Chapter 305: Chapter 305: Hui Zhi
The winding path was rugged and uneven, with the faint sound of bells carried by the wind, drifting in and out of hearing.
Yet sohow, it entered Zhang Yuan’s ears with perfect clarity.
His intuition told him, soone else was approaching!
Just as Zhang Yuan was about to control the Red-eyed Crow to check the situation, a gray-robed Daoist riding a donkey suddenly appeared in his line of sight.
He saw the donkey with blue-gray fur nodding and swaying as it walked along the path, the bell hanging beneath its neck jingling in rhythm.
The Daoist, sitting askew on the donkey’s back, was white-haired and his face full of wrinkles, etched with the vicissitudes of ti.
The old Daoist had his eyes half-closed, his body swaying left and right with the donkey.
Looking as if he might fall off at any mont.
Zhang Yuan’s pupils suddenly contracted!
Because, in his perception, this Daoist riding the donkey seed to rge with the surrounding world, though visible and solid, he could not be locked onto.
Real yet illusory, completely elusive!
Since awakening the mories of his previous life, Zhang Yuan had encountered many powerful masters.
But never had anyone given him such a peculiar feeling.
Zhang Yuan suspected that even if he picked up the Iron-Clad Bow, he wouldn’t be able to hit the Daoist from a distance of a hundred steps or so.
Instinct told him, the newcor’s cultivation was unimaginably high!
Mage?
Grand Mage!?
The next mont, a na instantly surfaced in Zhang Yuan’s mind.
Hui Zhi!
The master of the Xia Ruins Celestial King Hall, the one and only Chief Grand Mage Hui Zhi!
At that mont, Zhang Yuan felt the urge to run away imdiately.
If this Grand Mage Hui Zhi harbored any ill intentions towards Zhang Yuan, then the Long Celestial River nearby would be his only escape route.
And the ti left for him was very short.
Zhang Yuan couldn’t help but take a deep breath, suppressing the shock, fear, and anxiety that had just arisen in his heart.
Fleeing without battle upon encountering the strong might be the rational choice.
But if he ran away now, it would be tantamount to acknowledging his own cowardice and incompetence.
He would never be able to establish a true Martial Arts Will in this lifeti!
It must be noted that the newcor had not shown any hostility, yet Zhang Yuan’s confidence had collapsed on its own.
What would beco of the Martial Arts Spirit then?
His eyes regained their resolve, quietly watching as the large blue-gray donkey carrying the old Daoist walked up to him.
Zhang Yuan clasped his fists in salute and said, "May I ask, are you the Chief Grand Mage in person?"
The gray-robed Daoist smiled faintly, gracefully dismounted from the donkey, and bowed in return, "I am Hui Zhi, forgive
for the sudden intrusion today."
His attitude was surprisingly polite.
Zhang Yuan was astonished, yet relieved, and quickly said, "I wouldn’t dare, please co in, Senior."
He opened his courtyard door and made an inviting gesture to Hui Zhi.
Zhang Yuan could confirm that this Chief Grand Mage truly bore no ill intentions towards him.
Otherwise, given his cultivation and power, there would be no need to put on a friendly facade; he could just strike directly.
Hui Zhi, leading the large blue-gray donkey, followed Zhang Yuan with a cheerful smile into the small courtyard.
The Chief of the Celestial King Hall glanced around and said with a smile, "This is quite a tranquil place, Little Friend, your choice is admirable."
"This humble abode is simple, I’m afraid it will make you laugh, Senior."
Zhang Yuan spoke modestly, bringing out tables, chairs, and teaware from the room, inviting this true master to sit.
Hui Zhi unceremoniously sat down and retrieved a small purple clay jar from his robe sleeve, saying, "This is new wild mountain tea picked this year, with a decent taste. Would you mind getting so spring water to brew a bit and try?"
Zhang Yuan naturally complied.
His residence was close to Taiwu Mountain, with several springs nearby making it very convenient to fetch water.
Moreover, he already had a tea stove and teaware.
Before long, the coals in the tea stove had brought the mountain spring water in the teapot to a boil, bubbling rrily.
Though Zhang Yuan wasn’t very knowledgeable about tea ceremonies,
he knew the basic brewing thods.
He used the wild mountain tea that Hui Zhi had brought, filling a cup each for him and the guest.
"Please, Senior."
Zhang Yuan raised his teacup in a toast to Hui Zhi.
Up until now, he remained completely ignorant of the Grand Mage’s purpose.
Hui Zhi’s identity needed no elaboration; even when Zhang Yuan served as the Outer Hall Guardian of the Celestial King Hall, he had never t this Chief.
All he knew was that this Grand Mage presides over the hall, managing the central affairs and rarely venturing out.
And the specific affairs of the Celestial King Hall were overseen by the branch hall leaders and the stewards below.
Zhang Yuan did not expect the other party would take the initiative to visit!
He couldn’t help recalling the last ti Xuan Cheng ca to recruit him as the Dharma Guardian Divine General for the Celestial King Hall.
At that ti, Zhang Yuan had refused.
With Hui Zhi’s status, he certainly couldn’t have co to hold him to account?
While pondering, Zhang Yuan downed the hot tea in his cup in one gulp.
As the tea entered his stomach, a warm flow instantly spread through his body, making him feel refreshed, as if both his body and spirit underwent a purification, leaving him comfortably warm and at ease.
Zhang Yuan snapped back to his senses, and couldn’t help but be secretly amazed.
This wild mountain tea appeared ordinary, with nothing special to its aroma.
It was only upon drinking that the true taste was discerned, certainly not an ordinary product!
He couldn’t hold back his admiration: "Excellent tea!"
Hui Zhi smiled, pointing to the purple clay tea jar by the tea stove: "This jar is for you."
"Thank you for your generosity, Senior."
Zhang Yuan set down the empty cup and couldn’t help but ask, "Senior, may I inquire if there is sothing you need from ?"
Hui Zhi stroked his white beard beneath his jaw, smiling, "I ca mainly to et you and thank you for the benevolent acts you’ve done for the Celestial King Hall."
Zhang Yuan suddenly understood—Hui Zhi was clearly referring to the charity work of distributing porridge.
He shook his head: "I was rely expressing gratitude for the Celestial King’s generosity, contributing only minor efforts, unworthy of your praise, Senior."
Hui Zhi chuckled without response.
After a mont, the Chief of the Celestial King Hall continued, "Secondly, I would like to invite you to take on the role of Dharma Guardian Divine General."
"Ah?"
Zhang Yuan was stunned: "Senior, I previously..."
"Hear
out."
Hui Zhi gestured with his hand and continued: "I understand your concerns; I won’t put you in a difficult position."
The Grand Mage explained to Zhang Yuan that the role of Dharma Guardian Divine General in the Celestial King Hall is actually divided into actual and nominal positions, one overt and one covert. The forr requires full integration into the system of the Divine Hall.
But the latter is similar to an Outer Hall Guardian, requiring no soul lamp in the hall, free to co and go without being bound by the hall’s laws.
Despite this, the position of a nominal Dharma Guardian Divine General remains prestigious, equivalent to a branch hall leader and an Elder within the hall.
However, it does not co with corresponding salary benefits.
But the Dharma Guardian Divine General possesses high authority in the Celestial King Hall, able to exchange Daoist rit for any item within the Daoist Vault.
They can even issue missions for Daoist rit!
Though even in a nominal role, there are certain responsibilities and duties to bear.
Mainly in protecting the Divine Hall and suppressing the bizarre.
"Little Friend..."
Hui Zhi smiled and asked, "Would you be willing to take on the position of Dharma Guardian Divine General like this?"
Zhang Yuan, his mind racing, replied without hesitation: "Thank you for your generosity, Senior. I am willing to accept the responsibility!"
Refusing again would seem too disrespectful to this Chief Grand Mage.
Besides, this so-called nominal Dharma Guardian Divine General position seed tailor-made for him.
Zhang Yuan couldn’t think of a reason to refuse!
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