Farewell

Three days earlier, Bright Governance Mountain.

"So, you want to go to the Southern Wastes?"

Master Su Kong sat serenely in the bamboo pavilion and asked in an even tone.

Yunqi answered yes.

"The Southern Wastes are no peaceful place. Have you thought this through?"

Yunqi nodded. As the saying went, when the earth unleashed murderous intent, dragons and serpents rose onto land. To travel and gain experience, naturally one had to visit unsettled places. Going to Suzhou, Hangzhou, or Jinling would not be a journey of cultivation, but a pleasure trip.

"The Southern Wastes are a riot of dancing demons. Those fiends are savage and cultivate no hidden virtue. A single disagreement can turn into a fight to the death, and they think nothing of scattering souls and destroying bodies. Once you get there, put caution first in everything, and do not become too close to anyone."

Knowing his teacher meant to offer guidance, Yunqi bowed with clasped hands and assented.

"Your mental power ranks among the best of those at your stage, so you should have no trouble with the lesser fiends. Continue visualizing the Star Officer of Hairy Head Sun day and night. The Southern Wastes are a land of miasma, teeming with insects and snakes, and the Star Officer is precisely the bane of such sinister, chilling things.

"Also, there is a mountain on the border between the Southern Wastes and the Miao Borderlands called Heavenly Cry Mountain, where the Golden Chicken Clan lives. They aspire to the Dao and practice pure yang methods. You could pay them a visit. It might help you grasp the divine essence of the Star Lord in your visualization.

"Oh, and the Southern Wastes lie southwest of Yu Zhang. You can travel through Three Xiang. You would do well to visit western Xiang, too. It is an excellent place for corpse nourishing. Go and have a look."

At this, Daoistess Sukong changed the subject. Looking at Yunqi, she earnestly instructed him, "The Corpse Nourishing Art belongs to the great Dao of yin and yang. It is an orthodox Daoist practice and one of the fundamental traditions of Bright Governance Mountain, a method that leads directly to becoming a heavenly immortal. You must not dismiss it."

Yunqi would never dismiss it, and repeatedly assured her that he would not.

Daoistess Sukong looked at Yunqi, seemingly still uneasy, and patiently offered another explanation.

"When the arts of longevity and the netherworld appeared between heaven and earth, the Corpse Nourishing Art came into being. The cultivator and the deceased are yang and yin respectively. As their vital energies circulate in turn, the two poles unite in harmony, and yin and yang nourish one another. Cultivate the Corpse Nourishing Art to its utmost, and the deceased will develop intelligence and may become a corpse immortal. Once that corpse immortal awakens the wisdom of past lives, they too achieve transcendence. This is the great Dao of creation."

As she spoke, Sukong tossed him a jade slip. "This records the methods of identifying, nourishing, and controlling corpses. Keep it with you and study it carefully."

Yunqi accepted the jade slip and nodded his assent, but inwardly he found it very strange. His teacher seemed quite anxious for him to learn the Corpse Nourishing Art, almost as though she feared he would refuse.

Seeing Yunqi put the jade slip away, Master Su Kong seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Then she turned her palm over, producing a tiny bamboo basket no larger than a fist. Judging by its color, it seemed to have been woven from purple bamboo, and its workmanship was exquisite.

Daoistess Sukong gently extended her hand, and the purple bamboo basket floated into the air, slowly settling before Yunqi.

Yunqi caught it with both hands. The basket felt cool to the touch, its bamboo strips glossy. Its overall shape resembled a mortal cricket basket, with gaps in the weave and a lid. It was also heavier than he had expected. Clearly something lay inside, and through the gaps he could glimpse a mottled black-and-gold color.

"Just tip it into your palm and have a look."

At her words, Yunqi opened the lid and tipped out its contents. The youth was curious, too. Could it really be a cricket? Was Teacher giving me something to relieve my boredom on the road?

When the object landed in his palm, Yunqi could not help letting out a startled cry.

What a beautiful rhinoceros beetle!

The beetle was two inches long, its body like a piece of black jade, gleaming darkly without a trace of any other color. Only the wings on its back shone gold, though their veins were black. Those two colors together made it extraordinarily beautiful.

Its most unusual feature was its horn, which was longer than its body and curved slightly upward, with a fork at the end forming a T shape.

"What is this?"

Yunqi could not help asking.

"This insect is called a One-Horned Rhinoceros Golden Beetle. It belongs to the metal element, devours iron and gold, and possesses peerless strength. Metal is the essence of earth, so this beetle can both take wing and burrow through the ground. It is also an expert at controlling corpses, a famously ferocious insect that ranks very high on the Miao Borderlands' Spirit Insect Ranking. Two hundred years ago, a Rhinoceros Golden Beetle ascended and called himself the One-Horned Immortal. That one rode a dragon corpse into the heavens."

Master Su Kong explained at an unhurried pace.

Holding the beetle, Yunqi could scarcely believe it. This little insect had such power?

"As for the one in your hand, it is a juvenile, and dead. I dug it out of the earth in my younger days."

Sukong added this qualification.

Yunqi breathed a sigh of relief at that. That was more like it. Only after hearing Sukong's explanation did he realize that the insect had not moved at all and was as cold as chilled iron. Of course it was dead.

"But even a dead tiger retains its awe. Though this insect is dead, if you carry it with you, the venomous insects of the Southern Borderlands will not dare approach you casually. You can also use its corpse to test your Corpse Nourishing Art. Perhaps one day, when you have nurtured intelligence in it, it will find you a dragon corpse."

Daoistess Sukong actually began teasing Yunqi.

Yunqi chuckled as well and returned the beetle to the purple bamboo basket.

"You can carry it with complete peace of mind. You visualize the Hairy Head mansion, and as the saying goes, fire overcomes metal, and chickens eat insects. The little yin energy on this insect corpse cannot affect you."

"This disciple understands."

"In short, be careful in everything while you are away. Staying alive comes first."

"This disciple will remember."

After taking leave of his teacher Sukong, Yunqi went to the External Affairs Courtyard.

The general affairs, instruction, and kitchen administrators all managed matters within the mountain. Only the External Affairs Courtyard handled matters beyond it. All dealings with outsiders, relations with other sects, journeys of training and exploration, and assignments away from the sect were registered here.

Yunqi approached a counter to register his departure.

"Where do you intend to go, young friend?"

The man responsible for registration was a middle-aged Daoist who looked quite refined.

"I wish to travel to the Southern Wastes."

The Daoist glanced at Cheng Yunqi upon hearing this. The Southern Wastes were the stronghold of the southern demonic sects, standing alongside the Western Frontier Fortress, the headquarters of the northern demonic sects, as a thorn in the heart of the orthodox path. How old could this young cultivator be? Was he already determined to make his name in a demons' den?

"Could you be more specific?"

"May I ask, Daoist, which places Feng Ji Hu of Cuckoo Valley went to?"

Yunqi answered with a question.

The middle-aged Daoist gave Yunqi another look. "I remember someone else asking about him not long ago."

Yunqi knew that must have been Daoist Jixuan. He explained, "We are all good friends. Since leaving the sect, my Daoist brother Ji Hu has sent very few letters back, and we are somewhat worried. Since I am heading out to gain experience anyway, I thought I might see whether I could run into him."

The middle-aged Daoist nodded and searched through the register before telling Yunqi, "Before leaving, he registered his route as heading north out of the sect, then west along the northern borders of Three Xiang and the Miao Borderlands to Dianwen, visiting Erhai Lake, Dianchi Lake, and Fuxian Lake, before going south into the Southern Wastes to see the Li River and Peach Blossom River. It seems he intended to follow the waterways all the way."

Yunqi considered this, then stated his own destination. "This disciple intends to train along the border between the Southern Wastes and the Miao Borderlands. After leaving the sect, I will travel west across Three Xiang and cultivate around Heavenly Cry Mountain, Phoenix Perch Mountain, Rotten Peach Mountain, Hundred Barbarian Mountain, and Peach Blossom River."

The middle-aged Daoist nodded and recorded those places, then warned him, "The border between the Southern Wastes and the Miao Borderlands is very chaotic. Especially lately, Redwood Ridge, the leader of the Miao Borderlands' heterodox schools, has been engaged in a magical conflict with Hundred Barbarian Mountain, the sacred ground of the southern demonic sects. Countless disciples of both factions have gathered there. Be careful."

Yunqi assented and thanked the Daoist for his warning.

"The Golden Chicken Clan on Heavenly Cry Mountain are demon cultivators who aspire to the Dao. You may lodge with them. Also, a hundred li southeast of Heavenly Cry Mountain is a place called Madong Market, where White Stone Grotto-Heaven lies. Its host, White Stone Abbey, is a secluded sect, but they too worship the Three Pure Ones. They once received the Immortal Elder's kindness and have long been on good terms with our sect. If you truly encounter trouble, you can seek help there."

Yunqi nodded repeatedly. This was the advantage of belonging to a great sect: wherever one went, someone would look out for them. His teacher had also mentioned the Golden Chicken Clan earlier, so clearly their reputation was well established. He had never heard of White Stone Grotto-Heaven before, however.

"Over there, you must be most wary of gu insects and miasmic poison, followed by spells that scatter the soul. I advise you to stock up on pills or talismans for curing poison and protecting your soul before going."

Yunqi carefully committed this to memory. "Thank you, Daoist."

The middle-aged Daoist shook his head. "No need for courtesy. Though you should already have studied the rules thoroughly, I must still give you the customary reminders. While away, first, you must not kill indiscriminately; second, you must not act overbearingly; third, you must not divulge secrets; fourth, you should not court danger; fifth, you should not leave someone to die without helping. Will you remember?"

Yunqi bowed with clasped hands. "This disciple will remember."

The disciples called these the three prohibitions and two cautions. Yunqi naturally knew them.

"Keep these two things safe."

The Daoist brought out two objects: a jade worry-free plaque and a jade bell.

He first handed the plaque to Yunqi. "This Worry-Free Plaque is a token of our Three Pure Ones Mountain. Every renowned immortal mountain and great sect recognizes it. If you truly encounter danger, take it to a nearby immortal mountain and seek help. I believe it will work eight or nine times out of ten."

Yunqi accepted the jade plaque. It was a translucent green and felt warm and smooth in his hand.

The Daoist then handed Yunqi the jade bell. "This is a magical implement for calling on fellow disciples. If the bell in your hand rings one day, a fellow disciple nearby must be calling for help. You must go and investigate. If you find yourself in peril one day, the first thing you should do is shake this bell."

Yunqi took the bell and shook it, only to discover it made no sound.

"You must channel clear spiritual magic power into the bell before it will ring."

The Daoist reminded him when he saw this.

Understanding dawned on Yunqi. He channeled the clear spiritual magic power within him into the bell, then shook his hand again. Sure enough, it rang, crisp and ethereal, like jade pendants striking one another.

"Take care in everything while you are away, and return to the sect soon."

The Daoist spoke with a smile.

Yunqi bowed in thanks and left.

After leaving the External Affairs Courtyard, Yunqi returned to his room and pulled a heap of things from inside his robes: a jade slip, a purple bamboo insect basket, a Peaceful Worry-Free Plaque, and a jade bell. He stuffed them all into the bundle he had prepared on the table.

Looking at the bulging bundle, Yunqi could not help smiling ruefully. His longing for void grotto stone grew even stronger.

There was nothing he could do about it now, however. Yunqi compressed the bundle a little more, then left it alone and turned to the two magical conches beside it, one colorful and one white. He picked up the white conch and tucked it into his robes, then pushed it farther down, inhaling and drawing in his belly so that the conch rested against his stomach with its opening facing outward. In a little while, this would be the spot closest to the guqin.

Today, he had arranged for that Green Chi-Dragon to listen to the music.

He Bingkun pulled Yunqi's hand aside. "You are leaving today?"

The man's eyes widened.

Yunqi smiled and nodded. "Right now. Brother, now that you have opened your Water Palace, I have nothing left to worry about."

The youth turned and went back into his room, and He Bingkun hurried after him.

He picked up the large bundle that had sat on the table for so long and slung it over his back, smiling brilliantly.

He Bingkun stamped his foot. "Wait a moment, little brother. I will ask my master for leave and register with the External Affairs Courtyard right now, then leave the sect with you. I have wanted to head out again for ages."

Yunqi smiled at that. "Only those who have made no progress for a long time and keep turning in place want to go out and try their luck at finding an opportunity. Brother, you have only just opened your Water Palace. This is the time to consolidate your magic power and comprehend your new realm. Why go running off now? Besides, roaming the world means traveling alone with a sword. Two people traveling together usually get called the Black and White Fiends. Hahaha!"

He Bingkun laughed along with him. "Alone with a sword-but where is your sword? Cheng Southern Dipper is a famous name on Little Ten Thousand Mountain now, but it is your incantations and talismans that are famous. No one has heard how sharp your sword is!"

Yunqi's face flushed scarlet. Just because he had made the Southern Dipper Ranking, these people called him Cheng Southern Dipper. It was mortifying-there were still four people ahead of him! Not to mention that it was only the minor ranking for the qi-consumption stage. What embarrassed him even more, though, was that he revered Patriarch Lü and aspired to excel in both alchemy and swordsmanship, yet his empty purse kept him from mastering those two money-devouring pursuits. He had never expected to become famous for incantations and talismans instead.

The young Daoist was thin-skinned. Once he had tied up his bundle, he rushed out of the room and casually formed a hand seal, casting a simple Water-Repelling Art. At the same time, the embroidered dragon on his clothes turned into a red cloud. Yunqi pushed off and leaped onto it, then departed.

"Cultivate well, Brother! See you when I return to the sect!"

Yunqi's shout still echoed through the courtyard, but the red cloud had already vanished into the curtain of rain.

Yunqi passed Lord Kui Mountain, but was no longer afraid. He had grown accustomed to this mountain lord. Over the past year, he had come countless times without ever seeing the lord move so much as an inch. He had even sat atop the lord's head to meditate and consume qi!

Curtain upon curtain of rain hung before him, but Yunqi flew faster and faster. Before long, he had reached the sky above Gathered Spirit Mountain, where the sect's entrance lay.

Had he been leaving by the usual route, he would simply have continued forward, but Yunqi chose another path. He descended and easily spotted that bank of cloud and mist which refused to disperse even in the rain.

Without the slightest hesitation, Yunqi plunged into the mist. Strangely, there was no rain within it, only an endless expanse of white and nothing else. Sometimes, when he looked down, even the space beneath his feet seemed to be sky, making it impossible to tell one direction from another.

He remembered his first arrival at the mountain, riding on his Daoist brother Ji Hu's cloud, anxious and uneasy while forcing himself to appear calm. Now, returning to this familiar place, he had his own cloud conveyance, and his heart felt all the freer.

Judging that he was nearly there, Yunqi stopped the "dragon carriage." Standing on the cloud, he formed a seal with both hands. This was not a spell, merely a key.

Soon, a brilliant light flickered before Yunqi. He waved his sleeves to disperse some of the mist and followed the light with his gaze. Looking down, he found that a mirror had appeared before the "dragon carriage." It was a round mirror lying flat in midair, three feet across, with a silver frame. A layer of water seemed to cover its surface.

Yunqi leaned forward and looked down. Every feature and hair on his face appeared in the mirror with perfect clarity.

He took one deep breath in and out, then stepped forward into the mirror.

His outstretched left foot seemed to touch nothing. Yunqi tilted and began falling into the mirror. At the last moment, he beckoned with his hand, and the dragon carriage swiftly became a red thread that clung to his clothes. Just as he finished putting away his cloud conveyance, Yunqi fell completely into the mirror and vanished.

The instant Yunqi disappeared, the water mirror contracted into a speck of light, then vanished as well.

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