The Golden Carp possessed a beauty sung of in ancient ballads, a form so radiant it was veiled by illusion. Her true face rivaled that of Yin Ni, one of the famed Ten Beauties of the Verdant Empire, companions of Song Ping and Nie Cui’e.

In this age of the Grand Sash Dynasty, from noble blood to city magnates and country gentry, libertinism was a badge of honor. To possess a beautiful concubine was not cause for private pleasure, but a trophy to be flaunted.

Having bypassed the Imperial City upon their arrival, they chose a wine shop nestled in the bustling heart of the district. Here, one might witness the city’s denizens in full revelry: drunken men, faces flushed, arms slung around shoulders in boisterous camaraderie; noble ladies, unbound by rigid custom, parading in vibrant attire, clutching painted fans and paper lanterns. Vendors, their carts laden with the day’s remnants, bore tired faces, their eyes lingering on the aroma of wine and spiced meats, before they bowed their heads and hurried past. The saying held true: no night grass, no fat horse. Lazy officials, fattened on illicit coin, slipped away to the pleasure houses, later grumbling at the lack of fresh faces to the aging madam. The Grand Sash Dynasty, though a hollow shell, still presented a facade of prosperity.

Yet, amidst this gaiety, sharp-eyed men in plain clothes moved with purpose, their vigilance a stark contrast to the surrounding revelry.

For the Grand Sash Dynasty was not merely on the verge of change; the tides had already turned. Certain noble houses, having once stoked the cold embers of Imperial Advisor Liu Rao, now rejoiced, seeing their sons’ ascent as imminent. Others, consumed by bitter regret, cursed their past association with the disgraced advisor. Still others remained indifferent, confident that their families would endure regardless of who held the throne.

Liu Cha, with a hearty guffaw, drained his bowl of wine, finding release after his time at the Confucian Temple. Serving as a bodyguard for a young, obscure official was a small price to pay.

Across the table, Chen Ping An took a delicate sip and inquired of Wang Zhu, “How many realms did you forfeit with such reckless abandon?”

“Enough to hold onto Immortal,” Wang Zhu replied.

The Golden Carp bristled, eager to defend her princess. “To rescue you, and be repaid with such scorn? All scholars are dogs!”

Wang Zhu silenced her with a glance, signaling her to drink and be silent. The Golden Carp, grumbling, placed a morsel of pickled pork before her princess.

Chen Ping An nodded. “The Confucian Temple will likely deem it an even exchange.”

“If so, it exceeds my expectations,” Wang Zhu conceded.

For to commandeer a sea was a grave offense, punishable in ancient times by being drawn and quartered upon the Dragon-Slaying Altar, the bones tossed into the Dragon Transformation Pool.

“The leniency of those in power,” Chen Ping An said, “is a double-edged sword. You are not merely a Sea Lord, but a standard-bearer for all water spirits. Consider this deeply.”

The Golden Carp concurred. “Well spoken! Our princess is the backbone of countless dragons. No mistake can be afforded, lest the Temple seize upon it.”

“I understand,” Wang Zhu said.

Chen Ping An smiled. “How so? Explain.”

Wang Zhu scoffed. “Have you grown fond of lecturing?”

The Golden Carp chimed in, “Imperial Advisor Chen oversteps his bounds. Ruling the vassal Grand Sash is one thing, but interfering with our Water Court?”

Chen Ping An chuckled. “Without interference, Golden Carp, you would be lost. Besides, having ruled the heavens, can I not oversee a single Water Court?”

The Golden Carp, far from angered, raised a thumb in admiration. “I dare only defy the Confucian Temple, while you defy the heavens themselves! I yield.”

Chen Ping An shook his head. “Zhou Mi is no heaven. I merely acted as needed.”

The Golden Carp smiled. “If the princess has subdued a rebel like myself, will the Confucian Temple not grant the East Sea Court some favor?” For Zhou Mi was indeed heaven-sent.

The young Jin Li, soon to be empress, was merely touched by the Golden Carp’s essence. Yin Ni, the mountain goddess, was truly a reincarnated Celestial Weaver. To each, the Golden Carp had left a gift of her power, a parting token, like paying rent before departing the Verdant Empire. The Golden Carp, with clear debts and favors, stood for righteousness!

Once, the aquatic clans had prospered under her guidance. But when their ambition faltered, she bore the weight of their downfall. Wang Zhu would never have dared seek her out uninvited. A rebel seeking refuge with a princess could only be planning treason.

The Golden Carp was surprised when the Confucian Temple acknowledged Wang Zhu as a True Dragon and Sea Lord. She feared the Temple would offer freedom with one hand, while scrutinizing every action with the other, waiting for an excuse to strike under the guise of justice. She trusted neither the Temple nor the profit-seeking forces of Great Li. But she trusted a scholar willing to protect the mortals of the Lishui Cave, a simple accountant who haunted the Shujian Lake, and a young mountain lord who built a sanctuary for spirits. She trusted one who was approved by Chen Qingdu and entrusted with great responsibility.

“Once in the Water Court,” Chen Ping An said, “resist the urge to incite rebellion.”

The Golden Carp pouted. “Such words are crude and shortsighted. History shows, did not every fallen kingdom come to ruin because the emperor was at war with himself? What rebellion can others hope to achieve?”

Chen Ping An smiled. “A foolish ruler and a treacherous advisor achieve immortality by damning each other.”

The Golden Carp, stunned, found no rebuttal. “Perhaps you speak with some warped wisdom.”

Wang Zhu chuckled, realizing even the Golden Carp had her uses.

Liu Cha glanced at an old Daoist lurking in the shadows, then returned to his drink.

Chen Ping An waved. “Daoist Xiancha, join us.”

The Daoist wrung his hands, hesitant to impose on Wang Zhu or the Golden Carp. Gu Qing Song, therefore, nudged the burly Liu Cha, who remained unmoved. The old boatman unleashed his unique gift, berating Liu Cha for his lack of decorum. Liu Cha, unable to strike the old man, could not engage in a shouting match, and reluctantly shifted.

Gu Qing Song, once seated, declared, “Chen Ping An, I come not for drink, but for business.”

“Rest assured,” Chen Ping An replied, “I will visit Lu Chen in the wilds.”

“Merely visit?” Gu Qing Song asked. “Can you not aid in his rescue?” His words, for once, were cautious.

“I will do what I can,” Chen Ping An said. “Lower your expectations.”

Gu Qing Song understood. A promise from Chen Ping An was enough. He then sought further advice on his relationship with Gui Furen. “Landlord! More wine!”

The old Daoist soon became drunk, tears streaming. Yet, his drunken state was marked by silence, not boisterousness. Chen Ping An, unable to persuade him to stop, threatened to inform someone. The Daoist sobered instantly, paid his bill, and stumbled away into the night.

Once, a young Daoist, promising to split the world with Dao, led a weary horse along the ancient road to the sea. He released the horse, then hired a boatman. He saw the brightest moon and stars, the most magnificent sunrise, and tasted inedible fish stew. When the Daoist finally left his home, he soared like a moon rising from the sea, and the boatman wept bitterly.

As Gu Qing Song took his leave, a youth approached, exclaiming, “Liu Cha! The man himself!”

Liu Cha ignored him. Cui Dongshan wiped the table, asking, “Liu Cha, would you kill Yang Zhi if asked?”

“I am a guard, not an assassin,” Liu Cha retorted. “Chen Ping An would never hire me for such a deed.”

Cui Dongshan leaned close, whispering, “Remember, neither you nor Yang Zhi are human.”

Liu Cha said nothing. The Golden Carp, however, addressed Cui Dongshan, “Had you been born three millennia ago, you might have stood with me.”

Wang Zhu sighed. “Is ‘rebellion’ all you think about?”

“I must examine myself,” the Golden Carp replied.

Cui Dongshan marveled. “The capital is a treasure trove of scholarship!”

The Golden Carp, mindful of the youth’s resemblance to Cui Chan, suppressed her retort, asking, “Did Han Lao Er truly trust me with the princess?”

“Of course not,” Chen Ping An answered.

The Golden Carp was puzzled. “Is the Temple attempting to lure me in?”

Liu Cha smiled. Cui Dongshan clapped. “Even without evidence, suspicion remains.”

Chen Ping An raised his cup. “As long as you do not overstep, the Temple will not manufacture trouble. Likewise, if the Temple ignores you, do not mistake it for foolishness. Golden Carp, the choice is yours.”

After a moment of silence, the Golden Carp smiled. “Then I shall be bold and ask Mr. Chen to toast me.”

Chen Ping An accepted, and they drank. “He who honors me, I honor more,” the Golden Carp declared. “Chen Ping An, I drink three to your one.”

Wang Zhu narrowed her eyes. “Am I merely a pawn to be manipulated?”

The Golden Carp feigned fear. “Princess, never would I presume!”

Chen Ping An said, “The Temple allows your return because they trust me. I am your guarantor. If you force me to seek penance at the Temple, I will hang my head on the thorns.”

The Golden Carp raised her hand. Chen Ping An hesitated, and she laughed. “Strike a bargain!”

He complied, and she clasped his hand. “A little payment for services rendered,” she quipped.

Cui Dongshan averted his gaze. This woman was born for rebellion.

Seeing Chen Ping An lost in thought, Cui Dongshan asked, “What troubles you?”

“The next Imperial Advisor of Great Li,” Chen Ping An replied, his thoughts distant. Cui Dongshan looked uneasy. Chen Ping An’s first choice was, of course, Cui Dongshan.

“What of Cao Qinglang?” Cui Dongshan asked.

Chen Ping An shook his head. He envisioned Cao Qinglang as a Confucian scholar, not a sect leader.

“Cao Gengxin, or Yuan Zhengding?” Cui Dongshan offered. Both were groomed for leadership.

“Are there any non-native officials, around thirty-five?” Chen Ping An asked.

“There are no such records,” Cui Dongshan replied. “I will consult with the Grand Commander. He is close to Liu Qingfeng. Perhaps he has some insights.”

The deaf elder, with his new disciple Zhang Ying, arrived and informed his mountain lord that the Dragon-Elephant Sword Sect, led by Lu Zhi, had departed for the Southern Seas.

Qi Tingji had gone to the Returning Void Ferry, awaiting Mi Yu’s arrival for their journey to the wilds. Huang Ling and Xuan Yang, guided by the Sloppy Nun of the Slanting Palace, sought the ghost immortal Zhou Song in Jinjia Zhou. And perhaps, they would even manage to ensnare the famed Sword Immortal Xu Jun for the Dragon-Elephant Sword Sect.

Wang Zhu rose. “I must go.”

The Golden Carp stretched, eager to transform the East Sea Court into the paramount of aquatic realms.

Chen Ping An nodded. “A scholar must be resolute, for his task is heavy and his journey long.”

The Golden Carp bowed, her eyes sparkling. “Mr. Chen, farewell. Visit us often. We await your return.”

Chen Ping An, face darkening, ignored her.

Liu Cha enjoyed the show. Even Chen Ping An was sometimes outwitted.

Nearby, a young noble, lost in sensual dreams, was startled by the approach of a steward.

The steward, accompanied by strongmen, scolded, “Young Master, your father is furious. Return home, or face the consequences!”

Zhang Ying knew of Liu Rao’s madness, and that the capital would soon lose its romantic evenings. Unable to identify the strangers, he said, “I have found a master. I will follow him into the mountains.”

The steward dismissed his words, urging him home. The deaf elder glanced at Chen Ping An, who said, “Accompany him home, and reassure his family. If they refuse, reveal your position.”

The wealthy of the Grand Sash were perceptive. The deaf elder nodded. “Zhang Ying’s manners reveal his family’s pragmatism. Only the truth will convince them.”

Zhang Ying wondered what kind of mountain it was. If a mere land immortal was a high ranking offering, was it even worth visiting? A life of cultivation seemed boring. How could he leave the comforts of the city behind?

The perceptive steward, seeing Chen Ping An as the leader, bowed respectfully. “My lords, forgive us. We will host a banquet to honor your arrival. Young Master’s apprenticeship is a matter of great import, and my lord must consider it.”

Chen Ping An chuckled. “A banquet is unnecessary. I return to the mountains tonight. Gan Tang will accompany you home. Whether they become master and student is a matter of fate.”

Liu Cha rose, following Chen Ping An’s lead.

The steward signaled, and a servant went to pay the bill, only to find it had already been taken care of.

The youth made up his mind not to become a celestial. In the coming chaos, what would become of the women he cared for? He downed a bowl of strong liquor, wishing to awaken to a world of peace and prosperity.

Cui Dongshan laughed. “The deaf elder has found a worthy disciple.”

The deaf elder smiled, realizing he must visit the world more often.

Chen Ping An said, “Zhang Ying, spend a few years with Liu Rao. When you follow Gan Tang is a matter to be decided.”

The steward was stunned. Zhang Ying asked, “Which Liu Rao?”

Chen Ping An smiled. “The mad one. Seeking his help now will benefit you, your family, and the Dynasty.”

Zhang Ying despaired. “The Imperial Advisor’s mansion is far beyond my reach. Who will pay for my injuries?”

Chen Ping An summoned a mountain talisman and departed with Liu Cha. Cui Dongshan and the deaf elder would follow.

The deaf elder smiled. This disciple was as honest as his master.

Cui Dongshan laughed, pointing toward the Imperial Advisor’s residence. “Liu Rao! Appear and greet the bravest man of the Grand Sash! He is a treasure! Do not let him slip away!”

As Liu Rao appeared, the astute youth realized that the gentle, robed traveler was none other than Chen Ping An, the Imperial Advisor of Great Li!