After leaving the mountain, Chen Ping'an first headed to the blacksmith's shop. As he crossed the stone arch bridge, the youth clasped his hands together, lowered his head and walked briskly, his expression extremely solemn and earnest. He muttered, "Old Immortal, please speak nicely and don't hit anyone. If you have any requests, you can send them to me in my dreams at night. It's best not to do it during the day—I'm really a bit scared."
Fortunately, when he reached the other end of the stone bridge, Chen Ping'an was unharmed. The youth immediately beamed with joy and skipped off to find Master Ruan and Ruan Xiu.
A youth knows not the taste of sorrow.
Ruan Qiong still received Chen Ping'an under the eaves, each sitting on a small bamboo chair. Ruan Xiu stood behind her father, her face unable to conceal her joy.
Ruan Qiong saw the dusty youth in straw sandals carefully placing the basket in front of him. He then gently pulled out a cloth bag containing two landscape maps from under the pile of herbs, and handed it to him. Apologetically, he said, "When I was climbing the Lantern Peak, the mountain path was blocked by a great waterfall. I hid the basket near the deep pool at the base of the waterfall and built a small wooden rack to shield it from wind and rain. I didn't expect that not long after I reached the top of the waterfall, it started raining heavily. The rain was too much, and when I rushed back down, the wooden rack had collapsed. The basket and cloth bag were soaked, but fortunately, the two maps were wrapped quite tightly in oiled paper. After the sun came out, I took them out to look. Only the corners of the maps were slightly damp, but after drying, there were still obvious marks..."
Ruan Qiong opened the cloth bag and oiled paper, finding that the two maps were almost perfectly intact. The minor damage could be ignored. Besides, they were just copied maps, so the Kiln Supervisory Office and Dragon Spring County Government had no intention of taking them back. However, Ruan Qiong was not willing to use this truth to comfort the youth. He glanced at Chen Ping'an, who stood uneasily before him, and asked, "During the downpour, you climbed up and down the Dragon Cataract Waterfall on Lantern Peak? Are you looking for death?"
Chen Ping'an smiled without speaking.
Ruan Qiong waved his hand, signaling the youth to sit back and not stand in front of him, obstructing his view.
Chen Ping'an sat back on the lovely green bamboo chair. After returning the two maps to Master Ruan, he finally felt a huge weight lifted from his shoulders. If he hadn't been afraid of damaging the precious maps during the journey, he could have saved three or four days on his trip into and out of the mountain. Moreover, after such a long time of depending on each other, the youth, who had always been nostalgic, actually felt a reluctance to part with the two maps deep down. Whenever the weather was clear and he could gaze into the distance from a high place, Chen Ping'an liked to find a spot with the widest view, unfold the two maps, and look up to survey the landscape before lowering his gaze to examine the maps.
For over half a month, Chen Ping'an had never felt so fulfilled.
Suddenly, Ruan Qiong gently tossed the two maps back to Chen Ping'an. "The chair is pretty good. I'll make two more later. Consider the maps as payment—I'm giving them to you."
Although Ruan Qiong still didn't like the youth from Clay Bottle Alley, he wouldn't completely deny Chen Ping'an because of that.
Ruan Qiong could perfectly imagine the scene: in a torrential downpour, a thin youth anxiously climbed down the waterfall just to check the maps and put his mind at ease.
Of course, in Ruan Qiong's eyes, this behavior was not heroic at all. On the contrary, it was very rigid and pedantic.
Honestly, compared to this bitter youth, Ruan Qiong admired the Great Li prince Song Jixin, who understood how to assess situations at a young age, or the cheerful and carefree Liu Xianyang. Even Ma Kuxuan, who was sharp and overbearing, had many admirable qualities. Even Zhao Yao, the scholarly seedling who had followed Qi Jingchun since childhood, was not as stubborn and unenlightened as Chen Ping'an.
The reason Ruan Qiong had suddenly changed his mind and found an excuse to give the maps to Chen Ping'an was that he had made up his mind to draw a clear line with this youth. The blacksmith's shop could take him in as a sword-forging apprentice, but he would absolutely not become his first disciple. In the future, Ruan Qiong would honor his promise and protect the mountains the youth had bought, but this kid should never think of having any connection with his daughter.
In the end, it wasn't that Ruan Qiong looked down on Chen Ping'an because of his background, but because their paths were different, and thus they could not work together.
Ruan Qiong's disciple must be someone who shared his path. They would be both teacher and friend, able to jointly build a millennium of prosperity for their sect. Therefore, compatibility in temperament was extremely important.
Chen Ping'an naturally didn't know that Master Ruan's thoughts had gone in such a wide circle. The youth simply took the maps and held them to his chest, asking, "Will the Supervisory Office official have any objections?"
Ruan Qiong sneered, "At least for the next sixty years, I am the supreme ruler of Dragon Spring County. So my rules are the greatest."
Ruan Xiu muttered, "Father, there's no one who praises themselves so shamelessly as you."
For his daughter's retort, Ruan Qiong turned a deaf ear. He said to Chen Ping'an in a serious tone, "Now, to business. Which five mountains did you finally choose?"
Chen Ping'an instinctively sat up straight. "Around Divine Beauty Mountain, I chose three: Precipice Mountain, Cloud Peak, and Herbs Mountain."
Ruan Qiong nodded. "Your eye is not bad. Precipice Mountain covers a large area, ranking among the top of the sixty-plus mountains, and it's not just an empty frame. If it weren't for the future protective mountain formation, I would have given up Hengshuo Peak for Precipice Mountain. After all, in these thousand miles of mountains and rivers, unless a mountain god resides there or a secret treasure is hidden, the larger the territory one occupies, the more spiritual energy one has, and the more advantageous it will be."
"Herbs Mountain is the only blessed land with the potential for grass and wood spirits to emerge. It's a pity the place is too small. Even if one appears, its foundation and quality probably won't be too good. The reason is simple: how can a small pond cultivate a great flood dragon? As for Cloud Peak, it's rather ordinary. Besides its high terrain and beautiful scenery, it offers little benefit for cultivation. Unless you can obtain Cloud Root Stones from Cloud Mist Mountain and place them in several key veins on Cloud Peak, it might be a good deal."
"Didn't you go to see the lake on Yellow Lake Mountain?"
Ruan Qiong's last question made Chen Ping'an pause. "I did."
"Continue. What are the other two mountains?"
Ruan Qiong stopped there, not continuing the previous topic. He had already been as kind as possible, not wanting to reveal more secrets.
Because the small lake on Yellow Lake Mountain shared a similar wonder with Herbs Mountain. The difference was that Herbs Mountain had the potential for grass and wood spirits to emerge, while Yellow Lake Mountain was inhabited by a python as thick as a well mouth, a true "local snake." However, in a "battle for water" with a certain small loach, it had tragically lost and missed a great opportunity on the Dao that was within reach.
But the beauty of the Dao lay in that it never cut off all paths. Now that the Dragon Spring Grotto-Heaven had shattered and fallen, the five small creatures—the golden carp captured by the Dragon King's Basket and taken to Great Li, the fire dragon that had become the bracelet on Ruan Xiu's wrist, the loach beside Intercept River True Lord Liu Zhimao, the wooden dragon brought to life by Zhao Yao, and the yellowish four-legged lizard that would follow Wang Zhu at all costs—were the five great opportunities truly accumulated by the Dragon Spring Grotto-Heaven as it approached the end of its three-thousand-year lifespan. As for magical treasures like gourd containers and demon-revealing mirrors, they were certainly not bad, but they were still inferior compared to those five living bundles of fortune and fate.
And the great python on Yellow Lake Mountain had actually gained blessings from misfortune. Within a thousand miles, there was no rival to challenge it, and it had become a dominant power in one fell swoop. In the future, once the mountain gods and river gods took up residence there, if this python was sensible enough to be recruited by one of them and obtain an official protective decree from the Great Li court, it might then embark on a smooth path and truly begin the journey of cultivation.
Chen Ping'an said, "I plan to buy Pearl Mountain and Decline Mountain."
Ruan Qiong was taken aback and asked curiously, "Pearl Mountain is fine—one Welcome Spring Coin. It can be said that a thousand gold cannot buy what the heart desires. But Decline Mountain, how did you take a liking to it? Logically speaking, this mountain is located on the southwestern border of Great Li's Dragon Spring County. According to your itinerary, you definitely haven't been there. It used to be a restricted mountain in Great Li. Did you choose it just because of the name?"
Chen Ping'an felt a bit embarrassed and was unwilling to explain the reason.
At that time, Chen Ping'an had the maps spread out, hesitating over which mountain to choose. Suddenly, a bird flew overhead and actually dropped a piece of dung on the landscape map. Chen Ping'an quickly wiped it clean and found that the spot where the dung had landed was exactly on the words "Decline Mountain." Chen Ping'an thought no more and resolutely chose Decline Mountain, regardless of whether the name was unlucky or not.
Old Man Yao had once said that between mountains and rivers, there are spirits everywhere.
So Chen Ping'an took it as a hint from the mountain god.
Ruan Qiong thought for a moment. "Choosing Decline Mountain is not impossible. Then it's settled. Decline Mountain, Precipice Mountain, Herbs Mountain, Cloud Peak, Pearl Mountain. Five mountains, a three-hundred-year term. During this period, even if you dig out an entire mountain and move it away, no one will stop you. All products on the mountains, whether grass, wood, spirit herbs, birds and beasts, or even secret treasures found by chance, belong to the name signed on the Great Li Mountain and River Registry contract."
Chen Ping'an nodded. "Understood."
Ruan Qiong patiently explained, "There are two matters to note. First, before you die, you must notify the Great Li court through the Dragon Spring County Government that you need to change the name of the person or persons who will inherit the five mountains. Of course, the Great Li Ministry of Revenue will keep a secret file. You can write down a beneficiary for each of the five mountains under your name, in case you die suddenly and don't have time to explain your last wishes. Second, within the three hundred years, if you want to sell the mountains, you cannot decide it at any time. It must be approved by at least three factions through the Great Li government for the transaction to be completed. Moreover, I don't recommend you sell these mountains, because no matter how high a price you sell them for, you will eventually realize you sold them too cheaply."
Although Ruan Qiong was a sage of the military arts stationed in a region, he was discussing matters on equal terms with a youth from a poor alley who had suddenly become wealthy. This might seem absurd, but it was actually perfectly reasonable. When it came to the great cause of establishing a sect and the opportunity for his daughter's enlightenment, Ruan Qiong had to be earnest, wishing he could break down the reasoning and situation bit by bit for the youth before him.
Ruan Qiong asked, "Chen Ping'an, do you have anything to ask?"
Chen Ping'an shook his head and smiled. "No."
Ruan Qiong nodded. "Then let's leave it at that. I suppose you still have some copper coins left. Later, I'll keep an eye out for shop transactions in the small town for you. You can also take the opportunity to buy in. But don't bite off more than you can chew. In the future, the small town will have a mix of forces. Buying one or two old-brand shops with relatively solid foundations will be enough."
Chen Ping'an's face flushed slightly. "Thank you, Master Ruan."
Ruan Qiong laughed self-deprecatingly. "A gentleman cherishes virtue; a petty person cherishes comfort."
Chen Ping'an was a bit puzzled because he didn't understand what this meant.
Ruan Qiong waved his hand to dismiss him. "Go about your business. Don't mind these idle complaints. Besides, at your young age, you haven't reached the point where you can talk about broad-mindedness or spiritual realms."
Chen Ping'an stood up, shouldered his basket, and suddenly heard Ruan Qiong say a seemingly unrelated remark. "After Mr. Qi left, it's perfectly fine to miss him occasionally—that's human nature. But don't let yourself get stuck in it, and especially don't try to dig to the bottom of it. After you buy the five mountains and one or two shops, you can comfortably lie back and collect money, marry a wife, have children, and expand your family. That can be considered bringing glory to your ancestors. Whether it's me, Ruan Qiong, or the Great Li court, we will both watch over you and your property. Just like your name, Chen Ping'an—peace and safety are more important than anything. Maybe one day, when your fortune turns and you embark on the path of cultivation, it's not impossible."
Chen Ping'an left silently.
After the youth left the shop, Ruan Xiu sat on the bamboo chair and asked, "Father, what did you mean by that sentence?"
Ruan Qiong said indifferently, "It means that a petty person, whose mental realm is not as lofty as a gentleman's, will only think wholeheartedly about finding a comfortable place."
Ruan Xiu said strangely, "What's wrong with that? Being attached to one's homeland and reluctant to leave—there's nothing wrong with that anywhere. How does that make one a petty person? Who said this? I think it's unreasonable."
Ruan Qiong's face darkened, and he said softly, "So the Confucian sages also said, 'Where my heart is at peace, that is my hometown.'"
Ruan Xiu said angrily, "Scholars are really annoying! They've explained away all the principles in the world!"
Ruan Qiong said earnestly, "Xiu Xiu, that's not a reason for you not to love reading."
The girl with a ponytail pretended to be surprised, quickly stood up, and said, "Father, how come I suddenly have so much strength? Well, I'll go forge iron then!"
---
Chen Ping'an hurried to the Yang family shop and handed most of the herbs in the basket to a shop assistant. After weighing them, Chen Ping'an received two taels of silver. In fact, many of the rare herbs were sold or given to the shop at a low price by Chen Ping'an. Some herbs that the young shop assistant didn't recognize were actually important medicinal materials that the old man Yang valued highly. These flowers and grass were the truly valuable items.
However, on this trip into the mountain, Chen Ping'an had picked the herbs only as a side task and hadn't thought about making money. In fact, after Chen Ping'an learned to make charcoal in the mountains, almost every time he sold medicine to the shop assistant of the Yang family shop—except when selling to the honest man named Li Er in the shop—the dozens of times he had sold, he had lost money every time.
Old Man Yang would never accept Chen Ping'an's herbs for free. If Chen Ping'an dared to give them to the shop for nothing, Old Man Yang would throw him out into the street. But if he sold them to the shop assistant or the resident doctor, no matter how outrageous the price, the eccentric Old Man Yang would turn a blind eye.
This time, Chen Ping'an did not see Old Man Yang.
After leaving the shop, Chen Ping'an found that many people on the road were discussing something. They said that a big incident had happened at the Twelve-legged Crab Archway. It was said that the former Supervisory Official, Mr. Song, who had built the covered bridge before his retirement, had returned to the small town in glory. This time, he held the important position of a Ministry of Rites secretary and brought a group of refined and imposing officials. They had taken a liking to the calligraphy on the four plaques of the Crab Archway. After all, they were all scholars, so it was understandable. But for some reason, when the Supervisory Office received the news, they rushed into the mountain to inform the young official Wu, who had originally planned to go to Yuanmu Peak to inspect logging matters. Then this "God of Wealth" brought his aides and staff and rushed out of the mountain even more urgently to stop Mr. Song and his entourage.
Chen Ping'an, free from any burdens, followed the crowd toward the archway and stood at a distance outside the crowd.
He saw that eight ladders had been set up under the four plaques of the archway, with a ladder on each side of each plaque. However, at the moment, only on both sides of the "When it's a righteous cause, don't decline" plaque stood two scholars of vastly different ages. The older one was looking down, seemingly scolding someone below him harshly, using the official elegant language of Great Li from outside.
Someone patted Chen Ping'an's shoulder and said with a smile, "Chen Ping'an, what a coincidence! Are you here to watch the excitement too?"
Chen Ping'an turned his head and saw it was the talkative youth with a small red mole between his eyebrows. He was really afraid of his constant chatter, so he said, "Just looking around. I don't really understand what they're saying. I'm going home now."
The youth, who had a refined and elegant appearance, smiled and said, "Don't go! If you don't understand, I can explain it to you. This matter is really interesting. If you miss it, you'll definitely regret it later! Your small town's magistrate, Lord Wu Yuan, is currently having a conflict with the higher-ranking officials from the Ministry of Rites. The one standing on the ladder is the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, a truly important minister of Great Li. On one side, it's probably the former Supervisory Official Mr. Song, who, with his old seniority, is taking credit for the plaques, promising to keep them for you, old sir. He can't guarantee sending them to your hometown, but sending them to the Ministry of Rites is a sure thing. That's how he became a secretary of the fifth rank. So this time, the Ministry of Rites officials are taking the opportunity of the appointment of mountain and river gods to rightfully come and collect the items. On the other side is the young official Wu, who considers all the treasures of the small town his own exclusive property. How could he agree when he heard someone wanted to take away the few precious old artifacts left in the town? To put it another way, even if he were willing to swallow this insult, he knows that the old foxes of the four surnames and ten clans are watching and laughing on the side. If he acts like a coward now, he'll probably find it hard to be their grandfather in the future. The already shaky selection of the Civil and Martial Temples will definitely fall through."
Chen Ping'an listened carefully to the youth's animated explanation and asked, "Who exactly are you? How do you know so much?"
The youth pointed a finger at himself and said with a laugh, "Me? Haha, I'm not an official of the Great Li court. My surname is Cui, given name Zhan. The character 'Zhan' is rare and hard to write, very troublesome. You don't need to worry about it."
Chen Ping'an looked into the youth's eyes.
The youth remained composed and said with a smile, "I'm older than you, so you can call me Uncle Cui."
Chen Ping'an smiled.
The youth also smiled, gently rubbing his cheeks with both hands. "It doesn't matter. I also have a nickname that should be easier to call—Embroidered Tiger."
(37 Chinese et)