Chapter 46: A Cage Called Freedom

Chapter 46: A Cage Called Freedom

A thousand mountains share the same moon, and tonight the moon was perfectly round. Some people, after a day of busy work, took a brief rest, preparing for tomorrow's busyness. Some were flipping through the writings of sages, collating ancient texts, composing poems about mirrors and mourning the past of all kinds. Some were climbing mountains and crossing ridges on the road of fame and fortune, walking the night path. Some lived in seclusion in the mountains, cultivating longevity techniques, acting like immortals. Some were clinking glasses on the banquet table, calling each other brothers, eyebrows flying as they pushed cups and exchanged toasts, using words to deceive one another. Some were complacent or regretful over today's gains and losses, some were looking forward to or afraid of tomorrow's uninvited arrival, and some were longingly reminiscing about the beauty and regret of yesterday. And that glittering Changpu River, its gentle surface floating with lotus lanterns, was like a piece of silk embroidered with the most beautiful flowers.

After eating and drinking his fill, Hong Ji felt a great sense of relief. Since he hadn't brought any attendants on this trip, he had to settle the bill himself. Finding an excuse, he left the room and secretly paid the bill. The shopkeeper, Wei Shao, whether he was lying in wait or it was just a coincidence, happened to run into him. Hong Ji handed over the silver. He couldn't afford the shame of eating without paying, and Fatty Wei wasn't dim-witted enough to think he was qualified to put on airs for Hong Ji of the Northern Office.

Hong Ji secretly tugged at his collar. Apart from Fatty Wei being a bit of a cheapskate, nothing else had gone wrong. The meal had been quite pleasant; he felt he had hit it off very well with National Preceptor Chen... In short, most of the time, Hong Ji had been earnestly eating and drinking.

You see, how many dinner parties in the world really care about whether the dishes suit your taste or how the wine tastes? People eat other people's words at the table and drink other people's expressions. Going back and forth, there are only a few standard appetizers: beautiful women, gossip, others' rights and wrongs, and unrestrained obscene talk.

But today's meal could be summed up in one word: plain.

Hong Ji couldn't help but wonder: could someone like National Preceptor Chen ever get drunk? Had he ever been drunk in his life? And who would be the person with whom he could drink freely and speak sincerely?

Wei Shao rubbed his hands together, lowering his voice with a smile: "Commander Hong, how was the food?"

Hong Ji reached out, grabbed Fatty Wei's shoulder, and gave it a gentle squeeze, teasing: "The taste was pretty good, but the price really wasn't cheap. Now I know how you got all that fat—it's from the official salaries of guests like me."

Wei Shao said helplessly: "Commander Hong, have a conscience. The prices at our restaurant are already very fair and quite affordable."

Hong Ji released his hand and asked casually: "Shopkeeper Wei, let me ask you: running a business all year round, greeting and seeing off guests, building connections, and doing favors, how many catties of wine do you end up drinking in total?"

Wei Shao was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook his head: "How much wine have I drunk? Never kept track of that."

Hong Ji laughed: "Alright, then next time I come here to eat, remember to tell me the number. I'll let some of those little bastards know what's what, so they don't keep boasting to me about how much they can drink."

Wei Shao was stunned again and again. He looked at the man who sat in the top seat of the Northern Office and didn't seem to be joking. The fatty beamed, nodded, and said okay.

In the capital of Great Li these days, if this Northern Office Hong Ji didn't confiscate a family's property, who would dare?!

Besides that, Hong Ji's gaze and tone of voice were pretty similar to those of Han Liuer and the others.

Hong Ji returned to the room and sat down again. Chen Ping'an put down his chopsticks and said: "Commander Hong, go ahead. Tell me which room in the restaurant your Northern Office colleagues are in. We'll go toast them. You can make the rounds, and I'll just get a familiar face."

Hong Ji looked embarrassed, a bit guilty, and honestly said: "I did tell Situ Dianwu and the others to act according to circumstances beforehand. I arranged it with them, but as for whether they would get to see National Preceptor Chen, I didn't give any guarantees. But as it turned out, none of us expected the restaurant to be so busy. Fatty Wei said they waited stubbornly, sneaking around like thieves, but in the end, there was no room for them, so they had to slink away in disgrace."

Of course, Wei Shao wouldn't dare to say such things or use such words, but Hong Ji's way of putting it, deliberately embellished, was probably considered truly proper.

As for making Situ Dianwu and the others wait for nothing, Hong Ji didn't see any problem with it; it was a trivial matter. Most of them were frontier soldiers who had fought in major battles. On a battlefield where life and death were decided, waiting anxiously for reinforcements that never came—that was true desperation. Actually, the Northern Office was already an anomaly in the Great Li officialdom. How many rank-three officials who held the power of life and death cared so much about their subordinates' careers? A scion of an aristocratic family like Situ Dianwu, who at Old Ying Lake wouldn't sell face to anyone and didn't hesitate to make personal enemies for official business—apart from the young commandant's own temperament, it was also because he trusted Commander Hong's character, knowing he would never discard him like a pawn just because he had stirred up trouble.

Chen Ping'an thought for a moment, then said: "We can't just keep letting the National Preceptor's Estate and Rong Yu trouble your Northern Office. From now on, when people from the Northern Office come to the National Preceptor's Estate to discuss matters, except for Hong Ji, there's no need to announce them."

He paused briefly, then turned to Rong Yu and said: "Later, add a name to the list of those participating in the discussions: Situ Dianwu."

Rong Yu nodded slightly.

Hong Ji's expression shifted subtly. Although he didn't know who was on that list, he was very clear that this kid Situ Dianwu had just snagged a chance to leap over the dragon's gate. But given his performance at Old Ying Lake, he deserved to be promoted alongside Qin Biao.

Chen Ping'an teased: "Commander Hong, are you used to the food?"

Hong Ji hesitated for a moment, unsure whether the National Preceptor was asking if he was used to the food and wine of the Changpu River restaurant or if he was used to this kind of dinner party where he had to read others' expressions. After a quick mental turnaround, Hong Ji laughed: "Actually, I'm not really used to it. But my in-law put it well: a person can compromise on ten or a hundred things, but if they can also refuse to accommodate one or two people or things, that's true refinement."

Chen Ping'an chewed on those words: "Able to compromise, unwilling to accommodate, truly refined."

Chen Ping'an smiled: "From this, it seems scholars aren't entirely useless. Many times, the same matter, when spoken of by these weak scholars, can take on a different meaning and flavor."

Hong Ji laughed heartily: "National Preceptor, that's your evaluation of scholars, not mine!"

Chen Ping'an stood up and said with a slight smile: "Opportunity knocks but once. Hong Ji, think it through. Once we leave the restaurant, I won't have an excuse to drink anymore."

Hong Ji said sincerely: "I've thought it through. Rather than letting me recommend them to you, it's better to let them rely on their true abilities, do their work solidly, and one day, at the National Preceptor's Estate or in the court, discuss matters face-to-face with National Preceptor Chen."

Chen Ping'an smiled: "Alright, it's settled then. Don't make me wait too long."

Hong Ji cupped his hands, his eyes shining brightly. Though he said nothing, his spirit was bold and unrestrained.

On both banks of the Changpu River, decorated with lanterns and colored streamers, the traffic was heavy. It was hard to imagine how lively it must have been here before.

From the Yongtai County Household Section, Bian Chuntang; from the Constable Section, Lu Zhuang; and a young minor official who had just entered the county office, named Zhou Xuanzai.

From the White Cloud Escort Agency, Gao Xiu; and the youth Ma Yixian.

Of these two groups, only Lu Zhuang had eaten here a few times; the rest were drinking at Changpu River for the first time.

Earlier, Lu Zhuang had suggested going to that fatty Wei's restaurant, saying it was relatively good value and didn't overcharge customers. Gao Xiu naturally had no objection. When asking for a favor, one fears not the other party making demands, but the other party not speaking at all.

Passing by a stall selling all kinds of beautiful fish-shaped lanterns, the young minor official silently thought: If I ever become an official, I must leave my mark on this capital.

The sharp-eyed youth, beaming with joy, raised his arm high and waved vigorously, shouting at the top of his lungs: "Cao Mo! Over here, over here!"

Chen Ping'an immediately quickened his pace, while at the same time, slightly raising his hand, he made a subtle gesture for Hong Ji and the others to slow down.

Hong Ji and Rong Yu's group did not follow the National Preceptor's steps. Hong Ji was somewhat surprised. Was it the National Preceptor's alias? And who was that seemingly naive youth? They seemed very familiar with the National Preceptor?

Ma Yixian craned his neck. Among the men and women standing behind Cao Mo, there wasn't a single familiar face. One middle-aged man was quite conspicuous, looking like a groom.

Guo Zhujiu rubbed Xie Gou's head and asked doubtfully: "Where's that mink hat? Not seeing it feels strange; I keep feeling like you left your head at home."

Xie Gou reached out and swatted away Alliance Leader Guo's claw, helplessly saying: "Alliance Leader Guo, oh dear, nowadays this chief is a big celebrity in the capital. Strolling around the streets, people on both sides tend to get all excited and noisy. If I accidentally disturb the mountain master during his meal, that would be a great sin."

Guo Zhujiu nodded: "Senior Sister Pei said that nowadays, whenever the capital's commoners chat about that celebration, the moment they mention Xie Gou, or sword cultivator Bai Jing, they always say, 'It's that girl in the mink hat.' Indeed, the image is vivid and memorable; it's quite an advantage."

Xie Gou put her hands on her hips and nodded vigorously. Probably because she wasn't wearing the mink hat, she seemed shorter.

At this moment, Hong Ji stood next to Yu Shiwu. This handsome man with a jade-like spirit had spoken little at the table, his demeanor gentle.

After a few casual remarks, Yu Shiwu mentioned that he had once made an appointment with a friend to come drink at Changpu River together, but that "future" would never come. When he said this, Yu Shiwu seemed a bit sad.

When Cao Mo approached, Ma Yixian sized him up, then gave a "tsk" sound: "What a coincidence, Cao Mo. Are you treating or being treated? As expected of someone who walks the path of Thousand-Step Corridor, you can afford to feast at Changpu River. Impressive. Is this a regular thing, or a first-time event?"

Having set foot in the glittering Changpu River for the first time, the youth was naturally a little unsure of himself. Having finally run into an acquaintance, his voice was louder than usual.

"Not a regular here to be a fat sheep. All told, no more than the fingers on one hand. Today, someone else is footing the bill." Chen Ping'an also gave a "tsk" sound and lowered his voice: "Using the congratulatory gift I gave the escort agency to splurge here? Really? You didn't even bother to inform me and bring Brother Cao along. Fine, you're a loyal one, kid."

Ma Yixian flushed slightly with embarrassment and said: "Senior Brother Gao wanted to treat the people from the yamen to a meal. A county official isn't as good as the one in charge on the spot, right? The place for drinking can't be too shabby. After thinking it over, rather than dilly-dallying, it's better to go all out and have a proper blowout at the most famous place, Changpu River."

Chen Ping'an nodded: "Gao Xiu is still experienced in handling things."

Actually, Chen Ping'an had a very good impression of Gao Xiu, no less than their master. A grown man, over so many years, taking care of the children—the nominal junior brothers and sisters—and raising them to adulthood. The hardships and unspoken difficulties were something ordinary people might not understand, but how could Chen Ping'an not?

But the youth's Senior Brother Gao, every time his eyes met Cao Mo's, always felt it was a silent provocation from that fellow Cao Mo, with a hint of "I've come to steal your junior sister."

Little did Gao Xiu know, "Cao Mo" looked at him as a reflection of his own youthful years.

Rong Yu had already recognized the identities of those two county yamen minor officials. It was indeed a coincidence.

Ma Yixian turned his head and said: "Senior Brother Gao, you go ahead and accompany Master Bian and Brother Lu to the restaurant. I'll catch up soon? After you sit down, don't wait for me; just start drinking."

They stopped beside the fish lantern stall. Before the embarrassed Gao Xiu could explain anything, Bian Chuntang took the initiative to speak up, understandingly: "No rush. Go ahead and catch up. I'll take the opportunity to pick a fish lantern for my son."

Ma Yixian glanced at Yu Shiwu and asked curiously: "Is that person your employer?"

Chen Ping'an followed the youth's gaze and glanced at Yu Shiwu, then smiled: "No."

Ma Yixian quickened his speech: "Oh, by the way, Cao Mo, there's something. You're an old hand; help me figure it out?"

In front of Cao Mo, the youth always tried to act like an adult in every way, but when it came to escort agency business and the cultivation resources of his master and senior sisters back in the mountains, the youth's pride shrank.

Chen Ping'an chuckled: "What is it? Let's hear it. I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice. Giving advice is no problem."

Hong Ji watched the National Preceptor, who seemed at ease and perhaps putting on an air of profundity, and felt a sense of unfamiliarity.

Not far away, Guo Zhujiu smiled knowingly.

She suddenly understood why her master seemed like a different person.

Because at this moment, her master was like... standing outside the wine table of that shop on the Sword Qi Great Wall, on the street.

He must miss them very much.

Ma Yixian rolled his eyes at this, but since it was important, he couldn't be bothered to argue with Cao Mo about salt and rice: "Wei Li of the Four Seas Martial Arts School. Grandmaster Wei. You've heard of him, right?"

Chen Ping'an nodded: "Of course I know him. His reputation is like thunder."

Ma Yixian furrowed his brows worriedly: "He came to us today on his own initiative, saying he wanted to go into business with the escort agency. Do you think there's a trap here? Cao Mo, we're strangers here. We're afraid of missing a golden opportunity to make money, but also afraid of making a losing deal. You know, after setting up the escort agency, we really don't have much money left. One wrong step and there's no chance to turn things around. I don't have the face to go back to see my master empty-handed. If that day comes, I won't go back. I'll have to wander the jianghu on my own and only return to the mountains after making a lot of money."

Chen Ping'an looked at the youth whose eyes were slightly red, reached out and rubbed his head, and said: "It's simple. Either Wei Li has ulterior motives and is trying to pull a 'fairy jump' scam on you, but that's very unlikely. If Wei Li really wanted to make money, he wouldn't need to cheat you. Or maybe Wei Li has actually heard of your master's name long ago and admires him. But being a chivalrous man of the jianghu, he doesn't want you to feel indebted to him, so he deliberately found this clumsy excuse. Either way, your escort agency's endless deliberation can't compare to finding a local big shot in the capital, preferably someone with official status..."

Seeing Cao Mo's serious expression and that what he said seemed reasonable, Ma Yixian's mood immediately improved: "Like you?"

Chen Ping'an laughed: "Looking for me as a backer? You've got some nerve, kid!"

Ma Yixian grinned foolishly. Cao Mo's character? If he didn't brag for three sentences, it was like a drunkard going three days without a drink.

Ma Yixian lowered his voice: "You've met Bian Chuntang before. I have a good impression of him, but I don't understand the ins and outs of the yamen. What's this about minor officials, pure and turbid? Is his official hat too small? Would he be useless in a critical moment and not be able to suppress things?"

Chen Ping'an raised his hand, pretended to flick his sleeve, and counted on his fingers for a moment, then said: "It'll be enough."

Ma Yixian was shocked: "Cao Mo, you can tell fortunes? Why don't you set up a stall under the Heavenly Bridge and tell fortunes..."

Unexpectedly, the guy hummed in acknowledgment and nodded: "I did set up a stall there before. Made quite a bit of money."

Ma Yixian grinned and pointed at the shameless Cao Mo: "With a face like yours, whoever marries you in the future will..."

Seeing Cao Mo's "unfriendly expression," he immediately changed his tone: "Will be blessed."

Chen Ping'an was satisfied and laughed: "When you're out and about, more skills don't weigh you down. That way, you can be like a swallow gathering mud, saving up a little bit for a wife every day. Learn from me, kid."

Having received Cao Mo's advice, Ma Yixian felt assured. The gloom on the youth's brow vanished. He waved his hand: "Cao Mo, keep strolling. I'm off to drink good wine."

Chen Ping'an slapped him on the head and said with annoyance: "Fine kid, burning the bridge after crossing it!"

Ma Yixian suddenly remembered that Senior Brother Gao and the others were still waiting. Chen Ping'an had already turned to face the two county yamen minor officials, cupping his hands and smiling: "In this capital of two million seven hundred thousand people, to meet twice in one day is indeed fate."

The greater fate, of course, was that the old deaf man's oil-paper umbrella had, after many twists and turns, ended up in Bian Chuntang's hands. Bian Chuntang cupped his hands in return to the man in blue, hesitated for a moment, but still said nothing. They had already met briefly at the White Cloud Escort Agency before, but hadn't chatted. The number the other party had given wasn't inaccurate—it was the official figure from the previous year's Capital Household Department. But it still differed somewhat from the facts, because Bian Chuntang worked in the Yongtai County Household Section and loved to deal with those dry yellow registers and account numbers all day, so he knew a bit more inside information than his yamen colleagues.

Lu Zhuang smiled and said: "To be precise, it's three million two hundred thousand. Next year, it will only be more."

Chen Ping'an asked doubtfully: "That many?"

Lu Zhuang gave a thumbs up toward Bian Chuntang: "I heard it from him."

Bian Chuntang had no choice but to give a rough explanation, naturally only picking what could be said. The taboo of speaking deeply with a slight acquaintance applied everywhere.

Chen Ping'an listened patiently to Bian Chuntang's explanation, then said with sudden understanding: "No wonder."

He shifted his gaze to the young minor official and asked with a smile: "And this young master is?"

Lu Zhuang smiled and introduced him: "His surname is Zhou, given name Xuanzai. He's our new colleague under Head Bian."

The young man was thin-skinned. Zhou Xuanzai, still inexperienced in the world, blushed slightly and said: "Head Bian is my master, teaching me the ropes."

Chen Ping'an nodded: "The master leads you in, but practice depends on the individual. When Head Bian becomes Chief Clerk Bian, then it'll be time to call you Chief Zhou."

Bian Chuntang chuckled silently. The young man's face turned crimson. Lu Zhuang couldn't help but laugh, giving his friend a sidelong glance. Look, listen—it's not just me who cares about your future.

Learning that they were heading to Wei Shao's restaurant, Chen Ping'an glanced at the fish lantern in Bian Chuntang's hand, then waved at Hong Ji and said with a smile: "Trouble you to lead Head Bian and Brothers Lu there? They happen to be heading to Wei Shao's for a meal. When you get to the restaurant, see if you can talk to Shopkeeper Wei about keeping our room for them."

Hong Ji nodded with a smile, inwardly overjoyed. Why? Simple! The National Preceptor was really treating him like one of his own.

As they were about to part, Ma Yixian joked about having a second meal, with him treating to good wine. Chen Ping'an glanced in the direction of the palace and said with a smile that he had a small matter to attend to.

Hong Ji led Gao Xiu and the others to Fatty Wei's restaurant. Chen Ping'an let Guo Zhujiu and Xie Gou choose their fish lanterns, while he walked to a quiet spot by the Changpu River. His figure flickered and vanished, heading straight for the palace, arriving outside a great hall.

Just now, Song Yunjian, the gatekeeper of the Great Li capital, had informed him via sound transmission that a thief had sneaked into the forbidden grounds, identity and purpose unknown.

Song Yunjian asked the National Preceptor how to handle it. This gatekeeper, whose Dao name was Yingning, was a prodigy equivalent to the Flying Ascension Realm and had his own means to ensure that the audacious intruder wouldn't leave. However, Song Yunjian also worried that the other party might be another instance of someone climbing over the wall of the National Preceptor's Estate, like that person from Northern Ju Luzhou, and that it wouldn't do to have the Dragon King flood the Dragon King's temple. Fortunately, the National Preceptor was handling the matter personally.

On the way to the restaurant, Hong Ji took the initiative to smile and say: "My surname is Hong. I'm a few years older, so I'll take the liberty. You all can just call me Old Hong."

Lu Zhuang, relaxed, asked with a smile: "Brother Hong, where do you work?"

Hong Ji said simply two words: "Northern Office."

Lu Zhuang immediately sucked in a cold breath, as if the atmosphere suddenly froze. Zhou Xuanzai was even more fearful. For minor officials like them, who weren't even qualified to be recommended by pure-current capital officials, an official from the Northern Office was far beyond their reach. Worse still, hadn't their Yongtai County Magistrate indirectly suffered a huge, silent loss at the hands of the Northern Office? Nowadays in the capital, no matter how big your official hat or how good your family background, if you ran into the Northern Office, it would only end in shattering.

Sensing the change in Bian Chuntang and the others' mentality, Hong Ji laughed: "Just doing my duty at the Northern Office, building up seniority and earning a living."

Even though Ma Yixian knew about the current tense atmosphere in the capital and that the Northern Office was the culprit, the youth, not being part of officialdom, didn't understand the ins and outs. He asked curiously: "Brother Hong seems very familiar with Brother Cao. How did you two meet?"

Hong Ji was a bit stuck. After a moment's hesitation, he gave a vague answer: "By chance."

Ma Yixian nodded: "So Cao Mo wasn't bragging. He really does know some officials in the capital."

Hong Ji's face became even more embarrassed. He didn't know how to respond. He observed Bian Chuntang and the other county yamen minor officials from the corner of his eye. They probably couldn't understand how many of Great Li's important ministers nowadays wanted to meet National Preceptor Chen, but how few could actually exchange a few words with him.

Gao Xiu signaled with his eyes for his outspoken junior brother to speak less.

Ma Yixian grinned. Does Senior Brother think I'm stupid? The capital official Cao Mo knows isn't a big one!

Outside a great hall in the palace, Song Yunjian asked via sound transmission: "Is it the National Preceptor's friend?"

Chen Ping'an shook his head: "I don't recognize him."

Seeing that a thief had sneaked into the palace hall right under his nose, Song Yunjian said with an embarrassed expression: "It was my oversight."

Chen Ping'an waved his hand and said self-deprecatingly: "A tall tree catches the wind. I expect there will only be more incidents like this in the future."

So there was the rash young man like Yan You, a martial artist from Golden Reed Prefecture, who wanted to weigh the worth of his new National Preceptor's title of "Grandmaster." And there was Xu Xie from Golden Armor Continent, a Flying Ascension sword immortal named Xu Jun, who, after dealing with Du Hanling of Tongye Continent, crossed continents to visit the National Preceptor's Estate. Beyond schemes and interests, Xu Xie was certainly curious about whether Chen Ping'an, as a fellow sword cultivator, was "pure" and just how high his killing power really was.

Chen Ping'an stepped over the threshold and reminded the uninvited guest with a smile: "You can touch that chair, but you can't just sit on it."

The man standing next to the dragon throne turned his head, grinned, and asked: "Are you Chen Ping'an, the Great Li National Preceptor?"

Chen Ping'an nodded: "I am Chen Ping'an. What do you intend to do?"

The man's eyes burned with intensity as he said: "I traded places with a Daoist named Lu Yan. He said you were something special. I don't quite believe it."

Chen Ping'an put his hands in his sleeves and hummed in acknowledgment, then said: "You've learned the Great Li official language pretty well."

The man was momentarily speechless.

Wei Shao was soliciting customers at the restaurant entrance when he saw Commander Hong leading a group of strangers back. For a moment, he was confused. Could it be that the National Preceptor, too embarrassed to eat for free at the restaurant, had sent Hong Ji back to reclaim the silver? The Northern Office salary wasn't that low, was it? Hong Ji couldn't be bothered to waste words with Wei Shao. He directly asked if that room had been taken by new customers. If not, he wanted it for these friends of his.

Fatty Wei smiled and said that fortunately, it was still empty.

Having finally taken care of the task the National Preceptor had assigned, Hong Ji cupped his hands and took his leave. Bian Chuntang and the others returned the gesture.

Just then, two guests walked out of the restaurant. Both were surnamed Pei.

A civil official, but after Cao Ping and Su Gaoshan, the third Patrol Envoy of the Great Li dynasty, Pei Mao.

And one of the literary secretary lang who had trained at the National Preceptor's Estate for many years, Pei Jing.

Hong Ji squinted his eyes. This was unexpected. He hadn't thought that Patrol Envoy Pei would also be drinking here today.

Pei Mao's expression was indifferent. He glanced at Hong Ji but showed no intention of greeting him. He simply walked straight out of the restaurant, brushing past him.

Pei Jing had intended to exchange a few formalities with this Northern Office commander, but seeing his father silent, he had no choice but to remain quiet as well.

Hong Ji didn't take Pei Mao's deliberate disregard to heart. Everyone knew what kind of person Pei Mao was, what kind of official, and what achievements he had made. The entire Great Li dynasty knew it clearly. Hong Ji didn't think that just because the Northern Office was currently in the ascendant, he deserved to be looked upon with new eyes by Pei Mao, nor that he should take the initiative to exchange pleasantries with him. Besides, hadn't he, Hong Ji, also not spoken first?

Even if he hadn't become the governor of Lingwu Circuit, Hong Ji was still a shoo-in for the first governor of Huainan Circuit. To have such a smooth official career, rising rapidly, was already quite something. Hong Ji dared not hope for more. But besides being an official, he was also a father. Deep down, he would have even traded his own rank-two governor position for his son's rank-four or sub-rank-four commandery governor post somewhere. Hong Ji wouldn't have minded dying in the Northern Office. But he was well aware that since the National Preceptor had taken the initiative to mention Hong Lin and Dragon Head Plateau, it was already an unexpected delight. He had to take the hint and not dare, nor want, to overdo it.

Walking alone along the bank of the Changpu River, Hong Ji had a sudden flash of inspiration. Could it be that the much-anticipated, but as yet undecided, first governor of Lingwu Circuit...?!

At the third floor, in a room full of jinshi from the pure current, just because one additional person, the Vice Minister of Justice Zhao Yao, had appeared, the atmosphere became subtle. Everyone spoke more cautiously, their gazes turned softer. It seemed that every time they reached out to pick up a dish, they had to think it over carefully; every time they raised their glasses to drink, they had to look around a few times. The brilliant Maolin Lang Wang Qinruo seemed to have become silent; the romantic Tanhua Lang Yang Shuang appeared ill at ease. In comparison, Cao Qinglang and Xun Qu hadn't changed much from before.

In the Great Li capital, attending lang were a dime a dozen. How many Vice Ministers, who could be called hall officials, were there?

Moreover, Zhao Yao was a direct disciple of Mr. Qi of Shanya Academy. It was said that in his early years, he had been Qi Jingchun's book boy for many years in the home of Li Zhu Cave Heaven. By seniority, he was a true second-generation disciple of the Confucian Sage's lineage, the Embroidery Tiger's grand-nephew. He was also, of course, the new National Preceptor Chen Ping'an's... grand-nephew, and a fellow townsman. Busybodies had counted that the two capital officials who had visited the National Preceptor's Estate most frequently were Cao Gengxin of the Ministry of Personnel and Zhao Yao of the Ministry of Justice.

Zhao Yao had neither the mood nor the interest to deliberately appear approachable to these junior officials. The reason he had come to this dinner party was mainly to have a few words with Cao Qinglang. Since Zhang Dinghe and Yan Yi were both present, he took the opportunity to offer some guidance.

Zhao Yao felt that if he had a student like Cao Qinglang, he would certainly cultivate him with care. The Hanlin Academy had been his training ground; next, he should rotate through various yamen like the Ministry of Households, the Censorate, and the Directorate of Education, and eventually end up in the Ministry of Rites. Spending over thirty years, his official career would achieve the ultimate in "pure nobility."

Although he didn't understand why Cao Qinglang wanted to resign, in Zhao Yao's view, Cui Chan's lineage of practical learning was the least concerned with avoiding suspicion. Since Cao Qinglang was Chen Ping'an's private disciple and a top-ranked Hanlin official from the orthodox imperial examination path, he should climb step by step within the Great Li dynasty, become a high official, accomplish great deeds, leave his name in history, and seek the three immortalities... But everyone has their own aspirations; it shouldn't be forced.

The next room was buzzing with noise. Yang Shuang looked troubled, afraid that Vice Minister Zhao might be displeased. Wang Qinruo pretended not to hear, but his heart was thumping.

On the second floor, Guan Yiran was eating here with a few good friends to celebrate his promotion and imminent departure from the capital to take up a post. At the same time, they didn't forget to tease him about ending up in such a place as Ju Prefecture. Their relationship was like that of Cao Gengxin with Han Yi and Wei Shao—friends who had played together since childhood and had never drifted apart in adulthood.

Eating on the second floor wasn't much different from the third, but they had ended up in a "favorable location." The guests in the room above must have been talking about something amusing, because they took to stomping their feet vigorously from time to time. Down below, Guan Yiran and the others felt as if thunder were crashing right above their heads.

Guan Yiran's expression remained unchanged, acting as if nothing had happened, eating and drinking as usual. But his tablemates, all outstanding figures in the capital who were used to being treated like lords, were a different story. Whether it was due to strict family discipline and heavy rules, or their own cultivation, experience, and knowledge, they wouldn't stoop to bullying others based on their background. In fact, they most looked down on those who flaunted their ancestors' posthumous titles or fathers' official positions. However, they were by no means pushovers. They had never endured such a gross insult, especially since they were in the right.

Someone finally couldn't help but look up and said with a mock smile: "Isn't this like stirring up trouble with the Grand Duke of Tai Sui?"

The young man sitting opposite Guan Yiran, closest to the door, named Zhao Yuanhui, immediately put down his chopsticks and said tentatively: "Should I go tell Wei Shao and ask him to give a discreet reminder? Tell the guests upstairs to restrain themselves a bit?"

His father-in-law was the richest man in Wei Prefecture, and he himself was a rank-seven clerk in the Censorate's Experience Office. Just over thirty years old, Zhao Yuanhui was only inconspicuous in this room. He had once brought his wife to a similar dinner party. After that, she was reluctant to join such gatherings, saying she didn't dare to speak.

Although she was the only daughter of a wealthy local merchant in Great Li, and naturally not without worldly experience, there were many things about her husband that she couldn't understand. In their hometown of Wei Prefecture, there were also many officials from aristocratic families who, when out and about, were afraid others wouldn't know who they were. But Zhao Yuanhui was the opposite; it was as if he was afraid others would know who he was.

Zhao Yuanhui hadn't explained it to her in detail. He just said that if he didn't act that way, he couldn't keep his job at the Censorate.

Throughout Great Li's history, the Censorate had terrified all officials. No one saw it without feeling intimidated. It was only in the last twenty years that it had become low-key, first having its power divided by the Ministry of Justice, and now being outshone by the Northern Office. At root, it was probably because Yuan Chong, who headed the Censorate, wasn't assertive enough. When one person attains the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven—this saying applies not only to the mountains.

Guan Yiran picked up a dish for his friend beside him and said with a smile: "Yuanhui, forget it. We're almost done with the meal. Don't make things difficult for Shopkeeper Wei."

Zhao Yuanhui, being steady in character, didn't say another word. But inwardly, he was puzzled. He always felt that Guan Yiran held that distant shopkeeper Wei Shao in an unusually high regard.

Guan Yiran naturally couldn't be bothered with the noisy, drunken crowd in that room, nor did he want to create any unnecessary trouble at this critical juncture.

Because before he left for his post in Ju Prefecture, he had to go to the National Preceptor's Estate tomorrow morning. Liu Xunmei was also on the list. Earlier, when they met, Liu Xunmei had cautiously asked if he knew what the National Preceptor's Estate wanted to see them about. Guan Yiran was equally in the dark and honestly said he didn't know the reason. Seeing that he wasn't deliberately hiding anything, Liu Xunmei laughed and cursed, saying it was all Guan Yiran's fault—if he weren't already a sure-fire prefectural governor, he could still dream of a promotion.

Deep down, Guan Yiran wasn't at ease. His intuition told him that tomorrow's meeting at the National Preceptor's Estate would be a crucial juncture for "the Guan Yiran's and Liu Xunmei's" of Great Li.

A new official lights three fires on his first day. If the first fire was the influx of sword immortals from the Fallen Mountain to the Great Li capital, a grand celebration that once again consolidated the hearts of the Great Li court and populace, and it was the Northern Office that had thrown the entire capital's officialdom into chaos with the second fire, then the third fire would most likely burn down all the "backers."

Had His Majesty the Emperor's transcontinental alliance treaty been a tacit, well-understood "transfer of power," allowing the National Preceptor's Estate and Chen Ping'an to carry out a series of bold, overstepping measures?

Guan Yiran had no reason to recall that banquet years ago. The accountant from the Green Gorge Island of Book-Scour Lake, after coming ashore, the more he drank, the more he drank, and the young man with the best drinking manners had eyes that grew brighter and brighter.

At the same time, the guests from both rooms rose to leave. Stepping into the corridor, they exchanged glances.

On one side, led by Guan Yiran, were all scions of prominent official families. When they left the restaurant, their destinations were either Yichi Lane or Chi'er Street. On the other side was a more mixed group: Zhou Gong, a cultivator from the Snow Wind Temple who would become the captain of a future Great Li sword boat; Yan You, a registered mountain wanderer who had inexplicably entered officialdom; and two minor officials from Jiayu County in the capital region: the county vice-magistrate Song Wenxiu and the county marshal Lu Hui.

Even though he recognized Guan Yiran, Zhou Gong hesitated and still said nothing.

Instead, it was Guan Yiran who took the initiative to step forward, cupped his hands, and said with a smile: "Greetings, Captain Zhou."

Zhou Gong was somewhat surprised. Would Guan Yiran recognize him? Logically, they were distant, unrelated figures.

To be honest, he hoped that Great Li would have more scions of noble families like Guan Yiran, and that they would become higher officials. Only then could Great Li progress.

Since he couldn't pretend not to see him, Zhou Gong took it upon himself to introduce his friends. Zhao Yuanhui, who was meticulous by nature and as a key figure being groomed by the Censorate, quickly noticed a subtle detail: among Zhou Gong's group, the one with the deepest pride, and who hid it best, was that county marshal from Jiayu County named Lu Hui.

The wine had been drunk happily. Gao Xiu was in a good mood. Even setting aside the business at hand, just getting to know these two new friends was already worthwhile.

Zhou Xuanzai and Ma Yixian hit it off. The youth couldn't handle his liquor well, but his drinking manners were commendable. In the end, Gao Xiu carried his drunk junior brother back to the escort agency on his back. Zhou Xuanzai, supported by Head Bian for a stretch, suddenly felt his stomach churn. He ran to the riverbank, bent over, and vomited until tears streamed down his face. Lu Zhuang teased him a bit, but Bian Chuntang gently patted his apprentice on the back. After he finished vomiting, Zhou Xuanzai's mind cleared a bit. The young minor official silently prayed: River god, please don't take offense.

On the way back, Bian Chuntang carried the fish lantern and said softly: "That Cao Mo is definitely not a jianghu wanderer like Gao Xiu thinks. He's either someone in officialdom or from an official family of no low standing."

Lu Zhuang asked: "Why?"

Zhou Xuanzai vigorously rubbed his face and told himself: No more drinking. I'll die before I ever drink again.

Bian Chuntang smiled: "An ordinary person wouldn't pay attention to the population count of the capital."

Lu Zhuang rubbed his chin, half-convinced: "I don't think he has any official air about him. At most, he's just a common scion of an official family."

On the way back to the county yamen, Bian Chuntang bought a jug of wine at his own expense, intending to give it to the old man to enjoy.

Xu Xunshu, after all, was a legitimate sesame-seed official in the county yamen and had a room to himself. No need to share a common room with anyone.

The old man was flipping through a yellowed book on physiognomy. Hearing a knock at the door, he got up to open it. Seeing the young men returning from outside, he thanked them and took the wine. Before accepting it, Xu Xunshu shook his head, rubbed his eyes vigorously, and was filled with disbelief. He marveled inwardly: What a great fortune!

On the way back to the National Preceptor's Estate, Guo Zhujiu and Xie Gou each held their fish lanterns aloft, looking like two lively girls from the market.

Rong Yu was silent, her mind at peace.

Someone was the smartest, but he only felt it was his responsibility to take good care of this world. As his successor, he wasn't that smart, but he always carried a fervent, unreasonable hope, willing to use clumsy methods to walk slowly with the world, to move upward together.

At any rate, tonight was uneventful. Pei Mao walked along the Changpu River all the way to the Haidai Gate, where he had served as inspector for a year.

Pei Mao looked around. As a Patrol Envoy, he was neither a cultivator nor a martial artist, but somehow, he had a strange illusion. He felt that both the mountains and the world below, gods and mortals, emperors, generals, merchants, and commoners, men and women, young and old, were all in a cage called "freedom."

It was as if someone had long stood towering, supporting countless rules, acting as the mainstay in the river of time, looking down upon all sentient beings with a tender, lingering gaze.

A young-looking itinerant Daoist, accompanied by a little girl named Chai Wu. Their ages in the Dao were vastly different, but their cultivation levels were only two steps apart. They descended the mountain together and stopped at the foot of Tiaoyu Mountain. Zhao Tianlai asked with a smile: "Should we go north or south?"

Chai Wu was a bit nervous: "Celestial Master, is there any significance to different directions?"

Having spent a long time on the mountain, the little girl knew that the immortals on the mountain had great knowledge and many rules for seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster.

Zhao Tianlai smiled slightly: "No special significance. Let nature take its course; follow your heart."

Whether it was going into the noisy, mundane world to see the myriad forms of life, or going deep into the great mountains and vast marshes to seek peace and quiet, both were cultivation. Thousands of words in Daoist texts, the secret was nothing more than the two words: "guard the heart."

Then they walked toward Huaihuang Town, planning to follow the Tiefu River all the way to Qidun Mountain, Red Candle Town... On the way, they passed the mountain gate of Fallen Mountain. To their surprise, the Qingqiu Fox Lord, dressed in a jade hairpin and cloth skirt, had been waiting for a long time. She was accompanied by a pair of teenagers living at the back of the mountain: Cao Yin, who sought immortality through Daoist cultivation, and the maid Cao Yang, who practiced fist techniques. They were all waiting here for Celestial Master Zhao and Chai Wu.

The Qingqiu Fox Lord smiled: "Before coming down the mountain, I made a bet with them. If we could meet Celestial Master Zhao, I would shamelessly ask for a bit of fortune for them. If we didn't meet you, we'd each go home. Celestial Master Zhao, would you mind if we joined you on your journey? Would we be a burden?"

Celestial Master Zhao said: "It's just right. We can treat it as a mutual reference on our shared journey."

The Qingqiu Fox Lord breathed a sigh of relief. Although her words seemed casual, her Dao heart was always tense. After all, the other party was a great true man who "claimed that if he was second in thunder magic, no one dared to be first." There were too many people in the world whose reputation exceeded their actual ability. This Celestial Master of the Heavenly Master Residence, noble in purple and gold, the Qingqiu Fox Lord felt that the panegyrics heaped upon him by the mountain were still insufficient.

Seeing the Dragon-Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Zhao, Cao Yin's heart was stirred. Cao Yang was slightly better off. On one hand, the girl was a pure martial artist; on the other, the person she truly revered as a god in this world was only the master of this mountain, that Mr. Chen who had once taught her fist techniques.

Along the way, Chai Wu was mostly the one asking curious questions, some that sounded very broad and empty, like "Celestial Master, in your eyes, what is called 'perfect merit and virtue'?" Or some very straightforward questions, like "Does Celestial Master Zhao also read Buddhist texts?" Zhao Tianlai answered them one by one, without any sign of impatience.

Celestial Master Zhao looked back at the mountain.

"'Daoist' has existed since ancient times, and the term 'daoist temple' was first recorded in writing by Buddhists, used to describe a place where the Buddha and the Dharma reside eternally. Since the mind is the Buddha, Confucians also speak of a 'childlike heart,' and Daoists put hard work into the heart and nature. For ten thousand years, cultivators of the Dao have been talking about a 'Dao heart.'

So, on this mountain named Fallen, what kind of heart does its young mountain master hold within?"