A tall youth and a fair maiden entered the Dragon Province of the Great Li Dynasty, a geomantic treasure land born from the shattered remnants of the Li Pearl Grotto-Heaven.

Here, countless tales were woven into the mountains and rivers, a premier cultivation ground within the Treasure Bottle Continent.

Yet, all the landscapes and affairs of men seemed shrouded in mountain winds and misty veils, making them indistinct.

As the pair journeyed along the Iron Talisman River towards Locust Yellow County, they passed a Water Goddess shrine, its incense smoke thick with prayers. Restrained by their identities and cultivation roots, neither dared enter to offer incense. Finally, upon sighting the eastern gate of the county, the youth sighed in relief, “At last, we’ve arrived. Miss Ma, should we first visit Mister Chen’s mountain or become guests at Gu Can’s estate in the provincial capital? Fallen Phoenix Mountain may be difficult to locate, while the capital city is relatively easier to navigate.”

This northward journey to Dragon Province was proving arduous for the couple. Primarily because Gu Can had abruptly instructed them to proceed north on their own, while he and the eccentric scholar named Liu Chicheng would venture to the Xu Clan in Clear Wind City. This left the timid Zeng Ye quite uneasy. He had been rescued from the fiery pit of Mao Yue Isle by Zhang Ye, the manager of Azure Gorge Isle, and brought to the thatched hut near the mountain gate, where he met the clerk. Zeng Ye’s life had undergone a complete transformation. Later, he had met Gu Can, progressing from fear to fondness, and now to reliance – a mere few years, a blink of an eye for a Daoist fond of quiet meditation.

Without Gu Can by his side, whose mere glance used to give him nightmares, Zeng Ye felt ill at ease, his sightseeing walks filled with trepidation.

In truth, Zeng Ye, naturally suited for Ghost Dao cultivation, had been advancing rapidly in his cultivation, astonishingly so. It was merely that Gu Can’s presence had obscured his progress.

Zeng Ye was now a veritable Sea Gazing Realm Qi Practitioner, a “Middle Five Realms Immortal Lord” in the ordinary vassal kingdoms’ martial world and on the mountains.

Due to practicing unorthodox arts, his Yin energy was strong. During this northern journey, while Gu Can was with him, he could still approach mountain shrines and immortal peaks. But having parted ways with Gu Can, he lacked such courage. Furthermore, Ma Duyi by his side was even more ghostly. She could only walk among mortals thanks to her fox-pelt talisman. In the eyes of profound Daoist immortals, both Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi would easily be viewed as blasphemous abominations.

Ma Duyi wore a jade pendant at her waist, a Peace Talisman left by Gu Can as a protective charm. She pondered for a moment and smiled, “Let’s go to Fallen Phoenix Mountain first. We’re so familiar with Mister Chen, he shouldn’t refuse us. Even if Mister Chen isn’t there, it shouldn’t be hard to beg a cup of tea, right?”

Zeng Ye grinned, “Alright, that’s what I was thinking too.”

There were always some people whose mere thought brought a sense of peace.

After passing Locust Yellow County, they inquired about the way from the locals, but their speech was unintelligible, like chickens and ducks conversing. Finally, they found a shopkeeper who spoke the Great Li official language, but even he couldn’t pinpoint the exact location of Fallen Phoenix Mountain. He only gave a general idea: After passing the small town, first find Pearl Mountain, a small hillock, and then seek an opportunity to ask the immortals in the mountains for directions.

Entering the spiritually abundant, continuous mountain range, they searched for a long time before finally finding Gray Haze Mountain, the vassal territory of Fallen Phoenix Mountain. Heading south, they reached the foot of Fallen Phoenix Mountain’s cliffs, not far from the southern mountain gate. However, Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi witnessed an incredible scene. They first saw a small girl in black, facing away from them, looking up at the cliff where the clouds hung like a white sash. The little girl, with a small golden carrying pole on one shoulder and a green bamboo walking stick on the other, shouted, “Pei Qian, Pei Qian, this time don’t jump crooked! Filling the holes is such a pain!”

Zeng Ye glanced around the little girl, noticing the ground was riddled with pits.

The green bamboo walking stick on the little girl’s shoulder looked very familiar!

The little girl in black suddenly turned her head, looked at the two strangers who had stopped in their tracks, and scurried away with lightning speed.

Zeng Ye abruptly looked up.

A black dot broke through the sea of clouds with a whistling sound, plummeting down. In an instant, a short, thin figure slammed heavily into the ground, a tremendous crash shaking the earth and sending dust flying.

Zeng Ye focused intently, gazing into the distance.

He saw a slender girl with dark skin in the middle of the large pit, her knees slightly bent, slowly rising. She turned to look at the little girl in black who was squatting by the edge of the pit, holding her head, and complained, “Little Rice Grain, what’s going on? If I hadn’t been sharp-eyed and changed my trajectory, you would have fallen into the pit! What would have happened to you? Weren’t you supposed to stay put?”

As she spoke, the girl, whose actions defied belief, casually walked to the little girl’s side, seemingly unintentionally placing herself between Zhou Milie and the two strangers.

Ma Duyi noticed the crudely woven straw shoes on the girl’s feet, stained with blood.

Ma Duyi couldn’t help but glance at the cliff, then back at the girl.

Was this a suicide attempt or just child’s play?

Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi were not pure martial artists after all, and did not understand the many subtleties of the girl’s cliff diving and “ground pounding.”

Asking the Fist!

The girl was using her own body to ask the earth about the fist.

She had to restrain all the fist intent that seemed to be blessed by the gods, relying on her pure flesh to use the power of falling, as if “delivering the heaviest punch” from the sky to the earth.

In the girl’s own words, it was to give the earth’s little brain a hard thump!

This was a fist-training method that the girl had come up with herself. Nuan Shu, of course, disagreed, thinking it was too dangerous. Pei Qian was only at the fifth realm bottleneck, and her physical body was not strong enough. Milie thought it could be done, and two against one, it was allowed. Chen Nuanshu wanted to ask the old chef, but Pei Qian stepped on the six bluestone slabs outside the bamboo building and jumped off the cliff, disappearing from sight.

Zhou Milie leaned over the cliff, and Chen Nuanshu was so anxious. The old chef had unconsciously appeared on the cliff, glanced at the ground, and clicked his tongue.

Chen Nuanshu breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that nothing major had happened.

Later, Pei Qian quickly climbed up the cliff, limping, her eyes shining, and laughed, “Awesome, awesome!”

Zhu Lian said nothing and turned to leave.

As a result, there were more and more large pits on the ground.

Zhou Milie secretly made a diving gesture to Pei Qian, and was scolded by Chen Nuanshu, who was rarely angry.
Thus, Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi were presented with the scene they beheld today. If this was the hospitality of Fallen Mountain, it was certainly unconventional.

Pei Qian glanced at the two strangers from afar, asking, “Is the abacus sound on the left or the right?”

Zeng Ye was completely bewildered.

Ma Duyi replied, “Facing the mountain gate, the accounting room is on the left.”

Only then did Pei Qian smile, clasping her fists in greeting, “Pei Qian, the eldest disciple of Fallen Mountain, greets Fellow Daoist Zeng and Sister Ma!”

Ma Duyi sighed inwardly at the girl’s cleverness and excellent judgment. Gu Can had privately mentioned that Liu Chicheng had cast a spell on both of them, masking the aura of yin spirits. However, Gu Can also advised against revealing this to Zeng Ye, allowing him to remain vigilant during their travels. Ma Duyi had jokingly chided him, suspecting that he was simply worried about her wandering around and causing trouble. Gu Can had only smiled in response, handing her a priceless amulet for peace.

Only then did Ma Duyi cease to tease Gu Can. In truth, Gu Can was more thoughtful and experienced. At times, when interacting with Zeng Ye, she couldn’t help but lament how quickly Gu Can learned, regardless of the subject. Cultivation was a given, but he also mastered the dialects of various regions. He rode alongside heroic figures of the pugilistic world, conversed with officials on spring outings, and chatted with farmers and commoners. It seemed Gu Can could adapt to any situation, leaving Ma Duyi and Zeng Ye far behind.

At this moment, Zhou Mili stood beside Pei Qian, tilting her head, furrowing her brows, and then feigning understanding with a slight nod, pretending to be a seasoned traveler who understood everything.

Since they were receiving guests, they couldn’t take the cliffside path home. Pei Qian led the two visitors on a detour toward the mountain gate.

Of course, she didn’t forget to introduce Fallen Mountain’s Right Protector, Zhou Mili.

Zhou Mili whispered a reminder, “It’s Fallen Mountain Right Protector. I used to be Riding Dragon Lane Right Protector, but I ceded the position to…”

Pei Qian coughed lightly.

Zhou Mili immediately shut her mouth, tiptoeing and raising her hand to her mouth, “Don’t keep accounts, don’t keep accounts. I didn’t spill the beans yet, did I?”

Pei Qian ruffled her little head, saying nothing. What accounts were there to keep? Both Mili and Nuan Shu only had merit ledgers, not those small personal accounts. But such things couldn’t be said, or Mili would get cocky.

Upon hearing this, Ma Duyi maintained a composed expression, though she was stunned for a long while. Zeng Ye, on the other hand, was relatively calm. Mister Chen’s view of the world was that as long as it didn’t go against principles, he remained peaceful and composed.

Reaching the mountain gate, Zheng Dafeng was no longer there.

Now, the young Yuan Lai was temporarily residing there, responsible for guarding the entrance.

Cen Yuanji had just finished her boxing practice, running from the mountain peak to the foot. She was now a Fourth-Realm martial artist, but she had broken through the Third-Realm bottleneck with some difficulty. It wasn’t particularly good, but not bad either. Old Chef said it was excellent, but Cen Yuanji herself was not satisfied. Despite her good relationship with Yuan Bao, who was her age, they were both pure martial artists, and competition was inevitable. Women were often like that. Even in the best of friendships, they would subtly compete within their lovely eyes and smiles. These were merely human nature, even more refined and moving than the competitive spirit of men.

Moreover, Yuan Bao and Yuan Lai’s master was Lu Baixiang, while Cen Yuanji had always regarded Old Mister Zhu as her mentor and benefactor. Old Mister Zhu and Lu Baixiang seemed to be of the same generation in Fallen Mountain. While the two seniors did not compete, she and Yuan Bao, as their disciples, still had to compete.

The young man Yuan Lai was taking advantage of his sister’s absence, sitting by the wall, captivated by Cen Yuanji’s movements as she practiced the six-step post stance down to the mountain foot.

Before Uncle Zheng’s long journey, he had left many books for Yuan Lai in the house’s study, earnestly telling the young man that when he grew older, he could go to Old Chef’s private library, where the knowledge within the books was vast. The young man yearned for that.

Seeing Pei Qian’s group, the young man had to wrench his attention from Miss Cen’s beautiful eyes and quickly walked towards the mountain gate. After hearing Pei Qian’s introduction, he bowed and greeted the two guests from afar who were old friends of the young mountain lord. The young man suddenly realized this was a scholar’s etiquette. If his sister found out, he would be scolded again. Yuan Lai quickly clasped his fists and smiled.

After greeting them, Cen Yuanji continued her solo practice of climbing the mountain with boxing.

Old Mister Zhu had once instructed her that if her footwork was correct, diligence could compensate for clumsiness. Boxing practice shouldn’t become rigid. If she wanted boxing intent to manifest, she had to find a source of vitality within the boxing techniques. This was the so-called martial artist climbing high while practicing boxing, first establishing an intention in the heart. Finally, Old Mister Zhu had Cen Yuanji ponder what she sought through boxing. If she understood that, practicing boxing would no longer be a hardship.

Reaching the mountain, Pei Qian discovered that Old Chef wasn’t home.

Fortunately, Chen Nuan Shu was there, so there was no need to worry about neglecting the two guests.

As long as they were guests of Fallen Mountain, there was no distinction of status.

Zhu Lian had gone to Sword Testing Platform.

Sword cultivator Cui Wei, the young Zhang Jiazhen, and Jiang Qu were all living there now.

Wei Bo stood at the foot of the mountain, slowly ascending with Zhu Lian, whom he had temporarily summoned.

Wei Bo smiled, “Thankfully, the current manager of Dragon Spring Sword Sect is not Master Ruan, but Miss Xiu Xiu. Otherwise, even I might not be able to conceal everything.”

Zhu Lian’s expression was not relaxed, “Is that woman’s identity confirmed?”

Wei Bo nodded, “It is indeed the ferrywoman that Chen Ping An asked us to find, Chunshui of the Dazao Mountain ferry.”

After the destruction of the intercontinental ferry within the borders of the Zhu Ying Dynasty, she had survived by chance, using the alias Shi Qiu. She revealed the collusion between the Celestial Monarch Xie Shi and the Dali Song Clan at a celestial mountain peak, framing the Zhu Ying Dynasty.

Regarding this matter, the Dali emperor’s imperial study had specifically discussed it. If it weren’t for National Preceptor Cui Chan feeling that this bit of leaked information, this so-called exposure, was inconsequential, or rather, that Cui Chan was hoping to use this matter to lure big fish to bite the bait, even if that ferrymaid was secretly taken away, with Dali’s current network of intelligence, a Lower Five Realm female cultivator, even with the rescue of an expert, would still be unable to escape death.

Zhu Lian asked, “This matter is very troublesome.”

Wei Bo smiled, “Of course. Would I call you here if it wasn’t troublesome? This kind of thing seems big or small, but it is ultimately the most taboo.”

Zhu Lian said, “It’s not troublesome. I just need to confirm one thing.”
Wei Bo nodded, “As long as you have a plan. My reputation is already in tatters anyway, so I’m not afraid of adding to it.”

Zhu Lian shook his head, “It’s not that simple. Alright, I know the way. I’ll go myself. You return to Pi Yun Mountain and pretend you know nothing.”

Wei Bo frowned.

Zhu Lian said, “If you want our friendship to last, don’t squander it. Brother Wei, we’re friends, but business is business. Since we’re friends, some things shouldn’t involve you.”

Wei Bo smiled, “Then I’ll keep an eye on the area around the Sword Worship Terrace. If anything stirs, we can discuss a plan.”

Zhu Lian nodded.

A friend’s kindness deserves to be repaid with kindness.

This is the code of the Jianghu.

Wei Bo, who had earlier “detained” the group from the edge of the Northern Mountain territory to the Sword Worship Terrace, vanished into thin air.

Zhu Lian saw the weary travelers.

Cui Wei, a Golden Core bottleneck Sword Cultivator from the Great Wall of Swords, was utterly bewildered, simply guarding the group of people who had inexplicably appeared on the mountain.

A young master with the compound surname Dugu, his maid Meng Long, and a woman named Shi Qiu.

Zhu Lian nodded to Cui Wei upon arrival, and the latter departed on his sword.

Zhu Lian looked at the woman whose true name was Chun Shui, and asked, “Miss Chun Shui, I have two questions for you. Please answer them honestly.”

The maid Meng Long looked displeased.

The pale-faced young master, however, remained calm.

Chun Shui nodded.

Zhu Lian smiled kindly, “First, did Miss Chun Shui decide to come and find my young master of her own volition? Second, when did you have this thought? Was it after the ferry capsized, and you wanted to find the only person you trusted in a foreign land? Or is it only because you’re now desperate and have no other choice?”

Chun Shui’s eyes were clear as she said, “I never thought of finding Chen Ping An before. The reason I changed my mind now is because I caused Young Master Dugu to be hunted down. I only hope Young Master Dugu can survive. Chen Ping An can hand me over to the Great Li Dynasty.”

Chun Shui paused briefly, her smile sincere, “It may be childish, but it’s the truth.”

Zhu Lian nodded, smiling. “I trust Miss Chun Shui.”

Then the hunched old man turned, smiling, “A member of the Zhu Ying Dynasty’s exiled royalty, scattered to the winds, correct?”

Young Master Dugu nodded, “Indeed. I wouldn’t dare deceive you, Senior. My true name is Dugu Duanshun, but I’m currently using the name Shao Poxian. As a citizen of a fallen nation, I simply don’t want to die just yet, so I resorted to this measure, using my past kindness to persuade Miss Shi Qiu to bring me to this withering Fallen Mountain seeking protection.”

Zhu Lian asked, “Do you believe that you’ll definitely survive upon reaching Fallen Mountain, or is this a desperate gamble?”

Young Master Dugu replied, “The latter.”

During their journey of escape, they had encountered two ambushes, one an unexpected chance encounter, the other a premeditated attack by cultivators from the Great Li army.

Zhu Lian laughed, “What kindness did you bestow upon Miss Chun Shui? Tell me, I’m just someone who manages trivial matters on Fallen Mountain, with little learning and shallow experience. I would truly like to learn from Young Master Dugu.”

Dugu Duanshun was speechless.

His motives for risking his life to save “Shi Qiu” were, of course, impure, far from any noble or righteous act.

The maid Meng Long looked forlorn.

How had her young master fallen to such a state?

Zhu Lian was silent for a moment, then asked, “Where did the last battle take place?”

Dugu Duanshun said, “Around the Southern Stream Kingdom, extremely far from the Great Li Dragon Province. The reason we were ambushed was that a cultivator in the Great Li army possessed the Zhu Ying Dynasty’s Imperial Seal, which allowed them to trace me. After the battle, I feigned heading south, but I secretly severed the dragon vein within my body’s small world, then quietly went north. I shouldn’t have been tracked by the Great Li.”

The young man’s words were concise and to the point.

As for the extreme danger and the price he paid, it was not something to be shared with outsiders.

Zhu Lian asked, “Shao Poxian, do you prefer to eke out a living in this small corner of land, or die a heroic death for your country?”

Dugu Duanshun laughed, “Senior, that’s a superfluous question.”

Zhu Lian nodded, looking at the Northern Entirety Continent woman cultivator with a tragic past, smiling, “Miss Chun Shui, do you know that what you’re doing will cause a lot of trouble for my young master?”

Chun Shui was about to speak.

Zhu Lian was already laughing, “I know what you’re thinking, you’ve said it before. I have a good memory, I remember what I hear, so I’m just stating a fact.”

Chun Shui nodded, biting her lip hard, drawing blood.

She had something clenched tightly in her hand, hidden in her sleeve, her arm trembling slightly.

Besides repaying Young Master Dugu for saving her life, she also had selfish motives.

She hoped to deliver something to Fallen Mountain. After that, she wouldn’t care even if Fallen Mountain used her to curry favor with the Great Li Song Clan.

Zhu Lian laughed, looking around.

The Sword Worship Terrace had many wild persimmon trees, and in the winter, they hung high on the branches, red and adorable.

In his hometown in the Lotus Root Paradise, persimmons had a special name, very distinctive, Frost-Defying Marquis.

Finally, Zhu Lian said to the young woman with a dazed expression, “If my young master were here, he would be very happy to be reunited with Miss Chun Shui after so long.”

After saying these words, Zhu Lian left the Sword Worship Terrace.

The maid Meng Long asked softly, “Young Master, what is this?”

Dugu Duanshun laughed, “Living under someone else’s roof, begging for a meal, is not bad either.”

After Zhu Lian walked down the Sword Worship Terrace, Wei Bo appeared.

Zhu Lian said angrily, “Are you deliberately trying to stir up trouble, Great Mountain Monarch?”

Wei Bo laughed, “I’m bored anyway.”

Zhu Lian put his hands behind his back and said slowly, “We must save that ‘Shi Qiu’ girl. As for the other two, we just need to figure out one thing.”

Wei Bo said, “And that is, who told him that coming to this obscure Fallen Mountain would guarantee their survival.”

Zhu Lian looked shocked, “Brother Wei, your insight is truly remarkable!”

Wei Bo responded with a polite smile.

Zhu Lian scratched his head, smiling, “Good, I can find something proper to do, I can’t always be an apron-wearing cook, and still be complained about for being too salty or too bland. It’s time for our Fallen Mountain to proactively solve problems. Otherwise, unnecessary troubles will only increase.”

Zhu Lian chuckled, “Picking on the weak?”

Wei Bo smiled knowingly.

It seemed he hadn’t gotten over the matter of the Jade Liquid River Water Goddess.

Wei Bo looked towards Fallen Mountain and said, “How coincidental, another guest is arriving.”
The two vanished into thin air, reappearing upon Fallen Phoenix Mountain.

Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi immediately beheld the divine figure of unparalleled grace.

As for the benevolent old gentleman beside him, alas, the contrast was stark. He paled in comparison to the handsome man with golden rings adorning his ears, who captured their gazes and refused to release them.

Chen NuanShu hurriedly rose, introducing Zhu Lian and Wei Bo, the grand steward of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, Old Mister Zhu, and the Mountain Lord of the Northern Peak, Lord Wei.

Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi were scared half to death.

The Mountain Lords of the five great peaks of a continent were all figures of immense renown, yet Wei Bo was the most revered, known for his unparalleled cultivation.

Pei Qian reminded, “Old Cook, it’s almost time for dinner. Show off some of your culinary masterpieces.”

Little Rice Grain wiped his mouth, “Ca-ca-can’t no.”

Zhu Lian cheerfully responded, “Right away!” and immediately bustled off to the kitchen in the backyard.

It was as if the humble kitchen was Zhu Lian’s own personal domain.

Wei Bo sighed inwardly.

More blessed with looks than Jiang Shangzhen, he stubbornly insisted on being a chef.

Meanwhile, in Riding Dragon Lane’s New Year’s Trinket Shop, old friends reunited.

Dong Shuiing and Lin Shouyi.

And Shi Jiachun, the little girl who once worried about her nickname “Little Stone” spreading far and wide. After moving to the Great Li capital with her family, she was now happily married.

Li BaoPing’s closest friend in the past.

Both the New Year’s Trinket Shop and the neighboring Herb Shop in Riding Dragon Lane were once Shi Jiachun’s family businesses.

Shi Jiachun was also related to Shi Lingshan from Peach Leaf Lane, though of a senior generation. If they were to meet, he would have to call her Auntie.

The vicissitudes of life were truly unpredictable. Childhood friends, separated by a small town, scattered to the four winds. More than a decade later, they found themselves with entirely different identities.

Shi Jiachun now reveled in being a wife and mother. Her husband, Bian Wenmao, was a scion of a noble family. Though their family had no connection to the renowned painter whose works graced the Imperial Study, the Bian family had resided in the Great Li capital for centuries. Their ancestors hailed from a powerful lineage during the Lu Dynasty. Perhaps due to the lingering blessings of their forebears, or simply because “a tree dies when transplanted, but a man thrives,” the family had taken root in the Great Li. Their official positions weren’t particularly prominent, but their status was generally quite esteemed. Many of them served as retainers and advisors, literary figures of some local renown in the early days of the Great Li.

And then there were the guest retainers from cultivation families, which were even more remarkable. One was an elder of the Founder’s Hall of the Changchun Palace. Another, less fortunate, encountered the Saint Ruan Qiong while passing over the territory of the Carp Leaping Grotto-Heaven with some long-time cultivator friends. For reasons unknown, they clashed, and the outcome was not pleasant. He at least managed to save his life, luckier than another friend who directly perished, his Dao extinguished.

This gathering was prompted by Dong Shuiing, who had visited Shi Jiachun in the Great Li capital while on a business trip. Shi Jiachun then suggested setting a date for their old classmates to reunite in their hometown of Huaihuang Town.

Unfortunately, Li BaoPing was traveling south and missed it.

So Shi Jiachun was currently complaining vehemently about BaoPing.

Everyone sat in the backyard of the shop, reminiscing about old times. The shopkeeper, Shi Rou, brought out tables, chairs, tea, and pastries, then quickly excused herself.

Listening to Shi Jiachun’s chatter, Dong Shuiing laughed, “BaoPing not even giving you face, that really isn’t right.”

Lin Shouyi nodded. “I’ll have Li Huai give her a talking to later.”

Shi Jiachun rolled her eyes. “Li Huai? Forget it. He has the courage of a needle’s eye. Does he dare even breathe loudly in front of my BaoPing?”

Suddenly realizing her husband was sitting beside her, Shi Jiachun quickly straightened her posture and composed herself.

Bian Wenmao was a handsome and refined scholar. His name, bestowed by his elders, was exceedingly auspicious. He was currently compiling historical records in the Hanlin Academy, a pure and upright figure among the Great Li’s native officials. While not exceptionally outstanding, he had managed to establish himself in the literary circles of the Great Li capital at a young age and was working in the Hanlin Academy, known as the “breeding ground for future ministers.” Once he was sent out to govern a region, his future official rank would be no small matter.

He was only in Huaihuang County, a place fiercely contested by the Cao and Yuan families. Anywhere else, Bian Wenmao would be a highly sought-after guest of honor in the local government.

Bian Wenmao’s impression of the two young men present was, one was very ordinary, and the other was passable.

The very ordinary one was Dong Shuiing, a merchant.

The passable one was Lin Shouyi, who studied at the Cliff Academy of the Great Sui.

As for their family backgrounds, Shi Jiachun had mentioned them casually. Dong Shuiing’s family was not wealthy, but he had started his own business early on. As for marriage, it was uncertain.

Lin Shouyi’s father had worked under three dragon kiln supervisors in succession and was now said to be working in the Great Li capital. However, the Shi family had little contact with him, and Bian Wenmao didn’t think it worthwhile to cultivate a relationship with an outsider like the Lin family. Lin Shouyi, on the other hand, could potentially rise through the ranks of the Great Li bureaucracy after studying at the Cliff Academy.

Li Huai barged into the backyard with great fanfare. “Hey, you muttonhead little stone, long time no see, and the first thing you do is talk behind my back?”

Shi Jiachun turned her head, stunned for a moment. How had the boisterous and childish Li Huai suddenly grown into a tall young man?

Lin Shouyi’s change was minimal; he had always been that way. Dong Shuiing was also relatively unchanged. Only Li Huai was unrecognizable from her childhood memories.

Like the time Li BaoPing threw his underpants into a tree, and Li Huai rolled on the ground, wailing loudly, all just to summon Master Qi.

Shi Jiachun stood up and teased, “Li Huai? You haven’t missed many meals these past few years, have you?”

Bian Wenmao slowly rose, smiling without saying a word.

Li Huai was a classmate his wife often spoke about, with no inhibitions, revealing many embarrassing stories, so he was also the one Bian Wenmao was least interested in. One look at him and you knew he was a dullard, unable to grasp the subtleties of learning. He had only gotten into the Cliff Academy thanks to his ancestors’ merits. Someone like that would not be able to hold his ground even if given a few steps up, and would eventually fall back down to the bottom. Dong Shuiing, at least, had a skill of his own. There were even rumors that he had simultaneously ingratiated himself with Supervisor Cao and Prefect Yuan. If that were true, his business must be booming.

Li Huai first greeted Bian Wenmao, who clearly didn’t welcome him, polite but distant. But he couldn’t let his good friend Shi Jiachun lose face, so he had to put on a smile.

Then he plopped down opposite Shi Jiachun, grabbed a pastry, and said indistinctly, “BaoPing said before she left that she’ll go to the capital to see you before returning to the academy.”

Shi Jiachun smiled. “She still has some conscience, then.”

Lin Shouyi and Dong Shuiing sat facing each other. In fact, they had always had a good relationship, but they were always bickering. Shi Jiachun found it quite amusing. The reason was simple: they both liked Li Huai’s sister.
Shi Jiachun didn’t think that just because Lin Shouyi came from a better family and was a scholar, Li Liu would necessarily favor him.

Shi Jiachun always felt that there was something odd about Li Liu, who often went to the school to pick up her younger brother. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Logically speaking, Li Liu was older then, already a maiden. She was always gentle and demure with everyone. This was quite different from Zhi Gui, the servant girl beside Song Jixin of Mud Bottle Lane. Both were beauties in the making, but Shi Jiachun felt that Zhi Gui, who never smiled at anyone, might be easier to deal with than Li Liu.

Bian Wenmao had a social engagement with friends in the prefectural city. However, his wife had rarely returned home from the capital, and these were all her childhood friends. So, the Tanhua scholar endured, not revealing the slightest bit of annoyance.

Shi Jiachun was considerate. She stayed at the New Year’s Shop for about half an hour before getting up to leave for the prefectural city. A carriage belonging to her husband’s friend was waiting for her in Riding Dragon Lane.

Li Huai and the others escorted her to the shop entrance. Just then, Yu Lu and Xie Xie came down the mountain from Linlu Academy and arrived in Riding Dragon Lane, planning to go to Fallen Phoenix Mountain together.

Earlier, Li Huai had gone there alone and returned to Cloud-Draped Mountain Academy, repeatedly lamenting his narrow defeat.

Bian Wenmao didn’t pay much attention. He politely took his leave and helped his wife onto the carriage, bowing farewell at last.

After seeing the carriage off, everyone continued to chat in the shop’s backyard. Li Huai clasped his hands behind his head. “That Bian Wenmao, he’s so full of himself.”

Lin Shouyi said calmly, “Shi Jiachun is looking for a husband. It’s enough if Bian Wenmao truly loves her. Shi Jiachun isn’t looking for a compatible friend for us.”

Dong Shuijing nodded.

Li Huai curled his lip. “I just think Shi Jiachun could find someone better.”

Lin Shouyi shook his head. “There’s no reasoning with that.”

Li Huai suddenly looked worried. “Is it really okay for Baoping to travel the world alone? She’s not a cultivator.”

Lin Shouyi thought for a moment but still didn’t reveal the secret.

Yu Lu and Xie Xie felt similarly.

The only one kept in the dark was probably Li Huai, whose luck depended on whether he stepped in dog droppings.

Before going to Fallen Phoenix Mountain, Lin Shouyi asked Li Huai and the others to wait. He went to his ancestral home to sweep the courtyard and ancestral hall. The young scholar recited the family precepts in his heart.

Finally, he lit three incense sticks and murmured, “Respect and gratitude to our virtuous ancestors.”

Li Huai was impatient and said he would go to True Pearl Mountain to wait.

When they reached the small hill not far from his ancestral home, Pei Qian and Zhou Mili were already waiting there.

Pei Qian said, “A defeated general!”

Li Huai quickly said, “Though defeated, I am still valiant! I dare not claim to be brave!”

Pei Qian nodded, acknowledging his understanding.

Pei Qian asked, “Where are the two lackeys from our branch?”

Li Huai said apologetically, “They messed up their essays and got a severe scolding from the teacher. They’re burning the midnight oil right now.”

Pei Qian shook her head and then pointed to Xiao Mili beside her. “Zhou Mili will be the vice leader of our branch from now on.”

Zhou Mili was stunned, overjoyed! She had so many official titles now!

Li Huai was delighted.

Their branch, which originally had only three people, finally seemed to have some strength.

After that, everyone went to Fallen Phoenix Mountain in a grand procession.

When they reached the mountain gate, Yu Lu stopped, saying he would climb later and chat with Yuan Lai, the book-reading boy who guarded the gate.

Xie Xie also wandered off on his own and met Cen Yuanji, who was practicing stances and boxing, and the young girl Yuan Bao, who was standing on a wooden stake, at the mountain shrine on the summit.

Xie Xie looked a little dazed.

It was as if he saw his carefree self practicing cultivation on the mountain in his early years.

After that, with the Old Cook and Wei Bo’s approval, Pei Qian took Xiao Mili to the Lotus Root Blessed Land and followed the path they had taken before, trekking all the way to the capital of Southern Garden Kingdom.

They passed through Scholar Lane and went to the temple to burn incense, then sat on the corridor, lost in thought.

Zhou Mili just accompanied Pei Qian. When Pei Qian was happy, Xiao Mili would say more. When Pei Qian was not so happy, she would remain silent.

Finally, Pei Qian chose a private residence that she had secretly bought. In fact, the Old Cook knew about it, but he turned a blind eye.

It was the quiet residence where the Great Devil Ding Ying had once stayed with Ya’er and Zhou Shi, the Flower-Adorning Gentleman of Spring Tide Palace.

Pei Qian sat there cross-legged, imitating her master, rolling up her sleeves, and began to close her eyes and rest, nurturing her fist intent.

The reason for coming here was to break through a martial arts barrier.

Pei Qian wanted to recover as much of the martial fortune of the Lotus Root Blessed Land as she could, with her own ability.

Moreover, when Wei Bo opened the gate of the blessed land, Pei Qian would also scatter all the martial fortune she had gained from the Grand Azure World, like her master, and use it to nourish the Lotus Root Blessed Land.

Grandfather Cui was gone, and there was no way for him to return home.

Then she would bring the martial fortune that Grandfather Cui had left behind here back to Fallen Phoenix Mountain.

In the central part of Treasure Bottle Continent, the construction of an unprecedented sea-bound canal was already underway, involving dozens of rivers and dozens of mountains with mountain shrines and land temples.

Such a momentous undertaking left even the surviving elders of the fallen kingdoms sighing. The Great Li barbarians were truly daring to think of what others dared not think of, and to do what others could not do.

The Great Li Dynasty was spending so much money and manpower, and the young emperor was so eager for success and expansion. Weren’t they afraid that their rise would be swift and their fall would be sudden? In the end, wouldn’t the people of various regions suffer?

However, it was said that Lakeside Academy, the highly praised New Central Peak, and the long-standing Jiang Clan of Cloud Forest would all participate, which made people feel even more complicated.

Could it be that the entire Treasure Bottle Continent would really be surnamed Song in the future? Would it become the territory of one family and one clan?

The Great Li Dynasty selected three people from the local areas to be responsible for the canal excavation: Guan Yiran, the direct descendant of the Shangzhu Kingdom Guan Clan; Liu Xunmei, a military scion from Chier Street in the capital; and Liu Qingfeng, a civil official from Azure Luan Kingdom.

Apart from the last one, who had never been heard of, the Great Li capital officialdom was familiar with the two young juniors, Guan Yiran and Liu Xunmei. First, they both came from prominent families. Second, they were both outstanding figures among the younger generation, especially Guan Yiran, who had joined the border army early on and grown up in piles of corpses as a military cultivator. Liu Xunmei was no worse, having earned his official position through actual fighting all the way south.

The Guan Clan had been in charge of the Great Li Ministry of Appointments for too many years and was known as the unshakable Minister, with only the Deputy Ministers and Department Heads changing.
Generally speaking, a Vice Minister, especially the Left Vice Minister, being transferred to a local post as a regional governor, even if the official rank remains the same, is considered a demotion.

Therefore, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is the butt of many jokes within the Great Li bureaucracy. It is said that two regional governors who left the capital to take office, governing adjacent territories, were both former Left Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Personnel. They met and shared a knowing laugh.

However, the Great Li court is largely unfamiliar with Liu Qingfeng. In fact, even the Ministry of Personnel, overseen by the old man Guan, after rummaging through the archives, couldn’t find much information about him.

Regarding the matter of the vassal state Qingluan reopening its canal shipping, the Ministry of Personnel’s assessment of Liu Qingfeng was merely “good.” He was deemed to have no great merit but had toiled somewhat, which allowed him to govern a region and be transferred by the court to a border prefecture as its prefect. Before he could even warm his seat, he was immediately required to travel north and interact with a large group of lofty mountain and river deities, and mountain immortals. He was promoted from the fourth rank to the third rank, and the Great Li court granted him the temporary title of Grand Canal Superintendent. Guan Yiran and Liu Xunmei’s official ranks remained unchanged, so it seemed as if they had become subordinates to a civil official from a vassal state.

However, Liu Qingfeng is not the first official from a vassal state to be suddenly promoted to a high position in the Great Li court. Wei Li, a prefect from the former Sui vassal state Huangting, was promoted several ranks in rapid succession and became the current Governor of Long Province in the Great Li. Within the realm of mountain and river deities, a certain Earth God in the Red Candle Town area, at the confluence of the Three Rivers, was promoted to City God of a state’s City God Pavilion. These are all strange tales from the bureaucracy.

It is said that Wei Liang, the Grand Commandant of Qingluan, is also showing signs of promotion, and the Ministry of Personnel of Great Li has already leaked some information.

The Qingluan Kingdom, located in the southeast of Treasure Bottle Continent, has inexplicably transformed from an obscure region into a land of opportunity, a place where official careers flourish.

Officials are divided into pure and corrupt factions, but the biggest distinction between pure and corrupt in Treasure Bottle Continent now lies in whether one is a native of Great Li.

However, these bureaucratic changes are nothing compared to Wei Bo, the Earth God of Chessboard Mountain, a remnant deity of the God of Water Kingdom, who was first promoted to Mountain God of Cloud-Wearing Mountain, then seized the opportunity to become the Northern Mountain Monarch of an entire continent. Such incidents are not worth making a fuss over.

The Great Li iron cavalry has been campaigning in the south for many years, and there are actually more young faces among the military generals, not only descendants of established military families, but also those from humble backgrounds.

However, the Great Li border army experiences rapid deaths and promotions. The people of Great Li have long been accustomed to this after a century of cultivation and influence. The civil officials and the mountain and water registry system have always operated rigorously, so a sudden emergence of someone is relatively more noticeable.

Today is the first gathering of the three Grand Canal construction officials. There is no welcoming banquet, just a meeting on the banks of a great river.

Liu Qingfeng is accompanied by Wang Yifu.

Guan Yiran, the descendant of the Shangzhu Kingdom surname, is also at a loss. According to his great-grandfather, he was supposed to be in charge of a north-south mountain ferry route, and his friends had already been arranged, but he ended up here, naturally earning him a good scolding.

Liu Xunmei is guarded by two people, Cao Jun and Wei Xian.

Wei Xian, following the sword immortal embryo Cao Jun, whose ancestral home is in Mud Lane, is doing well following Liu Xunmei, who doesn’t resemble a nobleman’s son at all.

Wei Xian, as a military cultivator, earned a military title with his real military merits and now wields real power. He and Cao Jun are Liu Xunmei’s right-hand men.

It is rumored that Wei Xian has made an impression on Cao Ping, the Great Li’s second patrolling envoy.

As for Cao Jun, he is even more famous in the Great Li army.

The three introduced themselves.

In fact, Guan Yiran and Liu Xunmei are close friends.

So the only one who needs to be acquainted with is the suddenly emerged Liu Qingfeng.

Then, not far away, a white-clad youth rode towards them on the back of a child, wielding a tree branch and shouting, “Giddy up, giddy up!”

As he approached the group, the youth laughed loudly and said, “I have a little donkey that never complains of hunger!”

In Qingfeng City, a woman in red led a horse out of the city and walked into a mountain gully thirty miles outside the city in the night.

In the dead of winter, peach blossoms were blooming all along the way.

Li Baoping led the horse slowly, looking around at the pleasant scenery.

The surrounding mountains are verdant, and white clouds constantly rise from the mountains.

A little further ahead is the destination of this trip to Qingfeng City, a thatched hut with green water connecting to a brushwood gate.

Li Baoping looked at the sky, where a large round jade disc hung high, the biggest mooncake, perhaps.

Thinking of this, Li Baoping suddenly smiled.

It seemed that she had become the little girl who once walked through green hills and clear waters with her little martial uncle, her mind filled with such thoughts.

But at that time, she had a small bamboo box swaying on her back and wore small straw sandals.

The little girl in the red padded jacket liked to follow her little martial uncle around and around. The mountains were high and the road was far, but it seemed she was never afraid.

Li Baoping glanced down at the snow-white narrow sword at her waist and the sword-nurturing gourd.

Li Baoping stood still.

A face as fair as peach blossoms, standing in the bright moonlight.