Langshan Mountain ran from northeast to southwest, with the Fuyi River flowing alongside it from southwest to northeast. Thus, the Illuminating Clarity Sect designated the place where the Fuyi River entered the mountains as the mountain's head, and the place where it emerged as the mountain's tail.
There was another reason for this orientation. The Southern Wastes lay southwest of the Three Xiang, and Langshan Mountain stood on the Three Xiang's border, so placing the mountain's head in the southwest also signified facing the enemy head-on, protecting the territory and its people.
Where the Fuyi River entered the mountains, the Illuminating Clarity Sect had erected two heaven-propping white jade pillars on the green mountains flanking the river as its mountain gate. Seal-script characters were carved upon them.
The first line read:
Auspicious mountains bear heaven's image; green peaks gather qi and commune with the mysterious feminine.
The second line read:
Fitting waters bear earth's lines; azure waves embrace the void and reveal the Dao's true yin.
Beyond the mountain gate, towers and pavilions crowded the green mountains on either bank, their lofty roofs touching the clouds. Covered walkways and arched bridges spanned the Fuyi River, connecting the tall buildings on its banks, with people streaming back and forth across them like flying shuttles. Bamboo rafts and little boats also plied the great river, speeding beneath the covered walkways.
In short, though the Illuminating Clarity Sect had been founded only three months earlier, it was already bustling with activity and had all the air of a great sect.
At the first bend after the Fuyi River entered the mountains, the Illuminating Clarity Sect had built a grand hall against the mountainside, overlooking the water and facing the mountain gate. Named Welcoming the True Hall, it was where the sect received distinguished