The breath of autumn kissed the lake’s edge, where a diminutive warrior, clad in padded coat and straw sandals, shunned the customary sword at his hip. Instead, he cradled the scabbard in his arms. A subtle lift of his gaze met the approach of a man in verdant robes, a jade hairpin adorning his hair.

Assessing the newcomer’s hurried breaths, the lightness of his footfalls, and the air he carried, the warrior judged him a practitioner of moderate skill. Not unexpected, for none but the stalwart dared tread upon the shores of Autumnlake.

A smile graced the green-clad man’s face as he approached, hands tucked within his sleeves. “Art thou Ukiang?” he inquired.

Though not summoned by Lord Gao for the council, Ukiang was a rising star in the martial world. His presence here surprised no one.

Ukiang offered a curt nod.

Such renown was a double-edged blade.

Ever did eager souls seek his acquaintance, yet few offered anything of substance. Did no one offer a proper feast or a flagon of wine?

The man’s concealed hands stirred Ukiang’s suspicion. Was he a master of concealed arts, a crafter of deadly projectiles?

“Was it Lu Tai who instructed thee in the way of the blade?” the man asked, a playful lilt in his voice.

Ukiang’s brow furrowed. He hesitated. “Truth be told, he was my half-grandmaster.”

His master, his uncles and aunts in the martial arts, and the very master of the demonic sect, his half-grandmaster, all vanished in a single night.

For years he had wandered the lands of the four kingdoms, seeking any trace of them, but to no avail.

This stranger possessed no small measure of boldness, daring to speak the demon lord’s name so casually. Though Lu Tai had been lost for years, his reputation cast a long shadow. Even in these changing times, few dared utter his name without deference, referring to him as “the one who was” or “Lord Lu.”

The once-mighty demonic sect, now leaderless, had splintered and fallen. Only Ukiang’s own skill allowed him to openly acknowledge his ties to it.

The green-clad man continued, unperturbed, “Huang Shang, the guardian sage of the Southern Yuan kingdom, has always been a Taoist priest. As for Huan Yin, he does not seem the type to take on disciples. If that is the case, then thy half-master is Tao Xieyang?”

Ukiang nodded. This fellow knew his lineage well.

Was he one of those alchemists, touched by fortune and magic, whose face never aged? A senior figure from the same era as his grandmaster? Had he tasted bitter defeat and waited until the old guard had vanished before preying on the young? No matter. His master had taught him that such cowardly souls would never master martial arts or attain immortality.

The man chuckled. “I have heard that Lu Tai took on a final disciple, near thy age. He seems to bear no surname, known only as ‘Kin-Tee,’ who wields a bamboo sword. Is he a swordsman?”

Ukiang’s face darkened.

Did this man take him for a simpleton, a child to be lectured?

With a twist of the wrist, the man conjured a flask of wine, whether through stagecraft or divine power Ukiang could not say. He tossed it gently to Ukiang.

Ukiang did not reach for it. Instead, he unleashed a wave of martial energy with a thrust of his palm, returning the flask to its sender.

Too many treacherous arts thrived in the martial world, poison being the most insidious. Ukiang had once fallen prey to a woman’s wiles, nearly losing his innocence.

The man emerged his hand from his sleeve and caught the flask. In that instant, Ukiang lunged forward, placing the scabbard against the man’s shoulder. He tapped it lightly. “Friend, is this all thou hast? Daring to wander the martial world with so little?”

The man remained unmoved, a smile unwavering. “Did Lu Tai attain the Nascent Soul realm before his disappearance?”

Ukiang’s face was a mask of confusion. “What?”

With those words, the diminutive swordsman retreated, returning to his embrace of the scabbard.

Had this man not spoken of his grandmaster, Ukiang would have had no patience for such nonsense.

Ukiang had met the fellow in his lineage only once, a man to be called “junior uncle,” one who carried himself with such pride, his eyes seemingly stuck high on his brow.

Yet his master had told tales of the grandmaster’s fondness for his final pupil. Lu Tai not only gifted him with spells, but also with fist and swordsmanship. Even a multitude of sword manuals.

The grandmaster gifted him a bamboo sword, which his master, fueled by drink, had mentioned once, which had the inscription of “Summer’s Mound” on the sword.

The man chuckled. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Chen Pingan, a friend, a close friend, of thy half-grandmaster.”

Ukiang’s lips curled into a sneer. “And I am a babe in the cradle. Wouldst thou believe me?”

The charlatans of this age grew ever more inventive.

Chen Pingan raised the flask, shaking it gently. “Whether thou believest me matters little. The true test lies within this flask of immortal wine. Dost thou dare to drink?”

Zhongqian, a river spirit of unknown origins, Ukiang, a “remnant” of the demonic sect, and a burgeoning wave of young martial masters all made themselves known. While Zhongqian stood alone as a golden-bodied warrior, warriors of the Sixth Rank far outnumbered what Chen Pingan had seen in Lotus Blossom Paradise. And their numbers would continue to grow for the next thirty years, before finally stabilizing.

The grand disciple’s deliberate breakthrough was paramount. The bounties of martial luck granted to Pei Qian were invaluable. Yet, one step further back, at their very core, seemed to be the efforts of the old abbot, who tilled and cultivated his one acre of land, raised those seedlings so carefully.

Otherwise, the thickest martial luck would have eventually converged onto a handful of warriors.

Ukiang stared intently at the strange man, considering. “There are no unearned gifts. Speak thy mind. Who is thine enemy, and whom must I strike? Understand, I will wound, but not kill. The courts grow strict, and winds of change blow. If thou art a celestial alchemist, thine enemies hold influence. To deliver a blow unseen is no challenge, but to kill is no small matter. I will not become a fugitive for a mere flask of immortal wine.”

Chen Pingan burst into laughter. Truly, a disciple of Tao Xieyang. He raised the flask. “A gift, offered with genuine kinship. No recompense is needed.”

Ukiang was, in a way, the grandson of Lu Tai. Therefore, Chen was obligated to give a gift.

Ukiang scoffed. “Dost thou intend to cast a long line for a grand catch, or to swear brotherhood, to foster familiarity, that I may serve thee as a pawn?”

The tales of the martial world were filled with such deceits, virtuous facades masking hearts of darkness, hands unstained by blood.

He was yet to take a fair maiden as wife. He must tread with caution. Ukiang spared the man another glance. Indeed, he cut a fine figure. Best to keep his distance.

His master spoke the truth. The martial world was a treacherous place, and those who soared high were seldom birds of virtue.

Farmers lamented their toil, scholars their studies. But the exchange of lives would show which was more bitter.

Practitioners sang the praises of martial arts, immortals extolled the virtues of cultivation. But a fight would show the truth.

A man and woman cast their lines beside the lake.

Whether successful or not, the fish basket was placed by their side.

Autumnlake’s bass held great renown, beloved by connoisseurs from both North Jin and Song Lai.

True anglers took pleasure in watching others fish.

Willow branches drooped like curtains. Seated in the shade, one could see the young alchemist lift his rod with sudden strength, reeling in a foot-long bass. He removed the hook and tossed the fish into the basket.

Beside him sat a woman of ample form, yet graced with a dignified air. Her face held both allure and a hint of steely resolve.

Born of wilderness spirits, she had successfully taken human form. The air around her suggested that she was a deity of some rural shrine, yet unsanctioned by the court. Her golden form remained unstable, swaying like shadows in the wind.

Chen Pingan sat by the shore, breaking the seal on his flask and drinking deeply. After a moment’s hesitation, Ukiang squatted beside him.

Ukiang had no fear that the man would strike. He did not seem the sort, his presence, to draw upon a line from an ancient manual, was “light.”

Unless he was a master who achieved a “natural return to nothingness,” like his grandmaster, Lu Tai.

Autumnlake now strictly forbade duels. Any discovered would be apprehended, regardless of motive, be it a martial discussion or a magical duel.

Several had already been dragged to the Grand Wooden Temple, where the monks would provide food.

Chen Pingan spoke with a silent voice, “Sir Ukiang, do you know who they are?”

Ukiang nodded. “They hail from the southern borders of Songlai. The man is Yuan Huang, a cultivating genius of the alchemist way, yet skilled in spear. Word has it, his skill with the spear rivals that of Cheng Yuanshan, the Arm Saint. The mountain goddess of Foldleaf Mountain Temple, Green Waist Maiden, resides there. The name of the shrine is called ‘Seeking Flowers.'”

Yuan Huang was a vagabond from his youth. After his family was destroyed, he slew the invaders in a midnight assault.

With a spear, Yuan Huang dashed into the military district and struck the head. After it was chopped off, he tied his hair to the foe’s head and dragged it through the snow.

Ukiang continued. “Yuan Huang has an acquaintance, a busybody who loves to take the side of the downtrodden, regardless of whether or not it is his business. He is rather ruthless, bisecting bodies at the waist or hacking off limbs. Wu Que, you know, the man who uses a sabre like I do? Several of his students and descendants have been butchered, and Wu Que himself has never said a word. Master said that renowned martial figures and members of sects are like that, the older they get, the more cowardly they become. I have no desires, and no repayment. I just do not want to turn into that.”

After Ukiang said all of that, he asked. “Friend, we are people from the same world. What is the most important thing when we are out?”

Chen Pingan answered. “Treat others with sincerity.”

Ukiang stayed quiet.

His forehead was glistening with sweat.

It was from the single meeting with his grandmaster, when he was taken there by his master.

The serpentine path toward the demonic sect was nothing like the foreboding place filled with bones. It was instead filled with beautiful nature, pavilions, and beautiful women. When he caught sight of his grandmaster, he was thrown. Lu Tai looked like a son of a noble family, and was even more attractive than the girls around him.

The young man had an ornamental hairpin, had a loose white gown, was sitting on a throne, with his legs crossed.

“Kid, you look like a piece of charcoal. That will do nicely. Answer my question, and if you get it wrong, I will have Tao Xieyang tear off your head. If you get it kind of right, I will give you back your whole head. If you get it fully right, I will grant a technique to bring you toward a martial artist of the Seventh Stage.”

“What is the most important thing to uphold?”

The boy shook.

Tao Xieyang coughed.

“To live,” he said.

Lu Tai rubbed his chin. “Acceptable. Barely. Remember this. Treat people with sincerity. Do you understand?”

He raised his chin, and a woman opened a box and threw it to him.

With that sabre manual, Ukiang had improved drastically. Tao Xieyang had taken a copy of the manual.

Ukiang carefully asked. “What is your honorable name, Xian?”

Chen Pingan quietly chuckled. “I already said that I am Chen Pingan. Why would you believe me if I said it another way?”

Ukiang muttered. “That is why I cannot believe it.”

In Southern Yuan Country, you killed Ding Ying after he killed Zhu Lian.

It was said that you even struck fear into Yu Zhenyi.

Especially since Ukiang had once heard from his master that you are a close acquaintance of his grandmaster.

Chen Pingan tossed him a flask of wine. “Ukiang, what is your opinion of this world?”

This time, Ukiang did not act coy. He sniffed the wine, and felt refreshed. He took a large gulp and then felt a surge of energy. “No wonder people want to become gods.”

After he digested the energy, Ukiang came back to his senses. He took another sip, more carefully. “This world is wondrous. It is where the impossible becomes possible, and the things that no one ever dreamed of come true. Martial artists can look beyond the figures of the past, and immortals can think about longevity. It feels like, overnight, there are owners of every single famous mountain, and the leaders are busy building shrines, while the people are busy praying.”

He looked up at the sky. “One of my friends who happened to cultivate said that this is the work of God.”

He looked at the Autumnlake. “The emergence of all the gods and monsters means good things for martial artists like me, but for the people, maybe not.”

Chen Pingan nodded. “Well said. Drink more. My flask is bottomless.”

Ukiang was shocked. “Chen swordsman knows how to carry liquor?”

Chen Pingan chuckled. “Can’t teach you that.”

Because it meant “being rich.”

Chen Pingan then asked. “Since you view the world this way, how have you been wandering it?”

Ukiang answered. “I go on my feelings, and do no harm.”

Chen Pingan nodded. “I can see that from your attire.”

Ukiang was embarrassed. That was the story they always told. Unkempt and rough.

A pavilion boat heading toward Spire Isle saw Piai Xiang, whose face was obscured. She had three attendants and sat up on the roof to enjoy the view.

A young Taoist nun named Rouri had come to greet them.

She poured tea. “My abbot created an abode called Ancient Moon Pavilion on Spire Isle, just for Your Grace. Any of your attendants can stay there.”

Pai Xiang nodded and thanked her.

Rouri said that her family was from Ghan River, which was near Autumnlake.

Guo Zhujiu looked back and admired how Chen Pingan managed to play the villain.

The vast world had nine continents, and the Azure Underworld had fourteen. Only You Continent had martial artists who could stand over Taoists.

This was because the Red Gold Empire had the Master Lin, who defended Crow Mountain.

A man and woman walked beside the river, sleeves fluttering in the wind.

“You instead of Zhou shows the difference between the land and river luck.”

Lin Jiangxian never brought attendants, but he brought Su Dian, who came from Old Lilucaldera.

“Master Lin, how long before the next Martial Ranking?”

Lin Jiangxian chuckled. “It has only been a few years. But thanks to Bai Ou, the martial world won’t be as dead, but she likes to trade blows and has injured or killed a number of people.”

They went into a shrine.

“Martial artists always place the heart before the fist. Taoists can live for hundreds of years, while martial artists have but decades. They must reach for the highest.”

Lin Jiangxian said. “You can take Bai Ou as a figure to follow. She is currently far above you, but work hard and you will see her. It is far better than when you are at home, compared to the Double Pei. Compared to them, you will always lose. It is better for you to find a new location.”

Su Dian said. “Bai Ou is ranked third in the world. Am I overreaching?”

Lin Jiangxian chuckled. “What are you scared of? With me, you will find anything possible. I have made you a list of martial masters to fight.”

“Just know that if you lose, you won’t be able to fight Bai Ou.”

Su Dian took a breath. “I will not let Master Lin down!”

Lin Jiangxian shook his head. “I am just doing my duty. You must not disappoint yourself.”

Su Dian was an “apprentice” of Lin Jiangxian.

Bai Ou in the Azure Underworld was like Pei Bai in the Magnificent Underworld.

Chen Pingan, might have been cultivating her based upon Pei Bai.

Bai Ou was a martial master of the Qing Continent.

Bai Ou’s first ranking was on the bottom.

She would seek out the others on the Martial Ranking, from the bottom up. Of the four fights, Bai Ou had won all four, killing three.

The reason that there had not been a fifth or sixth, was that Bai Ou had went to fight Lin Jiangxian.

She lost.

On the next Martial Ranking, she was ranked third, and people were saying that she should be lower due to her magic weapon.

Su Dian asked. “Is Yu Qing on the list?”

Lin Jiangxian nodded. “If there are no accidents, like her falling in rank, she is your third.”

Su Dian asked. “Will I be trouble for Master Lin?”

Lin Jiangxian shook his head. “I had you change your name to avoid drawing attention. An easy identity can make things easier.”

“Of course, this is also a test of your character.”

Lin Jiangxian chuckled. “The White Jade City has a list of names that they will not touch. I just happen to be on the list.”

The Grand Master Kou Ming, the Second Master Yu Dou, and Lu Chen were said to have added them. But only the Tao Ancestor could add a name.

It was said that Lu Tai and Chen Pingan had come here before.

Su Dian asked. “What is the power of someone like you, Master Lin?”

Lin Jiangxian considered the question. “I am not sure. Like a flying sword master at full force? The Crow Mountain sect is not strong enough to resist, or I would demonstrate. I cannot use my power here, or the Imperial Observers would report me.”

Su Dian asked. “Will the Rise of Dissolving Weapons Mountain take some luck from Crow Mountain?”

Lin Jiangxian chuckled.

Dissolving Weapons Mountain had Qi Guan and Yu Qing.

The martial luck was tremendous.

Even Zhao Hechong, a disciple of Lin Jiangxian, had not been on the list.

Lin Jiangxian explained. “Combining magic with martial arts is hard. Dissolving Weapons has to put up with that.”

“You could be the Pei Bais of the world no matter where they are. It makes no difference.”

Lin Jiangxian had once visited Dissolving Weapons Mountain. Qi Guan still viewed himself as a Taoist priest. Yu Qing lacked a great mentor. She was too afraid of losing.

Lin Jiangxian thought that it would be hard for Yu Qing to get to a higher level.

If not for Su Dian coming to “recognize relations,” Lin Jiangxian would not have agreed.

The sect master of Dissolving Weapons sent a letter to Crow Mountain to ask for help.

So when Dissolving Weapons received a reply from Crow Mountain, the members would go and attend the Emperor’s birthday celebration.

Su Dian said that Dissolving Weapons Mountain had a “thousand-year-rebirth.”

Lin Jiangxian nodded. “Otherwise, they would have just collected all of the martial manuals, but the best never do that.”

Su Dian said. “Is this like a conflict of energy?”

Lin Jiangxian chuckled. “That is an acceptable comparison.”

Lin Jiangxian had seen the world and the people, and he had seen Zhao Hechong, who was not as good as they were.

“The world is vast, and you need to climb high to see far.”

The footprints of Buddha were Buddhas themselves.

Tao Ancestor left the Tao site and was clothed by the Earth.

And the book sound was the power of the Sage.

Lin Jiangxian took a letter from the sky and saw. “I have to go to Crow Mountain. There are guests.”

Su Dian saw him off.

Lin Jiangxian flew off.

Thanks to Xie Xinen and Lin Jiangxian the world was better.

As well as Hao Su, who had come here as well.

It was unknown, when the last official would arrive.

—-

In Autumnlake, Zhang Ming narrowed her eyes and sipped tea, the gold of her eyes glimmering.

One strange thing led to another.

Bai Ye had already opened the gate to the origin of all things.

At the same time, there were other sword cultivators arising in the world.

In the capital of Southern Yuan Country, a woman who longed for the martial world was sick in bed. She was looking at a book of poetry, when she felt the sensation that her stomach was roiling and she puked. She looked at her arm and her vein pulsed. She opened her hand and a small sword swirled out of it like a magical jewel.

A servant rushed over and passed out at the sight.

In North Jin, a drunken man with a sword on his back was drinking wine when he spat out a light that was a short sword.

In the grassland, a robust woman with a dark skin was breastfeeding her child. She picked up a rusted old sword, and heard it sing.

In a temple of Song Lai, a boy was sweeping the streets when he saw the smoke from the incense coil.

Zhang Ming told Chen Pingan all of this in a heartvoice.

Chen Pingan answered in a heartvoice. “I see. Just make a record.”

The goddess from Foldleaf Mountain Temple threw a bass in her basket. “You are a strange person. Why aren’t you human?”

Ukiang, who was sitting, said, “How dare you insult him!”

Yuan Huang turned to look at the gentleman next to Ukiang.

She asked. “Can I ask how you managed to cultivate so well?”

What was most important today was the Tao.

Birds flew on bird roads, snakes traveled on snake roads, and immortals had special forms.

On Earth, people used “copper coins” to gather energy.

Those from Lakes Mountains had the most God Money, followed by the national treasuries, and finally, the Incline to Reverence Pavillon.

As a goddess, Green Waist needed attendants.

The Goddess of the Green Waist wavered and pulled out a gold coin. “There is a ghost who used to be an artisan, and he likes finding good spots to cast the ore.”

The Goddess of the Green Waist had a copper coin that could manifest worship.

Chen Pingan was shocked, but did not show his face. He wanted to see if it was the first of its kind.

So Chen Pingan just looked at the coin. “Talismans. I cultivate Talismans.”

“But the path is hard. With hundreds of guides, you won’t be able to do it without talent. Even if you are a spirit, you will still be scrawling meaningless shapes.”

Ukiang nodded. Chen Pingan suddenly cultivated Talismans.

“But it is also possible to get past that.”

Chen Pingan pretended to stroke his beard, but he was not Daoist Wu Di, so he just raised his sleeve. “Immortal cultivation requires a good master, but it is not freely imparted. It is not for those without destiny, but because of fate. I can now only offer three extra Talismans because the creation of a Talisman costs a fortune.”

As Chen Pingan spoke, Ukiang was complicated and questioning.

Given the doubt Ukiang was having, one could imagine what Green Waist was thinking.

But Yuan Huang said, “I will buy them. How much, Immortal Master?”

This was the Chen Pingan’s plan.

Chen Pingan said. “Since it is fate, there is no need to talk of money. I will give you this one.”

He handed the Talisman to Yuan Huang.

Yuan Huang took a breath and hung it on a branch next to him.

Yuan Huang said thanks and went back to fishing.

Chen Pingan exclaimed. It seemed that someone had lost his virtue.

Green Waist hid her mouth and laughed.

Ukiang said that Chen Pingan was not wise.

Chen Pingan said. “You don’t understand. This is called casting a long net for a grand catch.”

Ukiang said. “I must be.”

Chen Pingan tapped the young swordsman’s shoulder. “If you get the chance, spar with my grand disciple.”

Chen Pingan heartvoiced. “Was Grand Master Gao here to attend the council at the Grand Wooden Abbey?”

Chen Pingan nodded. “To explain the meaning of things. Whether or not people listen is up to them.”