A wind-kite ferry, sails south towards the Isle of Tongye.

Midway, it pauses at Peachleaf Crossing, just outside the Mirage City.

Song Yushao, still in his familiar garb of a long blue robe and cloth shoes, boards the ferry alone. As agreed with the Great Spring Dynasty, the ferry will transport a shipment of goods to Jade Decree Sect’s Jade City Crossing and, further south, to Mount Expulsion Crossing at the very edge of the Isle, for sale.

Han Guanghu and Jian Ming are nowhere to be seen. Mi Yu’s expression is inscrutable, while Zhou Mili hangs over the railing, gently swinging her legs. She’s a touch disappointed, as she still hasn’t laid eyes on the Great Spring Emperor, rumored by Pei Qian in her youth to be as beautiful as a flower. Back then, Pei Qian had been adamant that the water spirit sister named Yao Jinzhi looked at their master with eyes that held, “Oh, so much drama, indeed.”

Once the cargo is stowed, the wind-kite continues its southward journey. Chen Pingan shares a few cups of wine with the elder Song. Song Yushao reveals that the City Lord is currently overwhelmed, due to the seismic shift caused by Grandmaster Han’s willingness to become the Great Spring’s Imperial Preceptor.

Sipping his wine, Song Yushao touches on matters of the Great Spring court within Mirage City, saying, “The canal dig is a monumental undertaking, requiring legitimacy. One matter is unavoidable. Have you considered how to approach the academies?”

He speaks of needing approval from the central Divine Earth Temple and the three academies of Tongye Isle. They must be approached and informed to avoid unnecessary complications.

Chen Pingan nods. “My teacher will see to the matter with the Temple. As for the Tongye Isle academies—Celestial Eye, Grand Concealment, and Five Streams—I will disembark at Mount Expulsion Crossing on this journey south, and visit each one on my return north. I have the greatest confidence with Grand Concealment Academy; I am acquainted with its Headmaster, Cheng Longzhou. As for Lord Zhou of Five Streams, I foresee little difficulty. I am friends with Vice-Headmaster Wang Zai, who will surely mediate on my behalf. The biggest problem is Celestial Eye Academy. Headmaster Fan is descended from the lineage of a quasi-sage, and is known for his rigorous scholarship and cautious demeanor. He is, therefore, relatively conservative. The real issue is the current Vice-Headmaster, the virtuous Wen Yu. The man is exceptionally talented, and even bolder. He has only been at the academy a short time, yet he directly asserts his authority. He intends to manage both the academy’s internal affairs and the dynasties beyond its gates. Anyone who takes issue can seek him out; it all falls under his purview.”

Song Yushao chuckles. “Even I have heard of this upright gentleman. That speaks volumes of Wen Yu’s reputation.”

Wen Yu isn’t native to Tongye Isle. He once oversaw affairs of war in the Southern P娑洲 Continent, where he managed to engineer the demise of a Celestial Realm demon controlling a certain army tent.

Chen Pingan says with a straight face, “Wen Headmaster’s reputation may be great, but mine still exceeds his by a slight margin.”

If he hadn’t turned back for this trip after leaving with Xiao Mo, Chen Pingan had intended to entrust these academy matters to Master Zhong.

Scholars converse best with scholars.

Song Yushao stifles a laugh. “What’s the point of bragging to me? If you have the skill, tell that to Headmaster Wen to his face.”

Chen Pingan raises his wine bowl, chuckling. “I am not lacking a brain. Why would I so foolishly walk in and slap someone in the face? That’s not the way of a seasoned traveler of the pugilistic world.”

The Isle’s three academies: Grand Concealment, Celestial Eye, Five Streams. Tongye Isle’s north and south; the two oldest and largest sects – the flourishing Jade Decree Sect and the declining Tongye Sect; and the Azure Canopy Sword Sect all perfectly correlate with the three academies.

As it’s said that all things are difficult at the start, perhaps Five Streams Academy in the south, with its two virtuous Headmasters, Zhou Mi and Wang Zai, can provide an auspicious beginning.

Song Yushao almost speaks, then instead smiles and drinks.

Whispers abound within Mirage City. According to rumors, the appointment of Grandmaster Han as Imperial Preceptor is a smokescreen of sorts.

The commoners in the capital and at Peachleaf Crossing speak with conviction: someone must have strongly recommended him. Otherwise, why would Grandmaster Han come to Mirage City? It seems the young Hidden Officer cares deeply for their Great Spring Dynasty, to exert such roundabout effort on behalf of the Yao family.

Chen Pingan asks with confusion, “Senior Song, did you hear an interesting tale or witness an odd event in Mirage City, that you’re so amused?”

Song Yushao smiles. “Nothing particularly peculiar, just some hearsay about affairs of the heart. I can’t speak to their veracity. In any case, as a mere mortal martial artist, I am treated with great respect in the Yao household.”

Chen Pingan says with a wry smile, “Let us drink.”

In the Great Spring Dynasty, the Water God Temple by the Buried River thrives, with countless devotees offering incense.

Before a prayer tablet for rain stands a woman of average appearance, with rough hairpin and cotton gown, a palm-leaf fan tucked in her sash.

At the woman’s feet squats a young girl, seemingly indifferent to the tablet’s inscriptions.

This pair of travelers, newly formed as mistress and disciple, is none other than Yang Zhi and Ganzhou, crossing from the Divine Earth Continent to Tongye Isle. Chao Qiu River Goddess, as Ganzhou is known now, is Yang Zhi’s formal disciple.

Yang Zhi’s current landscape register identity is Jing Xing, with the Taoist name “High Mountain,” a registered guest minister of the Incense Cedar Mountain God Temple within a small kingdom of the Divine Earth Continent.

The high-grade dharma robe is under Yang Zhi’s glamor. It is on her disciple Ganzhou, using it to temper the latter’s River Goddess golden body. This in itself is a rare and great cultivation method that will ensure that breaking through a bottleneck is as easy as breaking a bamboo shoot.

After all, this is one of the ten greatest dharma robes of multiple realms.

Yang Zhi asks softly, “Does it still feel cumbersome to wear?”

The girl looks up, smiling. “Much better, Mistress.”

Yang Zhi nods. “When you can walk without dragging your feet, it will be a great success.”

Ganzhou jokes, “I’ll return it to you then, Mistress. Don’t refuse it.”

Yang Zhi smiles. “I never intended to give it to you. Don’t be presumptuous.”

Ganzhou laughs. “I thought Mistress would give it to me, and I would decline it two or three times before returning it to you in the end. Thus, the affection between mistress and disciple would grow even stronger.”

Yang Zhi smiles. She has picked up a treasure as her disciple. This journey is certainly not dull.

Ganzhou squats, tugging at the dharma robe’s collar. “Mistress, this garment must be worth a fortune, right?”

For a cultivator’s dharma robe to be worn by a landscape spirit would be the same as tempering a golden body. That has been unheard of but Ganzhou knows herself to be unlearned. This journey with her mistress is a journey across realms, which is the first time a lady rides the palanquin.

Yang Zhi nods. “Such dharma robes of equal quality are indeed rare.”

In the ancient years ten thousand years ago, the great demon who had always appeared as a young man possessed two of them. After his disappearance with Bai Jing and other great demons, these two mountain treasures were scattered in two sects in the barbaric world. Yang Zhi wasn’t without envy, but she dared not act rashly. In addition, there was the feather coat bestowed by the Taoist ancestor Yu Dou. Yao Qing, the graceful minister of the Azure Mountain Dynasty in Bingzhou, also possessed one of similar quality. Gao Gu, known as “Giant Mountain,” of the Huayang Palace of Land Lung Mountain in Youzhou, had another. In the Vast World, there was Fu Lu Yu Xuan’s “Purple Qi” and Zhao Tianlai, the contemporary Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain’s “Tao Vein”… Thus the saying, “Of the world’s top dharma robes, half belong to Taoism.”

Yang Zhi plans to visit the Great Spring’s Buried River first, then the Phosphorus River, and the Pei River near Mount Pu.

The Buried River and the Pei River meander into the sea, their inherent nature is like a cultivator’s bone. If there is no intervention, they will never have the “talent” to become a great canal. A cultivating seedling with only a middle-five realm talent can only rely on extremely good fortune to reach the upper-five realms.

Yang Zhi suddenly turns, looking toward the northern sky. Within the cloud sea, a ferry slowly descends, likely from near Peachleaf Crossing in Mirage City.

Yang Zhi immediately withdraws her gaze, not daring to linger, for she fears a sword cultivator, who has been at odds with her for ten thousand years, might be aboard the ferry. Old enemies meeting are always a fiery sight.

Letting out a soft sigh, Yang Zhi twitches her lips. The real threat is Bai Jing. Her feud with the former sword cultivator is merely a contest of wills, not a matter of life or death. Bai Jing, however, has coveted a certain inheritance of hers for many years. In fact, Yang Zhi’s earlier flirtation with the Mountain-Moving Ancestor Zhu Yan (true name) was a necessary alliance for self-preservation. She only sought to avoid being challenged to a sword duel by Bai Jing, disrupting the river Yiluo at will.

Bai Jing is certainly not dead. If anyone should die, it should not be this extremely troublesome and lingering guy.

In this sense, is being in the Vast World, far from the barbaric lands, a blessing in disguise?

Inside the Blue Jade Palace near the Buried River temple.

The Buried River Water Goddess is personally entertaining a guest, one of her own people known colloquially as the “East Sea Woman.” They are both Water Goddesses. Although their temples are far apart, east and west, Liu Rou is very enthusiastic about the visitor, who has come to ask for something from her.

The Water Goddess of the source of Pei River, Kou Xuanqu, the jiaolong, has come for assistance and for Liu Rou to allow her to use the Buried River to walk water.

Kou Xuanqu as the Water Goddess of Pei River, of course cannot walk water in her own territory. Her neighbor and friend, Huang Yiyun of Mount Pu, had helped Kou Xuanqu connect with the Great Spring Empress. Yao Xianzhi inquired about Blue Jade Palace of the Buried River, and Liu Rou agreed right away and replied simply that she was welcome.

The only thing that was lacking was Kou Xuanqu had already heard of Blue Jade Palace and its guest treating ways. She immediately said that she was not hungry or thirsty, but just a cup of tea would be nice.

Today Kou Xuanqu brews tea herself, using cloud tea from the Pei River.

Liu Rou sips the tea, politely saying, “This tea is delicious.”

The taste is rather faint, like drinking water.

Liu Rou thinks about how to start the conversation, how to ask Kou Xuanqu about something she has long been curious about. Hearsay and conjecture are never as good as getting the answer from the person.

The tail and the mouth of Pei River’s water spirits and temples are devoted to the East Sea Woman and Blue Flood Ruler, but both of them are not legitimized. In addition, Kou Xuanqu can improve her cultivation and realm by walking water. Moreover, what’s most interesting is that there are two statues in the temples, which is like having an Earth God and an Earth Mother in the same temple.

Such secret inner workings should not be asked in the open, even if Liu Rou is extremely curious.

So Liu Rou asked the most suitable question after hesitating for the longest time, “Didn’t the Blue Flood Ruler of the temple located at the mouth of Pei River come together?”

Kou Xuanqu shakes her head and smiles. “No. Water spirits don’t leave their jurisdiction easily. Not to mention that the Blue Flood Ruler is not a legitimized water spirit.”

Liu Rou ohs. According to those strange novels, the “East Sea Woman”, who has no home to go back to, is actually a Dragon Girl from the East Sea. Liu Rou is a water spirit and sees that such a claim is absurd. After the Dragon Slaying battle, there were not any dragons anymore, Liu Rou secretly takes out a book and places it on the table after coughing. This Burial River Water Goddess has been deeply thinking and comes up with the most awkward reason and says, “Xuanqu, the books are always telling stories, right?”

Kou Xuanqu looks at the title of the book and smiles knowingly. “Half of it is true. I’ve read this book too. It says that I am the Dragon Girl of the Dragon Palace of the East Sea. I like to write and transform into a rich young lady. I often take a boat with my close maid to travel inland to ask scholars to copy scriptures, poems, etc. It’s not made up completely because these things did indeed happen. It’s just that the young lady purposely asked me to dress up as her, and then she pretended to be a maid.”

Liu Rou’s eyes gleam with excitement. “Then you attracted a Mountain Ruler who coveted your beauty and ordered his beloved general Blue Flood Ruler to capsize the boat, blocking your path, and accidentally kidnapped you. He hid you in a private water mansion and every time you miss home, you’ll be crying a lot and there will be floods? If that’s the case, this Mountain Ruler is really not authentic. Just tell me, I’ll ask a gentleman for you later. He will return your freedom… Ah? It’s not that tortuous? Is it the other account of those mountains fairy masters? Is it that your young lady was escaping marriage and fell in love with the Blue Flood Ruler and that Mountain Ruler deliberately helped the two of you and helped you avoid the public’s eye? If that’s the case, it’s heartwarming.”

Kou Xuanqu looks helpless and hesitant. She doesn’t want to deceive this Burial River Water Goddess, so she can only pick some things that are okay to say. “The story never mentioned any romance.”

Liu Rou looks disappointed and puts away the book on the table, grumbling quietly, “The scholars, especially the writers, are not fair. They really know how to deceive people.”

Kou Xuanqu smiles.

Liu Rou laughs and says, “Let’s drink, even though it’s just tea.”

At the sea and land junction of a Buried River.

A group of people wade through the water and appear on the shore. The leader is the East Sea Water Monarch, True Dragon Wang Zhu.

Along with a group of followers, the four water residence attendants are Li Ba, Huang Man, Gong Yan, and Xi Man.

They’re with the water monarch Wang Zhu on another business trip. This time, they are going to hang out with the dynasty with the new reign called “Divine Dragon”.

They are all not simple people, and it’s rare that they can come together and become colleagues.

Jade Taoist Huang Man is a ghost cultivator in the Celestial Realm and is good at calling the wind and rain, but she has a feud with Zhang Tiaoxia, the best martial artist of the Vast World.

Li Ba, the old cultivator who has the Taoist name Cui Zhang, is from Gold Armor Continent and was close friends with Wan Yan Lao Jing.

Xi Man is a Ninth Realm martial artist. She is from Flowing Clouds Continent. She is likely to reach the Peak.

The beautiful woman, whose true name is Gong Yan and whose nickname is A Wu, is a local cultivator from Soaring Clouds Continent. Her sect suffered heavy casualties in that battle. She does not want to be a ancestor of the sect, but she is good at making money. She secretly supports the sect’s juniors, and she can ask Water Monarch Wang Zhu if she has any trouble and sees if she can use East Sea’s name to help solve the problem.

Gong Yan has been in touch with that female sword cultivator who has the surname Nalan.

Wang Zhu says, “This time, in addition to going to the Dynasty that has changed its reign, we will also meet someone. You don’t need to wait or look for them. They will come to us on their own.”

Gong Yan says in a charming way, “As long as it’s not that young Hidden Officer, then it’s fine. No one can scare us, except for Chen Ping An. How can anyone, with our group, be afraid of anyone? What’s a Ascending Realm cultivator? Our East Sea Water Monarch is also a Ascending Realm. Who dares to speak harshly?”

Saying this, Gong Yan looks at Wang Zhu’s expression carefully and Wang Zhu’s face is stoic, as if she had never heard Chen Ping An’s name.

Gong Yan turns to look at a poor little guy.

At the end of the group, there is a teenager named Wang Qiongju, who is specially responsible for carrying small and large packages.

The teenager’s forehead bulges slightly and is still always hungry.

He has been following Wang Zhu for many years. After he was done with cultivating, he was given the surname Wang, and the names Qiongju and Yusha, and then he was given the Taoist name Hansu.

He is the four-legged snake from Mud Bottle Lane, who was often thrown to the neighbors by Song Jixin and trampled back by Zhi Gui.

At the moment, Wang Qiongju has a gourd on his back.

Seeing Gong Yan’s gaze, the teenager smiles shyly.

Gong Yan grows more and more curious about the town, and she has to visit it in person in the future if she has the chance.

According to the agreement with Wang Zhu, after the Water God concludes the business trip, they will be released.

Li Ba and Xi Man plan to go to Great Li’s capital in Treasure Bottle Continent to help Prince Song Mu. One used to be the Imperial Preceptor, and one comes from a land dragon. Both want to see if they are lucky and support the royal family.

As for Jade Taoist Huang Man and Gong Yan, one has a special identity and the other is lazy.

Huang Man plans to stay with Wang Zhu and slowly accumulate virtue, and then find a chance to see if she can find a place and found a sect.

Gong Yan can’t help but ask, “Wang Zhu, is that town really that deep?”

Wang Zhu herself requested that they address her by her name.

Wang Zhu nods. “The higher the realm, the less you want to hang out there.”

Gong Yan says with a smile, “We’re a group who have seen the world…”

Wang Zhu sneers, “The world? How big of a world? How many Ascending Realm and Fourteenth Realm have you seen, and then stood in front of you?”

On the side of the road, a patch of white appears out of nowhere.

The person holds an item in hand, and strikes a one-legged pose, raising a demon mirror, and swings it towards the beautiful woman. “Demon, where are you going? Quickly reveal your true form!”

Here we go again!

This same white-clothed teenager, who doesn’t use their head, has the same exact stance and the same things to say.

Wind-kite ferry. Today, Chen Ping An accompanied Song Yushao, drinking and chatting. Mi Yu came to knock on the door and smiled, “Wang Zai is on his way and he is bringing some other scholar with him.”

Song Yushao waves his hand. “Go ahead, I won’t join in.”

Chen Pingan stands up and goes to the bow of the ship with Mi Yu to greet the two noble guests from the academy.

Chen Pingan bows and says, “Brother Mingqi, it’s been many years.”

Wang Zai says, “Chen Hidden Officer.”

The two are old acquaintances.

Wen Yu bows and says, “Celestial Eye Academy, Wen Yu, greetings Chen master.”

Five Streams Headmaster Zhou Mi, who has the same name as Zhou Mi from Wenhai.

Chen Pingan says with a smile, “I’ve heard of your name for a long time, Headmaster Wen.”

Wang Zai says, “Chen Ping An, aren’t we friends?”

Chen Pingan says, “Back then we were all sorry to leave.

Wang Zai says nothing. Chen Ping An grabs his arm and laughs, “Whether you’re here to question the academy, or to talk about the old times, let’s drink first.”

The group comes to Mi Yu’s room and Mi Yu is about to leave.

Unexpectedly, Wen Yu asks, “Can you stay and drink with us, Sword Immortal Mi?”

Mi Yu is confused. There is no reason for Wen Yu to keep him here.

Chen Pingan laughs and says, “Let’s drink together.”

Mi Yu suddenly feels bad. He is afraid of getting exposed. Mi Yu says that he needs to cultivate so that he can leave.

Wen Yu says, “I’ve personally interrogated several demon cultivators on the battlefield, and they all mentioned Sword Immortal Mi with extreme hatred.”

Mi Yu is relieved.

Wen Yu says, “Then it’s settled. Next time the wind kite passes by Celestial Eye Academy, I will prepare the wine and wait for Sword Immortal Mi.”

Wang Zai says, “Look, this guy and Mi Yu hit it off right away, because they’re both ruthless people.”

Chen Pingan replies with a smile, “Wen Yu pulling you here today is because of the Northern Little Dragon Lake thing and also the unauthorized suggestion of digging a canal?”

Wang Zai says, “You underestimate Wen Yu. Before coming to Tongye, Wen Yu already had the idea of saving the refugees by digging a canal. Does this count as the thoughts of a hero?”

Chen Pingan is surprised.

Chen Pingan has the two vice headmasters lift the wine bowls. He pulls out a scroll and places it on the table.

When Chen Pingan starts talking about how the officials should be punished, Wen Yu finally speaks. “The punishment is too light. They should be demoted. Their descendants should not be allowed to participate in the imperial examination for three generations. They should be erected a monument in the hometown so that to warn future generations that those who dare to be corrupt will be punished. No official can be allowed to protect the crime. They will be demoted and have a monument erected.”

Chen Pingan looks up at the Vice Headmaster of Celestial Eye Academy.

Wen Yu says, “Don’t worry, what I say is the same as what Celestial Eye Academy says. The academies do not care about power. They would not care if a ruler would allow corruption or not.

Wang Zai nods.

Chen Pingan says, “Then let’s do it that way.”

Wen Yu says, “Master Chen, you may not have much contact with the academies, but the academies are not the officialdom, nor are they the immortal mansions. You can come and talk to our Celestial Eye Academy more in the future.”

Chen Pingan nods. “It seems that I have to visit the academies more often in the future.”

Wen Yu asks, “Since we’ve chatted so much, have you thought about how the Azure Canopy Sword Sect can make money?”

Wang Zai shakes his head and says, “It’s too difficult to make money. It’s very difficult not to lose money. The cost of moving mountains and filling water is extremely high.”

Chen Pingan brings up Tender Taoist and Yang Zhi.

Wang Zai is shocked, but doesn’t show it.

Wen Yu asks, “Yang Zhi? How did they leave the forbidden area?”

Chen Pingan says, “They were tricked out.”

Wen Yu stares at Chen Ping An.

Chen Pingan shakes his head.

Wen Yu nods.

Wang Zai massages his forehead. He is having a headache.

Chen Pingan continues, “First of all, the Azure Canopy Sword Sect, Mount Taiping, and Mount Pu can each select three to five subordinate mountains and operate them for a long time. Secondly, building immortal docks, inns, and shops along the way is also a long-term business. Thirdly, all the natural treasures, gold, silver, copper, iron, and many mines, can be discussed with the local dynasties. Finally, with the canal, all immortal docks must give priority to our ferryboats to dock, without any tolls or rent.”

With the canal, a complete trade route has been opened up in Tongye Continent, just like the parasol ferry on the Green Shirt Crossing.

“These are good things for mutual benefit and belong to long-term business, so the Central Dynasties must want this.”

Wen Yu puts the scroll at the bottom and takes a sip of wine and asks, “However, how will you divide the mountain water deities? It is inevitable that the East Sea Woman and Green Flood Ruler near Mount Pu will become canonized water gods. Then, what about the three to four water gods, are they already decided? Of course, on the surface, you only have the right to recommend, but I think the temple and the three academies will not make things too difficult for you.”

Chen Pingan says with a smile, “We’ve indeed discussed this, but the Azure Canopy Sword Sect has voluntarily given up this right of recommendation. Perhaps the Great Spring Dynasty and the Jade Decree Sect will each have candidates, but everyone agrees that they will not recommend anyone for the duke or marquis, otherwise it would be too ugly.”

Wang Zai is relieved.

Wen Yu raises his head and asks, “Why did you give up the right to recommend?”

Chen Pingan says, “There are no suitable candidates.”

The Yao family will go to the Burial River temple to recommend Liu Rou.

Moreover, Liu Rou shouldn’t be promoted directly to the duke level.

Wen Yu raises his wine bowl. “I’ll leave after I finish this bowl of wine. If the Jade Decree Sect stirs up trouble in the future, the Azure Canopy Sword Sect just needs to send a letter to the Celestial Eye Academy, and I’ll hit them.”

Everyone drinks together and Wang Zai jokes, “Such a bossy guy.”

Chen Pingan smiles, “It’s called being sharp and aggressive.”

Wen Yu shakes his head and says, “I’m far inferior to Master Chen. This isn’t just a polite word. I don’t know how to say superficial things.”

Afterwards, Chen Pingan accompanies the two vice headmasters to the bow of the ship. Wang Zai says, “Chen Ping An, Headmaster Wen is planning to promote the charity of the village.”

Chen Pingan’s eyes light up and he interrupts and asks, “Are you using the ‘Fan’s Charity of the Village’ that has lasted for 800 years as a template?”

Wang Zai says, “Yes, but it needs to be improved. There are more than 700 rules, and it’s really strict. Wen Yu is planning to do some good things by making people work.”

Wen Yu asks, “Master Chen, do you know about this?”

Chen Pingan hesitates and takes out several thick booklets from his sleeve and smiles, “It’s really a coincidence, but I also have a general framework, but not as many rules as you, only more than 500 rules. You can take it.”

Wen Yu takes the booklets with both hands and bows. “I’ll take my leave here, Master Chen.”

Chen Pingan has to bow in return. “Master Wen, let me say something. Scholars and masters, teaching and educating cannot be separated, otherwise no matter how peaceful the world is, it won’t be really peaceful.”

Wen Yu laughs. “That’s right, we agree again!”

Wang Zai says, “Chen Ping An, next time we drink, we have to be drunk!”

Chen Pingan jokes, “I know how much you can drink.

The two vice headmasters fly away in the wind.

Below the ferry, the mountains and rivers, and the grass are green, the roads are long.

The mountain is full of peach and plum blossoms, and the fireworks below the clouds are homes that are connected.