Chapter 888: Leaving the Capital, Returning Home
Spring Mountain Academy.
The Old Scholar had already embarked on a transcontinental journey, returning to the Central Plains Confucian Temple.
If he didn't go back soon, it was estimated that the Confucian Temple would come knocking on his door, cursing him out.
Before leaving, the Old Scholar chatted with the young Daoist for a while.
Xianwei felt a pang of sorrow. So this was Daoist Cao's master? The old gentleman was kind and benevolent enough, but the problem was that he seemed to be just as poor as Xianwei himself.
Xiao Mo and Chen Ping'an walked side by side at the front, and Xiao Mo said, "That Emperor was able to feign calm at the wine table, but when he got into his carriage after leaving, his heartstrings started pounding violently. It seems that you, Young Master, put him under considerable pressure."
Chen Ping'an laughed and said, "I just chatted with him about this and that, aimlessly. Smart people tend to overthink things—that's both a good and a bad thing."
For instance, earlier he had asked that Emperor about whether civil officials, when debating politics, needed to discuss the actual matters at hand, and whether cultivators, when taking action, needed to examine their own hearts.
Now that Grand Tutor Cui Chan was gone, those Song clan nobles from Hua County and Wei Township within the Great Li dynasty, led by the Imperial Clan Court, were the most energetic in bouncing around the edges of the court. Did His Majesty want to control them, and if so, how?
The Great Li dynasty had once erected stone tablets of its laws on the mountains. In the half of the continent south of the secondary capital and the great river, former vassal states of Great Li had, according to agreements, been restored to their kingdoms based on their military merits. Consequently, some of these countries began dismantling the stone tablets on their mountains. Was the Great Li court going to abide by the rules and absolutely not interfere in others' affairs, or would they send officials from the Capital's Court of State Ceremonial or the Ministry of Rites in the secondary capital to offer a gentle reminder?
Furthermore, there were many officials in the secondary capital who were now advocating for moving the capital. What were Your Majesty's thoughts on that?
In reality, many questions were not complicated. For example, regarding the removal of tablets by other countries, the Great Li dynasty was no longer their suzerain, so why bother?
But Chen Ping'an had deliberately started with a "minor matter," causing Emperor Song He to overthink everything afterward.
Moreover, this Emperor was far too eager to use Chen Ping'an's appointment as the Great Li National Teacher as a one-time, permanent solution.
The Central Plains Confucian Temple, the mountain cultivators of one continent, the Great Li secondary capital, the vassal king Song Mu, the northern Beiju Continent, the southern Tongye Continent...
He was also thinking too simplistically.
They returned to the capital together.
Chen Ping'an sent out three letters. One was a flying sword message to his own Falling Mountain, informing them that he was about to return home.
Another was sent to Liu Jinglong of the Taihui Sword Sect, saying that he was about to establish a subordinate sect and asking him to definitely attend the celebration. The specific time was to be determined, but when traveling south across continents, Liu Jinglong should stop by the Great Li capital to give some guidance on Han Zhoujin's formation.
That female array master, whose hometown was the Qingtan Blessed Land, had a background and connections in the mountain world that were far from simple.
Among the Earthly Branch cultivators, Chen Ping'an actually had the highest hopes for two: her and Ge Ling, not even Yuan Huajing and Song Xu, the two sword cultivators with the highest potential to reach the Upper Five Realms.
This was based on intuition.
Also, there was the drinking session by Changpu River, where Guan Yiyan had used the Inkstone Affairs Bureau to stir up a topic. So Chen Ping'an had to remind Dong Shuijing to be careful of certain wealthy young masters in the capital who were green with envy.
Dong Shuijing's business methods could be described as varied and ingenious. One of them was contracting entire mountains, secretly monopolizing items like flowers, jade, lumber, and even spring water. He would then spend money to have various mountain newspapers help build their reputations, and then distribute them among a few or a dozen buyers. Dong Shuijing himself often didn't participate in direct sales. Cao Gengxin, Yuan Zhengding, Fu Yu, Wu Yuan... anyone who had been an official in Longzhou, from powerful and wealthy families, had a share. Not to mention the mountain sects, but also the Sun family and the Fan family of Old Dragon City in the south. In short, as long as they were friends introduced by Chen Ping'an, they all seemed to become Dong Shuijing's friends.
In Dong Shuijing's own words, "I'm just a man doing honest business, only earning money from the rich."
The private docks and immortal ferry boats that were under others' names but actually belonged to Dong Shuijing were probably more than a handful by now.
Dong Half-a-City?
He was almost Dong Half-a-Continent.
It was hard to imagine that this poor youth who had dropped out of school in the Li Zhu Cave Heaven had built his fortune by selling wonton soup and fermented glutinous rice wine.
But no matter how rich he was, it didn't stop Dong Shuijing from being a good-for-nothing in Lin Shouyi's eyes...
By the same logic, no matter how high Lin Shouyi's cultivation realm was now, in Dong Shuijing's eyes, he was nothing but a coward. What use was all your book learning, Lin Shouyi? Aren't you just as much a miserable wretch as I am?
In the twilight, Zhou Haijing pulled up a stool and sat in the courtyard to enjoy the cool evening air. She held a delicate round fan embroidered with ladies playing with butterflies, gently waving it. The hair at her temples and the collar of her clothes fluttered softly.
"The light silk fan chases after fireflies," how elegant. That's how proper young ladies behave.
Two street-lounging youths at the gate had apparently decided to cling to her, calling her Auntie Zhou. An outsider, and a martial artist to boot—wasn't that just like the fabled female chivalrous warrior from the storytellers' tales, possessing peerless skills and roaming the world?
The handsome youth named Wan Yan was sitting with his back to the courtyard, his head propped in his hand, lost in thought.
The tall youth sat sideways at the gate, grinning foolishly, wishing he had learned some immortal technique so he could become the fan in Auntie Zhou's hand.
Zhou Haijing crooked two fingers and pointed at Gao You.
Gao You laughed and said, "Sister Zhou, when are you going to find yourself a man? Wan Yan and I can help set up the wedding banquet and collect the gifts."
Zhou Haijing said lazily, "Easy to find a priceless treasure, hard to find a man with true feelings."
Gao You laughed heartily, "Sister Zhou, what do you think of me? How about we just make do together? I promise to worship you like a goddess in the future."
Zhou Haijing glanced at the youth. "I think you're better off making do with Wan Yan. Good brothers, right? Today you suffer a bit, tomorrow he suffers a bit—either way, nobody's at a loss."
Gao You was stumped. This Auntie Zhou really had a sharp tongue.
The truth was, these two youths were poor little things, born with a father but no mother to raise them. You couldn't call them upright, but they weren't really crooked either; there was no real malice in them.
At their age, their blood was unsettled. If they saw a woman with a full bosom and a slender waist, they couldn't keep their eyes off her, wanting to sneak a few more glances. That was normal.
But at the end of the day, they were still youths. If they truly encountered a girl they liked, just holding her hand in the daytime might keep them awake half the night.
If they were grown men, upon seeing a decent-looking woman, they'd immediately think about where the bed was.
Just like Gao You, who, despite being rough and clumsy at first sight, secretly had a crush on a childhood sweetheart. When he saw her on the street, he dared not utter a single frivolous word; just one look was enough to fill him up.
Wan Yan, on the other hand, was more composed. For such a young age, he carried a heavy heart. Had he been born into a well-off family and been able to study, he might have turned into a promising scholar. But the matter of one's birth is the least controllable of all.
Zhou Haijing was distracted, listening to the two youths at the gate chattering about the latest oddities and interesting happenings in the capital. For instance, two Jianghu sects had gotten into a fierce fight on Gourd Street late at night, keeping the nearby medical clinics busy for the next couple of days. Two "immortal masters" who had emerged from deep in the mountains had engaged in a real magical duel. Among them was a legendary sword immortal, extremely impressive. It was said that the old sword immortal had stood on the street that night, looked up to the sky, and let out a long roar that shattered countless roof tiles and sent leaves fluttering to the ground. Then he opened his mouth and spat out a sword pellet that spun in the air without falling. With a swoosh, it transformed into a golden rope several li long, dragging the other immortal master back down to the ground. The next day, a storyteller at Crooked Dragon Bridge said that this sword immortal, if you calculated by seniority, should be considered the same sect as him—just a different branch—and was his senior apprentice-brother.
At that, some busybody heckled the storyteller, asking how he had ended up telling stories. The old man remained calm, sighed heavily, and with a look of dejection on his face, suddenly slammed his gavel and declared that he was indeed a prodigy of immortality, but he had been too greedy for success, had strayed from the path, and had ruined his cultivation.
Although the onlookers and audience were booing, it was said that several copies of his ancestral secret manuals were sold that very day.
Gao You certainly wanted to buy one, but they couldn't agree on the price. He thought it was too expensive. The storyteller had quoted three taels of silver, saying that this was only because he saw that Gao You had an extraordinary bone structure. Otherwise, not even thirty taels would be enough. Gao You wasn't completely muddle-headed. Did the man think he was crazy? Three qian of silver, maybe. Ancestral secret manuals? Probably manuals he'd inherited for a day or two.
But as he spoke, the tall youth still seemed a bit regretful, thinking he might have missed a real opportunity for an immortal connection.
Zhou Haijing rolled her eyes when she heard this.
A sword immortal?
That man in the blue shirt you saw earlier? He was a real mountain sword immortal.
She curled her lip. A Jade Pure Realm cultivator, wasn't he? Good heavens, that was terrifying.
If he were a wanton womanizer who acted on sight, what would she do?
She couldn't fight him, and he claimed to be the temporary manager of the Earthly Branch. As a maiden, she would be crying out to the heavens and the earth, with no one to answer.
Zhou Haijing wasn't stupid, of course. During the drinking and chatting with Chen Ping'an earlier, both sides had held back some things, which was only natural.
Chen Ping'an hoped she would come to him proactively so they could be open with each other and make a deal.
He wasn't overbearing; in fact, he was quite sincere. When it came to business, a buyer who has his mind set on something but can resist the temptation can avoid being price-gauged by the seller. In the same transaction, a buyer forcing a sale is different from a seller forcing a purchase. At the time, Zhou Haijing had been a bit tempted, after all, that old scoundrel Yu Hong had attained a considerable status in the Jianghu. Especially after the battle in the secondary capital, Yu Hong was a master of seeking fame, having earned goodwill both on the mountain and in the secular world. Now that he had secured a talisman as a First-Class Offering in the Great Li dynasty, she found it increasingly troublesome. She wanted to avenge her great hatred, to kill all of Fushu Hall and a few other sects, but she also wanted to survive.
But Zhou Haijing was ultimately used to roaming the Jianghu alone. She really didn't want to invite additional complications or drag things out. Acting according to others' whims was not her style.
Two hundred and twenty-three lives. One life for one life. She wouldn't ask Yu Hong for one more life, but she would not settle for one less either.
In the twilight, at the corner of the alley, a dashing and handsome stranger emerged.
This was Su Lang's second visit to Zhou Haijing. He had just received a secret order from the Great Li Ministry of Justice. Soon, he would leave the capital and settle down in the south of the Bottle Gourd Continent, within the borders of the former White Frost Dynasty. His task was to secretly establish a Jianghu sect. If, after ten years, the sect's scale and power met the "grand plan" requirements of the Great Li Ministry of Justice, and he received a good evaluation, Su Lang could retire with honor and be exceptionally promoted to a Second-Class Offering. To Su Lang, this wasn't exactly a hard task; no matter where one goes, there is a Jianghu.
As a housewarming gift, Su Lang had brought a jug of immortal liquor from the mountains and an oil-paper packet of crispy fried pork to go with it.
Gao You's sharp eyes spotted the uninvited guest, who seemed out of place in this area. He elbowed his friend. "A master too?"
Compared to the man in blue cloth shoes the other day, the one in front of them now, with a section of green bamboo at his waist and a sword on his back, certainly looked more like an expert.
Wan Yan looked over and said, "Seems like it."
Gao You immediately slapped his backside, stood up, and trotted over to the master, asking, "Sir, who are you looking for?"
In truth, the boy could guess with his backside that he was here for Auntie Zhou. Otherwise, what was he doing in a godforsaken place like this?
Though there were some women engaged in the flesh trade in the front alley, this man was clearly not interested in them.
Su Lang acted as if he hadn't heard.
The tall youth walked sideways, shamelessly continuing, "I can show you the way, sir. A few coppers would be nice, if you're willing."
The two youths had once stolen a set of the God of Wealth's costume from a theater. Around the New Year, they would go to more distant places, specifically to shops to "pay New Year's calls." Wan Yan was good with words and could recite some literary phrases. The shopkeepers were afraid of bad luck and wouldn't dare scold the "God of Wealth" during the New Year, so they would always give a few copper coins.
Su Lang never paid any attention to this street rat, and walked straight to the gate.
Zhou Haijing stood up, swaying her round fan, slapping it lightly on her shoulder. She walked to the gate, glanced at the wine jug in Su Lang's hand, and said with a charming smile, "Next time, it'd be better to bring a jug from the Eternal Spring Palace."
Good wine makes one want to drink a bit too much.
Su Lang said helplessly, "Miss Zhou, you're making things difficult for me. The price is expensive—that's okay; I could grit my teeth and afford it. But the Eternal Spring wine is always in high demand and short supply in the capital. Every year's new batch is already divided up among the mountain immortals and high officials. It's not for the likes of us outsiders."
Nowadays, on the Bottle Gourd Continent's mountains, being able to drink the Eternal Spring Palace's immortal brew was a status symbol.
The Eternal Spring Palace was the Song clan's native power in Great Li. Although they had no Upper Five Realm cultivators for the time being, the Song clan remembered past favors and supported the palace generously. Among the few tomb guardians who had built thatched huts in the Song clan's place of origin was a Supreme Ancestor of the Eternal Spring Palace.
Seeing that the two youths were still blocking the gate like door gods, Zhou Haijing grabbed Gao You by the head, twisted his wrist to turn the tall youth around, and then kicked him in the backside. "No matter how pretty a woman is, she doesn't fart perfume. If you're hungry, go pick some chicken shit and eat it like candy. It's everywhere, and it'll definitely fill you up."
Having gotten rid of the two youths, she returned to the courtyard, reached out a hand to summon a bench from inside the house, and tossed it to Su Lang. Then she stretched out her hand again, and Su Lang tossed the oil-paper packet to Zhou Haijing.
Zhou Haijing drank alone and ate the crispy fried pork, her eyes sparkling. "The first time I rode an immortal ferry, I thought to myself that I would open a wine shop someday, and have all the immortal ferries on the Bottle Gourd Continent sell my wine for me. Ha! At the end of the year, when I settle the accounts and convert the immortal spirit coins into gold and silver, what mountains of gold and silver! Just thinking about it is wonderful."
Su Lang just smiled and drank, not taking her seriously.
If Zhou Haijing really wanted to earn immortal spirit coins, she had plenty of mountain connections. If she could let go of her pride, just relying on the titles of Offering and Guest Elder alone would bring in a substantial yearly income.
After all, anyone with eyes could see that Yu Hong was getting old, a man on the way down. Zhou Haijing, on the other hand, was still climbing the mountain. If she successfully broke through to the Stagnation Realm, she would be incredibly illustrious.
Let's take the southern Tongye Continent. Before the mountains and rivers sank, there were over a hundred countries on that continent. How many Stagnation Realm martial artists were there? It seemed to be only Wu Shu, the Martial Saint, and Huang Yiyun.
As for the Ao'ao Continent, where martial luck was thin, there was only Pei Axiang of the Thunder God Temple.
If we don't count the Central Plains Divine Continent, and average it out over the remaining eight continents of Haoran, it was roughly a "standing rule" that each continent had two or three Stagnation Realm martial artists to guard the mountains and rivers.
Zhou Haijing teased, "Aren't you pretty close with General Shi? You wouldn't know this, but back when I was mixing in Jianghu sects, I heard our old chief mention General Shi. A figure as great as the sky. According to the old chief, even a fart he let at the wine table was as loud as thunder."
Su Lang laughed. "Is that so?"
He knew that Zhou Haijing was referring to General Long Shuo, a fourth-rank miscellaneous general in the Great Li border army. To the former vassal states of the Bottle Gourd Continent's early days, he was indeed an emperor-like figure.
After leaving her hometown early on, Zhou Haijing had traveled under an alias, drifting through the Jianghu. She had even joined a waterway transport guild that lived off the rivers, leveraging her fifth-rank martial arts cultivation to secure a real, powerful position.
She earned money even more vigorously than a wild cultivator from the mountains. For instance, she would visit ancient battlefield sites thick with malevolent energy, tempering her martial body while digging three feet into the ground to pick up broken armor and bundles of arrows, then reselling them at high prices to lower-realm cultivators who were scraping by under the guise of slaying demons. Or she would steal the copper coins used to weigh down roof beams from commoners' houses, or purposely take a bronze mirror to help wealthy families exorcise evil spirits. Sometimes she would pretend to be a female sword immortal from an immortal sect, spouting a mouthful of wine, wiping her finger over it, and secretly using her martial artist's zhenqi to create a scene of an immortal's lightning-shrouded magic, helping to cleanse those haunted houses that couldn't be sold even at a low price. In reality, she relied on real fist and foot skills, killing those ghosts and monsters. Every single coin she earned was hard-earned!
The past is too painful to recall. Talking about it is nothing but bitter tears.
Drink, drink.
Zhou Haijing seemed to remember something from the past. "The Great Li iron cavalry, when they draw their swords on the battlefield, they're truly ruthless."
She was now half a century old, but she had left home before she was twenty, drifting from place to place, wandering the Jianghu alone for many years. She had seen many powerful border armies from various countries, with their arrogant soldiers and fierce generals, strong warhorses, and valiant fighting styles. When it came to killing Jianghu people, it was like splitting bamboo and slicing vegetables. But when they encountered the southward-marching Great Li border army, it was like they were made of paper, utterly powerless.
Once, Zhou Haijing, with nothing better to do, wanted to witness firsthand the might of the Great Li iron cavalry's wedge formation. She did see it, and it was indeed like a knife cutting through tofu—a strong man bullying a child who still wore split-crotch pants.
But just by showing herself that once, she was discovered by the Great Li cavalry's accompanying military cultivators. They didn't fight, but she was subsequently targeted by the Ministry of Justice's Sticky Pole Secret Guards, and her name was recorded in the Great Li Ministry of Justice's files. Fortunately, Zhou Haijing had been prepared and hadn't revealed more clues.
Su Lang didn't plan to stay long. Before leaving, he transmitted his voice to Zhou Haijing. "Before I go, I have to remind you, Miss Zhou: be careful of Chen Ping'an."
Zhou Haijing said casually, "Is he a hypocritical fake gentleman who likes to cheat women out of their money and their virtue?"
Su Lang shook his head. "On the contrary, Chen Ping'an acts with an old-school Jianghu ethos. But to be honest, Miss Zhou, don't be angry—in a battle of wits, you might not be his match. He's a man who plots before he acts. What he did to Zhengxiang Mountain was like a storm; he completely dismantled the sect. In my opinion, what Chen Ping'an destroyed with his own hands wasn't the visible Ancestral Hall, but the complex hearts of the cultivators on all its peaks."
It wasn't that Su Lang had any particular fondness for Chen Ping'an, but his own pride as the Green Bamboo Sword Immortal did not allow him to talk nonsense with his eyes open.
Zhou Haijing nodded. "Makes sense."
Su Lang didn't know if she had truly taken it to heart. Having said his piece, he stood up and took his leave.
Zhou Haijing stood up, tossed away the oiled paper, shook the wine jug in her hand, and smiled. "May your journey be smooth, Sword Immortal Su."
After Su Lang left.
Zhou Haijing started fanning herself again, her heart fluttering in the wind. She sighed long and deeply, reminding herself not to sigh too much, as it might scare away her wealth. But thinking about how hard she worked for her money and how thin her savings were, she couldn't help but sigh again.
Suddenly, Gao You's voice rang out from outside. "Auntie Zhou! Mr. Chen has come to visit again! And he's brought a friend with him today!"
Zhou Haijing had gone to the Capital Daoist Administration with Ge Ling the last time and had also seen the prince, Song Xu. Unfortunately, looking at his demeanor, he didn't seem like the type to forcibly take a woman or hide a beautiful lover in a golden house. That was fine. Since Song Xu was a Land Immortal sword cultivator, it meant this Second Prince of Great Li had lost any chance of sitting on the dragon throne or wearing the dragon robe; he couldn't even be enfeoffed as a vassal king.
Zhou Haijing immediately called back, "Ask Mr. Chen to wait a moment."
She needed to touch up her makeup, and quickly.
Of course, it wasn't because she had any improper thoughts about Chen Ping'an.
Zhou Haijing stood at the door of her house, looking at Chen Ping'an by the courtyard gate. "My dear Sect Leader Chen, could you please stop pestering me, a married woman? It wouldn't sound good if word got out. I don't mind, but I'm afraid it would damage your pure and spotless reputation, Sect Leader Chen."
Chen Ping'an walked into the courtyard. "Miss Zhou, you're joking."
Zhou Haijing glanced at the shabbily dressed attendant in a yellow hat and green shoes. "And this young gentleman is...?"
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Just call him Xiao Mo."
Zhou Haijing glanced Xiao Mo up and down, a sly smile on her face. "How small is he?"
Xiao Mo gave a faint smile. "That knowledge is profound and well-concealed, not something to be casually discussed."
Zhou Haijing was momentarily speechless.
Oh, a smooth talker, was he?
If this were in the Jianghu outside the capital, and someone dared to flirt with her like that, she would slap him so hard he'd spin around on the spot.
Xiao Mo, sensing the "content" of this woman's heartstrings, just smiled.
They entered the main room and sat facing each other, just like last time.
Xiao Mo had said something to Chen Ping'an via heart-mind communication, and Chen Ping'an nodded. Xiao Mo then turned and left the courtyard.
Not far away, in an alley, there was a furtive old man. He was a sword cultivator, over two hundred years old, in the Observation Sea Realm. His form and spirit were decaying, and his remaining lifespan was short.
Having nothing better to do, Xiao Mo went to have a chat with this old senior, who had followed them for several streets.
Zhou Haijing took the initiative to bring out a pot of wine, pouring two bowls. She asked curiously, "Is it true, Sect Leader Chen, what they say outside? That you come from a poor background like me? That you were even a kiln worker in your hometown for several years?"
She really had been ignorant before. It was all because she was reluctant to spend money on watching mirror flowers and water moons. She had mistakenly believed that this young sect leader, who had burst onto the scene in the Bottle Gourd Continent, came from a family of mountain immortals or one of the great houses of Great Li.
That was why she had particularly looked down on him. Living off ancestral blessings, holding a golden rice bowl, knowing nothing of the world's hardships. Who was he to pretend to be an approachable gentleman in front of her, Zhou Haijing?
Take that battle, for example. How was it that a young sword immortal had accomplished nothing, not a single merit? And then there was Wei Jin, the great sword immortal of the Wind and Snow Temple? If you weren't a coward, Chen Ping'an, what were you?
But after making some inquiries, she discovered the truth was completely different.
Zhou Haijing was the daughter of a fisherman. He was a kiln worker from a poor alley. One made a living from water, the other from the mountains. Didn't that make them of similar backgrounds?
If she had known that earlier, she might not have been so sarcastic the last time they met.
And then there was Pei Qian, nicknamed "Zheng, the Spender," who was said to be this young sword immortal's direct disciple.
That made Zhou Haijing's impression of Chen Ping'an a little better. She had to look at him with a bit more respect.
Even though he, as the master, hadn't shown his face or drawn his sword, at least he had taught such a good disciple.
"The upper beam is crooked, the lower beam is askew"—that's what they say about Yu Hong and his horde of disciples and grand-disciples.
On the mountains and below them, a master teaches what he is. There are very few exceptions.
So this mountain lord of the Fallen Mountain had been living incognito for all these years, missing that brutal battle that had raged all the way from Old Dragon City to the Great Li secondary capital. Most likely, he had some sort of compelling reason?
A woman's heart is like the needle at the bottom of the sea, with countless twists and turns. It's just like that.
Chen Ping'an simply nodded.
Zhou Haijing squinted her eyes and took a sip from her bowl. "So you really have the skill to cut firewood and burn charcoal? You know how to select timber, build the kiln, and seal the door? You have to stay in the mountains for five or six days at a time. Can you really handle that kind of hardship?"
Chen Ping'an nodded. "I'm familiar with it."
Zhou Haijing shook her head and clicked her tongue. "I don't believe you."
Chen Ping'an said nothing. Whether you believe me or not, what do I care? And I haven't drunk a single drop of your wine.
Anyway, the earlier deal had fallen through. From now on, we'll just keep out of each other's way.
He was about to take his leave and explain the reason for today's visit. It would only take a few words.
But Zhou Haijing smiled and tried to stop him. "What's the hurry? You've knocked on a widow's door twice now. And it's not like we're a man and a woman alone in a room. The bowl of wine on the table hasn't even been finished yet. What's the matter? Did I hit the mark? You can drink plain water, but not cheap wine?"
Chen Ping'an hesitated.
Zhou Haijing laughed. "Sect Leader Chen, at least finish the bowl before you go. Don't worry, I haven't poisoned it or put any knockout drops in it. An aphrodisiac would be even more ridiculous—it's far too expensive. I wouldn't waste it on you."
Chen Ping'an raised his wine bowl to Zhou Haijing. She also raised hers, and they each took a sip.
Zhou Haijing squinted. "A kiln worker? If I remember correctly, that's a top-tier government kiln job in the Great Li dynasty. Why would you still need to burn charcoal to make money?"
Chen Ping'an spoke slowly, "I was just an apprentice, not a regular kiln hand. The pay wasn't much, so I had to find extra work to supplement the family income. If the winter was particularly cold, burning a hundred catties of white charcoal in the mountains could earn me about one tael and five mace. Burning black charcoal was easier, and the market price was lower. But when we sold charcoal, and the wealthy people in town bought it, there was a middleman. I heard the price difference was considerable."
When he went into the mountains to cut firewood and burn charcoal, Chen Ping'an would usually bring a jar of pickled vegetables and carry a large bag of rice. He would build a rough shelter of wood and grass next to the charcoal kiln, set up a stove for cooking and warmth, and occasionally roast potatoes or yams. He had also learned many skills from Liu Xianyang. Every time he went into the mountains, he brought quite a bit of gear: traps for catching fish, pitfalls for game. But if he was going into the mountains with Old Man Yao to look for clay, he wouldn't dare be so "extravagant."
Zhou Haijing propped one foot on the bench. "I used to want to see how the emperor lived. Once, in the first month of the year, I risked sneaking into a small country's imperial palace. I saw some amazing things. Outside a palace hall, I saw two lifelike painted guardian gods, about as tall as a person, dressed in silk and satin, with painted armor and real swords and spears at their waists. They had furious expressions. At first, they scared me half to death. But when I got up close and touched them... Sect Leader Chen, guess what they were made of?"
Chen Ping'an didn't even need to guess. He answered directly, "In several small countries in the middle of the Bottle Gourd Continent, the imperial palaces have a custom of standing 'Charcoal Generals' as guardian gods. Every year, at the end of the year, they are brought out from the imperial treasury. On the second day of the second month of the following year, they are carried back in. They must be touched up to look as good as new, without any damage. At the end of the year, they are brought out again. In Jianghu parlance, charcoal is more precious than a living person. It's said that some 'Charcoal Generals' of a hundred years of age, having supposedly absorbed the emperor's qi, could come to life. During their 'shift,' they could patrol the imperial city every night, even more effective than the Night Wanderers of the City God's Temple. But I'm not as well-traveled as you, Miss Zhou. I've only heard of it, never seen it with my own eyes. I'm quite curious."
Zhou Haijing no longer doubted him. "This time you've come to visit, is it to get to the bottom of things again? You won't be satisfied until you've confirmed that there's an irreconcilable enmity between Yu Hong and me?"
Chen Ping'an waved his hand and smiled. "I've changed my mind. I'm about to leave the capital. I'm only here today to remind you of one thing, Miss Zhou. Whether you settle your score with Yu Hong in the future, or if there's an accidental 'misunderstanding' that turns into a life-or-death struggle, please remember not to implicate two senior martial artists from Yu Hong's Fushu Hall. One is named Zhu Fengxian, the other is named Yu Cangmang. They are both elders of Fushu Hall now, having only recently joined. They are just looking to make a living in the Jianghu. Whatever happens in the future, I hope you will spare them and let them step away."
Zhou Haijing sneered. "In Jianghu disputes, there are flashing blades and flickering shadows. Fists and feet have no eyes. One wrong word can cost you your life on the spot. You're not someone who doesn't know the dangers of a martial artist's fight, are you? Isn't that asking a bit much of me?"
Chen Ping'an nodded. "If these two seniors are caught in the middle of things, you can tell them beforehand that you are my friend. If they still stubbornly refuse to back down and insist on getting involved in someone else's grudge, then it's up to fate."
Zhou Haijing thought for a moment. "Alright. But I'll consider this a small favor you owe me, Sect Leader Chen."
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Agreed."
Zhou Haijing suddenly said, "You know, you don't really look like a sword immortal, Sect Leader Chen. You look more like a scholar."
The man who was a wandering tutor in a foreign land had once said that the sages said the purpose of reading lies in the common people.
He had also once said to her: "If a child draws a line with charcoal on the road, ants will not dare to cross it."
Zhou Haijing often had a recurring dream of an ancient ruin. Before a great hall, there was a bronze statue of an immortal, holding out empty hands as if presenting something. The osmanthus tree was withered, moss covered the ground, and the palace was overgrown with weeds. Almost every time, she would encounter a man who called himself "Autumn Wind Guest," riding a horse on a night patrol, carefree and easygoing. He said that in his life, he had worked hard to refine the elixir of immortality, dreaming of eternal life. Zhou Haijing would walk alongside him, and his form would dissolve at dawn. It was a strange, eerie dream.
Before leaving her hometown, she had asked that tutor to interpret the dream. He said it was a kind of predestined connection.
Zhou Haijing tilted her head back and finished the wine in her bowl. She put the empty bowl down, stared at the white bowl, and lowered her head. "You are a cultivator, Sect Leader Chen. You must know the saying on the mountains: it is not easy for us to be reborn as humans."
Chen Ping'an nodded. "Very difficult."
Zhou Haijing said in a deep voice, "The land that gave me life and raised me—I must repay its kindness!"
Chen Ping'an continued, "And if it is no longer possible to repay that kindness, then one must avenge it for its sake."
Zhou Haijing looked up, a flicker of undisguised surprise on her face.
"In this world, if you have a grievance, you cry it out. If you have a debt, you repay it. Jianghu men and women, you repay kindness with kindness, and revenge with revenge."
Chen Ping'an's expression was calm. "Otherwise, why would we work so hard at martial arts?"
Zhou Haijing hesitated, then took the initiative to raise her wine bowl, as if to clink bowls and drink one for the road.
Chen Ping'an hesitated even more, but still raised his bowl to gently clink against hers.
Dragons and snakes travel through rivers, and drunkards travel through water the same way.
Zhou Haijing drank it all in one gulp, wiped the corner of her mouth, and asked with some confusion, "Aren't you a sword immortal, Sect Leader Chen? Where does the 'hard work at martial arts' come from?"
She knew that Chen Ping'an was definitely a Grandmaster of martial arts, but she always felt that compared to his identity as a sword immortal, his martial arts path seemed secondary.
Chen Ping'an shook his head and smiled. "Learning boxing once helped me extend my life. I wouldn't dare to slack off. Comparatively speaking, learning the sword—especially becoming a sword cultivator—came much later."
Zhou Haijing asked, "Are you a Stagnation Realm martial artist?"
Chen Ping'an nodded. "Otherwise, how could I be Pei Qian's master?"
Zhou Haijing probed, "Sect Leader Chen, you're not... interested in me, are you?"
Chen Ping'an said helplessly, "Miss Zhou, please don't make jokes like that."
Zhou Haijing laughed angrily. "Then why are you blowing smoke at me?"
If he said he was a Mountain Summit Realm martial artist, she might half-believe it. But Stagnation Realm?!
Then why don't you go have a sparring match with Song Changjing?
Xiao Mo appeared at the courtyard gate, but there was an old man with him.
Gao You and Wan Yan, who had stayed in the alley, were both a bit surprised and uncertain. The old man looked familiar—he was the very storyteller who had been spitting as he talked under the bridge, and selling a few secret manuals on the side.
Xiao Mo explained to Chen Ping'an through heart-mind communication. It turned out that this old Observation Sea Realm sword cultivator claimed to be proficient in physiognomy. He had taken one look at the fate of the youth Wan Yan and, after observing his disposition for a while, felt that he could inherit part of his Dao method and teachings. However, the matter of practicing the sword was uncertain.
The old man spotted the young man in the blue shirt in the courtyard and immediately composed himself, lowering his head and cupping his fists. He transmitted his voice and said, "The great ones hide in the court, the small ones hide in the wilds. This old man can only amuse himself amidst the marketplace. I am far inferior to Sword Immortal Chen."
Chen Ping'an returned the gesture with a cupped fist, and smiled as he replied through heart-mind communication, "My fellow Daoist is taking on a disciple. Congratulations."
Zhou Haijing leaned against the courtyard gate, her voice condensed into a thread. "Chen Ping'an, are you really a Stagnation Realm?"
Chen Ping'an answered her honestly. "It's true."
Zhou Haijing's gaze was strange. "At that summit, what's it like?"
Chen Ping'an said, "Not high enough yet."
Zhou Haijing looked at the expression and face of the man in the blue shirt.
Damn it, how come this guy looked pretty handsome all of a sudden?
She must be drunk.
Maybe he had slipped her a love potion.
Zhou Haijing couldn't help but laugh to herself.
That didn't interfere with the master taking on a disciple.
It was mainly because Zhou Haijing's inexplicable smile was a bit unsettling.
Chen Ping'an and Xiao Mo returned to the Cloud That Follows the Crowd Building.
Xianwei was fast asleep in the side room.
In the small alley outside Zhou Haijing's residence, the old man explained his reasons, spoke of his sect and teachings, and told Wan Yan to follow him in cultivation.
The handsome youth glanced at Gao You, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded. But he told Gao You that he would definitely come back.
The old man told Wan Yan not to bring anything, and they left the alley together.
Gao You half-wished that Wan Yan would just leave like that, and half-wished that he would stay as company, to share the hardships. But in the end, his best friend left, and that didn't seem so bad either. Still, the tall youth's heart felt empty.
Zhou Haijing looked at the boy with the complicated feelings, squatting at the gate and holding his head.
She sighed and gave Gao You an address somewhere in the capital. She waved her hand and said, "Go find the person at this address. His name is Su Lang—he's the guy who brought wine earlier. Tell him I sent you. Ask him to teach you a few martial arts moves. How much you learn depends on your own ability."
Gao You turned his head abruptly, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you, Auntie Zhou."
Zhou Haijing laughed angrily. "Little bastard, call me Sister Zhou!"
Gao You grinned, then ran off like a wisp of smoke. He planned to go home first and pack his things. But when he reached the corner, he turned around and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Auntie Zhou, remember to tell her for me tomorrow! I'm going to wander the Jianghu!"
Zhou Haijing said nothing.
What's so good about the Jianghu, anyway?
But for a youth, it's better to truly walk through the Jianghu, whether he ends up successful or utterly defeated, returning home in glory or in disgrace, than to spend his whole life just looking at the Jianghu from afar.
----
At dawn, Ning Yao finished her seclusion. In the inn room, she took a single step and appeared at Chen Ping'an's Cloud That Follows the Crowd Building.
Xianwei was squatting in front of the side-room door with Xiao Mo, eating breakfast.
Xianwei saw the woman carrying the sword case, and was struck by her heavenly beauty. He silently gave a thumbs-up to Daoist Cao.
Chen Ping'an had no bags to pack. He just told Xianwei to finish eating quickly so they could hit the road and leave the Great Li capital.
Xianwei wolfed down his food, clapped his hands, and was about to urge Xiao Mo to hurry up so as not to keep Daoist Cao waiting, only to find that Xiao Mo was already standing up and waiting.
Hmph, what a lackey.
The group went to the inn to settle the bill.
The old innkeeper smiled and joked, "So, Young Master Chen, you're heading home already? Haven't made a name for yourself yet. Won't you stay a few more days? Even if you can't surpass Old Master Yu's reputation, you shouldn't lose to a Jianghu woman like Zhou Haijing, right?"
Chen Ping'an leaned against the counter, grinning. "Time to go, time to go. The capital is expensive. I'd like to stay a few more days, but my purse doesn't agree."
"If you come to the capital again and are willing to stay at my humble inn, I'll give you a ten percent discount."
"If you don't give me fifty percent off, even if I do come to the capital next time, I won't stay here."
"That's quite a way to bargain! It's a pity you didn't go into business, Young Master Chen."
The old innkeeper's precious daughter, Lu Chai (Wei, nickname Taimi), had also risen early. She was already busy, carrying a rag and a bucket of water, though she still had a sleepy look in her eyes.
Although she had a rather flighty imagination about the Jianghu and dreamed of being a female chivalrous warrior, the girl wasn't idle. She usually helped out a lot in the shop with small tasks, earning a bit of money from her father. Money was hard to earn and easy to spend. It was her own fault for reading too fast.
Chen Ping'an would remind Zeng Ye that he could go on a journey to the Great Li capital in the future. If fate allowed, they would meet again.
The girl saw Ning Yao and called out, "Master Ning!"
Ning Yao shook her head. "I am not your master."
The girl grinned. Just calling out for fun, Master Ning, you don't have to be so serious. "You're leaving? When will you come back?"
Ning Yao smiled. "Hard to say."
The girl let out an "oh," feeling a bit disappointed. But it was fine. She was a Jianghu child—she could take it and let it go. The green mountains and clear waters, we'll meet again when fate allows.
The old innkeeper breathed a sigh of relief. Good, his daughter wasn't making a scene about running away from home or anything.
The capital had a Department of Waterways, under the Ministry of Works. There were Directors of Waterways, and Bureaus of Waterways—all big officials who were in charge of one another. The old innkeeper's eldest son was a river defense clerk there, responsible for overseeing the lock gates and riverbed dredging. It was a government job, not a major career, but it was stable with regular pay. And since he could also get involved in planting willows and elms and their maintenance, there was some extra income. His second son had opened a silk and satin shop in the north of the capital, and had started his own family. So now, the old innkeeper only had this one most worrysome, precious daughter. The reason she was worrysome was, of course, because he cherished her the most.
The group boarded a southbound ferry. Thus, they left the capital to return home.
Nowadays, at Cape Buffalo Crossing, with the gradual withdrawal of Great Li garrison troops, ferry traffic was even more frequent.
Thanks to the existence of Cloaked Cloud Mountain and the convergence of three rivers, Cape Buffalo Crossing had become one of the important hub docks on the north-south routes of Great Li.
Chen Ping'an, Ning Yao. Xiao Mo, Xianwei.
They had arrived as two; they were leaving as four.
One dressed in a blue shirt.
Ning Yao wore the Dharma robe "Golden Sweet Wine," carrying her sword case, too disdainful to use any kind of illusion spell.
Xiao Mo was still in his shabby yellow hat and green shoes. After his trip to the Capital Daoist Administration, Xianwei had grown much bolder and was even planning to conjure up a peachwood sword, standard issue for a Heavenly Master Mansion Daoist.
One room per person.
This was Xianwei's first time riding an immortal ferry that traveled alongside white clouds and birds. He felt like he had finally made it big.
Ning Yao stayed in her room reading.
Chen Ping'an took Xiao Mo and Xianwei to the bow to enjoy the view.
There, they heard a large group of young cultivators chatting. They weren't using heart-mind communication and were speaking freely. They seemed to come from several different mountain sects and had just met at the dock. After boarding, they had gathered together. The female qi refiners among them, with their chirping voices, seemed to be from the same sect. This was how one built incense-fire connections during a journey down the mountain.
With so many female immortals around, the male qi refiners began to show off their talents. Some flaunted their literary talent, hanging their heads and sighing about the sorrow of a fallen kingdom, the pain of a broken home, and the tragedy of their own life stories. How fleeting youth was, how short life was—they shed tears.
Others casually flaunted their wealth. This was far more effective than showing off literary talent.
Among the young registered immortal masters, there were different classes of wealth.
Having a private ferry boat meant you were truly rich. Generally, only the Dao companions and children of great immortal mansions enjoyed such treatment.
Next came those who had money-burning talisman flying boats or the like. After that were those who could ride immortal birds or exotic beasts.
Finally, there were those who had to travel on foot. In a hurry, they might use some ordinary, low-grade speed talismans or horse talismans.
Chen Ping'an thought of Fan Er of Old Dragon City, who owned a Cassia Island.
As for Liu Youzhou of the Ao'ao Continent... no, he couldn't compare.
Xianwei pricked up his ears and listened. This was all experience, all the way of the world.
Somehow, the conversation turned to Cloaked Cloud Mountain and the Night Journey Feast.
Xiao Mo had figured it out.
The half-baked qi refiner Xianwei's misinformed Jianghu rumors couldn't be taken as truth. But when combined with what these registered mountain cultivators were saying, it was probably accurate.
Besides, Xianwei's reasoning had been quite reasonable.
In the Jianghu, you could have a wrong name, but never a wrong nickname.
Wei Yeyou (Night Roamer).
Xianwei thought that after hearing this "Dao name" so many times, it actually sounded pretty awesome.
The night roamer of a whole continent—who else could it be?
Xiao Mo hesitated, then asked, "Young Master, that Mountain Lord Wei?"
Chen Ping'an smiled. "If I'm to talk about his appearance and bearing, he's elegant and refined, with an ancient charm and a Daoist air. It's hard to forget once you see him. As for his conduct, he's affectionate and righteous. Frankly, I can't find any fault with him."
But when they first met, when Wei Po was still the Earth God of Chess Pier Mountain, it was quite comical. The contrast with his current image as the Mountain Lord of Cloaked Cloud Mountain was like heaven and earth.
Xiao Mo nodded, understanding.
His master must be speaking between the lines, giving a special reminder that his gift should not be too light?
It seemed that Mountain Lord Wei's nickname was not undeserved.
Chen Ping'an had no idea what Xiao Mo was thinking. If he did, he would definitely cry out for justice on behalf of Mountain Lord Wei.
Over the years, Wei Po had had a hard time.
The great reputation of the Cloaked Cloud Mountain Night Journey Feast had spread all the way to the Central Plains Divine Continent and the Beiju Continent.
Back home.
A small Huaihuang County, with numerous scenic spots and historical sites. Now, visitors seeking immortals were as numerous as the fish in a river.
For example, the Civil and Martial Temples built on Immortal's Grave and Old Porcelain Mountain seemed like the Capital City God Temple among all the country's City God Temples. In reality, the Civil and Martial Temples of the nine continents of Haoran, unlike City God Temples, didn't have a hierarchy; they were simply temples dedicated to civil and martial officials who had rendered meritorious service. But the ones built by the Great Li dynasty in these two places were vast.
The site of the Locked Dragon Well was a must-see. The peach blossoms on both sides of Peach Leaf Alley were extremely peculiar—their blooming and wilting were different from anywhere else. In recent years, there had been out-of-town tourists with itchy fingers who would break off peach branches, only to be immediately escorted to the county office. They would have to pay a huge sum of immortal spirit coins, and might even end up eating prison food.
In addition, there was the Cao family's ancestral home on Mud Vase Alley, the Yuan family's ancestral home on Erlang Alley, the peach blossom cake from the New Year's Shop on Dragon Riding Lane, and the wine shop run by the Huang family. Although the wine they sold was ordinary, and the woman who ran it had long since aged, passing the business on to her son and daughter-in-law, it was said that even the sage Ruan Qiong was a regular customer there. Even the mountain lord sword immortal of Fallen Mountain himself would often come down the mountain to get drunk there with his good friend, Liu Xianyang, who was also a sword immortal from the Dragon Spring Sword Sect. So, for any traveler on a pilgrimage, shouldn't they take a seat and soak up some immortal qi?
It was a pity that the famous Fallen Mountain itself was sealed off and did not entertain visitors. One had to stop at the foot of the mountain.
Then there were the countless small porcelain shops in the town, filled with dazzling arrays of goods, all sold at prices far lower than those at other immortal docks. Although none of them accepted immortal spirit coins, who didn't like a bargain?
And having come to the Longzhou region, it would be unthinkable not to buy a piece of its continent-renowned porcelain. It would feel like a wasted trip.
In Huaihuang County, many of the old dragon kilns had started out as government-run. Several of them had been imperial kilns, supervised and inspected, with "point-inspected and rejected" items destined for the imperial palace. Naturally, these were the highest grade of government kilns, with a strict hierarchy and clear ceremonial rules. Otherwise, so many defective pieces of porcelain would not have been smashed, eventually piling up into Old Porcelain Mountain.
Times change. Now, some of these kilns had lost their government kiln status and had to become lower-grade civilian kilns, no longer supervised and procured by government officials.
Several of these kilns had been secretly acquired by Dong Shuijing. He had hired many old, retired dragon-kiln masters with generous salaries, convincing them to come back to work. Most of these old masters had been kiln heads. Even if they were only responsible for supervising the work, the quality of the porcelain they produced was worlds apart from that made in kilns without their oversight. Not to mention that these old masters were the kind who couldn't bear to be idle. When combined with the generous pay from their new boss, the annual salary was considerable. Moreover, the apprentices they had personally trained over the years were not lacking—they had solid skills, honed through years of discipline, both verbal and physical. Therefore, the various types of Longzhou porcelain produced by these civilian kilns were still no different from the "government-supervised, civilian-fired" porcelains of the old government kilns. The hallmarks, monograms, and auspicious phrases on the pieces were endless. They were sold throughout the continent, becoming top-tier study treasures for scholars and refined gentlemen of various countries. But Dong Shuijing still preferred to stay behind the scenes, keeping a low profile.
Chen Ping'an leaned on the railing and pointed into the distance. "We've reached the border between Longzhou and Hongzhou. In about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, we'll dock at Cape Buffalo Crossing."
Xianwei looked into the distance, but it was too far to see anything special. He just asked, "Daoist Cao, I overheard those young immortals saying that Cape Buffalo Crossing is incredibly profitable. Besides the military ferries of Great Li, every mountain ferry that docks there has to pay a huge docking fee. That’s practically just sitting around and collecting money, isn’t it? Is there really such a good thing in the world? Such a huge dock, jointly owned by Mountain Lord Wei and a sword immortal named Chen. Wow."
Chen Ping'an smiled and explained, "Every time an immortal ferry docks, it consumes a great deal of the local landscape's spiritual qi. If you didn't spend immortal spirit coins, it would soon be like fishing with a net that drains the pond. The spiritual qi would be exhausted. If that were the case, look at whether the registered immortal masters and the various landscape spirits cultivating in the Longzhou region would rebel. So you can't just look at the money coming in without considering the money going out."
Xianwei snorted. "Daoist Cao, that's no fun. It's obviously a way to make a fortune, a steady stream of gold. If you were offered the chance to be half the owner of that dock, wouldn't you take it?"
The other person was speechless.
Xianwei asked again, "This ferry will stop at Cape Buffalo Crossing for two hours. Do you want to get off and see the sights together? I heard the porcelain in Huaihuang County is incredibly valuable, always sells without worry. If you buy some, you're guaranteed to make a profit. I need to get a few pieces!"
He still had a gold ingot on him. He just wasn't sure if two hours was enough to make the round trip from the dock to the town. He had heard the regulations there were strict, and even immortal masters weren't allowed to fly; they had to walk.
Chen Ping'an said, "Our destination this trip south is Cape Buffalo Crossing."
Xianwei turned his head in surprise. "We're getting off here? Your sect's mountain is in this Longzhou? So we're neighbors with Mountain Lord Wei?"
No wonder he had been trying to earn money by setting up a stall at White Mourning Dock. It was all because he was poor.
If he himself was a pauper down in the mortal world, was this Daoist Cao, or rather Sect Leader Chen, a pauper up in the mountains?
Xianwei asked cautiously, "You're called 'Sect Leader Chen.' That Sword Immortal Chen who's supposedly mixed up with Mountain Lord Wei... he's also named Chen. Do you know him?"
Chen Ping'an suppressed a smile and nodded. "Of course I know him."
Xianwei breathed a sigh of relief. "With that connection, you definitely don't have to sell everything you own to attend the Night Journey Feast, right?"
Chen Ping'an thought for a moment. "That seems to be correct, actually."
Xianwei's question made him realize that he had never once attended Wei Po's Night Journey Feast.
Oddly enough, this Xianwei, who would twist things around and speak nonsense, always seemed to stumble upon some truth in the end?
Achieving the "don't take it too seriously" state that Zheng Juzhong spoke of was truly not easy.
In the Huaihuang County region, both the Great Li court and Cloaked Cloud Mountain had each set up a landscape restriction. For cultivators looking down from above, the view was perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist, somewhat like the old Sea of Clouds over Old Dragon City. It made it difficult for even an Infant Soul Land Immortal's "Holding Mountains and Rivers" divine ability to truly see the scenery below. One had to disembark and carry a sword talisman to be able to fly, overlooking the mountains and seeing a little more.
The ancestral mountain was Fallen Mountain, with its Ancestral Hall on Ji Se Peak.
As for the remaining vassal mountains, three, including the Bao Jian Mountain, had been leased to the Dragon Spring Sword Sect for three hundred years. However, Liu Xianyang, the newly appointed sect leader of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, had recently made a strange deal with Fallen Mountain. Fallen Mountain had paid to lease these three mountains back for about two hundred and seventy years, paying Liu Xianyang twenty-seven Guyu coins.
Ao Yu Bei (Turtleback Mountain) had been leased to the Pearl Hairpin Island.
There was also Cape Buffalo Mountain, which had an immortal dock and a junk shop.
True Pearl Mountain, bought by Chen Ping'an for merely one Gold Essence Copper Coin, was so small and located at the easternmost edge, and too close to the town, that construction had never started.
Additionally, there were Grey Mist Mountain, Yellow Lake Mountain, Cinnabar Mountain, Radiant Clouds Peak, and the most westerly Sword Worship Platform.
So, Fallen Mountain had long possessed eleven vassal mountains.
Xiao Mo adjusted his hat and squinted into the distance.
In an instant, he spotted a great deal.
First was the Dragon Beheading Cliff on Dragon Ridge Mountain, followed by Cloaked Cloud Mountain where Mountain Lord Wei resided, and then the mysterious layout of the dragon kilns, as well as the arrangement of Fortune and Prosperity Street and Peach Leaf Alley.
These were clearly the grand designs of Master San Shan Jiu Hou.
And that seemingly inconspicuous stone arch bridge!
If he had rushed headlong into this place without knowing any of this, he would have had to be extremely careful.
A town and the mountains to its west, with their intricate and convoluted veins, a sword qi fortune that soared to the heavens, a flourishing literary and martial luck, a vibrant landscape qi destiny, and the fine, yet pure, remnants of the ancient Dao of the Gods—layer upon layer, crisscrossing, utterly chaotic.
Just one stretch of landscape gave Xiao Mo the illusion of facing off against a Fourteen Realm sword immortal.
And it felt like they were face to face at close quarters!
But for some reason, there was a large, empty patch of land amidst the mountains.
It looked as if several mountain peaks had been relocated.
Xiao Mo withdrew his gaze and said with heartfelt emotion, "Young Master, cultivating here means you cannot make a single mistake."
Chen Ping'an smiled. "If you think of it as complicated, it's a tangled mess that no one except the Three Patriarchs of the religions could untangle. If you think of it as simple, it's just mountains settling and waters flowing, letting everything stop or go as fate wills."
Xiao Mo said sincerely, "Young Master's Dao heart is unparalleled in the world."
Chen Ping'an laughed and swatted Xiao Mo's hat. "Enough of that. When we get to Fallen Mountain, put away this divine ability you learned without a teacher. Remember, on my mountain, this crooked wind and evil air is not tolerated."
Xiao Mo smiled and straightened his hat. "Noted."
At Cape Buffalo Crossing.
In a relatively secluded spot, by the cliffside, there was a white jade railing. A little girl in black clothes stood there, with a golden carrying pole on her shoulder, a mountain-traveling staff in her hand, and a cotton little bag slung across her body.
The little girl was staring wide-eyed at the white clouds in the distance.
For the umpteenth time, she asked the same question: "Jingqing, when is the Good Person Mountain Lord coming?"
Beside her, Chen Lingjun was sitting on the railing with Bai Xuan, playing rock-paper-scissors. Each had a folding fan in hand. Whoever lost, got hit.
These two idle gentlemen—one didn't need to cultivate, the other didn't need to practice the sword—were usually quite bored, so they were happy to come along with Little Millet to wander around.
The Great White Goose had already hurriedly left for Tongye Continent ahead of them, on the Fallen Mountain's own Wind Kite ferry boat. Cao Qinglang, Master Zhong, Cui Wei, and Sui Youbian had all gone along.
As for why Pei Qian had gone to the Lotus Flower Paradise, no one knew.
Chen Lingjun said casually, "What's the hurry? Based on the usual docking time for this ferry, it's still about two quarter-hours away. Besides, these mountain ferries' docking times can vary by half an hour, depending on the wind direction."
Little Millet scratched her face and nodded.
Chen Lingjun cast a sidelong glance at Little Millet. She was craning her neck and staring wide-eyed, looking at a single spot. How long had she been doing that?
Earlier, they had received a flying sword letter from the master, sent from the capital, saying he would be returning to Fallen Mountain today on a certain ferry. So, Little Millet had gone out early this morning. It was just dawn when she had finished her mountain patrol, and then she waited in front of Chen Lingjun's door. She didn't knock, just stood there like a door god.
Then they had arrived at Cape Buffalo Crossing and had already been waiting for a full hour. Look at poor Brother Bai Xuan—a lump was already forming on his forehead. If they waited any longer, haha, he might grow a horn.
Chen Lingjun leaped up, tucked his folded fan into his belt, and started hopping and jumping on the railing, flapping his sleeves with a crack-crack sound. He muttered some nonsense about an urgent summoning, then took a deep breath and completed his "exercise."
Bai Xuan rolled his eyes.
He took a small, exquisite purple clay teapot from his sleeve and sipped some goji berry tea.
Earlier, when Nuan Shu had returned to the mountain, she had seen Bai Xuan setting up his stall and keeping accounts in that pavilion. She had talked to him a bit about tea sets and the finer points of drinking tea.
Only then did Bai Xuan realize that he, Master Bai, had been cheated by Master Chen.
Little Millet waited a moment longer, but still couldn't see the shadow of the ferry. She said softly, "Jingqing, Jingqing, your magic doesn't seem to be working very well."
Liu Chongrun had just taken a walk around the Junk Shop and had come to the crossing to relax. She happened to spot the trio of Little Millet.
That little girl in black clothes... her get-up was just too... eye-catching.
When she saw Liu Chongrun's figure, Little Millet immediately dashed over, stopped smartly, straightened her back, raised her head, and blurted out three titles in one breath: "Greetings, Island Lord Liu! Manager Liu! Sister Liu!"
"Island Lord Liu" was her identity as a cultivator; "Manager Liu" referred to the incense-fire connection between their two houses; and "Sister Liu" was a private friendship.
Chen Lingjun and Bai Xuan bowed from a distance with cupped fists, considering it a greeting, anyway.
After all, Island Lord Liu was widely regarded as half one of their own. Being overly polite would just be pretentious.
Liu Chongrun nodded to the two of them, then smiled and reached out her hand toward Little Millet's head.
Little Millet quickly shrank her neck and ducked her head, flustered. "Don't touch, don't touch! I'm already so much shorter than Pei Qian!"
Liu Chongrun withdrew her hand and asked with a smile, "Waiting for someone?"
Little Millet looked around, lowered her voice, and whispered, "Waiting for the Good Person Mountain Lord and the Mountain Lord's Lady."
And the Good Person Mountain Lord had said in his letter that he was bringing two people home this time. Unfortunately, the letter hadn't said who.
Of course, Little Millet had to come and see, to make sure it wasn't some short, chubby little girl.
Liu Chongrun nodded. "I won't keep you from your waiting. I have to get back to Ao Yu Bei."
Little Millet said, "Island Lord Liu, when you have time, I'll come visit your mountain."
Liu Chongrun found it a bit strange. What had made her suddenly so bold? For years, this adorable little water sprite, who held the title of Right Protector of Fallen Mountain, had always stayed on Fallen Mountain itself. At most, she would play gatekeeper at the mountain gate, never venturing outside.
It was already quite exceptional for her to come to Cape Buffalo Mountain today.
But Liu Chongrun still smiled and agreed.
She flew away from the dock.
The dragon boat that had been salvaged from the water along with the Water Palace had been leased to the Great Li border army at no cost. When the court returned the dragon boat, it was battered and broken. The jaw-dropping repair costs actually exceeded the value of the dragon boat itself. When the handover took place, Zhu Lian of Fallen Mountain hadn't said a word. Later, the dragon boat was transferred by Cui Dongshan to a spot in the Lotus Flower Paradise, where it was repaired and made like new.
Liu Chongrun had been appointed the temporary manager of the dragon boat "Tumbling Ink" very early on, and she had never expected that her temporary appointment would last for many years.
Some of her disciples had supposedly gone out to gain experience, but they ended up spending their time on the ferry. However, Fallen Mountain was generous in its dealings, giving them an annual dividend.
Repaying a favor with a favor, Fallen Mountain took the initiative to allocate two feng shui sites with abundant water qi from the Lotus Flower Paradise—already an upper-grade blessed land at its bottleneck—to five core female disciples of the Pearl Hairpin Island's Ancestral Hall, allowing them to cultivate or go into seclusion there, each seeking an opportunity for a breakthrough. One of the sites came from the Southern Water Palace of the Beiju Continental Capital's Shen Lin, which he had gifted to Fallen Mountain, and the other was a stream gifted by the Dragon Pavilion Marquis Li Yuan.
After the Pearl Hairpin Island moved out of the Letter of Bamboo Sea early on, it took over a mountain here. Although it was leased from Fallen Mountain, which smacked a bit of living under someone else's roof, it was at least guaranteed to be peaceful, with abundant landscape spiritual qi and none of the infighting and scheming that plagued neighbors in the mountain world. There was no bullying by the powerful, and the sect's income was stable. All they had to do was split the profits with Fallen Mountain. The female cultivators of Pearl Hairpin Island only needed to cultivate in peace. So, the only thing Liu Chongrun had to worry about was one thing: keeping a careful eye on that ex-Rice Yu, later known as Mi Yu.
Earlier, Yu Mi had accompanied Nuan Shu to Ao Yu Bei to pay New Year's respects and give gifts, and he had also ridden the dragon boat several times.
The most infuriating thing wasn't even this, but the fact that this Yu Mi had been deliberately distancing himself from the female cultivators of Pearl Hairpin Island. The problem was that while Yu Mi was indifferent, her direct and indirect disciples were far from it! Every single one of them was infatuated with him.
Especially after Mi Yu's true identity was revealed—that he was the sword immortal who had shone on the Old Dragon City battlefield, slaughtering enemies like a demon, and, most importantly, that he came from the world-famous Sword Qi Great Wall!
Ever since then, the number of lovesick girls on Pearl Hairpin Island had multiplied. The mere mention of the great Sword Immortal Mi would make their eyes light up. They would always look for an opportunity to visit Fallen Mountain, infuriating Liu Chongrun to no end.
Under the circumstances, would they not do their utmost when working on the dragon boat?
Little Millet returned to the railing, staring eagerly for that ferry.
Suddenly, she saw a ferry at the horizon, tiny as a mustard seed.
Little Millet's face lit up with joy, and she jumped up and down, shouting, "Jingqing! Jingqing! It worked! It worked!"
But how long had it been since Chen Lingjun had performed his magic trick?
Chen Lingjun was sitting on the railing, but he didn't feel the slightest bit of shame. He just laughed heartily.
Chen Ping'an, using his Water Cloud Body, left the ferry first and instantly appeared at the crossing railing. He reached out and patted the little boy in green on the head, asking with a smile, "What's so funny?"
Chen Lingjun wiped his face. "The master has finally come home. I was almost moved to tears."
Bai Xuan, the lump still on his forehead, rolled his eyes.
Remembering something important, Bai Xuan jumped off the railing and started to tattle. Since they were outside, he didn't call him Hidden Officer, but used the address "Mountain Lord." "Mountain Lord, if you hadn't come back soon, the few of us would have been completely lured away. You don't know, Mountain Lord, but that old sword cultivator Yu was too much. At the Sword Worship Platform, he'd come by every single day, shamelessly, claiming to guide the nine of us in swordsmanship. The way he looked at me especially... I wasn't just his future disciple or something; I was like his long-lost son! It gave me the creeps. Honestly, Mountain Lord, I'm not gossiping behind his back, but that old man Yu, with his skills, he's not even qualified to be my master."
Chen Ping'an laughed angrily. "You sure have the highest standards. And how high is your realm?"
Bai Xuan crossed his arms. "Speaking strictly, no nonsense, I'm nothing compared to the Mountain Lord, but I'm more than enough to handle Fatty Cheng and the others. In another three or five years, setting aside that girl Sun Chunwang, I could take on the other seven at once."
When Bai Xuan saw Ning Yao, he rubbed his eyes. He wasn't seeing things—it really was that Ning Yao!
Bai Xuan immediately shut his mouth.
Those two girls, Yao Xiaoyan and Nalan Yudie, would probably go crazy.
Especially that Sun Chunwang. On a normal day, she faced everyone with a dead fish eye and a blank expression. When she saw Ning Yao, wouldn't she immediately kneel down and beg to be taken as a disciple?
Bai Xuan knew this girl Sun Chunwang was incredibly proud. Even after being brought to Fallen Mountain by the Hidden Officer, she was still determined to go to the Five-Colored World, to Ascension City, and only learn swordsmanship from Ning Yao. If that didn't work out, this stubborn little girl would rather have no teacher or guide at all.
Oh well, she was still too young and didn't understand.
Was Ning Yao the type to casually take on disciples?
And who was Sword Immortal Ning? She was our Hidden Officer's Dao companion!
Once you're on good terms with the Hidden Officer, how could Sword Immortal Ning not become your teacher?
In the end, it was just a matter of the girl's own lack of brainpower.
When the ferry docked, Ning Yao and the others walked over.
Xianwei looked around, wondering where Daoist Cao's mountain was.
"Mountain Lord's Lady!"
Little Millet was a little shy. She wanted to offer some sunflower seeds, but she felt they weren't good enough to give.
Calling her Sister Ning was out of the question. If Pei Qian found out, it would be recorded in the little account book.
Ning Yao smiled and held out her hand.
Little Millet beamed and quickly handed over a handful of sunflower seeds.
Xiao Mo took a heavy cloth bag from his sleeve, filled with golden sunflower seeds.
Xiao Mo crouched down and said with a smile, "My name is Xiao Mo. I am the Young Master's attendant. This is a small gift for our first meeting. Please don't refuse it, Right Protector."
Zhou Milin was stunned for a moment, frowning her two sparse, light yellow brows. A gift, on first meeting?
She quickly looked up at the Good Person Mountain Lord.
Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded. "Just accept it. Don't stand on ceremony with Xiao Mo. He's like a Bodhisattva of Wealth."
Then Chen Ping'an added in a low voice, "It's a bag of gold sunflower seeds, made of real gold."
What? Gold sunflower seeds? And he called this a small gift?
The gift was not light, and the sentiment was even heavier!
Where did this kind-hearted Mr. Xiao Mo suddenly come from?
How did he know that she had been dreaming of owning a bag of gold sunflower seeds?!
The little girl in black clothes, carrying her golden pole and green bamboo staff, made a somewhat comical bow to express her thanks. She took the bag, then bent her knees and bowed, laughing, "Mr. Xiao Mo, this bag is scarily heavy! I almost dropped it on the ground!"
Xiao Mo's eyes crinkled with a warm smile. He waited until Little Millet had taken the bag before slowly rising to his feet.
Chen Ping'an patted Little Millet on the head. "Hurry and put it away."
Little Millet nodded vigorously and, with some difficulty, managed to stuff the bag into her beloved cotton shoulder bag.
Xiao Mo also gave Chen Lingjun and Bai Xuan each a Dharma robe.
Chen Lingjun nodded, took the Dharma robe, and said a thank you. He thought to himself that this Brother Xiao Mo was pretty well-mannered.
Bai Xuan followed suit. From this moment on, Xiao Mo was a candidate for sworn brotherhood after chopping off a chicken head and burning yellow paper.
Then the two of them noticed Chen Ping'an's gaze on them, and they immediately gave busy Xiao Mo a deep, respectful bow with their fists, declaring that from now on, they would be brothers.
Little Millet looked at the young Daoist, blinked, and waited for the Good Person Mountain Lord to introduce him.
Chen Ping'an smiled and introduced, "Xianwei. 'Immortal' for the first character, 'captain' for the second. He'll be cultivating on our mountain in the future. Let's consider him a guest elder."
He was going to add that Xianwei wasn't a real Daoist.
But he instantly realized the inappropriateness of that statement.
If Xianwei wasn't a real "Daoist," then who was?
Chen Lingjun laughed heartily. "Daoist Xianwei, what a coincidence! I know a lot of Daoist friends!"
The Dao Ancestor! Old Temple Master! Brother Jia from Dragon Riding Lane! And... Zhang Shanfeng from Crawling Peak!
With his master around, he could talk tough. A guest was a guest, no matter where they came from.
Xianwei was a bit constrained, forcing a somewhat stiff smile.
He felt that these two kids, while looking incredibly mature and experienced for their age, seemed to have something... not quite right in the head.
Little Millet was a diligent gossip. She started chattering away, telling Chen Ping'an about the latest interesting happenings in the Longzhou region. For example, on Kunlu Mountain, a new hermit had appeared, one who liked to watch deer in the pine shade. His words were cryptic: "A lamp held to the hair in the Yang Shang Palace, a white-haired