Chapter 285: A Box of Rouge
Chen Ping'an arrived at a lake-center platform. Gazing around, the jade-green lake stretched vast with misty vapors rising. Over a hundred pavilions hovered above the lake, connected by small paths, with two or three small boats moored at each for enjoying the scenery.
On all sides of the raised platform stood graceful green-skirted maidens, mostly in their early teens, with striking appearances, guiding guests.
The pavilion Chen Ping'an had rented was called "Shady Mountain Pavilion." When he purchased the jade token, the seller suggested that this three-story pavilion could be shared with others for greater savings, but Chen Ping'an declined after consideration.
The Treasure-Swallowing Whale ferry found this unsurprising. It was normal for cultivators to prefer solitude. However, for wilderness cultivators who struggled to earn money and were used to being thrifty, they were more willing to share a pavilion with strangers. It might even build connections. On the path of cultivation, having more friends—even casual acquaintances—wasn't a bad thing. Perhaps fortune would turn, and it could become a great opportunity.
After the green-skirted attendant from Emerald Lake pointed out the direction, Chen Ping'an stepped down from the lake-center platform and walked slowly along a tiny path over the lake. On either side or overhead, immortal masters occasionally flew by on swords or rode the wind. Not long after Chen Ping'an set out, a "beauty" behind him lifted her skirt hem, trotted in small steps, and ran over, looking playful and naive.
Chen Ping'an was someone who didn't mind trouble. From his days as a hardworking apprentice at Dragon Kiln to escorting Li Baoping, Li Huai, and the others to the Great Sui Academy, he handled every detail with care. But he wasn't afraid of that kind of trouble. Rather, he dreaded a different, more intangible kind—like this Yin-Yang master named Lu Tai. Although Chen Ping'an had no intuitive discomfort with him, unlike the oppressive and gloomy feeling he had faced Fu Nanhua or Cui Chan, he still habitually ensured that things would "not go bad" when uncertain.
On Inverted Mountain, how many dreamed of stepping into the Liu family of Ape Trampling Manor?
After hearing the phrase "Sword Respect Pavilion beside Ape Trampling Manor," Chen Ping'an had roughly determined the weight of the Liu clan of Whiteclad Continent. The first thing he did was draw a clear line with Liu Youzhou, who had left a rather good impression on him. Perhaps deep down, Chen Ping'an still preferred the solitude of Lichen Cave Heaven, where living alone felt deeply etched into his bones.
The young man from the Central Continent Lu clan, who called himself Lu Tai, walked alongside Chen Ping'an. Turning to look at his profile, he smiled charmingly. "Angry? How can a man be so petty? Be magnanimous. With a large capacity, you can accommodate greater fortune. You must have heard of the Confucian saying, 'The gentleman is not a vessel'?"
Chen Ping'an stopped, turned to face this strange fellow, and said, "What are you after by sticking with me? That auspicious trigram of yours has nothing to do with me..."
Lu Tai grinned. "How can it have nothing to do with you? I used the Grain Rain Coin you gave me to cast that divination. You're deeply involved. You're the 'one' in this game of fortune..."
This time, Chen Ping'an interrupted him. "I didn't give you that Grain Rain Coin. I lent it."
Lu Tai furrowed his delicate eyebrows like a woman's, thought for a moment, and asked softly, "Talking about money all the time hurts feelings. How about we make a small trade? I'll exchange a treasured magic artifact for a few more Grain Rain Coins?"
Chen Ping'an shook his head. "Then consider it still owed."
Lu Tai said aggrievedly, "Why are you so afraid of me? Do you see me as a flood or a beast? Think about it—on the path of cultivation, meeting someone you click with, traveling together, seeing all the mountains and rivers— isn't that wonderful?"
Chen Ping'an's head ached.
It turned out there were truly things in this world that couldn't be reasoned with. He didn't even know how to explain.
They walked in silence. Chen Ping'an couldn't quite articulate it, while Lu Tai looked around and said to himself, "This secret realm was once part of the Hanging Flower Small Cave Heaven. It was occupied by a female celestial who loved collecting famous springs from the world. Unfortunately, she failed in her ascension. Not only did she perish, but she was counterattacked by the Heavenly Dao, causing the entire Hanging Flower Cave Heaven to shatter. Most of it scattered across the world. This Emerald Lake is quite famous because the three hundred li of water is one of those famous springs she collected. If you can catch the essence of the water veins within, it's perfect for brewing tea."
Chen Ping'an said nothing. After walking four or five li, he saw the three-story Shady Mountain Pavilion. Around it was a corridor with white jade railings and a small dock where two small boats were moored. Not far from the pavilion was a large lotus patch, with a lotus-picking girl rowing a boat through it, humming a rustic folk song, her voice soft and charming.
Chen Ping'an stopped and reminded, "I'm here."
Lu Tai nodded.
Seeing him pretending to be clueless, Chen Ping'an directly asked, "I'm not inviting you in today. If you have time, I'll come find you. Which pavilion are you staying at?"
Lu Tai pointed at Shady Mountain Pavilion.
Chen Ping'an smiled wryly. "Young Master Lu, please stop joking."
Lu Tai raised his hands, holding a large pile of Minor Heat Coins. "Over at the lake-center platform earlier, driven by necessity, I thought since we're such good friends, you'd surely give me a place to stay. So I sold my lodging to an extremely wealthy immortal."
Chen Ping'an's expression turned grim.
Lu Tai quickly said, "Don't worry! I won't disturb your cultivation. Just lend me one of your boats. I'll sleep on it every day. Without urgent matters, I promise I won't step into Shady Mountain Pavilion. I've brought my own food. You don't need to worry about me. In this world, we cultivators are all travelers. Please don't feel guilty. Suffering is also a form of cultivation..."
Chen Ping'an's face darkened.
How could there be such a shameless, clingy person in the world?
Lu Tai suddenly laughed. "Alright, alright, I'll be honest with you. Besides calculating that this trip to Parasol Leaf Continent is a 'marquis-bestowing' supreme sign, I also figured out that this opportunity isn't about treasures, but the five words 'Observatory on the Terrace.' By traveling with you and borrowing your state of mind—good or bad, high or low—I can sharpen my own Dao heart. It's called 'using stones from other mountains to polish jade'..."
Speaking thus, Lu Tai chuckled and corrected himself, "Wrong, wrong. It's 'using jade from other mountains to polish stones'!"
Chen Ping'an didn't quibble over Lu Tai's wording, but when Lu Tai said "Observatory," Chen Ping'an felt both worried and relieved.
Relieved because Lu Tai was probably not lying and wasn't targeting him with some scheme. Worried because his search for the Observatory and the old Daoist now had an extra element: Lu Tai, whose background was unknown. Wasn't that asking for complications?
Lu Tai hesitated, as if making a huge decision. Clenching his teeth, he said, "If you keep guarding against me like this, it will definitely affect my 'Observatory marquis-bestowing' opportunity. I can seriously perform a divination for you. As long as it doesn't involve too powerful a figure, my calculations are fairly accurate. But if it involves immortals of the Upper Five Realms, I'll suffer greatly—a thousand times worse than sleeping on a boat! Chen Ping'an, this is a rare chance! Don't miss it!"
Lu Tai, as if afraid Chen Ping'an wouldn't believe him, stared intently at him. "I'm not lying!"
Chen Ping'an sighed, waved his hand, and rejected Lu Tai's offer. He merely said, "You can stay at Shady Mountain Pavilion. But from now on, let each of us cultivate our own path. We'll mind our own business."
Lu Tai looked at Chen Ping'an's retreating back with a strange expression. After a moment of dazed thought, he snapped back to himself, his face showing relief as he hurried after him.
In the end, Chen Ping'an took the first floor, while Lu Tai chose the third, leaving the second floor as an invisible buffer.
Lu Tai lay comfortably on the bed on the third floor, his face full of lazy satisfaction. He chuckled. Ha ha, men and women should keep their distance.
Since he was here, he would make the best of it.
Chen Ping'an no longer worried about that mysterious Yin-Yang practitioner. Aside from the longsword on his back and the sword-nurturing gourd at his waist, he had no other possessions. Unburdened, he was at ease. The only drawback was the inexplicable presence of Lu Tai.
Chen Ping'an sat by the window at a table, taking out a stack of books from his storage artifact fifteen: the celestial book "Records of Mountains and Seas," two books introducing the refined languages of Central Continent and Parasol Leaf Continent, and several travelogues from the country of Colorful Garments. He arranged them neatly on the table. Then he took out some precious bamboo slips from the Azure God Mountain in the Bamboo Sea Cave Heaven, planning to carve text on them while reading.
Every morning, he practiced the Mountain Toppling Fist. In the afternoon, he practiced "Orthodox Swordsmanship." In the evening, he read books and studied the two continental languages.
Strangely enough, though this was only a fragmented secret realm, Emerald Lake still had the wondrous phenomenon of the sun and moon rising and setting over its waters, thus distinguishing day and night. Was this a superior illusion technique of immortals, or a unique rule after the shattering of a cave heaven paradise?
Chen Ping'an practiced his fist techniques and walked the stance-training path around the corridor of Shady Mountain Pavilion.
A cool breeze blew, carrying the fragrance of lotus flowers. Amid the faintly heard songs of the lotus-picking girl, a white-clad young man struck his fists unhurriedly.
In the afternoon, Chen Ping'an practiced swordsmanship only in the spacious first floor, not going out to the corridor. He still practiced the empty-handed sword-holding posture.
Because carrying the longsword named "Sword Qi" could temper the soul, it itself was a form of cultivation. Chen Ping'an didn't take off the longsword even when sleeping at night, choosing to sleep on his side.
The sword-nurturing gourd hung high in front of the bed. He no longer drank wine frequently, so he didn't always hang it at his waist. He was connected in spirit with the two little ones, First and Fifteenth. Traveling together across thousands of miles, being together day and night, their hearts grew increasingly attuned. Communication became smoother, as if the intelligence of his two life-bound flying swords was maturing.
When Chen Ping'an fell asleep, he left them to guard the house. First didn't agree but didn't refuse either. The gentler Fifteenth happily "nodded" inside the sword-nurturing gourd.
During his evening reading, Chen Ping'an would occasionally take out the "Authentic Writings on Alchemy" from his storage artifact. After reaching the fourth realm of martial arts, he found he could draw two more types of talismans. One was the "Mountain River Sword Command Talisman." The "mountain" referred to three mountains, but the book didn't detail what three mountains meant. The explanation for "river" was also vague, only saying that once a divine being sat in charge of rivers, tasked with "slaying evil and annihilating malevolence," and enjoyed "devouring myriad ghosts."
The Sword Command Talisman was a type of protective talisman. As for the second, the "Rain-Praying Talisman," it could cause "heaven and earth to darken, and heavy rain to flood." As the name implies, it belonged to the category of altar talismans, usually mastered by high-ranking Daoist ritual masters. Chen Ping'an wasn't very interested in it.
Compared to the Yang Qi Lamp-Lighting Talisman, the Filth-Cleansing and Dust-Removing Talisman, and the Pagoda Demon-Suppressing Talisman, these two talismans were slightly higher in rank. Chen Ping'an paid special attention to the Sword Command Talisman. He wrote one on ordinary yellow paper, but it was barely adequate. After entering the Qi-Refining realm of martial arts, his soul had become more stable and substantial. He often heard the faint sound of dripping water when the three souls passed through his heart lake.
So Chen Ping'an could already see that this Sword Command Talisman lacked spiritual intent. As for its actual power, he hadn't found an opportunity to test it because Lu Tai was staying upstairs.
After ten days, he occasionally heard light footsteps from the second floor, but not often. Lu Tai never came downstairs to disturb Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an felt slightly reassured.
A karmic connection that had inexplicably appeared before him—if it wasn't a bad one, that was fine. He didn't need to deliberately seek a good one.
One night, Chen Ping'an had just finished writing his second Sword Command Talisman, but he still wasn't satisfied.
It was like firing porcelain or shaping clay. To an expert, two seemingly identical blanks could reveal a world of difference at a glance.
Did he really need to find an ancient battlefield ruin and seek out the continuous slaughter of battlefield spirits and souls to perfect the fourth realm of martial arts? Only then could he skillfully wield this Sword Command Talisman?
Chen Ping'an frowned in thought, then turned his head. Lu Tai was coming down the stairs. He stopped and knocked on the wall, like a guest knocking on a door. Then he sat on the steps with a smile, still not entering the first floor.
Just as Chen Ping'an was about to pick up "Records of Mountains and Seas" to cover the Sword Command Talisman, Lu Tai couldn't help but laugh. "Hiding and covering—what's the point? It's just a lost ancient talisman. Its rank isn't high. The only value is in its return to simplicity. I caught a glimpse just now, and my heart ached so much it trembled. It's still aching now."
Chen Ping'an asked, "What do you mean?"
Lu Tai pointed at the talisman on the table. "This protective talisman is very old. I'd wager that in the entire Lu clan, no one my age could recognize its origins. The reason it pains me: first, you, a pure martial artist, wrote such a terrible pure ancient talisman. It's really embarrassing..."
Chen Ping'an couldn't help interrupting, "Isn't it unreasonable for a martial artist to draw talismans?"
Lu Tai curled his lip. "Oh? Is that so? Then I guess the records in my Lu clan's collection are wrong, or my knowledge is too shallow."
But Lu Tai didn't seem keen to pursue that topic. He continued, "Second, you draw talismans more by relying on that brush, not on deep study or talent in talisman art. Hmm, you might have seen the correct scenery, but the path you took to reach that scenery was crooked. So the talismans you draw can be used, but not for great purposes. Third, the talisman paper is of excellent quality, but you've done a one-time deal with it, which is a terrible waste. In this regard, you can't even be called a heterodox sect; you're a deviant path. If a high-ranking Daoist talisman master saw this, they'd want to punch you to death."
Chen Ping'an frowned deeply, chewing over Lu Tai's words. He first discerned truth from falsehood, then determined good from bad. But Lu Tai was too mysterious, making it hard for Chen Ping'an to draw conclusions.
Lu Tai smiled and asked, "Can you pick up that talisman? Let me take a closer look at the material. I just caught a fleeting glance earlier and wasn't sure."
Chen Ping'an hesitated, then picked up the Sword Command Talisman, but only showed Lu Tai the back.
Lu Tai smiled slightly, not minding Chen Ping'an's caution. After looking for a moment, he nodded. "Sure enough, it's made of the precious material of Rejuvenation Talisman paper. You can reuse it for drawing talismans. The quality and power of a successful talisman depend heavily on the paper. Truly good talismans in the world—except for those that pursue extreme power—can mostly be reused. You, according to a humorous saying by a patriarch of the talisman school, are like 'rosy faces fading from mirrors, flowers falling from trees.' In the end, it's about 'not being able to keep them.' Chen Ping'an, tell me, isn't that a pity? Talisman paper, especially Rejuvenation Talisman paper, is very expensive. Ah, I'm feeling heartache for you. Anyway, you, Chen Ping'an, are wealthy. You don't need to care about such petty costs."
Chen Ping'an looked at Lu Tai, then at the Sword Command Talisman on the table.
Lu Tai was curious. He rested his chin on his hands and looked at the somewhat regretful young man at the table. "The person who gave you these precious talisman papers never told you? The one who taught you to draw talismans never said you, a half-baked talisman master, should be thrifty?"
Chen Ping'an let out a heavy sigh.
Lu Tai said with schadenfreude, "Pure martial artists in the seventh, eighth, or ninth realms could probably draw decent talismans, relying on a single breath of true qi to finish smoothly. But martial artists who reach that level, step by step to the peak, have hearts as hard as iron. Who would bother drawing talismans? You're just lucky to have such rare talisman paper and brush, so you can eventually draw decent talismans. Otherwise, each talisman you draw is like burning a thick stack of silver notes. Hmm, you're a bit better—it's only like burning half a stack."
Chen Ping'an shot a glare at the man who was rubbing salt in his wounds.
Lu Tai chuckled. "Chen Ping'an, you really are interesting. A martial artist drawing talismans, having a sword-nurturing gourd and flying swords, and the most excessive thing is diligently studying every day? Aren't you afraid of neglecting your true calling and ruining your martial arts path? Ending up neither donkey nor horse—everything lost?"
Chen Ping'an ignored his mockery, put away the Sword Command Talisman, and began flipping through "Records of Mountains and Seas."
Lu Tai quietly got up and returned to his third-floor lodging.
After that, Lu Tai began leaving Shady Mountain Pavilion. Either he went boating on Emerald Lake, or he visited the so-called treasure vaults on every Treasure-Swallowing Whale. The whale got its name because over the long years, it would swallow shipwrecks lost at sea into its belly. Cross-continent ferries often deserved to be called "treasure ships." Therefore, the belly of a mature Treasure-Swallowing Whale was bound to contain all sorts of bizarre treasures, countless wonders.
It might even hold the golden immortal remains left behind after a celestial's dissolution.
One afternoon, Lu Tai took out a nearly elaborate tea set from his storage artifact. Using a secret technique to extract the essence of Emerald Lake's spring water, he leisurely brewed tea on the first-floor corridor.
The aroma of tea was delightful.
Chen Ping'an didn't ask for a cup. He just practiced swordsmanship inside the room.
After that, Lu Tai brewed tea every day, drinking alone while enjoying the view, often sitting for an entire afternoon.
One day around noon, Chen Ping'an was about to finish his stance-walking and fist practice when he saw Lu Tai rowing a small boat back from afar.
After tying up the boat, Lu Tai jumped onto the corridor. Standing there, as Chen Ping'an passed by while practicing, he raised his hand high. On his palm were stacked several boxes of rouge and powder. He seemed to be showing off his day's gains. Not far from the lake-center platform at Emerald Lake, there were a few buildings that served as money pits for the ferry's goods. Chen Ping'an had only gone there once. Finding them outrageously overpriced—after comparing several similar items and finding the prices even more exorbitant than on Inverted Mountain—he completely lost interest in buying.
Lu Tai lightly tapped his feet, leaped backward, and sat on the white jade railing. He opened one box of rouge, took out a small bronze mirror, pursed his lips, then raised a finger and traced it along his eyebrow with gentle, meticulous movements.
Chen Ping'an just continued practicing his fists along the corridor, not glancing sideways from start to finish.
When Chen Ping'an passed by again, Lu Tai, who was meticulously drawing his eyebrows while sitting on the railing, moved the small mirror slightly aside and asked with a smile, "Do I look good?"
Chen Ping'an didn't look at the rouged and powdered Lu Tai, nor did he respond.
Then, every time Chen Ping'an passed by while walking his stance, Lu Tai asked a different question.
"Chen Ping'an, don't you think the rouge on my cheeks is a bit too bright?"
"Should this eyebrow be drawn thinner?"
"Using a fine hairpin from Flower Dew Studio to pick out the rouge from the box really gives a more even and natural look, don't you think?"
Chen Ping'an just silently walked his stance, stopping his practice only when the scheduled time came.
The last time, Lu Tai didn't ask Chen Ping'an anything. He simply placed the small mirror, hairpin, and several rouge boxes on the railing beside him, turned to gaze at the vast lotus leaves, his makeup exquisite, his eyes dreamy.
Just as Chen Ping'an was about to head back to the first-floor entrance, Lu Tai spoke again without withdrawing his gaze. "Do you think a man like me is... ridiculous? Maybe even a bit disgusting deep down?"
Chen Ping'an stopped, turned, and walked toward Lu Tai. About five or six steps away, facing the lake with his back to the corridor, he also sat on the railing.
Lu Tai, not getting an answer, wasn't annoyed. He smiled charmingly to himself, picked up a box of rouge, found its quality unsatisfactory and not living up to its reputation, and decided he wouldn't use it anymore. He was about to casually toss it into Emerald Lake.
Chen Ping'an suddenly asked, "How much did that box of rouge cost?"
Lu Tai was startled. He also turned to face the lake, sitting beside Chen Ping'an, and said with a smile, "Not too expensive. One Minor Heat Coin per box. It's newly released this year and quite famous. Many famous fairies from Central Continent love using it. Ah, it's probably just a trick by those merchants' sons with their heads full of butter. They swindled me."
Chen Ping'an sighed. "One Minor Heat Coin is a hundred Snowflake Coins, a hundred thousand taels of silver. I think..."
He paused as the breeze brushed his face. "A thousand gold may not buy what the heart truly desires. For you, buying it might not be expensive. But for some people, when they hear the price, they'd be dumbfounded. They'd never believe there could be such fine rouge in the world."
Lu Tai was puzzled. "Hmm?"
After a moment of silence, Chen Ping'an, dressed in a snow-white robe, clasped his hands on his knees. He told Lu Tai the story of the effeminate man from his hometown, Dragon Kiln.
Chen Ping'an spoke lightly—not heavy in tone, not heavy in expression—recounting the pitiful life of a dead man to the man beside him.
Beside him, Lu Tai wore a colorful sash, his spirit soaring, a being among immortals, more beautiful than any true woman in the world.
But the man back home was just slightly thin, even had stubble. He wasn't any prettier than an ordinary market woman. Every morning, he would clean himself up nicely, but by the end of the workday, his fingernails would be filled with mud. So when he held up his orchid finger, there was no charm to it.
And he would never understand things like "flying sunset makeup" or "peach blossom makeup," nor distinguish between lip-tinting, cheek-blushing, or eyebrow-drawing rouge.
Chen Ping'an finally looked into the distance, somewhat melancholy. "In the end, I still thought he was a very strange man. Why did a man like to dress up like a woman? But that day, before he stabbed himself with a piece of porcelain and smothered himself with a blanket, he begged me for something. I didn't agree. Even to this day, I regret it. If I had known he would do that, I would have said yes."
"He talked a lot with me that day. Finally, he smiled and said he planned never to act like a woman again. So he hoped I would keep that box of rouge for him, so he wouldn't be tempted again."
"How could I have agreed to something like that back then? 'Not even after death,' he said. He tried to persuade me twice, then stopped."
"After he died, no one ever saw that box of rouge. In fact, no one cared."
Chen Ping'an turned his head and smiled at the breathtakingly beautiful Lu Tai. "Such expensive rouge—why throw it away?"
Lu Tai tilted his head, and the delicate hairpin tilted with it. He smiled. "Otherwise, I'll give it to you. When you return to your hometown, take this box of rouge to that guy's grave and tell him there really is such good rouge in the world. Tell him to be reborn as a girl in his next life, slather it all over her face, pound after pound of it, without ever worrying about the cost again..."
Chen Ping'an turned his head back to the distance, shaking his head gently. "I can't even find his grave. How could I show him this? How could I tell him all this?"
The white-clad young man, with clean, delicate features, clasped his hands behind his head, silent.