"Does Master Yuzhen know of the Human Emperor's Edict?"
Zhao Xunan spoke with gravity, clasping his hands in a formal bow toward the east. The two cultivators from the mountain sanctuary, having just arrived from a hidden realm, responded with equal deference—their attitudes bordering on reverence.
"Cultivators of the path? How could we not know of Emperor Yu Huang the Great Celestial Sovereign!"
"One sword sundered the Celestial Path, separating the mortal world from the mountain sanctuaries. Since then, the heavens and earth have known fewer strife. His merits are boundless!"
Emperor Yu Huang—born Li Bufan, founder of the Imperial Dynasty and sovereign of all humanity—was revered by cultivators as the "Great Celestial Sovereign." For only he, in all history, had achieved the Mahayana realm and altered the laws of the world.
"The Edict states clearly: mountain and valley sanctuaries belong to cultivators, with mortal commoners as their foundation. The mortal world belongs to all, and neither may encroach upon the other. Especially forbidden: cultivators from the sanctuaries carving out territories beyond their bounds. Do you recall?"
Zhao Xunan's tone sharpened. Yuquan and Yuzhen, sharp-witted as they were, caught the implied rebuke. Yuquan forced a smile, clasping his hands.
"Elder Brother, we understand. But this Snow Valley lies in the far north, a desolate place where we merely cultivate snow lotuses as medicine. Surely this isn't 'carving out territory'?"
"Carving out territory?" Zhao Xunan's pitch rose. "Taming a spiritual beast to guard it—does that not count? If it were anyone else, they'd have been eaten by now. The karmic consequences would be dire!"
The snow serpent, sensing Zhao Xunan's gaze, slithered behind the two cultivators. Yuzhen scoffed. "Little Snow wouldn't harm a fly. She only feeds once every three years, on spirit fish rich in essence from the Ice Sea. Gobbling random prey would injure her."
"Not harming doesn't mean not killing. Those four fangs—if I'd been slower, I'd be pierced through!"
Zhao Xunan's eyes flared. Yuquan shot his junior a warning glance before bowing again. "Elder Brother, we're both cultivators. We know the path is arduous. Please show mercy."
When Zhao Xunan remained stern, Yuquan gritted his teeth and bowed deeper. "As a gesture of goodwill, our sect offers Elder Brother a snow lotus. Will this suffice?"
Zhao Xunan's brow quirked. "Better. Even in the immortal path, human courtesy matters. 'Human'—that character still carries weight, doesn't it?"
He pulled out his official juren certificate and handed it over. Yuquan's eyes widened as he read it. "Elder Brother… you're a juren of the Great Qin Empire? We're honored!"
A cultivator with a mortal official's warrant was no ordinary figure. Zhao Xunan sighed inwardly—at their naivety.
"I am a scholar of Great Qin, with official standing. I act on behalf of the imperial court!"
His tone left no room for argument. "Your sect has encroached on Great Qin's land. By the Human Emperor's Edict, I, acting for the court, seize all illicit produce and expel you. Does this make sense?"
The two cultivators paled. Even unintended encroachment violated the Edict. With Zhao Xunan's status—both a mortal official and a cultivator—they had no leg to stand on.
Seeing their distress, Zhao Xunan softened. He retrieved the certificate. "But since you've shown remorse, I'll lease this valley to the Snow Mountain Sect. Two snow lotuses per harvest as rent. Does that sound like a 'great fault' or a 'great merit' to your sect?"
The two naive priests stared, stunned. The same four lotuses—one act of generosity versus one of greed—now shifted from "fault" to "merit." The power of words, they realized, was as potent as cultivation.
"But… why say such things to us?" Yuzhen asked, perplexed.
"Because you're too pure. Without worldly wisdom, you'll fall prey to schemes. Even if slow, a steady path is better than ruin."
Zhao Xunan's words echoed his own past regrets. He shook his head, then smiled at Zhao Ping'er. "My little fool—purity is good, but ignorance isn't. The world is cruel; better to shield you from it."
"Pfft—you're the fool!" Zhao Ping'er stuck out her tongue, though her scowl softened.
Later, tending the snow lotuses, Zhao Ping'er watched Zhao Xunan chop them with a kitchen knife, her brow furrowed. "Elder Brother, you're just going to boil them? These are legendary elixirs—you can't treat them like meat!"
"Simmering preserves their essence best," Zhao Xunan said, flipping through the Record of Seekings he'd copied earlier. "These texts detail cultivation techniques, herb cultivation, and… a method to convert true qi into spirit liquid. It can nurture herbs, heal wounds—even prolong life. A treasure!"
He'd learned of it during his previous life, but only now, with calm, could he appreciate its value. "But it requires the fifth realm of cultivation. Too risky to attempt now."
An hour later, a fragrant snow lotus soup simmered. Zhao Ping'er slurped hers, licking her lips. "Elder Brother, there are three more. Can't we boil them too?"
"No. Greed invites misfortune. These lotuses strengthen foundations—too many at once would waste their potential."
"But in my past life, we boiled them all… and I suffered for it."
"Ah. That life's bitterness stemmed from greed. Wanting too much, too fast. Each misstep piled up, until karma crushed me."
Zhao Xunan's voice softened. "I'm sorry, little one. If not for my greed, you wouldn't have endured that pain."
"Then… how did I die in that life?"
"…It was a dream."
"LIAR!" Zhao Ping'er bit his finger, her eyes blazing.
The next morning, they set south, veering off the usual path. Zhao Ping'er noticed. "Elder Brother, why the detour?"
"Past lives, after fleeing barbarians, we found a ravine with a fish called 'Dragon Carp.' Delicious, and it strengthens the body. I've been craving it."
"Was that life… dear to you?"
"…No. Just full of regrets. This life, I won't repeat those mistakes."
As the carriage neared the ravine, Zhao Ping'er pressed her face to the window. "It's beautiful here!"
The valley, shielded from snowstorms, basked in warm sunlight. A crystal-clear river flowed, teeming with golden-red fish.
"Master, these fish aren't dragons. Why 'Dragon Carp'?"
"Observe." Zhao Xunan pointed. "See the small bumps on their heads? And their fins—thicker, like legs. Not ordinary carp."
"Could they be baby dragons?!"
"Dragons and phoenixes are mythical. I've no idea what their young look like."
Zhao Ping'er giggled, then frowned at the river's source. "The water's colder than ice, but these fish live here. Could there be a real dragon upstream?"
"Maybe they return there to grow. A dragon pool, perhaps?"
"Only you'd imagine that!" Zhao Xunan chuckled, though curiosity stirred.
He probed the river with his Record of Seekings, but the cold was too intense. "Let's fish instead. Use this willow branch—no hooks needed. True qi will guide the catch."
Soon, a plump golden-red carp flopped onto the shore. Zhao Ping'er clapped. "Elder Brother, you're amazing!"
They feasted on fish soup and wild onions, the warmth of the valley a stark contrast to the icy world outside.
As they prepared to leave, Zhao Xunan gazed at the river. "This life… I won't let you suffer again."
Zhao Ping'er snuggled into his coat, her eyes heavy with sleep. "Promise?"
"Promise."
And with that, the carriage rumbled south, carrying them toward a future where dreams might yet be rewritten.