The Journey Home

Zhang Xuezhou felt he had gained a lot in the past two days, but he also felt somewhat lost.

He had cultivated his skills in the art of destiny, but this starting point was actually determined in the tomb of the King of Liang, rather than at the beginning of the Great Han Dynasty's destiny as he had imagined.

This is vastly different from the theory of "Zaiyou," and even the introductory methods for cultivating techniques are completely different.

Bai introduced the concept of "the power of world's favor," a concept that seems to be more profound than the theory of destiny.

However, Bai's cultivation method is different from that of humans, making it difficult for Zhang Xuezhou to learn from it.

He also acquired the 'Dragon Riding Technique,' which allows him to teleport back to the Land of Favor simply by marking it according to Bai's instructions.

Zhang Xuezhou didn't mention the kind of Principle that was useless. Exploring favored places relies purely on luck, just like using treasure hunting techniques to find spirit jade. You even need to go to water to find favored places. This technique might be effective, but it won't work at all without the right conditions.

"It doesn't feel the same as I imagined!"

He rode his horse to the vicinity of Suiyang City, and then trotted along the way.

After being away for two nights and a day, Zhang Xuezhou hoped he could catch up with the imperial entourage.

Perhaps due to some element of luck, Zhang Xuezhou arrived at a time that was neither too early nor too late. He had just reached the vicinity of the Suiyang city gate when he saw a row of soldiers shouting and clearing the way.

In the distance, carriages shuttled through Suiyang City, with Li Guang riding at the head of the convoy to provide defense.

When he noticed Zhang Xuezhou outside the city, he couldn't help but frown.

As the head of the guards in charge of the entire convoy, Li Guang found it difficult to get these people to obey his orders, but he had never seen anyone disappear for two consecutive days.

Zhang Xuezhou's act of desertion was an extremely serious mistake in the military; in wartime, losing one's head would be a normal occurrence.

He pointed his riding whip at Zhang Xuezhou, signaling him to quickly board the carriage as they left the city. Whether or not there would be any punishment was up to the new emperor to decide.

The convoy flowed out of Suiyang City like a long river, with brief pauses at the city gates.

Zhang Xuezhou stood to one side holding his Imperial Academician's token. When he saw the coachman who was driving his carriage, and the coachman slightly restrained the horse, Zhang Xuezhou quickly stepped onto the carriage.

Lifting the carriage curtain, Zhang Xuezhou saw Sima Tan sitting listlessly inside.

Only after Zhang Xuezhou crawled in did Sima Tan make a "tsk tsk" sound.

"You were away for a day and missed the temple sacrifice for Emperor Gaozu. Your salary for the whole year will be forfeited," Sima Tan said.

Thanks for reminding me!

Zhang Xuezhou clasped his hands in a fist salute.

People like Zhang Xuezhou are not uncommon, but no one would condone his absenteeism, and corresponding punishment is inevitable.

Sima Tan mentioned that the punishment would inevitably follow past practices, which relieved Zhang Xuezhou.

His salary was not high in the official system; it was 800 shi (a unit of dry measure) per month, which meant he could earn about 8 guan (another unit of dry measure) per month.

A salary penalty of nearly 100,000 taels of silver a year is roughly equivalent to half a high-class wife.

Zhang Xuezhou felt a little regretful, but considering that his financial needs weren't too high lately, he let it go.

Even if he were fined for two years, let alone one year, he would still have to go to Fengxize.

Zhang Xuezhou just didn't expect that what he planned to accomplish in one night would take an extra day, and that's why he ended up like this.

"What did you do all day?" Sima Tan asked.

"I'm sick, and I heard that there's a very skilled doctor in Suiyang, so I went to look for him," Zhang Xuezhou said casually.

The excuse Zhang Xuezhou made up was also the reason he had instructed Rong Tianding to give him. If he didn't return and someone inquired, it would be an excellent shield.

The imperial court had strict discipline, but it couldn't possibly manage the life, death, and medical treatment of officials. Zhang Xuezhou felt that the reason was still valid.

"Who did you go to see?" Sima Tan asked.

"I've heard there's a very skilled person here named Li Shaojun, who's adept at treating difficult and complicated illnesses," Zhang Xuezhou said. "I'm just trying my luck by going to find him!"

"Found it?" Sima Tan asked doubtfully.

"Found him," Zhang Xuezhou nodded. "He examined me and said I have a serious illness and need to rest more in the future!"

"Well!"

Zhang Xuezhou's travels were well-reasoned and extremely confident, to the point that even Sima Tan, the Grand Historian, could sense the casualness and naturalness in his speech.

The chances of lying are lower in this situation.

Sima Tan's questioning also corresponded to the new emperor's instructions and punishments. As long as the relevant information could be confirmed, Zhang Xuezhou's punishment would be as Sima Tan had said.

But Zhang Xuezhou really did go out to see a doctor, and Sima Tan felt that under these circumstances, it would be a bit excessive to punish him with a year's salary.

Rules should not be rigid; too much rigidity can alienate loyal subjects.

As the Grand Astrologer, he lacked the authority to enforce the law, and felt that when the throne was handed over to the new emperor, he would still have to lend a hand and say a few words.

"Even he, who is skilled in treating difficult and complicated diseases, couldn't cure your illness?" Sima Tan asked.

"He told me there was a kind of elixir called the Life-Creating Pill, and that taking three to five pills might cure most of my illness, and taking eight or ten pills would be a complete cure," Zhang Xuezhou said. "He only told me the method of treatment, he didn't give me the pills!"

"Life-Creating Pill... I feel like I've heard that name before!"

Sima Tan scratched his head, feeling as if he had heard of this elixir before, but he couldn't quite recall it.

"This is no ordinary elixir; it seems to be a top-tier Daoist elixir that the Empress Dowager once mentioned!"

Sima Tan pondered for a long time, from low-grade pills to ordinary pills, and finally to high-grade pills. After searching for various rare and uncommon top-grade pills, he remembered the pills that the Empress Dowager had mentioned once when she was in a good mood.

One Life-Creating Pill is equivalent to more than half the life of a master of the Empress Dowager's level. Accordingly, such pills are rare and precious, and only a few people can possess them.

It's almost impossible for Zhang Xuezhou to obtain the Life-Creating Pill; let alone ten, eight, three, or five, he couldn't even get one.

No one would use a top-tier expert, who could be a trump card, on a third-rate court official.

Zhang Xuezhou's illness has a treatment method, but it is also incurable.

Seeing Zhang Xuezhou's slightly excited expression, Sima Tan couldn't bear to shatter his wonderful imagination.

The other party had just returned from seeking medical treatment, and if they learned that the elixir they needed was almost impossible to obtain, it would be a heavy blow.

If Sima Tan told Zhang Xuezhou the truth, he felt the latter would likely be completely devastated.

He chatted with Zhang Xuezhou for a while, then yawned, indicating that he needed to take a short nap.

After casting the spell briefly, his spirit flickered, and then he went to find the new emperor in the carriage ahead.

"After we return to Chang'an City, will Lord Sima visit us often?"

Seeing that Sima Tan was fast asleep with his eyes closed, Rong Tianding couldn't help but quietly lean close to Zhang Xuezhou's ear and ask him something.

"He probably isn't very interested in me anymore," Zhang Xuezhou shook his head. "He's only here to deliver a message; he'll most likely go back to his own carriage after this is over!"

Sima Tan's brief rest could not be hidden from Zhang Xuezhou; he must have used Yangpo to report to the new emperor.

Having such a middleman saves trouble, sparing Zhang Xuezhou from having to face the new emperor.

Zhang Xuezhou had already said what needed to be said. Given the Grand Astrologer's character, it was unlikely that the other party would embellish the story; they would simply follow official procedures and would most likely just repeat what he had said.