"Three hundred taels of fine silver, five hundred pounds of rice, twenty pounds of fresh meat, three hundred pounds of cured meat and various fruits and vegetables, three sets of premium wide-sleeved Daoist robes, headbands, shoes, and socks, one purple copper qi cultivator…"
Zhang Yan looked at the inventory in his hands. Aside from these items, there were also some scattered daily necessities not listed. He silently marveled at Min Lou's generosity. Even if he ate freely, the provided food was enough for an entire year. It completely resolved his immediate concerns.
To speak honestly, judging by the value of decoding a Daoist book today, it didn't actually justify such a price. Even seeking guidance from the Masters at the temple wouldn't require so much.
However, considering the clear intention of Min Lou to forge a relationship, Zhang Yan didn't feel the need to feign modesty and accepted it all without reservation. Still, the favor he now owed was unquestionably significant.
After pondering for a moment, he wrote a letter and called over a miscellaneous Daoist boy, instructing him to deliver it down the mountain during a future errand.
Once everything was properly arranged, Zhang Yan closed his doors and began meditating. Although "One Qi Cleansing Scripture" was merely an entry-level mental method, the path of cultivation was like paddling against the current—one either advanced or regressed. Zhang Yan deeply understood the importance of laying a solid foundation. Since his arrival in this world, he hadn't allowed himself even a moment of relaxation.
The night passed without disturbance.
At the break of dawn the next day, he once again went to the cool pavilion near Thousand Feet Rock, only to find someone unexpectedly waiting there early.
The man appeared to be in his early thirties, with graying sideburns and a slightly weary expression. In his hands, he held a nanmu wooden box. When he spotted Zhang Yan in the distance, holding his bamboo banner, he quickly approached and respectfully saluted: "Are you Zhang Yan, Brother Zhang?"
Zhang Yan stopped and returned the greeting in a polite manner, saying, "I am."
"I am Zhao Yuan of De Xiu Temple. I have heard that Brother Zhang excels at deciphering Erosion Texts and have come specifically to seek your guidance."
Opening the wooden box in his hands, Zhao Yuan revealed a thin Daoist book. Treating the book as though it were a delicate treasure, he carefully removed it and presented it to Zhang Yan with great respect, saying, "If you can resolve my confusion, I will ensure that Brother Zhang is duly rewarded."
Zhang Yan noticed Zhao Yuan's reverent attitude toward the book and glanced at the exquisitely crafted nanmu box. Smiling faintly, he leaned his bamboo banner to the side, took a white handkerchief from his sleeve, and meticulously wiped his hands before accepting the Daoist book.
Seeing Zhang Yan's cautious demeanor, Zhao Yuan couldn't help but develop a deeper sense of respect for him.
As the book came into his hands, Zhang Yan skimmed through it briefly and found it to be only the first volume, with the second volume missing. Clearly, the intent wasn't for him to see the complete text. This was, of course, within reason. He smiled lightly and returned the Daoist book to Zhao Yuan.
Zhao Yuan's expression changed immediately, and he asked urgently, "Brother Zhang, is something wrong? Or…" He hesitated mid-sentence, scrutinizing Zhang Yan suspiciously. Could it be that Min Lou had exaggerated Zhang Yan's abilities and that he couldn't actually decipher the Daoist book?
Shaking his head, Zhang Yan smiled and replied, "No need to worry, Brother. This book is already in my mind."
With only a few hundred characters, this half-volume Daoist text was no challenge for Zhang Yan, whose memory had significantly improved due to his years of studying Erosion Texts. Moreover, he intended to leverage this opportunity to boost his reputation, so he deliberately adopted an air of confidence.
"Oh?" Zhao Yuan was taken aback, though his expression revealed a tinge of skepticism.
Unhurried, Zhang Yan stepped into the cool pavilion, arranged the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone he had brought in his bamboo basket on the stone table, and sat down calmly. Only then did he pick up the brush and begin writing.
From his earlier observation, Zhang Yan had already determined that the Daoist book titled "Yongchuan Water Walking Book" was essentially nothing more than a miscellaneous record of immortal travels. To him, it posed no difficulty, and before long, he had finished decoding the half-volume.
Before the ink even dried, Zhao Yuan eagerly snatched up the few pages and began reading with great anticipation. However, as he read, his expression grew increasingly grim. After repeatedly flipping through the pages and scrutinizing them several more times, he let out a long, dispirited sigh and remarked, "To think I didn't believe it earlier, but it's true after all. All my painstaking efforts were in vain… As if someone like me could ever hope to encounter the True Book of Marvelous Techniques. This time, I was truly blinded by folly!"
Zhang Yan, surprised, asked, "Brother, why such disheartened words?"
Zhao Yuan's face bore a bitter expression as he replied, "Brother, you know how arduous cultivation is for us Registered Disciples. Even those from affluent families, who live in abundance, must occasionally present offerings to the overseers to gain even the slightest access to Dharma techniques. To be honest, Junior Brother Zhang, just a few days ago, Senior Brother Bian from the temple promised me a Daoist book, provided I could procure a pound of Yan Chen Sand. But who would have thought… sigh!"
Zhang Yan immediately understood. Whether it was Shanyuan Temple, De Xiu Temple, or Taian Temple, the true entry-level disciples in each sect numbered only a handful. They devoted themselves to cultivation, leaving everyday affairs to their managers. Though the managers bore the title of Registered Disciples, they were not to be underestimated.