Chapter 106 Night Banquet "Go and do your work." Everyone had their own business, and after a brief greeting, Tao Tie waved his hand. After he finished speaking, he took the lead and continued forward. After dealing with them for a long period of time, Chu Mingtu and others have a good understanding of Mr. Tao's style of doing things. After they all bowed, they led the convoy out of Pingyuan County. Because of the chance encounter near the city gate, Tao Tie became curious, so in the process of purifying the weather in Pingyuan County, he paid special attention to the granaries built in various places. Whether it is the original Changping Granary or the newly built granary, they are all engraved with Confucian principles, Taoist magic circles, Buddhist mantras, and the edicts of the Celestial Empire. Principles, magic circles, and mantras are integrated under the edict and together they play a purifying role. This kind of purification is similar to the purification done by Tao Tie. The difference lies in the purification objects.

The purification that Tao Tie is doing is aimed at the actual chaotic weather in Pingyuan County. The purification of the granary is aimed at the grain produced from the fields in Pingyuan County. After a year of storage and purification, the grain will be eaten by people in other counties without causing any adverse consequences. “So, Pingyuan County only sells old grain!” After discovering this, Tao Tie confirmed his guess. Then continue to focus on doing your own thing. Compared to walking alone in the countryside, after entering the county town, Tao Tie took every step under the attention and greetings of the people of Pingyuan County. When the people of Pingyuan County saw Tao Tie, they would bow and kowtow to him from afar. After Tao Tie walked away, he stood up and continued doing his own thing. This kind of behavior was not carefully organized by someone, but happened spontaneously. Every time a citizen paid tribute to Tao Tie, the Yin God "Taiyi Great Emperor" in the Lingtai Zifu of the Niwan Palace would peel off a small piece of turbid Yin. Two days later, the atmospheric purification of Pingyuan County was completed. When he left, the Yin God "Taiyi Great Emperor" had become a pure Yin body. What is even more amazing is that behind the head of the Yin God “Taiyi Great Emperor”, there is a halo that is so faint that it is almost invisible. This is the golden light of merit, which represents the amount of merit. The uses are endless. The first thing that appeared was the image of Taotie lying under the seat of the Yin God "Taiyi Great Heavenly Emperor". When illuminated by the golden light of merit, wisps of turbid black air immediately emerged from his body. These turbid black gases are the remnants of Tao Tie's previous visualizations of Taotie, conceptually devouring other things to replenish himself or as a shortcut to spiritual practice. Just like the ashes left behind by the gluttonous demon. It’s just that the ashes are bright and easy to clean up, while the turbid black air is faint and difficult to detect.

Therefore, Confucianism advocates introspection, Taoism advocates introspection, and Buddhism also requires one to understand one's mind and see one's nature. The purpose of the three, according to the Buddhist Zen verse of gradual enlightenment, is: "The body is a bodhi tree, the mind is like a bright mirror. Wipe it frequently and do not let it collect dust." At this moment, Tao Tie used his good deeds to condense the golden light of merit, and under the shining of the golden light, he brushed away the dust on his body and mind. Clear inside and out, clean body and mind. Facing the rising sun, Tao Tie went to the capital with a happy and peaceful smile. Then if there is a road, walk; if there is no road, climb mountains and wade through rivers, pass through forests and jump over rocks. The fruit of the Tao is right ahead, and the great road is right under your feet. Where can't you go? The first annual Tianjiao Conference of the Three Southwestern States has now come to an end. In addition to Tao Tie and Dong Shou, the remaining eight places to go to Beijing to receive special training from the Heavenly Dynasty were given to the True Martial Emperor sorcerer Zhu Cong and the feminine warrior Lan Ling from Lianyun Prefecture, Yuan Luyao, Liu Yuling, and the twin sister Shen Qiong from Cangyun Prefecture, Kun Dao Xuanhua from Hengyun Prefecture, the masculine warrior Shan Yi Shan Yunfei, and the monk Yuanjue. Shen Yao, the younger sister of the Shen family's twins, could have also occupied a place, but the performance of the emerging monk Yuanjue in the fifth stage of warding off disasters and relieving misfortunes was too outstanding. Shen Yao didn't even have the confidence to question the three governors/prefects in "dividing the pork", so he could only give up in resentment, bid farewell to his sister in tears, and returned to the capital of Cangyun Prefecture. The three southwestern states have chosen ten people to go to Beijing, so naturally they cannot let these ten people go their own way without organization or discipline. Even if no accompanying team is arranged, a farewell banquet must still be held. When he was about to leave the borders of the three southwestern states, Tao Tie received a notice from Miao Zongren, the prefect of Siming Prefecture. The time, place, and who will attend the farewell party are all clearly written. Tao Tie had no choice but to change direction and head towards the banquet venue. This place is very interesting. It is located at the junction of three states and is a long pavilion. After passing Changting is Dianzhou, which is the closest to the inner nine states among the outer eighteen states. You can also reach this state by taking the Yudai River from Liuxian County, but the destination is different. Perhaps they were in a hurry to get away, or perhaps the three governors/prefects had to be on duty during the day, so the farewell banquet was specially set at the hour of Xu (19:00-21:00). The hour of Xu is elegantly called dusk. The moon is above the willows, and we make an appointment after dusk, the dusk. Thinking of this, Tao Tie felt strange and suspected that the three governors/prefects, who were all scholars, had read too many books. Why indulge in such inappropriate pleasure? "Friend Tao, we meet again." However, Tao Tie did not have the leisure to criticize the three governors/prefects. As soon as he arrived at Changting, an acquaintance came up to greet him. This person is none other than Yuanjue, the monk from Hengyun Prefecture who emerged as a rising star in the fifth stage. I have two encounters and one conflict with Tao Tie.

"Ah." Tao Tie responded indifferently, not bothering to pay attention, and walked straight to his seat. The pavilion has been decorated. At the top are three side-by-side desks and couches, which belonged to the three governors/prefects. Moving a little to the side, there is a desk and a couch placed separately on each side. The one on the left belongs to Miao Zongren, the prefect of Siming Prefecture, and the one on the right belongs to Tao Tie. The tables and couches for the nine geniuses who came to Beijing from Lianyunzhou, Cangyunzhou and Hengyunzhou were lined up in a row, with five tables in the first two rows on the front. Although he was treated coldly, Monk Yuanjue did not get angry. He clasped his hands together with a calm expression. Shan Yunfei, a masculine warrior sitting upright in his seat, snorted and said loudly, "You are trying to please a cold butt. It doesn't matter if you lose face for the Shi family, but don't hurt the reputation of Hengyun Prefecture!" Obviously, Shan Yunfei disliked Monk Yuanjue very much. Don't know why. Kun Dao Xuanhua, who was also from Hengyun Prefecture, held a jade ruyi in his hand, closed his eyes and rested, as if oblivious to the world and himself, and ignored all this. Yuan Luyao, Liu Yuling and Shen Qiong from Cangyun Prefecture watched the show coldly. But they couldn't be said to be very happy. Because Tao Tie not only ignored Monk Yuanjue, but also those who were from the same state and should have been warm and friendly. The shaman Zhu Cong from Lianyun Prefecture and the feminine warrior Lan Ling perhaps didn't care, or perhaps after hearing what Dong Shou said, they just nodded slightly to Tao Tie as a greeting. Then they all looked at Monk Yuanjue with meaningful smiles. We act as if we are laughing at you, openly and honestly. Dong Shou, however, leaped to the side of Tao Tie's seat in one step, squatted there, and said to himself, regardless of whether Tao Tie was happy to listen or not: "Fellow Daoist Tao, thank you for your guidance, which helped me to break through the confusion and made me the first to pass the stage of warding off disasters and relieving misfortunes. I found that warding off disasters and relieving misfortunes does not depend on how much or how big the work is, but on the sincerity of the heart. If the heart is sincere, even small deeds are great good deeds. If the heart is not sincere, no matter how big the work is, it is still a small good deed. What do you think of my statement?" Tao Tie tilted his head to glance at Dong Shou, but had no intention of saying anything. This statement is similar to what Tao Tie once disagreed with: "If you intend to do good, you will not be rewarded even if it is good." But that's the truth. Everyone has their own experiences, their own stance, their own thoughts, and their own opinions. Some principles can be clarified. There is no need to argue about some principles, just do what you want. Dong Shou didn't care and continued, "So after I got the spot, I still helped people on my way here to ward off disasters and relieve their suffering. Whether it was an old man with a headache or a roof blown off by the wind, a lonely soul in the wild, or a lost cow, as long as I could help, no matter what it was, I would try my best to help." At this point, Dong Shou slapped his thigh, his eyebrows dancing with joy, his expression excited: "Guess how the local government offices and the underworld will treat me after I stop interfering in other people's business?" Tao Tie didn't need to guess, Dong Shou answered immediately: "They regard me as a guest of honor, so they won't be hostile to me or regard me as a trouble at all." Hearing this, Tao Tie said perfunctorily: "Yes, yes, yes, you are right." Then he waved his hand and said, "Go back to your seat. The banquet is about to begin."

Dong Shou, who had clearly realized his true nature, did not become more steady but rather more like a lively treasure. He quickly jumped back to his seat. Three provincial governors/prefects were coming together, with the prefect of Siming Prefecture, Miao Zongren, leading the way. When the four people entered the pavilion one after another, ten young geniuses including Tao Tie stood up to greet them. When people live in this world, the concept of hierarchy can be neglected, but etiquette must be observed. If you respect others a foot, they may respect you a yard in return. "Sit down, sit down, everyone sit down." The governor of Cangyun Prefecture came to the main seat in the middle of the upper room and pressed his hands downward. The people in the pavilion had no intention of waiting for the governor of Cangyun Prefecture to sit down before they sat down, and they all sat down after hearing what he said. After he sat down, the governor of Cangyun Prefecture said, "This seat should have been occupied by Hu Prefecture Governor." As he spoke, the governor of Cangyun Prefecture looked to the governor of Lianyun Prefecture on his left. Among the three southwestern states, Lianyun Prefecture has always been the boss. Whenever the chief officials of the three states attended an event together, the governor of Lianyun State always sat in the main seat in the middle. Tonight's farewell dinner is an exception. The governor of Cangyun Prefecture said, "But I have this honor thanks to the four of you, Tao Tie, Yuan Luyao, Liu Yuling, and Shen Qiong, and the generosity of Governor Hu. Without further ado, let's raise a glass to celebrate the opportunity to gather here." As soon as he finished speaking, the governor of Cangyun Prefecture took the lead in picking up the wine cup in front of him. Hu Zhoumu of Lianyunzhou had a calm expression, and it was hard to tell what his mood was. He followed suit and raised his glass. The same is true for the governor of Hengyun Prefecture. Those who attended the banquet, from the prefect of Siming Prefecture, Miao Zongren and below, all raised their wine cups and responded to the proposal of the prefect of Cangyun Prefecture and drank a glass of wine. Putting down the wine cup, the governor of Cangyun Prefecture sighed: "My three southwestern prefectures are located in a remote corner. There are 27 prefectures in Dayong, and 100 people are on the True List. My three southwestern prefectures only have two people on the list. There are 100 people on the Ruyi List, and only three people on the Ruyi List. There are 100 people on the Qianlong List, and only two people on the Qianlong List. How shabby!" As soon as this word came out, the atmosphere in the pavilion changed quietly. The truth always hurts the most. The governor of Lianyun Prefecture was particularly hurt. Of the two people on the Dengzhen List, the one from Cangyun Prefecture is the sword immortal Huang Junshi, and the one from Hengyun Prefecture is a sorcerer who worships the Great Emperor Zhenwu, his surname is Zhu and his name is Zhang. Among the three people on the Ruyi List, one is from Cangyun Prefecture and two are from Hengyun Prefecture. Among the two people who made it to the Hidden Dragon List, Tao Tie is from Cangyun Prefecture and Dong Shou is from Lianyun Prefecture. By this calculation, Lianyun Prefecture, which has always been the boss of the three prefectures, has to rely on a pedantic scholar like Dong Shou to save its reputation. No wonder Hu, the governor of Lianyun Prefecture, wanted to give up the main seat in the middle at the farewell banquet tonight. You have to be humble and give in. You don’t have the nerve to sit here!

The governor of Cangyun Prefecture seemed unaware that his words had hurt the self-esteem of Hu Prefecture Governor. He continued to speak for a while, and finally raised his voice a little and ended passionately: "I hope that the ten of you can show the power of our three southwestern prefectures when you come to the capital this time. Don't let people underestimate our three southwestern prefectures!" "Yes." Ten young geniuses responded in unison, but their voices were neither loud nor passionate, just calm. This actually made the governor of Cangyun Prefecture happy. Later, he drank two glasses of wine in a row. Also because of the two glasses of wine that the prefect of Cangyun Prefecture drank in joy, the governors of Lianyun Prefecture and Hengyun Prefecture, who were about to say something, were interrupted. Quite disappointing. Tao Tie sat quietly the whole time, waiting for the banquet to end. The farewell banquet ended on time in an atmosphere that was neither cold nor awkward, but rather awkward. After the banquet, the three governors/prefects left together as if nothing had happened. Siming Prefecture Prefect Miao Zongren stayed. With a wave of his hand, he cleared away the messy leftovers and said directly, "As one of the geniuses selected from the hundreds of thousands and millions of people in the three southwestern states, your visit to the capital must be expressed by the three state governments. We have prepared a set of ceremonials for each of you." As he spoke, Miao Zongren reached into his sleeve and took out ten brocade bags. These sachets are disposable storage bags with different volumes inside, and the contents should also be different. After distributing the ten magic bags in his hand to ten people respectively, Miao Zongren was silent for a moment and decided to speak a few words from the heart. Just listen to him say: "Miao would like to take this rare opportunity to say a few more words of nonsense, just to flirt with you. You can listen or not. Mr. Miao is fifty-seven this year. Thirty years ago, he was exiled from the capital and served as the magistrate of Liuxian County, a position he has held for thirty years. When I think back on it myself or when others mention it, I can't help but sigh. How many thirty years can we have in this life? Especially the young people and teenagers who are full of vigor and vitality! Your trip to the capital is just like when I went to the capital for the imperial examination. I recalled the old days and may have been a bit long-winded. I hope you can forgive me. As we are about to part, I, Miao, will not wish you a bright future. The three adults have already expressed their blessings and expectations. I wish you can always keep the youthful spirit in your heart, and don’t be like me, who is not yet old but already has the spirit of an old man.” After a pause, Miao Zongren's tone became complicated, a little sad, but also a little open-minded and free and easy: "Young man is full of ambition, he does not ask for a long rope, he is the son of a genius." "May you...still be young when you return." Tao Tie doesn't care whether he is young or not, or whether he is ambitious or not. While Miao Zongren was speaking excitedly, his spiritual sense reached into the brocade bag in his hand, and after a moment's pause, he transferred all the Cheng Yi in it into the storage bag. His mood couldn't help but become quite subtle.

The brocade bag is filled with incense and spiritual incense for nourishing soldiers and generals. A cultivator who has been granted 150 general certificates may have more than enough for three to five hundred years! In addition to the finished products, there are also a large number of materials for refining faith incense and spiritual incense, for fear that there will not be enough. The intention behind this is obvious. The issue is…… You want people to take advantage of you for such a small thing? Sending beggars away! (End of this chapter)