Origins

Ding Songyan's emotions churned, preventing him from dispelling illusion in time to catch a glimpse of Liu Yuzao's true state. Only after his nominal mother vanished along the covered walkways of Zhen Manor did Ding Songyan finally compose his thoughts, mocking himself in silence: *My instincts were quite sharp after all...* *Luckily, we have only lived together for a few days, and I haven't invested too much affection into them. Otherwise, my Dao heart would truly have shattered...* Recalling past events and piecing them together with his earlier deductions, Ding Songyan swiftly formed a clearer picture of the situation regarding the "Ding family": Ding Shengyi was working alongside Yan Changqing's "old friend," using "moth people" who surpassed what was normal to stage repeated provocations by the Xiaochuan Gang, as well as Chen Yuliang's brazen purchase of The Esoteric Classic of Mountains and Seas. This showed that their objective was Yan Changqing. Whether they sought to rescue him or coveted the potential secrets of the Heavenly Emperor's treasure and the whereabouts of Mount Kunlun remained unknown for now—or perhaps both. Before they had arrived in Dingjiang Prefecture, their "relative" Qin Nuansheng had already been married into Zhen Manor for over two years. It would not have been difficult for them to learn that younger members of the Zhen family frequently went out to study storytelling, or even that an "honored guest" was held in the estate's dungeon. Thus, Ding Erlang's identity as a storyteller had almost certainly been tailor-made. Ding Shengyi and Yan Changqing's "old friend" had hoped to use Qin Nuansheng's influence to give Ding Erlang an opportunity to approach Yan Changqing through storytelling, laying the groundwork for a subsequent rescue. If this deduction was correct, Ding Songyan believed Ding Erlang was merely an unfortunate, innocent bystander chosen for the task. Before the plan unfolded, anyone would have assumed that an outsider storyteller attempting to enter the dungeon and spin tales for Yan Changqing would be subjected to meticulous inspection by the experts of Zhen Manor. It was not even out of the question that Old Master Zhen would scrutinize him in person. When that time came, no matter what miraculous art one possessed to conceal anomalies, it would likely fail to deceive Old Master Zhen—a grandmaster intimately familiar with Yan Changqing's cultivation techniques. Based on that judgment, finding an ordinary person and controlling him by planting a hazy-green "seed" or constantly influencing his thoughts was far more covert and far less likely to be detected by Old Master Zhen. As for why Zhen Manor had later grown so negligent and failed to examine Ding Songyan thoroughly, it was naturally because they had their own hidden agenda. Viewed from this angle, the previous Ding Erlang had likely been tragically chosen merely because he could tell stories and bore a slight resemblance to Ding Shengyi and Liu Yuzao, making him an expendable pawn almost certain to die. Mr. Yu had probably lied earlier as well: what Yan Changqing loved to hear was not just dramatized legends, but also ancient lore and anecdotes of the jianghu. Ding Erlang's historical storytelling had catered to those tastes just the same. Later, after the "Ding family" had stayed in Dingjiang Prefecture for more than half a year, Qin Nuansheng had still failed to persuade Zhen Manor to hire an outside storyteller. Growing impatient and fearing that further delay would breed unexpected complications, they had decided to abandon craft in favor of force. Hence came the Xiaochuan Gang's repeated provocations, along with Chen Yuliang's "transaction" involving The Esoteric Classic of Mountains and Seas with Ding Erlang. The purpose had been to stir up a fierce clash between the Sishui Gang and the Xiaochuan Gang, forcing Old Master Zhen to intervene in person and leave Zhen Manor. After being coerced into taking part in the "transaction," Ding Erlang had believed he could escape, never imagining his flight was merely another part of the scheme. Had he not fled and died in the ruined shrine, the conflict could not have escalated so rapidly. In the end, Ding Songyan's transmigration had kept Ding Erlang alive, which unsettled Yan Changqing's "old friend" and Ding Shengyi's faction. They had temporarily altered their plans, casting Chen Yuliang aside to let things quiet down. Later, when Ding Songyan was invited by Zhen Manor to tell The Legend of the White Snake for Yan Changqing, the plan had swung back onto its original track. *The question now is, if everyone else in the 'Ding family' served a purpose, what was the reason for Ding Qingyan's presence?* Standing beneath the shade of the trees across from Zhen Manor, Ding Songyan fell into perplexity. When dispelling illusion before, he had not detected any anomalies in Ding Qingyan's outward appearance. This led him to believe that his little sister was either a cultivator of terrifyingly high attainments or possessed some other special nature. *Could she be part of a third contingency prepared by the mastermind, beyond craft and force?* Ding Songyan pondered, turning his gaze toward the eastern end of Beishui Street. Two carriages were approaching, their wheels rumbling over the stone pavers. One of them had wind chimes suspended from its frame, sending out a crisp, melodious ringing. The carriages halted before the gates of Zhen Manor. Two attendants stepped down first from the lead vehicle, followed by a remarkably handsome man. He appeared to be only in his thirties, wearing a bamboo cap and an ash-gray robe with wide sleeves. Every gesture carried an aloof, ethereal grace, free of any outward physical anomalies. Xiaoqing and her maidservant emerged from the carriage behind. Her dark hair was tied up with a white kerchief, and she wore a lake-green martial outfit paired with patterned white boots. Dressed like a wandering maiden of the jianghu, she looked both bright and enchanting, radiant with martial vigor. *It seems she took my warning to heart. That outfit is clearly suited for combat and sudden trouble...* Ding Songyan promptly stepped out from the shade so Xiaoqing could spot him. As the grand gates of Zhen Manor slowly swung open, Xiaoqing's beautiful eyes drifted across the street and caught sight of Ding Songyan. She smiled and gave a slight nod in greeting. Ding Songyan's objective was achieved. Soon, welcomed by Zhen Quanwang, Xiaoqing followed her second uncle through the wide-open main gates, skirting the spirit screen and heading deeper into the manor. Their carriages advanced a short distance, coming to a halt beside a row of hitching posts. Before Ding Songyan could retreat into the shade, the rhythmic clatter of hooves echoed from afar. Mounted on a white horse, Ren Youyang galloped up, accompanied by four guards. He still wore his feathered robe and tall cap, his canine ears erect, though he had brought no pretty maidservants along this time. The five steeds came to a halt. Ren Youyang dismounted with practiced agility, his four guards following in unison. Glancing around, Ren Youyang caught sight of Ding Songyan and waved with a smile. "Brother Ding, you're here as well?" *Good heavens, Brother Youyang truly gives me face... In normal times, just this casual greeting would be enough to get me admitted into a reputable sect and double my standing...* Ding Songyan walked over, feeling both surprised and grateful. While waiting to be received by Zhen Manor, Ren Youyang smiled and said to Ding Songyan, "Did you see the person who just entered?" "I did." Ding Songyan was puzzled. Ren Youyang tilted his head, giving him a bewildered look. "You weren't captivated at all, confronted with such beauty?" *I see her face to face every morning and every evening... And that martial attire isn't even Miss Xiaoqing at her most stunning... Or perhaps, Brother Youyang, you were admiring her second uncle?* Gathering his thoughts, Ding Songyan said, "Naturally, she is a peerless beauty, but Miss Xiaoqing comes to listen to my storytelling every day. It was hardly my first time seeing her." At that moment, another direct son of the Zhen family had led attendants to the entrance to greet the guests, but seeing Ren Youyang and Ding Songyan chatting happily, he did not dare interrupt. Hearing Ding Songyan's reply, Ren Youyang was both astonished and struck by a sudden realization. "So she was the heavenly beauty throwing money around in the street rumors! How did I not think of that!" He wore an aggrieved look, as though questioning his own wits. To avoid Ding Songyan noticing, he twitched his canine ears and volunteered, "I only learned today that the other party is the Tiannü Sect from Gan Kingdom." "The Tiannü Sect?" Ding Songyan was bewildered. *Isn't Miss Xiaoqing a snake demon?* "You didn't know?" Ren Youyang chuckled. "That Miss Xiaoqing is actually Su Qingli, the younger sister of Su Yunzhang, the 'Pure Dust Gentleman.' She accompanied their second uncle, Su Chongxiao, to Dingjiang Prefecture. Hiss... you didn't tell Su Qingli what I said about Su Yunzhang, did you? Ah, I'm overthinking it. It's not like you two would meet in private." *So Miss Xiaoqing's full name is Su Qingli... But isn't she a snake demon?* Ding Songyan was still thoroughly confused. *Why would a proper snake demon join the Tiannü Sect? And how is she the sister of the 'Pure Dust Gentleman' Su Yunzhang? Did I stumble into a nest of snake demons?* "My lips are sealed, of course." Ding Songyan had no intention of revealing that Su Qingli might be a snake demon. Measuring his words, he said, "Miss Xiaoqing did press me in private to write storybooks, and she even shifted shape to frighten me, but I remembered my promise and never mentioned a word of what you said, Brother Youyang." Ren Youyang burst out laughing. "Her shifting shape to frighten you sounds entirely like her! That's just the mischievous nature of the Su family and their Tiannü Sect! "The Tiannü Sect primarily cultivates the Classic of the Heavenly Fox. Its core supreme art is the Grand Art of Myriad Transformations and Bewitching All Sentient Beings, and that 'myriad transformations' is no empty boast." *The Grand Art of Myriad Transformations and Bewitching All Sentient Beings... Myriad transformations... Was I played for a fool by Miss Xiaoqing? She isn't a snake demon at all! The prettier a girl is, the better she lies, doesn't she? First Qingyan, now Miss Xiaoqing... The heritage of the Tiannü Sect clearly stems from the nine-tailed fox. Was she just beguiling sentient beings for amusement?* For a moment, Ding Songyan did not know whether to laugh or cry, though he felt little real anger. Such petty deceptions were harmless enough. Knowing she wasn't a snake demon actually brought him a measure of relief—after all, he was terrified of snakes. Ren Youyang suddenly looked a bit puzzled. "Su Qingli is only sixteen, not long past her hairpin coming-of-age. She hasn't even completed her body-forging and qi-refining. She came to Dingjiang Prefecture merely to broaden her horizons, so how could she possess the power of transformation?" He promptly reasoned it out for himself: "Could an elder have shadowed her in secret, creating a Great Void illusory realm, or lent her their strength?" Listening to Ren Youyang mumble to himself, Ding Songyan gradually sensed that something was amiss: *Judging by Miss Xiaoqing's reactions while listening to The Legend of the White Snake, and her attitude toward demons in conversation, is she truly not a demon?* *When I used Yan Changqing's qi to dispel illusion outside Duokang Temple, I seemed to see several fluffy white tails. Were those hers, or was her second uncle secretly protecting her?* Worried about causing trouble for Miss Xiaoqing, Ding Songyan did not pursue the matter further and asked instead, "Are the Twelve Dao of the Great Void another supreme art from the Classic of the Heavenly Fox?" "The Grand Art of Myriad Transformations and Bewitching All Sentient Beings is the substance, while the Twelve Dao of the Great Void are the application," Ren Youyang explained in a low voice. He then teased Ding Songyan with a grin, "If you could marry Su Qingli, countless heroes of the martial world would envy you to death. The Su family has profound foundations spanning over two thousand years, producing grand masters of the Heaven-Man Realm in every generation, and occasionally even a Perfected One of the Spirit Terrace Realm. Besides, Su Qingli's aunt, Su Liudan, was once the foremost beauty of the martial world. Once Su Qingli matures and puts in a bit of effort, she could well become such a jianghu legend herself." "How could I ever be worthy?" Ding Songyan said with a self-deprecating laugh. Ren Youyang chuckled mischievously. "You'd be surprised. The Su family is truly eccentric. In every generation, they either cultivate in solitude or take a fancy to common mortals and nameless figures of the martial world. You'd actually be quite a fit." Before Ding Songyan could reply, Ren Youyang pointed toward the welcoming attendants at the main gate. "I should head inside first; I mustn't keep them waiting." "Please, Brother Youyang." Ding Songyan cupped his hands in respect. Looking at the open gates of Zhen Manor and the grand, deferential retinue of greeters, Ren Youyang suddenly sighed with emotion: "Brother Ding, whenever I see a scene like this, a certain opera line always comes to mind: "'Once the gongs and drums sound, all take the stage in powdered makeup.'" With that, he led his four guards forward, stepping steadily toward the gates of Zhen Manor.