Within the bronze divine beast zun, the Central Dipper Heavenly Gang that the King of Pingyuan had never unleashed before his death still remained. One could easily imagine just how fierce that ancient battle must have been.
Qin Xuan sniffed the wine carefully, becoming increasingly certain that it was connected to "Luo Wine." Which meant this was never Luo Wine to begin with...
Rather, after emerging from the ascension grounds, that feudatory king surnamed Luo had used a special method to disperse the Wine Immortal's recipe into the mortal world, sowing a seed. Three thousand years later, the Wine Immortal's aroma permeated Pingyuan Commandery, waiting to see whether that seed would sprout.
Yet names like "Luo City, Luo River, Luo Wine" had all been erased by Great Yan, scouring away every trace of his existence from the world.
Geng Zhi had only obtained the recipe from the tomb. According to the letter Geng Zhi left behind in the tomb:
"Because this King of Pingyuan cultivated an immortal art, he was targeted by a powerful fiend in the subterranean caverns. To prevent the situation from escalating, Great Yan treated him as an abandoned pawn."
At this moment, Qin Xuan felt that Geng Zhi's information might not be entirely accurate.
If the King of Pingyuan had dispersed the recipe so a similar flavor could be brewed without relying on spirit fruit, it had to have been part of the Wine Immortal's scheme. The secrets within were likely known only to the Wine Immortal himself.
He shared a few of his thoughts with Ji Qingni. The two chatted briefly, deciding not to dwell further on the past. The flavor of the wine seemed correct, and that was good enough.
Feeling more confident, Qin Xuan looked up at the sun and moon alternating in the small world and made his calculations.
Before leaving the Wine Immortal's Dao field, he had to visit the Treasure Pavilion to spend every last immortal cowrie he possessed, or it would be a tremendous waste. He also needed to buy a few more fish from Peak Master Jin; to him, such things were great opportunities impossible to buy in the outside world. And there was the spirit fruit from the isolated island he had promised Old Hu—he had to keep his word...
***
On the twenty-ninth day after the black catfish great demon was stewed.
South of Wine Immortal Town, by the clear riverbank.
The old black-robed man and the old man in golden robes sat keeping watch over their fish stall, just as they always did.
Jin Tu's face was flushed with satisfaction, immensely pleased with himself, his shimmering golden treasure robe flamboyant and eye-catching. He formed a striking contrast with the black-robed man beside him, whose face was somber and whose vitality was visibly waning. Jin Tu was just about to needle him as usual when he suddenly stopped.
Together, the two looked up toward the town street. Two figures were approaching briskly.
Jin Tu was not the only one watching. Many in town were looking on as well, and hushed chatter was plentiful all around.
Jin Tu's expression shifted from his initial stiffness to ease, then to a gentle smile, and now to undisguised admiration. Lately, he had heard about the town's happenings, and his appraisal of Qin Xuan had risen considerably.
Slashing the Lan River demon rabble on the Heart Lake Sea, orchestrating the demise of the wicked monk and vile god in Wine Immortal Town... Every matter had been handled splendidly.
Though he had been discovered late and delayed at Yuansong Temple, leaving his foundation slightly behind the sect's true disciples, Old Jin felt that hardly mattered. Tempering one's heart through such trials might very well be a blessing.
"Senior."
Qin Xuan stepped forward to greet him. Just as Jin Tu had instructed last time, he had arrived before the end of the month. Jin Tu smiled benevolently, turning his head toward the black-robed man beside him.
This successor to the Huanyin Sect Master was staring intently at Qin Xuan before sweeping his eyes over the seven spotted mackerel on the stall. Today was the last day of the month; if he could not sell them, he was finished. The tribulation qi here was simply too terrifying.
He had brought out one of the Huanyin Sect's three foundation treasures, and by now it had been destroyed under the onslaught of tribulation qi.
It had been countless years since the sect had suffered a blow that shook its very roots. His heart was bleeding.
Had he known earlier, he never would have coveted an ancient tribulation immortal's dharmic power and chosen the trade of selling mackerel. Had he picked virtually any other profession, he could have moved through this place with ease.
Now, he absolutely could not allow the tribulation qi to settle upon himself. Not even a foundation treasure could endure it, let alone his flesh and blood.
Without waiting for Jin Tu to threaten him, the black-robed man pointed at the fish and looked at Qin Xuan. "Boy, buy these fish of mine."
"Hold on."
Jin Tu raised a hand to stop him. "You people from the Huanyin Sect have no credibility. Speak your secret first; it won't be too late to buy the fish afterward."
"Fine!" The black-robed man ground his teeth to force out the words. He did not use voice transmission, speaking directly in a raspy voice:
"Since you want to know so badly, I'll put an end to your hopes. My grandmaster is currently in Chaosheng Pool in the Southern Continent. If you wish to seek his elder self, you can only venture to the Dao field of the Great Sage Swallowing Heaven.
"Let me remind you, though his cultivation was struck down by the founder of Zijin Mountain, my grandmaster is not someone a junior like you can question. In the past thirty thousand years, aside from my grandmaster, no one has ever been able to converse with that ancient demon sage."
Jin Tu did not refute him.
Though the black-robed man's grandmaster was a traitor, he was of the same generation as the Ancestor of Guanjiang Mountain. Weighed down by the black-robed man's words, Jin Tu asked:
"Why did you dare chase out of the Eastern Lands and risk coming to Pingyuan Commandery? Aren't you afraid of death? Surely you didn't think yourself capable of facing Madam Wei?"
The black-robed man sneered. "Then you've underestimated me. I am not so shameless.
"Madam Wei is only able to walk abroad by relying on the tribulation-transcending medicine from Chongjin Pass. Having fought a bout against my master, striking again would cost her an enormous price. I had already prepared those expendables from the Renmao Sect; they have long coveted that precious medicine.
"It's just that I never expected an ancient tribulation immortal to be here."
Jin Tu's pupils contracted. "Tell me something I don't know. If Huai Bo, the Renmao Sect Master, doesn't act, on what basis do his subordinates dare show their heads in Pingyuan Commandery? Do they take my Guanjiang Mountain for nothing?"
Qin Xuan and Ji Qingni looked at the black-robed man as well. He had clearly not reached the crucial point.
Seeing the black-robed man hesitate, Jin Tu's expression turned even colder. "Do you want to sell your fish, or do you want the tribulation qi to fall upon you?"
The black-robed man raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the three of them, and squeezed harsh words from between his teeth:
"Pingyuan Commandery is merely an eastern corner of Yunzhou Prefecture. But what if the chaotic ancient tribulation qi of the entire Yunzhou Prefecture were stirred up?"
"What are you talking about?"
The black-robed man said, "Once you leave the ascension grounds, go ask the North Sea Dragon Palace. Several loach dragons intend to employ the Three Rivers Dragon-Course method to plunge straight into the abyssal underground river of the caverns. When that happens, fiends and demons will be stirred, and the earth veins will shudder.
"The waters of the Lan River, Luo River, and Ling River will merge with the underground river, drowning Pingyuan Commandery. At that time, would there be an opportunity?"
Jin Tu glared at him fiercely. "Utter nonsense!
"The North Sea Dragon Palace is the ancestral court of the dragon race. Their primary goal is supremacy over the Four Seas. Why would they make enemies everywhere and embroil themselves in your schemes?"
The black-robed man pointed at the fish on the ground. "I have spoken. If you don't believe me, what does that have to do with me?"
Qin Xuan hesitated slightly.
Jin Tu exchanged a look with the black-robed man, then turned to Qin Xuan. "Buy them."
Qin Xuan drew out immortal cowries and purchased the seven spotted mackerel. Seeing Jin Tu deep in thought, he and Ji Qingni bid their farewells.
At the fish stalls, only the two of them sold this variety of mackerel. The fish sold by others bore no such miraculous effects.
After strolling about, they walked toward Advisor Hu's spirit fruit shop.
"Fairy Ji, how much truth do you think there was in what the black-robed man said?"
Ji Qingni was also pondering, taking quite a while to respond. "You might not know much about the North Sea Dragon Palace.
"The ancestors of the dragon race originally lived in the Heavenly River, following the ancient demon court alongside other demon tribes. Later, after undergoing great tribulations, the ancient demon court collapsed, and factions like the dragons, phoenixes, and qilin scattered in all directions.
"According to ancient records in the Ancient Immortal Continent, the North Sea branch seems to have obtained an item related to the Dragon Ancestor's Dao fruit and preserved the most complete heritage, thus becoming the current ancestral court of the dragon race.
"They hold the greatest power among the Four Seas and wish to reclaim them all, but the dragon clans of the West Sea, South Sea, and East Sea each offer outward compliance while secretly defying them. At this critical juncture, claims that the North Sea has colluded with the Huanyin Sect to stir up trouble under Daoist jurisdiction are truly improbable."
Ji Qingni revealed another secret: "I heard my master mention that the North Sea Dragon Palace harbors immense ambition. Not only do they eye the Four Seas, but they have also set their sights on the Heavenly Demon Mansion and the Ten Thousand Demons Nation."
The Heavenly Demon Mansion and Ten Thousand Demons Nation were the largest factions among the demon race. They were hostile toward each other, each believing itself to be the orthodox continuation of the ancient demon court.
Qin Xuan understood: the North Sea Dragon Palace did not just want to be the head of the dragons; they wanted to be the head of all demons.
"Could it be possible that the North Sea Dragon Palace wants to join hands with that demon sage at Chaosheng Pool, and thus dispatched loach dragons to cooperate with the Huanyin Sect?"
Ji Qingni shook her head gently. "Though that demon sage is formidable, he cannot compare to a Great Lingbao Sect. The people of the North Sea are the shrewdest of all; they wouldn't do such a thing.
"If what that man said earlier was true, something has most likely gone wrong with that Loach Dragon King."
Qin Xuan followed her train of thought. He had heard Senior Mao Yan mention the North Sea demon clans before; those individuals stayed in Bishui Dragon King's Guangling Water Manor merely to keep watch over the resources in the Ling River.
As he pondered, they arrived at Advisor Hu's spirit fruit shop.
Seeing Old Hu welcoming them with a smile, Qin Xuan's eyes lit up.
Old Hu was the Dragon King's advisor and was privy even to domestic disputes in the Dragon King's rear court. Perhaps he knew what that loach dragon was up to.
"Young Master Qin!"
Advisor Hu called out warmly, having finally waited him out. Without wasting words, Qin Xuan casually tossed a spirit fruit over. Advisor Hu caught it smoothly, utterly overjoyed.
Qin Xuan cautioned, "Mister Hu, I just picked this fruit. Your fruit shop is bound to be lively tonight."
Old Hu immediately yielded. "Young master, please do not frighten me. That wicked monk and vile god deserved to die, but I bear you no ill will whatsoever." Seeing Qin Xuan smile, he knew the young man was only joking.
Stowing the spirit fruit safely away, Advisor Hu turned solemn. "As I said that day, once I obtained this fruit, I would gift you an additional piece of information."
"Please, go ahead."
"Before I came to this Dao field, the River Earl of Yishui was gathering a large horde of fiends hiding near the abyssal underground river of the Luo River under the name of the black catfish demon, intending to take action against Pingyuan Commandery."
"Advisor, your information is a bit outdated. The River Earl of Yishui has already been slain by me."
Old Hu sighed. "There is something you don't know. Those aggressive fiends were not coming for you." Pausing, he added, "They dared emerge because they received the River Earl of Yishui's promise that they could feast on massive amounts of blood-food in Pingyuan Commandery."
Qin Xuan frowned in thought.
Certain hunted fiends indeed did such things. The more slaughter they committed and the heavier the blood qi upon them, the better they could adapt to the environment of the subterranean caverns, allowing them to hide there to cultivate and perhaps transform into demons beside the Huangquan River.
Connecting this with the black-robed man's words, Qin Xuan seemed to piece it together.
If the Loach Dragon King flooded Pingyuan Commandery, those fiends could gorge themselves into a blood-fiend frenzy.
The commandery was originally poised for an unimaginable catastrophe. Yet the sudden appearance of the Wine Immortal seemed to have caused all parties' schemes to temporarily fall through.
He could not help asking, "Where are those fiends now?"
"All dead."
Old Hu pointed toward the Heart Lake Sea. "Those fiends hid near the abyssal underground river year-round and were tainted by cavern aura. The moment they entered this ascension ground, every last one fell into that black river."
Qin Xuan praised toward the small world, "Senior Wine Immortal's merit is boundless indeed." Turning back, he asked, "Was the matter of the Yishui River Earl Manor connected to the Bishui Dragon King?"
Old Hu shook his head repeatedly. "Where would the Dragon King get such nerve? It was all arranged by the Loach Dragon King among the North Sea demon clans." Lowering his voice, he said mysteriously, "I reckon someone wanted to use the Bishui Dragon King to drag the North Sea Dragon Palace into the mud."
Qin Xuan realized it too. This had to be internal strife among the demon race, cleverly exploiting the friction between the Huanyin Sect, Chongjin Pass, and Zijin Mountain. A much grander game had originally been underway in Pingyuan Commandery.
In the end, a Wine Immortal barging in out of nowhere had completely smashed the chessboard.
An ancient tribulation immortal ignored chaotic ancient tribulation qi, forcing even major sects to temporarily avoid his edge. Thus, no one dared compete with this drunkard.
Even the Ancestor of Guanjiang Mountain had to wait five hundred years before retrieving his people, granting the Wine Immortal immense face.
Qin Xuan could not help looking at Old Hu. "Mister Hu, by telling me all this, do you wish to use my mouth to clear the Bishui Dragon King of suspicion? It seems that although you speak ill of the Dragon King, your relationship with him is actually quite close."
Advisor Hu gave a simple, honest smile without denying it.
Qin Xuan nodded. "If I can leave the ascension grounds, I will pass your words to my sect elders."
"Thank you, thank you kindly," Advisor Hu thanked him repeatedly.
Seeing that he was unwilling to elaborate on his relationship with the Dragon King, Qin Xuan did not pry further. "By the way, if this spirit fruit is not used to brew wine, what specific use does it have?"
Qin Xuan had picked thirty-nine fruits. Three had been used to set a trap, twenty-five to brew wine, one had just been given to Advisor Hu, and ten remained on him.
Old Hu said, "For someone like me whose foundation is damaged, this fruit offers a degree of mending. For ordinary Qi Refiners, it is merely a superior spirit fruit rich in spiritual qi.
"However, if one's path aligns deeply with the Wine Immortal's Great Dao, this fruit is no different from an immortal fruit."
Seeing the slightly odd looks the two gave him, Advisor Hu resumed his refined scholarly demeanor and explained, "The original owner of this spirit fruit shop was an ancient figure. He told me before he departed."
Presumably, he had been similar to Mo Jianli in Master Xiong's spirit wine shop. Qin Xuan and Ji Qingni took their leave.
Delaying no further, they went straight to the Treasure Pavilion beneath the Wine Immortal Tower. The old butler, Changqing, was still there.
He seemed to know Qin Xuan had struck it rich. The moment Qin Xuan arrived, he brought out the tube of lots.
Qin Xuan had a clear goal. From the magic treasure lots, he drew out the talisman covered in dense, tiny golden script—the divine sense token for the bronze divine beast zun.
"This item is worth two thousand immortal cowries.
"Little friend holds a gold token, earning a twenty percent discount, so sixteen hundred immortal cowries will suffice."
"No problem."
Qin Xuan's heart surged with excitement. After paying the immortal cowries, the old butler did not hand the divine sense token over immediately. Instead, he smiled.
"Little friend, to activate this token, you must come with me."
"Are additional immortal cowries required?"
"No."
The old butler replied, then said to Ji Qingni, "Little friend, please wait here a moment."
His meaning was unmistakable: he intended to take Qin Xuan alone.
Ji Qingni watched the two walk away. Since he was the old butler of the Wine Immortal Dao field, there should be no danger. Still, she followed to the doorway and glanced outside.
She saw Qin Xuan and the old butler walk past the Wine Immortal Tower, heading toward the rear mountain...
***
On the town's rear mountain, normally only a single leopard-drawn carriage traveled back and forth, wheel ruts still visible on the ground. Rounding a mountain hollow, dense rows of tombstones stood across a vast slope of wild grass.
"Senior, where are we going?"
The old butler said, "To a graveyard. That item of yours can only be used once we reach that graveyard."
"Whose grave?"
"The King of Pingyuan's tomb."
The answer matched Qin Xuan's suspicion.
They arrived at the western stone cliff of the slope, before a pitch-black cavern entrance. Ignoring the yin wind within, the old butler took a step forward into the cavern. Inside was quite bright, illuminated by glowing fluorite along the way, though the yin wind blew even fiercer.
The old butler's silver hair danced wildly as he shielded Qin Xuan, leading him deep underground.
"Where does this lead?"
"The subterranean caverns, the Huangquan River." Walking as he spoke, the old butler said, "The Wine Immortal channeled the death qi of the Huangquan River into the Dao field to dissolve tribulations. Within the Huangquan River exists a special kind of ghost originating from the Nine Nether Underworld. Only they can merge with tribulation qi to transform into special beings.
"By channeling such special beings back into the Huangquan River, the Wine Immortal's tribulation qi is reduced by a fraction.
"Only figures who walked out from the primeval era could command such earth-shattering methods."
Qin Xuan listened in silence. Gradually, the sound of flowing water reached his ears. Seeing the change in his expression, the old butler comforted him:
"Rest assured, that is not the Huangquan River, merely the Abyssal Underground River. The Huangquan River lies even further below. It is too perilous there; even I would not dare take you."
Just as Qin Xuan was about to speak, he caught sight of a familiar face at a bend in the subterranean rock cave. The man leaned against the stone wall, entirely breathless.
It was Elder Ji An, who had opposed him time and again. Who could have thought he would die here?
"Do those who fall into demonic madness flee toward this place?"
"Indeed."
There were quite a few more corpses ahead. The old butler said, "These were the people setting up formations in the upper king's tomb."
Qin Xuan saw another old acquaintance—Sect Master Feng of the Xieling Sect.
Elder Zuo Wei of the Huanyin Sect, Qiu Bailu of the Renmao Sect... Qin Xuan had never met them face-to-face, but he suspected they were all here. The sound of river water grew louder and louder.
Before long, an underground river seventy to eighty feet wide came into view.
Turbid foam churned upon the water, its whirlpools like ghostly eyes, wave pushing wave. A white line tore down midstream, swift as a galloping steed, rushing toward the distant abyss. The Abyssal Underground River wound throughout the Nine Provinces, capable of carrying away wandering souls and wild ghosts, ultimately emptying into the Huangquan River.
And along with the Huangquan River, it flowed into the Nine Nether Underworld.
"Why did the elder bring me here?"
Since this was the King of Pingyuan's tomb, there were neither tombstones nor coffins to be seen.
Vigilance rose in his heart, yet the old butler appeared completely composed. "Don't be nervous. This old man has no desire to harm you. Where is the bronze divine beast zun? Bring it out for me to see."
Qin Xuan did not move, thinking of the divine sense token and wondering whether the other party was testing him.
The old butler spoke again: "Take it out quickly, and I shall teach you how to master it. If you don't wish to learn, we can return right now."
Hearing these words, Qin Xuan was first startled, then enlightened. "Senior, could it be..."
"You... you are... that feudatory king surnamed Luo of Pingyuan Commandery!"
Hearing this, the old butler took a step closer to the Abyssal Underground River, his silver hair dancing wildly in the river wind. "This old man's true name is Luo Changqin. Changqing was merely an alias."
He looked back with an approving expression. "Your mind is exceptionally sharp.
"This old man died three thousand years ago. At present, the Wine Immortal merely used the yin qi of the Huangquan River to anchor a wisp of my true spirit. Only because of that can I see a descendant arrive here bearing the divine beast zun. It is truly gratifying.
"My mortal body perished long ago along this river. To call this place the King of Pingyuan's tomb is not wrong either."
Qin Xuan hesitated no longer and brought out the bronze divine beast zun.
"I obtained this item by chance. I never imagined I would actually meet senior."
He briefly recounted the process of obtaining the bronze divine beast zun.
The old butler listened attentively. Then, beckoning with a hand, the divine beast zun flew over. With a casual wipe, the agitated Central Dipper Heavenly Gang inside instantly calmed down. Having done all this, he returned it to Qin Xuan.
"This old man has calmed the Heavenly Gang within. This treasure is a spiritual vessel, but its materials contain Nine Heavens Immortal Copper. If you have the ability to gather the four primordial mothers of heaven and earth, you can forge it into a spirit treasure."
The old man shook his head unconsciously; that was far too distant. Returning to the present, he said:
"Aside from defense, this treasure's greatest strength lies in its power of absorption. Back then, I journeyed to the Nine Heavens Azure Star Sea, and within a few years, I filled it with Central Dipper Heavenly Gang. Later, when I fought a great battle against others in Pingyuan Commandery, I obliterated numerous foes with it.
"The Yishui River off the Lan River was blasted open by this old man using the Heavenly Gang, and even the surface of the Lan River was expanded several times over.
"If your dharmic power is profound enough, this treasure can drain the waters of an entire great river. Flooding Pingyuan Commandery would be as simple as turning your palm."
A supreme weapon of slaughter!
Qin Xuan stared at the divine beast zun in his hand with pleasant surprise. He had never expected such a small vessel to possess such immense power.
"Come, I will guide you to activate it once."
Hearing this, Qin Xuan hurried to thank him. Taking the divine sense token, he channeled his dharmic power into the treasure, imprinting the divine sense token onto this spiritual vessel much like controlling a sword talisman.
The old butler pointed a finger at the head of the divine beast zun. A bright line appeared in Qin Xuan's sea of consciousness.
Following the trajectory of the bright line, he completed his initial refining with extraordinary speed.
Then, guided by the old man, he raised the bronze divine beast zun, aiming its opening at the Abyssal Underground River.
In an instant, the fallen water whipped into surging waves, splashing high into the air. The water of the Abyssal Underground River was not drawn inside.
Instead, streams of black fiend-qi surged relentlessly into the belly of the divine beast zun. This was...
One-Origin Heavy Water Fiend!
That was it! Back then, the net-casting elder in the Scripture Pavilion had used this very fiend to deal with Lord Intestineless! That elder had spent many years in the Abyssal Underground River over by the Luo River before finally harvesting that wisp of fiend-qi. And now...
One-Origin Heavy Water Fiend was being continuously drawn into the belly of the divine beast zun.
Qin Xuan's dharmic power depleted rapidly. Just as he was nearing exhaustion, the old man withdrew his hand.
"Old Luo!"
Disregarding his own condition, Qin Xuan noticed the old butler's figure fading. He could even see the spiritual light at his brow anchored by the Wine Immortal.
The old man sighed ruefully. "No longer useful. Back in the day, harvesting fiend-qi never required such cumbersome effort."
Qin Xuan comforted him, "It is because my cultivation is too low."
The old butler paid no heed to his fading form.
"Consider this treasure taught to you. That you could obtain it proves you share a karmic bond with this old man, and I have fulfilled this thread of fate."
Qin Xuan quickly asked, "Is there anything this junior can assist with?"
The old man shook his head, then sat down cross-legged beside the Abyssal Underground River. "Is there anything you wish to ask?"
Qin Xuan thought for a moment and voiced his guess: "Was senior the person who brewed the immortal brew three thousand years ago? I once drank Luo Wine in Pingyuan Commandery City, using a recipe a friend obtained from a tomb."
"A recipe from a tomb..."
The old man repeated those words. "It seems Great Yan truly erased all traces of my existence." He continued:
"The one who walked out of the ascension grounds three thousand years ago was indeed me. The wine I brewed was already enough to satisfy the Wine Immortal and assist his elder self. Unfortunately, because the spirit fruits here had been tainted after all, it was always lacking a fraction.
"The Wine Immortal could not achieve perfection.
"At his behest, I dispersed the recipe for Luo Wine adapted for the mortal marketplace, hoping someone might brew it successfully. I never expected the Great Yan Dynasty to act so ruthlessly. They could not even tolerate a beverage in a cup."
Qin Xuan took the opportunity to ask, "Why did the Great Yan Dynasty seek to wipe senior out completely?"
The old man weighed his words. "For you, knowing is not necessarily a good thing. Still, since you reside in the Eastern Ascendant Continent, you should be more vigilant.
"Three thousand years ago, Great Yan's rule was unstable. This old man was considered somewhat capable, which was why I was enfeoffed in this small place of Pingyuan Commandery. We should have lived in peace, but an accident led this old man to uncover their secret.
"In the neighboring Chuanlai Commandery, there was also a feudatory king. Yet because his fief suffered perennial ghostly disasters, his royal bloodline gradually withered away.
"This is Great Yan's customary tactic.
"They wanted to deal with me the same way, but this old man detected it. Following the clues, I discovered that the Great Yan imperial family maintained close ties with the ghost moth factions in the caverns. To silence me, they fought a massive battle against me on the Lan River. Afterward, I hid inside this Wine Immortal Dao field and slaughtered a great number of their people on the Heart Lake Sea.
"However, my end was not favorable either.
"Without the Wine Immortal's intervention, my soul would have dispersed long ago."
Right at that moment...
A plume of misty cloud suddenly appeared before the two. Atop the cloud sat a wine flagon and two wine cups.
The old butler smiled, cupping his hands toward the air. "Many thanks, many thanks."
Qin Xuan's heart pounded. This was wine delivered by an ancient tribulation immortal.
He also followed the old man's lead, cupping his hands toward the air. "Many thanks, Senior Wine Immortal."
The flagon poured only two cups of wine, exactly one for each.
The old butler drank his in a single gulp. Qin Xuan tasted his and discovered it was indeed Luo Wine.
"Senior Luo, this was the wine you brewed back then?"
"Correct."
Qin Xuan pondered. These two cups of wine from the Wine Immortal were partly out of regard for the King of Pingyuan's past favor, and partly to let him taste the flavor beforehand.
The old man offered a kind reminder:
"A few days ago, I saw people from that Murong clan displaying hostility toward you. If you clash with them, there is no need to be soft-handed when the time comes to strike. So long as you have backing, they won't dare do much.
"However, there is one thing you must remember: what I just told you must rot in your heart. You may slay fiends, and you may kill people from the Murong clan, but do not connect the two together. Even this old man couldn't withstand it; with your small frame, do not even attempt it."
Qin Xuan dared not utter boastful words. He had cultivated for barely over six years; he had to steer well clear of the undercurrents behind Pingyuan Commandery, let alone terrifying secrets embroiling the Eastern Ascendant Continent. For now, his curiosity was firmly shelved.
Looking at the old man, Qin Xuan asked in a low voice, "Does senior have any living descendants?"
"There is one branch. Back then, I entrusted someone to send them to Jinyao City in the Eastern Lands. Whether they still exist today, I do not know."
Having received this favor, Qin Xuan asked, "Is there any message you wish to pass on?"
The old man pondered. "Back then, I left behind a scroll of immortal arts. The True Method of Spiritual Perception upon it must never be cultivated. If little friend happens to meet those descendants by chance, help destroy it.
"This matter must also rot in your heart. This old man does not wish to implicate you."
Qin Xuan committed every word to memory.
What the old man shared was exceedingly useful; encountering such things in the future, he could avert danger in advance.
After chatting a bit more, the two left the Abyssal Underground River and returned to Wine Immortal Town.
Along the way, Qin Xuan consulted him further: "I still have a few immortal cowries left, but I don't know the best way to spend them. Does Old Luo have any advice?"
The old man answered without hesitation:
"There are two things in this Dao field suited for you. The first is the Wine Immortal's wine, and the second is the Wine Immortal's fish. Both are tied to the Wine Immortal's dharmic power. With few immortal cowries, buying only these two is best..."
After returning to the Treasure Pavilion, Qin Xuan headed home with Fairy Ji.
Along the way, omitting what he had promised the old man to keep secret, he recounted the King of Pingyuan's past to her.
Learning of the old butler's identity, Fairy Ji was astonished.
"Your karmic bond with this elder is truly not shallow."
"Indeed."
"Does that mean you have already brewed the wine the Wine Immortal desires?"
"Originally I was only fifty percent certain, but now I'm about seventy to eighty percent sure."
Hearing Qin Xuan's words, Ji Qingni looked up at the sky. She had a premonition that they would soon be leaving this small world.
"Little Sword Immortal Qin, let us go drink some more wine."
Qin Xuan wondered if his ears were playing tricks on him.
He asked with a smile, "Where did fairy find the mood for wine?"
Ji Qingni gave him a deeply meaningful, faint smile.
"Once I leave Wine Immortal Town, I will drink no more. Over these next few days, I might as well drink a few extra cups. That way, my visit to the Wine Immortal's Dao field will not have been in vain."
Qin Xuan agreed with a "very well" and naturally kept her company...
***
On the fifty-ninth night after the black catfish great demon was stewed.
Amidst the knocking of fiends outside the door, two figures leaned against the spirit fruit tree in the courtyard behind the loft, admiring the moonlight.
Tomorrow would be the bimonthly day to visit the Wine Immortal Tower.
The immortal cowries on Qin Xuan had mostly been spent in Master Xiong's wine shop. The remaining loose change had been used to buy Jin Tu's fish.
"Little Sword Immortal Qin, what kind of scene will tomorrow bring?"
"I don't know."
Qin Xuan felt a touch of melancholy. "I only wish to cherish the present. Perhaps tomorrow fairy will return to the Nine Heavens, just like this..."
He raised a cup of wine, reflecting the moon in the sky within it, and pointed at the moon in the cup. "Do you see? Perhaps in the future, only like this will I be able to catch a glimpse of the fairy in the Guanghan Palace."
Ji Qingni burst out laughing. "Is it as exaggerated as you make it sound?
"Keep your lips sealed and don't spill word of what happened here, and my sect elders won't interrogate me about my cultivation. When time permits, I will come seek you out to drink... drink tea~"
"Splendid, it's a promise then."
Qin Xuan smiled. "If I suddenly lost a wine... cough, tea-drinking friend, it would truly feel strange."
The two exchanged a look and drank another cup. Beneath the spirit tree, voices continued to drift...
"I heard a legend."
"What legend?"
"They say that beneath the Guanghan Palace grows a laurel tree. If someone chops at the tree with an axe, the fairy above will look down. Is that true?"
"That's hilarious. Who did you hear that from?"
"Well... a respectable folk legend."
"What folk legend? A romantic fable, more like. Beneath the Guanghan Palace lies the Heavenly River, and beside the Heavenly River there truly is a lunar laurel. But it was planted by a fiery-tempered elder. Everyone in the sect fears her; no one would dare chop at her tree."
"If someone chopped it, would you look?"
"No, no! What's so interesting about chopping a tree?"
"Ah... so the legend was false. I was hoping to try it."
"Little Sword Immortal Qin has poor alcohol tolerance; you're already drunk..."
"Not drunk... not drunk at all..."
That night, while some spoke softly beneath the moon, leisurely sipping wine, others were in a tremendous hurry.
***
Eight hundred li north of Pingyuan Commandery, outside the Wine Tribulation Immortal's Dao field.
In the dead of night, a dazzling sword light cleaved down upon the great river!
The hundred-zhang-wide river split in two. Beneath the riverbed, a slimy loach dragon thirty zhang long, bearing dragon whiskers and blood-red eyes, let out a miserable shriek as it was hacked in half!
A middle-aged scholar hung suspended in midair. Beside him, a flying sword shimmering with red light circled gracefully around his person, its aura locking down the surrounding hundred li. Deep in the riverbed lay a massive hole.
Evidently, something had burrowed down through that hole.
Right then, two more streaks of light flew in from the distance, one gray and one red, coming to a halt beside the middle-aged scholar.
As the red figure drew near, thick white steam boiled up over the Lan River. With a stern face, he reeled in his Secret Fiend Divine Quail True Fire upon seeing the scene. It was none other than Mao Yan.
Beside Mao Yan was Zheng Xiuyuan, who had previously visited Yuansong Temple to have Elder Pan Ang reflect on the rear mountain. Upon seeing the middle-aged scholar ahead, both offered distant bows.
This scholar was the second disciple of Guanjiang Mountain's Perfected Xuannian: Song Xinghe. Back then, it was this Fellow Daoist Song who had delivered Perfected Xuannian's command talisman to them.
At present, the three looked at the loach dragon corpse in the river and the gaping hole, their expressions less than pleased.
"The Loach Dragon King escaped."
As Song Xinghe spoke, his flying sword patrolled the perimeter, its sword qi sweeping through every corner. "That old loach has fifteen hundred years of cultivation; it isn't so easily slain."
Mao Yan said gravely, "Who gave it such reckless audacity to lead six loach dragons in unleashing floods to drown the commandery?"
As they spoke, the three looked toward Pingyuan Commandery.
Many areas had already been submerged in floodwaters. Even within Pingyuan Commandery City, the inner canals had overflowed, water reaching thigh-height. Fortunately, the danger had been discovered in time, averting a full-scale disaster.
Zheng Xiuyuan said, "We must pay a visit to Guangling Water Manor!"
Song Xinghe agreed. Summoning his flying sword, he cast the Dimension-Shrinking Sea-Crossing Secret Method through the sword light, and the three broke through the darkness, charging straight toward the Ling River.
Before they could reach Guangling Water Manor, a colossal flood dragon poked its head out where the Ling River's floodwaters surged. Seeing the sword light from afar, it shouted:
"Friends of Guanjiang Mountain, this matter has nothing to do with my Guangling Water Manor, nor was it arranged by the North Sea!"
This dragon was none other than the Bishui Dragon King.
The distant sword light halted, and a voice rang out:
"The loach dragons fall under the jurisdiction of your Guangling Water Manor. Now that the deed is done, a single word from the Dragon King is hardly enough to settle it."
The Bishui Dragon King was thoroughly depressed as well.
He was completely baffled. The Loach Dragon King had been dispatched from the North Sea and was originally staying in his manor. Some time ago, it claimed it would help handle the spiritual vein issues upstream along the Lan River, so it went to General Manager Black Catfish.
Who could have imagined the Loach Dragon King would stir up such a massive mess?
The other demon clans who had arrived from the North Sea were also in utter chaos, each rushing out to hunt down the Loach Dragon King.
That old loach had gone mad, attempting to flood an entire commandery! Seeking its own death was one thing, but dragging him down to take the blame was another—only stewing the old loach would appease his fury. Seeing the sword light blaze brightly in the distance, the Bishui Dragon King made a promise:
"Guangling Water Manor will give Guanjiang Mountain an explanation! That loach fled east, and my people from the North Sea are actively pursuing it. Please inform our friends at Guanjiang Mountain that the North Sea has no wish to damage relations with the Daoist ancestral court; this matter had nothing to do with us!"
The moment his words fell, the sword light sped away in pursuit.
On the Ling River, waves churned violently. The Bishui Dragon King roared, "Men!"
"Present!"
Several hundred fierce demon soldiers emerged from the water manor.
"Go capture every last person from the Lan River black catfish faction and the Yishui River Earl Manor!
"If any dare resist, slaughter them all!"
"Yes, Sir!!"
Receiving their orders, the demon horde rode the waves and water mist, speeding toward the Lan River Water Manor. It was plain to see that the entire power structure of the Lan River was about to undergo a thorough purge...
***
Song Xinghe, Mao Yan, and Zheng Xiuyuan slowed their pace slightly, flying toward Pingyuan Commandery City. Along the way, many places showed traces of having been submerged by floodwaters.
Because they had been paying close attention to the Huanyin Sect's movements, their response had been swift. Even so, many people had suffered.
The three analyzed the situation throughout their journey, shifting the topic only as they neared Pingyuan Commandery.
Zheng Xiuyuan had been at Guanjiang Mountain from the start, while Mao Yan had been dispatched by Madam Wei.
The main purpose of his trip to Guanjiang Mountain lay in a letter. Written by Madam Wei herself, it was addressed to Perfected Xuanling, with the implied intent of taking away a junior who had caught her favor.
The letter had been delivered to Yingling Peak. Since Madam Wei had spoken personally and asked only for a disciple of the Lower Court, Perfected Xuanling's branch naturally agreed.
For Mao Yan, this matter was considered accomplished.
Even if the Huanyin Sect affair was temporarily unresolved and their calculations had gone awry, this journey to Pingyuan Commandery was still a grand success.
In Mao Yan's heart, young Qin at Jinghu Villa was even more important than capturing the Huanyin Sect Master's successor.
The Huanyin Sect was an old grudge, while young Qin was the future.
What came as a slight surprise was...
Word had spread to Jianling Peak and reached the ears of Perfected Xuannian's second disciple—Song Xinghe, who stood before them now.
Perfected Xuannian ranked second, standing as Guanjiang Mountain's foremost swordcraft master beneath the founder himself.
Sixteen hundred years ago, he had already crossed the Jasper Ointment Four-Nine Thunder Tribulation, and his current cultivation was impossible to fathom.
The disciples he had once taken on had all passed away, yet this perfected being had remained on Jianling Peak.
Originally, Perfected Xuannian never concerned himself with external affairs. But when a taboo existence emerged in Pingyuan Commandery, trapping Peak Master Jin, Xubai Zi, and others within, the perfected beings meditating on the Great Dao made inquiries below.
When Song Xinghe reported upward, Perfected Xuannian—who had initially remained neutral—suddenly heard that Yuansong Temple had produced a Little Sword Immortal who tempered his sword heart through romantic fables. This had thoroughly "astonished" his elder self.
Upon hearing that Madam Wei had taken a fancy to this junior, Perfected Xuannian's interest grew even further.
Thus, a secret order had fallen upon Song Xinghe.
Outside Pingyuan Commandery City, Song Xinghe sighed to the two companions. "Fellow Daoists, my Jianling Peak branch is sparsely populated. Finding a swordcraft genius is truly difficult."
His sigh carried a plaintive tone, bearing none of the sharpness he had displayed when slaying the loach dragon or interrogating the Bishui Dragon King earlier.
Mao Yan and Zheng Xiuyuan both looked at him.
Mao Yan grew somewhat wary. "Fellow Daoist Song, Perfected Xuanling's side has already agreed. Madam Wei took a liking to him and intends to bring Qin Xuan to Chongjin Pass to cultivate."
"Alas!"
Song Xinghe stroked his short beard and smiled as he brought out a sword casket.
"There is something you two do not know. My master has long wished to take a young disciple, but has never found one with the right destiny. This flying sword is named Green Rainbow, an instrument his elder self used in his early years. He has always hoped to find a beloved disciple with this sword.
"I am only bringing it over to let Qin Xuan try it out; it won't hurt."
Before Mao Yan and Zheng Xiuyuan could speak, Song Xinghe added:
"Let us first pay a visit to Madam Wei, and then head to the King of Pingyuan's tomb to pay our respects to that taboo existence. Master gave me something; I wonder if that old senior will grant us a bit of face..."
Chapter 95