Chapter 927
The Fruits of Victory
Zhang Li didn't necessarily want to learn the Zhang family's inner martial arts techniques.
She could join the Sanqing Mountain sect or other sects, and not all martial arts techniques in the world are in the Zhang family.
She was just indignant. They were all children of the Zhang family, so why did they have choices while they didn't?
The Zhang family even used the excuse that they didn't want their daughters to work hard and that they were doing it for their own good.
She simply needs a fair choice.
Zhang Shangde met her gaze and asked, "If you learn the inner cultivation method of the Zhang family, will you really not marry, or will you take in a son-in-law?"
Xuanmiao: "Ancestors, you've all misunderstood. The essence of this matter isn't about what you're asking me to do, but about my ability to choose whether to learn or not. I will bear the consequences of my choices."
Zhang Shangde understood; this kid was genuine.
In the end, they agreed.
What can we do if they don't agree?
Zhang Liuzhen was of one mind with Zhang Li in his early years. Now that he is the head of the family, even if they don't agree now, once they go into seclusion and he takes control of the Zhang family, wouldn't he take advantage of their absence to carry out reforms?
In particular, they listened carefully over the past three days and found that many members of the clan supported this method.
The Zhang family is different from other families.
Although some members of the Zhang family had concubines, they were very few; the majority remained monogamous.
Those who cultivate the Tao generally only recognize one Taoist partner in their lifetime, unlike ordinary people who indulge in lust.
Like the main branch, even though the number of people is small, they have always practiced monogamy.
Because of the deep affection between the couple, they also showed more love for their child.
Children, of course, include daughters.
Zhang Xuefang's practice of treating her daughter like a commodity for sale is an anomaly in the Zhang family. Most people, like Zhang Liu and his wife, simply hope for their daughter's safety, health, happiness, and prosperity throughout her life.
Learning Taoist arts would at least ensure that they wouldn't be bullied after marriage.
Putting aside the distant future, if one learns the Zhang family's art of physiognomy, after marriage, one will at least have a general understanding of the situation and won't always fall into traps, thus avoiding repeated mistakes.
Therefore, during the three days that Xuanmiao took Pan Yun to see the great beast, the Zhang family was abuzz with discussion. Everyone hoped that Zhang Li would once again use his iron-fisted methods to abolish the Zhang family's rule of passing down the skills only to men.
As the sun set, Zhang Li emerged from his study, and Pan Yun, who was waiting outside, immediately went to greet him. At the same time, a voice resounded throughout the Celestial Master's Mansion.
From this day forward, the Zhang family abolishes the rule of passing on the martial arts to sons only. Specific details will be announced tomorrow at noon after the ancestral hall opens. Heads of all branches of the family should come to the ancestral hall tomorrow to receive instructions.
The entire Celestial Master's Mansion fell silent, and then cheers resounded through the sky.
Cheers reached outside the walls. The houses of the Zhang family members were on both sides of the Celestial Master's Mansion. The family members rushed out of their houses and listened attentively. When they heard the news coming from the Celestial Master's Mansion, their eyes lit up and they turned around to hug their daughters, tears streaming down their faces.
They will have different futures and different worlds ahead of them.
Zhang Li watched quietly, while Pan Jun stood happily beside her, feeling the joy in the air.
She has reached a cooperation agreement with the Zhang family. The Zhang family will support her in becoming the national advisor, and she will ensure that the Zhang family's status as the leader of the Taoist tradition remains unchanged.
She couldn't stay here long, otherwise the two ancestors wouldn't be able to go into seclusion in peace. Pan Yun immediately went to Phoenix Perch Courtyard to dig out Little Red and took it with her. She then carefully placed Red and its entire nest into the Spirit Realm Space, set up an array for them inside, and then went down the mountain with a sword and a cat.
Xuanmiao and Tao Ji stood at the entrance of the town waiting for her. They would see her off when she arrived, as there were twenty-eight other disciples waiting there as well.
Xuanmiao handed her a token and said, "The True Man and the Ancestor are in seclusion for several more days before they emerge. This is what he asked me to give you. You can use this token to transfer the person you want to the Daoist Discipline Offices in various places. The Celestial Master's Mansion has also issued a transfer order, but it is not a mandatory task, so it is uncertain whether they will comply."
Pan Yun reached out and took it, smiling, "That's enough."
She glanced at the twenty-eight people waiting to the side and asked, "Are they doing this willingly?"
Xuanmiao responded, "Most of them are disciples from other families. Only six of them have ordination certificates. Although the rest have not obtained ordination certificates, it is not their problem. You should know that in recent years, the number of ordination certificates issued by the imperial court has been decreasing. No matter how well they do in the exam, there is nothing they can do if there are no quotas."
Pan Yun nodded. After all, she had the same score as another person who was admitted, but was not admitted because her name was listed later.
She understood, sharing the same plight.
Xuanmiao said, “Without a certificate of ordination, they will have difficulty traveling outside, let alone finding a job. They also have to pay taxes. After years of learning their craft, they will at least have to support themselves, let alone their families. You are the Imperial Preceptor. Following you is better than staying in Shangqing Town and doing odd jobs.”
They can also draw talismans, some are quite skilled in handicrafts, and they are also adept at physiognomy and medicine.
However, 90% of the people in Shangqing Town know these skills, so they are not at an advantage here.
Without ordination certificates, they couldn't enter some large cities and could only make a living as itinerant doctors or wandering Taoist priests.
Xuanmiao solemnly said, "I entrust them to you, and hope you will treat them well."
Pan Yun agreed.
She glanced at Tao Ji standing to the side, her eyes darting around, and immediately pulled him aside: "Third Senior Brother, if you don't improve your cultivation, Senior Sister will still be a young woman of sixteen or eighteen, but you'll look like an old man. When you go out, people won't say you're Senior Brother, they'll just think you're Uncle or Grandmaster. What will you do then?"
Tao Ji was startled, his heart leaping into his throat: "No, it can't be?"
He touched his face and whispered, "Do I look old now?"
Pan Yun pulled his hand away and said, "You are still a promising young man, but your senior sister has already broken through to the first level of Marquis, while you haven't. Over time, this gap will widen..."
She whispered, "Haven't we seen enough of this world? If a husband and wife are too far apart in ability, with one striving forward while the other stands still, there will definitely be big problems."
Tao Ji blushed slightly and whispered, "What nonsense are you talking about? What husband and wife?"
Even so, he still thought about it seriously and secretly decided that he would set aside two more hours each day to cultivate.
Pan Yun said in a low voice, "Third Senior Brother, the Zhang family is too solemn. How can it compare to the carefree life of our Sanqing Mountain? I strongly support you keeping Fourth Senior Sister here. So, if you have any pills that can help with cultivation, please write down a prescription for me, and I will find the medicinal materials for you later."
Tao Ji looked at her with eyes full of gratitude: "Thank you, junior sister."
"We're fellow disciples, no need for formalities. But you need to work harder too, senior brother. You can't just take medicine without practicing."
Tao Ji nodded with a serious expression: "Don't worry, I will start cultivating diligently from tomorrow, no, from today."
"I believe in you!" Pan Yun patted his shoulder hard and said, "If you can't hold on, just keep an eye on Fourth Senior Sister, and you'll gain power again."
Tao Ji nodded firmly. (End of Chapter)