Chapter 75: My Esteemed Mentor Guides My Lofty Ambitions, My Father Lifts Me to the Mountain's Peak

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“It’s a pity that I haven’t yet been appointed as a Court Attendant, nor do I possess the spiritual response to ‘Listening to Thunder’. The extraordinary arts of this profession can only be watched from afar for now; I must temporarily leave them in my master’s care. Once the twenty-sixth of the second month arrives, when ‘Thunder Resounds’, and I assume the position of Court Attendant, I will reclaim this secret, orthodox method.

A single official position allows one to select a skill, but if I hold two posts concurrently, wouldn’t that mean two selections?

Perfect!”

Wang Cheng pondered briefly among several orthodox methods suitable for a Whitewater Attendant, then made up his mind and said to Shen Yuting, “Master, I will choose the ‘Ocean Crossing Star Guiding Technique’.”

He could, in theory, request a copy from his father when submitting his petition. Yet, as the fundamental method for his main practice, it would eventually need to be used openly. If he didn’t receive it formally from his master, it would be impossible to justify its sudden use later.

As for the other orthodox methods managed by the Shanhai Society’s water division, they were entirely outside his consideration. Wang Cheng was unfamiliar with those techniques and had no idea what level or effect they could achieve upon completion. Compared to the ‘Ocean Crossing Star Guiding Technique’, which had been passed down in the Water Gathering Wang family for generations and was intimately known, the brief introductions in the scriptures were insufficient to persuade him to change paths.

Shen Yuting did not interfere with his disciple’s choice. She extended her forefinger and gently touched Wang Cheng’s brow, imparting the essence of the ‘Ocean Crossing Star Guiding Technique’ to his heart.

Cultivation in the Eight External Paths did not follow a broad, paved road; success could not be replicated, and there were many accidents and coincidences—even the water division’s spirits and deities did not know if their own path was correct.

Thus, it was especially emphasized that the master leads the way but cultivation depends on the individual; from the very beginning, one must be responsible for oneself.

She only admonished him earnestly, “Fourth, you have just ascended to the seventh rank. You need not involve yourself in the affairs of Moon Port; your primary task is to seize time for cultivation. Though we elders are at the forefront in the city and have prepared various contingency plans against Pu Shouying, it doesn’t mean we can be flawless. When trouble arises, no matter how quickly we respond, there will always be first victims; if you encounter a great evil, no one can guarantee their own safety. Father and mother are no substitute for personal strength—your own power is the foundation for standing tall.”

Wang Cheng quickly assimilated the orthodox method imparted by his master. Comparing it to the Wang family inheritance he already knew, the main text was identical, only some notes from previous practitioners differed—a normal occurrence in the process of transmission.

The other two methods, ‘Ghostly Talisman Drawing’ and ‘Divine Incense Spectrum’, were similarly annotated in detail.

Deeply moved, Wang Cheng bowed profoundly to Shen Yuting and promised with meaningful intent, “Thank you for imparting your methods, Master. I will strive to master them soon and lend you my strength!”

His intent was clear only to himself; he referred not just to Moon Port, but also to the troubles afflicting the God of Wealth, the Shen family.

After Shen Yuting, greatly gratified, helped him up, Wang Cheng asked another question: “Master, today the temple attendant Yun Xiao, who serves Lady Yan, returned to Moon Port with me and is lodging in our Fenglin Pavilion. You mentioned last time that you had reported the situation in Moon Port to Shanhai Society headquarters. Has there been any response?”

Shen Yuting sighed, “There are only two lines of faith in the water division’s sea gods. The Wang lineage suffered calamity, and our Shanhai Society was slow to realize it. If you hadn’t provided intelligence on the Jiao Dragon spirit and Dragon Embryo, those above would still be in the dark. Now that that noble from the Han clan intends to incite the gentry against Lady Yan, if something happens again, I could never face Lady Tianfei when I die.

After receiving the report, supporting boat masters have already set out—three at the level of the eight great ship captains.

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However, Shanhai Society headquarters is in the Spice Islands of Borneo, separated from Moon Port by 6,300 li of sea and countless pirates and Western powers. The boat masters’ average speed is only two knots (3.7 kilometers per hour), and the journey is fraught with complications, so it’s uncertain whether they will arrive in time. Still…”

At this point, the old man gave a sly smile: “There is good news. While contacting Shanhai Society, I also used official channels to send news of the Han clan’s ‘Dragon Embryo’ colluding with local officials in an attempted rebellion to the central authorities. If that Han noble dares to scheme against us, we’ll return the favor.

The ‘State Steward’ is most sensitive about their own power; they’ll be even more anxious than we are. If all goes well, imperial envoys will soon be dispatched to Minzhou.

The local officials will then face pressure from the central government, and we needn’t worry about sudden attacks from the authorities. We can focus solely on dealing with the gentry’s henchmen.”

Wang Cheng praised, “Experience counts; master, your strategy is truly brilliant!”

While others were still reacting to moves on the board, this old fox had already leapt off Moon Port’s chessboard, orchestrating a grand ‘strike from beyond’.

The ‘State Steward’ is the greatest enemy of the ‘Dragon Embryo’ before it matures!

As for where Lady Yan’s true Jiao Dragon form was hidden in Moon Port, whether it should be moved or protected, Shen Yuting did not mention it, and Wang Cheng did not ask.

He had not even tried to probe the temple attendant Yun Xiao. Sometimes, inaction is better than action—who would suspect the author of the poem “Draw the knife sharply, never betray youth” would become a traitor?

Thus, it is best not to gaze too deeply into the hearts of others; testing human nature is perilous.

Learning that the solution to ‘Nine Dragons Spitting Pearls’ depended entirely on himself, Wang Cheng did not dwell on it. Removing official interference was already a pleasant surprise.

Now, the main task for his group was to defend Moon Port until the second day of the second month, when the Dragon raises its head.

If they could endure until then, the Tianfei lineage and Shanhai Society’s counterattack would follow; Moon Port would return to the people’s faction, and “Wang Fugui” could finally establish himself there.

It was a high-stakes game, but the rewards would be equally great.

The next ten days would decide who prevails.

Having considered this, Wang Cheng took leave of his master.

Unexpectedly, he obtained the long-desired ‘Ocean Crossing Star Guiding Technique’ from his master, but did not forget to submit a petition to his father, wishing for the complete ‘Smooth Sailing Guide to Orthodox Methods’.

Temples, ship shrines, and altars dedicated to Prince Jing were everywhere along the Southeast coast. After leaving Baoshan Beacon Tower, Wang Cheng discovered that the spirit of his father was absent from the roadside shrines.

It was not until he returned to Fenglin Pavilion.

Learning that Yun Xiao had left her belongings but was nowhere to be found, he did not concern himself with her, but buried himself in the Shanhai Society’s private shrine in the backyard.

There, he finally found a statue full of spiritual presence.

He arranged incense and offerings.

Then, he activated a strand of ‘Four Seas Exorcism Talisman’ within himself; the names of various officials and soldiers shone consecutively.

These official generals and soldiers were essentially manifestations of Daoist energy responding to affairs, part of the world’s rules, extensions of official authority—not truly heavenly soldiers and generals.

In truth, anyone who could cultivate to the point of ascending to immortality would be renowned and sacred; how could they be reduced to cannon fodder for heavenly armies?

That would be treating cultivators as mere provisions.

“The sincerity penetrates, responding to circumstances, thus transforming into these officials and soldiers”—that is the truth.

After being conferred with official talismans and ranks, one visualizes the form of the official soldiers, recites their names, and thus summons the internal energy upward to the heavenly gates.

Thus, Wang Cheng calmed his mind, lit three sticks of incense, tapped his teeth thrice, and recited:

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“I respectfully dispatch from my body five true officials—clerks and soldiers: direct messengers, healing clerks, left and right official envoys, yin-yang judges, red talisman car clerks, bold wind cavalry clerks, dispatch riders, two of each. Submit this petition urgently as prescribed!”

This was the dispatch of official soldiers.

At the same time, he burned a green petition before the shrine.

When submitting a petition, the text must be written in red ink on green vine paper; thus, the petition is called ‘green words’.

The reigning Emperor Shaozhi keeps a host of literary ministers; even the chief minister is called the ‘Prime Minister of Green Words’. Good green words abound everywhere.

Unlike others, whose petitions are formal, his was a family letter.

Following the custom of reporting good news and omitting bad, he described the current situation and asked his father to quickly send some rice to save their lives.

He did not mention that, if things went poorly, father and son might have only ten days left; his father could not manifest, so telling him would only add to his worries needlessly.

Whoosh!

A team of illusory officials and soldiers vanished along with the smoke from the green words.

Wang Cheng stared at the statue; after only a moment, a thread of radiant light descended from three feet above its head and plunged into his brow.

It was the long-awaited ‘Smooth Sailing Guide to Orthodox Methods’!

And it was the complete edition, containing thirty-six halls, one hundred and eight exceptional skills, twenty-four extraordinary arts, and three orthodox methods.

Especially the three main methods: ‘Cloud Weaving and Rainbow Severing’, ‘Dragon Herding in Unison’, and ‘Ocean Crossing Star Guiding’, all present.

Even the most favored general in the Five Peaks Banner, his father’s adopted son and his sworn brother, Black Qilin Mao Haifeng, only mastered a small part, lacking any comprehensive system.

“Others worry that knowing too much will bring misfortune, but I am favored by the Water Division and sheltered by the Ocean Spirit; the more spells, the better—this is my greatest asset.

In this world where Daoist magic manifests miracles, it is nearly impossible for the truly lowborn to soar; even those with supreme destiny have had their fortunes cut short.

Success requires generations of primal accumulation.

The Water Gathering Wang family’s monopoly on spell resources and the promotion ladder of water division officials is my foundation for survival and the confidence to break the sea ban.

Merely possessing the right to distribute these resources is enough to win countless supporters.

With my master’s public endorsement and my father’s secret backing, I now have the foundation for early power development.

Truly: My mentor lifts me to the clouds, my father raises me to the mountain peak!”

Holding the ‘Smooth Sailing Guide to Orthodox Methods’, Wang Cheng had a clear plan for his next occupation.

Among the thirty-six halls of the water division, there was a position called ‘Convoy Ship Master’, who mostly made a living on inland waterways.

The canal escort guild had the most complete ‘Convoy Ship Master’ legacy.

Their work was essentially the same as the escort agencies—one on land, one on water, both allowed to legally carry some arms.

Ordinary people would find it nearly impossible to obtain escort agency credentials from the authorities, but in Shanhai Society, money was all that was needed.

With the seas growing ever more chaotic, this profession was bound to flourish.

Wang Cheng browsed the secret scroll in his mind and found a final transmission of intent.

“Hmm? Aside from the ‘Smooth Sailing Guide to Orthodox Methods’, there’s another message?”