The day dawned with crystalline clarity, the sky a boundless expanse of washed turquoise, and the mountain flowers bloomed in riotous color. The band of swordsmen, disciples of the blade, ventured deep into the shrouded peaks, where wisps of cloud danced and the path led ever towards a solitude unbroken by man. Beneath their feet, the way was rugged stone, hemmed in by dense, verdant growth, with only the occasional sign of a prior traveler’s passage.

The mountain range unfolded in majestic waves, its peaks like a slumbering dragon’s spine, yet even these titans yielded passage to the murmuring streams that sought their own egress to the lands below.

Across one such stream lay a rough bridge of hewn planks, creaking and groaning beneath the swordsmen’s measured tread.

Below, the water whispered secrets to the mossy stones, home to stands of fragrant iris. Startled by the approaching footsteps, the silver flashes of fish darted into the unseen depths.

The bridge was crafted of timbers newly felled, the marks of the axe still stark upon their surface, a testament to recent construction. Indeed, Gao Shuang discovered a weathered stone, upon which was carved the following inscription: “This bridge, by the decree of Guildmaster Guo, and the diligent hand of Xie Konghou, was forged. Traveler, take heed!”

Who was this Guildmaster Guo? And why, in this curious inscription, did Bai Jing seem to assert a hierarchical place between the Guildmaster and Konghou?

But this was not the strangest discovery. Beside the stone lay a scattered collection of smooth river stones, their purpose utterly baffling to Gao Shuang. Could this be some peculiar custom of the hidden realm of Li Zhu?

Qi Tingji chuckled, “Konghou is the chronicler of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, and Guildmaster Guo is none other than Guo Zhujiu, a swordsman of the Hidden Officer lineage from the Summer Palace, and now a disciple sworn to Chen Ping’an.”

As for the stones, Qi Tingji dared not voice his whimsical suspicion that they were some tally kept by the right-hand protector upon his patrols, or a small token of gratitude. Such fancies, though charming, seemed too frivolous to mention.

Qi Tingji continued, “The Hidden Officer’s arrangement of the ancestral hall seating is not without deliberate purpose. Shao Yunyan’s cultivation is yet too young, and he remains an outsider from the Sword Qi Great Wall. He cannot, in good conscience, be made Sect Leader. Publicly or privately, Chen Ping’an could not place him in such a position without inviting discord and unease. Yet Shao Yunyan possesses a trait none of you can claim: a genuine and profound devotion to the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect. To name him Vice Sect Leader is a boon to his own path and to the future of this very Sect.”

These words, spoken by the aged Sword Immortal, fell like a bludgeon upon them, a stark reminder of their perceived shortcomings.

“Lu Zhi would be a poor Sect Leader, though she possesses the right qualities.

“When troubles arise, and your voices clash, she would merely regard you with a silent, questioning gaze. What is there to be gained from seeking the wisdom of one who offers no counsel?”

“Zhu Su is gifted, with an ambition to match. Let her take her place amongst the elders, as Keeper of the Laws, First Supplicant, or Treasurer. Such honors will satiate her desires.”

“Mei Kan is shrewd, valuing practicality above all else. The treasures and fortunes of a blessed realm are, in truth, no different than the rice and salt of a common household. She is best suited to oversee the Suspended Bow Blessed Land. Had Gao Shuang or Huang Ling been given the task, whether they would have lost money is uncertain, but they certainly would not have gained much. Do not forget Chen Ping’an’s ‘baptism by fire’ in the Sword Qi Great Wall: his duel to the death with the direct disciple of a savage ancestor, and his dealings with the Spring Banners and the ship stewards. You value the former, but Mei Kan prizes the latter, and thus finds solace in her new position, lessening the unease brought on by her disciple, Mei Dandang, and his demonic sword.”

“Jin Zao claims to seek neither fame nor fortune, yet since childhood, he has suffered an incurable affliction: the desire to instruct. He is ever the scholar. Xuan Yang, too, has a habit of his own; he loves nothing more than to share drink and tales with promising young swordsmen, eager to impart some shard of his own skill. He may venture forth to slay demons, but Gao Shuang is hardly generous, while Xuan Yang is a true connoisseur of spirits.”

These words, delivered by Qi Tingji, held a weight no other could wield.

The only true loser in this arrangement seemed to be Madame Tuoyan, displaced as First Supplicant by Mei Dandang, now relegated to the post of Second Supplicant.

Yet within her heart, a woman’s mind being a vast and fathomless sea, brewed a mix of disappointment and a nascent pride.

“The Hidden Officer does not consider me an outsider after all.”

Suddenly, the swordsmen beheld a narrow but majestic waterfall cascading from a cleft in the mountainside. A jade dragon suspended against a tapestry of green.

They paused to admire the spectacle, when Huang Ling reached out to catch a shimmering, exquisitely crafted messenger-sword. The missive bore the seal of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect.

It was a command from Chen Ping’an, directing him to make a secret journey to Golden Armor Isle, to the place known as Mang Mountain, and seek out a reclusive swordswoman named Zhou Song. As for what was to be discussed with this ghostly woman, Huang Ling was left to his own devices.

Qi Tingji, ever a revealer of secrets, explained, “Zhou Song was once a sacrificial officer for the Kingdom of Yan, and is known to the crooked priest of Slanting Seal Palace.”

The private swords, being of a more recent vintage, were largely unfamiliar with the affairs of vanished kingdoms. Furthermore, sacrificial officers in the Sword Qi Great Wall were nearly invisible, paling in comparison to the Hidden Officer, or even the Executioner.

Huang Ling pondered, “Then I shall tread with caution.”

In the distance, upon the mountain’s peak, stood a cluster of ancient trees, their branches thrusting towards the heavens like a forest of swords. Crimson roses, vibrant and bold, climbed their limbs. Guo Du, upon seeing this, immediately rode the wind to pluck a blossom, which he offered to his companion, Ling Xun. She accepted the gift without coyness, adorning her hair with the flower in the manner of noblewomen from the Great Li capital. Her smile eclipsed the bloom itself.

They emerged into a landscape of cultivated fields, terraced and winding, planted with row upon row of ripening rice, their shapes resembling intricate lacquerwork.

Beside one patch of flourishing leeks and chives, stood a wooden sign, upon which was inscribed: “One of Xie Gou’s private abodes. Second Supplicant of Fallen Phoenix Mountain.”

“All precious produce is the sole property of the Gathered Spirits Peak Zhu Senior’s Kitchen. Trespassers, be they man or beast, shall be slain or roasted.”

Jin Zao and Xuan Yang exchanged a knowing glance, speechless at Bai Jing’s audacity in claiming Fallen Phoenix Mountain as his own.

Qi Tingji said, “To be a swordsman in the Sword Qi Great Wall, and a sword immortal within the sects of the vast world, are two entirely different matters. You must learn to adapt.”

“Nong Yao chose Chen Ping’an as her companion; the Great Sword Immortal chose him to be the last Hidden Officer, and I, Qi Tingji, have chosen to step aside and allow him to become Sect Leader. You must, therefore, strive to honor Chen Ping’an, the Hidden Officer who has shown you such respect.”

“The words of the young woman at the Sword Platform may have been harsh, but they were not unjust; she was, if anything, too lenient in her rebuke.”

Qi Tingji held back one thought: it was fortunate that Sun Chunwang had never visited the Summer Palace, or they would have truly suffered.

“Having relinquished my position as Sect Leader of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, the conversation for today is over. All that needed reminding has been reminded, and all that should not have been said has been said.”

“Let me offer you one final word, a parting gift. Should any of you ever place personal ambition above the good of the Sect, or sever ties with either the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect or Chen Ping’an, whether through formal expulsion from the Golden Jade Charter, or a simple, silent departure, I will remember it.”

“Very well. Then you will be in my debt.”

“Whether you become free-spirited wanderers, or honored guests of another Sect, Qi Tingji will come to settle accounts.”

The unspoken message was clear: Qi Tingji would personally see them on their way.

Mi Yu, accompanied by the swordsmen Xing Yun and Liu Shui, chose not to remain with Qi Tingji’s group. Instead, they ascended a mountain untouched by homestead or hermitage, its slopes covered in a sea of swaying bamboo. No trails existed within its depths, and the three swordsmen trod upon the living roof, rising effortlessly above the green tide, carried by the wind, ever higher towards the summit. It was capped by sheer cliffs, adorned with ancient vines and trees, a place where even apes found the ascent treacherous.

They gazed down, taking in the world below. Shrouded in swirling mists, illuminated by the sun’s radiance, it seemed a place where the very air connected with the celestial throne.

Mi Yu, his hands clasped behind him, stood lost in thought. Xing Yun cast a glance at the great swordsman Mi Yu, acknowledging the man’s handsome features but lamenting his wavering dao-heart. Were it stronger, his potential would be boundless.

Liu Shui spoke softly, “Mi Yu, you are a man of great intellect, and I will not insult you with matters you have already pondered. I ask you only this: why do you believe the Great Sword Immortal entrusted you with the safety of the new Hidden Officer? And why were you then admitted to the Summer Palace? While Chou Miao is a gifted strategist who would be Hidden Officer if not for Chen Ping’an, what was your purpose? ”

Xing Yun nodded, acknowledging the piercing wisdom of Liu Shui’s question.

Mi Yu’s furious attack on the city walls, when he struck down his friend Lie Ji, had earned Xing Yun’s admiration.

“To draw one’s sword without thought” was, in fact, a great compliment among the swordsmen of the Great Wall.

To put it crudely, if Liu Shui were to suddenly lose her senses and strike at Chen Ping’an, Xing Yun knew that he could never bring himself to draw his sword with the same conviction as Mi Yu.

Mi Yu said, “In the Sword Qi Great Wall, I believed the Great Sword Immortal considered me useless, little more than a pretty vase. Since I was of no use on the battlefield, perhaps he wished to find some task for me to do, as a favor to my brother? You may find this hard to believe, but in the Summer Palace and the Spring Banner, I was a man of leisure, and thought long and hard about this matter, yet I dared not entertain a single answer.”

It was an answer both comforting and utterly devastating.

“The Great Sword Immortal held hope for me, Mi Yu.”

Perhaps Mi Yu’s reputation had grown so tarnished after reaching the Fifth Realm that the younger generation of swordsmen could scarcely believe that, in his Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages, Mi Yu was the greatest swordsman of the Great Wall’s Upper Five Realms. He was the one who dared to argue idly with the Great Sword Immortal.

Whenever he sheathed his sword, Mi Yu would seek out the Great Sword Immortal for a few words. Even if he was gravely wounded, and forced to return to heal in seclusion, he would pause to glance at the figure standing watch over the city.

The young swordsmen seemed to be asking about Chen Qingdu.

“What was he like?”

Had he not these accomplishments and deeds, would Nalan Caihuan and others have worshipped and loved Mi Yu?

Qi Tingji, with a single step that compressed the mountains and rivers, appeared before them.

Xing Yun muttered sourly, “Another handsome face.”

Qi Tingji chuckled, “You have brought great misery upon Qi Shou’s aunt.”

Mi Yu, shamefaced, murmured, “She eventually married well.”

Qi Tingji gave him a sidelong glance.

The old sword immortal gestured to Mi Yu with his eyes, urging him to speak louder.

Mi Yu steeled himself and said, “I tried to persuade her many times, but she would not listen. What could I do?”

Mi Yu dared not utter the words, “The more I dissuaded her, the more she believed I held feelings for her.”

He feared Qi Tingji would send him to his doom.

Qi Tingji smiled. “Your face is still too thin. You possess the talent to philander and sow wild oats, but not the ability to deny all responsibility.

Mi Yu found the sentiment familiar, and realized “The Hidden Officer once said much the same, but Qi Senior’s words are more direct, less subtle.”

Human words are like human wine; unless one is truly parched, bad wine is best left untouched, and good wine watered down is still worth drinking, even if one must grimace.”

After a moment of silence, Qi Tingji asked, “Mi Yu, will you accompany me to the Savage Lands?”

Mi Yu nodded with a smile. “The great swordsman Mi Yu would gladly do so.”

Qi Tingji asked, “And what is your intent, once you arrive?”

Mi Yu waved his hand, gathering clouds into the shape of a pure white sword. He ran two fingers along the blade to its tip, then flicked it gently, dispersing the clouds. “To cleanse my blade.”

—

Great Li Capital, Inner City, early Shen Hour.

Within a tidy room, adorned with valuable paintings, a middle-aged man sat cross-legged on a couch, reading a piece of intelligence that had failed to reach its destination. The Great Li had intercepted a messenger-sword; this was not the original document, but a copy made after the contents had been deciphered by arcane scholars. The man shook his head. To attempt to send such a message today was to court disaster. While the Great Li court had not forbidden the use of messenger-swords, did these spies truly believe that any of the thousands of swords were not being secretly read and recorded? Most would pass unhindered, but a select few were intercepted, marking the sender for the attention of the Ministry of Justice.

He glanced at the gaunt man slumped in a chair, an agent nearing forty years of age; a more accurate title would be a martyr.

The intended recipient was the Cloud Azure Dynasty, heir to much of the former White Frost Kingdom.

The man was well-versed in the affairs of the Cloud Azure Dynasty. He remembered the Great Li cavalry sweeping through the land, reaching Old Dragon City. Some smaller kingdoms had fought fiercely, while others, like the Vermillion Brilliant Dynasty, had preferred to perish rather than submit. The White Frost Kingdom had practically begged for Great Li’s swift subjugation. Later, when Great Li called upon various provinces to bolster its cavalry, the number of soldiers drawn from the former White Frost Kingdom was less than that of some smaller countries with populations less than 10 million.

Fu Qing, one of the two maids of the Grand Tutor’s mansion, was of the White Frost Dynasty. Compared to the current emperor of the Cloud Azure Dynasty, she was of truer royal blood.

The man doubted Chen Ping’an would allow her to visit her homeland. It had nothing to do with lust.

He smiled derisively. “Historians say the White Frost Kingdom fell because of its generous policies. A sentimental explanation. Did you believe it? Was it not the result of successive emperors who could barely fulfill their duties, leading to power sharing with civil officials, gentry, and petty officials? And what of this self-proclaimed successor Cloud Azure Dynasty? Are they not a grasshopper in autumn?”

Despite the presence of ice in the corners, the spy was covered in sweat, his hair matted to his face. He said with a wry smile, “The victor writes history. Since the Song family of Great Li has won, whatever you say is truth.”

The man smiled. “I will not argue with a fool. If you are ever right, I, Song Jixin, am wrong.”

The spy, who had planned to offer a reasoned defense, was rendered speechless.

Since the celebration in the capital had not employed Mirror-Flower Water-Moon techniques, nor allowed any cultivator to use arcane arts to “copy” the scene, it all came down to observation and memory. This intelligence report, for example, was exceptionally detailed. It contained vivid descriptions of each sword immortal’s appearance, position, expression, clothing, and gaze. It was like a painting.

The report concluded with advice or a warning. It stated that Great Li was at the height of its power, and should not be confronted directly. It suggested waiting at least ten years, or longer, feigning cooperation, and biding their time.

Song Jixin read it twice, and shook the paper filled with its neat, tiny script. “You cannot confront them directly, so you will outsmart them?”

The writer was a Great Li official in a Nanxun Ward office. He had expected to be captured by the Ministry of Justice. Instead, he was being interrogated by Prince Song Mu, a member of the royal family. He had lost all hope, and would not attempt to defend himself.

After all, the man before him was still the master of the Great Li’s alternate capital, and the former Prince Luo who had guarded its borders.

Song Jixin picked up a tangerine from the fruit plate, peeled it, and popped a slice into his mouth, chewing slowly. “You are not native to the Cloud Azure Dynasty. You are the son of a poor family from a northern protectorate. You came to Great Li, passed the imperial examinations, and became an official. You even placed quite high in the second class. If you returned to your hometown, you would be promoted by two ranks, to fourth rank. And those are just the visible benefits. Within three or five years, you’d at least be a third rank official. Why take such a risk?”

The man said bitterly, “This is a one-way street. I cannot simply turn back. Song Mu, you are of noble birth. You would not understand.”

Song Jixin raised an eyebrow. “I recall that the Great Li court, upon the recommendation of Vice Minister Liu, allowed officials with impure backgrounds to secretly confess to the Ministry of Justice in either capital. After they were recorded, their past would be forgiven, and measures would be taken to protect their secrets. I do not know how things are in the capital, but in the alternate capital, I personally oversaw the matter, and everything was done according to the rules. Many Great Li officials, and even foreign agents, lived well and were even promoted. And that offer does not expire. As long as you have not committed murder, at worst, if you confess later rather than sooner, you will be punished to some degree, but never to the point of ruining your career. You, Zeng Tao, are not a native of the former White Frost Kingdom. Your relatives are still alive and well in your homeland. You may harbor resentment towards Great Li, but you do not have a family vendetta. You were among the first of the local clans to submit to Great Li, so I carefully reviewed your records. You do not seem the type to die for your country. I have seen many truly righteous people, and I have killed many. You are not one of them.”

Song Jixin nodded to himself. “I remember now. The Cloud Azure Dynasty has a secret department that targets Great Li’s seventh rank officials, helping them to pave the way for promotion. Your eldest son died suddenly at the age of sixteen. He was a recognized prodigy, was he not? Was it because your son was a talented cultivator, but not exceptionally so, so the Cloud Azure Dynasty promised to help him enter the Middle Five Realms?”

Zeng Tao’s face turned pale.

Song Jixin chewed his tangerine, his expression playful. Seeing Zeng Tao’s crestfallen expression, he clapped his hands and laughed. “Your acting is terrible. I was just teasing you.”

Song Jixin pressed his fists against his knees, staring intently at Zeng Tao. “Your seemingly frail wife is a cultivator from the Cloud Azure Dynasty, correct?”

Zeng Tao looked up in alarm at Prince Song Mu.

Song Jixin said slowly, “I suspect she secretly stole the body of a local woman. Everything about her is false except her name and face.”

Zeng Tao’s forehead throbbed.

Song Jixin smiled faintly. “Then tell me, is your prodigious son alive and well in the Cloud Azure Dynasty, or did he die on the way?”

Zeng Tao stared blankly.

Song Jixin leaned against the table, glancing out the window. He murmured, “Then attack them. If they do not learn their lesson the first time, attack them again. Will they dare to make so much trouble? Does the new grand tutor have no confidence he can control Zhou?

Zeng Tao, utterly defeated, asked timidly, “How does Prince Luo wish to deal with me… us?”

Song Jixin picked up the copy of the intelligence report. “Do you know why you are going to die today?”

Zeng Tao was at a loss.

Song Jixin crumpled the paper into a ball, grinding it into dust in his palm.

The report contained a detail about Ning Yao. It recorded a seemingly insignificant, trivial thing.

The passage read, “Ning Yao squints before looking up at the sky, instead of looking up at the sun before squinting. Strange.”

Song Jixin tugged at his collar, twisting his neck, and cursed. “Seeking death!”

As if still not appeased, Song Jixin began to swear in a local dialect.

If he had known, he never would have gotten involved. When people are idle, they look for trouble.

Damn it! If that guy found out this report was in his hands…

With his vengeful nature, wouldn’t he settle both old and new scores? And if I fought back, could I beat him?

The more he thought, the angrier he became. Song Jixin continued to curse Zeng Tao’s ancestors for eighteen generations.

Zeng Tao wanted to fight, and even exchange his life for Song Mu’s, but alas, he was a useless scholar.

Zeng Tao asked, “Why are you saying all this if I am going to die anyway?”

Song Jixin smiled faintly. “I can only exchange a few words with the emperor. Q&As. I have not even attended court. If I met the new Grand Tutor, my childhood friend, we’d exchange a few words, but nothing more. If we talked too much, he’d want to hit me, and I’d want to curse him. It’s not worth it.”

A captivating woman in the room chuckled.

“Not bad. It seems following Song Jixin won’t be boring. Should I tell Water Lord?”

The woman was named Gong Yan. Gong Yan was sitting in a chair behind Zeng Tao.

In addition to Gong Yan, whom Zeng Tao had mistaken for a princess, there was a burly youth guarding the door, a ninth-realm martial artist named Xi Man, whose essence lay in the land dragon.

Since Water Lord Wang Zhu of the East Sea had come to the Great Li capital, Gong Yan and the other three members of the Water Palace entourage had accompanied him. Two of them, Daoist Li Ba and martial artist Xi Man, wanted to join Prince Luo’s service, but they did not dare to “assist the dragon” or ask the prince if he wanted to wear a white hat.

Wang Zhu had no qualms about Li Ba and Xi Man changing their allegiance. He had them come to the Great Li capital from the Tongye Continent so that he could introduce them to “Song Mu,” a form of compensation for Song Jixin.

Li Ba and the others were a little embarrassed. They knew that “Zhigui” in Mud Bottle Alley had been “Song Jixin’s” maid.

Wouldn’t that make Song Mu their master’s master?

Yellow Curtain, the jade Daoist who had been almost killed by Zhang Tiaoxia, was a man, but he was no less beautiful than Gong Yan.

He was admiring the paintings on the wall. Li Ba, on the other hand, had not come to see Song Jixin, and was wandering by the lake. How affected.

Li Ba, who founded Qingzhang Dao Academy in Golden Armor Continent, was also a “grand tutor.” Unfortunately, he had chosen his friends poorly and was friends with Wan Yan.

By the door, Xi Man was growing impatient with the devious schemes. He patted his crotch and asked in a low voice, “Prince Luo, should I dispose of the body?”

Song Jixin nodded. Xi Man grabbed Zeng Tao from the chair and threw him into his sleeve.

Xi Man asked, “Prince Luo came here because…”

Gong Yan coughed to remind Xi Man not to ask unnecessary questions.

Song Jixin remained silent, only looking at Xi Man.

Xi Man nodded. “I understand the rules.”

Yellow Curtain laughed. “Prince Luo, should I visit Zeng Tao’s domain to see the woman? Perhaps I will gain an unnamed disciple.”

Song Jixin shook his head. “Leave it to the Ministry of Justice in Great Li.”

Yellow Curtain sighed. After seeing this ripple, Yellow Curtain wanted to serve as an official in the alternative capital.

Song Jixin suddenly said, “Send a message to Wang Zhu. I once saw a poem that said ‘The four seas polished into cold mirrors.’ I have searched for the whole poem but never found it. The Dragon Palace has many books. Ask him to fill it in. If found, send a copy to the Domain of Alternative Capital.”

Since the two men in the room were silent, Gong Yan had to nod. “Alright, Prince Luo.”

Xi Man didn’t understand. He didn’t want to run again. Yellow Curtain was in shock.

—

The Still Sword Lake that was created by moving a mountain in the western mountains was beautiful. This lake was a forbidden zone.

The building of cottages was a small matter. The creating of mountain water required bamboo was a lot. With Mei Can and Mei Dandang here, it didn’t need to be perfect. Behind the house was a bamboo forest. Near the bamboo forest, Zhusu realized that it was time to go into seclusion.

A path was next to pine trees with trunks like scales. There were two visitors. Wu Jiang held a knife and Yuan Huang.

Wu Jiang said, “The mountain fairy looks better than the female martial artist. What do you think?”

Yuan Huang was distracted. “Same.”

Wu Jiang sighed. “If you get it, you will be like me.”

Yuan Huang said, “If you are not greedy, it shouldn’t be hard to marry someone.”

Wu Jiang was angry. “You wouldn’t dare to say that to Da Feng and others.”

Yuan Huang smiled.

After leaving the Lotus Root Blessed Land with Luo Fumei, Wu Jiang was very happy. Yuan Huang wanted to be Chen Ping An’s teacher, but hadn’t seen him. He had plenty of patience.

Gan, from Flower Shadow Peak, was preaching, so they followed Wen Zixiu and listened to him. They were just there to watch.

When they saw the sword glow, they came to the Sword Platform to try their luck.

The sword qi distorted the surrounding light, making the sky seem like blue satin.

Wu Jiang just watched it. Yuan Huang was moved. He wanted to learn Chen Ping An’s essence of martial arts.

Wu Jiang’s goal was simple. To eat. To be known. To have a lot of female friends. And to be able to beat gods.

Wu Jiang hesitated. “Yuan Huang, Chen has an apprentice.”

Yuan Huang nodded. “I know.”

Wu Jiang said, “Aren’t you afraid of being rejected? I think you should become Da Feng’s teacher. He has skill. After all, he taught Chen.”

Yuan Huang smiled. “Zheng is talented, but I’m here to find Chen. Hard work can solve anything. I’m destined to be at Fallen Phoenix Mountain.”

Wen Zixiu was watching them and eating melon seeds from the eaves. “Wu Jiang isn’t bad. Yuan Huang is nice.”

Zheng Dafeng said, “We’re all friends. Chen likes people like that. After Gan talked to Jia, his skills have improved. In the past, he only knew about words, but now, he’s at the level of an immortal. It’s all our mountain.”

Wen Zixiu agreed. “Chen has done a good thing. People are following his footsteps.”

Zheng Dafeng said, “You can say that to Chen.”

Wen Zixiu tentatively said, “Is it suitable to say? I’m afraid Chen will misunderstand.”

Zheng Dafeng patted Wen’s shoulder. “Drink some wine. Just say what’s in your heart. I guarantee that Chen will smile at you.”

Wen Zixiu smacked his shoulder. He was convinced. “We can’t trick each other. I came up the mountain later, so I’m not as stable here.”

Wen Zixiu had decided to give his years to this mountain.

Zheng Dafeng took a handful of melon seeds and gave it back to Wen. He went to talk to Xiao Mili. Wen had cleaned his clothes, and reluctantly ate the melon seeds.

The ones who arrived later were easier to trick. Zheng Dafeng said he was a tree. He must use words to be true. So just call him Zheng.

That line was only followed by Xiao Mili.

The girl quickly arrived. She paused, nodded, and swayed her hands. “Zheng, I have something to discuss.”

Zheng Dafeng looked serious and nodded. “Just tell me, Guardian Zhou. We are a family.”

Wen Zixiu put his hands on the back of his head and watched the two whisper.

Cen Yuanji scolded at the training ground. “Focus. Don’t be distracted!”

Xiao Mili immediately stopped.

Cen Yuanji turned and smiled at the girl. “Talk.”

Xiao Mili told Zheng and took out fruit. She handed it to Zheng. She waved at Cen and ran.

It was Wen Zixiu’s turn. Cen Yuanji walked to her chair. Zheng handed her fruit. Cen smiled and asked. “Do I have a share?” Zheng laughed. “There’s the same number as me. More than Wen.” Cen felt guilty.

Wen laughed. “Do I have one?”

Cen was angry. “Teach!”

Wen said, “Oh.” He kicked the boy away. The boy fell down. The boy yelled, “Damn! Don’t hit my kidney! I still want to marry a lot of women!” Wen went next to the boy. He sealed his mouth and threw him to the wall.

The boy stood up. He had seen the strange girl. They would always guess that she was a strong demon, who turned young, or how could she have been invited to the mountain by Chen?

The boy sighed. They had been to Fallen Phoenix Mountain.

Wen said, “We’re hardheaded. The ones with lower skills are just stubborn. The ones with high skills give speeches.”

Wen also had something to say to the boys.

You want to see the real Fallen Phoenix Mountain, but you are separated by Wen, Zheng, and Pei Qian. Then you can see Chen.