In the imperial palace of Dali’s capital city, Emperor Song He convened the Mountain Gods of the Five Peaks of the continent in the imperial study for a discussion.

He had thought that the female Mountain God of the Southern Peak would make excuses to decline, but unexpectedly, Fan Junmao had also arrived.

Of the Five Peaks of Treasure Bottle Continent, the four great peaks besides the Southern Peak are still nominally under the jurisdiction of the Dali Song Dynasty because they are still within the borders of Dali.

In fact, according to the covenant established by the Grand Tutor Cui Chan in those years, the Dali territory retreated north of the Qi River after the war. However, the ancestral mountain of the Eastern Peak, Qishan, was actually located south of the Great River. However, this matter was similar to the erection of a monument in front of the Ancestral Hall of the Southern Immortal Mansion. Over the years, there have been some arguments and small actions, but after the observation ceremony at Zhengyang Mountain, the dissent will naturally subside.

About a quarter of an hour before the agreed time, the morning court had not yet adjourned, and His Majesty the Emperor had not yet appeared. Discussions in the imperial study generally belonged to the second session, with fewer people, and were also known as the “small court meeting.”

The first to arrive today was not Wei Bo, the Mountain God of the Northern Peak, who was near the water, but Jin Qing, the Mountain God of the Central Peak.

Following closely behind were the two Mountain Gods of the East and West Peaks, Meng Rong of Qishan and Tong Wenchang of Ganzhou Mountain.

Meng Rong wore golden armor and carried a sword like a military general. Tong Wenchang was dressed in hemp clothes and barefoot, like an old farmer, with an old jade smoking pipe tucked into his belt.

Then came Wei Bo, dressed in a snow-white robe, stepping on a pair of cloud-stepping shoes, with a colorful ribbon tied around his waist and a golden ring hanging from his ear.

Finally came Fan Junmao, wearing a dark green robe and a jade pendant engraved with “Jun Qing Rain Minister” hanging from her waist. Her appearance was delicate and pretty, but she could not be considered a great beauty.

Perhaps standing with Wei Bo, she could not even be considered a beauty at all, let alone a great beauty.

Besides the Mountain Gods of the Five Peaks, there were Yang Hua, Marquis of Changchun of the Qi River, the chief of the Water Gods of Treasure Bottle Continent, and Cao Rong, Count of Linli of the Great River, whose divine position was second only to Yang Hua.

These two Marquises and Counts of the Great River arrived almost at the same time as Jin Qing, so they could chat for a few words. Mainly Cao Rong, who came from the old Flood Dragon of the Qiantang River Wind Cave, talked and laughed with Mountain God Jin.

Cao Rong and Jin Qing of Chezi Mountain were old acquaintances who had known each other for many years and had a good relationship. This old flood dragon who came from the old Qiantang River often traveled to the territory of the old Zhu Ying Dynasty in his early years.

Jin Qing was neither a civil or military official of the Zhu Ying Dynasty during his lifetime, nor a Qi refiner who had achieved success in cultivation. He was just a poor quarryman who had been quarrying mountain stones for many years, dangling under a bonfire. Each time he mined old pit inkstone materials, Jin Qing was responsible for lighting a stick of incense to pay respect to the Mountain God. According to the custom of the quarrymen, if the incense stick burned smoothly, they could enter the mountain to mine inkstone materials. However, one time, the incense went out halfway. Jin Qing was unwilling to take the risk and was whipped to death by the mining official and his body was sunk in the water. After Jin Qing’s death, his true spirit did not dissipate. He was favored by the old Mountain God of the Central Peak of the old Zhu Ying Dynasty, who first helped Jin Qing stabilize his soul, and then arranged for a land shrine to mold a golden statue. After that, he was promoted all the way, constantly rising in rank. Jin Qing eventually became the Stacked Peak Mountain God officially appointed by the Zhu Ying Dugu Dynasty. When the old Mountain God encountered an accident and his golden statue collapsed, Jin Qing smoothly succeeded the Mountain God’s position and became the master of Chezi Mountain.

After chatting about some interesting trivial matters, Cao Rong asked with a smile, “Mountain God Jin, I heard that Mountain God Wei’s self-proclaimed divine title is ‘Spiritual Ze’?”

Jin Qing nodded and said, “If I had known this, I would have reported a ‘Night Tour’ divine title to the Ministry of Rites. Mountain God Wei is doing things dishonestly, blocking the latrine and not shitting.”

Cao Rong said, “The several Night Tour banquets at Chezi Mountain have been held with great fanfare and are well-received on the mountain.”

Jin Qing nodded and said, “We all learned from Mountain God Wei. We are all students in how to hold a Night Tour banquet.”

Cao Rong laughed heartily.

Yang Hua, Marquis of Changchun of the Great River, remained silent all the time.

She was closing her eyes to rest her mind, with her sword across her knees, gently stroking the golden sword tassel in her hand.

According to the regulations, the Dali Dynasty allowed high-ranking gods to wear armor and swords to court for participation in discussions.

There were only the three of them in the room for the time being.

In fact, whether it was Jin Qing or Cao Rong, they looked at Yang Hua, who held the high position of the second rank of god, and in their hearts, they actually regarded her as an ignorant…little girl.

Indeed, Yang Hua’s qualifications were too shallow, her resume was too thin, and…her luck was too good. In those years, she only became the Water God Goddess of the Iron Talisman River in the old Longzhou territory because she was the personal maid of Empress Dowager Nan Zan. When the war ended, she went to the Great River to fill the vacancy. What practical things had she ever done, what merits had she ever made?

On the other hand, whether it was Jin Qing, whose rank was the same as that of the Marquis of Changchun of the Great River, or Cao Rong, whose divine position was half a rank lower than that of Yang Hua, or even those orthodox Mountain Gods of the Five Peaks’ crown prince mountains, who was not stronger than Yang Hua in terms of years and reputation? Therefore, they often dismissed Yang Hua when they discussed her privately.

As for the female Mountain God Fan Junmao, she was similar to Yang Hua but also the opposite. The similarity was that their “dao age” was similar, and they both belonged to the new faces among the mountain and water gods of the continent. The opposite was that Fan Junmao made great efforts and made great contributions during that war. As one of the Five Peaks, she was beaten to nothing! She once completely lost her Mountain God’s Mansion, shrine, and dojo. Therefore, Fan Junmao could not be underestimated on Treasure Bottle Continent Mountain now, and the Southern Peak had a very good reputation.

In addition, there were some “attendants” of the Five Peaks Mountain and Water with high enough divine positions who were qualified to attend the meeting today.

“Attend” and “observe,” a difference of one word was a world of difference. To put it simply, the former could speak, while the latter was really just attending the meeting.

The largest number were the crown prince mountain gods of the Five Peaks, and then there was the Yong River Water God in the Central Peak territory. As for the Iron Talisman River Water God of the original Northern Peak, and the Qiantang River in the Eastern Peak territory, which was known as Folding Water Fu Wen, they were both qualified to observe, but the two divine positions were temporarily vacant.

Guessing that the selection of the new Iron Talisman River Water God and Qiantang River Chief would be discussed and approved today?

Inside the imperial study, the Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs was responsible for arranging the seats, leading the mountain and water gods with prominent identities to take their seats.
Because His Imperial Majesty had not yet arrived, those already seated in the imperial study were engaged in private conversations. When Wei Bo, accompanied by the three Crown Prince Mountain Gods, entered the study, the atmosphere instantly livened up. Firstly, the Northern Mountain range was the land where the Great Li Song clan rose to prominence, making Mountain Lord Wei Bo a trusted aide to the Emperor. Secondly, everyone in the vast world knew that Hidden Mountain and Fallen Mountain were as close as brothers. Therefore, some mountain and water deities who had little interaction with the young Hidden Official sought to build a good relationship with Mountain Lord Wei Bo. In the future, they hoped that he could help them secure a handwritten congratulatory note from Chen Ping’an for their mountain’s celebrations, even if Chen Ping’an couldn’t personally attend, adding a touch of splendor to the occasion.

The topics of conversation were mostly anecdotes about mountains and rivers and the deeds of Qi Refiners.

When it came to familiarity with the history of each continent, no one could compare to them.

Furthermore, regarding the border regions of the Five Mountains and the mountain and water gods within each mountain’s jurisdiction, there were often measures such as “borrowing water” or “diverting flow.” Mountain and water luck, civil and martial fortunes, could all be exchanged to make up for each other’s shortcomings, taking care of barren lands with sparse spiritual energy and weak incense offerings as much as possible. In the event of major droughts, floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, especially those involving Qi Refiners and their means, the deities could communicate with their neighbors and help each other within the framework of their duties without overstepping boundaries or violating regulations. For example, mountain gods feared origins without destinations, and Qi Refiners who built immortal residences that only absorbed spiritual energy without releasing any of it were essentially creating holes in the mountain god’s body. Water gods, on the other hand, feared the kind of severe droughts that occurred once in a millennium or a century, which would leave them exposed to the sun for long periods, drying up riverbeds and causing their divine statues to crack like the skin of ordinary people.

Historically, there were cases where a sect’s immortal residence and a lake lord became enemies, leaving no room for reconciliation. The former, without hesitation, joined hands with several imperial courts to build dams on the upstream rivers of the lake, diverting the waterways. Within a few decades, the lake dried up, countless aquatic creatures perished, and the lake lord’s divine statue shattered. However, such tragic events were exceptions. More often, deities and Qi Refiners cooperated sincerely, shared weal and woe, or were bound together by interests. At the very least, they maintained a superficial harmony.

The deities present today were all powerful officials in the mountains. Although they were ranked in their hearts, each mountain and water deity was the unquestionable “local emperor” within their jurisdiction once the meeting ended and they returned home, overseeing a vast number of river gods, mountain gods, land gods, river grandmothers, river lords, and city gods of all levels. Generally speaking, these high-ranking deities were more at ease if there were no sects with the “Sect” character in their name within their territory.

Once Wei Bo entered the imperial study, the conversation shifted away from the excavation of the Great Canal in the Southern Tongye Continent, and the Night Parade Banquet was deliberately avoided.

Everyone knew that Mountain Lord Wei had once traveled to the border between the Northern and Central Mountains and had a major fight with Mountain Lord Jin Qing at their respective doorsteps.

However, the relationship between the two mountain lords had improved in recent years. It was rumored that Chen Mountain Master had personally intervened to reconcile them, even making a trip to Chezi Mountain.

Jin Qing asked, “Why didn’t Offering Master Ruan come?”

As the Great Li Dynasty’s chief offering master and the former sect master of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, Ruan Qiong should not have been absent from this important meeting.

Wei Bo said, “It seems that Sect Master Liu is hosting a banquet.”

In the Great Li imperial study, there was an unwritten rule that Qi Refiners and mountain and water deities could not communicate telepathically.

It was said that National Preceptor Cui Chan and an old Great Li Mountain Lord had suggested it in the past, and it had become a convention.

Jin Qing asked, “Is Fallen Mountain hosting a Night Parade Banquet to celebrate such a joyous event?”

After all, the Dragon Spring Sword Sect was one of only two sects in the Northern Mountain region. Liu Xianyang was Chen Ping’an’s close friend from his hometown, and Chen Ping’an was Wei Mountain Lord’s good brother. It would be fitting to host a banquet.

Wei Bo was too lazy to waste words with him.

Jin Qing asked, “Should we call you ‘Spirit Marsh’ Divine Lord from now on?”

Wei Bo said, “It’s still uncertain whether the Confucian Temple will approve our self-styled divine titles.”

Jin Qing crossed his legs, patted his boots, and sneered, “It’s hard to say for us, but will the Confucian Temple not approve Wei Mountain Lord’s title? To not give you face is to not give Chen Mountain Master face, and to not give Chen Mountain Master face is to not give Literary Sage face, isn’t that the case?”

Everyone knew that the old scholar was now the real head of the Confucian Temple.

Wei Bo smiled and said, “I’ll relay Mountain Lord Jin’s reasoning to Literary Sage later.”

It seemed that the Confucian scholars, including Great Master, had not appeared in other mountains after leaving Fallen Mountain, but were likely inspecting the local customs and conditions.

Jin Qing was speechless and looked at Wei Bo, wanting to determine if he was serious or joking. It wouldn’t be good if it really reached Literary Sage’s ears.

Meng Rong smoothed things over and said, “Regardless of whether the Confucian Temple approves our self-styled divine titles, we should thank Wei Mountain Lord for the reminder, otherwise we wouldn’t even know about it.”

If Wei Bo hadn’t sent a message to the other mountain lord residences, saying that according to the ancient precedents of the Confucian Temple established by Ritual Sage, the mountain lords and dukes of the Great Canals of each continent could self-style divine titles, who would have dared to think of it?

All the mountain and water deities present envied Wei Bo’s connections. Firstly, the Northern Mountain governed the old territory of the Great Li Dynasty, and Hidden Mountain’s position in the mountain and water officialdom was somewhat similar to that of the Capital Prefect, so it was naturally close to the Great Li Song clan. Secondly, Hidden Mountain and Fallen Mountain were neighbors, and betting on Chen Ping’an meant something that deities and immortal masters of the continent all knew.

Someone had proposed the idea of treating Fallen Mountain as a Fourteenth Realm cultivator.

It seemed that the more one pondered this idea, the more interesting and meaningful it became.

Just as the crown prince was the deputy of the nation, the Five Mountains each had their own crown prince mountains, but these crown prince mountains, as vassals, were often far away from the “main ancestral mountain.”
The Northern Mountain, Cloud-Veiled Peak, boasts three mountains destined to become its vassals. The one situated at the northernmost tip of Treasure Bottle Continent is known as Divine Oracle Mountain, within which lie continuous giant rocks resembling drums, emitting a faint, thunderous resonance. In addition, there are the Long Mountain and Bird-Rat Mountain.

The Central Mountain, Azure-Seizing Peak, comprises eight continuous peaks, with the main peak, named Dragon-Sealing Peak, revered as the progenitor of all mountains in the central Treasure Bottle Continent. This peak houses an ancient Immortal’s Grotto, worthy of being recorded in the Mountain and Sea Chronicles. The secondary peak, Layered Barrier Peak, is where Jin Qing, after his rise to prominence, established his Mountain God’s Travelling Palace.

Among the mountains destined to become vassals are Uncarved Jade Mountain and Rain-Bathing Mountain. Lu Baixiang of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, along with his disciple Yuanbao, settled in Uncarved Jade Mountain some years ago. Lu Baixiang found kinship with the mountain’s True God upon their first meeting and was invited to serve as a venerated guest, thus being recorded by the Great Li Ministry of Rites, granting Lu Baixiang a semblance of official mountain and water status. With this connection, Uncarved Jade Mountain’s Mountain God and Fallen Phoenix Mountain share a bond of mountain incense.

The Eastern Mountain, Boulder Bank Peak, is governed by Meng Long, the former Mountain Lord of the Great Li, who was promoted to the position. It boasts two mountains destined to become its vassals: Double-Maturity Mountain and Wild Goose Dwelling Mountain, possessing both large and small Dragon Pools.

The Western Mountain, Sweet Province Peak, is situated near the Wind and Snow Temple. This mountain is not particularly high, and historically, it has not been highly regarded by the local court. However, under the stewardship of Imperial Advisor Cui Chan, it was directly promoted to the Western Mountain of an entire continent. It now possesses two mountains destined to become its vassals: Deer Antler Mountain and Luan Mountain, rumored to house an ancient Immortal’s treasured talisman. The main peak is several times taller than Sweet Province Peak itself, and on clear days, its imposing presence can be seen from hundreds of miles away.

Only the Southern Mountain, Catalpa Tung Peak, has but one mountain destined to become its vassal, named Herb-Gathering Mountain.

As Fan Junmao entered the Imperial Study, the room instantly fell silent, only to resume its lively atmosphere after a brief moment.

This subtle pause was akin to a silent salute, a gesture of respect akin to an active toast at a banquet.

In that war, speaking solely of the Five Sacred Mountains, Fan Junmao’s Southern Mountain contributed the most, with the battles within its territory being the fiercest and most brutal.

Therefore, while both were considered “young ladies,” Grand Canal Marquis Yang Hua was unpopular, making it easy to belittle her. However, encountering Fan Junmao, whose golden body had been nearly shattered and then completely rebuilt, no one dared or was suited to slight her.

For instance, Mountain Lord Tong Wenchang of the Western Mountain, who never greeted anyone, was willing to nod in acknowledgment today only upon seeing Fan Junmao.

However, Fan Junmao acted as if she hadn’t noticed Mountain Lord Tong’s attempt at goodwill. Crucially, Tong Wenchang wasn’t angered. Perhaps it was like brine turning tofu, everything has its counter?

Fan Junmao was accompanied by Mountain God Wang Juan of Herb-Gathering Mountain, who exuded extraordinary composure. He was adorned in lavish attire, wearing an imperial crown, holding an ivory tablet, and clad in purple robes. A gem as large as a green plum adorned his crown.

By all appearances, Wang Juan seemed more like a Mountain Lord of a Sacred Mountain, while Fan Junmao resembled a divine attendant from the Mountain Lord’s manor.

Currently, among the Five Sacred Mountains of Treasure Bottle Continent, only Fan Junmao’s Southern Mountain is free from the control of the Great Li Dynasty. The Southern Mountain was originally a unique mountain created solely through human effort, piling earth and stones. After the great war, it was utterly destroyed. Herb-Gathering Mountain, having been converted into an Immortal ferry by the demon race’s war encampment, managed to escape devastation. Furthermore, with the Great Li Song Clan losing control over the southern region of Treasure Bottle Continent, Herb-Gathering Mountain’s status became increasingly transcendent, truly standing above ten thousand mountains beneath a single peak.

Fan Junmao’s seat was directly opposite Wei Bo. She sat sideways, resting her cheek on her hand, staring directly at Wei Bo, and asked with a cheerful smile, “Why isn’t he here today?”

Wei Bo appeared relaxed, crossed his legs, and lightly twisted his wrist, retorting, “How could he come, and under what capacity?”

The Mountain Lord of Fallen Phoenix Mountain? The closed-door disciple of the Literary Sage’s lineage? Or the last Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall? None were suitable.

You, Fan Junmao, have become a Mountain Lord, yet you still act on a whim.

Fan Junmao feigned surprise, saying, “Wasn’t there a rumor that he has no interest in becoming the Great Li Imperial Advisor, but might have a position in your Great Li court?”

Wei Bo asked doubtfully, “Where did that rumor originate?”

Fan Junmao casually replied, “How am I supposed to find the source of such a thing?”

Although both Mountain Lords used “he” in their casual conversation,

Everyone knew they were referring to Chen Ping An.

When Fan Junmao mentioned the words “Imperial Advisor,” the room instantly fell silent, hoping the two Mountain Lords would share more news about Chen Ping An.

Fan Junmao pursed her lips, ceasing the topic altogether. She refused to grant these gossip-hungry individuals their wish.

In truth, regarding the vacancy of the Great Li Imperial Advisor position, those present held various thoughts.

If Cui Chan were still around, there would be nothing to ponder. That Embroidered Tiger could serve as Imperial Advisor for as long as he wished, or whoever Cui Chan designated as his successor would be.

In all honesty, these mountain and water deities owe their current high positions on the newly revised golden jade records of the Confucian Temple to Cui Chan.

Without the Imperial Advisor Embroidered Tiger, how could the Great Li Dynasty achieve its one country equals one continent status? Without the Great Li Song Clan, Treasure Bottle Continent would likely fare no better than Tongye Continent.

However, having said that, since Cui Chan is no longer the Great Li Imperial Advisor, and he hasn’t explicitly designated a successor, some mountain and water deities believe it’s better for the Great Li Dynasty to have no Imperial Advisor, while others feel it’s irrelevant, as no one could do the job well. Compared to Cui Chan, they are all a joke, overestimating themselves, even including that young Sword Immortal, no matter how many identities he possesses, he would be no exception.

The worst scenario would be the Great Li Song Clan promoting a new Imperial Advisor who is arrogant and incompetent, lacking skill but prone to reckless actions.

If these were out of public concern, then some, out of private motives, are even less willing for the Great Li Song Clan to have a new Imperial Advisor who can control everything.

Therefore, the majority of mountain and water deities still hope that the Great Li Imperial Advisor position remains vacant.

For example, some are eager to know Fan Junmao’s stance.

As the only female Mountain Lord who has broken free from the Great Li Song Clan’s constraints, what does she think of the stone tablet at the entrance of numerous Immortal mansions and ancestral halls in the Southern Mountain region?

Is Fan Junmao willing to help those mountain sects and the various nations below to seek “justice” from the Great Li Song Clan?

Could her attendance at today’s meeting indicate that Fan Junmao has made a decision?

Near the entrance, a Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, clad in scarlet python robes, softly reminded, “His Majesty will arrive shortly. Please rise to greet him.”

Almost all the mountain and water deities in the room gradually stood up, holding their breath and focusing their minds, awaiting the appearance of the Great Li Emperor.

However, only Wei Bo, Fan Junmao, and Tong Wenchang remained seated, unmoved.
As Emperor Song He entered the imperial study, Wei Bo slowly rose, followed by Fan Junmao, and finally Tong Wenchang, the mountain master, with his long-stemmed pipe.

Song He gestured with his hand, “No need for formalities, please be seated.”

On the side of the Great Li court, besides Emperor Song He, there were only the Ministers of Rites and War.

The Minister of War was a gaunt old man, well past his prime, leaning heavily on a cane. He tremulously lowered himself into his seat, and then rested both hands on the cane, closing his eyes as if to doze off.

This Elder Shen Chen had served through three reigns, moving between various departments and ministries since his youth. He was known throughout the court for his obstinate nature. For instance, when he served as Vice Minister of Personnel, he had declared that any scholar who abandoned their local academies for the Lakeside Academy could not hope to find a place in the Great Li court. He also warned that any scholar who enjoyed composing poetry with officials from the neighboring dynasties such as the Lu and Sui dynasties should not seek office but remain in the literary world. Those who dared to become officials would be scrutinized closely…

Shen Chen was not one to make empty threats; he acted on his words.

Because of Shen Chen’s overbearing manner, he even refused to give face to the Minister of Personnel, Guan, which resulted in the powerful Ministry of Personnel being bombarded daily with criticism from scholars in the capital and throughout the land.

Then, the State Preceptor Cui Chan had a heart-to-heart with him. The contents of their conversation remained unknown, but Shen Chen resigned that very day. According to an unconfirmed rumor, the Vice Minister Shen had thrown his official hat to the ground at the South Fragrance Lane office, shouting, “To hell with you… Cui Chan, you outlander!”

However, whether the last five words were actually uttered remained a matter of debate among the Great Li officials.

In less than two years, Shen Chen re-entered the court, not as a civilian official, but as Vice Minister of War.

The Minister of Rites, Zhao Duanjin, hailed from the Celestial Waters Zhao Clan, one of the pillar families of the dynasty.

Song He smiled, “Please, Mountain Master Tong, make yourself comfortable during the deliberations.”

This humorous opening eased the tense atmosphere somewhat.

Tong Wenchang nodded, “I won’t stand on ceremony. But if anyone finds it unpleasant, I’ll go smoke my pipe in the corridor outside.”

Fan Junmao retorted, “If you’re going to smoke, do it outside. Otherwise, you’ll fill the whole room with smoke. What kind of decorum is that?”

The mountain master, resembling an old farmer in appearance, always wore a furrowed, bitter expression, showing no trace of emotion.

Wei Bo chuckled, “We can just open the windows for ventilation.”

Fan Junmao said, “Let’s switch places. You sit next to Tong Wenchang, and every time he takes a puff, Great Mountain Master Wei can help absorb it. How about that?”

Wei Bo sighed, “Never mind I said anything.”

Emperor Song He smiled, enjoying the banter, which was much better than the usual suppressed atmosphere.

The five Mountain Masters of Bao Ping Continent gathered, each possessing their own unique charm: the ancient aura of the Central Peak, the immortal essence of the Eastern Peak, the heroic spirit of the Southern Peak, the chivalrous temperament of the Western Peak, and the divine mystique of the Northern Peak.

Song He cut straight to the point, “First, I have some good news to share with you all. The divine titles you proposed for the Five Peaks were submitted by the Great Li Ministry of Rites to the Literary Temple. Just now, or rather last night, we received a definitive response. The official document from the Literary Temple contained only one sentence: ‘Read, no objections, can be promulgated.’ However, although the text was brief, it was signed by many sages and worthies of the Literary Temple, including the Sage of Rites, the Quasi-Sage, the Sage of Literature, the three Headmasters of the Literary Temple, and the six Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors of the academies. This means they have all given their written approval to this matter.”

Song He cupped his hands in a salute and smiled, “I hereby congratulate the five Mountain Masters for achieving your aspirations.”

The five Mountain Masters rose to return the salute to the Great Li Emperor. They also needed to pay respects to the direction of the Central Continent’s Literary Temple, offering a few words of gratitude in their hearts.

Congratulations echoed throughout the room. Once the five Mountain Masters were reseated, Song He laughed, “Indeed, it is a joyous occasion, a groundbreaking event.”

The Five Peaks had all proposed their own divine titles, and the Literary Temple had actually approved them all without a single rejection.

Even the Great Li Ministry of Rites was quite surprised.

They had anticipated that at least two of the proposed titles would be rejected and require revision before being submitted to the Literary Temple in the Central Continent.

In fact, the Great Li court had prepared for repeated communication with the Literary Temple and had formulated a detailed strategy on how to persuade the Mountain Masters to “reduce” the “meaning” of their self-proposed titles if the Literary Temple rejected them.

Song He had even convened three small court meetings to discuss how to help the Five Peaks pass their divine titles. During the deliberations, some hinted that the only person in Great Li who could speak to the Literary Temple was the Fallen Phoenix Mountain. However, others wondered if Chen Pingan’s involvement would backfire, especially since he was the closed-door disciple of the Sage of Literature.

After all, this closed-door disciple of the Literary Sage did not even have the title of Worthy of the Academy, could this be some sort of signal from the Literary Temple?

Jin Qing asked, “Your Majesty, all five divine titles have been approved?”

Song He smiled, “All of them have been approved. The five Mountain Masters can rest assured. It is a done deal. I would not dare to spread false information on such a matter.”

Fan Junmao rubbed her chin, considering that her proposed title was so ambitious, yet it had been approved?

She had even prepared five or six alternative titles, waiting for the Literary Temple to reject her submission and for the Great Li Ministry of Rites to ask her to revise it two or three times.

Now, she felt a bit uneasy, as her long journey to attend the Great Li capital’s deliberations had been made with the intention to stir things up.

Song He said in a deep voice, “The Eastern Peak Mount Meng Rong’s divine title, ‘Heroic Spirit’; the Southern Peak Mount Fan’s, ‘Azure Peak’; the Central Peak Mount Jin’s, ‘Bright Candle’; the Western Peak Mount Tong’s, ‘Great Banner’; and the Northern Peak Mount Wei’s, ‘Night Wanderer,’ will be known throughout the Nine Continents once the enshrinement ceremony is held.”

As the Emperor spoke these words,

The room fell silent, yet undercurrents surged.

The Eastern Peak Mount Qi’s divine title was actually “Heroic Spirit”? And the Literary Temple had approved it?

As for Jin Qing’s “Bright Candle”, was its nostalgic remembrance of the fallen Scarlet Jade Dynasty too obvious? Did the Great Li Song Dynasty not care?
In comparison, Tong Wenchang’s “Great Banner” divine title seemed relatively normal.

Fan Junmao’s “Emerald Mountains,” meaning “verdant mountains under heaven,” didn’t it possess a grander meaning than Meng Rong’s “Heroic Souls”? It would have been more than sufficient for any of the Central Earth’s Five Sacred Mountains!

Didn’t Wei Bo agree to adopt the divine title “Spiritual Dew”? Why did it revert to “Night Wanderer”?!

Worthy of being the Five Sacred Mountain Sovereigns, you truly dare to think and act, leaving bystanders speechless.

Previously, on the way here, Song He held a handful of mountain-crafted bamboo slips. Each time the Emperor finished reading one, detailing two or three matters, he would hand it to the eunuch in python robe beside him. Before convening the meeting, the Great Li Ministry of Rites had already notified many mountain and river deities that they could inform the court in advance and prepare a bamboo slip, briefly outlining the important matters they wished to discuss with His Majesty, no more than three, with the content preferably under a hundred words. Song He had already read these bamboo slips, but after the morning court session, he reviewed them once more, quickly skimming through them to avoid any omissions.

In the end, only Mountain Sovereign Tong replied to the Great Li Ministry of Rites, stating there was nothing to discuss.

Furthermore, Wei Bo suggested on his bamboo slip that the vacant position of the Iron Talisman River Water God be filled by Bai Deng, a sword immortal from the Dragon Palace ruins within Yun Prefecture.

Marquis of Everlasting Spring, Yang Hua, clearly held different opinions, recommending different candidates.

However, none of this was truly problematic. What truly gave His Majesty a headache was the female Mountain Sovereign of the Southern Peak. On her bamboo slip, she mentioned only one matter, stating that within the Southern Peak’s territory, many mountain lords and sect leaders hoped that the Great Li court would consider removing certain steles outside the Ancestral Halls – not all, but only some.

At the time, Song He had less than ten bamboo slips left, all prepared for open discussion in the Imperial Study today.

Not demanding that Fan Junmao align himself with the Great Li court, they only hoped that Fan Junmao, considering the approved divine title he chose, would remain impartial and neutral.

After delivering the good news to the Five Sacred Mountain Sovereigns, the first matter His Majesty raised was the selection of the new Iron Talisman River God within the Northern Peak’s jurisdiction.

Minister of Rites, Zhao Duanjin, stood up and informed the gathered mountain and river deities of Bai Deng’s Daoist roots, background, and experience.

Once Zhao Duanjin had finished his narration, Tong Wenchang removed his pipe from his waist and spoke first, “Your Majesty, I have no objections to Bai Deng becoming the Iron Talisman River Water God.”

Song He smiled and extended his palm, “Mountain Sovereign Tong, feel free.”

After Tong Wenchang left the Imperial Study, Song He glanced at the bamboo slips on the table and then looked at Wei Bo. After a moment, Wei Bo nodded slightly.

Within the Imperial Study, one chair remained empty at all times.

Deities like Meng Rong, native mountain gods of the Great Li, would occasionally and involuntarily gaze at that empty chair.

Outside, beneath the eaves, an old man in coarse hemp clothing and bare feet squatted, leisurely smoking his pipe, smoke swirling around him.

Finding leisure in the midst of busyness, nothing more than this.

In the vast world, in ancient times, the Five Sacred Mountains included the Western Peak, which oversaw the forging and smelting of metals, as well as the management of birds and fowl.

Back in the days of the National Preceptor Cui Chan, the new Five Sacred Mountains of Treasure Bottle Continent largely followed this division of responsibilities, with clear divisions of labor, each fulfilling its respective duties.

However, how Tong Wenchang’s Ganzhou Mountain managed to stand out and directly ascend from an unknown small hill to become the highly respected Western Peak of a continent was a matter of much speculation.

Some guessed that Tong Wenchang had caught the eye of National Preceptor Cui Chan, while others said it was because Ganzhou Mountain had a good relationship with the Cui family. In any case, they all revolved around the “Cui” character.

Suddenly, Tong Wenchang noticed a pair of cloth shoes. His gaze shifted, and he looked up to see a man in a green robe.

This man was accompanied by three attendants, a Confucian scholar with slightly frosted temples, a young man in a yellow hat, and a maiden in a sable hat.

Chen Ping’an cupped his hands and smiled, “Mountain Sovereign Tong.”

Tong Wenchang nodded, “Mountain Master Chen.”

Looking at the people beside Chen Ping’an, Tong Wenchang used two titles, “Sect Master Jiang, Immortal Master Xi Zhu.”

As for the maiden-like Qi cultivator, he didn’t recognize her, nor had he ever heard of her.

Xiao Mo bowed, “Greetings, Mountain Sovereign Tong.”

Xie Gou remained unmoved.

Jiang Shangzhen smiled, “Just call me Zhou Fei, my Daoist name is Collapsed Peak True Lord.”

Tong Wenchang didn’t acknowledge that at all. After hesitating, he spoke, “Mountain Master Chen, last time when you came to Ganzhou Mountain, why didn’t you stay to chat a bit? The dredging of the Great River in Tongye Continent is a very practical matter, at least it can save hundreds of thousands of lives.”

He was referring to the last time the young Hidden Official, accompanied by a Daoist friend wearing a veiled hat, spiritually traveled through the mountains and rivers of several continents, borrowing a stick of incense from the mountain and river deities.

On Treasure Bottle Continent, Tong Wenchang’s Ganzhou Mountain and Meng Rong’s Qi Mountain had both given Chen Ping’an the cold shoulder.

In the end, they failed to achieve the pattern of all Five Sacred Mountain Sovereigns of a continent nodding in agreement, and the effect of the mountain incense was greatly diminished.

At the time, Wei Bo wanted to help Chen Ping’an write a letter to the other Four Sacred Mountains, but Chen Ping’an felt that it was unnecessary. Indeed, since it was something that could not be forced, there was no need to waste Mountain Sovereign Wei’s favor.

Everything went smoothly at Central Peak’s Chezi Mountain and Southern Peak’s Fan Junmao. Afterwards, Chen Ping’an and Qing Tong visited Eastern Peak and Western Peak. Meng Rong, being a former mountain sovereign of the Great Li, politely declined on Chen Ping’an’s side, eventually saying a polite word of apology for making Hidden Official Chen make a wasted trip. However, Tong Wenchang’s words were very unkind, directly stating that he felt Tongye Continent was a cesspool, and would he, Tong Wenchang, insert a stick of incense into a cesspool? Would he be willing to pay respects to such a morally bankrupt Tongye Continent? Why help them add a single bit of mountain and river fortune?

It was all within expectations, and Chen Ping’an couldn’t be said to be disappointed.

Tong Wenchang’s meaning today was simple: if you want me to pay respects to Tongye Continent, no way. But if you had said at the time that you would dredge the Great River, saving countless lives, which is more practical than any empty rhetoric, then he, Tong Wenchang, would have agreed at the time.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Firstly, the dredging of the Great River was just a rough idea at the time, empty words that were not suitable to be brought up. Secondly, I haven’t gotten to that point of desperation yet.”

Typical hard words spoken softly, still saving face for this Mountain Sovereign Tong.

Tong Wenchang nodded, “Don’t ask for help if you don’t have to.”
One should speak less, but keep one’s knees strong and back straight. Bowing one’s head in the face of adversity is nothing, after all, who doesn’t have their difficulties when trying to make a living?

One can wrong one’s own pride, but not one’s conscience. Throughout his life, Tong Wenchang had witnessed far too much sycophancy and servility, especially the flattery amongst scholars, each trying to outdo the other, which he found most nauseating. Was studying only for flattering others at banquets or in officialdom? To eat the books of sages only to excrete filth? It was a pity that those officials, or immortals on the mountains, were fond of such things, and seemed quite pleased to hear it.

Fu Dechong, the Mountain God of Pu Mountain, one of the mountains under the jurisdiction of the Central Sacred Emperor, had just taken out his pipe from his sleeve after leaving the Imperial Study when he noticed the scene in the corridor and was taken aback.

Even for mountain gods like them, after countless years in the mountains, they would develop personal hobbies, such as collecting precious books, antique calligraphy, and paintings, building studies, and inviting renowned scholars to write prefaces and postscripts. Hence, many of the secret collections of calligraphy and paintings in the mountain gods’ residences could be dozens of feet long, or they might collect coins from various dynasties and kingdoms under the mountain, or be fond of potted plants. As for collecting various inscribed “little summer money,” it was a common hobby among mountain and water deities.

Just like Fu Dechong of Pu Mountain and Tong Wenchang both liked to smoke pipes, enjoying a few puffs whenever they had the chance. It had nothing to do with relieving fatigue; it was purely a matter of habit.

However, Mountain God Fu was not as addicted as Mountain Lord Tong. Fu Dechong always tried to avoid such meetings, and if he couldn’t, he would act like a statue without any incense offerings. Since Tong Wenchang had made a good start, Fu Dechong was happy to have the opportunity to come out for some fresh air.

Within the Great Li capital, mountain and water deities would deliberately restrain their supernatural powers, as the Directorate of Astronomy was watching nearby.

Chen Ping’an took the initiative to greet him, “Mountain God Fu.”

Fu Dechong returned the greeting with cupped hands, “Mountain Lord Chen.”

Tong Wenchang tapped his pipe, stood up, and returned to the Imperial Study to continue listening in.

Fu Dechong didn’t have the courage to squat outside alone smoking his pipe. Coincidentally, Chen Ping’an seemed to be heading towards the Imperial Study as well, so he followed along.

Walking along the narrow corridor inside the building, Tong Wenchang led the way, stepping over the threshold and entering the Imperial Study.

Fu Dechong hesitated for a moment, then quickened his pace and rushed into the Imperial Study ahead of him.

Inside the room, Tong Wenchang walked towards the chair but did not sit down.

Neither did Fu Dechong.

The Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial standing at the door bowed his head and said, “Your Majesty, Mountain Lord Chen has arrived.”

Almost at the same time, a writing eunuch personally brought in a chair.

Xiao Mo and Xie Gou stayed in the corridor.

Only Jiang Shangzhen followed Chen Ping’an into the room.

After all, he was the Chief Offering of Luopo Mountain, and his official title was much larger than that of an ordinary nominal offering.

Xiao Mo said with a mental voice, “We are just ordinary offerings, it’s not appropriate to follow the Young Master inside to sit down.”

Xie Gou leaned against the corridor wall, grumbling, “I’ll ask the Mountain Lord for a vice-chief offering title later. Xiao Mo, remember to say a few good words for me.”

Xiao Mo nodded, “I can’t guarantee anything, but it’s no problem to say a few words for you to the Young Master.”

If he didn’t say that, Xiao Mo was worried that Xie Gou, who didn’t have a chair to sit on inside, would just run and sit on the roof.

Xie Gou grinned.

Jiang Shangzhen took the initiative to take the chair and placed it near the door, saying with a smile, “I’ll just sit here.”

Inside the room, His Majesty the Emperor had already stood up.

The old Minister of War, who seemed to have been dozing off, opened his eyes, slowly stood up, and turned to look towards the door.

Minister of Rites Zhao Duanjin stood up, holding his breath and with a solemn expression.

Wei Bo of the Northern Sacred Mountain and Jin Qing of the Central Sacred Mountain were the first to stand up with His Majesty the Emperor, followed by Marquis Changchun Yang Hua of the Great River and Earl Linli Cao Rong, among others.

Fan Junmao had a strange expression, her eyes darting around as if hesitating whether to run away.

The entire room was standing.

Song He’s eyes shone, and he pointed to a certain chair with his palm, saying loudly, “Mr. Chen, please take a seat.”

It was the only chair in the Imperial Study that didn’t seem to be “properly placed.”

Chen Ping’an walked to the chair, turned around, gently lifted the hem of his green robe, and slowly sat down.

Song He sat back in his position, and then all the mountain and water deities in the room sat down in unison, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Some of the mountain and water deities who thought that even if Chen Ping’an was willing to take on the matter, nothing much would come of it, and he couldn’t do anything about it, felt at this moment, after seeing the green-robed figure with their own eyes, that it was not quite the same thing at all.

It was like many Qi cultivators in the vast world, after winning a battle, would think that a desolate throne great demon was nothing much, just because they had never experienced the battlefield firsthand.

His Majesty the Emperor smiled and looked at the female mountain lord.

Fan Junmao had an innocent look on her face, as if saying, “Your Majesty, why are you looking at me? Everything has already been said; I’m just helping to deliver a message.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Where has the discussion reached?”

Song He said with a smile, “Just now, Mountain Lord Fan was saying that in the area south of Qi Du, many people want to remove the stone tablet on the mountain.”

Fan Junmao sighed quietly, regretting that she had come. Wouldn’t it have been better to stay in the Mountain Lord’s residence and wait for good news?

Chen Ping’an smiled slightly, “Mountain Lord Fan, please give me a list immediately.”

Fan Junmao looked blank, “Huh?”

“After Mountain Lord Fan has made the list.”

Chen Ping’an stretched out a palm, stroking the armrest of the chair, “Minister Shen, Minister Zhao, comparing against the list, Great Li will issue an official document in the name of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites, inviting them to the Great Li capital. Whether it’s a restored or newly established kingdom, an old immortal mansion or a new sect, each should send someone to discuss this matter and have a good chat.”

Minister of Rites Zhao Duanjin, according to an old custom, did not need to stand up to discuss matters, but only clasped his hands to indicate that he had no objections.

The old Minister of War, Shen Chen, asked with a smile, “Did this official hear correctly? If we really want to add a counting agency outside the Ministry of Rites, shouldn’t we issue the diplomatic note in the name of the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonies?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “The Court of State Ceremonies jointly writing the diplomatic note does not conform to the court’s etiquette, so they will only be responsible for the subsequent reception.”

Replacing the Court of State Ceremonies with the Ministry of War conforms to etiquette?

Fan Junmao was speechless for a moment, regretting that she had agreed to help those guys talk to the Great Li court, and annoyed by Chen Ping’an’s imposing manner, which showed no regard for friendship. What great official authority Chen Gongzi had!
The old man chuckled, “Grand Preceptor Chen, in that case, the Ministry of War holds no further objections.”

From the divine Beacon Embers’ *Sword Coming*!

Chapter 1052: An Empty Chair Exists.