Sword Arrives

A man and a woman turned into Mud Bottle Alley. The young man wore a high crown and a green jade pendant around his waist, making him appear more like a wealthy young master than the heir to the town's richest family, the Lu clan. The woman's age was hard to determine. At first glance, she seemed like a young girl, her skin smooth and delicate, with a sharp chin like an icicle hanging from a roof during winter. But with a second look, she appeared to be in her thirties, with almond-shaped eyes and a figure that exuded a seductive charm. From head to toe, she radiated an elegant allure, moving with a grace that no townswoman could rival.

She glanced around curiously, even reaching out to touch the yellow mud walls, but sensing nothing of interest, she asked with curiosity, "Fu Nanhua, is this really one of the concealed blessed places you spoke of? Why didn't the geomantic map my ancestor gave us place special emphasis on this alley?"

The young man avoided the question and asked instead, "If you and I were to find unexpected fortune here, how would you repay me?"

The woman turned her body slightly, her hands clasped behind her, accentuating her full chest. With a half-serious, half-playful smile, she replied, "You can take whatever you like, how about that?"

The young man didn't expect her to be so straightforward. It threw him off balance. Moreover, as they had come here on a mission to "visit friends and family"—bearing the responsibility of their family's future and possibly even the rise or fall of the next thousand years—he could not, despite his flirtations, afford to indulge in a fleeting romance in a small town, especially not in broad daylight.

So he quickly shifted the topic, pointing deeper into the alley with a smile. "Beauty Cai, friends are friends, but business is business. I must remind you once again, according to our previous agreement, there are two households in this Mud Bottle Alley: one is a master-maid pair, the other a mother-son pair. You can choose either one, and the stake will be the Cloud-rooted Stone, a specialty from your Rosy Cloud Mountain. Every year, you'll send us ten pieces to Old Dragon City."

The woman nodded, her smile alluring. "Of course, it's possible."

The young man continued walking slowly, his voice steady. "From now on, should you acquire any opportunities here beyond your family's expectations, that item must be submitted for evaluation by both of our masters, who will determine a fair price. Afterward, your Rosy Cloud Mountain will provide half of the equivalent Cloud-rooted Stones. Cai Jinjian, do you have any objections? Or perhaps, can you guarantee that after you agree to this matter, once the profits are secured and the deal is closed, you will be able to convince your masters at Rosy Cloud Mountain to acknowledge and endorse this agreement?"

The woman's expression changed. She became solemn and dignified, as if she had transformed from a courtesan into a queen. This woman, Cai Jinjian of Rosy Cloud Mountain, spoke with an unwavering resolve. "I agree!"

The young man narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening. He stopped in his tracks and faced the tall woman, his tone serious. "Let's be clear from the start. Our alliance today is not based on us falling in love or getting along so well. This is about the deep connections between Old Dragon City and Rosy Cloud Mountain—centuries of hard work and legacy built by our forefathers and ancestors. If we screw this up and anger those old men, it won't just be you, Cai Jinjian, or me, Fu Nanhua, who will suffer. Even our parents and masters won't escape the consequences."

Cai Jinjian smiled. "So during our time in this town, we must be sincere and cooperate fully, right?"

Fu Nanhua, looking as handsome and charming as ever even in the dim alley, laughed. "Besides that…"

He turned his head, glancing around before lowering his voice. "We also need to be cautious of those two, after all, they're not from Zhengyang Mountain, nor are they from any reputable sects. I've heard that those two are wild and unruly, with no respect for the rules."

The tall woman narrowed her expressive phoenix eyes, as if playfully saying, That's why I chose you, Fu Nanhua.

Fu Nanhua whispered, "Let's go. Even though this place is under the protection of sage who balances the power of the factions, it's better to be cautious. It would be disastrous if we were to slip up and fall into a trap. Ultimately, whether we can make a leap like a carp jumping over the dragon gate, and achieve greatness, depends on this moment."

This young man, renowned in his region and proud of his status, felt his resolve grow firmer as he silently repeated in his heart: "The way is within reach. Anyone who stands in my way, be they immortals or gods, shall be slain!"

He gazed down the alley, where a thin, young figure walked towards him from a distance.

It was the second time they had crossed paths.

The two continued to walk slowly, like celestial companions who had descended into the mortal realm.

The tall woman also noticed the young man and teased, "Over there by the door, in the alley. We've run into him twice now. Do you think he's someone important?"

She didn't finish her sentence, but Fu Nanhua knew exactly what she meant and couldn't help but chuckle. "My dear beauty Cai, there are six hundred households in this town, and with the servants and common folk brought in by the ten prominent families, the population nearly reaches five thousand. No matter how many dragons and tigers lie hidden in this town, there's always a limit. Besides, for many years, those with fortune and foundation have long been quietly divided. The only reason we've had the chance to 'pick up scraps' is because some powerful figures with unpredictable motives are deliberately leaving a few things behind."

The woman smiled self-deprecatingly, feeling a bit embarrassed for her naive thoughts.

After a moment's hesitation, Fu Nanhua continued, "I don't know how your master teaches the secrets of the heavens, but my father did tell me something. Once we enter this place, if someone makes you feel uneasy, you must retreat immediately and keep your distance. Never provoke or challenge them. After all, this place is filled with hidden dragons and tigers, and its depths are unfathomable. Those who give you a bad feeling are most likely our competitors in this treasure hunt. As for those who make you feel a sense of closeness, they may be individuals blessed with fortune in this region, with the potential to become opportunities for you. As long as you don't easily resort to killing and don't break those long-standing, unspoken rules, then whether to buy, deceive, or forcefully take what you want, that will depend on…"

Cai Jinjian's lips curled into a smile. "... our mood."

She suddenly furrowed her brows. "Fu, why didn't you let me bring along the Zhao family descendants who have deep roots here? Though I did learn a few of the local dialects before I left…"

Fu Nanhua interrupted her, shaking his head. "Those powerful families have secret channels that have been intertwined with the outside world for generations. They can pass along harmless news right under the eyes of the sage without being seen as crossing boundaries. These families have deep foundations that our Old Dragon City and Rosy Cloud Mountain cannot match. Besides, relying on outsiders ultimately isn't ideal—it invites complications and risks, potentially jeopardizing everything. If you don't want to speak, I'll take care of it instead."

She smiled. "It's fine. They're just difficult words anyway. I'm not that delicate."

Fu Nanhua smiled indifferently, and Cai Jinjian didn't press the matter further.

After all, allies gained through chance are no match for those bound by blood.

And to those ambitious individuals aiming for enlightenment, what do generations of ancestors, fathers, and brothers mean?

Fu Nanhua's smile remained serene, noble, and elegant, like a scion of one of the world's foremost aristocratic families.