## The Harried Scholar’s Return

The venerable Scholar of Spring Mountain Academy had embarked on a journey across continents, answering a summons back to the Grand Temple of Literature in the Middle Kingdom.

Another delay, and the scribes of the Temple would descend like a flock of angry crows, squawking curses at his doorstep.

Before his departure, the old scholar exchanged a few words with the young Taoist priest who lingered nearby. The Celestial Constable, a man burdened by poverty, could not help but lament: *Is this then the teacher of Immortal Cao? A kind face, to be sure, but as threadbare as my own.*

Meanwhile, Little Mo and Chen Ping’an walked side-by-side, the former observing, “The Emperor, your Majesty, managed a facade of calm at the table, but the moment he entered his carriage, his heart began to race. It seems the Master has planted seeds of unease.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled. “We merely spoke of trivial things. The wise are prone to overthinking, a trait that is both a blessing and a curse.”

He recalled his questions to the Emperor: Should scholars debate the affairs of state? Should cultivators examine their hearts before acting?

Without the strategist Cui Chan to guide him, the noble families of the Song, sprung from humble villages like Hua County and Wei Township, were now the most audacious of all. Should the Emperor rein them in, and if so, how? The Dynasty had once etched its laws upon stone pillars that towered over the land. Now, many of the vassal states, restored by the Great Li’s decree after years of subjugation, were tearing these pillars down within their own borders. Would the court adhere to its vow of non-interference, or would it dispatch officials to offer a subtle… suggestion?

Then there was the matter of the capital. Many officials in the secondary capital advocated for a relocation of the Emperor’s seat. What were his Majesty’s thoughts?

The answer to many of these questions was simple. Now that the Great Li was no longer a sovereign state, what concern was it of theirs what other nations did with their stone pillars?

Yet Chen Ping’an had deliberately begun with a minor “matter,” allowing Emperor Song He to weave a tapestry of anxieties from a single thread.

Furthermore, the Emperor desperately sought to resolve all his woes by appointing Chen Ping’an as the Imperial Preceptor, a solution that was both simplistic and unattainable.

The Middle Kingdom’s Temple of Literature, the continent’s sacred mountains, the Great Li’s secondary capital, the princely Song Mu, the icy plains of the Northern Continent, the verdant isles of the Southern… a web of complex affairs.

Together, they began the journey back to the capital.

Chen Ping’an penned three letters. The first, carried by a flying sword, informed his home, the beleaguered Fallen Mountain, that he would soon return.

Another was sent to Liu Jinglong of the Grand Summit Sword Sect, announcing the imminent founding of a lower sect and imploring him to attend the celebrations. He also requested that Liu Jinglong, on his southward journey, pause in the Great Li capital to instruct Han Zhoujin in the art of formations.

This woman, hailing from the blessed land of Clear Pond, possessed a lineage and a mountain heritage far more intricate than met the eye.

Among the Earthly Branch cultivators, Chen Ping’an held two in particular esteem: Han Zhoujin and Ge Ling, even above the promising sword cultivators Yuan Huajing and Song Xu, likely to rise to the Upper Five Realms.

He relied on intuition.

Then there was the matter of Guan Yiran and the Scribe’s Office. Chen Ping’an felt compelled to warn Dong Shui Jing to beware the envious eyes of the capital’s noble sons. Dong Shui Jing’s business acumen was a dizzying labyrinth. He had the habit of quietly cornering the market on certain commodities – flowers, jade, timber, even spring water – then paying mountain gazettes to sing their praises, ultimately selling his goods through various merchants. Cao Gengxin, Yuan Zhengding, Fu Yu, Wu Yuan… any scion of a powerful family who had served in Dragon Province had a share. Ignoring the mountain sects, even the Sun and Fan families of Old Dragon City seemed to have become Dong Shui Jing’s friends, simply by virtue of being acquaintances of Chen Ping’an.

In Dong Shui Jing’s words, *”I am merely a merchant, seeking only the coin of the wealthy.”*

The number of private docks and immortal ferries, subtly controlled by Dong Shui Jing but bearing the names of others, was likely staggering.

Dong, the half-city?

He was closer to Dong, the half-continent.

It was hard to believe that this impoverished lad, a former dropout from the Luminous Pearl Grotto, had built his fortune selling dumplings and sweet rice wine.

Yet his wealth did not shield him from Lin Shouyi’s scorn, who considered Dong Shui Jing a fool…

Just as Lin Shouyi’s cultivation meant nothing to Dong Shui Jing, who saw him as a spineless coward. What good was Lin Shouyi’s learning? Weren’t they both just a pair of hapless knaves?

As twilight descended, Zhou Haijing carried a stool to the courtyard, fanning herself with an exquisite silk fan embroidered with ladies and butterflies. Her wisps of hair and the collar of her dress fluttered in the breeze.

An elegant sight, like a noble lady flitting after fireflies.

Two urchins had clearly decided to attach themselves to her. A stranger from afar, and a martial artist to boot? Surely she was a sword-wielding heroine from the storytellers’ tales, wandering the mortal realm.

Wan Yan, the more delicate of the two, sat with his back to the courtyard, lost in thought, chin in hand.

The larger boy, Gao You, slouched against the doorway, grinning, wishing he could learn a bit of magic and become the fan in Zhou Haijing’s hand.

Zhou Haijing crooked two fingers and pointed at Gao You.

Gao You chuckled. “Auntie Zhou, when are you going to find a husband? Wan Yan and I can help set up the banquet and collect the wedding gifts.”

Zhou Haijing drawled, “Priceless treasure is easy to find, but a faithful lover is rare indeed.”

Gao You roared with laughter. “What about me, Auntie Zhou? Why not marry me? I’d put you on a pedestal, I swear!”

Zhou Haijing glanced at the boy. “You’d be better off with Wan Yan. Good brothers, you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”

Gao You’s face fell. This Auntie Zhou could be remarkably cutting.

Both boys were pitiful creatures, born without mothers. They were no saints, but their hearts held little malice either.

At their age, the sight of a woman with ample bosom and a slender waist was bound to draw their eyes. It was only natural.

But they were still boys. Faced with a woman they truly admired, they would be too shy for words. Even a stolen touch of the hand could keep them awake half the night.

A man, on the other hand, would immediately be thinking of where to find a bed.

Even Gao You, despite his forward behavior, harbored a secret affection for a girl he had grown up with. When they crossed paths, he dared not utter a single flirtatious word, content to steal a single glance.

Wan Yan was different, more composed, a boy with a thoughtful mind. If he had been born into wealth, he could have been a scholar of some note. But fate was a cruel mistress. Zhou Haijing listened absently as the boys shifted their conversation to recent happenings in the capital. Two martial arts sects had engaged in a fierce brawl on Gourd Street. A pair of Immortals from the deep mountains had waged an epic battle, one of them a legendary swordsman of great power. He had stood in the street and roared to the heavens, shattering tiles and scattering leaves. With a breath, he had unleashed a spinning, floating sword-pill that transformed into a golden rope, dragging his opponent back to earth.

The next day, the storyteller at Crocodileback Bridge claimed that the sword-wielding Immortal was his Senior Uncle by lineage. When hecklers challenged his claim, the old man had sighed and said, “I was indeed destined for immortality, but I was too ambitious, I took a wrong turn, and ruined my chances at the Dao.” He then beat the table to emphasize this point.

Although the audience hooted with laughter, it was said that several ancient manuals had been sold that day. Gao You had been tempted to buy one, but he had balked at the price. Three silver taels? Preposterous! Three coppers would be more like it. This family heirloom was only worth an ounce of silver.

Even now, Gao You couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret, wondering if he had missed a chance at immortal destiny.

Zhou Haijing rolled her eyes.

A sword-wielding Immortal?

The man in the green robe, that was a *true* Immortal.

A Jade Pure Realm cultivator, no less! The thought was terrifying.

What if he were a womanizing rogue? What could she do?

She could never win a fight. And he claimed to have power over the Earthly Branches. A single woman against the world.

Zhou Haijing was no fool. In their previous conversation, both she and Chen Ping’an had held their cards close, as was only natural.

Chen Ping’an wanted her to come to him, to engage in a frank and open negotiation. He hadn’t been overbearing. He seemed sincerely interested in making a deal. But why would she make this deal? A buyer who kept his desire hidden was better than being sold a bill of goods. Fish Old Dog’s standing in the *Jiang Hu* was growing, especially after the battle at the secondary capital. Fish Rainbow was adept at self-promotion, earning the respect of the elite and of the common man.

When Fish Rainbow had secured a high rank within the Great Li Dynasty, she felt threatened. She had to extract her revenge, kill all the members of Hidden Summer Hall, and survive.

But Zhou Haijing preferred to be a lone wolf. She didn’t want any complications, any delays, or the need to bow to others.

Two hundred and twenty-three lives were taken, and she would exact two hundred and twenty-three lives in return. No more, no less!

In the fading light, a dashing stranger emerged from the alleyway. It was Su Lang, on his second visit to Zhou Haijing. He had just received a secret order from the Great Li Ministry of Justice to take root in the southern lands of the Azure Billow Continent, in the former kingdom of White Frost, to secretly build a martial arts sect. If, after ten years, the sect met the Ministry’s “Grand Design” requirements, Su Lang would be rewarded with the promotion to Second-Class Protector. Not a bad prospect, all in all.

As a gesture of goodwill, Su Lang carried a jug of mountain-made Immortal wine and a paper-wrapped packet of crispy meat.

Gao You, ever observant, spotted the out-of-place visitor. He nudged his friend. “Another master?”

Compared to the green-robed man of the past, this one had a sword on his back.

Wan Yan turned and said, “Probably.”

Gao You immediately rose and ran to greet the newcomer. “Looking for someone, sir?”

He knew it was Zhou Haijing. What else could it be?

Su Lang ignored him.

The persistent boy refused to be ignored. “I can show you the way. A few coppers for my trouble would be appreciated.” Once, the two boys had stolen a set of costumes depicting the God of Wealth from the opera house and used it to solicit New Years greetings from local merchants, with Wan Yan stringing together fancy phrases.

Su Lang paid the kid no mind. He strode directly to the courtyard.

Zhou Haijing rose, fanning herself slowly, and eyed the wine jug in Su Lang’s hand. “Next time, bring wine from the Changchun Palace.”

Su Lang sighed. “You ask the impossible. The price is not the problem, but Changchun wine is impossible to find in the capital. Each new vintage is quickly snatched up by immortals and nobles, leaving none for a humble stranger like myself.”

In Azure Billow Continent, Immortal wine had become a status symbol. The Changchun Palace was the base of the Song clan. Although lacking a cultivator in the Upper Five Realms, it received ample support from the Song.

Seeing the two boys lingering, Zhou Haijing grabbed Gao You’s head, twisted it around, and kicked him in the rear. “Even the prettiest woman doesn’t have a sweet-smelling fart. If you’re hungry, eat chicken shit.”

She dismissed them and returned to the courtyard, conjuring a stool for Su Lang. He tossed the paper packet to Zhou Haijing. As she drank and ate, her eyes sparkled. “When I first rode an immortal ferry, I dreamed of opening a wine shop where all the ferries in Azure Billow Continent would help me sell my wares. The gold and silver would be a sight to behold!”

Su Lang laughed but did not take her seriously.

Zhou Haijing, if she wanted money, knew the ways to find it. A mountain protectorate would make a lot of money.

Fish Rainbow was getting old, but Zhou Haijing was growing.

Before the continent sank, how many experts had there been in the region?

As for the Snow Continent, there was one expert from the Thunder God temple.

Zhou Haijing joked, “You’re close to General Shi, right? My old gang leader told me stories about him. Said the man was so important that even his farts sounded like thunder.”

Su Lang said, “Is that so?”

Zhou Haijing was talking about the General of the Frontier, a Fourth-Rank Officer.

She had changed her name and wandered the land. She had made it to the fifth level of martial arts. She had even found a battlefield and sold the armor to cultivators. She had done so much more than that!

Zhou Haijing shuddered.

Drink up.

Zhou Haijing seemed to recall an incident. “The Great Li cavalry. They were tough.” She was fifty, but she had been twenty when she left. She had seen so much. And the Great Li were the toughest of the tough.

Once, Zhou Haijing had wanted to see the power of the Great Li cavalry firsthand. Then she had been discovered. And she had become a wanted criminal.

Su Lang did not linger. “Before I go, I must warn you about Chen Ping’an.”

Zhou Haijing laughed. “Is he a two-faced hypocrite? A charmer?”

Su Lang shook his head. “The opposite. He’s an old soul. But you aren’t his match, sorry to say.”

Su Lang did not like Chen Ping’an.

Zhou Haijing nodded. “Sounds right.”

Su Lang left.

Zhou Haijing returned to fanning herself.

Gao You yelled, “Master Chen is back, and he brought a friend!”

Zhou Haijing had met the prince, Song Xu. What a shame that he didn’t want her.

Zhou Haijing yelled, “Tell Master Chen to wait a moment.”

She needed to put on her makeup.

But not because she liked Chen Ping’an. Zhou Haijing stood and eyed him. “Can’t you leave me alone? What will people think?”

Chen Ping’an entered the yard. “You jest.”

Zhou Haijing spied the man beside him. “And who might this be?”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “This is Little Mo.”

Zhou Haijing eyed him up and down. “How little?”

Little Mo smiled. “That is an art known only to me.”

Zhou Haijing was silent.

She would have slapped him in a past life.

Little Mo caught her mood and smiled.

They went to the room and sat.

Little Mo muttered a spell, and Chen Ping’an nodded. Little Mo left the room.

In the alley, a man stood at the doorway. The man was a cultivator, in the Viewing Sea. Old and rotting.

Little Mo went to chat with him.

Zhou Haijing opened a bottle of wine and asked, “Are you really a pauper, like me? Were you a kiln worker?”

She had been ignorant. She had not expected Chen Ping’an to be a peasant.

She had acted like a fool. If only she had known, she would have treated him with respect.

Plus, Pei Qian had the reputation of a money lender.

She must give Chen Ping’an more credit. He had protected his disciple.

Birds of a feather flock together.

The master of Fallen Mountain, the man who had missed the Long City, why?

Zhou Haijing was odd.

Chen Ping’an just nodded.

Zhou Haijing smiled. “Did you really chop wood? Could you work a kiln?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “I know a thing or two.”

Zhou Haijing shook her head. “I don’t believe you.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t care.

The business was off.

Chen Ping’an stood to leave.

Zhou Haijing laughed. “What’s your hurry? I’ve opened the door twice already. What’s the rush?”

Chen Ping’an hesitated.

Zhou Haijing laughed. “Finish your wine first. Don’t worry, there’s no poison. Or aphrodisiacs, those are too expensive.”

Chen Ping’an raised his bowl. She raised hers, and they drank.

Zhou Haijing narrowed her eyes. “A kiln worker? That’s good work. Do you need to chop wood?”

Chen Ping’an said slowly, “I was just an apprentice. I needed to find work. One hundred pounds of white coal could earn me half a silver tael.”

Zhou Haijing put a foot on the stool. “Once, I sneaked into an imperial palace and saw two door gods. Chen Ping’an, what were they made of?”

Chen Ping’an said, “In the central continent, many small kingdoms have guards made of charcoal. I have heard of them. I am curious.”

Zhou Haijing no longer doubted him. “Do you want to know why I hate Fish Rainbow?”

Chen Ping’an waved his hand. “I’ve changed my mind. I want to remind you of one thing. There are two people in the Summer Hall. One is Zhu Fengxian. One is Yu Cangmang. Do you know them? Please leave them alone. ”

Zhou Haijing said coldly, “This is a fight to the death. If I say the wrong word, they will die. I can’t help it. It is against my morals.”

Chen Ping’an said, “If they try to stop you, tell them I am your friend. If they still choose to fight, then they are on their own.”

Zhou Haijing hesitated. “Fine. But you will owe me a favor?”

Chen Ping’an laughed. “Deal.”

Zhou Haijing said suddenly, “You don’t look like a swordsman. You look like a scholar.”

A teacher once said, “Reading is for the world.”

He had also told her that ants don’t cross where children use charcoal.

Before she left her village, she had had the teacher translate a dream. It was a fate, he had told her.

Zhou Haijing gulped down her wine. She stared at the bowl. “We don’t get born often.”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “It is rare.”

Zhou Haijing said heavily, “I must repay those who gave me life!”

Chen Ping’an said, “If you cannot repay, you must avenge.”

Zhou Haijing raised her head and smiled.

“In this life, repay kindness and exact revenge. We are *Jiang Hu*.”

Chen Ping’an said plainly, “Otherwise, what do we train for?”

Zhou Haijing hesitated and offered her bowl.

Chen Ping’an touched his bowl to hers.

Zhou Haijing drank and said, “You’re a swordsman. What do you train for?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and smiled. “The fist has saved my life. I had to train. The sword came later.”

Zhou Haijing said, “Are you an expert martial artist?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “How else could I be Pei Qian’s teacher?”

Zhou Haijing asked tentatively, “Do you have a thing for me?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Zhou Haijing, don’t.”

Zhou Haijing said angrily, “Why are you lying?”

Chen Ping’an was either an expert or a swordsman, not both.

Little Mo appeared at the courtyard door, now accompanied by the old man.

Gao You and Wan Yan were still there. The man looked familiar: the storyteller. Little Mo explained that the old man claimed to be a fortune-teller who wished to take Wan Yan as his disciple.

The old man spotted Chen Ping’an and bowed.

Chen Ping’an laughed and congratulated him.

Zhou Haijing leaned on the door and said, “Are you really that good?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Yes.”

Zhou Haijing’s eyes were strange. “What’s it like up there?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Not high enough.”

Zhou Haijing stared at him.

He was handsome.

She was drunk.

What if this guy poisoned her?

Zhou Haijing laughed.

Chen Ping’an left.

Chen Ping’an and Little Mo returned.

The constable was asleep.

The old man had revealed his identity and asked Wan Yan to follow him.

The young man looked at Gao You, nodded, and said he would be back.

The old man told Wan Yan not to bring anything. They left together.

Gao You’s heart was empty.

Zhou Haijing looked at him and gave him an address. “Find Su Lang. He will teach you a thing or two.”

Gao You said, “Thank you, Auntie Zhou.”

Zhou Haijing laughed. “Call me Sister Zhou!”

Gao You ran away. “Auntie, tell her I’m leaving!”

Zhou Haijing said nothing.

Why even bother?

For the boy, it was better to be in the arena than on the sidelines.

—-

At dawn, Ning Yao left her seclusion and visited Chen Ping’an.

The constable was eating with Little Mo.

The constable saw the woman and silently praised Cao.

Chen Ping’an packed nothing. They left.

The constable ate quickly.

They paid their bill.

“Are you going home already?” asked the owner.

Chen Ping’an said, “It is too expensive here.”

“I’ll give you a discount if you return.”

“What about half price?”

“You should be a merchant, Chen.”

The owner’s daughter, Lu Chai, was there.

“Mother Ning!” she yelled.

Ning Yao said, “I am not your mother.”

“Oh well. When will you return?”

Ning Yao said, “I am not sure.”

The shopkeeper sighed.

The government had many workers watching the rivers.

They boarded a boat and left.

Now, more people crossed the River Ox.

Chen Ping’an, Ning Yao, Little Mo, and the constable.

They had left with only two.

One wore a green robe.

Ning Yao wore a robe.

Little Mo was as shabby as ever. The constable was ready to buy a sword.

Each had a room.

The constable was impressed.

Ning Yao read a book.

Chen Ping’an, Little Mo, and the constable went to the bow. Nearby, the other travellers gossiped.

Because there were so many women, the men showed off. Some for their talents, others for their coin.

The constable listened.

They spoke of Storm Mountain.

Little Mo was on alert.

The constable was naive.

The constable was too right.

“Does the master know the Mountain Lord?” Little Mo asked.

Chen Ping’an said, “He is handsome and talented. I cannot find fault with him.”

The first time they had met, Chen Ping’an had mocked him.

Little Mo nodded.

Chen Ping’an had let something slip. Should Little Mo make a gift?

Chen Ping’an had no idea what he was thinking and would have protested.

Things had not been easy.

Storm Mountain was famous.

The town was home.

It was covered in visitors. The Martial Temples were especially busy. The Peach Tree Lane, too. People kept taking peach blossoms, and they had to pay money. In addition, there were the Cao Mansion and the Yuan Residence. And the Hua Shop. It was a shop visited by experts.

Unfortunately, Fallen Mountain did not welcome guests.

And there were the porcelain shops, selling goods for a discount.

Why not take some porcelain home?

Many of the kilns had once belonged to the government. Dong Shi had bought some and hired workers. The workers had been abused. He still liked to stay behind the curtain.

Chen Ping’an pointed and said, “We are almost home.” The constable was too far away to see. “They are making a fortune. Is it worth it?”

Chen Ping’an laughed. “The ships need to use energy. And the local cultivators won’t let you get away with taking energy.”

The constable scoffed. “Would you turn it down?”

Chen Ping’an was speechless.

The constable asked, “Will we get off here? Will we see Mountain Wei?”

Chen Ping’an said, “We’re on the border.”

“Will we be neighbors with Mountain Wei?”

He had been poor all along!

Were they poor immortals?

The constable asked, “Do you know that Swordmaster Chen? Is he a friend?”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “Yes.”

The constable sighed. “Then you will have to overspend.”

Chen Ping’an said, “I guess not.”

As Chen Ping’an spoke, he realized that he had never been to the Storm Mountain parties.

Weird.

It was almost as if the constable knew everything.

“Don’t take it so seriously,” Zheng had said.

The emperor had placed protections in place. It was so cloudy. A cultivator could not see clearly. It required a talisman.

The Fallen Mountain Peak was on Clear Mountain.

For now, Fallen Mountain had eleven peaks.

Little Mo eyed them.

He could see the Dragon Ridge Cliff and the Wei mountain and kilns.

This had been the work of an expert.

And a stone arch!

He would need to be careful. Just like the experts of old.

Something was missing from the mountains.

Little Mo said, “You must never make a mistake here.”

Chen Ping’an laughed. “It’s just a mess. Just let it flow.”

Little Mo said, “You have a pure heart.”

Chen Ping’an whacked Little Mo. “No more of that when we get to Fallen Mountain. Understand?”

Little Mo laughed.

At River Horn, a girl stood. She had a carrying pole and a walking stick.

“Where is the good Master Chen?” she asked.

Chen Lingyu and Bai Xuan were there.

The geese had already left. Cao Jinglong, Zhong Fuzi, Cui Wei, and Sui Youbian had gone too.

Pei Qian had gone to lotus land.

Chen Lingyu said, “What’s the rush?”

Little Mo scratched her face.

Chen Lingyu stretched and cast a spell.

Bai Xuan rolled his eyes.

Little Mo waited. “It didn’t work.”

Liu Chongjun walked up to them.

He spotted Little Mo.

Little Mo ran up and saluted.

Chen Lingyu and Bai Xuan gestured.

Liu thanked them.

Liu walked away. She asked about the other.

Liu said, “Take care. I must get back to the Turtle.”

Little Mo said, “When you get back, I will visit.”

Liu Chongjun was confused. She had been living with Chen for so long, and now she wanted to get out?

Liu flew away. Chen had leased the boats for a while. But that could not last forever.

Liu Chongjun said she needed an assistant.

Things were good with Chen’s disciple, Pei.

Chen Ping’an used a spell and came to her. He patted the girl and asked, “What’s so funny?”

Chen Lingyu wiped his face. “The master has returned.”

Bai Xuan rolled his eyes. Bai Xuan stood and complained, “If you weren’t here, we would have left. I am bored. The other cultivator is too much. I can’t learn from him.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Do you know your level?”

Bai Xuan said, “Compared to you, I am nothing. To those guys, I am more.”

When Bai Xuan spotted Ning Yao, he froze.

Bai Xuan shut up.

Yao and Nalan were going crazy.

Especially San, who had no expression. She would fall to the floor. San was too proud to ask for help.

Alas, the girl did not know what she was doing.

Ning Yao would not accept a disciple anyway.

Besides, Ning was Chen’s wife.

As long as you did well, you would do fine.

Kids were stupid.

The boat docked and Chen Ping’an went up.

The constable looked around.

“Master Chen!”

Little Mo was embarrassed.

She was about to offer him a sunflower seed.

Ning Yao reached her hand.

Little Mo brightened and poured her out.

Little Mo pulled out a bag full of sunflower seeds.

Little Mo knelt down and said, “I am Little Mo. This is a gift. I hope you accept.”

“How heavy.”

Little Mo smiled.

Chen Ping’an patted Little Mo.

Now they were buddies.

They traded punches.

Little Mo gave Chen and Bai robes.

Chen thanked him.

Things were better with Chen at his side. He was tough. Whatever his past was, it did not matter.

The master, Chen Ping’an, had shown him the way.

They were all under attack.

The girl winked. She wanted Master Chen to introduce them.

Chen Ping’an laughed. “This is Chen, an immortal. He will practice here.”

He paused.

“He is not a Taoist?”

Chen Lingyu laughed. “I know a lot of Taoists.”

Daizo!

The old man in Riding Lane. And Zhang!

With his side so strong, who needed to fear? It’s just like old times.

The constable was ill at ease.

They were odd, but nothing special. He had a mountain?

Chen had gotten them all.

Chen was there, Chen was there.

The girl yammered.

Chen laughed. The world was full of idiots.

Chen and Yao left. He had some tasks he had to do.

Things would be sent soon.

He needed to steal money.

It was easier than taking the money.

A white child followed. “A Ma! I am owed money. Some people can’t be trusted!”

Chen rubbed his temples.

They were under attack.

“I’m being threatened. Do something.”

The fellow pulled out a sword. “What level are you?”

It was a dangerous person.

It would start now, or never.

“Levels are nothing.”

Chen Ping’an smiled.

A girl ran to her. “You’re owed. I won’t run, no matter what.”

Chen just nodded. Now, where was that little demon?

Chen and Yao went to their house.

They reached the peak of the mountain. Chen turned to look back.

It was a long line, winding down the mountain.

Chen opened the door.

It was clean and empty.

Chen walked in and lay on the table, his chin on his arm.

Yao said, “What’s wrong?”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “I have everything I want.”

Yao put her hand on him.

It had been a long time since they had been there.

Chen stood.

Yao knew where he was going.

They left.

They went along River Long to the farm.

Chen took dirt from the pile.

Yao knelt and said, “Is this right?”

Chen laughed. “Yes.”

Yao released it.

Chen’s eyes reddened. He whispered.

What was it like, all those years ago?

It started when Chen began. He just took the bag.

No one knew.

The line, from the village to here, had been the furthest journey Chen had ever taken.

He could go on and on, never turning back.

But today was different. There was his girl, too.

Chen took wine and sprinkled it. He put the jug down.

He covered his face.

Finally, Chen was home. He was there, with his parents, safe and sound.

He would be with them forever.