After returning empty-handed from the bizarre game, Tan Shuchang had been full of grievances, and his daily diary entries turned into "Qiu Junlin owes a debt, interest added by one," "Qiu Junlin still hasn't repaid, interest added by two." But fortunately, today, these grievances could finally be somewhat alleviated.
Because his injuries had finally healed.
In less than a month, his grievous injuries had healed entirely. Besides the herbs used by Tan Shuchang, which were all rare and miraculous, his body's special abilities had also played an indispensable role.
Otherwise, if it were any other cultivator, even using the same medications, it would take at least three to five years to recover.
After all, the injuries had been severe.
But soon, Tan Shuchang's mood soured again.
"What are you three doing here?" When the three princes of the Zi Xuan dynasty set foot on Black Heart Mountain, Tan Shuchang reacted instantly and then descended the mountain with an unfriendly look.
Letting these three figures ascend the mountain did seem somewhat ominous.
"Tan Shuchang! Seeing us and not performing a grand salute, could it be that you wish to rebel?" clad in brocade robes despite their light attire, and accompanied by no small number of attendants, the princes were startled by Tan Shuchang's audacious words; the youngest of them, the Fourth Prince, could not help but retort angrily.
Among the four princes, the fourteen-year-old Fourth Prince was the least calculating. As he and the Second Prince were born of the same mother, he had, from an early age, renounced any claims to the throne to prevent fratricidal conflicts. His mother also intentionally cultivated this trait in him, to facilitate his future role as a leisurely prince.
"So you can represent the court? Then, are you saying you want to usurp the positions of your elder brother and your father?" Tan Shuchang said, his expression unchanged, his tone light and casual.
"Tan Shuchang, shut your mouth!" The Fourth Prince was immediately intimidated, for as the Crown Prince who trembled even at the mention of that position, he was even more perturbed.
Compared to the Fourth Prince, the Second and Third Princes were much calmer. The Second Prince waved his hand dismissively and smiled, "Enough, enough. The Fourth Brother is joking. Brother Tan, it's been many years since we've met. My brothers and I wish to host a banquet in your honor. Would you do us the honor of attending?"
"I will not." Tan Someone's attitude was resolute, refusing to partake in anything ominous.
Affronted by Tan Shuchang's snub, the Second Prince's pride was somewhat wounded. Fortunately, at that moment, the Third Prince spoke up: "Brother Tan, you've changed quite a lot. I remember the days when you were gentle, courteous, and could charm many a young lady of good families with your elegant writings."
"They were charmed by my identity back then, weren't they?" Tan Shuchang said, quite self-aware.
He had no talent in literature.
Well, he had a bit, but it was mainly the kind that involved copying good phrases for his own use. To write vibrant, soul-stirring essays, he would need another sixty years of study at least.
And although back then Tan Shuchang was merely a bastard of the Tan family without even a servant to command, his status was still unattainably high for those young ladies.
"Brother Tan, your current status is not bad either!" The Second Prince had recovered by this point.
The three of them were not here to cause trouble, but to invite this Mr. Tan to take up an official post. They had all come to understand their father's casual reference to "Minister Tan."
Thus, only by having Mr. Tan accept the post could they consider this self-initiated mission complete.
"What do you mean by that?" Tan Shuchang's eyes showed a strange color, and his attitude was not good; however, the three seemed to accommodate him.
"Brother Tan, here is a decree from our father the Emperor. Would you be willing to accept it?" the Second Prince asked with a smile. For ordinary people, a decree would be simply read upon arrival, but facing a cultivator required first ascertaining whether the other party was willing to accept.
If he was not willing, they could not coerce him by accusing him of disrespect.
After all, out of the twenty-five provinces in the Jiawu Realm, the Zi Xuan dynasty governed only seventeen, leaving eight beyond imperial control. Though not under any other dynastic power, most of the powerful Immortal Sects in the Jiawu Realm were located in these eight provinces!
Cultivators wanted by the court merely had to flee to these eight provinces, and the court could do nothing about them.
Thus, those caught by Qitian Pavilion were either very unlucky, not very clever, or lacked any significant backing, such as the loose cultivators.
Or like the Mountain-Sea Beasts, who opened their spiritual intelligence but might as well have not, dumb with love.
Especially the latter, which Qitian Pavilion favored catching.
Because they never worried about finding a market.
"How could there be any refusal when a royal decree arrives?" Tan Shuchang said without hesitation, for he was now one of those loose cultivators without any backing.
"I won't read the imperial decree aloud. After you've reviewed it, Brother Tan, please promptly assume your duties."
"Assume duties?" Tan Shuchang took the imperial decree and upon opening it, his expression turned somewhat peculiar. He couldn't help but look toward the three princes.
"Does the Emperor really trust me this much? Doesn't he fear that I might avenge my father?" he asked in astonishment. In the decree, he had been unexpectedly appointed as the "Sword Command Daoist General."
This position belonged to the Qitian Pavilion system, ranking in the third tier.
The first tier was the Grand Master of the Qitian Pavilion.
The second tier consisted of the three Vice Masters within the pavilion.
And the third tier included the Seven Spirit Officers and Seven Daoist Generals. Both rank equally and are equivalent to third-grade officials in the Zi Xuan dynasty.
"This position was proposed by the eldest brother, but also... Brother Tan, let's not joke about this," said the third prince. While making this statement, he deliberately glanced towards Black Heart Mountain.
This was clearly not just looking at the mountain, but was indicative of the Heartless Old Man.
In the realms of immortals, respect for one's teacher can sometimes be greater than that for one's biological father. After all, if a biological father is merely a mortal, all he can provide is the flesh and blood body. But, a teacher in the world of cultivation can offer a splendid future on the path to enlightenment!
This situation aligned somewhat with Tan Shuchang's own experience.
Tan Shuchang immediately understood the implication from the third prince and remained silent. After pondering for a moment, he decided to salvage his reputation: "I was compelled to make this decision..."
"Although we are unaware of your difficulties, Brother Tan, we can empathize," said the second prince. However, everyone could tell that he was merely placating him.
Upon hearing this, Tan Shuchang's mouth twitched. He eventually gave up on explaining and internally cursed, but kept his face unchanged and his tone as mild as before, "After all, betraying one's teacher is a tradition of the Sacred Gate, and as a disciple of the Sacred Gate, it is my unavoidable duty to uphold this tradition."
The second prince: "..."
The third prince: "..."
The fourth prince: "..."
Are you listening to yourself? Even the former demon sect leader wasn't as dedicated as you!
...
Meanwhile, in Qinghe City, an old man with a kindly look, who had followed the tracks of the three Zi Xuan dynasty princes and come all the way here, couldn't help but spit out the tea he was drinking upon picking up on the conversation.
This gesture startled the tea house's waiter, who swiftly came over, because despite the old man's gentle appearance and easygoing nature, he emanated an indescribable aura of authority, imposing great pressure on others.
Therefore, to the waiter, this old man was undoubtedly an important figure.
Even if he wasn't, he must be a senior from the world of cultivation.
However, halfway there, the waiter was stopped by a gesture from the old man.
"My mistake, it's unrelated to you, don't worry about it," said the old man.
Then, he placed the tea cup and the silver necessary for the bill on the table and walked outside.
"Initially, I wanted to follow the old Tan family's example, helping a nearly impossible candidate attain leadership, nurturing him into a true dragon. But now, perhaps passing on the Shadow Retaining Immortal Secret Tome would make my staged death all those years ago more meaningful..." This old man had considered taking on a disciple.
Of course, to be precise, it wasn't about taking a disciple. Instead, he intended to pass on the Shadow Retaining Immortal Secret Tome.
After all, in the old man's eyes, someone seemed to consider teacher-slaying a tradition.
Although he was fearless, he couldn't help but feel a bit squeamish...