The Happy Farmer Wanderer

Within the great Hall of the Three Purities of Nine True Palace.

Amidst it all, an old Daoist was sitting at the head end, with Long Eyebrow Zhenren accompanying at his side.

Opposite them sat Dian Chunqiu and Hong Fang Zhenren.

The blond boy and Zi Ling, the girl with the ponytail who, for some reason, had always looked at Li Qing with displeasure, stood behind.

Li Qing originally had a seat as well, right behind Long Eyebrow Zhenren.

But seeing the blond boy and Zi Ling standing, he too stood respectfully behind the old Daoist.

"Esteemed Zhenren, we do not mean to intrude today..."

Before Dian Chunqiu could finish his sentence, he was very rudely interrupted by the old Daoist, "If it’s an intrusion, then don’t speak at all."

Dian Chunqiu’s face darkened for a moment.

Long Eyebrow Zhenren smiled somewhat helplessly and said, "Uncle-Master, perhaps we should hear what message Daoist Dian has brought us?"

The old Daoist snorted through his nose, "Why listen? Whatever he brings will surely be no good!"

"Xuan Chen Elder, please hear me out," Dian Chunqiu said with a wry smile.

The old Daoist chuckled, "Alright, since you’ve addressed me as elder, I will deign to listen. Speak quickly."

"Nine True Palace is a sacred Daoist site, a great and prestigious mountain, and has always been a leader in the Cultivation World," Dian Chunqiu began softly, "In recent years, heretical and deviant forces have grown rampant, ready to make a comeback. Do the esteemed Zhenren truly wish to continue isolating yourselves from the world, ignoring worldly affairs?"

"Who says we’re isolating ourselves? You’d better watch your mouth, old man!" the old Daoist exclaimed, rolling up his sleeves in an instant, "Just last month, I personally slew a red-haired zombie who had achieved form for two thousand years. Dare you say we’ve been hiding?"

"We’re not hiding; we just don’t wish to meddle in your affairs. Let me tell you, we’re doing now what we’ve always done, and we’ve not neglected anything." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"I fully understand your viewpoint, Zhenren, but this is the trend of the times, the will of the nation. Nine True Palace will not join the Ninth Bureau, nor will the Ninth Bureau challenge Nine True Palace’s position in the Cultivation World, but indeed, we should dispatch disciples to join," Dian Chunqiu spoke with a pleasing tone.

"Impossible!" Xuan Chen Zhenren stated flatly, "Nine True Palace will not partake in any power struggles!"

"It’s merely about sending one or two disciples as representatives, without involving anything else," Dian Chunqiu insisted, "Zhenren, we have a good personal relationship, and though I am your junior, my words come from the heart. Joining will do no harm to Nine True Palace; not joining, however, may not bode well for the Palace’s future."

"Uncle-Master, regarding this matter... perhaps we should agree?" Long Eyebrow Zhenren suddenly spoke up.

"The world of Cultivators and Sects is vast and varied, all sects and paths are represented, and the era has changed. We indeed need strict management to maintain social stability."

The old Daoist’s eyes immediately hardened, "Long Eyebrow, you little rascal, are you turning your back on us?"

Li Qing watched as Long Eyebrow Zhenren, whose hair and beard were both white and eyebrows flowing, slightly twitched at the corner of his mouth.

This ’little rascal’ didn’t seem young at all.

"Uncle-Master, we really should do something. I think we ought to send someone," Long Eyebrow Zhenren said, bowing with folded hands in the Daoist salute.

"Zhenren, I can assure you that what I am saying now, including what I said earlier, is all true," Dian Chunqiu stated, "Zhenren need not worry about Nine Truth Palace repeating historical mistakes and getting entangled in a struggle for power."

"What use is your assurance to me!" the old Daoist snorted, his eyes fiercely fixed on Dian Chunqiu for a while, before his tone suddenly softened, "At most, two people!"

"Thank you, Zhenren!" Dian Chunqiu was overjoyed, quickly offering his thanks.

He paused, then lifted his head to look behind the old Taoist at Li Qing, "Young friend, you should have considered the matter thoroughly by now, haven’t you?"

The old Taoist’s eyebrows immediately shot up, and he pointed at Dian Chunqiu’s nose and cursed, "Look at you, you old bastard, you’re actually eyeing my beloved disciple? Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to take on this closed-door disciple?"

"I’ve been following the old Taoist for over a month, and I’ve even risked my life. At the age of three hundred and eighty, do you know how hard that is for me? Eh!"

Dian Chunqiu was stunned.

After the old Taoist had finished his rant, he finally spoke up, "True Person, your disciple’s activities in the secular world, the Ninth Bureau, will be more advantageous for his future."

"After talking about the future of the Nine Truth Palace, you’re talking about my disciple’s future, huh?" The old Taoist was furious, with his eyes wide and brow furrowed, "Are you implying that my disciple has no future at all in the Nine Truth Palace? Someone come, show the guest out, he’s making me furious!"

"True Person, please calm down, please calm down, Dian Daoist didn’t mean it that way," Hong Fang Zhenren quickly stepped in to mediate.

"What Dian Daoist means is that with the help of the Ninth Bureau, the development of your esteemed disciple would be even more beneficial!"

"He’s running around in the secular world, and there are some things the Nine Truth Palace cannot conveniently deal with, but the Ninth Bureau can handle with ease."

"In terms of cultivation, the foundation of the Ninth Bureau is shallow compared to that of the Nine Truth Palace."

The old Taoist’s expression finally eased up a bit.

Seeing this, Hong Fang Zhenren seized the moment and quickly said, "True Person, as the saying goes, ’No cutting, no jade.’ your esteemed disciple seems to need to struggle in the mortal world in the future, and the Ninth Bureau has a real knack for cultivating new talents in the Cultivation World."

"With peers to hone against and small tasks to practice his cultivation, what’s more pressing is that this identity is highly respected in the secular world. For young people, this is far faster growth than enduring hardship on a mountain."

The old Taoist’s expression changed, uncertain and shifting, then he said, "You young man, you speak more pleasingly than that Dian’s boy!"

Dian Chunqiu helplessly looked up at the ceiling.

He, the Deputy Director of the Ninth Bureau, this was definitely the most humiliating day of the year.

And yet, he couldn’t even raise his voice too much.

The old Taoist stood up with his hands clasped behind his back, "My good disciple, come with me."

Li Qing responded and followed the old Taoist outside the hall.

"What are your thoughts?" the old Taoist asked indifferently.

His expression was unusually serious.

Li Qing hesitated for a moment, then said, "I’ll follow Master’s arrangements."

He was still unsure about the situation and decided to be obedient for the time being.

Though the old Taoist wasn’t always proper in his speech and conduct, he had been truly good to Li Qing.

"Your physique is close to Dao; to put it plainly, you sly rabbit, are like half a son of Heaven, naturally suited for cultivation," said the old Taoist indifferently, "But your destiny is mired in the Peach Blossom Tribulation, and you are fated to tumble through the secular world for a few rounds; I can’t help that."

"Although that old thing Dian isn’t the best of people, what he said does have some merit."

"The Ninth Bureau represents the will of the country and indeed is the trend that the future of the Cultivation World will follow. The Nine Truth Palace can’t forever hide on the side, indifferent."

"So, what I mean is... you should join the Ninth Bureau."