Chapter 27: The Land
At the Imperial Tutor's residence, Song Yunjian, wearing a golden crown and jade robe, still held his dry tobacco pipe. With a relieved Dao heart, he quickly walked to the adjacent courtyard, looked at the peach tree, and counted the peach blossoms. Not only had they not decreased, but there were more than a dozen newly bloomed flowers. At this moment and scene, the handsome and androgynous Daoist's smile outshone the flowers.
But he dared not let his guard down in the slightest, only because there was that old Daoist abbot in the city, currently strolling through the bustling streets of the capital.
Not to mention the old Daoist's divine powers, which were still vividly fresh in his mind, and that phrase "This poor Daoist is in a hurry to return and refine pills" still made Song Yunjian shudder.
The problem was that Chen Guoshi had left the Great Li territory without any instructions, as if deliberately throwing a test at Song Yunjian. Fellow Daoist Yingning couldn't just lie back and enjoy comfort; how to entertain Cave Lord Bixiao, you had to figure out yourself.
Song Yunjian thought it over repeatedly, without the mentality of "seek no merit but avoid blame." Instead, he took a huge risk and, without authorization, informed the Celestial Observatory and the Five Marchmount Divine Lords, dismantling layer upon layer of formations.
The old Daoist strolling through the Great Li capital nodded slightly. At least he knew what he was doing.
If Chen Ping'an had warned this audacious junior who dared to style himself as Daoist Yingning beforehand, and then Song Yunjian acted accordingly, that would be flattery.
Xu Xie continued to cross the sea northward. Approaching the northernmost part of Vase Treasure Continent, a streak of brilliant sword light dove into the sea. This Sword Immortal Lord Xu activated the water-avoiding technique, walking along the ruins of the long bridge that had once connected two continents, sighing in wonder. Human strength could actually reach such a level. Placed in a situation unprecedented in ten thousand years, what did one or two Ascensions count for? Even the old and new Fourteen, caught up in the great current, who dared to boast of "my heart is free, my body is at ease"?
But Xu Xie was not discouraged; instead, his Dao heart was invigorated. He believed that in heaven and earth, there was always something that only he, Xu Xie, dared to think and do, and could accomplish.
Thinking thus, Xu Xie's sword heart became even more enlightened. Sword in hand, he strolled leisurely along this sea bridge winding like a dragon's spine, sending out sword flowers from time to time, helping the water currents flow faster.
Zhu Su still had to secretly escort the Great Li Emperor to North Jambu Continent the next day to form an alliance. Naturally, she followed Bai Jing to the Imperial Tutor's residence, staying overnight there.
Since the former ruler of Qingqiu hadn't left with Zheng Juzhong and the others, and now truly had nowhere to go, and didn't dare to wander about casually, plus she was very curious about the situation of that small Fox Kingdom—after all, it was tied to her own Dao lineage—she stuck close to Bai Jing, thinking that once Chen Ping'an finished his fist-fighting and returned from the sea, she would suggest to him whether she could go visit the Fox Kingdom. But for now, she was also worried: would Chen Ping'an notify the Fox Kingdom in advance, leaking her identity, so that the Fox Kingdom would put on a show, whitewashing everything, showing her only the prosperity and joy he wanted her to see?
But since she was living under someone else's roof, this former Qingqiu ruler dared not speak bluntly. She planned to first get a feel for the atmosphere of "Fallen Mountain" and the Great Li Song dynasty court before making any decisions.
From the main gate, they entered the Imperial Tutor's residence. Rongyu led them to a separate courtyard reserved for receiving cultivators.
Xie Gou learned from Sister Rongyu that the Balsam Flower Goddess had come to the Imperial Tutor's residence twice, both times disappointed, unable to find her.
Xie Gou then planned to go to the Flower Goddess Temple to find Wu Cai. But before handling personal matters, she still had some official business as the Chief Supplicant of Fallen Mountain.
Aside from the divine altar she had refined into two snow-white "plain seal blanks," and the thirty-six ritual ancient artifacts she had collected.
Chen Ping'an had also handed over "an item" hidden in his sleeve to Xie Gou. If this wasn't a trusted general, what was? Could there be another deputy mountain lord position?
It was Chen Ping'an imitating the ancient shaman's martial root foundation, applying it flexibly, weaving a micro-Dao field within his sleeve using dense fist intent, essentially setting up a temporary miniature divine altar for "nurturing ghosts."
Xie Gou shook her sleeve, and instantly green smoke billowed, coalescing on the ground into a human form.
It was the ancient shaman who should have completely perished, body and Dao, on the divine altar. However, his physical body was destroyed, reduced to a ghostly entity, his realm plummeting.
Xie Gou pulled out the "matching seals" and said, "The mountain lord told me to tell you he's sorry. Anyway, I can't mend them. You'll have to find a way yourself."
The ancient shaman came to his senses, shook his head, indicating that these were Chen Ping'an's war spoils. Since he had lost, he would absolutely not take them back. As a defeated general, being used as a sacrifice was only natural.
Xie Gou said, "The mountain lord's meaning is simple: you can stay here for now. Whenever you want to leave, just say the word. If both sides get along well, our mountain lord might even find you a new vessel to rest in. If you get along just so-so, and both sides want to keep a respectful distance, then we'll just part ways."
The ancient shaman was clearly greatly surprised.
Xie Gou added, "Oh, by the way, what name are you planning to take for yourself? The Great Li capital is strict, and you don't have this..."
She pulled out a jade plaque, the mink-capped girl showing off: "Imperial Tutor residence jade plaque. Not only can you go anywhere in the capital unimpeded, but you can also roam freely throughout Great Li territory."
The ancient shaman, converting ancient speech into modern meaning, said, "Chen Yi (沉缢)."
Xie Gou immediately waved her hand, scolding, "Please change that name. It's too unlucky. Change the 'yi' meaning 'hang' to 'yi' meaning 'righteousness.' You can be called Chen Yi (沉义)."
Seeing that the ancient shaman wasn't getting it, Xie Gou said gravely, "Trust me, I'm right. I have a work about to be published, hundreds of thousands of characters."
The ancient shaman's expression shifted instantly. In those ancient times, even the most text-dense Daoist scripture, even if divided into upper and lower volumes, or at most a few scrolls, was only a few thousand characters?!
Pei Qian and Guo Zhujiu arrived here.
In the previous sparring, the master had intentionally made it so they could see extremely clearly.
Guo Zhujiu wasn't a martial artist; she watched for the spectacle, her old trade, just cheering.
Pei Qian remained silent from beginning to end.
The moment he first saw Pei Qian, the ancient shaman's expression changed. He was stunned for a moment, then took the initiative to speak hoarsely, "Want to learn fist techniques? I can teach you."
Pei Qian shook her head, merely saluting him with a fist-and-palm salute.
The ancient shaman's speech became increasingly fluent, his Great Li official language now indistinguishable from the locals. "Your master's martial arts are certainly formidable, top-notch. But I know many more ancient martial arts. In the previous match with your master, I was suppressed by his aura and could only display fifty or sixty percent of my ability. I lost to him not only because his Dao was superior, but also because my own aptitude was limited. My previous physique wasn't tough enough. It wasn't that ancient martial arts lost."
Pei Qian said calmly, "Pure martial artists are divided into ancient and modern. Martial Dao is not divided into past and present."
The ancient shaman was stunned.
The former Qingqiu ruler's eyes sparkled. Wow, this young girl is really good at reasoning.
Pei Qian hesitated for a long time, but still spoke honestly: "A loss is a loss."
The former Qingqiu ruler squinted and smiled. This girl with a bun hairstyle is straightforward and has quite a temper.
The ancient shaman, instead of getting angry, was delighted, his resolve to teach her fist techniques growing stronger. Human language was originally granted by heaven; how could one use it to deceive oneself and heaven? What she said, her heart—it was right. Her martial arts were on the right path. Good, very good!
There was a certain destiny in the unseen. The way of civil and martial arts would not be severed. If she could learn martial arts, could she also learn the shamanistic arts?
Thus, the ancient shaman's heart surged with emotion, his gaze burning as he said, "Learn martial arts from me. I'll teach you everything. Your martial Dao height will definitely take a huge leap. I'm not lying..."
Even the former Qingqiu ruler was dumbfounded. Since when did anyone beg others to "learn the Dao" like this? In ancient times, such a thing was unheard of!
Guo Zhujiu sent a telepathic message: "Senior Sister, taking a master to learn arts can be seen in two parts, right? Often sparring, you can also learn from fist-fighting."
Pei Qian said irritably, "Stop giving bad advice. After all, he's a senior whom even my master respects."
Guo Zhujiu chuckled.
But the ancient shaman seemed to be able to hear their thoughts completely. He didn't hide his divine powers and directly said, "Good idea, good idea. I'm not worthy to be your master. Heaven and earth should be your master. Just spar with me. Whatever you can learn is your own skill. I'm not passing down the Dao, just revealing to a later-era martial artist what martial arts were like ten thousand years ago..."
Xie Gou was thoroughly amused and urged, "Pei Qian, just agree. If you keep refusing, this senior might kneel down and beg you to learn martial arts."
Unexpectedly, the ancient shaman said sincerely, "I don't mind kneeling. As long as you're willing to learn martial arts, I can even call you master."
What I seek is for ancient martial arts to have a successor, a pure-hearted master who integrates all. So that the martial Dao does not stand empty for ten thousand years.
What I kneel to is the woman martial artist who, years later, will have reached the summit—as she said, the towering peak of the martial Dao, undivided by past and present.
The martial Dao is itself an orthodox branch of the divine Dao, surpassing all mortal techniques!
Xie Gou rubbed her mink cap, somewhat emotional. Ten thousand years ago, how pure were our hearts as Dao seekers and truth seekers? You could see right through to the bottom.
It seemed that ten thousand years later, aside from Xiao Mo, Cave Lord Bixiao, and Jiang She and the others, today she saw another "old friend on the Dao."
But Pei Qian persisted in her own opinion, saying firmly, "I only learn my own fists."
Pei Qian's fist techniques all came from the Bamboo Tower.
Xie Gou wasn't surprised. After all, she was the mountain lord's chief disciple, and the daughter of that couple Jiang She and Wu Yan.
The former Qingqiu ruler shook her head lightly, unimpressed. She didn't understand martial arts and felt this young woman was just being too pretentious.
A tremendous fortune had clearly been delivered to her lips, yet she refused to take a bite. How was she any different from those pampered nobles who loved idle talk? Too affected.
But the ancient shaman was overjoyed. He lightly stamped his feet, shook his head, waved his arms and danced his legs. On the rain-soaked corridor, he stepped to an ancient rhythm, as if dancing around an invisible bonfire, his expression entranced. He hummed an ancient language to himself, like a chant or a ballad, perhaps offering a blessing for that young woman martial artist.
Xie Gou leaned against a corridor pillar, listening to the familiar rhythm. She gently pulled down her mink cap, covering the girl's slightly immature brows and eyes.
If not for such a heart, ten thousand years ago, how could they have waged that battle to ascend to heaven?
That was an ascent and a death march where no one thought they could win.
Guo Zhujiu was naturally lively. Seeing the ancient shaman singing and dancing, she didn't find it absurd or ridiculous at all. Instead, she imitated him, raising her arms and twisting her wrists.
Zhu Su stood with arms crossed, leaning against the railing, closing her eyes in rest, with a smile on her face. This woman sword immortal, who had spent far more time in the Desolate Wilderness than in her homeland, was probably remembering her youth. Being a woman, how could she not have had ignorant young girlish feelings?
Rongyu seemed to feel that ancient, wild, sincere joy. She couldn't help but raise both palms, gently clapping in rhythm.
In fact, no one had said anything to the former Qingqiu ruler, but at this moment, she felt that she might have been wrong.
Had she truly never "known"? Unconsciously, the former Qingqiu ruler smiled at their harmony and joy, tears streaming down her face.
An imposing old Daoist walked through the capital, step by step, on the land of the mortal world.
---
Liu Cha returned to the thatched cottage on Yellow Lake Mountain, rehung the long sword on the wall, walked out of the house, and looked at the bamboo pole used for drying clothes, bent into an exaggerated arc by two thirty-four-catty large green fish. Liu Cha had heard that the true big fish in the lake weighed over a hundred catties.
Accustomed to solitude, the Desolate Wilderness sword immortal suddenly felt lonely. He considered whether to recruit one or two like-minded people to come drink and eat at this thatched cottage.
"Should pursue the victory and catch more fish." Liu Cha put on his bamboo-woven sun hat, returned to his fishing spot, sat down on the bamboo chair, rubbed bait, and cast his line.
A little girl in a pink dress just floated down to this Dao field. As usual, she brought some trivial but necessary items for mountain life. For instance, the bamboo chair Liu Cha was sitting on—she had brought it, because she had heard from the mountain lord that Mr. Liu liked fishing, so along with the bamboo chair, bait and other items had been prepared by Fallen Mountain in advance. Generally, if Mr. Liu didn't make a request, she wouldn't ask anything. If he made a request, she would silently note it and think more about what was related to that request. Next time she came to Yellow Lake Mountain, she would just neatly stack the items at the doorstep under the eaves of the thatched cottage, never entering without permission.
Liu Cha hesitated for a moment, then pointed towards the thatched cottage. "Nuan Shu, I just caught two green fish. I can't finish them. You take one and let Mr. Zhu improve the meals. He's a good cook. You can cook the fish in several ways. Just say fish stew with tofu—it tastes pretty good."
Nuan Shu's eyes brightened. She smiled and thanked Mr. Liu. She was happy, happy that Mr. Liu seemed to be treating this place as his own Dao field.
Liu Cha was silent for a moment, then reminded, "Take the bigger one."
Nuan Shu felt a little embarrassed.
But Liu Cha said, "Listen to me, consider it as a guest following the host's wishes."
The old deaf man arrived at Jumping Fish Mountain, Flower Shadow Peak, strolled into that "school," holding a ruler, walking among the rows of meditation cushions, carefully observing the qi circulation paths of the Dao seekers on the cushions—whether they were correct or deviated. When they emerged from their meditative state, he would explain in detail where corrections were needed and where they could forge ahead boldly.
The ancient shaman found a room in the second courtyard to settle down. He asked that young woman named Rongyu for some books, saying the more the merrier, regardless of category.
Earlier, Rongyu had handed him a jade plaque from the Imperial Tutor's residence. The ancient shaman glanced at the sword immortal Bai Jing, a bit puzzled. Since she cared so much about this item, why did Rongyu give it away upon meeting? Should he accept it or not? The mink-capped girl looked normal and reminded, "Treasure the jade plaque. Don't lose it."
Having accepted the jade plaque, in the room, the ancient shaman hesitated for a long time before sitting at the table, somewhat awkward.
Extremely carefully, extremely cautiously, he slowly picked up a very ordinary, very light book. He didn't open it for a long time, just gently stroked the title with his palm.
As for the former Qingqiu ruler, Rongyu had informed both the Ministry of Punishments and the Ministry of Revenue, helping to arrange a simplified registry identity: the alias "Xu Niang," Daoist name "Qingqiu." But the matter of recording her place of origin and Dao field was quite troublesome.
For ordinary mountain and marsh wild cultivators, or even Carefree Immortals who enjoyed playing in the mortal world, this was no big deal—it was just something for the mountain and water spirits of various continents and the courts of various countries to see. But the former Qingqiu ruler's identity was too special; she was the undisputed matriarch of all fox clans. If the official documents were forged, what about the heavenly heart? The Great Dao? Would they also need to be false? If not false, they had to be sincere.
"Ancient terrestrial immortals" referred to what is now the upper five realms, mainly the current Immortals.
"Golden Immortals" referred to those who had attained the Dao fruit in the mortal world, including both Flying Ascension and Fourteen realms.
The former Qingqiu ruler had turned misfortune into fortune, stepping into the Fourteen realm within the River of Time, certainly related to her once wholeheartedly protecting all fox clans under heaven.
Xie Gou offered a solution: "Normally, we'll just call her 'Qingqiu.' Just like literati often use their style names to become famous, while their real names are barely known. As for her place of origin, we'll fill in the Fox Kingdom. Qingqiu was already indebted to Fellow Daoist Bixiao back then, kowtowing to him. Now the Fox Kingdom is in a place split off from the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, which counts as a continuation of a ten-thousand-year incense relationship."
"For those who climb the mountain, if they never forget and persevere, one day the mountains will echo back."
"As for in the mortal world, being called Xu Niang doesn't matter—no one is taking advantage of anyone."
Qingqiu nodded, accepting Bai Jing's statement. The place of origin would be set to that Fox Kingdom under Fallen Mountain.
Xie Gou teased, "I've only heard of tracing one's ancestry back to the clan founder. But you, an ancestor appearing in person, taking the initiative to step out of the painting to acknowledge your descendants."
One could fully imagine how much of a dream come true it would be for Pei Xiang and those later descendants confined to a single Fox Kingdom to see the "Qingqiu Master" passed down through generations.
Perhaps infected by the earlier song and dance, Qingqiu said bluntly, "Bai Jing, I want to go quickly to the Fox Kingdom and see how they are doing now."
Xie Gou nodded, "Then I'll go to the Flower Goddess Temple a bit later."
It would also be good to go to Snail Shell Dao Field at Gray Blind Mountain and see Xiao Mo.
She tossed her a stack of Three Mountain Talismans and explained how to use them. Qingqiu felt them burning in her hand, trembling and asking fearfully, "Won't this really provoke... his wrath?"
Xie Gou pretended to be ignorant, deliberately scaring her, "Who? Is using a few talismans against the heavenly laws? Sister Azi, is it that serious? You're being overly cautious, getting timid."
Seeing that Xie Gou was about to activate the talismans to shrink the ground, Qingqiu hurriedly sent a telepathic message: "Back then, among the stubborn fools in the mortal world, who could get the better of him? Maybe you could still get Bixiao senior to plead for mercy, but who can I turn to?"
Xie Gou stopped teasing this fox enchantress, put her hands on her hips, and laughed loudly, "Don't worry. This Mr. Three Mountain Nine Marquis has already been scared off by our mountain lord. He's announced that he won't bother with our Fallen Mountain cultivators casually using Three Mountain Talismans anymore. They don't even need to light three sticks of incense. Every time they cross mountains and seas, they disturb his cultivation. He's fed up with it; it's better to ignore it and not let it bother him."
Qingqiu was skeptical, cautiously saying, "I'm now half a registered Fallen Mountain cultivator. Sister Bai Jing, don't deliberately harm me."
Xie Gou said seriously, "Here in the capital, with me watching you, you can be a little unruly. But when you get to Fallen Mountain, there are strict rules there. You need to restrain yourself. Don't try to seduce everyone you see. If you cause trouble, no one can protect you. Our mountain lord is a true gentleman; he hates this kind of nonsense the most. Qingqiu, you need to think carefully. If you enter the Fox Kingdom, I, Xie Gou, will be your guarantor in the Haoran World. If you make the mountain lord want to kill you, I'll do it myself without him lifting a finger. Well, forget it—my realm is too low, I can't kill a strong Flying Ascension like you. I'll call Xiao Mo... no, Xiao Mo still has his injuries. I'll just have Fellow Daoist Bixiao deal with you."
Qingqiu smiled enchantingly, "Bai Jing, Bai Jing, do you really think I don't understand the ways of the world at all? I have the most talent for learning these things."
Xie Gou snorted disdainfully, then suddenly changed her face, bellowing, "Vixen, did you forget something?!"
Qingqiu's Dao heart shook, confused: "What?"
Xie Gou said angrily, "Go to your mother's Fox Kingdom! Visiting relatives my ass! Stand right here and reflect on your mistakes behind closed doors!"
The mink-capped girl turned around and went to the Flower Goddess Temple to find Wu Cai.
Qingqiu quickly followed. Taking this opportunity, she also remembered that "small matter." Walking sideways, her long skirt trailing on the ground, she covered her mouth and laughed, "Sister, what are you angry about? I don't have any of your so-called immortal money right now. In my life-bound cave, the few treasures that have survived until today are as precious as my life. I can't sell them at a discount. Lend me some money for now, and I'll pay you back a hundred times later."
Xie Gou said "Oh," and pulled out a pouch of immortal money from her sleeve, tossing it to her. "Deal, pay me back a hundred times."
Qingqiu opened the pouch and fished out an immortal money, which seemed to be a Grain Rain Coin from the mountains.
Walking slowly, she held up the green immortal money, delighted at the sight. She wouldn't hold Bai Jing's shrewdness and mercantilism against her.
The first thing she obtained in this new mortal world was wedding candy.
The second was a Grain Rain Coin.
In that instant, she understood. It wasn't that Bai Jing wanted to make money off her, but that Bai Jing was helping her find a piece of hidden destiny to align with the Great Dao.
Qingqiu kept only this one Grain Rain Coin of extraordinary significance and tossed the pouch back to that pretty woman named Rongyu, saying it was compensation.
Rongyu didn't stand on ceremony, just said, "Deal."
She then looked down at the cute mink cap on the "girl's" head, and her Dao heart seemed to soften instantly. Feeling playful, she wanted to imitate that surnamed Chen and rub the mink cap.
Xie Gou's expression darkened as she slapped away the vixen's reaching hand. Who do you think you are, daring to be so intimate with me? No respect for seniority, calling who "sister"?
Qingqiu tried again.
The mink-capped girl flew into a rage, throwing a hook punch that struck Qingqiu in the waist, sending her flying into the courtyard's open-air patio, her clothes and skirt spreading like a flower in bloom.
---
Yuan Huajing concealed his aura, using an illusion technique. This nascent soul sword cultivator, not yet in the upper five realms, brought the "freshly made" Flying Ascension puppet secretly to the Imperial Tutor's residence.
In addition, Sword Immortal Yuan had borrowed a Distance-Within-Reach artifact from the Daoist Ge Ling to hold all those treasures.
After counting the number, there were as many as three hundred and twenty-nine various life-bound treasures of all sizes and strange types.
Those in good condition were the majority, about a hundred with damaged quality, and only a very few were shattered.
As for their true quality, Yuan Huajing and the others had too little power to see much of the trick.
Yuan Huajing knew, of course, that Chen Guoshi had gone to sea with Cao Ci, destined for a spectacular peak martial arts duel, possibly even an unprecedented "Martial Dao Eleventh Realm Contest."
Since the Guoshi was absent, Yuan Huajing explained the matter in detail to Rongyu, handing over the Distance-Within-Reach artifact along with an illustrated manual, with a certain flavor of official reporting.
Although Rongyu was nominally just a maid in the Imperial Tutor's residence, who in the entire Great Li court would dare to treat her lightly?
When handing over the Distance-Within-Reach artifact, Yuan Huajing reminded, "Miss Rongyu, because there are so many treasures inside, the Distance-Within-Reach artifact manifests this kind of extraordinary and inexplicable glow. Ge Ling has already set up over a dozen restrictions; otherwise, it would be even more exaggerated. No joke, I'm afraid it might fly away on its own."
Rongyu nodded, pocketing the artifact and the manual. She smiled and said, "Congratulations, Sword Immortal Yuan, on gaining this assistance."
Yuan Huajing, usually a very composed and restrained mountain figure, couldn't hide his smile at this remark. "All thanks to Chen Guoshi."
Rongyu smiled. "And also thanks to Senior Bixiao of Contemplation Dao Temple."
Yuan Huajing immediately understood Rongyu's intention and nodded. "Naturally."
It wasn't just that the old abbot with heaven-reaching Dao skills had "shown mercy," leaving the Bone Daoist's complete physique intact, but also that he had helped preserve the Bone Daoist's Flying Ascension realm... Truly inconceivable. Could a Fourteen realm kill another Fourteen realm so easily?
Was the disparity in Dao power between the old and new Fourteen realms really so vast?
Song Yunjian specially came from the peach tree side to this side, circling that expressionless "Third Courtyard Dharma Lord," clicking his tongue in wonder.
Yuan Huajing was about to rush off to go into seclusion. The place was not elsewhere but the Sword Worship Platform.
Those slain by the flying sword "Ye Lang" would not only be utterly loyal, driven to charge into battle or fight in mountain Dharma battles regardless of life and death. Additionally, there was another wonderful use: they would... surely speak everything they knew without reservation, willing to impart all they had learned in life, to pass on the Dao!
After consideration, Rongyu suggested, "If going into seclusion is not an urgent matter, Sword Immortal Yuan might do best not to rush to the Sword Worship Platform. Wait until the Guoshi returns first."
Yuan Huajing nodded. "That would be best."
Using a Three Mountain Talisman, they arrived at Fallen Mountain's Gathering Spirit Peak. They appeared outside the mountain gate. Xie Gou laughed heartily, "Daoist Xianwei, still reading to increase your learning?"
The young Daoist slid the book in his hand into his sleeve, practiced at the motion, having already swapped it for another book. He stood up from the bamboo chair, put on a straight face, and nodded. "The sea of learning is boundless."
The Daoist still wore a wooden hairpin on his head, but it was an imitation now. He was nostalgic, after all.
Seeing this Daoist who seemed to be guarding the gate, Qingqiu stood dumbfounded, stammering, with none of her seductive charm.
The white-haired boy had now transformed into human form. He was diligent in cultivation. He had just relearned the earth-shrinking technique. Wahaha, divine skill complete! He popped up with a leap. "This visiting mountain, unfamiliar fellow Daoist, rules require it, not deliberately making things difficult. State your name quickly."
Xie Gou, with great official air, waved her hand. "Step aside. She's one of us, no need to register."
The white-haired boy, adhering to duty, questioned, "Boss, are you sure this isn't favoritism?"
If something goes wrong and implicates this compiler's official record and gets him expelled from the sect, you, Boss Xie, still have the official position of Chief Supplicant. What about me? An outer disciple? These days, outer disciples aren't worth much. So many people on Jumping Fish Mountain have become registered outer disciples. He was thinking of negotiating with the Hidden Official Ancestor to demote himself to a laborer disciple. Hey? Just as he was thinking of sleeping, someone handed him a pillow. Opportunity knocks?
Xie Gou glared. "How dare you!"
The white-haired boy immediately became fawning. "Since it's the Boss's friend, of course I'm at ease. Go up the mountain, go up the mountain."
Xie Gou led Qingqiu to the courtyard of the old chef, swaggering in with her shoulders swaying, already shouting, "Elder Zhu, we have a guest! She wants to go to the Lotus Flower Blessed Land to see the Fox Kingdom. Could you ask Nuan Shu for the parasol tree umbrella, open the door, and lead the way? Elder Zhu, I'm sorry, but I have an agreement with her not to reveal her identity or background beforehand. Just call her by her alias, Xu Niang."
The old chef, weaving baskets while sitting on a stool under the eaves, stopped his work, stood up, and smiled. "No problem."
Qingqiu glanced at this "old man," just as she had at the wooden-hairpin Daoist at the mountain gate. She was stunned again.
They exchanged glances. Zhu Lian's smile remained, his eyes unchanged. But Qingqiu averted her gaze, turning her head slightly.
Xie Gou wanted to burst out laughing but managed to restrain herself with difficulty. She saluted with a fist-and-palm. "Elder Zhu, I'm going to see Xiao Mo now."
Zhu Lian, in his long gown and cloth shoes, smiled and nodded. Softly he said, "Go ahead. When you see him, remember to scold him a few times. Don't be reluctant; you always indulge him. This time, you must scold him until he becomes a bit more enlightened. Don't always think that offering his sword is doing his part, as if acting already shows his feelings, no need for extra words. No matter how much Miss Xie loves him, that's no reason for him to be shy and not speak a single word of love."
Xie Gou wrinkled her nose. "Still reluctant to scold Xiao Mo."
Zhu Lian smiled. "Then you must scold him even more."
Xie Gou rubbed her hands vigorously, hesitating. "Is it really okay?"
Zhu Lian waved his sleeve, effectively giving her dismissal. "Miss Xie, don't stop being yourself because you love someone."
Xie Gou suddenly became exhilarated, swaying her shoulders as she headed for the Snail Shell Dao Field.
As soon as the mink-capped girl left, Qingqiu felt even more awkward.
Qingqiu said shamefacedly, "I'm sorry to make a fool of myself in front of Mr. Zhu. That alias 'Xu Niang' was chosen by Bai Jing."
Zhu Lian smiled. "It is indeed a good name. A long, long ten thousand years, half-old, half-new mortal world."
Qingqiu was suddenly bewildered. Huh?
Zhu Lian didn't say anything else. He went to find Little Nuan Shu and asked for the parasol tree umbrella, which served as the key to the blessed land.
The pink-dressed girl gave a curtsy to the senior with the alias Xu Niang. Her clear, clean eyes made Qingqiu reluctant to joke even half a word.
Entering the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, hovering in the sky, without needing Zhu Lian to point out the direction, Qingqiu saw through layers of cloud sea the location of the Fox Kingdom. Overwhelmed with emotion, she was silent for a moment, then burst into tears. Countless years, circling in her dreams countless times, this thought had tenaciously supported her from going mad within that cage, kept her Dao heart from collapse, from despair... Finally saw them.
Zhu Lian simply pointed to the river that wound around the Fox Kingdom like silk, smiling, "This is also my hometown. The river's ancient name was Qi River. I remember traveling here in my youth. Stacking stones to make a bridge. When the water is deep, the stone bridge is invisible; in the dry season, it appears. The young master deliberately chose this place as the Fox Kingdom's settlement in the blessed land. He placed great hope in it. He hoped that all the women of the Fox Kingdom could follow their ancestors' tradition of living by water and building cities, and also that they could freely move between secluded Dao fields and worldly experience in the future."
Qingqiu murmured, "So that's how it is."
If he was so gentle, why didn't he say so earlier?
Qingqiu steadied her emotions, used an illusion technique, and went to the bustling, "populous" Fox Kingdom. She took the initiative to tell Zhu Lian to wait; let her wander for half an hour, and she would be back at Fallen Mountain on time.
But Zhu Lian said half an hour or an hour didn't matter.
Qingqiu was anxious to return, forgetting even to thank the kind-hearted old gentleman.
An hour later, Zhu Lian still stood patiently by the Qi River, with no intention of urging her back to the mountain.
This stooped old man, hands behind his back, each holding a cloth shoe, walked alone on the stone bridge of the Qi River outside the Fox Kingdom city.
Thinking back to those days, a young swordsman roaming the martial world, whose favorite books were tales of the strange and supernatural, had once sung loudly while crossing this water, imagining a fox fairy stepping out of a painting on someone's wall, or a graceful woman transformed from an ancient water spirit, standing alone in the mortal world, walking barefoot slowly, her long skirt trailing on the water waves.
He was once young too.
A fox wanders slowly, on that Qi River bridge. My heart is sad; the man has no clothes... My heart is sad; the man has no garments...
In fact, Qingqiu had already quietly arrived at the water's edge a quarter of an hour ago.
Originally a mountain-top cultivator who had fallen from the Fourteen realm to the Flying Ascension realm, and within the Fox Kingdom's territory, even Zhu Lian couldn't detect her presence.
Zhu Lian walked barefoot on the stone bridge, lost in his own thoughts, stopping in the middle of the river.
Earlier, Xie Gou had mentioned something and also asked Zhu Lian something.
You have an appointment with the mountain lord during the heavy snow season in the Southern Border Kingdom's capital this year. That fist-fight you are sure to lose—will you still keep the appointment?
Zhu Lian felt he had to keep it even more.
Because he wanted to know, back in the days of that world, in that martial realm, what the martial artists who had been his enemies had truly felt. How had they regarded and faced "Zhu Lian"?
Heavy snow fills heaven and earth; why roam with a sword?
The old man let out a "hey," gently swinging the two cloth shoes behind his back, and laughed.
At the water's edge, she watched, captivated.