However, Xu Qing was different; he did not buy into this set of principles.
"Did Your Majesty just mention the Celestial Master? Are you referring to the Celestial Master of the Celestial Master's Mansion?"
"..."
Zhu Huai'an reacted swiftly, answering without hesitation, "I know Brother Xu is not fond of the Celestial Master's Mansion, but when I first entered the Capital City, their substantial assistance was invaluable. If I were to discard them now, it would surely draw the anger of the whole nation."
"Besides, I have control over the Celestial Master's Mansion, and I trust they wouldn't dare engage in any demonic deeds as Brother Xu suggests."
Xu Qing looked at Zhu Huai'an and suddenly smiled:
"I just engage in the funeral business; I do not meddle in state affairs, nor do I hold an official position. If Your Majesty truly values our past relations, you should allow me to stay in the Jin Sect, to continue working humbly in my trade as a commoner."
Zhu Huai'an's smile slightly faded. He had already urged influential individuals like Wang Liang and the Wu brothers, who had a strong bond with Xu Qing, to persuade him. Now, disregarding state affairs, he had come all the way from the Capital City specifically for Xu Qing.
His approach was akin to the courtesy of three visits to the thatched cottage. Must he really invite Xu Qing three times to be successful?
With this in mind, Zhu Huai'an pressed his heart and once more extended the invitation: "In funerals, there is ritual! Rituals begin with coming of age, adhere to weddings, and hold utmost importance in funerals and sacrifices. Brother Xu excels in funerals and sacrifices, which are key components of rituals."
"Thus, I invite Brother Xu to take charge of the Ministry of Rites. Even if Brother Xu has no desire for a high-ranking position and wealthy salary, I could offer a leisurely post, allowing you to continue overseeing funeral rituals."
"..."
Xu Qing did not anticipate this move from Zhu Huai'an. To oversee the whole dynasty's funeral rites and rituals...
How many people would he have to bury in a year?
Prisoners on death row in the Imperial and Celestial Prisons; ministers dying of old age or illness; and the inevitable royal funerals, major sacrificial ceremonies...
Xu Qing had to admit he was momentarily swayed.
Yet soon, Sai Yuxian's image and the serene atmosphere of the Luminescent White Bone Temple cleared his distracting thoughts.
Not everything was as simple as it appeared on the surface. Figures like Zhu Huai'an, who were princely in character, certainly would not merely grant him a leisurely position to continue his funeral business.
Entering the Capital City with an official seal was akin to wearing a binding crown.
Once a subject, forever a subject.
Once in the Imperial Court, Zhu Huai'an would have countless reasons and methods to reassign his official duties. If he didn't comply, it could easily lead to a rift. Worse, should his decisions affect the Wang siblings or Wu brothers, it would undoubtedly add to his woes.
Xu Qing understood the nuances of their relationship; agreeing to Zhu Huai'an's request would mean that even managing funeral businesses or returning to the Jin Sect would become difficult.
He couldn't possibly overthrow Dayong and then fall out with Dayan; doing so would surely plunge the recently stabilized world back into chaos.
Aside from this, there were numerous cultivation plans being planned that required dependence on the Imperial Court, which in comparison, was of utmost priority.
In the face of the olive branch extended by Zhu Huai'an, Xu Qing ultimately did not accept it.
Zhu Huai'an remained undeterred and invited once more: "Since you do not wish to hold office, I will not insist. However, this year I intend to appoint a Crown Prince. I have already instructed the Astronomical Bureau to calculate the auspicious date, and the Renyin Day in December is an ideal day where the dragon and tiger converge in harmony."
"We are like brothers, and the future Crown Prince will be your nephew."
"Even if Brother Xu does not wish to be an official, surely you can't refuse to come to the Capital City to witness your nephew's grand inauguration ceremony?"
"..."
Xu Qing reassessed Zhu Huai'an. No wonder this plump young lad had once sent a letter to three places.
Today's invitation for him to attend the Crown Prince's inauguration ceremony was a blatant open strategy.
If he attended, and Zhu Huai'an offered him high office and salary in front of the civil and military officials and the newly appointed Crown Prince, could he really defy the order on the spot?
Although Xu Qing truly dared, if he really did so recklessly, he'd find it difficult to remain in the Jin Sect as a carefree Corpse Driver.
This Zhu intended to use the pretext of appointing the Crown Prince to force him into compliance!
Zhu Huai'an watched Xu Qing with a gentle smile.
He had already planned that when the Crown Prince was appointed, Xu Qing would attend the ceremony, and he would confer upon him the title of Grand Mentor to the Crown Prince, along with arranging a perfect marriage to firmly bind him to the Zhu family.
Yet, what Zhu Huai'an did not expect was that the sly old fox Xu Qing had no intention of being manipulated by him.
"Does Your Majesty intend to appoint a Crown Prince this December?"
Xu Qing frowned deeply.
Zhu Huai'an felt a slight jolt in his heart, and his confidence wavered, "Is there something wrong with the date?"
Xu Qing shook his head and sighed, but did not speak.
Zhu Huai'an looked at him as if he had been diagnosed with a terminal illness, which made him anxious!
"Brother Xu, please speak plainly!"
Ah, now he finally called him Brother Xu.
"It's not a big deal. To be honest, Your Majesty, I went to Quyang County in the early years to deal with an old grudge. The Temple Master of Ruyi Temple, Baiyun Daoist..."
Xu Qing recounted the story of Zhao Rong, the Emperor Jingxing of the previous dynasty, seeking celestial medicine to extend life for himself and Emperor Longping.
However, he omitted some details, but the overall content remained mostly accurate.
Even if Zhu Huai'an sent people to investigate, they wouldn't find anything amiss.
"In Baiyun Cave, there is a demon. Both Baiyun Daoist and the Head Monk Dingguang are its minions. In my early years, I unwittingly formed a blood feud with it, and the day it breaks free is upon us."
Seeing Zhu Huai'an frown, Xu Qing added, "I have never liked to speak rashly. No one knows about my feud with the demon, but the emergence of the demon of Baiyun Cave is absolutely true."
"If Your Majesty has any doubts, you can consult the Celestial Master's Mansion for divination. If thunder descends, it must be the doing of the demon of Baiyun Cave!"
Zhu Huai'an, who came with a determined heart, suddenly wavered. How did a good conversation about governing the country turn into demonology?
Also, how did a funeral shopkeeper like you get involved with the demon of Quyang County? Did you dig up the demon's ancestral grave?
Zhu Huai'an didn't quite believe Xu Qing's words, but Xu Qing spoke with convincing logic and absolute conviction, which made him suspicious.
"I remember that Wu Wencai served as the County Magistrate in Danchi County, Quyang County. He is likely familiar with what you, Xu Qing, say about the demon..."
Xu Qing responded flawlessly, "The matter of the Celestial Scripture of Baiyun Cave is well-known in Quyang County; Brother Wencai must have heard of it."
"Your Majesty, the demon will emerge within the next year or two. With the enmity between us, if it emerges, I would be the first it seeks. I do not wish to implicate anyone else, nor do I want to affect Your Majesty's establishment of the Crown Prince."
"To be frank with Your Majesty, within these three to five days, I must go to Quyang County to settle matters with that demon."
Xu Qing had already made up his mind. As long as he went to Quyang County, he would have countless ways to rid himself of Zhu Huai'an's entanglement.
He could change his identity, or be wounded by the demon, making it impossible to enter the court. Even if he needed to fake his death to escape, and the Funeral Shop would be managed by "Xu Xuan" from then on, it was not impossible.
However, just as Xu Qing thought everything was failproof.
Zhu Huai'an, who had been frowning and pondering, suddenly laughed loudly:
"Evil cannot triumph over good! A mere demon hidden from sight, could it possibly withstand the might of my great Dayong army?"
"A thousand days of training for a single deployment. I did not raise the Celestial Master's Mansion for nothing. You, Xu Qing, can rest assured, for you once protected me, and today it is I who will eliminate your worries!"
Xu Qing looked at Zhu Huai'an, exuding an aura of dominance, embodying the spirit of a monarch who once led armies to unify the land through force.
However, he did not think Zhu Huai'an would have such conviction once he learned the truth.
"Your Majesty, the demon of Baiyun Cave is rumored to be suppressed by the Celestial Emperor himself, which is no small matter. It is better for Your Majesty to seek out a sage to understand the stakes before making any decision."
"After all, my matter is small, but the peace of the world is great."
Xu Qing didn't offer much advice, knowing Zhu Huai'an's character, he would definitely seek out the Celestial Master of the Celestial Master's Mansion, or others in the spiritual community for inquiry.
The celestial fox of Baiyun Cave, for a human monarch to suppress it, the price is not merely as simple as words suggest.
Outside the Funeral Shop, there was an elderly man with graying hair and a long beard, a man with a smooth, beardless face, and a Daoist following.
The aura they revealed was anything but common; even if the formidable Wang Liang was present, they might not be enough.
Watching Zhu Huai'an depart, Xu Qing smiled faintly.
Beside him, Xuan Yu leaped lightly onto the threshold, looked at the departing guest, then turned back to Xu Qing.
"Was that the Emperor?"
Xu Qing nodded.
"There are no good emperors; Xu Immortal Family should have less to do with them in the future."
Xu Qing was left speechless.
It was evident this cat still remembered the former Emperor's grudge of wanting to use it for alchemy.
"Rest assured, Profound Jade Immortal Family, I make sure not to associate with such rogues in the future."