Unsheathed

Milling people during the first watch of the night, flickering flames on the second; wandering ghosts on the third, and sneaking thieves on the fourth. Roosters call on the fifth, and a new day begins.[1]

It was midnight, and Burial River was thick with yin energy.

Perhaps due to the killing intent radiating from the cavalrymen of the Yao Clan and their weapons, this menacing yin energy was blocked from entering the relay station, as if there was an invisible wall holding it back.

Yao Jinzhi was in her room, practicing a divination technique commonly known as the Fire Pearl Forest Technique. This was a secret technique from the mountains, yet it couldn’t be regarded as a legitimate or orthodox technique. Yao Jinzhi had coincidentally learned this technique from a scripture library during her childhood, and she had simply treated it as a pastime for the past few years.

She could either toss three copper coins onto the floor to answer a single question, or she could place six copper coins into a bamboo tube before tossing them out and observing which side they landed on to predict one’s future and estimate one’s luck. However, this was hit-and-miss, so even Yao Jinzhi didn’t believe the results too much.

Tonight, she performed divination with three copper coins to determine whether her trip to the capital of the Great Quan Empire would be a smooth sailing one. The result was great fortune.

She then used six copper coins to predict the fortune of the Great Quan Empire’s Imperial Liu Clan.

Afterward, Yao Jinzhi was perplexed as she looked at the copper coins one by one. She couldn’t make sense of the results no matter how she wracked her brain. In the end, she could only chuckle in self-ridicule and remark that it was innately wrong to ask these questions to ghosts and deities instead of the common people.

Yao Jinzhi didn’t dwell on the results of the two divinations any more, and stood up and walked to the window, where she saw Yao Lingzhi practicing saber techniques outside. Further into the distance, she could still see candlelight illuminating that room. There was no need to guess; she knew that it was Yao Xianzhi burning the midnight oil to study military texts.

She returned to her table, thinking that she could occasionally play Go with Mr. Lu during this trip. She could also give a few small and exquisite trinkets to that little girl called Pei Qian. Of course, she also needed to find an opportunity to give that young guest elder of the Imperial Liu Clan a present that adhered to propriety.

As a young woman, she had naturally detected the emotions hidden deep inside Shao Yuanran’s eyes. However, she was purposely pretending that she didn’t understand his feelings even though she had clearly seen through them. She had only spoken a few words to that young Daoist priest during their trip, and she had also gazed at the back of his figure on purpose one time.

In fact, it was quite hilarious that the young guest elder thought that his fake expression of calm and indifference could hide his emotions and fool her. Yao Jinzhi was clearly aware that her “inadvertent” gaze had caused the heart of that wildly ambitious Daoist priest to flutter.

Yao Jinzhi firmly believed that the reaction of one’s heart was far more credible than one’s explanation of a myriad of words. In any case, saying more words didn’t result in being more believable. Whether one listened was one matter, and whether one sincerely accepted the words was another matter altogether. Beautiful women and influential men both possessed innate advantages.

Yao Jinzhi couldn’t help but feel a little dispirited when she thought about this. Why was that person able to remain truly calm and composed when he interacted with her?

From evening until the next morning, Zhu Lian continued to walk up and down the bank of Burial River, waiting for Chen Ping’an and Pei Qian to return.

All kinds of strange things had happened last night, and it had all started with the little girl, Pei Qian, spewing nonsense and claiming that there was a golden bridge above the river. Afterward, Chen Ping’an had stopped practicing standing meditation and asked him to return to the relay station with Pei Qian.

Later at night, Chen Ping’an had suddenly dived into the river, and Pei Qian had surprisingly followed after him without any hesitation at all. A whirlpool had mysteriously appeared in the river, and it had been accompanied by a wave of abundant spiritual energy, causing Zhu Lian to feel a little uncomfortable. In any case, the whirlpool had enveloped Chen Ping’an and Pei Qian before vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. Zhu Lian had only seen the hazy figure of a short woman.

During his time in this world, he had heard the others say that Parasol Leaf Continent was only one of nine continents in Majestic World.

Heaven and earth were boundlessly large.

Cultivators and immortals were profoundly powerful.

In the beginning, there had been a slight sense of despondence in Zhu Lian’s mind. It was as if he were the wealthiest noble of a county city who had suddenly traveled to the capital and discovered that he couldn’t afford anything at all. Thus, it was inevitable that he would feel disappointed and downcast.

However, Zhu Lian had quickly and comprehensively gotten over this. Instead of despondence, what he now felt was a surging sense of fighting spirit and ambition. Even though Zhu Lian was always smiling as he followed Chen Ping’an around and served him, this martial arts prodigy wasn’t delaying his cultivation for even a second.

The three other people from the picture scrolls were no inferior to Zhu Lian. Wei Xian was carefully examining this world, observing heaven and earth from the finest of details. Sui Youbian was cultivating in seclusion and comprehending sword techniques inside her carriage, while Lu Baixiang further displayed his many talents, showing that he was masterful in all of music, Go, calligraphy, and painting.

This was the intangible yet distinct advantage of Zhu Lian, Lu Baixiang, Sui Youbian, and Wei Xian.

Each of them had been the most powerful person in the Lotus Flower Blessed Land at one point in time. As pure martial artists, their mind’s realms were also close to flawless, living up to the notion of “pure.”

However, there was also secret competition between the four people.

They were all striving to become the first person to advance to the seventh tier.

Once they advanced to the seventh tier, the Vajra Body Tier, then the eighth and ninth would no longer be a big challenge for them. It would only be a matter of time before they advanced to these tiers.

Zhu Lian glanced up at the sky, and returned the same way that he had come. He held a pebble in his hand and gently rubbed it with his fingers, and fine dust from the pebble was quickly scattered away by the refreshing breeze brushing past the river.

Apart from their martial arts cultivation bottlenecks, the four people were naturally displeased about the shackles placed on them as well. After all, Wei Xian was the founding emperor of Southern Garden Nation, Lu Baixiang was the founding ancestor of the demonic forces, and Sui Youbian was a sword immortal who had desired to shatter the rules and regulations of the Lotus Flower Blessed Land with a single slash.

That being the case, could the four people truly admire and be loyal to the young boy who possessed the four picture scrolls? Could they truly be willing to serve him? To say nothing of Chen Ping’an, even the little girl called Pei Qian most likely wouldn’t believe this.

However, the four people all had a deep impression of Chen Ping’an thanks to the battle at the border inn.

Zhu Lian tightened his grip on the pebble and murmured to himself, “Judging by Chen Ping’an’s current attitude, Lu Baixiang is most likely the person who revealed the truth first. Perhaps it’s because of this that the relationship between them is so close and relaxed?”

————

After drawing the Sword Suppressing Talisman which possessed an astonishing talismanic core, Zhong Kui had quickly left the Burial River along with his teacher. The fortunes of mountains and rivers gradually stabilized in Green Roving Residence, and the young maidservant also returned to the large hall with Pei Qian.

Just then, Pei Qian had run outside the hall and tossed the handful of Burial River’s water essence back into the spirit wall. However, the wafting incense smoke on the spirit wall had instantly become disorderly and chaotic, and the gushing water in the river had started to churn in a tumultuous manner as well. It was as if the river were about to burst out from the wall and flood the entire Green Roving Residence.

Pei Qian was given a huge fright, and she had exclaimed that she wanted to return to Chen Ping’an’s side. However, including the young maidservant, a water ghost who had died an unjust death in Burial River many years ago, all of the spirits and ghosts had been expelled from Green Roving Residence when the water goddess had channeled her mystical power. Left all alone in front of the spirit wall, Pei Qian had immediately burst into tears, bawling loudly until her voice became hoarse.

Walking back to the hall now, there were still tear stains on Pei Qian’s little face. She timidly stood at the door, not daring to enter the hall. She possessed some level of observation skills, and she knew that Chen Ping’an was discussing proper matters with the water goddess. What would happen if she barged in and angered Chen Ping’an again? Zhong Kui had helped her out last time, but who would step forward and help her out this time?

“What’s wrong?” asked Chen Ping’an, turning around.

Pei Qian quickly ran into the hall and sat down on the chair next to Chen Ping’an. She sat up straight, and there was a hint of grievance and guilt in her voice as she explained, “I returned the handful of water to the spirit wall just then, but for some reason, the entire spirit wall started to shake. Chen Ping’an, I genuinely didn’t do that on purpose. You’re not allowed to get angry at me.”

Chen Ping’an lightly flicked Pei Qian’s forehead and chuckled, “Oh? Even you can become afraid?”

Pei Qian immediately felt at ease upon seeing this. By the looks of it, that frightening commotion most likely had nothing to do with her. Feeling much more confident, she immediately sat up straight, drooling a little as she smelled the fragrance of the wine. Pei Qian had seen many strange creatures, spirits, and ghosts now, and she also remembered the supernatural stories that the storyteller under the bridge in the Lotus Flower Blessed Land had told.

The storyteller had always mentioned how drinking a single glass of wine or eating a single peach from the underwater dragon palaces or immortal abodes could allow one to increase one’s lifespan. Thus, Pei Qian asked in an uncertain voice, “Can I take a small sip of wine?”

Chen Ping’an shot a glare at her, and Pei Qian immediately feigned an expression of realization, remarking, “I’m still little, so of course I can’t drink! Chen Ping’an, how about you drink a bit more?”

The water goddess was extremely amused by the mischievous little girl, and she laughed heartily as she said, “I have quite a lot of one-hundred-year-old Blooming Water Wine in Green Roving Residence, so I’ll give you another pot in a while. As for whether Chen Ping’an snatches it away to drink by himself or whether he leaves a few drops for you, that’s not something I can control.”

Pei Qian was fearless whenever she was with Chen Ping’an, so she feigned a demeanor of maturity as she replied, “I’ll still say thank you if you truly give me a pot of wine, but I’m still little, so I’m not allowed to drink yet. Otherwise, it will affect my reading and learning. However, please don’t be stingy the next time we visit if I’m old enough to drink at that time, or else that will bring embarrassment to your status as a god.”

The water goddess clicked her tongue in wonder as she examined Pei Qian’s appearance. She became increasingly interested in the little girl, and she was half-serious as she said to Chen Ping’an, “She’s so lively and full of spiritual energy, so why don’t you let her stay in Green Roving Residence? I’ll help you look after her, and I’ll also let her inherit my position of water goddess of Burial River in the future. I promise that I’ll teach her everything I know, and I’ll even refine two immortal treasures for her. That way, she can become the most powerful water god in the Great Quan Empire in at most two hundred years.”

Pei Qian hurriedly stood up in panic and fumed, “Please don’t utter such nonsense! I still need to go to Eastern Treasured Vial Continent’s Dragon Spring Prefecture to help put up spring couplets on my old home!”

Chen Ping’an politely declined the water goddess’ offer.

He would definitely feel worried if he didn’t bring Pei Qian with him.

The water goddess didn’t insist on this. However, she genuinely hadn’t been joking with her offer.

She had immediately taken a fancy to Pei Qian’s aptitude, so if the little girl had truly ended up staying in Green Roving Residence, then she would have genuinely given it her all to raise Pei Qian as the next water goddess. Not only that, but she would have also crafted two immortal treasures for her, two weapons specifically.

In fact, the water goddess would have even gone as far as to yield to the Great Quan Empire and Great Subduing Academy’s demands in order to elevate her Green Roving Residence to Green Roving Palace. At that time, she could charge over to slay the great demon who had been causing trouble in Burial River for more than two hundred years.

Even if she died with the great demon, this would still be a huge act of virtue that benefitted the nine hundred thousand people who lived on the banks of Burial River. She could live up to the sagely principles that she had learned from the Scholarly Sage’s books.

In terms of why she, a water goddess, had taken a fancy to Pei Qian at first glance… This was even more interesting and nuanced.

Having been the deity of this river for many years, the water goddess of Burial River was also someone with extremely good fortune. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have comprehended the immortal mantra that was the cornerstone of that Upper Five Tier cultivator’s Great Dao simply by observing that unvisited and unremarkable stone tablet.

Just then, she had carefully channeled her divine Qi-observing technique to observe Pei Qian, and she was completely shocked by what she had seen. The water goddess could already be regarded as outstanding among those who were fortunate enough to possess Golden Physiques, yet the skinny and tanned little girl standing in front of her was surprisingly even more outstanding.

Pei Qian possessed a top-notch Golden Physique that had an incredible affinity with becoming a deity. To put things simply, it would be an enormous waste of Pei Qian’s Golden Physique if she didn’t become a mountain goddess or a river goddess who enjoyed offerings of incense. Even sages would sigh in grief.

The so-called Golden Physique was a bit similar to the concepts of innate sword talents for sword cultivators and innate Bodhisattvas for Buddhists. People with such physiques and innate affinities would be uniquely blessed, allowing them to advance in leaps and bounds along a certain Great Dao.

Those who possessed Golden Physiques would often be short and skinny, yet their bones would be extremely tough and sturdy. There was a physiognomy technique that allowed the user to assess the strength and mass of someone’s bones. Among the myriad physiques in the world, the Golden Physique would cause one to develop some of the heaviest bones.

Apart from having some of the heaviest bones, those with a Golden Physique would also possess a strong temperament, be prone to impatience, and display resoluteness when killing enemies. The last part was especially so because the metal element of the Five Elements represented coldness and killing intent. As a result, those who possessed a Golden Physique would also have innate might and dignity, so they were the perfect choices for official positions and military positions.

However, even though the water goddess’ judgment was already very astute, it was still not quite good enough.

The extraordinary nature of Pei Qian’s physique and talent had already surpassed the level of the Five Elements. Because of this, Zhu Lian also felt like Pei Qian was a martial arts prodigy when he looked at the little girl. In fact, while purchasing those ancient copper coins before, even Yao Jinzhi had pondered for a moment and felt like Pei Qian was perhaps a divination prodigy. The little girl could most likely achieve double the results with half the effort if she studied divination with her.

Only Noble Scholar Zhong Kui was able to see a more complete and in-depth picture.

However, it was a pity that Pei Qian had come across Chen Ping’an, a young boy who didn’t explain any principles to her. In terms of martial arts or Qi refinement? Pei Qian didn’t even need to dream about these things.

The mischievous little girl was traversing mountains and crossing rivers with Chen Ping’an now, and she would already be ecstatic as long as she could slap that extremely valuable talisman on her forehead, the talisman that was worth as much as a large residence. With that talisman on her forehead, even walking for a long distance wouldn’t make her tired anymore.

There was always one matter to subdue another matter—the relationship between Chen Ping’an and Pei Qian was perhaps a good example of this principle.

Regardless of whether Pei Qian studied martial arts with Zhu Lian or remained in Green Roving Residence to become the next water goddess of Burial River, it would be nothing more than a dream to hope that she would feel gratitude toward Zhu Lian or the water goddess, regardless of how powerful she became thanks to their tutelage.

In fact, Pei Qian might even smack them to death if they had a serious disagreement one day. Not only that, but she would even feel that her actions were justified. If they provoked her, then would it be wrong to kill them on the spot if she were more powerful than them? What else was she supposed to do? Leave them alive to be an eyesore?

It was only when she was with Chen Ping’an that her mindset was completely different. However, Chen Ping’an was the exception rather than the norm.

Even though this was the case, neither Chen Ping’an nor Pei Qian were aware of this peculiar relationship between them.

1. This is an ancient saying, where each watch of the night refers to a period of two hours (一更). The first watch of the night refers to seven o’clock in the evening to nine o’clock and so on. There are milling people during the first watch because some people are returning home from work while some people are still working or studying. The second watch is described by flickering flames because the sky has become dark, yet people have lit candles or oil lamps because they’re still studying or enjoying nighttime activities. The third watch is described by ghosts because ancient people viewed the period of midnight as the period with the strongest yin energy. The fourth watch is described by thieves because this is the time when people are most sound asleep. Thus, it’s also the prime time for thieves to sneak around and steal. The fifth watch is described by roosters because this is the time when roosters call to announce the beginning of a new day. ☜