The Arduous Path and Hidden Motives

—Bad people band together, and good people do too.

New Calendar Year 228, Eastern Continent’s southwest, East Bamboo.

The mountain path, facing the sun, was arduous. With the scorching light beating down for so long, there was little recourse beyond pulling down one’s hood to shield against the glare.

He glanced back at the throng behind him, a sense of resignation towards the weather instantly easing within his heart. Perhaps the sight of dozens of others enduring the relentless sun alongside him brought a strange sense of psychological equilibrium. After all, he was not alone in this suffering; scores of individuals were sharing the burden of the oppressive weather, a fact that stirred a distinct feeling of schadenfreude within him.

Catching his gaze, one among the dozens behind him discerned its unspoken meaning, letting out a soft snort of annoyance.

“That brat Tian Qi is gloating like he’s just swallowed bee droppings. I swear, I want to give him a good slap.”

The middle-aged strong man reached up to rub the stiff muscles of his face, then plunged his hands into his pockets and continued walking.

“Old pal, Tian Qi looks at everyone like that. Wasn’t he the same when he saw Widow Yang last time?”

The dark-faced man clapped the middle-aged strong man on the shoulder, then subtly scanned their surroundings.

“Widow Yang didn’t hear me, did she?”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. Just now, Second Mother Yang gave you a sidelong glance. I reckon she heard every word.”

The young fellow stuck out his tongue, clearly anticipating a good show.

“You little rascal, you probably spread the news yourself! Just wait, I’ll kick you good later.”

Despite his words, the dark-faced man did not take it to heart.

The lighthearted banter of a few individuals did little to liven the spirits of the majority in the group; it was merely a ripple on a stagnant pond, quickly fading from the surface.
The group pressed on, treading the mountain path, their faces turned towards the advancing sun.

Tian Qi, shouldering his iron spear, turned around with an air of self-satisfaction, waving cheerfully to capture everyone’s attention.

“Hey! Not to brag, but brothers, I just spoke with Director Ji! He said there’ll be roasted chicken once we arrive! Let me tell you, I’ve heard for ages that the roasted chicken here in East Bamboo—”

“…is a prominent local specialty, renowned since ancient times.”

Chi Yiheng, the scholarly man, observed Tian Qi’s clumsy performance, which resembled a petty clown’s desperate attempt to earn a few coins; it was truly a challenge for him to act so transparently.

“You’ve said that seven or eight times already, Tian Qi! If you’re so fond of roasted chicken, when we return, Uncle Chen and I are well-acquainted with your master. I’ll buy you ten of them so you can eat your fill. So, for now, would you please stop bothering Uncle Chen?”

A peal of laughter erupted from the crowd at the bearded man’s words, and Tian Qi could only shrug, turning to resume his journey.
As he walked, he made sure to draw closer to the person at the very front.

“Director Ji, did we get off the vehicle too early? I just glanced at the map—”

“You can barely read a few characters, what kind of ‘melon seed’ map could you possibly read?”

Another wave of laughter swept through the group, prompting Tian Qi to pout and huff at the rough-browed man who had spoken, before continuing to address Director Ji beside him.

“Director Ji, the map shows we’re still a hundred and fifty or sixty li from Mount Daqing! Isn’t walking the whole way a bit too much…?”

“Haha, Brother Tian, I too wished to offer everyone a ride. However, the mountain roads here simply do not permit it! Had the path been a smooth, paved road, why would I have asked you all to disembark and proceed on foot? It is truly because of these rugged, wilderness mountain roads that vehicle passage is so inconvenient. I hope you’ll forgive the trouble!”

The leading man, unlike the others who were clad in black cloaks, wore a crisp brown plaid suit.
Though neatly tailored and sharp, it struck an odd, incongruous note with everything around him.

“I wouldn’t dare! In terms of seniority, you are six generations older than my master! I certainly wouldn’t presume to be called ‘Brother’ by you.”

“Hey Blackie, is that little brat Tian Qi spouting nonsense again?”

The middle-aged strong man nudged the dark-faced man’s ribs with his elbow.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake! Old pal, could you please stop poking me there? You know my issues.”

“Alright, I wasn’t paying attention just now. I’m asking you a question! Is Director Ji really six generations older than Tian Qi?”

“Of course! Director Ji was a direct disciple of Gong Ce from the Shanhai Pavilion back in the day.”

“The Gong Ce who… passed away? The one who is no longer with us?”

The middle-aged strong man had initially intended to say ‘died,’ but considering it might be disrespectful to Gong Ce, he quickly amended it.

“Indeed! You must recall Gong Ce’s actions against the Mortal World Heavenly Kingdom, correct?”

“More than just recall!”

The middle-aged strong man, contemplating these events, found himself regarding the man in the suit with a newfound reverence.

“No wonder! If the master was such, then the disciple’s capabilities are easily imagined.”

“What a pity! Gong Ce’s heroic stand against the Mortal World Heavenly Kingdom, a figure of such grandeur, has now become a part of history… truly a pity!”

Listening to the frail elder’s lament, the dark-faced man slowly shook his head.

Life was unpredictable; even if players enjoyed infinite lifespans, who could guarantee eternal immunity from death?

“What’s there to pity? If all we do is dwell on the past and fail to strive ourselves, wouldn’t that make us a laughingstock to the departed seniors?”

The speaker was the arrogant youth walking at the very end.
The dark-faced man’s brows furrowed, but before he could respond, his companion elbowed him again.

“Old pal, do you enjoy poking people’s soft spots that much?”

The middle-aged man offered no reply—anything to avoid conflict.

A black-robed figure gradually moved forward from the rear.
Though cloaked, the faint edges of a Daoist robe peeked out, marking him as a cultivator.

As he reached Director Ji, he slowed his pace.

“Director Ji…”

Director Ji turned, offering a gentle smile.

“Daoist Master Chuanyun, speak freely; there’s no need for reservations.”

“Director Ji, this humble Daoist has long dwelled in the deep mountains, and I am entirely ignorant of the East Bamboo Immortal whom we are to challenge. Regarding her affairs, I implore Director Ji to enlighten me further, lest I make a fool of myself in public. My personal reputation is a minor concern, but to impede a matter of such great importance would be truly disastrous.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but everyone heard.
The crowd fell instantly silent.

Director Ji continued walking, staring straight into the sun.

“Everyone, though the Polaris Academy’s intelligence network spans far and wide, our knowledge of the East Bamboo Immortal is remarkably scarce. We only know that she has not left East Bamboo for over two hundred years and rarely interacts with the outside world.”

“That may be so, Director Ji, but why must Polaris choose her as the target for this challenge?”

Chi Yiheng asked, gently fanning himself.

After a pause, Director Ji replied:

“Do you all still vividly remember the World War from over a decade ago?”

A cold weight settled over the group.
Even Tian Qi’s bragging grin vanished.

Daoist Master Chuanyun spoke softly:

“Though this humble Daoist has long resided in the deep mountains, I am well aware of the brutality of that war… Polaris, where Director Ji resides, also contributed significantly to that effort.”

People subtly stepped away from him—no one wanted to be implicated.

Director Ji, unruffled, sighed.

“Daoist Master Chuanyun speaks truly. Polaris shares in the responsibility for the hardships inflicted. However… if we had stood by idly while the Eastern Continent fragmented, what contribution could we claim to have made towards its unification?”

Chuanyun remained silent.

Director Ji continued:

“After the war, the Southern Dipper Star integrated the entire southern region and its factions. Now, they aim to expand north into the lands between Polaris and the Southern Dipper Star. Polaris cannot ignore this. That is why we have invited northern martial factions to East Bamboo—to secure this strategic point before they do.”

The middle-aged man nudged his friend.

“So, it’s about seizing territory.”

“But with Polaris’s strength, they could just send troops. Why involve us?”

A tall, thin man asked.

“Because the East Bamboo Immortal lives in seclusion, unaligned with any power. If Polaris intervenes openly, she might side with the Southern Dipper Star instead.”

The middle-aged man nodded.

“So we’re just their muscle.”

“Talk all you want! Just stop poking my soft spot, alright?”