Chapter 1206: Between Heaven and Earth
Chen Ping'an walked out of the house, looked at the golden-crowned Daoist who had manifested from the dragon's fortune standing beneath the peach tree, and inquired, "How many peach blossoms are there now?"
Song Yunjian replied, "Currently stable at around six hundred and fifty, not far from eight hundred."
The world of Haoran was not like the Qingming Heaven, where emperors were also Daoist officials. In the mortal dynasties of the human realm, an eight-hundred-year reign was a major threshold. Legend had it that crossing this threshold would bring about an astonishing transformation of fish into dragons.
This involved the Lord of Humanity. Ultimately, it traced back to the ancient times when Li Sheng painstakingly governed and laid out plans, such as establishing the offices of True Men. What he sought was nothing less than to determine whether there should be a Lord of Humanity in the mortal world, one who would break apart one of the fundamental principles of the Great Way that Li Sheng himself had forged—the severance of communication between heaven and earth!
Song Yunjian's current relationship with the young National Teacher was a strange alliance where the hierarchy of master and guest was reversed.
Chen Ping'an was the leading figure; he was the supplement. But Daoist Chen Ping'an, to the Great Li dynasty that was like an inn for travelers, was ultimately a temporary guest. However, Song Yunjian was an existence closely bound to the fate of the Great Li dynasty. In simple terms, if the Great Li's national power flourished, Song Yunjian's Dao power would increase; if the Great Li's National Teacher weakened, Song Yunjian would suffer a loss of Dao power.
Previously, Chen Ping'an and Cui Dongshan had estimated that Song Yunjian was currently equivalent to a quasi-Flying Ascension cultivator. If the Great Li's national power continued to rise, Song Yunjian might become a weak Flying Ascension. If the Great Li could become the largest dynasty in the world of Haoran, Song Yunjian could even reach the perfection of the Flying Ascension realm. As for what would happen next, even Song Yunjian himself dared not hope. How could he dare to compare himself to Xi Ping, the scripture-born of the Central Earth Confucian Temple?
Of course, Song Yunjian's so-called "realm" was merely a matter of paper strength. It was somewhat better within the capital city, but once outside, even in the surrounding imperial domain, it was unstable. If one considered the Great Li capital as Song Yunjian's grand Dao field, then the entire Great Li dynasty was merely a small Dao field. Standing next to this peach tree in the National Teacher's mansion, or more precisely, standing near the Great Li Emperor and the young National Teacher, was when Song Yunjian was safest.
An oriole flitted among the peach blossoms—was it free or not? If judged by life and death, it was great freedom; if judged by body and mind, it was a great cage.
In truth, Song Yunjian had initially entertained the idea of going out to admire the capital's scenery—perhaps leaving the National Teacher's mansion, visiting the Thousand-Step Corridor, the Nanxun Ward, the Grand Gaoxuan Hall for rain prayers, the Flower God Temple, or Liulichang?
But Chen Ping'an used only two sentences to make Song Yunjian understand the gravity of the situation, completely dashing his hopes.
"Within half a year, I was assassinated by a candidate Fourteen-Realm ghostly creature and fought life-and-death battles with two Fourteen-Realm cultivators. I didn't die."
"Similar things are bound to happen again."
The implication was that they were in the same boat now. He was helping Song Yunjian increase his cultivation, letting him enjoy the benefits without effort. If Song Yunjian caused trouble and held them back, that would be a breach of Jianghu brotherhood.
If Song Yunjian suffered a catastrophic calamity, the national fortune of the Great Li would suffer a heavy blow first. Next would be Chen Ping'an—his Flying Ascension realm hadn't even warmed up yet, and he might immediately drop in realm. The exact number of realms he would drop depended on the severity of Song Yunjian's injuries.
However, it wasn't entirely fair to say Song Yunjian was a chicken rib with no use as an arm. Having Song Yunjian stationed in the capital could still save Chen Ping'an a lot of manpower and mental effort.
Song Yunjian smiled and said, "When I was born, I performed a divination calculation. Before you agreed to serve as the National Teacher for His Majesty, there were eighty-seven peach blossoms, with an error margin of no more than five."
He had been staying under the peach tree recently; it wasn't as if he could pick up money there.
Chen Ping'an frowned. "Are you sure?"
Didn't that mean the Great Li's reign was once so short it could only last eighty-seven years?
Song Yunjian's smile faded. "I can be fairly certain."
The girl in the sable hat leaned against the corridor pillar and said, "Daoist Yingning, you need to speak clearly and stop talking drunken nonsense like you've had too much. I'm a scholar well-versed in literature and have recently started delving into the study of small-character exegesis. This is the first time I've heard the phrase 'fairly certain.'"
Song Yunjian said helplessly, "Calculating this 'fairly' is already my limit."
Xie Gou rubbed her chin. "I really should have sneaked a few fortune-telling Daoist priests from the Jade Capital back here."
Xiao Mo shook his head. "It's destined to fail."
Xie Gou laughed. "In my heart, it's already done."
Hearing the word "heart," Chen Ping'an smiled knowingly.
After all, Chen Ping'an had already clashed with the Jade Capital in a head-on manner. It wasn't at all the kind of encounter outsiders imagined—where they meet, get familiar, exchange curses, and go home.
Courtesy required reciprocity. When Chen Ping'an visited the Qingming Heaven and overlooked the Jade Capital, the Daoist officials skilled in divination visited Chen Ping'an's Dao heart, and Chen Ping'an offered "Zhou Mi" in return.
Xie Gou rubbed her sable hat, feeling a bit restless. That Jade Capital was like an extremely tough, hard-to-crack turtle shell. One of Xie Gou's trump cards was the short sword hidden in her sleeve.
After that trip to Yujing Mountain, it truly was as she had said—she felt ashamed to carry a short sword, only to come to see the mountain. Lately, Xie Gou had clearly been unstable in her Dao heart. If she hadn't held back from chewing out Liu Laocheng, she would have been restraining herself even more. In fact, was it just Liu Laocheng? Liu Tui? Song Yunjian?
They thought that because they had fortune on their side, they wouldn't die, didn't they? Which of them wasn't a great supplement of the Great Way that Bai Jing had been accustomed to eating in the ancient times?!
Xiao Mo said, "We can't rush."
Even if Xie Gou tried to capture Daoist officials on her own, or even if he and Xie Gou joined forces, they definitely couldn't break through Yu Dou's Yujing Mountain, where he presided over the Shangqing Pavilion. They would need a few more strong hands.
For example, just for the sake of example, take the three allies from the joint beheading operation as the core: his Young Master, Zheng Juzhong, and Wu Shuangjiang. The Mountain Master's wife, Ning Yao—the number one in the Five Colors World—plus him and Xie Gou as a flank. Qi Tingji, Lu Zhi, and the Executioner Hao Su, along with Cui Dongshan, Jiang Shangzhen, and all the sword cultivators of the Luo Po Mountain lineage, as another flank. Plus the quasi-Fifteen-Realm Yao Qing coordinating from afar... In that case, it wouldn't be a simple inquiry of swords but whether they wanted to shatter the heavens and split the earth, including the fourteen states of the Qingming Heaven along with the Jade Capital.
The Dao techniques would be torn apart across the world.
The Dao had been lost for five hundred years, then gained by Chen.
Ten thousand years ago, Xiao Mo didn't participate in the battle of ascending to heaven. Ten thousand years later, Xiao Mo wanted to give it a try.
As for the reason why Xiao Mo didn't join that grand event back then—was it fear of death? Xiao Mo had walked the world alone with his sword; who had he ever feared? Let's just say this: Ten thousand years ago, everyone knew Little Master's temper well. Bai Jing and the others knew it clearly. The current Li Sheng was as good-tempered as the Little Master back then was bad-tempered. Xiao Mo had once had a drink with his friend Bixiao Cave Lord and casually said, "At most, it's still a person. What is there to fear?" Then he went straight to find the Little Master for a sword duel.
The reason he hadn't ascended to heaven with Jiang She and Bai Jing was simply that Xiao Mo had once seen that "person."
Xiao Mo turned his head and glanced at the girl in the sable hat. If there really was a chance, they would stand together on the peak of Yujing Mountain and look down at the human world.
Xie Gou noticed Xiao Mo's gaze and felt a bit shy. Wow, Xiao Mo's eyes were so gentle right now. He wanted to sleep with her.
Chen Ping'an chuckled. "Impressive, a scholar delving into the study of small characters."
Xie Gou covered her mouth with her hand. "Mountain Lord, we're on the same side. Don't lean toward that waste and chill the hearts of the troops."
Song Yunjian didn't get angry. Bai Jing and Xiao Mo were both ancient great demons with ten-thousand-year Dao ages. For these ancient Daoists, wasn't speaking directly and living and dying through cultivation and sword practice the same as breathing?
Song Yunjian smiled. "The number of peach blossoms increases and decreases. As long as the trend of increase outweighing decrease continues, then the world is truly at peace."
Chen Ping'an said, "The Great Li is just one of the ten major dynasties of Haoran. If the Great Li's society becomes a bit better, that's still not world peace."
Xie Gou put her hands on her hips. "Listen, that's precise wording. Daoist Yingning, oh, Daoist Yingning, you need to be more mindful."
Song Yunjian shrugged it off with a smile. He had already figured out the way to get along with Xie Gou: as long as one didn't treat her as a normal cultivator, everything she said or did was reasonable.
Chen Ping'an suddenly muttered to himself, "The last time I was in the capital, I inadvertently mentioned the phrase 'brilliant writing' to Xun Qu. Now Xun Qu is already liaising with the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land on specific matters. Is that considered a kind of telepathic agreement where words manifest into reality?"
Song Yunjian said, "Isn't that a good thing? Cultivators seek the Dao, and how difficult it is—since ancient times, the difficulty lies in verification. Those who have attained the Dao, with sincerity in their hearts, their words prove true, and they are moved by conviction. Isn't that the new state that should come with proving the Dao and ascending?"
Xiao Mo wasn't good at these vague Daoist discourses. If he tried to engage in philosophical debates or even think too much, it was like drinking cheap, fake liquor. Xie Gou, on the other hand, didn't dare to speak casually.
Chen Ping'an had only mentioned it casually. He returned to the house, where a table was covered with many maps of prefectures and commanderies. Routes were drawn in cinnabar ink, resembling both the meridians of the human body and the dragon veins of the earth.
Besides that, he had asked Rong Yu to compile a list and organize three booklets, divided into capital officials, local civil officials, and stationed military officers. He wanted a simple summary of the officials who had performed well in the past three Great Li capital assessments, with appropriate emphasis on the archives and resumes of middle-level officials in their prime. Rong Yu was very methodical in her work; she quickly produced the first list and said she could deliver the second, more detailed and accurate archives by Shen time tomorrow. Chen Ping'an sat down on a chair inlaid with a round celadon plaque and began flipping through a capital assessment booklet. Was it easier to get to the bottom of things when serving as an official under the emperor's nose? Hard to say.
Chen Ping'an had already refined the entire National Teacher's mansion.
Xiao Mo and Xie Gou had successively added layers of restrictions. Xiao Mo used his innate divine abilities, while Xie Gou had mastered many Dao lineages; neither was weak in array formations.
The writing brush in Chen Ping'an's hand was a type of immortal artifact already in common use in many government offices along the Thousand-Step Corridor of the Great Li. Users didn't need an inkstone or ink stick; they just had to lift the brush and breathe on it to write. The Great Li court had many similar items. For the countries south of the Great River, these were rarities, probably only accessible to high-ranking central ministers and supplied regularly by the court's inner treasury without widespread promotion. Was it because they didn't know the benefits of these items? Of course not. It was because their national treasuries had no money.
Zhao Yao, the Vice Minister of Justice, arrived at the National Teacher's mansion. He entered the official hall and sat down. Rong Yu quickly brought tea. Zhao Yao took a quick sip of tea without any polite pleasantries and said directly, "I just went to the Ministry of War office and discussed official business with Wu Wangcheng. Old Minister Shen appeared and asked me to inquire when the National Teacher would visit there. He reminded me not to break my word. He said that as long as I don't go there for a day, he won't submit his resignation to His Majesty, and he won't hand over the seal of the Ministry of War for one day."
After all, Zhao Yao was a fellow disciple of the same literary lineage. Although both were third-rank officials, with one being a full rank and the other a deputy, Hong Ji was still the head of the entire Northern Military Command in the capital. Vice Minister Zhao was not one to stand on ceremony.
Zhao Yao raised his arm and rotated it, saying, "You have to give me a definite answer. Give me a specific deadline. Tomorrow? The day after? Matters concerning the change of the Ministry of War chief, who will take over, when will they take over, reporting to the imperial study for discussion, how to control the court deliberations—if the minister changes, the entire Ministry of War will have to shuffle. These are no joke. I'll follow Shen's example. If you don't give me a date today, I'll just sleep on the floor here. I'll handle official duties at the National Teacher's mansion day and night. Don't bother arguing with me about this."
Chen Ping'an said, "Oh, you're quite irritable."
Zhao Yao took a big gulp of tea, put the cup on the small table beside him, then hesitated. He quickly picked it up again and examined it closely, asking, "Is this genuine?"
Chen Ping'an said, "As long as you don't steal it, you can decide whether it's real."
Zhao Yao was reluctant to part with it. He asked, "Did you bring this back from the last Confucian Temple meeting?"
Chen Ping'an smiled slightly. "I'm very curious about what official business the two Vice Ministers of Justice and War discussed. Tell me about it. Were you plotting a rebellion?"
Zhao Yao laughed angrily. "The National Teacher stands in the main hall, sits in the imperial study, and then swaggers back home. Is the capital's martial law over just like that? Are the four Great Li sword boats and military transport ships heading south with great fanfare just going to be ignored? Who said that this capital assessment has both overt and covert lines? Is the celebration preparation itself part of the assessment? Do we need to check the archives for verification? Today's Great Li capital is full of extraordinary individuals. Aside from the Justice Ministry's own retainers, should the military liaison cultivators from the various prefectures' armies coordinate with the Justice Ministry to keep an eye on their movements?"
Chen Ping'an tucked his hands into his sleeves and laughed. "You're complaining to the wrong person. I'm not the Minister of Personnel. If you want a promotion or a transfer to become a Vice Minister of Personnel, you should visit Sun Changmao more often."
Zhao Yao said, "Let's get back to business. First, about the results from the Yu clan's ancestral hall—is it enough, or do we need to pull out a few more that can be published in the official gazette? Second, regarding the many officials implicated in the Great River case, will the Justice Ministry continue to handle it alone, or does the National Teacher's mansion have another plan? Third, I just heard about the alliance between the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land and our Great Li. Should the Ministry of Rites make a brief appearance to hold a simple ceremony for forging a mountain alliance?"
Chen Ping'an said directly, "It's enough, but you must find another angle that can fill the official gazette. The Justice Ministry can handle the case alone. If you need extra personnel, just tell me. The alliance ceremony is not needed for now."
Zhao Yao nodded, tucked the flower god cup into his sleeve, stood up, and said, "Then I'll take it that you're gracing the Ministry of War with your presence tomorrow. I'll go deliver the message to Old Minister Shen."
Chen Ping'an turned a blind eye and said, "Vice Minister Zhao, there's no need for such tests again."
Zhao Yao said, "I had to do it once. Only when I see the result will I sincerely say to the National Teacher that I guarantee it won't happen again."
You were the one who said to investigate thoroughly with no upper limit. You have to prove it to me in fact. If you just say a few nice words, are you deceiving me or yourself?
Chen Ping'an nodded. "That makes sense."
Zhao Yao clasped his hands in farewell and, without giving Chen Ping'an a chance to "keep" him, strode over the threshold and ran toward the second courtyard as soon as he went down the steps.
He happened to pass Rong Yu, who was holding a brocade box. She had a strange expression and hesitated before asking, "Vice Minister Zhao, did the National Teacher say he gave you that flower god cup?"
Zhao Yao didn't stop walking. He turned his head and smiled. "Miss Rong Yu, he didn't say that. I took it myself."
Rong Yu asked, "Are you sure?"
Zhao Yao nodded. "I'm sure."
Rong Yu suppressed a smile. "Vice Minister Zhao is indeed considerate of the National Teacher. No wonder you're uncle and nephew in the Wen Sheng lineage."
Zhao Yao stopped and asked puzzledly, "Miss Rong Yu, what do you mean?"
Rong Yu patted the brocade box. "The National Teacher just asked me to fetch a complete set of flower god cups. He said if he was going to give them, he might as well give twelve cups outright. The Flower Lord of the Blessed Land, Qi Fang, personally sent them. They shouldn't be fakes."
Zhao Yao took out his flower god cup from his sleeve and looked at Rong Yu's brocade box. If he had to change his story now, Zhao Yao didn't have the face for it. After a moment's thought, he tossed the cup back into his sleeve. "Never mind. It's still worth being happy about to have taken a flower god cup from him."
Rong Yu smiled and nodded.
Zhao Yao felt refreshed. Just as he was about to leave, he thought he should apologize to Rong Yu. "I'm sorry for causing your box to be short one flower god cup."
Rong Yu chuckled. "No, it's not. The box has twelve cups."
Zhao Yao stood frozen on the spot.
Chen Ping'an stood on the steps, tutting. "Vice Minister Zhao, we're fellow townsmen. Our hometown is a place that produces porcelain. I only worked as a kiln apprentice for a few years, but your family owns a private dragon kiln. Yet you have no eye for porcelain appreciation at all. That's a bit disgraceful. The children of rich families are indeed different. You've never mixed clay or pulled a base in your life, have you? If I were you, I wouldn't tell anyone you're from Chuzhou Longquan Commandery."
Zhao Yao couldn't be bothered to exchange another word with him. Remembering something, he went to find Lin Shouyi for a brief chat.
After a short while at Lin Shouyi's place, Zhao Yao left the National Teacher's mansion. He found Rong Yu waiting at the gate. She handed him the brocade box. "Vice Minister Zhao, take it."
Unexpectedly, Zhao Yao shook his head. "If he gave me a complete set of genuine flower god cups, it wouldn't be as meaningful as me taking a fake one myself."
Rong Yu was puzzled. You're fellow townsmen and of the same age, from the same literary lineage. Why are you competing with the National Teacher?
Just as Zhao Yao left, another Vice Minister strode briskly toward the National Teacher's mansion. He greeted Rong Yu, who was still holding the brocade box, and rushed through the gate. The moment he entered the grounds of the National Teacher's mansion, he stopped abruptly. Rong Yu saw Cao Gengxin raise a purple gourd of wine and start drinking heartily, as if it were water. Rong Yu couldn't help but laugh. So Vice Minister Cao had sneaked off to drink here!
Cao Gengxin burped, patted his belly, and felt satisfied. The Great Li capital assessment this year was strict, and he had been holding back. He used an excuse to come to the National Teacher's mansion to discuss matters and have his pleasure.
Cao Gengxin had sharp eyes. He had already noticed Vice Minister Zhao and Miss Rong Yu exchanging glances earlier. Pfft, it was Vice Minister Zhao with ardent eyes and ill intentions, while Miss Rong Yu remained unmoved and sternly reprimanded him.
Cao Gengxin asked, "Miss Rong Yu, what's in the box?"
Rong Yu smiled. "Eleven flower god cups."
Cao Gengxin asked puzzledly, "Why is one missing?"
Rong Yu smiled and didn't answer.
In truth, the flower god cup Zhao Yao had taken was genuine.
Cao Gengxin tested the waters. "Miss Rong Yu, why don't we go together and negotiate with the National Teacher to give me the cups and the box?"
Rong Yu smiled and shook her head.
Cao Gengxin stamped his foot, picked up the wine gourd, and took another big gulp. After hiding the gourd, he desperately slapped his sleeves and hurried back to the Ministry of Personnel.
It was just past You zheng chu ke (around 6 PM).
On the easternmost side of the inner city, there was a private garden that enclosed the entire Old Oriole Lake. It was said that the largest immortal inn in the capital had originally wanted to choose this location but couldn't agree on the price. According to rumors, the owner of the garden was an obscure young master from a prominent family. You only needed to know that his ancestral home was not in Chi'er Street or Yichi Lane, which was enough. They say business is business, but he wasn't so particular. He cursed out the negotiator helping with the price, using some very harsh words. He said to tell that country bumpkin surnamed Dong to take a piss and look at himself. With just a few stinking coins, who did he think he was? If he bothered him again, he'd make him pack up and get out of the capital.
This was probably what they called being proud when born into wealth and arrogant when born into nobility.
Shen Zheng had been waiting here for nearly half an hour. He was waiting for a man named Liu Shuai, nicknamed "Channel Commander." What he was truly waiting for was power.
To be precise, it was a stepping stone that could help him access greater power. Because Liu Shuai had finally agreed to introduce him to the all-powerful "Sixth Master."
The sun was blazing, and even though it was past You Shi, Shen Zheng still felt stifled. The entire capital was like a steamer. He stood in the shade of a willow tree, occasionally glancing toward the gate. Even after standing for nearly half an hour, Shen Zheng still waited patiently for Liu Shuai to appear. He guessed that the all-seeing Sixth Master would likely only meet him after having his fill of food and drink—probably around the end of You Shi or even Xu Shi. He would just wait. He had no idea how many words they would exchange when they met, and he wasn't confident.
He was also curious about that fellow surnamed Dong. Just how rich was he to keep raising the price and try to buy the entire Old Oriole Lake garden?
What was even more curious was that when that failed, he simply switched to a better location, said to be an immortal inn.
In Shen Zheng's view, this was a slap in the face of that young master from the prominent family. But unexpectedly, the latter didn't seem to put up any obstacles to the inn that dealt in immortal money.
The highest-ranking official Shen Zheng had ever dealt with in his life was a county constable. He had no understanding of the inner workings.
They say in officialdom, who you follow is more important than anything. Wasn't it the same for them in the lower levels of the Jianghu?
Bored, Shen Zheng broke off a willow leaf and put it in his mouth. Actually, when he first arrived here, he had worried that the gatekeeper or servants might come to chase him away. But in the end, no one paid him any attention.
Shen Zheng had walked all the way from his house in the outer city. He had a private carriage and horses, of course, and one of the horses had been retired from the Great Li border army. But after much thought, Shen Zheng decided to walk. He was mainly afraid of making a fool of himself and creating a bad impression with Liu Shuai.
Now, lost in thought, Shen Zheng wondered if ten or twenty years from now, there would be a young man who had made a name for himself and become somewhat successful, waiting to meet him with the same... irritating mindset?
About the matters in the sky, he couldn't use immortal arts and couldn't jump high enough to reach them. On the ground of the Great Li capital, the nation's premier place, with a hundred government offices standing, a mix of good and bad, he had no say and dared not recklessly interfere. But "below the ground," in the dark corners that big shots found too dirty, he considered himself somewhat capable and knowledgeable.
Birds have their paths, snakes have their trails.
Everyone has their own way of living.
Shen Zheng was from Jiayu County in the Great Li capital region. Jiayu County was a place that produced many military officers, said to be a blessed land where fish transform into dragons. It also had many Jianghu gangs.
Shen Zheng was twenty-seven years old. He had joined a gang at twelve. At twenty-four, he brought over a hundred brothers into the capital and established a foothold in the outer city. After several years of struggle, he finally gained some fame. But just the night before, his gang was absorbed by Liu Shuai's gang. Shen Zheng had personally killed two brothers who refused to bow to Liu Shuai. He had gone from being the strategist and accountant to becoming the gang leader.
He wanted to earn money he could spend for several lifetimes. He wanted to sleep with at least a third-rank official's daughter. He wanted to become a figure like Channel Commander Liu Shuai, who could command wind and rain and navigate both the underworld and the official world.
Shen Zheng felt that his fate only lacked a benefactor.
Today, he was going to meet this person.
An unadorned carriage slowly approached the private garden. The coachman was a lean, strong young man who looked like a martial artist.
Two men sat facing each other, each leaning against the carriage walls. One of them, a fat man who looked like a small mountain, vigorously fanned himself with a gold-painted fan. Sweat still covered his forehead and neck. The fat man kept complaining, "What's going on? It's never been this hot at this time of year. Han Liuer, I should have taken my carriage. Paste an immortal's heat-dispelling talisman on it, and woah, it'd be cool for a whole ten days. Just a bit pricey. Hey, Han Liuer, let me ask you something. These talismans that have been sold in various prefectures and wards in recent years—are they one of that Dong fellow's sources of income? You're well-informed. Tell me about it, so I can brag to my sisters later and say the talismans were given to me by Dong..."
The other man, about the same age, was dressed as a scholar but carried a strong official air.
Listening to the fat man's endless chatter along the way, the man barely responded. Finally, he opened his mouth to tease, "Wei Juan, those women who followed you—what do they get out of it? Tell me."
The fat man laughed heartily. "What else could they get? They can't earn much from me. I suppose they can only covet my good looks?"
The man scanned the fat man and shook his head. "They occasionally get a bit from you, which counts as earning their hard-earned money."
The middle-aged fat man in front of him must have weighed over two hundred catties of fat. The only two things he could boast about in his life were his origins from Yichi Lane and being a childhood friend of Vice Minister Cao.
In recent years, this fat man often took all sorts of women in his carriage to show them Yichi Lane and Chi'er Street.
This was a joke among their acquaintances of the same age.
The fat man owned a well-known restaurant on Calamus River. Of course, he didn't engage in any shady business. First, he was timid by nature. Second, his family rules were strict. He was afraid of having all three legs broken. Not worth it for a bit of money.
In fact, in the past thirty-plus years, there were still people in his family qualified to attend the small court sessions in the imperial study.
One must know that among the many residences in Yichi Lane and Chi'er Street, no matter how distinguished their ancestors were or how things used to be, being able to participate in the small court sessions was an enormous threshold.
If you had a seat, there was nothing more to say. If you didn't have a seat, there was also nothing to talk about. Raking up old history—was it worth it?
The problem was that by his father's generation, it was no longer worth mentioning. His father was still just a Director of the Delicacies and Drinks Department in the Ministry of Rites—one of several. His two uncles fared even worse than his father. They were typical examples of excellent people but poor officials. In their respective offices, due to their seniority and integrity, neither yielding nor flinching, they spoke very bluntly. The fat man had once heard an interesting story about his eldest uncle. An assistant director who had been stuck in the Ministry of Works for nearly thirty years. One time, the Right Vice Minister called him to the office to discuss matters. For a full half-hour, his eldest uncle just stared blankly at the Vice Minister without saying a word.
The Vice Minister had no choice but to find a way out for himself. He said, "Since you think this matter is inappropriate, we'll discuss it again."
Probably still somewhat irritated, the Vice Minister added two more sentences. One was that according to regulations, he should have a detailed inspection document on his desk by tomorrow at the latest. The other was that the Vice Minister pointed at the assistant director and said helplessly, "You, my fellow examination graduate, you only act tough with me. If you have the guts, go act tough with the Minister..." The assistant director, who was a fellow examination graduate with the Vice Minister, had already stood up and left.
When the fat man heard this, he thought it was a great deed and a good story, so he went to ask his eldest uncle in person if it was true. Probably because his uncle was in a bad mood at the time, he scolded the fat man mercilessly. Later, he even went on to scold the fat man's father, his own younger brother, saying, "In our family, your father is the best at being an official, but he has none of the scholarly integrity. And you, you little bastard, are not bad either. Opening a restaurant on Calamus River—why don't you just put on a costume and sing for a living? Wouldn't business be even better?" The words that followed were really hard to hear, and the fat man had already hurriedly run away.
It's just that he didn't have a knack for studying; why was his uncle scolding him like that? Besides, the celadon brush washer with a dragon pattern that he had gifted had been sitting on his uncle's desk for many years.
So, the fat man's background was fine for intimidating outsiders unfamiliar with the capital's officialdom, but when it came to Yichi Lane, it was a joke.
The fat man was named Wei Juan. The character "Juan" had the same sound as "poor."
His friends always made fun of his name: "Born into a good family, but given a not-so-good name."
Wei Juan didn't mind. What his generation called "shady business" was a bit different from what his father and grandfathers considered shady. For example, Wei Juan felt that he didn't engage in shady business because many of his peers from similar backgrounds had long since expanded their businesses to the south of the Great River. There were even rumors that a few had taken cross-continent ferry ships all the way to the Tongye Continent. Wei Juan might not be accomplished, but he wasn't stupid. He knew that the business there definitely wasn't clean.
Of course, in the eyes of his uncles, the family's younger generation had only two proper paths: either pass the imperial examinations and earn a dignified official position through their own efforts, or join the border army and earn merit on horseback. Only these counted as walking the straight and narrow.
Han Liuer hesitated for a moment before saying, "Uncle Wei has been a Director in the Ministry of Rites for many years. The position isn't high, and he doesn't have real power in the capital's officialdom, but he has a good reputation. There are still some opportunities for advancement."
Wei Juan said dismissively, "Even if my father takes one more step up, isn't he still stuck in a water-clear yamen [low-income government office]? Maybe with a slightly bigger official hat, he'll be stricter with me, talking about family traditions and being a good person."
Han Liuer said nothing more.
Wei Juan folded his fan and laughed. "Let's not talk about these annoying things. Tonight, I'll treat you to a celebration feast. If it weren't for all your rules, I'd call up your colleagues from the yamen, no matter their rank, and have them come to my restaurant. It'd be so much simpler and livelier. You don't know me well? I'm no good at studying, but I'm excellent at making friends over drinks! And when it comes to supporting my friends, I'm even better!"
Han Liuer lifted the carriage curtain and frowned. "Wei Fatty, even if I don't eat at your restaurant, what are we doing here? It's a long way around, and it's expensive."
Seeing his good friend frown, Wei Juan felt a bit intimidated and stammered, unable to get a word out. No wonder his father and uncles all said Han Liuer was a born official.
Han Liuer also noticed Wei Juan's unease and laughed. "You're not afraid of being scammed, but I'm just a few pounds of meat. Can I afford to be taken for a ride?"
Wei Juan rubbed his hands and chuckled. "The threshold here is high. It shows sincerity to invite guests to eat here. Besides, I'm paying. I'm not asking you to foot the bill. Your salary is just a few coppers anyway."
Han Liuer twitched the corner of his mouth, let down the curtain, and said, "Seeing that bastard's face is bad luck."
Wei Juan said, "You won't see him, Master Wei. That guy only comes here a few times a year."
Wei Jia had a good family background, and his family was friends and in-laws with the Pillar of State Cao family. So when Wei Jia saw the Vice Minister of Personnel, Cao Gengxin, he could openly call him Uncle Cao.
That guy, full of mischief since childhood, also owned a restaurant, but it was just a sideline among sidelines.
In recent years, he liked to show off, saying that Uncle Cao and his aunt had almost been betrothed as child sweethearts back then.
These so-called children of prominent families, who were considered failures by their fathers, had gradually formed an unspoken understanding, each with their own connections and territories.
Han Liuer couldn't bear to say harsh words to his friend. Now was the period of the court's assessment; inside and outside the government offices, everything had to be done cautiously.
But then again, if he, a mere sixth-rank official, eating a good meal with a friend without any shady dealings, could still be held accountable, then so be it.
Han Liuer finally stopped sitting upright and slumped against the carriage wall, kicking off his boots. "These past days have been nonstop. I'm exhausted as hell. Damn it, I finally get a breather and a solid meal."
Wei Juan laughed heartily. "That's the bad part about being in government. The higher-ups say a single sentence, and the lower-ups have to do a hundred things. I get scolded for my own troubles; you get tired for yours."
Han Liuer shook his head. He tugged at his collar vigorously. Though he looked tired, his eyes were bright. "All this running around is worth it. You may laugh, but the way I've been an official, I wish I could personally ask even the stray dog on the street what its surname is. Often in the dead of night, unable to sleep, I have to get up and walk the streets and alleys myself before I can rest assured. But my heart isn't tired. Later, you and I will have a good drink. Since we're already here, let's drink the expensive stuff!"
Wei Juan rarely saw Han Liuer show such an expression. Han Liuer had always been steady since childhood. Actually, he was quite similar to Yuan Zhengding, but Han Liuer, like himself, liked to follow Vice Minister Cao in getting into trouble. The difference was that when Vice Minister Cao went home, it was as if nothing had happened. Han Liuer would at most get a scolding, but he himself would get beaten.
Han Liuer said seriously, "Tell me, how did you finally come to your senses and know to ask me for help?"
Wei Juan hesitated, then grinned mischievously. "A goddess came to me in a dream."
Han Liuer kicked at Wei Fatty and laughed, "Go to hell!"
Wei Juan raised his finger. "I swear on heaven!"
Han Liuer rubbed his temples and said, "Fine, fine. You're tight-lipped. Actually, Gengxin had already spoken to me about you. Damn it, that bastard even set a deadline. If you hadn't come to me by then, I would have had to go find you myself."
Wei Juan was speechless with surprise.
He had unintentionally run into Cao Gengxin, who was taking a walk alone near Yichi Lane earlier. Wei Juan had hurriedly stopped his carriage and chatted for a bit. Cao Gengxin said that in the Calamus River area, Han Liuer's sixth-rank official position could be treated as a third-rank one.
Vice Minister Cao wasn't lying.
Han Liuer said softly, "What I can do, I'll do my best as a friend. What I can't do, even if you come to me... forget it. With your chicken-heart-sized courage, you can't do anything truly heinous like bullying the weak or committing murder. So don't think this help means our friendship ends here. If something similar comes up in the future..."
He paused for a moment and then said, "Wei Juan, remember this. I, Han Yi, never say empty, hypocritical words to anyone, and I don't need to put on airs with you even more. If anyone thinks they can bully you, mess with you, or make you a laughingstock, then in Changle County, I'll show them who the real master is."
Wei Juan was stunned for a moment, then his eyes instantly reddened. He quickly laughed and deliberately rubbed his eyes. "Hearing that, a grown man almost cries."
Han Yi said softly, "Next time, I'll introduce you to Hong Ji."
Wei Juan pointed north and lowered his voice. "The one at the Northern Military Command?"
Han Yi hummed in affirmation. He didn't say much more. Wei Juan, of course, wouldn't ask.
Han Yi chuckled to himself. "I don't get it. Back when we were kids, you followed Gengxin around the streets every day—either selling erotic pictures, teasing girls, or fighting with the kids from Chi'er Street. You always stupidly charged to the front. Never thought to turn around and see where I or Gengxin were standing? Back then, you weren't exactly timid. How have you gotten more cowardly as you've gotten older?"
Wei Juan rubbed his face vigorously with his palm. "That's because when following behind... Gengxin, I'd definitely charge forward with a brick in hand."
"Besides, Gengxin was bolder than us. We only dared to say a few dirty words to girls our age. But he only flirted with older sisters, much older than us."
"You know what's strange? No matter what Gengxin said, they never got angry. I tried it once back then on Chi'er Street. With that girl from the Ma family, the one who looked gentle and refined. Gengxin had flirted with her many times, and every time she blushed to the tips of her ears, never saying a word back, right? You remember, don't you? When it was my turn, guess what? She just glanced at me, took a few steps back, and assumed a martial stance. Then she gave me an over-the-shoulder throw. Boom! That throw stunned me. I lay on the ground for a long time and couldn't sit up. Before I left, she threatened me not to tell anyone, or she'd beat me every time she saw me."
Han Yi laughed heartily.
Wei Juan rubbed his chin and chuckled. "That's not all. When I secretly snuck home, my mother noticed something was wrong. While applying ointment, she kept asking what happened and which brat had been so careless. I just said it was Han Liuer, that we had earned some money following Cao Gengxin, and when we couldn't split it evenly, he beat me up. My mother was heartbroken and said she'd have to make your parents discipline you properly."
Han Yi laughed so hard he had to rub his cheeks. "No wonder my parents both gave me a strange lecture back then about how gentlemen use words, not fists. I was wondering at the time—I hadn't even bothered those few brats I didn't like lately or broken their heads. My mother said try not to fight if possible; friends who play together shouldn't resort to violence. My father was a bit better. He added a few words in private: 'If you're going to fight, go ahead and fight. Just don't end up on the losing side. Always make sure to get something out of it. And when facing off against Chi'er Street, you must at least ensure you don't lose face even if you lose the fight. If you don't dare to fight back when bullied outside, you'll get another beating from me when you get home.'"
Wei Juan exclaimed, "My father doesn't have your father's insight and boldness."
Han Yi smiled. "Gengxin was right. You need to find a good woman and settle down. Once you have a child, Uncle Wei will dote on his grandchild. Holding the baby in his arms, he'll start to see you in a more favorable light."
Wei Juan's eyes darkened. "With my looks, what good woman would look at me?"
Han Yi said, "That's not necessarily true."
Wei Juan nodded. "Then I'll listen to you. I'll settle down and stop using jokes to cover up my insecurities. I was indeed being a bit foolish."
Han Yi put his boots back on and looked up with a smile. "That's right."
Wei Juan asked, "That guy with the nickname Channel Commander—Liu Shuai, I think—what's his background? Seems like he gets along well on several fronts?"
Han Yi said indifferently, "Just a small-time thug."
Wei Juan had only asked casually. There were many interesting and uninteresting things in the capital. Many figures and anecdotes were just a mention, a passing comment.
The Great Li capital had two counties, and Changle County was the more important one. Han Yi was the newly appointed magistrate, but he was still in an acting capacity for now.
For instance, the entire Calamus River area, including Goldfish Ward and the Flower God Temple, fell within Changle County's jurisdiction.
But if Cao Gengxin hadn't brought it up, Wei Juan wouldn't have gone to Han Yi for help. He had thought about it, but he couldn't get past his own mental block, so he didn't go.
Being the magistrate of Changle County could be considered one of the hardest official positions in the world. As the official saying goes: "Three lifetimes of bad luck to be a magistrate in the capital city; three lives of evil deeds to be a magistrate in a capital prefecture; and when evil fills your cup, you become a magistrate in the capital county."
But precisely because of that, how many magistrates were there among the over a hundred prefectures of the entire Great Li dynasty? How many magistrates did His Majesty know by name, and how many did the regional grand coordinators need to pay attention to?
Han Yi's current official position was extremely special and was also commonly referred to in officialdom as the "number one magistrate in the world."
Han Yi was the sixth among his generation in the family, hence the nickname Han Liuer. Two of his sisters: one was married very close by—just a few steps away, since both her natal family and her husband's family were in Yichi Lane. The other was married far away, to a remote prefecture in the Dongyue region. It was said to be a distant marriage, but it was practically an elopement. In previous years, it had been a minor joke in both Yichi Lane and Chi'er Street.
To become the magistrate of Changle County, could Han Yi possibly be mediocre?
As long as one wasn't blind, they could tell that Han Yi had strong official momentum.
It seemed like he should say something, but Wei Juan couldn't find the words after holding it in for so long. So the sweating fat man just vigorously wiped his face and reopened his fan.
Wei Fatty rolled out of the carriage and led Han Yi toward the gate. From the corner of his eye, he noticed a young man standing under a willow tree. Wei Juan had an excellent memory and was certain he didn't know this person.
The temporary gatekeepers, commonly referred to as the "First Steward" and "Second Steward," had already appeared: a gaunt old man and a plump woman with light makeup. They recognized Han Yi's identity but made no mention of it in their measured conversation. As for Wei Juan, he was barely considered a regular customer here. When the fat man had brought guests before, at most, the "Third Steward" who stayed in the gatehouse would show up and chat with him for a bit.
There were many officials in the capital, and many high-ranking ones. In terms of pure rank, Han Yi was at best a mid-level official, and he was also the "parent official" of neighboring Changle County. But how could they afford to be negligent? Even if it were their master Wei Jia who learned of Han Yi's visit, he would certainly find an opportunity to pick up a wine jug and knock on Han Yi's door to toast him. But today was unfortunate—it might be an exception. Wei Jia was not only present but might not be able to extricate himself to meet Magistrate Han, even though Han Yi was the undisputed number one magistrate in the Great Li dynasty.
As they walked along the path, Wei Juan noticed an ancient-looking Daoist by the lake and felt a bit curious. He wondered which immortal estate this Daoist was from and whether he was an earthly immortal.
Han Yi glanced at the old man but remained expressionless.
They entered the Ding-Zi room. Han Yi stepped over the threshold and looked at the enormous table that could seat twenty or thirty people. In front of the two gatekeepers, he laughed angrily. "Wei Fatty, look at this yourself. You said you'd just treat me to a simple meal, and now you're going to cut off a layer of your autumn fat? Tell me, when I drink later, am I going to be drinking wine or your blood?"
Along the way, Han Yi had been chatting and laughing with the two gatekeepers, not putting on airs or keeping a straight face.
Wei Juan laughed. "It adds to the atmosphere."
Han Yi gave a cold laugh. "Later, you sit across from me and watch how I serve you the dishes."
Both gatekeepers were somewhat surprised. How could a worthless character like Wei Juan be so familiar with Han Yi?
Didn't their master say that someone like Han Yi, whose official luck was unstoppable, would be lowering himself just to exchange a word with Wei Fatty on the street?
Han Yi sat down, looked around, then turned to Wei Juan with a grin. "Wei Fatty, it must have been quite a hassle to book such a big room today, right?"
Wei Juan laughed heartily. "Not at all, not at all."
The woman immediately said, "Young Master Wei is an honored guest here. Our master personally instructed us that no matter how tight things were today, we had to clear a room for Young Master Wei."
Han Yi looked at her and said with a smile, "Good."
The woman's heart was pounding, but she still wore her naturally alluring smile. "Young Master Wei is an honored guest. If there's any lack of hospitality in our garden, it's definitely my oversight."
She raised her hand and gently slapped her own cheek. "My fault."
The woman, with her peach-blossom eyes, looked dignified when not smiling but transformed into a seductress the moment she did.
Wei Juan gave a sickly-sweet smile. "No oversight at all. How could there be oversight? Don't hit yourself. I hate seeing that kind of thing."
The woman had been carefully observing the subtle expressions on Han Yi's face. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Wei Fatty, she and the garden's First Steward withdrew. She gently closed the door and let out a faint sigh. Grace pressures man, leaving him no freedom. This Han Yi was truly a formidable figure.
As she faced the room, bent over, and closed the door with both hands, the collar of her blouse revealed a slightly cramped view of her fair skin.
Wei Juan didn't dare to stare openly. He stole a surreptitious glance and quickly averted his gaze as if caught stealing.
Han Yi, however, looked naturally, unhurriedly, and just as unhurriedly looked away. That was all.
After the door was closed, the old man said via heart-to-heart voice transmission, "This is your responsibility now. Be careful. Han Yi is no pushover. Don't think you can brush him off by toasting a few glasses. Especially don't try any of your seductive tricks. Remember, keep your distance and be respectful. I'll go find the master immediately and tell him Han Yi is here. Whether to come over for a toast or to sit and drink is up to the master to decide."
The woman replied via heart-to-heart voice, "I'm scared to death as it is. How would I dare to lean on him under the pretense of drunkenness? Don't worry. I'll personally serve the dishes and wine from start to finish. I'll be more proper than even the Flower God Temple's priestess, Ye Man."
The old man nodded and quietly left the corridor. The outer city had its advantages. Some officials who preferred tranquility actually liked coming here.
In recent years, the woman had seen many high-ranking officials: those of low rank but noble status, those of humble origin but with real power, and of course, those from the top aristocratic families who also held high positions. She had seen quite a few. She had never seen a current second-rank official, but she had seen some who had previously served as second-rank or deputy second-rank. And there were some people whose true identities she still didn't know. Their master Wei Jia had personally attended to them from start to finish.
Regardless of how much she had seen, the woman felt that Han Yi was a very special official in her impression. She couldn't quite explain why.
Earlier, she had even suggested whether they could add a bit of "spice" [sexual flavor]. Their master Wei Jia had been furious, slapped her, and scolded her, "Do you think this is a brothel?"
The garden had originally wanted to put Ye Man in charge, but Wei Jia had initially been confident about it. Later, he dropped the subject, just angrily saying, "I can't get that woman to come."
Inside the room, Wei Juan was about to say thank you and then comment on the woman's figure. Unexpectedly, Han Yi shook his head, raised a finger, and pointed at his own ear.
Then, with an extremely cold expression but a smiling voice, Han Yi said, "Wei Fatty, tell me, when is your restaurant going to close? Who do you plan to invite for the last meal?"
Wei Juan caught on and began to engage in idle chatter with Han Yi. Even if it was harmless official news or personal friendship, not a single word of substance was to be mentioned today.
Chen Ping'an moved to the main hall. This place could serve as a formal meeting room and was also an unusually vast secret realm.
Using visualization, Chen Ping'an temporarily hung a new map of the nine provinces of Haoran.
Then he used magic to create a chair. After sitting down, he raised his hands and tapped his fingers together.
Xie Gou sat on the threshold, turned her head to look at the Mountain Lord's back, and asked, "Xiao Mo, Xiao Mo, what is the Mountain Lord up to now?"
Xiao Mo stood to the side. "Not sure."
Xie Gou said, "I feel like the Mountain Lord is becoming more and more like his senior brother, Embroidered Tiger."
Xiao Mo laughed. "You've met Mr. Cui?"
Xie Gou scratched her cheek. "Oh, right. I'm being imprecise again. It's all from chatting with Song Yunjian."
Chen Ping'an turned his head and asked, "They say there are three types of Flying Ascension: weak Flying Ascension, strong Flying Ascension, and candidate Fourteen Realm. Which do you think I am?"
Xie Gou blurted out, "Must be strong Flying Ascension."
Almost simultaneously, Xiao Mo said, "Weak Flying Ascension."
Xie Gou looked as if she'd been struck by lightning. Stunned, she turned her head. Xiao Mo, Xiao Mo, have you been possessed by a ghost? How can you say something like that?
Xiao Mo added, "Before entering the Fourteen Realm, when considering the Young Master's current realm, it was between weak and strong Flying Ascension. Now, it's weak Flying Ascension."
Chen Ping'an nodded, turned back, and continued his roaming thoughts for thousands of miles.
Xie Gou whispered, "Xiao Mo, the Mountain Lord seems hurt by your words. Look, he can't even say a word now and doesn't want to look at us anymore."
She paused for a moment and said cautiously, "The Mountain Lord better not be secretly crying."
Xiao Mo said helplessly, "When it comes to cultivation, there cannot be any delusional thoughts. Regarding the firmness of the Dao-seeking heart, the Young Master is no weaker than you or me."
From the Jade Capital realm to the Immortal realm was already a massive transformation of rebirth. In the mountain realm, there was also a saying of "cleansing the heart and changing the face," which was unquestionably a compliment. It was said that when one entered the Immortal realm, they could change their appearance at will. The common world tabooed "ruining one's appearance," but entering the Immortal realm meant breaking and then establishing. One could remove all internal and external impurities from the human body. Not only would the Dao body become more like a golden body without blemish, but the Dao heart would also become nearly flawless. Therefore, the Immortal realm was like laying two thick foundations for the Flying Ascension realm, continuously consolidating the Dao body like yellow earth to bear all things. A Dao heart was like the sun, moon, and stars, pulling the physical body toward ascension.
It was as if Flying Ascension itself was a prototype of communication between heaven and earth.
When one entered Flying Ascension, the sights before their eyes compared to what they saw as an Immortal were utterly transformative.
Indeed, Chen Ping'an had temporarily borrowed the Fourteen Realm from Lu Chen and toured various places in Bottle Gourd Prefecture as a Fourteen Realm cultivator.
But in a certain sense, that was just the "perspective" of the Third Teachings Master of the Jade Capital, Lu Chen, looking at the world.
If Chen Ping'an hadn't been forced by Jiang She to turn his own human body's heaven and earth into chaos, there might have been some hidden dangers. Whether they would have been big or small was ultimately something that couldn't be verified.
When Flying Ascension cultivators in the human world encounter Fourteen Realm cultivators, they all seem to instinctively want to ask about the scenery of the Fourteen Realm.
Feng Xuetao, whose Dao name was Qingmi, was like this. Song Yunjian, who styled himself Yingning, was also like this.
Yes, from Flying Ascension to the Fourteen Realm, what kind of different human world was that?
Chen Ping'an stood up, turned around, and said, "Xiao Mo, Doggie, which of you wants to spar with me?"
Xie Gou's eyes burned with eagerness, but her mouth said, "I wouldn't dare."
Xiao Mo said, "Young Master, I haven't truly stabilized my realm yet and still can't control the nuances precisely."
Xie Gou wiped her mouth and pulled out a short sword from her sleeve. Chen Ping'an immediately extended his hand. "Doggie, put the short sword away first."
Xie Gou tilted her sable hat, her eyes confused. Mountain Lord, you may be a newly ascended Flying Ascension, but you've never been a coward.
Chen Ping'an said seriously, "It's not an urgent matter. I can wait until Xiao Mo has fully stabilized his realm before testing the weight of my Flying Ascension."
Xie Gou tried to persuade him. "Mountain Lord, you can't look down on people just because we're both Flying Ascension. If I get serious, I'm quite capable."
Chen Ping'an smiled faintly. "Don't bring it up again."
Xie Gou was still unwilling to give up. "This spar could cover sword techniques against sword techniques, Dao magic against Dao magic, divine abilities against divine abilities, talismans against talismans—whatever you want. It would be suitable for us to practice. Since you're going to lose anyway, what pressure can you have? I'm the one with the pressure. Mountain Lord, don't chicken out."
Chen Ping'an changed how he addressed her. "Vice Chief Xie?"
Xie Gou immediately replied, "Got it."
Xiao Mo smiled. "Don't chicken out either."
Xie Gou tugged at her sable hat with both hands and went to the side room to continue writing her travelogue of mountains and waters.
In this private garden, aside from various rare delicacies, the most notable items were the celadon produced by the dragon kilns of Chuzhou Longquan Commandery, formerly the Lizhu Cave Heaven. All the stationery, daily utensils, vases, incense burners, fruit plates, etc., were said to be civilian imitations of official ware, but those who truly knew their stuff understood they were at least official imitations of official ware.
A young man with a simple expression was looking up at a hanging screen inlaid with many old porcelain shards, in a four-panel style. It was said that the owner of the residence had gone to the Lizhu Cave Heaven right at its collapse to pick up bargains. Indeed, before the Great Li court sealed off the old porcelain mountain, he took advantage and brought back a large pile of precious shards that no one wanted at the time. The four hanging screens together encompassed all the era names of the Great Li dynasty.
On a small table in the corner sat a pot of orchids. The man moved over, bent his fingers, gently fanned, and sniffed.
The room was actually full of a motley crew, but this plain-faced youth seemed unskilled at socializing and never spoke.
Shen Zheng was quite surprised to see Channel Commander Liu Shuai. Liu Shuai led him into the garden, clearly familiar with the place, not needing anyone to guide them.
Outside the garden, Liu Shuai deliberately slowed his pace, gathering his voice into a line to give Shen Zheng a few whispered instructions.
Shen Zheng followed Liu Shuai through a dimly lit corridor. The window lattices on both sides were carved with immortal peaches, gourds, plum blossoms, and magpies. The floor was covered with a carpet from the Colored Clothes Kingdom.
Liu Shuai stood outside the door and said softly, "Sixth Master, the person has been brought."
The door opened. Liu Shuai led Shen Zheng across the threshold, and Liu Shuai closed the door.
When Shen Zheng entered, he was momentarily dazed.
On a couch, someone was leaning sideways, resting their chin on their hand.
He was holding a jade ganoderma Ruyi scepter.
It was a handsome young man with slender eyebrows and fair skin, thin, bright red lips. He wore a cloud-patterned brocade robe, covered with a plain bamboo-silk garment, and a white jade belt around his waist. The so-called noble young master from books was exactly like this.
On a low table sat a Boshan incense burner with curling smoke, along with some seasonal fruits and local capital snacks.
There were six other people in the room, all sitting with their backs to Liu Shuai and Shen Zheng. When they knocked and entered, Shen Zheng noticed that only two turned to look; the rest were drinking.
The wine jugs appeared to be the legendary Changchun Palace brew?
Liu Shuai bowed with his fists and apologized, "Sixth Master, today is a bit special. I've communicated with Wei Jia. There's really no way to clear the premises."
"I don't mind."
The noble young master pressed his lips together, lifted his chin lazily, and said, "But they are a bit more delicate. Just while you were fetching the person, they started complaining that you don't know how to handle things. For example, Sun Chong said, 'And you call yourself Channel Commander, yet you picked such a godforsaken place.' I said no, this is by the lake; birds do shit here. It might even land on our roof. They all laughed their asses off."
Liu Shuai quickly bowed and clasped his fists to one of the backs. "Little Marquis, my apologies."
That person turned around, speaking gloomily, "Marquis my ass. That kingdom was wiped out long ago. Who are you trying to disgust?"
The noble young master clicked his tongue. "Hey, how do you talk to your own brother? Such petty and narrow-mindedness. No wonder you get scolded every day over in Tongye Continent."
Huang Chong immediately turned around, raising a wine cup. "Sixth Master speaks the truth. I must punish myself with a cup."
The noble young master pointed the jade Ruyi at the man next to Huang Chong. "Liu Shuai, Lu You is much more magnanimous. He was the only one who smoothed things over for you. No wonder he came from the top scholarly family of the former Lu dynasty. He does have better cultivation."
Liu Shuai quickly bowed in gratitude. Lu You had also turned around. He was a handsome, jade-like man. He smiled and returned the bow with clasped hands. "No need to be so polite, Channel Commander."
Shen Zheng remained expressionless throughout.
Scholarly family? Damn. That was the first time he'd heard that term.
Huang Chong wiped his mouth and turned around again. "Hey, the one standing next to the Channel Commander, you're surnamed Shen, right? What's your name? Never mind. I heard you're a martial artist. Pretty tough. Show us a boxing routine."
Liu Shuai's expression changed slightly. But Shen Zheng remained calm. He actually started listing the boxing styles he knew and asked which style Huang Chong wanted to see.
This made Huang Chong lose interest. He couldn't really make this kid start pounding his sleeves and stamping the floor, could he? Even if the kid was willing, would the Sixth Master be willing?
Huang Chong changed tack and asked with a smile, "I heard the Channel Commander talk about some of your exploits. We all look at you with new eyes. Hey, Shen, in your Jianghu world, do you have to be so ruthless and disown your own family to get ahead?"
Shen Zheng said, "You still have to acknowledge your parents. As for yesterday's blood-sworn brothers, whether they'll still be brothers tomorrow depends on the situation."
Huang Chong was clearly choked by this answer.
Another face turned around. "Dogs fighting?"
Shen Zheng said, "It's not easy to find a good dog to command either."
Liu Shuai grew anxious. This kid—he had just advised him not to speak carelessly. Yet every sentence was so sharp. Didn't he know that offending any one of them could make him disappear from the Jianghu? They wouldn't dare kill him, as that would be a murder case. But making him lose an arm or a leg tonight, and making him keep his mouth shut, not daring to complain to the authorities—how easy would that be?
The young face that leaned toward the cold side spoke like ice pulled from a cellar. "I understand. Poor background, wanting to rise. It's always a matter of seeking fortune through danger."
"I'm familiar with your type. In your eyes, women are always naked, and you can quickly gauge a man's worth through observation and conversation. Shen Zheng, originally named Shen Zheng Long, because you thought the name wasn't good, you dropped the 'Long' at fourteen and just used 'Shen Zheng.' You wanted a good omen—rising higher every day, a bright future, right?"
"Then shouldn't you stay away from the capital and the secondary capital? Pick a remote prefecture. Build a gang there. The farther you go from home, the better you'll do. Since you've already delivered your oath of allegiance and are determined to follow Liu Shuai, Shen Zheng, you should start planning your path. Find a piece of exclave territory, ask Liu Shuai to let you go there. Spend three to five years proving yourself. Or have the Channel Commander give you a specific source of income, nothing big, but as long as it belongs solely to you."
"The Great Li capital—what kind of place is that? You, Shen Zheng, live in constant fear of capsizing in the gutter every day."
"Can you even be considered a boat? Forget a small boat—you lot are just that stinky gutter."
Shen Zheng was slightly surprised. This guy had substance! That piece of dog shit "Marquis" Huang Chong wasn't fit to tie his shoes.
If someone had a softer temperament, being in the same room as this kind of talker would be pure torture.
But Shen Zheng found it extremely interesting. He habitually rubbed his thumb against his index finger, nodded, and said, "Makes sense. I'll remember that."
The noble young master asked, "Shen Zheng, do you know why I had Liu Shuai call you here?"
Shen Zheng first clasped his hands, then remained silent for a moment before speaking. "Sixth Master is a natural noble who will never have to step in mud in his life. Occasionally feeling bored, he always needs to find some amusement. It's like eating delicacies every day and occasionally wanting some pickled vegetables to cut the grease."
"Sixth Master, I've only been to a village school for a few days. I'm not good with words. But I can guarantee one thing: I might say a wrong sentence or two, but for any task you assign, I'll risk my life to do it. If it's done well, I'll shamelessly ask for a reward. If I ever do something wrong, the Sixth Master doesn't need to spill the wine from his cup on the ground."
"I believe the Sixth Master can tell whether every word I say is true. At most, I'll act clever with the Channel Commander over trivial matters. I absolutely wouldn't dare say a single wrong word here!"
The noble young master twitched his mouth.
Huang Chong was the first to break the silence, sneering, "No wonder Liu Shuai said you're a good dog. Average at guarding the house, but perfectly capable of sneaking out and biting a few people."
Liu Shuai looked embarrassed.
Shen Zheng suppressed his subtle emotions and didn't care at all.
Lu You nodded inwardly, raising his wine cup for a sip. Shen Zheng was indeed a ruthless man.
The noble young master suddenly laughed. "Damn, you're quite a character."
Shen Zheng's eyes were unfocused. Could there really be people in this world who, without being martial arts grandmasters or immortals, could change the atmosphere of an entire room with a single sentence?
But the noble young master still shook his head. "You did get one thing wrong. That talk about shoe soles not stepping on mud—weren't you subtly mocking that people today don't know the hardships of farmers? It's fine to say that about Huang Chong and the others. But I'm different. I know a thing or two about the people's suffering. When you were twelve and started recklessly slashing people with a knife, I had already started selling things at a market stall earlier than that. I earned money—not gold or silver, not immortal money, but copper coins, one by one. Only after earning enough could I eat a meal, and maybe not even have enough to be full. Eating well? Dream on."
He sat up straight. The noble young master, nicknamed "Sixth Master," smiled. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Huang Lian, and the nickname was taken at random. I like making money, I like the Jianghu, and I really like making friends with all kinds of people."
The noble young master tapped his palm with the jade Ruyi scepter and smiled. "Alright, alright, all of you settle down. Don't take turns scaring our Gang Leader Shen."
Huang Chong immediately slumped his shoulders and said pitifully, "Sixth Master, why do I have to play the villain? Why do Lu You and Dou Yu get to pretend to be learned men?"
The room erupted in laughter. Liu Shuai finally came to his senses and joined in laughing. He vigorously patted Shen Zheng's shoulder. "They were just joking."
Huang Chong turned and clasped his hands. "Brother Shen Zheng, I apologize to you. Today, aside from you being kept in the dark, I'm the one who suffered the most. You've probably started to resent me by now. That's fine. Get to know me longer, and you'll see I'm not a bad person."
Dou Yu also turned around, smiling. "To help Huang Chong play the villain convincingly, I spent a long time rehearsing my lines. My apologies. Later, I'll penalize myself with three cups."
Shen Zheng stood frozen on the spot, his expression a mix of relief and obvious embarrassment. He had been able to face the tense atmosphere without backing down, but now this sudden warmth left him at a loss. He ended up scratching his head.
The plain-faced man standing by the small table in the corner, however, narrowed his eyes and studied Shen Zheng.
He was not a qi refiner, nor a martial artist. But he clearly sensed the fleeting, immense anger in Shen Zheng, as well as a trace of very faint killing intent.
This was an intuition, more like a guess.
But what truly made the man think more highly of Shen Zheng was that, before entering the room, Shen Zheng had apparently anticipated the possibility of cultivators being present inside. Aside from the slight finger-rubbing detail, he had been deliberately controlling his emotions, straining to master his inner state.
Yet, for some reason, the man did not warn the Sixth Master.
At a signal from the Sixth Master's eyes, Liu Shuai brought two embroidered stools, letting Shen Zheng sit beside Huang Chong, while he himself sat at the outermost position.
Huang Chong handed Shen Zheng and Liu Shuai each a cup filled with wine, smiling. "Shen Zheng, you'll get used to it gradually. I nearly wet my pants back in the day."
Shen Zheng let out a long breath and grinned. "I'm not much better off. I was so scared earlier that I didn't even dare get near the garden gate. I just pissed under the willow tree."
Huang Chong almost spat out his wine but laughed heartily instead. "A straightforward man! Don't rush to call me a friend; I'll call you a friend first."
They continued drinking together. Shen Zheng felt very uncomfortable, but he just listened to their rambling. Lu You mentioned some southern kingdom's Ministry of War selling military equipment on the black market. Huang Chong talked about a certain immortal sect in Tongye Continent's business dealings and a brawl inside the ancestral hall. Shen Zheng lowered his head and took a sip of wine. He used to think that even if there was a gap between heaven and earth, there was a limit. Now he realized he had been a frog at the bottom of a well, ignorant of the true height of the sky and the depth of the earth.
Drinking until his face was slightly flushed, the noble young master, clearly a wine lover, raised his thumb and said with a grin, "My older brother warned me about a few things. First, when you leave the house and go outside, don't associate with any officials. He said with my mushy brain, I could never outsmart them. So, don't get close to officials, and definitely don't fight with them. Just avoid them."
He raised his index finger. "Second, don't try to build friendships or act chummy with those immortals who fly around. No matter how warm they seem on the surface or how courteous their words, it's all false. Deep down, they look down on us common folk. Besides, those immortals who ride clouds and mists all have some strange arts—turning stone into gold, walking through walls. Standing in front of them, it's like you're not wearing clothes. You can't hide anything, and they might even hear your thoughts."
He extended his middle finger. "Third, don't get recognized. If I get beaten up outside, I can't go home and complain to him. He might just scold me again and ground me at home, not letting me go out to run wild."
He shook his wrist, pursed his lips, sighed softly, and looked at Shen Zheng with a resentful gaze. "Having a brother like that—so many rules, so stubborn. Eldest brother is like a father. There's nothing I can do about it."
Shen Zheng was deeply shocked. This Sixth Master actually had someone who could control him?
He was genuinely afraid of this Sixth Master, who was right in front of him. Seemingly unpredictable and erratic, Shen Zheng had even begun to regret coming to see him today.
He felt that this Sixth Master definitely wore more than one mask. He suspected he might never see his "true face" in his lifetime.
But one thing was certain: if the Sixth Master decided to be ruthless, Shen Zheng would die without even knowing how.
A middle-aged man knocked on the door and said softly, "Sixth Master, there's a disturbance over at the Yi-Zi room. The truth isn't clear yet. Anyway, Wei Jia got beaten pretty badly and fell into the lake."
The noble young master burst into laughter, overjoyed. "That dog Wei Jia finally got beaten! Good news, brothers! Raise a glass and let's celebrate properly."
The middle-aged man continued, "Sixth Master, the truth is hard to say. But I went over to get a rough idea. The ones who started it seem to be a group of cultivators from some big dynasty in the Central Earth Divine Continent, guarding an arrogant young man. They had a bit to drink and started getting lost. They were speaking some bird language we couldn't understand. Somehow the conversation turned to this celebration, and they said some pretty ugly things, not caring that there were two maidservants from the garden waiting on them. One of them, maybe she couldn't hold it in anymore, not sure if she understood something, but she talked back. That little girl's face is swollen like a steamed bun now. She looks pitiful, can't even stand straight. She's crouching on the ground, too scared to even cry."
Shen Zheng thought this guy spoke very strangely. Listen to his phrasing: "not sure," "rough idea," "somehow," "maybe," "maybe"?
Huang Chong and the others naturally didn't dare to react casually, all carefully watching the Sixth Master's expression.
After hearing the gist, Huang Lian's eyes lit up. "So, that dog Wei Jia was wronged?"
The middle-aged man shook his head. "Wei Jia went over with a fawning smile to apologize, but the other side just wouldn't accept it. That's my guess."
Shen Zheng grew more puzzled. What did Wei Jia do to you? Cuckold you? Why were you setting him up so viciously?
Huang Lian shook the jade Ruyi scepter and muttered to himself, "Overbearing dragons from the Central Earth Divine Continent? Let me guess. Most likely that arrogant Daliu Dynasty. I heard they secretly sent a most beloved prince here this time. He's got some chess skills. Learned from someone. I forgot who."
Lu You and the others had mixed feelings. The Daliu Dynasty of the Central Earth Divine Continent was one of the ten great dynasties of Haoran, ranking high, and its national power was at its peak.
Huang Lian's face instantly turned cold. He cursed, "What the hell. A bunch of out-of-towners, daring to stir up trouble in our Great Li capital? Brothers, don't just stand there. Let's go kick their mothers' asses!"
Huang Lian suddenly asked, "Has Wei Jia reported this to the authorities?"
The middle-aged man said, "No. Young Master Wei's eyes have been on the top of his head since he was a kid. There are hardly any officials he respects. Of course, the Uncle Cao he always talks about is an exception."
Huang Lian asked cautiously, "Vice Minister Cao isn't lurking somewhere in the garden watching, is he?"
The rooms in this garden—Yi, Bing, etc.—were all standalone lakeside villas, but Huang Lian had deliberately asked Liu Shuai to book an ordinary room.
The middle-aged man shook his head. "That Uncle Cao of Wei Jia's seems to be busy at the Ministry of Personnel office."
Huang Lian got a bit anxious. "Don't 'seem to be.' Give me a straight answer."
The middle-aged man said, "Sixth Master, I'm your personal bodyguard, not the doorman at the Ministry of Personnel. Where am I supposed to get you a straight answer?"
Huang Lian pointed the jade Ruyi at him. "Another unreliable dog."
The middle-aged man instantly got anxious too. "Sixth Master, you can call me a stray dog eating shit on the street, and I wouldn't care. But calling me the same kind of dog as Wei Jia—that's too insulting! I usually don't hold grudges..."
Huang Lian sighed. "Fine, fine. I, the young master, sincerely apologize to you. Please, lift your hand and don't hold a grudge, alright?"
The middle-aged man nodded. "That dog Wei Jia got beaten. I'm in a good mood, so I won't hold a grudge."
Shen Zheng was utterly bewildered. Was this how you talked to the Sixth Master?
Just then, the plain-faced man who had been standing silently in the corner shook his head at Huang Lian.
Huang Lian stepped forward a few paces, his back to the others, and looked at him with a slightly pleading expression.
The plain-faced man finally spoke. "I said you can't go."
Huang Lian gritted his teeth and was about to turn around.
The plain-faced man didn't stop him but said calmly, "Some things you can indulge in. Some things you cannot cross the line on even a little bit."
This was the family law.
Huang Lian, who had already reached the door, stopped immediately. His lips trembled, and he clutched the jade Ruyi scepter tightly in his hand, his back to the man.
He didn't know if he didn't want to look at him or didn't dare to.
Not only Shen Zheng, Liu Shuai, even Lu You, Huang Chong, and the others—all stood as if petrified.
The middle-aged man sighed and tried to persuade. "Sixth Master, listen to your brother."
Huang Lian quickly turned around and hurled the jade Ruyi scepter toward the corner.
The man didn't move. The jade Ruyi whizzed past his cheek, smashing violently into the wall. It didn't just break into pieces and fall to the floor; it instantly turned to powder.
Shen Zheng was inwardly shaken. The Sixth Master was definitely a young martial arts grandmaster.
The man asked, "Are you calm now?"
Huang Lian nodded.
The man said, "Good. Now you can go join the fun. But remember, join the fun. Don't become the fun yourself."
Huang Lian was surprised. "Really?"
The man simply said, "Remember to close the door."
On the outer city wall of the Great Li capital, three figures materialized out of thin air.
The garrison commander instantly went on high alert. The iron armor