In days of yore, the wanderer known as Chen Ping’an, once set his sights upon the crystalline depths of Lingyuan Duke’s watery dominion. Yet, his heart, fickle as the wind, turned him aside. A thought took flight, and distance became naught. One moment, he stood beneath a grand parasol of a Wutong tree within the Da Yuan Dynasty’s capital, his azure robes blending with the twilight. The next, with a stride, he was within the stark black and white of the Imperial Palace itself, moving unseen as a spirit unbound by mortal laws.

Da Yuan, a kingdom built upon the foundations of water magic, once witnessed Chen Ping’an in clandestine parley with Emperor Lu, amidst the celestial halls of the Chongxuan Bureau. Only the young Prince Lu Jun, now the Crown Prince, stood witness. Chen Ping’an gifted the Prince a calligraphic scroll penned by the hand of his master, and a copy of the Hushan Fist, transcribed from the original by the mighty Gu You, a martial artist of the Great Zhuan Dynasty whose power reached the very peak.

He offered no illusions regarding the prince’s mediocre talent for martial arts. He spoke honestly, dispensing with the customary niceties, yet, fate, with a touch of whimsy, wove the threads of an unspoken mentorship between them.

Before dawn could paint the eastern skies, Emperor Lu Yang, weary with his duties, found slumber forsaking him. He commanded a eunuch to light the lamps and, settled on a heated platform in his chambers, resumed his perusal of official missives. Though winter’s icy grip held the land, the Imperial Chambers remained warm, thanks to the serpentine coils of the “earth dragon.” Yet, the Emperor, in moments of eccentric austerity, would order the fires extinguished, believing a touch of frost sharpened the mind and steeled the bones. Contrast this with Lu’s princely progeny, enduring their studies in the Wenying Hall’s South Wing with naught but a hand-warmer during the most bitter of frosts, diligently chanting, legs shivering. Their days were arduous, if not grueling, a testament to the weight of royal expectation.

Sleep threatened to claim him when a knock, light as a feather, sounded at the door. “Enter,” he mumbled.

Beyond the threshold, a figure in azure stood, a gentle smile gracing his lips. “Your Majesty, forgive my unannounced arrival.”

Lu Yang’s eyes widened, a moment of disquiet passing before he leaped from his platform, boots half-laced, and strode toward the visitor, exclaiming, “Master Chen! This is a visit unexpected! Forgive my poor welcome!”

Chen Ping’an bowed, clasping his hands. “The urgency of my errand permitted no formal announcement. I assure you, this is a singular transgression.”

“Nonsense! A wonder such as yourself need not be bound by such trivialities,” Lu Yang scoffed. “I wish you’d consider the palace a regular port of call. Come, let us retire to the warmth.”

As Chen Ping’an stepped across the threshold, Lu Yang led him to a seat, heedless of the scattered reports upon the table. After hearing Chen Ping’an’s concise explanation, the Emperor marveled. “Unbelievable, utterly bizarre!”

He declared without hesitation, “In truth, Master Chen, this journey was unneeded. Your time is precious!”

Chen Ping’an chuckled. “Though the Chongxuan Bureau holds prestige, it remains a branch of the Da Yuan court. No matter how revered Yang Qingkong, the Celestial Master of Yunxiao Palace may be, or how impartial the Yang family strives to be, they are, in the end, subjects of the Dynasty.”

Lu Yang roared with laughter, a sound of genuine pleasure. “Good words, of course good words but more then that. It shows that younger master Chen always leans towards family.

The relationship between divine beings of the mountain and imperial powers are ever turbulent. It is rare to see such loyalty.

“The boy is blessed to have such a teacher,” Lu Yang thought.

“Does Chen Master, I can go the Celestial palace with you, before this mornings events?” Lu Yang enquired.

Chen Ping’an nodded. “My apologies,” he said.

The Emperor’s elation was short-lived. With but a blink, he found himself in the very place they had previously convened, devoid of the wondrous sensation of wind-borne flight.

As Chen Ping’an and Lu Yang stood side-by-side, the venerable Yang Qingkong materialized, the “Wind God” engraved on his white jade staff.

Chen Ping’an offered his apologies. “No matter,” Yang Qingkong replied, “I consider it a divine excursion.”

The Celestial Master offered the Emperor a reverent greeting, to which Lu Yang replied with a nod, “Consider me a mere spectator. Disregard my presence.”

Though the Chongxuan Bureau was an official institution of the Da Yuan court, the Yunxiao Palace, like the Heavenly Master’s Mansion of Dragon Tiger Mountain, was a family domain. The state-sanctioned office was but a formality, with all senior posts held by the Yang family.

Though not a water deity, Yang Qingkong possessed both potent Daoist energy and a deep connection to the region’s waterways. In truth, Sima Jidang’s temple, a shrine to the disgraced Water Justice, stood nearby.

As the three settled upon stone benches beneath the trees, Chen Ping’an recounted his proposition. Yang Qingkong laughed heartily. “If I harbored resentment at such a timely boon, I would be deemed lacking in both cultivation and heart.”

With that, Chen Ping’an’s concerns were allayed. But he could not merely conclude the bargain and depart. Instead, he spoke of the Yang brothers, Ningzhen and Ningxing, and their fortunes in the Five Colors World, mentioning only what he had overheard during his sojourn in the Flying Ascension City, omitting his encounter with “Brother Mu Mao”. Yang Qingkong remained impassive as tales of their rapid advancement and friendships spread. However, when the Hidden Official spoke of the Azure God Dynasty of Qingming and the Elegant Minister Yao Qing, Yang Qingkong gave a knowing smiled and nodded.

Then, without warning, Yang Qingkong suggested, “Houjue has long admired Chen Ping’an. Shall we offer him an audience?”

Chen Ping’an, mistaking it for a formality, readily agreed.

With a flick of his staff, Yang Qingkong conjured a young Daoist, as if from thin air.

The newcomer, composed and unfazed, greeted the trio with a Daoist bow. “Greetings, Your Majesty, Ancestor, Hidden Official.”

This was Yang Houjue, an initiate of the Jade Purity realm.

Throughout the Northern Jizhou, indeed, throughout the entire Great World, he was an exceptionally young cultivator of the Upper Five Realms. Though Yang Qingkong officially bore the titles of State Preceptor and Celestial Master, Yang Houjue managed both governmental affairs for the Da Yuan court and familial matters for the Yang clan. Moreover, he was both an elder and mentor to the Yang brothers.

Previously, Chen Ping’an had aided the Variegated Sparrow Bureau by securing three honorary guests of considerable stature.

Besides Yuan Lingdian of Finger Mountain and Rong Chang, a sword cultivator and disciple of Li Cai, the third was Yang Houjue, the supervisor of the Chongxuan Bureau.

It was said that Emperor Lu himself had recommended Yang Houjue for the role, and that Yang Houjue had accepted without hesitation.

This was not in keeping with standard propriety.

Besides the temporarily stationary Yang Houjue, the other three present were all seasoned and worldly.

There was an incredibly subtle pause between the young Hidden Official and the old State Preceptor.

Emperor Lu instantly understood the key.

Chen Ping’an needed a moment to be sure that the old Celestial Master would summon Yang Houjue personally, and did not need the emperor to lend a hand.

And Yang Qingkong, in turn, displayed a divine ability, as if moving Yang Houjue in from the heavens.

Yang Houjue, now seated opposite Chen Ping’an, smiled sincerely. “Circumstance prevented me from attending last time. I have longed to meet the Hidden Official for years. Today, my wish is fulfilled.”

Yang Qingkong related the situation to his esteemed young charge, who nodded subtly. The old Celestial Master then jested, “Presently, there are two other honored guests at the Chongxuan Bureau who, like Houjue, harbor great respect for Master Chen. Have you heard of Gao Xianting?”

Chen Ping’an’s expression grew serious. “The reputation of Grandmaster Gao precedes him. Although Qunyushan, where he presides, is not a sword sect, it has been a frequent supporter of the Sword Qi Great Wall for the last millennium.”

In the view of the Northern Jizhou, with Gu You gone, there were only three Supreme Martial Artists left in Jizhou. The old Wang Fu, notorious for his bluntness, had completed enough battle achievements to regain his freedom and to no longer need to pay his respects to Xie Shi every year.

Li Er, the guest of honor at Lion Mountain was a master who sprang up from nowhere. In addition, there was the old Gao Xianting. Gao Xianting had been an original martial artist. In the Distant Travel Realm, he served as the guest of honor at the Northern Qunyushan. With Gao Xianiting’s wife and fellow daoist Zheng Yuanzhi the original Gao Xianting then became the son in law of Qunyushan.

In the face of all this, Yang Houjue stepped forward, bowing reverently. “I thank Master Chen. Years ago, in the Ghost Valley, you brought closure to a past life. The Yang Houjue of this life, and the former occupant of Longshan, thank you from the bottom of his heart for all of it.”

Lu Yang was baffled, but even Chen Ping’an was bewildered until the mention of Longshan.

Chen Ping’an, after some hesitation, returned the bow. “Destinies rise and fall, may we meet again.”

The Celestial Master sighed softly, but relief was present in his expression.

Long ago, Chen Ping’an and a good-natured companion had stumbled upon a hidden grotto, wherein lay two skeletons: a female cultivator and a lord of Longshan, once a promising acolyte of the Qingde Sect. The latter had forsaken his path to assume his royal mantle.

This, then, explained Yang Houjue’s willingness to serve as a guest of the Variegated Sparrow Bureau.

It also accounted for the ‘chance’ encounter with that grotto.

After returning Emperor Lu to the Imperial study, Chen Ping’an visited the temple of the Yaoyao River, seeking audience with Hebo Xue Yuansheng.

During his first foray into Northern Jizhou, it was this boatman Hebo who carried Chen Ping’an along the river’s course.

Xue Yuansheng was unchanged, an old man of leathery skin, much like a farmer tending the soil.

Chen Ping’an, at the time, had donned a conical hat and carried a wineskin as he crossed the river.

Having ascertained Chen Ping’an’s identity, the old Hebo marveled. “I can hardly believe it! My humble shrine once received the patronage of a Hidden Official.”

Xue Yuansheng had mistaken him for an ignorant fool back then.

To casually dismiss such a blessing.

As the Azure-Robed swordsman and the Hebo walked towards the river, it was hard to believe the old man was still running an unlicensed temple despite being as powerful as a real river god.

Xue Yuansheng pointed at the riverside. “The girl from the Pei family broke through right here, the power was incredible. Now she is some martial arts master.”

After the Guanyangshan ceremony at Mount Luopo, Xue Yuansheng made it his duty to talk about his experiences and what he had seen on the stage.

“I didn’t move an inch. I let her take the strike.”

“I helped her to cross the river.”

Chen Ping’an smiled.

He had learned the details from Li Bai.

A girl grows up to be a women. There are things that even master should not know.

Xue Yuansheng squatted down to play with some dirt. “What were you thinking back then? Most people would be begging to get even a fraction of such good luck. First, I thought you must be a blockhead, but now I believe that you were just pretending to be.”

Chen Ping’an sat on the bank and said, “I was faking it. But I was also scared.”

Xue Yuansheng laughed. “That deer goddess is proud, maybe there was something wrong with the way she felt about you. If she heard what we were saying, she would be furious!”

Chen Ping’an replied, “Everyone has their own taste.”

The painting deities has changed with time.

Chen Ping’an pulled out a wineskin. The wine was fake, a drink of make believe.

As it had happened, the deity closest to him was now in the employ of Mr Shao.

Chen Ping’an could not get it out of his head. How could such a matter happen? Why could he not stop them from forming their own path.

Xue Yuansheng inquired, “Is this in the Hidden Official’s dreams?”

Chen Ping’an nodded.

Xue Yuansheng sighed. “This is too much! We need to examine this together.”

Chen Ping’an quipped, “That’s probably worth eight pennies.”

Xue Yuansheng was taken aback, then laughed loudly. “Let’s get down to business. Why have you come to me?”

After receiving Chen Ping’an’s answer, Xue Yuansheng frowned. “What’s the point? Is it worth it?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head. “Anyone can ask this, but it sounds strange coming from you.”

Hebo Xue Yuansheng could be a real God.

If he did, there would not be a river spirit.

Xue Yuansheng rubbed his face and said, “Then let’s do it. Just consider it a gift to the idea of not worrying about the money.”

The two talked about the business. It was simple and quick.

He spent an hour talking to the man about Pei Qian.

Xue Yuansheng could not see how the girl who obsessed over money could turn into Zheng Sancai or Pei Qian.

He mentioned the time she had paid him with money and made it known that all she was doing was practicing martial arts.

There was also the time she had been worried about her master and practiced with the other student.

Chen Ping’an could not reply to this man’s statement about Li Bai.

Chen Ping’an put the wineskin away. “Would you like to be a full river god?”

If Xue Yuansheng agreed, the ministry would be here soon.

This was why Chen Ping’an had come to the capital. He needed some help.

The ministry used state power to enshrine river spirits and could drag down the county.

Chen Ping’an shook his head. “You are thinking too much!”

“What do you want from me?”

Chen Ping’an thought, “Even if I am a small mountain spirit, there are still many things that I have seen.”

Chen Ping’an nodded.

Xue Yuansheng shrugged it off and said, “Go do what you need to do.”

Chen Ping’an said “Even though I am not that old, I have seen many things.”

Xue Yuansheng paused.

“People change things. Things change people.”

Xue Yuansheng nodded. “It boils down to that.”

Chen Ping’an laughed and bowed before turning away.

It was here that the Hebo understood, without a doubt, the relationship between the long wall and the last Hidden Official.

The hour was growing near as the night became dawn.

A group of beautiful women gathered, chattering in the shadows. Because they were not running the office they did not need to be as attentive as they could. Most of them were spirits or young cultivators. They were excited to be on their way and excited about how much better they could become. This was not something that they could do at the Bureau.

A young woman with noble roots asked, “What does a small ditch have to do with any of this?”

A woman who had come from the Bureau smiled. “The idea of water is smaller than a river. How a ditch has become the equivalent of a river has not been recorded anywhere.”

One of the women asked, “Why are we calling him our old scholar?”

She knew that the old scholar was not from around here.

The Jidu Water was expansive. The number of nations here was eighty or so.

The women by the door were studying talismans. It was good to be in cultivation.

One woman said, “Did you even know?”

A official who worked for the Bureau said, “We came from far away to do our duty. In fact, the old scholar would be right at home here in our Jidu.”

Someone remembered that the Hidden Official seemed to favor these parts. The swordsmen could be so scary.

“It all boils down to what the family had to teach and how it was learned.”

If this was true, it would be incredible. A little prince could do all of this.

The girl from the temple sighed, there was no one here to know her.

A passing teacher was listening to this and was not happy.

A great power came from there and warned them.

It turned out that she knew it was time for her to be the one to uphold tradition. They would need to do better or face the price.

It was here that the empress came and spoke softly.

Old mama was blessed to have the spirit of the Old Bureau.

“Be careful when you are talking outside. You don’t want the wrong ear to hear you.”

She said that the spirits there were here and would not stop for anything. This was their land and would come to be their own.

The long was a man and the man could not be stopped from going to claim his own. He was one of a kind and would do what was necessary.

There was a palace man who was here to see what needed to be said.

Then the Empress said “Stop here” and turned around.

She said to the maid “Why is the road so blocked.”

Then the maid said “Please, have a little heart.”

The Empress nodded.

The girl with the river had trouble deciding if it was good or bad luck, but she decided that it was lucky.

On that day, Shen Ling came and the two went back into the bureau. She knew they were here to make things happen.

Chen Ping’an was a spirit of the water.

Shen Ling was thinking of taking time to herself. There was a lot to do. She was just working on making the area better. It would be a real chance to improve and make it into something more. She would still have to be out there so it was time to do it.

She sensed something was amiss and frowned.

She smiled and was polite.

“You are a spirit, welcome!”

Shen Ling was greatful.

If she had not seen Li Liu then the others would have taken over her body.

Because she met Chen it was because Li LIu had been there.

Chen bowed. “My apologies.”

Shen said, “Only glory can come of it.”

It was all for the betterment of the people.

Long did the water goddess suffer for the good of the people.

Chen asked “Would you like to go somewhere else?”

Shen said nothing.

Are you going to let me lead you.

Chen explained “It will be as you see fit.”

Shen remembered that she could not and would not betray the trust.

It was simple things that they could do to change. The place would be as they wanted. Chen put on his robes.

Shen bowed her head and laughed.

They knew that it was all just a joke. Shen got up and went to work. This was what would come to matter most of all.

Chen nodded

Shen got up and asked him to show her the place.

Chen did as she wanted. It would all go to a good place.

Shen realized the joke and could not hold it in.

At the heart of all they did, Chen remembered what it was that would be there.

Chen was ready to leave and asked, “Can I at least help you?”

Shen was taken aback but laughed at that.

They needed to get things right.

Chen laughed

The said, she had made up her mind but Chen said he did not have time.

They had known each other for years. Shen could not give it up.

Shen laughed.

Chen Ping’an said, “We may not be of the same mind, but our hearts agree.”

Shen had the time and the knowledge to make it so.

Chen wanted to talk more. There was something he wanted to tell her.

They were right. If the other side was not there then it was only a matter of time before it was time to leave it all behind.

When Chen said what was next, she knew that it was right.

They had to come together.

The journey was not over. As they walked, Chen would remember what he had learned.

She may have known it for a while but Chen had to come to understand what his master was talking about.

The others wanted her there and needed to say it out loud.

The journey had been long and the road may not be easy but they had to travel it together. The best thing that had happened was to meet each other and continue down that path.

Chen asked a question

It was not as easy as it had seemed. Some of the water gods had not agreed on the correct order.

However, Shen was willing to reach out and give it a shot. She would do what she had to do.

The other girl laughed as she heard them. It seemed like she had known them for years.

There would be no problems if that was what had to be done.

She had been given the chance of a lifetime. She had to accept the chance to find out who would be with her in the coming years.

Shen said, “What about the others? Do you have a plan for them?”

Chen had a few ideas. “What if we made it a competition?”

Shen was not convinced. “If they don’t agree then what will you do?”

“Some things cannot be avoided.”

Shen bowed her head. Her words were too few.

There were more ideas than they could have.

Before Chen could leave, Shen pulled him back and asked him to make a choice.

Chen was speechless.

Chen said goodbye and disappeared.

It had been a blessing to have spoken with them.

The Jindu and its god were not here to stay forever.

That night, Jindu had a revelation. It was time to give the gift to another. It would all be ok.

————

There was the spirit of the blue lake. He was getting in trouble.

A traveler came by and brought a curse.

If it had not been for the master then it would have been so much worse. The water god could have gotten someone much better.

A long time ago, a man had said that he was Chen the Nice. He was actually a ruthless master.

The master had come by and set things up. He would say “I am Chen and I am here to help.”

What luck, the god had said, to have someone actually here to help.

The master’s actions were so fast. If the master thought you were bad then you had no chance.

The spirit did not like Chen.

After his study, the master came to his room.

It was a great honor to be there. It felt like a lifetime.

The master said, “I have come to ask you something.”

“Tell me, Chen.”

“I have met a spirit of the water. Can you do it?”

“No. But I will take care of it.”

The master did not have to thank him. He just had to be on his way.

As the master and spirit walked together, the master would find the old temple and talk.

What he saw was that, for the spirit, the greatest thing was just being with the others. It was as simple as that.

Chen asked, “Are there many new faces here?”

The spirit would have to be careful. Chen had given her all that she needed. It was time to do what was right.

He had to be honest and say what was on his mind.

It was a surprise that he was here.

The master had seen it all.

Then the spirit walked to the lake with the master.

The water was now as clear as could be. Then Chen had come and changed it all. It could work for them too.

The area that had been devastated was coming back to life. The area was now getting a big reward.

Chen spoke “I have seen it. I am just telling you what it is.”

He knew he had to let the master handle it.