Wang Ping found it rather ironic. ’I’ve been wracking my brain over how to handle that shut-in,’ he thought. ’I never expected Hongchen to be so mentally fragile. He collapsed on his own before I even had to make a move.’

The topic of Hongchen was merely a small interlude at the gathering. After a few more cups of wine, everyone had forgotten about him and began discussing the state of the world.

The world was currently enjoying peace and prosperity, with the common people living and working in contentment. But it was precisely this golden age that caused social classes to become increasingly rigid. This was especially true in the Northwest Region, where the local populace was already known for its fierce nature. The rigid class structure, combined with raids from the steppes, had pushed the local people to the brink of an eruption. All it would take was a single spark to reignite the chaos of a hundred years ago.

And many people were capable of lighting that spark; it was just a matter of whether they were willing to do so.

"Sanhe Prefecture is wonderful. I would very much like to stay," Liu Chang said, taking advantage of a lull in the conversation. He then looked at Wang Ping. "Ninth Lady has already agreed to speak on my behalf, but she said it depends on the Daoist Scripture Hall’s attitude."

Wang Ping thought for a moment, exchanged a glance with Guangxuan, and then said bluntly, "If the Dao Field you establish can be affiliated with Sanhe Temple, I don’t mind pulling some strings for you."

"That’s no problem."

Liu Chang agreed readily. "Since I plan to stay here, I have no intention of striking out on my own."

Wang Ping and Guangxuan immediately broke into welcoming smiles.

Watching Wang Ping’s smile, Feng Miao found it impossible to reconcile this image with the Little Daoist she remembered, the one who hid in a tree to watch the drama unfold. ’How mysterious the ways of the world are,’ she marveled inwardly.

"I’ll make the arrangements for you after the Dharma Assembly ends." Having smiled, Wang Ping naturally stated his position. In truth, as long as Liu Chang agreed to affiliate with Sanhe Temple, the matter would be very simple. After all, Sanhe Temple was a Daoist Temple already registered with the Daoist Scripture Hall and had been rooted in Nanlin Road for over a hundred years.

"I’ll be taking up a post in Lishui Prefecture within the next year or two," Feng Miao said, seizing the opportunity to bring up her own affairs. She then added, "I’ll need to stay there for at least twenty years."

As a Cultivator systematically trained by the True Yang Sect, she was required to fulfill certain duties after her breakthrough.

Wang Ping understood why Feng Miao had brought this up and continued the conversation, "When the time comes, you can first pay a visit to Fellow Daoist Xia Yao."

Liu Chang cleverly chimed in, "Fellow Daoist, when will you be going? If we could travel together, we could also visit Ninth Lady at the same time."

...

The garden gathering lasted for a day and a night. Everyone chatted about everything under the sun, having a wonderful time.

The next morning, Liu Zixiu, intent on winning a game back, pestered Zuo Xuan into a chess match. Unable to refuse him, Zuo Xuan could only agree with a smile. They ended up playing three games over the course of the day, with Liu Zixiu losing twice.

As dusk approached, Liu Zixiu demanded yet another game. Liu Chang and Guangxuan, who had been waiting impatiently nearby, protested. While they were arguing, Hu Qianqian, at a signal from Wang Ping, brought out another chessboard.

Liu Chang and Guangxuan snatched the spots at the new chessboard and began to fumble through their game. Hu Qianqian sat to the side, took out a guqin, and began to play. Liu Shuang accompanied her on the guzheng. Listening to the lingering notes of the guqin and the powerful resonance of the guzheng, Wang Ping leaned against a Spirit Wood Tree, closed his eyes, and rhythmically tapped his knee.

Before long, Yu Lian flew back from Hu Qianqian’s direction, shrank in size, and lay down on Wang Ping’s body, falling into a deep sleep. A wave of drowsiness suddenly washed over Wang Ping himself, and he drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

It had been a long time since he had truly slept; most of the time, he substituted sleep with a meditative trance.

Wang Ping slept very soundly this time. In his dreams, he forgot all his worries. Dreamland felt like it lasted for only a moment, yet also an eternity. When he opened his eyes, the sky was already bright, and the sunlight was brilliant.

Most of the invited guests had also fallen asleep. Liu Zixiu was slumped over the chessboard, snoring. Guangxuan and Liu Chang were lying on the lawn with a messy chessboard between them—it looked like someone had tried to take back a move. Hu Qianqian was curled up like a fox, sleeping soundly against a Spirit Wood Tree.

Feng Miao was meditating cross-legged under a nearby Spirit Wood Tree, an empty wine jar beside her. Zuo Xuan, meanwhile, sat on a stool, patiently embroidering. She looked just like a highborn lady, but the Jianghu Traveler’s attire she wore made her appearance somewhat strange. Beside her, her Spirit Cat was gnawing on a lamb chop.

It was unclear where Liu Shuang and the other juniors were. They had probably already left, as they were needed for some activities in the Inner Courtyard.

Wang Ping rested against the trunk of the Spirit Wood Tree for a little longer, gathering his wandering thoughts. Then, calling out to Yu Lian, he walked over and sat down next to Zuo Xuan.

"The Daoist Scripture Hall will be assigning you some difficult tasks soon. You should be prepared," Zuo Xuan said, putting away her needlework.

"I’m already prepared."

Wang Ping cast a Cleansing Spell on himself and looked up at the sun. ’I’ve used a great deal of the Daoist Scripture Hall’s power over the years,’ he thought. ’But that power wasn’t given to me for free. I have obligations to fulfill.’

"When I came here, Daoist Zi Luan asked me to tell you that after this Dharma Assembly ends, you are to go to the Six Heart Sect first. He will arrange for you to meet with the Lord."

Wang Ping remained silent at this, then asked, "What exactly happened with Hongchen?"

"I only managed to hear some simple rumors. Apparently, he was at a critical point in his cultivation and shouldn’t have been disturbed by the outside world. For some reason, however, his disciple suddenly brought you up, which disturbed his state of mind and caused him to suffer a qi deviation during his subsequent cultivation."

Over the past few decades, Zuo Xuan had been handling Daoist Scripture Hall matters for Wang Ping, so she was naturally aware of the rivalry between him and Hongchen. After relaying the intelligence she’d gathered, she added her own analysis: "Daoist Hongchen has a cold personality, and he’s also Daoist Zi Luan’s favorite disciple. He’s used to being arrogant, so he must have unintentionally offended many people, including those close to him."

"This is why the ancestors taught us to treat others with kindness. You reap what you sow." After saying this, Wang Ping was reminded of some Buddhist parables he had read before.

Zuo Xuan gave a soft laugh but didn’t continue that line of conversation.

"What time is it?" a voice came from the side. It was Liu Zixiu, who had just woken up.

"It’s the third day of the Dharma Assembly, 1:30 PM," Zuo Xuan answered.

"I need to go down the mountain for a bit. I’ll see you all again for the final heaven-worshipping ceremony." After speaking, Liu Zixiu looked around. Seeing that his disciple wasn’t there, he cupped his fists and took his leave.

Just then, Yu Lian said, "We still have a few more days to have fun! Where should we go? What about Baisui Lake? It’s really fun there right now!"

"Baisui Lake has become famous far and wide over the last decade, attracting many scholars, poets, and traveling Taoists," Zuo Xuan said with a smile. "I’ve always wanted to go."

"Then let’s go have a look," said Guangxuan, who had also woken up, full of interest.

"I heard about the beauty of Baisui Lake even back in Mozhou Road," Feng Miao said, her face also full of interest.

Wang Ping smiled and said, "Then let’s take a trip."

With that, without even a ripple of True Essence around his body, he rose directly into the air. A protective barrier of light unfolded around him, and he streaked silently across the sky.

The others revealed looks of envy and followed him into the air, but they couldn’t manage it with Wang Ping’s elegance. As they crossed the sky, they set off a series of sonic booms, causing the common people below to look up and stare.

By now, Wang Ping had been in control of Baisui Lake for several years longer than the White Water Sect had been before him. Time had made people forget the Baisui Lake of the past, and it had also made them remember the name ’Changqing’.