Chapter 478: Sound of Partridges in the Mountains
In the western great mountains of years past, there were few human traces, only charcoal-burning woodcutters and earthenware kiln workers coming and going. Nowadays, immortal dwellings occupy one peak after another, and there is even the immortal ferry port of Niujiao Mountain. Chen Ping'an had seen the local children of the small town more than once, squatting on the wall tops together with bowls in hand, looking up, waiting for the ferry boat to pass by. Every time they happened to see it, they would shout and cry out in excitement.
On this return journey to Luopo Mountain, Chen Ping'an and Pei Qian encountered a convoy of immortal masters heading toward Yidai Peak.
Setting up camp here and building a cave dwelling had one drawback: Ruan Qiong had established a rule forbidding any cultivator from flying freely over long distances. However, as time passed, after Ruan Qiong founded the Longquan Sword Sect, he was no longer just a secluded sage; he had become a sect leader who needed to spread his branches and maintain social relations. Thus, he slightly relaxed the ban, allowing his Golden Core Earth Immortal disciple Dong Gu to select a few routes for aerial travel. Then, by requesting from the Longquan Sword Sect a few miniature iron sword-shaped "pass token" waist badges, one could move about the Lizhu Blessed Land with somewhat greater freedom. But so far, among the more than a dozen immortal factions that had remained within Longquan Commandery, very few had obtained those small iron swords. It was not because the Longquan Sword Sect looked down on them, but because the swordsmith was not Ruan Qiong, nor any of his direct disciples—it was Ruan Qiong's only daughter, Miss Xiuxiu. Her rate of forging swords from the furnace was extremely slow, dragging on until she barely managed to produce one a year. But who would dare to go to her door and urge her on? Even if one had the nerve, one might not have the guts. Nowadays, a small rumor circulated among the mountains: a few years ago, when the elite Zhan'gan Guards of the Great Li, led personally by the Langzhong of the Bureau of Appointments in the Ministry of Rites, went south to the Shujian Lake to "talk reason," Miss Xiuxiu had almost single-handedly settled everything.
That immortal sect which had once used gold essence copper coins to choose Yidai Peak as its site had its mountain gate and ancestral hall located in the Mengliang Kingdom's Yunxia Mountain area, placing it among the bottom of the second-tier forces of Baoping Continent. Back then, when the Great Li cavalry was in a disadvantageous position, it was not that this sect did not want to move, but rather that they were unwilling to lose the immortal funds they had invested in establishing their residence. They did not want to see that money go down the drain. Moreover, one of their ancestral hall’s elder masters, the sole remaining Golden Core Earth Immortal among their ranks, now lived in a thatched hut on Yidai Peak, accompanied by only a dozen or so disciples and some servants and maids. This old cultivator had a falling out with the sect master. The sect's move was essentially to send this stubborn old ancestor away, so that they no longer had to endure his airs and graces at the ancestral hall every day, making the younger generation uncomfortable with his scowling and glaring.
Chen Ping'an was not in a hurry, but the carriage was not slow. He led Pei Qian to the side of the road to make way, but unexpectedly, the convoy also stopped.
The convoy consisted of two carriages and over twenty people. Only three of them were registered immortal masters of Yidai Peak; the rest were servants and attendants of the peak.
A young cultivator and two beautiful female cultivators stepped down from the carriages respectively. One of the female cultivators held a young white fox curled up lazily in her arms.
The young cultivator was one of the few direct disciples of the old master of Yidai Peak. He approached Chen Ping'an and took the initiative to greet him with a smile, "Peak Master Chen, I am Song Yuan of Yidai Peak. Earlier, when my master brought me to visit Luopo Mountain, I stood at the back, so Peak Master Chen probably has no impression of me."
The words were round without being oily, very well spoken.
Chen Ping'an actually remembered Song Yuan. He had a good memory and was never the type to look down his nose at people. In the old days, he could even remember Cui Ying of Qingfei Workshop, let alone a direct disciple of a Golden Core Earth Immortal from a neighboring peak. In fact, on the day that Earth Immortal from Yidai Peak visited Luopo Mountain, not only did Song Yuan not stand at the back, but while a few senior brothers and sisters stood behind, Song Yuan stood right beside his master. After all, he was the youngest disciple, the most favored—it's the same principle as a doting father's love for his youngest son.
Chen Ping'an clasped his fist in return and asked with a smile, "Little Immortal Master Song, are you returning from elsewhere?"
Song Yuan was a little surprised. On Yidai Peak, there was an uncle who also bore the surname Song. So for this Peak Master of Luopo Mountain to call him "Little Immortal Master Song" was quite deliberate and had a certain nuance.
Song Yuan nodded. "I just returned with Martial Sister Liu from attending a ceremony at Yunxia Mountain. Some friends who were also at the ceremony heard that our Lizhu Blessed Land is one of the rare places on the continent where spiritual energy gathers and beauty abounds, so they wanted to tour our Longquan Commandery. They came back with me and Martial Sister Liu."
Song Yuan unobtrusively took two small steps back and extended his hand toward the two young female cultivators. "Allow me to introduce them to Peak Master Chen. This is Martial Sister Liu, my master's most beloved granddaughter. Peak Master Chen may call her Runyun. And this is Immortal Zhou of the Green Plum View at Nantang Lake. She is Martial Sister Liu's closest friend. We just came from the Chen Family School and plan to visit the Pillow Cloud Mountain's Linlu Academy first before returning to Yidai Peak."
Chen Ping'an addressed them as "Miss Liu" and "Immortal Zhou" in turn, then said with a smile, "Then I won't delay Little Immortal Master Song on his journey."
Song Yuan smiled and nodded, without engaging in excessive pleasantries. That was not how relationships were cultivated. For mountain cultivators who had reached the middle-stage Middle Five Realms, most were pure in heart and few in desires, unwilling to get involved in too many mundane affairs. Since Chen Ping'an had not extended an invitation to Luopo Mountain, Song Yuan did not bring it up, even though he knew that the Immortal Zhou from Green Plum View had already signaled him with a glance. Song Yuan simply pretended not to see.
Throughout this northern journey, this immortal lady, who had brought considerable profit to Green Plum View through mirror flower water moon spectacles, was stubbornly unwilling to miss any opportunity for networking or scenic beauty. At almost every immortal dwelling or landscape of outstanding beauty, Immortal Zhou would use the secret method of Green Plum View to "capture" images and then "embed" her graceful figure into them. Come festival seasons, she would send these to some wealthy benefactors who spent lavishly for her. Song Yuan accompanied her the whole way, feeling somewhat bored, but since Immortal Zhou had always been close to Martial Sister Liu, and Martial Sister Liu greatly admired this resourceful Sister Zhou, hoping that her own Yidai Peak would one day open its own mirror flower water moon restrictions to emulate her, Song Yuan did not say much. His master doted on this granddaughter, but on this matter alone he would not agree. He said that a woman dressing up in gaudy attire, showing her face in public, posturing seductively all day long before a crowd of ill-intentioned lechers—what kind of talk was that? Yidai Peak was not lacking in that bit of immortal funds. He absolutely forbade it.
That Immortal Zhou, unwilling to let Chen Ping'an walk away, smoothed her hair at her temples, her eyes shimmering with charm as she spoke, "Peak Master Chen, I've heard Senior Brother Song mention you many times. He holds you in great admiration and says that you are now one of the top landlords in Lizhu Blessed Land. I wonder if it would be too abrupt for Runyun and me to visit Luopo Mountain?"
Song Yuan felt a chill run down his scalp and gave a wry smile.
In truth, he had told this Immortal Zhou from Green Plum View more than once that the situation in Lizhu Blessed Land was not as simple as in other major immortal cultivation grounds. The circumstances were complex, connections were tangled, and there were many gods and men. One must be careful in words and deeds. Probably Immortal Zhou had not taken his words to heart, or perhaps it only made her more determined and eager to try. But Immortal Zhou, Immortal Zhou, this Great Li Longquan Commandery is really not as simple as you imagine.
Chen Ping'an gave Song Yuan a slight smile, motioning with his eyes for Little Immortal Master Song not to worry, then said to that Green Plum View immortal, "Unfortunately, I will be leaving the mountain soon, so I'm afraid Immortal Zhou may be disappointed. Next time I return to Luopo Mountain, I will be sure to invite Immortal Zhou and Miss Liu to visit."
Liu Runyun of Yidai Peak was about to speak, but Song Yuan subtly tugged at her sleeve to stop her.
Immortal Zhou bit her lip. "Is that so? Then may I ask when Peak Master Chen will return home? Qionglin would like to prepare well."
Chen Ping'an shook his head with a smile. "It's really hard to say for now."
The slender and graceful Immortal of Green Plum View performed a curtsy, rising with her delicate waist straightening. She said in a soft, gentle voice, "Very pleased to meet Peak Master Chen. Welcome to visit Green Plum View at Nantang Lake next time. Qionglin will personally guide Peak Master Chen to admire the plum blossoms. Our Green Plum View's 'Thatched Hall Plum Courtyard in Deep Spring' is renowned. It will not disappoint Peak Master Chen."
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Alright. If I have the chance to pass by, I will certainly trouble Green Plum View."
Zhou Qionglin noticed the dark-skinned girl holding a walking stick and smiled. "Hello there, little girl."
Pei Qian pointed at her still-swollen face, putting on a foolish and stupid look. "I'm not very hello."
Zhou Qionglin tried to approach sideways through this unpleasant girl, but Chen Ping'an had already taken Pei Qian's hand and said his goodbyes.
Liu Runyun seemed about to speak up for her Sister Zhou, but Song Yuan not only did not let go, he directly grabbed her wrist tightly. Liu Runyun, feeling a slight pain, was very surprised and held back from speaking.
Although she had grown up under her grandfather's protection, carefree and innocent, with little guile, Liu Runyun was still a proper registered immortal master. Even if she had not yet broken into the Cave Dwelling Realm, she was not truly foolish.
The convoy slowly moved off. Only after they had traveled a great distance did the coachman, who had been instructed beforehand, dare to speed up the horses.
The carriage curtain was drawn aside. Zhou Qionglin looked at the large and small figures walking along the roadside, but those two just kept their heads down and walked, which made her somewhat resigned. She was well-versed in the eighteen arts of beguiling men's hearts, yet she had run into a blind man who did not appreciate her charms.
Song Yuan sat alone in the front carriage compartment, sighing inwardly. That Immortal Zhou really was not someone easy to deal with. Once they returned to Yidai Peak, he would have to privately say a few words to his master, so that Runyun would not be led astray.
On the road, Pei Qian practiced a set of wild sword technique with panting and gasping, then asked with a grin, "Master, guess which of those three I liked best?"
Chen Ping'an replied casually, "Liu Runyun of Yidai Peak?"
Pei Qian shook her head. "Two more chances for Master to guess."
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Same as Master, Song Yuan?"
Unexpectedly, Pei Qian shook her head again like a rattle-drum. "Guess again, guess again!"
Chen Ping'an was a little puzzled. "Then why Zhou Qionglin?"
Toward Zhou Qionglin, who was adept at opportunism, Chen Ping'an did not feel aversion, but he certainly did not like her.
The main issue was that her method of building relationships was far too improper and could easily cause trouble for Song Yuan. If it attracted ill will, Zhou Qionglin could return to Green Plum View at Nantang Lake and continue being her immortal, but Song Yuan, who was half her friend, and the Yidai Peak he belonged to, could not simply walk away. That was the critical reason Chen Ping'an was unwilling to give Zhou Qionglin any face.
Pei Qian extended one hand, gently waving it twice, signaling that she wanted to say something in secret to her master.
Chen Ping'an smiled and bent down. Pei Qian put a hand over her mouth and whispered to him, "That Immortal Zhou, although she looks a bit vixenish, of course, she's still far less pretty than the Daoist nun sister or Yao Jinzhi. But, Master, let me tell you, when I looked into her heart, I saw a lot of poor little people in ragged clothes, just like me back then—skinny and bony, almost starved to death. And she was heartbroken, facing a big empty rice bowl, not daring to look at them."
Chen Ping'an's heart jolted violently. He abruptly lifted his head and looked into the distance, but the convoy had already gone far. He murmured a sentence that the immortal had said earlier: "Is that so?"
Chen Ping'an walked slowly.
Pei Qian swung her walking stick, somewhat perplexed, and lifted her head. "Master, are you unhappy? Did I say something wrong?"
Pei Qian thought for a moment and quickly came up with a remedy. She opened her mouth wide, then shook her head, mimicking a ravenous wolf devouring its meal. "Alright, Master, I've already eaten the words back into my stomach. Master, cheer up now!"
Chen Ping'an's smile was brilliant. He lightly placed his hand on Pei Qian's head, swaying her whole body left and right. "After Master leaves Luopo Mountain, you go to Yidai Peak and find that Sister Zhou, tell her to visit Luopo Mountain as a guest. But if Sister Zhou asks you to visit the Longquan Sword Sect or something, don't agree. Just say you're a child and can't make decisions. As for our own mountain, they can go anywhere. If there's something you're really not sure about, go ask Zhu Lian."
Pei Qian said, "Oh, don't worry, Master. I'm very thorough in dealing with people now. This month at the New Year's Market, we earned more than fourteen taels of silver! Fourteen taels and three mace! In Nanyuan Kingdom, how many baskets of snow-white steamed buns could that buy? Right, Master? And let me tell you something else. After making so much money, I was afraid Shi Rou might get tempted by money, so I intentionally discussed it with her, saying we could hide the money away secretly. Heaven doesn't know, earth doesn't know—just treat it as our own little private savings. To my surprise, Sister Shi Rou said she'd think it over. She thought about it for so many days I was almost dying of anxiety. Only two days before you came home did she finally say forget it. Ah, this Shi Rou, it's a good thing she didn't agree, or I'd have shown her a set of my wild sword technique. But seeing that she still had a bit of conscience, I paid out of my own pocket and bought her a bronze mirror, hoping Sister Shi Rou wouldn't forget her origins. She can look in the mirror every day. Haha, Master, think about it—looking in the mirror, Sister Shi Rou would see a not-Shi-Rou wrinkled old man..."
Pei Qian chirped like a little sparrow, circling around Chen Ping'an, chattering nonstop.
Chen Ping'an rubbed his forehead, not wanting to talk.
He really couldn't tell who was fooling whom at the New Year's Market. It seemed neither had gotten the better of the other.
"Why doesn't Master invite Zhou Qionglin himself? Forget it, having the master's first disciple personally come out—she should feel honored. That's plenty of face!"
"I only recognize those unknown good deeds she does, not the carelessness in her relationship management. So Master can't step in. Otherwise, if she visits Luopo Mountain in Longquan Commandery and mistakenly thinks every peak is like ours, given her style, she might have smooth sailing at Green Plum View, but once here, she'll eventually hit walls and suffer. The immortal masters who bought peaks here—if a conflict arises, they won't care about Nantang Lake's Green Plum View. In the end, wouldn't we be the ones harming her?"
"Master, you talk in circles. I'm eager to learn and like to think things through seriously, but now my head hurts."
"Then don't think about it. Just listen."
"But letting words go in one ear and out the other is not good. Old Cook Zhu always says I'm thick-headed, and he likes to say I neither grow in height nor in brains. Master, don't believe him!"
"Don't gossip behind people's backs."
"Oh, I know."
"Actually, it's not that you can't say anything. As long as there's no malice, that's the real childish innocence. The reason Master seems distant is because I'm afraid that if you get used to it at a young age, you won't be able to correct it later."
"But what if I don't realize it's malice, but it really is malice, and I end up doing something wrong, causing harm? What then?"
"Master will be there for you."
———
Upon reaching Luopo Mountain, Zheng Dafeng was still busy supervising the construction and couldn't be bothered to acknowledge Chen Ping'an, the peak master.
In Zhu Lian's residence, the walls were already covered with paintings, all in the style of ladies.
They were all female deities from the realm of the Northern Sacred Mountain, vivid and lifelike, extremely expressive. There were more than ten types of hairstyles alone.
Chen Ping'an held back for a long time before asking, "Didn't Cen Yuanji say you're old and shameless?"
Zhu Lian chuckled. "That little girl only praised the old servant as a master of painting."
At the time, Chen Ping'an held his bamboo hat, speechless.
The three of them went together toward the bamboo tower.
Zhu Lian asked, "Is the young master leaving just like that?"
Chen Ping'an nodded. "That cross-continent ferry will arrive at Niujiao Mountain in the next few days."
Zhu Lian, his figure stooped, rubbed his chin and smiled without speaking.
Chen Ping'an asked doubtfully, "What's the meaning? Speak your mind."
Zhu Lian scratched his head. "Nothing. Just suddenly thought of the sound of partridges in our great mountains. At a time of parting, I feel some emotion."
Chen Ping'an was completely baffled.
Zhu Lian said he was going to check on Cen Yuanji's boxing practice and left.
Chen Ping'an arrived at the bamboo tower area. He was not in a hurry to ascend but sat on a stone bench by the cliff. Pei Qian soon came running over, bringing along the pink-dressed little girl now named Chen Jian.
Chen Ping'an skillfully reached out and took a handful of melon seeds.
Chen Jian was the incarnation of a fire python of literary fortune and had actually read a great deal. So Chen Ping'an couldn't help asking, "In classical poetry and literati notes, is there anything about partridges?"
Chen Jian quickly stopped cracking melon seeds, sat up straight, and spoke at length about poems and verses concerning partridges, explaining them in detail. Pei Qian grew so drowsy listening that she had to crack melon seeds quickly to stay awake.
Chen Ping'an felt he still hadn't fully figured out Zhu Lian's underlying meaning. Most of the verses were about the deep mountains hearing partridges and expressing the bitterness of parting. But Chen Ping'an was too lazy to think more about it. He would be ascending the tower soon anyway—he should worry about himself.
The little girl suddenly laughed. "There's one more line: 'The stream is swift, the peaks steep—Brother, you cannot go!'"
Pei Qian had a sudden flash of insight. "Oh, the old cook is talking about Sister Xiuxiu."
Chen Ping'an put down the half-eaten melon seeds, silently rose, and headed to the second floor. Being fed punches wasn't so bad.