At the border of the Ten Thousand Mountains, an old man and a youth, mounted on swords, hovered, not daring to cross the sacred line.

It was none other than Old Deafy, returning home in stealth. He spoke a few words with his mind, asking if he could find shelter at the venerable elder’s abode, daring to propose a matter.

But the old blind man would not deign to acknowledge him.

This was deeply frustrating. To actively seek an audience and be met with such silent dismissal. Old Deafy dared not trespass on the hallowed ground and could only stare helplessly.

It was only with Ning Yao’s intercession that Old Deafy was able to lead his disciple into the desolate and lifeless territory, alighting upon the lone peak that seemed to command the reverence of ten thousand mountains.

Yu Yu, Old Deafy’s disciple, was a sword cultivator from the Great Wall of Swords, soon to form his golden core. His progress was not slow, for he was a sword immortal seedling personally given to Old Deafy by the Great Sword Immortal.

Ning Yao came out to greet them, accompanied by a rosy-cheeked girl in a sable hat, who gave a hearty burp.

In the days of the Great Wall of Swords, within the prison overseen by Old Deafy, there were not only the “freeloading” penal official Hao Su, but also two handmaidens, Changming and Ji Qing. They were the embodiments of the world’s gold and millet coin ancestors. Eventually, under the Great Sword Immortal’s “arrangements,” Hao Su took Du Shanyin as a disciple, and Old Deafy took Yu Yu.

Ning Yao recalled something and asked, “Old Deafy, what is your name?”

Upon hearing this familiar greeting, Xie Gou felt as though he had slept through the passing of an era at the Great Wall of Swords, a place of such amicable customs.

Old Deafy, however, was unperturbed. He grinned and said, “If you hadn’t asked, I’d almost forgotten my real name. It is Gantang, and my old daoist title is ‘Dragon’s Voice’.”

He had been away from his homeland for too long. His daoist sanctum, Yushan Mountain in the Desolate Lands, was obscure compared to the likes of Immortal Hairpin City and Great Yue Green Mountain.

When the war ended, the Great Sword Immortal, with an act of grace, granted Old Deafy, who had only suffered and not achieved, his freedom. He had not dared to visit his sanctum for fear of being caught and dragged back. His life had been tragic enough. He had initially succumbed to the encouragement of old friends, believing his swordsmanship was not weak, and tried to challenge Chen Qingdu, only to be conscripted to the Great Wall of Swords as a jailor. If, after finally escaping, he were blocked by Chu Sheng or Fei Ran, it would be a disaster. Moreover, he was burdened with a disciple, making him less free. If he were to fight an ascension realm cultivator, he would be restricted. After all, this disciple was given to him by the Great Sword Immortal. If he were to lose his life in the Desolate Lands, Old Deafy would feel guilty, and that was not sentimental. At the Great Wall of Swords, as a monster of the Desolate Lands, he was able to be one of the Ten Sword Immortals. It was a rare honor, unique. Only thinking of this made Old Deafy have good thoughts about Chen Qingdu. Of course, if he could beat Chen Qingdu, that would be another story.

Ning Yao and the young Hidden Official were truly a perfect match, representing two extremes of behavior.

A sword cultivator born and raised at the Great Wall of Swords did not even know his own name. An outsider knew even the customs of Yushan Mountain.

Yu Yu was the same age as Du Shanyin. Du Shanyin had always been unconvinced by Chen Pingan, but Yu Yu saw the young Hidden Official as someone unattainable. Unfortunately, this journey with his master had been secretive, and he had not heard many stories about Chen Pingan.

Ning Yao curiously asked, “What brings you here this time?”

Now that Old Deafy had returned to his homeland, why bother coming here and asking for trouble? If it were a cultivator from the peaks of vast lands who had served the Desolate Lands for many years, returning home would be met with scorn. But for Old Deafy, his situation was a source of pride? After all, Old Deafy was one of the ten peak sword immortals who had the right to attend council on the city walls. Furthermore, he was the only monster sword cultivator.

Old Deafy smiled, “I want to find a stable place, without schemes or battles, without having to worry about my head on my shoulders. Ning Yao, do you have any suggestions?”

Before, when the Desolate Lands ferociously attacked the vast lands, he had to stay at the Great Wall of Swords. Now that the vast lands were staging a grand counterattack, was he to be in the same situation? Old Deafy thought it was unfair.

Ning Yao understood and smiled, “You just want to go to the Lands of Five Colors.”

Old Deafy seized the opportunity and rubbed his hands together, “That would be great.”

The first choice, of course, was the Lands of Five Colors, where no one cared about the world. When it opened next time, cultivators from other lands, regardless of status or realm, could go.

Then there were the Ten Thousand Mountains, with the only problem being the high barrier to entry. After all, the old blind man did not lack thugs. Everyone knew the fate of Tao Ting.

The worst choice was to rely on Qi Tingji in Southern Po娑洲, hoping for a life at the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect. It would not be difficult, but Old Deafy did not want to be a henchman to the guy nicknamed “Qi Shanglu”. Given a choice, he would prefer Dong Sangeng, whom he would get along with better.

Ning Yao asked, “Have you not considered Fallen Mountain?”

Old Deafy, with his gaunt neck and sallow face, scowled, shook his head, and said, “No, I can’t go. My monster identity is too sensitive. At our Great Wall of Swords, it doesn’t matter, but if I go to Fallen Mountain, I might cause the Hidden Official to be criticized.”

Even though he knew Ning Yao was the Hidden Official’s paramour, Old Deafy dared not be polite on this matter.

That kid was even more cunning than Qi Tingji, more thoughtful than his age. He would have to worry every day. Moreover, Fallen Mountain was a hotbed of trouble. He wanted to leave the Desolate Lands to avoid trouble. Why would he jump into a fire pit? Chatting with Chen Pingan was interesting, but working under him was out of the question. Who knew how many sage-like saints and forces were watching Fallen Mountain and Chen Pingan? If he went, where would he find peace? Who knows if even farting under the covers would be recorded.

The old blind man walked out of his hut, “Don’t push your luck.”

Ning Yao was puzzled. It was just a suggestion. She remembered that Senior Zhi Ci had no bond with Chen Pingan.

Gantang was unsure of the intentions of the old fourteenth realm.

Xie Gou, wanting to stir up trouble, added fuel to the fire, “Judging by his attitude, this old senior looks down on Fallen Mountain?”

Gantang could not discern the girl’s cultivation level and asked, “May I ask who this fellow cultivator is?”

Xie Gou said sternly, “I am the mountain lord’s new right-hand man, a guest elder on the register in the Ancestral Hall of Sky Blue Peak.”

The old blind man sneered, “Monster identity is nothing. Like her, Bai Jing, one of the old guys awakened by Bai Ze, who would dare criticize Chen Pingan? Besides Bai Jing, there’s also the monster sword cultivator who brewed wine with the Azure Firmament Cave Lord. Now he goes by the name of Stranger. Ha, with Gantang, wouldn’t it be a gathering of heroes, ascension everywhere? If one monster is scolded, two are feared, and three must be respected!”

The old blind man kept saying “monster,” and fortunately did not add the suffix “beast.”

Gantang’s face changed, and he glanced at the girl in the sable hat. Could she really be the notorious old hag who liked to steal daoist names from ancient times?

As for the ancient sword cultivator who changed his name to “Stranger,” he was also well-known, a fan of fighting. Most importantly, he always challenged those he could not defeat, a true hero!

Why did they all go to Fallen Mountain?

The Hidden Official was good at recruiting.

The old blind man reminded him, “A golden opportunity is before you. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Hmm?”

Gantang immediately changed his mind, “I’ll go, of course I’ll go. Since Fallen Mountain is the Hidden Official’s daoist sanctum, it’s not a sea of knives, it’s a good thing!”

Senior, you’ve already said those harsh words. If I don’t go to Fallen Mountain, I fear I won’t be able to leave the Ten Thousand Mountains, ending up worse than Tao Ting.

If Bai Jing and Stranger are there, this matter can be discussed. Just the opportunity to learn from them would be invaluable. The Great Sword Immortal once secretly gave him a sword manual, but because of his monster identity, Old Deafy gained little even after studying it diligently. Bai Jing and Stranger, however, were monster sword cultivators. If they could discuss sword techniques at Fallen Mountain… it would be a good thing!

The old blind man nodded and smiled, “Ning Yao, let Gantang be a mountain guardian guest elder at Fallen Mountain, consider it a gift.”

Gantang’s face fell. He had been tricked. Being a guest elder and a mountain guardian guest elder were not the same. The latter was connected to the mountain’s luck.

The old blind man asked, “Gantang, judging by your face and tone, you don’t seem happy?”

Gantang shuddered at being called “fellow cultivator.”

The old blind man mocked, “You’re still at the peak of ascension, yet you’re sneaking around with your disciple like thieves. Aren’t you ashamed?”

Gantang respectfully said, “Senior is right to scold.”

Fortunately, Ning Yao smiled, “No need to be a mountain guardian guest elder. Fallen Mountain has enough. Just stay there for eighty years, until the gate opens, then you can found a sect in the Lands of Five Colors. Or, if you prefer, you can take a nominal position in Ascension City. It’s no problem, you’re welcome.”

Gantang was relieved and sighed, “I won’t found a sect. When I’ve done my best at Fallen Mountain, I’ll quit and wander the Lands of Five Colors, becoming a hermit. Maybe I’ll pick a few more disciples for Yu Yu.”

Seeing that Ning Yao and Gantang had settled the matter, the old blind man added, “Gantang, when you get to Bottleneck Continent, keep an eye on my disciple.”

Gantang was confused.

Li Huai had recently taken that fox demon down the mountain to visit a ferry.

Ning Yao introduced him, “His name is Li Huai, a Confucian disciple from the town near Fallen Mountain. Zhi Ci carefully chose him as the first disciple. Tao Ting is Li Huai’s protector.”

Gantang sincerely said, “That kid has good fortune to have you as his master.”

The girl in the sable hat smiled mischievously. She knew the relationship between the master and disciple well.

The old blind man put his hand on Gantang’s shoulder and said with a smile, “Good fortune? You seem envious? Then why not stay here and become my unregistered disciple? I won’t call you my direct disciple, but you can call Li Huai your senior brother. This is a pie in the sky, all you have to do is open your mouth.”

Gantang gave a dry laugh, declining.

The old blind man instructed, “Gantang, before you go to Bottleneck Continent, protect Li Huai for a while. In return, if you provoke a fourteenth realm cultivator, if you can escape, come here. If you can’t, and know you’ll die, tell them you’re protected by me, and let them weigh the cost.”

Although Gantang was skeptical that the old blind man could defeat someone in the same realm, the promise was a great fortune.

He thanked him repeatedly.

The old blind man, though his eyes were empty, seemed to see through Gantang’s thoughts, “Do you think I’m boasting? Outside the Ten Thousand Mountains, winning a fight against a fourteenth realm cultivator is hard, but killing one is even harder?”

Gantang dared not deny it, for that would be insulting him. He said, “I wouldn’t dare lie, senior. Fourteenth realm cultivators are difficult to deal with.”

The old blind man smiled, “There are always exceptions. If you don’t believe me, tell your disciple to burn paper for you at your grave, and then you can understand the exception.”

Gantang said awkwardly, “Senior, don’t worry, I won’t provoke a fourteenth realm cultivator just because I have protection.”

The old blind man said disdainfully, “The new fourteenth realm after the rain are all watered down.”

Gantang said nothing.

The old blind man smiled, “Of course, Ning Yao is an exception.”

Ning Yao accepted it calmly.

On a mountaintop now stood two fourteenth realm cultivators and two ascension realm sword cultivators.

And the golden core Yu Yu.

Yu Yu had left his hometown as a youth and was now a young man, taller than Old Deafy.

Yu Yu had long yearned for the Hidden Official’s Fallen Mountain. He and Du Shanyin were very different.

He knew his master was not satisfied with him, for his master’s gaze occasionally carried impatience and disgust.

Yu Yu had no resentment. His talent was average, and his swordsmanship was slow. He could not blame his master.

But if his master abandoned him, Yu Yu was not stupid enough to say anything like that.

This journey to the Ten Thousand Mountains had been a pleasant surprise. He had wandered for years and was finally going to see the Hidden Official? Maybe he could even join the Hidden Official’s sect?

Ning Yao smiled, “You’re Yu Yu, right? Chen Pingan often mentions you. He says you are willing to endure hardship, have a good heart, and have a good master. As long as you show talent and perseverance, Old Deafy won’t be stingy with his knowledge. Just be steadfast and your swordsmanship will be great.”

Yu Yu was restrained, for he was not good with words and did not know how to respond.

After all, this was Ning Yao.

Gantang was pleased. Ning Yao never lied. Since she said so, it must be true.

The Hidden Official knew his temperament. He always taught his disciple what he “deserved” at each stage, no more, no less. The disciple had to earn it.

Ning Yao looked out at the mountains and took a deep breath.

The old blind man said they were not welcome and told Gantang and his disciple to find Li Huai at the ferry.

When Li Huai returned home, Fallen Mountain would have another mountain guardian guest elder.

When Gantang and Yu Yu left, two streaks of sword light added some color to the desolate land.

The old blind man asked, “Planning to return to Vastness?”

Ning Yao nodded, “Yes.”

The old blind man was silent for a moment and said, “Becoming a fourteenth realm cultivator is no small matter. Chen Qingdu never doubted you could, but he didn’t expect it to happen so soon. If he could see this, he would laugh and brag to me. There are few friends, and even fewer close ones.”

“Ning Yao, when you ran away from home and traveled the vast lands, Chen Qingdu sent a sword cultivator to follow you secretly. Whether it was Nalan Yexing or someone else, maybe a sword immortal from the Great Wall of Swords. I don’t know. Chen Qingdu just said he arranged it secretly and didn’t plan to tell you. He was worried you would be bullied, or schemed against. But that sword cultivator stopped near Lishizhu Cave. Then Chen Qingdu had me take over.”

When Ning Yao was in danger for the sake of that kid from the town in Lishizhu Cave, the old blind man almost intervened.

If he didn’t, Chen Qingdu would have broken the rules twice, no matter what the Wen Temple thought. Of course, Chen Qingdu would have caused trouble in the Ten Thousand Mountains.

Ning Yao said, “Chen Pingan said he thought the protector was Lu Zhi, but the timing didn’t match. Then he thought it might be Jiang Fu, a wandering immortal from Middle Earth Continent. She’s an immortal who likes to collect sword-nourishing gourds.”

The old blind man had never heard of her and asked, “How did he guess? Is there a record at the Summer Palace? Or is the sword cultivator named Jiang famous in Great Wall of Swords?”

That Chen Pingan knew there was someone protecting Ning Yao was one thing, but to know the details was too much. Chen Qingdu was more cautious.

Ning Yao smiled, “The Summer Palace has a record, but she used an alias. Jiang Fu was reclusive in Great Wall of Swords. She didn’t show herself, just watched. She didn’t interact much, but she liked to drink, every day, with every meal.”

“Before Chen Pingan left home, Wei Bo gave him a sword-nourishing gourd. Wei Bo said it was from the Dali Dynasty’s stores, and he exchanged it for five treasures. The red gourd had the inscription ‘Jiang Hu,’ a homophone for ‘Jianghu’. Chen Pingan liked it at first sight and trusted Wei Bo. On his travels, Chen Pingan cared for the gourd. Jiang Fu’s accent made her pronounce ‘fu’ and ‘hu’ the same. It was appropriate for a female sword immortal to protect me. Jiang Fu probably stopped outside Lishizhu Cave and didn’t leave Dali Dynasty. When the situation was clear, she had Song’s and Cui Chan send the gourd to Chen Pingan through Wei Bo. It wasn’t too valuable, but not cheap, just right.”

The old blind man nodded, “So much calculation. A frog in a well, jumping out. Chen Pingan made it this far by untangling a mess.”

Recalling something, the old blind man said, “You must repay debts, Ning Yao. Don’t forget your promise at the God’s Grave, at the dragon-slaying platform. Pay it off soon.”

Ning Yao nodded, “I will, this time.”

The old blind man rubbed his chin, “That unintentional ‘Buddha’s nod.’ That kid never went to school, but he always says something at the right time.”

Ning Yao said, “Chen Pingan said the Lamp Transmission Record has records of questions and answers.”

The old blind man asked, “Do you remember your first meeting with Zhao Yao?”

Ning Yao nodded, “I thought he was just a talkative boy. Later, when he got a quarter of Bai Ye’s sword ‘Taibai,’ I knew he was a sword cultivator before leaving home. So his unintentional words at the archway were related to my natal sword?”

The old blind man smiled, “The truth is more complicated. Chen Pingan didn’t tell you?”

Ning Yao shook her head and smiled, “Chen Pingan doesn’t care about this nephew.”

The old blind man said, “According to someone’s plan, you were supposed to interact more with Zhao Yao in Lishizhu Cave. It would have been acceptable. Zhao Yao’s wood element was to ‘dot the eye’ of a paperweight. The way you opened your sword was to ‘open your eyes.’ Without Chen Pingan, the foreigner who would have built merit at Great Wall of Swords would have been Zhao Yao. Hao Su would have helped him.”

Ning Yao said, “However carefully planned, it needs my consent.”

On the night voyage ship, Hao Su told Chen Pingan a secret, for he owed the Hidden Official.

The old blind man smiled, “Did you not like Zhao Yao at first sight? Did you like Chen Pingan at first sight? Without Chen Pingan, would you have not become a couple with Zhao Yao?”

Ning Yao frowned, “Disgusting.”

If someone heard that, Zhao Yao would be in trouble.

She found it amusing.

The old blind man laughed, happy for once.

Ning Yao said, “Chen Pingan did many things before practicing boxing in Mud Bottle Alley that only he could do. I believe him!”

Ning Yao would not admit whether she or Chen Pingan liked each other first, but she knew she liked Chen Pingan earlier.

The old blind man scratched his head, “Who said that cultivating means staying away from the world? That love and hate are distractions?”

Ning Yao said nothing.

The old blind man said, “Chen Pingan can’t catch up to Cao Ci in martial arts.”

Ning Yao said, “It’s hard to surpass Cao Ci.”

But she added, “A year younger, different in the end.”

The old blind man chuckled, “Is that a lame reason?”

Ning Yao smiled, “At the liquor store, sword cultivators think that’s true.”

Every drunk sword cultivator at the liquor store felt that it was comforting.

We’re not as good as Qi Shanglu and Dong Sangeng because we’re younger.

Xie Gou wanted to stay, so Ning Yao left alone, crossing the gate back to Vastness.

The old blind man walked back to his hut. Xie Gou rubbed his hat and said, “I’ve been thinking, but I don’t know what sword path to take. Do you have any suggestions?”

The old blind man said, “Ask the wrong person. I’m not a sword cultivator. If Chen Qingdu was here, you could ask him.”

Xie Gou started shaking, waving his sleeves. The old blind man asked, “What are you doing?”

Xie Gou said, “This is how they summon spirits. It works sometimes.”

The old blind man said, “You’re crazy.”

Xie Gou lay down on a bench, using his hat as a pillow, and said, “Zhi Ci, I think you’re pitiful.”

The old blind man nodded, “Thank you.”

Xie Gou laughed, “I thought you’d be angry. What are we seeking in cultivation? Nothing but waves at the bottom of the boat, peaks under our feet. But if we stop there, it’s nothing special.”

Xie Gou asked, “What should a fourteenth realm cultivator do to be truly special?”

The old blind man muttered, “One builds a bridge, and ten thousand walk it.”

—-

Outside a small temple, an “old man” who cherished paper squatted, burning a basket of old paper, with the ashes in a basin.

Yu Shiwu, who remembered his “past life,” asked, “Have you traveled to White Paper Blessed Land?”

Chen Pingan shook his head, “I wanted to. I was busy when I returned to Vastness, and then I was traveling in Middle Earth Continent. I’ll go sometime.”

Yu Shiwu frowned, “When can I regain my true appearance?”

Chen Pingan joked, “Dislike it being small?”

Yu Shiwu did not understand the meaning, “It was better before I remembered. It’s uncomfortable.”

Chen Pingan said, “It’s almost dawn.”

They would wake up soon.

They would retain most of their memories, and each life’s memories would be stacked upon another. They had limited viewpoints on the world as lowly servants in the Ma household but could now speak their minds in their dreams.

Chen Pingan began to reverse the hierarchy of the Ma household, making the servants the masters and the Ma family the servants. He wanted to gather them into a story, like herding fish. Each illusion was a “book.” The immortal, emperors, generals, and vendors in the dreams were the characters in the books.

Chen Pingan said, “Someone said our perception of the world comes from the depth of our memories.”

Yu Shiwu asked, “Who is ‘someone’?”

Chen Pingan smiled, “Close by.”

Yu Shiwu asked, “It takes a lot of energy, spiritual energy, and money to support these dreams, right?”

Chen Pingan gave a meaningful answer, “It’s all in the family.”

Yu Shiwu asked, “How does this benefit you?”

Chen Pingan said, “Their thoughts and words, subtle changes in expression, are used to enrich these worlds, to make a smaller world more real.”

“The Yogacarins say that all is mind. No wonder you mentioned seeds and fumigation. I thought you were showing off your erudition.”

“The Ma household is different from the locals. Their actions are free, not prearranged. They are passersby on a fixed path. They will create new roads, like trees for shade.”

“Why are you telling me all this?”

“Because you’re not like the Ma household. You’re here to stay.”

There was Xiao Xing, Ma’s cook, and now Yu Shiwu.

Yu Shiwu asked, “Are you confident you can trap me? Aren’t you afraid of retribution?”

Chen Pingan smirked, “Why say stupid things? I don’t believe you’ll accept your fate.”

He had met someone like this in Ghost Valley.

Yu Shiwu was silent, still having questions.

Chen Pingan gave a vague answer, “Someone helped me in Tongye Continent. So I’m returning half the favor.”

Yu Shiwu asked, “What can I do?”

Chen Pingan gave a vaguer answer, “You are the future roads, rivers, and harbors.”

Yu Shiwu asked, “The Ma couple’s revenge was just a trick?”

Chen Pingan turned and glared at Yu Shiwu.

Yu Shiwu fell silent.

Using Ma Che as a hook, Chen Pingan intervened in the stories.

Night fell, an old woman opened the door, a maid looked coldly at the traveler.

The maid knew the Ma family history the best. The traveler said, “Your stubbornness is a double-edged sword.”

The maid sneered, “Is that all you can do?”

Chen Pingan smiled, “You haven’t read enough.”

The maid spoke harshly, “I am a lowly maid. How can I compare to a saint’s disciple?”

A flash of light, and the maid’s head fell. He muttered, “Since you hate your low birth, I’ll give you a taste of a different life.”

A wanted criminal with a heart of gold suddenly found he had super strength. As he battled other “沈刻,” he was desperate to find a way to escape his imprisonment. Chen Pingan had told him if he could find a single person who was not a “沈刻,” he could be free.

He looked at countless faces, desperate to find a way to escape. Finally, he ended up at a wealthy courtyard, and sees a beautiful woman who is NOT 沈刻.

It appeared that the “old monster” had become part of the Royal Court!

When 沈刻 saw the woman, he shouted out in triumph, “Chen sword immortal, I’ve found it!”

But then a mysterious woman appeared and ordered his execution for being a revolutionary criminal. She was quickly joined by an old God who claimed Shenke was tricked. He made an end to Shenke.

Returning once more to the start,沈刻 was once again haunted by the ghosts.

The scene was a test, and a nightmare. He had fallen deep into the underworld of hell.

A few years pass. Once again at the mansion, the Empress starts to get a headache as the memories of being the young servant start to flood back.

With just a wave, the man showed the boy the different roads he could have chosen in life. With a whisper, the ghost could see the moon rise as if lifted out of a dark well. It lit up the darkness.

Nearby, brothers look out at the bodies of other martial artists slain by an army. With no other option they, as ghosts, wonder where they can go.

They quickly found Chen and confronted him with great disdain. However, Chen explained to them that as beings from two different worlds they would be killed. But he would let them choose to go to hell for their crimes, or help them.

But even in the underworld they would struggle. What could they do?

After much back and forth, Chen showed them how they could become avenging spirits. With careful tutoring they would haunt their enemies in the spirit world.

He would teach them how to kill, but they only had one shot. They could only be killed once in this world, or risk being stuck with no way out.

In exchange for their lives, they would only need to choose where their souls could find peace in death. The brothers agreed, but they knew the risk.

The brothers managed to infiltrate the city with Chen’s help, only to learn that their murderers had already left for their home. As they went to claim revenge the brothers realized something was wrong.

They had become one with the murderers. Chen had turned their own souls into the people they had sought to harm.

Autumn Lady, the maid, soon to be married, laughed at the way she had outsmarted the people around her.

沈刻, surrounded, turned to Chen, only to ask to be turned into a zombie. Desperate, he swallowed pieces of his own jewelry as the curse started to turn him.

The monk asked him if the price had been right.

Back at the other side, Chen took another ghost through a memory to a prosperous town. As he walked through the streets he pointed out a particular vine, as well as a wealthy family, that had no idea what was about to happen to them.

The ghost was intrigued, but then grew annoyed by how much of the world陈 had packed in. He could not even keep up!

Chen was ready for him, and took him to see how he could learn. First, he learned how to write, and how to create an image. He started to see how 陈 had built the scene like a craftsman making an item of beauty.

They arrived in the town, where he had just started to rebuild the life he had stolen from the world.

Chen was now showing the ghost how he could copy these skills. He could master a copy of their souls, just as 陈 had done to him.

With each life the ghost felt the pain that he had caused.

They soon came upon a group of poor people and陈 asked him what could he do. They all had their own hardships, and now陈 was teaching him how to face them.

The immortal was on horseback, the man with the past slowly walking and learning, the man with the soul, learning what souls truly meant. As his image crossed the landscape, Yu paused.

“Would everyone join together, to build the roads?” he asked.

“I think that could be freedom, and true release,” 陈 replied.

“My master Cui Chan told me one thing,” Chen replied. “He said any country that lets its people look in the eye, is a country worth living in.”

It had been a long time to get here, with all that had happened. However, it was time to see if they could face their fears, and see what might come next.