Chapter 135: Fulfilling an Appointment

In the 427th year of Ming, this year passed swiftly and richly for Cheng Cheng Xinzhan.

This year began when Taodu was split in two, and the flood of inverted swords rose into the sky above Bai Yu Jing.

He studied Thunder Law at Mount Shuji Mountain, Sword Art at Toutian Mountain, and Alchemy at Bai Hu Mountain—these three things defined the entire year.

These three things were undoubtedly his greatest gains of the year.

In one year, he mastered all Five Thunder Methods, drawing astonished murmurs from the elders of the Five Thunder Court.

His swordplay was no longer reckless or reliant on speed alone, but now balanced, controlled, and fluid in advance and retreat.

He had just begun to grasp the fundamentals of alchemy: he reforged "Taodu," refined "Qiushui," and his first Five-Element magic sword was nearly complete.

On the Qi Refining path, he visualized mountain ranges, and the Earth Palace's inner deity, Prince Lord Bingling, had begun to take on divine presence.

In Talisman Arts, his Thunder Talismans and Mountain Talismans were so potent even Master Xuanzu praised them.

And this was only his fourth year of studying the Dao.

There were also minor incidents—for instance, the reputation of Sanqing Mountain's sword mastery spread through the lips of guests who watched the Sword Duel Gathering at Bai Yu Jing.

Luo Jishi now knew that Sanqing Mountain had a young disciple named Cheng Cheng Xinzhan.

For example, in August, the daughter of the Xiao family of Bai Yu Jing arrived with hundreds of servants to pay respects at Sanqing Mountain.

For example, Longhu Mountain sent envoys to invite Sanqing Mountain to the Longhu Dharma Assembly two years hence.

In short, for Cheng Cheng Xinzhan, this was a splendid year—perhaps because his realm was still low and he had never yet endured a single cultivation closure lasting decades, so every year felt splendid.

The year passed in busyness until the 28th day of the twelfth month, nearing the New Year; he requested leave from Bai Hu Mountain and his master Wen Daoist Sukong, promising to return no later than the second day of the new year.

He had promised to replace the door gods' paper charms for the Miao village.

After receiving permission, he left his physical body still in Wuyou Cave to continue Qi Refining and visualization; on the morning of the 29th, his soul took control of his bamboo body, carrying all weapons and necessities, and departed.

Of course, he held his third sister in his arms, with Deng Ge following beside him.

He quietly arrived at Yulin Temple and left a vial of "Huoxue Huichun Pill" and a Shenzhen Pearl at the old abbot's door.

The "Huoxue Huichun Pill" was taken from Feng Daoist Jihu—it was a pill to invigorate blood and regulate essence, mild in potency, perfect for an elderly mortal like the old abbot.

The Shenzhen Pearl was given to him by the External Affairs Bureau; it recorded scenes from his Sword Duel Gathering performance, though no one knew where the Bureau had obtained it.

But now, gifting it to the abbot was just right.

For within it was the scene where he demonstrated "Qiushui" to the swordsmen.

That was the old abbot's wish.

He placed down the pearl and left without meeting again.

Then he went directly to his parents' graves, without visiting the town at all.

His parents' graves were well tended—no weeds or shrubs grew there, clearly cared for continuously.

He knelt and kowtowed, spoke for a while, and burned talisman paper inscribed with the sutras he had written in the sect for their liberation.

Then he departed.

This journey was not for trial or to behold heaven and earth, so he did not stroll slowly; he had already refined "Yangming Yuntang Gang," and now, holding his third sister, he transformed into a light cloud and flew away.

Deng Ge had become even more remarkable: unlike Sanmei, who often slacked off and slept, Deng Ge trained his body and absorbed qi with great diligence; he had likely awakened his demonic blood and could now instinctively perform minor spells—for instance, now, when Cheng Cheng Xinzhan flew and summoned a slight breeze, Deng Ge could ride the wind and follow him through the air.

Soon, he reached Poyanghu, landing again on the southern shore; he took a detour to glance at the cinnamon grove from before.

The last time he came, it was summer, lush and green; now it was white with snow.

The shores of Poyanghu were frozen solid; he flew inward. Now transformed into a light cloud, aided by wind arts, his speed surpassed even Jiang Jiang Yanxing and Jiang Yuexing of the Second Realm; soon he spotted the island of Jinxiang Sect and descended toward Mingguang Hall.

But this time, no one escorted him—he was met immediately upon approach.

"Please inform Daoist Xuanhui that an old acquaintance visits from the summer of two years past," said Cheng Cheng Xinzhan.

The guard laughed upon hearing this, "Daoist Cheng, you may not recognize me, but I remember you well—last year you saved my young master's life; how could we ever forget? Daoist Cheng, please come."

The man gestured to guide Cheng Cheng Xinzhan.

He was surprised, then smiled warmly and followed.

No sooner had he landed than a loud cry rang out:

As soon as he landed, he heard loud shouts rising above him,

He knew who it was.

Jiang Nanjing hurried over, bowed deeply as he approached,

"I pay my respects to my Savior."

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan quickly helped him up, urging him not to be so formal; soon Jiang Nanjing's uncle, parents, and master arrived as well.

They sat together in the hall.

"Daoist Cheng's brilliance at the Zhuizhu Lou Sword Duel Gathering remains vivid in our memories!"

As soon as they sat, Jiang Jiang Yanxing smiled and said.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan was startled, "You were there that night too?"

They nodded and laughed.

"We were in Kong Que City; we planned to visit you after the duel, but your sword was damaged and you rushed back to your sect—we dared not approach to pay our respects."

"We were in Peacock City at the time; we'd planned to visit you after the sword duel ended, but your sword was damaged and you rushed back to your sect, so we didn't dare approach to pay our respects."

"I knew your curse arts were extraordinary, but I never imagined your sword mastery was also so profound!"

Jiang Nanjing exclaimed.

Jiang Jiang Yanxing and Jiang Yuexing quickly agreed.

"When we first saw you in the Body Sword arena, we were astonished; when we saw you win first place in the Magic Sword arena, we thought you a celestial being—but we never imagined you were the one who fought alone against five Mount Emei swordsmen at the end! We have no words left to say."

Jiang Jiang Yanxing praised, adding that when the Mount Emei Hong Jiaozhu's Lady appeared, all spectators learned those flying swords belonged to Mount Emei; finally, Cheng Cheng Xinzhan's divine control of the sword and his visible form in the high sky bidding farewell to the Zhuizhu Lou Master was captured by the Moon-Reflecting Mirror, revealing to all that the crimson flying sword that overpowered Mount Emei belonged to Cheng Cheng Xinzhan of Sanqing Mountain.

Jiang Jiang Yanxing marveled, and when the Mount Emei Sect's Abbess appeared, all the onlookers learned those flying swords belonged to Mount Emei. The Moon-Mirror then faithfully projected the final scene: Cheng Cheng Xinzhan, commanding his sword with his primordial spirit, materializing high in the sky to bid farewell to the Lord of Huanzhu Tower—thus revealing to everyone that the crimson sword which had overshadowed Mount Emei belonged to Cheng Cheng Xinzhan of Mount Sanqing.

Luo Jishi flying swords were shot down; five Mount Emei swords surrounded Cheng Cheng Xinzhan; in the end, the remaining thirty flying swords were all from Shu's traditions.

This clearly displeased the Zhuizhu Lou Master.

In the end, the Zhuizhu Lou Master canceled the Flying Sword arena entirely; after Cheng Cheng Xinzhan left, the Immortal Sword Master himself declared the remaining thirty swords tied for first place!

And the Zhuizhu Lou Master's prize for first place in the Flying Sword arena was one "Qingxin Guayu Pill" per winner.

This turned the thirty Shu swordsmen's collective act of knocking down others' swords into a joke.

Yet in the eyes of the spectators, the true first place in the Flying Sword arena remained Cheng Cheng Xinzhan of Sanqing Mountain.

To the spectators, Cheng Cheng Xinzhan had won all three titles.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan smiled at this but did not continue the topic; instead, he asked Jiang Nanjing,

"How are you progressing with that curse technique?"

Jiang Nanjing puffed out his chest,

"Savior, I've reduced the seventeen-character curse to nine!"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan's face froze, then he burst into violent coughing. After regaining his breath, he had no desire to discuss it further; he pulled a small vial from his sleeve and handed it to Jiang Jiang Yanxing.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Cheng Xinzhan's face stiffened, then he burst into violent coughing. After finally catching his breath, he no longer wished to speak of it; he pulled a small vial from his robe and handed it to Jiang Jiang Yanxing.

Jiang Jiang Yanxing took the dull gray vial, unsure of its contents.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan explained,

"Since you were all there that night, I won't need to explain much—this contains the 'Yangming Yuntang Gang' bestowed upon me by the Immortal Sword Master. I thought your hall is named 'Mingguang,' and you cultivate the Mingguang arts of Jinxiang; this spiritual Gang should be useful. I've used much of it myself; there's only about two zhu left. Too little for Core Formation, but enough to grasp the method's essence—don't refuse it."

"Since you were all there that night of the sword duel, I won't need to explain much—this is the 'Yangming Yun Tang Gang' bestowed upon me by the Sword Immortal. I thought your hall is called 'Mingguang Hall,' and you cultivate the Mingguang technique from the Golden Phase, so this spiritual Gang should be useful. I've used quite a bit of it myself, but there's still about two zhu left. It's too little for Core Formation, but enough to grasp the essence of the technique—don't refuse it."

This was Gang Dew!

After a long while, the lead vial seemed suddenly hot to the touch; Jiang Jiang Yanxing hastily returned it to Cheng Cheng Xinzhan,

"Daoist, this gift is too heavy—we have done nothing to deserve it!"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan rose, placed the vial into Jiang Nanjing's arms, and smiled brightly and warmly,

"Elder, when I first came here, didn't you give me gifts just as heavy? That golden seal, those cave stones, that full basket of talisman arrows—I accepted them all."

He never forgot those who treated him well.

He never forgets those who treat him well.

"This this this…"

Jiang Jiang Yanxing stammered; the gifts they had given were thanks for saving Jiang Nanjing and teaching him arts—he never thought them heavy, yet Cheng Cheng Xinzhan still remembered!

At this moment, Jiang Yuexing said, "Daoist, after you left here last time, did you go to the southern frontier?"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan didn't know why he asked, but nodded.

"Daoist, you must have sold talisman arrows in the southern frontier—the ones with our Mingguang Hall's mark."

Jiang Yuexing smiled, "Hongmu Ridge and Mount Baiman Mountain fought for years until the 'Zihuolan Tao Sha' emerged; before that, our Mingguang Hall's talisman arrows suddenly became scarce—many came to buy, saying they were exceptionally effective. I realized then: that was precisely when you left Jinxiang Sect. Our arrow-making method never changed; only that batch was given to you as empty shells."

Jiang Yuexing smiled and said, "Hongmu Ridge and Mount Baiman Mountain fought for years until the 'Purple Flame Rotten Peach Poison' emerged and ended it. Before that, my Mingguang Hall's talisman arrows suddenly became highly sought after—many came through our network to buy them, saying they worked exceptionally well. I realized then: that was precisely when you left the Jinxiang Sect. Our arrow-making method never changed, except for that one batch—you gave us your hollow shell."

"And because your talisman arrows gained a reputation on the southern frontier battlefield, our hall's business improved greatly."

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan smiled upon hearing this—he had never expected such a consequence.

"Our hall has prepared some modest gifts…"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan couldn't bear to hear it; he waved his hand urgently, saying,

"Elders, Jiang Nanjing—your cultivation is busy; I won't disturb you further. I take my leave now—may we meet again someday!"

With that, Cheng Cheng Xinzhan bowed, and before they could react, he left the hall, ascended into the sky, and departed.

Jiang Jiang Yanxing held the lead vial, gazing at Cheng Cheng Xinzhan's distant figure, and murmured:

"Truly, the demeanor of a celestial being!"

————

————

Leaving Poyanghu, he headed west and soon saw the Ganjiang, the largest river in Yu Zhang.

Though he flew this time, he followed the same path as before; gazing down at the broad, mighty Ganjiang, he felt his spirit expand and his heart lighten.

Last time he crossed the Ganjiang, it was summer, when the waters were full; now, though the roar of the river still thundered, the surface had receded considerably from summer levels—he could even see sandbars emerging in the riverbed, something he hadn't noticed before.

After crossing the Ganjiang, he flew straight toward Nanyue, pausing briefly here to circle the mountain, watching sword qi pierce the heavens and viewing Hengshan as if it soared.

This time, the scenery differed from what he'd seen when passing before.

Perhaps this is the meaning of cultivation: viewing the mountains, rivers, and all things of the world at different times always brings new insights. These changes sometimes stem from shifts in the land and waters, sometimes from changes in one's own realm and inner state.

Only two or three years have passed—what transformations might one witness after a thousand or a hundred years of existence?

Leaving Hengshan, he set off joyfully toward Miaojiang, entering the mountains again through Wugang.

Last time he came, merely contemplating the constellation Maosu kept snakes and insects and yin creatures at bay; now that he had cultivated Dragon Thunder, the foul things fled the moment they sensed heavenly might.

When Denggeer caught the familiar scent, he sprinted all over the mountains, driving out creatures hiding in caves to sleep.

He returned to that small stream, its waters swift and unfrozen; he cupped a handful, washed his face, and the icy winter water sharpened his spirit.

He walked upstream and soon saw the Miao village.

Even in winter, the Miao people were not idle—some tending fields, some clearing irrigation ditches; when he looked farther, he saw others hunting in the snow, following fox and rabbit tracks for good fortune.

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

Denggeer shot into the village like a white wind, barking all the way, leaving a trail of plum-blossom pawprints in the snow.

Once Denggeer entered, the village erupted in chaos—villagers shouted curses, wondering what madness had seized the dog; but as they cursed, they began to sense something odd: where in the village had such a mighty, robust dog ever appeared?

The old village chief, after all, was still the old village chief; knocked to the ground by Denggeer, he seized the white dog wildly wagging its tail and licking his face, and suddenly understood—he laughed aloud, rolled sideways, slipped free from beneath the great dog, and leapt up, shouting:

"Yun Daochang is back! Yun Daochang is back!"

Laughing, he ran out of the village, his old body moving with the vigor of a tiger.

Sure enough, as he stepped past the village gate, he saw a young Daoist holding a flowered cat, smiling as he walked slowly toward him.

"What are you all standing around for? Go call everyone back! Oh, don't call the hunters—let them keep hunting and come back with more. Tonight, we'll have a bonfire feast!"

Seeing the villagers behind him staring dumbly at Yun Daochang without moving, the old chief bellowed orders.

The crowd scattered in all directions, each busy with their tasks, making the already thick festive atmosphere even livelier.

Denggeer understood the old chief's words; hearing hunters were out, he glanced at his master, saw him nod, and dashed out of the village at once.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan smiled; tonight's meal would surely be fine.

The old chief stepped forward to greet Cheng Cheng Xinzhan and led him into the village.

"We thought Yun Daochang was too busy to come this year!"

The old chief laughed.

"Old Man Mu, I told you I'd bring you door gods!"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan laughed in reply.

As soon as he entered the village, he saw several Miao women carrying buckets and rags heading toward his house.

The old chief glanced at him, nervously asking:

"Yun Daochang, won't you stay a few days before leaving?"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan nodded. "Of course I'll stay a few days."

Hearing this, the old chief's face lit up like a blooming flower.

"How has the village been these past two years?"

"Great! Wonderful!"

The old chief began enthusiastically recounting to Cheng Cheng Xinzhan.

With Denggeer around, the hunters returned always laden with game; Denggeer, trotting beside his father, had already grown taller than him.

That night, there was a bonfire feast of song and dance; the Miao men and women brought out the horn wine they'd prepared last year, taking turns pouring it into the guests' mouths.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan accepted it all without refusal.

Beginning of the month—requesting monthly votes~

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(End of Chapter)