A few years of reflection.
Ling Yun gradually gained some insights into the utilization of Yuan Shen (original spirit).
He knew that he was only one opportunity away from achieving immortality.
However, the precise timing of this opportunity remains uncertain.
Chen Yun thought it shouldn't be too far off.
Over the past few years, while living in the mortal world, I not only worked diligently every day, but also gained insights into how to cultivate and awaken my Yuan Shen (original spirit).
Also, often immersed in the worldly affairs and interacting with neighbors, my temperament has seen significant growth.
Therefore, to attain immortality, all that is lacking is an excellent opportunity.
Currently, staying in Luoyang City seems difficult to find such an opportunity.
Coincidentally, Sima Chengzhen's arrival here was intended to convey his master's will to me.
Chen Yun pondered to himself that perhaps this trip to the Khitan would greatly increase his chances of finding the opportunity that was uniquely his, thereby allowing him to refine the elixir and become an immortal.
He felt this strongly.
The feelings of a practitioner of cultivation will not rise arbitrarily.
It is usually because one has sensed something from the void that such feelings arise in the heart.
"Okay, let's go to the Khitan and see."
Chen Yun decided to depart tomorrow, "Before I head to the Khitan, I need to deal with the things that should be handled, such as…"
He looked outwards with his gaze.
For example, this group of students still need Chen Er to teach them.
Of course, students learning is one thing.
The most important matter is to ensure the safety of Zhao Kuangyin.
Chen Da and Chen Er are here, and with their cultivation level as the co-founders, it should be no problem protecting Zhao Kuangyin. After all, they are both on par with the master level.
However, Chen Yun still felt a bit unstable, fearing that something major might happen during his absence.
Therefore, after careful consideration, he decided not to take his disciples or divine soldiers and generals to the Khitan.
If something happens in Luoyang, Chen Da and Chen Er can seek help from Qingcheng Mountain if they are unable to withstand the enemy.
After all, his trip to the Khitan was just to get a sense of things, not to cause trouble. Whether or not he took his divine soldiers and generals along would make no difference.
Thinking so, Chen Yun was about to transmit his consciousness to Chen Er, instructing him to continue teaching at the private school.
Suddenly, a loud commotion came from outside.
"Beat him!"
"Beat him!"
A group of people are making a commotion.
Chen Yun had already noticed the situation.
He saw that Zhao Kuangyin and Wang Shenqi had started a fight for some unknown reason.
Zhao Kuangyin is now around four or five years old.
Wang Shenqi is two years older than Zhao Kuangyin, and he has been following Chen Er and Chen Yun learning martial arts for a few years.
How could Zhao Kuangyin be a match?
Fortunately, Wang Shenqi has a kind-hearted nature. Whenever Zhao Kuangyin attacked him, he would try to avoid it as much as possible, occasionally using trickery to overturn the other party, but he never really resorted to fierce attacks.
Despite being knocked down several times, Zhao Kuangyin was incredibly stubborn. Each time he would immediately jump up from the ground with a look of determination, and then attack again.
Wang Siyan looked somewhat like a "too indulgent mother with rebellious children".
She could easily separate the two fighting children.
However, she loved children too much and never resorted to using force. Instead, she tried to influence the two boys with her "love" on the sidelines.
Chen Yun shook his head, knowing that with children of this age, words alone are ineffective.
He walked outside with his hands behind his back and shouted, "Zhao Kuangyin, Wang Shenqi, what do you two want to do?"
Wang Shenqi immediately stopped his attack.
Zhao Kuangyin still looked a bit stubborn, but seeing Chen Yun standing there, he dared not rush forward again. His little face was puffed up with anger.
Chen Yun called the two of them inside and scolded them severely. The use of a ruler was only natural.
After the scolding, it was over.
Chen Yun lectured them, "Wang Shenqi, you're bullying a smaller person. If you hurt him, what will you tell your parents when they find out? "
Wang Shenqi lowered his head and said, "Teacher, the student is wrong. I will not do it again in the future."
Chen Yun, seeing his good attitude of admission, said, "Hmm, after school today, write a reflection for me."
Wang Shenqi agreed, "Yes."
Chen Yun looked at Zhao Kuangyin and said in a gentle tone, "Zhao Kuangyin, I won't say whether you are right or not about this matter. I only ask you one question. How can you possibly be his opponent? Fortunately, Wang Shenqi is a simple-minded person who doesn't mean to hurt you. If it were someone else who resorted to fierce attacks, how would you not be beaten black and blue?"
Zhao Kuangyin didn't seem to ever be satisfied.
He pouted and said, "Hmph, he's just older than me. When I go back home and learn martial arts from my father, I'll make sure he regrets it!"
Chen Yun chuckled and said, "When it comes to martial arts skill, your father might not even be Wang Shenqi's match."
Zhao Kuangyin red-eyed, "How could that be possible? My father is a general, and he's very skilled in martial arts."
Chen Yun was determined to make Zhao Kuangyin submit to his authority and teach him martial arts. "If you don't believe me, I will let Wang Shenqi demonstrate a set of martial arts this afternoon when school ends. You remember to ask your father afterwards if he can break this punch. If your father says no, you are not allowed to fight with your fellow students in the school anymore, how about that?"
Zhao Kuangyin solemnly vowed, "If my father can't defeat him, I will definitely not cause any trouble again in the future."
Then...
A day quickly passed.
At the end of the school day, Zhao Hongyin came to pick up Zhao Kuangyin.
Wang Shenqi demonstrated a set of martial arts on the spot.
Zhao Hongyin sat there for a long time, pondering deeply without finding a way to break the martial arts.
In the end, Zhao Kuangyin had to admit defeat.
...
That night, inside the residence.
Chen Yun was instructing Chen Er, "In the next few years, I may not be in the Central Plains. You should stay in Luoyang to teach those children to read."
Chen Er replied, "Yes."
Chen Yun spoke again, "Also, in addition to teaching Wang Shenqi military strategy and martial arts as usual, I will give you a set of military treatise, a set of martial arts and a set of stick technique later. You should teach Zhao Kuangyin these techniques privately. Don't let others learn them."
Chen Er asked, "Should I also teach him the art of submission?"
Chen Yun waved his hand and said, "No need."
Chen Er replied, "Alright."
Chen Yun said no more to Chen Er.
He then went to the upper room and spent the whole night comforting Wang Siyan.
...
The next day.
Early in the morning, Chen Yun transformed into a ray of light and headed towards the Khitan.
With the aid of the Streaming Soul shoes, he arrived in the capital city of the Khitan nation in no time.
Currently, the capital of the Khitan was called the Imperial Capital, yet to be renamed to Shangjing (Upper City), nor had it established the Linheng Prefecture.
The Imperial Capital was surrounded by mountains on all sides, divided into two cities: the northern city being the Imperial Capital and the southern city being the Han City.
There was also a smaller city nearby, called the "Little City of the Bohai Sea."
Though the capital of the Khitan nation, its population was far less than that of the Central Plains.
Chen Yun walked on the streets of the Han City, and at a glance, he found the population rather sparse.
In contrast, there were numerous Buddhist temples and Confucian temples.
As for Daoist temples, there were virtually none.
In his monk attire, he drew frequent glances from passersby.
Chen Yun paid no mind to the gazes of those around him.
Instead, Chen Yun was contemplating how to infiltrate the inner circles of the Khitan.
Suddenly, he noticed a group of monks walking together in front of him.
These monks possessed cultivation and were undoubtedly extraordinary beings.
Chen Yun's heart skipped a beat, pondering whether he should approach the monks to inquire about the situation.
After all, in the Central Plains, while Taoism and Buddhism secretly compete for beliefs, their relationship on the surface is still relatively friendly.
Thinking about it, he walked up to the monks and made a bow with his hands, saying: "My fellow Taoists, Chen Yun greets you with respect."
If this were in the Central Plains, these monks would definitely respond with a quick bow in return.
Who would have thought that those monks gave Chen Yun a passing glance, then pretended not to hear him as they continued on their way to the Buddhist temple.
Chen Yun frowned slightly, sensing that Taoism was not as favored in the Khitan.
Or perhaps, the Khitan had already been dominated by Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shamanism, and did not want Taoism to divide their beliefs.
Indeed, according to historical records, the Khitan had not been very friendly towards Taoism.
For example, the "Liao History" recorded: "Li Hong gathered a mob by practicing leftist methods and caused trouble. He was dismembered and his remains were displayed in five capitals."
This indirectly reflects that Taoism's influence in the Khitan was not particularly significant.
In fact, the Khitan or later renamed Liao State, there was a period when they were relatively friendly towards Taoism.
That would have to wait until the reign of Emperor Shengzong of Liao, which is still a long way off from now.
However, Chen Yun discovered an interesting phenomenon. There was still an Old Lord Temple within the Imperial Capital of the Khitan, despite their general hostility towards Taoism.
He pondered for a moment and ultimately decided to enter the Laojun Observatory.
As soon as he entered, an elderly Taoist, looking to be in his fifties or sixties, immediately approached him.
This old Taoist had an alarmed expression: "Friend, how dare you wear a Taoist robe and stroll around the street?"
Chen Yun looked down at his clothing, puzzled and replied: "Brother Daoist, why is that a problem if I wear a Taoist robe?"
The old Taoist said with an expression of disbelief, "Could it be that you come from the south and don't know the situation here?"
Chen Yun said: "I really don't know, but please show me."
The old Taoist sighed deeply and said, "In the heartland of the Central Plains, as the legitimate Taoism school, we Daoists naturally receive favor from all dynasties. However, in this place, from top to bottom, they all worship Buddhism, Confucianism and Shamanism. In order to consolidate their faith, they not only prohibit Daoists from preaching but also capture and detain any Daoist who is not from Laojun Observatory if they find them wandering around."
Chen Yun was startled, "Is the situation so bad?"
The old Taoist sighed with a bitter smile, "This is not the only terrible situation. Many Daoists who came to spread the teachings were oppressed by Shamanism, causing the death of many people. That's why I was so shocked to see you wearing a Taoist robe, and if someone reports you, the government will definitely come to capture you. If it goes well, they will probably keep you in a large prison, but if it goes poorly, maybe some Shamanists will secretly manipulate things behind the scenes and take your life!"
Hearing this, Chen Yun couldn't help but furrow his brow.
After listening to the old Taoist's words.
Only after listening to the old Taoist's words did Chen Yun realize that Taoism in the Khitan wasn't just unpopular, but was actually being oppressed to a point where it was barely hanging on.
If what the old Taoist said was true, then his great reputation in the Central Plains would be utterly useless in the Khitan.
Or, in this region, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shamanism controlled the flow of information, so the deeds he had done would never make their way here.
In this case, it would be very difficult for him to infiltrate the Khitan's inner circle.
Chen Yun felt somewhat complicated.
He realized he had to come up with a plan.
Otherwise, he might really fail in completing the task given by the Eastern King.
The problem was how he could successfully infiltrate the inner circles of the Khitan.
Chen Yun thought that he knew too little about the situation here. Perhaps if he could gather more information, he might come up with a solution.
(This chapter concludes)
