A Young Man's Little Story

After a heavy snowfall, the capital of the Great Quan Dynasty, Mirage City, became a sight of rare beauty.

Mirage City was full of magnificent buildings, with Daoist temples and Buddhist monasteries scattered across it like stars on a chessboard. Its beauty, therefore, lay not in the falling snow, but in the thaw. One had to climb high and look down over the city as the snow melted. It resembled a five-colored Glass Immortal Realm, flowing clouds mingling with brilliant hues, crystal-clear and flawless.

Jiang Shangzhen and Madam Huan Sha entered this earthly wonderland as the snow was melting. But beautiful sights were like beautiful women: they seemed unable to withstand too long a gaze. Jiang Shangzhen had barely entered the city before he lost interest. The woman had worries on her mind and paid little attention to the scenery either.

Jiang Shangzhen had obtained travel papers, naturally under the name Zhou Fei. It was a name blessed with tremendous Good Fortune. Jiang Shangzhen wished he could change his name to Zhou Fei even on the Jade Guizong rolls. Unfortunately, now that he was Sect Master, and with Old Man Xun acting for all the world like a Supreme Sect Master, neither circumstance would permit Sect Master Jiang such childishness. The old man truly had no idea how irritating it was when an old horse clung to its stall and refused to leave.

Madam Huan Sha was attached to Jiu Niang, so she had no need to go to such trouble. She already had the identity of a member of the Yao family from the border army. Her father was Yao Zhen. Years ago, the Old General had dismounted and shed his armor to take office in the capital, becoming the Great Quan Dynasty's Minister of War. Word was that