Bai Ye, having followed Liu Shiliu to the declining mountain known as Luopo, took root as firmly as an ancient oak. Even when Wei Bo, soon to be the god of “Night Wanderings,” personally extended an invitation, Bai Ye offered no courtesy, no words of welcome. His face remained a serene mask, his only answer a shake of his head – a dismissal so clear that the soon-to-be mountain god dared not linger, retreating swiftly before disturbing one considered the most blessed cultivator in the human realm.

Even knowing that the foremost of the Ten Philosophers of the Literary Temple, the Great Master, resided on nearby Piyi Mountain, Bai Ye remained within his secluded mountain dwelling. Only occasionally would he stroll to the old shrine atop the peak, a place where he could witness the sun’s ascent from the Eastern Sea and its descent behind the Western hills.

Strangely, Bai Ye often encountered a peculiar girl clad in black. This Zhou Mili, rumored to be the Right Protector of Luopo Mountain, never approached to chat, but stood at a distance, a cotton bag slung across her shoulder. Once, out of politeness, and perhaps more so out of respect for his friend Jun Qian, Bai Ye offered a greeting. The girl responded with a shy smile, nodding vigorously, her hands clutching a green bamboo staff, a golden carrying pole, and the strap of her cotton bag.

Bai Ye couldn’t simply stare at the young girl, so he managed a smile. Seeing that she remained silent, he turned back to admire the fiery sunset.

He heard the soft rustle of her footsteps behind him as the girl tiptoed away, reaching the sacred stone stairs and breaking into a trot, then a sprint as she gained distance.

Their second meeting occurred at dawn, as the sky began to lighten with a silvery glow. Bai Ye had arrived at the shrine earlier than usual, while the girl was just a moment late.

Bai Ye turned and asked with a smile, “Little Mili, is something the matter?”

The girl shook her head, scratching her cheek. When Bai Ye turned to lean against the railing, she fled once more.

The third time, Bai Ye glanced over his shoulder to see her sitting silently on the steps, a small, slender silhouette. He was even more bewildered than before.

By their fourth encounter, the girl seemed to have deliberately taken a circuitous route, using a hidden path from Jiling Peak to the rear of Jise Peak. She swiftly climbed the mountain, hiding near the old shrine. She never showed her face, remaining crouched in place, unseen by Bai Ye. When Bai Ye descended, he discovered that the girl had quietly slipped past the shrine, leaned her bamboo staff and golden pole against the railing, climbed atop it herself, and was now contentedly snacking on melon seeds.

Bai Ye, walking down the path, was utterly perplexed. Had he been subjected to a continuous ambush by a young girl?

The question was, what did she want to say, what did she want to do?

Even Bai Ye, a man unburdened by earthly concerns, felt compelled to consult his friend Jun Qian in the neighboring dwelling, seeking an explanation for Mili’s actions.

If the girl sought a calligraphic masterpiece or someone wished to request lessons in swordsmanship, it would be understandable, as he was a guest on Luopo Mountain.

Jun Qian laughed heartily and revealed the mystery to his friend. He had told Mili that Bai Ye had enjoyed the dried fish he’d sampled at the foot of the mountain, but was too shy to ask for more, feeling it was beneath his dignity. He also described Bai Ye as aloof, uncommunicative, and stern, so much so that he’d scared off the mountain god Wei Bo, let alone a young girl like her; moreover, Bai Ye detested owing anyone a favor.

“So,” Jun Qian concluded, “the girl mustered her courage, feigning accidental encounters each time, hoping to subtly offer you some dried fish. That is all.”

Later, afraid of disturbing his appreciation of the scenery, she moved to the steps. In her final encounter, she dared not approach him at all, as she did not want to make a bad impression. It was her intent to get closer to Bai Ye, while also trying to not implicate the Mountain Lord and Luopo Mountain itself.

He recalled the image of the black-clad girl, her brow furrowed slightly, then breaking into a shy smile when he turned to look, her hand clutching the strap of her cotton bag.

The youth’s eyes and expression softened.

“Liu Shi.”

But such is the strangeness of the world that when Bai Ye sought to return the ambush, the girl was occupied with her morning and evening patrols. Then she would chat with Immortal Wei at the gate, visit the old cook to watch him weave baskets, and spend her afternoons with the Mountain Lord and Nuan Shu, simply being content to be in their presence. On the porch of the bamboo lodge, she would play, rolling around and watching the clouds drift across the sky, giving each one a silly name in her head.

Today, with her second patrol completed, she was content to get a good night’s sleep, awaiting the arrival of her friend “Tomorrow.”

As Mili passed the steps of Jise Peak, she slowed her pace, looked up at the summit, hesitated, and then decided against it.

To go there now would be too obvious, and might make Mr. Bai resentful, so that he wouldn’t want to leave his house.

Mili raised the small pole to her shoulder and, with the green bamboo staff in hand, walked on, content to find happiness in simple acts. The melancholy would have to lose, for it was a skirmish between a large, well-equipped army and a small rag-tag band, and the battle was a crushing defeat!

After all, he was the legendary Mr. Bai. She had been naïve and ignorant, and now it was time to borrow the book “Street People’s Collection” from Jing Qing.

Though she still didn’t know why Mr. Bai was called “the most blessed cultivator in the human realm,” and the Mountain Lord had no explanation, either.

As the thought crossed her mind, Mili looked up at the peak and, with a burst of inspiration, raced down the mountain to the gate.

She carried a chair and set it next to Immortal Wei. Tilting it to the side, she watched the summit from the corner of her eye.

Mr. Bai always descended the mountain at a leisurely pace, so if she raced as fast as she could, it would be certain that she would meet him on the road.

Immortal Wei, sensing her odd behavior, asked, “Right Protector, what are you looking at?”

Mili blushed and stammered, “N-nothing.”

Immortal Wei chatted with Mili, but she was barely able to focus. Looking toward the stone stairs, she saw Mr. Bai already on his way to the dwelling.

Frowning, she said, “Immortal Wei, you distracted me!”

“What happened?” Immortal Wei asked.

Mili scratched her cheek and replied, “It’s my fault for not paying attention.”

Immortal Wei asked, “What happened? Tell me, maybe I can help.”

Mili stood and smiled. “The green hills remain. Immortal Wei, see you tomorrow!”

Immortal Wei asked, “Is everything alright?”

Mili smiled. “Everything’s fine.”

She ran a few steps and turned around to say, “Immortal Wei, the sun’s setting, so be careful when you’re reading!”

Immortal Wei replied, “As a person of cultivation, I don’t need to worry about it, but I will be careful.”

Mili, at the peak, sighed. At the railing, she laid her head against it and said, “Too much time spent studying strategy.”

At that moment, she heard a voice say, “Mili, what are you doing?”

She jumped and blinked, for it was Mr. Bai. She blushed and replied, “H-ha, just playing around.”

Bai Ye sat on the railing, and asked, “Want to sit and chat?”

Mili put down the staff and carrying pole. Jumping up, she sat next to him, clutching her bag.

Bai Ye was careful not to look at Mili, as he did not want to make her nervous.

Bai Ye knew he had her figured out.

Perhaps never again would he see her.

It could seem insignificant, but for him it was something.

He enjoyed visiting the mountains, and would continue to do so, even if he missed some great experiences.

At that moment, Bai Ye took a look around. He smiled and touched his hat. The world at dusk seemed good to him.

Together, they sat, one small and one large, on the railing.

“Mili, where is your home?”

“My home is far away. It’s Baoxiang of North Luzhou, near Huangfeng Valley, a small place. Mr. Bai won’t know it.”

“That’s far. Do you miss it?”

“Yes, but not often. I miss it sometimes, and this is my home now. I miss it because I was born there. Also, the Mountain Lord and I met in the swamp. Then some immortals from the mountain tried to take me away to be a river spirit.”

When Bai Ye heard the girl say “take away,” his eyes narrowed, but he smiled when she said they weren’t bad people.

He was confused, though. Why did she say “take away,” but follow that by “invitation?” She was strange.

The girl smiled and rested her hands on the railing. Wiggling her legs, she said, “The Mountain Lord gave me a lot of money to get me. I didn’t want to stay, so I went with him to eat and drink. I wanted to leave the lake and find someone to write a book for me. I sat in his basket like I was flying in the air.”

Bai Ye replied, “I see.”

“Knowing that I miss home, the Mountain Lord took me with him to North Luzhou. We traveled on a strange ship and met strange people. I was so lucky to have him, for I wouldn’t have known what was going on. We went ashore at Skull Beach and walked to the swamp. I’ve been there since then, so I don’t miss it anymore. It’s small, but I will go back soon, maybe in a few years, when the Mountain Lord goes. Mr. Bai, I know what’s going on, so I’ll ask him.”

As she spoke, she had a delighted look on her face.

“Mili, you aren’t powerful, but you have a high position here. Are you fine with that?”

“Ah?”

Bai Ye said, “It seems that Lord Chen has protected you.”

Mili nodded vigorously and gave him a thumbs up. “Yep!”

Bai Ye said, “Lord Chen’s brother, Qi Jingchun, once went to see me and told me not to be so down and that I should be careful not to be trapped by myself. I didn’t feel any different.”

Mili lowered her voice and said, “The Mountain Lord says we can’t keep telling ourselves ‘it’s ok.’ It’s not good.”

Bai Ye smiled. “That’s good.”

The high-spirited girl turned and put her hand to her mouth. “Mr. Bai, here’s a secret. The Mountain Lord lost a poetry contest, but when he’s drunk, his poems are so good!”

Bai Ye asked, “Tell me about it.”

Mili immediately came to and replied, “Ah? Shouldn’t I be talking about this with Mr. Bai?”

Bai Ye was understanding, though. “I wrote poems with Jun Qian, and some people said they were badly written.”

Mili exclaimed, “Are they stupid, or are they good?”

Bai Ye replied, “Maybe both.”

Mili said, “The Mountain Lord said you had to be drunk to understand his poetry.”

Bai Ye said, “The Mountain Lord must drink a lot. I think he hasn’t been drunk, though.”

Mili scratched her face. “The Mountain Lord doesn’t get drunk much, but I’ve heard he does sometimes.”

Bai Ye didn’t care. He did not see the Lord as someone who would admire his poems.

Jun Qian just stood there, his arms folded, careful that Bai Ye not make the girl sad.

Bai Ye looked at him.

Jun Qian replied, “Talk about what you want.”

At the old school, Ma Zhan had not come to Luopo.

Jun Qian and Chen Pingan had not wanted to force him.

Ma Zhan was now a lecturer at the Chunshan Academy of Dali.

Ma Zhan didn’t know the details of the conference in the Imperial Study in the capital, but he had not thought that his friend was qualified to be there.

Chen Pingan smiled and said, “Master Cui is a national teacher, and so am I now.”

Jun Qian looked at the youth with the tiger hat.

Bai Ye had done right in going to Xuandu and visiting Luopo.

The best in the land was Bai Ye’s poetry, Cui Chan’s beauty, and Pei Min’s swordsmanship.

His friend, Bai Ye, went for the immortal, and his writing was unrivaled.

Bai Ye was said to be the most blessed cultivator, and while it was true that his writing was godlike, his swordsmanship and poetry were as well.

But Bai Ye had said, “The road to the great Way is open, but I cannot take it.”

Their master had told Bai Ye, “It is hard to cultivate, because you have not fully grasped the Way.”

“It’s hard to know where you’re going. Just focus and do things you enjoy. It’s also great to meet old friends.”

“Are you saying I should go and talk about Bai Ye behind his back?” Jun Qian asked.

Their master patted him on the shoulder and replied, “Bai Ye is someone who is smart. He’s been trapped by himself. If he doesn’t change his ways, he will never have good fortune. If not him, then who? But,”

“I have been a little trapped in my head, so don’t worry about it. Just have a good time and it will be fine. It will not be for you.”

Jun Qian thought this was right.

Their master had asked him not to say that to Bai Ye.

At that moment, their master began to leave, thinking about which friend he would visit for some wine.

Bai Ye had to ask himself, “What do I seek?”

Bai Ye smiled and went with the flow.

Then came the collapse of the Literary Sage and the isolation of the master at the Forest of Merit, while Bai Ye wandered across the Floating Continent.

Then, the tiger-hatted child was brought by their master to Xuandu of the Azure Firmament.

Jun Qian took Bai Ye on trips to mountains and cities, as he could not allow him to cultivate in isolation.

Their master compared the travels to backpacking around the world, with one carrying wine and the other carrying wisdom.

Jun Qian leaned against the railing and watched the youth and the small girl, with the girl doing most of the talking and Bai Ye replying occasionally.

But compared to the past, Bai Ye was saying more.

He was no longer sad, too.

A childlike innocence suited him well.

They ate seeds and dried fish. Mili had to be listening carefully to understand all that Bai Ye was talking about.

The youth took some seeds and threw them.

Jun Qian thought that even if Bai Ye had not changed, he was enjoying himself, so Jun Qian closed his eyes.

At that moment, friends arrived to enjoy the scenery, including the master of the former Dragon Palace who was soon to be the River God of Tiefu River, Bai Deng.

There was also the silver deer who was a ghost, and Gao Geng of Qinggong.

Bai Deng had to consult Chen Pingan about becoming the River God of Tiefu River.

Gao Geng did not want to visit Luopo, and Yin Lu had to return.

So the two decided to bring Gao Geng with them.

They were afraid of the Qing-robed child who liked to drink. But they were more afraid that they would be forced to drink.

It was so much better when it was just a casual event.

It was like being forced to go to school.

Luckily, the child apologized and explained that he couldn’t afford to be generous anymore, so he wouldn’t be able to do that again.

Yin Lu had officially changed his name to Zeng Cuo, styled Rizhang.

Yin Lu had become a handyman at Luopo.

The white-haired child always talked to him, and asked him not to shame Luopo.

Gao Geng enjoyed the scenery of Luopo.

The mountains to the west of the town had a strange beauty, but he had to be careful.

Today, he saw the youth and the girl, as well as a strong man.

Aside from Zhou Mili, he didn’t recognize anyone, Bai Deng had left the Dragon Palace only a few days ago, and Yin Lu had been imprisoned, so they asked Gao Geng if he knew them, but he said no.

Yin Lu did not want to get closer to the youth in the tiger hat. Was he a hermit?

While Luopo was often visited by powerful people, even the best did not dress like that.

So Gao Geng introduced himself to the strong man.

Jun Qian said, “I’m happy to meet you.”

Bai Deng found it annoying. Was this man just being polite? Had he heard of himself?

But as they were at Luopo, Bai Deng kept silent, and Gao Geng chatted about the weather.

At the railing,

“Mr. Bai, how did you become friends with Mr. Jun Qian?”

“We just got along.”

They did not use spiritual communication, and others could hear them.

Mr. Bai? That did not mean anything.

How many people were named Bai?

Jun Qian?

Anywhere else, that would be ok, but this was Luopo, Lord Chen’s home.

Gao Geng stood straight and straightened his clothes.

Yin Lu had heard so much about Liu Shiliu that he was scared, but also had some kinship.

Poor Bai Deng didn’t know anything.

Gao Geng and Yin Lu were not sure if they should tell their friend the truth.

Bai Deng would be as afraid of Liu Qian as he was of Chen Qingliu.

Was it simply that Chen Qingliu killed and Liu Qian killed and ate?

Chen Qingliu had killed many dragons, but these may have been Liu Shiliu’s leftovers.

Gao Geng and Yin Lu bowed to Jun Qian.

This time, they used their titles. “Gao Geng of Qinggong, greetings to Mr. Liu.” “Yin Lu of Xianzhuang, greetings to Mr. Liu.”

Jun Qian laughed and said, “Gao Geng, we are guests of Luopo, so there is no need to be so polite. Yin Lu is practically family. Don’t you think?”

Gao Geng agreed!

Yin Lu thought that Liu Shiliu was right.

But that was not the end of it.

The girl asked,

“Mr. Bai, can you beat two Jun Qians?”

“Yes. No. Yes.”

“How about when the dried fish is gone?”

“Still can’t beat him.”

Gao Geng was shocked, and said, “He is dead to me!”

How many people could say they had and would beat Liu Shiliu?

And he’s named Bai!

This is not a coincidence.

Yin Lu was about to die.

It was like Bai Ye of the Floating Continent, and his sword against many thrones.

Lucky for Bai Deng, he knew nothing.

Gao Geng and Yin Lu dragged Bai Deng down the mountain.

Bai Deng asked, “What’s going on?”

Walking to the dwelling, Bai Deng asked, “Aren’t we going to drink with Taoist Jing Qing?”

Gao Geng and Yin Lu traded glances. “He is safe in his ignorance.”

Yin Lu said, “Why waste Taoist Jing Qing’s money? Let’s drink ourselves.”

At the peak, Mili asked, “Mr. Bai, are you a swordsman, not a sword cultivator?”

Bai Ye smiled and said, “I used to be just a swordsman, but now I’m also a sword cultivator.”

The only thing Bai Ye wanted to do as a sword cultivator was get to the fourteenth realm to fight with Zhou Mi.

He had thought he could take off the tiger hat at the jade purity realm, as they had said.

But he was used to the hat, and he might as well get to the ascension realm before removing it.

He was going to stay there for now.

But Jun Qian wanted to take him to Baoping Continent.

He kept the tiger hat.

Who would he fight? Why would he get into a fight? He was not interested in making enemies.

He would not want to teach someone else, either.

“Mr. Bai, let me ask you a riddle. There is a person who has three rooms with two doors each. In one room, there are useful objects. In another room, there are both useful and useless objects, with some things the person remembers and some things others remember. In the third room, some think the door opens to something pretty, and some think the door opens to something dull. What are the rooms?”

Bai Ye smiled.

Mili said, “It’s ok if you don’t know. It’s the hardest of my riddles!”

Bai Ye said, “Is the answer ‘yesterday, today, and tomorrow’?”

Mili gave him the fish and said, “Mr. Bai, you’re as good at riddles as the Mountain Lord!”

Bai Ye took half the fish and asked, “Who taught you the riddles?”

Mili chewed the fish and shook her head. “The Mountain Lord, but I made that one up!”

Bai Ye said, “Mili, have you heard the story that there is a north and a south, with a fish turning into a bird and its back carrying mountains and rivers?”

Mili was surprised and replied, “There’s such a large fish? The Mountain Lord never told me.”

Bai Ye nodded. “It might be as famous as the liquor of the swamp.”

Mili nodded and laughed.

Bai Ye asked, “Do you want that power?”

Mili shook her head. “No, I like to stay at home.”

She also wanted to be strong enough to defeat the blanket.

Bai Ye nodded.

He rubbed her head.

She turned away, for she did not want to grow.

Bai Ye bent over and touched the tiger hat. Then she laughed. “I’ll grow tomorrow.”

Bai Ye rubbed her head, and smiled without saying anything.

Jun Qian said that even if Bai Ye was happy, he would eventually find sorrow.

Mili asked, “Are you writing an amazing poem?”

Bai Ye shook his head. “I am sword cultivating now, and will not write poems anymore.”

Jun Qian sighed.

There would be no more poems, and the world would be sad for thousands of years.

Mili was upset and disappointed.

She thought Bai Ye was sad.

Mili wanted a poem for Luopo.

She had never done anything for Luopo.

Nuan Shu and Pei Qian praised her, but she knew it was just to make her happy.

She was good at strategy, though! She could take it one step at a time!

She was glad to have talked to Bai Ye.

So she had Bai Ye extend his hand.

He put out his hand, thinking she would produce some fish or seeds.

Instead, she made a fist, breathed on it, tapped his hand, and opened her palm. “Here. I’m lending you some joy!”

Bai Ye smiled, made a fist, and said, “Then I’ll take it.”

As they talked, it became evening.

Mili happily swung her legs.

Bai Ye asked, “Do you think there are people like you in the world, and those who aren’t like you?”

Mili scratched her cheek and replied, “Probably.”

He stood up and stretched. Was he writing poetry?

Bai Ye said, “Not writing poetry. But my sword is my poetry.”

Mili nodded. That was useful. She had borrowed something from Liu Keshui, and still had to return it! She needed to have friends!

The youth extended his hand and said, “Whether there’s a good future or not, the birds sing at night. Under the moon there is an immortal. Friends, stop drinking! See how I wave my hand and create clouds!”

Jun Qian smiled, for his friend was still himself.

He could use his swordsmanship to lead to enlightenment.

He could become a true sword immortal.

At that moment, Jun Qian heard Bai Ye say, “Jun Qian, I think I’m seeing someone else. I met him, and there was a lotus in his heart.”

Jun Qian was stunned.

Ah, it was that!

It was the lotus earth inside the blessed place!

The sword cultivator had been blessed by Bai Ye.