The night was calm within the courtyard. A cool breeze drifted through the autumn tree, scattering a few brittle leaves across the stone. Zhang Wei sat in his rocking chair, chin tilted, mouth slightly open, breathing in the deep rhythm of dreamless sleep.
And then—
BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!
Zhang Wei jolted so violently he nearly fell from the chair. His hands flailed as if still reaching for a phone that no longer existed.
"What? what the?!" His eyes darted left, right, then back down to the floor. "Is that… is that my old alarm? Who dares bring Monday morning into this world?"
A faint shimmer lit the air before him. Blue characters floated, crisp and uncompromising:
[Alert: Courtyard under attack. Threat Neutralization activated.]
Beneath it appeared a smaller line, almost smug in tone:
[Host displays a level of obliviousness rarely seen outside of a livestock.]
Zhang Wei blinked. Once and twice. Then rubbed his eyes.
"…So you're telling me, while I was enjoying the most peaceful nap I've had since high school, this place got attacked?" He yawned and stretched. "System, buddy, we need to talk. Next time, don't use that cursed ringtone. For a second I thought this was all just a dream and I was back home, late for my gaming sessions."
[You should be less concerned about nostalgia and more concerned with basic awareness.]
The system's voice cut like cold iron.
[Yes, the courtyard defended itself, as it always will. But even if the walls are indestructible, does it reflect well on its so-called master if he notices nothing? Slumbering through destruction is not cultivation, it is negligence.]
Zhang Wei waved a lazy hand, still half-asleep. "Negligence, wisdom, same thing. Besides, I'm still a beginner. How am I supposed to sense danger while I'm unconscious? A wise sage once said, 'Dreaming is just training for the soul in another realm.' That sage was me, by the way."
[Astonishing. Your talent for repackaging nonsense as profundity may be your only true gift.]
"I'll take that as praise," Zhang Wei said cheerfully, resettling in his chair. "Now if you don't mind, I was cultivating the Dao of Napping. Every second of rest deepens my comprehension of—"
[No more sleep. Humans are approaching the courtyard.]
That silenced him. He sat up straighter. "Humans? As in… like farmers? Or cultivator-humans? Big difference."
[Four individuals. Three female, one male. Two in the Qi Nurturing stage, the male in Qi Nurturing as well. The last is a mortal woman.]
Zhang Wei rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Wait a second. This mountain range is supposed to be my ultimate seclusion zone. Where in this cultivation world did people come from?"
[Had you listened earlier, you would know your courtyard was attacked. That was not an accident. A beast chased them here. You could have deduced this yourself if your ears functioned.]
"Ah," Zhang Wei said, snapping his fingers. "Of course! This is just like the novels back home. A carriage gets ambushed, some pampered young miss gets cornered, and just when the monster is about to bite, they stumble into the mysterious hermit's hidden abode. Then bam! the hermit's humble abode shows its power and everyone bows like chickens in a rainstorm."
[Remarkable. Your endless hours of profound literature have finally produced a correct deduction.]
Zhang Wei puffed out his chest, ignoring the sarcasm. "What can I say? Profound insight. I was born with it."
[Profound? The word you want is 'lucky.']
He was about to spin another pseudo-wise proverb when the system's next words froze him.
[The knock at the gate confirms their arrival.]
Zhang Wei stiffened. The sound echoed through the courtyard, solid and deliberate.
"That's them?" His voice cracked slightly. "They're really at the door?"
[Yes. And as part of the Supreme Hermit System, outside humans are permitted entry under specific conditions. Consider this one of the hidden mechanics.]
The word "hidden" ignited Zhang Wei like a spark to dry grass. He leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Hidden mechanics? Oh-ho! Now we're talking. Spill it, system. I demand to inherit this ultimate arcane knowledge."
[It is hidden. That is the entire point. Do you need the concept explained more slowly?]
"…You're the worst tutorial guide I've ever met."
[And yet, you live. Consider the correlation.]
Before Zhang Wei could retort, a thought struck him. He lowered his voice. "Wait. If people enter the courtyard, can they… attack me? The walls may be indestructible, but my head isn't."
The system paused, then replied evenly.
[A fair question, astonishingly. No. The courtyard detects all who carry bloodlust. They will be neutralized before harm is done. And even without malice, anything within the courtyard falls under your authority. You may command them, restrain them, or annihilate them with a thought. You could even make them… perform a worm dance, if that is the level of dignity you aspire to.]
Zhang Wei's eyes lit up like lanterns. "So you're saying… here, I'm basically invincible?!"
[Precisely. Though if you order guests to dance like worms, expect them to remember when you release them.]
Zhang Wei grinned, already picturing it. "Forget worms. I could make them do the chicken dance. Or–wait, can I control the lanterns too? Because I've been lighting them with matches like some peasant."
[Yes. But focus. Will you permit entry?]
Zhang Wei drew in a long breath. His heart pounded with excitement. Finally, his chance had come.
"Yes," he whispered, his grin stretching wide. "I'll allow it. And this time, I'll do it properly. A true hidden master, waiting in silence, speaking in riddles. Let's see if they can withstand my aura of profound mystery."
The system, for once, said nothing.
Only the autumn leaves stirred as the door creaked open to admit his first disciples of misunderstanding.
______________________
At present, the courtyard was silent except for the nightly wind. It swept through the branches of the autumn tree, making them groan softly, while fallen leaves shuffled across the stone path like cards in the hand of an unseen dealer.
Before the quiet gate, four figures bowed low. Their shadows quivered under the pale lantern light.
Jing Hua, her short hair disheveled and her body still marked with wounds, repeated the words she had just heard from within.
"Every shelter carries its price. What will we offer in exchange?"
She hesitated for only a moment before raising her voice, steady and respectful, laced with a trace of poetic cadence.
"If one million mid-tier spirit stones could suffice, this humble one is willing to offer them."
Behind her, Ling Yue, the young miss, and Jian Feng remained silent. None of them dared to interrupt. To question the demand of a hidden master was to risk treading on thunder.
Inside the house, Zhang Wei froze.
Spirit stones…
The word sparked recognition. He rifled through every cultivation novel he had devoured in his past life. Stones imbued with spiritual energy, used as both currency and cultivation resource. And.. hold on, mid-tier? That meant there were rankings.
His eye twitched.
System, you lousy scammer. You told me about realms, qi circulation and poetry stuff but not once did you mention spirit stones had tiers! Mid, high, low—who knows how many kinds there are in this world?
He ground his teeth but kept his outward face calm. The air around him, under his control, swirled faintly with a solemn pressure.
At length, he spoke, his tone quiet but heavy, each word measured like falling stones.
"Money holds no value to me."
The four outside trembled.
In truth, what would he do with spirit stones? He was trapped in this courtyard for ten thousand years. No shop, no tavern, no market stall would ever see his shadow. By the time his seclusion ended, he would be strong enough to plunder spirit stones from anyone without effort. Not that he would ever stoop to robbing innocents, of course, but it made their offer laughably meaningless.
Jing Hua, still bent in a ninety-degree bow, felt her face heat with shame. Of course. What is wealth to a man who abandons the world itself?
She bit her lip. Perhaps… longevity herbs? No. To a cultivator of such caliber, low-grade herbs would be like weeds. He would not even notice them.
Ling Yue and the young miss exchanged anxious glances, whispering behind her.
"What can we possibly offer?" the young miss murmured, clutching her sleeves.
Jian Feng's brows furrowed. His voice was low, calculating. "Weapons. Ancient scrolls. Sect-guarded techniques. Nothing less could match the measure of one whose very house ornament crushed a ninth-tier drake."
The trio fell into hushed deliberation. Their voices trembled between reverence and fear, their words careful as if spoken in the presence of a god.
Zhang Wei heard it all.
On the outside, he maintained the still, stoic face of a hermit whose patience was endless. On the inside, he was biting his lip to keep from laughing. Look at them, whispering like they're deciding whether to sacrifice their sect's heirlooms. And all for me. Me! I really am the hidden master of the mountain now.
His chest swelled with pride. But then his stomach growled faintly.
Spirit stones, weapons, herbs… what do I need those for? What I can't stand is eating bland congee every single day for the next ten thousand years. I'll go insane before I reach the Dao at this rate. No, food is the true treasure here. Real meals, rich flavors, meat and spice. That is what will sustain me through the ages.
His lips curved in a subtle smile. Yes. They shall pay tribute in dishes, not stones.
He drew in a slow breath and let his authority stir. The courtyard trembled faintly under his will. Leaves skittered against the walls, lanterns flickered, and the very air seemed to hum with suppressed power.
When he spoke, his voice rolled across the courtyard like a deep current beneath a mountain stream.
"Your stones are worthless. Your herbs, beneath my notice. Your weapons, of no use to me."
The four bowed lower, their foreheads nearly brushing the cold stone.
Zhang Wei's eyes gleamed. He raised a hand and the lantern flames bent forward as though leaning to listen.
"What I seek," he said, every syllable slow and deliberate, "is food. The most delicious you can offer, in abundance. Only then will your shelter be secured."
The leaves rustled violently, as if the mountain itself had reacted to his command.
Inside, Zhang Wei was giddy. Perfect delivery. Cool, mysterious, commanding. They'll never know I'm just begging them to spare me from ten thousand years of watery porridge.
The four outside remained frozen.
Jing Hua's thoughts raced. Food… of course! What is gold to a recluse? What is treasure to one who sees through the vanity of the world? But even one who transcends still requires sustenance. How.... profound.
The young miss trembled, her eyes shining with awe. Ling Yue covered her lips with both hands to hide her gasp. Even Jian Feng lowered his head, convinced they stood before someone whose understanding of the Dao stretched beyond measure.
Within the courtyard, Zhang Wei sat back in his rocking chair, thoroughly satisfied.
"Yes," he murmured to himself. "Let them bring their delicacies."
The lantern light flickered once more, and silence returned to the mountain.