## The Waning Mountain

Upon Waning Mountain, the Taoist Immortal Wei scratched his head, a sense of bewilderment clinging to him like morning mist. A whisper echoed within his mind, more like a lingering resonance upon his wooden hairpin. Frowning, the young Taoist fiddled with the simple adornment as he hurried up the mountain path. Atop Gathering Spirit Peak, he found two heads huddled together in conspiratorial whispers. “The Master of the Mountain returns,” he announced to the jade-clad boy and the raven-haired girl.

Grain of Rice and Chen Lingjun exchanged grins. Raising their hands, they clasped them together with a resounding crack. “Then let us take to the rivers and lakes tomorrow!”

***

In the Central Azure Continent, at the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Masters’ Abode, the young swordsman who sojourned there seemed untroubled, his brow clear and serene.

Zhao Tianlai, his once handsome visage now framed by a shock of white hair, chuckled. “The Sword and Seal passed down through generations of the Celestial Masters may not be truly lost. The true blade and sigil lie within the heart of every Dragon Tiger Mountain Taoist…in the Tao itself, and its practice.”

Xiao Mo nodded. “I concur wholeheartedly.”

“Perhaps Master Xiao would grace us with his presence for a few days longer?” Zhao Tianlai offered.

Xiao Mo demurred, “I would not presume to disturb your serene practice any further, friend.”

Zhao Tianlai smiled knowingly. “Understood.”

Xiao Mo then unfurled a Three Mountain Talisman and journeyed towards Waning Mountain, across continents. His cultivation weakened, he faltered as he reached the summit, only to be seized in a joyful embrace by a girl in a sable hat, who laughed with unrestrained glee.

From the high terrace, surrounded by a ring of ten-tailed celestial foxes, a voice whispered, “Celestial Master, does it truly cause you no ache?”

Zhao Tianlai replied with a thought, “How could it not? But unless I proclaim it publicly, how shall I explain it later in the ancestral hall?”

The she-fox inclined her head, her smile radiant.

***

In the Desolate Wilds, within a nameless grotto in the southeast, Zheng Juzhong stood flanked by several newly accepted, unregistered disciples.

Deeper within the Desolate Wilds, “Land Submerger” felt his heart lighten, a look of sheer satisfaction crossing his face. The Taoist chanted, almost as if reciting a forgotten play, “Can one harden the form to that of withered wood, and yet harden the heart to that of dead ashes?”

A moment later, Land Submerger bellowed, “Taoist Chen! When you have a free moment, remember to save this humble one! Though it be delayed, remember to come!”

***

In the Azure Sky Realm, Yu Dou of the Jade Citadel glanced at Yao Qing of the Year’s End Palace. The latter raised a challenging eyebrow. “What are you staring at?”

***

Beyond the Celestial Sphere,

Ignoring Gu Can’s increasingly frantic pleas to depart, Liu Xianyang lingered, gazing with a reluctant heart at the crumbling “Divine Path,” a spectacle visible even to the naked eye. He stroked his chin, sighing. “Gone, just like that. What a waste.”

Gu Can scoffed. “You have a heart as vast as the cosmos, old man! Still lamenting the loss? If we don’t leave, who will shatter this prison? You? Your valiant three duels were barely enough to tickle Zheng Juzhong…”

Liu Xianyang retorted, “I do not trifle with creatures neither man nor beast.”

Gu Can, driven to near desperation, knew that stepping onto the fading Azure Path now would only lead to… He forced himself to speak. “Grandfather Liu, Immortal Liu, Patriarch Liu, newly-wed Liu! We must depart!”

Liu Xianyang nodded.

Then, from an unimaginable distance, a wraithlike figure drifted towards them. His expression was peculiar as he surveyed the two fools stubbornly refusing to leave.

A rare moment of self-consciousness washed over Liu Xianyang. Was this the Blind Man of the Ten Thousand Mountains? He possessed a divine aura and beauty that bordered on the unfair.

Gu Can immediately inquired, “Venerable Senior, how long will this return journey take us?”

Zhi Ci, gazing at the fading Azure Path, pondered for a moment, then smiled faintly. “I estimate it should take ten years of starlight just to traverse the path. Each moment of idle chatter adds further years. As we speak now, the journey grows longer still.”

Gu Can took a deep breath. Perhaps it would be better to drift slowly through the boundless void with the old fool, Liu Xianyang. But what if they strayed from the path, travelled in the wrong direction…?

Liu Xianyang bowed. “If you have any message to impart, Venerable Senior, I will gladly relay it. Anything within my capabilities, I will do. More than that, I cannot promise.”

Zhi Ci nodded. A youth of good heart, willing to gamble, even if it meant delaying his own wedding. He would stay and take the chance.

Seeing a young swordsman of such integrity at this turning point of the world, Zhi Ci’s mood lightened. He glanced at Gu Can. “You, in your moment of rashness, shattered not your true flesh, but the porcelain of your own destiny. Your true physical form, I believe, is hidden somewhere by Zheng Juzhong. Go and demand it back, though he may not grant me that courtesy.”

As he spoke, Zhi Ci raised a hand and traced characters in the air, forming a Taoist book. Liu Xianyang and Gu Can only glanced at the opening lines before their minds reeled and they dared look no further. Zhi Ci casually cast hundreds of protective seals upon it, then pushed the “closed book” towards Gu Can. “Within lies a sliver of the true meaning that touches upon the roots of the Three Teachings. The saying ‘to open a book is to gain’ holds true. Whether you trace back to the source from this point, or derive new interpretations, depends on Zheng Juzhong’s own reading ability.”

Gu Can bowed in thanks.

Zhi Ci chuckled. “That such a stubborn and irredeemable troublemaker should fall upon Chen Ping’an is his due tribulation.”

Yet, he thought, it was precisely this unyielding spirit that formed a key to unlocking the impasse. So often does humanity unknowingly plant the seed of future fortune. A passing landscape for some is essential for others.

Liu Xianyang sighed, seemingly taking Gu Can’s side. “Venerable Zhi Ci, why must you taunt him so? Gu Can is already in such a state; there’s no need to rub salt in the wound.”

Zhi Ci gazed towards the distant human realm across countless stars and smiled. ” ‘Those who understand me are but two or three.’ How unfortunate, how fortunate. You are all well enough.”

Turning back, Zhi Ci said, “Liu Xianyang, I do have a favor to ask, but you are a Confucian scholar, a virtuous man. I will not bargain with you…”

Gu Can chuckled. Good, excellent, supremely good.

Liu Xianyang initially feigned nonchalance, but his patience finally snapped. “Venerable Zhi Ci, such words wound my heart! I do not crave profound texts or shocking treasures. Just a few scraps of swordplay. A few tips from a revered senior to a sincere junior. It doesn’t interfere with the fact that Liu Xianyang is a gentleman, a Confucian scholar. Wouldn’t it be expected that a wise elder should offer guidance and wisdom, without making it a matter of trade?”

Zhi Ci shook his head. “There is truly nothing to give.”

Liu Xianyang sensed that the elder was being honest and ceased his pestering. “Very well, just speak your mind. To meet ‘Taoist Zhi Ci’ face to face, even a single word is a treasure. In the future, when I have legions of disciples, I can boast to them without fear of exaggeration. Just imagining it is…”

He paused. “…Wonderful!”

Zhi Ci listened patiently to Liu Xianyang’s heartfelt words. “When you return to the human realm, look after Li Huai. He has always been simple-minded, but the times ahead will be far more complex. You are both talented leaders of your respective sects, and from the same hometown. Lend each other aid. On the path of the Great Tao, a hand extended can make all the difference in each others progress.”

Zhi Ci glanced at Gu Can, who had been feigning delight in Liu Xianyang’s plight. “A shrewd one, too.”

With a wave of his sleeve, Zhi Ci reinforced the Azure Path and smiled. “Farewell.”

Liu Xianyang first placed Gu Can within his sleeve, then, mounted upon his sword, followed the path home. He hoped to return to the human world by the Dragon Boat Festival. The heavens may be vast, but marrying a wife was the greatest thing of all!

He would also find a few words to chastise that scoundrel Gu Can…but upon further reflection, Liu Xianyang could not bring himself to speak harshly.

Thinking of this, Liu Xianyang looked around, chattering to the small sniffling spirit within his sleeve.

Surely, upon returning to the human realm and his hometown, every tomorrow would be better than today.

***

Upon the Cypress Boat, a woman gazed longingly back at the human realm, then averted her eyes.

She held something between her fingers, immersing her thoughts within it, a gentle smile playing on her lips. Within, there was also a small town, an old locust tree, a well, a memorial arch, and a Mud Jug Alley, with a sandal-wearing boy. But she had walked that alley before she had, the girl with the pigtails had seen the boy before the girl in the green robe.

***

## Waning Mountain

A white-robed youth with a cinnabar mark between his brows strode along the mountain path, sleeves flapping, accompanied by Zhou, the Chief Disciple in his long green robes. The two were discussing who should be the next “Vice Mountain Master.”

Zhu Lian removed his mask, revealing his true features, busy in the kitchen preparing a late-night feast.

A weathered old scholar stood at the doorway, inhaling deeply. “Ah, the scent of life, the aroma of food.”

***

The new chapter of the human realm, like a long epilogue for Chen Ping’an, was also the main narrative of this new world.

In the gentle embrace of his tranquil haven, a slightly weary but smiling Chen Ping’an drifted into slumber.

In the moment before Chen Ping’an fell asleep, the moment he knew he would awake, he opened his eyes and gazed at us.

As if speaking from his heart, “My name is Chen Ping’an. Ping’an as in safe and sound. I am a swordsman.”

He saw us.

***

***

***

End of Story! Muah!

Next up, the epilogue.

With heartfelt gratitude to all of you, all of “us.”