To the west of the cluster of buildings was a large courtyard, surrounded by towering walls. When constructing these walls, a Taoist charm was pressed beneath each brick and stone.
Countless Taoist charms transformed the entire courtyard into a massive, efficient machine for absorbing malevolent energies.
Outside the courtyard, the sun shone brightly; inside, it was gloomy and terrifying.
This courtyard was the designated resting place for the reanimated corpses, specifically designed to accelerate their growth. Raising corpses here was truly twice as effective with half the effort.
Many similar designs were present.
For instance, there were workshops specifically for crafting paper effigies and casting rooms for the "赊刀人" (she dao ren - blade-lending men).
It could be said that the West Lake architectural complex was the ideal utopia in the minds of the inheritors of folk sects, a place where they could even retire without external interference.
Beyond the buildings serving the known inheritors of folk sects, Yan Shouyi also noticed another place.
It was a small opera house, complete with a stage, backstage, dressing rooms, and audience seating.
For whom was this reserved?
Could it be for the inheritors of Nuo Opera?
Wei Changqing also stared at the opera house for a while, his expression remaining largely unchanged.
After a tour, everyone returned to the entrance, their faces alight with excitement, eager to move into this paradise.
However, Lin Ruofu, with a mysterious air, led everyone back to the entrance and instructed them to get out of the vehicles.
"Shouyi."
Lin Ruofu said, "The West Lake architectural complex doesn't have a name yet. Your father said you get to decide it."
So, it was about naming the West Lake complex.
Yan Shouyi stroked his chin and began to think.
Without a doubt, this would be their future base of operations, akin to his father Yan Chou establishing the Xuan Shan Sect over twenty years ago.
He needed to choose a good name that would foster a sense of belonging.
Long Feicheng suggested, "Brother Yan, I propose we call it the Heaven and Earth Society!"
"Give it a rest," Luo Ning rolled her eyes at him. "The Heaven and Earth Society sounds too much like a martial arts gang."
"How about the 'Jing Lei' sect, implying our organization acts with the speed of thunder and strikes like lightning!" Agong also voiced his opinion.
Zhao Yiyao teased, "When you mention Jing Lei sect, I get excited. Jing Lei, the heaven-piercing cultivation that shakes mountains and cracks earth, the golden hammer! ... Why are you all looking at me like that? As someone from the Northeast, isn't it normal for me to be good at hype-chanting?"
Everyone shook their heads in unison, feeling that the Jing Lei sect lacked sufficient gravitas. Long Feicheng also mentioned that he had read a novel where the unreliable sect leader protagonist founded a Jing Lei sect, and later the protagonist became a eunuch, which he found rather inauspicious.
Yan Shouyi certainly wouldn't project the fate of a novel's protagonist onto himself, but he genuinely had no interest in the Jing Lei sect proposal.
Everyone offered their opinions, but Yan Shouyi remained silent. After everyone had discussed at length, they quieted down and looked at Yan Shouyi.
Lin Zitong waved her small hand in front of him and asked, "What do you think?"
Yan Shouyi blinked and said,
"Regardless of whether it's a 'men' or a 'pai,' they all sound too much like martial arts affiliations. Our organization is being established to unite inheritors of folk sects and provide a sanctuary for those of the same origin. Therefore, I believe our organization's name should be one that can blend into society, something not too high-profile."
Everyone savored Yan Shouyi's words, nodding in agreement.
Times had changed. Names like Xuan Shan Sect or Jing Lei Sect would likely draw the attention of the authorities within days of the organization's establishment.
Only Long Feicheng disagreed, believing that if the organization's name wasn't flashy enough, how could he "show off" in the future?
Of course, no one cared about Long Feicheng's thoughts.
Yan Shouyi proposed, "I suggest our organization be called the [Rongcheng Folklore Research Society], what do you think?"
The name "Rongcheng Folklore Research Society" was low-key yet meaningful, concise, and devoid of the martial arts connotations of sects or gangs.
Most importantly, a plaque bearing such a name could be openly displayed at the entrance of West Lake.
As Yan Shouyi put it – blending into society!
"I think this name is good."
"Then Yan Shouyi is the chairman, and we are vice-chairmen, secretaries-general, committee members..."
"This is great. We can come and go openly, unlike many sects that hide themselves, wanting to establish themselves but fearing exposure."
Everyone expressed their support, and even Long Feicheng changed his tune, raising his hand high and saying, "I apply for a vice-chairman position!"
Yan Shouyi made the final decision: "Regarding everyone's positions, let's wait for Old Wang and Old He to return from Chang'an, and then we'll hold a meeting to decide together."
With no objections, the organization's name was thus settled.
Seeing this, Lin Ruofu instructed Ye Chengfu to find someone to custom-make a plaque.
However, Yan Shouyi overheard and stopped him.
To have a plaque made, with a Lu Ban inheritor present, did they still need to find other craftsmen?
Wouldn't that be a blatant display of showing off one's skills before an expert!
Lin Ruofu realized he had made a fool of himself and quickly changed his instructions, telling Ye Chengfu not to find a craftsman but to procure a good quality blank plaque.
This plaque for the "Rongcheng Folklore Research Society" would be personally carved by Yan Shouyi!
...
Half an hour later, a five-meter-long golden nanmu wood plaque was transported into Rongcheng West Lake.
The plaque's four corners were already inlaid with golden auspicious cloud borders, and its edges were adorned with simple patterns, but the center was left blank.
The plaque was presented to Yan Shouyi. Everyone gathered around, falling silent, waiting for Yan Shouyi to pick up his brush.
Yan Shouyi looked at the plaque, then at the West Lake architectural complex, and finally at his companions beside him.
Everything he had experienced seemed to flash before his eyes like a film.
He had finally reached this point!
Yan Shouyi squeezed Lin Zitong's hand, then stepped forward confidently, took the brush from Ye Chengfu, and with bold, flowing strokes, inscribed the seven characters "Rongcheng Folklore Research Society" onto the plaque.
These seven characters exuded restrained power, yet possessed an air of majesty. To Lin Zitong's eyes, one could even see wisps of True Dragon purple qi lingering on the characters!
Yan Shouyi had infused the True Dragon purple qi into his calligraphy!
Ordinary people looking at this plaque would involuntarily feel a sense of reverence!
Writing was only the first step.
Next, Yan Shouyi took out his small carpentry tools from his satchel and began to meticulously carve according to the characters he had written.
He did not rush the process for immediate results or ostentatiously use his soul-slaying blade for carving. Instead, he used the most primitive and simple method, sitting by the plaque, carefully carving, and occasionally blowing a breath to clear away the wood shavings.
He worked with unhurried patience, his meticulous craftsmanship akin to painting, calming the hearts of those around him, making them reluctant to disturb him.
The process was remarkably soothing.