Adding Luck

"Accountant Du, how come you only contributed one Wind Summoning Technique?"

"I have only had a basic understanding of Huang-Lao philosophy, and my knowledge is still shallow. My level of Huang-Lao techniques, at the level of wind summoning, is sufficient. If I achieve something in the future, I will then visit the Wenying Pavilion!"

Dong Zhongshu's initial Technique Method were extremely rudimentary, which allowed Zhang Xuezhou to learn them quite well.

Only after he stepped outside did Zhang Xuezhou understand the reason.

This made Zhang Xuezhou nod repeatedly.

Dong Zhongshu's actions were clearly a step-by-step process, characterized by conservatism and caution.

If Zhang Xuezhou and Zhang Cigong were to inherit the Beast Taming Sect's legacy in the future, they would need to proceed cautiously when exchanging cultivation techniques at the Wenying Pavilion, avoiding a completely open and honest exchange on their first visit.

The two followed the crowd through the gate and saw that Wenying Pavilion was divided into four directions: east, south, west, and north, which corresponded to the four cardinal directions: A, B, C, and D.

Areas A and B are almost deserted, while areas C and D are bustling with people coming and going.

Then, burly guards carrying weapons carefully inspected and verified everyone's badges.

"One hour. Don't go over time. If you do, you'll have to pay. If you don't have the money, you'll have to work to make up for it!"

The burly guard gave his usual instructions and then pointed to the notice board hanging outside the T-shaped house.

"For every quarter of an hour overdue, a payment of fifteen and a half taels of silver will be made; for every two quarters of an hour overdue, a payment of thirty and a half taels of silver will be made, and so on. Those who are short of money must work until the debt is fully repaid. The King of Huainan's Household warns that anyone who does not comply will violate the laws of Huainan and will be judged according to the relevant regulations!"

Zhang Xuezhou looked at the several difficult-to-read characters on the notice board and had to ask Dong Zhongshu for help in explaining them.

"Learn more characters in the future, so you won't be unable to understand books even when you have them!" Dong Zhongshu advised.

"You're right!"

Zhang Xuezhou nodded.

He was proficient in the scripts of the Sacred Land, but he had not fully mastered the scripts of the Han Dynasty, and he lacked knowledge of the special scripts of previous dynasties or various regions.

Zhang Xuezhou primarily relied on others' explanations and then forced himself to memorize the relevant information during his studies.

When Dong Zhongshu raised the question, Zhang Xuezhou realized that his free time during his journey to the Northern Border could not only be used to practice fossilization techniques, but also to learn the writing system of the Han Dynasty.

With a great Confucian scholar like Dong Zhongshu by his side, why would he need to rely on his cheap uncle in Hibiscus City to learn to read?

As they lined up to enter the T-shaped room, Zhang Xuezhou saw rows of bookshelves, with scrolls of bamboo slips placed on them, and the names of the contents of each scroll listed on one side of the bookshelf.

The Ding-shaped area covers approximately 1,000 square meters and is the largest area among the Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding areas. It includes twenty-four rooms with thousands of bookshelves and tens of thousands of bamboo slips.

The entrance was bustling with people, but once inside the T-shaped room area, the flow of people quickly thinned out, with only a dozen or so people in each room, and there was no crowding at all.

"The Art of Enhancing Luck, that's what I learned."

Dong Zhongshu went to eight different rooms, scanning the numerous bookshelves, and after nearly 45 minutes, Dong Zhongshu finally found what he needed.

This prompted Zhang Xuezhou to lean closer.

"You want to learn something too?" Dong Zhongshu asked curiously.

"Nobody wants to feel unlucky, right?" Zhang Xuezhou said. "I definitely want to learn too!"

Compared to stumbling through a bamboo scroll on his own, Zhang Xuezhou felt that following Dong Zhongshu was a more reliable approach.

Before coming to Wenying Pavilion, he had many thoughts, such as finding the relevant lineage of the Yin Yang Nine Heavens Sect, or searching for the lineage of the Yin Yang Nine People Sect to read and compare.

But Zhang Xuezhou found that plans can't keep up with changes. If he really had to search for relevant information among these bookshelves, he could easily spend an hour doing just that.

"The Huang-Lao school of thought does not shy away from other schools of thought following and learning from it, but whether it will be effective is a big question," Dong Zhongshu said with a headache.

It wasn't just Confucian School that could learn Huang-Lao philosophy; Yin-Yang School philosophy and Beast Taming School could also learn it. Almost all schools of thought could learn related techniques, but whether they could achieve the desired effect was another matter.

Since the emergence of Huang-Lao philosophy, some people have claimed to have defied fate and changed their destiny after studying it, some have founded schools of thought, some have established dynasties, and some have become top masters. All sorts of people have appeared on the scene, and they have also made solemn vows about the mysteries of Huang-Lao philosophy and destiny.

This even led to the Huang-Lao School becoming extremely popular, attracting a constant stream of students, including local lords and even emperors.

Among the current members of the Han Dynasty royal family, there are many staunch practitioners of the Huang-Lao School.

The high positions held by these individuals amplified the influence of Huang-Lao philosophy, which continues to have a significant impact to this day.

It's difficult to say which school of thought played a dominant role in the Han Dynasty's imperial family, but the Huang-Lao school was undoubtedly the most widely practiced.

"I feel like this is a bit like a fortune teller granting a child," Zhang Xuezhou said in surprise.

"What kind of sorceress grants children?" Dong Zhongshu asked doubtfully.

"I've heard that in some places, fortune tellers can predict whether a woman will give birth to a boy or a girl," Zhang Xuezhou said.

"To be able to predict the future, is this some kind of strange physiognomy technique?" Dong Zhongshu asked.

"The sorceress didn't charge money when she performed her rituals, but if a woman gave birth to a boy, she had to fulfill her vow and give gifts; if she gave birth to a girl, it was free," Zhang Xuezhou said. "In the end, there were countless people fulfilling their vows, and the sorceress became famous as a result."

"It's a bit of a loss for her not to charge for her magic... wait a minute!"

Dong Zhongshu belatedly looked at the Luck-Adding Technique in his hand, and Zhang Xuezhou gave a very simple example.

Over the years, there were doubts, but the continuous emergence of cases of extraordinary fortune eventually led Dong Zhongshu and others to become believers.

Even today, Dong Zhongshu still believes in Huang-Lao philosophy.

He looked at the bamboo slips in his hand, which weren't particularly thick.

With the basic method for improving one's luck and changing one's fate right before him, he had no choice but to learn it.

Even if it was just a form of psychological comfort, Dong Zhongshu would rather he be comforted.

"What if it works? At least it won't be a loss to learn it, since we're already here..."

Various thoughts kept swirling in Dong Zhongshu's mind, and he finally decided that it wouldn't be a problem to take a look and learn from it.

"I'll learn too!"

Despite his sharp tongue, Zhang Xuezhou was quite honest when it came to studying.

As long as there isn't a controller like the Venerable One behind this technique, Zhang Xuezhou felt there wouldn't be any problems learning it.

After all, there are at least eight or ten thousand people who practice this kind of technique. Since everyone has learned it, it's unlikely that they would specifically target him to cause harm.

Zhang Xuezhou and Dong Zhongshu exchanged glances, their eyes revealing a hint of something unreadable.

Even if they guessed the possible truth, the two would rather be the ignorant believers who believed in the sorceress.

No amount of reason can overcome a single, unexpected event.

Dong Zhongshu read aloud in a low voice, while Zhang Xuezhou memorized it line by line, word by word.

By the time Dong Zhongshu finished reciting and explaining, Zhang Xuezhou had completely memorized the Luck-Adding Technique.

He opened his arms wide, as if embracing a bird of nature.

As the acupoints operated in an extremely strange manner, Zhang Xuezhou felt an extremely mysterious and indescribable aura surging within his body.

This mysterious aura is completely different from the Vast Righteous Qi Instruction; it's more like a refreshing feeling close to nature.

Zhang Xuezhou even sensed wind and waves blowing through the trees in the strange realm he had created.

"Is it really effective?"

Zhang Xuezhou looked surprised.

Then Dong Zhongshu suddenly seemed to be full of energy.

The skill level wasn't high; not only did Zhang Xuezhou learn it quickly, but Dong Zhongshu also clearly mastered it in one go.

Clearly, Dong Zhongshu also sensed something wonderful, and even felt a small sense of good fortune.

His face was slightly flushed, but as soon as he thought of the sorceress Zhang Xuezhou had mentioned, Dong Zhongshu couldn't help but feel a little cautious.

He looked at the fortune-enhancing technique recorded on the bamboo slips, constantly seeking possible verification.