Peach Blossom Temple

Song Chengan walked down the street.

A fish basket in one hand, a fishing rod in the other, a bamboo hat on his head and a straw rain cape over his shoulders.

The weather was gloomy today. The fish should be biting well.

Well.

Song Chengan was not some seasoned angler. He was not actually sure whether fish bit more readily on overcast days.

He had merely deduced it from the fact that no fish bit when the weather was nice.

"Young man, going fishing?"

Song Chengan heard someone speaking to him.

He looked up.

It was the old man who often fished with him by the river near the docks. The old man was dressed casually today, with several people following at his side.

"Yes, sir. Are you going fishing today as well?"

Song Chengan answered with a smile.

Wu Cong felt somewhat tempted upon hearing that.

"I'm not sure either. I may have something to deal with later."

Song Chengan nodded. "Then please attend to your business, sir. I'll be going first."

With that, Song Chengan left.

"Advisor Song."

"My lord."

Hearing Wu Cong speak, the middle-aged scholar behind him, dressed like an advisor, hurriedly responded.

"Go tell An Ruifeng that I know about the quota. They can discuss it among themselves."

"I won't be attending the meal."

"Wu Da, Wu Er, you two go fetch my fishing rod."

Advisor Song was dumbfounded upon hearing this.

"I'm going fishing."

Wu Cong left as he spoke.

Leaving Advisor Song standing there, dumbstruck.

"My lord, the An family is at the Eight Immortals Restaurant..."

He wanted to say something, but Wu Cong had already gone.

Clearly, entertaining the wealthy merchants of the city was far less interesting to Wu Cong than fishing.

"What did you say? He isn't coming?"

Eight Immortals Restaurant.

An Ruifeng had arrived early with his first wife and his son, An Mingxin, to wait.

The restaurant had also been notified, and a hefty sum had been tipped. The moment Wu Cong arrived, fine wine and good dishes would be served at once.

But upon hearing the message from the Captain's residence, he could no longer sit still.

"Advisor Song, did we do something wrong and displease Lord Wu?"

An Ruifeng was utterly at a loss.

Hadn't they had a perfectly pleasant conversation when he visited yesterday?

Why was he not coming today?

Seeing An Ruifeng's helpless expression, Advisor Song smiled. "This is not Steward An's fault."

"My lord suddenly has official duties to handle today and cannot get away, so he sent me to apologize to Steward An."

An Ruifeng let out a sigh of relief.

"So that was it."

Advisor Song continued, "Oh, and my lord said that regarding your son's entry into the Demon Suppression Division, Steward An, you may discuss it among yourselves. The quota is being given away either way."

"Then many thanks to Lord Wu, and many thanks to Advisor Song!"

Steward An was overjoyed at once.

"Thank you for making this trip, Advisor Song. This is just a small token of my appreciation." Steward An took out several banknotes and pressed them into Advisor Song's hands.

The smile on Advisor Song's face grew even warmer. "Steward An, you are too thoughtful."

Steward An said, "Advisor Song, Lord Wu has protected the people of Spirit Mound for many years, and now he has done my An household a tremendous favor. I would like to find some time to visit Lord Wu again and show my gratitude."

"When would be an appropriate time to call on him?"

Advisor Song naturally understood that An Ruifeng wanted to make up the portion of tribute owed to his lord.

"Tomorrow is his day off, but my lord has a habit of taking an afternoon nap."

"Steward An can come earlier in the day."

An Ruifeng was delighted. "Many thanks, Advisor Song!"

"You are welcome."

By the river near the docks.

At some point, it had begun to rain.

Yet Song Chengan remained motionless.

Still, no fish had taken the bait.

"Another one, around three catties."

Not far away, Wu Cong lifted his fishing rod and said with a beaming smile.

But Song Chengan turned a deaf ear.

Water vapor swirled around him.

At a certain moment.

Song Chengan opened his eyes.

His qi had completed thirty-six circuits through the heavens!

Song Chengan had entered the mid-stage Dao Seed Realm.

"Congratulations, little brother Song. Your cultivation has advanced."

"Little brother Song, you cultivate Peach Blossom Temple's Heavenly Radiance Dao Qi, don't you?"

Song Chengan turned around.

At some point, Wu Cong had come to stand beside him, smiling broadly.

He was dressed exactly like Song Chengan, with a straw rain cape over his shoulders and a bamboo hat on his head.

Song Chengan rose and cupped his fists.

"This junior, Song Chengan, pays his respects to Captain Wu!"

Wu Cong was somewhat surprised. "How did you know I am the Lingqiu Demon Suppression Captain? I don't remember telling you."

Song Chengan took a token from his robes.

"This junior just found this waist token by the river."

Song Chengan presented it with both hands.

Wu Cong burst into laughter and accepted the token.

"So that's why I couldn't find my token."

"When one gets old, one is always losing things and forgetting things."

He put away the token.

"You are the person Master Ciren recommended to me, aren't you?"

He looked at Song Chengan. "Well? Are you coming to the Demon Suppression Division?"

"You'll receive fifty Talisman Coins each month."

How could Song Chengan not know that this meant it was settled? "This junior, Song Chengan, thanks Captain Wu for his esteem!"

Wu Cong laughed heartily. "I like you. You suit my taste."

"Come, let's go have a drink."

"I caught quite a few fish today. There's an old fellow at the docks who cooks fish well. Let's go find him."

"How many fish did you catch?" Captain Wu asked after finishing.

Song Chengan said, "My lord, this junior fishes merely for the pleasure of it. I do not care whether I catch anything."

Wu Cong glanced at Song Chengan's fish basket.

The smile on his face grew even broader. "Why are there so many loaches in here?"

Heh heh.

Song Chengan said nothing.

"Five champions!"

"Six sixes bring good fortune!"

In an alley by the docks.

There stood a small two-story tavern.

The moment Wu Cong entered, an old man came forward to greet him.

"Brother Wu, quite the catch today."

Wu Cong chuckled. "Just luck."

"Take them and make a fish stew. This little brother and I will have a few drinks."

"Certainly. I'll throw in two drinking dishes as well."

"Brother Fu is generous!"

"The first floor is a bit noisy. Let's go upstairs."

The second floor.

Song Chengan and Wu Cong found a seat by the window.

"I never expected to see Peach Blossom Temple's Heavenly Radiance True Qi on you."

"Peach Blossom Temple?"

Song Chengan found the name somewhat strange when he heard it.

It was his first time hearing this name.

It seemed to be the origin of the Heavenly Radiance True Qi he cultivated.

But he had learned this True Qi from Boss Bai.

"It is a Daoist Temple outside the city."

"There is an old peach tree at its entrance, hence the name."

"There used to be several Daoists in the temple, but they are all gone now."

"I never met them either. I only heard a few things about them."

"Where did you learn this True Qi?"

Song Chengan said, "By a fortunate coincidence, this junior obtained a Daoist scripture and practiced according to it on my own."

Wu Cong nodded.

He did not continue asking where the Daoist scripture had come from.

"It can be considered karmic affinity."

"What a pity about Peach Blossom Temple. They were a group of true Daoists."

"Still, you learned this Dao Qi and carry righteousness in your heart. In another sense, they have someone to carry on their legacy."