Chapter 27: Ahem, I Am Rather Fond of Playing the Mentor (Two-in-One)

Once the court ministers had entered the Imperial City, Chen Yi watched as Liu Gao—the eunuch who had come to his residence to proclaim the imperial decree—hurriedly approached, accompanied by two attendants and two armored guards.

"Young Masters, Young Ladies, Little Duke, Little Marquis, please follow this old servant to the Qingzheng Hall. The Master is already waiting there; let us not keep him waiting."

Liu Gao showed no air of superiority toward these children, treating them with the same respect he would their fathers.

"Please lead the way, Inner Guard."

A crisp voice rang out first. Chen Yi recognized him as Gongye Shou, the grandson of Prince Zhennan, Gongye Jiahong—a young heir with black hair, green eyes, and the blood of an exotic lineage. Following him were four other children, all scions of the military marquises under the Prince's command.

"Young Master Gongye and everyone else, this way, please."

Liu Gao’s face bloomed like a white lotus at these words, and he began to lead the way. From start to finish, he did not spare a single glance at the carriages or the children's families nearby.

"Let’s go as well," said Du Yanqing, the heir to Prince Zhenbei, smoothing his robes before following.

Du Yan shot a dissatisfied look at Gongye Shou, then trotted up to her brother, whispering about why he hadn't spoken up faster and allowed the southerners to take the lead. Chen Yi chuckled, surprised that children so young were already aware of factional divides. With that thought, he signaled for Lin Xueru and Wang Yongnian to follow.

As the children entered the Imperial City, the hundreds of guards and the accompanying nobles greeted each other before departing in their carriages.

"Sister Wanwan, Yi'er has already gone in. Aren't you going back?" Zhu Yu asked, strolling toward a familiar figure nearby.

Xia Wanwan collected her thoughts and replied sheepishly, "Yes, I am heading back now."

"Rest assured, of all these children, Yi'er is the one least likely to come to any harm," Zhu Yu said, noticing her concern and smiling as she took her hand. "Remember when Yi'er and Xueru were kidnapped? Ever since then, Ruru has constantly spoken of Yi'er; even Jixin, who is closest to her, has started to get jealous."

"Really?" Xia Wanwan was intrigued. No mother could resist hearing praise for her child.

"Would I lie to you? Let me tell you..."

...

In the end, Du Yan could not help herself. After "lecturing" her brother, she pulled Chen Yi and the others aside to whisper. She said mysteriously:

"My father said that the one teaching us is a 'bull-nose' from the Taixu Dao Sect."

"Bull-nose?" Wang Yongnian wiped his nose and asked, "Is that something to eat?"

"You dummy, 'bull-nose' means a Daoist priest." Du Yan rolled her eyes at him and continued, "Father also said he has a bad temper and is quite volatile. He’s afraid the priest might not follow the Emperor's decree..."

"Did Father really say that?" Du Yanqing looked at her skeptically.

"Of course! I... I overheard him saying it yesterday."

Chen Yi and the others stared at her, until Du Yan bared her two fangs in defiance. "Believe what you want."

"I believe you."

Regardless of what others thought, Chen Yi believed her. Recalling that Eunuch Liu had mentioned the "Master dislikes tardiness," he speculated that the Daoist must hold a high status. At the very least, the eunuch’s tone had been quite respectful when he said that.

"Brother Yi, do you think the Master will kick us out?" the young heir asked, feeling nervous and turning to the person he considered the most capable.

"It... is possible," Chen Yi pondered for a few seconds before nodding. There were many ways to disobey an imperial decree, and the one with the lowest cost was simply to say, "The child is beyond teaching, this Daoist is leaving." If it were him, he would also choose a "reasonable" way to avoid a decree he disliked, provided the Daoist was still mindful of the rules.

"Then what shall we do?" Wang Yongnian’s round face crinkled. "If my father sees me get kicked out, he’ll punish me."

"Don't worry yet. Let's wait until we see the Master. Perhaps he is as easy to talk to as my own teachers?" Chen Yi offered comfort, but the children’s faces only grew paler. Only Lin Xueru nodded innocently, acting as if whatever he said was the truth.

"I suppose that’s all we can do..."

Soon, the children followed the attendant through the gates and pavilions of the Imperial City, arriving outside a hall on the eastern side. The building was not tall, appearing quite modest compared to the majestic Huaqing Palace in the center, and the plaque above the door read "Qingzheng Hall."

Chen Yi immediately spotted a Daoist standing outside the hall in gray robes. He wore a feather crown and appeared somewhat elderly, with strands of gray hair hanging down to his chest, giving him an air of detachment from the world.

As Chen Yi curiously studied Gu Tiangang, the old man was naturally observing the children as well. However, as the Vice Sect Leader of the Taixu Dao and a master of the Second-Rank Spirit Wandering Realm, he did not use his eyes to look at them; he used the "Qi Observation Technique" unique to the Daoist school. He wanted to see what kind of talent these "withered melons and cracked dates" sent by the Wei Emperor actually possessed.

"Daoist Tiangang, look..." Liu Gao bowed and approached, speaking cautiously.

Before he could finish, Gu Tiangang raised a hand to interrupt: "Wait a moment."

"Yes, yes, please, after you." Liu Gao retreated with a forced smile. Although he was anxious to hand over the children and go collect the two princes and princesses, he dared not make decisions for the old Daoist.

Gu Tiangang ignored him, circulating his inner energy as a crystal-clear light flickered in his eyes.

*Qi Observation Technique!*

In an instant, the world in his eyes became hazy, as if he had stepped into another realm. The tall, majestic buildings and the ground of blue brick and white jade twisted and vanished, leaving only dozens of colorful mists before him. Gu Tiangang examined them one by one, muttering to himself.

*Hmm, these little dolls actually have some talent. Let this old Daoist take a closer look...*

He looked at the first child, Gongye Shou. "The mist is vast and crimson, the physique is unique... he has the blood of the Southern Barbarians... or is it royal blood? That is rare!" Gu Tiangang hadn't expected the first child to be a surprise, so he muttered that it must be an exception.

He moved to the second child, a scion of a military marquis. "Oh? This one isn't bad either. He has innate spiritual energy in his body—a good sprout for cultivation." *Luck, it must be pure luck.*

Then the third, the fourth... By the time he reached Du Yanqing, Gu Tiangang was feeling numb. *Damn it, did the Wei nobility dig up their ancestors' graves, or did they kidnap people from the Taizhou Mountains? Why are they all either filled with innate spiritual energy or possess exotic bloodlines?*

And then... "Hmm, the mist is tinged with purple, a destiny of the supreme... this child must be brought into the Taixu Dao!"

Gu Tiangang suppressed his excitement and finished checking the last few children. He had long since abandoned his previous thoughts, only wishing for more children with exceptional talent.

Wang Yongnian? *Hmm, average. Only fit to be a blacksmith.*
Du Yan? *Good, exceptional talent.*
Lin Xueru? *Exceptional... extraordinary... top-tier!*

Gu Tiangang was overjoyed. He decided that these children, no matter what, had to join the Taixu Dao! With them, his sect would be strong enough to challenge for the title of Daoist leader within a decade—no, a century!

Finally, he came to Chen Yi. Gu Tiangang first looked at the mist below, finding no special talent in his physique, then looked up.

*Hiss!*

He widened his eyes in disbelief. *Limitless Heavenly Venerate, come down to the mortal world and see what this old Daoist has found! A three-year-old child who has already glimpsed the intent of the sword! This... this... I’ve struck gold!!*

...

"Brother Yi, that Daoist’s gaze is so... so scary. He won't eat us, will he?" Wang Yongnian, frightened by Gu Tiangang's look, hid behind Chen Yi, his chubby face filled with grievance. "I heard from the guards at home that some Daoists love eating the hearts and livers of children..."

"I think he's scary too..." Du Yan started to agree, but realized her mistake and quickly changed her tune. "Don't be afraid. Don't let Gongye Shou and the others look down on us."

Du Yanqing, who had also felt his scalp tingle, swallowed his words. If he admitted he was afraid, Du Yan would likely lecture him for the rest of the day.

Seeing Gu Tiangang’s shimmering eyes fixed on Chen Yi, Lin Xueru quietly moved and stood in front of him. "Brother Yi, Ruru is not afraid."

Chen Yi was torn between laughter and frustration at the reactions of his "playmates." After shaking his head inwardly, he looked straight at the old Daoist. Although he didn't know why the man's eyes were glowing, he knew it was some kind of observational method. *A Daoist technique?*

Suppressing the urge to open his interface to check for "Counterattack Points," he shared his guess with Lin Xueru and the others, signaling them to stand still and wait for this strange atmosphere to end.

What they didn't know was that while they feared the unknown, Liu Gao’s heart was in his throat. He glanced at the sky, calculating the time. Seeing that Gu Tiangang still hadn't made a move, he had to step forward again.

"Daoist Tiangang, it is getting late. Perhaps the children should go in..." Liu Gao pointed toward the Qingzheng Hall behind him.

Gu Tiangang exited his technique and responded instinctively, "When did this old Daoist say the children should go back?"

"Ah?" Liu Gao was stunned. He hadn't said anything about them going back either.

Gu Tiangang realized his mistake. Under the confused gazes of the children, he cleared his throat, and a wisp of inner energy quietly swirled around him. Instantly, his robes fluttered, and he looked like an immortal descending to the world.

"Ahem... this humble Daoist has always said that I enjoy being a teacher. Since I have accepted the Emperor's invitation, I will naturally cultivate them with all my heart. Eunuch Liu, you must not make wild guesses; you will chill the hearts of these little ones!"

Liu Gao was even more dumbfounded. "Ah, this..." He looked at the ethereal, righteous-looking Gu Tiangang and felt a surge of panic. *Old Daoist, if you keep spouting nonsense, I will get angry with you!*

If this reached the Emperor's ears, wouldn't he be skinned alive? "Daoist Tiangang, what you just said..."

Before he could finish, he heard Gu Tiangang's thunderous voice through a sound-transmission spell: *"Stop talking, get lost immediately, and bring the remaining two princes and princesses back to me. If you say another word, this old Daoist will stab you to death with a sword!"*

Liu Gao stared at him blankly, then glanced at the children waiting expectantly on the steps, and finally understood. Even after years in the palace and getting used to being a servant accustomed to unprovoked scolding, he was nearly consumed by rage.

*"Still not leaving?!"*

Hearing the transmission, Liu Gao’s face turned from green to red, cursing Gu Tiangang in his heart. But when he met the old man's eyes, he turned and left, not daring to say another word. *Gu Tiangang, you are... you are too deceitful!*

Once everyone had left, Gu Tiangang smiled, flicked his horsetail whisk, and said gently, "Go on in."

Chen Yi and the others scratched their heads, not understanding what had just transpired. But seeing the old Daoist step aside, Gongye Shou and Du Yanqing exchanged a glance and bowed their heads: "Students thank the Master."

One by one, they entered the Qingzheng Hall. Chen Yi followed suit. Although he didn't know what had happened, seeing the furious look on the eunuch's face, he guessed the old Daoist had done something behind the scenes.

*Daoist Tiangang... Tiangang...* Chen Yi muttered the name, feeling a sense of strangeness. *Could it be the one I am thinking of? If it really is him, then coming to the Xingwu Academy was definitely the right choice!*

What he didn't know was that Gu Tiangang was thinking the exact same thing. He hadn't expected that by reluctantly accepting the Emperor's decree, he had stumbled upon such a treasure.

*Hehehe... Brother, our Taixu Dao is going to become truly great!*

In a rare moment of peace and satisfaction, Gu Tiangang waited outside the hall until Liu Gao returned, drenched in sweat, with the two princes and princesses in their embroidered robes. He waved his hand.

"The Twelfth Prince and Thirteenth Princess can be left to me. You may leave."

"Daoist Tiangang, you..." Liu Gao wiped his sweat, suppressing his previous anger, and reminded him, "You must be very careful."

"Get out!"

"This old servant takes his leave."

After all the hangers-on had left, Gu Tiangang led the princes and princesses—who were exchanging meaningful glances—into the Qingzheng Hall.

"Greetings..." Gongye Shou started to bow when the royal children arrived, but Gu Tiangang interrupted him.

"Inside the Xingwu Academy, there are no rules of bowing. From now on, you shall address each other as fellow disciples." Seeing the young nobles—all raised with the strict etiquette of their respective clans—looking bewildered, he continued, "This is the Emperor's decree. If you do not follow the rules here, be careful, or the Emperor might make trouble for your elders."

With a few words, all the children sat down in order, looking up at Gu Tiangang. Chen Yi sat in the back, observing the old Daoist with great interest, thinking: *Is the Taixu Dao full of Daoists like this?* If so, he was definitely interested in joining. At the very least, it would be better than being served by rule-bound servants at home or facing the treacherous Marquis Zhou.

However, Gu Tiangang was not as pleased as he seemed; he was actually getting a headache. He had only intended to decline the offer and hadn't prepared anything, and he didn't know what to teach these children. After a long thought, he made a decision. Since he didn't know what to teach, he might as well give them some benefits first. It would further enhance their talent and shut the Emperor's mouth.

With that in mind, he smiled and said, "Do not move. This Daoist will lead you into meditation."

This so-called meditation was not the silent contemplation of Buddhism, but the "Nightmare Realm" technique unique to the Taixu Dao, which allowed the subject to experience certain events to grow faster. In effect, it was similar to opening one's wisdom.

As he finished speaking, he cast the spell, and a wave of inner energy swirled throughout the entire Qingzheng Hall.

*[Age 32, you have been subjected to...]*