Chapter 128

After the Sanqing Gathering ended, Sanqing Temple still had some talismans and pills unsold; Pan Yun stuffed the items into a cloth sack, incredulous: "Our goods were clearly popular—why are there still leftovers?"

Tao Ji said nothing; Xuanmiao said nothing.

Wang Feiyin shrugged: "Let them sit. Sell the pills to apothecaries later; keep the talismans for yourselves. Perfect—you're going to Long Hushan Academy next year anyway. Saves us the trouble of preparing more."

"Does Long Hushan Academy need talismans?"

"Of course," Wang Feiyin said. "Don't lose fights at the academy. If you meet someone strong, run. If you can't run, surrender. You're young—it's not shameful. Find your revenge when you're older."

Wang Feiyin sighed: "We just offended someone from Long Hushan. Be careful once you're at the academy. If they harass you, blame it all on us adults."

He gave them a solemn warning: "Be clever in how you act. We don't mind if you pretend to 'stab us in the back'—as long as you learn something at the academy."

Pan Yun agreed for everyone at once.

Time passed quickly. After the Sanqing Gathering, the weather grew colder day by day, and soon the New Year passed. Wang Feiyin finally gave in to Tao Ji's pleading and helped them plant winter wheat.

So when Pan Yun and the others left the mountain, the wheat in the fields had just turned yellow and hadn't been harvested yet.

Sanqing Temple had borrowed a field from the villagers to grow rice seedlings; the seedlings had just sprouted to the height of a finger, waiting to be transplanted after the wheat harvest.

Wang Feiyin calculated with his fingers: another half-month to twenty days.

So he reluctantly saw them off at the foot of the mountain, gripping Pan Yun's hand: "You really won't stay another month? Wait until after the busy farming season. Since you joined, you've only harvested rice once and planted wheat once—is that acceptable?"

Pan Yun: "Brother, when I'm gone, you must take good care of the Mountain God Temple. Treat every worshipper with care. When I return on leave, I'll make a round of visits—Master is watching. Don't slack off."

The two talked past each other; beside them, Tao Ji was advising Miaohé: "Your main goal at the academy is to learn their qi cultivation. As for alchemy, no temple under heaven compares to Sanqing Mountain. Listen, but don't forget your assigned studies—I'll come to Long Hushan every month to test you."

Miaohé stiffened his back and bowed respectfully.

Xuanmiao was also advising Miao Zhen: "Long Hushan's talismans and Dao diagrams are unmatched under heaven. Though they show few, remember: cultivation depends on yourself. A teacher only leads you through the gate—how far you go depends on your insight and diligence."

"You're highly insightful. With effort, your future achievements won't fall short of your master's."

Miao Zhen: "Fourth Uncle, does Master know I'm going to Long Hushan Academy?"

Xuanmiao nodded. "I've already told him. He wanted to come see you off, but recently lightning struck the Donghua Gate of the imperial palace—court and capital were shaken. Your master has no time. Wait until his annual leave—he'll definitely come see you."

Miao Zhen nodded.

"Enough. Get on the cart," Wang Feiyin said after a long, fruitless exchange with Pan Yun. "Long Hushan isn't close—it's a two-day journey. Hurry up."

Pan Yun slung her small pack onto her back and climbed onto the donkey cart. Miaohé still had words for Tao Yanbai: "Third Brother, when Xiaojing returns, give him my martial training notes—they're the ones I specially compiled for him."

Tao Yanbai nodded. "Go with peace of mind."

Pan Yun immediately scrambled to the back of the cart and added: "Me too, me too, Yanbai! When you go to the county town, visit Mourning period and the others. Tell them I've gone to Long Hushan to study. If they need help, come to you. If you can't handle it, go to Big Brother. If Big Brother can't either, write to me."

"Take the money I left you. Remember to send them a sack of grain or wheat every month."

Wang Feiyin: "You've got too many worries. Get on the cart already. Maybe this year Long Hushan Academy will go mad and give you farmers' holidays like the Confucian schools? Then you'll be back in less than half a month."

Pan Yun: "Perfect! Then we can harvest the wheat and transplant the seedlings together."

Wang Feiyin shuddered. Suddenly he thought: having kids on holiday wasn't so great. He'd finally gotten someone to teach them—why would he want them back?

"Forget it. Don't come back. There's not much work left—we can handle it," Wang Feiyin told Wang Cong. "Hurry up and drive."

Wang Cong replied, slapped the donkey's rump, and the cart started moving.

Miao Zhen and Miaohé finally stopped their tearful goodbyes and hurried after the cart, leaping aboard.

This was Miao Zhen and Miaohé's first time leaving home so far and for so long; they felt uneasy. Seeing Pan Yun unafraid, they clung to her—one on each side.

Wang Cong caught sight of them from the corner of his eye and smiled. "Don't worry. I'm accompanying you to Long Hushan. I'll rent a shop in town to sell miscellaneous goods. I'll leave a Guanshi there—you can find him if you need anything."

Pan Yun's eyes flickered. "But that might draw attention to our connection with the shop. If we're targeted, won't the shop suffer?"

Wang Cong: "So what's your suggestion, Little Master?"

"We contact secretly. Keep it as a hidden card."

Wang Cong smiled and nodded. "Good."

Miao Zhen and Miaohé: "... Is the world beyond this violent?"

Pan Yun hugged their arms. "This is nothing. Where there are people, there's conflict. It's called an academy—it's still a place to learn. There'll be conflict, but learning comes first."

Wang Cong nodded. "Most here seek to learn skills. Conflict is a minority. Don't worry—Fourth Master has already arranged for someone to look after you."

Pan Yun immediately asked: "Who? Who did Fourth Sister arrange to look after us?"

Wang Cong smiled. "You'll find out when you see them."

On the third day, seeing Zhang Zi Fang standing at the town's entrance, Pan Yun was stunned.

She asked Wang Cong in disbelief: "Fourth Sister arranged for him to look after us?"

"Yes," Wang Cong said. "He recruited you. He's the best person to look after you."

Pan Yun had no reply.

Zhang Zi Fang said nothing to them either. Seeing them, he scowled: "Follow me."

Wang Cong drove the cart after him.

The town was called Shangqing Town—bustling, paved with blue stone bricks, shops mostly two-story, front shop and back courtyard, combining commerce and residence, neater and tidier than the county town.

The Zhang family lived at the town's center. Zhang Zi Fang led them past the main gate of the Zhang residence and pointed: "This is the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion. You may or may not study here, but if you receive talismans, you must do it here."

He said: "The academy is inside Daoshangqing Palace. I'll take you there."

Daoists value quietude, so the academy wasn't in town. Beyond the town, they followed the main road upward.

On either side were dense forests or fields. After driving the donkey cart for about half an hour, they saw a towering gate tower flanked by two stone steles. Behind the tower stretched a winding path of blue stone slabs, stretching endlessly.

Unlike the bustling Shangqing Town, this place was silent, dominated only by Shangqing Palace. Wang Cong grew solemn, driving the cart past the gate tower along the blue stone path.

Pan Yun had just thought it quiet when, after passing the gate tower and steles, she began hearing voices. Around the bend, she saw many carriages and horses parked near the dismounting pavilion, crowded with people.

Wang Cong pulled the donkey to a stop. Pan Yun and the others jumped down.

Zhang Zi Fang strode forward, scowling: "What's all this noise? Where's the escorting Zhishi?"

A young Daoist Priest in blue robes hurried out and bowed to Zhang Zi Fang: "Fifth Uncle, the rooms you requested are ready."

Zhang Zi Fang nodded, then turned to Pan Yun with a warmer, gentler smile—no trace of his earlier sternness or distance. "Pan Shimei, your rooms are ready. You'll stay in Fengqi Courtyard."

At the sound, everyone around turned to look, even Wang Cong couldn't help but be startled, quickly refusing: "Fifth Uncle, my Young Uncle and his companions are new students—how could they possibly move into Phoenix Perch Courtyard? That's only for fourth- and fifth-year students!"

Zhu Zifang smiled: "The Grand Pure Palace has no rule that Phoenix Perch Courtyard must house fourth- or fifth-year students. It simply selects the nine most outstanding newcomers to reside there. Pan's younger sister holds a higher rank and is a disciple of the Mountain God, with extraordinary talent—she deserves to be among the best, so her staying there is only natural."

Wang Cong pressed his lips together. "What about my two younger sisters?"

Zhu Zifang smiled sweetly: "Aren't they here to care for Young Sister Pan? Naturally, they must live together—how else could they properly care for her?"

!. Du

Wang Cong was about to speak again, but Pan Yun held him back: "Let's stay in Phoenix Perch Courtyard. Fifth Brother Zhang is right—I'm talented; how could I not live in Phoenix Perch Courtyard?"

Zhu Zifang's face froze.

Pan Yun asked: "Do I get to choose the room first?"

Zhu Zifang gritted his teeth and smiled: "No. The rooms have already been assigned. Only three are still vacant..."

"Alright," Pan Yun said with obvious disappointment: "So even being a Mountain God disciple isn't that impressive—I can't even pick my room first."

Zhu Zifang:...

He took a deep breath and forced a smile under everyone's stares.

Pan Yun carried only a cat, no luggage at all, and waved to the three behind her: "Come on, let's go see our room."

Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao He moved in perfect sync, slinging their packs over their shoulders and hugging many items in their arms.

Wang Cong lagged a step behind but quickly hung all the luggage from the cart onto himself and hurried after them.

Pan Yun walked ahead, carrying only a cat, her posture grand and unbothered, as if three little laborers trailed behind her.

From the Dismounting Pavilion to the Lingxing Gate, she carried herself with arrogant boldness—Zhu Zifang behind her became nothing more than a bodyguard.

Everyone in the Grand Pure Palace who saw Zhu Zifang bowed their heads and stepped aside in greeting—effectively bowing to Pan Yun.

As she walked, Pan Yun nodded politely, leaving onlookers bewildered. They whispered to those beside them: "Who is that child? Why does everyone in the Grand Pure Palace treat her with such respect?"

"No idea. Could she be one of the palace's own?"

"Unlikely. She's wearing a Daoist robe—half-new, half-worn, clearly cheap."

"If she's not from the palace, why does the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion treat her so respectfully? Even Zhu Zifang is running behind her!"

Did Zhu Zifang voluntarily chase after her?

Of course not—he was forced!

He tried several times to catch up to Pan Yun, to walk shoulder-to-shoulder, even to overtake her—but he couldn't. She always stayed one step ahead.

Moreover, he noticed that no matter how fast he or Pan Yun moved, Wang Cong, Seeing Miao Zhen, and Miao He kept pace effortlessly.

Even when he used the technique "Shrink Earth to Inch," leaping ahead of them, he found they maintained the same distance—neither closer nor farther—and he still could not pass Pan Yun.

This meant the four from the Three Clear Temple not only possessed cultivation, but also mastered refined techniques and moved with extraordinary coordination.

Zhu Zifang began to regret assigning Pan Yun to Phoenix Perch Courtyard—but... he hadn't expected her to accept.

He thought she'd insist on refusing, and he'd wait until she refused three times before reluctantly agreeing, then assign her elsewhere. That way, even if she later complained the placement was poor, he'd have a reply ready.

But he hadn't expected that Wang Cong refused once—and Pan Yun accepted immediately.

Seeing the crowd's growing astonishment and respect as they watched, Zhu Zifang knew he couldn't let this continue. He said: "Young Sister Pan, let me guide you."

Pan Yun turned and smiled: "Sure."

Yet beneath her feet, she stepped forward and used "Shrink Earth to Inch"—whoosh! —leaping far ahead, leaving them all behind.

【Want to guide me? Hmph. Catch up if you can.】

Zhu Zifang took a deep breath. Seeing Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao He overtake him, he finally snapped and activated his lightness technique to overtake them.

Pan Yun's upper body remained still, her feet spinning forward like a top. They chased each other for a while—until she spotted the sign for Phoenix Perch Courtyard, then stopped, turning back with a smile: "Fifth Brother Zhang, you didn't need to guide me. I know where Phoenix Perch Courtyard is."

Zhu Zifang forced a stiff smile: "Young Sister Pan, this is your first time here. Even if you've heard descriptions, seeing it in person is different from hearsay. Let me show you inside."

"Alright," Pan Yun naturally slowed her pace, letting him go first.

Zhu Zifang pushed open the gate and stepped inside, calling out: "Where is everyone? You..."

Whoosh! Water poured from the roof like a waterfall, then a wooden tub crashed down—right onto Zhu Zifang's head.

Pan Yun bit back her laughter, swallowing her smile, then rushed forward with feigned concern: "Fifth Brother Zhang, are you alright?"

Zhu Zifang's face turned ashen. He steadied his dazed head, teeth clenched: "I'm fine!"

Zhu Zifang stormed into the courtyard, shouting: "Who did this? Come out!"

The courtyard was silent. Pan Yun followed him inside, deliberately stepping precisely on his footprints.

Hearing Zhu Zifang shout, Pan Yun said: "Fifth Brother Zhang, you can't possibly not hear this courtyard is empty? Oh my, you really didn't notice?"

Tail number 1

(End of Chapter)