Within the hallowed halls of the ancestral dwelling, where moonbeams danced through open portals, Master Chen, hand-in-hand with the diminutive Mi Li, found himself amidst an esteemed gathering. Beside the sage Yu Xuan stood Brother Junqian and the enlightened Bai Ye, their presence a testament to the gravity of the occasion. Little Pei Qian, ever the diligent disciple, sat with utmost composure, whilst a youthful figure garbed in verdant raiment seemed lost in contemplation, a silent observer of the unfolding events.

Master Chen could not help but ponder the peculiar circumstances that had brought the youth before the venerable Yu Xuan. He could not help but feel apprehensive at the prospect of a mere greeting, fearing the unsteady hand that might fail to uphold the sacred vessel.

Crossing the threshold, the sword-bearer Master Chen paid his respects to the venerable Yu Xuan.

“Esteemed Daoist Yu,” he intoned, “your humble student offers his greetings.”

With a benevolent gesture, the elder beckoned him forward, a smile gracing his weathered face. “My honored guest treats this mountain as his own verdant garden, mayhap you should follow suite.

For the first time, Master Chen bowed low, paying his respects once more, “Greetings, Master Bai, and Brother Junqian.”

Bai Ye inclined his head in acknowledgement.

Junqian responded in kind, “Do take a seat, quickly!”

Master Chen settled himself in the chair closest to his Brother Junqian, eyes carefully avoiding the tiger-adorned headpiece. He made eye contact with Pei Qian and Chen Lingjun. The former wore a grin from ear to ear, while the latter seemed forlorn, with a twitch of his nose.

Yu Xuan sat close to Chen Lingjun.

The seats were arranged so that the Sect Master Cui Dongshan was at the furthest, next to the honored guest Bai Ye, and finally his Brother Junqian.

“My apologies, Daoist Yu,” Master Chen interjected, his voice laced with a gentle mirth. “Chen Lingjun is not usually so reserved, I promise you. Once he is familiar he is far more lively.”

“Had Chen Lingjun not known your origins, he would be far more lively.”

Yu Xuan stroked his beard, amusement in his eyes. “Ah, so it is merely a matter of familiarity.”

Master Chen was curious, “Why is it that Cao Qinglang is not present?”

Cui Dongshan leaned forward, turning to his Master, “There is a matter that needs to be discussed in private, Master.”

“Speak then,” Master Chen replied.

Pei Qian broke her silence, “Cao Qinglang has met two friends in Tongye, one of which is rather peculiar.”

“Why must you speak behind his back?” Chen questioned.

“After leaving Lotus Isle, Cao Qinglang travelled with Teacher Zhong Fu, then the Great Li. I do not see the need to make such a fuss about friends. Cao Qinglang is far more mature, and tempered by experience.”

“Besides Xun Qu, whom you have met, Cao Qinglang has come to know Xu Zhen, a young scholar and lecturer in a government school. They seek to better each other through friendly academic disputes, and it is clear Xu Zhen admires him, holding Cao to a teacher and friend.

There is also a Qi Practitioner called Yu Li, elderly, but youthful in his Qi. Though he has spent most of his life as a wild hermit, having only formed the Golden Core, his is knowledgeable and well learned. I have talked to my Brother privately, and he thinks of Yu Li the same as a hometown teacher of old.

It made me wonder to see what man is that caused Cao Shidi to belittle himself, and I was most curious as to the background of Yu Li. He was once a disciple of a small Celestial Estate, with the registers and families all in check. The reason why he is now an itinerant hermit is because his sect fled to the north when war came, fleeing as soon as they saw the doors of the Five Coloured opened. Yu Li, outraged, refused to accompany them, but neither did he flee. Instead, he brought all the outer disciples and servants to a remote land, and once peace returned he spent his savings to find a mountain and build a home for the disciples. He removed himself from the Register and became a wild hermit.”

Cui Dongshan was brave as he continued, “At my request, Sister Pei has looked at his mind, and it is a grand city with the Sun high above, with people living in peace. There is a population of a million, architecture of order, vegetation growing, schools and martial schools alike, spirits and ghosts, Qi Practitioners and spirits, all living with each other in harmony.”

Chen Pingan took the time to listen, and said, “A great mind indeed. But I wonder if the man has the path to reach such a dream.”

Cui Dongshan has paid visit to him, and even he could find nothing wrong. Courteous, honest, ambitious, and meticulous… the more unshakeable he becomes, the more Cui Dongshan felt a strangeness!

As simple as “There should not be a second person that is like my Teacher”.

Chen Pingan was in thought, “That is nothing to be kept secret, and you should be talking with Cao Qinglang about it. Have a mind to guard, but never harm.”

Pei Qian added, “Teacher, I told him so but he had to be so sneaky.”

Cui Dongshan gaped, “Did you say that Sister Pei? I do not recall.”

Pei Qian reminded him, “Please continue with what is important Sect Master Cui.”

“Without issue, the White Goose, With issue, Brother. Now it is the Sect Master Cui? Heart broken!”

Chen Pingan questioned, “Does he seek to be a court official in a country?”

Cui Dongshan nodded, “He has spoken with the Yu Dynasty.”

Chen Pingan was satisfied, “Then this is more reasonable. Do not hide it, and I will speak with Cao Qinglang myself.”

Cui Dongshan, “Teacher, next are troublesome matters that I cannot hide.”

Chen Pingan chortled, “I am but a Mountain Lord. You are the Sect Master, and will have to care for these matters.”

The Sect Master Cui, was shocked. “I should not have come, Teacher and Senior are now acting like they do not know me. Is the lower sect not family?!”

Chen Pingan continued, “That boat, the Bingding Sword, what of it? The rules suggest that we should speak to the Ancestral Hall of Ceruleanpeak.”

Cui Dongshan slumped, and rubbed the handle of the seat, “Then let me speak. Firstly, a conflict has risen at Fishscale Ford outside of the Yunyaan Kingdom between Qi Practitioners and martial artists that has nearly killed people, and no one knows the right of it. The Emperor does not wish to care, and had deferred to the Ancestral Hall, where they are arguing. Li Ba, styled Cuizhang, has demanded satisfaction for his injured ego from the comments he heard, but he met people who would rather die than apologize. They told him ‘Do what you wish if you are strong enough to kill us, but we will never apologize.’ That has caused all who have backgrounds to give up, and now two Daosites and a few small countries along the river have ceased work. Added with the matter of the nearly killed… things are not making it easier for those of us.”

Wang Zhu then threw fifteen thousand Millet coins, nearly stunning Cui Dongshan.

The Little Ruler Washing Basin made of jade and green porcelain was never mentioned when it was to be returned, and Cui Dongshan had decided that it was a tip.

Chen Pingan said, “What is the truly bad news then.”

Cui Dongshan took a breath, and slammed the chair, “Some time ago, several sections of the River was under attack at the same time by unseen forces. One of the Qi Practitioners has attacked crowds, countries that have no Immortals. They throw large talismans and run. The other four, like wild hermits, stalk the waterways, killing the officials and Qi Practitioners, and then disappearing. Before they leave, they post proclamations blaming everyone for their misdeeds, such as opening the Canals, harming the luck of Tongye, and… that they are trying to please the Great Quan Empress, the Yellow Court of Taiping Mountain, and Huang Yi of Pu Mountain by betraying the land and giving the waterways to the Eastern Sea. The proclamations say they are stripping the luck for their own gains, and it is a scheme to enrich the Eastern Sea.”

Chen Pingan frowned.

It was not the slander that mattered, but the planning of the attackers.

Chen Pingan questioned, “Have the countries seen an outbreak of plague recently?”

Cui Dongshan nodded, “Yes, but I have invited doctors from the Middle Land to stop it.”

Chen Pingan inquired, “And the school?”

Cui Dongshan said, “Wen Yu the Vice Principal of Skydome School, is at Yunyan to deal with it.”

Chen Pingan sighed in relief.

Cui Dongshan was smiling, “Principal Wen is most diligent. Without telling the Temple he went to see Zhong Kui, and went to Fengdu to find one of the sources, tracing it back to the demon cultivator that had been forced to tend to it. This demon was captured, and then, disguised as the demon, Wen Yu was able to find the other two in the plot. Only two remain on the surface.”

Pei Qian hesitated, “One of them is not a demon, but a local cultivator of Tongye who believes that Tongye is having trouble as the Sword Wall failed to guard the Inverted Mountain, and the Sages of the Temple did not care.”

Cui Dongshan continued as if he did not wish to speak on this matter. “The first group, sent by Greenplume Sword to deal with this, had Mi Yu, Xing Yun, and Liu Shui. Taiping Mountain sent the yellow Court, and a Transcendentist named Longmen. The Eastern Sea had the Ghosts Immortal Huang Man, and the martial artist Xi Man. All with Pu Mountain and other forces making eight teams, all keeping hidden and trying to find the culprits.”

Yu Xuan stroked his beard, “There is only being a thief for a thousand days, but there can never be guarding for a thousand. To stand by is a last resort, and we cannot do nothing, but if the enemy ceases, what trouble it would cause! Not just in morale, but also the rumors will tarnish your reputations of Greenplume Sword and Fallen Mountain.”

Aside from the temporary sect monks that are working to little result, there are also the kingdoms that live in fear, given that this could lead to death. The majority of the river project has stopped, except for the Great Quan, Jade Gule Sect, and Greenplume Sword.

Chen Pingan looked to Cui Dongshan. Cui Dongshan grinned, “Since my avatar in Pu Mountain is free, it is now the bait. Whether the mastermind will bite, we shall see if they dare kill a direct descendant of Greenplume Sword.”

Chen Pingan rubbed his forehead, and said “Continue.”

Cui Dongshan, “The masters have calculated where the culprit might be, and he has been caught. Huang Ting was nearby and was quick to arrive.”

Chen Pingan frowned, “Did Huang Ting fail to kill him?”

Cui Dongshan, “He hid well, but was met by Huang Ting. One of her strike wounded him, but he escaped.”

Chen Pingan was silent.

Huang Ting as the head of Taiping Mountain, is an Immortal Swordsman. She has also had luck on her side, and is agreed to have been the best in the land.

Chen Pingan wondered if it was possible, she allowed the demon to escape.

Cui Dongshan said, “Before the demon was caught he said, ‘wherever dust is raised along the waterway, will taste a talisman.'”

Chen Pingan asked, “Is the demon skilled in escapes?”

Cui Dongshan shook his head, “He is but a Nascent Soul. But skilled in the five elements. His talismans were numerous. In a short fight Huang Ting struck him, but one blow was able to wound him, and she called it a lucky strike. That demon is most skilled.”

Yu Xuan asked, “What of the talisman?”

Cui Dongshan handed a small jar with the remains of a talisman.

Cui Dongshan would have had to ask for the Teacher, to get his Teacher, to summon God Yu down.

Yu Xuan raised his sleeve, taking some of the ash, and with a twist of his sleeve, a dot of light appeared, and a strand, and finally the light turned into a golden talisman.

As soon as the Talisman manifested, it shook as though it was waiting.

But this was Yu Xuan, master of the talismans.

Yu Xuan summoned another talisman to stop it, but the golden talisman began to break.

Yu Xuan gave his verdict, “It is not recorded, and the lines, of which there are two thousand are crude, the meaning is not small. It looks to be a one of a kind talisman, which is why it is immature, and was not destroyed even with my suppression. The creator is a most skilled one, with ideas not seen before, and he is most talented. If he is allowed to hide, he will cause great trouble.”

Yu Xuan continued, “Huang Ting is right. He is a Nascent Soul, and it is very unlikely that he is an Immortal.”

Chen Pingan said, “Is it possible that he is only a Golden Core?”

Yu Xuan touched the talisman, and then did some calculations. Eventually the suppression gave way, and Yu Xuan said “It is indeed possible, the odds are fifty fifty.”

Cui Dongshan rubbed his chin, “It is mostly a Golden Core. What if in flight he ascends to become a Nascent Soul, and what if he enters seclusion to become an Immortal. He is difficult enough, but more steps would make him even harder to deal with.”

Yu Xuan asked, “Do you have more of the talisman?”

Cui Dongshan nodded, “This what Huang Ting found.”

Yu Xuan was a pity, “Pity. If we had half a talisman we would have done a lot. It is not possible with the ashes, as he had planned to not be found, by having a doppelganger, that creates doppelgangers, within a talisman, making this most troublesome.”

Chen Pingan was being looked at, and asked, “Why are you looking at me? Go look for the Top Seat, who has learnt from Jiang’s experience.”

Jiang Shangzhen, who had just arrived, felt innocent.

Bai Ye, who is not a swordsman, is a true Swordsman in the heart of Jian Shangzhen.

Jiang Shangzhen was no match for Yu Xuan.

Yu Xuan considered, and then said, “I can try visiting Tongye, but I cannot do it for long. I need to keep my eye on the heavens.”

No one said anything to suggest that he would be wasted.

Jiang Shangzhen grinned, “Then I will go with Elder Yu, and see if I have the luck of Huang Ting.”

Chen Pingan replied, “It is not suitable for Elder Yu to leave his projection on the planet, and he is waiting for us to visit. We will deal with him soon. Jiang Shangzhen should return, and then once I have dealt with matters, I will visit Tongye.”

Yu Xuan nodded, “It is not easy to be a person. Good things take time, but bad things can be quick. Do not give up.”

Cui Dongshan coughed, “That is all Teacher. I am tired and need to rest.”

Chen Pingan nodded, speaking in his mind, “Rest up, then tell Jiang Shangzhen, to visit the two parts of Lotus Isle. Use more people. Soon Jian Shangzhen and Xie Dog will take the Wu Tong umbrella to Tongye.”

Cui Dongshan walked away, speaking in his mind, “Teacher is worried about people hiding there. Those who know the Old Watchman would not be rude, and who would dare offend the Bishiao Cave Master?”

Chen Pingan lowered his head, with a strange look.

Cui Dongshan was conflicted.

Chen Pingan looked up, “Bad fortune never comes alone. The troubles, both in Tongye, and in the Lotus Isle, are turning points.”

Cui Dongshan nodded and left.

Seeing the White Goose leave, Chen Lingjun asked, “Mountain Lord, should I see Sect Master Cui off?”

Chen Pingan agreed, but Yu Xuan said, “Daoist Jin Qing, it would not be suitable to leave. Stay and talk with this old man.”

Chen Lingjun did not wish to be held there.

The youth in green was silent, held hostage.

Bai Ye looked at the youth.

Chen Lingjun turned pale.

No one had told him who the youth was, and so he had said “Who is it? Did Teacher take in more disciples” as he chuckled.

Chen Lingjun saw him just smile, and said “Good, good, Zheng Yougan is good, and this youth is too.”

But Chen Lingjun was left speechless.

Instead, he asked in his mind, “Who is he, Teacher.”

Teacher replied, “He is that Bai Ye.”

With a hand on his forehead, Chen Lingjun swayed and said, “That wine is getting to me.”

Then he turned to run away.

After that, Chen Lingjun had hid in his home.

Cui Dongshan left and wondered if what the Teacher had said was true.

And so he rushed forward, and began punching and kicking.

Both Chen Pingan and his student Cui Dongshan were in a similar state of mind.

Bad fortune early, good fortune late, was a way to see these troubles.

Cui Dongshan went to the yard where the Wu Tong was held.

Cui Dongshan waited on the stairs, using his fingers to calculate.

He was met by Liu Xianyang, and Gu Can of Lakeside Sect.

Avoiding pleasantries Cui Dongshan held out a scroll, “This picture, is of the demon of Tongye, though it is very likely just an avatar. What do you think Brother Liu? No arguments, I will listen to you!”

Liu Xianyang wanted it with nothing said.

Cui Dongshan handed it over, but held on, “Will it cause him to flee?”

Liu Xianyang scoffed, “What do you mean ‘will it cause him to flee’? We have seen him, you will poke him first.”

“Brother Liu, with higher station comes higher ambition. You are someone who will be a sect master indeed.”

“Spare me the praises, and move aside!”

Cui Dongshan took a step away.

Liu Xianyang told Gu Can in a low voice, “If Chen Pingan tries to stop me, stop him from butting in…”

Gu Can said, “He is not. He is just with Yu Xuan going to the mountaintop.”

Liu Xianyang was enraged, “Ungrateful!”

Cui Dongshan, “We are both Sect Masters here. If you speak to me like that, I am not pleased!”

Liu Xianyang threw open the scroll, and waved Cui Dongshan away.

Cui Dongshan stepped away.

Liu Xianyang looked at the scroll, then closed his eyes.

Cui Dongshan dared not bother Liu Xianyang with his slumbering blade, and just looked at Gu Can.

Gu Can was polite.

Cui Dongshan spoke in his mind, “To be honest, I and Pei Qian like you.”

Gu Can smiled, “Good to hear.”

Cui Dongshan rubbed his hands together, “Since you like me too, we can…”

Gu Can spoke, “No.”

Cui Dongshan looked at him, “Let me speak first!”

Gu Can said, “If it was someone else, I would speak with them outside.”

Cui Dongshan made a thumbs up, “Beautifully said!”

Gu Can hesitated, then bowed as thanks.

They were Chen Pingan’s most trusted friends.

Chen Pingan was with Yu Xuan, at the mountaintop where he planned to build a dojo.

Seeing where the old master was looking, Chen Pingan said, “I planned to call it ‘Contemplate Dao’. Contemplate Dao from the left, and Dao Contemplate from the right.”

Yu Xuan was intrigued, “Good idea!”

Chen Pingan said, “Say it first, you are not to steal it!”

Yu Xuan considered, “I would not steal it. I could buy it? The coins that I lent you?”

Chen Pingan shook his head, “No.”

Yu Xuan sighed.

Chen Pingan said, “The price can be negotiable.”

“No. I am not a fool, and I would not spend that money just for a name.”

Yu Xuan smiled, then said, “A strong man makes a strong tool. Over ambition can lead to bad luck.”

Chen Pingan said, “I am already in seclusion.”

Yu Xuan said, “It is not a good thing to fail twice. Be wary, and plan more.”

Chen Pingan nodded.

Yu Xuan came to his senses, “What? You are in seclusion?!”

Chen Pingan, “I would not lie.”

Yu Xuan was worried, “That would make it more worrisome!”

Chen Pingan said, “I could not have planned for your visit!”

Yu Xuan stamped his feet, then made some gestures, “I hope that the Mountain Lord can have a successful seclusion!”

Yu Xuan was stunned, “Chen Pingan, is this seclusion too strange? Can you speak of it? I can stop the world to keep it secret.”

Chen Pingan smiled, “Once I succeed I can treat you to a drink, but I would rather not speak of it.”

Yu Xuan nodded, “Good, good!”

Chen Pingan rested on the rails, “Can I speak freely.”

Yu Xuan sat on the rails, “Yes!”

Chen Pingan sat, and took out a red jug, “Master, do you know if the Celestial Estates of the Nine Lands has a Dragon Slaying Platform? Size does not matter, as long as it has one. I will pay whatever price.”

Yu Xuan shook his head, “That is something you cannot buy. They end up with the sect and are hoarded even by those who do not practice sword. I can ask my friends in the wastes.”

Chen Pingan thanked him, “It was not as rare here. I did not know its worth and used to use it to buy mountains. I thought that lands were most safe.”

Yu Xuan spoke in his mind, “I am very curious as to how luck flowed in the town.”

Chen Pingan asked, “Master, are you curious as to the rules?”

Yu Xuan nodded, “Indeed.”

Chen Pingan said, “I once asked Master Cui, and Lu Chen. Neither knew the core rules, and could not find the truth.”

Yu Xuan smiled, “That is how the Celestial Lord Qing Tong stole from the Heavens.”

Chen Pingan laughed, and put away the jug. He took out a smoking pipe.

Yu Xuan was surprised, “You like that?”

Chen Pingan said, “Like drinking, it became a habit.”

Chen Pingan’s two blades, must be refined by consuming dragon slaying stone.

The dragon stone was even more rare than coins.

The locals called it Dragonspine, but the Li called it Jia Liu, and was banned by the Song.

One of the ancient heavenly tribunals had been broken and scattered, with the greatest bits at the Sword Wall and the Li.

The dragonspine was divided, with snow temple and true martial taking half. The Li was asked to guard and mine, but it changed its mind and gave some to Ruan Quiong. True martial had to accept this. The Snow Temple took their share, and sent monks to guard the area.

Ruan Quiong took what was left.

Liu Xianyang would visit, and be seen as a thief.

Chen Pingan did not think about that mountain, even as a master.

At the sword wall, Chen Pingan became Core, Nascent Soul, and immortal, gaining ten, twenty, and forty thousand blades.

Only two paths can be taken. One to become higher ranked, and one is to eat coins, but it is the path of least.

By merging coins into the river, Chen Pingan hopes to gain eight hundred, maybe a million blades.

Chen Pingan, must focus.

Yu Xuan was hesitant, and made a sealing formation, “What, that I have lived so long is unheard of, as no one can seclude when walking around. Especially at this stage. When I secluded I dare not do so, and you have already failed twice!”

Chen Pingan spoke the general idea, “The Dipper rules death, but extends life, and the path must be dead to be alive. Thus I have nine talisman avatars in the land. Seven are visible, while two are hidden. As for me, I go by Chen Ji, and am a teacher in the countryside.”

Yu Xuan expected more, and was told “Is that all?”

Chen Pingan asked, “You told me to keep it simple.”

Yu Xuan sighed, and grabbed Chen Pingan, “This is too much! At least say what is going on!”

This is a pursuit of Dao!

Chen Pingan said, “I am what is called a Heavenly Warden, and have joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, hate, and desire. The seven will ‘appear’, turning Qi ‘Dao’, restraining the mind, and the one will seek inspiration. Another is a Qi Practitioner, to let thoughts form, ever growing, like a field in bloom, drawing from the grand master Lu Chen. The ancient are unconcerned, unfeeling, tasting nothing, and breathing deep, and refer to Buddhism’s six desires. As for why, that deals with my path, so I will not say. Thus, it is like making the heart into the battlefield, by having your minds fight each other. The demons are terrifying, and what they can do, I seek to find out. It is said demons are greater than our virtues, and I seek to see just how high it is. So I am just here talking to you.”

Those shards are attached to the nine talismans.

The runes are one use.

“Great, a feast for the eyes!”

Yu Xuan rubbed his beard, “Please tell us more Daoist Chen!”

Chen Pingan began to speak of his ideas.

With a wave of his sleeve, smog turned into nine pictures.

“The first layer is the basis of seven emotions. I can then talk of those in a little bit.”

Yu Xuan nodded, “Chen the mountain lord is a story of sadness.”

“You had no money, but sought knowledge, and you love that pursuit and come to love that knowledge.”

“You will not know good if you do not know evil, hence to see the way.”

“Just…”

Chen Pingan, “Just to see what my limits are. We will turn to the ‘Gold’.”

Chen Pingan smiled, and the nine pictures began to act and go their own ways.

Chen Pingan said, “I was born on May Fifth.”

Yu Xuan was shocked, “You will kill the five evils from the heart?!”

Chen Pingan must eliminate the dangers.

Lu Chen not only gave warning, but reminded him later, and Chen Pingan was appreciative.

Dao and beauty, Heaven and beauty. Copy the mountains and catch the wild heart.

That is a warden of the peace.

This warden, is the one to protect and aid the young Chen Ren.

The form is more than just pretty, but also useful.

This “Chen Pingan” is but an Immortal warrior.

Chen Pingan has gone so far as to use a cyan amulet.

That the other cyan amulet is a warrior, or a demon, or someone else, may depend on what is to come.

The Buddhist say greed is a poison.

The fifth day is a poison day.

There is a saying about the evil child who must die.

Chen Pingan is using the northern Dipper, and Buddhism to protect his own path.

As Cao Rong said, the first disease is air.

But that is not Chen Ren.

This is a chance to review the old days.

Those days led to self doubt.

In Youzhu, the scholar spends his time copying sutras.

Eliminating, what heart?

The path to greed.

Daoist Wu Li is to get the evil after spreading the net.

That is the greatest “anger”.

The mountain Lord to be an outer sect and collect coins.

That is a “slow”!

He collects records and insights and books.

That is a “stupidity.”

Yu Xuan was impressed, but could only ask “What of the ‘Trinity of Virtues’. The child to have no fear? The Mountain lord to have no confusion? The Tao to be carefree?”

Chen Pingan shook his head, “They are too simple.”

Chen Pingan then had a memorial.

Yu Xuan nodded.

Chen Pingan shook his head, “There is no carefree, but to understand what one must to be free of confusion.”

Yu Xuan patted his knee. “That is well said!”

Yu Xuan praised, “Mountain Lord is seeking no Confusion and seeks peace!”

Chen Pingan gathered himself and looked excited.

“Thus we seek to learn and cultivate.”

So that is what Chen Pingan seeks to do for himself.

Yu Xuan asked, “Brother, is there a fourth layer?”

“Yes”

Chen Pingan closed his eyes and laughed. “I am the warden, and so a sword user. I must make a microcosm.”

Copy and build to connect the Heavens and Earth.

Yu Xuan asked, “Is there a fifth?”

Chen Pingan “You praise me too much.”

Yu Xuan “Do I praise you?”

Chen Pingan apologized and returned to his seat.

Yu Xuan stayed silent, and muttered, “This is how one must follow Dao. So true.”

Chen Pingan wanted to say something but said, “I am forced to do it, you can.”

Yu Xuan laughed, “Are you cursing me? No, I was not cursed.”

Chen Pingan said, “I too, want to be cursed.”

Poor boy, both parents dead, wanting knowledge, and finally learning it. He became distant and traveled far. He had trouble and little wine.

A girl rushed over, and Yu Xuan stopped the array. Little Grain turned to run away when she saw them speaking.

Chen Pingan laughed, “What is wrong?”

She spoke, “A matter of fire is happening. Jin Qing will live on dragon street. I asked him why, and he would not say.”

Chen Pingan was serious, “That cannot be delayed! Investigate and Report!”

She stomped, and nodded with a frown. “As you command!”

She rushed back, shouldering her burdens.

Yu Xuan was happy, this was a good home.