The moment Zhang Yu was enveloped by that radiance, he felt himself once more detach from the world where he had been standing. Before him appeared a long road woven from light, stretching upward into the clouds and mist.
He stepped forward. Though the road was clearly long, after only a few steps, he entered a small tea garden retreat surrounded by tea trees in every color.
A young Daoist with refined features and jade-like flesh and bones sat upon a meditation cushion.
He wore a broad Daoist robe, his hair tied in a Daoist topknot, a fly-whisk cradled in his hands. At this moment, he opened his eyes and looked toward Zhang Yu. Then he slowly rose from his seat, made a formal salute, and said, "Greetings, Profound Rectifier Zhang. By order of the Profound Court, I have come to speak with you and ask you a few questions."
Zhang Yu raised his sleeves and returned the salute. "Greetings, Envoy."
The young Daoist smiled faintly and pointed with his fly-whisk. "Profound Rectifier Zhang, please sit. Let us speak."
Zhang Yu thanked him and took a seat on the meditation cushion opposite him.
The young Daoist said, "For suppressing chaos, eliminating traitors, and defending the continent's domain this time, the Profound Court has decided to grant you an additional rank of merit, along with further rewards. But I must ask: does the Profound Rectifier intend to remain in Qingyang, or would you prefer to take up an office elsewhere?"
Having received Meng Huan Zhen's hint earlier, Zhang Yu had already given the matter some thought. Yet he did not directly state his intentions. Instead, he said, "I have several questions. May I seek the Envoy's guidance?"
The young Daoist nodded with a smile. "Naturally. I have come not only to