"It turns out that you are a friend of the State Preceptor. Please, come in." The guard gave the Token back to Chen Changâan, immediately letting him pass.
"Thank you, General." Chen Changâan took the Token and entered the city with Mao Ruxue.
"Brother, why donât we go directly to the State Preceptorâs residence?" Mao Ruxue was puzzled after entering the city.
With their strength, getting into Daqianâs Imperial City was hardly an issue.
"Little sister, worldly affairs are also part of the heart-tempering process. If we directly confront the outcome of everything, then thereâs no meaning in it," said Chen Changâan.
"Oh, Brother, you always have deep theories." Upon hearing Chen Changâanâs words, Mao Ruxue seemed a bit skeptical. She was absolutely confident that her brother was just humoring her.
Chen Changâan was indeed humoring Mao Ruxue, but he wasnât doing it aimlessly.
For Chen Changâan, the Daqian Imperial Dynasty was entirely a foreign entity. Since he was here, he wanted to experience and understand the local customs and conditions.
After wandering around the city, Chen Changâan found the internal state of the Daqian Imperial Dynasty somewhat wanting. Despite this being the Imperial City, he could see many people on the streets dressed in tattered clothing.
Their state was barely above subsistence, just enough to keep them from starving.
It was hard to imagine that in a world of cultivation, such scenes could still exist. This was beyond Chen Changâanâs expectations.
"Little sister, have you known about the Daqian Imperial Dynasty before? Has it always been like this here?"
What Chen Changâan didnât know was that the current state of the Daqian Imperial Dynasty was actually quite an improvement. Before meeting him two or three years ago, the Daqian Dynasty had even experienced starvation deaths every year.
Although a large portion of the population still lived just above subsistence now, no one was dying of starvation anymore.
Compared to the past, the present situation was a massive improvement.
Naturally, the cause of the previous situation wasnât due to inaction of Daqianâs high-ranking officials. The Daqian location was extremely special, with not only infertile lands but also borders a land of gods and demons on the west. To deal with the monsters emerging from that land, Daqian was nearly exhausted, leaving no energy for the development of domestic livelihood.
Not to mention, before the advent of the All Heavens Confucian Path, the reigning ruler of Daqian would change every thirty years, not for any other reason but because the previous one died in battle.
Only after Liang Renxing breakthrough as a Great Scholar did they find a turning point.
The current situation was probably the best Daqian had seen in a thousand years!
"Huh? Brother, what is this place, the Temple of the Supreme Saint?"
"It seems that you are being worshipped inside."
As they strolled, Chen Changâan and Mao Ruxue suddenly arrived at a temple.
It was indeed strange that a grand and imposing temple appeared on the main street.
The temple was carved entirely from richly hued wood, housing five divine statues inside.
The first statue was of a young man, proud and impressive, bearing the inscription â the Supreme Saint Immortal Master!
The other four statues were also highly recognizable, one of a beautiful lady in royal attire, while the others were of ferocious-looking Demon Gods.
These were unmistakably Chen Changâan and the Four Star Gods!
The entrance of the temple buzzed with people coming and going, a constant stream of worshippers, the incense burning fiercely.
"Brother, this really seems to be you. Whatâs going on? Why are they worshipping you?"
When Mao Ruxue went in, she quickly confirmed that the person worshipped was Chen Changâan and couldnât help exclaiming.
But then it made sense. Since Brother Chen Changâan had attained the Supreme Saint status, his Dao was emulated by all under the heavens, and the Great Dao contained in the All Heavens Confucian Path had been initiated, becoming a profound path of revival for the Human Race.
As the origin of the All Heavens Confucian Path, it seemed normal for Brother Chen Changâan to be worshipped by the world.
Following this, they visited a few more places and were astonished to find that in the vast Daqian Imperial Dynasty, there were no less than ten temples dedicated to Chen Changâan.
It seemed that Daqian had truly adopted the All Heavens Confucian Path as the national path!
An understanding sparked in Chen Changâanâs heart, and he couldnât help but admire Liang Renxingâs bold decision more than before.
After approximately one or two hours wandering in the Imperial City, as the skies darkened, Chen Changâan finally guided Mao Ruxue toward Liang Renxingâs mansion.
"Do our guests have any business? Shall I notify the master?" When they arrived at Liang Mansion, an immediate servant asked in a respectful tone.
Chen Changâan pulled out Liang Renxingâs Token as usual and handed it to the doorman while smiling,
"Excuse me, but I am a friend of Master Liang. I was passing here and thought of paying a visit. Could you please notify him?"
"Huh? "
However, the doorman was incredibly surprised when he took the token. It seemed as if he had seen something unbelievable.
The next moment, he immediately turned to Chen Changâan and said respectfully:
"Sir, please wait a moment, I will go and call the master." The servant handed the token to Chen Changâan, and then ran towards the house.
Before long, the sound of footsteps echoed from within the mansion.
"Hahaha, I heard the magpies singing this morning, and I thought something good was about to happen. I never expected it was little friend Chen gracing this humble abode."
"Little friend Chen, please, come inside."
It was Liang Renxing who had arrived, whose voice heralded his presence.
Then, Liang Renxing appeared at the gate.
"Hahaha, I guessed correctly, it is indeed little friend Chen."
Upon seeing Chen Changâan, Liang Renxing immediately burst into a joyous laughter.
"I, Chen, arrived without notice, and I hope the esteemed elder wonât mind." Chen Changâan replied with a slight smile.
Upon hearing Chen Changâanâs words, Liang Renxing laughed once again: "Haha, letâs not mention that, little friend Chen, please, come inside."
He then extended his hand to lead Chen Changâan inside.
"Hiss~! Who is this, and why is the master being so polite to him!"
After Liang Renxing had ushered Chen Changâan in, the gatekeepers were utterly dumbfounded.
They had never before seen their master being so courteous to a stranger.
Remember how he didnât even give face to those big shots back then!
"Little Li, didnât I tell you that you lack sharpness? You didnât believe me."
"Now think, who else in this world could warrant such a welcoming reception from our master and also bears the surname Chen?"
"Moreover, didnât you notice that this honored guest looks quite familiar?"
Upon hearing these words from another servant, immediate realization dawned on the one they called Little Li.
"Hiss! Chen? Looks familiar??"
"Is it that person?!"
The servant named Little Li gasped in disbelief, finally understanding the situation.
"Who else, other than him, could make our master so happy!" The other man nodded, confirming Little Liâs guess.
"Hiss~!"
Upon hearing this, Little Li couldnât help but gasp again.
Who is the most popular man in the entire Daqian Imperial City at the moment?
Itâs not the Emperor, not State Preceptor Liang, but Chen Changâan of Tianshui!
The Great Scholar Chen Changâan of Tianshui!
In the Daqian Imperial Dynasty, even if you do not know who the Emperor is, or who the State Preceptor is, you must know who Chen Changâan is!
He is the founder of the Confucian Path among all heavens, the lifesaving deity of Daqian Empire!
This is a monumental figure!
"Oh my, Brother Xiaoze, why didnât you alert me earlier!"
"I hope I didnât do anything disrespectful."
Little Li was scared out of his wits.
.....
"My friend, please."
Within Liang Mansion, Liang Renxing ushered Chen Changâan to his seat and ordered his servants to bring out a sumptuous feast and brew some precious tea as hospitality.
"Thank you, Elder." Chen Changâan nodded, then picked up the teacup and took a light sip.
...