In the Western Yue region of the Bottle Continent, amidst the numerous vassal states of the Great Li Dynasty, lay Yuxuan, its capital city bathed in the nascent glow of evening lanterns. A fortune-teller’s stall stood at a street corner, where a middle-aged Daoist priest, slumped over his table in a drunken stupor, roused himself with a start. His eyes, though still glazed with drink, focused weakly as he reached for his gourd and took a swig of the “spirit-reviving draught” – more wine to chase the wine.

He sighed heavily, preparing to pack up for the night. His hand slipped into his sleeve, surreptitiously weighing the contents of his coin purse: a meager sum of silver fragments, and a more substantial weight of copper coins.

The street teemed with the returning revelers of spring excursions, young masters and officials’ sons, their horses carrying the scent of fresh grass as they trotted through the night.

The Daoist began to gather his tools: the divination cylinders, the well-worn copper coins whose patinas shone from years of handling. He swept them into the cylinder, then unfurled a cloth inscribed with countless surnames. Here, he plied his trade, interpreting fortunes, reading palms, divining destinies, and even penning letters for the illiterate. These modest services helped supplement his meager income, for life in the capital of Yuxuan was far more expensive than in the rural counties.

The guessing of surnames was a skill he’d learned long ago from Little Charcoal, a “street-smart” trick of the trade. He remembered one of her childhood dreams: to travel the lands with her master, earning a fortune together. She would beat a drum and shout to draw a crowd, and he would perform feats of strength, smashing stones on his chest, selling miracle plasters and potent elixirs. She knew every trick, every angle. It would be hard work, but far better than some of the other, less honorable ways to earn coin – ill-gotten gains that he would sooner avoid.

Chen Ping’an smiled faintly. Such a life with his first disciple now seemed impossible. Even if he, the master, were willing, Pei Qian would likely scoff at the idea.

The fortune-telling stall had gained a small reputation in the district’s markets.

But it remained beneath the notice of the wealthy and powerful. To them, it was nothing more than a charlatan’s trickery, no different from the swindlers and deceivers that plagued the city. To true cultivators of Qi, he was a mere fraud.

His worldly possessions were few: a table, two long benches, and a banner. The tabletop and legs of the table could be dismantled for ease of transport. Behind the stall was a simple wooden pushcart, ready to bear the load of his belongings whenever the Daoist decided to wander again. Unburdened by earthly ties, he embraced the vastness of the world, the four seas his home.

Yet, for now, the Daoist had rented a long-abandoned house on the outskirts of the city. It wasn’t haunted by malevolent spirits, but rather plagued by nightmares, as if restless demons tormented the sleepers, leaving them sleepless and weakened. Over time, few dared to spend money on such misery. It was reminiscent of the mischievous fox spirits of old tales. The landlord, a wealthy man whose family had been renting and selling properties in the city for generations, saw no reason to be concerned about one troublesome house, especially since no one had ever died there.

Then, an outlander Daoist, green and unsuspecting, appeared. Seeing an easy mark, the landlord demanded a half-year’s deposit, not lowering the rent, for he knew the tenant would not be returning.

The Daoist, indeed, suffered the effects of the haunting, and soon grew unhappy. He confronted the landlord twice, but was easily rebuffed. Was the house to break the contract? It was not an easy task, black on white, clearly written. The Daoist, lacking roots or influence, had no recourse. Furthermore, the citizens of Yuxuan were notoriously unwelcoming to outsiders. He could find no scribe willing to draft a complaint to the magistrate.

Eventually, as the fortune-telling stall gained popularity, the landlord, perhaps seeking to avoid further trouble, sent his son, a minor official in the county yamen, to treat the Daoist to a meal at a restaurant. He even returned a portion of the deposit as a gesture of goodwill. However, during the meal, the young official, with his feet propped on the table and a drunken belch, mocked, “Aren’t you an exorcist? Afraid of a few ghosts?”

The Daoist simply smiled and replied, “The realms of the living and the dead are separate, Yin and Yang distinct. To rely solely on celestial arts, on fighting and killing, is to court disaster. It is better to be benevolent to both man and spirit.”

The official, long practiced in the art of double-meaning, picked up on the implied criticism. Tapping his boot on the table, he asked with a smirk, “So, Master Daoist, in your eyes, are my father and I men or spirits? And the mischievous entities within the house – are they men or spirits?”

That night, the middle-aged Daoist pushed his wooden cart towards the side gate of the house, producing a ring of keys. There were no steps here, allowing him to wheel the cart directly inside.

As soon as he bolted the gate, a red-clad woman “floated” into view, playfully chiding, “Master Wu, it’s only because our court is lenient. Otherwise, a fake Daoist like you wouldn’t even be allowed within the city walls.”

Her hair was styled in an elaborate palace coiffure, her skin as white as snow, her eyes seductive, her face youthful.

Alas, the woman was not human.

The Daoist retorted, “Miss Xue, that’s unfair. According to Yuxuan law, Daoist licenses issued by various altars within the kingdom, apart from the Taoist Institute under the Ministry of Rites, are recognized. I navigated the channels, greased the wheels, and spent a full eighty taels of silver for this document. With it, I can go anywhere in Yuxuan, even the capital of Great Li. ‘With righteousness, one can travel the world; a clear conscience fears no shadows.'”

The eighty taels had bought him a protective talisman. Without it, a wandering Daoist seeking to earn a living would be fleeced bare by the local officials.

The woman nodded with a smile. “Indeed, a purchased office is still an office.”

Her name was Xue Ruyi, a ghost, but not of the malicious kind. She could walk freely in the daylight, only retreating indoors when the sound of the magistrate’s gavel echoed from the nearby county yamen.

The Daoist retrieved a paper-wrapped sweet from his sleeve and handed it to the red-clad ghost. This was his second “rent” payment, a small token of appreciation for the “landlady” of the house. Otherwise, she would make mischief, create disturbances, and make so much noise that it would ruin the peace and rest he desperately craved.

Over time, they had come to understand each other’s quirks, and now coexisted in a state of uneasy truce. They even engaged in casual conversation, the Daoist often seeking her wisdom on the rules and paths of the ghostly realm.

The old-looking Daoist, Wu Di, was said to have already chosen his future Daoist title: a homonym for “Invincible.”

As an ethereal spirit, she had no need for food, but the mortal neighbor next door required three meals a day. She complained, “Wu Di, why are you so late tonight? I’m starving! Hurry and cook something for Zhang Hou. He’s still growing and can’t eat just anything. He’s about to take the imperial exam; his entry into the academy hangs in the balance. If he fails, I’ll blame you.”

The Daoist, with his easy-going nature, readily agreed, knowing his place as a tenant. He promised to start cooking as soon as he’d put away his belongings.

He made sure to pamper himself with a fine meal of noodles, preparing sauces and toppings, including four or five kinds of chili oil, along with minced ginger, scallions, and garlic. He was the type to pour it on with a sizzle, before serving it to the guest to enjoy.

The Daoist headed to the kitchen and deftly prepared a tableful of homestyle dishes. The red-clad ghost helped to “serve” the food, floating the dishes onto the table.

Then, she summoned the young scholar, Zhang Hou, from the neighboring house. She lingered here because of a long-ago vow, watching over his descendants.

As for why the city’s county city god’s temple and deities turned a blind eye to her presence, it involved secret advice from a superior within the capital city god temple.

Just across the street from the house was one of the city’s two county yamen, with a temple to the yamen god behind it.

At the dinner table, the Daoist boasted of his close ties to the salt office clerk of the county yamen, sharing the latest gossip. He claimed that an internal meeting had been held at the yamen god temple, and several “white papers” – repeat offenders of the office rules – would soon be expelled by the county magistrate. Of course, they could change their names and re-enter the service, but without paying a hefty sum for the rules and fees, they wouldn’t pass muster at the yamen god temple.

Zhang Hou, dedicated solely to his studies, grew impatient with Wu Di’s idle chatter, but held his tongue.

A county yamen consisted of ten offices: the Six Offices, plus the Salt, Warehouse, Courier, and Reception offices. The clerks, scribes, and runners were divided into official and “unofficial” categories. The “unofficial” ones existed only in relation to the imperial court, being managed by the official and office clerks. The number of runners was immense, often numbering in the hundreds, probably unknown even to the most diligent magistrate. Even the officially appointed scribes had little status, let alone the members of the various “lowly” offices. No wonder the young man was bored by such trivial gossip.

Sensing the young man’s displeasure, the red-clad ghost glared at the Daoist, signaling him to cease his uninteresting ramblings.

The Daoist took a sip of wine and smiled. “For someone like me, who travels the world, information is wealth. I inevitably deal with all kinds of people. However, for scholars like you, Zhang Gongzi, pursuing learning and aiming to serve the people in the court, it’s good to know the inner workings of the world. When you pass the imperial exam, and hold a prestigious government position, you won’t be easily deceived by your aides and lower officials. Otherwise, you’ll be separated from the common folk, seeming close, but worlds apart. As a local official, how can you truly understand the people’s suffering?”

She nodded in rare agreement. “Wu Di may only know a few tricks and has a fake title, but those words are true and insightful. Knowledge is never a burden, just like money is never too much. Knowing the inner workings of the court can’t hurt. Like Wu Di said, knowing the insider stories of the halls of power is never a bad thing.”

To be honest, she had been in the street for hundreds of years. Sometimes, she got bored, and would “eavesdrop” on the internal meetings of the city god’s temple, but regarding the flow of power in the government and how it works, she knew less than this outsider Daoist.

The young man ate in silence, clearly uninterested, finding the Daoist long-winded and presumptuous.

The Daoist didn’t mind, raising his cup in both hands. “No worries at the dinner table, Miss Xue, let’s do a toast!”

The young man finished his meal and left, bidding farewell to the Xue-jie, as the local’s called her. The next day was the imperial exam.

As the Daoist was clearing the table, he asked with a smile, “Miss Xue, do you think Zhang Hou doesn’t like my advice because he thinks I’m a con artist, or because he genuinely thinks I’m wrong? Or would it be different if someone successful said the same thing?”

She frowned, but quickly smoothed her brow, saying casually, “Zhang Hou isn’t a worldly old rogue like you. He’s just a simple young man who doesn’t think so much.”

The Daoist smiled. “The word ‘simple’ cures all ills.”

She immediately became displeased.

The Daoist quickly clarified, “It’s a compliment!”

After clearing the table and washing his hands in the kitchen, the Daoist dusted off his sleeves, noticing Miss Xue leaning against the doorway, looking troubled.

The middle-aged Daoist, a shrewd observer of human nature, chuckled. “With Zhang Hou’s knowledge, he’ll pass the exam with ease and continue on to even greater success. Miss Xue, there’s no need to worry. When he gets the news, I’ll be the first to run and bring you the good tidings.”

Xue Ruyi’s face brightened with a smile. “Do you think Zhang Hou can pass and obtain the Imperial Crown?”

The Daoist thought for a moment. “Passing the examination will not be a problem. I’ve read some of his essays; his writing is excellent, especially his calligraphy, which is both proper and beautiful. Whoever the examiner is, they will like it.”

At Xue Ruyi’s request, the Daoist often went to the bookstores to buy examples of exam essays for the young man, and made a profit, no matter how slim, along the way.

As the Daoist reached his own room, the ghost followed him, floating along. As he took out his keys, he didn’t rush to open the door. She smiled. “Is there something you’re hiding in there? Perhaps Master Wu is keeping a mistress?”

The Daoist straightened his robes. “It’s late. Man and woman shouldn’t be alone in the same room. We must avoid scandal.”

She laughed. “You’re a Daoist, not some moralizing Confucian.”

The Daoist said righteously, “I’ve read the sages and classics. If I hadn’t accidentally wandered into the mountains, I would have sought fame and fortune.”

She took a brush holder from her sleeve, holding it up. “Where should I put this beautiful item?”

The Daoist’s eyes lit up. With lightning speed, he opened the door, pushed it slightly open, and extended his hand. “Under the clear sky and bright moon, we need not fear rumors if our consciences are clear. Miss Xue, please come in.”

The house had many rooms, but the Daoist had chosen a small one to live in. He said that the house could be big, but the room for sleeping should be small to gather Qi.

Spring brought warm air, and insects chirped through the green gauze of the window.

Once inside, she placed the oil-red, gold-trimmed lotus flower brush holder on the table.

The Daoist lit the oil lamp on the table.

The brush holder had been in the flower hall, where people had been entertained. The Daoist, an expert, knew all of it’s secrets.

He said he wasn’t interested, but he knew fine objects were meant to be admired.

She also had an old bamboo flute with a green inscription: “The hero’s heart for the immortal’s tune.”

The Daoist was so enamored that he wanted to buy it. And in that moment, he had struck a price of 200 silver taels for it!

A sheet of colored glass was placed on the desk, covering the entire tabletop.

Seeing a stack of Buddhist sutras in neat calligraphy on the table, she wondered, “Why is a Daoist copying Buddhist sutras?”

The Daoist smiled. “I do it occasionally to calm my mind.”

The Daoist moved two chairs, keeping a distance between them. After Xue Ruyi sat down, she leaned against the chair. She just looked at the Daoist.

The Daoist was a little uncomfortable. “Miss Xue, what brings you here tonight?”

Xue Ruyi said, “As the saying goes, a close neighbor is better than a distant relative. Wu Di, is that true?”

The Daoist nodded. “Of course. Old sayings are always true. This makes for a great conversation!”

She hesitated before saying, “I have a request. I hope you can give Zhang Hou’s draft collection to someone in the Hanlin Imperial Academy.”

The Daoist smiled and paused, glancing at the valuable brush holder on the table. “I’m afraid I’ll only see the doorman, not the esteemed scholar.”

Xue Ruyi sighed.

The Daoist wondered why she was so flustered. Did she really want Zhang Hou to succeed? With her wealth, she could guarantee the young man’s comfort for generations. Even if Zhang Hou was a hidden Qi cultivator, she could ensure he had everything he needed before reaching the Fifth Realm. Also, Zhang Hou wanted to pass the examination quickly.

The ghost and boy were known as brother and sister. And Zhang Hou knew she was a ghost.

She mocked herself. “I’m desperate. If Zhang Hou knew about this, he would hate me forever.”

The Daoist thought the young man was a great student, but not a great cultivator. It would be hard to enter the grotto realm.

The wealthy payed the masters to teach the scholars and people of wealth. However, those who cultivated Qi, whether human, ghost, or spirit, were different. Even if they were not in a mountain temple, one could simply find a clean room and meditate and then draw in the energy around them.

The house was large, with old trees in the backyard. Deep in the night, there were sounds of birds.

The ghost stood up and laughed. “Wu Di, let’s just say I never mentioned this.”

The Daoist got up. “It’s okay. If you need it, just let me know. Not to mention a scholar, I will cross through fire and water!”

The ghost smiled. “Wu Daoist, you’d be a great helper to the imperial courts.”

The Daoist smiled. “Helper and dog? I can take it or leave it.”

She put the brush container in her sleeve and left.

The Daoist was unable to stop her and let the duck fly away.

The ghost traveled alone into the back of the house where she could see the young man.

In the night, the people thought to themselves in their bed chambers.

The Daoist put away the sutras, opened the desk, and began to work on stone carvings to the completed models for his collection.

“Do all goods, and never do any evil. Be generous, and never forget those who have helped you.”

He engraved the stone and then picked up a journal, a local newspaper. Yuxuan’s book publishing business was booming and there were so many books to choose from!

Reading a new book was like receiving rain after a long drought. Reading an old book was like a lover’s reunion.

Copying required sitting, but reading was casual. The Daoist propped his feet and chewed some sunflower seeds and turned the page.

Birds cried outside the window.

The Daoist spoke. “Over these thousand years, all of us are consumed by the passage of time. Concern and complacency, but not too bitter or desolate.”

This journey by the Daoist was to collect an old debt.

Therefore, he wrote autumn onto one of his stones.

Chen Ping’an took out his sword gourd. He went to the window and drank the gourd to the bitter end.

He closed his eyes. He heard rain falling, like many years ago.

—

Seven or eight stars in the night sky.

In the outskirts, there was a tavern with a man lying in a fox coat, holding a whip with gold wiring, sleeping in a women’s lap.

The beauty resembled the moon, her wrists like snow. She sat on the ground, her skirt like a flower. She gently massaged the man’s brow.

The night was full of the sound of hooves. A woman was in the front, on her way to see the handsome man.

The young women behind her were full of beauty, and each had a sword.

It could be seen that each was skilled.

She flipped off her horse, and looked at the man with disgust. She raised the whip, and beat it against the ground.

The beauty looked up at the young woman, and laughed. She pointed to her mouth, asking her to quiet down, so as to not wake the man up.

The woman didn’t look at the beauty. She stomped on the man. “Ma Yanshan! Get up!”

The couple was similar in appearance. The man opened his eyes and yawned. He got up and asked. “What’s wrong? Who angered you? Tell your brother, and you will be avenged!”

The woman was angry and wished she had beaten the man with the whip. “Look at yourself! You are too tired and drunk to lead Ma Che’s horse!”

Ma Yanshan said, “It’s nothing but a cousin. His future is already set.”

“However, if he were to succeed, I would throw a party and invite anyone to come.”

“If he can’t do it, I don’t care.”

The woman raised her arm and shook her head. “It’s all up to him.”

Ma Che was a genius, known for his white robes and knowledge.

And Ma Yanshan was known for his robes and drinking. Ma Che had read a thousand books.

Seeing the woman want to hit the man, Ma Yanshan begged. “Ma Yue Mei, what is going on? Why did you need to see me?”

Ma Yue Mei said, “Let’s talk at home!”

Ma Yanshan smiled, “It’s okay. Song Furen is part of the family.”

The beauty shook her head. She was not going to get involved in the affairs of the Ma family.

20 years ago, the Ma family came to Yuxuan. They bought a mansion that was previously owned by a prime minister.

There were three types of rich. The first were the ones everyone knew. The second were the ones that everyone heard of. The third were the ones that no one heard of.

The Ma family was the last. They were wealthy, but no one knew. Only a few mountain officials were aware of the family’s existence. It was said that the Ma family was the “money bag” of a Great Li family. It was also said that the current family head had a talented son that was training in the mountains.

He had become an immortal and the family had become blessed.

The city’s largest tavern, the hotel, and the ferries were owned by the Ma family. There were many silver shops and mines that were owned by the family.

Ma Yanshan would pass through the ranks of the Imperial court as an inspector of the Imperial Guard!

But in reality, Yue Mei went in his place. He gained the title, but was known to be drunk and late for his duties. All of this was known, but no one said a thing!

What the Ma family had was incredible.

After moving here, the four generations consisted of over a hundred people!

As the Ma family was from out of town, they did not want to interfere. It all depended on what Ma Yanshan and Ma Yue Mei did.

Ma Yanshan smiled. “Let me guess, brother is finally home?”

Ma Yue Mei stayed silent.

Ma Yanshan said, “He’s our family, not from another. We haven’t seen him once.”

Ma Yanshan shook his head and smiled, “What a family man!”

Ma Yue Mei said, “Don’t say anymore. Get back home!”

She always looked up to her brother, even if he was a bum.

During the great wars of the land, when things became peaceful, the siblings wanted to go home. But their parents didn’t let them go. They said that the roads were dangerous.

Because the family had ferries, they were able to learn a lot of information. Yue Mei wanted to travel to those places, while Yanshan only wanted to party.

Ma Yanshan got up. “I will tell my parents that I will be home tonight. If they don’t see me in two hours, they can break my legs!”

Ma Yue Mei left. As she turned, one of the girls behind her received a crack to the face with the whip. The girl did not budge.

Ma Yanshan was not affected. He laid back down and asked, “Is my brother great?”

The beauty smiled. “Of course. He is the best.”

She shook her head, knowing that it was something she’d never see.

She was the local mountain god.

The name of the mountain was Zhe’Er.

She was a rank seven god.

In this kingdom, she was good enough.

Ma Yanshan wondered, “Since he is our brother, why doesn’t he help us when we are good, or punish us when we are bad?”

She explained, “People who go into the mountains don’t have much ties. They don’t want to get involved.”

Ma Yanshan sighed. “So you are not a part of their family.”

She hesitated and said, “You shouldn’t say that.”

This brother was too strong. He was a person that normal people could never touch.

A forty something year old jade state cultivator will be a immortal one day.

They would one day ascend.

The land would have ten great young men one day.

Behind him were the Ying Jiin realm sword immortal Liu Ba Qiao, and the Liu Lao Cheng disciple from the Zhen Jiin sect.

Was this not being out of reach?

Even more amazing was that he could command ancient deities!

She feared that if she saw him one day, she would die.

Seeing the woman’s appearance, Ma Yanshan sat up again. He grabbed some wine from her skirt and the women giggled. He rubbed his mouth. “I heard that my brother has a bad temper.”

The beauty of the mountain god laughed. “Having such a brother is lucky. Don’t anger him.”

Ma Yanshan was worried.

She asked, “What’s wrong?”

Ma Yanshan shook the wine and looked into the sky. “Will it rain tomorrow?”

The beauty laughed. “Of course not.”

Ma Yanshan said, “But one day it will storm, right?”

The mountain spirit thought something was up. The one that looked stupid was very different.

Zhe Er’s leader often invited Ma Yanshan out.

She realized the simple woman knew more than she let on and was more observant to the ways of life than her brother was.

Ma Yanshan remembered when he was young. He was walking one night when he stumbled upon his parent’s room. His father cursed. His mom was just wasting money.

His mom said, “300 silver is gone now. It’s harder to make money than to waste it.”

His father was angry. He shouted, “Why did that boy get close to the mountain lord.”

Then they moved away.

Those things worried his parents. His family started collecting information about the Li family.

This didn’t make sense. His father was an expert in the business. His mom was smart. They were a force to be reckoned with!

Had it not been for his son’s behavior, their power would have gone a long way.

Of course, there were some bad apples as well. A few family members had been imprisoned and killed people, but he was able to help his family cover it up. There were always things that he pretended to not know.

He was the last to ask, how do you get an autumn party on the ferry.

There were people who would act, but their eyes would be piercing.

His sister wondered about this. And he said something strange was going on. “Does she just look at the face anymore? No. Now it’s chest, buttocks, and legs!”

The Ma family was not well known. They lived among the poorer families and were looked down on.

But their gate had guardian spirits, and their family had protectors.

Ma Yanshan had made many calculations and found that they could conquer many places, but they did not.

Ma Yanshan stopped thinking and patted the beauty’s cheek. “I will help with renaming the mountain.”

This mountain spirit wanted to change the mountain’s name.

The women smiled and thanked Ma Yanshan.

Ma Yanshan walked out of the tavern. He put his fingers to his lips and whistled. A horse ran over.

He got on and rode off.

Near the temple, there was a young man sitting on a tree, looking at the tavern. He watched the man leave.

He stood up. The place was wide open and he could see everything. It was like he was in the center of the universe.

“It is nothing but a cage. Eternal life is the price of living forever.”

He flashed.

The beauty was closing the shop when she looked over at the young man. She smiled. “I am sorry, but the store is closed.”

The young man said, “Since the store is open, let’s do business.”

The women frowned. If she could tell how strong the man was, she wouldn’t be so happy. She forced a smile. “The tavern is small, but the alcohol is expensive.”

The young man said, “It doesn’t matter. Just put it on Ma Yanshan’s tab.”

The women was tense. There were things that couldn’t be controlled.

The young man walked towards the tavern, and as he did so, the woman was unable to contact the deity.

The young man passed by the woman and put her around the arm. He didn’t want to waste too much time and pushed her into the store. He sat down and said, “Hurry and get the most expensive alcohol, the older the better!”

The beauty was scared. “May I know who you are?”

“I was lucky and shared a last name with the Ma family.”

The young man smiled, “Since you are on such good terms with my younger brother, just call my name. Ma Ku Xuan.”

Song Yu was scared.

Ma Ku Xuan asked, “Or am I going to have to cook for you?”

As the mountain deity was cooking the alcohol, Ma Ku Xuan was staring down the road.

Had he not come to Yuxuan, they might have been collecting his body.

It was interesting, his home was far away from here.

Hate turned old, and the traveler went further and further away.

It was like a pot of wine. It was placed on the table and no matter if you wanted it or not, you had to drink. Those that drank died, and those that didn’t lived.

—