Chapter 50: Heaven Says Nothing to the New Chess Game
The blue-clad boy easily gained the upper hand, grabbing the white-faced old fox by the scruff with one hand and dragging it along, while casually carrying the fox-stinking palace woman's skin with the other. In the blink of an eye, offense and defense swapped positions. Although the Fox Lady of Chaozhu Shoal's Dao power was far inferior to Shen Fujun's, she was still a long-established wandering immortal of an external path. Yet the disparity in strength between them was so vast that it cowed the ghosts and heretical cultivators into trembling with fear, as if walking on thin ice in the scorching summer. They wanted to flee far away from this place of trouble, but feared their escape techniques were no match for the "childlike countenance" of the old master's attacking methods, and would end up being struck down on the spot. The ghostly women, already pale with fright, had no choice but to obediently lead the way ahead, truly feeling like thorns in their backs. Meanwhile, the motley crew from the Chaozhu Shoal Yinci followed behind, each harboring their own schemes, all silently lamenting their misfortune. Having encountered such a tough nut to crack, they racked their brains for a way to escape.
The old fox, with its neck seized, immediately spoke in human language, repeatedly begging the immortal for mercy.
Chen Lingjun asked it what it had done wrong. The old fox just begged for mercy, its Qi sea boiling within, its bones and sinews all limp, nearly falling apart.
Chen Lingjun tightened his grip and asked coldly, "I asked you, what did you do wrong?!"
The old fox, miserable and pitiful, lowered its eyes and choked out, "A thousand wrongs, ten thousand wrongs—I should never have offended the immortal or disturbed your esteemed presence."
In its heart, it was furious at those troublesome servants. If it could survive this calamity, it would tear them apart with its own hands to vent its hatred.
Chen Lingjun twitched the corner of his mouth and muttered to himself, "I just can't understand how you think."
The old fox sensed the vicious man's murderous intent and was grief-stricken. Its life was over.
Chen Lingjun didn't turn his head, but said with a smile, "You behind me, the bald one with the flower in his hair, and that sly fellow carrying the axe—you two lovebirds, have you figured out how to ambush me from behind?"
The girl with shackles on her wrists and ankles, probably carefree by nature, almost laughed out loud. This immortal sure had a sharp tongue.
The sullen youth dressed like a martial artist on stage, who knew best how to read the situation, dared not argue about being called a "lovebird." He stammered, "No, no, not at all, immortal! Even if you gave me a hundred times the courage, I wouldn't dare to throw an egg at a stone or seek my own death."
Chen Lingjun sneered, "So running into me, this passing 'immortal,' is what counts as seeking your own death? You're both stupid and wicked."
The youth was at a loss for words, terrified by the murderous speech. Out of the corner of his eye, he kept glancing at his colleague from the Yinci and sent a mental message tentatively: "Chang Xuan, if we join forces and cooperate sincerely, do we have a chance?"
The man named Chang Xuan heard the message but didn't respond, inwardly cursing the fool. Even the Fox Lady had been caught by that boy—couldn't he see the situation? Not to mention that acting rashly would only lead to a miserable end, but the two of them knew each other too well. What kind of trash were they? How could they talk about "sincere cooperation"? Did he think I was a three-year-old to be fooled?
In the mountains, old cultivators who looked like children, not through illusion but in reality, were the most troublesome. On the entire Bottle Gourd Continent, the immortal lords who had achieved fabled rejuvenation could be counted on one hand. The founding master of Wind Snow Temple was one. In recent years, there were rumors that Zhen Qi, the Heavenly Lord of Divine Revelation Sect, had also shown signs of this. It was said that every time he came out of seclusion, his face would be a few years younger. Wild cultivators from the mountains and marshes naturally disliked and envied this, and since the heavens were high and the emperor far away, they couldn't help but mock Zhen Qi like Shen Fujun did, saying things like "If you're so capable, crawl back into your mother's womb."
The martial artist named Chang Xuan, a notorious bandit in the underworld, had committed a serious crime in his home country a few years ago. Wanted by the authorities, he had fled across the border, wandering until he came to Chaozhu Shoal to seek refuge with the Fox Lady. He originally wanted her to recommend him to Shen Fujun. Since they were all just hired thugs, he figured he might as well aim for the biggest mansion. But the Fox Lady was cunning and wouldn't let him leave. Having suffered a quiet loss before, Chang Xuan didn't dare to casually approach Shen Fujun anymore.
If it weren't for the vast disparity in cultivation and the unfavorable situation, Chang Xuan would have loved to smash the blue-clad boy's head in with his axe, sending brain matter flying everywhere.
Chen Lingjun had actually been secretly observing the girl in distress, but he couldn't get a clear read on her background. He didn't want to rescue her rashly. What if it was a case of "evil people meet their match"? That would be like releasing a tiger back to the mountain, planting a disaster elsewhere.
"There's no smoke without fire," he thought. From start to finish, she was the calmest one. Something was off.
Having spent time with the old cook, Zheng Dafeng, and especially the big white goose, who often told bizarre mountain-top stories during their late-night meals at Fallen Mountain, Chen Lingjun had always listened to them as winding tales of mountains and waters. He never nitpicked and always gave the big white goose the applause it craved. Now that he was out in the world, facing a treacherous and unpredictable rogue's realm, Chen Lingjun felt his brains and skills were inadequate.
In the past, he hadn't felt so constrained. Chen Lingjun was irritated—both afraid of encountering a ruthless character who could kill him with a few punches, and worried that if he adhered to the principle of "uprooting evil and eradicating it completely," he might, due to his own poor judgment, not distinguish right from wrong and end up harming innocent people.
The blue-clad boy was downcast. If only his master were here.
Seeing the immortal's gloomy expression, the white-faced old fox grew uneasy. Since it had managed to hold sway in Chaozhu Shoal for years, it wasn't one to just sit and wait for death. Its mind raced. Since the other party hadn't struck a killing blow, was there room for negotiation? But unfortunately, this one seemed like a cruel bastard who would destroy beautiful things. Its own seductive arts, which could drive men mad with pleasure, were completely useless here.
Could it be that this person was after Shen Fujun? Had some sect's grandmaster sent him because some young disciple had suffered a loss here and gone crying back? Was he here to make trouble for Shen Fujun? If so, then by getting involved, wasn't the Fox Lady taking a bullet for Shen Fujun?
Chen Lingjun suddenly said ferociously, "A day chosen is not as good as a day met. Since you're all going to congratulate Shen Fujun, fine, fine. A grand feast, high-ranking guests—I'll join in too. They say having too many gifts never offends anyone, so I'll give him an empty Chaozhu Shoal as a present. What's the point of vassals and allies? Nothing beats turning it into your own territory."
The white-faced old fox was stunned. Oh no, oh no. This guy's tactics were so wild! Could he be a bandit who escaped from the Bookcase Lake rather than a registered cultivator?
Chen Lingjun snorted, "If Shen Fujun knows what's good for him, I'll be gracious enough to have a drink or two with him, bringing glory to this godforsaken outpost of a Daoist temple. If a few words don't sit well with me, don't blame me for imitating the chivalrous deeds in those historical novels—I'll clean you all out in one go. It'll make for a good story at the wine table someday."
The disheartened girl narrowed her eyes instantly.
Chen Lingjun keenly sensed the change in her Qi. He quickly formed a judgment.
Although he couldn't hear others' thoughts, and the old cook liked to curse him for being a heartless glutton, Chen Lingjun's Nascent Soul realm was no decoration.
The girl raised her hand, making her shackles clang. She spoke up, "Oh great and powerful old immortal up ahead, from your accent, you're from the north? Half a fellow countryman! How about giving me a hand?"
Chen Lingjun deliberately put on a stern face and turned to look at her. "Little girl, you look like a registered cultivator who's entered the hall. How did you end up in this state?"
The girl said resentfully, "I was too shallow in my Dao arts but insisted on meddling. Outmatched, I capsized in a ditch and got caught by this stinky fox. You have a Bodhisattva's heart. Please be merciful and let me go. Saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. I'll build you a living shrine, set up a spirit tablet, and burn incense for you every day..."
Before Chen Lingjun could speak, the white-faced old fox immediately exposed the girl's background, trying to curry favor. "Immortal, don't be fooled by this glib-tongued girl. 'Half a fellow countryman'? Chaozhu Shoal has already inspected her travel documents. Her name is Fu Zheng, from the old White Frost Dynasty. She's a registered cultivator, yes, but her Dao lineage is insignificant—just some minor sect with no earthly immortal ancestor. Don't be fooled by her youth and low realm; she's ruthless when it comes to killing. She's already cost Chaozhu Shoal several capable subordinates."
The girl said matter-of-factly, "We're all from the Bottle Gourd Continent, just one south and one north. That's why I said half a fellow countryman! How is that deliberately trying to deceive you? You old fox, you're just twisting things!"
The old fox sneered, "With the way you kill without blinking, you're clearly a tyrannical character who's used to bullying others. Why pretend to be a delicate lady here? The immortal's eyes are sharp. How could he be fooled by you?"
This flattery seemed to please the blue-clad boy. He shook the skin in his hand and said cheerfully, "Before I came to the mountains, I spent my early days in the Yujiang area of the Huangting Kingdom. A small place, shallow waters. You've probably never heard of it."
The girl, along with the martial youth and the burly man from Chaozhu Shoal, had indeed never heard of it. But the seductive ghosts under Shen Fujun's command, who were silently leading the way at the front, exchanged fearful glances. So he was from the north. This was going to be very troublesome. They knew that north of the Great River was all Song Dynasty territory. The Huangting Kingdom was apparently one of Great Li's earliest vassal states. As for the river they mentioned, they weren't familiar with it. The only reason they'd heard of it was because in the Great Li's secondary capital, Luojing, there was a powerful minister named Wei Li, who was supposedly from Huangting Kingdom.
Such a towering and distant figure of power could crush them with a flick of his finger.
Of course, top ministers of the Great Li court like Wei Li would never soil their hands with such matters personally.
Chen Lingjun lifted the old fox's neck and asked, "Who among you at Chaozhu Shoal is the strategist?"
Chang Xuan, who carried the axe, and the martial youth were stunned. They weren't jockeying for favor with the Fox Lady anymore; now they felt a chill down their spines.
This wasn't just naming names—it was like flipping through the book of life and death.
The Fox Lady's expression was conflicted. The blue-clad boy's fingers instantly hooked like claws, causing her waist to writhe in pain. She dared not stay silent any longer and quickly shouted, "Chang Xuan! It's him who always offers advice. He's the one who runs many of the profitable business on the side. Although Chang Xuan is a martial artist, he's very sharp. With his help, Chaozhu Shoal has thrived over the years, earning Shen Fujun's admiration and making him one of his trusted arms."
Better to sacrifice a friend than to suffer oneself. The Fox Lady had the idea of diverting trouble.
Chen Lingjun turned and smiled, "Just as I thought. You're the mastermind behind the scenes, you fool."
He remembered during a late-night meal, the old cook had given examples from history and novels, pointing out how clever such people were. He'd even said that Wen Zixi, sharp and brilliant, was not as smart as the dim-witted Zhong Qian. Wen Zixi didn't argue; Zhong Qian rolled his eyes. Zheng Dafeng looked aggrieved and said, "Don't leave me out—I'm also wise by seeming foolish..." Everyone burst into laughter. Chen Lingjun just kept eating.
Chen Lingjun said, "Then I'll take your head first and use it as a snack with your wine at Shen Fujun's place..."
The burly man knew things were bad. There was absolutely no room for negotiation!
In an instant, his face lit up with feigned surprise as he looked toward the ghosts and shouted, "Shen Fujun?!"
The Fox Lady, startled, felt a surge of joy. Shen Fujun had arrived? As the blue-clad boy turned to look, Chang Xuan leaped to kill. He swung his axe with practiced skill, taking two steps for one, striking straight at the boy's head. The Fox Lady looked closely—there was no Shen Fujun. The next moment, she felt like she was flying through the clouds. Her head spun, stars appeared before her eyes, and her head ached. It turned out the boy had used her head to block the axe, then punched Chang Xuan in the chest with a loud thud.
Chang Xuan's body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground. The burly man's face was golden, and he coughed up blood.
The martial artist stared wide-eyed at the gray sky, unwilling to accept his fate. He had a bright future ahead. He shouldn't have died. He wanted to break through his bottleneck and become a sixth-realm martial artist. He wanted to experience the scenery of the three realms of martial arts divine refinement. One day, as a grandmaster, he could travel across the land like a mountain god. Even if a martial artist's lifespan was limited and he was doomed to become a ghost, as long as he caught Shen Fujun's eye, he could continue his martial arts training as a ghost. He wanted to see the peak of martial arts, to meet the legendary four grandmasters of the Bottle Gourd Continent's martial arts rankings, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them and overlook the continent from the summit...
The blue-clad boy twitched his wrist, brought his two fingers together, and lightly wiped them in the air. He commanded the as-yet-unfallen axe to streak toward Chang Xuan, accelerating suddenly, slicing straight down, and severed the man's head.
This scene made the Fox Lady and her followers' eyelids twitch. Life was truly as worthless as grass.
The girl felt a bit of satisfaction. So you had it coming. The only flaw was that the perpetrator also didn't seem like a good bird.
The blue-clad boy sneered, "How dare you play tricks on me. I was outsmarting and outbattling great cultivators when your past life was still in diapers."
The Fox Lady was about to say something flattering, but the boy released his fingers. She slumped to the ground. He then tossed the skin onto her head. Dazed, she feared she'd be smashed into a pulp, but she heard him say irritably, "Put that skin back on quickly."
She hastily dressed in the "Dharma robe" and soon returned to her plump woman form. She bent down, weeping with gratitude, "Your servant thanks the immortal for his mercy."
The blue-clad boy frowned, "A woman who's cultivated a human form, walking around naked in broad daylight—what's that about?"
She was ecstatic, a look of disbelief on her face. Could it be that this patriarch, whose name she didn't yet know, had taken a fancy to making her his concubine?
The blue-clad boy's face darkened, and he gave her an order, "Remove the restraints on this girl's hands and feet. Be thorough, don't hide anything. These lowly secret arts of a Yinci are laughable and dirty my eyes."
She dared not hesitate, swaying as she walked over to the girl. Could it be that they would soon be calling each other "sister"?
The palace-gowned woman forced a smile and said, "Sorry for the offense, little sister, please don't be angry."
She quickly unlocked the girl's shackles and dispelled the two layers of mountain-and-water restrictions placed on her. It was a small trick, but it was her specialty.
The girl named Fu Zheng looked at the expressionless blue-clad boy. What was he doing?
Chen Lingjun said, "Head north to the nearest county town and wait. After I deal with Shen Fujun, I'll bring you to the mountain. If you truly have talent, I'll give you a fortune you wouldn't even dare to dream of."
Fu Zheng asked skeptically, "And you're not afraid I'll just run away?"
Chen Lingjun smiled, "The answer is in the question."
The woman covered her mouth and laughed charmingly, "You already called him an immortal, little sister, why would you run? Besides, as long as you can follow the immortal in cultivation, what's so hard about keeping a woman's beauty forever? How bewitched would you have to be to pass up such an opportunity, am I right?"
The blue-clad boy flicked his sleeve, signaling the old fox to be quiet, and then took out a yellow paper talisman from his sleeve, tossing it to the girl. "Take this barrier-breaking talisman and start your journey. I'm going to have it out with this Shen Fujun and see who's stronger, hmph!"
A fierce expression crossed his face. "These ghostly beings, who have difficulty attaining the Great Dao, should just hide and play dead. They have no right to see the light of day. And daring to kill my close friend's legitimate disciple—that's disrespecting me. If they don't respect me, don't blame me for returning the favor and forcing a bitter pill down their throats until they burst."
The boy's expression softened a bit. "You wouldn't know this, but the rumors about Shen Fujun are false. He's no slouch—he's a new Nascent Soul cultivator in hiding. His ambitions are far greater than you can understand. I came prepared, so I'm not afraid of him. But having you follow me would only be a hindrance. Fight between earthly immortals is no ordinary affair. The pool of fish gets caught in the crossfire."
"This battlefield site might even be completely shattered."
The boy looked around, waved his hand, and said impatiently, "Leave now."
Fu Zheng weighed the pros and cons and seemed to make up her mind. She would first leave this dangerous ghost territory and then worry about the rest.
She stretched her limbs, confirmed there were no restrictions, lightly touched the ground with her toes, and her agile form flew over the grass, heading north.
The blue-clad boy then pointed at the stage-dressed youth. "Go and kill that ugly bald one. The ones under Shen Fujun's command are all women, but he's a man. He's seen your true face. If rumors spread, it won't sound good. How will you survive in this world afterwards?"
Chen Lingjun glanced at the girl's slender figure shrinking to the size of a mustard seed and felt relieved.
With the talisman she had, she wouldn't misunderstand Zhong Qian either.
Hearing the immortal's order, the woman said nothing, immediately surrounded by fragrant wind. She flickered, and with a palm strike to the youth's chest, she killed him before he could even beg for mercy. His heart meridian snapped, and blood flowed from his seven orifices as he died.
Chen Lingjun nodded. "Swift and decisive. I like it. After we finish off Shen Fujun and clean up the mess, I won't neglect you. You can choose any treasure from the Daoist temple. As for this Yinci, which has wronged Chaozhu Shoal, I'll ask the nearby kingdom's ruler for a formal enfeoffment document after this. Making you a genuine water goddess will be as easy as turning over my hand."
The palace-gowned woman looked as if she might cry, repeatedly bowing to express her thanks.
Seeing that the deep-minded boy didn't even look at the two corpses on the ground, he said calmly, "Let's not keep Shen Fujun waiting."
The woman sighed inwardly. These arrogant mountain-top figures were truly hardhearted. When they occasionally descended the mountain, they acted purely on their whims.
After traveling for a while, the scene remained devastated, with white bones scattered everywhere in the grassy fields.
The palace-gowned woman, walking hunched beside the blue-clad boy, swayed gracefully. She chatted about the exploits of that "fake golden core, true Nascent Soul" Shen Fujun, listing his heinous crimes. The seductive ghosts leading the way at the front were both terrified and resentful: terrified that the boy would demolish the Daoist temple, resentful of the Fox Lady's betrayal... The woman's eyes shimmered. Suddenly, she raised her leg and delivered a powerful kick to the boy's neck. At the same time, her sleeves fluttered, and several beams of golden light shot out, hitting the boy like shadows. In an instant, the blue figure was sent crashing into a large pit. Dust flew, and a thick pall of killing intent enveloped everything.
She controlled her innate water techniques, blasting at the pit, and shouted at the ghosts, "What are you standing there for?! Kill him together!"
The ghosts came to their senses and unleashed their own abilities. The leading female official, carrying a pipa, tossed her magical treasure high into the air. They vented their hatred without restraint.
The woman raised her hand and yawned. "You little bastard, what are you worth, pretending to be a Nascent Soul realm cultivator? I almost let you fool me just now."
The trickster boy had revealed two flaws: signs of unstable Qi while struggling to maintain a lofty facade. Moreover, their current location was only a hundred miles from Shen Fujun's Daoist temple. He was sure the nearby hidden outposts had already noticed the anomaly. Spreading his divine sense, he probed the pit. He sensed a faint life force. He was relieved. He doubted the boy, who had miraculously survived, could still pull any tricks.
One of the temple maids stood there blankly, not joining the attack. The Fox Lady frowned, knowing that this wench had always been weak-willed. In the past, she would have disciplined her. But Chaozhu Shoal had already lost two generals. Forget it. After attending Shen Fujun's banquet, she would settle old scores with this useless little slut.
An anomaly occurred. A thin stream of water suddenly shot out from the pit. It tore through the dust, pierced through skull after skull, and killed each one.
A wave of the sleeve dispelled the surrounding dust. The unharmed blue-clad boy floated in the air, his expression indifferent. With one hand, he shattered the pipa and other objects, then flicked a finger, piercing the heart of the leading female official who tried to escape as a puff of black smoke. Her body dissolved into a pool of pus before their eyes.
The palace-gowned woman was truly terrified.
Was even his weakness a pretense? If his Dao power was this profound, why toy with her like this?
The next moment, she was even more panic-stricken. Her body swayed, and she knelt on the ground. She was about to beg the fickle immortal for forgiveness... Inside the Chaozhu Shoal Yinci, a young-looking, stern-faced man in a blue robe sent his Yin God on a distant journey. He shattered the clay statue, found the Fox Lady's life-bound object in a secret room, crushed it, and then rose into the air. He looked around and opened his mouth to inhale. He didn't care about wasting his own Dao power; he absorbed all the foul Qi from the surrounding mountains and waters into his abdomen. Then, his divine travel returned to the battlefield site, reunited with his true body, and became one.
The white-faced old fox's temple golden body was shattered, and his life-bound object used to absorb incense was crushed. In his despair, instead of continuing to kowtow for mercy, he steeled himself for a desperate struggle. But to his horror, he found that the skin he wore was like a water prison meticulously crafted by a Daoist expert. With that, his soul dissipated. In the end, only a beautiful woman's skin remained on the ground, wrapped around a shriveled old fox corpse.
Chen Lingjun floated down, put away his water technique, and sighed. There were still two survivors: one seductive ghost and one temple maid.
Chen Lingjun said, "Both of you, go. Remember to head north, don't go the wrong way. Either go to the county town to meet Fu Zheng and travel together. You should be safe once you reach the Great River. If you happen to run into a black-clad little girl and a slacker-looking man on the way, that's the best. Just tell that Jianghu grandmaster named Zhong that everything is going smoothly here and not to worry. He will protect you from any trouble."
The latter hadn't obeyed the old fox's order to join the attack, and the former had unexpectedly even offered to help.
Lucky.
He hadn't killed them all.
Chen Lingjun took out two talismans from his sleeve. "One is a barrier-breaking talisman to protect you while traveling through the remnants. As for this earth-spanning talisman, don't underestimate it. It's the work of my family's retainer Xie. It's quite precious. Unfortunately, you're too low in realm to use it right now. But you can use it as a token. It will save you a lot of explanations on your journey north. When you reach the Great River, you can either keep or sell both talismans. It doesn't matter. But don't sell them too cheaply. Try to find a ferry station for immortals north of the Great River and ask for a high price."
The temple maid, being weak-willed, didn't know what to do. The seemingly dull-witted ghost girl, on the other hand, was decisive. She accepted both talismans without hesitation and said with a firm gaze, "Immortal, aren't you leaving with us? That Shen Fujun is a ghost. He surely won't abandon this Daoist temple he's spent years building. Since his mansion doesn't have legs, why don't you go find some helpers—some fellow Daoists from the mountains you're familiar with—to deal with him together?"
Chen Lingjun's eyes lit up. He felt her brain seemed sharper than his. He grinned, "No need for helpers. Charging into the demon lair alone shows true heroism."
When it came to using his brain, he wasn't good at it. But when it came to fighting, when had he ever been afraid?
The ghost girl was momentarily stunned, then secretly admired him. She felt that this immortal with the face of a child was both wise and brave!
Chen Lingjun asked, "Do you have any hold over the villains?"
The maid immediately shook her head. The ghost girl also shook her head. "Shen Fujun doesn't need to do that. Before today, no matter how vast the world was, we actually had no place to call home."
That was true. A ghost like her—where could she go? Had there ever been a place for her?
Leaving the battlefield site on her own might mean death.
Chen Lingjun nodded. "Good."
They each gave him a bow, filled with sincere gratitude. Not daring to stay long for fear of hindering the immortal's ability to use his full power, they took their leave.
Chen Lingjun stretched lazily and slowly walked toward the Daoist temple, where killing intent soared into the sky. After a moment, he turned his head and said angrily, "Why did you come back?!"
It was the girl who had left earlier. She popped out from the grass and said stupidly, "Deserting in battle isn't honorable."
Chen Lingjun scolded, "Do you think charging into Shen Fujun's lair is a game?!"
Fu Zheng raised her left boot and rubbed her right calf with it. When Chang Xuan had charged at the blue-clad boy with his axe, she had secretly tried to trip him and buy the boy some time. But with all the restraints on her, she hadn't been able to do it. Now her left foot was swollen like a steamed bun.
Chen Lingjun glared at her. "Little girl, didn't your sect elders teach you that a powerful dragon is no match for a local serpent? They didn't teach you anything except some spells, and dared to send you down the mountain alone? You already suffered once at Chaozhu Shoal, and still haven't learned your lesson?"
Fu Zheng asked curiously, "Isn't Shen Fujun a new Golden Core? Is he really a Nascent Soul? Can you beat him?"
Chen Lingjun said irritably, "Whether I can beat him or not isn't something I can say for sure. I have to fight him first."
He waved his hand. "Take my advice. Get out of here quickly. Go to the county town with them. Look out for each other."
"Life isn't like those martial arts novels printed in bookshops. You don't always escape danger by the skin of your teeth. Everyone has only one life. This isn't a game!"
Fu Zheng listened to his words and fell silent for a moment. "And you?"
Chen Lingjun was momentarily speechless. Finally, he forced out a reasonable excuse. "I'm at a higher realm!"
Fu Zheng said, "Shen Fujun has surely sensed something by now."
Chen Lingjun put his hands in his sleeves, squinted at the Daoist temple, and twitched the corner of his mouth. He transmitted a message via mind: "I still have a Yang God clone that can escort you away. Given my true body's durability and cultivation, I won't be killed by Shen Fujun in a single encounter or a few rounds, even if my Yin and Yang Gods aren't by my side for now."
Fu Zheng smiled knowingly. The old immortal had everything figured out.
She never thought she'd meet such a kind-hearted mountain dweller in this filthy place.
She said, "Great immortal with the unknown name and title, let me say something impertinent that might sound unlucky. Don't be mad..."
Chen Lingjun laughed and immediately cut her off, glaring, "Then don't say it!"
She turned to leave but looked back. "Then let me put it another way, senior. What are you doing this for?"
Chen Lingjun rolled his eyes. "For Jianghu honor. Believe it or not."
She said, "My master once said that being a good person isn't necessarily easy."
Chen Lingjun nodded. "That's true. Being a good person and speaking reason both come at a price."
The world is complicated. There's no helping it.
But that's no reason for us not to be good people or not to speak reason.
She walked backward, warning him, "The Fox Lady of Chaozhu Shoal has a sworn sister who is also one of Shen Fujun's lovers. I've only heard that she's very skilled in the heretical arts of bewitching people. She can enchant people's hearts without a trace and is most familiar with dealing with men. Senior, be very careful."
Chen Lingjun smiled. "Sure. I've learned the principle that caution is the mother of safety. It's also a lesson from my life's experiences."
With that, he turned and walked toward the Daoist temple, raising his arm and waving.
The girl continued to walk backward, but slowly. She transmitted a message: "Old immortal, I am indeed a registered cultivator from a small peak. But my master is a spy for the Great Li dynasty. He is just as cautious as you, senior. Indeed, how else could he be a good spy? He kept this matter hidden in his heart for many years. During the last great war, when the demons invaded the Bottle Gourd Continent en masse, he secretly went down the mountain once. When he came back, he was already severely injured. He had two precious pills that were supposed to extend his life—I think they were miraculous medicines from the Green Tiger Palace on Tongye Continent—but he only took one. He gave the other pill to me. After I took it, earlier this year, just before my master died, he told me these secrets."
Chen Lingjun stopped walking and turned to look at her.
Fu Zheng said with sparkling eyes, "My master said I have the makings of a good spy. After repeatedly confirming my intentions, he planned to have me fill his vacancy. After he left, there was supposed to be a contact from Great Li who would get in touch with me in secret. But for some reason, he didn't show up. He just told me to be patient and wait. I'm not stupid, so I guessed he had gone to the capital of Great Li for that once-in-a-century celebration. Everyone knows about that."
Chen Lingjun turned and asked suspiciously, "If you're supposed to be patient, why did you come to Chaozhu Shoal?"
The girl, being clever, immediately guessed what the senior meant. Was she someone who was about to become a spy for Great Li, only to fall into a trap here? She was a bit embarrassed, but quickly dejected and listless. "I just wanted to offer a 'letter of allegiance'! That's how it's written in those martial arts novels. Spies are also divided into different classes. The Great Li Ministry of Justice's 'Plaque of No Concern' also has three types. With some merit under my belt, I could get a minor official post directly... Besides, I wanted to head north anyway, to see how wide the Great River that runs through the continent really is."
What the girl really wanted to see was even further north, a place called Ju Prefecture, a remote prefecture in the Great Li dynasty.
Chen Lingjun was amused. The girl was clever, but with this rash personality, was she really fit to be a spy?
The girl said angrily, "When I first arrived at Chaozhu Shoal, I was very careful. I concealed my tracks and wasn't discovered for several days. I secretly gathered evidence and recorded the crimes of this Yinci..."
She gritted her teeth. "But then I saw Chang Xuan killing innocent people indiscriminately, and I couldn't help myself... Forget it. You mountain-top cultivators who like to think before acting, you're always scheming. You wouldn't understand. If my master were still alive, he would have scolded me too."
She didn't say any more, her expression gloomy. She felt she shouldn't have said that about the senior. She didn't know if she had done right or wrong, or if she was fit to be a competent spy. Would her master be disappointed?
Chen Lingjun asked, "Why do you want so badly to become a spy for Great Li? Is it because you respect and trust your master, or do you think Great Li is different from the countries to the south?"
She answered without hesitation, "I've never been to the north of the Great River. I haven't even seen the Great River with my own eyes. How would I know if Great Li is good or bad? It's only because of my master. The strength of the Great Li Song family has nothing to do with whether they're good or bad. I have to see it to believe it."
After a moment of silence, she said softly, "But my master, a man who was always calm in the face of danger, was so nostalgic for his homeland. So the Great Li dynasty to the north, after all these years of peace, even if it has changed, can't be that bad, can it?"
Chen Lingjun asked, "Do you know what would have happened to you if you were caught and handed over to Shen Fujun?"
She rolled her eyes. Wasn't that obvious? She raised her eyebrows. "I've learned my master's true skills. I can kill myself. That's the first thing a spy learns when they enter the trade. Anyway, I've already sent a copy of my file back to my sect. My master's colleague will see it sooner or later. As for whether Great Li will deal with this, I don't care anymore..."
Chen Lingjun said, "Miss Fu, you're still young. Don't talk about life and death so lightly."
She was taken aback. The senior's tone and expression were a bit like her master's.
Chen Lingjun took a deep breath. "What is your master's name? Can you tell me?"
True to someone born to be a spy, even though she was young, she became wary. She squinted, then quickly returned to normal. "My master was the best spy Great Li had. He was so cautious, never missing a single detail. He would definitely have given me a false name. And his colleague—it's easy for him to find me, but it's impossible for me to find him. I haven't even seen his face yet... Haha, you're not him, are you, senior?"
Chen Lingjun smiled. "It's only natural for you to overthink. That's good."
After a moment of silence, he said, "I just thought, if it's possible, I'd like to mention it to my master later... tell him your master's name and what he did."
The girl was shocked. "An old immortal as powerful as you, a great god... also has a... master?"
She wasn't doubting his identity or suspecting him of being a fraud. She was truly taken aback.
She had thought he was either the founder of some immortal sect, a living patriarch worthy of offerings, or a guest official of some Duke family in Great Li.
She couldn't imagine what kind of vast, profound Daoist temple or how high a mountain would have such a Daoist willing to call someone else "master."
Chen Lingjun said irritably, "On my mountain, I'm nothing."
Maybe even less than nothing...
But traveling the world, one has to save face.
Since there were no acquaintances nearby, he'd leave himself a little face.
Chen Lingjun flicked his sleeve. His Yang God stepped out, but with an illusion technique to blur his form. With the girl's realm, naturally, she couldn't see clearly.
The girl had been carefully observing his eyes and demeanor. She teased, "I suspect you, senior, are an enemy of Great Li. Could you also be afraid that I'm a spy with a death wish infiltrating Great Li?"
Chen Lingjun smiled faintly. "Better guard against a man's heart than a fox's. Just take it as that kind of principle."
Fu Zheng cupped her fist. "I'll keep your teaching in mind."
She didn't hesitate any longer and headed north, escorted by the senior's Yang God.
After some hesitation, she transmitted a message, "By the way, senior, my master's name is Qian Gong'en. His ancestral home was in Ju Prefecture, Great Li. He said his hometown was good in every way—it produced great scholars, many heroes who sacrificed themselves, with a bold folk spirit. In history, it was never short of chivalrous youth. The only bad thing was that there was no money. In short, it was poor."
Although it was a Yang God walking the world, it was still Chen Lingjun. He thought for a moment and said, "I've remembered. Don't worry. Ju Prefecture won't be poor in the future."
He had heard that the new governor of Ju Prefecture was Guan Yiran, and the general was Huangmei Immortal. They were both civil and military officials favored by his master.
Fu Zheng was even more surprised and asked with a smile, "Whether Ju Prefecture is rich or poor in the future, you can decide that, senior?"
This was the Great Li dynasty, which ranked among the entire Haoran World. She wasn't looking down on this respected senior, but even an old earthly immortal, or even a reclusive upper-five-realm cultivator, or even an immortal realm cultivator, or even the unassailable true gods of the five mountains of the continent who received enfeoffment from the Central Earth Confucian Temple—they couldn't claim to have an influence on Great Li's national policies, could they?
Chen Lingjun smiled. "Of course, what I say doesn't count. But my master can."
The girl was still skeptical.
"Old immortal, you said earlier you came from Huangting Kingdom and mentioned 'before going up the mountain.' After you went up the mountain, what mountain was it?"
"Let's not talk about that."
"Senior! Who is your master? You can at least tell me that, right?"
"Let's not talk about that either."
"Senior! I am determined to become a top-grade retainer spy in the Great Li Ministry of Justice. I'll keep secrets. I'll never blab!"
"If I meet good people on the road, my master is good. If I see injustice in the world, he's a swordsman."
***
A man carrying a bundle slung over his shoulder moved as fast as an arrow. Compared to the girl's earlier skill of "flying over the grass," his was clearly more graceful.
The man, full of energy, stopped abruptly in front of them. He looked at the delicate girl, who had taken a defensive stance as if facing a formidable enemy. Zhong Qian had a playful look in his eyes. How long had it been since he left the mountain, and he was already dangling after girls? If Little Mili saw this and secretly reported it to Fallen Mountain, well...
Chen Lingjun transmitted a message, "Zhong Number One, why are you here?"
Zhong Qian replied via secret message, "Little Mili is with Wen Zixi. Nothing will go wrong."
Chen Lingjun said angrily, "What if something unexpected happens? Why are you worrying about me?"
Zhong Qian said irritably, "Little Mili was worried, so I had to come and make an appearance. It's better to be on your bad side than to be complained about by Little Mili, right? Besides, I was worried about you too."
Chen Lingjun scratched his head. "Alright. I'll have my Yin God and Yang God stay near Little Mili."
Zhong Qian said helplessly, "Do whatever you think best."
Apart from the whispered conversation, Zhong Qian cupped his fist at the blurry Yang God of Chen Lingjun and said loudly, "Subordinate greets the patriarch!"
Chen Lingjun was dumbfounded. What was he doing? Playing a role for whom?
The girl looked enlightened. So he was indeed a respected old immortal from the mountains. The subordinate in front of her was certainly no weak martial artist. He could very well be a Golden Body grandmaster.
Chen Lingjun nodded, put on a stern face, and grunted in acknowledgment, putting on the airs of a "patriarch." At the same time, he hurriedly asked via mental message, "What's this about?"
Zhong Qian replied, "When you're out in the world, you need to put on a front. Everyone can hold a sedan chair."
Chen Lingjun snorted. "I hope Brother Zhong isn't too offended?"
As expected of the pillar of our late-night snack faction, he really understood the ways of the world. If it weren't for the outsider present, Chen Lingjun would have given Zhong Number One a shoulder rub.
Zhong Qian didn't delay any longer. He cupped his fist at the "patriarch" and took his leave, going after Chen Lingjun's true body.
When he reached Chen Lingjun's side, Zhong Qian finally joked, "Have you figured out how to explain this to Nuan Shu?"
Chen Lingjun bared his teeth. "What's there to explain?"
Zhong Qian said, "When you reach that bandit's den, just go all out. I won't intervene unless it's absolutely necessary."
Chen Lingjun slapped his sleeves, making them snap. "No problem!"
With Zhong Qian by his side, his Dao heart felt a bit lighter.
Chen Lingjun stopped, crouched down, found a licorice plant, brushed off the soil, and put it in his mouth.
Zhong Qian asked with a smile, "What's wrong? Lost your nerve?"
Actually, he couldn't really laugh at Jing Qing for being a coward. The things he had encountered, the people he had talked to, and the things he had done—if it had been Zhong Qian himself, he wouldn't have dared to come down the mountain.
Chen Lingjun shook his head. "I just think our master used to walk the Jianghu alone. It must have been tough."
Zhong Qian smiled knowingly. "As time goes by, it becomes a habit. Maybe the mountain master even enjoys it."
Chen Lingjun said angrily, "Zhong Number One! What nonsense are you talking! Good thing we're brothers, or I'd have to settle with you!"
Zhong Qian chuckled. "Same to you. Same to you."
Chen Lingjun stood up, chewing on the licorice, hands on his hips, and laughed heartily.
Zhong Qian looked into the distance, wondering if he would get to stretch his limbs this time.
No matter how vast the world, no matter good or bad, right or wrong, when you meet, it's a narrow road.
That's what the old cook said. Zhong Qian thought it made sense.
Zhong Qian suddenly said, "Jing Qing, I used to be a sedan-chair bearer."
Chen Lingjun tilted his head, his expression as clear as a child's. "Huh?"
Zhong Qian patted his own shoulder. "I really was a palanquin bearer."
Chen Lingjun reached out and pinched Brother Zhong's arm. He clicked his tongue in genuine admiration. "These are some solid muscles."
In front of them was a magnificent complex of buildings imitating an imperial palace. In the main hall, arm-thick red candles were already lit. The floor was covered with a splendid carpet said to be from the Painted Dress Kingdom.
Having already received urgent intelligence from the lookouts, the hall was now filled with a great assembly. Besides the Fox Lady's group, who had been ambushed on the way, the vassals and allies from the surrounding battlefield had all gathered. They had only just been toasting and congratulating each other when the report came. Now, you could hear a pin drop.
As the host, Shen Fujun had a seductive, scantily clad concubine leaning against him. Her eyes were flirtatious, and she made all sorts of lewd noises, stirring up the hearts of everyone present.
Below the jade steps, at one of the seats, a woman with red-rimmed eyes had already been crying. When she heard the terrible news—that her good sister, the Fox Lady, had been killed by a foreign cultivator—she lost control and began to weep before Shen Fujun. Seeing that the heartless man only frowned and didn't give a definite answer, she could only sob on the table, her delicate body trembling uncontrollably.
The great assembly, gathered for Shen Fujun's golden core banquet, was also in an uproar. Some cultivators shouted about being the first to charge. Of course, it was just talk. Whether they would actually run away once they got outside was another matter.
Having lost face in front of outsiders, Shen Fujun, dressed like an emperor, was also furious. He roared, "All this crying! What kind of behavior is this?!"
The woman was startled. She immediately straightened up, bit her lip, and looked even more pitiful.
Shen Fujun stood up, one hand on his white jade belt, his eyes sharp. "Everyone, join me in hunting down this thief."
During the great war against the demons, he, as a local martial general from a prominent clan, had been forced to fight alongside the Great Li border army. But he had faltered at the critical moment, trying to lead his troops in retreat. The supervising officer had beheaded him on the spot. When he was alive, he had been a violent drunkard, accustomed to treating human lives like grass. The number of women he had strangled was more than he could count on both hands. After becoming a ghost king and raising his army, he feared no one in the surrounding area, except the Great Li Song clan north of the Great River. He did everything he could to suppress the news, bribing officials in neighboring kingdoms to ensure it didn't leak. He even paid out of his own pocket for mud-and-water Buddhist ceremonies to keep up appearances.
The official world was full of wolves and jackals; the Jianghu was full of dogs barking in packs. How was his territory any different?
Once he broke through to the next realm, he would set up a puppet emperor and become the national preceptor. What was so hard about that?
At a mountain-top pavilion, Jing Hao sat alone.
Earlier, he had followed the senior, Qing Zhu, around a temple. Qing Liu had asked him what he thought about the monks walking around the pagoda, but Jing Hao didn't dare to answer casually.
As a lord of the Liuxia Continent, Jing Hao's Dao power was profound. He gazed into the distance at the ancient battlefield remains. He saw the remnant soul of a Taoist, seemingly with some obsession. His form, as faint as blue smoke, wandered around aimlessly year after year.
Jing Hao said calmly, "No need to hide. Come out and have a chat."
Ripples appeared, and a figure materialized. It was the old man who had been setting up a stall by the roadside in the county town. Seeing the uninvited guest sitting alone in the pavilion, wearing an old Taoist headdress, a light yellow robe, white socks, and cloud shoes, with an extraordinary demeanor, the old man tentatively asked, "Fellow Daoist, are you wandering here by chance, or have you come specially to congratulate Shen Fujun?"
Jing Hao didn't even bother to look at him. He smiled faintly. "I have no fame on the Bottle Gourd Continent. I happened to pass by and, having nothing better to do, I'm just watching the show. Consider me non-existent. If you don't want to turn a blind eye and find me a nuisance, that's your choice. As a guest, I follow the host's wishes."
Seeing the other's suspicious expression, Jing Hao considerately added, "Don't worry. My sect no longer has a living patriarch sitting at its head. They've all returned to the mountains. So even if you hit me, I can't call on any elders."
The old man was silent. He couldn't see through this foreign Taoist's depth at all.
Jing Hao asked, "Are you the local water god?"
The old man smiled bitterly. "I used to be."
Jing Hao pointed at the battlefield. "What happened there?"
The old man followed Jing Hao's gaze. The Taoist's lonely soul, holding an empty bamboo nectar bowl in his left hand and a dried willow branch in his right, dipped it into the bowl as if to gather water, then gently shook the branch, as if sprinkling sweet dew on the ground. He then silently recited a mantra: "Willow sprinkles, wash away karmic dirt, remove the dust and filth from the formless..." It was a repetitive cycle. The Taoist walked alone through the uninhabited battlefield remains. Even though he was just a lonely ghost, he still tried to rescue and deliver the suffering, not allowing them to sink into the cold abyss.
The old man said sadly, "He came to save people. Who knew he would end up in a situation where no one could save him?"
"I only exchanged a few words with him. He didn't want to reveal his name or his Dao title. I only know that their Dao lineage's incense isn't strong. According to their ancestral rules, every thirty to fifty years, they must walk in the mortal world to look for young people with good aptitude and pure hearts to become disciples, so that the lineage doesn't die out."
"It shouldn't have come to this."
Jing Hao nodded. "It shouldn't have."
The down-and-out old man said wretchedly, "I tried to persuade some mountain cultivators to come here and help, to save the innocent people in the city. Most refused and left. Later, disheartened, I also tried to persuade some cultivators not to act on impulse and wade into muddy waters, as it would only cost them their lives. Most didn't believe me, and they all died here."
Jing Hao sneered. "You kept persuading others. What did you do yourself?"
The old man's expression was dazed. He shook his head. "I couldn't do much. The old master of this place was my close friend. I couldn't bear to see this fine Daoist temple ruined by Shen Fujun. For so many years, the courts of the surrounding kingdoms turned a blind eye and even colluded with Shen Fujun for profit. I once tried to submit a petition to a mountain lord, but that same night, my golden body was shattered and my temple was torn down. I barely survived. If it hadn't been for the national preceptor's carelessness—he used a spell to block the river outside the temple, thinking he had cut me off at the waist, but didn't completely seal off an underground river—I wouldn't have escaped. But in recent years, I haven't been able to enter the gates of the civil and martial temples in the nearby counties and prefectures to state my grievances."
Jing Hao's expression softened slightly. "It's not easy to have gotten this far."
The old man said, "Compared to them, this little setback is nothing."
Jing Hao asked with a smile, "Then I'm curious: when you saw that passing blue-clad boy, did you advise him to come or not?"
The old man said, "I advised him to come."
Jing Hao asked doubtfully, "And you weren't afraid that this place would just have a few more lonely ghosts?"
The old man's voice trembled. "I had no other choice!"
Jing Hao said, "Oh? So you're here chatting with me, while he goes off to die at Shen Fujun's place?"
The old man's expression was bitter. He gritted his teeth and said, "I also came to persuade you to help him. I hoped he could save the innocent people, and I hoped you could save him. So that you all live, and live well."
Jing Hao laughed loudly. "A water god like you, not a bit of a protector, but you're a master at begging from east and west."
The withered-looking old man said, "If you, Fellow Daoist, refuse to help, I have no choice. It's only natural. I wouldn't dare force you... and force wouldn't get it anyway. It would only anger you."
He muttered a few heartfelt words under his breath, as if off-topic.
"If only this were still within the borders of Great Li."
"The Great Li dynasty shouldn't have given up half the country."
The old man was about to shrink the distance to the ground and go to Shen Fujun's place to help the blue-clad boy. But Jing Hao had already seen through the water god's death wish. He reached out and pressed down a few times. "No need to rush over and paint the lily. Sit down and watch quietly."
Jing Hao had already understood why Senior Qing Zhu had sent him here.
Back then, Chen Lingjun had been on the verge of success in carving a river in Beiju Continent, but in the end, he had failed at the estuary. It was because he had been afraid of harming the life of a scholar in a boat.
Because of that, he hadn't been able to break through to the upper five realms in one go, and had stalled at the Nascent Soul realm.
In this mysterious way, there was a divine will. Chen Lingjun might now be making up for that failed "river carving"?
Hence, Senior Qing Zhu had ordered him to come here to keep watch, secretly acting as a protector to prevent any accidents.
The old man's face was full of anxiety. He steeled himself and said, "Fellow Daoist, I was once a water god. My innate ability is to look at Qi. Even though my divine statue golden body has been shattered, my eyesight is still sharp. Earlier, in the county town, the reason I put up a stall by the roadside and pretended to be mystical was that I saw the blue-clad boy's imposing manner was at its peak. He had a great future ahead of him. He was definitely not someone who would die young. So... so I followed my conscience and asked him to take action. Fellow Daoist, I swear I'm not lying!"
Jing Hao's expression was even more strange. He choked for a moment before giving a judgment. "Good eyesight."
Not to mention that Fellow Daoist Jing Qing's registration was on that mountain, and that person had brought him up the mountain.
Just considering the relationship between Fellow Daoist Jing Qing and Senior Qing Zhu, that alone should make Fei Sheng... no, the new Fourteenth, think twice.
Jing Hao said, "Don't call me 'fellow Daoist.' My name is Jing Hao, from the Liuxia Continent."
The old man quickly cupped his fist. "Wang Xian greets the old immortal Jing."
This was just basic courtesy.
Jing Hao asked doubtfully, "Haven't you heard of the Dao title 'Green Palace Guardian'?"
The old man looked embarrassed. "I am ashamed of my ignorance."
Jing Hao turned to face the ancient battlefield remains and lightly clapped his hands three times. "The three drumbeats of the alligator, the accumulation of unseen virtues."
Winds and clouds stirred between heaven and earth. The filth gradually receded. Waves of clear air brushed over the clumps of green grass, the piles of white bones, the yellow earth, and the wandering Taoist.
The old man sat stunned, momentarily forgetting to thank him.
Jing Hao suddenly stood up and said softly, "Senior, how did you come to be here?"
Chen Qingliu said, "I was afraid you wouldn't be up to the task."
Jing Hao felt humiliated.
The next moment, Jing Hao was horrified to find that there were two more people behind Chen Qingliu, seemingly a married couple.
Chen Qingliu introduced them. "Jiang She, Wu Yan. They are Dao companions."
Even Jing Hao was dumbfounded, forgetting etiquette.
Jiang She looked at the foot of a mountain and frowned. "What's wrong with him?"
Chen Qingliu said calmly, "From head to toe, as empty as a bamboo slip."
On the ancient battlefield remains, between Chen Lingjun, Zhong Qian, and the host of Shen Fujun's troops, there was a young woman with her hair in a bun. She wore a twisted sword and led a horse, walking slowly.
What was even stranger was that a little girl in black was riding on her shoulders.
The little girl shielded her eyes with her hand. "Pei Qian, Pei Qian, so many villains! They're coming aggressively, there are too many to count. Can we beat them?"
Pei Qian smiled. "Master is here too. What's there to be afraid of?"
Little Mili was not afraid at all. She was just surprised. "Is there a fourteenth-realm expert hidden among the enemy ranks?"
Pei Qian shook her head with a smile. "Master just came to see you all."
Earlier, Chen Lingjun's Yang God clone escorted the girl to the foot of the mountain. Just as he was about to "return" to his true body, he suddenly rubbed his eyes. After making sure he wasn't mistaken, he said in shock, "Master?"
Chen Ping'an nodded and smiled. "And this is?"
Chen Lingjun immediately introduced her, speaking as fast as pouring beans out of a bamboo tube. As he spoke, he started to feel guilty.
Chen Ping'an smiled. "When you come down the mountain, you actually start to act like something."
Chen Lingjun asked softly, "Master, is that a compliment or a scolding?"
Chen Ping'an said, "I'll leave it to you to decide whether to believe it or not."
Chen Lingjun's brows and eyes instantly brightened. What did it matter? His master was here.
Fu Zheng was a bit confused. The green-robed man with a jade hairpin in front of her was the "master" of the unnamed old immortal beside her?
What mountain was it?
Then she heard the man say with a kind expression, "Hello, Miss Fu. My name is Chen Ping'an, from Fallen Mountain."