He Xiuyuan sat to the side, listening to Song Yongsui's words.
After listening for a while, he actually heard quite a bit of news from Song Yongsui.
For example, when He Xiuyuan previously searched for books about cultivation rumors, he had never found any.
Even the scholars in Peach Blossom Town were completely unaware of this matter.
The reason for this was that the previous emperor had spent countless human and material resources trying to find Immortals and the elixir of immortality.
In the end, it led to internal and external troubles, causing the country to fall apart.
And emperors capable of founding a dynasty were all extraordinary individuals; after learning from the experiences of the previous dynasty's collapse, they strictly forbade their descendants from seeking Immortals and Dao.
To prevent such incidents, they even burned all books in the folk about cultivation rumors clean.
Later, when that High Emperor was old, he even refused imperial doctors, called the Crown Prince to him to pass on the throne, and then calmly faced death.
Such actions were intended to set an example for future emperors.
He Xiuyuan was somewhat astonished and moved upon hearing this.
No wonder when He Xiuyuan mentioned rumors of cultivation and expressed some thoughts about seeking Dao, the scholars in Peach Blossom Town acted so strangely.
The reason was here.
Fortunately, He Xiuyuan hadn't expressed this intention to them while he was there; otherwise, Lord Song probably would have tried to set him straight.
After all, in Song Yongsui's view, if the kings of the previous dynasty couldn't find any Immortals, then naturally there were none in this world. What ability did a scholar like him have to seek Immortals? Wasn't that just asking for trouble?
When He Xiuyuan expressed that he had no interest in official fame, Song Yongsui didn't force him, which was already very respectful of He Xiuyuan's choice.
If He Xiuyuan had further thoughts of seeking Dao, no matter how open-minded Song Yongsui was, he probably wouldn't have been able to tolerate it.
He Xiuyuan thought this and decided not to inform the other party about it.
After they had three rounds of drinks and the moon was high above the willow branches, Lady Song on the side couldn't help but speak up.
"Tomorrow, your cousin's child is having his first birthday 'grabbing ceremony.' You'll have to go then. If you keep drinking like this, will you still be able to go to their residence tomorrow?"
Song Yongsui had been drinking heartily.
He paused when he heard this, then immediately realized.
Right, tomorrow his cousin's child would be one year old and having his 'grabbing ceremony.'
Thinking of this, Song Yongsui said to He Xiuyuan, "Tomorrow, I still need to congratulate my cousin, so I can't drink any more tonight."
"Oh, right, why don't you come with me tomorrow? When there are more scholars present during the 'grabbing ceremony,' it can also bring some literary Qi to the child."
While scholars like Juren were numerous in Chang'an, they weren't entirely without value.
For events like the 'grabbing ceremony,' some hosts liked to invite them over to bring some literary Qi to their children.
He Xiuyuan thought for a moment upon hearing this and nodded in agreement, considering it a chance to join the fun.
Seeing He Xiuyuan agree, Song Yongsui then called for someone to clean up.
He Xiuyuan also returned to his room. With the hot water brought by the maid, He Xiuyuan took a bath and changed into clean clothes.
Then, a turn of Spiritual Qi within his body instantly dispelled most of the alcohol's effects.
"I'll go ask the City God of this place."
During the day, when he came out of Chunxi Restaurant, He Xiuyuan had Jinping take him to the City God Temple. He had remembered where the City God Temple was.
After determining the direction, He Xiuyuan came to the wall of the mansion courtyard, thought for a moment, and lightly tapped the nearby pond. The water from the pond was drawn out by He Xiuyuan, then floated beneath He Xiuyuan's feet, and this stream of water directly lifted He Xiuyuan out of the Song Residence.
Although there were still servants guarding the gate at this time, He Xiuyuan felt it wouldn't be good to disturb them.
"This Yushui Technique consumes quite a bit. For now, it can achieve a flying state, but it certainly won't work for long periods."
He Xiuyuan landed on the ground, recalling the feeling of being lifted by the water just now.
From his perspective, if it was just controlling water, the Spiritual Qi consumption wasn't particularly large, but controlling water to lift a person consumed too much.
After all, his own Dao cultivation wasn't particularly high.
He Xiuyuan glanced around and quickly recognized the direction of the City God Temple, then leisurely walked towards the southwest.
It was late at night now, and although there was no curfew in the market, there were not many people on the streets at this hour.
When He Xiuyuan arrived in front of the City God Temple, he saw even fewer people.
"Oh, right, how do I invite the City God to appear after entering the City God Temple?"
He Xiuyuan's steps had already reached outside the City God Temple when he suddenly paused slightly, a hint of doubt on his face.
He just remembered that he didn't seem to know how to invite the City God to appear.
Thinking this, He Xiuyuan immediately scratched his head, his expression a bit hesitant.
And just as He Xiuyuan hesitated, a thick black Qi suddenly burst forth from within the City God Temple, then the black Qi instantly shot into the sky and flew into the distance.
"Hmph! Where do you think you're going, female ghost!"
As the pitch-black mist broke through the air and flew into the distance, a loud shout instantly echoed from within the City God Temple.
Then, He Xiuyuan saw the Judge and the City God leading the Night Patrol Guard chasing after the black Qi.
He Xiuyuan was startled by this, then immediately followed.
Looking at this, it seemed a female ghost had escaped from the City God Temple. This female ghost certainly had some tricks.
If he could catch up and lend a small hand, then asking the City God about the wine recipe from the Chunxi Restaurant's manager would be much easier.
He Xiuyuan thought this, and his steps quickened.
However, no matter how fast He Xiuyuan moved, he couldn't match those flying in the sky.
He Xiuyuan also wanted to fly to keep up, but flying with Imperial Water consumed Spiritual Qi too quickly. He was afraid that as soon as he caught up, his Spiritual Qi would run out and he would fall.
At that time, without Spiritual Qi, He Xiuyuan naturally wouldn't be able to help much.
Now, he could only hope that this female ghost would be as formidable as she appeared just now.
By the time he arrived, a little help would suffice.
He Xiuyuan thought this to himself, quickening his pace even more.
In just a moment, He Xiuyuan had left Shengping Ward, while the female ghost continued to flee forward.
The City God and others behind were probably somewhat enraged that this female ghost could escape from the City God Temple. They all exerted themselves fiercely and finally intercepted the female ghost when she fled above Yong'an Ward.
"Where do you think you're going! Quickly return with this City God!"
The City God stared coldly at the female ghost in front of him, waiting for his subordinates, the Night Patrol Guard, the Judge, Wang Lingguan, and other Yin Gods, to surround her.
