The path of Song Ruyi’s life unfolded with stark clarity.

Before the age of sixteen, she was naught but the daughter of a humble herb gatherer.

Though the wilds were fraught with peril, the gatherers of herbs gleaned a respectable living. Indeed, some weathered masters of the craft, having discerned the habits of wild beasts, ferocious creatures, and even demon beasts within the mountains, navigated the peaks as if tending their own herb garden.

Yet, mischance remained ever present. One day, seeking to evade a ferocious beast that had strayed from its usual territory, her father tumbled from the mountainside, shattering his legs.

Song Ruyi, utterly bereft of other recourse, sought out the apothecary where her father oft traded his wares, hoping to entreat the proprietor for a loan to procure aid for her father’s malady.

Her father had always extolled the virtues of the Jiang family apothecary, claiming it to be the most upright and honest. It was upon this slender thread of hope that she clung.

Unexpectedly, Master Jiang readily assented.

To repay this debt of kindness, she went to work at the Jiang family apothecary.

Not only did Jiang Changshan refrain from deducting her wages, but he also, from time to time, provided for her ailing father.

After a time, she divined the true sentiments of Jiang Changshan.

Her heart overflowed with gratitude for him, yet when it came to matters of the heart, her feelings seemed to fall far short of affection.

But what did it matter? She had no inkling of what love entailed.

She resolved to wed Jiang Changshan.

It must be said, this union was considered a great elevation for her.

Jiang Changshan was in the prime of his years, possessed of numerous enterprises, and the most prominent figure in all of Fengxi Town. Though he had a son from his departed wife, a myriad of maidens yearned to wed into the Jiang family.

And she, she was merely the daughter of a gatherer of herbs.

Jiang Changshan rejoiced greatly, but their union could not be immediately solemnized, for his son withheld his consent.

Never had it been heard that a father’s marriage required the approval of his son, yet the Jiang family was indeed an exception to this unspoken rule.

Song Ruyi understood that Jiang Changshan was a man who held the thoughts of others in high regard. He honored his son’s feelings, just as he had honored her own.

In the time they had spent together thus far, though his heart had been stirred by her, he had never once pressed her or caused her difficulty.

Song Ruyi had seen Jiang Changshan’s son. The child was of pleasing countenance and sharp wit, though his disposition was a touch stubborn.

At first, he would often frequent the apothecary and converse with her. Later, upon hearing of their intentions, he ceased his visits entirely.

With their marriage thus hindered, Song Ruyi could not discern whether her heart held a sense of relief or disappointment.

Perhaps, it held both!

The turning point in this matter arrived with an unforeseen event.

One day, as she passed by the small river beyond Fengxi Town, she espied the child struggling in the water. Terror seized her, and she cried out for aid with all her might. Her cries alerted the townsfolk who were passing by, and together they rescued the child.

From that day forth, the child no longer opposed their union.

She became the second wife of Jiang Changshan and the stepmother of Jiang Wang.

Their marriage appeared to be one of great felicity. Jiang Changshan treated her with exceeding kindness and personally attended to her aged father’s needs. Even her father’s eventual passing and funeral rites were overseen by Jiang Changshan himself, sparing her any burden.

Though Jiang Wang was not close to her, he bore no ill will. Especially after he later became consumed by the path of cultivation, he spent little time within the household.

After she bore Jiang An’an, she felt that her life might simply unfold thus, and that would be well.

But the heavens are capricious, and Jiang Changshan was afflicted with a grave illness. He, who had dealt in medicine his entire life, was struck down by a malady beyond cure. He could only linger, living each day as it came.

She tended to him without ever shedding her robes, as if repaying all the care and solicitude she had received before.

Later, Jiang Changshan declared he would no longer seek treatment. Little wealth remained within the family, and he desired to leave it to her and Jiang An’an.

At that time, Song Ruyi wept and inquired of him, what of Jiang Wang?

Jiang Changshan, with immense pride, declared that his son possessed great ability and required not even a jot or a tittle of his inheritance; he would surely carve out a prosperous life for himself.

Later, Jiang Changshan passed from this world.

Jiang Wang was accepted into the Fenglin City Taoist Academy and returned home scarcely, if at all.

She once believed she would live out the remainder of her days thus, tending the apothecary, caring for Jiang An’an, and awaiting the day she would grow and come of age.

Until she encountered Lin Zhenglun, a young man of refined bearing and exceptional lineage.

He possessed eloquent speech and great capability, his subordinates readily bowing to his will.

Song Ruyi was captivated.

She, without question, fell deeply in love with him. For the first time in her life, she experienced the scorching heat of love, the intoxicating madness of love, and the wild abandon of love.

She cast aside all else and departed with him.

And not only that.

She abandoned everything that might “interfere” with their love, including Jiang An’an.

And took with her everything that would be beneficial to their love, including the Jiang family’s enterprises.

She married into Wangjiang City.

She had married into Wangjiang City with such fervent determination, was it for this day, this wretched plight?

In the desolate courtyard, upon the cold, bone-chilling ground, Song Ruyi felt as though the flame of her heart had been utterly extinguished.

……

……

On the return journey to Fenglin City, Jiang Wang learned the intricacies of the entire Qingchao operation upon Yuhang Peak.

“So, who was the mysterious strongman upon Yuhang Peak? And was the ferocious beast on the mountain truly connected to Zhuang Ting?”

Zhao Rucheng’s voice was cold. “To the first question, I have no answer. As for the second, is it not patently obvious?”

“Enough,” Li Jianqiu interjected. “Let us cease this discussion.”

As the senior brother, he was compelled to halt this line of inquiry, for the sake of those present.

Should anything that ought not be spoken be divulged later, the future prospects of these individuals would be utterly ruined.

Jiang Wang found it difficult to reconcile his thoughts.

The State of Zhuang was his homeland, and barring unforeseen circumstances, the monarch, Zhuang Gaoxian, would be the object of his future allegiance. However, was the three mountains city domain not also within the lands of the State of Zhuang? Were the people of the three mountains city domain not also subjects of the State of Zhuang?

What manner of affair could compel the three mountains city domain to make such sacrifices for so many years? Two city lords, the husband perishing and the wife succeeding him, dedicating nearly all they possessed, only to be forced back in the end?

What great secret was it that denied the victims even the right to know, leaving those who sacrificed ignorant of the very cause for which they laid down their lives?

The discussion of this matter concluded, and silence descended.

These favored sons of the Taoist academy gradually began to comprehend the weight of reality.

Upon entering Fenglin City, the group dispersed.

It was Zhao Rucheng who offered a parting admonition, bidding Jiang Wang to safeguard the cloud order with utmost care.

For Ye Qingyu’s lineage was truly terrifying.

That person was the beloved daughter of Ye Lingxiao, the master of Lingxiao Pavilion, an existence as precious as a pearl.

And Lingxiao Pavilion…

That was the so-called country above the clouds, the very foundation of its existence.

Lingxiao Pavilion was a sect shrouded in profound mystery, its base nestled within Cloud City.

In the beginning, it was but a gathering of mortals who survived through the protection of Lingxiao Pavilion. As the years accumulated, it gradually blossomed and grew into a nation.

With Cloud City as its capital, the leaders of several major powers jointly governed, employing a system of collective decision-making.

Amidst the international landscape dominated by warring principalities, the Cloud State had always maintained neutrality, fostering remarkably prosperous commercial activities.

For instance, the very reason Fang Zehou was able to secure his position as the head of the Fang clan was his successful opening of a new trade route to the Cloud State.

Returning to Lingxiao Pavilion itself.

Lingxiao Pavilion did not rule the Cloud State, nor did it concern itself with the beliefs or actions of the Cloud State’s people. Yet, this powerful sect was the fundamental cornerstone upon which the Cloud State’s neutrality rested.

In essence, Lingxiao Pavilion could fully represent the Cloud State. Representing the might of an entire nation.

Thus, the preciousness of this cloud order was beyond measure.

Of course, in Zhao Rucheng’s words, the most precious aspect of this cloud order was that it had been retrieved from the very bosom of Ye Qingyu.

“Lingxiao Pavilion’s Ye Qingyu, it is rumored she is a beauty of the first rank!”