In a vale where waters flowed, nestled a village school, a single plum bough clinging to an ancient ravine. A soul stood there, where the rain met the root of the clouds. Water’s murmur, the mountain’s hue, and the plum’s fragile bloom all clamored to greet him.

Myriad green bamboos rose on the mountainside, promising a different vista when night unfurled, with flowing water and moonbeams merging into a stream of silver snow.

At the schoolhouse eaves, Yu Mian performed a curtsy, while Yu Yu, stripped of her usual whimsy, obediently offered a fist-and-palm salute to the young Hidden Official, her voice a mere whisper as she greeted “Master Chen” after the Emperor.

Chen Pingan nodded in acknowledgment, then turned to his two colleagues, clasping his hands in greeting. “Master Han, Master Feng,” he said with a smile, “forgive my humble schoolmastering. Should a junior like myself err, I welcome your guidance.”

With outsiders present, and mindful that a smiling face disarms a blow, the two educators nodded stiffly. They had listened for half an hour, and this Chen Ji was as they suspected: young, yet possessed of an outsized tongue. A mere tutor, unschooled in the county academy, daring to speak of ambitious deeds and vaunted prose? To lure students and line his pockets, resorting to every trick imaginable, yet claiming to teach upright conduct? Clearly, to curry favor with these outsiders, he was willing to shed all pretense of decorum.

The Prefect of Yun Province, Pei Tong, and the General, Chu Liang, offered silent salutations, hesitant to reveal their stations. Two border governors, each weighed with their own thoughts. Pei Tong wondered if this was indeed the last disciple of the Sage of Literature, the junior brother of National Preceptor Cui Chan and Qi Xianzhao of Cliff Academy. Chu Liang, a man of war, considered if this gentle scholar in his blue robes and cloth shoes could truly be the last Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall, the newest to bear the mark of “Serendipity.”

Noticing a sidelong glance, a hint of amusement in Chen Pingan’s eyes, Zhao Yao sighed inwardly. Generous with all, save he, the grudge-holder? Hadn’t he merely offered a harmless jest in the Da Li capital? Seeing no escape, the Imperial Secretary forced a greeting, “Little Uncle-Master.” Chen Pingan’s face bloomed with the pleased satisfaction of an elder regarding a promising younger relation. Zhao Yao sighed again. *His rank was higher. He would bear it.*

The school’s quarter-hour recess found the students restrained, intimidated by the wealthy outsiders. The usual clamor was absent. The bolder boys were engrossed by the scar upon Chu Liang’s neck, while the girls discreetly assessed the ladies’ silken garments.

Chen Pingan led the company to his residence, a humble hall dominated by an old octagonal table bought from the village. After introducing Zhao Shuxia as his student to Song He, Chen Pingan offered an apology, “You are too early for the new tea harvest. These are from last spring’s Grain Rain. I hope they suffice.”

Masters Han Wo and Feng Yuanting were loath to depart, and thus, eagerly accepted Chen Ji’s casual invitation to step within the modest dwelling. They surmised that the side room, its door closed, served as Chen Ji’s living quarters and study.

Ning Ji dared not interrupt his master’s guests, standing instead by the sundial carved in stone upon the threshing ground.

His two students were quite different: Zhao Shuxia, the type who served his master’s needs, attending him at his side; Ning Ji, a serious, devoted student who had lately enrolled in the village school like one of the children.

Chen Pingan beckoned to Ning Ji, who trotted into the hall. “This is a new student,” he announced, smiling. “Ning Ji, meaning peaceful fortune. A propitious name.”

Ning Ji blushed and bowed to the assembled company.

Within the room, most eyes were drawn to the dark-skinned boy, Ning Ji.

But Zhao Yao spared a longer glance for Zhao Shuxia, silent yet not aloof.

With the presence of the village schoolmasters, little of consequence was spoken. After a bowl of tea, Chen Pingan apologized, explaining he must resume his lessons. He departed with Ning Ji, leaving Zhao Shuxia to entertain their guests.

After Chen Pingan’s exit, Song He addressed the two old men, inquiring about the school in Wu Xi village.

With their fellow educator Chen Ji, they might have maintained a superior air. But before these mysterious outsiders, the two masters were more cautious, particularly with the Song-named man who seemed to be the leader. He carried an air of authority. Their responses became more akin to students undergoing examination. Yu Mian tugged on the Emperor’s sleeve, and Song He ceased his probing, shifting to inquiries about the seasons and local customs.

After school, the two masters excused themselves. Once beyond earshot of the schoolhouse, Feng Yuanting loosened his collar and exhaled. “That Song,” he ventured, “could he be a high official from the prefectural capital?” Han Wo feigned nonchalance. “Hard to say how high. But one thing is certain, he hails from a noble family in the North.” Feng Yuanting’s curiosity was piqued. How would such a scion know Chen Ji? Han Wo mused, “Perhaps he is Chen Ji’s benefactor.” Feng Yuanting grumbled, “The lad has stumbled upon fortune.”

Chen Pingan, as host, occupied the seat facing the door. Song He and Yu Mian shared a bench across from Pei Tong, Chu Liang, and Yu Yu.

Zhao Shuxia and Ning Ji sat opposite their mentor, while Zhao Yao, their equal, was seated beside Zhao Shuxia, relatively close to Yu Yu on the opposite side.

After some pleasantries, Chen Pingan inquired, “Will you be able to eat common fare? Country life means hearty work, thus our dishes tend to be spicy and salty. My own tastes are much the same, not so much adapting as just being accustomed.”

Should they not be able to bear it, so be it. As a simple tutor, Chen Pingan had no intention of making exceptions for this group, nor hosting them in the Fallen Mountain estate.

Hearing this, Song He glanced at the Empress, who nodded with a smile. Song He then affirmed, “We are amenable. We have no issues.”

Chen Pingan rose. “I shall cook some dishes myself, though I make no claims to skill.”

Seeing this, Zhao Yao’s concerns eased.

Chu Liang, a simple soldier, saw nothing amiss. Pei Tong, with his keen mind, noted a shift in Chen Pingan’s demeanor. He was no longer merely being polite and wishing to see them gone.

Before long, Zhao Shuxia and Ning Ji, assisting in the kitchen, carried dishes to the table. Few could be called gourmet, yet the seasonal vegetables looked fresh.

Chen Pingan removed his apron in the kitchen, and Ning Ji brought forth two kinds of liquor, a rough earthenware brew and a sweet rice wine. Yu Yu gazed at the young Hidden Official, her conscience pricked, claiming she would prefer a bit of the rice wine.

Chen Pingan lifted a bowl. “Be at ease. I shall start.”

Song He followed suit, downing a bowl of the strong spirit, only to choke, his face flushed. Pei Tong and Chu Liang stifled their comments.

For reasons unknown, once at the schoolhouse, facing the schoolmaster, they were…as though they had left the lands and courts of Da Li behind.

Chen Pingan said nothing, but picked up his chopsticks, urging them to eat.

Song He then explained the reason for his visit, clearing the names of He Shen and Yu Huiting from the “vegetable selection”, in order to prevent Chen Pingan from misunderstanding their intentions.

Chen Pingan listened patiently, smiling and nodding at intervals.

After a moment’s pause, Song He spoke plainly. “Master Chen, I have come on a delicate matter. I hope you will reconsider your decision regarding the wedding banquet in the capital.”

Chen Pingan chose a morsel of food, chewing it slowly before replying, “I shall consider it, beginning today.”

Song He was caught off guard. He had steeled himself for a rejection, yet was now sharing a meal with Master Chen, drinking with him, and hadn’t been directly turned down. He recalled Chen Pingan’s entry into the palace accompanied by “Strangeness,” which caused such disturbances that the Da Li Astronomical Observatory was left rattled. Song He had begun to think Chen Pingan had irreparably broken ties with the Song family. Even the Empress Dowager Nan Zan seemed unusually meek and kind, no longer behaving as though she were in charge.

After a pause, Chen Pingan continued, “Aside from some personal grievances and old debts, which must be addressed, I hesitated mainly due to my Brother Cui’s blunt words. He said, in essence, that I am unsuited to be Da Li’s National Preceptor because my understanding of statecraft and warfare is as someone trapped in their own creation. I possess only a ‘soft and ingratiating heart,’ disqualifying me from shaping events and fostering new eras. He added that my minor achievements on the Sword Qi Great Wall were due to borrowing power from the Old Great Sword Immortal, relying on the arrangements of the entire Bixia Palace. Thus, my contribution to the Great Wall was merely icing on the cake, not a lifeline. He said that, in the same position, he could achieve the same results, and my role would be superfluous, helpful but not essential, ultimately inconsequential.”

The mention of “Sword Qi Great Wall” and “Bixia Palace” weighed heavily upon everyone present, whether it was due to Chen Pingan’s report of Cui Chan’s words, or the inherent significance of the places themselves. Emperor Song He, and the border governors Pei Tong and Chu Liang, all straightened their backs, holding their breaths.

Chen Pingan laughed wryly. “Such is the reasoning. But I believe my abilities in maintaining order are adequate, and in fulfilling my commitments, I am not entirely useless.”

None present were fools, save perhaps the innocent Ning Ji. They understood Chen Pingan was echoing his brother Cui’s deeper meaning.

His eldest brother was saying, “Your talents are lacking. Don’t presume otherwise just because you’ve accomplished something. I must be the one to tell you so. But you are still my little brother, and if trouble arises, I will stand by you.”

If he found him lacking, it was because he saw no better in all of Da Li.

Therefore, Chen Pingan’s visit to the Da Li capital was not only to resolve the matter of his fragmented natal porcelain but also to assess whether his Brother Cui had found a suitable successor to be National Preceptor, such as Zhao Yao.

Empress Yu Mian and Yu Yu, hoping to ingratiate herself with the young Hidden Official, cleared the table and washed the dishes.

After the meal, Chen Pingan invited the Emperor and the two leaders of the province, along with his nephew Zhao Yao, to his study for tea and conversation.

He learned that Prefect Pei Tong’s father and grandfather had both hailed from the old Cliff Academy in the capital, under Qi Jingchun. The academy had since been reorganized as the government-run Spring Mountain Academy.

Seeing Prefect Pei and the young Hidden Official conversing freely, Chu Liang grew anxious. He could think of no common ground to cultivate rapport with Chen Pingan.

Yu Mian stood at the side room’s door, gently knocking.

Chen Pingan turned, calling out with a smile, “Yu Yu, bring in another bench.”

Chen Pingan sat cross-legged on the bed, his arms wrapped around his knees.

The room contained only two official-style armchairs, and Chen Pingan and the Emperor offered them to Pei Tong and Chu Liang, who sat in them, while they settled on the edge of the bed.

Chu Liang attempted to offer his seat to the Empress and Yu Yu, but was stopped by Pei Tong, “Nonsense! Are you suggesting someone sit upon a chair still warmed by your backside? Unseemly!”

Yu Yu carried a bench into the room, sitting beside the Empress.

Guessing the matter, Song He shook his head, signaling Yu Mian to postpone her request.

The Empress, uncharacteristically insistent, met his gaze with determination. Song He sighed and nodded.

Yu Mian spoke, “Master Chen, I must apologize and ask for your aid.”

Chen Pingan smiled. “Speak freely.”

Yu Mian produced the bracelet of spiritual rhinoceros beads, and Yu Yu promptly took it, offering it to the Hidden Official.

Chen Pingan accepted the bracelet. “Some of these were enchanted by Xiao Mo’s sword arts. I will have him lift the restrictions, and then ask Lord Wei of the Mountain to return them.”

Yu Mian visibly relaxed. She thanked Master Chen.

Song He felt a weight lift.

Perhaps the muddled affair, Chen Pingan’s “old debts,” could be put to rest? Every family had its troubles, and even an Emperor could not easily resolve matters with his own mother.

Since Chen Pingan mentioned Wei Bo, Song He shifted to discussing the consecration of the Five Peaks.

Chen Pingan offered few details, but Yu Yu laughingly jested, “One glimpse of Lord Wei’s true countenance will explain why the men of the mountains yearn for mirror-flowers and water-moons.”

Pei Tong pretended not to understand the Yu maiden’s jest, especially with the Empress present. Chu Liang, not one for subtlety, grinned openly, only to feel a chill when he saw Pei Tong seated stiffly, eyes lowered. Fearing he had been unseemly before the Emperor, the General averted his gaze, only to see the young Hidden Official and the Emperor were amused. Chu Liang laughed openly. They were all men, after all. A scribe was nothing, no matter how high his official hat, compared to those who relied upon the sword.

Zhao Shuxia and Ning Ji were busy washing dishes in the kitchen.

The boy lowered his voice, asking cautiously, “Those people, Zhao-Shixiong?”

Zhao Shuxia smiled calmly. “You are correct. That is the Emperor and Empress. And those two, they’re probably Prefect Pei and General Chu of this Yun Province.”

The boy grinned. “Does that make Master’s interactions with them considered to be ‘learned men conversing, no ordinary folk among them’?”

Zhao Shuxia could not help but laugh.

Ning Ji quickly corrected himself. “No, no. Master is both ‘surrounded by relatives even in deep mountains’ and ‘my heart is at peace, like the clear, tranquil river’.”

Zhao Shuxia teased, “Ning Ji, you are quite adept at learning and applying your lessons. Master is sure to think highly of you. He might even teach you some of the Fallen Mountain’s hidden arts.”

Ning Ji’s palms grew damp.

Zhao Shuxia said with a smile, “You have met Chief Lu already. There’s no need to be so nervous.”

Ning Ji pondered this, finding Zhao Shuxia’s reasoning made sense.

Ning Ji asked curiously, “Brother Cui was Master’s first student. Why call him Little Brother and Pei-Shijie Eldest Sister?”

Zhao Shuxia shook his head. “I don’t know. When Little Brother first met Master, he didn’t want to be the Eldest Brother. He insisted that Pei-Shijie call him Little Brother, so he would call Pei-Shijie Eldest Sister, calculating them separately.”

—

Spring breeze fills the mountains, hard to contain. Sunrise, moonrise. Birds fly to the eaves. Clouds flow from the window. The wind stirs the pines for your ears.

Within Fallen Mountain, in the Old Chef’s courtyard, Xie Gou sat on the steps, watching Xiao Mo weave a bamboo basket with Mr. Zhu. Xiao Mo’s focused expression was incredibly beautiful. She swallowed hard, resisting the urge to pounce, and reached up to stroke her sable hat. “Xiao Mo,” she blurted out, “I was so happy you didn’t follow me when I left Fallen Mountain to do my own business! You let me go alone!”

Xiao Mo hesitated, then confessed, “Gongzi told me not to follow you.”

Zhu Lian rolled his eyes.

What a blockhead! If Xiao Mo had one-ten-thousandth of his swordsmanship in matters of the heart, he wouldn’t have spoken such a truth aloud.

Xie Gou seemed cheerful. She crossed her arms, tossed her head, and declared, “I don’t care about that. I’m just happy you didn’t follow!”

Xiao Mo added, “Gongzi advised me so, and I thought there was sense to it.”

All true.

Xie Gou sniffled, her voice low. “Xiao Mo, Xiao Mo, that makes me even happier!”

Zhu Lian shook his head and continued weaving.

Though these two were not young, in matters of love they were but fledglings.

One had to shout to hide her disappointment, while the other was completely oblivious.

They were well-suited, a perfect match.

Xie Gou squinted. “Mr. Zhu, do you have something to say? We’re family here. Tell us.”

Zhu Lian chuckled. “No opinions. Just that you two are being quite sickening in my courtyard.”

Xiao Mo blushed.

Xie Gou laughed, shrugging. The Old Chef’s assessment was cause for celebration. “I’ll disgust you to death!”

Zhu Lian didn’t argue, reminding Xiao Mo, “You only appear young, Xiao Mo. You are old. Take it easy.”

Xiao Mo grew more flustered. What was going on?

Xie Gou clapped her hands. Mr. Zhu’s words were always profound. “These words touch my heart!

“Fallen Mountain is so comfortable! Not family until in one house!”

Xie Gou asked, “Mr. Zhu, do I stand a chance against Chen Zhuoliu in a sword duel?”

Zhu Lian laughed, “Are you going to fight for your life?”

Xie Gou grinned. “A visitor is a guest. Why fight for your life? Just spar.”

Zhu Lian replied, “No chance.”

Xie Gou pressed, “If I fight for my life?”

Zhu Lian shook his head, “No chance.”

Xie Gou grumbled, “Useless.”

Zhu Lian retorted, “You asked first.”

Xie Gou didn’t get angry, nodding. “Looks like I need to practice.”

First, there was the Daoist Lu Yan, then the scholar Li Xisheng, and now the monk Chen Zhuoliu.

The three teachings, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, are all together.

Xiao Mo asked, “Mr. Zhu, will Gongzi become the new National Preceptor of Da Li?”

The commotion in Yun and Yan Provinces did not escape Xiao Mo’s notice.

Zhu Lian paused. “Probably.”

Xiao Mo looked puzzled. “Why?”

Zhu Lian smiled. “Gongzi has always liked to make things difficult for himself.”

Xie Gou scoffed. What kind of answer was that?

Gao Jun walked up, hesitated, then walked into the courtyard. Finding a seat and nodding to Zhu Lian as she sat down.

Zhu Lian smiled at her. “To be a good person, you have to make things hard on yourself.”

Xiao Mo nodded, “When people suggest good deeds, we doubt them, but when told bad deeds, we believe them. As it’s an opportunity for evil thoughts and ill intent. Therefore, doing all good and avoiding all evil is so necessary and difficult.”

Zhu Lian nodded. “Easy to know, hard to do. To truly embody a principle, many others must be erected and then torn down, making the task ever harder.”

Xie Gou praised, “Xiao Mo, you’ve heard the Buddha speak!”

Xiao Mo sighed. “I only heard his voice. Never understood. Now I regret it.”

Gao Jun’s eyelids fluttered.

The sable hat woman was prone to embellishment.

The affable “Mr. Xiao Mo”, however, was not one for grand pronouncements.

Then Zhu Lian asked a strange question. “Xiao Mo, Xie Gou, Chief Gao, do you like studying math?”

Xiao Mo said, “I wouldn’t say I like it. But by Gongzi’s side, I’ve had a cursory introduction. Just a novice.”

Xie Gou was silent. She had no interest in math.

Most cultivators engaged in math.

But Xie Gou was an exception. She could practice the sword with her eyes closed.

Gao Jun said, “We have similar classes, but I only study math and divination occasionally.”

Zhu Lian said calmly, “Perhaps all freedom is traded for a lowest common denominator.”

Xiao Mo thought.

Xie Gou glanced at Xiao Mo. She was pretending to think.

Gao Jun finally asked a question she had been holding in for a long time, ever since she left the Lotus Root Paradise and learned that the Old Chef was named Zhu Lian.

“Zhu Lian, are you really Zhu Lian?”

Xie Gou snorted.

Zhu Lian asked, “Why do you ask?”

Gao Jun blushed, unable to say.

In the secret chamber of the Lake Mountain School, there were portraits of him. There were made by senior women who were known to be beauties.

The noble Gongzi Zhu Lian, the most brilliant in the world, unsurpassed talent.

Plus he was a well known martial artist.

Zhu Lian smiled. “Unless there’s been a mistake, I should be the Zhu Lian you speak of.”

Gao Jun looked at the “Old Chef”.

Zhu Lian smiled, “Time passes, age weakens, not only women, Gao Jun is disappointed.”

Gao Jun sighed, regretting being born a century later.

In his time, the best in the world was Zhu Lian, and the only one to be remembered.

Zhu Lian was an exceptional figure, and often appeared in the legends.

Then suddenly, the head-weaving Zhu Lian looked up, “Xiao Mo, control Xie Gou!”

Xiao Mo looked confused, “The culprit” Xie Gou, and Gao Jun, looking in shock.

Xie Gou held her hand to her mouth, “Xiao Mo, I saw Zhu Lian’s face and didn’t look so surprised.”

Xiao Mo, with a bit of anger in her voice, ordered, “Quickly, remove the sword intent!”

Xie Gou pouted.

Zhu Lian laughed, “Gao Jun, this year in the South Court, I’m going to compare fist with a own son. Gao Jun, if you have the time, you can watch the battle.”

Gao Jun was speechless.

Xie Gou coughed, “Gao Jun, wake up.”

Gao Jun rose, and went without saying goodbye, heading out.

Xie Gou sighed, “If Fallen Mountain held a mirrored water exhibition, how much money would we earn?”

Xie Gou asked softly, “Xiao Mo, do we have any female enemies on the Fallen Mountain?”

“Don’t take it too far.”

Xie Gou oohed. “Has Chen Shanzhu ever seen Zhu Lian’s face?”

Zhu Lian shook his head.

Xiao Mo knew something Wei Bo told him, but did not tell Xie Gou, lest she blab all over the mountain.

Xie Gou asked, “Why are you competing with Chen Shanzhu?”

Zhu Lian replied, “For him, it’s just a matter of stretching the bones. For me, it’s all I can give. In addition to identity, fists are divided into two, and the jade of the other mountain can attack the stone.”

Two people snuck away, “The Old Chef is not bad. It’s just that he is far from the master!”

The silver haired boy opened his mouth.

Losing an opportunity to see the old face, sigh.

“With such a face, it would be easy to make a name.”

The complex mood, went to her door, and went for a walk to the White Jade Square on Jise Peak.

It’s not that she likes “Zhu Lian” at first sight, it’s just that a man is indeed too good-looking, and it’s totally unreasonable.

She retracted her thoughts, gradually clearing her mind, and then, Gao Jun smiled, even though the rivers and lakes were hundreds of years apart, she didn’t expect to meet the fellow villagers in a foreign land.

Gao Jun couldn’t help but pat the white jade railing heavily, and muttered to herself.

Seeing this face, the whole world is full of spring.