Chapter 111 The Palace Manager
The steaming white rice and date cakes were put into Qu Qitao's storage bag. The four of them left the cake shop and planned to continue forward to take a look at the academy.
Unlike the inn and shops, the academy was surrounded by a continuous wall. The wall was not high, and a patchwork of ordinary vines and flowers grew in the corners, painting the entire wall a pale yellow. Luo Xuanyi walked closer to see that the wall was not made of solid bricks and tiles, but of two layers of densely packed bamboo poles of equal length, with vines entwined around them.
It doesn't seem to have the ability to prevent internal escape or eavesdropping, nor does it have any aura of formation restrictions.
Just as Luo Xuanyi was hammering on the wall, a bell suddenly rang out from the academy. The sound wasn't from a single bell, but from countless bells mingling together, hitting the eardrums layer by layer.
Luo Xuanyi's first reaction was an enemy attack, but the ringing had no effect on her. Remembering that Qu Qitao seemed to be very sensitive to sound, Luo Xuanyi couldn't help but glance at her.
Qu Qitao's face showed confusion. She said uncertainly, "This seems to be the sound of a magical instrument? But there is no spiritual power fluctuation, nor any emotional reliance..."
As the sound gradually approached, the true form of the bell leaped into view. It was a group of children in school uniforms, roughly the same age as the children Luo Xuanyi had seen on the boat when she arrived, but all of them had rosy complexions and were running out of the academy, playing with each other. Each of them had a bell tied to their hand.
The bell is made of bronze and is in the shape of a lily of the valley. Seven nearly transparent, thin, hollow tubes hang from the top of the hollow interior. As the children dance, they collide with each other and produce a wonderful sound.
"What is this?"
Before the four of them could make a move, they suddenly heard a loud and stern shout from behind: "Who are you?"
At the main street entrance stood a middle-aged man, his hair meticulously combed, his figure straight and well-groomed. He wore a half-worn, yet perfectly straight brown robe, evidently well-groomed. He approached with a swift step, his eyes gleaming with a glint, as if certain the other party was up to no good. "I noticed you were acting furtively the moment you entered town, and you even tried to attack the child! Tell me! Who sent you? Come with me to the palace!"
Luo Xuanyi silently placed the bell back on the child's wrist. However, since she didn't move her body, but simply leaned over to the child and took a look while he wasn't paying attention, only the part that touched the bell was visible, so no one noticed.
Xi Xingji and the others' explanation was straightforward. After all, the three of them had done nothing wrong, nor did they intend to do anything evil. There were too many questions at the moment, and wandering around the town alone wouldn't lead to any clues. He quickly removed a rectangular blessing seal from his storage bag and injected spiritual energy into it. A strange symbol immediately appeared on the seal, remarkably similar to the silver pattern embroidered on Xi Xingji's robe sleeves.
The man took a closer look, his expression relaxing. "So you're Master Xi from the Blackwood Sect. I was intrusive just now. My name is Guanxian, and I'm the chief steward of Master Wang's residence. While on patrol, I noticed you were acting a little... so I offended you."
"We're here to take care of some matters. It's just our first time in Fuji Town, so we're a little curious." Xi Xingji took the lucky seal back and straightened his sleeves. "I wonder if Master Wang is at home?"
"Of course, my Lords, this way please."
Along the way, children were playing and playing after school. Luo Xuanyi noticed that they were not afraid of Guan Xian. Some of the more lively children would even shout and run towards him when they saw him leading the way, and their attitude was very friendly. Guan Xian looked at these children with a kind face. He just had to lead the way for Luo Xuanyi and others, so it was not convenient for him to stay and play with the children.
Taking this opportunity, Qu Qitao pretended to be nonchalant and said, "Although these children are lively and cute, the ringing of the bells in their hands is a bit noisy. Is this a custom?"
Guan Xian waved to the guards at the palace gate to open the main entrance to welcome Luo Xuanyi and the others, while answering fluently, not sounding improvised. "These are blessing bells. It's a custom in the town. It's used to pray for children to grow up safely and safely, and avoid premature death. Once they reach adulthood, these blessing bells are returned to the mountain god."
"However, in recent years, with the pharmacy and clinic opened by the master, there are fewer children dying young than before."
In other words, this custom existed before Master Wang appeared? Xi Xingji sighed, "This Master Wang has done many good deeds, but it's a pity that he has not been admitted to the immortal sect like us."
"Record?" Hearing this, Guan Xian's eyes lit up. He unconsciously slowed down his pace and led everyone around the screen wall into the interior. His tone was a little curious, "Forgive my ignorance, Guan Xian, but what do you mean by record?"
Xi Xingji seemed oblivious to his emotional fluctuations, and continued to smile calmly, "The six alliances have given us disciples quotas to select good people who have done great good deeds, or who have stabilized the court and made lasting contributions to the nation. They will reward those who have made contributions to the world by granting them elixirs that can prolong their lives or leave a path to immortality for their families."
"I think what Master Wang has done is for the benefit of the townspeople in the future, not to mention the fact that he opened an academy to admit students from humble backgrounds. If a detailed biography were available, I'm sure he would be rewarded if reported, and his name would even be included in the six great alliances for all eternity to admire."
Listening to Xi Xingji's words, Luo Xuanyi quietly asked Qu Qitao via voice transmission: "Could it be that Fellow Daoist Xi is deceiving him?"
"That's true, but only the inner disciples of the six major alliances or those who have reached the Jindan stage or above have the right to nominate."
Guan Xian was so excited that he suddenly stopped and bowed to Xi Xingji: "I, Guan Xian, thank you for your guidance!"
"Master, there's no need for this. Please stand up quickly." Xi Xingji's eyes flashed with a hint of joy. "I just mentioned a few small things. How can you be so polite to me, Master?"
"It's a small matter for you, sir, but a big deal for us." Guan Xian was initially refusing to get up, but was abruptly lifted up by Xi Xingji's spiritual energy. He sighed, "Perhaps it's because of the good deeds my master has done over the years that we've been blessed with this opportunity. Sir Xi, you don't know that my master wasn't wealthy in his early years, and he's left with many underlying illnesses. He finally managed to get better with medication until this year, but he's also, he's running out of energy."
At this point, tears welled up in Guan Xian's eyes. Luo Xuanyi almost suspected he was acting, but she couldn't detect a single ounce of resentment toward Master Wang, only admiration and anxiety. His voice choked slightly. "Master said there was no need to bother, but we're still unwilling to give up. We originally sent someone to the capital to fetch the miraculous doctor Ruan Chudie, but yesterday we learned that Master Ruan was killed by bandits on his way here, and his whereabouts are unknown. Alas, I thought it was fate, but I didn't expect you four to show up today!"
"Don't worry, General Manager. If Master Wang is truly devoted to the people, we will not let him die. However, we still need the General Manager to hand over the biography of Master Wang to us so that we can proceed."
"Of course, there are books and records in the palace!" Guan Xian finally saw hope and slowly calmed down. "Let me introduce the master to you first."
There is no need to say much about the scenery of the mansion along the way. The orchestra did not lead them into the lobby, but directly into the backyard.
"The master is no longer able to move around much. Although he still oversees matters in the mansion, the majority of the work is done by the eldest and second masters. The second master is also in the courtyard next to the master."
Dozens of lanterns lit up the gray-brick courtyard, their warm orange glow illuminating the shadowed dwelling, bringing a hint of life to the room. Guan Xian entered first to announce the arrival of the guests, then respectfully ushered Luo Xuanyi and the others into the room.
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