The most delightful way to admire peach blossoms is from a boat on the water, and the moon should be appreciated while lying on a rooftop.

These were the absurdities of Cui Dongshan.

Feng Xuetao was like a piece of taffy, stuck to the white-robed youth and forced to wander aimlessly.

Feng Xuetao wasn’t known for his patience or good temper, but being saddled with someone like Cui Dongshan, he had no choice. The key was that Cui Dongshan was an irritating chatterbox; he hadn’t had enough wine on the boat, but he’d certainly had his fill of talking.

Cui Dongshan hadn’t lied to Xie Gou. He had indeed skimmed through the Ministry of Justice’s list, giving a cursory glance to all the Qi Refinement cultivators who had presented travel documents.

The Mountain Office’s location had already been finalized, resulting in more official hats and empty chairs than registered cultivators. The Azure Bamboo Sword Sect was sorely lacking in manpower. He could only blame himself, the Sect Master, for lacking the prestige to rally heroes with a single call.

Fortunately, on the Tongyin ferry, the Master and Xie Gou had each recommended a Qi Refinement cultivator. They had different reasons; Xie Gou said the little girl had decent aptitude, while the Master said the other cultivator had a good nature.

After wandering around with Feng Xuetao, Cui Dongshan had decided to take the young female cultivator with freckles under his wing. As for the pretty girl named Jian Xiu, he’d keep her on hold.

Cui Dongshan mysteriously asked, “Brother Feng, what do you think of Kuang Kui’s aptitude?”

Feng Xuetao, mistakenly believing he’d misjudged him, used his supernatural abilities to examine Kuang Kui again. After confirming he hadn’t been wrong, he gave a relatively tactful evaluation: “Utterly ordinary.”

Cui Dongshan said, “Brother Feng, didn’t you notice that this kid has deep family roots and is proficient in the art of Qi Observation?”

Feng Xuetao honestly replied, “Didn’t see it.”

Even if he had seen it, so what? While being skilled in Qi Observation was a nice bonus for a Qi Refinement cultivator, to a Nascent Soul cultivator like Feng Xuetao, Kuang Kui’s abilities were negligible.

Cui Dongshan asked, “I haven’t asked if Brother Feng has any outstanding disciples?”

Feng Xuetao said, “I only have some unregistered disciples. Most have died of old age, and I haven’t seen the few remaining ones in years. I don’t plan on looking for them either. Why are you asking, Sect Master Cui?”

Cui Dongshan raised his chin, “Accepting a disciple on behalf of a disciple, a heartwarming tale.”

Feng Xuetao shook his head. Nonsense, what was he even talking about?

Cui Dongshan looked shocked, “Don’t tell me Brother Feng wants to accept a disciple on behalf of a master?”

Feng Xuetao’s face stiffened, and he said sternly, “Sect Master Cui, please don’t joke.”

Cui Dongshan rubbed his hands and chuckled.

Feng Xuetao asked, “Sect Master Cui, can you speak plainly?”

Cui Dongshan clapped his hands together, “That’s right! Brother Feng, don’t try to guess my thoughts, just ask directly.”

Feng Xuetao said, “I’m all ears.”

Cui Dongshan, with a rare serious expression, said, “Kuang Kui has a good nature, that’s my Master’s assessment. Feng Xuetao, you should know that when my Master says someone has a good nature, that’s a very, very high compliment. To put it bluntly, you wouldn’t get that kind of praise, at least not yet. Of course, your perception of my Master is probably similar. I’ll definitely take Kuang Kui to the Azure Bamboo Sword Sect for cultivation, but I have my own plans for his role. If I remember correctly, Brother Feng has an unregistered disciple named Yin Yi, who has a mountain named Boundary Mountain in the Aiai Continent. He’s now at the Jade Purity stage, with lofty ambitions, but lacking the necessary merit to establish his own sect. Furthermore, he has a daughter who is a natural at cultivation, a sword cultivator at that. Since she was young, she’s yearned for the Sword Qi Great Wall, but Yin Yi dotes on his daughter and can’t bear to let her go there to train. Yin Ying has run away from home twice, only to be brought back by her old-fashioned father, Yin Yi, so their relationship has been strained for decades. When the Sword Qi Great Wall ascended to the Five Colors Heaven, Yin Ying knew she was destined to never go to the battlefield and slay demons, like the two native continent Sword Immortals. She was greatly disappointed and her mood plummeted to rock bottom, declaring she would abandon sword cultivation. Yin Yi is at his wit’s end. To resolve this knot, one must undo the one who tied it. Yin Yi can first recognize Kuang Kui as his personal disciple. With this relationship, I can help him introduce a Sword Immortal from the Sword Qi Great Wall to Yin Ying, to become her master. But Yin Yi must pay a price that isn’t a price. He and Boundary Mountain must become a protector and vassal of the Azure Bamboo Sword Sect, respectively. The price is that he will no longer have the opportunity to establish his own sect based on his own abilities and luck. It’s not a price, because with Yin Yi’s cultivation potential, qualifications, and connections, such ambition is a pipe dream. Of course, when they meet, I can make him understand and accept the truth. Yin Yi isn’t destined to establish his own sect, but at the same time, his daughter has a great opportunity to establish the first Sword Dao sect in the Aiai Continent in two thousand years. The Azure Bamboo Sword Sect is happy to see this happen. If the Azure Bamboo Sword Sect is involved, then shouldn’t the Northern Ju Continent, which has always been at odds with the Aiai Continent, be a little more tolerant and consider whether this matter has been approved by my Master and Fallen Mountain? During this period of time, you, Feng Xuetao, as Yin Yi’s mentor, can’t stay out of it. When you and I were talking earlier, I, Cui Dongshan, said that I am a transitional Sect Master, aren’t you also a transitional protector of the Jade Tablet Sect? Jiang Shangzhen truly considers you a friend, knowing that the free-spirited Qing Mi, who is accustomed to wandering, doesn’t fit in with the Jade Tablet Sect’s atmosphere. Naturally, he doesn’t want to completely tie you down to the Jade Tablet Sect.”

“My Master helped the Azure Bamboo Sword Sect find a hidden protector, Qing Tong. Then, as Cao Qinglang’s junior brother, I should also find a reliable protector for the next Sect Master.”

“Hearing this, Brother Feng, does everything suddenly become clear? After all this talk, the one I truly have my eye on is you, Daoist Qing Mi.”
Feng Xuetao was stunned into silence, as if seeing the white-robed youth beside him for the first time. Cui Dongshan continued to speak at length, “You’ve probably heard a rumor that the City God Temples of the Great Divine Continent secretly keep a separate list, used to record the ‘favorites’ who possess meritorious virtues. Like my eldest senior sister, her name is on it, so when she travels through the various nations of the Great Divine Continent and passes through the City God Temples, large and small, she can receive special treatment. As for Feng Xuetao, he doesn’t yet have this kind of privilege. But in the Confucian Temple, it’s actually quite different, simply because the rogue cultivator Qing Mi once risked his life, first following A-Liang to the depths of the desolate lands, and then partnering with Jiang Shangzhen to protect Cao Ci and the other young people on their journey, engaging in a fierce battle with the cultivators of the Desolate Heaven Stem lineage. But Feng Xuetao doesn’t know how to utilize this seemingly nominal merit, but I know how to maximize its benefits, and in a reasonable way that is both conventional and avoids killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.”

“Sir is a scholar, and I am a businessman. Sir is rigorous in learning and cultivating himself, seeking to combine benevolence and righteousness with practical achievements, while I only pursue practical achievements. So, while I am still the Sect Master of Qingping Sword Sect, you should cherish this once-in-a-millennium, fleeting opportunity. Feng Xuetao, I have already revealed the bottom line. Do you want to do this deal or not?”

“I’ll count to ten, and I won’t wait any longer.”

Just as Cui Dongshan was about to count to ten, Feng Xuetao said, “I only have one very pragmatic question to ask.”

Cui Dongshan interrupted him, smiling and nodding, “I’ve been waiting for you to say that. Don’t worry, I will point out a path to harmony for you. Whether you succeed or not, the conservative estimate is fifty-fifty.”

Feng Xuetao steadied his Dao heart and asked, “Really?!”

Cui Dongshan said, “Let’s get the ugly truth out of the way first, it will definitely take you a long time. It could be as short as eight hundred years or as long as several thousand years, it’s all possible.”

Feng Xuetao said in a deep voice, “It’s a deal.”

Cui Dongshan tentatively asked, “With such a straightforward gentleman’s agreement, there’s no need to swear an oath or write a contract, right?”

Feng Xuetao said, “Friends are friends, and business is business. We need to find a middleman to witness this matter.”

Cui Dongshan asked cautiously, “For example?”

Feng Xuetao said with a smile, “Sect Master Cui is a master of human nature, most adept at understanding people’s hearts. You and I both know it, why bother to be so roundabout?”

Cui Dongshan stomped his feet and said, “I have a general relationship with the highly respected Fire Dragon True Lord.”

Feng Xuetao’s face darkened, “I’m talking about Chen Ping’an!”

Cui Dongshan hesitated for a moment, pretending to be speaking with his heart, and then said with relief and conviction, “After much persuasion, my master has finally agreed.”

Feng Xuetao’s face showed sarcasm, “Sect Master Cui, can you be a little more sincere? Do you take me for a fool?”

Cui Dongshan shook his sleeves and said with a smile, “Alright, then I’ll be frank and tell you the absolute truth. Doing business always involves risks. Let me kindly remind you, if you dare to threaten me with my master, I will kill you.”

Good heavens, his face changed faster than flipping a book.

Feng Xuetao’s intuition told him that the white-robed youth was not joking.

In an instant, Cui Dongshan wanted to run away.

But he was still held down by the person who came, who also smiled and said, “Sect Master Cui is amazing, is this how you do business with such kindness and good intentions?”

Feng Xuetao laughed gleefully, as expected, there was always one thing that could subdue another. It turned out that while Cui Dongshan was pretending to be talking with his master’s heart, Feng Xuetao had really communicated with Chen Ping’an about this matter, but he had cut off the beginning and the end of the content, only saying that he and Sect Master Cui had reached an agreement, and that he was willing to join Qingping Sword Sect as a long-term registered retainer immediately after resigning as the Jade Tablet Sect’s enshrined cultivator. Although Chen Ping’an didn’t know how Cui Dongshan had persuaded this Ascendant rogue cultivator, it was ultimately a great thing, and there was no reason to refuse. As a result, as soon as he turned his mind to this place, he heard Cui Dongshan saying something about the absolute truth and who he was going to kill.

Cui Dongshan shrank his neck and cursed Feng Xuetao as a “damned rogue cultivator.”

He received a flick on the forehead, which made the white-robed youth howl, and was reprimanded, “We’re all family now, why are you talking to the future retainer like that?”

Chen Ping’an cupped his hands and smiled, “Fellow Daoist Qing Mi, please bear with us in the future.”

Feng Xuetao cupped his hands in return, “It’s easy to say.”

Chen Ping’an said with a smile, “After you get to Qingping Sword Sect, you can often come to Fallen Mountain for tea and wine.”

Feng Xuetao understood his implied meaning and said with a smile, “I won’t complain. I trust Sect Master Cui’s business acumen.”

Chen Ping’an nodded and said, “Dongshan usually talks nonsense, but most of the time, he’s reliable.”

Feng Xuetao hesitated for a moment and said, “Doubtful.”

Chen Ping’an laughed heartily, “It seems that Fellow Feng no longer considers himself an outsider, very good, very good.”

For some reason, Feng Xuetao found that Cui Dongshan was a completely different person after Chen Ping’an appeared. To be precise, when the master and student were both present, such as at the wine table on the Tongyin ferry, Cui Dongshan would lose all his momentum, and there was no awkwardness at all. It was like a tacit understanding, natural and without reason.

Chen Ping’an said, “Dongshan doesn’t need to talk about him. In Qingping Sword Sect, Qinglang is more like a pure scholar than I am as a master, and at the same time, he’s more flexible than I am, and his pursuit of knowledge and Dao is firm. I hope Fellow Feng can take care of him and guide him more in the future. I thank you in advance.”

Feng Xuetao hmmmed, “I’ve met Cao Qinglang a few times in the capital, and I have a good impression of him.”

Having personally experienced the harmonious relationship between Chen Ping’an and Cui Dongshan and Cao Qinglang, Feng Xuetao sighed inwardly, feeling a little touched. Should he really go to the Snowy Continent to see the disciple Yin Yi, who wouldn’t dare to look for him unless he went to see him? Among the many unregistered disciples, their aptitudes varied, and their hearts were different. Some were using his name to exaggerate their influence, while others were gradually becoming strangers. Since you, Feng Xuetao, don’t take us seriously, we don’t care whether we’re registered or not. But there was also an oddball like Yin Yi, who always wanted to cultivate well and establish a sect, and one day he would prove to his master that he was qualified to be a personal disciple.

It seemed that Yin Yi had thought about hiring Xie Songhua to be Yin Ying’s sword art master. Thinking of this, Feng Xuetao asked, “Why didn’t Xie Songhua become a retainer of Qingping Sword Sect?”

Cui Dongshan chuckled.
Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “Perhaps Sword Immortal Xie just loves freedom and doesn’t like being constrained by a sect. I reckon the reason she’s willing to be a family retainer for the Liu Clan of Aiai Continent is out of a sense of hometown camaraderie.”

Cui Dongshan was still chuckling to himself when he got another solid flick to the forehead.

Feng Xuetao was bewildered, but he didn’t delve into the reasons.

So it turned out that Chen Ping’an was truly afraid of Xie Songhua, feeling uneasy every time they met. This female Sword Immortal of Aiai Continent was not one to mince words, and she was quite skilled at drinking and telling bawdy jokes.

“If this old lady really can’t find a suitable Dao companion, Chen Yin Guan could actually do. Don’t worry, I don’t need any official title, just a golden house to hide me away will suffice.”

“Don’t be fooled by Song Ping’s aloofness in public, putting on such airs. Actually, when chatting about boudoir matters in private, she’s full of scandalous words, even I can’t handle it, tsk tsk…”

Even if Chen Ping’an had the gall of a celestial, how could he dare… invite a wolf into his house?

Cui Dongshan asked with a grin, “Why is His Majesty the Emperor of Yunyan Kingdom standing like a wooden dummy in the alley, leading a large group of high-ranking court officials?”

Chen Ping’an said annoyed, “Is it wrong to find an alley cooler than a restaurant?”

Cui Dongshan nodded like a pecking chick, “Yes, yes, alright, alright.”

Feng Xuetao dismissed it with a smile.

Chen Ping’an retracted a wisp of his divine sense and returned to the fly-infested diner, continuing to drink and eat hotpot with Fan Tong and Xie Sanniang.

The table next to them got up to pay the bill and left the diner, only to quickly discover the unusual situation outside in the alley. The narrow lane was roughly divided into three “small hills.” At the front was a pampered middle-aged man with a dragon-patterned jade pendant at his waist. Beside him stood two imposing old men, one with a pale face and no beard, hands tucked into his sleeves, habitually bowing his head. The other wore an ancient crown, radiating Daoist energy, with sharp eyes. Behind them were seven or eight men of varying ages with the air of officials, all in plain clothes. Further back, near the intersection of the alley, were burly young men wearing official court swords, some with glimpses of inner armor visible under the moonlight.

Seeing this scene, the group that had left the diner had no choice but to turn and walk away along the other side of the alley, their pace not hurried.

Before they had left the alley, one of the women in the group exclaimed excitedly, her voice trembling, “I recognize two Dukes are in the alley!”

The other woman looked radiant, lowering her voice to say, “It seems like Lord Minister of Rites is also there.”

As for the few Qi Refiners, they communicated telepathically, “The man standing next to the middle-aged man seems to be the newly appointed National Preceptor of Yunyan Kingdom.”

“In that case, is the Emperor here in person?”

“He can’t be waiting for someone, can he? If so, that’s bizarre. Who could possibly have such clout?”

“Could it be Sect Master Wei Ying of the Jade Rule Sect?”

“Is Great Sword Immortal Wei so free that she’s eating hotpot with us in a diner?”

“Could it be Sect Master Cui of the Azure Duckweed Sword Sect? No, I heard that Sect Master has a youthful appearance, good at preserving youth, and likes to wear white clothes.”

In any case, they were completely baffled.

Inside the diner, Chen Ping’an asked seemingly casually, “Fan Tong, do you want a job down the mountain, like a secure position in the government of some small kingdom, or do you want to go up the mountain and find a suitable Immortal sect for cultivation?”

Fan Tong said carelessly, “Why choose? Anything is fine, but the question is, who would accept us, Immortal Master Chen, right?”

Xie Sanniang thought for a moment and said, “Immortal Master Chen, to be honest, we still want to go up the mountain to seek an Immortal destiny.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Understood.”

Standing up, Chen Ping’an cupped his fists to say goodbye, smiling, “I’m full and satisfied. The mountains are high and the rivers are long. We’ll meet again if fate allows.”

Chen Ping’an gestured with his hand, indicating that they didn’t need to stand up to see him off. “We’re all familiar, no need for formalities.”

Fan Tong remembered something and was about to speak, reminding Immortal Master Chen that he had forgotten to pay. It was agreed that they would treat, but he was stepped on the back of his shoe by the woman, who glared at him fiercely.

The man was a little confused. Immortal Master Chen didn’t lack this little bit of money. He was treating this time, and they could treat him next time. Immortal Master Chen had already said that they were all familiar, no need for formalities.

In the silent alley.

Walking at the back of the group, a local woman from the capital turned her head towards the alley as if compelled by a ghost.

She had spent many years in the pleasure quarters and had seen all kinds of splendor and arrogant wealth, but she still witnessed a scene that she would never forget, a bizarre spectacle. She remembered that earlier, since they were neighbors, she had been sitting back-to-back with the last man to sit down at the next table. Once, when she was toasting those Immortal Masters, she felt that the seat was cramped, so she wanted to remind the person behind her if they could move closer to their table, but when she turned back after toasting, she found that the man had already proactively moved the bench.

But when the poor scholar in green robes walked out of the diner, the middle-aged man in the alley began to bow and pay his respects. At the same time, everyone either bowed or lowered their heads, and the clanking of armor could be faintly heard.

Zhao Tieyan, the law enforcer of the Danjing Sect, was a Cave Realm Qi Refiner. With over a hundred years of Dao age, the man was short in stature, with shrewd eyes. Dressed in cloth and straw sandals, he wore an iron mace engraved with thunder talisman at his waist. Zhao Tieyan and his group of Qi Refiners had arrived in the capital of Yunyan Kingdom, and they were like small miscellaneous fish in a dragon pool, not causing the slightest ripple, unlike in that remote small kingdom where they could be called Immortals. Zhao Tieyan had a sect property here, a general store opened at Yulin Ferry, winding and turning, not easy to find, you had to ask for directions. As for how the business was going, it was estimated to be worse than the nearby grilled fish stall. Zhao Tieyan saw his fellow disciple Shang, who was frowning, and could only comfort him, saying that business on the mountain was always like this, not opening for three years, but eating for three years when it does.

The other two groups of Qi Refiners thought they could take advantage of this and at least have a place to stay in the capital, but they did not expect that they would have to find their own inns.

In fact, both sides were awkward, and they had to pretend not to be awkward, which made it even more awkward. After many years, the fellow brothers reunited, and Shang Zuo had been pouring out his grievances at the dinner table. It turned out that the dignitaries in the capital, not to mention the imperial relatives and the Nine Ministers, had very high standards. Even a Lang official was not easy to get past, and they simply did not take cultivators below the Fifth Realm seriously. Between the lines, Shang Zuo wanted to return to the sect, hide in the mountains, and pick up the practice of cultivation again. Zhao Tieyan was also helpless about this, and silently made up his mind that if it really didn’t work, he would…
“Stay here,” Zhao Tiezhen instructed, “Let Junior Brother Shang return to the sect with that newly accepted disciple.”

These days, the immortal masters on the mountains aren’t exactly wealthy, and the nations below are hardly overflowing with riches either. Everyone is tightening their belts and scraping by.

The younger disciples who came down the mountain for training this time are relatively new to cultivation and haven’t experienced much yet. They simply assume that traveling for cultivation means enduring hardship and sleeping in the open. Zhao Tiezhen, the one in charge of discipline, however, has tasted the good life. He remembers his first trip down the mountain with his elders. The tales in the Daoist scriptures about the myriad desires of the mortal realm and the turtle shell of fame and fortune were, he realized, utter nonsense. Ascetics who ventured into the world below entered a vibrant paradise. The elders were understanding, adhering to one set of rules on the mountain and another, more lenient one, in the mundane world. They weren’t rigid or dogmatic, allowing the younger ones some freedom, the mountain’s rigid rules need not be strictly observed, as long as they remembered not to blab about it back at the mountain, lest the disciplinary branch hear and make a mountain out of a molehill.

Shang Zuo looked troubled, muttering, “Senior Brother Zhao, how did our serene mountain cultivation turn into a business venture?”

After drinking a bowl of bland薏米 wine, Shang Zuo tugged at his collar and sleeves, mocking himself, “Reeking of copper coins, can’t wash it off no matter what.”

Zhao Tiezhen chuckled, “This time, the Sect Master sent me down to replace you.”

Shang Zuo glanced at the disciplinary brother and waved his hand, “Spare me the clumsy excuses. What sect has its disciplinary head running a shop in the marketplace year-round to earn money? I’m venting my frustrations, not trying to run back for peace and quiet. This stifling life is something I’m stuck with, but you can’t deny me the right to complain, can you?”

Zhao Tiezhen felt even more sympathy, but still smiled, “Things will get better. Once the Sect Master becomes a Golden Core Earth Immortal, our sect will truly have a place on Mount Tongye.”

Shang Zuo downed a bowl of wine in one gulp, his expression bitter. “Recently, I saw a promising sprout, truly talented. I thought he was as good as the Sect Master, but I couldn’t win him over, someone else snatched him away. I swallowed my pride, didn’t dare utter a single fart.”

Zhao Tiezhen was speechless, hesitating before asking, “Still in the capital? Is there any room for maneuver?”

Shang Zuo shook his head. “The one who snatched him was a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, and a young one at that. Actually, they were quite courteous, relatively polite. Besides, the kid has already officially become their disciple. He even came to apologize to me and said he would pass on a message from his master: that if there’s a chance in the future, they’ll definitely repay Danjing Sect with a bit of karmic affinity.”

Zhao Tiezhen sighed. Back in the day, the highest realm achieved by the sect’s past masters was Nascent Soul. But during the last great calamity on Mount Tongye, the entire sect, along with their patron deity, relocated to the Five Colors Heaven. Zhao Tiezhen and a few others refused to leave and stayed behind. Besides the Sect Master and the senior sister currently managing the finances, the others like Zhao Tiezhen and Shang Zuo weren’t even direct disciples of the Ancestral Hall back then. He heard that the Five Colors Heaven would open its gates once every eighty years. He wondered what things would be like then.

Zhao Tiezhen said, “Before coming down the mountain, the Sect Master and Senior Sister Huang called me over and made a decision. They wanted to let you know and hear your thoughts.”

Shang Zuo picked up a salted peanut, chewing it slowly, his expression mournful, but his tone exceptionally firm. “Whatever you guys decide, I’ve already made up my mind. Even if they return to Mount Tongye in eighty years, I won’t acknowledge them as my ancestral masters. If you three are thinking about returning to the fold, then help me remove my name from Danjing Sect’s records. It won’t make a difference whether I’m there or not. It didn’t before, and it certainly won’t now.”

Zhao Tiezhen laughed, “You misunderstood. We all share the same opinion as you.”

While they were drowning their sorrows and baring their hearts, Shang Zuo’s disciple came to the back courtyard to report that a Qi Refining cultivator, seeking his fortune, had come to the shop and submitted a visiting card. The man claimed to have a small sect, proficient in mechanical construction and economics, and wanted to see if there was an opportunity to cooperate with the esteemed sect. Zhao Tiezhen opened the card case, read the text on the visiting card, and handed it to his junior brother. In the end, Zhao Tiezhen and Shang Zuo exchanged bewildered glances, completely dumbfounded.

Trying to sponge off someone, and they didn’t even pick a wealthy target to con?

Shang Zuo instructed his disciple, “Speak politely, send them on their way, and don’t start any unnecessary arguments.”

Unexpectedly, the uninvited guest had already made his way from the shop to the back courtyard, a wide smile plastered on his face, greeting, “Disciplinary Zhao, Brother Shang, long time no see!”

Because the man was overly enthusiastic, his affection as fervent as a reunion with an old friend, Zhao Tiezhen glanced at Shang Zuo, and Shang Zuo looked back at Zhao Tiezhen. Both assumed he was a friend of the other.

They’d seen meddlers, but never someone so baffling. The young man in white seemed utterly oblivious, a sincere expression on his face as he stood in the courtyard’s well, talking to himself. “It’s said that Danjing Sect has twenty-four pools in the mountains, named after the twenty-four solar terms. What a scenic and serene place for cultivation, a treat for the eyes and the soul. In my humble opinion, it would be a travesty if it didn’t produce a celestial figure in the upper five realms.”

The young man continued, “I also heard that your founding ancestor was a traveling medicine peddler who sold herbs in the marketplace. He encountered an extraordinary person by chance, and because of his kind heart, he received a stroke of immortal fortune, thus embarking on the path of cultivation. From then on, he had a series of lucky encounters, well-deserved, indeed. Until Danjing Sect’s lineage and legacy were passed down to the current Sect Master… how should I put it? Every family has its own troubles?”

At the entrance, a man with his arms crossed scoffed upon hearing this.

Shang Zuo’s expression darkened, saying, “Speak your business.”

The young man said, “Well, I’m also a proper cultivator with a registered mountain head, but because it’s a newly established sect, we lack resources. So I had to personally come out to earn money. Besides being a construction expert, I also have a few farmer and herbalist cultivators. We can build and manage gardens, cultivate exotic flowers and rare herbs, transplant ancient immortal trees, select and relocate feng shui stones, even conjure up things like cranes, white deer, and flying fish in the clouds. None of that is difficult. We can make a mountain sect more like an immortal’s abode. Moreover, we can replicate archways and ancient steles, carve inscriptions on mountains and cliffs, and even serve as temporary stewards or honorary consultants, helping to put on a show, or acting as a go-between, renting ferry boats from other sects, and so on. Anything you can think of, I can do!”
“Anything you can think of, without boasting, I can probably do too. Basically, I rely on my skills and conscience to earn an honest living away from home.”

The young man raised his thumb, pointing to someone behind him, “For example, this friend behind me is a low-profile alchemist from a family of medicine practitioners. Definitely a skilled hand!”

Feng Xuetao chuckled, “My craftsmanship is passable.”

Before becoming a Land Immortal, Feng Xuetao’s original trade was indeed that of a farmer.

Zhao Tieyan suppressed a smile, “How do you calculate the specific price?”

The white-clad youth said, “We can sit down and talk it over slowly.”

Shang Zuo reminded him telepathically, “Senior Brother Zhao, be careful they’re after your iron mace. Maybe they’ve already scouted this place and are just waiting for you to appear.”

After all, the most valuable item of the current Danjing Sect is this treasure of the mountain.

Zhao Tieyan said, “That’s only right. One can never be too careful. I’m even more afraid that these people have old grudges with the Danjing Sect.”

The youth stood on tiptoe, craning his neck, and looked at the table inside the house, “Why not have some wine and a few snacks? If the deal falls through, we can still be friends and make acquaintances.”

Shang Zuo, with his keen eyes, asked, “The robes this Immortal Master is wearing aren’t cheap.” The white-clad youth put his hands on his hips, “Of course, it’s all about putting on a show. As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and gold adorns the Buddha. For us cultivators, when we’re out and about, we inevitably encounter people who judge a book by its cover, so we still need to pay attention to appearances and pomp.” The young disciple of Shang Zuo, who also worked as a shop assistant, had just learned telepathic communication and said to his master and the Law Enforcing Master, “This guy was just lingering outside, chatting with me for a long time at the door. I don’t know if he’s a swindler, but he’s got a pretty good temper.”

The simple-minded youth didn’t dare to mention that the peer had praised him as having extraordinary spiritual roots, a once-in-a-century talent for cultivation, wondering why he was toiling in the marketplace instead of seeking immortality in the mountains.

Regardless of whether it was true or false, such words were always pleasant to hear.

Wealthy and influential nobles in the capital had recently been leading some clever and promising juniors to visit different households, some of whom had already recognized several masters.

Shang Zuo also wanted to take in a few anonymous, cheap disciples, but unfortunately, the current state of the Danjing Sect couldn’t withstand scrutiny. Once investigated, their secrets would be exposed.

Otherwise, like those in the Middle Five Realms, anyone who came to the door would be accepted without question. All he had to do was teach them a simple breathing technique or a Daoist formula pieced together from various sources, and give them a few pills that wouldn’t kill them, and he could make a fortune.

As for this newly accepted disciple, even if his aptitude was average, he was still capable of cultivating immortal arts. Being able to find him was already a pleasant surprise for Shang Zuo.

Even Zhao Tieyan, with his great patience, was starting to consider sending them away.

Cui Dongshan smiled, “Don’t rush to drive us away. Actually, the reason I came to visit, besides business, is that there’s a connection to be made.”

Zhao Tieyan asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Cui Dongshan said, “Previously, my master, along with a woman wearing a sable hat, encountered you at a place with a lewd mountain god shrine. My master mentioned this matter to me, saying that your sect rules and character are good.” Zhao Tieyan felt a little more at ease. That sable-hatted woman had shown some immortal skills, and her cultivation wasn’t low. If she and the green-robed man who hadn’t said a word from beginning to end had really taken a fancy to his iron mace, they could have easily robbed him in the wilderness, without needing to resort to such a roundabout scheme. The logic was simple: if they could rob him, why would they need to scam him?

Zhao Tieyan tossed the visiting card back to the white-clad youth and said, “What do you seek? Please speak plainly.” Cui Dongshan smiled, “Temples have lower courtyards, and immortal abodes have upper sects. Doesn’t that make sense? Logically speaking, you outcasts of the old Danjing Sect, even if you’ve suffered grievances, should endure the humiliation and continue to guard the empty shell of your ancestral heritage, so that when they return, you can obediently hand it over with both hands.”

“But the fourth-ranked Sage of the Haoran Confucian Temple, who spoke of ruler-minister and father-son relationships, didn’t you hear? The Sage didn’t teach scholars to become blindly loyal or filial. If the ruler is not a ruler, then the minister can refuse to be a minister. That’s the correct principle, and there’s an order of precedence.” “You must know that the most frightening thing in cultivation is taking the wrong path, blindly worshipping mountains, and recognizing a thief as your father. Cultivators have their seven emotions and six desires running wild, and without sincerity and rectitude, they’re like insects on a lion, with thousands of strands tangled. You should reorganize your sect rules and revitalize your family style. The great waves wash away the sand. When all the sand is washed away, true gold will be revealed. I think you’re doing very well. The upper beam is crooked, but the lower beam is straight. Excellent.”

“Cultivating immortality and seeking the Dao are a little different. Why shouldn’t someone with the stench of money be a cultivator? It’s just that they’re not immaculate, literal immortals.”

Shang Zuo said telepathically, “Senior Brother Zhao, I can’t argue with him.”

Is he drunk and talking nonsense?

It doesn’t seem like it. When you chew on it, there’s some truth to it?

Zhao Tieyan said, “Maybe the Sect Leader can talk to him.”

Cui Dongshan blinked and looked at the shop assistant, “Young man, I feel a connection with you. I’m going to help you write a wonderful story of ‘one person attains the Dao, and even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven’.”

The young man was overjoyed, unable to believe it, and cautiously asked, “Can I really cultivate and attain the Dao, becoming an immortal?”

Cui Dongshan said with a mischievous smile, “You’re the protagonist in the second half of the story of ‘one person attains the Dao, and even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven’.”

The young man didn’t understand the hidden meaning and looked confused, “Huh?”

Cui Dongshan patted the young man’s shoulder, “So smart. No wonder we get along so well.”

Zhao Tieyan pondered for a moment and asked, “Can you put it more simply?”

Cui Dongshan shouted loudly, “Since we’re all reasonable and straightforward people, I’ll be frank. I’ve personally come to form an alliance with a newly renovated Danjing Sect!”

Zhao Tieyan was even more confused and curiously asked the white-clad youth, “May I ask the name of your sect?”

The white-clad youth grinned, “I’ve already said it. It’s a newly emerging sect called Qingping Sword Sect!”

Shang Zuo sighed and said telepathically, “Senior Brother, I really can’t stand this kid!”

Zhao Tieyan smiled, “May I ask if this Immortal Master’s name is Cui Dongshan?”

The white-clad youth nodded vigorously, “Yes, I am Cui Dongshan.”

Zhao Tieyan took a deep breath, “Get out!”

Cui Dongshan turned his head and said, “Fellow Daoist Qingmi, did you see? They’ve already guessed my identity. Their brains are brighter than yours.”

Feng Xuetao smiled and nodded, “It seems so.”

Qingmi?

The new offering of the Jade Measuring Sect, a Flying Ascension Realm cultivator from the Aiai Continent? Indeed, it’s said that this old immortal is currently in the capital.
Shang Zuo roared, “All of you, get lost!”

Cui Dongshan gave a thumbs-up, “I admire you as men of valor, so I won’t haggle over trifles. When shall we commence with the drinking?”

Cui Dongshan turned his head and inquired, “Fellow Daoist Qingmi, it seems our parley has collapsed. What say you?”

Feng Xuetao chuckled, “I care not. Staying for a drink is fine, leaving is equally acceptable.” Cui Dongshan clasped his fist in a salute, shaking it vigorously a few times, “Farewell, until we meet again. Should you encounter troubles, run into walls at every turn, you can seek someone at the Tongyin Ferry boat in Yulin Ferry. Simply mention you crossed paths with Vice Minister Xie, or directly look for me, this Feng Xuetao by my side.”

Zhao Tieyan smiled, “Then my junior brother and I shall not see you off.”

Shang Zuo suddenly declared, “Regardless of who you are or what your intentions may be, I wish to inform you of one thing: within my Danjing Sect, there are also many cultivators with pure Dao hearts.”

The aching longing, perhaps, is akin to a teetotaler forcing down a bowl of strong liquor.

Cui Dongshan nodded, “Certainly, otherwise there wouldn’t be a few of you, allowing me to say so much here. It’s a pity my wine was wasted, my throat is parched. Truly, we cannot drink together?”

Feng Xuetao could no longer bear to listen and was the first to turn and leave.

Cui Dongshan imitated a figure on the opera stage, lifting one foot, miming the action of whipping a horse, and shouted, “Fellow Daoist, take your time!” Stepping out of the shop, Cui Dongshan folded his hands in his sleeves, earnestly saying, “Fellow Daoist Qingmi, wandering the world, traversing tens of thousands of miles, people, events, and scenery—we cannot merely be casual observers. It is said that the human body is a small universe, and a solitary wild cultivator, unburdened and unattached, has he truly not underestimated himself?” “Whether one encounters immortals, whether one is distracted, whether one regards it as fleeting smoke or stands as a pillar of strength, where is there not a test of the heart, leaving one speechless on the shore. With the mind like a restless ape and the will like a runaway horse, how should we, cultivators ascending the mountains, facing the wall, conduct ourselves?”

“I know these words, with your Dao heart being firm enough, you will not heed them, but as friends who have sworn brotherhood, I still must speak them to you.”

“Brother Feng, are you moved? Do you suddenly find me to be quite a good fellow?”

Feng Xuetao said with a stern face, “Scram.”

Cui Dongshan truly left alone, “Very well, as you command! I have a little donkey, I never ride it, clippity-clop, clippity-clop.”

In that long river of time, which seemed like foreign land to everyone, Lu Chen found Zheng Juzhong, “Why go to such lengths?”

Zheng Juzhong said calmly, “Headmaster Lu, do you think I need to use words to threaten anyone?”

Lu Chen feigned ignorance, “Ah? What did Master Zheng say?”

Zheng Juzhong paid him no heed.

To trade pieces with the Azure Billow World.

As for whether you believe it or not, that is your White Jade Capital’s affair.

Lu Chen suddenly widened his eyes, pointing at his face, “Master Zheng, look at the expression and complexion of this humble Daoist, sincere or not, do you believe it?”

Lu Chen beat his chest and stamped his feet, “Not to exaggerate, this humble Daoist believes even more than you!”

Zheng Juzhong simply remained silent.

A prearranged game of chess, with the chessboard being the entire Azure Billow World.

The two players, each with the first move.

Zheng Juzhong’s first move was to be the first to ascend to the Fourteenth Realm.

Grand Headmaster Kou Ming’s first move was a White Jade Capital.

Lu Chen’s expression darkened, “Self-cultivation and self-edification, is that not good enough?”

“Why actively enter the fray, to be the agitator? Alas, I cannot say it that way, the Azure Billow World is not a cesspool, and Master Zheng is certainly not an agitator.”

Lu Chen repeated to himself, “Zheng Juzhong and the Azure Billow World are naturally not so.”

Zheng Juzhong finally spoke, “Remember in the ancient years, for wandering scholars and cultivators, one’s birthplace was called the native land. The country one resided in and served was called the homeland, and the ancestral home was called the ancestral land.”

Lu Chen asked, “Are you being biased, helping someone? Or did you reach some secret agreement with someone earlier, and are compelled to do this?”

Zheng Juzhong shook his head, “Neither is true.”

Lu Chen, unusually, flew into a rage, pointing his finger at Zheng Juzhong’s nose and cursing, “You bastard, relying on your own intelligence to bully people, tell me, what are you plotting? Can you, Zheng Juzhong, bear the karmic burden of this chaos that engulfs the world?”

Zheng Juzhong smiled slightly, “I am, in essence, engaged in self-cultivation and self-edification. If three Fourteenth Realm cultivators cannot overcome Yu Dou, then what about three pseudo-Fifteenth Realm cultivators?”

Lu Chen continued to curse, “What math is that? Who taught you that? Is three times three nine or three times three one?!”

Zheng Juzhong waved his sleeve, “Lu Chen, you may curse, but don’t splatter your saliva.”

Lu Chen slumped to the ground, feeling extremely aggrieved, sniffing, “This humble Daoist is just anxious, unable to restrain myself.”

Zheng Juzhong slowly said, “In my eyes, Lu Chen is the only sober man in the entire wine vat.”

Lu Chen inexplicably recalled a saying, muttering to himself, “Never been drunk, blame the wine.”

Zheng Juzhong smiled slightly, “Tomorrow we shall see what tomorrow brings. Since there is nothing to do today, why don’t we drink?” Year after year, wildflowers bloom all over the world.