Interlude: Welcoming Deity Festival

The news of Broken Tiger Stronghold overnight spread throughout Qing Prefecture in no time.

A colossal structure that had dominated the mountaintop for decades, a structure even the Soaring Tower feared, vanished from the mountaintop.

The surviving bandits scattered like birds and beasts, and no one dared to mention that signboard again.

As for who did it, opinions vary, but no one can say for sure.

Only a handful of people knew that the one who made the move that night was a young man in white holding an umbrella.

Fan Yuan did as instructed and cleaned up the mess. Some of the survivors were taken into custody, while others who had committed heinous crimes were executed.

The body was buried in a secluded place.

This incident further boosted the prestige of Soaring Tower.

On this day, Zhou Heng came to Qin Wangchuan to say goodbye.

The blood feud that weighed on his heart had been resolved, and he had no more lingering attachments.

He was leaving to travel and gain experience with Soaring Tower.

When I entered, Qin Wangchuan was standing in the courtyard, holding his sword.

Even before the sword strikes, the mere stance itself exudes a composure and calmness that belies an extraordinary person.

Zhou Heng was so engrossed in watching that it took him a while to come to his senses and remember the purpose of his trip.

"Qin Wangchuan." His eyes shone brightly. "They say that going against the grain leads to immortality, while following the grain leads to humanity. I want to try my luck at going against the grain, and one day become a true Cultivator."

Qin Wangchuan sheathed his sword.

"You're wrong."

Zhou Heng was taken aback.

"What's the difference between 'smooth sailing' and 'bad sailing'?" Qin Wangchuan looked at him. "Every step you take, every experience you have, is your own. There's no such thing as 'smooth sailing' or 'bad sailing'."

He paused.

"If I had to say something, I'd like to give you a piece of advice—"

"Immortals originated from humans."

"Did immortals originate from humans?"

As Zhou Heng pondered these four words, a layer of confusion gradually surfaced in his clear eyes.

He didn't understand what those words meant, but he still kept them in mind.

Before leaving, his gaze fell back on the sword, and Zhou Heng finally couldn't resist.

"By the way, the way you drew your sword just now was even better than my master's."

As he spoke, he even mimicked the gestures a couple of times.

"How long does it take to develop this feeling?"

"Can you manage in one afternoon?"

Qin Wangchuan glanced at him.

"Sure."

You have one afternoon every day.

Zhou Heng stood there, stunned.

This sounds like an agreement, but upon closer examination, it's not entirely true.

But in that moment of distraction, he suddenly tasted something different.

That initial confusion gradually faded, transforming into a bright light in my eyes.

"I see."

And so, Zhou Heng practiced with Qin Wangchuan for the entire afternoon.

They weren't practicing any advanced sword techniques, or even wielding a sword.

It really was just the simplest thing: drawing the sword.

After finishing his training, he packed his things and set off.

That silhouette exuded an indomitable spirit.

The road ahead for a young person is long.

Days passed by like this.

The overall situation in Qing Prefecture hasn't changed much, but the Great Power have inexplicably become much quieter.

Instead, the martial arts world was in turmoil.

But none of these momentous events could affect the small Willow Creek Town.

Qin Wangchuan continued to run the blacksmith shop, forging iron, treating patients, and occasionally being dragged by Qin Zhaoer to try some of the new foods she had made.

One afternoon.

With all the orders completed and no customers around, Qin Wangchuan enjoyed a rare moment of leisure.

A potion of medicine was simmering on the stove, bubbling and steaming. He sat down beside it, engrossed in reading an old medical book, drawn by the aroma.

Qin Zhaoer brought in a plate of snacks, placed it on the table, and spoke as if casually.

"By the way, the town is going to hold Welcoming Deity Festival again in a few days."

"It happens once every three years, do you still remember?"

"Hmm." Qin Wangchuan responded, his gaze not leaving the pages of the book, but casually checking the heat of the medicine furnace.

He knew about the Welcoming Deity Festival.

Although it's called a festival, these customs are only observed in the three neighboring towns in this area; you won't find them anywhere else.

The three towns take turns visiting, once every three years.

This year, it just so happens that it's Willow Creek Town's turn to host.

On that day, the town will select one person to act as a Deity descending to earth and travel from Willow Creek Town through the other two towns.

Wherever he went, every household set up an altar and burned incense. Believers followed, and the crowd grew larger and larger until finally, they surrounded this "god" and returned to Willow Creek Town in a grand procession.

For a whole day and night, the lights never went out and the incense burned continuously; it was the most lively event in the area in the past three years.

Becoming this "god" is a great honor, and there will be a substantial reward afterwards.

But this dignity doesn't come for free.

From the moment he began to impersonate the god, no matter how much others prayed and kowtowed, the "god" could not utter a single word.

"Do you remember those guys picked in the previous years?" Qin Zhaoer pouted and stuffed a pastry into her mouth. "They all sat on the stage looking shifty and listless, not a bit serious at all."

"It makes me angry just looking at it."

Qin Wangchuan assumed she was just being picky again and didn't take it to heart, casually replying.

"The people were chosen by the town. If you're annoyed by them, just don't go to see them."

"That won't do! It's only a big event once every three years." Qin Zhaoer waved her hand, then changed the subject, glancing over, "What I mean is, this 'god' should be someone respectable to sit on."

"You look more like the person sitting on that stage."

"Should we give it a try?"

Qin Wangchuan finally looked up from the book and glanced at Qin Zhaoer.

Now I understand what she's up to.

"No," he answered decisively.

Why?!

"Boring," he said casually. "Besides, not being able to speak for a whole day and night is troublesome."

Qin Zhaoer, however, was not annoyed at all.

She had anticipated Qin Wangchuan's reaction.

Knowing his personality, he would never go out of his way to join in such a commotion.

But so what?

She rested her chin on her hand, glancing at him with a half-smile, and slowly opened her mouth, her tone revealing a hint of smug satisfaction.

Whether you go or not, it's not up to you now.

Qin Wangchuan sensed something was wrong and looked up at her.

"What's the meaning?"

"Hehe." Qin Zhaoer put her hands behind her back, raised her chin, and looked smug.

"I put your name on the form when I registered a few days ago!"

Qin Wangchuan: "..."

"It's too late for you to back out now," Qin Zhaoer said smugly, as if watching a good show. "I heard the list was finalized yesterday."

She abruptly changed her demeanor after speaking for a moment.

She took a half-step closer, tilted her face up, and softened her voice, the last syllable of her words sticking out with a hint of pleading.

"Go ahead--"

"They just want to see what you look like sitting on that high platform."

Looking at her coquettish manner, Qin Wangchuan was momentarily at a loss for words.

After a long pause, he shook his head helplessly.

"There are so many people to choose from in the surrounding towns, it's not necessarily my turn."

"It's not your turn?"

Qin Zhaoer glared and put her hands on her hips. "If they dare not choose you, then their eyes are just wasted; they might as well gouge them out!"

His confident demeanor made it seem as if the matter was already a foregone conclusion, leaving no room for others to disagree.