Before his departure from Dragon-Tiger Mountain, the Crown Prince had left behind three calligraphic plaques for the Taoist monastery—one central and two side plaques. The wood was old peach timber cut from the mountain. Elder Celestial Master Zhao Xituan was so delighted that he stood at the gate for a long time, rubbing his hands in glee. The central plaque bore the inscription “Dao Accordant with Kunlun,” while the east plaque read “Abode of Immortals,” and the west plaque “Najia Zhoucheng.” Though the calligraphy might not match the exquisite brushwork of renowned literary masters throughout history who had visited Dragon-Tiger Mountain, its bold spirit was second to none. Truth be told, the small Free and UnfetteredTemple originally wasn’t worthy of hanging these three plaques. Yet since the young prince had written them joyfully and Elder Master Zhao had found them pleasing to the eye, they disregarded any silent disapproval from the Celestial Mansion. Grinning, Zhao Xituan flattered, “My Ancestor once said that plaques are the eyebrows of a family. Beautiful handwriting without spirit is merely decorative. Only when the brush captures the soul does it command the world. Your Highness, this gift is beyond words. I shall surely sneak a Dragon Serpentfrom the Dragon Pool tonight and send it to Mount Hui tonight. Oh, Your Highness, won’t you come to the Celestial Mansion for tea and vegetarian fare? Refusing to enter after passing its gate sounds ill and is not how we of Dragon-Tiger Mountain treat guests.”
Xu Fengnian was about to leave the ancestral temple of Taoism by boat from Qinglong Creek, his younger brother Huangman’er standing beside him, tightly gripping his sleeves. Xu patted his brother’s head and shook his head, saying, “No, I heard Grand Celestial Master Zhao Danping has specially returned to Dragon-Tiger Mountain. I fear we might quarrel and come to blows, leaving you caught in the middle.”
Elder Master Zhao sighed, “Your Highness is indeed considerate. Our Fourth Ancestor once planted a chestnut grove on the mountain. I hadn’t expected you to leave so soon; otherwise, I would have roasted some chestnuts for you to take along.”
Xu Fengnian shook his satchel of hawthorns picked by Huangman’er and laughed, “These are enough. Besides, I heard that chestnut grove is only a few acres, and every year the Celestial Mansion divides the harvest among influential patrons and officials. Your Zhao family itself barely gets a few chestnuts. I won’t trouble you further.”
Zhao Xituan chuckled wryly, “The poor are ignored even in bustling markets, while the rich have distant relatives even in remote mountains. That’s the way of the world. This Dragon-Tiger Mountain sees a constant stream of visitors seeking favor. They say ‘no commoners among our visitors,’ but in truth, they’re all just flattering each other. Hence, I prefer staying in this small monastery for peace. The younger generations in the Celestial Mansion wear their fine robes, which may look splendid, but to me, they resemble mere human skins. Ah, let’s not dwell on this. It’s bad luck. Your Highness, let me see you off. Leave Huangman’er in my care. I’ll ensure no one dares bully my disciple. When Huangman’er defeats the spirit beast on the Demon-Slaying Platform, I’ll personally send him back to Beiliang. But I must make something clear to Your Highness: Huangman’er was born with King Kongbody, beyond mere extraordinary talent. Like the young Taoist Master of Wudang, he is a natural Celestial Being. The young Master entered Celestial Phenomenonwithout issue, having cultivated on Wudang Mountain for over twenty years, following the natural course of Dao. But Huangman’er is different—he may easily provoke Heaven’s jealousy. Therefore, when I send Huangman’er down the mountain, I can only guarantee he reaches Mystic Revelation. Among the four stages of cultivation, excluding the Celestial Immortal of the Earth, the progression seems linear, but for Huangman’er, reaching Mystic Revelationalone will suffice to manifest the majesty of the reincarnated ZhenwuEmperor.”
Xu Fengnian smiled lightly, “On Xueping Cliff, Xuan Yuan Jingcheng said much the same.”
Zhao Xituan felt relieved, having earlier worried that the Crown Prince might suspect him of selfish motives in teaching the apprentice to surpass the master. Xu glanced at his entourage—only General Ning Emei of the Fengzi Battalion was present. This elite cavalry would temporarily station at Mount Hui, tasked with inventorying the treasures of Niuniu Ridge. Xuan Yuan Jingcheng’s letter mentioned several valuable items, which Xu had no reason to refuse. Additionally, they were to transport copies of martial manuals from the Wending Pavilion to supplement the Beiliang Prince’s Mansion’s Tingchao Pavilion. With this addition, the Tingchao Pavilion’s reputation as a martial library became even more deserved. Though it had already collected most of the martial world’s scriptures, only the Wujia Sword Tombs and Eastern Yue Sword Pool remained guarded. Another unspoken purpose was understood between Xu and Xuan Yuan Qingfeng: after the fall of Niuniu Ridge, Xuan Yuan Qingfeng, as a woman, had taken control of Mount Hui, but her authority was tenuous. Many among the second and third branches still loyally supported the deceased Xuan Yuan Jingyi and Xuan Yuan Jingxuan. With few loyalists of her own, the hundred cavalry from Beiliang served as a symbolic show of strength, a timely aid. Xu Fengnian hesitated slightly before smiling at Ning Emei, “Among the Fengzi Battalion, those with martial talent who wish to continue training may stay at Mount Hui instead of accompanying the books. I’ve already spoken with Xuan Yuan Qingfeng; they may freely study the Wending Pavilion’s manuals, provided they don’t leak them to the martial world. Remember, you are not subordinates there—no need to grovel—but don’t act too arrogantly either. We’ve taken over their territory, which is already unjust. Take advantage wisely, and handle all matters at Mount Hui as you see fit. No need to report back to me.”
General Ning Emei bowed solemnly, “Understood, Your Highness. I shall not disappoint you!”
Seeing the burly general, whose voice was naturally soft, hesitate as if wanting to say more, Xu laughed, “Speak freely, no need for formalities.”
The general, unflinching in battle but now visibly embarrassed, turned respectfully to the old sword sage, “These past days, your guidance in spear techniques has benefited me greatly. I shall never forget your kindness!”
The old man in sheepskin robes grumbled, “What good is mere gratitude? Your petty skills can’t repay me. Keep it in your heart.”
Ning Emei flushed, visibly flustered. He clearly lacked the Crown Prince’s thick skin. Xu Fengnian ignored the exchange, glancing around. Aside from Qingniao, who was unquestionably loyal, Yu Youwei, playing with the white cat Wumei, was a half-ally. The identities of Murong Wuzhu and Murong Tonghuang were complex. These siblings, prophesied to bring the world to its knees, had shed their greatest burden with the death of the immortal Xuan Yuan Dapan. No longer oppressed by Mount Hui, their spirits had transformed. Even the usually indecisive Murong Wuzhu and the brooding Murong Tonghuang now seemed at ease, as if they were merely embarking on a journey, knowing the Crown Prince would bear the weight of the world for them.
As for Princess Pei Nanwei of Jing’an, after hearing of the battle at Xueping Cliff, she seemed to have accepted her fate. Of the four attendants brought from the Prince’s Mansion, Lü Qiantang had died in battle, and the old Taoist Wei Shuyang would remain to sort the manuals. Only Shu Xiu and Yang Qingfeng continued to accompany him to Wudi City.
Xu Fengnian boarded the boat, sailing down Qinglong Creek. Huangman’er and Elder Master Zhao accompanied him on the raft until the Dragon King River, where they turned back. Xu gifted his brother a tiger-like beast, waved farewell, and sat at the bow, unable to look back.
The female tiger, Baihu, crouched beside the Crown Prince, whimpering softly. Xu leaned against the railing, placing a handful of hawthorns on his lap, tossing one into his mouth, slightly sour.
Among the four siblings of the Beiliang Prince’s Mansion, the eldest sister Xu Zhihu had married into the Jiangnan region. Their mother had passed early, and she doted on the Crown Prince endlessly. Even if she found a beloved husband, she would likely protect her younger brother without hesitation. The second sister, Xu Weixiong, was a genius, feared even by their father Xu Xiao for her logic. Yet she and Xu Fengnian had always been close, though her affection was expressed differently—strict and demanding, pushing him to excel. Among the four, Xu Weixiong was the most stubborn and the most accomplished, though few could imagine that the girl who once clung to her brother had grown into a scholar who dominated the Shangyin Academy. As for his younger brother Xu Longxiang? Xu Fengnian recalled their childhood hunting trips, when they had strayed from the riders and encountered a bear. At ten years old, Huangman’er had torn the beast apart. Each winter, Xu Fengnian’s favorite pastime was holding Huangman’er upside down, using him to write characters in the snow. Often, Xu Weixiong would compose a poem, and the eldest sister would clap in delight. Few knew that the widely circulated poem, “Sword-etched in Snow of Liangzhou,” was not written by Xu Weixiong’s sword, but by the young prince using his brother’s head. And the happiest one then was none other than Xu Longxiang.
The once carefree siblings had unknowingly drifted apart.
A grand ship approached from the Dragon King River, interrupting the Crown Prince’s melancholy.
Xuan Yuan Qingfeng boarded the ship alone, walking toward Xu Fengnian.
Xu Fengnian, chewing on a hawthorn, asked expressionlessly, “I heard your mother leapt from a cliff.”
She replied flatly, “I drove her to it.”
He frowned, “Since the one involved is already dead, can you, Miss, please offer a final judgment to enlighten me?”
How iron-hearted Xuan Yuan Qingfeng must have been, showing no reverence for the deceased. It seemed she had held it in for decades, and if she didn’t speak now, she might go mad. She forced a smile, neither relief nor sorrow, and said slowly, “My father loved her, never asking for anything in return. But my mother likely didn’t know until her death whether she loved or hated him. As long as my father remained at Niuniu Ridge, she had a reason to live—whether self-deception or deceit, she could endure. But when my father died and I took power, she had no reason left to live. So, I, her daughter, decided to tear away the last veil.”
Xu Fengnian shook his head, “I don’t understand you people.”
Xuan Yuan Qingfeng gazed at this Crown Prince, so unlike the rumors, and said calmly, “I don’t understand you either.”
As Xu Fengnian saw Li Chungan emerge from the cabin, he suddenly said, “Hey you, stop hiding.”
A girl clinging to the outside of the bow with her hands and feet leapt into the river and vanished in an instant, laughing, “So what if you’re a Celestial Immortal of the Earth!”
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