Chapter 977 Arrangements
"Wang Chen, do you have a way?"
Princess Qingyun's big eyes, pure as a doe's, nervously watched Wang Chen, who had just withdrawn his hand, as she asked eagerly, "Can I open my upper Dantian?"
Wang Chen hesitated for a moment.
The princess before him fully exhibited the symptoms of "desperate for any cure," not caring whether Wang Chen possessed such abilities, clinging to any sliver of hope that might exist.
This really perplexed Wang Chen.
What a rare find—a naive and sweet girl!
In fact, Wang Chen believed that if anyone in this world could help Princess Qingyun achieve attainment through the breath of nature, it would be him!
For the princess possessed an Innate Pure Yin constitution, and her Eight Extra Meridians were blocked precisely because the Innate Qi was overly abundant and vigorous, causing solidification within the meridians.
This also suggested that Princess Qingyun's mother must have consumed some heavenly and earthly treasure while pregnant with her, concentrating most of the spiritual energy and medicinal power into the fetus, resulting in such a condition.
Normally, most fetuses could not withstand this, but Princess Qingyun's special congenital constitution allowed her to survive without dying in the womb.
With such a physique, were she in a major sect in the Haotian Realm, she would certainly be a top-level disciple, a true Taoist seed, worthy of all resources for cultivation.
Unfortunately, Princess Qingyun was born in the Cangqing Domain, where nature's spiritual energy was weak and the Taoist veins were of low grade, utterly incapable of solving her issues.
Wang Chen's dilemma was whether or not to lend a hand to help Princess Qingyun.
His mind racing, Wang Chen sighed and said, "Your Highness, this servant's cultivation level is modest and temporarily powerless, please forgive me."
Upon reflection, he did not believe that unblocking her meridians and opening her Dantian for Princess Qingyun was a good act at the moment.
Firstly, he couldn't explain his abilities; secondly, Princess Qingyun's status was too exalted. Even if she agreed herself, others would not permit Wang Chen to treat her.
Why would Wang Chen voluntarily take on an arduous and thankless task that even bore the risk of execution?
However, Wang Chen felt an inexplicable fondness for the princess, so he left a bit of room in his words. If Princess Qingyun could understand, then it was her fortune and fate.
If not, so be it.
"I see."
Princess Qingyun pursed her lips, showing a pitifully disappointed expression.
But she still politely thanked Wang Chen, "Thank you for your time."
Wang Chen smiled, "Your Highness is too gracious."
Princess Qingyun nodded then turned and left.
Not until her silhouette disappeared around the corner of the stairs did Wang Chen withdraw his gaze.
Despite appearing alone, multiple top experts from the Imperial Palace covertly surrounded and protected her, just as Wang Chen had previously experienced in the Imperial presence. Any disturbance would undoubtedly bring about swift retribution.
This was also one reason for Wang Chen's tactful refusal to Princess Qingyun.
Being born into the Royal Family, a natural nobility, she herself was a great whirlpool; it was easy to get too close and be unable to extricate oneself.
It was better to keep some distance.
Reaching for a thick Taoist scripture, Wang Chen resumed his focused contemplation and reading.
He quickly dismissed Princess Qingyun from his thoughts.
Wang Chen didn't have much time left, and there were still many selected Taoist Canons he hadn't reviewed; he needed to make haste!
"Wang Chen, the appointed time has arrived."
A young eunuch in yellow attire quietly approached Wang Chen and whispered, "It's time for you to leave."
Immersed in the lines of the book in his hands, Wang Chen suddenly snapped back to reality.
He reluctantly set down the "Nanshan Discussing the Tao Collection" that he held in his hands, then stood up and clasped his hands in salute, saying, "Thank you, Eunuch."
As he spoke, Wang Chen stuffed over another silver note.
This eunuch, who had been in charge of managing the Taoist Scripture library, had diligently helped Wang Chen find books for three days, and had personally delivered his meals every day, saving him a great deal of effort.
Although it was for the sake of the silver note's face, this amount of money meant nothing to Wang Chen.
Giving another one now was mainly to form a good connection for when he returned to the library to read in the future, in order to receive the greatest convenience.
The Imperial Palace's Inner Affairs gathered the wealth of the whole nation, and this Scripture Pavilion's Ten Directions Taoist Collection encompassed everything, providing great reference value for Wang Chen.
Despite the Taoist Vein of the Cangqing Domain being very low in level, the numerous cultivators from ancient to modern times who had painstakingly immersed themselves in research had produced many ingenious ideas that greatly enlightened Wang Chen.
Not only had he thus opened his upper Dantian and entered the Taoist path, but he also gained a deeper understanding of the rules of this world.
Regrettably, three days was too short a time, and even though Wang Chen possessed a photographic memory, the Taoist scriptures he had been able to consult were quite limited.
I will return!
He silently recited in his heart, then left the Imperial Palace's Inner Affairs.
After leaving the palace, the first thing Wang Chen did was to head to the Yiluan External Affairs Office to meet with Deputy Commander Liu Chaozong.
This had been specially instructed by Liu Chaozong before the audience with the emperor.
Upon seeing Wang Chen, this Deputy Commander's smile was much more sincere than before, "I heard that you received His Majesty's grace and spent three days reading the Taoist Scriptures in the Scripture Pavilion?"
Since the other party had already received the news, Wang Chen naturally had nothing to hide, "Yes, thanks to His Majesty's profound love, I have fulfilled a long-held wish."
Liu Chaozong was obviously not concerned about the Taoist scriptures, and asked eagerly, "Wang Chen, what are your plans for the future?"
Wang Chen was momentarily taken aback, "Aren't there arrangements already made above?"
He had thought that his trip to the capital for an audience was like gilding himself, and that the Yiluan Office would definitely have corresponding arrangements, hence he had prepared to stay in Daye.
Unexpectedly, the Deputy Commander was asking for his opinion.
"Cough cough!"
Faced with Wang Chen's counter-question, Liu Chaozong's smile carried a hint of embarrassment, "Well, your grace is flourishing, and the Inner Affairs Department intends to first hear your opinion and then make arrangements."
This statement sounded perfectly reasonable, but Wang Chen felt something was not quite right.
He replied calmly, "In that case, I will return to Donglu."
"Ah?"
Wang Chen's response was clearly beyond Liu Chaozong's expectations, "Don't you want to stay in Daye?"
Daye was the Imperial Capital, an ancient capital of six dynasties, the heart of Great Liang, a place many dreamt of.
It wouldn't be far-fetched to say that dogs from Daye were considered higher in status than ordinary people.
Having received Emperor Shaowu's grace, Wang Chen actually wanted to return to a local Prefecture City—this choice was somewhat baffling!
Wang Chen smiled and said, "Sir, I have no relatives in Daye, and rising too quickly is not good either; it's better to lay low and accumulate for a few years."
Liu Chaozong was momentarily at a loss for words.
Because what Wang Chen said was perfectly accurate!
After a moment, he said, "In that case, don't hurry to leave. Stay a few more days at the posthouse, wait until the Inner Affairs Department has made a decision, to avoid running back and forth."
"It would be good to enjoy the sights of the Imperial Capital since you've come to Daye."
Wang Chen nodded, "What you say is very true."
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The first release, delivered.