higher-ups don’t intend to hold a memorial service."

At this point, Sui Chunsheng paused slightly, glanced at Zhang Fan, and continued, "The Daoist Alliance’s final evaluation for Elder Lou was that he had achievements as well as faults, had muddled things on major issues, and now that he’s no longer here, we’ll let bygones be bygones, no longer discussing merits or faults."

"Let bygones be bygones!?" Zhang Fan said coldly without speaking.

Lou Hechuan had no family; he devoted his entire life to the Daoist Alliance, and now a simple "let bygones be bygones" essentially erased his life cleanly.

"Zhang Fan..."

Sui Chunsheng looked at Zhang Fan’s expression and couldn’t help but say, "Actually, Elder Lou had many unresolved issues, but now that he’s dead, there’s no longer a need to investigate further."

"This is the last respect afforded to Elder Lou."

"Is this Jiang Wansui’s mercy and grace?" Zhang Fan said indifferently.

Upon these words, Sui Chunsheng’s face changed dramatically, he quickly looked towards the door, seeing no one coming in, he lowered his voice, "Lower your voice, this is the Daoist Alliance, don’t speak recklessly."

"Let me know when Elder Lou’s grave is chosen," Zhang Fan said, rising.

"Probably in a couple of days," Sui Chunsheng nodded and said.

"Black conspiracy! Absolute conspiracy, we want fairness! We want the truth!"

At this moment, a noisy commotion echoed from the courtyard downstairs.

Zhang Fan turned his head to look, walked to the window, and saw a group of young people gathered in the courtyard, most of them wearing Daoist robes, their expressions agitated, shouting incessantly.

"These people are here again," Sui Chunsheng said, rubbing his forehead.

"What’s going on?" Zhang Fan couldn’t help but ask.

"It’s a long story."

"Then make a long story short."

"Recently, the Daoist Alliance Headquarters held a recruitment process, and Jiangnan Province had a special recruitment quota," Sui Chunsheng said.

"You know, this kind of quota is very precious, and naturally, there has to be an examination."

"The examination was organized by our Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance, and ultimately the person recruited was someone named Mao Baiguang."

"Mao Baiguang, surname Mao?" Zhang Fan suddenly thought of the Mao family Celestial Master, Mao Xiaoyun, he encountered on the plane.

"The Mao family is directly descended from the Maoshan Dharma Lineage, very powerful," Sui Chunsheng immediately said, seeing Zhang Fan’s thoughts.

If Maoshan were a dynasty, the Mao family would be royal kin, inheriting honor across generations.

"Initially it was all settled, then somehow it got exposed that Mao Baiguang’s exam score was only 90 points."

"90 points? That’s not bad, close to the full score," Zhang Fan interjected.

"It was a nine-subject exam, the full score is 730 points," Sui Chunsheng glanced sideways, speaking flatly.

"..."

"The 90 points even included 20 points of policy bonus from major sects."

"..."

"So, Mao Baiguang is purely a useless person?" Zhang Fan couldn’t help but say.

"Sigh, in truth, it’s pointless for these people to riot."

Sui Chunsheng looked out to the courtyard, his eyes filled with a tinge of sadness.

"Why?"

"Actually, this spot was always meant for Mao Baiguang; they only held this special recruitment examination to formalize it."

"Without Mao Baiguang, there wouldn’t have been this examination."

"These people wouldn’t even qualify to accompany him in the exam."

At this point, Zhang Fan remained silent, this world is large, larger than anyone can imagine, and the view from above is something many can never envision in their lifetime.

Some are born in Rome, while others are born to toil.

This is fate!

"Alright, these matters will be handled by the appropriate people," Sui Chunsheng turned around and moved to the desk, picking up a booklet and handing it to Zhang Fan.

"There’s a ’Dao Cultural Exotic Treasures Exhibition’ recently in Yujing City, if you have time, you can check it out, many treasures are borrowed from major sects and mountain gates."

"Exotic Treasures Exhibition?" Zhang Fan was taken aback, looking at the booklet he held, it detailed most of the treasures in the exhibition.

He absentmindedly flipped it open, and the photos on the page stunned him.

"This item is in the exhibition?" Zhang Fan couldn’t help but ask.

"It’s been sent from Zhongnan Mountain, hasn’t arrived yet, probably in the next couple of days," Sui Chunsheng glanced.

The exhibition spans eight days; many treasures require negotiation, some are still en route.

"Why? Are you also interested in Dharma Seal type treasures?" Sui Chunsheng chuckled.

"You have good taste, this seal is from Dragon Tiger Mountain, it’s quite rare."

"Indeed it’s quite rare."

Zhang Fan nodded, looking at the booklet’s photo of the Thunder City Demon-Catching Golden Seal, revealing a meaningful smile.

Just as Li Yishan said, the bond between him and this seal is not yet finished.