## The Whispers of Dawn

As the first tendrils of light stretched across the slumbering world, painting the eastern sky in hues of pearl and rose, a most peculiar spectacle unfolded. It was the departing dawn, the final act of a charlatan, a soothsayer soon to be banished beyond the gates.

He, this itinerant diviner, brandished a peach-wood blade, its surface worn smooth by countless, perhaps imagined, rituals. He trod a mystical pattern upon the dew-kissed earth, each step precise, each movement calculated, while his voice, amplified by some forgotten magic, echoed with the words of a “Daoist Charm” pilfered from forgotten scrolls.

“Attend, oh listeners, to my humble pronouncements! In ages past, there existed only the Great Void, where Sun and Moon engaged in perpetual dance. Mountains arose, rivers carved their paths, adding splendor to existence. A golden elixir, flawless and pure, must be forged. Flawless, I say, flawless! Let the Dragon and Serpent of Earth commence their celestial battle!”

With a flourish, he swept the ground with his foot, a whirlwind of fallen leaves dancing about him. Then, balanced precariously upon one leg, he thrust his sword forward. A single leaf, caught on the blade’s tip, trembled in the morning breeze.

“Light and heavy, impure and pure, Yin and Yang in perfect harmony! Heaven high, Earth deep, each possessing their own spirit. A single spark ignites a thousand stars, scattering their brilliance across the heavens. Hasten, hasten, as the law commands, gather the universe within a sleeve!”

He twirled the sword, a flash of silver in the dawn. With a sweeping gesture, he attempted to capture the leaf within the folds of his sleeve. Alas, his technique faltered. The leaf pirouetted in the air, eluding his grasp. Undeterred, the Daoist leaped, a high kick sending his leg skyward. Two fingers, clasped together like a sword’s hilt, pointed towards a distant, unseen horizon, in unison with the blade.

“Let wine, women, wealth, and anger be cast aside! Let cloud companions, rain friends, Sun and Moon be your solace. Accumulate pure Yang, accrue deeds of virtue. Turn the celestial gate, shift the terrestrial axis! Ambrosia and celestial wine, bestowed by the Wind Immortal Master, come to deliver us!”

Xue Ruyi, who had watched in silent bewilderment, felt a sudden pang of pity for this madman. She wondered if the Daoist, and the young lad who carried him, were simply victims of circumstance.

“Enough!” she sighed. “Cease this charade. I will not demand your departure from this manor.”

At her words, the Daoist finally stilled. One hand clasped behind his back, the other holding his fingers in a sword-like gesture before him. With a disdainful sniff, he faced her.

Xue Ruyi bristled. Did he dare to take advantage of her mercy? Did he truly believe she sought his presence?

The Daoist tossed his peach-wood sword towards the muddy earth, aiming for a display of skill. However, either his strength or his aim deserted him. The sword struck the earth with a hollow thud and wobbled, before finally toppling over.

Despite her irritation, Xue Ruyi could not dispel the seed of doubt that lingered within her. “Can you truly craft these Three Sovereigns Talismans?” she asked.

The previous night, she had consulted with Judge Hong and Ji Xiaoping, both high-ranking officials of the City God’s temple. They had shaken their heads, declaring such talismans unheard of.

Judge Hong had conceded only that, perhaps, the masters of talismans who resided upon the mountain peaks possessed some secret tradition. Moreover, he added, the craftsman must be a mage of the upper realms. Otherwise, not even the most accomplished talisman weaver, even those who reached the state of a Living God, could produce a talisman of such power.

The Daoist shook his head, gesturing at the fallen sword. “I can attempt to draw the talisman, but the odds of success are slim. Even if the talisman successfully bridges the realms of Yin and Yang, and bypasses the Lords of the City God’s temple, navigating the underworld’s bureaucracy will be exceedingly difficult. It would be like wielding a blade from a fallen empire against the officials of the current dynasty.”

Xue Ruyi’s brow furrowed. A charlatan, through and through.

The Daoist quickly added, “However, I have a friend, a remarkable individual possessed of great power. His words carry the weight of law, with an effect equal to that of the Three Sovereigns Talismans themselves.”

Xue Ruyi scoffed, “Such boastful claims! Do you truly believe me so gullible? You claim to know such a powerful being?”

“Blessings upon you, infinite celestial deity,” the Daoist declared, clasping his hands in a mystical gesture. “I do not speak falsehoods. I have a few extraordinary allies among the mountain folk.”

Xue Ruyi pressed, “Such as?”

The Daoist chuckled. “Perhaps, in time, I will introduce you to a friend named Zhong.”

Xue Ruyi frowned. “What manner of being is this Zhong? A member of some celestial court?”

The Daoist smiled. “You will discover his nature upon meeting him. His station matters not. Heroes are indifferent to their origin.”

Seeing that the Daoist was not jesting, Xue Ruyi posed a new question. “Why do you aid this youth? What is your purpose?”

The Daoist replied, “What one beholds before them, is all of the world.”

Xue Ruyi stared, uncomprehending. “What do you mean?”

The Daoist sighed. “A wise man once said, ‘We cultivators, should endeavor to aid those that need it, we are helping all of humanity.”

Xue Ruyi stared, bewildered.

She hesitated, then asked, “Who spoke these words?”

The Daoist laughed. “Far away in the sky but right here and in front of you.”

Xue Ruyi scowled.

The Daoist continued. “I believe you perceive that the youth’s ‘fate is fragile’ due to a harsh upbringing. Fortune will pass him by, and even turn into a disaster. Aiding the impoverished is usually beneficial, a good deed that brings good fortune, but for us cultivators, associating with mortals is like introducing a big lake into a tiny stream. His fate is not set in stone. The youth may have good fortune coming, he simply needs help navigating his path. So, I have merely said, ‘Heaven helps those who help themselves.'”

Xue Ruyi nodded, although she had little understanding of fate. She was merely a ghost, neither a seer nor a City God official. How could she comprehend such esoteric matters?

She hesitated. “What of Zhang Hou and myself?”

The Daoist smiled. “Zhang Hou is protected by his ancestors, and you have given him a bit of celestial luck. Zhang Hou is one who has a deep destiny.”

She pressed, “There will be no repercussions?”

After all, she was a ghost, while the youth was a living man.

The Daoist responded, “Is Yin and Yang only in nature, and not in the mind? Miss Xue, you must not confuse the order of things.”

Xue Ruyi sighed with relief.

For the first time, she wondered if this false Daoist possessed true skill.

The Daoist questioned, “Lady Xue, with your considerable cultivation, why do you linger here, reluctant to depart? You can withstand sun and wind, why do you not find a good place to establish your own sect?”

Xue Ruyi demurred, “I made a bet with someone, writing verses on red leaves like the ancients. Someone chanced upon the leaves, and I swore an oath within a temple.”

The Daoist hesitated, carefully choosing his words. “Lady Xue, are you skilled in parsing ancient texts?”

Xue Ruyi smiled. “I am interested in etymology. I have studied many past scholars. Are there difficulties in old texts that require my assistance?”

Engaging in etymological debate was something she relished, a field where she considered herself a master.

She had based it all on his ancestral writings, and her understanding of it helped him to cultivate.

The Daoist smiled, “In my youth, an elder once told me every word had weight. It was also written in ‘The book of proper name’. Seeing it, I understood.”

Xue Ruyi’s expression was confident, and she pointed at the peach-wood sword lying on the ground. “Enough idle talk, write it down with the sword, and I’ll parse it.”

Chen Ping’an was a bit troubled, unsure how to begin. The writing that Xue Ruyi and the youth revered was, in truth, not complex. It contained an ancient method, and Chen Ping’an noticed its connection to certain celestial sects. Chen Ping’an would never covet such a “Daoist book,” but the truth was Xue Ruyi’s understanding of the text was wrong, and she was teaching it to Zhang.

The text was already pure and noble, so it wasn’t hurting Zhang. However, the youth had been cultivating for years and only recently became an adept.

Chen Ping’an thought for a moment and said, “Lady Xue, Master Zheng Zhong was a wonderful scholar, but he got certain things wrong. For example, he was criticized for certain of his parsing of the text.”

Xue Ruyi’s gaze became distant, “You’ve seen the writing?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Yes, and I know it contains a method.”

Xue Ruyi became silent.

Chen Ping’an used the peach-wood sword to write the thirty-six words and then parsed it.

“Master Zheng read ‘Fire Prohibition’ as separate words when they should be one. The duties of officials shouldn’t be overstated, so that is why he was scolded.

“There are always arguments about the last eighteen words, but the meaning is ‘Wherever the sunlight shines, their teachings will spread’.

“So, his path for enlightenment is all wrong, the cultivation is off, it is not right, and will not lead to him becoming a high level cultivator.

Xue Ruyi sometimes furrowed her brow, and sometimes looked enlightened.

This “false Daoist,” as the villagers perceived him, was none other than Chen Ping’an, another one of his many incarnations across the lands.

He was researching Daoist rites, etymology, studying Buddhist principles, and studying warfare tactics.

Xue Ruyi looked at the words on the ground, lifted her head, and asked, “Who are you?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Everyone is a ‘Daoist’ in this world.”

Xue Ruyi lowered her head again, studying the words in a new light. They became even more profound. This must be the right answer!

When Xue Ruyi lifted her head again, the middle-aged Daoist was already walking away with the peach-wood sword. She asked, “Going to your stall?”

Chen Ping’an smiled back, “I’m good at reading faces, so I’m leaving and not bothering you anymore.”

Xue Ruyi shook her head. “You’re not renting the manor from me anyway, so I can’t say anything.”

The middle-aged Daoist was enlightened. They were both merely residents.

Xue Ruyi hesitated. “Can you teach us the best method for enlightenment?”

The Daoist shook his head. “Zhang only likes to read, so he will not appreciate the help.”

Xue Ruyi was anxious, “Why are you so petty?”

The Daoist smiled. “A man is right to love and hate, if I don’t have an attitude, how can I be a Daoist?”

Xue Ruyi held out her hand. “I’ll buy all those talismans you showed me before.”

The Daoist shouted with excitement, and rushed towards her, “I knew you could do it!”

It was spring, but a cold front had brought some snow in the final days of the second month of the year.

In Qingling, there was a tradition of drinking early in the morning.

After the snow, people were back to drinking.

In Qingling was a large sect, which was part of the Sword Cloud’s righteous Yang Sect.

Along a creek, a man was rushing along the muddy path and greeted a stern-looking elder.

The elder rebuked, “Chen Jiu! You should be there already, you should have received him, aren’t you supposed to be the host!?”

The man said, “Uncle Bai, I left an hour earlier!”

The elder was angry, “If the hour for breakfast and drinks had been decided, then you should have been there ahead of time, your timing isn’t good enough, what sort of host are you!?”

The man said, “I’ll buy you some good wine.”

The elder said, “You will remember this!

The man nodded and nodded, “I promise!”

The elder whispered to him, “You know about Mr. Xiahou’s temperament, I don’t want to suffer because of you!”

The man smiled, “If the matter is so small, then I will be the one blamed, but don’t worry, Uncle Bai.”

The elder took note of the man’s work clothes, which meant he must have gone to work at the mine already, so his tone softened slightly, but he snorted, “You’re a nobody, so of course you’re not afraid of offending him, but I’m afraid of being dragged down because of you, so you had better not let me catch you!”

The elder was pretending to be angry, but he was worried about him.

Some elders were like that, and worried about others, but said the opposite so it seemed like they didn’t care.

The man laughed, “Uncle Bai, the fairy won’t suffer.”

The elder shrugged him off, “At least dress like one, even though it’s pretend!”

The man said, “No need to dress up.”

“Do you have the money to be talking about the rich like that?”

“Uncle Bai, if I get rich, I’ll put on the robe.”

“Are you selling clothes or putting them on?”

“You know, I’m not sure what to say to him because it’s all about rebuilding the sect, and it’s all about looking for elders, and if you don’t find them, what’s the point, you need to be a legit sect. There will be a war, so will there be a new dynasty, do you think they will leave anything for us?”

Chen Jiu nodded, “If I really can’t find the seniors, I’ll look for Master Guo, ask her to help rebuild my sect.”

Bai shouted, “Daydreaming!”

The first master of the sect erected the ancestral hall at the top of the mountain, and in the second generation, they realized that the mountain was getting smaller and smaller, so they thought it was a bad sign. So they purchased the whole mountain, and even though the stone they mined had traces of spiritual qi, it still had to go to the righteous Yang Sect.

The founder of the sect signed a contract with the current kingdom, but when the previous dynasty was overthrown, there was a crisis.

It was said that she sat with a large magic formation, and if Sword Fairies tried to take the mountain, she would destroy it.

This master was very strong, and not to be trifled with.

Chen Ping’an smiled.

“You know, the master is just a caretaker, there is more to it than just that,” Elder Cook had said.

This time, the guest was Mr. Xiahou from the Righteous Yang Sect.

Before he was just collecting information from Chen Ping’an and Liu Xianyang, and he gave money to the river fairies.

But he didn’t have a good way to find any of them.

Mr. Xiahou could not do anything illegal either.

There were a lot of changes going on in the righteous Yang Sect.

Tao Yanbo from Qiu Lingshan had been imprisoned.

The identity of Yan Chu had changed from law master to treasurer.

Ling Qi had declared that she was going to isolate herself, and Yu Lin had taken over. Yu Lin was doing well.

A sect had to adapt to change.

Xiahou Yun was the most disappointed.

Chen Jiu asked Bai, “Can you please say that I was the one who paid for the drinks?”

Bai said, “Three bottles of wine.”

The master usually paid for all of this stuff, so Chen didn’t need to be paying.

“Two!”

“Deal.”

At the foot of the mountain, there was a beach, where there was a tavern where a meal was taking place.

Today’s host was Bai Ni, and the guest was Xiahou Yun, and the escorts were Chen Jiu and Liang Yuping.

“Hairpin” was a fan of some sort.

This was the first time Xiahou had come, and she was trying to make a good impression.

When they went upstairs, the lady was already waiting there with a pearl bracelet, and the lady said, “The noble will get bored, how can you make him wait so long! He said it was ok though.”

Bai said, “That’s why Yuping is in charge of greeting people.”

The lady blushed.

In the house, Bai bowed, and Mr. Xiahou said that it was ok.

Bai asked, “Sir, should I get the food?”

Xiahou Zan said, “Feel free, I’m just passing through.”

It had spring tea that the lady mentioned.

Bai realized, and said, “We apologize.”

The lady was trying to make a good impression on him, and said, “Today, we have drunk shrimp, it’s rare!”

The lady was acting like she was the one paying for it.

It was hard to come by.

Xiahou Zan smiled, “The little shrimps, I’ve had them with my master.”

Bai Ni was uncomfortable, and wanted to be humble, and said that it was the shrimp.

There was a strange shrimp in the river that glowed at night, and in the south it was a “kid”, and one that had lived a hundred years was hard to come by and cost a bunch of money.

Xiahou Zan said, “Which transport officer?”

Bai said, “A yellow one.”

“What level?”

“Level five.”

Xiahou Zan nodded. “Yu has a transport assistant.”

In fact, it was something that Guan and Yu arranged.

Chen Ping’an smiled.

Actually, the traffic minister, Yu Shanfang, he was a drinking buddy of Guan Yunran.

When the government was first set up, he managed all the boat lines, but Guan himself didn’t want it.

Since then, the Yu line had prospered.

Xiahou Zan seemed to notice the man who was standing there and smiled. “Old Bai, this is?”

Bai said, “Chen Jiu, are you still standing there!”

Chen Jiu saluted, “I’ve met Mr. Xiahou before.”

Xiahou Yun nodded, “It’s an honor.”

Chen Jiu was stiff and said, “Finally! I’m so honored!”

Xiahou Yun smiled and said nothing.

The lady scoffed.

Why would he listen to the words of a bum?

Before taking his seat, Xiahou Zan made his excuses and then they were able to sit down.

Bai drank three cups of wine first, and then they toasted together, and then Bai told Chen to toast, and then the gentleman smiled, took a sip, and said to sit down.

Xiahou Yun seemed down.

The righteous Yang Sect would joke about him.

The name was bad, and meant he was impure.

When the plate of shrimp came up, Xiahou Yun wasn’t interested, and only put one in the lady’s bowl first.

The lady was flattered.

Chen Jiu wanted to take a bite, but was glared at by Bai, and turned his chopsticks and took a bit of fish.

The situation had changed in the righteous Yang Sect.

The high-ranking Xia Yuancui was a Jade Sword Fairy.

Tao Yanbo’s Qiulingshan had been closed, and he had lost his position.

Yan Chu had become treasurer.

Ling Qi had declared that she was going to isolate herself, and Yu Lin had taken over. Yu Lin was doing well.

In reality, it was the Shui Long Sect that had benefited the most.

Only Xiahou Yun was upset.

The lady began to compliment a few of the sects, and how those junior sisters were so fond of Shui Long Sect.

Xiahou Yun nodded and smiled, “Your sect has always had good relations with mine.”

The lady glanced at Bai.

The subordinate sects were supposed to be there when called, but most were slacking.

And Xiahou Yun was just in charge of reminding some of the sects to pay up.

Everyone knew that Xiahou Yun had been set aside.

As a disciple of a sword immortal, Xiahou Yun was just being used.

Liang Yuping said, “You’ve seen the truth, the door’s too small.”

Xiahou Yun’s face became dark.

Hidden official? Did it matter?

If they met face to face, he would ask questions!

What if he lost? The courage must not be lost.

He shouldn’t be killed.

The master was furious, and said to lie low for a while.

Chen Jiu then spoke up and said, “Big doors are like government, they are always corrupt, but those who work get nothing, those like Mr. Xiahou have always suffered.”

Bai was surprised that the guy knew what he was doing.

Xiahou Yun glanced up and nodded.

Maybe he knew what was going on after all.

That’s why he could work on this mountain.

Xiahou Yun asked, “What’s your name?”

That person quickly introduced himself, “Chen Jiu.”

His voice must have been low, so Xiahou didn’t remember.

Xiahou Yun frowned, how was this guy named Chen as well?

Chen Jiu seemed perceptive, and then said, “I don’t like that mountain lord Chen, I’ve been hearing about this guy and I don’t like him, if I didn’t have such a bad cultivation, I would’ve punched him!”

Xiahou Yun seemed to be less disgusted, and the words were pleasing to the ear.

He narrowed his eyes and asked, “Sir Chen, why do you hate him so much?”

Xiahou Yun took a shrimp and said, “Think carefully.”

The atmosphere in the room became heavy.

Liang Yuping was happy.

Bai began to worry that it wasn’t right for Chen to be doing this.

Chen Jiu didn’t seem scared though, and said, “I’ve read a travelogue that was writing about that guy, it was all about romance, it’s too much to read! He talks about morality, and in fact he’s just acting for his own benefit, unwilling to suffer, he’s just a hypocrite! Beauties, money, fate, fame, all in the bag, demons, charms, and beauties never lacking, and in fact it’s all just beauties saving him, and there’s no danger to speak of! Give it to me, and I’ll be able to do it too!”

Chen Jiu took another drink, “A guy who loves to talk about justice, is just lucky! Besides, he’s not even that good!”

Bai was speechless.

What was Chen Jiu looking for? He was just jealous that the other guy had so many beauties.

Xiahou Yun mostly understood what he was. Someone not that smart, but the things he did were not too bad, in summary, the person still had some ambitions.

He knew that the dinner was paid for by Chen, so Xiahou Yun rarely toasted first.

After putting down his glass, Xiahou Yun asked, “What’s the salary of a worker like you?”

He said that it was six.

They would be paid in gold.

Xiahou Yun’s chopsticks paused for a moment, and nodded, it’s a little.

That was all.

Bai, however, understood what he meant, it wasn’t enough, which meant they would have to pay Chen more.

This drink was not paid in vain.

At the foot of the mountain, there was a large river, where boats were trading and transporting goods.

On both sides were apricot trees.

Apricot snow, a north/south water day.

In the night, a woman was standing under the apricot tree.

Whenever it was the time for flowers to fall, her eyebrows would furrow.

Bai Ni came alone and said, “Lord, Xiahou Zan is loose, but he’s very careful, we can’t get anything out of him at the table.”

Guo Huidong nodded, “If a guy couldn’t shut up, how would he manage intelligence?”

Bai Ni whispered, “The country wants to sell it, is righteous Yang the one who made this all happen?”

Guo Hui sighed. “I’m afraid that the Xiahou will get greedy.”

According to the contract, there was a long ways to go.

Bai said, “Why not just be nice.”

Bai sighed, and said, “It’s hard to sell, righteous Yang has already bought it.”

The monarch of the country couldn’t mess with the righteous Yang Sect.

And to Guo Hui, what do they do if it becomes the righteous Yang sect.

Guo Hui wouldn’t say it.

Then, something had to happen.

One way was that the country was going to ask for more.

And the other way, the kingdom couldn’t ask for more.

Guo Hui was in a bad mood.

What Bai Ni said made the elder laugh.

Guo Hui was a little amused, then chuckled, “Old man, what do you think?”

“That’s right.”

Bai Ni said, “With our sect, we have tried.

Guo Hui couldn’t help, and it was also hard to go.

That was why the sect and mountain had to be so careful.

Chen was already fishing.

Bai Ni said, “I’m coming.”

Chen turned around, “huh?”

They went back to the valley together, where Chen began fishing, and had stolen some wine.

The elder had been a beginner in the sect, so he walked all the way with his master.

Bai asked, “Chen, I want to hear your answer.”

The man didn’t say anything. “Uncle, how would I know?”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “Later, did they get a reply?”

Bai then lazily said, “There’s an anecdote.”

Chen Ping’an glanced ahead and smiled, “Minister Lu is so free?”

The old man was clearly possessed.

Lu Chen quickly put his finger to his mouth, “Don’t shout it out, let’s talk more!”

“Dare I ask, how did you find me?”

“By luck!”

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll just ask.”

Lu Chen said, “I came to ask if there’s light in the world, whether it consists of fixed moments.”

“Please be good to others.”

“Okay, it seems like you will. Why have you imprisoned my image?”

“Correct.”

“…”