# Chapter 29: Victory and Defeat
A vast expanse of water, clouds rolling and unfurling with extreme rapidity. The cloud sea would occasionally break open into several holes, as if creating a giant white sieve. Golden sunlight passed through this sieve, with beams of light falling onto the sea surface, kicking up countless golden fragments. This was interspersed with rumbles of muffled thunder. Such astonishing heavenly phenomena caused even the cultivators in several island immortal mansions thousands of miles away to feel their dao hearts stagnate and their breathing become difficult. Their minds naturally grew vexed and irritable, unable to continue their cultivation lessons. One after another, they withdrew from the practice grounds and came to open vistas on the islands, wanting to see what strange event was occurring. Unfortunately, the distance was too great, and several founding patriarchs lacked sufficient dao strength to offer even one or two reliable conjectures.
It was as if it weren't the first month of the lunar year in some bustling marketplace, but rather a next-door neighbor suddenly setting off firecrackers in the dead of night. The key point was that they didn't set them all off at once—they lit a few strings, stopped, then lit a few more strings of firecrackers. Wasn't this too malicious, absolutely determined to disturb people's sleep?
Initially, the cultivators mistakenly thought it was a spirit tortoise turning over, capsizing several islands, or perhaps a sea python-dragon passing through, about to undergo tribulation and shed its skin to advance realms, using its massive body to rub against the stone cliffs of large islands and collide with submarine mountain ranges, creating such commotion.
Later, they discovered that the dazzling radiance in that distant waters was more like a large group of peak cultivators each displaying their divine abilities, engaging in group combat and dharma combat, which alone could create such an undocumented, unheard-of legendary scene.
Just as various opinions were flying about, the several old founding patriarchs' expressions changed, and they immediately ordered their own cultivators to remain silent. They raised their hands in salutation from afar toward a "azure sea crest" that was passing by with lightning speed. Upon that crest, armor and weapons reflected sunlight, glittering brilliantly.
The leaders of several island sects all lowered their eyes and spoke in clear voices, declaring something like "So-and-so sect respectfully welcomes the Eastern Sea Water Mansion's Imperial Guard on inspection patrol."
Times had changed from the past. In years gone by, the four seas of the Haoran world had no masters, but now they each had nominal rulers.
On the Eastern Sea side, there was Wang Zhu, of true dragon lineage, canonized by the Literary Temple to serve as Water Lord, holding a lofty divine rank and wielding great power and influence.
She had become the ruler of this infinite sea region. Fortunately, this Eastern Sea Water Lord seemed to favor the Daoist path. In governing the cultivators within her domain, she advocated for non-action and equal treatment. Since assuming office, she had shown no signs of using the construction of her mansion to amass wealth. She merely established a relaxed rule with various undersea water immortal mansions and island sects, requiring them to pay tribute once every thirty years. As for the types, quantities, and overall value of the tributes, the water mansion officials gave no hints, simply saying "whatever you wish."
Upon learning they could pay tribute "at will," all the immortal mansions grew anxious. If we truly treat it casually, will the water mansion then teach us what it means to be "sincere"?
What a sight to behold! The young boys and girls on the islands were full of excitement. Day after day, year after year of cultivation life was truly lonely and boring. Whether it was the strange phenomena in the distant sea or the colorful, bustling spectacle of armor and weapons on the wave crest—who wouldn't enjoy watching?
It turned out that on the distant sea surface, an elite force from the Eastern Sea Water Mansion was making a grand show, charging toward that water area with great noise and bustle. A divine general several zhang tall held a talisman decree, mobilizing the water veins by imperial command, riding the azure waves to raise the crest. It was like a general's platform or training ground, piled high with chariots. Banners fluttered in the wind. Hundreds of elite soldier-spirits of the water tribes wore armor and stood in formation. Generals blew conch shells, and yellow-turbaned warriors beat drums as they advanced.
Who knew what divine being dared to raise waves and create such a commotion within their own jurisdiction? For both public and private reasons, they had to go investigate. Such wanton behavior must be apprehended and brought to justice, so that the Haoran continent would know the rules of the Eastern Sea Water Lord's Mansion—that not just anyone could run wild here.
In the center was a spacious, ornately decorated carriage with green silk curtains hanging all around. Inside sat a beautiful woman in brocade robes, holding an ancient bronze mirror, applying makeup while looking into it.
Before her was a low table holding a very old three-mountain incense burner. Smoke curled upward, and if a great cultivator looked closely, they would marvel at the wonder of this "water incense," which could manifest scenes of different water regions.
At the beautiful woman's hand was a box filled with green pearls, glittering and gleaming. These were "incense materials" condensed from water transportation in various places and offered to the water mansion. One only needed to pick up a single water bead and toss it into the incense burner to burn, and the scenery of that place would appear.
The incense burner was an ancient artifact, and the technique of burning water incense was also a long-lost ancient method.
On both sides knelt a row of palace-attired maidservants with outstanding appearances. They were all daughters of fishermen who had drowned, or female cultivators who had died unjustly at sea.
When she first arrived at the Eastern Sea Water Mansion, the first decree she begged from the Water Lord was to conduct a grand "selection of maidens" from all the sects, allowing them to freely leave their old registries and enter the water mansion to serve, giving them a means to live. If they already had a desired partner for marriage but had been forcibly separated or had their relationship sabotaged by someone, she would make the decisions. Hence, recently in the Eastern Sea Water Mansion's domain, wedding banquets were constantly being held, full of joy.
She was probably one of only two people in the water mansion who knew the truth. However, she didn't reveal it, simply letting her subordinates go over there to show off their might.
This beautiful woman was none other than the Golden Carp who had escaped from the Dazhou Dynasty in the Central Earth and returned to the Eastern Sea.
After following Wang Zhu to the water mansion, the first thing she did was quietly traverse the four seas, recruiting troops everywhere and gathering her old followers. Unfortunately, most were worn-out or hidden dao lineages. Of the old friends' disciples and grand-disciples, only two familiar faces remained. In the blink of an eye, three thousand years had passed, and the former Eastern Sea water tribes had withered to this extent, causing her no small amount of sorrow. Still, at least she had added some manpower for the princess.
A "retainer" whose ambitions had not diminished from years past tentatively asked Jin Li via heart voice, "Boss Jin, are we going to stockpile grain and slowly claim kingship, waiting until our troops are strong and our horses fat, the time is ripe, and then with united purpose, we'll attack the continent and break through the Literary Temple?"
This great general escorting the carriage was treading on a miraculous cloud praised by immortals as "Tuoluo Cotton." He was a rough-featured, burly cultivator with a full, bushy beard, wearing a civil-military robe with python patterns, white armor over colorful robes, one hand pressed on his sword, both eyes gleaming with golden light.
Jin Li said with surprise, "Three thousand years gone, and I never imagined that the reckless daoist who used to only howl and charge at the front would have learned the art of war and become a master!"
Having received Boss Jin's praise, the general's expression was quite smug, and he laughed heartily, "Not at all, not at all. Boss Jin flatters me. Your subordinate merely has a slight understanding of military strategy. I'm not yet worthy of the title 'master.'"
Jin Li's tone was playful: "Luo Xiu, do you know the identities of those two rule-breakers?"
The reckless daoist shook his head, "To answer Boss Jin, how would your subordinate know about such flowery, fancy martial arts? If you'll forgive me for saying, Boss Jin, in recent years I was heavily squeezed out by that fat auntie from the Green Water Pit—the evil neighbor. I simply couldn't get ahead and could only hide with a few disciples in my cave dwelling, like a turtle withdrawing its head."
"According to three successive intelligence reports, it seems two martial artists with no mean skills are fighting over there. The Patrol Inspectorate's soldiers didn't dare approach too closely, making all sorts of excuses—something about the fist aura being as thick as mercury. Boss Jin, just listen to that—is that human speech? A bunch of slackers who put in no effort. When I get back, I'll definitely deal with them."
"By the way, Boss Jin, it seems our Water Lord just made a trip to the junction with the Bottle Gourd Continent coast and snatched a very powerful heavy treasure from an unknown White Bone Daoist?"
Jin Li stretched lazily, yawned, and casually acknowledged with an "Mm."
She didn't bother explaining the truth to this notorious brute, lest his big mouth go around spreading it everywhere.
For now, she had him in charge of the Eastern Sea Water Mansion's Patrol Inspectorate. Additionally, he led a separate elite guard unit responsible for the security of the water mansion's important grounds. If you didn't talk about brains, but only about loyalty, ordinary officials kept it on their lips or in their writings, but this reckless daoist truly carved it into his dao heart.
When this azure water crest drew closer to the battlefield, still about seven or eight hundred li away, they could already feel waves of heavenly wind pressing upon them, containing astonishingly pure fist intent. The banner poles bent accordingly, creaking. The faces of the soldiers standing at the front of the crest felt as if knives were cutting them. On the armor of several water tribe generals of xiaowei rank, sparks of fire splashed up.
The reckless daoist was shocked in his heart. He raised his hand to shield his brow and stared into the distance. When he focused his gaze, he was greatly startled—why was the picture that should have been crystal clear so blurry?
The reckless daoist no longer dared to be careless. He immediately activated a lifebound water dharma formula, scooped up some splashing seawater in his palm, and then performed the divine ability of "viewing mountains and rivers in the palm." Only then did he somewhat clearly see this mobile training ground, which occupied a thousand li in circumference. Inside, the two martial artists were locked in fierce combat—one in blue, one in white, both appearing young. When had a small Bottle Gourd Continent produced such invincible heroes of fist and foot? He pondered for a moment—the four great grandmasters of the Bottle Gourd Continent martial arts rankings: Huai Wang Song Changjing had gone to the desolate battlefield, Pei Qian and Zhou Haijing were both women, and Yu Hong was a decrepit old man...
And that famous young Hidden Official—didn't everyone say he liked to wear a bright red dharma robe year-round on a section of the Sword Qi Great Wall's city wall?
Jin Li picked up an extremely long coral branch as red as blood, leaned forward, and lightly lifted the green silk curtain, saying calmly, "Stop the carriage."
The wave crest immediately halted. The reckless daoist was already standing directly in front of the carriage, gripping his sword hilt, his expression solemn. "Boss Jin, those two both seem to be extremely formidable martial arts grandmasters. If Boss Jin wants to capture them, your subordinate fears he would spoil the mood and would dare to advise: only through wit, not through force."
Jin Li made a sound of surprise. "The reckless daoist has become so steady in his actions?"
This reckless daoist was a great marsh python from the ancient Shu kingdom who had slithered into the sea—that was his dao foundation.
Back then, when he followed her in the attempt to attack the Central Earth Divine Continent, the reckless daoist Luo Xiu was already at the peak of the Jade Pure Realm. A full three thousand years had passed, and he had only just barely managed to endure and reach the Immortal Realm. The daoist temple he had built on the seabed was the ruins of an ancient true immortal's water alchemy, bearing the plaque "Flying Immortal Temple." That cave dwelling was winding and deep, easy to defend and hard to attack. As for the reckless daoist's scheming—he had none at all.
After watching the commotion over there for a while, the reckless daoist felt uneasy in his heart and said with an awkward expression, "Boss Jin, looking at their strength, they really are unreasonably powerful. Simply invincible. Your subordinate estimates that wit won't work either."
Jin Li used a finger as white as jade to scratch her forehead. With the reckless daoist's temperament like this, she couldn't even bring herself to scold him.
For three thousand years, this simpleton had simply employed the tactic of avoidance—neither currying favor nor having illicit relations with the Green Water Pit, nor willing to establish a sect and rule a region. He had merely accepted a dozen or so personal disciples, and master and disciples patiently hid within the water mansion, ignoring worldly affairs, focusing solely on nurturing their spirits and cultivating truth.
Obviously misunderstanding, the reckless daoist steeled himself, his expression solemn. "If Boss Jin wishes to recruit them, your subordinate is also willing to lead the charge and test their mettle."
As long as Boss Jin returned to the Eastern Sea, they old-timers would have their backbone.
Of course, Water Lord Wang Zhu was supremely noble in status, but what could he, a reckless daoist, covet from her?
Boss Jin had countless good qualities, but the best one was that she never deceived or schemed against them. Thinking back to those days, every time they returned victorious from battle, at the celebration feasts, after obtaining any benefits, everyone would share equally. At most, Boss Jin would pick the leftovers, just to be polite. She would always raise her wine bowl and invite everyone to drink together.
Don't talk to me about empty principles, about Water Lords and true dragons or whatever—in this life, I only acknowledge Boss Jin!
Of course, Jin Li's dao strength was the highest, so she could see the combat most clearly. She perfunctorily dismissed the reckless daoist, "Forget it. If you charge over there, you'll only be offering your head as a greeting gift."
The reckless daoist looked disgruntled.
Jin Li fell into a long silence.
On this side of the wave crest, layers of formations had been activated, like a pillar in the midstream, forcibly parting the surging tides on both sides, stirring up waves all around. Those who could stand on the wave crest and follow the reckless daoist—none were not naturally adept in water dharma techniques. Yet even they felt the danger of being "drowned" in this perilous scene. The Patrol Inspectorate's reports were not false—it was indeed difficult to approach, having nothing to do with courage or cowardice.
The reckless daoist said softly, "Your subordinate only wants to follow Boss Jin, drinking big bowls of wine and eating big chunks of meat."
Jin Li mocked herself, "I've let you down."
The reckless daoist stared blankly, then suddenly became sad, choking up, "What calamity has Boss Jin suffered, to have fallen so far that even wine and meat are unaffordable now?"
Could it be, as the military texts said, that Boss Jin's merits overshadowed her lord, arousing the Water Lord's suspicion?
Jin Li rubbed her brow.
The reckless daoist bellowed, "Come to my place, come to my place! Today, I'll clear out the water mansion and move my children elsewhere to open a new daoist temple. The water mansion is yours, Boss Jin. Please don't despise it or feel wronged."
The reckless daoist's several personal disciples who had also been promoted nearby had equally simple minds, merely feeling an additional sense of pride. Only one third-generation disciple of the Flying Immortal Temple, a young Golden Core with a very short dao age, had a different thought. Jin Li gave her an extra look, considering whether she could be properly cultivated to carry forward the reckless daoist's dharma lineage.
The divine officials and maidens of the Eastern Sea Water Mansion's various departments, both inside and outside the carriage, all exchanged glances, each with their own thoughts and subtle expressions.
Because according to previous water mansion intelligence, the reckless daoist occupying the Flying Immortal Temple ruins was a gloomy, unapproachable character. Relying solely on seniority and his formidable water dharma divine abilities, he had been extremely domineering, repeatedly shutting the door on water mansion envoys. Even when they held jade tablets from some great water mansion department, they couldn't even get a single meeting with the reckless daoist, who claimed to be in seclusion and not receiving guests.
Among Wang Zhu's several trusted retainers, there was Daoist Yellow Curtain, also an Immortal. Although in water combat he certainly wouldn't have the advantage over the reckless daoist, as Cui Dongshan said, Yellow Curtain had many tricks and wasn't afraid of the reckless daoist's home-field advantage. Moreover, with Xi Man, a ninth-tier martial artist, as backup, Yellow Curtain had intentions of capturing the reckless daoist and sweeping through the Flying Immortal Temple.
But Water Lord Wang Zhu didn't care about such things, which was why she hadn't ordered them to lead tens of thousands of water tribe troops to "knock on the door."
Just then, another strange phenomenon occurred.
The white-clothed young man was hit by a punch from the bare-armed man, crashing toward this side of the wave crest. His figure shot like a ballista bolt toward the azure wave water.
With his back pressed against the "cliff" of the wave crest, the white-clothed young man lightly tapped the crest with his elbow, caught the wind, and returned to the battlefield. He didn't forget to turn his head and apologize to the reckless daoist and the others, "Pardon the intrusion."
The reckless daoist nodded politely to the white-clothed back, not lacking in manners, and replied graciously, "No matter."
He was merely out of touch with information and too lazy to bother with disputes outside his temple, but he wasn't stupid. He had already recognized the identity of this young grandmaster—the one named Cao Ci, who never lost a fistfight.
Then the reckless daoist thought further, and his dao heart trembled. Could it be that the barefoot man sparring with Cao Ci, regardless of who won or lost this bout, whose appearance and bearing had already lost greatly to Cao Ci, was that...
The more the reckless daoist thought, the more he felt something was wrong. Full of indignation, he thought: He and his disciples may not have cared about worldly affairs, but they were still accomplished immortals occupying an ancient immortal site. Moreover, with Lady Blandan from the Green Water Pit having rolled onto land, the appearance of Guixu passageways and the spectacle of water gods escorting goods, they had heard bits and pieces of stories about mountains and rivers. For example, in recent years, the ferry managers and ship owners who had visited the Spring Banners Studio at Inverted Suspension Mountain had all spoken mysteriously—didn't they all say that the last Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall was divinely handsome, with a bearing as bright as the moon, quick-witted, laughing and joking, truly a rare beauty among mortals, ethereal and transcendent, like someone from an immortal painting?
How black-hearted would one have to be to speak such conscience-muddled nonsense?! The daoists on land truly were all dog-shit creatures who talked nonsense with their eyes wide open.
Jin Li handed the slender coral branch to a crane-cloaked maidservant responsible for rolling up the curtains. She herself simply feasted her eyes, tsk-tsking. She kind of coveted his body.
She marveled—Cao Ci truly was invincible in fist techniques.
Then she saw Chen Ping'an grabbed by the ankle by Cao Ci, swung around in a circle, and likewise thrown fiercely toward the azure wave crest.
Chen Ping'an shot like a ballista bolt toward the carriage, carrying incomparable energy. He had to circulate true qi and decelerate several times in midair to avoid directly shattering the wave crest.
With his back to the carriage and the reckless daoist, he landed on the wave crest, staggering. The barefoot man slipped and slid backward through the gaps among the armored soldiers, like a fish weaving through them. Even though this man had restrained his fist intent to the extreme, the iron armor of the water mansion's elite still clanged and rang.
The heavily armored soldiers were as if struck by a paralysis technique—none could move. The spiritual energy within their bodies was stagnant as if frozen. It was even difficult for them to speak.
Chen Ping'an retreated all the way to near the carriage before finally stopping.
Even the reckless daoist, at the high realm of an Immortal, remained motionless, maintaining his posture with one hand tucked in his sleeve forming a hand seal and the other hand on his sword, not daring to act rashly, afraid of being misunderstood as initiating a fistfight or sword duel.
The water mansion