“To peruse the war tomes is to find respite from the summer’s heat, a thousand apertures cleansed and cooled. To savor fine verse is to banish winter’s chill, the body eased and warmed. At such a time, such a place, we three brothers must indulge in a bowl of lotus root powder!”

Thus spoke Cui Dongshan, smiling as he produced from his sleeve two bowls of chilled lotus root powder, offering them to Jiang Shangzhen and Feng Xuetao. Feng Xuetao gave his thanks, yet felt he could never quite keep pace with the Master Cui’s whims.

Cui Dongshan inquired if spoons were desired, but Jiang Shangzhen declined, raising the bowl in one hand and tilting his head back to consume the powder. Cui Dongshan then conjured two more bowls, one in each hand, partaking of them with a mouthful from the left, then a taste from the right.

A flight of Immortals, two celestial beings, such was their divine air.

Upon the shores of the Fish Scale Ferry, certain maidens who had come seeking renown found not Mi Yu, but instead the white-clad youth, a surprise and welcome sight.

Cui Dongshan, while waving greetings to the maidens, chatted with Jiang Shangzhen concerning the recent affairs of their lesser sect. On the mountain, one must never provoke those celestial sisters who delighted in judging character, regardless of their cultivation. As the seasoned cook, an expert of experience, was wont to say: “Keep them sweet, and the sect’s reputation shall remain untarnished.”

The Azure Reed Sword Sect had already made ties with the new Emperor of the Great Abyss Dynasty, Yuan Ying, for the formerly thrice-divided Yuan Dynasty had now been reunited under a single crown. The Azure Reed Sword Sect, as a neighbor to the Dynasty, had secured a promise from the new Emperor. Not only would the Dynasty, within its borders, provide any sword-wielding prodigy of chance for the sect to take as an outer disciple, but any child fit for the path of cultivation would be first sent to the Mountain of Immortal Abode, acceptance determined by the Azure Reeds themselves.

Besides the guest elder “Rambler,” there was also the female cultivator Wang Manmeng, and Qian Jun, nicknamed “Moneygrubber.” All of them now bore the title of outer disciple of the Azure Reed Sword Sect.

One now labored in the Brewery Bureau, assisting the aged Flood Dragon Qiu Du, while Moneygrubber had procured a post in the Floral Moon Bureau, aiding the Great Sword Immortal Mi.

Moreover, by the banks of the Phosphorous River, certain sprightly scribes of the River God’s court would enter the bounds of the Mountain of Immortal Abode. Though not yet upon the ledgers, they would be listed under Cui Dongshan’s Own Cause Peak.

If the Downfallen Mountain was a fiefdom of many vassal peaks with few members and fewer institutions, a peak to have just a few members,

Then the Azure Reed Sword Sect threatened to have more “government offices” than “officials,” nearly an office per person.

Indeed, Jiang Shangzhen could already foresee that grand bureaus like the Merit and Demerit Bureau and the Transfer Bureau would soon spawn a host of subordinate offices.

No wonder Cui Dongshan was so eager to recruit, the numbers of the Downfallen Mountain were of little concern, but the lesser sect required quantity.

Yet, such domestic matters of the lesser sect were no concern of Jiang Shangzhen, the chief disciple of the superior sect. Lest a chair be lost in the Ancestral Hall of Jise Peak, and lest they forget that even brothers must settle accounts.

Jiang Shangzhen jested, “So indiscriminate, are we?”

Cui Dongshan chuckled, “One must have the raw materials before one can refine them. A skilled housewife cannot conjure rice from thin air.”

Jiang Shangzhen inquired, “Do you intend to use this as an object lesson for your master in the art of managing a sect?”

Cui Dongshan feigned outrage, “How dare I harbor such treasonous thoughts! Chief Zhou, you slander me!”

Jiang Shangzhen smiled. “I envy you. A chance to start anew, to rise again from the East Mountain.”

So much youthful spirit and soaring ambition, chewed by the world’s woes, became mere sugarcane chaff strewn upon the ground.

With his cultivation and means, even setting aside his status as a catalogued cultivator of the Jade Rule Sect and the head of the Jiang clan, Jiang Shangzhen could have found another place, donned a new guise, and founded his own sect.

But his temperament forbade it, for he was too weary for such efforts. Like a road, once trod, it may be walked with ease, but the scenery would be all too familiar.

Feng Xuetao felt a twinge of envy for the relationship between Jiang Shangzhen and Cui Dongshan. On the mountain, to find true friends of like mind and matching temperament, who could share wealth and hardship, who could work together without growing weary of each other, was no easy feat. Feng Xuetao, known as Azure Secret, was of wild cultivation, native to the Snowy Continent, and had known both Liu Wealth God and Wei She for many years, yet found no kinship with either.

Cui Dongshan spoke, “Yangzhi is now in the capital. She has taken on a new identity, renamed herself Jingxing, and serves as an offering to the Great Fountain Dynasty.”

Jiang Shangzhen laughed. “The capital of the Cloud Cliff Kingdom is not the Night-Sailing Ship. Shall we drag Feng here and Mi along?”

Cui Dongshan shook his head. “She and Tender Taoist shall lend their strength in the shifting of waterways and the moving of mountains and peaks.”

Jiang Shangzhen chuckled. “Such is cultivation. Always thus, knowing the mountain holds tigers, yet venturing towards them.”

Cui Dongshan tilted his head back and consumed the chilled lotus root powder, making a slurping sound. “Countless sweet dreams within a basket of green-clad cherries.”

Jiang Shangzhen asked, “Is there anything here that requires my presence? If not, I shall head straight to the Downfallen Mountain. If I tarry any longer, I fear my seat as chief disciple may be lost.”

That young Master Mo was a formidable rival.

With him at the Downfallen Mountain, what could it be but price-gouging?

This Jiang Shangzhen found most troubling.

Cui Dongshan said, “Go, go. If you do not leave soon, it shall truly be too late.”

Jiang Shangzhen nodded. “It so happens that the abbot of the Literary Temple seeks to confer honors upon the Five Peaks. I can display my prowess in that matter.”

Cui Dongshan clicked his tongue. “The celestial sisters seem to be whispering amongst themselves, wondering if you are truly the old Master Jiang.”

Jiang Shangzhen finished the lotus root powder and began to lick the bowl, facing downwards with his face turned upwards. Such a vulgar act convinced the ferry’s maidens that this man was surely not Jiang Shangzhen.

Cui Dongshan smirked. “Do you think Ni Yuanzan will seek out Sui Youbian?”

Jiang Shangzhen nodded. “That Lu Sheng will likely make a trip to the Flower Sweeping Terrace of the Banished Immortal Peak.”

Cui Dongshan asked, “What does the Old Master of the temple intend? Since he has already banished Lu Sheng from the Temple of Observation, would it not be better to add a sword cultivator like Xing Guan Hao Su to the Land of Lotus Roots? Why must he torment Ni Yuanzan so, suppressing his cultivation?”

Jiang Shangzhen said, “The Old Master is known for his eccentricities. Perhaps he does not consider a Skysoar Realm cultivator to be worth a straw. Or perhaps he values those who seek to forge a new path on their own?”

Cui Dongshan nodded. “The Old Master favors the novel and abhors the rote learning of ancient texts.”

Mo was favored because he stood by Chen Pingan’s side.

Sword cultivator Bai Jing was favored because Mo resided at the Downfallen Mountain.

The Wild Lands’ Peach Pavilion was favored because of a capricious old blind man, and thus was born Tender Taoist of the Vastness.

Yangzhi, bearing the burden of sin, was favored because of the Literary Temple’s rules, specifically because of that small master.

Otherwise, those untamed great demons of the Wild Lands, in terms of savagery alone, could not compare with the Green Coincident, whose true form was a phoenix tree.

Though Cui Dongshan possessed two bowls of lotus root powder, he was the first to finish.

When Jiang Shangzhen had finished his, Feng Xuetao still had half a bowl remaining.

Cui Dongshan said for no reason, “The gentleman speaks from the heart; the petty man attacks the heart. Am I not heart-clever and treacherous, seeking fame and angling for reputation?”

“Then Brother Feng is stubborn and eccentric, a hater of the world.”

Jiang Shangzhen laughed. “I belong to those who remember ugliness and are well-read, who agree with falsities and are kind to others.”

Cui Dongshan said, “Fortunately, we all dislike those who speak falsely and argue for the sake of arguing. ‘That is how it is, what can you do?'”

Cui Dongshan waited until Feng Xuetao had finished the lotus root powder, then retrieved the empty bowls into his sleeves, saying, “I am off to attend to more important matters. Feel free to do as you please.”

Jiang Shangzhen, in his green-clad long robe, stood with one hand behind his back and the other upon the railing, a jade tree facing the wind.

Seeing this sight, the maidens on the shore were once again unsure. Could it truly be Jiang Shangzhen?

Cui Dongshan sought out Xing Yun and Liu Shui, two sword cultivators of similar age but differing appearances, one a youth and the other an old crone.

Cui Dongshan bowed with clasped hands and smiled. “I am late in paying my respects to the two sword Immortals. My tardiness, I beg your forgiveness.”

Earlier, during the council within the house, Zhong Qiu had suggested that Mi Yu invite the two sword cultivators to attend the proceedings, but they had declined, claiming that they were not wont to do such things.

Though Mi Yu spoke harshly to the two old sword cultivators, he still helped explain their ways to Cui Dongshan.

Within the Sword Qi Great Wall, only Great Sword Immortals attended such councils. Sword cultivators were not accustomed to sitting in as spectators.

Xing Yun and Liu Shui merely nodded in greeting to the young sect master.

For those whom the two sword cultivators were truly interested in was the last Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall. In the Wild Lands, they had each heard many “interesting tales” of Chen Pingan.

Such as the saying of “Southern Brocade Official, Northern Hidden Official,” or how Zhou Mi’s closed-door disciple, Zhou Qinggao, made no secret of his admiration for Chen Pingan.

Cui Dongshan, in their presence, was a changed man from the jester beside Jiang Shangzhen and Feng Xuetao. Gone was all laughter and levity, replaced with a forthright manner. “Within the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect of the Southern Brocade Continent, there now reside Gao Shuang, a native sword cultivator of the Sword Qi Great Wall, in the Jade Pure Realm, and Guo Du, his consort Ling Xun, who hails from the Wild Lands. Gao Shuang, in terms of sword arts and age, surpasses you both. Besides those I know of who have traveled far and returned, there is also Jin Gao of the Great Elephant Street, formerly a family offering of the Qi clan, and the female sword cultivator Zhu Su of the Dark Decree Street, who once owned the Immortal sword retreats ‘Diamond Slope’ and ‘White Hair Nunny.’ Then there are a master and disciple, the female sword cultivator Mei Kan and her disciple, called Zhenze, who is a demon sword cultivator of the Wild Lands. Mei Kan is in the Jade Pure Realm, but her disciple is already a sword Immortal? That is all I know for now.”

Xing Yun chuckled. “Sect Master Cui possesses keen ears for rumor.”

Liu Shui frowned in silence. It seemed that the young outsider surnamed Chen had read their secret archives quite thoroughly during his time in the Summer Retreat Palace.

Cui Dongshan explained, “Do not misunderstand, predecessors. These tidings I gathered myself. My master had nothing to do with it.”

Mi Yu nodded. “I can attest to that.”

Besides Qi Tingji, it seemed that none of the native sword cultivators of the Sword Qi Great Wall had any intention of founding a sect in the Vastness World.

Cui Dongshan said, “Besides sincerely inviting you two predecessors to serve as offerings to the Azure Reed Sword Sect, I also hope that you can introduce me to Huang Ling and Mei Kan.”

Huang Ling was now a Skysoar Realm cultivator, a “private sword” of the Sword Qi Great Wall. When he left his hometown, he was already in the Jade Pure Realm, and counted Yue Qing and Sun Juyuan among his close friends.

He was fond of drink, delighted in playing the lute and singing long songs, and carried the sword “Three Caves.” It was said that the sword had been passed down from a Feng, surname sword guest who had traveled through the Sword Qi Great Wall. The old master of the sword had used it to slay many demons in the Vastness World, and the sword qi had condensed into a rope wound about the hilt, a demon-binding rope of the highest order. The inscription upon the sword read, “The Sun and Moon Walk the Heavens, the Old Master of the Divine Continent,” the Feng surname sword guest that traded sword for wine had called himself the “Peaceful Old Man.”

As for Mei Kan, she was among the younger of these far-traveling sword cultivators. It was said that she had left the Sword Qi Great Wall, that place of sorrows, due to a lover’s wound. However, she had first traveled through the World of Vastness, via Upside Down Mountain, but after a few years had returned to the Sword Qi Great Wall and headed south to the Wild Lands.

Cui Dongshan said, “After you two predecessors become catalogued offerings to the Azure Reed Sword Sect, you are free to serve in Skysoar City when the Five Colors World opens its doors once more. You may register your names in the Ancestral Hall of the secret snow peak. Even if you never return, it is of no matter. Of course, if you ever find that your stay on the mountain displeases you, you may sever ties with the Azure Reed Sword Sect at any time. We shall only offer our entreaties, never our coercion.”

Mao Xiaodong, that Director of Studies of the Book of Rites Academy who did no honest work and concerned himself only with trifles, had once proposed at the Literary Temple that the sects of the Vastness World should not be linked to the Five Colors World. This did have one benefit.

For after the Five Colors World opened its doors once more, such a boon would be no more.

For cultivators to travel between the two worlds, it would require the strength of a Skysoar Realm cultivator.

“After you become sect offerings, you will surely wish to wander, to relax, to travel and wield your sword across the Nine Continents.”

“The Vastness World, besides the drizzle of the Wutong tree, also offers the soaring winds, the skies full of aurora, and the snows of Snowy Continent. Each continent possesses its own scenery. You shall not tire of it within a mere century.”

“There are many injustices within the Vastness World.”

“As long as you wield your swords for what is right, no matter how great a mess you make, I, as your sect master, shall see to the cleanup. You need only wield your swords and speak reason, without worry for the consequences.”

Hearing this, Liu Shui interrupted Cui Dongshan’s bold pronouncements, the old crone asked with a mild expression, “See to the cleanup? Sect Master Cui, even if you are an Immortal, are you not speaking too grandly? To say that I may cause offense to a Skysoar Realm cultivator during my travels, or incite conflict with an ancient sect, and that the case might travel all the way to the Literary Temple… Perhaps Chen Pingan can see to the cleanup, but can you, Cui Dongshan, truly settle the matter? Or shall we simply seek aid from the superior sect, the Downfallen Mountain?”

Had a native sword cultivator of the Sword Qi Great Wall spoken thus, she might have believed it.

According to Mi Yu, the young sect master surnamed Cui was a Skysoar Realm cultivator, and could be considered half a sword cultivator.

Cui Dongshan smiled. “If matters truly come to such a pass, we shall surely not seek aid from the Downfallen Mountain. As long as it is a matter of the lesser sect, the Azure Reed Sword Sect shall resolve it ourselves. I, Cui Dongshan, dare not, should not, and need not trouble my master.”

Xing Yun chuckled. “Sect Master Cui, you must not possess only the temper of a sword cultivator, but lack the skill. I am one who speaks bluntly. It is best to become accustomed to it.”

Liu Yong glanced at Xing Yun, rarely did he hear such agreeable words from him.

Cui Dongshan smiled. “There is no need for me to become accustomed to your style of speech. It is already quite good.”

Xing Yun and Liu Shui exchanged glances. It seemed that this Cui was not entirely disagreeable.

They spoke with silent thoughts. “Xing Yun, shall we first visit the Downfallen Mountain to see Chen Pingan before deciding whether to join the Azure Reed Sword Sect?”

“I see no need for such roundabout measures. As Cui Dongshan himself said, if we ever find ourselves displeased, we may simply leave.”

“Then shall you contact Mei Kan? I shall seek out Huang Ling?”

“Very well. And Jin Gao and Zhu Su as well. Lest they all be lured away by Qi Tingji. Qi Tingji is so irksome outside the battlefield.”

“Heh, jealous of his better looks?”

“Attend to the matter properly. What do you gain by such words? Oh, Xuan Yang seems to be close to your master. He is currently only a guest elder of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect. You may speak to him, and see if he is willing to become an offering here.”

“If Mei Kan and Zhu Su both come here, you shall be most pleased, shall you not?”

“Affairs of the heart are of little interest. They only hinder one’s sword practice.”

“The exact words spoken by Zhou Cheng to you?”

“Liu Shui, are you finished?!”

After Cui Dongshan had taken his leave, Liu Shui did not immediately leave the house.

Xing Yun recalled a matter concerning former comrades and old acquaintances. He and Gao Kui, whose sword arts were a legacy of the Dragon Lord’s lineage, were close friends. They had often garrisoned the walls together, and had fought side-by-side in every sortie, closer than brothers.

Gao Kui had a master, though of dubious quality. Xing Yun, on the other hand, had risen from the lowest rungs of society. His ancestral home was in Jade or Ugly Alley. During their sword practice, they had supported each other, borrowing and lending money. They had spoken of having ledgers, but were only joking. Within their hometown, being a sword cultivator was nothing special. Accumulating merit by slaying demons was commonplace. The debt books in every tavern within the Sword Qi Great Wall were filled with debts owed and unpaid.

It seemed that only that little wine shop had remained steadfast in refusing credit?

Liu Shui had a sect in her hometown, and it was relatively renowned in the Sword Qi Great Wall, with a considerable number of sword cultivators. She remembered that the youngest sword cultivator when she left was an orphan named Han Rong.

The child’s sword practice was mediocre, but his temper was fierce. Whenever he smelled wine upon the elders, even the old sword cultivators of his grandmaster’s generation, the child would scowl.

It was as if everyone who drank was his enemy.

That was why Liu Shui remembered this child.

Liu Shui had asked Mi Yu many questions, including whether he knew of a sword cultivator named Han Rong, and whether that person resided in Skysoar City.

But Mi Yu was merely a gatekeeper at Upside Down Mountain’s Spring Banner Temple and the Summer Retreat Palace. He only knew the records of those above the Upper Five Realms and some earthly Immortals, and so he was unaware if Han Rong had followed to Skysoar City in the Five Colors World. In truth, Mi Yu knew that Liu Shui only wished to know if Han Rong still lived. So Mi Yu said that Hidden Official surely knew of this matter, and that he could send a flying sword letter to Jise Peak to inquire. But Liu Shui said that there was no need.

Mi Yu had his own plans. He would still ask. If Hidden Official’s reply stated that Han Rong had long since died, Mi Yu would simply feign ignorance. But if he still lived, he would tell Liu Shui.

Xing Yun opened a jug of wine upon the table and glanced at Liu Shui. The old crone nodded, and Xing Yun poured two bowls of wine. According to Mi Yu, it was the most famous and best-selling wine of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Such wines were separated into three grades. The weakest cost only a single snowflake coin. Another cost five snowflake coins. The most expensive, known as Green Mountain Divine Wine, cost ten, and only one jug was sold each day, first come, first served.

Upon the ferry, only two types of Bamboo Sea Grotto wine were available. According to Mi Yu, the most expensive Green Mountain Divine Wine was no longer sold.

Lifting the bowl, he sipped lightly of the wine. Xing Yun, who had not tasted wine since arriving in the Vastness World, thought that he had been given counterfeit wine and asked, “What do you think of the flavor?”

Liu Shui tasted the wine and frowned. “It does not taste like an authentic Immortal brew.”

Xing Yun turned the jug to look at the words written in black ink upon the red paper. It indeed read “Bamboo Sea Grotto Wine.” Xing Yun said angrily, “Has their conscience been eaten by dogs?”

Xing Yun finished the bowl, then opened another jug, supposedly worth five snowflake coins. It was also Bamboo Sea Grotto Wine, the only difference being that the words “Superior Grade” were written in tiny characters beside the name of the wine on the jug’s red paper, along with the phrase “Sword Immortals gladly meet with fine wine.” Xing Yun poured another bowl, smacked his lips, and nodded. “For this flavor, they dare sell it for five snowflake coins! Not even a dog would deign to taste it!”

A knock sounded at the door, and Mi Yu stood in the corridor outside, asking with a smile, “Is this a convenient time? Am I disturbing you?”

Xing Yun said gruffly, “The door is not barred.”

Mi Yu pushed open the door without stepping across the threshold and said with a smile, “Liu Shui, Hidden Official has sent word. Han Rong is now in the Dragon Gate Realm, residing in Skysoar City as a sword cultivator of the Fountain lineage.”

Liu Shui nodded with a stern face.

Mi Yu glanced at the two opened jugs of wine upon the table and smiled. “Hidden Official also said that Han Rong is a regular patron of his wine shop. As long as he is not serving upon the walls, he drinks two jugs of wine every morning and evening, without fail. A poor beggar who acts as though his life depends on wine. He always drinks the single snowflake coin Bamboo Sea Grotto Wine, and does not like to sit at a table. He never sits, even when there are empty seats. He often squats beside the Hidden Official to drink, and likes to bum drinks. However, Han Rong’s capacity for drink and his manners are both commendable. He has a catchphrase: ‘Drinking capacity is innate, it cannot be trained.’ Sometimes, when offered better wine, Han Rong always declines, saying that he does not like to owe others.”

The old crone narrowed her eyes and smiled, but complained to Mi Yu that his actions were unnecessary, since she had stated that there was no need to inquire.

Listen to that, it seemed as though the old crone was addressing Chen Pingan as Hidden Official for the first time?

Mi Yu smiled and said, “Hidden Official added a final sentence. Han Rong wrote something on his ‘Do Not Disturb’ plaque in the wine shop. Xing Yun, would you care to hear it?”

Xing Yun waved his hand. “Spare me.”

But Liu Shui asked curiously, “Tell us.”

Mi Yu smiled. “‘Xing Yun does not know good from bad. If he dares return to our hometown, I shall reward him with a sound thrashing.'”

Xing Yun did not grow angry, but smiled. “A little whelp in the Dragon Gate Realm, little skill but great bluster.”

Mi Yu turned to leave.

Liu Shui suddenly pointed to a jug of wine upon the table and asked, “There is no name written upon that one. What is it called?”

Mi Yu stopped and turned his head, glanced at the wine jug, and smiled. “It is a type of country-brewed liquor. It is called Silent Lake Wine.”

Mi Yu left directly, and the door closed on its own.

Within the house, silence reigned for a long while. Liu Shui opened the mud seal of that jug of wine, shook it, then lowered her head to sniff at it. “A fine name.”

Xing Yun pinched the wine bowl with two fingers, then tapped it lightly upon the table, signaling for wine to be poured.

Beside the table, an Immortal against fine wine, an old crone against a youth.

Man, scenery, heart, and mind all pure and refined.

Millennia after leaving one’s land, still one’s heart remains as that of a youth.

A group of travelers arrived at the Fish Scale Ferry, weary from their journey. Zhong Kui, Ghost Immortal Yu Jin. Li Baoping, Zheng Youqian, Tan Yingzhou. This company had traveled far and wide, touring half of the Purple Leaf Continent.

They did not rush to board the Chinese Parasol ferry, but at Yu Jin’s suggestion, sought a nearby restaurant to feast upon raw river delicacies. Zhong Kui could not stomach such fare, and so he and Li Baoping ordered a hotpot.

Zhong Kui carried an oiled paper umbrella, found at the foot of a mountain. The Fish Scale Ferry was currently overflowing with free-spending patrons. More people arrived in the Cloud Cliff Kingdom’s capital each day than left. The restaurant’s business was booming, and the waiter was not one for haste. Fatty Gu Su, the nickname for Yu Jin urged the waiter on twice, and the waiter answered back with no respect, Fatty Gu Su said angrily, “His eyes must be planted upon his backside, only recognizing fine clothes and not the person. In the old days, such a fellow could not even serve as a courtier, and would have been dragged out to be beheaded twice over.”

Zheng Youqian mediated. “Senior Gu Su, calm yourself. They say that a prime minister’s belly can hold a boat, let alone a former Emperor.”

Tan Yingzhou had always found it strange that this fat man, who always used the word “I” as an Emperor, seemed rather refined and elegant.

Along their journey, he had proved skilled at composing poetry, transcribing ancient steles, brewing tea upon ice, warming taro in embers, and chewing plum blossoms in snow. This fat man called Yu Jin, but styled himself Gu Su, seemed skilled in everything.

A white-clad youth with swinging sleeves walked boldly into the restaurant and slapped the back of the fat man’s head hard.

Seeing Cui Dongshan, Li Baoping and Zheng Youqian of the Sage of Writing’s lineage used different terms of address. Zheng Youqian called him junior brother, but Li Baoping called him senior brother.

Cui Dongshan would have flown into a rage had anyone else called him that. He would have argued that he was the junior brother, and that all of their family members were the senior brother.

But since it was Li Baoping who had spoken thus, Cui Dongshan endured it.

Li Baoping said, “Little junior uncle gave us a date to visit the Downfallen Mountain.”

Cui Dongshan looked blank. “Master has not mentioned this to me.”

Li Baoping laughed. “That is not surprising. You are little junior uncle’s prized disciple.”

Cui Dongshan gave a dry laugh. “Yes, yes.”

Upon the Chinese Parasol ferry, Tender Taoist and Green Coincident, after “reminiscing,” came to the bow of the ship to enjoy the night scene of the Fish Scale Ferry, ablaze with lights.

They had no prior relationship. As Green Coincident had said, Tender Taoist was a junior to himself and Yangzhi.

Yangzhi was different, having stayed in the Wild Lands for ten thousand years and often interacted with Peach Pavilion, the ancestral spirit that was the Mountain-Chasing Hound. But Green Coincident had been assigned to Purple Leaf Continent.

Tender Taoist said without warning, “Unlike the Wild Lands, things are not so easily lost here.”

Green Coincident recalled something. “Did you truly hunt down Dong Sangeng?”

Tender Taoist stroked his beard and smiled. “A hero does not boast of past deeds. What hunting? It was merely a misunderstanding. We became acquainted through strife, and appreciated each other’s talents.”

The truth was that Dong Sangeng, in the heart of the Wild Lands, had slain a Skysoar Realm great demon and brought its head back to the Sword Qi Great Wall in a bamboo basket. Because he had only just escaped from an encirclement, Dong Sangeng was severely wounded. On his journey home, Peach Pavilion saw an opportunity and attempted to bite him. After all, the old blind man did not provide food. Besides, Peach Pavilion vaguely remembered that the young sword cultivator had only been an ant-like Golden Core cultivator when he had journeyed into the Wild Lands. After a century, how high could his cultivation be? It was thinking of eating a Nascent Soul cultivator in one bite… Peach Pavilion did not even know if it could fit between its teeth…

At the time, Dong Sangeng was in a hurry to return home, and was too lazy to bother with Peach Pavilion. Peach Pavilion had gained the upper hand.

Just as Peach Pavilion was about to unleash its killing move, the old blind man had reminded it that the young man was a Skysoar Realm sword cultivator. It might not recognize him, Dong Sangeng, but it surely knew the head within the bamboo basket. Did it wish to keep him company?

Peach Pavilion had been frightened and immediately apologized to the young sword cultivator surnamed Dong. Without waiting for a reply, it used its innate escape art to revert to its true form and slunk back to the mountain hut, tail between its legs. Peach Pavilion had been thinking of thanking the old blind man sincerely for his rare act of kindness in reminding him of the matter…

When it saw Chen Qingdu, a rare guest to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, standing by the old blind man’s side!

Chen Qingdu had his hands behind his back and merely said with a smile, “Peach Pavilion, such great prestige you wield.”

The old blind man told Peach Pavilion to get lost.

Peach Pavilion was granted amnesty and ran far away.

The old blind man said, “If that demon sword cultivator is not killed, Dong Sangeng need not harm his grand foundations. His future accomplishments in the sword path shall not be low. When Dong Sangeng enters the fourteenth level, you shall have an easier time of it, no?”

He meant that such matters, such as carving one’s name upon the wall and bringing glory to one’s family, were too wasteful. Dong Sangeng’s actions were reckless and unwise.

Chen Qingdu smiled and retorted, “If that beast is not killed, will Dong Sangeng still be Dong Sangeng?”

The old blind man was silent for a long while, then said, “It is fortunate that sword cultivators must be pure.”

Chen Qingdu smiled. “And that is why you are destined to never become a sword cultivator.”

The old blind man asked a question that he had pondered for many years, “What is the matter with that fellow? Some people who could be killed are spared. But those whom there is no need to spar with, such as the Azure Sky Cave Master, he actively provokes at Treasure Fall Beach.”

That was a strange sword cultivator whose face could not be seen.

Chen Qingdu said casually, “He likes to hide and play the fool. Even back then, that fellow acted arrogant, as if he looked down on everyone. Dragon Lord and Yuan Xiang sincerely sought instruction in the sword arts, but he never deigned to answer. I asked Guan Zhao if he could discern his grand foundations and the veins of his sword arts, but Guan Zhao only smiled and said nothing. I remember once when he met me, do you know what he did?”

The old blind man asked curiously, “What happened?”

Chen Qingdu smiled. “As we brushed past each other, that fellow deliberately slowed his pace, glanced at me, and then patted his shoulder.”

The old blind man grew even more puzzled. “There is a deeper meaning?”

Chen Qingdu said angrily, “I pondered it at first, but Guan Zhao was the first to guess his thoughts. There was no deeper meaning. He was probably telling me that my Chen Qingdu’s sword arts only reached his shoulder.”

The old blind man rarely smiled back then.

Mi Yu sat upon a railing of the Chinese Parasol ferry. Lest there be more activity at the Fish Scale Ferry, where he was greeted as though he were a ghost, he deliberately chose a secluded place.

Mi Yu removed the “Hao Liang” Sword-Nourishing Gourd from his waist, which he usually used as a wine jug. It contained several pounds of Silent Lake Wine.

Sword cultivator Xing Yun, Shui Liu, and also Gao Shuang, Zhu Su, Jin Gao, Guo Du, Huang Ling, Xuan Yang, Mei Kan… had all arrived.

On the Secret Snow Peak of the Azure Reed Sword Sect, there was a sheer stone wall that had been carved out like a sword. In the future, sword cultivators could carve upon it as they pleased.

Mi Yu could not think of what to write.

A traveler from another land, drifting and gathering, Mi Yu drank in silence from a jug of Silent Lake Wine.

Green grasses and trees, old faces year after year, lovesick from dawn to dusk.

– – – –

Azure Apricot Kingdom, Flower Wine Ferry’s shops were numerous and bustling.

Two groups of people gathered together. Earlier, Pei Qian had succumbed to Han Qiaose’s urgings and chosen two ingenious spiritual items with a touch of powder, intending to give them to Warm Tree and Little Millet.

Han Qiaose looked on, then took out her purse to pay. She asked who Pei Qian intended to give the gifts to, and upon receiving an answer, the immortal of the White Emperor City took out two magic treasures from her sleeve. One was a porcelain brush holder in the shape of a sword-hanging grass, and the other a jade paperweight in the shape of a nine-tailed fox. She stated that the former two were from Pei Qian, and these two were her gifts to the girls for their first meeting. Before arriving at the Downfallen Mountain, the gifts must arrive first. This was called sending the food and fodder before sending the troops. Her time spent reading military texts had not been wasted.

Chen Pingan said, “I shall speak with Fellow Taoist Lingyan for a moment.”

Zi Wumeng glanced at Gu Can.

Gu Can remained unmoved.

Zi Wumeng cursed him in her heart. Men are all unreliable.

She had no choice but to follow the young Hidden Official in the guise of a sword-bearing youth, and walk away from the group, Gu Can reminded the women after they had walked away from the group, “Do not eavesdrop on their conversation.”

Han Qiaose smiled and nodded. “After all, Chen, surname Master Chen is a Chen Master whom even the senior brother personally invites to visit, I know what to do.”

Chen Pingan said, “Now that you have remained by Gu Can’s side, speak less of ill-advised ideas. When trouble arises, quell the flames and try to turn big matters into small matters.”

Zi Wumeng gave a bow. “Hidden Official gives an order, Lingyan shall bear it in mind and never forget it.”

Chen Pingan knew that she did not mean it. He said, “Do not think that I am meddling in your affairs. Do not forget that Gu Can is the true inheritance of Mister Zheng. During this century, you are Gu Can’s personal maid, his close attendant. The only thing you must do is to protect yourself and try your best to protect your Daoist life. You must not be used as a tool by Mister Zheng, and discarded. Once you have drawn Mister Zheng’s ire, it does not matter if you are in the Jade Pure Realm or the Skyspear Realm, your face will still be ground into dirt.”

Zi Wumeng looked at him in shock. Was it appropriate to speak of Zheng Juzhong in such a manner?

Chen Pingan continued, “Since you did not participate in the war against our Vastness, you are a new face in the Wild Lands, and there are no old grievances that can be raised against you. This is for the best, the past is the past and the future is yet to come. How ‘tomorrow’ turns out is based upon all the ‘todays’ within this one century. Mister Zheng is one of the best at settling accounts in the entire world. You may have a chance to benefit if you remain by Gu Can’s side and help him build a lesser sect. If you protect him well, then Mister Zheng will not