The Ming Dynasty's henchmen, working from nine to five

Chapter 65 Cultivating Divine Sense

"This cultivation technique was personally captured by Master Lu when he was young, during a campaign to suppress unorthodox sorcerers."

"Master Lu passed it on to me. Now that you have made great contributions in the case of the flower thief, I will pass this method on to you on behalf of Master Lu, hoping that you can understand it."

Zhang Xian looked serious and solemn, while Yan Zheng, standing beside him, was suddenly startled and his expression became somewhat unsettled.

Seeing Yan Zheng's appearance, Shen Lang understood that this cultivation technique must have a significant origin.

"The 'Heart Sutra for Subduing Demons and Suppressing Prisons' is not a true energy cultivation method or martial arts technique, but rather a method for condensing one's spiritual thoughts."

"It cannot help you improve your strength in the short term, but long-term practice can keep your mind clear, your spirit pure, and your body immune to all evil."

At this point, Zhang Xian paused, then said earnestly, "The path of a warrior is long and arduous."

"If you want to go further, talent alone is not enough; you also need an indomitable will and an unwavering mindset."

"Over the years, I have seen many people with extraordinary talents, but most of them stop at the third rank. They spend their whole lives unable to transcend the mundane and die in despair."

"Your innate talent and aptitude are both excellent. Now that your foundation is established, if you further refine your will and mindset, you can expect to achieve great things."

It's clear that Zhang Xian genuinely wanted to mentor Shen Lang; the fact that he said those words shows he considered him a trusted confidant.

After listening attentively, Shen Lang bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I will keep it in mind."

Zhang Xian nodded slightly: "This method is extremely difficult to master. If one can cultivate the first level within a year, one will already be considered a celestial being."

"You must remember to avoid arrogance and impatience, and not to be impatient for quick results. If you have any questions, you can come to me at any time."

"Yes, sir!"

"Go then."

Shen Lang put the ancient book into his robes, clasped his hands in a salute, and left the quiet room.

Watching his figure gradually disappear into the distance, Yan Zheng couldn't help but say, "I didn't expect that the master would value him so much, even passing on the 'Heart Sutra for Subduing Demons and Suppressing Prisons' to him."

Shen Lang didn't know the specifics of this technique, but Yan Zheng, having served in the Embroidered Uniform Guard for many years, was very clear about what it meant.

Inside the Zhenwu Pavilion of the government office, there are more than four hundred martial arts techniques of the highest rank, but very few of them can be used to cultivate one's mind and will.

For a martial artist to transcend to the third rank and become a mortal, the most difficult hurdle is not breaking free from the shackles of the physical body, but rather how to condense essence, qi, and spirit into one and cultivate divine consciousness!

Countless martial artists are stuck at this hurdle, unable to make any progress in their entire lives.

However, there are very few cultivation techniques that can help with this, and the "Heart Sutra for Subduing Demons and Suppressing Prisons" is one of them.

"He deserves to be rewarded for his contributions."

Zhang Xian didn't say much, only gave a brief reply, and then he looked Yan Zheng up and down, his gaze becoming somewhat intriguing.

Yan Zheng was stunned for a moment upon seeing this, then immediately realized what was happening and said angrily, "You still doubt me, sir?!"

Zhang Xiandao said, "You have seen Shen Lang's abilities. Although he is a bit arrogant, he is extremely meticulous and would never speak without a purpose."

"He suspects you because he must have discovered something. Perhaps the problem isn't with you. Think about it carefully."

Yan Zheng's leopard eyes widened in surprise, and his eyebrowless brows slowly furrowed.

After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly looked up and said, "A few days ago, I went to the elephant training center to find Jin Chuan and encountered the talking bird that Shen Lang was raising."

"Could it be... because of this?"

"Jin Chuan?" Zhang Xian narrowed his eyes slightly.

Yan Zheng continued, "I have known him for many years and know that he has always been proud and arrogant. Now, because of the failure of the investigation, he was transferred to the elephant training institute by Lord Lu. I was worried that he would be discouraged, so I went to see him."

Zhang Xian shook his head and said, "Lu Gongzheng only gave him an exception and allowed him to go to the elephant school to temper his character because he cherishes talent."

"Otherwise, if we really investigate, given his actions, it's questionable whether he can even keep his head."

Last year, tax silver from Jiangzhou was intercepted on the official road to Yujing, and 300,000 taels of silver disappeared. The emperor was furious and ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate the case.

Jin Chuan was the youngest fourth-rank military officer in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and had previously made many great contributions, so he was at the height of his fame. Lord Lu appointed him as the chief officer in charge and gave him a month to solve the case and recover the tax silver.

Jin Chuan accepted the order and went to Jiangzhou. After working for more than half a month, he still couldn't find any useful clues. With the deadline approaching, in his impatience, he made an extremely bold decision—

He ordered the entire city to be sealed off and investigated one by one, citing suspicions that enemy forces were hiding in Jinhua Prefecture.

He ordered the people of the city to report on each other, and anyone suspected was severely punished.

In this battle, Jin Chuan executed nearly a hundred people in the street, leaving a trail of heads and the stench of blood lingering in the city for three days.

When Lord Lu learned of this, he was furious and immediately dismissed him from his post, ordering him to return to Yujing to receive punishment.

Then Jin Chuan was demoted, becoming the only commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard without any subordinate garrisons.

Zhang Xian asked, "What did you talk about with him?"

Yan Zheng frowned and said, "I only gave him a few words of advice, telling him to conserve his energy for the future, and I didn't talk about anything else."

Zhang Xian then asked, "How is he doing these days?"

Yan Zheng said, "On the surface, everything seems normal. They show up on time every day and manage the elephant training center very well."

"But I always felt that he seemed to have lost his will to return. I mentioned to him the good intentions of Lord Lu, but he didn't react at all, as if... he had completely given up the idea of ​​returning to the government office."

Zhang Xian pondered for a moment and said, "He came from a poor background, and he must be a mentally weak person to have come this far. How could he give up so easily?"

"Go and find out what Jin Chuan has been doing lately."

Yan Zheng frowned and said, "Sir, Brother Jin has risked his life for the Embroidered Uniform Guard for over twenty years. Is it not inappropriate to investigate him based solely on a single sentence from Shen Lang?"

Zhang Xiandao said, "People can change, so we can't generalize. Jin Chuan's personality is somewhat extreme. Now that he has suffered a major setback, his mind is clouded by demons, so it's not impossible for him to go astray."

"Whether there's a problem or not, a quick check will tell."

"Yes, sir!"

Yan Zheng remained silent for a few seconds, clasped his hands in a salute, and left to receive the order.

Zhang Xianjing pondered for a moment, then took out paper and pen and personally wrote the dossier.

The examination of Princess Yongci's body and the final culprit are complex and difficult matters, and we must inform Lord Lu as soon as possible so that he can make a decision personally.

......

After leaving the government office, the sky gradually darkened.

Shen Lang didn't linger any longer and returned home without stopping.

Upon learning that Princess Yongci had died at Qingyun Temple on the outskirts of the city, he had a vague premonition that Qingyun Temple was the hiding place of the Master of Destiny!

Now that the flower thief's scheme is complete, the fortune teller will definitely have to leave to avoid trouble.

Delay could lead to unforeseen consequences, so he must act tonight to bring that fortune teller to justice!