Five Gone, Three Remain

When Fu Nanhua walked out of the house, he saw the delicate and pretty maid sitting on a small stool in the courtyard, holding a handful of corn and feeding the chickens. An old hen was leading a flock of fluffy yellow chicks, pecking at the food.

Upon seeing him, Fu Nanhua smiled slightly. The girl, whether shy by nature or indifferent, tugged at the corner of her mouth as a form of greeting.

After Fu Nanhua opened the courtyard gate, he found Cai Jinjian waiting in the alley. She seemed disheartened. He turned and closed the door. Through the narrowing gap of the door, he saw a face looking up at him. Fu Nanhua suddenly realized that this maid, who should have been a humble girl covered in dirt, possessed a pair of remarkably striking eyes that made her look like a tender green shoot blooming in early spring. However, Fu Nanhua didn't dwell on it; for the young master of Old Dragon City, beautiful women of all shapes and sizes, with their captivating charms, were a sight he had grown weary of.

Walking alongside Cai Jinjian, Fu Nanhua asked, "What's wrong? Did it not go smoothly? Opportunities are often hard-won, and not every pursuit ends in immediate success. Don't be discouraged."

Cai Jinjian was naturally charming and graceful. After her cultivation, her body had been cleansed and refined, making her purer than any worldly woman, like glass. A woman from the mortal world, no matter how stunning at first glance, was ultimately just a mortal shell.

The fairy from Cloud Mist Mountain's expression was grim, indicating her terrible mood. Otherwise, she wouldn't have shown it so obviously. She must have been seething with anger while waiting in the alley earlier and needed to vent. "Someone got there before me. It was one of the local powers from Book Scroll Lake, River-Cutting True Lord Liu Zhimao. There wasn't even room for negotiation. As soon as he saw me, he brought up my sect's Grandmaster to pressure me, a junior. I only managed to say a few words before he kicked me out of Gu Can's courtyard."

Fu Nanhua mused, "Let's talk after we leave Mud Bottle Alley."

Cai Jinjian asked doubtfully, "Isn't all magic forbidden here?"

Fu Nanhua chuckled, "Anyone who comes here seeking opportunities must have some trump cards up their sleeve. For young people like us, it might be different. According to the town's rules, the higher one's cultivation, the greater the suppression. Below the Saint realm, the closer one is to sainthood, the weaker they should be, like a child, right? But have you ever considered that if a powerful cultivator were to risk damaging their cultivation to use their divine abilities, would they truly be weaker than us newcomers?"

Cai Jinjian retorted, "With a Saint here, would River-Cutting True Lord dare to openly attack me?"

Fu Nanhua advised, "We are here to find good fortune, not to make enemies. Even if our lives aren't in danger, it's never good to sour relationships with elders."

Cai Jinjian was not one to stubbornly cling to her point. She nodded, "Brother Fu, you speak wisely. That's a mature perspective."

She wore a pained expression, looking pitiful. "But I'm truly unwilling to accept this. I've already given you ten Cloud Root Stones. If this turns out to be a wasted effort, how will I explain it to my ancestors?"

As they walked out of Mud Bottle Alley, Fu Nanhua and Cai Jinjian felt their spirits lift almost simultaneously. It wasn't simply that the light had suddenly brightened. They exchanged glances, then quickly looked away.

Fu Nanhua, who had been excited earlier, calmed down considerably. He carefully considered his trip to the alley. His alliance with Cai Jinjian had revealed no flaws. His transaction with the young Song Jixin had also been without issue; it was a fair trade that adhered to the rules. Would the Saint, who watched the winds rise and fall and the waters surge and recede here, have the leisure to interfere? So, where did this pressure come from? Could it be that River-Cutting True Lord, whose name he had never even heard before? Compared to Fu Nanhua's deep thoughts, Cai Jinjian's idea was simpler. She thought Fu Nanhua was right, that River-Cutting True Lord had indeed used some divine ability to monitor her. She felt a chill of fear, realizing how fortunate it was that she had only spoken words of complaint and hadn't uttered any harsh threats.

With their own thoughts occupying them, the two walked down the street. The further they got from Mud Bottle Alley, the lighter the oppressive feeling in their hearts became. Fu Nanhua attributed it to the weight of opportunity and fate, while Cai Jinjian felt it was the burden of her family.

Looking up at the archway in the distance, Fu Nanhua asked curiously, "River-Cutting True Lord from Book Scroll Lake? Why don't I have any impression of him? Even though Old Dragon City is located at the southern tip of a continent, the title of True Lord is incredibly prestigious. No matter how ignorant I am, I should have heard of him."

Cai Jinjian lowered her voice and sneered, "What True Lord? He's just a high-ranking True Person in the unorthodox sects. He's the most hypocritical and doesn't deserve the title of True Lord at all. It's just flattery from those who seek favor. Think about how shrewd Emperor Yuanwu was; he naturally wouldn't bestow the title of True Lord upon him. Every position has its place. Granting the title of True Lord to one person could mean it won't be reclaimed for two hundred years. Coupled with the extravagance of Emperor Yuanwu's ancestors, by his time, only two True Lord titles remained, and he wouldn't casually give one to a self-promoting, unorthodox cultivator."

Fu Nanhua realized, "So that's how it is."

Each True Lord stationed in a dynasty could help the monarch gather, suppress, and increase the nation's fortune.

The title of a Daoist True Lord was almost the pinnacle of influence for members of Daoist sects within the imperial courts of secular dynasties, akin to a Grand General in the military or a Grand Scholar in Confucianism.

Cai Jinjian asked casually, "What about that Song Jixin?"

Fu Nanhua replied casually, "That young man? Ambitious, naturally intelligent, with considerable backing. It's just his vision..."

Cai Jinjian smiled, "Isn't broad enough?"

Fu Nanhua laughed heartily, "I wouldn't say it's not broad, just not broad enough."

They reached the archway. Fu Nanhua, full of spirit, murmured, "When the time is right, heaven and earth conspire to help."

Cai Jinjian looked up at the four characters, "Do Not Seek Externally," feeling an emptiness in her heart, a sense of loss, as if the enlightenment she had gained in Mud Bottle Alley had been completely returned to the town.

This made her extremely agitated.

***

Song Jixin's residence was considered a large household in Mud Bottle Alley, with a main hall bearing a plaque and side rooms on either side.

The plaque on the main hall read "Hall of Cherishing the Distant," with no name beneath it. Song Jixin always felt that, judging by the calligraphy alone, it wasn't the work of a master.

The master and servant were currently in Song Jixin's main room. The young man was rummaging through boxes and cabinets, while the maid stood by the door. She asked softly, "Young Master, did the business deal fall through?"

Song Jixin put down a string of bells and sat back in the only chair in the room, resting his hands behind his head and crossing his legs. "That Fu Nanhua from Old Dragon City isn't entirely stupid. He didn't treat me like an ignorant fool from the start. But he's not smart enough either. He wanted to build rapport with me, which is amusing. Later, when I casually tricked him, he revealed his true colors. He thought a bit of pretense and some forceful tactics could awe me with both kindness and authority. He's worlds apart from the unfathomable Mr. Qi."

The maid, Zhi Gui, said, "Ten thousand miles, Young Master, that's a very exaggerated way of putting it."

Song Jixin made a face and said, "Then it's ten Mud Bottle Alleys!"

The young man tossed a bag to his maid. "Look, this is the copper coin mentioned in that secret letter. The guy named Chen next door also got a bagful before. I figured back then that such immense fortune falling upon him might not be a good thing. As expected, it angered those two couples. I think Chen is in for more trouble. Oh, Zhi Gui, let me tell you, the guy who came to our house claimed to be the Young City Lord of Old Dragon City. Judging by his tone and demeanor, he's at least not a complete incompetent. And this jade pendant, he called it 'Old Dragon Spreads Rain.' It must be valuable!"

Song Jixin patted the lovely green jade pendant, which he had already hung on his waist. The young man felt that he had taken another big step closer to being a scholar like Mr. Qi.

Zhi Gui opened the exquisite embroidered bag and asked softly, "Young Master, can we earn more 'copper coins'?"

Song Jixin smiled and asked, "Do you like them?"

Zhi Gui pinched a golden copper coin between her fingers, shook it, and smiled happily, "They're so shiny and festive."

Song Jixin chuckled, "This works too? Alright, since you like them, I'll get a few more bags. These coins, in the outside world, are used as Suppression Charm Coins hung on beams, Spring Welcoming Coins on peach charms, or Offering Coins placed in or held by Buddha statues. However, ordinary people have their customs, and immortals have their sayings."

She smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons, and asked, "What about Chen Ping'an's bag?"

Song Jixin frowned. "Him?"

The maid noticed her young master's unusual mood and carefully put away the copper coins, tied the bag tightly, and whispered, "What's wrong?"

Song Jixin pouted, covered his neck with his hands, and twisted, saying nonchalantly, "Nothing, just remembered some trivial matters. As for that Chen fellow, there's no rush. It's best not to court trouble. As for that bookworm Zhao Yao, he'll probably get copper coins too. He's easier to fool. I'll make sure to get you a bagful."

Seeing that the maid looked a bit strange, Song Jixin didn't elaborate further. Since her young master didn't seem inclined to talk, the girl didn't press him further.

Zhi Gui walked out of the room and into the courtyard. She saw the naturally annoying four-legged snake lying listlessly on the ground, basking in the sun, occasionally rolling over as if enjoying itself.

Suddenly angry, the girl walked over quickly and stomped on the snake's head, twisting her toe fiercely.

The poor little creature let out a mournful cry.

She lifted her foot, and the four-legged snake darted away, scurrying around the yard and repeatedly bumping into walls.

Its own earthy-yellow four-legged snake.

A golden carp that greedily entered the fish trap.

A black loach kept in a fish tank by Gu Can.

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth; three out of five have emerged.

Looking at the four-legged snake with a horn on its head, the young girl grinned, her face full of disdain, "Stupid thing!"

In the courtyard of Gu Can's home, the old man and the woman were still sitting opposite each other. The former held out his palm, his mood not relaxed as he looked at the spreading patterns on his palm.

The old man withdrew his hand and looked up, asking, "Madam Gu, are there many women in this small town who marry men from outside?"

The woman shook her head, "There shouldn't be many. Anyway, on Mud Bottle Alley and Apricot Blossom Alley, I'm the only one."

The old man hesitated for a moment, then revealed some heavenly secrets to her, "A girl's sixth and twelfth year, and a boy's ninth and eighteenth year, are two major thresholds. The former needs to be crossed by oneself, while the latter can still be pushed with external force. After that, there is one more thing, and then there will be more certainty. The wealthier the family, the greater the advantage. Opening the door, entering the hall, and reaching the inner chamber are three stages. The first two steps truly depend on chance and fate, especially the first step. Whether it succeeds or not depends solely on whether God bestows sustenance."

The woman's eyes were full of smiles, "To be noticed by an immortal master at a glance, my Gu Can is someone who can take the first step himself, right?"

The old man said with a half-smile, "As long as children grow up in this small town, it means their roots and aptitude are actually not outstanding. Although your Gu Can is not yet nine years old, he is no exception."

The woman's face instantly turned extremely displeased.

The old man lifted his foot and stomped on the ground, smiling, "Don't worry, good or bad roots are certainly important, but they are not the most important. If Heaven looks favorably upon you, even a stray dog or a wild grass on the roadside can slowly cultivate the Great Dao and eventually ascend to the heavens. The fact that this small town has exceptionally allowed so many outsiders to enter is also out of necessity. A piece of farmland, no matter how good the soil and water, after continuous reclamation, cultivation, and harvesting for thousands of years, coupled with multiple instances of exhausting the pond to catch fish at any cost, will eventually decline and become barren. The feng shui foundation of this place has finally ushered in its last great year. Whenever a person is about to die, their spirit and energy become particularly vigorous during their final moments. Your Gu Can is benefiting from this; the opportunity is far beyond imagination, to the point where it far surpasses those exceptionally talented children of the town before him."

The woman's lips trembled, she tried her best to suppress her surprise, her eyes were watery, and a hint of alluring charm flowed from them.

The old man glanced at her and chuckled, "Of course, don't be too greedy. There are definitely more than just your son who has this great opportunity. To put it bluntly, in the vast East Treasure Bottle Continent, even if there is someone qualified to monopolize this destiny, they certainly haven't been born yet."

The woman cupped her hands over her heart and murmured, "It's enough, it's enough."

The old man thought of the junior female from Cloud Mist Mountain and scoffed, "Busy and worried, only knowing how to seek external things, truly picking up sesame seeds and losing watermelons, utterly foolish."

Then the old man smiled, "That's right, the old fellows of Cloud Mist Mountain never had a broad vision, otherwise, this old man wouldn't have gotten this advantage. To possess a treasure mountain that is almost inexhaustible, one should be rolling in wealth and prospering, yet they have fallen to the point of needing to rely on a disciple to maintain appearances."

Inside the house, the child who had been kicking and punching the door for a long time stood on a stool, propped himself against the window, and pleaded with a pained expression, "Mommy, please let me out, I promise to be good!"

The woman glanced at the old immortal master, who nodded.

Only then did she go and open the door, holding the child's hand as they walked into the courtyard. With a stern face, she said softly, "Xiao Can, no messing around, understand?! Mommy has never hit you before. If you dare to disobey, Mommy will really hit you again."

The child let out an "Oh" and drooped his head, looking listless.

Gu Can moved a small stool and sat down by himself, forming a triangular standoff with his mother and the old man. The child propped his chin in his hands and said, "Mom, what exactly did you say to the storyteller? I couldn't hear clearly from inside the room. Can you say it again?"

The old man exclaimed "Eh," pondered for a moment, then shook his wrist, and the large white bowl reappeared in his palm. He lowered his head and concentrated, his eyes dark and unclear. On the surface of the water in the white bowl, ripples appeared, and occasionally water splashed. A black line swam rapidly around the white bowl, hitting the bowl's wall from time to time. The old man muttered to himself, "Fine, fine, let it be as you wish."

In order to take this disciple, the old man had racked his brains in Mud Bottle Alley before, risking the loss of decades of cultivation, to successfully tamper with things three times.

Once was to make the woman step on dog feces.

The last time was to use a secret technique to make her deeply believe she had achieved enlightenment. If it were outside the small town, it would certainly be impossible. Even a true Daoist True Lord would probably not dare to act like this. But within the small town, Cai Jinjian was no different from a mortal. The old man, at great cost, seized the opportunity.

The second time was the most ingenious, even the old man himself considered it a stroke of genius: making the woman mistakenly believe the grass-sandal boy's kind reminder was actually a cunning act of revenge. At that time, the old man slowed down the boy's utterance slightly, just enough for the woman to catch the detail.

It could be said that no effort was spared.

On the path of cultivation, fellow travelers, good karma and bad karma, separated by a thin line.

At this moment, Madam Gu in the courtyard held her breath, fearing that the old immortal master would deliver some bad news.

The old man tugged at the corner of his mouth. In his peripheral vision, a child tiptoed to his feet and then bolted towards the courtyard gate.

The woman screamed.

The old man, holding the white bowl, stood up unhurriedly and said, "Disciple, I will show you the vastness of the world first, so that you don't mistake the important for the trivial and ruin our master-disciple grand undertaking for eternity!"

The woman's eyes went black, and she fainted to the ground.

The old man suddenly waved his sleeve.

The next moment, the child, who was about to touch the gate latch, stumbled and fell to the ground. But when he realized something was wrong, he looked around blankly, and finally looked up at the storyteller standing beside him, "Where is this?"

The old man clasped his hands behind his back and said calmly, "In the bowl."

The child became even more bewildered, and suddenly heard the old man roar, "Get up!"

The child instinctively stood up and remained motionless.

Gu Can found himself standing on the edge of a cliff, with rolling clouds in the distance ahead.

Then, the child's eyes widened in horror as he saw a giant torso emerge from the clouds and mist, moving slowly.

But it was too large; its complete true form could not be revealed at all.

The child, terrified, was about to take a step back, but was quickly pressed on the head by the old man's palm. He said sternly, "If you retreat now, you will be unable to advance on your cultivation path! Stand firm!"

Gu Can was so scared that tears streamed from his eyes. This unruly child, who had always been lawless, dared not even cry out loud.

The child completely lost control of his body, his legs trembling, his lips quivering.

The sea of clouds in the distance began to churn.

The misty white clouds seemed to be gradually fading.

Then, more blackness appeared in the sky, extremely long and large, like... the little loach kept in his own fish tank, after it had grown immensely?

The child's mind suddenly conjured this thought for no reason.

At that moment, Gu Can was lost in thought and unconsciously took a step forward, extending his slender arm towards the sky.

A head as large as a mountain peak slowly swam into view from the sea of clouds.

The child's eyes lit up, unafraid, and he even waved, shouting, "Come quickly! So you've grown this big, no wonder I always felt like the fish, shrimp, and crabs I put in the fish tank disappeared in large numbers the next day."

Standing behind Gu Can, the River-Cutting True Lord of Book Scroll Lake felt a mix of emotions, a heavy sense of loss and jealousy, coupled with a surge of relief.

Although he himself certainly no longer had such immense fortune, having this disciple was a blessing and made the journey worthwhile!

The old man watched the approaching head with his own eyes and murmured, "A marvel of the world."

Chen Ping'an suddenly told the black-clothed girl he needed to go inside the house for a moment. He ended up squatting in a corner, with his back to her, hiding something in his palm.

After he left, he said he was going to buy her a clay pot for decocting medicine, as the house was lacking one.

After the straw-sandaled youth quickly departed, the girl glanced at the dark corner. An old, worn pot stood there.

And in fact, the girl had very good hearing.

The object in his palm was a shard of broken porcelain, extremely sharp.