Rather than lamenting the arduous journey, it is better to set out early.
Though the path to Mount Qing was extensive, it was hardly an exhausting trek for this assembly of players. While their bodies might have felt a touch of weariness from the journey, each of them had clawed their way through countless battles and bloodshed, rendering such a degree of fatigue utterly negligible.
Having traversed the winding mountain roads, they were finally greeted by the sight of verdant hills and clear waters. Though the group comprised mostly rough-and-tumble martial artists, none among them held any fondness for barren, desolate landscapes. The world war of over a decade ago lingered in their minds like a shadow from yesterday, a time when far too many had perished senselessly—a truth Daoist Master Chuanyun, Tian Qi, and the others understood profoundly.
Compared to those grim memories, the scene before them felt utterly luxurious… almost unreal.
Figures stirred across the cultivated fields, farmers diligently tending to their crops, promising, if all went well, another bountiful harvest.
Some of the farmers had indeed noticed the black-cloaked figures descending the mountain path, yet none paid them any mind, or rather, they understood that paying mind would serve no purpose other than to invite trouble.
Gazing at the distant village, the young man could not help but sigh in wonder.
“I recall a tale from ancient times,” he began, “of a fisherman who stumbled upon a peach blossom grove, passed through it into a cave, and emerged into a veritable paradise… The scene before us stands in stark contrast to the desolation outside.”
“Indeed!” exclaimed the frail old man, stroking his beard and nodding, thoroughly captivated by the sight. “A true utopia, a haven apart from the world, could hardly be more splendid than this!”
“Mount Qing is truly magnificent,” Tian Qi remarked. “Beautiful mountains, beautiful waters, and even the people here… are quite lovely!”
As Tian Qi spoke, the others had already begun to notice a figure perched on a nearby hill.
From their vantage, the silhouette appeared to be that of a woman, seated on the hilltop, playing a flute.
Director Ji halted his steps, and though the others behind him were puzzled, they too paused. A few wondered, ‘Could this woman before us be the East Bamboo Immortal herself?’
No sooner had the woman finished her melody than she leaped gracefully from the hilltop, vanishing into thin air only to reappear instantly before Director Ji.
“Are you Senior Ji Baichu?”
The woman offered a respectful fist-and-palm salute. Director Ji, understanding her intent—to resolve matters according to martial custom rather than academic protocol—knew he could not respond with a handshake.
Returning the salute, he swiftly assessed the woman. She appeared to be under twenty, her expression cool and aloof, betraying a hint of hostility—though not murderous intent. Her demeanor and actions carried the gravitas of a true martial grandmaster.
Witnessing the woman’s swift movements, those behind Director Ji grew wary, each bracing themselves against a sudden, unexpected attack.
The aura emanating from the woman as she saluted made it clear she was no novice; her strength was formidable. Consequently, those with weaker cultivation levels became fully alert, while more powerful individuals, such as Mr. Yu and the stout dwarf, merely paid a modicum of attention. In their estimation, though the East Bamboo Immortal before them was strong, she was not exceptionally so, perhaps only on par with themselves—a reputation, they mused, that might be somewhat exaggerated.
“My master awaits you all at Azure Peak,” the woman stated. “Kindly make your way there.”
Her words were neither humble nor arrogant, clearly indicating her awareness of Director Ji and his companions’ purpose.
“Is your esteemed master the East Bamboo Immortal?” the arrogant youth asked, his single eye wide, his tone thick with arrogance.
“Indeed.”
A ripple of unease spread through the crowd. If the disciple’s strength was already comparable to their own, her master’s power was beyond imagination. Winning this martial contest, they realized, would likely prove far from simple.
“How did your master know of our arrival?” Director Ji inquired, his tone respectful towards the woman. He knew this woman was Yin Cunxin, the East Bamboo Immortal’s disciple, who often traveled widely, and he had not expected to encounter her here.
“A group of visitors arrived at Azure Peak a few days ago,” she explained, “informing my master that other guests would soon follow. My master then dispatched me to greet you.”
“Another group of guests?”
Director Ji’s smile faltered, and he let out a few awkward chuckles.
“I can probably guess who they are.”
Ignoring his muttered thoughts, the woman simply turned and led the way.
“Everyone, please follow me!”
Director Ji was the first to follow, with the rest of the group trailing closely behind.
“Director Ji, it seems the East Bamboo Immortal knew we were coming long ago!” Tian Qi chuckled, his manner utterly carefree.
“Who exactly were these ‘other guests’ she mentioned?” the young man asked, utterly bewildered, as he followed along.
“Friends, who else could possibly arrive at East Bamboo, right before or after us, at a time like this?” Director Ji asked, smiling at the crowd. Many among them had already guessed, but unwilling to offend Director Ji, they merely feigned ignorance, shaking their heads.
“It can only be Ren Du, the manager of the Martial Development Institute of Nan Dou Star Academy. That man! He’s as cunning as a ghost! He has to meddle in everything.”
Director Ji sighed with resignation. He had dealt with Ren Du countless times; the man reveled in countering every move, and if he couldn’t solve a problem himself, he certainly wouldn’t allow anyone else to.
Simply put, if Ren Du couldn’t bring the East Bamboo Immortal under the banner of Nan Dou Star, he would absolutely ensure she didn’t fall under Polaris’s sway, devising every possible scheme to sabotage Polaris’s mission.
“Director Ji, since the people from Nan Dou Star have already arrived…” the frail old man began, but Director Ji raised a hand to stop him.
“Old Qi, there’s no need for alarm. What does it matter if Nan Dou Star has arrived? To retreat now would be to admit defeat without a fight, effectively telling Nan Dou Star that we’ve abandoned the field. Wouldn’t that be a laughing stock? All of you here are heroes of the martial world; how could you bear the whispers and rumors, the accusations that we northern martial artists fear those from the south, and thus shirk battle?”
Old Qi, hearing Director Ji’s impassioned words, said no more. He understood full well that this was Director Ji’s way of subtly binding them to his cause, yet at this juncture, they had no choice but to proceed with the original plan.
“Well said! Eloquent! Silver-tongued! Director Ji, it’s clear at a glance you’re excellent material for Polaris’s lapdog!”
The voice was gratingly harsh, yet it did not emanate from the cloaked figures, but from a lone silhouette clinging to the side of the mountain face on their left.
The figure’s feet seemed fixed to the mountainside, their body moving parallel to the ground, utterly unconstrained by gravity.
He possessed a full head of black hair, save for a single strand of faded white at his forehead, making him appear to be in his thirties. Dressed in a black overcoat and a white tie, he exuded an air entirely out of place with his surroundings.
Among the black cloaks, some immediately bristled with anger; the man’s mockery of Director Ji was an insult to their entire group, and they could not stand idly by. Some even hoped to seize this opportunity to showcase their abilities before Director Ji, demonstrating how they would deal with this audacious scoundrel.
“How sarcastic… Speak of the devil, and he shall appear!” Director Ji remarked, not at all angered, merely smiling. He raised a hand to halt those behind him who were eager to step forward.
“Manager Ren, I trust you’ve been well!”
The group exchanged glances; they had just spoken of Ren Du, and now he had appeared.
Not everyone among them had met Ren Du; many had only heard tales, and this was their first encounter with the so-called ‘Manager of the Martial Development Institute of Nan Dou Star.’ Though some had initially felt a surge of anger, upon hearing his name, they dared not show it. After all, he held a rank equivalent to their leader, Director Ji, and to erupt in anger now would be to usurp the host’s place and disrespect Director Ji.
“There’s no need to pay him any mind.”
Director Ji and his group continued to follow Yin Cunxin, completely disregarding Ren Du as if he were nobody of consequence.
“The clowns of Nan Dou Star are adept at grandstanding; performing tricks for an audience is their innate talent.”
A few in the crowd couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. Director Ji’s move was truly brilliant; better to use words than fists. If they had resorted to violence, it would only have made their own eloquence seem inferior. However, they doubted they could have conjured such a retort as quickly as Director Ji.
Hearing Director Ji’s mockery, Ren Du remained unperturbed. As the manager of the Martial Development Institute, he would have long since died of anger if a few mocking words could provoke him.
Knowing Director Ji’s purpose for this journey, a hint of playful mockery surfaced on his face.
“Ji Baichu, your true intentions for this trip have already been uncovered by us and relayed in full to the East Bamboo Immortal. Polaris wishes to seize East Bamboo, but have you bothered to ask if we, Nan Dou Star, agree?”
Director Ji’s expression remained unchanged as he continued on his path. Though he knew inwardly that Ren Du’s words were far from empty threats, he could not betray his true thoughts. His side had initially held the advantage, but now their opponent had turned the tables. A most unwelcome outcome began to form in his mind…
“Ren Du, did you purchase this East Bamboo, or is it an ancestral inheritance? Must Polaris now report to Nan Dou Star every destination we intend to visit?”
“Indeed, I misspoke. I offer my apologies to Mr. Ji Baichu here and now.” Ren Du nodded, performing a remote salute towards Director Ji.
The black-cloaked figures immediately swelled with pride. Director Ji had made Ren Du lose face, and this allowed the martial heroes under Director Ji to vent some pent-up frustration.
Yet, no sooner had Ren Du offered his apology than his expression turned to one of utter disdain.
“After all, Polaris is known for its rampant slaughter, its cruelty and viciousness. They casually eliminate anyone who displeases them, so indeed, there’s no need to ask if we, Nan Dou Star, agree—we simply cannot afford to get involved with such ruthlessness.”
The black cloaks exchanged uneasy glances. They had intended to hurl insults back, but found their gaze drawn to Director Ji’s expression instead.
Director Ji noticed Yin Cunxin subtly glancing at the group from the corner of her eye while Ren Du spoke. He immediately understood that Ren Du’s words were not meant for the Xingwu Office members, but specifically for Yin Cunxin.
Nan Dou Star had arrived first, informing the East Bamboo Immortal of Polaris’s intentions, and then delivering these remarks to diminish her and her people’s perception of Polaris… It seemed they had chosen an unconventional approach this time.
Rather than pursuing East Bamboo in the same manner as Polaris, they aimed to make the East Bamboo Immortal understand that Nan Dou Star was Polaris’s adversary. If Polaris came as an enemy to the East Bamboo Immortal, Nan Dou Star would naturally stand by her side to assist. By ensuring Polaris stumbled here, the East Bamboo Immortal would psychologically incline towards supporting Nan Dou Star…
Director Ji pondered how to counter this situation. Nan Dou Star’s swift arrival at East Bamboo, and their success in getting there before Polaris, had caught him completely off guard. He suspected they had already poisoned the East Bamboo Immortal’s mind with countless slanders against Polaris. It seemed his only recourse was to employ the ‘old three tactics’ to combat Nan Dou Star’s psychological warfare.
First, he would emphasize that Nan Dou Star’s descriptions of Polaris were entirely baseless fabrications, mere slanders, and that Polaris vehemently resisted and condemned such behavior.
Yet, that alone would be insufficient to sway the East Bamboo Immortal’s resolve. He would also need to highlight Polaris’s benevolent deeds and contributions to the people of the Eastern Continent, subtly reshaping her impression of Polaris.
However, given the East Bamboo Immortal’s experiences, even these efforts might not restore her to a neutral stance. In that case, he would have to decisively expose Nan Dou Star’s various despicable and cruel acts, thereby demonstrating that Nan Dou Star’s actions were no different from Polaris’s…
While this would undoubtedly damage Polaris’s image and confirm everything Nan Dou Star had previously asserted, it would also utterly destroy any favorable impression the East Bamboo Immortal held of Nan Dou Star…
Ultimately, however… they had lost at the very outset… To turn the tide in this game would prove exceptionally challenging.