Two years later.
Clouds drifted and thunder murmured, faintly heralding the Awakening of Insects.
The moon was dark, the wind high, and the weather slightly cool.
Spring rain quietly arrived on a gentle breeze.
Its patter added a few more traces of spring melancholy.
Several men escorted a young gentleman through the rainy night, keeping him in their midst.
A longsword hung at the gentleman's waist, and he waved a folding fan in his hand, swaying with every step.
He had fine, handsome features, a face like polished jade, and a tall frame.
His every movement was like a light breeze brushing willow branches.
The Bearded Man at the front suddenly raised a hand, bringing everyone to a halt.
They all reached for the weapons at their waists, their expressions wary.
Not far ahead, someone in a long blue-green robe lay flat on a rock.
His head rested on a pine branch, and he wore a bamboo hat.
The brim hung low enough to almost conceal his face. His chest was half exposed, a thick belt was tied around his waist, and he held a bamboo pole.
"Who's there?" the Bearded Man demanded coldly.
"I've been waiting for you for ages."
Li Ping'an yawned and sat up.
"Zhou Yi, Liu Dalu, Li Lie..."
As he spoke, Li Ping'an took a stack of wanted notices from inside his robe.
"Qi Refining Practitioners with no fewer than five lives on each of your hands. Oh, right, you're the most valuable one."
Li Ping'an pointed at the young man in the middle.
"The Mountain God's son, Li Sanlang.
You're worth three hundred Spirit Stones alone. Waiting here for more than a month wasn't a waste."
The man called Li Sanlang gave a cold smile, like a snake or scorpion.
"Wealth is sought amid