The Yangzhou Prefecture has now become Liu Xian’s domain, and as his ally, Wang Tao naturally has free access within Yangzhou Prefecture.

Today marks the anniversary of the Yunyue Pear Garden, and to please Guang Zhao the eunuch, Wang Tao specially reserved a private room and brought his ’adoptive father’ to enjoy the opera.

"Father, those performers’ singing in the roles of blue-robed dan and decorated face are truly excellent," Wang Tao said with a smile as he sat in his chair.

To his surprise, Guang Zhao the eunuch looked distressed, continuously sighing as he watched the stage.

Wang Tao understood that due to the uprising of the thirty-six bandits, Chang’an of the Great Tang had become an isolated boat of the court. Eunuchs like Guang Zhao, who were assigned across various regions, found themselves in awkward positions. Moreover, since there were no signs of military deployment to quell the rebellion emanating from Chang’an, these eunuchs were all distressed, fearing their good days might be over.

"Father, don’t worry. Currently, I’m pretending to ally with Liu Xian and Nas. Since you’re my adoptive father, he won’t dare trouble you," Wang Tao whispered. "When the court eventually eradicates these rebels one by one, you’ll return to being the esteemed Grand Eunuch Guang Zhao."

Guang Zhao laughed, looking at Wang Tao with genuine emotion, "Good child, truly a good child. I once thought you had ulterior motives—like a fox showing feigned eagerness—only to find that I misunderstood you."

As they say, even an old hunter may fall prey to its catch; deceitful men and women may have their hearts broken by others, and even the most upright fellow can’t claim they’ve never done anything regrettable in their lives.

After Wang Tao’s long-term service, care, and flattery, he finally dissolved the barriers between him and Guang Zhao, the eunuch from the royal palace.

This represented a significant step forward.

Wang Tao was overjoyed but maintained extreme composure, showing nothing on his face. He calmly said, "One call of ’father’ makes you a father for life. From the first moment I met you, father, I felt a special affinity, a spontaneous warmth that made me want to serve you well, offering you everything good that I, your child, could procure in this world to make you happy."

His words were extremely sincere, and there were faint tears in his eyes, making it seem genuinely heartfelt.

Guang Zhao felt a soft spot in his heart. People like him, ’imperfect individuals,’ naturally had eccentric moods, were suspicious, and highly jealous. Although he had many eunuchs as apprentices and grand-apprentices, rarely could he truly confide in any of them, let alone treat them like his own child.

However, Wang Tao’s behavior over these days won Guang Zhao’s recognition, and at this moment, he finally placed Wang Tao into his heart as an adoptive son.

"Good child, Father has nothing good to offer you, quite a shame," Guang Zhao repeated as he rummaged through his pockets, sighing helplessly.

Wang Tao observed with joy in his heart. With his relationship with Guang Zhao greatly advanced, it would only be a matter of time before he could glean information about the ’Nine Yin Extreme Dao Scripture’ from him.

"Father, please don’t say that. My kindness to you is not to seek something in return. If you see it that way, you’ll sorely hurt your child’s filial heart," Wang Tao replied righteously. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Yes, yes, you’re right," Guang Zhao responded with a satisfied smile, withdrawing his hands, "Good child, Father wishes to ask: How is your current prowess?"

Wang Tao humbly replied, "This child’s talent is mediocre, and with only second- or third-rate Internal Cultivation Methods for practice, I barely reached the Sixth Layer of the Internal Power Realm."

"Second- or third-rate..." Guang Zhao pondered, touching his chin, and after what seemed like a significant decision, he finally said, "Good child, if you trust Father, then perhaps you should abandon the past and switch to practicing an Inner Cultivation Method that I possess."

!!!

In an instant, it was as if a thunderous roar detonated in Wang Tao’s heart, shaking him to the core.

An Inner Cultivation Method? Could it be the Nine Yin Extreme Dao Scripture!

Bang bang bang!

At that thought, Wang Tao’s heart began to pound violently.

With a slightly flushed face, Wang Tao asked, "Father, what is the origin of this Inner Cultivation Method? Does it require any pre-practice sacrifices or costs?"

Guang Zhao was taken aback but quickly recovered, laughing while shaking his head, "Rest assured, you’re my adoptive son. There are plenty of normal Internal Cultivation Methods available in the world; I wouldn’t let you practice those demonic paths that require one to sever their lineage."

Wang Tao immediately nodded repeatedly, "I dare not part with what little I have, but beyond that, anything Father is willing to bestow, I’ll gladly accept."

"Good, then let me first teach you a segment of the cultivation mnemonic; listen carefully," Guang Zhao began rhythmically tapping a chopstick against a teacup, creating a peculiar yet regular rhythm.

"Follow the Yin Meridian’s 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 12th points; then connect 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th points. Do not practice at dawn, begin at night; practice precisely at midnight, do not cultivate when the purple aura comes from the east..."

Guang Zhao recited eighteen verses of the mnemonic. Wang Tao listened with utmost seriousness, silently repeating and memorizing them.

Given the mnemonic’s focus on Yin rather than Yang Meridians, practicing at night rather than day, it was unmistakably the Nine Yin Extreme Dao Scripture.

But to be doubly sure, Wang Tao feigned ignorance and asked, "Father, what is the name of this Inner Cultivation Method?"

"Celestial Extreme Night Profound Scripture," Guang Zhao replied with a smile, "Today, I’ll teach you one segment. Once you’ve practiced it sufficiently, come back for the second segment."