Peach blossoms are best admired from a boat upon the water; the bright moon demands a rooftop reclined beneath it.

Such were the whimsical pronouncements of Cui Dongshan, the White-Clad Youth.

Feng Xuetao, like a burr clinging to wool, found himself compelled to follow the lad on his meandering path.

In truth, Feng Xuetao possessed neither an abundance of patience nor a forgiving temper. Yet, fate had yoked him to Cui Dongshan, a relentless chatterbox whose ceaseless prattle, unsated by wine upon the boat, had filled Feng Xuetao’s ears to overflowing.

Cui Dongshan had not deceived Xie Gou. He had, as claimed, swiftly scanned the records of the Ministry of Punishments, noting all Qi Refinement cultivators who had presented their travel documents.

The Mountain Registry was replete with fine offices awaiting masters, so numerous were official hats and empty chairs compared to those worthy to wear them. Green Reed Sword Sect desperately needed recruits. He, as Sect Leader, lacked the gravitas to summon forth a multitude of worthy champions.

Fortunately, upon the ferry at Tongyin Ford, his Master and Xie Gou had each recommended a Qi Refinement cultivator. Xie Gou deemed the young maiden possessed of promising talent, whilst his Master, with keener insight, praised the other’s character.

After a circuitous stroll with Feng Xuetao, Cui Dongshan resolved to enlist the young woman with freckles into his service, setting aside the comely lass named Jian Xiu for later consideration.

Cui Dongshan, eyes gleaming with mischief, inquired, “Brother Feng, what think you of Kuang Kui’s potential?”

Feng Xuetao, believing himself to have misjudged the youth, once more employed his arts to scrutinize Kuang Kui. Convinced of his initial assessment, he offered a tempered appraisal. “Utterly unremarkable.”

Cui Dongshan chuckled, “Have you not perceived, Brother Feng, the depth of his familial lineage, his mastery of Aura Sight?”

Feng Xuetao replied honestly, “I have not.”

Even had he discerned such skills, of what consequence? Mastery of Aura Sight was a pleasant boon for a Qi Refinement cultivator, yet a mere trifle to Feng Xuetao, a cultivator of the Ascending Realm.

Cui Dongshan then inquired, “I have yet to ask, Brother Feng, if you have any talented disciples?”

Feng Xuetao sighed, “A few, yes, but unrecorded. Most have long passed into the earth. The remainder, I have not seen in many years, nor do I intend to seek them out. Why do you ask, Sect Leader Cui?”

Cui Dongshan raised his chin, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “The fostering of new apprentices by those who already have them, a tale most celebrated.”

Feng Xuetao shook his head, bewildered by this illogical discourse.

Cui Dongshan feigned astonishment. “Would you suggest, Brother Feng, that you wish to take on apprentices on behalf of your *own* master?”

Feng Xuetao’s face tightened. “Jest not, Sect Leader Cui.”

Cui Dongshan rubbed his hands together, a sly grin spreading across his face.

Feng Xuetao, losing patience, demanded, “Can you not speak plainly, Sect Leader Cui?”

Cui Dongshan clapped his hands together with theatrical flourish. “Precisely! Cease attempting to decipher my thoughts, Brother Feng! Ask directly!”

Feng Xuetao sighed. “I am all ears.”

Cui Dongshan, abandoning his usual levity, spoke with rare sincerity. “Kuang Kui possesses a good heart. This is the judgment of my Master, and you, Feng Xuetao, should understand that his judgment in such matters is of the highest caliber. Suffice to say, you, at least for now, do not attain such a rating. Of course, your opinion of my Master is likely similar. I shall, without doubt, bring Kuang Kui to Green Reed Sword Sect for his training. His position and purpose are mine to decide. If my memory serves, you, Brother Feng, possess an unrecorded disciple, Yin Yi, who holds a mountain peak named Boundary Mountain on Snowy Continent. Now at Jade Purity, his ambitions are high. Longing to found his own sect, but hampered by a lack of war-merit, and therefore always denied. Furthermore, Yin Yi has a daughter, a natural-born swordswoman of great promise. Since she was a child she’s longed to be a swordsman of the Sword Qi Great Wall. But her father Yin Yi, shields her from such a deadly path. Yin Ying twice ran away from home, but was captured. She is at odds with her father. But when the sword Qi Great Wall did ascend to the Five Colored world, she knew she was destined to never fight on that front with the continent’s two swordsmen. And so she descended into depression, threatening to abandon swordsmanship altogether. To fix such a thing, one has to see how it started. Yin Yi can take Kuang Kui as his formal pupil, therefore letting me introduce Yin Ying to a sword Qi Great Wall immortal as her master. Yin Yi must pay a debt, not a price. And that debt is the relinquishment of his dream, Boundary Mountain must be ceded. This is not a true price, because with his talents, he can never achieve such a thing. But in a face to face meeting, I can make him come to terms with this truth, once and for all. But at the same time, Yin Ying has a chance to establish the first sword sect on Snowy Continent. Green Reed Sword Sect is supportive of this. And if the Green Reed Sword Sect is a part of this, then Snow Continent, an enemy of North Reed Continent, must reevaluate. Is this approved by Chen Ping An and Fallen Mountain? During this time, you, Feng Xuetao, can’t be uninvolved.”

“My Master, helped Green Reed find an unseen bodyguard, Qing Tong. So let this junior apprentice, find a bodyguard for the next sect leader.”

“Now, do you see things clearly? I want you! Friend Qingmi!”

Feng Xuetao, at a loss for words, saw the lad as if for the first time.

Cui Dongshan continued his oration. “You may have heard the rumors of the City God temples, and how they list those who do good? My Senior Apprentice is on that list. But you are not, friend Feng. Yet the Wen Temple sees you, the wild repair Qingmi who followed A-Liang into the barbaric land, then paired with Jiang Shangzhen to protect Cao Ci. You just don’t know how to take advantage of this, but I do.”

“My Master is a scholar, I am a merchant. He wishes to combine justice with success, but I only seek success. Make use of my position! We shall take this opportunity.”

“My master only says that there is no way to combine all things. But I want to see where that impossibility is.”

“So, Brother Feng, do we make the deal?”

“I count to ten.”

Feng Xuetao spoke before Cui Dongshan could reach the final count. “I have but one crude, pragmatic question.”

Cui Dongshan smiled, nodding. “I knew you would. Rest easy. I shall guide you towards the path to Unity. Success, I estimate, is balanced at fifty-fifty.”

Feng Xuetao steadied his heart. “Truly?”

Cui Dongshan cautioned, “It will consume much time. Eight hundred years, or perhaps several millennia, may be required.”

Feng Xuetao declared, “A bargain is struck.”

Cui Dongshan probed, “Such a candid, gentleman’s agreement requires no oath, no written bond?”

Feng Xuetao replied, “Friends are friends, but business is business. We must find a mediator to witness this affair.”

Cui Dongshan inquired warily, “Such as…?”

Feng Xuetao chuckled. “Sect Leader Cui, you are a scholar of men, skilled at discerning their thoughts. We both know the truth. Why pretend?”

Cui Dongshan stamped his foot. “My relationship with the Venerable Fire Dragon is tenuous at best!”

Feng Xuetao frowned. “I spoke of Chen Ping An!”

Cui Dongshan hesitated, feigned reluctance, then, as if relieved, declared, “With much persuasion, my Master has consented!”

Feng Xuetao scoffed. “Sect Leader Cui, treat me not as a fool. Can you not offer even a shred of sincerity?”

Cui Dongshan dusted his sleeves, grinning slyly. “Very well. I shall speak with the utmost candor. No business is without risk. Let me offer a word of earnest advice: Threaten my Master, and I shall end you.”

A startling reversal, swift as a turning page.

Feng Xuetao felt, instinctively, that the White-Clad Youth spoke without jest.

In an instant, Cui Dongshan prepared to flee, his feet barely touching the ground.

But he was caught, his head gripped by a hand. A voice, laced with amusement, echoed, “Sect Leader Cui, is this how you conduct business with such ‘earnestness?'”

Feng Xuetao roared with laughter, vindication blooming in his heart. It seemed every being had its bane.

As Cui Dongshan feigned a telepathic conversation with his Master, Feng Xuetao had truly spoken to Chen Ping An, omitting key details to paint a picture of an agreement reached between himself and Cui Dongshan. He was prepared to immediately swear fealty as a permanent Green Reed Sword Sect retainer after his time with the Yu Gui Sect. Though unaware of how Cui Dongshan had persuaded the Ascending Realm cultivator, it was a stroke of good fortune, and there was no reason to refuse. Chen had just arrived, to hear Cui threatening someone.

Cui Dongshan whined.

Then Chen swatted Cui, scolding, “He is family, speak with reverence to the retainer.”

Chen Ping An smiled. “Fellow Qingmi, thank you for the trouble.”

Feng Xue smiled. “Not a problem.”

Chen Ping An laughed. “Visit Fallen Mountain for tea. It’s always available.”

Feng Xuetao understood. “I shall avoid gossiping. I trust Dongshan and his business practices.”

Chen Ping An nodded. “Dongshan’s a mess, but reliable.”

Feng Xuetao hesitated. “I doubt it.”

Chen Ping An chuckled. “You are not an outsider. Good, good.”

Feng Xuetao saw how close Chen, Cui, and Cao were. He missed his own students, a mixed bunch, those who pulled on his name, those who were strangers. There was Yin Yi, who wants to be a proper disciple.

“Why isn’t Xie Songhua a Green Reed retainer?”

Cui Dongshan snickered.

Chen Ping An said, “I bet she likes freedom. She probably helped the Liu of Snowy continent because they are from her hometown.”

Cui kept laughing and was smacked.

Feng didn’t question it.

Chen feared Xie Songhua, who had no filter.

*If I can’t find a partner, Chen Ping An will do. I just want him to hide me.*

*Don’t look at Song Ping as cold. When she talks, she is just…Wow*

Even with courage, Chen couldn’t afford it.

Cui Dongshan asked, “Why is the emperor with some officials at the alley?”

Chen Ping An glared. “Is the alley not cool?”

Cui Dongshan nodded rapidly.

Feng laughed.

Chen left to drink at the restaurant.

The people in the restaurant walked outside to see the men.

In an alley, a dragon-pendanted man was guarded by two elders, one silent and the other mystical. Behind them, eight officials and sword-wielding guards.

They turned around, a young woman cried, “I see two dukes!”

Another woman said, “The Minister of Rites is also there.”

The cultivators talked with their minds. *The old man with him is the new teacher.*

*So it’s the emperor.*

*Or are they waiting for someone?*

*Is it Yu Gui’s leader, Wei Ying?*

*Did he come to eat here?*

*Is it Cui Dongshan? But he is young and in white.*

Chen asked, “Fan, will you go into politics? Or the mountains?”

Fan said, “I’ll pick, but will they take us? Right, Chen?”

Xie said, “We want the mountains.”

Chen nodded.

He stood up, “We will meet again.”

Chen waved. “We are friends, no need to be polite.”

Fan was stopped from reminding him to pay by Xie.

Chen isn’t broke. They can pay next time.

A woman looked back.

She saw the emperor saluting to the man in blue. The others were respectful.

—

Zhao Tieyan, the punisher of the Dan Well, was a cultivator of the cave realm. He was a small man with an iron mace.

The cultivators of his sect went to the capital and were nothing. Back home, they are like gods. They can’t compete here. Zhao managed a store his sect owned at the scales ferry. It wasn’t as popular as the fish restaurant. Zhao comforted his sad brother, that it’s like that in the mountains.

They don’t do business for three years, then eat for three.

The other cultivators were hoping to get something, but got a hotel instead.

They all awkwardly pretended it wasn’t.

Shi, returned, whined, that everyone in the capital has high standards, so he couldn’t even see a minor official. He wanted to return to the mountains. Zhao pitied him, and decided to stay, letting Shi and his student return.

The countries were poor.

The students found it fun to live outdoors.

Zhao remembered when he visited with his teachers, and how it was like a whole new world. The elder said they should be free. They don’t need to follow the rules, but just be silent when they return.

Shi said, “Brother Zhao, why is cultivating a business?”

He drank and laughed, “Dirty and unremovable.”

Zhao said, “My master sent me to replace you.”

Shi waved. “Stop lying. No elder is spending all their time here. I am not whining to leave, I am annoyed, so I complain!”

Zhao was sad. “It will be better. The master will be a land immortal.”

Shi drank bitterly, “I saw a seedling, but I didn’t win, and I couldn’t say anything.”

Zhao sighed. The best had been a yuan infant.

They moved to the Five Colors world, but Zhao didn’t. They will return in eighty years.

Zhao said, “Before I came, the elders told me what we should do, I would like to hear your thoughts.”

Shi ate some peanuts. “I am already committed. When they return, I won’t be their student. Mark me off the list. It won’t matter.”

Zhao laughed. “You misunderstood. We all think the same.”

One of the disciples said, “We got a business request. Someone wants to collaborate.” Zhao looked at the request, confused.

Why them?

Shi said, “Nicely refuse. Don’t argue.”

That man came, “Zhao and Shi, long time no see!”

They wondered if it was a friend of theirs.

Who is this freak?

The man said, “I love the well!”

Shi frowned. “What do you want?”

The man said, “I am the leader of my sect, but we lack history, so I am working to earn something. Besides being a creator, I also have farmers and herb masters. We build, we plant, we move stones. Anything you need. I am practical.”

The man then pointed. “This is an herb master!”

Feng laughed. “I’m ok.”

Zhao chuckled, “What’s the price?”

The man said, “Let’s sit and talk.”

Shi reminded, “Zhao, he wants your mace. He’s probably an advance scout.”

After all, that was the most valuable thing.

Zhao said, “Right. I also fear a grudge.”

The man stared at the table, “Let’s drink and eat. If not, let’s be friends.”

Shi said, “Your robes are expensive!”

The man said, “They have to be. I meet snobs. So I need to dress up.”

That pure-faced disciple said, “He stayed and flattered me.”

These days, the nobles wanted multiple teachers.

Shi couldn’t take on many students, as his sect had a bad rep.

Zhao wanted them to leave.

Cui laughed, “I also have a history to tell.”

Zhao asked, “How so?”

Cui said, “My Master saw you with a mink-hatted woman at a temple. He said you had good rules.”

Zhao relaxed. The woman with the hat was strong. If they wanted the mace, they would’ve just taken it. Why trick them?

It’s easier to steal.

Zhao returned the card. “Say what you want.”

Cui said, “The temple has a lower temple, the palace has a higher family. Right? You old discards need to endure for them to return.”

“Confucius said that what is not right can be discarded.”

“Cultivation is about picking the right side. It also has a good heart. Dirty can still be cultivating, just not as a god.”

Shi said, “Zhao, I can’t win.”

Was he drunk?

It sounded right…

Zhao said, “Maybe the elders will.”

Cui looked at the disciple, “I’ll help you to find enlightenment.”

The disciple asked, “Can I?”

Cui said, “You are in the second half of the story!”

The disciple was confused.

Cui patted him. “Smart.”

Zhao pondered, “Explain.”

Cui yelled, “We are forming an alliance with a Dan Well sect!”

Zhao wondered, “Which sect?”

Cui said, “I said it already! The new Green Reed Sword Sect!”

Shi sighed, “Brother, I hate him.”

Zhao laughed. “Are you Cui Dongshan?”

Cui nodded. “That’s me.”

Zhao breathed in, “Get out!”

Cui said, “Fellow Qingmi, see? They guessed me, and they are smarter!”

Feng nodded. “I guess so.”

Qingmi?

The new retainer of Yu Gui? From the Snowy continent? In the capital?

Shi yelled, “Get out!”

Cui nodded. “You are a man. We can start drinking anytime soon.”

Cui asked, “Brother Qingmi, things fell through. Thoughts?”

Feng laughed. “I don’t care, I can stay or leave.”

Cui cupped his fists, “We will meet again. If there is a problem, go to the ferry at scales and find someone.”

Zhao laughed. “We won’t see you off.”

Shi said, “Who cares about who you are, I just want to say that the Dan Well has many good people.”

Like missing a drink when you can’t drink.

Cui nodded. “Right, that’s why you exist. Why I talked so much. I had so much alcohol for nothing. Can’t we drink?”

Feng couldn’t listen anymore and walked off.

Cui said, “Brother, walk slow.”

They left. Cui sighed, “Brother Qingmi, we can’t just sight-see. The body is its own world. The solo traveler is a tiny world?”

“Do you get enlightened? Is it short-sighted? What is important? Where is the test? How does one not fall? What’s the first step?”

“I know that you are strong. But I still need to tell you as a friend.”

“Brother Feng, am I amazing?”

Feng glared. “Go away.”

Cui left alone, “Ok!”

—

Lu Chen found Zheng Juzhong, “Why?”

Zheng Juzhong said, “Leader Lu, must I threaten with words?”

Lu Chen pretended, “Huh? What did Zheng say?”

Zheng ignored it.

A trade for the Azure Sky World.

Take it or leave it.

Lu Chen was shocked, pointing. “Am I not sincere? Do you believe me?”

Lu thumped. “To not exaggerate, I trust it more than you!”

Zheng was silent.

A game, the board was the Azure Sky world.

Each had the first move.

Zheng’s move, become a realm fourteen first.

The Leader Kou’s, an Ivory Temple.

Lu was sad. “Why not self-cultivate?”

“Why stir the pot? Sigh, that’s not right. The Sky is not a toilet, and Zheng is not garbage.”

Lu repeated, “Zheng is not and the world is not.”

Zheng said, “Long ago, where you were born was home, where you stayed was the nation, and where you’re from was family.”

Lu asked, “Are you helping someone? Or are you doing someone’s bidding?”

Zheng shook his head. “Neither.”

Lu raged, scolding, “You smart bully! What do you want? Are you responsible?”

Zheng said, “I am self-cultivating. If three level fourteen lose to Yu Dou, then how about three fake level fifteen?”

Lu yelled, “What maths!? Did you use the wrong math, how did you get that?!”

Zheng waved. “Lu, yell without spitting.”

Lu sat down, teary, sniffing. “I’m emotional.”

Zheng said, “I think you’re the only sane person here.”

Lu thought, “Never drunk, blaming the liquor.”

Zheng said, “Let’s see how tomorrow goes. Why not drink?”

The flowers bloomed.