In the waning days of the first month of Chunping, Year Six, the prefecture of Chu experienced a deluge unlike any other. At the sun’s zenith, shadows still clung to the land, mimicking the dead of night. Then, as if by divine command, the storm broke, revealing a landscape reborn in vibrant green. Spring’s embrace was complete; the air danced with the song of warblers and sparrows, their melodies laced with the lingering shimmer of raindrops.

Chen Ping’an had entrusted the pugilistic manual, a gift from the spirit of the konghou, to Zhu Lian for his perusal. The agreement stood firm: a martial contest was to unfold within the capital of Nanyuan, a true test of skill and resolve.

Meanwhile, Shao Yunyan, the Sword Immortal, and Lady Tuoyan, after their wanderings across the lands of Baoping Continent, were soon to grace Luopo Mountain with their presence.

Knowing their arrival was imminent, heralded by a swift flying sword missive to Jise Peak detailing their journey, Chen Ping’an, accompanied by Wei Wenlong, awaited them at the mountain gate, tea poured and ready.

As if conjured from the very air, Wei Bo, Mountain Lord of Pijun, appeared. His presence was one of austere refinement, a beacon of clarity amidst the verdant slopes. Clad in a gown as white as freshly fallen snow, his bearing was as lofty and pure as a god descending from Jade Mountain.

Seated at the table, he poured himself a cup of tea. “Your two guests have already reached Huaihuang County,” he announced.

Chen Ping’an chuckled. “Such trivial news requires the Mountain Lord’s personal delivery? If your sincerity ran deep, you would have aided in their welcome at the town below. *That* would truly be a gesture of grace.”

Wei Bo remained impassive, offering only a curt “thank you” before departing for his Mountain Lord’s abode, lest he intrude upon Chen Ping’an’s duties as host.

For days prior, the Pure Yang Immortal, a visitor to Luopo Mountain, had unleashed his divine power. With strides that transcended space, he had traversed Baoping Continent to its northernmost reaches, poised to cross the sea to Julu Continent. Yet, for reasons known only to him, the Immortal had returned to the Northern Mountain Range, to Luopo’s vassal peak known as Yuanmu. There, upon the cliff face, where ancient pines and gnarled vines clung like a great water dragon, Lü Yan, gourd in hand, had begun to inscribe a Daoist verse with his sword-fingers. alerted by Chen Ping’an, Wei Bo swiftly traveled to Yuanmu Peak. He approached the Pure Yang Immortal in his moment of poetic fervor, tactfully suggesting that he visit his own Pijun Mountain. There, he could “copy from the gourd” and etch a similar inscription, even a single word would suffice. Lü Yan, perhaps out of respect for the Mountain Lord, assented, and followed Wei Bo to Pijun. The mountain, still touched by the lingering chill of winter, became a canvas for the Immortal’s “brush.” After a moment’s contemplation, he carved a phrase, an epigraph of sorts, filled with effusive praise:

*With wine I brave the mountain’s heights, snow buffeting my face;*
*Of all the peaks my eyes have scanned, Pijun holds first place.*

Pijun Mountain, being a “new” sacred peak, boasted scant carvings. Of the Five Sacred Peaks of Baoping, only Fan Junmao’s Southern Peak was more bare.

With this inscription, imbued with the Immortal’s Daoist essence, Wei Bo deemed Jinqing’s Central Peak…rustic.

Downing his tea, Wei Bo said, “Remember to include Pijun Mountain in similar opportunities in the future.”

Chen Ping’an agreed and Wei Bo poured Chen Mountain Lord tea before contentedly departing.

Wei Wenlong remained impassive, casting glances toward the mountain path.

Chen Ping’an found amusement in his demeanor, for the Master of Wei’s estate, Luopo Mountain’s treasurer, appeared visibly apprehensive. He drank his tea as if bracing himself with strong spirits.

Emerging from the path, Shao Yunyan and Lady Tuoyan greeted Chen Ping’an with their accustomed title, “Hidden Official.”

Luopo Mountain’s God of Wealth, Head of Quanquan, Wei Wenlong, approached Shao Yunyan with a solemn bow, “Disciple Wei Wenlong greets his master.”

Shao Yunyan offered a curt nod. Among the disciples of Chunban House, Shao Yunyan had never particularly favored Wei Wenlong, whose inclinations leaned more toward calculation than martial prowess.

Their relationship was not unfriendly, for Shao Yunyan had few disciples, but neither was it particularly warm. Wei Wenlong had always been taciturn, and Shao Yunyan had never been a particularly affable master within the walls of Chunban House.

Shao Yunyan turned to Chen Ping’an. “Hidden Official, what is Wei Wenlong’s standing at the Ancestral Hall of Luopo Mountain?”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “Those ranked before him are myself, Senior Zhang Ming, and Chief Offering Zhou Fei. So Wei Wenlong ranks fourth in our Luopo Mountain.”

Most sects would place old masters with greater seniority at the head of the ancestral halls, but these positions would be more honorary than anything. But if they had a higher cultivation, these old masters would be ranked above even a sect’s law enforcement.

Shao Yunyan smiled. “I never truly appreciated it before, but standing at the foot of Luopo Mountain, I find it…pleasing.”

Wei Wenlong flushed with embarrassment.

Noticing his master’s gaze, Wei Wenlong immediately steeled his expression, suppressing his smile.

Chen Ping’an chided, “Sword Immortal Shao, a word of caution. Master Wei is a person of influence in Luopo Mountain. Show some respect; cease your masterly airs and that perpetual scowl.”

Shao Yunyan did not dispute with the Hidden Official. “Wenlong, your Mountain Lord has taken issue with me. What do you think? Should I force a smile?”

Wei Wenlong responded nervously, “There’s no need. Master, your demeanor is as it always was. I would be uncomfortable if you changed.”

When addressing Chen Ping’an, Wei Wenlong regained his composure. “Mountain Lord, my master is always this way: stern on the surface, but warm within. There is no need for him to feign otherwise; I would only feel uneasy.”

Chen Ping’an and Shao Yunyan exchanged smiles.

Lady Tuoyan subtly rolled her eyes. Back in Upside Down Mountain, she had never foreseen Wei Wenlong’s good fortune. People and opportunity were incomparable.

Lady Tuoyan’s title now was Mei Shou and Daoist name was Plum Bloom Lord.

She used 120 years of Daoist progress at the South Lake Green Plum Temple and lied it was 150.

Shao Yunyan was invited to Rain Dragon Sect and Mei Shou had good relations with Shui Jing and are now guest elders of the sect.

Chen Ping’an finally turned his gaze to his second guest.

Chen Ping’an looked at Lady Tuoyan and smiled. “To travel the world, to be kind to others, is always good.”

Lady Tuoyan’s smile was awkward and cursed in her heart.

*Hidden Official, you should really get rid of that teaching habit.*

Chen Ping’an’s eyes narrowed, seemingly piercing her thoughts. “Should I change it?”

Lady Tuoyan pretended ignorance and Chen Ping’an said, “Nalan Caihuan is the same as ever with that money talk but not emotions. Doesn’t even give you two a salary.”

The hosts and guests ascended the mountain together, encountering Cen Yuanji descending after training.

She exchanged a glance with Chen Mountain Lord, who responded with a gentle shake of his head, signaling her to continue.

Lady Tuoyan asked, “What was that?”

Chen Ping’an decided to ignore the question and reminded Shao Yunyan of the invitation from the lord of Mount Jiuyi as well as the local customs of the mountain. Some things, especially the details, would never appear in news.

Lady Tuoyan was quite proud, that someone who lived in China’s Five Great Peaks would invite someone over was rare.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Will you return to Dragon Elephant Sword Sect after this?”

Shao Yunyan shook his head. “We will travel north before going home.”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “You should visit them.”

Sword Immortal Shao was originally from Northern Ju Continent.

When Liu Jinglong visited Chunban House with his disciple Bai Shou as well as Water Scripture’s Lu Sui, who loved Liu Jinglong, Liu ordered a sword gourd for his disciple. Shao Yunyan gave him a fair price, which made Bai Shou sweat profusely.

That gourd vine was a treasure that produced 14 gourds but could only refine seven for sword usage. Shao Yunyan had waited for nearly a millennium and created the Chunban House to cultivate it.

Liu could only get one because one of the seven couldn’t pay and Liu was lucky enough to be there.

The bamboo building was too small, so Chen took his guests to an unused residence in Jiling Peak.

After they sat down, Chen gave Shao a piece of paper with names and items.

Shao examined them and Chen said, “Money is not an issue. As long as they agree, just say yes.”

Shao immediately realized that the names were from Jiyuyi and some prominent sects from all the continents. Shao had revealed the six buyers of the gourds to Chen without any issue. Chunban House was always more cordial than the rest of the Four Homes.

Lady Tuoyan immediately came alive when she heard the phrase. Did Chen Ping’an try to climb the ranks of the Confucian Temple and become the Vice Leader?

Chen explained, “Our Luopo Mountain steward is Chen Ruchu, Warm Tree. She is born as a wenyun fire python in Dragon Gate and this promotion is special.”

Shao Yunyan said, “Even with items to help, she will have to work.”

Chen laughed and said, “Don’t worry about that.”

Liu Xianyang gave Chen a book-flipping style. Chen gave it to Chen Nuanshu but found that she already had one, so he allowed Cao Qinglang to use it instead.

If Little Warm Tree insisted, no one, including Chen, could tell her anything.

Shao Yunyan said, “I have some connections, but these items are not a matter of money. None of these sects have financial issues, so my reputation might not be enough. Can I use your name?”

Chen nodded. “I only take care of the bill. If they don’t want money or want you to take care of something else, like asking me to participate in a ceremony, feel free to agree.”

Shao Yunyan looked at Chen with curiosity.

Lady Tuoyan also looked at the young Hidden Official.

She felt bitter that she could only be scorned while the Dragon Gate fire python was priceless.

Chen suddenly coughed and told them not to talk about it.

A girl in a pink dress opened the door, who smiled and nodded to the master. She carefully placed a plate of fruits and desserts on the table before greeting the guests and said her name before leaving.

Lady Tuoyan glanced at the little girl that Chen had called a steward and found that she was quite cute.

Chen took out an orange and handed it to her. Chen Nuanshu smiled bashfully and shook her head. “Just tell me if you need anything. I will wait in the yard.”

Chen did not say any more and nodded.

After the girl left, Shao Yunyan said, “After a millennium, I plan to visit the Water Scripture.”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “You should visit.”

Shao Yunyan had Liu Jinglong deliver the gourd to the Water Scripture back in Ju Continent. If people found out, this would be disastrous. If Liu Jinglong hadn’t been an immortal sword cultivator, Shao Yunyan wouldn’t have said anything. One mistake would ruin him, lose the treasure, and also harm a future cultivator.

Shao Yunyan tentatively asked, “Can you help with Liu and Lu?”

Chen Ping’an was annoyed and said, “Shao, how can I say anything?”

Sun Qing of Colorful Bird also loved Liu.

Shao Yunyan sighed that Lu and Liu and his master and himself were much the same.

Shao Yunyan and his master had found this gourd vine and was to be rewarded to Shao but she had given it to Shao to form Daoist partners. However, there was a mistake and they did not become anything. Shao worried that he wouldn’t be able to protect the item and went to Upside Down Mountain.

Shao viewed Lu as if she were his daughter.

Chen was curious about the results.

Lady Tuoyan took an orange and threw the peel on the ground. Chen glanced at her and she picked it up and sat properly.

Shao Yunyan nodded and said, “Better than expected. We can refine eight swords and there is one that, if it is refined into a sword gourd, will be the best. But no one wants to take it, since I offered it at a much higher price and I didn’t want to sell it in the first place.”

“Do you want to give it to me?”

Chen’s eyes lit up and said, “As a gift for creating a sect, it is too much. But I can’t refuse if you insist.”

Lady Tuoyan smiled.

Shao Yunyan said, “If you say a word, I will send the gourd to you!”

Lady Tuoyan felt like Shao was going overboard.

Chen waved his hands and said, “I can’t do that. Liu will break up with me if I do.”

Shao Yunyan paused.

Chen smiled and asked, “Did Bai Chang ask for the gourd before going into seclusion?”

Shao Yunyan nodded.

Chen said, “Don’t hesitate and sell.”

Shao breathed in relief.

Chen said, “Business is business and there’s no need to be coy.”

Shao felt like a burden was lifted.

Chen asked, “What is the price for a friend to buy the sword gourd that might fail?”

Shao held up a finger.

Chen was shocked and asked for 1000 Gu Yu coins?

That was robbery.

Lady Tuoyan said, “I spoke with Shao on the way here and told him that I would buy it for Mr. Lu as a gift for becoming an immortal.”

Chen nodded. “You have put in the effort.”

After hesitating, Chen tentatively said, “Shao, we are all family. Aren’t 1000 coins too much? 500 is more reasonable, especially since it might fail. We are gambling with 500 coins.”

Shao Yunyan asked, “Are you buying or not?”

Chen was conflicted and scratched his head and said, “If it wasn’t for the large canal thing, I would’ve bought it. I’m broke.”

Chen didn’t have the courage to leave it up to chance.

If he failed and Liu found out, Chen would be scolded for wasting money.

Chen glanced at Lady Tuoyan and waved his hands, signaling that he wouldn’t buy it, but told Shao Yunyan that he could.

Lady Tuoyan gazed ardently and softly said, “Shao Yunyan?”

Shao Yunyan laughed. “It is yours.”

Only then did Lady Tuoyan begin to smile.

Chen said, “Did 100 Gu Yu coins make you happy?”

Lady Tuoyan suddenly fell silent.

Shao Yunyan smiled. Chen Pingan secretly helped because it was going to be a gift for Lu Zhi.

Chen turned to the door and said, “Warm Tree, please boil tea with Lao Chu’s mountain tea.”

The girl came in and took the tea set out of the closet. Chen smiled and introduced. “This Shao Sword Immortal is from Upside Down’s House. Lady Tuoyan is the Lord of Plum Bloom. Both are from Dragon Elephant Sword Sect.

“Chen Ruchu is our Luopo Mountain steward and the first to come with me to the ancestor’s house back in Huaihuang.”

Chen’s eyes were soft. “She’s the first.”

Jing Qing was second.

The most beautiful scenery was at the beginning.

Nuanshu looked up and smiled gently.

—

By the Lin River, there was a thatched hut and a table with three wine bowls.

A boy in white was squatting by the river, chewing on a blade of grass and idly tossing a pebble into the air.

Two people were coming from a distance. Yu Lu in scholar robes with bamboo box and staff.

And Xie, who was at the bottleneck of Golden Core.

Yu Lu felt welcomed by the river and thought of it as a great place to fish. He and Xie had travelled for an hour and had already found three good spots.

As for why they did not fly, it was to stabilize Xie’s mind. She was here to see Cui Dongshan and might even become a disciple.

Yu Lu felt like Xie had spent all these years training because she hadn’t ran away.

To lighten the mood, Yu Lu said, “Everyone knows that the Lin River is a treasure trove that would be great for a port. But if everyone knows that a business is profitable, it might just be a scam.”

Xie smiled reluctantly. She couldn’t care less about a river.

Like Yu Lu said, that’s what happened. Sects joined together and created three prototype ports on the river. The previous master of this port was one of the people and lost money. They created the port halfway and the others joined forces and it became useless. One said that they would build a mountain array and intercept the upstream and another stole power for themselves and summoned monsters.

Then there was a boy who took the port for himself.

It wasn’t easy. Some people were there to challenge him.

Upon approaching the hut, Xie trembled uncontrollably. Every step took a toll on her mind.

Yu Lu would often joke that her demon would be Cui Dongshan.

Xie was scared, but she was more afraid of a demon version of him.

Thus, Yu Lu had convinced her to face Cui Dongshan instead.

Xie had hoped to overcome her fear of Cui Dongshan. Otherwise, it would be hard to break through to Golden Core.

Back at Great Sui, only Xie had been targeted by Cui Dongshan.

But Xie suddenly felt like he was someone else.

Cui Dongshan wasn’t that tired, was he?

Cui Dongshan tossed the pebble into the river and knocked out a monster that was spying on him and it suddenly revealed itself as a fish. He had fish for dinner.

Cui Dongshan stood up and complained. “Yu Lu, why didn’t you come earlier? I took a few blows from a golden body martial artist that were far worse than you think. I spat out blood and almost died. You were going to make my disciple pay for it!”

Xie didn’t understand and didn’t want to.

Cui Dongshan said, “Xie, why are you paying?”

When Xie paled, Yu Lu said, “He probably thought you would celebrate.”

Cui Dongshan gave Yu Lu a thumbs up and looked at Xie. He sighed. He was troubled that he had such a stupid disciple.

Xie’s palms were sweating and wanted to return to Baoping Continent.

Yu Lu had told her what happened. First was a seventh-stage master that was hired to beat the boy. He knocked the boy down and sent him rolling.

Then there was an immortal that hit the boy so hard that he coughed blood.

He managed to barely stand before drinking some wine.

Then a sword cultivator defended the boy.

That was very Cui Dongshan of him.

Yu Lu wasn’t surprised.

Cui Dongshan shook his sleeves and walked around Xie and said, “Since you are here, that means you are my disciple. No tea needed. I’m scared that you might poison me or spit in it.”

Xie was tense and didn’t say anything.

Cui Dongshan walked around and said, “Thank you for having me as a disciple.”

Xie was sweating.

Yu Lu did not help her. She had to overcome this herself.

Cui Dongshan suddenly asked, “Yu Lu, do you have any sword talismans from Dragon Spring on you? If so, give them to Xie as a gift. I will thank you for her.”

Yu Lu took out a few small swords. “Don’t worry. They are all old.”

Cui Dongshan was surprised that there were five. He asked, “Why are there so many?”

Yu Lu explained, “I reported two missing and bought two. Xu Xiaoqiao may have helped me because of my relationship with Chen Pingan. Xu had also agreed to my request. As for the remaining two, I bought it from the immortal and the immortal probably thinks he got a good deal.”

Back at Longzhou, you needed the talisman to fly.

Now that Longzhou was Chuzhou, Dragon Spring did not make the talisman.

Cui Dongshan praised, “Yu Lu, you’re still smart.”

Cui Dongshan then grabbed the fish that was flowing down and kicked it.

Cui Dongshan praised, “My leg strength is unmatched!”

The fish transformed into a man covered in dirt.

Cui Dongshan pointed a finger and said, “You were peeking when you were supposed to be helping and you want to steal my disciple?”

Cui Dongshan returned the man back into a fish and kicked him back into the river. “I’m not an assassin. Pick a place and fight. If you win, the port is yours. If I win…it’s impossible for me to win against a famous master!”

The fish trembled and swam away.

Cui Dongshan curled his lips.

When the new port was built, it needed men. But it only needed those from minor sects. So that the old gods would be wiped away and not escape.

Did they need salaries? They got life.

Cui Dongshan told them to walk up the river. Yu Lu asked, “Does the port have a name?”

Cui Dongshan said, “It’s not that simple. I am not a teacher.”

This was the fourth port.

Yu Lu, do you know where the name Tongye comes from?

“From a king that gave his brother a leaf. The brother established a dynasty. Now it is just the Mai River. The Lin River used to be just a small section. The Tongye and Yu Gui sects both come from the same origins.”

Xie was impressed. Yu Lu was just a martial artist that had read so many books.

Cui Dongshan praised that Yu Lu gave two answers for one.

Yu Lu said that he helped Xie.

Cui Dongshan said, “If only I could have a little bit of your brain.”

Cui Dongshan crossed his arms and said, “I’m going to kick you out. Seriously!”

Yu Lu was stunned.

The boy waved his shoulders and sleeves. “Master is not here.”

Yu Lu sighed and took out a letter.

Cui Dongshan stopped him and said, “Don’t do anything, or the enemies will take advantage of us!”

Xie was confused.

Yu Lu told Xie that he had given her a good luck talisman.

Xie realized.

If it wasn’t for Cui Dongshan, Xie would have been very smart.

Cui Dongshan asked, “Xie, do you know how to refer to my master?”

Like the mute? She had to call him grand master.

Xie steeled her face.

Yu Lu shook his head.

Cui Dongshan smiled.

Cui Dongshan said, “You can be serious, but you can’t say hurtful things.”

“There aren’t many handsome people like me.”

“You two used to be heaven’s chosen. One was a prince and one was a genius. But now you are both slaves. Remember when you were my servants back at Yuan’s house? You have been through hell.”

“Those that are poor meet both good and bad things.”

“So my master remembers the bowl, the steamed bun, etc. But I think it’s not that great to have good memory.”

“It sounds like bad people don’t get money. So people become heartless so they can get money. Being heartless is only harming others. Being kind is only hurting yourself. Everything we do to change ourselves is just us burying what happened.”

Yu Lu was confused because Cui Dongshan was normal. Cui Dongshan never confided in them.

Then Cui Dongshan started asking questions. “Yu Lu, you haven’t been to Jiangzhou, have you? Have you been trying to convince Yu to make a country and become the grand master?”

Yu Lu said, “Almost everything is true, except Xie thinks that she doesn’t have to wait that long.”

Cui Dongshan was surprised and asked, “Are you that confident about becoming a nascent core?”

Xie nodded and said that she could become one in 20 years.

Cui Dongshan said, “Then I have a treasure again. A nascent core that can fight anyone. That’s worth more than a port.”

Xie was silent.

Cui Dongshan said, “Yu Lu, stop being coy. Be a man. I have picked a place for you on the river. There is a surprise waiting for you as well.”

“We need money, but we are brothers. What will happen when you become king and she becomes a master? I will have all the alcohol I could ever want.”

Yu Lu paused.

He and Xie had discussed whether it could be considered a country.

Cui Dongshan said, “You have to lower yourself but look up high.”

Yu Lu asked, “Not far?”

“Those in impossible situations can’t see far ahead.”

Cui Dongshan shook his head and said, “But no one can stop us from looking up.”

Xie didn’t dare say anything. If Chen Pingan said that, she would say he was a frog.

Cui Dongshan laughed and said, “Right, we are all frogs.”

Cui Dongshan muttered, “Short lived.”