The spring breeze warmed the waters, painting the landscape with vibrant hues. On the banks, a scattering of peach blossoms peeked from amongst the bamboo, while wild ducks bobbed serenely on the water, chasing fleeting glimpses of the pristine scenery.

Wang Zhu and her retinue broke free of the watery path, stepping onto the shores of Tongye Isle. Their destination: the Yu Dynasty, an opportunistic realm known for its obsequious courting of the Dragon Lord of the Eastern Sea.

They had barely begun their journey when fate, or perhaps something more mischievous, threw a white-robed youth with a vermillion mark between his brows into their path. It was their second encounter; the first had been within the ruins of the ancient Dadu Dragon Palace. The water spirit escorts remembered him well – a vessel of unfathomable depths. Yet, their true apprehension stemmed from the yellow-hatted, blue-shoed sword cultivator known only as “Little Mo,” who addressed the young Hidden Official as “Young Master,” and whose power seemed to reach the heavens themselves.

Wang Zhu and Cui Dongshan shared a history, almost as “countrymen,” so she was accustomed to his eccentricities. However, Gong Yan, Huang Man, and the others watched with a mixture of disgust and apprehension as he struck a ludicrous pose. They were accomplished cultivators, each once a figure of renown in their respective homelands, and had witnessed their share of the strange and wondrous. But this white-clad youth, standing on one leg, a precious mirror held aloft, spouting nonsensical pronouncements, was truly unique.

Cui Dongshan, finding his antics unheeded, remained frozen, as if bound by some unseen enchantment. He seemed determined to stand his ground until some recognition, some acknowledgement, was offered.

“Are you not weary, Sect Leader Cui?” Wang Zhu inquired, her voice laced with disdain.

Cui Dongshan held his pose, his expression solemn. “A true man treads upon the earth with one foot, holds the sky aloft with one hand, and supports his mortal shell with a spine of unwavering steel. Weary? A hero, a pillar of white jade supporting the heavens, a beam of purple gold anchoring the sea, knows no such weakness!”

Wang Zhu’s eyes narrowed. “Enough, Cui Dongshan. Speak your purpose or yield the path. I have no time for idle games.”

“Purpose? How could there be none? The master of a sect is a busy man! I have just escorted a wooden traveler from Luoyang along the Phosphor River. A hard journey, with scant fare and little rest.”

Cui Dongshan wore a look of exaggerated weariness as he abandoned his “heroic stance.” His foot barely touched the ground before it shot out again, striking a pebble that skipped across the water’s surface, erupting in a series of thunderous splashes that sent a flock of wild ducks scattering into the sky.

With a flourish, Cui Dongshan conjured a green bamboo staff, etched with a flowing “Qi Circulation Inscription.” This walking staff was a gift from Wu Shuangjiang of the Night Ferry, originally intended for Chai Wu as a congratulatory offering for reaching the Jade Purity realm. But Cui Dongshan had reconsidered, reserving it for a more significant purpose: a family heirloom for his future disciple or a gift for Zhao Luan, should she ever decide to cultivate at his Wucao Peak. Since he had already plundered Talisman Mountain’s talent, he wouldn’t mind adding another mark to the master’s ledger. So Cui Dongshan approached Chai Wu and the wine-loving girl, nicknamed “Herb” and “That One” by Bai Xuan, and proposed a trade: the priceless green bamboo staff for one hundred jars of rare spirit, each of a different vintage. Chai Wu’s eyes lit up at the mention of the spirits, stating fifty would be enough. The implication was clear: nothing was more important than the spirits.

Cui Dongshan adopted a jovial demeanor. “Lady Zhigui, a distinguished guest has arrived at Talisman Mountain, and my master must return home immediately. He is unable to personally attend to your needs.”

Wang Zhu’s face remained impassive. “A humble water spirit dwelling far out to sea would never presume to require the attention of Hidden Official Chen himself.”

Cui Dongshan feigned seriousness. “You cannot say such a thing! Lady Zhigui and my master are old neighbors who met in humble circumstances. Distance makes the heart grow fonder.”

Wang Zhu’s lips twisted into a sardonic smile. After their encounter at the Dadu Dragon Palace ruins, Wang Zhu had refrained from revealing Cui Dongshan’s true identity to her water spirit escorts. She merely stated he was from Treasure Bottle Continent, an official in the Dali Dynasty who had somehow become Chen Ping’an’s student. Such a simple explanation hardly sufficed, but Wang Zhu dismissed their curiosity with a wave of her hand, declaring further knowledge unnecessary and potentially troublesome. Recently, the Eastern Sea Water Palace had received intelligence that Talisman Mountain had established a lower sect in the southern territories of the Great Abyss Dynasty, named the Green Reed Sword Sect, with Cui Dongshan as its first Sect Leader.

Cui Dongshan twirled his bamboo staff, greeting each of them in turn with ostentatious cordiality.

“Lady Zhigui is truly prescient, knowing in advance that I would seek you out!

“This Yu Dynasty, which renamed its reign to the Divine Dragon, is quite familiar to me. It is no boast to say that I am practically a native in the capital of Luojing. You may doubt me now, but you will see! The National Protector, Lu Bilong, of the Accumulated Emerald Hall, is a dear friend of mine, and the Green Seal Sect, leader of the Yu Dynasty’s mountain cultivators, are practically family. And that Dai Yuan, he is my sworn brother!”

Gong Yan giggled. “Sect Leader Cui certainly has many friends.”

Cui Dongshan nodded sagely. “One must rely on friends when abroad. With enough companions, one is guaranteed three square meals a day.”

Dai Yuan, ever since their meeting beneath the grapevines of the Luojing Riddle Hall, had risen swiftly in the ranks, first within the Green Seal Sect and recently promoted to Law Enforcer, filling the position left by Xu Bai, a disciple of Headmaster Gao Shuwen. Dai Yuan was, after all, a Golden Core cultivator, making him a natural choice. In addition, Dai Yuan’s standing in the Yu Dynasty’s Imperial Consecration had also improved, proving his worth both inside and outside the sect.

Meanwhile, Zhang Liuzhu, the former Chief Guest Official of Little Dragon Pool, now using the alias Zhang Xie, had journeyed to the Great Chong Dynasty, serving as a strategist for a young, yet renowned, Ministry of Works Deputy Secretary named Shi Yuyan, whom the Old Minister of Justice had given great hope.

After their parting at the Riddle Hall, Cui Dongshan had used his Yang Spirit Clone from the Puzhang Cloud Herb Hall to visit Zhang Liuzhu and meet Deputy Secretary Shi, and they had struck up an instant friendship.

The Dali Dynasty’s secondary capital was named Luojing in honor of Song Mu’s title as “Prince of Luo.”

Coincidentally, the Yu Dynasty of Tongye Isle also had a capital named Luojing, it was just a coincidence.

Given the Dali Dynasty’s current influence and the Yu Dynasty’s willingness to please, even if they were on different continents, the former could likely compel the latter to change its name.

Cui Dongshan announced that he would take them to a certain place, not far, merely three incense sticks’ worth of travel through the clouds.

As they rode the wind, the white-robed youth stood atop his green bamboo staff as if it were a sword, turning to ingratiate himself with Gong Yan. “Sister Awu, I have overheard your conversations and listened to your every word with rapt attention. If you desire to stroll through the city of Huaihuang, what could be easier? I will be your guide. Shall we set a time now?”

When Gong Yan ignored him, Cui Dongshan turned his attention elsewhere. “Brother Li Ba, you remain as hale and hearty as ever! Wan Yan Lao Jing, your close friend, said to be like a mentor, was a tale of the mountains of Golden Armor Continent. But where have the good times gone, everyone has their ups and downs. If the homeland brings pain, just don’t go back. And one day you and Lady Zhigui part ways, settle down in Tongye Isle! You can always go to Treasure Bottle Continent as well. With the friends I have over there, you could be a Royal Advisor in the Southern Dynasty again. Brother Li Ba, doesn’t that cheer you up a bit?”

Li Ba’s face darkened. Having his sore spot poked so publicly was hardly conducive to a pleasant mood. Even Huang Man and Gong Yan dared not mention Wan Yan Lao Jing in his presence.

“Brother Xi Man, would you be interested in sparring with a Limit Realm martial artist or two? If so, it is a trivial matter. I can introduce you. As it happens, there are two here in Tongye Isle, both friends of mine. Such is my bond with Brother Xi Man that I would offer my own face for you to be a bridge for two paths.

Xi Man, a peak Ninth Stage martial artist whose path was rooted in the earth dragon of Flowing Dusk Continent, a land with limited martial fortune. Once, there had been two Limit Realm martial artists, but now there was only one. The more talented of the two, Grandmaster Ye Ku, had crossed continents to deliver a blow in the central battlefields of Golden Armor Continent, causing him to fall in realm. As a result, Central Earth Continent, with its fondness for judging others, had a rather mocking saying about Flowing Dusk Continent:

“In the northwest Flowing Dusk Continent, regarding military achievements, those of the mountains are worse than those below, and regarding courage, the old are worse than the young.”

The former insulted all the cultivators on the continent, including Celery Moss Hall, and Tianyu Grotto Heaven. The latter was directed at the old martial artist who, upon reaching the Tenth Realm, no longer fought others, nor did Ye Ku even think to do so.

Because Ye Ku had fallen in realm to Mountain Peak Stage, like the Golden Armor Continent martial artist Han-Guang Hu who fell a little, they both received invitations to participate in meetings at the Central Earth Temple, but declined.

Xi Man asked, “Besides Pu Shan’s Huang Yi Yun, is Martial Saint Wu Shu here in Tongye Isle? I thought he went to the Wildlands World?”

Cui Dongshan chuckled. “Allow me to be mysterious for now, lest Brother Li Ba become even more dejected.”

“Brother Huang Man, worthy of being called ‘Jade Taoist’, the ageless one! Should the Snowy Secrets Summit of Mount Immortal open up its Mirror-Flower Water-Moon, we must invite Brother Huang Man!”

“That Zhang Tiaoxia, known as ‘Long Bo’, was quite cruel when he turned his fists and feet upon Brother Huang Man. I can only imagine the pain!”

Huang Man smiled. “Perhaps not as heavy as Sect Leader Cui’s words.”

Cui Dongshan thumped his chest. “A scholar speaks with reason! His words shall not fall on deaf ears!”

Gong Yan laughed. This beautiful woman, known as Awu, dressed in courtly attire, possessed a slender, yet voluptuous, figure.

With a simple hair style and a golden hairpin, Gong Yan possessed a celestial beauty, she had a small waist and carried a bronze mirror and a crystal jade disc on her.

It was no wonder Huang Man often teased her, saying it was a shame she wasn’t an empress.

As for the beauty of the face, Huang Man in his guise was no worse.

Cui Dongshan was about to say something when a heavy cloud formed. He flipped onto his hands and feet and waddled towards the cloud, swatting it.

Xi Man sent in voice transmission, “Being near that guy is so unbearable. How can Chen Ping’an handle him?”

Gong Yan replied, “Nalan told me once that the Hidden Official is a taciturn person who schemes for the best, but is still a good person. If his student was the same way, then they would have nothing to say. It’s better for him to have someone as energetic as Cui Dongshan.”

Li Ba stated, “You are all wrong. The one with energy is Chen Ping’an, and Cui Dongshan is someone with a deep understanding of the world. The former looks at the world with optimism, and the latter is utterly pessimistic.”

Huang Man agreed, “Li Ba is always correct about people.”

The group walked through the cloud wall.

Cui Dongshan looked at the kid at the back, who was named Wang Qiongju, whose Taoist name was Hansu.

Wang Qiongju had no presence and held the luggage.

Cui Dongshan sighed. The sole merit was the purple gourd on Wang Qiongju’s back with the words ‘Capture and Release’.

Cui Dongshan resumed his chatter. “Sister Awu, aren’t you going to Rain Dragon Sect? You’re an old friend of Nalan. It’ll be easy to be the Chief Guest Official.

“It is better to be a laid back person who is not responsible for anything! How happy! Even I would envy that! I am sure that Fairy Yun Qian would welcome you very much. And the current Palace Enforcer can allow you to be the Chief Guest Official. If that’s the case, I’ll be the next Chief Guest Official!

“Also, Rain Dragon Sect is much closer to Floating Clouds Continent than the Water Dragon Sect is to Treasure Bottle Continent. With the troubles that your juniors will face in Floating Clouds Continent, you’ll be there to fix them in a flash! That’s three birds with one stone! I’ll be waiting with the master!”

Gong Yan thought that Cui Dongshan was an open book.

Cui Dongshan said, “Don’t compare me to a tapeworm, compare me to a cotton jacket!”

Huang Man snorted.

Gong Yan decided not to say anything.

Cui Dongshan said, “One day, I’ll have Old Zhu, Big Wind, Chief Zhou, and Chief Mi, together, to hang with Sister Awu!”

“We can have something hot, something cold, something elegant, and something crude!”

Wang Zhu said, “Sect Leader Cui, let’s get down to business.”

Cui Dongshan looked into the distance and smiled. “We’re almost there. Things can be discussed after eating.”

Wang Zhu saw a green mountain range. She remembered that it was cut in half by the Great Dadu Dragon.

Cui Dongshan said, “Sorry about the simple meal, but it’s the best I could do.”

Two people were waiting, standing at the entrance.

Qingping Sword Sect Palace Enforcer, Cui Wei, and Chief Cao Qinglang. The former was just dragged by Cui Dongshan, and the latter was the key.

“Here we are. You follow me.”

Cui Dongshan went ahead and stopped near Cao Qinglang, who bowed and said, “Greetings, Sect Leader Cui.”

Cui Dongshan said, “Cao Junior Brother, don’t be as formal as Palace Enforcer Cui.”

Cao Qinglang smiled. “This is just a rule.”

Cui Dongshan said, “Don’t talk about it. Just act on my cues later.”

Cui Dongshan waited for Wang Zhu and the others to arrive.

Huang Man suddenly said, “Li Ba, can we beat him three on one with Xi Man?”

Li Ba shook his head and said, “Don’t cause trouble.”

Xi Man also didn’t like Cui Dongshan.

The group arrived at the entrance.

Cui Wei remained stone faced.

Cao Qinglang smiled and said, “Green Reed Sword Sect’s Cao Qinglang, greeting Water Spirit of the East Sea, and greetings to everyone.”

Wang Zhu nodded. “I have read some of your writing. They were pretty good.”

Cao Qinglang smiled. “My master has guided me.”

Compared to Cui Dongshan, Wang Zhu was much nicer to Cao Qinglang.

Gong Yan and Xi Man looked at each other. Finally, someone normal?

They arrived at the cafeteria. After Wang Zhu and Cui Dongshan started eating, everyone did.

Cui Dongshan stated that Qingping Sword Sect wanted to excavate a canal and wished for Wang Zhu and the Eastern Sea to help.

To Gong Yan’s surprise, Wang Zhu immediately agreed.

Chen Ping’an said that if Cui Dongshan does it, it has an 80% chance of success, while if Chen Ping’an did it, it had a 20% chance of success. It was obvious Chen Ping’an knew Wang Zhu well.

Digging the canal would be a great profit for Wang Zhu.

The entire Tongye Isle’s Water Spirits would be subservient.

Formerly, they respected Wang Zhu because of status, but afterwards, it would be because of water. To put it simply, after the canal, Wang Zhu would be able to seize the entire Tongye Isle.

So after Cui Dongshan introduced everyone, he said, “The Eastern Sea has to pay a deposit of at least 4000 Grain Rain Money, it would be better if you gave more. Also, I want to borrow Huang Man and Xi Man to move the mountains and rivers. And the two of you should participate in the meetings, as for what benefits you’ll be getting, we will take note of it. But Huang Man and Xi Man will be in charge of excavating the canal, we can discuss the specifics later.”

Huang Man and Xi Man looked at each other, there was only a bitter smile.

Wang Zhu said, “4000? No problem, I can give 10000 more.”

Cui Dongshan trembled and nearly dropped his chopsticks. He took a deep breath and grabbed his sleeve, and said, “Okay! 14000 Grain Rain Money it is!”

Cui Dongshan was bitter, people are different, Wang Zhu has so many treasure palaces and rare materials.

Wang Zhu mocked, “Since you have so many friends, can’t you find more people to help you pay?”

Cui Dongshan laughed, “Having the 14000 Grain Rain Money of the Little Guini is enough, too many debts is not good.”

Cui Dongshan said, “We need Water Palace officials, at least 30, and at least 30000 fairies, shrimp soldiers, and crab generals, whatever they can do.”

Chen Ping’an instructed that they need to ask for more.

In the future, the more influence the Water Lord had on land, the more fame that they would get. On Treasure Bottle Continent, there was very little place for them, but it would be better in Tongye Isle, where they could improve their merit.

Cui Dongshan smiled and said, “It is inevitable that there will be conflict between land and sea, so, after the canal, there will be disagreements, you can argue all you want, but don’t kill each other.”

Wang Zhu said, “Then let Cao Qinglang be the one to discuss the specifics. If there is an issue, then let’s discuss.”

Cao Qinglang looked at Cui Dongshan.

Cui Dongshan nodded. “Of course, Cao Qinglang just reached Golden Core Stage, so he will go around and learn. Perfect timing for him to visit Water Palace and familiarize himself with the area. But, it’s a long journey, so can you give a Dragon God Crossing the Sea Charm?”

Wang Zhu nodded and took out a charm and said, “Don’t worry about it. Congratulations for your success.”

With this charm, they can travel along the water and become a dragon, travel quickly as a god.

Cao Qinglang accepted the charm and thanked her.

Wang Zhu didn’t stand up, she merely nodded and looked at Cao Qinglang and smiled.

Gong Yan and the others found Cao Qinglang to be the first normal person in the whole story.

Cui Dongshan sighed that Cao Qinglang was as likeable as he was.

Wang Zhu gave Cui Dongshan a writing implement and said, “Inside is 15000 Grain Rain Money, just use the extra 1000 to build a villa for the Water Palace. Also, besides Huang Man and Xi Man, leave a seat for Li Ba, the Water Palace will discuss with him.”

Cui Dongshan put down his chopsticks and accepted the gift and stood up and thanked her.

They finished their business after their simple meal. Cui Dongshan was going to return to the Phosphor River and encourage a wooden traveler from Luoyang to select a location. Cui Dongshan suggested that Wang Zhu should go to Ji Cui Temple and drink tea, and then to the Riddle Hall and put the debt on Dai Yuan, and that they should act like they were at home.

Cui Wei was silent the whole time.

If they weren’t at the table, Huang Man would have thought that he was a hidden cultivator or a house servant.

After learning that Cui Wei came from the Sword Qi Great Wall, Gong Yan and the others didn’t find it surprising. With Chen Ping’an present, it was not impossible to bring a few sword immortals.

Cui Wei still didn’t say anything.

Cui Dongshan continued.

Together, they left the cafeteria. Cui Dongshan stopped and smiled, and said, “Sister Zhigui, since we have two boats, why don’t we collaborate and earn money?”

Wang Zhu said, “I’m not interested in money.”

Cui Dongshan sighed and said, “I’m just feeling depressed. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Cui Dongshan quietly said, “To the high and bright, moon and sun, to the high and deep, rivers and lakes, hidden, embracing the path, nurturing true spirits, wait for opportunity.”

A true dragon must rise.

Wang Zhu remained quiet.

Cui Dongshan smiled and said, “With good luck, be cautious. In bad luck, take it easy.”

Wang Zhu asked, “Do you want tea?”

Cui Dongshan laughed, “No, we can do it next time.”

Wang Zhu and the others left.

Gong Yan laughed, “That was rare, Cui Dongshan didn’t say anything weird.”

Wang Zhu said, “He didn’t say it.”

At the pavilion, Cui Dongshan smiled and said, “You can be polite to Li Ba about the small things, but don’t humor him on big things, he is a stubborn donkey. Also, I suspect that Wan Yan Lao Jing wanted to recruit him, but he didn’t. I can’t torture him for the truth, or that he blocked that memory.

“Cao Qinglang, if this is the case, what should we do with Li Ba?”

“He didn’t do anything, but if he told the Temple, would people have died? What if his inaction contributed?”

“If you had 50% certainty, would you investigate?”

Cui Wei immediately tensed.

Cao Qinglang said, “If I was Wan Yan Lao Jing, then I would’ve removed Li Ba’s memories.”

“Cao Junior Brother, you’re not Wan Yan Lao Jing.”

Cui Dongshan smiled. “We have all read the sages’ books!”

Cao Qinglang stepped back and bowed. “The master is able to withstand it, I can’t, so have mercy!”

Cui Dongshan stamped his feet and said, “You’re making stuff up!”

Cao Qinglang said, “I’m just telling the master in advance! I don’t want us to argue!”

Cui Dongshan was angry and pointed at Cao Qinglang, “The cross-sea charm from Wang Zhu, I would have robbed for you! Now you’re betraying me?”

Cao Qinglang seriously said, “You were the one who said to be calm.”

Cui Dongshan was stunned and said, “Palace Enforcer Cui, stop me before I act!”

Cui Wei said, “You’re brothers, don’t ask me to interfere.”

Cui Dongshan grabbed Cao Qinglang. “Don’t tell, please! The master is hating me so please! Also, I’m the Sect Leader, please listen to me!”

Cao Qinglang laughed and promised, “I won’t tell.”

Cui Dongshan trusted that.

“The master should be arriving at the home town.”

Cao Qinglang said, “It seems that our Talisman Mountain is always the first to snow, and the last to melt.”

Cui Dongshan agreed.

Cao Qinglang quietly said, “It’s hard to walk in the dark. It’s easy to focus on your footsteps, but it’s hard to focus when everyone is judging you.”

Cui Dongshan said, “We have to work hard.”

Cao Qinglang was qualified to say this.

Many children leave and don’t come back.

Cui Dongshan silently turned and said, “Promise, or I can’t sleep.”

Cui Dongshan trusted that.

Cao Qinglang smiled and said, “It won’t be fun anymore.”

Cui Dongshan raised a hand, and there was a thunder.

The sun was shining.

It’s said that the sun is the gathering of people’s hearts.

Cao Qinglang said, “Every time it snows in Talisman Mountain, it’s always whiter than everywhere else, and it melts slower than everywhere else.”

Cui Dongshan nodded.

“Walking in the darkness is hard. It’s easier to keep your head down. It’s hardest to see the eyes of the people surrounding you.”

Cui Dongshan held the back of his head and said, “Let’s work hard together.”

Both complaining and encouraging, Cao Qinglang was qualified to say it.

“Many young people do not look back from their hometowns.

Some have lofty ambitions and will not look back.

But there are also some people who, as teenagers, already dare not look back at their childhood.”

Cui Dongshan paused and turned his head, his face full of grievances, “Cao Junior Brother, swear an oath, otherwise I can’t sleep.”

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Cao Qinglang, but Cui Dongshan didn’t trust the atmosphere of his own culture.

Cao Qinglang smiled and said, “It’s not interesting to chat like this.”

Cui Dongshan raised a hand and hooked his fingers towards the sky, and muttered boom boom boom, rumble rumble rumble. A clear sky really sounded with bursts of thunder.

Cui Dongshan squinted at the bright sun.

The sun was hanging in the middle of the sky, making people dare not look directly at it for a long time.

It is said that the sun is the gathering of countless human hearts.