Chen Shuangbai sipped his yellow wine and listened to the conversations of passing merchants, boatmen, and local people for a long time, thus gaining a general understanding of the intricate web of local forces in Wind Howling County.
In the mundane world, and above all righteousness, the county government that Jing Kingdom re-established is naturally the most respected. The county magistrate is named Chang Yuan, a scion of a well-known and prestigious family in the Jing Kingdom, who also has powerful backers in the Jing Kingdom court.
However, he doesn't really manage things. As long as the people below pay their taxes and don't make a big fuss, he generally won't show up.
Besides these, there is Compassionate Light Temple, Rosy Clouds Abode Alliance, and local clans in the county. And outside the county... well, it can't really be called outside the county. It's just that on Wind Howling Ford, there is a boatmen's organization called Azure Flood Dragon Society, which is similar to the Canal Gang.
Chen Shuangbai frowned slightly.
"Although I already knew that Wind Howling Ford would be quite challenging, it's just a small county town, yet it has gathered so many forces... It's truly remarkable."
Chen Shuangbai had already made up her mind to govern this place thoroughly, since she dared to choose it.
When the waiter came over to ask if they needed anything else, he found that Chen Shuangbai had already disappeared, leaving only a piece of silver on the table.
Chen Shuangbai left the inn and headed east along the alleyway that had a distinct foreign feel.
Wind Howling Ford is located in Wind Province, which is within the territory of the Jade Spring Sect. In addition, the geographical environment here is excellent, and the shipping fleets of the three kingdoms converge here. Therefore, a place has been set up to provide accommodation for the disciples of Jade Spring.
However, the county town was too crowded and polluted, so the Jade Spring Sect set up its headquarters outside the county town.
Chen Shuangbai used a little trickery to find the location of that place.
After leaving the county town on the east side, Chen Shuangbai headed east until he arrived at a small hill covered with lush bamboo. In the middle of this sea of green bamboo stood a Daoist temple with white walls and black tiles.
The temple was designed with exquisite ingenuity; it was invisible from the outside and could only be seen when one entered the depths of the bamboo forest.
This must be protected by an array.
As Chen Shuangbai approached the depths of the bamboo forest, two Daoist priests stood at the entrance of the Daoist temple, one tall and one short. The tall one was dignified and serious, while the short one had a smooth smile on his face.
The two saw Chen Shuangbai descend from the clouds and slowly descend from the sky. They hurriedly took a few steps, bowed deeply, and said, " Zhuang Wen, Bi Sheng, welcome to our Grandmaster Uncle."
Both of them looked to be around forty or fifty years old, and their cultivation levels were probably around the Third Layer of Qi Refinement, with the taller one being slightly more advanced.
Chen Shuangbai landed lightly in front of them. With a surge of her Law Power, a similar but not as refined Law Power fluctuation emerged from the two of them, thus verifying their identities.
"Please rise, my two junior disciples."
Before coming here, Chen Shuangbai had already learned about the foundation of the Daoist academy established by the Jade Spring Sect. The previous academy director was named Tian Guanyu, who was his senior brother from the previous class.
However, due to his advanced age, he had no hope of Foundation Establishment, so he requested to take up the post of the local garrison commander and returned to his hometown of Wind Howling County. There, he built the Spring-Venerating Daoist Academy, regarded the Jade Spring Sect as the superior sect, and also took in some disciples from his hometown who had some Spirit Root talent, thus continuing the lineage.
However, this Senior Brother Tian has passed away for many years. Now, his two disciples are in charge of the academy, carrying out his last wishes and fulfilling their teaching duties.
However, these two can only be considered disciples of the Dharma lineage, so the title "upper sect" needs to be added to show respect.
Chen Shuangbai raised his head slightly, and with a surge of Law Power, he straightened the two bowing figures. The two sensed the pure and far more powerful Law Power than themselves, and their faces lit up with joy.
Chen Shuangbai took out the disciple's jade token and had the two examine it. After they revealed their identities to each other, the joy on their faces increased, and there was even a hint of relief mixed with their worries.
Chen Shuangbai saw it all.
"Uncle-Master, please follow us into the courtyard. A quiet room has been prepared for you."
The tall Daoist Zhuang Wen gestured for them to enter, and then the two men respectfully welcomed Chen Shuangbai Chen Shuangbai, showing no disrespect despite her youthful appearance.
Among cultivators, the higher their cultivation level, the younger they appear.
Ordinary people might not be able to tell, but these two were cultivators; how could they not recognize it?
The Daoist temple has white walls and black tiles, with flying eaves and brackets. Its layout is simple and elegant, exuding the charm of Daoist tranquility and non-action.
The courtyard was extremely spacious and thoughtfully laid out, subtly conforming to the principles of Feng Shui. There were also many flowers and trees in the courtyard. Although they were not particularly auspicious, they were well-trimmed and full of life, clearly showing that they were taken very seriously in their daily care.
Besides the two Daoist priests, Zhuang Wen Bi Sheng, there were also a group of Daoist students dressed in blue robes.
As Chen Shuangbai was respectfully welcomed in by the two teachers, the students also became quite reserved, standing in various places in the courtyard with their heads slightly bowed to show their respect.
After passing the screen wall and walking through the corridor, we arrived at the main hall.
The main hall enshrines a portrait of the founder of the Jade Spring Sect, while the side hall contains a portrait and memorial tablet of a Daoist priest in a tall hat and wide belt, which should be that Senior Brother Tian.
Incense was burning in both places, the smoke curling upwards, creating a solemn atmosphere.
The side rooms are a lecture hall, Alchemy Chamber, and a meditation room, respectively. Although the Spiritual Qi is not very abundant, it is much quieter than the county town. In addition, there is a protective array here, so it can be considered a place for quiet cultivation.
Zhuang Wen led the way, with Bi Sheng following half a step behind. The two were respectful, yet somewhat distant.
Since entering the courtyard, Chen Shuangbai has remained silent, observing her surroundings. Coupled with the powerful aura emanating from her, this puts pressure on both of them.
"Uncle-Master, please come this way. The meditation room has been arranged in the Listening to the Waves Pavilion in the east wing. It is the most tranquil place, and you can see the bamboo forest behind the mountain just by opening the window. When Master was alive, he also loved to meditate there."
As Zhuang Wen walked, he introduced the place, his tone filled with longing for his master.
Chen Shuangbai nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping across the various parts of the Daoist temple.
Not long after.
The three arrived at the Listening to the Waves Pavilion in the east wing.
It was a two-story building, nestled among clumps of bamboo, giving it a serene and secluded feel. The interior was simply furnished, without much opulence, and spotlessly clean, clearly having been prepared well in advance.
"It seems... they must have received the news early on, knowing that a disciple from our sect was here to guard the area, which is why they were always prepared."
Zhuang Wen pushed open the door and welcomed Chen Shuangbai inside. Bi Sheng lit a stick of incense, and the wafting fragrance immediately put him at ease.
After Chen Shuangbai sat down on the central futon, the two intended to take their leave, but then they noticed pairs of curious and inquisitive eyes outside the pavilion...
The tall Bi Sheng immediately straightened his face and scolded, "Sneaking around like this, what kind of behavior is this! Get out of here!"
As soon as he shouted, all those eyes disappeared, interspersed with cries of pain, clearly from being frightened and falling to the ground.
Zhuang Wen Wenshi, standing to the side, smiled slightly and said, "Uncle-Master, please forgive me. I am unruly, but I have no ill intentions. I simply admire the majesty of our sect."