Chen Ping'an rose and went to the railing. He gave a gentle wave of the White Jade Lingzhi in his hand toward someone at White Egret Ferry.
River-Cutting True Lord Liu Zhimao, returning to White Egret Ferry, looked closely and recognized the man who had once kept the accounts on his Qingxia Island. That Daoist attire looked suspiciously above his station, but even Qi Tianjun of the Shengao Sect would probably turn a blind eye to it now. Liu Zhimao laughed, rode the wind to Guo Yun Lou, and landed lightly. He cupped his fists. "Mountain Lord Chen's sword challenge today was a sight to stir the soul."
Chen Ping'an slipped the White Jade Lingzhi into his sleeve and returned the salute with a smile. "True Lord Liu."
Earlier, messenger swords from First Line Peak had scattered among the peaks like a riot of blossoms. Liu Zhimao had received a Secret Letter from Chen Ping'an, asking him to come to White Egret Ferry after the sword challenge. There was something to discuss.
Chen Ping'an handed him a flask of Qingshen Mountain Wine and came straight to the point. "I had planned to recommend you to Zhengyang Mountain as Sect Master of its lower sect. But man proposes and heaven disposes. Things changed along the way, so I'm afraid I've made you come all this way for nothing."
Liu Zhimao accepted the flask but did not hurry to break the Mud Seal. Heaven knew whether this was a toast or a punishment. Besides, the words left him lost in a fog. What was all this? He was the Chief Guardian of True Realm Sect, with his name listed near the top of the Golden Jade Genealogy enshrined in Jade Guizong's Patriarch Hall. And he was to lead Zhengyang Mountain's lower sect?