Chapter Sixteen: The Seven Adepts of Mount Shu
On the vast land of Shenzhou, the scenery is boundless, with majestic mountains and rivers vying in beauty. In the southwest of Shenzhou, the mountains stretch endlessly, and among them, the land of Shu is famed for its abundant spiritual energy.
The Daoist way flourishes in Western Shu, with temples and monasteries dotting the mountains by the hundreds and thousands. Each year, devout followers undertake long journeys to worship at these sacred peaks, and the stunning landscape—towering heights and lush waters, layered ridges and captivating vistas—draws many travelers in search of scenic wonders.
Yet beyond these renowned front-facing mountains, there exist hidden rear peaks, the so-called blessed lands and heavenly grottoes. The scenery within is wondrous and mysterious, inaccessible to ordinary people, reserved for those rare masters who have attained the Way, enjoying the tranquility and beauty of these spiritual mountains.
Among these secret realms, Mount Emei stands as a famed sanctuary in Shu. It is said that while Western Shu boasts many extraordinary mountains and waters, Emei surpasses them all. The mountain itself, shrouded in emerald clouds and distant dark hues, resembles a delicate brow—slender, beautiful, and radiant—hence the name Mount Emei.
Such a celestial mountain naturally hosts a distinguished sect: the Emei School.
The rules of Emei are strict. Disciples of the first tier must attend morning lessons daily. Even those in seclusion must report to the teaching elder before or after their retreat. Monthly exams are held at the end of each month; those who fail or rank low are subject to penalties.
However, teaching elders are human; if one attends morning lessons diligently, even with low exam rankings, leniency is often granted. But these rules do not apply to those with extraordinary talent and brilliance.
Take, for instance, the rising star Li Yingqiong, recently joined to the mountain. Since her arrival, no one has seen her attend morning lessons more than a handful of times.
But today was different—Li Yingqiong appeared at the morning lesson, much to everyone’s surprise.
This young girl, barely thirteen or fourteen, lived up to her name: like a piece of flawless jade, radiant with heroic spirit. Clad in a fitted white garment, her fair skin and beauty were accentuated, outshining frost and snow. Yet, upon her brow lay a natural vermilion birthmark, lending her an aura of sharpness and hidden ferocity.
Li Yingqiong strode briskly into the Hall of Introspection. The place was crowded, the front seats filled, though some space remained in the back. She refused to sit there, standing upright in the front, like a newly forged sword.
“Junior Sister, you can take my seat!” A nearby Daoist, unable to withstand her aura, offered his place.
“Thank you, Senior Brother.” Li Yingqiong accepted without courtesy, not even glancing at him, simply uttering a cold thanks before sitting.
The man hurried to the back, saying it was nothing.
Once seated, Li Yingqiong glanced at the girl beside her and immediately relaxed, her expression blossoming like snow melting on a mountain, a snow lotus blooming.
“Senior Sister Zhou, you’re here too!”
This Zhou, whom Li Yingqiong favored, appeared to be fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a pale yellow robe, her waist-length hair tied with a red ribbon, resembling a springtime flower facing the sun.
The girl in yellow smiled and nodded.
“Not just Senior Sister Zhou—Senior Brother Yan, Zhuge, and I are all here!” Another female voice chimed in; Li Yingqiong turned and saw her close friend Yu Yingnan was present as well.
Looking around the hall, Li Yingqiong found Senior Brother Yan Renying and Jingrui also in attendance.
What could this mean?
Li Yingqiong pondered; usually, they were all advancing rapidly in their cultivation, rarely gathering together. As for attending morning lessons daily, only Senior Sister Zhou Qingyun and Senior Brother Yan Renying managed it; the rest, herself included, did not.
Today, she had come because the teaching elder summoned her, likely the same for the others.
Her guess proved true. After the elder finished the day’s lesson, everyone was dismissed, except for Li Yingqiong, Yu Yingnan, Yan Renying, Zhou Qingyun, and Zhuge Jingrui.
The group speculated on the elder’s intentions.
Before they could speculate further, the elder spoke plainly:
“The Headmaster wishes to see you.”
All were startled at this announcement.
——
On the rear peaks of Emei, within the secret realm of Jade Condensation Cliff, stood the Heavenly Wave Wall.
This wall was a single piece of top-grade spiritual jade, growing naturally on the cliff, its surface shimmering with light that rolled like water ripples.
The five stood solemnly before it, not daring to move, even the usually wild Li Yingqiong and Yu Yingnan.
Fortunately, they did not wait long. A flash of radiance appeared before the wall, and two figures materialized.
——
On the left stood a man in pale moon-colored robes, his presence lofty and serene, his form handsome and relaxed, a slight smile on his lips. In his arms, he cradled an infant.
On the right stood a woman in a bright yellow gown, her figure full and graceful, radiant and dignified, her eyes smiling, holding another infant.
“Greetings, Master and Mistress,” the five bowed in respect.
The man was none other than the Headmaster of Emei, the leader of the Daoist sects in Western Shu, the True Immortal of Pure Vitality, Qi Xuming. The woman beside him was Lady Miaoyi, Xun Lanyin.
The infants in their arms were the year-old twins, Qi Lingyun and Qi Jinchán.
“No need for excessive ceremony, rise quickly,” Lady Miaoyi said with a smile.
The group stood at attention.
Qi Xuming looked at these tender faces and smiled, “Time passes swiftly. Lingyun and Jinchán are already a year old, and you all have been at Emei for some time, haven’t you?”
The five nodded.
“Renying, you are the eldest among you, nineteen this year. Five years ago, Sword-Drunken Daoist brought you here. In your time at Emei, have you been wronged?”
The youth, clad in white, stood tall with handsome features, his demeanor honest.
Yan Renying stepped forward, anxious, “Since arriving at Emei, the elders have treated me as their own, my peers as family; I have never been wronged.”
Qi Xuming nodded approvingly, then asked:
“Qingyun, you are seventeen, the eldest of the girls. Last year, Master Canxia brought you here. In your year at Emei, have you suffered any grievances?”
The girl in yellow, Zhou Qingyun, stepped forward, her voice soft yet firm, “Though I have not been here long, I am grateful for the kindness of the elders and my peers. In life or cultivation, I have never been wronged. My heart is full of gratitude.”
“Good child,” Qi Xuming smiled and nodded, then asked:
“Yingnan, you are fifteen. Three years ago, Abbess Guanghui entrusted you here. In these three years, have you been wronged?”
Yu Yingnan stepped forward, head held high, showing no anxiety, and said loudly, “Master, at Emei I feel at home. Everyone treats me well; I have not been wronged.”
Qi Xuming laughed heartily, pointing at her, “A true child’s heart!”
He turned to another boy, asking:
“Jingrui, you are only ten, the youngest. Two years ago, at eight, Senior Brother Xuanzhenzi brought you here. In two years, have you been wronged?”
Zhuge Jingrui, still a child with a round face, tense and determined, answered, “Master, everyone treats me well; I have not been wronged.”
Qi Xuming patted Jingrui’s round head.
Finally, he looked at Li Yingqiong.
“Yingqiong, you are fourteen, born to a wandering knight. When traveling the world, you encountered zombies and nearly died. My wife happened upon you and saved you, bringing you to Emei. Three years have passed. In these years, have you been wronged?”
Li Yingqiong’s face was cold as frost, but her temper was fiery. Tears welled in her eyes as she choked out, “Madam’s kindness is as life renewed. Without her, I’d be bones in the woods, not as I am now. Whatever the Master or Madam commands, whatever the sect requires, I would risk life and limb without hesitation. How could I speak of grievances?”
“Good! Good! Good!” Qi Xuming exclaimed thrice, his gaze sweeping over them. “All good children!”
“I called you here today for a matter to discuss.”
The five bowed in unison, “We await your instruction, Master.”
Qi Xuming and Lady Miaoyi exchanged glances, then he spoke:
“Today, as Emei’s head, I wish to accept you as my true disciples. Are you willing?”
The five were stunned, disbelief in their eyes.
Li Yingqiong reacted first, decisively kneeling and kowtowing, her voice choked, “Disciple Yingqiong greets Master!”
The others, flustered, saw her kneel and followed suit. Zhuge Jingrui was the second to kneel. Moments later, Yu Yingnan and Yan Renying knelt almost simultaneously; Zhou Qingyun quickly followed.
Qi Xuming smiled, stroking his beard, helping each to their feet.
“From now on, by age, Renying shall be Senior Brother, Qingyun Senior Sister, Yingnan Second Sister, Yingqiong Third Sister, Jingrui Second Brother, Lingyun Youngest Sister, Jinchán Youngest Brother. You seven must unite and bring glory to Emei.”
The five glanced at the twins still in the arms of the Headmaster and Mistress, and spoke in unison, “United in heart, we shall bring glory to Emei!”
Qi Xuming smiled with satisfaction. “Today I am blessed with worthy disciples; it calls for a reward.”
With a sweep of his sleeve, radiant light shimmered on the Heavenly Wave Wall. The spiritual jade glowed like water, and within it, treasures seemed to emerge.
In moments, seven beams of treasure-light floated above the wall. The group saw that they were seven swords!
“My master, Immortal Long-Brow, before ascending, gathered metals of the five elements and forged seven flying swords, modeled after the Seven True Forms. He hid them within this wall, to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, bathed in the essence of sun and moon for over two centuries, now refined and pristine.
“The swords are collectively named the Seven Cultivations, each shaped after Dragon, Snake, Toad, Turtle, Chicken, Rabbit, and Centipede, designed to counter the Five Poisons. They are Emei’s treasured blades. Together, their power is unmatched.
“The seven are: Dragon—‘Golden Monitor’, Toad—‘Water Mother’, Chicken—‘Peach Capital’, Rabbit—‘Moon Soul’, Centipede—‘Red Su’, Turtle—‘Dark Vengeance’, Snake—‘Green Mouth’. You are seven; this is destiny. Choose your sword!”
The couple set down Qi Lingyun and Qi Jinchán. The twins, seeing the glowing treasures on the wall, giggled and reached out to grab them.
“The swords are equal in quality. Choose as your heart desires,” Qi Xuming reminded them.
Li Yingqiong, bold as ever, stepped forward to seize ‘Golden Monitor’, but the sword transformed into a golden dragon, flicking away from her grasp. She tried several times but could not catch the agile dragon.
She turned to the vermilion ‘Peach Capital’.
“Hiss!” She quickly let go, finding her palm scorched and bleeding.
Yet her temper rose; she insisted on seizing ‘Peach Capital’. Her hand and the sword hilt smoked white, pain making her arm tremble, but she gritted her teeth and dragged the sword from the wall, her right hand now a bloody mess.
“Yingqiong! ‘Peach Capital’ is fierce and of the yang, harmful for a girl to forcefully take!” Qi Xuming, seeing her state, spoke with concern.
But Li Yingqiong, jaw clenched, replied, “The sword may be fierce, but my spirit is fiercer. Though I am a girl, I shall tame it!”
Qi Xuming saw her blood drip from the sword’s sheath, and said no more.
Meanwhile, the toddler Qi Jinchán, amused by the golden dragon swimming in the wall, reached out and caught it; with a pull, he brought out a gleaming sword.
With two swords claimed, the others no longer hesitated, reaching out to the wall.
It was a matter of both choosing and being chosen. After several tries, the final assignments were:
Yan Renying received ‘Dark Vengeance’.
Zhou Qingyun took ‘Moon Soul’.
Yu Yingnan claimed ‘Green Mouth’.
Zhuge Jingrui got ‘Red Su’.
Qi Lingyun received ‘Water Mother’.
“With the seven swords now claimed, Emei shall flourish. You must cultivate diligently and honor your flying swords!”
“Yes, Master!” they replied.
“Yingqiong, you are from the world of wandering knights, with a spirit to match. Do not linger long in the mountains. Once you’ve refined your sword, go out and travel,” Qi Xuming instructed her specially.
The girl bowed, accepting the command.
As the five prepared to descend the mountain, Lady Miaoyi, who had spoken little thus far, turned to her husband, “Years ago, before Grandmaster White-Brow ascended, you sought his guidance for Emei’s prosperity and succession, and received the phrase ‘Three Heroes, Two Clouds, Monk of Luo, Marquis of Shu.’ Now, these seven children have been found.”
Qi Xuming exhaled deeply, his expression complex, “Yes, at last, they are found.”
The hardships behind it, only this leader of the Daoist sects truly understood.