Xu Fengnian and the young girl came to a halt at the foot of a mountain, behind them a sparkling, lively river meandered. The mountain wasn’t particularly tall, flanked by hills that resembled gate towers. At their feet lay a wide path paved with large slabs of bluestone, leading upward.
Xu Baozhao glanced around like a pedantic scholar, “This place, from a geomancy perspective, is decent but not outstanding. According to the archaeological records by Li Mi, the State Preceptor of Western Chu, among the Zhongnan Mountains, Yanhui Peak is the finest, followed by Dahuai Peak, then Chaoyang Peak, totaling seventy-two peaks. Each is either grand and majestic or elegant and refined, all considered excellent in feng shui. Though this place can also gather wind and water, its foundation is too weak—at best, it’s like a sheltered young maiden with limited experience, hardly fit for the grand stage.”
Xu Fengnian began ascending the mountain leisurely, “Save those words for the young sect leader you’ve long admired. Maybe he’ll take a liking to you, and you’ll become immortal partners, envied even by gods.”
Xu Baozhao flushed with anger, “Sect Leader Zhao is widely read, drawing from all strengths to become a master of his craft, revered by all. You may be crude and vulgar, but don’t project your pettiness onto noble hearts!”
Xu Fengnian merely chuckled and let it pass.
The mountain wasn’t tall, so the slope wasn’t long. Soon, they reached a flat area where three thatched cottages came into view.
The girl saw three figures standing side by side, as if awaiting their arrival with great ceremony.
Her heart fluttering, she quickly straightened her clothes and lowered her gaze, cautiously following behind Xu Fengnian.
Those three were beings ordinary folk would consider immortals.
Zhao Ningshen, the current sect leader of Longhu Mountain, robed in celestial attire, was a noble figure beyond the court. Rumored to be the reincarnation of the mountain’s founding patriarch, he alone upheld the legacy of the “First Family of the South” for nearly a millennium.
Bai Yu, the White Lotus Scholar bestowed by the late Emperor Zhao Dun, was said to have once debated and subdued over a dozen enlightened monks from the Two Chan Temples on the Demon-Slaying Platform where the Great Perfected One Qi Xuanzhen ascended. Later, he became the Governor of Liangzhou in the Northern Liang region, a high-ranking official who could have risen further but chose seclusion to pursue scholarship.
Qi Xianxia, hailed as the most transcendent and chivalrous Daoist, once climbed Wudang Mountain alone with his sword and became neighbors with the immortal Hong Xixiang, who later descended south on a crane.
With each step, the girl’s thoughts grew more chaotic until she was utterly bewildered, barely noticing when the White Lotus Scholar bowed to the man beside her.
Zhao Ningshen and Xu Fengnian had been adversaries since the battle at Chun Shen Lake, so there was no warmth between them.
Compared to the burdened Zhao Ningshen and the complex Bai Yu, Qi Xianxia was truly a man beyond worldly concerns, indifferent to formalities. To him, whether a guest came as friend or foe was simply a matter of drawing his sword or not.
Only when Xu Fengnian pressed her shoulders onto a small bamboo chair did Xu Baozhao snap back to reality, leaping up as if burned and offering the three a graceful bow.
Zhao Ningshen’s gaze was inscrutable, Qi Xianxia remained impassive, while Bai Yu, his eyes strained from reading, watched with amused interest.
Xu Fengnian sat across from them and cut straight to the point, “Her name is Xu Baozhao, from the Xu family of Guanhai County. After making the Rouge List, she caught the eye of Deputy Military Commissioner Song Li and had nowhere to hide. If you’re willing, let her stay here as a maid for a few years.”
Zhao Ningshen remained silent, studying the girl’s disguised face.
Qi Xianxia frowned slightly but showed no expression.
Bai Yu joked, “What, run out of room at home? No matter how crowded, you shouldn’t dump a girl in this backwater. And it’s hardly fitting for a lone woman to stay in this remote place.”
Xu Fengnian pointed at the girl, “The state of the Purple Gold Lotus of Fortune in the Dragon Pool of the Celestial Master’s residence—Zhao Ningshen knows exactly how it’s thriving, all thanks to her. Whether you take her in is up to you.”
Bai Yu leaned forward, squinting, “Let me see. Hard to believe there’s still someone so blessed by heaven’s fortune in this world.”
The “blessed one” in Bai Yu’s words referred to those favored by the world’s qi, unique and extraordinary.
Zhao Ningshen shook his head, “Fortune and calamity are intertwined. Sudden great fortune is like oil on fire—not necessarily a blessing. This extra fortune is something Longhu Mountain dares not claim.”
Bai Yu waved a hand, “No rush. Even if we refuse, let me find a flawless excuse first. Otherwise, our hard-built bluestone path and three cottages might be ruined in an instant.”
Xu Fengnian gave a thumbs-up, “Spoken like a true former governor.”
Only then did Xu Baozhao snap out of her daze, whispering, “You really know Sect Leader Zhao and the White Lotus Scholar?”
Xu Fengnian leaned back in his bamboo chair, “Know them, but not well.”
Xu Baozhao couldn’t stand his lazy demeanor, glaring, “At least sit properly!”
Bai Yu burst into laughter.
Xu Fengnian smirked, “This young lady admires Sect Leader Zhao and the White Lotus Scholar immensely. She’s been singing your praises all the way here.”
Xu Baozhao’s ears turned red as she clutched her sleeves, too embarrassed to look up.
Xu Fengnian stopped teasing and got serious, “Have you heard of the four oddities of the martial world?”
Bai Yu nodded, “Rumors, yes. A mysterious rouge monk who preaches Buddhism in brothels. A Southern Dragon-Painting Daoist who drew thirty thousand dragons, legend says one came alive when he dotted its eyes. The so-called ‘Auspicious Talisman Spring Welcomer,’ who claims to have created the Crimson Armor and seems ageless. And the strangest—a child who ascended Wudang Mountain alone two years ago on a snowy night and led away the green ox of the former sect leader, Hong Xixiang.”
Bai Yu chuckled, “I’d add this girl to the list, making the Purple Gold Lotus of Fortune bloom so abundantly.”
Xu Fengnian pressed, “Any conclusions?”
Bai Yu countered, “What’s it to you?”
Xu Fengnian replied, “In times of drought, receding waters reveal not just stones but ancient creatures lurking below. I don’t care about their origins or who planted them. I just want to know if they’ve truly severed ties or might reopen the gates.”
Bai Yu said bluntly, “A Celestial Master’s residence without ascended immortals—is it still the Celestial Master’s residence? So your question could be asked of anyone—Wudang’s current leader Han Gui, the Nanhai Guanyin Sect, even the First Sage Fu Fu or the Liyang Imperial Observatory. But asking Longhu Mountain is inappropriate.”
Zhao Ningshen asked gravely, “You suspect the child who took the ox is one of our reclusive patriarchs?”
Xu Fengnian smiled, “Talking to smart people saves effort.”
Zhao Ningshen said calmly, “If I say no, would you believe me?”
Xu Fengnian shook his head, “Whatever you say, I won’t believe it.”
Zhao Ningshen smiled faintly, “Then why ask?”
Xu Fengnian gave an unexpected answer, “Business is just haggling—you name a price, I counter…”
The girl gritted her teeth, “Xu, I’m not merchandise! And even if I were, I’m not yours!”
Xu Fengnian slapped his forehead, sighing, “Stuck with such a fool, I’m out of ideas.”
Zhao Ningshen closed his eyes as if meditating.
Qi Xianxia suddenly asked, “Girl, would you like to learn the sword? Your temperament suits my path. I’d like to take you as my disciple.”
The girl blurted, “How did you see my temperament?”
Qi Xianxia pointed casually at a humble cottage behind him, “The peachwood sword inside rejoiced at your presence, as if meeting an old friend.”
The Dao is ineffable, mysterious beyond words.
The girl hesitated, then glanced at the indifferent face beside her.
Taking a deep breath, she said, “Alright! Do I need to perform a formal ceremony?”
Qi Xianxia shook his head, smiling, “No need. You don’t even have to call me master. Let it flow naturally.”
Xu Fengnian stood and left without a word, descending the mountain as silently as he’d come.
The girl bit her lip, her back turned to him, her expression somber.
Bai Yu looked puzzled. Zhao Ningshen murmured, “He’s finally sensed the grand game of slaying the dragon.”
Bai Yu sighed, “Entangled endlessly—what’s the point?”
Zhao Ningshen concluded cryptically, “As long as he lives, neither heaven nor earth will rest easy.”
Bai Yu stood, watching the vanished figure, muttering, “But have you considered—he’s never lost in his life.”
Zhao Ningshen said flatly, “That’s precisely the problem.”
The girl understood none of it. In her heart, she felt an inexplicable loss.
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