Jade Maiden Peak

The sun had risen only recently, and golden light spilled across the land.

The open space outside the shop was gradually filling with customers coming to shop. Compared with before, foot traffic had increased by about twenty percent. The Incense Burning Room nearby was especially lively: smoke curled up from its cogongrass roof, and many Cultivators had gathered there, puffing clouds of smoke as they enthusiastically discussed all manner of sect gossip and trivial matters.

Looking at the scene, Yang Ning nodded in satisfaction and thought to himself, It seems spreading the news that Demon Cult spies were plotting to target the treasures of the various peaks has helped a little. At least the increase in customers is real!

As he thought about it, a smile crept onto his lips. Holding the gift box, he was just about to head down the familiar path through the Bamboo Forest when a streak of Sword Light shot over from the horizon. The light faded, and a young woman in the uniform of the Law Enforcement Hall landed lightly. It was Xu Yinyin.

The moment Xu Yinyin saw Yang Ning, an unmistakable burst of delight flashed in her eyes.

She immediately steered her Flying Sword to a steady stop in front of Yang Ning. With an excited smile, she asked brightly, "Boss! You're out so early. Where are you headed?"

Just as he was about to head down the path through the Bamboo Forest, a woman came flying over on her Flying Sword. The moment Xu Yinyin saw Yang Ning, delight flashed in her eyes.

She immediately guided her Flying Sword to a slow stop in front of Yang Ning and asked excitedly, "Boss, where are you going so early?"

Yang Ning held the gift box. "I'm going to deliver something."

"Really?" Xu Yinyin scratched her head awkwardly and explained, "Boss, I'm sorry! I don't know what came over my master yesterday. She usually only teaches me techniques for two hours, but yesterday she insisted on making me practice swordsmanship all day! She broke more than ten of the wooden practice swords at our Training Ground! So... so I really couldn't get away to come help out yesterday..."

"Really?" Xu Yinyin scratched her head sheepishly. "Boss, I don't know what came over my master yesterday. She normally only teaches me techniques for two hours, but yesterday she made me practice swordsmanship all day. She broke more than ten of the wooden practice swords at our Training Ground. So I didn't manage to come by yesterday..."

Yang Ning nodded. "It's fine. I told you before, just come by when you have time. Cultivation comes first; there's no need to apologize."

"Mm-hmm!" Xu Yinyin nodded vigorously, her smile blooming anew.

"By the way, I'm heading out to make a delivery," Yang Ning instructed her. "We've had quite a few new customers come into the shop today. Since you're here, help keep an eye on things."

"Sure! Leave it to me!" Xu Yinyin instantly perked up, patting her chest as she promised, "Boss, don't worry. I'll take good care of... take good care of your shop!"

Yang Ning frowned and muttered under his breath, "Why does that sound... kind of strange?"

He didn't dwell on it. After carefully explaining where the various goods were displayed and giving her their approximate prices, he turned and left with the gift box in his arms.

Xu Yinyin immediately put away her Flying Sword and hurried into the shop. She deftly pulled open the drawer beneath the counter and spotted the gift box wrapped in purple paper, labeled "Myriad Things Come." Though she was a little curious, she didn't think much of it.

She took her own small apron from the side and tied it neatly around her waist. Then she stood behind the display counter and got to work.

Holding the gift box, Yang Ning walked slowly down the winding path through the Bamboo Forest.

Cloudsky Sword Sect covered a vast area. Within the sect were twelve main peaks and twenty-four subsidiary peaks, scattered like stars across the land and imposing in their grandeur.

Since arriving at the Sword Sect and opening the Myriad Things Come shop in the back mountain, Yang Ning's activities had been confined to this little patch of the back mountain. He had never visited anywhere else.

Only after becoming an Advisor to the Law Enforcement Hall had he made a trip to the hall on Purple Cloud Peak.

As for Jade Maiden Peak, where Yang Ning was headed today, it was an exceptionally unique place within the Cloudsky Sword Sect.

Jade Maiden Peak was divided into inner and outer sections. The outer sect was at the foot of the mountain, a mixed bag of people: male disciples responsible for various menial duties, as well as female disciples whose cultivation was still shallow.

The male outer sect disciples there were mainly responsible for handling the peak's various chores, such as raising spirit beasts and carrying supplies dispatched by the sect from the Mountain Foot. The Undercover Agent from Jade Maiden Peak who had been caught earlier was one such male disciple, assigned to feed spirit pigs at the foot of the mountain. When Yang Ning spread the news, he had deliberately smeared the man as "lusting after the female disciples of Jade Maiden Peak and plotting to molest them."

Jade Maiden Peak's core area stretched from halfway up the mountain to its summit. It contained the Peak Master's sleeping quarters, a library, a training room, a field for raising spirit bees, a garden where rare spirit herbs were grown, and the spirit-pet garden most beloved by Shi Xuanfei. Those who lived there were Shi Xuanfei, Peak Master of Jade Maiden Peak, and the fifty direct disciples under her.