Choosing a Site

Jiang Shangzhen did not return directly to Cloud Scroll Peak. Rather than disturb Chen Ping'an and the other two as they caught up, he stayed at Yellow Crane Isle and quietly visited the spiral-shell enclave. He settled into a Jiang family residence reserved for honored guests of the Paradise. Its maids and servants were Fox Skin Beauties, much like those of the Qingfeng City Xu family. This Mountain Water Secret Realm shared the Paradise's sky. Jiang Shangzhen took out a string of keys, unlocked the landscape restriction, and stepped inside. When he climbed up to the railing and looked into the distance, the residence's marvel revealed itself at once: a boundless sea of clouds, above which only the residence beneath his feet rose. It was like an immortal family's island suspended alone beyond the sea. Every other residence lay half-hidden among the white clouds, flickering in and out of sight, each as tiny as a mustard seed floating on water. In one hand Jiang Shangzhen held an old, faded cattail fan, its handle sleeved in a length of aged bamboo from Qingshen Mountain. He stirred a gentle breeze with it. In his right hand he held a half-moon teapot fired from green taro clay and slowly sipped his tea, enjoying an unobstructed view of everything around Yellow Crane Isle.

Jiang Shangzhen was waiting for an old friend to come pour out his troubles, but the old boatman had yet to show himself. Jiang Shangzhen was nothing if not patient. With time to spare, though, he needed something to do. So, while murmuring "Do Not Look At Improper Things," he let his gaze wander and used Palm Views Mountains and Rivers. First he found the residence where Huang Yiyun was staying alone. Worried that Yellow Crane Isle's hospitality might have fallen