Shu Province, Dutian Prefecture, deep in an alley on the western side of the city.
A secluded residence stood there.
At its entrance, a stooped old man sat crouched on the threshold.
He wore plain clothes, with sparse white hair and drooping eyelids. He looked like nothing more than an ordinary old gatekeeper.
Yet Xie Jinghan dared not underestimate him.
He could sense the powerful strength contained within that aged body.
Xie Jinghan slowly approached and bowed slightly in greeting.
"Respected elder."
The old man raised his head at the greeting, his cloudy eyes settling on Xie Jinghan.
After a long while, he smiled at Xie Jinghan, revealing two yellowed old teeth.
"Where have you come from, young man?"
"I have come from whence I came."
Xie Jinghan replied.
"And where are you going, young man?"
"I am going where I must go."
The old man looked at Xie Jinghan again, silently raised his hand, and passed him an entry token.
"That will be ten taels of silver."
Xie Jinghan promptly took out ten taels of fine silver and placed them in the old man's hand.
The old man accepted the silver and shifted slightly aside. "Go on in."
Xie Jinghan stepped over the threshold and entered the courtyard.
Within lay an entirely different world.
Pavilions and covered walkways stood in an artful arrangement, winding paths led into secluded corners, and flowers and trees flourished.
Qingyi was already waiting inside the entrance. Seeing Xie Jinghan enter, he bowed slightly.
"Honored guest, please follow me."
Xie Jinghan nodded slightly and followed close behind.
They wound this way and that, passing through courtyard after courtyard.
To Xie Jinghan's astonishment, the grounds even concealed a small, graceful green mountain, with jagged rocks, lush vegetation, and tinkling mountain springs.
This residence was enormous.
After