Charm Technique

There were no leading official positions in the Great Han Dynasty that could be easily attained.

Zhang Xuezhou's position as Grand Master of the Palace was not particularly high, but he practically controlled the changes to the Great Han Dynasty's systems of etiquette and the Mingtang (Hall of Brightness).

In the past, those in charge of this position were either members of the royal family or highly respected elders; very few young people were in charge of etiquette.

Whether in terms of power or seniority, Zhang Xuezhou is not qualified.

Even though Zhang Xuezhou was not a particularly talented person, not many people knew of him.

However, the court strangely tacitly accepted this person, and no large-scale opposition arose.

The situation since Zhang Xuezhou took office as Taizhong Dafu has been extremely strange. Not only can visitors not find him, but officials in relevant departments have also been unable to find their superiors.

Even so, the other person's position is secure and without worry.

At the head of the banquet, Liu Ling's beautiful eyes gleamed as she looked at Zhang Xuezhou, who was engrossed in eating and drinking.

Zhang Xuezhou's meal at the banquet was genuine and not just a formality; within minutes, a third of the lamb neck meat in the large pot had already been eaten.

That's at least three pounds of meat; even a cultivator practicing Qi and Blood could only eat until they were half full.

Liu Ling didn't mind Zhang Xuezhou's eating habits. She looked at Zhang Xuezhou for a while, then looked at Li Shang on the other side.

When Li Shang hesitated slightly, shook his head, and then raised his wine cup again, Liu Ling waved his hand in response.

"Lord Dongfang, as the saying goes, 'With wine in hand, one's career flourishes.' I offer this wine to wish Lord Dongfang a prosperous official career!"

The maid refilled the wine cup, and Liu Ling gestured to Zhang Xuezhou with the wine.

When Zhang Xuezhou stood up to express his gratitude after taking a bite of lamb neck, she quickly instructed a maid to take the wine away.

Watching Zhang Xuezhou down his drink in one gulp, his body swaying slightly, Liu Ling breathed a sigh of relief, and Li Shang nodded with a hint of certainty.

"I've heard that Lord Dongfang enjoys the exclusive favor of the Anle Palace. I wonder if Lord Dongfang could offer some guidance so that we might emulate him to some extent?"

Liu Ling felt a little more at ease.

She flicked her finger, and the wine in the glass in front of her splashed, revealing a completely unfamiliar female face in the wine.

The woman's appearance was not stunningly beautiful, but she possessed a refined, mature, and composed demeanor that suggested she came from a prominent family and even exuded confidence in wielding power.

Liu Ling was very familiar with this type of woman, after all, he himself had similar features.

But compared to her face reflected in the wine, she felt somewhat inferior. However, Liu Ling didn't know which woman in the Great Han Dynasty was so outstanding that she felt inferior to her.

Her mind was in a daze, and it wasn't until the image of the woman reflected in the wine in her glass began to ripple that Liu Ling quickly snapped back to reality.

"Lord Dongfang, what does Anle Palace see in you?"

As Liu Ling spoke, someone from the banquet brought out a flute, and a light and cheerful sound drifted over.

Jin Chang frowned and looked at the crowd. When he saw the warning look in Zuo Wu's eyes, he felt a chill run down his spine for no reason.

Three days after yielding to Princess Liu Ling and agreeing to obey her orders, Jin Chang felt that he could walk steadily, his mind was at ease, his muscles and bones were relaxed, and he was no longer distracted. When all the strange feelings subsided, he felt as if he had been reborn.

He still retained some of the pride that belonged to the Yin-Yang School, but Jin Chang felt that his edges had been smoothed out to the point of being worn down.

At present, it is another member of the Yin-Yang School who is having his rough edges smoothed out.

Seeing Zhang Xuezhou fall victim to the virus, Jin Chang couldn't help but curse under his breath.

"What a fool! He came in and immediately set his sights on the mutton in the stove, completely oblivious to the fact that this medicinal-smelling meat was just a cover for 'Jade Burning Wine.' The real incantation was those two jugs of wine. Now that he's fallen under Liu Ling's charm spell, he won't escape this trouble without suffering a severe beating!"

While fiercely criticizing Zhang Xuezhou, Jin Chang couldn't help but feel a sense of shared sorrow.

"Guest Elder Jin Chang, I've heard that your Yin-Yang School School's cultivation methods are distinct and interconnected, possessing a subtle balance. If you wish to inquire about the Nine Heavens Sect's lineage, now is a good time!"

When Zuo Wu's low reminder came, Jin Chang's sense of shared sorrow vanished by ninety percent in an instant.

"You can rest assured," Zuo Wu chuckled softly, "We each have our own expertise, and we have no reason to pry into the secrets of your Yin-Yang School. Even if we were to eavesdrop, it wouldn't have any negative impact!"

"Is that so?"

Jin Chang responded in a low voice, his face showing a hint of difficulty in maintaining composure.

He had traded his cultivation knowledge with Zhang Xuezhou, and Jin Chang had learned it without any problems. What he lacked at the moment was the exchange of content Sole Self Realm.

This was something Zhang Xuezhou obtained after struggling to reach the Xieluosi River Holy Land, and Jin Chang didn't expect to get it from Zhang Xuezhou now.

Asking Zhang Xuezhou again won't yield any more results, but it will undoubtedly serve as a pledge of allegiance.

A pledge of allegiance is a way to join this cause and form a united front with the others.

Another pledge of loyalty was to reveal the secret Yin- Yin-Yang School's Realm Technique, presenting them in the Wenying Pavilion's Jia-character room, thus ensuring Jin Chang's loyalty to the King of Huainan's Household.

As long as the Yin-Yang School's Realm Technique are available, a second successor will appear after Zou Bugui dies, and the King of Huainan's Household will be able to produce others to practice the Nine People Sect's ultimate techniques after Jin Chang's death.

This was something Jin Chang had always been extremely averse to, but now he no longer had the freedom to choose.

He finally took a deep breath, then stood up and bowed to Liu Ling.

Jin Chang was not the only one who stood up; another man in white was also involved.

"Jin Guest Minister!"

"Su Fei!"

The man in white looked slightly surprised, but still politely bowed to Jin Chang.

Jin Chang had no personal relationship with the other party, but Jin Chang recognized him.

As one of the few remaining descendants of the Beast Taming Sect, Jin Chang met Su Fei when he was searching for the sect's inheritance in its treasure land.

If Su Fei's father, Su Fang, commands demonic Demon Beast and is qualified as a first-class guest elder of the King of Huainan's Household, then Su Fei's qualifications and strength are undoubtedly lacking in many ways, even if Su Fei were willing to sell himself to the King of Huainan's Household.

Jin Chang was still puzzled as to why Su Fei was qualified to attend this banquet, and also possessed the qualifications of a first-class guest.

Seeing that Su Fei was also in line, Jin Chang knew very well that the other party also wanted to get something from Zhang Xuezhou, or to prove something again.

"Empress Dowager... it's probably because I presented her with a top-tier Pill Formula that she bestowed her favor upon me!"

What Pill Formula?

"The Elixir of Immortality in Eight Steps!"

Jin Chang's gaze swept over Su Fei, then he forced a return greeting before quickly returning to Zhang Xuezhou.

He only saw Zhang Xuezhou swaying slightly, holding a piece of lamb neck meat and communicating very naturally.

Zhang Xuezhou showed no signs of obsession or intoxication, but Zhang Xuezhou frankness at this moment made Jin Chang question the meaning of life.

When Princess Liu Ling inquired, Zhang Xuezhou answered very decisively. Even when Liu Ling asked more probing questions about the Pill Formula, Zhang Xuezhou did not hide anything and practically handed over a top-tier Pill Formula.

"This Pill Formula is extraordinary! It uses an external elixir to ignite Law Power or Qi and Blood, thus providing an extra boost when breaking through to the Sole Self Realm, allowing one to cross the threshold of cultivation in one fell swoop. If the dosage is increased, it might even have an effect when attempting to break through to the True Self Realm!"

The detailed Pill Formula was explained, and Li Shang, who was skilled in refining pills, commented with delight.

"Guest Elder Jin Chang, your Yin-Yang School actually possesses such excellent Pill Formula. No wonder you were once so renowned," Li Shang said.

"I... if I said I didn't know the secrets of the Nine Heavens Sect, I wonder if you would believe me?"

Jin Chang replied helplessly.

He thought it was normal for Zhang Xuezhou to be good at alchemy, but he vaguely felt that something was not right, after all, the Yin-Yang School did not seem to be good at external alchemy.

But when Jin Chang thought about how he had followed Zou Bugui for many years and schemed against him countless times, yet still ended up in this predicament, he felt it was normal for Zou Bugui hiding something. After all, with Zou Bugui's cultivation level, he wouldn't need such a top-tier medicine.

"I believe you, of course I believe you," Li Shang nodded. "The application of this elixir is truly bold and wondrous. If Yin-Yang School Pill Formula are extremely stringent, making it virtually impossible for the Yin-Yang School to refine it now. Only the imperial court and other places have the means to do so!"

"There really is something good about Dongfang Shuo!"

Liu Ling looked delighted, thinking that Zhang Xuezhou was indeed someone who couldn't gain any benefits; even with top-tier elixir formulas, he wouldn't enjoy any advantage.

This is no different from the assessment made by the King of Huainan back then.

According to the King of Huainan, as long as we see that this guy has had good luck, we can win him over, get to know him better, and there is a high chance that we can gain benefits from him.

This kind of thing requires little investment, but the returns can be huge.

By simply setting up a dinner party, Liu Ling felt that he had squeezed Zhang Xuezhou, this unlucky fellow, dry again, which also brought unexpected benefits.