The Vermilion-Written Iron Certificate

"What? If that's the case, then Junior Sister's extinguishing of the karmic fire and reaching the First Rank will be just around the corner."

Master Jinlian smiled and said, "Shouldn't this be a joyous occasion?"

"With this in mind, my destruction of the demon will be just around the corner," the Daoist priest added in his heart.

Luo Yuheng said calmly, "Even if Xu Qi'an is blessed with good fortune, is he stronger than Emperor Yuanjing? Stronger than the future crown prince? Would the Supervisor agree to my dual cultivation with him?"

Her question hit the nail on the head, leaving Master Jinlian speechless.

Master Jinlian nodded. "Junior Sister, your Daoist heart is pure and clear; you are indeed more suited than your father to become a Daoist School immortal, a terrestrial deity."

Luo Yuheng remained noncommittal.

After thinking for a moment, Master Jinlian asked, "Junior Sister, would you mind having a dao companion?"

Seeing the female national advisor glare at him, he chuckled and said, "With good fortune bestowed upon him and Martial Dao, Xu Qi'an's future achievements will be extremely high. If you want to cultivate with him, it won't be something that can be done overnight. You can start by cultivating together and then develop feelings for each other."

"The Human Sect has been passed down to your lineage, and no matter what, you will inevitably have children. Given your personality, after engaging in dual cultivation with someone, would you still be able to form dao companion with another person?"

Luo Yuheng sneered, "Land immortals have endless lifespans; why would they need offspring?"

Master Jinlian smiled but remained silent.

Although immortals on land roam freely in the world and live as long as the heavens, accidents can still happen, so they need offspring to carry on their legacy.

However, although the junior sister of the Human Sect is the leader of the sect, she is still a woman after all. She does not cultivate the path of detachment and forgetfulness that the Heavenly Sect has, and she can be a little temperamental at times.

"If you withdraw sooner, history might write a better picture of you," said Master Jinlian with a smile.

Luo Yuheng scoffed, "Historical records throughout history only say that beautiful women are the cause of national disasters, but they don't realize that the real problem lies with men. Those spineless writers, afraid to offend the emperor, blame everything on women. It's truly laughable."

"Emperor Yuanjing cultivates Daoism for immortality; he desires to be a long-lived emperor. Even without the Daoist sect, he will still cultivate Daoism. What does it have to do with me?"

"That bastard Wei Yuan accuses me of bewitching the emperor. Over the years, I have often told Emperor Yuanjing that the elixirs are no longer very effective, yet he still takes a large elixir every season and a small elixir every ten days, ignoring my advice in the slightest. Bewitching the emperor? What makes you say that?"

"Junior Sister is right," Daoist Jinlian first agreed with Luo Yuheng's words, then offered a fair assessment:

"Your Human Sect's attempt to use the emperor's fortune to cultivate and suppress karmic fire, though forced upon you, does indeed provide assistance to Emperor Yuanjing's cultivation, inevitably incurring his wrath."

"Are you trying to smooth things over with me?" Luo Yuheng stared at him for a few seconds, then stood up to take her leave. As she reached the threshold, she turned back and said:

"At the end of the 36th year of Yuanjing, the remnant soul of the leader of the Earth Sect drifted to the capital. Instead of cultivating the Tao, he spent his days possessing cats and enjoying himself among them. I will add a chapter to the Chronicle of the Human Sect."

Having said that, he transformed into a ghostly light and vanished.

"Junior sister, let's talk this over!" Daoist Jinlian rushed out of the room, reaching out her hand towards the sky as if to persuade her to stay.

"What a petty and vengeful woman," muttered Master Jinlian.

The Xu Residence.

As Xu Qi'an left the room and passed through the inner hall, he saw Xu Lingyin running happily in the hall, with Chu Caiwei chasing after her.

Xu Lingyin ran while letting out laughter that sounded like a tractor.

Her aunt tended to her potted plants, while Xu Lingyue sat quietly in a chair, drinking tea and watching her younger sister play with the girl in the yellow dress.

"This woman has come to my house again. She's obviously after my brother. "Xu Lingyue silently labeled Chu Caiwei, but she didn't show it. Occasionally, when Chu Caiwei looked over, she would return a gentle smile.

Xu Qi'an bowed to Dean Zhao Shou before entering the hall and asked, "Miss Caiwei, what brings you here? Were you attracted by my handsome appearance?"

"Big brother, you're awake?" Xu Lingyue was overjoyed.

The aunt also looked up from her beloved potted plant and observed her unfortunate nephew.

Xu Qi'an had been unconscious for most of the day, and by then they had calmed down and were no longer as worried and fearful as before.

"Oh, I'm just relaying a message from the teacher." Chu Caiwei stopped chasing, looked around, and beckoned, "Come here."

Xu Qi'an went over as instructed, but was pulled to a corner by the girl in the yellow dress, who whispered in his ear, "My teacher said you can ask His Majesty for an iron certificate."

Iron certificate? It took him a few seconds to realize what an iron certificate was.

Its formal name is "Dan Shu Tie Quan" (丹书铁券), commonly known as "immunity from death."

"What would I do with that stuff? I could exchange it for a few thousand taels of gold, then get promoted and ennobled. Wouldn't that be better?" Xu Qi'an said with a sigh.

"I understand." He nodded.

Seeing the two talking intimately with their heads down, Xu Lingyue puffed out her cheeks and beckoned to Xu Lingyin, "Lingyin, go play with Sister Caiwei."

Xu, the pawn, Lingyin, toddled towards Chu Caiwei with her short legs, bumping her head against her pert bottom. "Sister Caiwei, let's keep playing!"

Seeing this, Xu Qi'an had no choice but to leave, and went to the front hall with Zhao Shou.

"Dean, the Censor has asked me to request an iron certificate from His Majesty." Xu Qi'an told Zhao Shou about this and then observed his reaction.

Only the wise can deal with the wise.

Zhao Shou nodded slowly. "That's right, the imperial edict grants immunity from all death sentences except for treason. However, after the immunity, the person will be stripped of their title and salary, and will not be allowed to retain their original rank; only their life will be spared."

"You are not allowed to retain the old seal, but your life will be spared." What does this mean? Xu Qi'an's expression froze for a moment, then he recovered and nodded, saying:

"I see, so that's what the 'iron certificate' means."

Even a get-out-of-jail-free card would do. The supervisor specifically sent Chu Caiwei to instruct me, there must be a reason. Hmm, I'm a second-generation eunuch, with many political enemies, so this is a kind of extra protection.

Xu Qi'an wasn't actually afraid of Emperor Yuanjing. Now that his cultivation was getting higher and higher, he was becoming more and more confident. If he encountered the same troublesome incident of cutting the silver gong again, he could simply go far away into the martial world.

The only thing I'll miss is my family.

During their conversation, the two went to the outer hall, where a middle-aged man with a fair complexion and no beard sat in the main seat, wearing a python robe.

Second Uncle Xu and Xu Erlang sat below, chatting casually with the eunuch in the python robe.

"Ningyan is awake?" Second Uncle Xu's ears twitched as he looked behind the screen wall.

Xu Qi'an and Zhao Shou came out side by side.

"Dean!" Xu Erlang hurriedly stood up and bowed.

The eunuch, who was quite arrogant when facing Xu Erlang and Second Uncle Xu, immediately beamed with a smile when he saw Xu Qi'an emerge.

"Your Excellency is awake. How are you feeling? If you need any rest or recuperation, please just let me know, and I'll go back to the palace to get it for you."

"Ningyan, this is Eunuch Chen from the Directorate of Ceremonial."

Without realizing it, Second Uncle Xu straightened his back and spoke with more confidence.

"Thank you for your concern, Eunuch Chen. I am unharmed." Xu Qi'an nodded.

"That's good, that's good." Eunuch Chen smiled warmly, giving up his seat to Xu Qi'an and Dean Zhao Shou.

"We are here on behalf of His Majesty to visit Lord Xu. Lord Xu has rendered outstanding service to the court, and His Majesty will surely reward him handsomely."

"In truth, it is all thanks to His Majesty's appreciation that I was given this opportunity. The saying 'raising an army for a thousand days to use it for one's next' perfectly describes the court's cultivation, which is why I am able to serve the court today," Xu Qi'an said sincerely.

"Therefore, please convey to His Majesty that I, your humble servant, do not seek personal credit and request that Your Majesty grant me a certificate of merit."

Upon hearing this, Xu Erlang and his Second Uncle Xu had completely different thoughts. Xu Erlang thought to himself, "My elder brother is quite self-aware. The use of the imperial edict is definitely greater than that of gold, silver, and silk. Gold and silver can only make my elder brother spend more lavishly in the Imperial Academy of Music, while silk and satin will make my mother and sister wear more and more gorgeous clothes."

They're all useless.

Second Uncle Xu Xu's mind was filled with the word "honor." Since ancient times, only meritorious officials have been granted imperial edicts.

Eunuch Chen was taken aback, then said, "We will convey Lord Xu's message. Hmm, His Majesty has a few things he is quite curious about and ordered me to inquire about them."

Upon arrival, Xu Qi'an smiled without changing his expression and said, "Please ask, Eunuch Chen."

"Lord Xu, you drew your sword twice during the duel, becoming famous throughout the capital. However, those two strikes truly exceeded your limits. His Majesty is very curious about how you accomplished that."

Eunuch Chen still had a smile on his face, but his eyes were fixed on him without blinking.

"To my shame, it was the Supervisor who bestowed upon me the power," Xu Qi'an explained succinctly.

He didn't go into details because that would better fit the image of the supervisor; explaining it too clearly would seem inappropriate. Besides, he wasn't afraid of Emperor Yuanjing seeking confirmation from the supervisor.

That old silver coin, the supervisor, should still have that kind of tacit understanding.

Eunuch Chen nodded slowly, seemingly unsurprised, and then asked, "The Confucian School carving knife?"

Xu Qi'an hesitated for a moment, and was about to speak when he heard Zhao Shou say calmly, "Cloud Deer Academy was able to destroy Buddhism four hundred years ago, and it can do the same today."

Xu Qi'an immediately said, "Thank you for your help, Dean."

Eunuch Chen glanced at Dean Zhao Shou and laughed, "So it was the academy that helped."

This could actually be considered cheating in a magical duel. However, even the Buddhist School itself wasn't entirely aboveboard. When breaking the Vajra Formation, Monk Jingchen warned Jingsi. In the third trial, Arhat Du'e personally stepped in and discussed Buddhist teachings with Xu Qi'an.

Therefore, the Buddhist School conceded defeat quite readily, without dwelling on the matter of the carving knife.

"I understand. Then I won't disturb Lord Xu's rest any longer."

Eunuch Chen got up and left.

The Imperial Palace.

Emperor Yuanjing, who was taking elixirs and meditating, heard faint footsteps. Without opening his eyes, he said calmly, "What is it?"

The old eunuch whispered, "The servant who went to the Hanlin Academy to deliver the message reported back that those bookworms refused to revise the text and even beat him up."

"These bastards." Emperor Yuanjing opened his eyes and frowned.

Emperor Yuanjing was a master of political maneuvering, but when it came to dealing with those stubborn and unyielding nobles, "violent" suppression was the best and only method.

If you try to play power games or use witty banter with them, they'll just cover their ears and say, "I don't want to hear it, you're just talking nonsense."

"Fine, let's just wait and see," Emperor Yuanjing said.

After all, he just wanted to freeload; there was no need to make a big fuss, as that would have too much impact on his reputation.

After saying that, he glanced at the old eunuch who hadn't left and asked, "Is there anything else?"

The old eunuch nodded. "Xu Yinluo has woken up. Eunuch Chen from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs brought back a message."

He immediately relayed Xu Qi'an's answer.

"An iron certificate?" Emperor Yuanjing looked slightly taken aback, then chuckled.

"You'd rather forgo promotions and riches than accept a meager imperial certificate?"

Despite saying that, the old emperor weighed the matter in his mind for a long time, neither agreeing nor refusing.

The old eunuch chuckled softly, "Lord Xu is quite astute; he knows that His Majesty recognizes talent and that the court has nurtured him, yet he hasn't become arrogant. If he were to suggest raising his rank, His Majesty would be in for a lot of trouble."

This young man's awareness is far superior to those bookworms in the Hanlin Academy. Emperor Yuanjing immediately stopped hesitating and said in a deep voice, "Granted."

Ōtomo is right, that's indeed the case. To be granted titles in such a short period is unprecedented, only seen during times of war. It's easy to be promoted, but difficult to be granted a noble title.

Was the appearance of the carving knife the reason for Dean Zhao Shou's assistance? Emperor Yuanjing pondered for a moment, then, acting on a hunch, ended his meditation and ordered, "Prepare the carriage for Lingbao Temple."

Lingbao Temple.

"Grand Preceptor, this battle of magic has been a great victory, enhancing the prestige of our Great Feng Kingdom. I believe that soon the barbarians of the Southern Frontier and the Northern Frontier, as well as the Witch God Cult, will all know about this."

"Having a silver-clad warrior engage in a magical duel will arouse suspicion and distrust from all sides, making them wary of the power of our Great Feng Kingdom. The effect is far superior to Yang Qianhuan's intervention. Grand Preceptor, Grand Preceptor?"

Luo Yuheng snapped out of her daze, her beautiful eyes regaining their sparkle, and she frowned, asking, "What did Your Majesty say?"

Emperor Yuanjing stared intently at the beautiful and alluring Imperial Advisor, and asked suspiciously, "Imperial Advisor, you seem distracted. What's on your mind? Speak freely, and I will certainly help you resolve it."

As the head of the Human Sect and a second-rank official in the Daoist School school, Emperor Yuanjing had almost never seen Luo Yuheng look so preoccupied, never.

Is it the struggle between Celestial Person and man that's putting pressure on her? Why won't this woman cultivate with me? My plan for immortality is stuck here.

In a flash of thought, he saw Luo Yuheng shake his head. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, it's nothing."

Emperor Yuanjing nodded, no longer asking further questions, and revealed the purpose of his visit to Lingbao Temple: "Does the Imperial Preceptor know that during the magical contest, the carving knife from the Cloud Deer Academy appeared?"

"I know that it is a relic of the sage, a priceless treasure of the academy. Is there more to its appearance in the world than meets the eye?"

"Why does Your Majesty have this doubt?" Luo Yuheng asked in return.

"The carving knife of a sage is not something an ordinary person can use. Zhao Shou is only a third-rank Establishing Destiny; he might not be able to wield it."

Emperor Yuanjing was quite knowledgeable, Cloud Deer Academy had once been in charge of the court, and the court had no shortage of Confucian School materials, as well as some related secrets.

Luo Yuheng pondered for a moment, then smiled nonchalantly, "Although Zhao Shou is only a third-rank official, there are three fourth-rank Gentleman Realm in the academy. It won't be difficult for them to work together to wield the carving knife."

"Moreover, Confucian School and Buddhist School have a long-standing feud, and the suppression of Buddhism back then was orchestrated by the academy. Cloud Deer Academy's intervention is unexpected, but also quite reasonable."

"I still have great faith in the Imperial Advisor." Emperor Yuanjing had no more doubts.

After seeing Emperor Yuanjing off, Luo Yuheng walked out of the quiet room, sat in the pavilion, and stared blankly into space.

Xu Qi'an went to the Nightwatchers's office to report his situation to Wei Yuan. When he entered the Haoqi Tower, he felt a bit like he was about to be stabbed in the neck.

Prepare your lies in your mind, making them more and more convincing.

To everyone's surprise, Wei Yuan didn't ask any questions. Upon learning that he was in good health, he nodded with relief, invited him to have a cup of tea, and chatted about some trivial matters.

Xu Qi'an breathed a sigh of relief after leaving Haoqi Tower.

Duke Wei was, after all, just an ordinary person. He didn't Martial Dao. Although his theoretical knowledge was solid, he couldn't see the intricacies of it. In addition, he was a smart man and thought he had already seen through everything. My outburst was due to the secret assistance of the supervisor. The matter of the carving knife was the cause of the Cloud Deer Academy.

As he thought about it, Xu Qi'an's lips curled up.

Apart from the supervisor, everyone else was on the second floor, while I was watching them from the fifth floor.

At dusk, feeling quite relaxed, he returned home. As he passed through the outer courtyard, he smelled a rich, fresh aroma.

His aunt had the kitchen prepare a table full of delicious dishes, including some expensive dishes bought from a restaurant. These were naturally to reward Xu Qi'an.

During the meal, my aunt complained, "I have to manage this whole family by myself, running around doing everything, it's exhausting."

A casual complaint unexpectedly gave Xu Lingyue an opening, and the younger sister said, "Then Mother, let me manage the accounts."

This account includes the family's "treasury silver," silks and satins, as well as the fields and shops outside. Now, my aunt is in charge of managing it, but since she is illiterate, Xu Lingyue acts as her assistant.

They did a lot of work, but the real power still rested in their aunt's hands. If their aunt said to buy clothes for the family today, then they would get clothes. If their aunt disagreed, then no one would have clothes to wear.

"What business is it of yours? Even if you were to interfere, it would be handed over to the Dalang's or Erlang's wife in the future. You have no part in it." The aunt suppressed her daughter's "rebellious" thoughts.

Even the wives of the Dalang and Erlang can't take away my power, the aunt added in her mind.

After finishing dinner, Xu Erlang put down his chopsticks and suddenly said, "Brother, come with me to the study. I have something to tell you."

Xu Qi'an glanced at his younger brother, his expression serious and his brows slightly furrowed.

"What happened again?" Xu Qi'an wondered to himself as he followed Xu Erlang to the study.

P. S.: This afternoon I had a brief discussion with the operations team about the "hindsight bias" issue. You guys are really something, choosing the most troublesome thing for the official account.