Li Chungan’s audacity in cursing the Celestial Temple would be seen by outsiders as the fearless bravado of an old sword immortal. Especially after crossing the threshold into the realm of a land-bound immortal, his confidence was unshakable. He could easily be viewed as a swordsman-sage of the Dao. However, if Xu Fengnian were to utter such words, the tone would drastically change. Two mighty martial artists, one standing atop the Snowy Terrace of Gu Niu Ridge and the other at the sacred Dragon-Tiger Mountains, even a verbal duel between them would be a spectacle of elegance and might. What business did a mere prince, whose martial skills were nothing but show, have inserting himself into such a confrontation? Xu Fengnian could already imagine the entire martial world laughing at this grand joke for a long time to come.
Xuan Yuanqingfeng, who had been scheming with the prince and found herself at a disadvantage, could barely conceal her delight at his predicament. Her spirits lifted, she no longer seemed so lifeless and pale, no longer like a ghost drained of vitality. Xu Fengnian shot her a glare and walked ahead toward the mansion atop Gu Niu Ridge, followed closely by Xu Longxiang and Qingniao.
Xuan Yuanqingfeng hesitated briefly before proceeding slowly in the rain alongside Huang Fofu and Hong Biao. Hong Biao wore a blank expression, while Huang Fofu was deep in thought during the short journey. Glancing sidelong at the second-ranking guest martial artist, Huang recalled the reputation Hong had earned—his integrity and noble character were rare traits indeed. As a guest master of Huishan from humble origins, Hong never showed arrogance toward those above him, and thus earned the respect of Xuan Yuanjingyi, who treated him with the honor due to an eagle being trained, not a dog kept as a pet. Toward those beneath him, Hong was never condescending, always willing to share his martial wisdom without prejudice or exclusivity.
Yet, despite Xuan Yuanjingcheng’s covert support for Hong over the years, it had been Xuan Yuanjingyi who originally brought him into Huishan. And now, on this Snowy Terrace, Hong had turned against his benefactor and joined Xuan Yuanqingfeng in slaying him. Huang had been deeply shocked when he learned of this. Such a betrayal could ruin Hong’s reputation in an instant, and he might even be branded as a man with a treacherous heart. Huang Fofu allowed himself a cold chuckle. Was this not a potential weakness? If Hong Biao could betray the second house today, what was to stop him from betraying the new master of the main house tomorrow?
Hong Biao suddenly spoke, his tone calm but firm. “There is something I must clarify with Miss Xuan.”
Xuan Yuanqingfeng gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.
Hong continued, “Before I came to Huishan, I had secretly been invited by Brother Jingcheng. Without that invitation, I would never have dared to come to Gu Niu Ridge and risk making a fool of myself.”
Huang narrowed his eyes. Xuan Yuanqingfeng, relieved of a burden, smiled at Hong. “Those years must have been difficult for you, Uncle Hong.”
Hong bowed deeply. “It was only right.”
Then, looking up at the young woman who was now poised to take full control of Huishan, he continued, “But I owe much to Master Jingyi. I beg you, Miss, to show kindness to the members of the second branch.”
Xuan Yuanqingfeng replied gently, “Uncle Hong, don’t worry. I am not the kind of petty woman who would purge the second and third branches for their past influence. Huishan is already in turmoil. If I were to start removing dissenters, the clan would fall apart. I will do my best to pacify the second and third branches, and leave all existing rules unchanged. Guest masters may stay or leave as they wish. Even if they leave Gu Niu Ridge today, Huishan will always welcome them back tomorrow. The grudges of my father’s generation, and those even older, end today. If any from the other two branches provoke trouble, I will forgive once, twice, but no more than that. If they persist, I will not hesitate to act decisively.”
Though Xuan Yuanqingfeng spoke with calm detachment, Huang Fofu felt reassured. He had feared she would become ruthless and bloodthirsty in her moment of triumph, forcing him and Hong into the role of executioners. That would leave him with no room to maneuver, binding him irrevocably to her fate. Though such manipulation was common in leadership, Huang could not help but lower his estimation of her. Governing a centuries-old clan was no small feat—it required strength of will and wisdom, not petty cunning or brute force, which would reduce her to no more than a shrew with a sharp tongue. His greatest concern was that Xuan Yuanqingfeng herself lacked martial prowess. Once Xu Fengnian left, the more thoroughly she crushed any opposition now, the greater the backlash might be later, and he and Hong might find themselves struggling to contain it no matter how hard they tried.
At the entrance of the mansion carved into the mountain, Xu Fengnian stood beneath the eaves, watching the rain taper off as he looked back at the Snowy Terrace.
Xuan Yuanqingfeng stood nearby, tilting her head slightly as she brushed a few strands of hair from her face, silent and pensive.
The rain had nearly stopped.
A clean-faced young boy emerged from the mansion. Bowing respectfully to the group, he said, “Master Xuan gave me four sealed letters yesterday, to be delivered to Miss Xuan, Prince Xu, and the two senior guest masters when the rain ceased.”
Xuan Yuanqingfeng was slightly surprised, while Huang Fofu and Hong Biao wore expressions of solemnity—not shock, but gravity. They had clearly received such letters before. Indeed, the slaying of Xuan Yuanjingyi on the Snowy Terrace had been orchestrated through these very sealed orders, though neither Huang nor Hong had known the other’s true allegiance to Xuan Yuanjingcheng.
Each accepted their letter from the boy. Without a word of farewell, Huang and Hong took their leave and departed the terrace. The two guest masters exchanged not even a single polite remark.
Back in his small study, Huang changed into a fresh robe and burned incense himself. He carefully opened the letter and read its contents several times before tossing it into the sandalwood brazier. He smiled faintly and whispered, “Brother Jingcheng, you have not disappointed me.”
The letter, written on a small sheet of refined paper, contained only a dozen or so words, in keeping with Xuan Yuanjingcheng’s usual belief that brevity was the soul of poetry and prose: *Ask Huang to remain at Huishan for ten years, and he may enter the Fingers-to-the-Mystic Realm.*
Huang smiled, then laughed aloud. “Xuan Yuanjingcheng, you want me to serve your daughter for ten years? If you say it will lead me to the Fingers-to-the-Mystic, then twenty years I shall wait!” After his laughter faded, he resolved to stay on Gu Niu Ridge for another decade, certain that if he had not attained the realm within ten years, another sealed letter would appear to guide him. Some secrets were not meant to be uncovered before their time. Huang sighed, “Brother Jingcheng, truly a Confucian sage. You have stirred my soul.”
Hong Biao had never taken up residence in the luxurious guest quarters of Huishan. Ascending from simplicity to luxury was easy, but the reverse was not. Thus, he had chosen to live in a quiet bamboo house halfway up the mountain. As he opened the letter, beads of cold sweat formed on his brow.
The letter’s message was far less inspiring than the one given to Huang. It was merely a “kind” reminder from Xuan Yuanjingcheng: If Xuan Yuanqingfeng ever harbored resentment toward Hong for killing her father, he could simply say that it was Xuan Yuanjingcheng who had originally invited him to Huishan.
Hong clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles white. He had come to Huishan of his own will, not at Xuan Yuanjingcheng’s invitation. His earlier claim on the Snowy Terrace had been a spur-of-the-moment ploy to ease Xuan Yuanqingfeng’s suspicions. Thus, this letter, though seemingly a kind reminder, was also a veiled warning. Hong took a deep breath and looked out the window with a smile. “Brother Jingcheng truly is a celestial being. I yield in admiration.”
Under the eaves of the Gu Niu mansion, Xu Fengnian gazed at a rainbow arching across the sky, one end resting on the Snowy Terrace, the other on the Celestial Temple, a breathtaking sight.
He opened his letter and paused. The message was brief and to the point: *All that I have learned in this life, Prince, you may obtain by asking my daughter for the* Spring and Autumn Annals *from the Inquiry Pavilion. There is a letter hidden within.*
At the end was a blunt declaration: *If the prince does not betray her, Huishan will not betray the prince.*
Leaning against a pillar, Xuan Yuanqingfeng’s eyes brimmed with tears.
*”Hong Biao has a treacherous heart. Xuan Yuanqingfeng must subdue him by force. Kindness will not suffice. In times of peace, he may be kept. In times of chaos, he must be eliminated.”*
*”Huang Fofu seeks fame. I have made arrangements. He will remain loyal for ten years. After that, if he seeks to rise, others will suppress him.”*
*”I have left a family letter for a Daoist boy of Dragon-Tiger Mountain to deliver to your grandfather. Do not worry about this matter.”*
*”If Xu Fengnian harbors ill intent and grows ever more demanding, seek the fisherman of Yunjin Mountain. That immortal owes me a favor and promised to appear once in the mortal world. If Xu Fengnian stops at a mere hint, he may yet be an ally.”*
*”At Qingming, if your mother refuses to visit the grave, do not force her. If we cannot share in life, then forgetting each other in the world of rivers and lakes is still a blessing.”*
*”On the day you were born, I buried a jar of wine beneath the old osmanthus tree. One jar each year since. Twenty-three jars now. I secretly named it ‘Daughter’s Red.’ Do you like it? Forgive my rambling. I have longed to speak with you for so many years.”*
*”If you have a son, name him Fuyao. If a daughter, Yason. I have spent years poring over ancient texts, yet struggled to find names I truly love. I only hope that whatever path they choose—scholar or warrior—they may live their lives freely. Though the world is vast, we each stand only on a patch of earth no bigger than a footprint. Life is short—just thirty-six thousand, five hundred days. To live it in peace, even in confusion, is the greatest blessing.”*
*”Burn this letter after reading. Remember, remember.”*
Xu Fengnian watched as Xuan Yuanqingfeng swallowed the letter whole.
What a ruthless woman.
In the quiet courtyard of the main house, another woman received a sealed letter. But the paper inside was blank—no words at all.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage