Chapter 14: Wild Grass
The streets were filled with women and young girls holding colorful fans and wearing sachets. They wore multicolored headdresses and various flower hairpins bought from the Flower God Temple market two days earlier—still serving their purpose. Girls from ordinary families simply broke off a pomegranate branch from their courtyard and tucked it slantwise at their temples—also quite pretty.
Tomorrow, children would tie colorful string gourds and other ornaments around their arms, calling them "Long Life Threads." After the Dragon Boat Festival passed, they would discard them. As the old saying goes, "throwing away disaster." Some curious children would ask why, but the elders couldn't give a proper explanation, only saying it had been passed down through generations. If the children pressed further, all they needed was to fish a fragrant melon from the well or buy a bowl of iced sour plum soup, and they'd settle down.
Leaving the Thousand-Step Corridor, passing the Flower God Temple, weaving through streets and alleys toward the Glazed Tile Factory, Pei Qian and Guo Zhujiu stopped at a shop selling iced bowls. The shopkeeper took various seasonal fresh goods—lotus seeds, water caltrops, chicken head rice, and such—iced them with sugar, then sprinkled a handful of almonds, hazelnuts, and sesame seeds, tossed in a few preserved fruits, all served on a fresh lotus leaf. Hah, the color, aroma, and taste were all perfect—eyes would crave it before mouths could.
Because she had participated in the celebration, Pei Qian wore a face covering. Besides, "Grandmaster Zheng Qian" was quite famous in the Great Li capital. Still, she kept her hair in a bun.
Guo Zhujiu naturally didn't need such trouble. She stared eagerly at the iced bowl. Business was so good that the shop owner had his daughter serve as a temporary assistant. The girl smiled while telling the two customers to wait a moment, muttering complaints about how her father only cared about making money and wouldn't let her go see the lotus flowers south of the city with her friends.
Pei Qian paid the bill. Guo Zhujiu took a small taste, and instantly her eyes sparkled. She closed her eyes with a face full of happiness. "Wow wow wow, this is way too delicious."
Pei Qian nodded and smiled. "It really is good."
On the street, clerks from various government offices, neighborhood residents, and various vendors would greet them. These able-bodied men who weren't exactly "officials" but still ate imperial grain mostly nodded in greeting, some stopping to chat for a bit. Many youths squatting in the shade of walls to avoid the sun, chewing on watermelon, would look up with eyes full of undisguised envy. When a North Command cavalry troop passed slowly, wearing brocade robes over inner armor, the young men would stare fixedly at the regulation waist knives at their sides. After the cavalry passed, they'd whisper among themselves, saying that whichever rider among the passing troop had definitely killed the most people on the battlefield, that he carried the heaviest killing aura. Others would disagree, insisting that the one hanging at the back, looking lazy with slumped shoulders, had killed the most and had the highest skill...
They would also talk about the new National Teacher, about the Great Sui Dynasty's tribute mission. Those with good information said that just last night, the Emperor and the new National Teacher had stood together atop the outer city wall.
When talking about these matters of court and distant affairs, the eyes of these market youth had a certain brilliance—"If National Teacher Chen Ping'an can achieve this today, then surely I can do the same tomorrow."
But when a group of pretty girls walked by together, they'd chew their watermelon and whistle. One of the girls immediately turned her head with an angry glare. The youths froze, then ran off—it was Scholar Xu's daughter from the school! With such heavy makeup, they hadn't recognized her...
Pei Qian hadn't understood before why her Master would say that during their travels, whenever he heard someone talking about or admiring the essays of the Sage Wen Sheng, it made him especially happy.
Later, when she often heard others talking about her Master, she gradually understood.
Since tomorrow was the fifth of May, the sales of realgar wine went without saying. Every household needed to hang mugwort and calamus swords to ward off evil and ghosts—it didn't cost much, and if you were quick on your feet, you might not even have to spend money. For middle-class families, custom dictated visiting nearby temples to buy Five Thunder Heavenly Master talismans at low prices from familiar Daoist masters, or obtaining a portrait of Marshal Wang Lingguan painted in cinnabar ink... So some very business-savvy merchants thought, since we just had the National Teacher celebration, why not paint a proper Sword Immortal Exorcism picture based on the new National Teacher's image? Would they have trouble selling? Would they have trouble pricing? Just do it!
This morning, many shops opening for business began selling stacks of Sword Immortal pictures carrying the strong scent of cinnabar ink. Thankfully, they didn't directly write the National Teacher's identity or name.
This scared the officials of Changning County and Yongtai County half to death. Were they that desperate for money?!
Han Yi, who still held the title "Acting," was so angry he almost jumped. Yichi Lane was so chaotic that Han Yi hadn't slept all night, and Wei Hong wasn't the only one knocking on his door late at night.
Wang Yongjin changed his usual forceful approach. Instead, he personally led officials to visit several leading merchants, advising them not to act so rashly, issuing a few reprimands and letting it go.
Ordering another cheap but delicious iced bowl, Guo Zhujiu asked tentatively, "Senior Sister, I heard the capital has a specialty called soybean milk..."
Pei Qian immediately said, "You eat it if you want, count me out. But I can pay—drink as many bowls as you like, no problem."
On their travels before, the old cook had made it. She remembered Master being the first to try it, taking a sip with a composed expression, saying it was very distinctive. Then he used his eyes to encourage a certain little charcoal briquette. The latter, not understanding, pinched his nose and downed a bowl, keeping his mouth closed and giving a thumbs up. Wei Hailiang, ever suspicious, only then took a sip, nodded slightly, smacked his lips, and said "Mm." Only then did Lu Baixiang and Sui Youbian follow suit with suspicion—the former immediately frowned deeply with a murderous look, while the latter puffed out her cheeks, covering her mouth, not knowing what to do... The old cook at the time looked quite pleased with himself, full of accomplishment.
Guo Zhujiu nodded. "I just refuse to believe there's anything worse than vinegar fish anywhere in the world. Besides, all the capital residents love it—there must be a reason. Probably similar to how fold-ear root works."
Pei Qian narrowed her eyes and smiled. "Nobody's stopping you from drinking soybean milk."
Although Guo Zhujiu's thoughts and speech were wildly imaginative, she had to admit her sense of boundaries was excellent. Earlier, above the clouds, they'd had some sisterly private talk. Pei Qian genuinely didn't feel like going to Aiai Continent to clear her mind. Having a good memory wasn't always beneficial—seeing a landscape a second time just didn't have the same freshness. Guo Zhujiu had vouched that she had a way—if she didn't want to go to Aiai Continent or return to Tongye Continent, and just wanted to stay by her Master's side, that wasn't hard at all. The two fellow disciples could keep each other company. That's how this outing came about. But the nonsense Guo Zhujiu had made up on a whim was far beyond Pei Qian's expectations. After all, she was a woman—how could she not be angry?
Guo Zhujiu pressed on. "Since you don't like Liu Youzhou, what about Cao Qinglang? From the evidence and clues I've gathered so far, it seems nobody in Fallen Mountain dislikes him."
Pei Qian shook her head. "I only feel guilty toward him."
Guo Zhujiu's eyes lit up. "Then what about Li Huai?"
These two were probably the "prospective sons-in-law" their Master could most accept, relatively speaking. Either way, they knew their background. Their "father-in-law" had truly watched them grow up.
Pei Qian said helplessly, "With him, it's like a neighbor I grew up running wild with. When we meet now as adults, we look at each other, both awkward enough to dig holes in the ground."
Guo Zhujiu asked tentatively, "The Great Emblem Sword Sect's Bai Shou?"
Pei Qian's face darkened, and she didn't even want to speak.
Guo Zhujiu rubbed her chin. "No way then. Master's right—what's the hurry?"
Pei Qian rubbed Guo Zhujiu's head. "With so many romantic thoughts packed in that little head, why don't you find someone for yourself?"
Guo Zhujiu grinned. "I'll find one eventually. What's the rush? Haha, Big White Goose is right—thinking about whichever of us gets married someday, and how Master would get red-eyed, he thinks..."
Pei Qian narrowed her eyes. "Oh? What does he think?"
Guo Zhujiu said, "Forgot. My memory's terrible."
Guo Zhujiu deliberately passed by a large martial arts school. From inside came shouts and yells. Pei Qian heard a familiar loud voice, and just as Guo Zhujiu was about to say "Trouble's here," Pei Qian grabbed her and pulled her away, treating her to a bowl of iced sour plum soup.
Guo Zhujiu clasped her hands behind her head, swaying as she walked, and said seriously, "Senior Brother Cui told me three viewpoints. I didn't agree with them at first, but after thinking it over, I couldn't find a reason to argue, so I had to accept them."
Pei Qian said, "Let's hear them."
Guo Zhujiu said, "First, don't always think about helping our Master in the near future. Not helping is the biggest help we can give. As for how long 'near future' means—temporarily undecided."
"Second, Fallen Mountain isn't like other places. Those who truly understand this world and love you all know what any grand words or grand deeds actually mean."
"Third, Senior Brother Cui said his Master is already working hard enough. We students and disciples shouldn't add to his burdens. In the near future, focus on practicing boxing and cultivating. That's better than anything else."
Pei Qian asked doubtfully, "Why did he only tell you this?"
Guo Zhujiu laughed. "What a question—doesn't sound like Senior Sister Pei at all. Obviously I'm easier to reason with. Otherwise, with your temper, who would dare come close looking for trouble?"
Pei Qian smiled. "That's probably right."
Pei Qian said, "I'm just staying at the National Teacher's Residence for fun, but you need to take over from Rong Yu. Maybe even skip past Rong Yu entirely."
Guo Zhujiu frowned. "Ah? What? Interpersonal relations aren't my strong suit."
Pei Qian glared. "Really stupid or pretending to be?"
Guo Zhujiu chuckled. "But I've already made up my mind to focus entirely on assisting the Law Keeper Chang Ming. Xie Gou, Kong Hou, and I are forming a small faction—isn't that to recruit troops and build a solid foundation early on? Then I can smoothly become the second Law Keeper Patriarch in Fallen Mountain's history. Impartial and strict, discriminating between loyal and treacherous—Law Keeper Guo who shows no favoritism. If anyone falls into my hands, don't blame me for using all the real skills I learned from Sister Nian Xin. No amount of pleading will help, no help at all!"
Pei Qian rubbed her forehead.
Guo Zhujiu said softly, "Hypothetically, just hypothetically. Don't deliberately dislike Liu Youzhou just because his family is too rich."
"Don't let guilt scare away admiration."
"Don't become strangers just because you were too familiar as children."
"Right, Senior Sister Pei?"
Guo Zhujiu wasn't old, but she had seen many partings. And in her hometown, all partings were only about "life and death."
So she knew better what it meant to drink in silence—as if there were too many people, and not enough time to say all that needed saying.
Pei Qian smiled. "Is that also Big White Goose's reasoning?"
Guo Zhujiu shook her head. "I said it myself. Just 'reason-less reasoning.'"
Pei Qian asked curiously, "Why does Xie Gou like hanging around with you?"
On this question, Pei Qian wasn't the only one baffled back at Fallen Mountain.
Guo Zhujiu said, "I agreed to let her teach me some Daoist methods."
Pei Qian asked, "What?"
Guo Zhujiu had to repeat herself.
Pei Qian frowned deeply. What kind of logic was that?
Guo Zhujiu thought for a moment, then said, "Probably because Senior Bai Jing is very lonely. Besides liking Young Master Xiao Mo, about all she can do is find a woman as proud as herself. So I pretend to be that young girl she mistakenly thinks is a kindred spirit."
Pei Qian said, "That's hard to fake with Xie Gou, isn't it?"
Guo Zhujiu thought seriously for a moment, then nodded to herself. "Maybe I really am a proud pretty woman."
---
Under a parasol tree, enjoying the cool shade, stealing a moment of leisure to escape the summer heat.
Song He said softly, "National Teacher, then it's settled. The three-way alliance meeting will be held in the Lu family's capital?"
Chen Ping'an nodded and smiled. "Crown Prince Cao Mao is indeed clever."
Song He sighed. If his own eldest prince, Song Geng, had this kind of insight and boldness, why would the Great Li crown prince position still be vacant?
The second-ranked Great Duan Dynasty of the Central Earth, the third-ranked Great Li Song Clan of Vial Bottle Continent, and the tenth-ranked Great Yuan Lu Clan of Northern Juju Continent—all three within the top ten of the Righteous Qi World—were about to form an alliance.
Where to hold the alliance, which nation's capital, became a not-insignificant issue.
Crown Prince Lu Jun naturally favored the Great Li Song Clan, where his Master served as National Teacher. His own Lu Clan was at the bottom—what was there to compete for?
After receiving his father's handwritten reply, Cao Mao sent another flying sword message, suggesting the Great Yuan Dynasty's capital's Chongxuan Office. To be precise, it should be in Northern Juju Continent.
The Great Duan Emperor found it acceptable. Rather than squabbling with the Great Li Song Clan over such matters, it was better for both sides to concede a step and give the greatest face to the Lu Clan and Northern Juju Continent.
Thus, the Great Yuan Lu Clan would also feel gratified. Since Northern Juju Continent valued chivalry and cared about face, the Great Li Song Clan would give them that face—it was what Northern Juju Continent deserved anyway.
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Your Majesty really should take a cross-continent journey."
Song He joked, "I hear the folk customs there are fierce, and the most unreliable structures are the Patriarch Halls. I'm afraid I'll make a fool of myself going there."
Chen Ping'an's eyes sparkled. "Trust me, the Great Li Song Emperor can strut around Northern Juju Continent however he pleases—it'll be more effective than any Sword Immortal title or Ascension realm."
In all of the Righteous Qi World, only the Emperor of the Great Li Dynasty of Vial Bottle Continent would receive such treatment.
Because the Great Li Dynasty had never disappointed Northern Juju Continent, had never made the generous deaths of so many sword cultivators meaningless.
Song He was actually somewhat looking forward to this distant journey. He nodded. "Then let's go see Northern Juju Continent."
Chen Ping'an reminded, "Your Majesty, the Spring Mountain Academy and the Deer Forest Academy should expand recruitment of southern scholars as much as possible and lower the admission threshold. They shouldn't follow the example of Lakeview Academy."
Song He agreed deeply. "The scholars who return home after studying at these two academies, plus the southern-registered border troops returning from the Savage Wasteland battlefield to Vial Bottle Continent—they will determine the Great Li's true popular support in Vial Bottle Continent. Rest assured, National Teacher, I'll have the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue produce a practical plan soon. Not just for studying scholars—we must heavily recruit many truly learned teachers from the south to enter both academies. If possible, we should also contact the three Confucian academies of Tongye Continent and the Pure Confucian Chen Clan of Southern Bodhi Continent, inviting great scholars to give lectures at the academies. This expense simply cannot be spared."
Chen Ping'an said, "I might personally oversee the teaching at both academies at some point, so I'm asking Your Majesty in advance for the position of Vice Mountain Master of Spring Mountain Academy."
Song He asked, "Only Vice Mountain Master of Spring Mountain Academy? Not Mountain Master? And if only Vice Mountain Master, shouldn't it be concurrent Vice Mountain Master of both academies?"
Chen Ping'an smiled slightly. "I'm just a mountain-foot cultivator who can't be in multiple places at once. Why doesn't Your Majesty become a Vice Mountain Master instead?"
Song He clicked his tongue and complained, "National Teacher, what kind of proposal is that? What could I teach? How to be emperor? With the lecture subtitle 'Ten Lectures on Rebellion'?"
Chen Ping'an laughed heartily.
The court had not accepted the resignation of Ministry of Rites Vice Minister Dong Hu. On the contrary, Chen Ping'an had invited this old Vice Minister to accompany him on a Greatli military vessel to Changchun Palace.
Dong Hu stood at the bow with the National Teacher, overlooking "our country's and our home's magnificent rivers and mountains." Truly a beautiful sight. Vice Minister Dong knew full well that such opportunities were growing scarce—after all, he was getting on in years. Besides, the Great Li's secondary capital, Luojing, wasn't a place for third- or fourth-rank capital officials to go for "additional titles and salaries" while retiring. By deliberately taking him along on this trip, the National Teacher was effectively granting him a special honor. When the Emperor later considered Vice Minister Dong Hu's "posthumous title," it would likely be elevated one grade.
Dong Hu hesitated several times, wanting to say something, but the young National Teacher just smiled and patted the old Vice Minister's arm, indicating there was no need for formality.
He remembered back when he'd gone to the Lizhu Cave Heaven town to be responsible for "rubbing steles." Later, he had visited the blacksmith shop of the military sage Ruan Qiong by Dragon Beard River. He'd been deeply impressed by the poor youth working odd jobs there—proper, with good sense. After learning about the local youth's general circumstances, Dong Hu had found it strange. He'd really never read a single book? In officialdom, wasn't the most important thing precisely "measure"? How many people in government spent their whole lives never grasping the edge of those two words.
But what had shocked Dong Hu most at the time was the poor youth's close relationship with Ruan Qiong's daughter. Back then, Dong Hu had found it amusing—was he about to rise through the ranks and make his fortune this way? Especially after learning that Ruan Qiong had personally guaranteed the youth's purchase of two shops and several mountains with those bags of essence gold copper coins, Dong Hu had thought perhaps Ruan Qiong didn't see the youth as a good match, so he used this relatively subtle way to dismiss him, telling the youth to stop entertaining vain hopes?
Heh, how many "who would have thought" moments in life.
Dong Hu put away these thoughts and smiled. "National Teacher, should we really not inform Changchun Palace in advance? Not to make any grand official gestures, but at least let them prepare some fruits, desserts, and immortal wine and tea."
It was only reasonable for the new National Teacher to visit Changchun Palace first. After all, Changchun Palace was the Great Li Song Clan's true dragon-supporting minister, having helped the Great Li Song Clan through its most difficult founding years.
Thinking back to those days, the military vessels of the suzerain Lu Dynasty would often parade arrogantly through various vassal states, deliberately docking at various ports—not for the same purpose as the current Great Li sword boats intimidating southern nations. Those vessels were purely after money, even conducting transactions for buying and selling official positions on board. Sleeping with a few young and beautiful noble women was hardly considered excessive. The Great Li Song Clan hadn't suffered many such humiliations, for a simple reason—they were simply too poor, with too little to plunder.
Chen Ping'an said, "No need to announce. I don't have any serious business to discuss—just representing the court to catch up with Changchun Palace and put their minds at ease. Better to keep it simple, so they don't go to a lot of trouble, only for Vice Minister Dong and me to have a cup of tea and leave."
Dong Hu smiled. "Changchun Palace has lovely scenery. National Teacher could take a few more steps—it might not take us more than fifteen minutes, but it would give the Changchun Palace registered cultivators something to talk about for years, even decades."
Chen Ping'an nodded. "Alright."
Actually, last time Lin Shouyi was in closed-door cultivation breaking through at Changchun Palace, Chen Ping'an had already visited that scenic landscape secret realm with Wei Bo—just without revealing himself.
After a moment of silence, Chen Ping'an smiled. "I'll shamelessly ask them for a few jars of Changchun Brew for Vice Minister Dong."
Dong Hu asked quietly, "National Teacher, do we need to split the wine?"
Chen Ping'an asked with mock confusion, "Vice Minister Dong came from the Ministry of Revenue?"
Dong Hu laughed, then sighed regretfully. "A pity about Mu Yan."
Chen Ping'an said, "Mu Yan and Wei Lei and their ilk—none of them are worth regretting."
Just then, a talisman boat rushed through the air. As it tried to approach the Greatli military fleet, a dozen or so beams of sword light and talisman light shone upon the talisman boat.
Several crossbows of Mo family secret make had also been quietly aimed at the talisman boat, specially designed to target earth immortal demon clans that revealed their true forms on the battlefield. Each arrow, inscribed with complex cloud script, was as thick as a strong man's arm. The saying "fast as a flying sword" was no exaggeration. Apart from the extremely high cost due to the many rare materials consumed, they had no flaws.
Clearly aware of the Greatli military vessel's power, the other party hurriedly stopped their talisman boat. A handsome, sword-carrying youth stood at the bow, cupped his hands, and asked loudly, "Is National Teacher Chen on board?!"
Further away, several female cultivators rode entirely white cranes, using immortal arts to conceal themselves within clouds, looking toward this commotion with great anticipation.
The fleet paid them no attention.
The talisman boat had no choice but to continue following, keeping a careful distance.
Dong Hu shaded his eyes with his hand, squinting. What was this?
The youth on the talisman boat refused to give up and began announcing himself. "Junior Yan You, from Golden Reed Manor by Purple Smoke River. I've achieved some success in martial arts and wish to seek guidance from National Teacher Chen. I humbly request the National Teacher to spare some time and kindly instruct me."
Dong Hu found it amusing. "Young man has quite the bold tone. Is he courting fame rather than death?"
Golden Reed Manor by Purple Smoke River was a medium-sized Daoist temple that ranked near the bottom among second-rate mountain powers in Bottle Gourd Continent. However, they were extremely skilled at building connections—their patriarchs loved forming factions when traveling or sending disciples out for training. Previously, with one Nascent Soul and three Golden Cores from neighboring allied temples, they had indeed been a formidable top-tier force that not even Changchun Palace, highly trusted and relied upon by the Great Li Song Clan, dared to overlook. If old Vice Minister remembered correctly, Golden Reed Manor's Patriarch Guan had suffered greatly at the hands of Saint Ruan and had yet to emerge from seclusion. Had they learned nothing from that experience?
The Great Li Ministry of Rites was on par with the Ministry of War and ranked above the other four departments, largely because the Ministry of Rites also managed the country's mountain immortal estates. Additionally, the conferment of landscape spirits was also the Ministry of Rites' responsibility, so Dong Hu carried considerable prestige in Bottle Gourd Continent. Dong Hu was just a bit puzzled—a martial artist named Yan You? Why had he never heard of such a figure from Purple Smoke River?
Chen Ping'an smiled and explained, "He's a martial artist who just broke through to the Golden Body realm."
Dong Hu laughed dryly. "Golden Body realm? Beating a few Dong Hus wouldn't be a problem, but sparring with the National Teacher?"
The old Vice Minister could understand seeking fame and fortune through shortcuts, but did he have to risk half his life?
Still, it was unexpected for Purple Smoke River to produce such a young Golden Body realm martial artist.
Dong Hu narrowed his eyes, raised his arm, and called over a colonel from the ship's side. This military cultivator from the Snow Wind Temple, who had risen from being a Great Li accompanying-army cultivator to colonel, walked over to the old Vice Minister.
Dong Hu said, "Zhou Gong, investigate how they managed to intercept our ship so precisely. If Yan You won't explain clearly, ask Patriarch Guan. If still unclear, conduct a thorough investigation of the Patriarch Halls of the female cultivators' sects. Then copy the detailed confession in triplicate and send them to the Ministry of Rites' Landscape Department, the Ministry of Punishments' Investigation Department, and the Clothes Cloud Mountain Patrol Department."
Zhou Gong cupped his hands. "This officer obeys the order."
Just as Colonel Zhou Gong and the ship were about to take action, Dong Hu laughed. "National Teacher, allow me to introduce this Colonel Zhou Gong, renowned in our Great Li border army. He's a military cultivator from the Great Salamander Ditch of Snow Wind Temple, at the Golden Core bottleneck. He's experienced countless battles, big and small, from north to south and back again, with outstanding achievements. But he enjoys tinkering with mechanical devices, so he's remained on this ship. His lifelong dream is to command a sword boat. Old Minister Shen of the Ministry of War hasn't approved it yet, saying they need to observe further. Snow Wind Temple has always wanted him back to serve as second-in-command of the Patriarch Hall's law-keeping lineage, but Zhou Gong refuses. Based on his military merits, even if not made a deputy general of a province, becoming Minister of War in some vassal state would not be excessive."
Zhou Gong said bluntly, "National Teacher, this officer must explain—I am not familiar with Vice Minister Dong. Before boarding this ship, we had never met or spoken."
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Zhou Gong, go see Right Vice Minister Wu Wangcheng of the Ministry of War later. Tell him that sword boats are top-secret matters for Great Li, and understandably you cannot renounce your Snow Wind Temple registry. However, Vice Minister of Rites Dong Hu is willing to be your guarantor. Let them discuss this matter internally. When they have a result, have the Ministry of War notify the National Teacher's Residence and file a record."
Dong Hu stroked his beard and smiled. "This guarantor, whom the National Teacher has personally pressed into service, the Ministry of Rites Dong Hu will gladly be. Colonel Zhou, future 'Ship Master Zhou' of some Great Li sword boat—I, Dong, have built up my official reputation over a lifetime. My retirement pension for nurturing grandchildren will depend on whether Zhou Gong is greedy or honest, mediocre or ambitious."
Zhou Gong's face lit up. He cupped his hands and said, "I will ensure that Vice Minister Dong can boast to his friends in the future about what a great recommending service he performed and how keen an eye for talent he had."
Dong Hu raised his chin slightly, hinting to this slow-witted Zhou Gong—why do you think this military vessel was chosen as the fleet's flagship? Do you think the National Teacher's Residence and the Ministry of War just drew lots randomly?
Zhou Gong understood the hint but just grinned. He was a rough man, utterly incapable of saying things that sounded like flattery.
Chen Ping'an nodded. "If Yan You truly is usable talent, let him train under you for a while afterward."
Zhou Gong asked, "National Teacher, if Yan You is confirmed usable, but Purple Smoke River is corrupt and in chaos?"
Chen Ping'an said, "Judge them separately first. Later there will be opportunities to judge them together. It probably won't require the Ministry of Rites like Vice Minister Dong to meddle in others' family affairs. Just seven or eight years, maybe ten-plus years—during which time, leaderless Purple Smoke River should be able to turn clear on its own. Zhou Gong, during this period, you can act according to circumstances. The Ministry of War and Ministry of Rites will permit you to act as you see fit. Dismantle the three allied immortal estates including Purple Smoke River: replace the old with the young, purity with shrewdness, real authority with empty reputation. At the same time, you can accomplish both public and private goals—see if there's an opportunity to help Great Salamander Ditch at Snow Wind Temple find a few suitable cultivation seedlings, instead of struggling to even write a secret letter home like now."
Zhou Gong cupped his hands sincerely. "The National Teacher is brilliant."
Chen Ping'an said, "Strategies are all ungrounded ideas—brilliance is proven in practice."
Zhou Gong nodded. "That statement from the National Teacher is even more brilliant."
Chen Ping'an smiled slightly. "Go receive your punch."
---
Fallen Mountain, Gathering Spirit Peak of the Ancestral Mountain.
Under the leadership of Law Keeper Chang Ming, sixteen boys and girls from various parts of Bottle Gourd Continent climbed to the summit. They were told that the shrine, which no longer held a golden body statue, had once been a consecrated mountain god temple conferred by the court. At the white jade square, they leaned against the railing, looking into the distance. Before climbing the mountain, their "mountain registration" had been as unnamed disciples of Leaping Fish Mountain, with not even a single copper coin's connection to Fallen Mountain. But after today, they would become unnamed disciples of Fallen Mountain. Both were unnamed, yet the difference was vast.
Allowing them to wander freely around the square and enjoy the scenery for fifteen minutes, Law Keeper Chang Ming clapped her hands, signaling everyone to gather. She smiled and said, "In a while, your respective guides and boxing instructors—Vice Chief Gan of Huaying Peak, and Masters Cen and Zheng—will simultaneously give the Jise Peak Patriarch Hall a list. It will determine which of you can become formal outer disciples of Fallen Mountain. The Mountain Lord has said he has no specific quota requirements. If you're good, you're good. Even all sixteen together can be added to the registry—no problem. If you're not good, you're not good. Even all sixteen being rejected is no problem."
The girl Wu Chen asked softly, "Law Keeper Patriarch, may I ask how long 'in a while' is?"
Law Keeper Chang Ming smiled warmly. "You may certainly ask. I just won't answer."
Wu Chen said "Oh" and didn't find it problematic. The Law Keeper Patriarch said what she said.
Her good friend Chai Wu had privately reminded her that at Fallen Mountain, you could speak without thinking with anyone—but when you see the Law Keeper Patriarch, be extra careful. Don't be too casual.
Yuan Huang and his good friend Wu Jiang were also enjoying the view at the mountaintop. Zheng Dafeng called them over to ask about their recent situation.
Yuan Huang said in a secret voice transmission, smiling, "Master Zheng, Master has already taught me a breathing technique, an annotated version of the Mountain Shaking Fist Manual, and a copy of 'The True Sword Art.'"
Zheng Dafeng nodded. "It seems the Mountain Lord treats you well. He thinks highly of you, his new disciple. The grade of this breathing technique isn't high, but its origin is remarkable. In the mountains, this counts as food supplement rather than medicine supplement—don't take it lightly. And especially that 'True Sword Art'—boy, you must carefully grasp its true meaning. Just by the name, you can tell how formidable this martial arts secret manual is. I suspect even your Master wouldn't dare claim to have fully understood its divine essence."
Yuan Huang's expression remained normal as he smiled and nodded in agreement.
Wu Jiang, however, looked amused. Wasn't this 'True Sword Art' exactly what you, Zheng Dafeng, had compiled yourself? Were you bragging about your own wares right in front of them?
Yuan Huang was loyal. He had asked Sword Immortal Chen whether he could pass on the Mountain Shaking Fist and the True Sword Art to others. Sword Immortal Chen was generous—he said there was absolutely no problem.
Zheng Dafeng reached out and patted both their heads like dog heads, laughing. "Train hard, both of you. When you go down the mountain to travel in the future, if you spot any suitable young women, remember to keep an eye out for Brother Zheng."
Law Keeper Chang Ming had Gan Tang and Cen Yuanji take them to visit the Jise Peak Patriarch Hall square.
She herself came over to Zheng Dafeng. Zheng Dafeng wasn't accustomed to interacting with this Senior Ling Chun either—he always felt a bit creeped out. He quickly made his escape to join Cen Yuanji and the others.
Law Keeper Chang Ming looked at these two young wanderers from the Lotus Root Blessed Land. Both were from the barbarian lands south of the Songlai Kingdom. Yuan Huang had family training, was skilled with an iron spear—typical battlefield life-or-death combat techniques. But when young, his family had suffered a catastrophe, nearly all wiped out. Only young Yuan Huang, along with an old servant, had escaped. During their flight, he had taught himself a breathing technique and never stopped practicing his spear arts. So whether in cultivation or martial arts, his foundation was excellent. The blade-wielding Wu Jiang preferred wandering the martial world and had little interest in apprenticing to learn skills. He had no desire whatsoever to learn immortal arts. But Yuan Huang was determined to stay at Fallen Mountain and had set his sights on the Mountain Lord as his master. Now that he could become a disciple, his wish had been fulfilled.
Chang Ming had high hopes for Yuan Huang—not for his aptitude, but for his character.
According to archival records, the youth had once sneaked alone into an enemy official's mansion on a snowy night, using his ancestral iron spear to pierce through the enemy's head, knocking them to the ground. He stomped the head off with his foot, found a long rope to tie it by the hair, and fought his way out of the siege—one hand holding the rope, the other dragging his spear. He disappeared into the heavy, snow-filled darkness of night. Just like the chapters in martial arts novels—a fine tale of settling grievances and taking heads.
Law Keeper Chang Ming smiled and asked, "Yuan Huang, are you interested in joining our law-keeping lineage?"
Her personal disciple, Nalan Yudie, would certainly not be suited to become a law-keeping lineage cultivator in the future. Being a small accountant would suit her well.
Yuan Huang shook his head. "Law Keeper Patriarch, it's not a matter of whether I'm interested. It's that I'm naturally unsuited—because I'm not ruthless enough."
Law Keeper Chang Ming smiled. "Looking at your history—enduring humiliation for years, the snow night revenge—wasn't that decisive and ruthless?"
Yuan Huang shook his head again. "That was toward enemies. At Fallen Mountain, everyone is acquaintance and family. I tend to be soft-hearted."
Chang Ming was silent for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "I wasn't entirely certain before, but now I think you're actually very suitable."
Yuan Huang was speechless.
Wu Jiang asked tentatively, "Law Keeper Patriarch, if I were to join Fallen Mountain's registry, do you think I'd be suitable for the law-keeping lineage?"
Chang Ming smiled slightly. "You'd be more suited to hanging out with Zheng Dafeng and Zhong Qian. You could still make something of yourself and achieve martial arts accomplishments."
Wu Jiang said helplessly, "Why be so euphemistic? Just say I'm not clever enough."
Chang Ming, hands tucked in her sleeves, said, "Whether Daoist or martial artist, one's current character is both Heaven-determined and self-made—five parts Heaven, five parts self. Yuan Huang, Wu Jiang, don't ever sell yourselves short."
Yuan Huang seemed thoughtful. Wu Jiang took it merely as kind words and smiled brightly, about to cup his hands in thanks and trot out some secondhand gossip, like whether the rumors about Chief Zhou and the Law Keeper Patriarch were true... Yuan Huang knew exactly what kind of temper Wu Jiang had. He immediately grabbed him by the neck, took leave of Law Keeper Chang Ming, and forcibly dragged Wu Jiang away, giving him no chance to spout nonsense.
---
Palace Willow Island of the Letter Writing Lake, True Realm Sect.
Jiang Shangzhen looked at the sect's secret treasury, with barely a few treasures left. "Good heavens, they sure ran fast and played dirty. Family thieves are truly the hardest to guard against."
Cui Dongshan said with schadenfreude, "Vice Mountain Lord Zhou, what do we do now?"
Jiang Shangzhen rolled up his sleeves, swept the remaining treasures into his bag, and said with great righteousness, "What do we do? What else can we do? Sect Leader Liu Laocheng has defected from True Realm Sect—the reason temporarily unknown—and has already swept all the treasures clean. I can only be deeply grieved and report truthfully to the superior sect."
Cui Dongshan smiled. "Old Liu knew what he was doing—he left behind a few quality magic treasures for you to steal. Even if you didn't follow suit as a family thief, falsifying the accounts would have been easy."
Jiang Shangzhen nodded. "It's a pity Liu Laocheng couldn't be made use of. Liu Tui is fortunate—Heavenly Song Village gaining such an ally is like a tiger gaining wings."
Cui Dongshan said, "Have you figured out how to have heart-to-heart talks with those old oily characters from Tongye Continent?"
Those old gods and martial arts masters from Tongye Continent who had tried to sneak off to the Rainbow World were flung back by the Confucian sage guarding the sky curtain, and Chen Ping'an helped send them back to Tongye Continent.
All twelve were heroes of great virtue and high prestige—each had cultivation base, each had fame: three Nascent Soul cultivators, seven Golden Body martial artists, and two Far Wandering cultivators.
Jiang Shangzhen grinned. "When they get to Letter Writing Lake, I'll have a proper heart-to-heart with them in the Letter Writing Lake style."
---
This Great Li border army fleet split into two groups. Chen Ping'an and Dong Hu arrived at Changchun Palace's immortal ferry. The female cultivator managing the dock immediately appeared and was greatly startled by the spectacle. At Changchun Palace, they were both delighted and terrified, and even more embarrassed. Not knowing how to explain the current situation at Changchun Palace, the leader, a Dragon Gate realm cultivator, gritted her teeth and immediately informed a direct disciple through her mind, ordering her to use secret methods at the Patriarch Hall to notify the gatekeeper uncle at that blessed land, saying the National Teacher had arrived, begging the Patriarch to come out to receive him.
Changchun Palace had a deep connection with Chen Ping'an. Not to mention Wei Bo's relationship with that boatwoman, Great Sword Immortal Mi had once escorted a group of young female cultivators on an outing to ask Snow Wind Temple for ten-thousand-year-old pines. Lianlong, who held high seniority at Changchun Palace, had been one of the earliest out-of-town cultivators to enter Niu Jiao Ferry's bag shop. Not only had Chen Ping'an met Gan Yi, the manager of Changchun Palace's Sweet Spring Ferry, but Senior Brother Cui Chan had attended the peak-opening ceremonies for Changchun Palace's Golden Core female cultivators twice.
At this scenic ferry, after disembarking from the military vessel, Dong Hu learned that not only was the Sweet Spring ferry away, but the Nascent Soul elder Song Yu, who had been at that realm for many years, and her niece-generation's current palace master, were both in closed-door cultivation. To be precise, all of Changchun Palace's earthly immortal cultivators were occupied at the moment. Dong Hu found it hilarious. "National Teacher, this is good too—now we can't manage any red tape even if we wanted to."
Chen Ping'an smiled. "I was hoping the Sweet Spring ferry could take us back to the capital ferry."
Dong Hu, an old hand who had weathered decades in officialdom, knew the National Teacher wasn't one for empty formalities. He immediately told the female cultivator managing the dock, "There's no need for you to go to great trouble receiving us. We came uninvited without giving prior notice. Patriarch Linyou and the Palace Master should focus on their seclusion—don't disturb them. The National Teacher and I will have a cup of tea and leave."
The female cultivator insisted on notifying Patriarch Linyou and the Palace Master. How could it be proper for the National Teacher and Vice Minister Dong to arrive at their doorstep without a single earthly immortal to receive them?
Chen Ping'an shook his head. "One family doesn't speak two kinds of words. Changchun Palace and Great Li have been like close family for generations. An earthly immortal's seclusion is a top priority—not to be treated lightly."
The female cultivator still persisted. Dong Hu frowned slightly. "Mao Yi, the National Teacher said the earthly immortal's seclusion is important. What, are you deliberately trying to make our Ministry of Rites owe you a courtesy?"
You. Our Ministry.
Vice Minister Dong's implication: don't drag in Changchun Palace or the National Teacher's relationship—this is just you, Mao Yi, having a conversation with me, Dong Hu, of the Ministry of Rites.
The female cultivator's Dao heart shuddered. She immediately changed her tune and silently told her direct disciple not to notify the gatekeeper at that blessed land.
This ancient blessed land, never publicly disclosed, had been discovered by Changchun Palace through a stroke of luck. The matter was of grave importance. They had only reported it to the Great Li National Teacher's Residence back then. Whether the Ministry of Rites was aware, Changchun Palace wasn't sure. But since Cui Chan hadn't said anything, they assumed the Emperor and the Great Li court had approved it. In truth, Changchun Palace cultivators were naturally quite confident in dealing with any Great Li officials. Three generations of Great Li Song emperors had regarded Changchun Palace as a "must-visit occasional outing" destination, and Empress Dowager Nan Zan had even lived in seclusion there for many years.
Dong Hu noticed the expressions of several female cultivators beside Mao Yi. With his veteran eyesight, the old Vice Minister sighed inwardly. Now he understood why the National Teacher had emphasized having tea and leaving from the start.
If they gave them any more face, might one of them not ask directly, "When will our Changchun Palace finally become a sect-level immortal estate?"
Confidence and arrogance, nobility and indulgence—neighbors separated by a single line.
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Mao Yi, since your sect's earthly immortals are all in seclusion, Vice Minister Dong and I won't enter the mountain gate. We'll find somewhere to have tea anywhere. Afterwards, I'll ask you on behalf of Vice Minister Dong for ten jars of Changchun Brew. As for myself, I'll also take a jug of Lingqiu Spring water to brew tea. Changchun Brew has long been famous—its flavor should be well-established either way. But the Lingqiu Spring water for boiling tea will require a bit more effort from your sect—carefully select the water collection spot."
Mao Yi hurriedly performed a curtsy and smiled. "I dare not disappoint the National Teacher."
Chen Ping'an smiled slightly. "That would be good."
Dong Hu twitched the corner of his mouth. Generally speaking, Daoist temples and officialdom simply don't communicate.
After having a cup of tea at the dock, the ship carrying ten jars of Changchun Brew and a jug of clear spring water set off back with the several Great Li military vessels.
On board, Dong Hu sighed. "Thank goodness the National Teacher has come out of retirement."
Those words earlier—Mao Yi was destined not to understand them or savor their aftertaste. Besides, the National Teacher had been speaking for Song Yu and the others to hear.
Changchun Brew represented the long-lasting friendly relations between Changchun Palace and the Great Li Song Clan. The Lingqiu Spring water, however, was Changchun Palace's very foundation—their family and sect traditions.
And it was fortunate that the National Teacher still wanted Changchun Palace and the Great Li Song Clan to coexist for the long term, with the incense never dying. Otherwise, he wouldn't have said those words at the dock.
Chen Ping'an smiled. "If one understands the ordinary principle that 'the human heart has always been thus,' one won't suffer the disappointment of 'the human heart actually being thus.' Take it slow."
Dong Hu cupped his hands. "The National Teacher has worked hard."
Chen Ping'an couldn't help but laugh. "Riding a boat back and forth—that's considered hard? If I told Vice Minister Dong a bit more inside information, would you be muttering 'hard work' the whole way?"
Peace in the world doesn't just fall from the sky—at most, Zhou Mi might fall.
If you want a world where society moves upward, you can't rely solely on "I believe" or "I hope."
If one can't even manage the Great Li Dynasty well, how can one talk about Bottle Gourd Continent, or about the Savage Wasteland battlefield?
Dong Hu sighed. "National Teacher, there's no need to say you've worked hard yourself. In this regard alone, you're not as good as National Teacher Cui."
Chen Ping'an pointed at the old Vice Minister and teased, "Vice Minister Dong has become a spirit from being an official."
Soon, a group of Changchun Palace earthly immortals temporarily emerged from seclusion, leaving that ancient blessed land. They came out in full force, led by Supreme Patriarch Song Yu, requesting to board the ship to pay respects to the National Teacher.
Dong Hu's expression was peculiar.
Chen Ping'an told the ship's colonel, "Send a message to Song Yu—there's no need for us to meet. Everyone is busy. Just say the National Teacher's Residence is wishing Changchun Palace an additional Jade Perfection realm cultivator to guard their temple in advance. As for the 'sect' designation they've been longing for, the Great Li court will certainly secure it for Changchun Palace. They just need to be patient, await the news, and prepare for a double blessing."
Song Yu and the other earthly immortal female cultivators of Changchun Palace looked at each other in astonishment upon hearing the National Teacher's words, their Dao hearts shaken. Song Yu in particular looked bitterly distressed, her Dao heart unstable.
Song Yu was not like Mao Yi at the dock, who didn't understand the gravity of the situation. She knew very well the differences between the Great Li's late emperor and the Embroidery Tiger Cui Chan, the current emperor and National Teacher Chen, and the current state of the world.
A newly advanced Golden Core earthly immortal couldn't help but complain through her mind, full of grievance, "Even if Changchun Palace was discourteous and did wrong, how could the National Teacher go this far..."
Song Yu said sternly, "Shut up! Your lineage will immediately seal the mountain and be confined for thirty years!"
Song Yu was an old Nascent Soul with a very long Dao age. Though she maintained her youthful appearance, she was of average looks—unremarkable. The current palace master, Lu Fanlu, was Song Yu's niece in terms of generation, but not from the Linyou lineage. While Aunt Master Song Yu was plain-looking, Lu Fanlu was extremely beautiful and had just become a young Nascent Soul cultivator. Descended from Changchun Palace's founding patriarch's first disciple lineage, Lu Fanlu was also terrified but somewhat resentful. "This smacks a bit of burning bridges. Why speak in such official tones? It would have been better if they'd been as straightforward as Cui Chan back in the day—if there's any dissatisfaction, just say it directly."
Song Yu sneered coldly. "Lu Fanlu, all of you except you, go back immediately. Summon Gan Yi and Lianlong back to Changchun Palace. Convene a Patriarch Hall meeting today. Discuss replacing the palace master immediately!"
Lu Fanlu was stunned, her face turning pale. "Aunt Master Linyou, must you be so decisive?"
Song Yu was furious inside. You fool! Do you know how many people who have a say in the small imperial court may be watching our every word and action right now?!
As Song Yu expected, at that moment a divine lord appeared by the Great Li ship. Wei Bo said calmly, "Lu Fanlu, you really don't know when you've been given face."
That ancient blessed land of no low rank—if Cui Chan hadn't deliberately arranged it, could you really have found it with your fortune? If I, Wei Bo, hadn't received the Embroidery Tiger's instructions to secretly help push things along, could Changchun Palace have obtained it so easily? Not to mention the Bottle Gourd Continent battle—most of your Changchun Palace female cultivators were unwilling to go to the battlefield. On the Great Li court's side, it was still Dong Hu and the Ministry of Rites, remembering old ties, who told you to take the initiative to submit a memorial, to be decisive in wording. Afterwards, the court told you not to be so reckless with your lives—after all, you didn't have many earthly immortal cultivators... This essentially quietly eliminated potential criticism from within the mountain.
Now that she truly saw a divine lord personally consecrated by the Central Earth Confucian Temple, Lu Fanlu immediately lost her nerve.
The next moment, Song Yu, Lu Fanlu, and all the earthly immortals in seclusion at that blessed land were transported by Wei Bo's translocation technique into an official hall cabin.
A man in blue was squatting on the ground for some reason, using two fingers to lift a corner of the carpet covering the floor. He released his fingers, stood up, and clapped his hands.
It wasn't the kind of colorful national carpet popular on the continent—just ordinary material, slightly worn. And from the dust marks, it hadn't been replaced specifically for this ship.
Dong Hu also couldn't be bothered to look at those female cultivators. He just continued his previous topic with the National Teacher. "So when the Great Li border army complains about being poor, the Ministry of Revenue officials are always at a loss—because they really are poor."
Chen Ping'an nodded. "Song Changjing deserves great credit."
Chen Ping'an looked at the terrified Lu Fanlu and smiled slightly. "Do you know what real official jargon means?"
Song Yu was about to speak. Chen Ping'an raised his hand to signal her not to interrupt. An old Nascent Soul about to break into the upper five realms found her golden core frozen as ice, her Nascent Infant slumbering obediently, unable to utter a single word.
Chen Ping'an grabbed the armrest of the chair, his other hand clenched into a fist. "The Great Li court has already given you an ancient blessed land. It has given you the most transcendent status, reputation, and special treatment in Bottle Gourd Continent. Since I have succeeded as National Teacher, I will give you another 'sect' designation. After that, Great Li will have done its utmost for Changchun Palace. I will have your Changchun Palace immediately roll out of Bottle Gourd Continent and drift everywhere from now on. You cannot go to Northern Juju Continent, you cannot go to Tongye Continent, you cannot go to Aiai Continent or Southern Bodhi Continent. Without me and Great Li saying anything, no one will dare take you in. You can either find an island at sea to settle down and reopen your mountain, or try your luck to see if some dynasty in the Central Earth Divine Continent is willing to take you in. After that, let's see if there's still a single registered cultivator in Bottle Gourd Continent who dares to openly drink a jar of Changchun Brew."
Those few Changchun Palace earthly immortals were stunned beyond words by this murderous speech, as if they had prematurely welcomed their "Heavenly Tribulation" while in seclusion...
When they truly faced this new Great Li National Teacher, they understood what kind of "official prestige" came from the accumulation of so many identities.
Chen Ping'an stared at the palace master who had begun trembling uncontrollably. "Understand one thing—you, Lu Fanlu, and Mao Yi—you are all just some of Changchun Palace's registered cultivators. But you are not the true Changchun Palace. You are only lucky ones lying on the merit book and enjoying the blessings. According to the National Teacher's Residence archives, among the Changchun Palace cultivators who once drove the Sweet Spring ferry to relieve the Great Li Song Clan from droughts and floods, only Song Yu remains. The respect I give is for the Great Li merit holders on the portrait wall of your Changchun Palace Patriarch Hall. If I entered that hall, offering incense and paying respects to them would be my duty as Great Li National Teacher. But what face does Great Li need to give you, Lu Fanlu?"
Lu Fanlu fell to her knees with a thud, sobbing uncontrollably. "National Teacher, I know I was wrong."
Wei Bo sneered. "No, you only know that you're about to be expelled from your sect, that your lineage will no longer exist."
Lu Fanlu kowtowed repeatedly, knocking her head like pounding garlic.
Song Yu was furious. "Lu Fanlu, enough!"
Chen Ping'an asked, "Song Yu, don't you have great faults as well?"
Song Yu was silent for a long moment. "Song Yu is willing to bear all responsibility. I beg the National Teacher not to take it out on Changchun Palace."
Dong Hu rubbed his forehead. Hopeless. Did the National Teacher and Great Li have nothing better to do than take it out on Changchun Palace? For fun?
Wei Bo also looked gloomy. He turned to look at the sea of clouds outside the window.
Chen Ping'an said, "All of you, go back. Pack up. Take what you can. Leave Bottle Gourd Continent."
Song Yu looked utterly bewildered.
A Golden Core female cultivator who had just broken through and stabilized her realm in the blessed land suddenly spoke up. "National Teacher, give Changchun Palace another year. Even half a year would do."
Chen Ping'an smiled and asked, "On what grounds?"
She was not afraid. She met the gaze of the deeply imposing Great Li National Teacher and said slowly, "Because many of our younger generation Changchun Palace disciples inwardly feel that what the Supreme Elder and Palace Master do and say has faults, has things wrong—things that they themselves are unaware of but have far-reaching consequences. But we hear it, we see it, we sense it. Also because the National Teacher and the Great Li court do not actually want Changchun Palace to drift aimlessly. With the National Teacher's cultivation level and breadth of vision, of course you don't care about gaining a reputation for burning bridges. But the Great Li court cares. The Embroidery Tiger Cui Chan left for his junior brother a Great Li court and commoners, inside and outside officialdom—all watching. And more than that—the successive patriarchs of Changchun Palace all want us disciples to be able to go out and establish our own merits, to renew the friendly ties with the Great Li Song Clan. With our Dao hearts and Great Li's popular support, we can win a truly deserved 'sect'-level immortal estate."
Wei Bo withdrew his gaze, his eyes brightening. The young lady had good insight. Dong Hu quickly searched his memory—he remembered her now. She was neither from the Linyou lineage nor from Lu Fanlu's lineage. She kept a low profile at Changchun Palace, but had good aptitude and good relationships among the younger generation of cultivators. She was skilled in medicine, had served on the secondary capital battlefield, had spent about three years in Luojing, and other than that, there wasn't much in her record... Dong Hu had a rough idea. The old Vice Minister stroked his beard and smiled. An unexpected delight.
Chen Ping'an said, "You got one thing wrong. The Great Li's reorganization of mountain forces is an inevitable necessity of the times. Making an example of someone—Changchun Palace is the most suitable."
She thought carefully for a moment, then nodded in acknowledgment. She had been mistaken.
Wei Bo teased, "Quite bold, daring to threaten the National Teacher."
She smiled sheepishly. She had been impulsive just now, fearing nothing. Now she was still filled with lingering fear.
Chen Ping'an said, "I'll give you one year then. I'll wait and see?"
Her face instantly turned pale as snow. But she gritted her teeth and braced herself to nod.
Chen Ping'an smiled slightly. "Don't worry. I'll have the Ministry of Punishments dispatch a few accompanying-army cultivators to take up residence at Changchun Palace. They won't let Song Yu or Lu Fanlu lose their minds—for instance, going mad with Qi deviation during seclusion—and have you and your friends die suddenly or disappear."
She stared blankly at this Great Li National Teacher, who was said to be no more than forty years old. Could he read minds?
Chen Ping'an said, "Being head of a family isn't easy. I wish you success."
He glanced at Wei Bo, who immediately nodded in understanding. He would certainly have the Divine Lord Residence's Patrol Department dispatch a group of elite divine general female officials to keep constant watch there.
A separate Great Li military vessel was arranged to "escort" them back to Changchun Palace.
Wei Bo smiled. "Don't feel disheartened. National Teacher Cui started from scratch back in the day. It was only more exhausting and taxing for him."
Chen Ping'an cupped his hands and smiled. "My sincere thanks to the Night Wandering Divine Lord for his kind words of comfort."
Dong Hu opened a jar of Changchun Brew, poured himself a cup, and drank alone. He wondered what the Great Li Dynasty would be like thirty years from now.
Chen Ping'an said, "Lord Dong, why not serve as Vice Minister for a few more years?"
Dong Hu blustered, "National Teacher, at my age, how many years have I already served in the Ministry of Rites at the capital? If I don't move, those little bastards will curse me behind my back..."
Chen Ping'an said, "Go to the secondary capital Luojing as Minister of Rites. It's a promotion, even if not much of one."
Dong Hu hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand. "Forget it."
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Retiring from the Vice Minister position would get you 'Wen Min.' Retiring as Minister would get you 'Wen Qing.' That's several grades difference."
Dong Hu immediately set down his cup and jumped up as if his pants were on fire, bowing deeply. "An old steed in the stable still aspires to gallop a thousand miles. My old bones are still quite sturdy."
The Great Li court was extremely strict in granting posthumous titles to civil and military officials. Many beautiful titles could not even be proposed by the Ministry of Rites. When it came to court deliberation, there were often many variables. As for titles that required the Emperor to draft personally, there was no point in officials thinking about them while alive—they were almost always among the few universally recognized beautiful titles, ranking without much fluctuation. There were only two exceptions: once for Grand General Su Gaoshan's "Wu Xiang," and once for when Liu Qingfeng of the secondary capital was posthumously granted "Wen Zhong" many years after his death.
Dong Hu took a big gulp of wine, wiped his mouth, leaned toward the National Teacher, and whispered, "National Teacher, why not put in a good word with His Majesty? Giving me 'Wen Zhen' directly wouldn't be out of the question—it happens to match my courtesy name. What a coincidence, right? For the next hundred or thousand years, it would be a fine tale in Great Li officialdom and scholarly circles. Future capital anecdotalists would certainly write it in bold strokes. Hmm, what a coincidence—when I was a child, my father said a master had passed by and read my fortune, saying that when I came of age, I would receive the courtesy name 'Wen Zhen' and enjoy good fortune in my later years... So it seems even fortune-tellers who encourage virtue can have something to talk about."
Wei Bo chuckled. "Vice Minister Dong truly lives up to his reputation as a child prodigy, quick-witted. I think 'Wen Min' might be more fitting."
Dong Hu, however, remained calm and steady, not at all worried. The old Vice Minister had a heart-to-heart thought he wouldn't utter without a few drinks: The beauty of civil and military officials' posthumous titles lay not in those two characters, but in the mountains and rivers.
In the decorative hairpins of those capital girls, in the clear recitation sounds of village schoolchildren, in the fact that Great Li commoners weren't afraid when meeting mountain immortals or government clerks—in their hearts, they felt that our country is our home.
---
Central Earth Confucian Temple.
Old Master Li sat on the steps, puffing out smoke. Old Scholar Xiucai came over with a wine jug to chat.
Old Master Li looked up at the sky and smiled. "Finally, finally the overall situation is settled. It's a beautiful thing I wouldn't even dare to dream of. What about you, Old Scholar? What are your thoughts?"
Old Scholar Xiucai swirled his wine jug. "A hundred wines, all the same flavor."
But in the old man's eyes and expression, there was a bitterness he was unwilling to share.
Old Master Li smiled. "If I had students like yours, I'd laugh in my dreams."
Old Scholar Xiucai plucked at his beard, his wrinkled face gradually relaxing. He chuckled. "Who says otherwise."
---
Dragon Spring Sword Sect, at the cliff edge of Yiyi Peak's summit. The sky was filled with massive burning clouds, the sunset glow brilliant like spread brocade, dazzling.
Chen Ping'an and Gu Can sat cross-legged, one on each side of Liu Xianyang. The famously known "Liu, Chen, Gu" of the Lizhu Cave Heaven—each had their own path of studying swords, books, or cultivation after leaving home. All three were young sect masters of humble origins who had once dared not dream too grandly of tomorrow or think too far into the future. They had once walked together on their hometown's field ridges. The tall youth in front held his hands behind his head, boasting of things even he didn't believe. The child in the middle sniffled. The dark, thin youth at the back trod on soft earth. Beside their straw sandals on the ridge, countless small flowers of unknown wild grasses bloomed quietly. Now they looked into the distance together, watching a world where the human heart remained complex, yet the green mountains and clear waters were still gentle and beautiful.