Chapter 422: Chapter 390: Zhu Mansion

"Cultivator Zhu Lihan, former Head of the state’s Talisman Department, ascended on the thirteenth day of the second month of the Jia-Chen year, at the age of two hundred and ninety-eight..."

"In accordance with his final wishes to have his body returned to his roots, he will soon be brought back to Han Chi County."

Zhao Lin’s heart stirred as he read the obituary.

The obituary was brief, but it revealed a great deal.

The term "ascended" originally meant to become an immortal, but it’s used as a euphemism for a cultivator’s death.

To have died at two hundred and ninety-eight, with the phrasing indicating a long and full life, meant he was certainly a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The lifespan of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator is around three hundred years, so living to two hundred and ninety-eight was indeed a ripe old age.

The post he held was the highest position in the Talisman Department. To be in charge of an entire state’s Talisman Dao as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he must have been extraordinary in his magical arts.

After all, this was the Cultivation Realm. Talent and ability alone weren’t enough; you needed the strength to back them up.

A Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with extraordinary strength, whose body was about to return to Han Chi County...

This was the information Zhao Lin had gleaned from the obituary.

’Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators have lifespans far longer than those in the Qi Refining Realm. They have ample time to perfect their magic and Daoist arts.’

’Miao Kefa was considered a rarity because he managed to cultivate two magic skills to the perfection level while still in the Qi Refining Realm. But for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, such an achievement isn’t nearly as difficult.’

Zhao Lin secretly surmised that this Elder Zhu had likely perfected several magic skills.

If that was the case, his Spirit Cultivation Map could be put to use, allowing him to "trace" the magic skills from the deceased’s body and make them his own.

’But... how can I get close to the body?’

Zhao Lin stared at the obituary, falling into deep thought.

’Attending the funeral wouldn’t be difficult. The challenge is getting close to the body.’

’Zhu Lihan was an important state official and a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator in life. As an outsider, any unconventional action I take would be seen as a great disrespect to the deceased.’

’Is there any way to approach the body openly and legitimately?’

Zhao Lin recalled funeral processions from the mortal world. After a moment’s thought, he had a flash of inspiration. ’I’ve got it! I’ll be a pallbearer!’

The funeral customs in the Cultivation Realm were similar to those in the mortal world, with the process including the enshrouding and encoffining of the body.

The body of the deceased is lifted into the coffin, which is then transported to the burial site.

Pallbearers had to be from a younger generation than the deceased, and it was preferable that they be young and strong.

By becoming a pallbearer, he could seize the opportunity during the enshrouding ceremony to touch the body and trace Zhu Lihan’s magic.

’That’s the plan!’

With this thought, Zhao Lin glanced at the date on the public notice. He estimated that the body had already arrived in Han Chi County, which meant the enshrouding ceremony was at most three days away.

’I’ll visit the Zhu Mansion today and try to become a pallbearer.’

Zhao Lin stood up and returned to the market the way he came, asking around for the location of the Zhu Mansion.

The Zhu family was only a minor cultivation family, but since they had produced a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator like Zhu Lihan, Zhao Lin quickly found what he was looking for: the Zhu Mansion was on the rear slope of Songyu Peak.

’There’s no time to lose. I hope they haven’t chosen the pallbearers yet.’

Zhao Lin left the market and strode toward the rear mountain, but he stopped after just a few steps.

A problem occurred to him: he had no connection whatsoever to the Zhu family. Showing up at their door asking to be a pallbearer would be far too abrupt. He’d probably get thrown out.

’I need to come up with a pretext.’

Zhao Lin paced back and forth a few times. His gaze swept idly over the opposing Wendao Peak, and an idea struck him.

He immediately changed direction and headed down the mountain toward Wendao Peak.

"Elder Xu, may I ask where the writings of this county’s Foundation Establishment cultivators are kept?"

Zhao Lin had arrived at the Library Pavilion and was questioning the old man who managed it.

After cultivators reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, most would write books to pass down their knowledge.

On one hand, it was to pass on their experience; on the other, it was to leave behind a good name and, at the same time, earn some merit points.

Zhao Lin guessed that Zhu Lihan would be no exception.

"There is an order to learning the Dao, and every art has its specialization. The books in this pavilion are categorized by Cultivation Technique, Magic, and Daoist Arts, not by the author’s cultivation realm."

Hearing Zhao Lin’s question, the old man, surnamed Xu, shook his head. After a pause, he asked, "Whose book are you looking for?"

Of course, Zhao Lin wouldn’t say Zhu Lihan’s name directly. He smiled and said, "I’m looking for a few books on wind, water, and ice magic, preferably written within the last three hundred years by an author in the Foundation Establishment or Purple Mansion Realm."

He had just learned in the market that Zhu Lihan possessed wind, water, and ice Spiritual Roots. By limiting the search to these three types of magic, plus the cultivation realm and time frame, he figured there wouldn’t be many authors who fit the description.

The old man surnamed Xu seemed a bit dizzied by Zhao Lin’s numerous conditions. He paused for a moment, then pointed to a row of bookshelves on the north side of the Library Pavilion. "Go look over there," he said. "All the older books are kept in that section."

Zhao Lin thanked him and walked over quickly.

The books in the Library Pavilion came in two forms: traditional paper books and jade slips.

Jade slips were easier to preserve and could be copied at will, so most sect classics were now stored in that format.

However, jade slips had only become widespread in the last century, so the older books in the Library Pavilion were still predominantly on paper.

Rows upon rows of books lined the shelves. Due to their age, they were rarely read, and a layer of dust coated many of the covers.

As Zhao Lin looked carefully, he was surprised to actually find Zhu Lihan’s name.

The title of the book was: A Preliminary Exploration of Water and Ice Magic.

A wave of relief washed over Zhao Lin. He gently blew the dust off the cover and began to read carefully.

Although the title contained the words "Preliminary Exploration," the content was in fact quite in-depth.

Zhu Lihan listed nine magic skills—including the Water Manipulation Skill, Water Net Skill, Fubo Skill, Ice Hammer Skill, and Ice Shield Skill—and proceeded to explain each one, analyzing their respective strengths and weaknesses.

It was clear that Zhu Lihan had a profound understanding of both water and ice magic.

Although Zhao Lin had picked up the book for a specific purpose, he soon found himself completely absorbed in its contents.

By the time he finished the last page, a full two hours had passed.

"Elder Xu, I’d like to borrow this book for a couple of days."

Zhao Lin said, carrying the book over to the old man.

"Fine. It’s free if you return it within ten days. After that, it’s one Spirit Coin for every three days. The maximum loan period is one month."

Elder Xu glanced at the book’s cover and picked up his brush to make a note of it.

"Thank you, Elder Xu."

Zhao Lin left the Library Pavilion and, making use of the remaining daylight, hurried nonstop toward the Zhu Mansion.

The Zhu Mansion was situated high on the mountainside of Songyu Peak. It wasn’t large, but nestled against the mountain and overlooking the water, its surroundings were serene and secluded.

Zhao Lin walked forward and knocked on the main gate of the Zhu Mansion.

"May I ask your business, Immortal Master?"

The person who opened the gate was a middle-aged man dressed as a steward. He wore a white mourning sash around his waist and looked Zhao Lin up and down before asking his question with some confusion.

With a solemn expression and a low voice, Zhao Lin said, "I heard the news of Elder Zhu’s passing and have come to offer my condolences."

"May I ask your name, Immortal Master?"

"I am Zhao Lin, a disciple of the Spirit Dao Institute."

"Please wait a moment. I will inform the Patriarch."

The steward cupped his hands, turned back into the mansion, and entered the mourning hall. He approached an elderly man dressed head to toe in hemp mourning clothes and said, "Patriarch, a visitor has arrived."

The elderly man in mourning was named Zhu Huaishi, the current Patriarch of the Zhu family.

Zhu Huaishi looked up and asked, "Who is it?"

The steward replied, "A disciple from the Spirit Dao Institute. He said his name is Zhao Lin."

"The Dean and elders of the Spirit Dao Institute already came to offer their condolences this morning. Why is another disciple showing up now?"

Zhu Huaishi looked puzzled. He glanced at those around him. "Have any of you heard of this person?"

The dozen or so Zhu family cultivators in the mourning hall all shook their heads.

"Peak Flood, you go see him."

Since there was no apparent connection, Zhu Huaishi simply told a junior member of the family to handle the visitor.

"Wait!"

A man in the mourning hall stood up, walked to Zhu Huaishi’s side, and said in a low voice, "Taiyue, it would be best if you went to see him personally."

The speaker was Zhu Huaishi’s grandson-in-law, Hu Zhicheng. He was a steward at the Merit Hall and had come to keep vigil as a family member.

Zhu Huaishi was displeased. "He’s just a disciple from the Spirit Dao Institute. Do I really need to greet him personally?"

Hu Zhicheng said quickly, "He’s no ordinary disciple from the Spirit Dao Institute. He just took first place in the Three Institutes’ tournament, and he’s a Martial Cultivator, to boot."

Zhu Huaishi snorted. "So what? He’s still just a disciple who’s been cultivating for less than three years. He hasn’t made a name for himself yet."

Hu Zhicheng knew a few words wouldn’t suffice. He apologized for the interruption and asked Zhu Huaishi to step out of the mourning hall. "What if I told you," he began, "that Zhao Lin has been on two missions and has already accumulated over five thousand merit points?"

Zhu Huaishi’s eyes widened. "Impossible!" he blurted out. "How could a mere disciple be that capable? What kind of mission pays out that many merit points? A purple-level mission?"

Merit points represented a cultivator’s seniority and ability. Not only could they be exchanged for cultivation resources, but they were also a means of advancement.

The sect was always very strict about awarding merit points. It would take an ordinary Qi Refining Realm cultivator five to eight years to accumulate that many, let alone a mere disciple from the Spirit Dao Institute.

Hu Zhicheng explained patiently, "As your son-in-law and someone who works in the Merit Hall, I’m privy to the inside details. How could I possibly deceive you, Taiyue?"

"On his first gold-level mission, Zhao Lin captured two Late-stage Qi Refining bandit cultivators and slayed the Ghost Cultivator in Yinfeng Valley."

"Then, at the end of the year, he completed a white-level mission where he killed fourteen Earth Dark Sect cultivators. Do you think that’s something an ordinary person could accomplish?"

"The man is a magical genius, highly regarded by the Dean and elders of the Spirit Dao Institute. His future is limitless."

After Hu Zhicheng finished his breathless explanation, Zhu Huaishi was stunned into silence. A long moment passed before he finally said, "On the path of cultivation, accomplishment is what matters most. I will go see him at once. You come with me."

With that, he straightened his robes, strode quickly to the mansion gate, and said warmly to Zhao Lin, "I am Zhu Huaishi. Might you be the young Zhao Lin from the Spirit Dao Institute?"

Zhao Lin was surprised, not having expected the Patriarch to come out and greet him personally. But when he saw Hu Zhicheng at the man’s side, he began to understand. He cupped his hands in salute. "This humble junior, Zhao Lin, greets Patriarch Zhu and Senior Brother Hu."

"Please!"

Zhu Huaishi made a welcoming gesture, inviting Zhao Lin into the mansion. As they walked, he said, "The steward mentioned you came to pay your respects. I was just wondering, young friend, how did you know our ancestor?"

Zhao Lin replied, "I never had the pleasure of meeting him."

Zhu Huaishi and Hu Zhicheng exchanged a look, wondering what Zhao Lin was playing at.

Zhao Lin took a book from within his robes and sighed softly. "Though I never had the chance to meet your esteemed ancestor, I have benefited immensely from his writings."

"In fact, one could say my current cultivation is entirely thanks to the guidance I found in his book."

"I had always hoped for an opportunity to thank him in person, but I never imagined... Alas, what a tragedy..."

As he reached the emotional part of his speech, he covered his face with his hand, seemingly too choked with grief to continue speaking.

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