Chapter Forty-Seven: An Old Acquaintance After All

In this region, cultivators and common folk lived side by side, and the practice of cultivation was not shrouded in the same mystery as it was in the East. There were no significant restrictions around the immortal mountain where Azure Dragon Cave was located, so the three companions made their way to the foot of Mount Springview without hindrance.

From afar, Mount Springview did not appear large, but as they drew near, they realized its vastness and towering height—standing at its base, one felt as insignificant as an ant. Amid ancient trees and verdant vines, countless stone steps and winding paths led from the foot of the mountain all the way to its summit.

Now, they stood before a wooden archway at the mountain’s base. The archway stood about twenty feet high and just as wide, with two plaques mounted above, one large and one small, aligned vertically. The smaller plaque bore four characters: "Standing Majestic in the East." The larger plaque below also displayed four characters: "Spiritual Protection for the Southwest." On both pillars, a couplet was inscribed: "Azure Dragon coils, divine spirits rejoice; the celestial cave hangs high, safeguarding home and land."

Yun Qi read the inscriptions softly, feeling the grandeur and imposing presence of Azure Dragon Temple. Gazing again at Mount Springview, it truly resembled a mighty dragon coiled in repose. Yet, the abundance of wood energy here, with delicate vines and wildflowers entwined about the archway, lent a touch of grace to its otherwise commanding presence.

On either side of the archway stood a thatched hut, each manned by a caretaker, who did not hinder the approach of the three people and their dog. As they drew near, a Taoist priest emerged from the hut on the left. He appeared to be in his forties, dressed in a blue robe, scholarly and refined in demeanor. His breath was deep and measured, his energy reserved, making it impossible to discern his cultivation level.

"Ancestor!" cried Tiger Gold Liu, his eyes lighting up as he saw the priest. He hurried forward, dropping to his knees and bowing his head in deep reverence.

Yun Qi was startled—was this the same brash, irreverent man from earlier? No wonder he had mentioned so casually that he’d visited both Azure Dragon Cave and the Immortal’s Grotto; his roots clearly lay here. It seemed his insistence on escorting Yun Qi was meant to ensure things went smoothly.

Wolf Mountain Liu also knelt and intoned, "Long life to our Ancestor!"

The middle-aged priest smiled and helped them both to their feet. "What brings you here?"

Tiger Gold Liu bowed repeatedly. "It’s been too long since we last met, Ancestor. I missed you dearly. And to find you on duty today—it’s a stroke of great fortune!"

Pointing at Tiger Gold Liu, the priest laughed, "You’re as unruly as ever."

Wolf Mountain Liu quickly spoke, "Ancestor, we encountered a wandering Taoist from the East in the mountains, who wishes to be affiliated with our temple in Miaojiang. We took the liberty to bring him to you for your decision."

He added, "Ancestor, this gentleman once saved one of our village children. See, he even brought the White Dragon as a gift."

Yun Qi stepped forward, placing his left hand across his chest and forming three fingers of his right hand into a mountain atop his left palm, bowing as he said, "Endless blessings, Elder. I am Cheng Qieqing, practicing at Emerald Cloud Temple on Mount Qingshen."

The priest’s eyes lit up with a hint of delighted surprise, which Yun Qi found unexpected. The priest then mirrored Yun Qi’s gesture, his left hand flat at his chest, his right hand forming a horn shape with bent fingers, and gently placed the back of his right hand atop his left. "Azure Dragon Cave of Miaojiang. My secular surname is Liu, my Taoist name Tianfang. Endless blessings, friend. As disciples of the Three Pure Ones, all temples under Heaven are open to us."

Wolf Mountain Liu and Tiger Gold Liu could not decipher the exchange, thinking it merely the etiquette of Taoists. Nonetheless, the ceremony assured them of the outsider’s legitimacy; he was clearly no impostor from a demonic sect, and so they relaxed.

Tiger Gold Liu whispered to Yun Qi, "Our Rongjiang Village is quite something—not only do we have ties in Azure Dragon Cave, but also in the Immortal’s Grotto!"

Wolf Mountain Liu swiftly tugged Tiger Gold Liu by the ear and pulled him away, bowing to the priest, "Forgive our disturbance, Ancestor. We take our leave."

He waved to Yun Qi, "Come visit Rongjiang Village when you have time—it’s not far from here!"

Yun Qi nodded and thanked them with a smile.

When the uncle and nephew had left, Master Tianfang turned to Yun Qi with a smile. "Mount Qingshen in Kuaiji is now a renowned name in the cultivation world. If you wish to travel under another name, you’d best choose a new one."

Yun Qi scratched his head—no one had told him that before.

"Was it Wen Su Kong who told you to come to Azure Dragon Cave? She’s of your lineage, you should know her? Did she not mention it to you?"

Yun Qi’s eyes widened. "Master, you know—"

"Wasn’t she the one who sent you?" the priest asked, surprised.

Yun Qi shook his head; his arrival here had been entirely by chance.

Tianfang paused, then said, "Well, what a coincidence. Wen Su Kong has always been careless. What about Chen Su Xing? Did he not say anything?"

"Ah?" Yun Qi was at a loss.

"Never mind. It seems there is fate between your sect and mine. Come, follow me up the mountain," Master Tianfang said with a smile.

He called to a young Taoist in the right-hand hut, "Boy, I’m heading up the mountain. Please inform Tianxuan Hall to rearrange the watch."

The young Taoist bowed in acknowledgment.

Master Tianfang nodded and led Yun Qi up the mountain path.

"So, whose disciple are you? What is your relation to Su Kong and Su Xing?"

"Master, I have yet to be formally entered into the register. For now, I am only a nominal disciple under Master Su Kong."

"Ah!" Master Tianfang paused. "So she’s taken disciples now. Very good, very good."

"And Su Xing? He’s of the same generation as Su Kong, so he should be your martial uncle. Has he taken any disciples?"

Yun Qi’s mind raced, but he answered, "I’ve not been long in the sect and am only a nominal disciple. I have yet to meet Uncle Su Xing, and have seldom seen Master Su Kong."

Master Tianfang laughed heartily. "She’s the laziest of them all—if there’s a way to shirk work, she’ll find it. If you ever become her formal disciple, you’ll have your work cut out for you."

Yun Qi laughed along, but refrained from agreeing too eagerly. Instead, he inquired, "Might I ask how you first became acquainted with my master?"

Master Tianfang fell silent for a moment, then replied, "That was many years ago."

"At that time, I had just entered the second stage of cultivation. My star apertures were not yet fully opened—or as you in the Inner Alchemy school would call it, ‘tempering the gang and dispelling evil’. That year, Miaojiang and the Southern Wilds were at war again, with the Demonic Sect from the north lending support from behind. The situation was dire. I was ordered by my master to go down the mountain to suppress the demons, while Su Kong and Su Xing were traveling in the Southern Wilds, using the name of Mount Qingshen. They were still at the threshold of the first stage, not yet at the second."

"They got lost in the miasma forests and were surrounded. I went in and led them out, and thus we became acquainted. We were of similar age and became friends."

Ascending the steps at a leisurely pace, the priest looked up, his hands clasped behind his back, fingers twitching slightly. "It must have been sixty years now."

"We promised to meet again— I was to go to Yuzhang, and they would return to Miaojiang. But cultivation in the second stage is so demanding, we all became busy and forgot. We parted sixty years ago and never met since. Now, to see a disciple of theirs journeying here—it brings a smile to my heart."