Chapter 256: The Six Wine Companions, Deeply Hidden

Two days later.

The eastern sky was filled with crimson clouds, heralding a fine day.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan sat cross-legged on the balcony, guiding two child disciples, facing east, inhaling the purple qi.

When the hour passed and the purple qi faded, golden radiance surged forth; the three exhaled and concluded their practice, slowly opening their eyes.

"Master, look!"

Cheng Cheng Zhaoli pointed to the southern snow-capped mountains, whose silver peaks now glowed golden under the sun, shimmering brilliantly.

Especially the Gangfeng still whipped the snow, yet no longer forming the shape of a white dragon banner—instead, it danced like molten gold flames in the wind.

The sight stirred memories: years ago, he had gazed up from the center of the Yangtze River at Kui Sect, where Chijia Mountain at sunrise had blazed with the same radiant glow, like a torch.

Those two mountains stood precisely at the eastern and western edges of Bashu, over five thousand li apart, yet under the sun's radiance, they displayed identical splendor—truly a marvel of nature's craftsmanship.

Moved inwardly, Cheng Cheng Xinzhan drew a banana leaf beside him, laid it on his knee, took up his talisman brush, and beneath the morning sun, began writing upon its green surface:

"I arrived at Yanhuai three days ago; the sky cleared, so I rose at dawn to inhale purple qi on the balcony, witnessing the sun illuminate the snow mountains, as if gilded gold clung to yellow silk, while winds rolled snowflakes into flickering flames.

Seeing this, I suddenly recalled the dawn glow over Chijia Mountain—its brilliance identical to this. There, waves surged against the shore; here, snow waves press against the heavens. Separated by five thousand li, both basked in the sun's true fire, radiating the same crimson-gold splendor.

Alas! How wondrous is Heaven's furnace and cauldron! The yang fire refines Chijia into cinnabar, forges the white mountain into golden essence. The two peaks stand far apart—one spewing river surges, the other absorbing snow and ice—yet both, bathed in heavenly fire, glow the same hue. Is not this mystery proof that the entire celestial qi sea shares but one origin?"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan put away his talisman brush, gazing at the characters on the banana leaf with satisfaction.

"Store it away. Add it to the Little Xikang volume—it's a start. The grand title hasn't been decided yet; for now, I'll call it the 'Banana Leaf Collection.'"

Cheng Cheng Zhaoli responded, stepped forward, took the banana leaf, and carefully preserved it.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan rose and gazed eastward, where mountain shadows piled thickly; due to the eastern location, snow peaks were rare—only a few nearby ones, beyond which stretched endless green curtains of hills.

Directly opposite Yanhuai Mountain, a thousand li away, stood a mountain like a celestial pillar, towering into the clouds, scraping the heavens, blocking the sun, majestic and awe-inspiring.

Spiritual radiance blazed in all directions, sword qi pierced the sky, and darting lights arced like rainbows; even across a thousand li, the mountain remained dazzlingly visible to the naked eye.

"Master, is that Mount Mount Emei?"

Bai Long asked.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan's expression turned solemn, losing all its former ease; he nodded slowly and said in a low voice,

"Yes. That is Mount Emei."

Thousands of years have passed; some revere Mount Emei, others despise it, yet Mount Emei remains unmoved by external storms, expanding day after day.

Today, its main sect hall stands unshaken, growing ever more brilliant, with countless branch halls across Bashu, and throughout the entire southwest of Shenzhou, none dare ignore Mount Emei's will.

"Heavy is the burden, long the path."

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan said.

The two child disciples nodded silently, saying nothing.

Suddenly, Cheng Cheng Xinzhan sensed something and turned southward, where a figure flew toward them.

The figure drew near—it was Daoist Daoist Tanbai the Hermit.

"Yunlai!"

Daoist Daoist Tanbai the Hermit called out, landing on the balcony.

"Yunlai, today our old wine companions are gathering. My elder brother sent me to invite you—he wishes to share wine and discuss the Dao with you. Do you have the leisure?"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan had already shed his solemn, contemplative expression, returning to his usual calm detachment. He hesitated slightly, then asked,

"How many will be there? Small gatherings are fine, but I fear too much noise."

Daoist Daoist Tanbai shook his head,

"Six of us, plus you—seven total. All familiar wine friends. No outsiders."

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan relaxed, then said,

"Daoist Mingding has thought of me. Then I shall go."

Daoist Daoist Tanbai smiled, gesturing with an open hand,

"After you."

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan nodded, then turned back to Bai Long and Cheng Cheng Zhaoli, instructing,

"You two, remain here and cultivate."

"Yes, Master."

The two child disciples replied.

"Master, since you're going to a wine feast, you must bring your gourd."

Cheng Cheng Zhaoli handed him the gourd.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan tapped his forehead, murmured "Ah, right," took the gourd, and followed Daoist Daoist Tanbai the Hermit as they rode the wind away.

————

The feast was held midway between the north and south peaks of Yanhuai Mountain, just below the snowline, in a bamboo grove.

Daoist Daoist Tanbai the Hermit led Cheng Cheng Xinzhan to the grove's edge; though normally tranquil, it now echoed with laughter and chatter.

"It seems most guests have arrived."

Daoist Daoist Tanbai said.

The two entered the grove. Cheng Cheng Xinzhan saw emerald grass like woven velvet, pavilions and waterside gazebos, bamboo huts and thatched cottages, chrysanthemums and dwarf pines, winding streams for floating cups—he thought this place truly a refined retreat.

Daoist Daoist Tanbai led him deeper, and ahead on the grass lay several ancient stone tables and benches, laden with fruits and fine wine; many were already seated.

"Yunlai has arrived!"

Daoist Mingding the Hermit stood among the group, rose to greet him, and others followed suit.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan bowed as he entered, murmuring pleasantries.

The three wine companions were all present; with Cheng Cheng Xinzhan, seven total. Of the unfamiliar faces, only three remained—two of them women.

He also noticed they conversed freely, utterly at ease—clearly long-acquainted. He was clearly the only newcomer today.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan reached the table, where a seat had been reserved for him. He bowed to all, then smiled,

"My fellow Daoists, I am a wandering cloud and wild crane, a dweller of the four seas. Today, by fortune, I have stepped into this blessed land of the Immortals and met your true assembly—I am deeply honored."

All returned his bow.

Daoist Mingding the Hermit gestured for everyone to sit, then guided Cheng Cheng Xinzhan to his seat.

"Just now, Brother Daoist Mingding said you are humble when awake, unrestrained when drunk. Now that we meet awake, you are indeed as composed as jade—but tell me, how wild are you when drunk?"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan had barely sat when a woman's voice spoke.

He turned toward the sound—it was one of the two women, smiling as she asked.

She wore a green robe, appeared to be in her twenties, with arched eyebrows and phoenix eyes, gaze sharp as lightning, nose like a hanging bell, and an air of natural vigor in her brow—though her cheeks glowed red, whether naturally or from wine, he could not tell.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan smiled in reply,

"Daoist Mingding flatters me. When drunk, I am indeed unrestrained and wild—but when awake, humble? That's an exaggeration."

The woman burst into laughter, her bold spirit radiating; her gaze toward Cheng Cheng Xinzhan grew more curious and intrigued.

"Yunlai, allow me to introduce you."

Daoist Mingding the Hermit took over.

He gestured toward the speaking woman and said,

"Yunlai, this is Tuo Yan the Hermit."

"Daoist, greetings."

The woman smiled and bowed.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan returned the bow. "Daoist, greetings."

Daoist Mingding then pointed to the other woman beside Tuo Yan and said,

"This is Zhou Zhou Yue the Hermit."

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan looked: her age matched Tuo Yan's. She wore a moon-white cloud-silk robe, skin like congealed fat, black hair coiled into a cloud-moon bun, oval face, lips like crimson pearls, brows like distant mountains, ears adorned with moon-shaped earrings, eyes like autumn pools reflecting the moon.

"Daoist, greetings."

She smiled with quiet grace, clearly refined and gentle.

"Daoist, greetings."

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan returned the bow.

"This is Zhan Tao the Hermit."

Daoist Mingding pointed to the final person.

He was a man like a green pine leaning against a jade mountain—pine for his frame, jade for his bone structure.

His brows were clear and stern, jawline sharp, nose high, brow ridges slightly arched, eyebrows slanting upward into his temples. His face should have borne a stern, imposing air—but his eyes were pomegranate seeds: dark pupils like ink dots, gaze soft as water, and when he smiled, he radiated gentle, refined charm.

He appeared Cheng Cheng Xinzhan's age, dressed in a sky-blue Daoist robe, silver thread embroidered with repeating characters along the cuffs and collar, over which he wore a black gauze cloak. His head bore a simple black wooden Daoist cap. Before him on the stone table rested a high-quality green-skinned wine gourd.

"Daoist, greetings."

"Daoist, greetings."

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan returned the bow.

"Yunlai, you already know Daoist Daoist Tanbai and Hu Qing. Add Tuo Yan, Zhou Zhou Yue, and Zhan Tao—and we six, bound by wine, have become lifelong friends. We even chose Daoist titles infused with wine's spirit, often gathering in the mountains to drink and discuss the Dao.

"I pride myself on my ability to judge character. I saw you also love wine, and your nature is both transcendent and open-hearted—worthy of deep friendship. Since you plan to settle here, I took the liberty of inviting you today to introduce you to these three wine companions. Besides, Tuo Yan, Zhou Zhou Yue, and Zhan Tao are all young—likely more in tune with you."

Daoist Mingding the Hermit said.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan bowed to Daoist Mingding,

"Brother, your warmheartedness moves me. I am deeply grateful."

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan was inwardly startled: Daoist Mingding's wine companions were all paragons of refinement—each of these six was a Golden Core cultivator!

Daoist Mingding, Daoist Daoist Tanbai, and Hu Qing radiated long, profound qi—clearly long-established in their realms.

While Tuo Yan, Zhou Zhou Yue, and Zhan Tao possessed magical power like an ocean and vitality like morning clouds, clearly marking them as brilliant young talents of the Early Sun Piercing the Heavens realm.

The six shared such harmonious Daoist titles that Cheng Cheng Xinzhan couldn't help but suspect: were they truly bound by wine into a friendship across generations?

Leaving aside the three elders, the three youths were young yet possessed such cultivation—this could not be the work of hermits; thus, their collective claim to be recluses naturally stirred Cheng Cheng Xinzhan's suspicion.

Yet while Cheng Cheng Xinzhan suspected, his face revealed no trace of doubt, nor did he harbor any inquiry—he himself called himself Yunlai the Recluse, was he not also hiding his true identity?

After all, do not impose on others what you would not want for yourself.

If they were truly wine companions, they would speak only of Du Kang; he had no qualms about his past identity. But if these six harbored any ulterior motives, he was no soft target.

"This is Yunlai the Recluse—he compares himself to idle clouds and wild cranes, wandering freely across Shenzhou, arriving in Little Xikang just two days ago. He strolled leisurely up Beishan Road, composed seven poems in seven steps to pass the literary trial, truly humbling this old Daoist, who dragged him here to Yanhuai Mountain."

"By the way, Yunlai loves wine, has fine wine, and possesses excellent taste in wine!"

Daoist Mingding the Recluse introduced Cheng Cheng Xinzhan to the others again.

"Newly arrived, I hope for your kindness in the days ahead."

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan smiled.

Thus they were formally acquainted; Zhan Tao the Recluse now lifted his gourd and began pouring wine for everyone.

"Yunlai, this is our custom—at every gathering, each of us must bring a wine we've most cherished lately for others to taste."

Daoist Mingding the Recluse explained with a smile.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan nodded, finding the custom quite intriguing.

He watched as the wine poured from Zhan Tao's gourd glowed a pale amber, clinging to the cup's walls like melting snow, carrying a fruity aroma that made his mouth water—he was eager to taste it.

First taste the wine in the gourd; as for the medicine inside, he'd wait and see.

(End of Chapter)