Old Affairs of Cold Mountain County

The third day of the third month.

Above Cold Mountain County, within Changle Residence.

"How has your wife been lately?" Changle Marquis suddenly asked.

Fang Xun was visibly startled. Cold sweat immediately streamed down his back as he nodded repeatedly. "Thank you for Your Ladyship's concern. I have already hired a renowned physician to care for her. She is currently resting in bed and recuperating."

Changle Marquis said blandly, "I heard that the two of you met in humble circumstances and weathered hardship together. Especially now that she is carrying your child... you must not betray her."

"Throughout my life, I have hated most those cold-hearted, faithless men who begin in chaos and abandon in the end."

The smile on Fang Xun's face was even more forced than a grimace. Putting on an air of righteous dignity, he said, "Your Ladyship worries too much. As an official of the Great Qian Court, I ought to serve as an example to the people of the realm. How could I possibly commit such a conscience-deadening, contemptible deed?"

"So long as that is the case." Changle Marquis gave Fang Xun a meaningful glance.

Then she turned to the real matter.

"I summoned you here today because I have a favor to ask."

Before Yu Niang had appeared, Fang Xun would likely have been overjoyed to hear that Changle Marquis needed something from him. Yet after her repeated warnings, those unrealistic fantasies in his heart had long since been extinguished completely.

Before Changle Marquis could finish speaking, Fang Xun immediately clasped his hands and vowed solemnly, "Your Ladyship gives me too much credit! Please, simply give the order. So long as it lies within this official's authority and ability, and does not violate the laws and discipline of Great Qian, this official will brave boiling water and blazing fire without hesitation!"

Yet Changle Marquis did not immediately state her request.

Instead, in a voice as clear and cool as spring water, she posed a seemingly unrelated question. "You have served as an official here for many years. Do you know why this land is called 'Cold Mountain'?"

Having governed this place for a full decade, Fang Xun naturally knew such common knowledge like the back of his hand. He replied, "Because this region is the most yin-ridden land for ten thousand li around. The radiance of the cold moon shines upon it year-round, and its chill pierces to the bone. Thus it gained its name."

Changle Marquis nodded slightly and unhurriedly continued, "Then do you know why this place became one of the rarest lands of extreme yin under heaven?"

That seemingly light question stumped Fang Xun completely. He furrowed his brow and pondered for a long while, but still found no clue. In the end, he could only shake his head awkwardly.

Changle Marquis revealed the answer herself. "It is said that in ancient times, a mighty being fell here. Though its flesh decayed, its yin soul did not disperse. It was the ceaseless erosion of that power over countless years that created the Cold Mountain of today."

"This condensed, undispersing power of extreme yin had already made this place a peerless sacred ground for tempering swords before Great Qian was founded."

Fang Xun had never expected that Cold Mountain County, where he held office, concealed such an unknown secret from antiquity. He was immediately somewhat astonished.

"Ancient times..." Fang Xun rolled those two words over and over in his mouth, a trace of reverence surfacing in his eyes.

After Great Qian was founded, a Grand Historian had written the Book of Imperial Exegesis, recording all manner of events.

But as for the long years before Great Qian's founding...

Whether it was the blood-soaked storms of the eight kingdoms' struggle for supremacy, or the even more distant dark and chaotic age that had lasted for thousands of years.

All writings and records concerning that period of history had been utterly erased from the world by Emperor Gan through unimaginable means.

The people of the world could not know it. Only through the oral accounts of those who had survived from those years could they glimpse a few hidden secrets of the past.

"I came this time because I wish to borrow Cold Mountain's power of extreme yin." Changle Marquis finally revealed the true purpose of her visit.

Fang Xun nodded to himself. Now that made sense.

Her earlier explanation—that she had merely had a sudden whim to come take a look—had obviously been nothing more than an excuse.

Having understood this, Fang Xun immediately composed himself and asked with a solemn expression, "In that case, how should this official serve Your Ladyship and ease your burdens?"

Changle Marquis's voice remained calm and even. "Cold Mountain's power of extreme yin all originates from the fallen ancient divine soul. Yet this Cold Mountain Soul does not remain fixed in one place, sleeping motionlessly. Rather, like a living creature, it has wandered through the deepest reaches beneath Cold Mountain for countless years."

"Beneath Cold Mountain?"

Fang Xun's expression shifted, and a location immediately surfaced in his mind. "Could Your Ladyship mean... the long-abandoned old Cold Mountain mine vein outside the city?"

"Correct."

At those words, a troubled look immediately appeared on Fang Xun's face. "Your Ladyship, please see clearly. According to the county yamen's records, the mineral deposits beneath Cold Mountain were exhausted more than two hundred years ago. The entire mine vein was subsequently sealed and abandoned by the authorities."

"Moreover, it is said that Cold Mountain Great Mine originally belonged to the Xu Kingdom, and after Great Qian was founded, it was mined intermittently for another three hundred years. By now, the underground has been dug into a colossal anthill, tangled and intricate, with depths beyond sight. One careless step, and one may become lost within..."

"If Your Ladyship wishes to enter, this official truly cannot offer any assistance."

Changle Marquis smiled. "You are the governing official of Cold Mountain. How could I allow you to risk yourself?"

Her tone shifted. "Let me ask you this: among the laborers here, how many are skilled at cultivating Cold Mountain Grass?"

Seeing that Changle Marquis had been discussing entering the Cold Mountain mine veins one moment, only to suddenly concern herself with the Cold Mountain penal laborers the next, Fang Xun was momentarily at a loss.

But he had been immersed in officialdom for many years. As his thoughts spun swiftly, he realized something.

"Cold Mountain Soul, Cold Mountain Venerable, Cold Mountain Grass."

"Could it be..." Fang Xun's eyes lit up.

As though she had seen through his thoughts, Changle Marquis nodded in confirmation. "All changes in Cold Mountain originate from the Cold Mountain Soul."

"Or rather, they all originate from that fallen ancient mighty being. Though its soul perished, it did not disperse, and it seeks to use the cold moon's radiance to be reborn."

"Therefore... wherever the Cold Mountain Soul wanders and appears, emitting its aura of extreme yin, Cold Mountain Grass will surely grow alongside it."

"Though the terrain of the underground mine veins is exceedingly complex, like a labyrinth, if we find a group of people extremely sensitive to the scent of Cold Mountain Grass to scout ahead, then follow the traces of its growth deeper and deeper, we can approach—or even precisely track down—the Cold Mountain Soul's true location."

"The people I wish to borrow are those laborers. Once the matter is accomplished, there will certainly be generous rewards."

Without haste, Changle Marquis laid out the entire plan.

The instant their gazes met, Fang Xun's heart, which had only just calmed after the matter with Yu Niang, began pounding wildly again like war drums.

"Rest assured, Your Ladyship. This official will certainly handle this matter properly."

After giving a deep bow, Fang Xun suppressed the wild joy in his heart, hurriedly took his leave from the floating residence, and rushed back to the county yamen below.

Seated at his desk, he knitted his brows tightly. "Those skilled at cultivating Cold Mountain Grass..."

After weighing the matter for a moment, he summoned Sun Wu, the head of Cold Mountain County's laborers.

"Compile a list of all laborers from the past ten years... no, twenty years, who have never missed a Cold Mountain Grass delivery deadline and even had surplus to trade freely."

"This subordinate will attend to it at once."

Sun Wu knew the circumstances of the laborers under his command like the palm of his hand. Before long, he respectfully presented a list whose ink had yet to dry.

Fang Xun stared intently at the twenty-three names on the paper.

"Bring every person on this list here."

Just as Sun Wu was about to turn and leave, Fang Xun suddenly lowered his voice. "Remember, do it privately. Do not let word leak out."

Sun Wu's heart tightened, and he lowered his head deeply.

Thus, an hour later, Li Shun, who had been enjoying a brief moment of peace at his own home, was invited into the heavily guarded rear hall of the Cold Mountain County yamen.

Amid the crowd, he looked at the familiar faces beside him, all filled with terror and trembling.

He fell into thought.