Chapter 49: This Body, Like an Arrow Beneath a Boat

Chapter 49: This Body, Like an Arrow Beneath a Boat

At the Mao hour of the Great Li Dynasty, the red sun was just beginning to rise, the roosters crowed in the markets and countryside, and the doors of the government offices near the Thousand Step Corridor creaked open one after another. The capital officials began their roll call, and frugal families had already gone out to work in the fields. Probably because there was no morning court session, time seemed especially generous. Chen Pingan slowly walked toward the National Teacher's Mansion, deliberately bypassing the bustling Thousand Step Corridor and choosing a secluded path. On both sides stood dense pine and cypress trees. Aside from him, there were no other pedestrians. Even though the court had no prohibition against it, the commoners of the capital would not casually come this way. It was much like the situation in his hometown back then—a child who had grown accustomed to treading on the muddy ground of Mud Vase Alley and Apricot Flower Alley would not easily set his straw sandals on the bluestone slabs of Fortune Street. Just as in the grand halls of temples and monasteries, facing the immense and majestic statues of deities would make worshippers feel genuinely small, so too would the sharply angular government buildings make commoners feel exceptionally weak.

But beneath a pine tree by the roadside, a black-clad youth was crouching, munching on a steaming-hot flatbread. In one hand, he held a scallion, enjoying his breakfast with great gusto.

A young woman in simple attire leaned against the pine tree, resting with her eyes closed. She had a cold and aloof demeanor, yet carried a hint of fox-like charm. Hearing her companion's sounds of chewing the flatbread and scallion, she said irritably, "Why not dip it in sauce?"

The youth mumbled indistinctly, "I'm about to talk serious business with Chen Pingan. I'm afraid my breath might be too strong, and we'll be kicked out after a few words."

He spoke at an extremely slow pace, enough to drive an impatient person crazy.

They had met by chance not long ago near the Great River of Vase Bottle Continent and had traveled together to the Great Li capital. From entering the city, to staying at an inn, to coming to this road, they had already had their travel documents inspected three times.

The youth recalled something and said solemnly, "Daoist friend Yin Qing, I must remind you of a few things. When you see Chen Pingan, just watch coldly from the sidelines. Don't speak. Leave everything to me. You're a beautiful woman, and your words always carry a sharp edge, which isn't pleasant to hear. According to that Travelogue of Landscapes, Chen Pingan is a man who cherishes flowers and pities jade, so he probably won't blame you, but he will take it out on me."

"You're just here to see him in the capital, but I have to ask for a favor, involving a path of cultivation that could span centuries or millennia. Even if there's a principle that gentlemen don't exchange harsh words after parting, with my temper, I'm afraid I might end up arguing with you."

"Finally, let me confirm one thing with you, miss: you're really not here to assassinate Chen Pingan, are you?"

The woman named Yin Qing opened her eyes and smiled, "Afraid I'll drag you down?"

The youth finished his scallion and flatbread, clapped his hands, and nodded, "Of course. I haven't been out of the mountains for long. There are many things I must do, and many words I might say."

Yin Qing smiled charmingly, "'General Yuan,' rest assured. Who knows, my presence might even add a finishing touch."

The young cultivator nicknamed General Yuan had his Daoist sanctuary at a place called Hundred Flowers Lake, a watery region. But it was said he had just given it to an old acquaintance, packed up, cleaned his doorstep, and then conceived the idea of traveling. Even the most learned cultivators of Vase Bottle Continent probably wouldn't remember the Dragon King Temple of Hundred Flowers Lake anymore.

The world only knew of Letter Tome Lake; who still remembered Hundred Flowers Lake?

This made him quite depressed.

Yin Qing was, of course, her alias. As for her real name, her sanctuary, and the lineage of her Daoist tradition, though he had some guesses, he wasn't very curious. Life was just a series of chance encounters and tribulations; a ripple in the water, and everyone goes their separate ways. His true form was the old turtle carrying the stele that Lu Chen had "rescued." When he met the Lu Sect Leader again, Lu Chen had him confirm the previous incarnation of Lü Mo, and then fulfilled his long-cherished wish to "transform into a human form."

Yin Qing teased, "When you meet Chen Pingan, the great sword immortal burdened with heavy affairs, you'll still speak that slowly?"

The youth looked serious and nodded, "Words have their own fate; how can they be treated carelessly?"

"To see real people, one must speak real words. The words I speak are my heartfelt thoughts. I'm not afraid of heaven, earth, or people hearing them."

The youth sighed slowly, "The Lu Sect Leader said that those with cold and aloof natures often end up alone, while those with warm and kind hearts often enjoy great fortune and lasting blessings. The Lu Sect Leader also said that speaking slowly is a good thing; it's called 'Noblemen speak late.'"

Yin Qing mocked, "Since you admire the Lu Sect Leader so much and always take his words as your guiding principle, why not shamelessly cling to him and become his follower?"

The youth shook his head, "Why belittle your own treasures and stubbornly chase after trifles? That's no good, not good at all."

Just then, Yin Qing was about to continue teasing when her expression changed slightly, and her heartstrings tightened instantly. She hadn't sensed anyone approaching the pine tree.

A figure who had appeared out of nowhere said, "General Yuan speaks well."

The old turtle, with the appearance of a youth, stood up and glanced at the man in blue robes not far away. He wore a jade hairpin, had decent looks, and even better bearing.

Yin Qing let out a faint sigh. Indeed, a man's reputation is like a tree's shadow—not someone whose fame exceeds his abilities. It was truly difficult for her to link the "great name" of the man before her with the "external appearance" she had seen when they first met.

Chen Pingan, who had arrived silently, clasped his hands and smiled, "Greetings, General Yuan and Miss Yin Qing."

Since she had used an alias, Chen Pingan naturally wouldn't blurt out her true demon name.

A true name was the foundation of a demon's great path; casually invoking it was no different from challenging to a fistfight or sword duel.

She performed a curtsy and spoke with her heart's voice, gently, "Green Infant of the Fox Clan pays respects to Mr. Chen."

After thinking it over and weighing the options all the way here, she still chose to address him as "Mr."

It might not be the most fitting, but it was certainly the least wrong.

She was the one who had once served as a maid by Bai Ze's side, a fox immortal, with the true name Green Infant. Among the fox clans of the Central Earth Divine Continent, she held a high seniority.

Back then, the Confucian Temple had built nine grand towers, such as the Wave-Suppressing Tower on Southern Bodhisattva Continent, presided over by Sword Immortal Cao Xi. But the tower on Central Earth Divine Continent had a strange name and was taboo.

Green Infant had cultivated in the library of that landscape secret realm. Only when Lord Bai Ze wanted to go out and relax did she occasionally have the chance to travel abroad.

As for why, despite cultivating alongside Bai Ze, she remained stuck at the Nascent Soul stage—well, every family has its own difficult scriptures to chant.

Unexpectedly, the youth was rather stubborn and asked, "May I ask, National Teacher Chen, how is that good? Where is the goodness?"

Yin Qing was caught off guard but also gained some newfound respect. He had just advised her to speak nicely, and now that he was face to face with Chen Pingan, he was the one being pedantic?

Chen Pingan smiled, "Not recognizing your own treasure, but seeking outside—isn't that abandoning the root for the branches, confusing the host and the guest? It's like the main god of a shrine refusing to take charge, allowing evil spirits to sneak in and usurp the throne. Besides, once you go out, everything is owned by someone else. Dazzled and confused, can you choose well, fight for it, and keep it? Things outside the body—are they truly under your control?"

The youth thought for a moment and said sincerely, "I can't argue with you. I always feel you make a lot of sense."

Chen Pingan extended his hand to him and said with a smile, "If you can't out-argue me in words, it seems my words are more reasonable. Fortunately, under heaven, only the word 'reason' doesn't distinguish between host and guest. The first to arrive can claim it first; the later can still have it later. Take it."

The youth hesitated, then suddenly understood, his eyes shining as he said, "I have it."

Chen Pingan withdrew his hand and said, "I see."

The youth was delighted and said sincerely, "No wonder you and the Lu Sect Leader became good friends."

Chen Pingan smiled wryly, "Are you insulting me, Daoist friend Yuan?"

The youth was at a loss for words, unable to explain immediately. What he meant was that Chen Pingan and Lu Chen were the same kind of people—the kind who "set up teachings according to circumstances and save people through tribulations."

The only difference was probably that one liked to play with the world, while the other steered a steady ship through storms? Their relationship with the world and the way of the world was both bold and unrestrained, free and easy, yet also meticulously strict, careful and detailed. They mixed precision with boldness and infused meticulousness with spirit.

The youth had a slender build and dark skin, with an inconspicuous scar on his forehead. He explained, "General Yuan is just a nickname. My name on the travel document is Yuan Yuan. My old sanctuary was at Hundred Flowers Lake. Though it's now an obscure little place, it was once a prosperous incense site with a great history."

Chen Pingan nodded, "I've heard of it."

During the Battle of Joyful Mountain, he had briefly "teamed up" with Lu Chen by chance. During that time, Lü Mo, whose previous life was a dragon palace maid, had great fortune and acquired a heavenly opportunity to ascend from martial arts to Dao cultivation. It seemed Lu Chen had arranged for her to settle at Hundred Flowers Lake.

In ancient times, the Shu region of Vase Bottle Continent was teeming with dragons and aquatic creatures. The Dense Cloud Kingdom had abundant water transport, and Hundred Flowers Lake was the hub. Thus, a dragon princess had opened it as one of her temporary land residences. At that "waist" waterway, an ancient shrine was built on an island. By the water, there was a toad-headed turtle carrying a giant stele, inscribed with a Daoist scripture about summoning clouds and rain. This General Yuan's true life treasure was a pocket-sized, "wordless" stone stele.

Chen Pingan asked curiously, "Back when the wilderness demons passed through, Hundred Flowers Lake wasn't damaged. Was there a reason?"

Afraid of being misunderstood, Chen Pingan added, "Don't overthink it, Daoist friend. Just pure curiosity."

According to Great Li records, Zhu Yan had passed by Hundred Flowers Lake. Given the temperament of that mountain-moving ape ancestor, he should have smashed the shrine with one blow.

Note that in the earlier Old Dragon City battlefield, the Mohist Xu Ruo had barely held off half of Zhu Yan's staff by drawing his sword mostly out of its sheath.

Yuan Yuan said honestly, "I invoked the Lu Sect Leader's name, which fooled that throne-level demon, making him wary of unnecessary trouble, so he spared Hundred Flowers Lake."

Chen Pingan laughed, "The Lu Sect Leader really is a walking golden signboard."

Yuan Yuan said, "I believe the Sword Immortal Chen must be the same now. Whether in the wilderness or in the Green Netherworld, invoking your name would work."

Chen Pingan glanced at the old turtle and finally confirmed that the other party wasn't being sarcastic.

Yin Qing suppressed a laugh. Well, at least he knew to be a bit clever with the title when asking for a favor.

Yuan Yuan said, "Sword Immortal Chen, I'm a straightforward person. I won't beat around the bush. My purpose in coming to the capital is to ask you for a letter of recommendation. I need you to put in a good word so I can rejoin the East Sea Water Mansion under the Golden Carp King."

"As for how to repay you—when it comes to worldly accomplishments and scholarly knowledge, if you claim to be third, no one dares claim second. So you set the terms. I'll hear your conditions, weigh the pros and cons, and if it's feasible, we'll have a gentleman's agreement without needing vows. If I find the conditions too harsh, allow me to reconsider."

"I've said my piece. Sword Immortal Chen, do as you see fit."

Chen Pingan didn't rush to answer. Instead, he smiled and asked, "Is Daoist friend Yuan an old acquaintance of the Golden Carp?"

He had already made a decision. If Yuan Yuan was of the same mind as the Golden Carp, at least he could confirm one thing—he wasn't someone with deep schemes.

Yuan Yuan said, "An unknown nobody like me wouldn't dare claim to be an acquaintance of the Golden Carp King. I was just a small underling under his command, not worth mentioning. My cultivation is low, but my voice is loud. Even if I couldn't kill enemies and earn merits, I could at least wave flags and shout in battle formations. Back then, when the Golden Carp King rose up to demand justice for the princess, I wanted to follow him onto land, charge into Central Earth Divine Continent, and rebel against their Confucian Temple..."

Green Infant quickly coughed a few times to remind this blabbermouth. Did he really not know who Chen Pingan was? His teacher was the Literary Sage!

Chen Pingan couldn't help but laugh and waved his hand, "Speak freely."

Yuan Yuan continued, "But somehow, the Golden Carp King issued a military order and sent me away. By the time I belatedly rushed to the battlefield at the land-sea junction, it was too late. When I hurriedly arrived, it was empty. There were only a few young Confucian academy gentlemen cleaning up the battlefield. The way they looked at me... well, it's the same look Sword Immortal Chen has now."

Green Infant had never heard that General Yuan had such... exploits.

Chen Pingan could fully imagine the scene. Those academy gentlemen were probably dumbfounded.

It was like a military mutiny that started with thunder but ended with rain. The whole thing had already dispersed, everyone going home, when suddenly a reckless fool popped up, shouting alone with raised arms.

Yuan Yuan said sorrowfully, "Later, the Confucian Temple issued a reprimand, ordering me to return to Hundred Flowers Lake on Vase Bottle Continent. I was forbidden to take human form and had to secretly protect passing ships to atone for my sins. A defeated general receiving such punishment wasn't unfair. But year after year, unable to hear any news of the Golden Carp King and the princess, I was anxious and always worried. Over time, I developed the irritable temper I have now."

Chen Pingan couldn't help but glance at Green Infant. She immediately put on an expression that said, "I'm not really that close to him."

Chen Pingan suddenly laughed. Reading all the good books, seeing all the beautiful sights, drinking fine wine to his heart's content, and making friends with true people—these were all great joys in life.

So Chen Pingan readily said, "Come with me to the National Teacher's Mansion. I'll write a letter immediately to the Golden Carp at the Water Mansion. No need to discuss terms."

Yuan Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "As expected, Sword Immortal Chen is a true person."

Chen Pingan smiled, "I can barely be considered a man of character. I don't deserve the honor of being called a 'true person.'"

Yuan Yuan said, "Settling the accounts for the old Daoist teachings above, and laying the foundation for the new Daoist teachings below, you have worked hard, sir."

The Turtle Daoist, with a solemn expression, performed a Daoist bow and chanted, "May the blessings of the limitless Heavenly Lord be upon you."

Chen Pingan whispered, "I am unworthy of such praise."

Yuan Yuan turned to look at Green Infant.

Green Infant sighed, "Daoist friend Turtle, your goodwill is appreciated. But my reason for seeking out Mr. Chen isn't to break through the Nascent Soul bottleneck. Moreover, my heart demon isn't Lord Bai Ze."

A Daoist's heart demon was no less important than a demon's true name. Whether she was telling the truth or not, Yuan Yuan wouldn't pry. He said, "Mr. Chen, I'll take my leave from the Great Li capital and head straight to the East Sea Water Mansion. I trust that the flying sword message from the National Teacher's Mansion will be faster than my water-sailing speed."

Chen Pingan clasped his hands and said, "Official duties call. I won't see you off."

Yuan Yuan returned the fist-and-palm salute, "To have met a true person, it is a great fortune."

Yuan Yuan spoke slowly, but his actions were decisive. Without dragging his feet, he left.

Chen Pingan understood in his heart—this was indeed not Zou Zi.

Green Infant followed Chen Pingan as they slowly walked toward the National Teacher's Mansion. Her face was full of difficulty. After hesitating several times, she finally spoke with her heart's voice, "Hidden Officer Chen, is Lord Bai Ze doing well?"

Chen Pingan said, "This matter is hard for outsiders to judge accurately. We might all think his situation is very bad, but Lord Bai Ze himself feels it's good. He made the most correct decision for himself."

Green Infant fell silent.

She had once followed Lord Bai Ze on a journey through Vase Bottle Continent. On a snowy night on a plank road, they encountered a shabby youth and two "little bookboys."

That youth was Chen Pingan, returning to his hometown from the Sui Cliff Academy.

Bai Ze hadn't taken her to the wilderness back then. Instead, he had sent her to the Dragon Tiger Mountain Heavenly Master Mansion to find the ten-tailed celestial fox with the Daoist name "Refining Truth." But Green Infant didn't want to seek refuge with this distant relative. Though she still went to the Heavenly Master Mansion, it felt like living under someone else's roof. She only practiced thunder magic with a group of yellow-and-purple noble Daoists.

In fact, Green Infant and the red fox that had appeared in Mud Vase Alley back then were sisters.

And she was of the same lineage and bloodline as that nine-tailed fox, Madam Huanxi, who had hidden on Paulownia Leaf Continent.

According to the mountain sects, Green Hill was the orthodox ancestral court. Both the wilderness and the Righteous Continent had established lower branches, each continuing its own incense. By current customs, Green Hill, where the ancient fox kingdom's sanctuary was located, was like the main ancestral hall. Refining Truth and Madam Huanxi had each founded their own clans, but they divided the household, established sub-branches, and had different hall names. For example, Nine-Niang on Paulownia Leaf Continent and the Fox Kingdom on Vase Bottle Continent were such branches.

Green Infant said, "Back when we traveled through Vase Bottle Continent, the Great Li National Teacher Cui Chan saw us. He mocked Lord Bai Ze with a very harsh saying: 'If a fox travels with me, I must be evil.' I was filled with extreme hatred, but I had no way to deal with that Embroidered Tiger."

Chen Pingan swallowed the words that had come to his lips. When it came to his senior brother Cui Chan, there weren't many who had a way.

He substituted a relatively neutral remark, "My teacher said in his 'Chapter on Honor and Disgrace': 'Harming others with words is deeper than spears and halberds.' That's true."

Green Infant looked desolate, "The outside world says Lord Bai Ze is soft-hearted, forever stuck in womanly benevolence. They say his Dao heart doesn't match his realm. Are they wrong?"

Chen Pingan thought for a moment and said, "Even if they aren't wrong, it doesn't mean Lord Bai Ze did wrong."

Green Infant tilted her head, looking confused.

Chen Pingan said, "All beings with blood and breath have a striving heart. Not everyone is qualified to be plotted against and deliberately targeted by Zheng Juzhong."

Green Infant took a deep breath and said seriously, "No matter what, no matter what tomorrow brings, Mr. Chen and the Embroidered Tiger are both supporters of a collapsing heaven."

Chen Pingan laughed silently, then said after a pause, "The senior brother is certainly a hero who reversed a dire situation. There's no problem in saying that. As for me, of course you can think that way; that's your opinion and freedom. But I absolutely dare not take that title for myself. I don't feel that way."

Green Infant bid farewell and left.

Chen Pingan had a spontaneous idea and said, "The Fox Lord of Green Hill has already appeared in the mortal world. She is currently staying on Desolate Mountain. She should be traveling south with Heavenly Master Zhao. If you have no objections, you can go talk to her. Please also convey a message for me to the Green Hill senior—I invite her to serve as the Great Li Dynasty's chief guest minister."

Green Infant was stunned, her emotions surging with excitement. She quickly agreed. As a member of the fox clan, how could she not yearn for the Fox Lord of Green Hill?

She also understood intuitively. It was Mr. Chen's kindness, worried that she might not have an opening line when meeting the Green Hill Fox Lord.

Chen Pingan hesitated, then smiled, "On the Sword Qi Great Wall, I wasn't afraid of those so-called wilderness great demons. That's because in the Summer Retreat Palace, I often encouraged myself by saying, 'I've even seen Bai Ze; why should I be afraid of you mere flying ascension types?'"

Green Infant blinked, her eyelashes trembling slightly. She performed a curtsy with gratitude.

That Travelogue of Landscapes hadn't lied. Mr. Chen truly cherished flowers and pitied jade.

Chen Pingan walked alone on the road, wondering how Little Rice and Chen Lingjun and the others were doing on their travels.

---

Little Rice was still crouching on a branch, keeping watch. Over at the battlefield ruins, there was no movement. She was both happy and worried—happy that there was no big fight, worried that Jing Qing might fall into a trap. The martial world was treacherous, with endless schemes and plots. Jing Qing, seasoned as he was, must not be caught off guard.

Zhong Qian asked a series of questions: "That old man selling antiques and calligraphy outside the county Confucian Temple earlier—was he a local spirit with a damaged golden body? A land god? A city god? That's why he treated us as a lifeline?"

Wen Zai took out a wine flask, took a big sip, smacked his lips, and shook his head with a smile, "I don't have the skill to observe aura. I can only tell that the old man isn't an ordinary mortal from the marketplace. I don't know his background. If I were traveling the martial world alone before, it would be simpler: just test him with a move to find out his origins and depth."

Worried that Little Rice might overthink things, they used the secret technique of concentrating sound into threads.

Zhong Qian looked at the leisurely Wen Zai beside him, "Martial artists really aren't as carefree as you immortal cultivators."

Wen Zai curled his lip, "If your martial realm is high enough, immortal arts are still as fragile as paper."

Zhong Qian said, "Anyway, you can't lose either way."

As the old cook said, what is a martial artist? Even a layman who has only practiced fists for two or three days dares to talk about the ultimate martial realm. Even when facing a losing battle, trapped in a place of certain death, his spirit remains bold, neither retreating nor avoiding, delivering a fist that is one realm higher.

Zhong Qian suddenly said, "Wen Zai, tell me honestly: is Chen Lingjun charging into this battlefield alone on the mountain master's orders, or do you have your own agenda?"

Wen Zai's answer seemed to only address half of Zhong Qian's question: "The mountain master instructed me to look after them, to travel in a steady and simple way. There was no intention to guide Chen Lingjun in tempering his Dao heart."

Zhong Qian frowned slightly. I believe the mountain master meant that. But what are you up to, Wen Zai?

Wen Zai said lazily, "Don't think that only you and Chen Lingjun are friends."

There were many little secrets on Desolate Mountain unknown to the outside world. For example, it was widely acknowledged that the top Go player on the mountain was Nuan Shu. Of course, the big white goose had deliberately arranged it, and the old cook and Zheng Dafeng and others went along with it. So the Go enthusiasts like Cao Yin on the back mountain, and Lin Feijing, the only disciple of the Immortal Wei Daoist, still believed it to be true.

Another example: every time Chen Lingjun had an early morning drink with friends, alcohol giving him courage, he would defend Ah Liang and his own lord, while adding an embellishment: "From afar, it's Ah Liang; up close, it's the Hidden Officer; it turns out to be Lu Chen..." The old Immortal Jing opposite him would have his eyelids twitch at hearing that.

And then there was the old cook's private library, the boxes Pei Qian hid under her bed, Bai Xuan's "Heroic Register," and Little Rice's hospitality at the Blue Robe Ferry, seeing off a strange Daoist named Pure Yang as he traveled, causing Patriarch Lü to have to leave on foot. Then there was Cen Yuanji's twisted ankle, Yuan Lai's secret crush on Cen Yuanji—the boy thought he hid it well, but the entire Desolate Mountain knew long ago. And on the second floor of the bamboo lodge, when the master, used to being a hands-off manager, unexpectedly had a conscience and wanted to teach a serious fist lesson, only to be caught off guard by his disciple... Of course, there were also the six blue bricks outside the bamboo lodge, near the stone table.

Zhong Qian squinted and warned, "Then don't meddle. Over drinks, if I were drunk, I'd have to tell you some truths. For example, a mere Golden Core cultivator has no right to discuss Dao hearts with a successful Nascent Soul cultivator who has completed his river diversion."

If Wen Zai was willing to listen, Zhong Qian had even harsher words ready. For example, you, Zhong Qian, almost had your Dao heart shattered just from a fistfight with Pei Qian, to the point where you had to come to Desolate Mountain and face Pei Qian again, taking beatings over and over, just to break your heart demon, repair your Dao heart, and summon a new breath of spirit.

Wen Zai pretended not to notice the change in Zhong Qian's aura and said casually, "Martial artists have their world; mountain cultivators have their path. Every cultivator has their own barriers to cross. I'm just respecting Daoist friend Jing Qing's choice by not stopping him. If you say I deliberately brought him here—well, I'd have to be bored out of my mind. You overestimate my courage, Zhong Qian."

Zhong Qian's expression softened slightly, "If I had revealed your whereabouts to Chen Lingjun and Little Rice in advance, would Chen Lingjun have avoided going alone into danger?"

Wen Zai laughed freely, "Absolutely. Given Daoist friend Jing Qing's temperament, he would definitely have become a spectator, grandly throwing up his sleeves. He never uses his brain if he can help it. But then this place would have become, in Zhong Qian's eyes, a place for the mountain immortal Wen Zai to strut around arrogantly."

The older generation traveling the martial world, like Song Yushao and the bearded hero Xu Yuanxia, always seemed to hold "righteousness above all" in their hearts. The younger generation only spoke those words. Somehow, martial world righteousness had become a self-imposed burden, an unnecessary embellishment.

On the weed-choked path, when the group of cultivators led by the tall-chignoned woman descended to the ground and stood together with the seductive ghosts, the green-clad child seemed even more isolated.

Chen Lingjun looked around.

In the old peaceful days, this place was clearly a quiet grotto-heaven fit for a Daoist hermit, suitable for nurturing spirits and cultivating truth.

On the official road leading to the immortal mansion, elegant riders in spring outings and fragrant carriages filled with warbling voices were endless.

But Vase Bottle Continent had suffered two major wars, shattering the Daoist sanctuary and leaving it filthy. Repairing it would cost a fortune in immortal money, and even if completed, with the dense baleful aura of the battlefield ruins nearby, how could they hold celebrations or entertain honored guests? Watch ghosts?

That's how that Lord Shen got a bargain. Taking advantage of the situation, he occupied the mountain peak, established his own faction, and reopened it as a grotto-heaven. As a ghost king of the yin spirit category, he thrived here. Occasionally, passing cultivators who disapproved of Lord Shen's ways either died here, becoming ghostly beings, or barely escaped.

The tall-chignoned woman was elaborately dressed, radiant and moving, with a plump figure, like a fleshy screen.

Earlier, she had probed with words, but the child-like rogue cultivator just played deaf and dumb. Frowning, she turned to scold the seductive ghost maidservants that Lord Shen kept, "Such an unknown commodity—just kill him directly."

Chen Lingjun snapped back to reality and sighed. But he could easily see through this woman's origins—definitely from the fox clan. As for her cultivation methods, he could guess roughly. After all, his own blessed land housed a fox kingdom. Over the years of dealing with them, he had naturally learned much.

The woman was accompanied by a youth dressed like a martial stage actor, wearing a blue satin hero's hat, with a trembling peony flower stuck diagonally at his temple. He had a pale face and a tall, thin build. He kept raising his hand to gently support the tall-chignoned woman's arm, "Fox Lady, why not let me handle this? Consider it an additional gift."

The female ghosts were pleased to see this, but deliberately wore reluctant expressions. Let the Fox Lady's group be the touchstone. If the green-clad child was just a bluffing incompetent, it was his time to die here. If he was a powerful being toying with the mortal world, Lord Shen could prepare countermeasures early.

The female ghost holding the pipa had been observing the girl in embroidered shoes beside the Fox Lady of Bead Strand Lake. She stood gracefully, with extraordinary beauty. One could tell she was a virgin novice who hadn't yet been deflowered. But the girl's current situation wasn't good; she wore shackles specially made by mountain sects.

Chen Lingjun looked at her, and she timidly looked back at the green-clad child.

The girl probably hadn't checked the almanac before leaving home. Relying on her status as a registered member of a small sect, she had dared to train alone. Passing through Bead Strand Lake, though she had some backing, a fierce battle had cost the Bead Strand Lake forces many losses. In the end, the Fox Lady personally intervened and expended some effort to capture her, intending to gift her to Lord Shen as a chamber-warming maid.

The youth in theatrical costume "kindly" reminded, "Seeing the Fox Lady of Bead Strand Lake, why not kneel and kowtow?"

"Shut up! Why waste words with this brat?!"

A short, brutish man barked, "You brat, are you deaf?! Our lady is asking you a question?!"

This fellow had a striking appearance: red and yellow eyebrows, a body covered in rough flesh, bulging muscles on both arms, and a battle-axe in hand.

A rough fellow through and through.

He raised his axe, "Die quickly! Don't delay our lady's feast with Lord Shen!"

Chen Lingjun said to himself, "You people have quite the nerve. I consider myself bold, but compared to you, I'm far behind."

The brute grinned savagely, "Then reincarnate with a bigger pair in your next life!"

Chen Lingjun glanced sideways at this seemingly coarse fool.

Probably this guy was the most cunning and treacherous—there was a glint of thief in his eyes.

The woman also found it boring. No need to waste time and lose face in front of the female ghosts. So she gave the flower-wearing youth a wink.

Finally getting the Fox Lady's permission, the youth said sinisterly, "Bad luck for the brat. Our shrine just took in a batch of clever ones. We're not short of firewood-sweeping child servants."

With one hand behind his back, holding a dagger in his sleeve, he raised his other hand to touch the green-clad child's head.

Chen Lingjun flicked his sleeve, "Get lost!"

A surge of strong energy exploded, instantly blowing off the hero's hat and the flower at his temple.

Unexpectedly, this gloomy youth was bald.

Stunned, the youth suddenly screamed.

It turned out he was a vulture demon that lingered around the battlefield, picking at corpses. Perhaps because he lacked what he needed, he always pretended to be a neat freak, behaving elegantly in words and actions.

The brute didn't rush to help. He stood there, curling his lips, gloating.

Just then, in a blur, the green-clad child grabbed the tall-chignoned woman's arm and yanked. Her entire skin was pulled off like silk clothing, revealing her true form—a white-faced fox.

Chen Lingjun grabbed the old fox by the neck and dragged her away. He turned to the startled female ghosts and cultivators and said, "I want to see for myself just how arrogant that Lord Shen is around here. Don't just stand there. Whoever leads the way, keep leading. I'll chat with the Fox Lady as we walk."

At the border of Bead Strand Lake, adjacent to the battlefield ruins, an old man with a gaunt face was hurrying. When he arrived, he was no longer in a hurry. Lowering his head, he lifted his hand, looking at the landscape. He found traces of the green-clad child, glanced over the situation, smiled, then swept his gaze elsewhere. At a so-called Daoist sanctuary reeking with filth, he saw a yin spirit dressed in imperial robes, sitting grandly on a dragon throne imitating a mortal emperor. Rows of pretend civil and military officials, female officers, and eunuchs holding fans and palace lanterns filled the hall. The old man walked alone along the ridge path to the mountaintop, where there was a broken-down pavilion. He sat inside, looking at the scenery beyond the mountain: a river, the water flowing swiftly, crossing currents and reversing, with boats shooting down like arrows.

---

This morning, the National Teacher's Mansion held two meetings. The first began at the beginning of the Chen hour. Participants included the Patrol Envoy Pei Mao, Minister of Rites Zhao Duanjin, Vice Minister of War in the Companion Capital Liu Xunmei, Governor of Hong Prefecture Yuan Zhengding, Longquan Kiln Supervisor Jian Feng, Yan Yongfeng, and about twenty others.

The second meeting was at the end of the Si hour, with Wei Li, Wei Liang, Wu Wangcheng, Hong Lin, and about thirty others.

It was still the Mao hour. Chen Pingan walked to the gate of the National Teacher's Mansion, turned his head, and looked back at the quiet road he had come from.

Heaven and earth, all things follow their own paths. Intelligent beings, each gets their own place, each rests in their own heart.

The great sun was just beginning to rise over the sea, like a cultivator with the Daoist name "Heaven and Earth," leaping out from the vast, boundless lake of the heart as a brilliant golden elixir.