From the Xuan Du Temple, beneath a blossoming peach tree, Yao Qing met the Lord of White Emperor City, garbed in simple azure robes.

A comely youth, crowned with a tiger-headed cap, bid Yao Qing a curt farewell, his demeanor as crisp as winter’s frost.晏 Fatty, never far behind, hesitated, then followed hard upon the youth’s heels. He could not unravel the question that plagued him. Perhaps the now sword-bearing Lord Bai would grant him enlightenment.

Zheng Juzhong wasted no time. “Pray tell, esteemed Chancellor, in these troubled times, does Qing Ming—its fourteen provinces—boast more mighty kingdoms or fewer?”

Yao Qing was silent. The meaning was clear. In an age of contention, many strong kingdoms grant latecomers the chance to rule. A scarcity of power sees the first to rise become king. And what of Bin Province’s Yao Qing, and the Qing Shen Dynasty sharpening its blades for years?

“Your Excellency need not rush,” Zheng Juzhong said. “But before the White Jade City spies discover my presence, I must have your answer.”

Yao Qing inquired, “And if my answer does not align with Master Zheng’s desires?”

Zheng Juzhong smiled enigmatically. “Once your answer is given, mine shall be known as well.”

Yao Qing’s laugh was as cold as mountain wind. “Is this how Master Zheng woos potential allies?”

Zheng Juzhong simply strolled into the peach grove, Yao Qing falling into step beside him.

Yao Qing glanced back at the path they had taken.

Long hailed as the Chancellor of the Qing Shen Dynasty, it was hard to fathom that this was once a lad of the Five Tombs district, a rakish scoundrel, reveling in wine, song, and every vice imaginable, with a particular fondness for gambling. Ambition of titles? Piety for the path to immortality? Nay, the city rogue’s sole concern was to win back yesterday’s losses, with interest.

Would that callow youth believe that someday he would be Yao Qing?

Slowly, Yao Qing rolled up the sleeves of his Taoist robe.

At first, Zheng Juzhong thought Yao Qing would yield to White Jade City, to join Yu Dou in quelling the rebellion and purging the rogue provinces.

But no, this Taoist of the Fourteenth Realm, a shadow of his “youth” remained; his forearms bore intricate tattoos.

Even Zheng Juzhong was taken aback.

The young scamp of the Five Tombs, adorned with blossoming sleeves?

Yao Qing flexed his arms, a wry smile playing on his lips. “Master Zheng, we are kindred spirits. A man must stand by his friends, eh?”

Had Grandmaster Sun not led him to the mountain, Yao Qing would have remained a youth emboldened by tattooed arms, drifting from market to market, youth to middle age, elder to grave… The Qing Shen Dynasty would have no Chancellor, Bin Province no Taoist “Guardian.” Thus, he came to Xuan Du Temple to face an unseen, internal memorial.

He recalled the tattooed youth, perched atop his dilapidated wall, sweltering in the heat, bare-chested, quaffing a jug of borrowed wine, saying to the lanky old Taoist beside him, “Grandmaster Sun, if you think I’m destined for greatness, take me to your temple! Don’t give me excuses that it’s too small. I won’t mind the poverty, just ensure there are three meals.”

The old Taoist scoffed, swatting the youth’s shoulder, chuckling, “So, you’ve even etched a dragon across your back, eh?”

The youth winced, his shoulder ablaze with pain.

The old Taoist laughed. “My temple is not only small, but abstains from meat and wine. It offers only famously awful vegetarian meals. Still willing?”

The youth countered, “Forget it. I’ll stay here. When I make my name, I’ll visit your temple for a taste of that dreadful food.”

The old Taoist raised his hand, and the youth, grinning, met it with a resounding slap, a pact sealed.

Deep within the desolate wilderness, as a strapping woman ascended the mountain, a sect was being swept away. From foot to peak, to the ancestral hall, no one of the hundreds of demon cultivators survived. Any Fifth Realm cultivator attempting to teleport away, Xie Shiji smote them into pieces with a single, mighty blow.

This demon sect, instrumental in the victory in the vast world of the righteous, was no more than smoke.

Chen Qingliu stood at the summit, sneering, “These beasts are not worthy to know my Taoist name.”

The last sect, that knew not the Azure Lord’s title, deserved death. This sect, uttering that very title, earned the same doom.

Xie Shiji banished the scent of blood, saying, “Master, it seems Bai Ze approaches.”

Chen Qingliu spoke with disinterest, “Sister, delay Bai Ze’s attendants for a spell, if you would. I prefer a clean contest, a trial by sword.”

His meaning was simple. Bai Ze was his to face.

Xie Shiji nodded. “Begin the trial early.”

Prolong it, and the more wild demons perish, the more Bai Ze’s power will swell. In time, Bai Ze will forcibly ascend to the Fifteenth Realm within this desolate land.

Chen Qingliu narrowed his gaze.

He would measure ten thousand years of power with three thousand years of swordsmanship.

—

Chen Ping’an withdrew his consciousness from the nascent world of the mind, just after its creation.

Seeing the smile upon his face, Liu Xianyang asked in a low voice, “Is the master enduring hardship with joy, smiling in the face of fury? I will strike Jiang She, and bring joy to the Master.”

The current Jiang She was akin to one with no realm, no longer worth considering. However, his Daoist partner, a woman with the name “Land Immortal,” was something to be cautious of.

Chen Ping’an straightened, ignoring Liu Xianyang, asking, “In what waters does this Night Boat sail?”

Xiao Mo responded, “Having recently emerged from the Gui Xu tunnel, we are bound for the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect of the South Land. Once the Lady and Grandmaster Pei are collected, we may return to the Treasure Bottle Continent. While the lord was in seclusion, the Lord of the Sprout Town sent word, should the lord wish to first disembark at the Tung Leaf Continent, the Night Boat can wait offshore. Jiang She and Wu Yan will not leave the boat for anything.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, saying, “There will be no stop at the Tung Leaf Continent. Xiao Mo, go to the Sprout Town and speak with Lord Zhang. Tell him we will land near the territory of the West Mountain God in the Treasure Bottle Continent. Furthermore, discuss with Lord Zhang. I desire to establish a shop there, no matter the location or the size.”

Xiao Mo rose, decisive, and stepped through the doorway, transforming into a streak of sword light that pierced the barriers and spanned multiple cities. The sword light descended directly upon Sprout Town. Strong dragons do not suppress local snakes; Xiao Mo felt that it would be too arrogant and rude to order the Lord of the town to see him, and thus used his sword qi like a white web, spreading through all corners of the town, Xiao Mo looked to a particularly mountainous corner and chose to shrink the mountain and river, running directly toward it.

Inside a pavilion, two puzzled philosophers, the lords of the town, were there, looking at the yellow-hatted, blue-shoed sword cultivator. The philosophers were quiet, already having seen the large waves made earlier, they would not mind a bit of “gentle turbulence.” Xiao Mo cupped his hands and said, “I am a servant of the Fallen Mountain. I have words from the lord, tell the captain that there is no need to detour to the Tung Leaf Continent. We may land in the West Mountain region. Also, the lord wishes to establish a shop in the Sprout Town, no matter the location or the size.”

Cui Dongshan shielded his eyes with his hands, a smile on his face, saying, “Xiao Mo is quite angered.”

Chen Ping’an laughed quietly.

Chen Ping’an thought of something and telepathed with Liu Xianyang, “Last time when Xiao Mo revisited his old home, he went to the Bright Moon and sought to take back an old palace to give to you and Yu Qian Yue for their ceremony to become Daoist partners.”

Liu Xianyang stomped his feet in anger, saying, “I was too harsh. Say sorry to Xiao Mo for me, if it wasn’t for your messing around, I wouldn’t have ended up on bad terms with Xiao Mo.”

Chen Ping’an suggested, “Xiao Mo will go to the Azure Heaven after he delivers the sword. Do you want to go to the Bright Moon with Yu Qian Yue? While Xiao Mo is with the old Daoist during the year’s end, you can travel for a while.”

Liu Xianyang shook his head, “Forget it, I will go in the future.”

Chen Ping’an tried to speak but Liu Xianyang waved his hand, “Do not speak.”

Jiang Shangzhen had learned that he was not the “Wood Lord” of the Military Ancestor, and thus he became energetic again, thinking that nothing was more important than the happenings of the world. To change from the head servant of the Fallen Mountain to the Vice Leader of the Azure Green Sword Sect? A clear demotion, only a fool would go. If Jiang took money and added bricks to the Fallen Mountain, would that be the same as if Cui tried to pinch his money?

The mink-hatted girl walked into the house and sat where Xiao Mo did, asking, “Did the Lord really become the Mountain Lord of that place?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, saying, “Do not think too much, only the Martial may climb that Mountain.”

Xie Gou asked, “What realm is the Lord currently in? Did he ascend two Martial realms and reached the eleventh rank?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head, “He is only in the Complete Harmony Realm.”

Xie Gou sighed, “What a disappointing fight. We all thought the Lord would become a new Martial God or at least break through to that rank, but it’s fine, maybe he’ll be able to fight Cao Ci and win that game.”

Jiang Shangzhen panicked, but his cough did not help.

Cui Dongshan explained, “The body of the Martial demands balance. Now that the master’s life object is gone, the pure energy cannot circulate.”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “Repairing the path is better than finding a new path.”

“Furthermore, I have found a few Qi Forts that connect in a way that creates a pattern of the clear and muddied, the Yin and the Yang.”

Xie Gou was troubled, as Wu Yan wanted her to be the messenger and ask if he and his partner could live in the Fallen Mountain.

Xie Gou did not agree at first, but the woman was too pitiful, with red eyes and all.

She was not someone who could plead for help.

Back then, Bai Jing climbed the heights with her sword, wanting to slay all she could. Even if she could only see the top for a second! Before climbing the sky, they had agreed that if Wu Yan died on the path, the name “Land Immortal” would be transferred to Bai Jing.

Xie Gou rolled her mink hat in anger. If not for her giving her life sword to Zheng Juzhong, she would feel even more ashamed.

Jiang Shangzhen was shocked and asked, “Xie, does the Ancestor Jiang have secret methods that protect him? You haven’t been hit, right?”

Chen Ping’an said, “I will not invite them to the Fallen Mountain.”

Xie Gou was disappointed, saying, “Oh.”

Liu Xianyang rolled his eyes, “Are there not unwanted guests everywhere?”

Xie Gou gasped and beamed, “Ah?”

Liu Xianyang waved his hand and said, “Go back and spread the good news. Remember to tell the Sword Lord Liu of the Dragon Fountain, and say good things and argue with the big Chen… In any case, tell them what happened, but do not add too much.”

Xie Gou cupped her fist at Liu for his kindness!

Xie Gou left and turned around, putting on a sad face and stomping her feet, sighing, “Our Lord scolded me, luckily Sword Lord Liu fought the Lord, to the point where the chairs broke! And I also risked being expelled from the Ancestral Hall to threaten the Lord! Overall, things were very dangerous. Thankfully, the Lord agreed to you all visiting.

Inside the room, Chen Ping’an glared at Liu Xianyang, but Liu was impressed, saying, “Gou has talent, she should write stories about her journeys, you have found treasure.”

Xiao Mo returned, taking out two deeds, saying, “We have agreed, the Sprout Town will offer one free.”

Chen Ping’an took the deeds and said, “I’ll trouble you with the Azure Heaven, and the matter of the Blue Heaven Mountain. Say nothing good about them, say what is true. Do not be insistent about having the Old Daoist go with you to the Winter Palace, and be mindful of yourself.”

Xiao Mo laughed, “The lord worries too much, if I were to be estranged with my friend Blue Heaven, I would be truly ignorant.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Do as you see fit.”

He did not know what caused Chen Lingjun and the old Daoist to fall out.

Cui Dongshan created a jade table and said, “Lord Wu has removed the barriers from the items, saying that the Lord may meditate on them and reseal them. Also, this is just an addition to the Dao Book.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “These two are also additions?”

Cui Dongshan laughed, “Lord Wu did not say whether they were gifts or items to be returned.”

Chen Ping’an knew that Wu Shuangjiang wanted to pass them to the compilers, as they probably thought she was struggling on the Fallen Mountain.

The battle against Jiang She exhausted Chen Ping’an’s energy, and there were also streams of water that gathered on the ground.

This allowed Chen Ping’an to see the great difference between a Fairy Realm and a Fourteenth Rank.

One must be strong, and one must earn money.

Chen Ping’an opened an item and saw a Dao Decree written in gold in a foggy world.

He wanted to take the book, but he could not.

Chen Ping’an put it down and took out a stack of blue talismans, and the room was instantly filled with energy.

The Lord of the Mountain sat upright and began counting the talismans.

Jiang Shangzhen whispered, “There are only twenty-seven talismans, you can see that in one look.”

Chen took a look at him, paused, and started counting again.

Xie Gou complained, “He does not understand money.”

The seat as the chief servant must be mine.

The mink-hatted girl said, “Counting money is a big deal. Some people are truly uncomfortable.”

Xiao Mo frowned, “Stop saying nonsense, do not think about the Chief too much, know your limits.”

The Lord nodded and said, “You are no longer from the Fallen Mountain, your heart is no longer with us.”

After counting the number, he carefully stacked the talismans and pressed them.

Jiang Shangzhen asked, “Can you and I switch, will that work?”

If he was kicked out, many others would laugh at him.

He put five hundred gold coins on the table.

Jiang Shangzhen said, “Lord Wu is very cunning.”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “Okay, continue being the chief.”

Jiang Shangzhen asked, “The Chief of the Fallen Mountain, right?”

Chen Ping’an said, “If you want to trade with Mi Yu, I can let you.”

Cui Dongshan said, “Welcome, welcome. We can make an exception and have two Chief Servants.”

Jiang Shangzhen said, “Brother Cui, why?”

Chen Ping’an stored the item and the money away, saying, “There are also Grain Rain coins inside. Does the Fallen Mountain and the Lotus land split them? Or the upper and lower sects?”

Cui Dongshan shook his head, “I do not need money. Also, did Wu give you the Immortal Artifact?”

Jiang Shangzhen asked, “How many is a few?”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “Ten to Eight thousand.”

Cui Dongshan put his hands on the table, “How much!?”

Jiang Shangzhen was happy, his seat as the Chief was stable.

Chen Ping’an opened the second item and was shocked.

There was a Dragon Resting Platform, and two rivers of energy coiled on top of it like dragons.

In the center of the platform, there was a banner, filled with words.

Chen Ping’an said, “Xiao Mo, no need to wait until the Fallen Mountain to deliver the sword.”

Xiao Mo asked, “Now?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Draw the sword.”

Xiao Mo went to the yard and drew the sword, and it flashed into the heavens and circled the earth, crossing the seas and passing through the mountains, cities, and temples. The sword entered the sea, causing great waves, and many water races fled. It passed through the wilderness, over the Heavenly Jade City, and to the White Jade City, and back to the Azure Heavens, before returning to the boat.

A high and far sword caused a large circle to pass through the five worlds.

Many cultivators watched the phenomenon.

In the courtyard, Xiao Mo received the sword.