Liu Zhuang Xian

Wasn’t this the young boy from his dream, covered from head to toe with bottles and jars?

“He is the lingering attachment of the Sword Master,” said the Sword Spirit, licking the corner of its mouth with a mischievous look.

“Lingering attachment? What lingering attachment?”

“It’s because of him that the Sword Master cannot prohibit emotions or cut off desires. Unable to detach from the mundane world and are bound to the mortal realm, unable to ascend,” the Sword Spirit reached out and stroked Lu Xiaochan’s chin.

“What?”

“The Sword Master’s obsession is too strong. It all remains in this ‘Mirror Flower Water Moon,’ never dissipating.” The Sword Spirit sighed, “You don’t know how for nearly a thousand years, I’ve been forced to watch the same person, bored to death. But the Sword Master’s obsession doesn’t waver and can’t be reduced, lingering in the ‘Mirror Flower Water Moon.’ I invited you here to think of something else.”

“Think of something else?” Lu Xiaochan looked at the Sword Spirit, not understanding.

“If you think of something else, maybe different things will appear in the Mirror Flower Water Moon! Like delicious food! Fun things! And beautiful girls! Handsome men are fine too!” The Sword Spirit said earnestly, “Give me some variety!”

“Huh?”

Before Lu Xiaochan could see the last image, he heard the Sword Spirit cry out urgently.

“Oh no! The Sword Master’s primordial spirit has left its body and is coming to find you! You must go back quickly!”

The Sword Spirit’s finger touched Lu Xiaochan’s brow, and Lu Xiaochan felt as if he was pushed down from the Ninth Heaven by a force.

He heard Shu Wuxi’s voice in his ears.

“Xiaochan, Xiaochan, wake up.”

“Hmm?” Lu Xiaochan opened his eyes. The cold, empty palace from his dream seemed to have been only his imagination. Before him was Shu Wuxi’s clear and extraordinary face. Lu Xiaochan immediately stared at him, then giggled.

“What are you laughing at?”

“You’re so handsome! And I can look at you every day, every night, whenever I want!”

Lu Xiaochan reached out with both hands and caressed Shu Wuxi’s face carelessly.

Shu Wuxi didn’t avoid it, allowing him to do as he pleased, but took an outer garment and put it on Lu Xiaochan.

Lu Xiaochan remembered the first time Shu Wuxi had dressed him, he had been so strict and wouldn’t let him touch anything. Now he couldn’t help but have mischievous thoughts.

As Shu Wuxi was adjusting Lu Xiaochan’s belt, Lu Xiaochan went to pull at Shu Wuxi’s belt. He pretended to be very curious about the patterns on the belt. Shu Wuxi remained expressionless and turned to adjust Lu Xiaochan’s collar.

His fingers smoothed out Lu Xiaochan’s lapel, and Lu Xiaochan imitated him, also adjusting Shu Wuxi’s lapel, but on the last touch, he messed it up.

“Xiaochan.” Shu Wuxi’s voice was lower than usual, seeming to warn Lu Xiaochan not to fool around anymore.

But Lu Xiaochan didn’t take it seriously at all. He pretended to adjust Shu Wuxi’s hair ribbon, deliberately pulling it so that it loosened. Shu Wuxi’s black hair fell down, sliding through Lu Xiaochan’s fingers. Lu Xiaochan couldn’t help but want to grab it, but Shu Wuxi took back the ribbon and gathered his hair again.

“Xiaochan, if you keep this up, we won’t be able to leave today either.”

“Oh, oh, I won’t joke with you anymore! Let’s comb our hair! Pack up! Set off!”

Lu Xiaochan sat properly at the table. Shu Wuxi sat cross-legged behind him, using a wooden comb made of spirit vines to comb Lu Xiaochan’s hair.

Feeling Shu Wuxi’s fingers threading through his hair, Lu Xiaochan felt a tickle in his heart. He turned his face to the side for a moment, then pretended to scratch behind him, but actually went to grab Shu Wuxi’s wrist.

Shu Wuxi seemed to know Lu Xiaochan’s intentions and allowed him to hold onto his wrist.

“Am I being too rough? Did I hurt you?”

Lu Xiaochan thought, your movements are so gentle, I haven’t even lost a single hair, how could it hurt?

He just wanted to touch Shu Wuxi’s fingers.

“It doesn’t hurt! Keep combing!”

Shu Wuxi’s nimble fingers tied Lu Xiaochan’s hair ribbon.

“Are you going to use some immortal method to conceal your true appearance again?”

“Yes.”

Lu Xiaochan was very satisfied with this answer. He also didn’t want others to see Shu Wuxi’s appearance.

“What about me? Cast a spell on me too! So the evil spirits won’t recognize me!”

“The concealment spell can only be used on oneself. I’ll teach you. Gather your spiritual energy at your fingertips, draw this spiritual spell, and place it on yourself.”

Lu Xiaochan imitated the process, drawing one with his spiritual energy and placing it on himself.

At this moment, Kunwu came in to see them off. Lu Xiaochan immediately asked excitedly. “Old trickster, look at me, do you see any changes?”

“What changes?” Kunwu looked left and right.

“After looking, do you feel like you can’t remember what I look like?”

Kunwu then understood what was happening and tapped Lu Xiaochan’s head. “Your immortal method isn’t perfected yet. At most, it just makes your spiritual aura less noticeable, not as eye-catching as before.”

“That works too.” Lu Xiaochan immediately smiled.

Nothing could be achieved overnight. Being less noticeable was good enough.

“Don’t smile. Those peach blossom eyes of yours, when you smile, the spell becomes useless.”

“Then I won’t smile.”

Kunwu sighed and tucked a small medicine bottle into Lu Xiaochan’s belt. “You must behave, don’t act recklessly, don’t cause trouble.”

“I know.”

“It’s getting late. I’ve fed Lushu plenty of spiritual vine branches and leaves. I wish you a safe and smooth journey. When the sword is forged, don’t forget to come back and show me.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll bring it back to broaden your horizons.” Lu Xiaochan patted Kunwu’s chest.

Shu Wuxi led Lu Xiaochan out of Tailing Pavilion. Along the way, many medical and pharmaceutical cultivators bowed their heads in respect, bidding them farewell.

As they walked out of the thatched cottage, Lushu was waiting for them at the door.

Lu Xiaochan came to its side, grabbed its fur, and leaped up. Lushu felt uncomfortable being grabbed but could only flick its tail, not daring to touch Lu Xiaochan at all.

“Brother Wuxi, come up quickly!”

Lu Xiaochan felt his waist tighten as Shu Wuxi had already silently sat behind him.

Lushu soared into the sky, flying towards the horizon and entering the clouds.

At first, Lu Xiaochan found it novel, but above the clouds, there were no living things, no spiritual energy, so Lu Xiaochan couldn’t see anything.

He yawned, naturally feeling drowsy.

Shu Wuxi raised his hand and gently tucked Lu Xiaochan’s head into his embrace.

“Take a nap.”

Lu Xiaochan nodded and fell asleep leaning against Shu Wuxi.

Before he knew it, when Lu Xiaochan woke up, he smelled the scent of night dew. It seemed to be nighttime.

Lu Xiaochan’s stomach growled. He licked his lips, feeling a bit hungry.

“Lushu, let’s find a town to stay for the night.”

Lushu slowly descended from the clouds.

Seeing this scene from afar, countless townspeople were dumbfounded.

“Are those immortals?”

“Those coming from the sky must be immortals!”

Lushu landed in a forest outside a town and transformed into a white horse.

Shu Wuxi dismounted and took out a bridle from his qiankun pouch to tie it.

Although Lushu was reluctant, it could only put its head through. Shu Wuxi led it towards the town.

Lu Xiaochan asked, “Where is this place?”

“Peng City at the foot of Pengyuan Mountain.”

“Pengyuan Mountain? Why does that sound familiar?” Lu Xiaochan slapped his forehead, “I remember now! An Heng is a disciple of the Meng family from Pengyuan Mountain!”

“Mm.” Shu Wuxi responded.

“Is the Meng family powerful?”

“I haven’t heard of any famous sword masters from them.”

Which meant, they weren’t powerful.

But that Madam Meng was quite arrogant and domineering. As the saying goes, “Birds of a feather flock together.” The head of Pengyuan Mountain probably wasn’t a good person either.

After they entered Peng City, Lu Xiaochan sniffed around, wanting to find a good restaurant. Then he scratched the back of his head, “How strange! I’ve been smelling for so long, and all the people passing by are men. There’s not a whiff of a woman’s scent!”

This was truly bizarre!

Lu Xiaochan had only heard stories of the Land of Women, but never of a place with only men.

“We’re only staying for one night.”

“I know, I know. I won’t meddle in other people’s affairs, don’t worry, Brother Wuxi.”

They came to an inn in the town. It had a large entrance and was spacious inside, probably the best inn in Peng City.

The inn’s attendant saw that although Lu Xiaochan and Shu Wuxi were dressed ordinarily, a closer look revealed high-quality fabric. Plus, the white horse that Lushu had transformed into had sleek fur, obviously a fine breed. So he approached them enthusiastically.

“Are these gentlemen stopping for a meal or staying the night?”

“Staying. Give us a superior room.”

“This way, please!”

The attendant first led Lushu to the stable at the back. Although Lushu was displeased, it could only roll its eyes.

There wasn’t a single horse in the stable, but it was spacious.

Lushu disdained the fodder in the trough, which made the attendant even more convinced that this horse was of an extraordinary breed. He returned and treated Shu Wuxi and Lu Xiaochan with even more enthusiasm.

Although Lu Xiaochan could see people, he couldn’t see inanimate objects like tables and chairs. Shu Wuxi held his wrist and led him to a table.

The attendant watched as Shu Wuxi poured tea for Lu Xiaochan, while Lu Xiaochan just looked around doing nothing. He thought to himself that Lu Xiaochan must be some family’s young master, and Shu Wuxi, dressed as a scholar, must be sent by the family to take care of him. Judging by Shu Wuxi’s demeanor and cultivation, he might be the steward of a wealthy family.

“This young master, it’s late. You two probably haven’t had dinner yet? Would you like to try our fish dumplings?”

“Fish dumplings? I want to taste them!” Lu Xiaochan’s mouth watered at the mention.

“One order of fish dumplings,” Shu Wuxi said.

Lu Xiaochan added, “And cook a few of your specialty dishes!”

Shu Wuxi nodded, “Yes, and a few of your specialty dishes.”

The attendant took a look and thought: Of these two people, it’s clear that this young master is the one in charge.

“Alright, esteemed guests, please wait a moment. The food will be served shortly!”

Lu Xiaochan rested his chin on her hand, waiting in the room. The more he thought about it, the stranger this Peng City seemed to him.

“Brother Wuxi, Peng City isn’t some small town. It’s one thing that we didn’t see any women along the way, but why is even such a large inn so quiet? It feels like traveling merchants are bypassing Peng City altogether.”

“Don’t think too much about it. After dinner, I’ll have the attendant prepare hot water for you to bathe.”

Lu Xiaochan knew that although Shu Wuxi appeared indifferent to everything around him, he was actually fully aware of it all.

A moment later, the attendant brought up the food.

Lu Xiaochan was the first to reach out with his chopsticks to pick up a fish dumpling. Just as he was about to put it in his mouth, Shu Wuxi stopped him.

“It’s too hot.”

“Oh.” Lu Xiaochan tugged at Shu Wuxii’s sleeve. “The attendant has worked hard, Brother Wuxi. Give him some silver as a reward.”

Wuxi took out a small silver ingot and placed it at the foot of the table.

The attendant hurriedly picked it up. Over the past three or four days, only Shu Wuxi and Lu Xiaochan had stayed at the inn. Having received a tip, the attendant naturally wanted to look out for the two of them.

“Young master, since I’ve received your reward, I have a few words of advice for you both.”

Lu Xiaochan’s eyes lit up. “Please, go ahead!”

“You two must have noticed that although our Peng City is located on a main road, it’s quieter than most towns.”

“Yes, and we didn’t see any women along the way! What’s going on?”

“It’s all because of the Meng family from Pengyuan Mountain…”

At the mention of the Meng family, the attendant’s voice lowered considerably.

He looked around, as if worried about eavesdroppers.

“What about the Meng family?”

Although the Meng family couldn’t be considered a famous clan, they were still a cultivation sect. Why was this attendant so afraid?

“The Meng family’s mistress left the town a few months ago to pray for a male heir, but she was possessed by an evil spirit on the way and lost her life!”

“And then?”

This part, he already knew.

“Her body was brought back by people from Zhiwu Mountain Villa. They say even her heart was missing.”

Lu Xiaochan didn’t want to hear any more about Madam Meng’s fate. He just wanted him to get to the point.

“What does this have to do with Peng City being so quiet and the absence of women on the roads?”

“Madan Meng’s elder brother is the master of Chenhuan Cave. Of course, he had to come and demand justice for his sister’s death. The Chenhuan Cave Master believes that Meng Yuandao mistreated his wife because of the concubines in his household, and that Madam Meng went out to pray for a son to maintain her status in the Meng family…”

“So the Chenhuan Cave Master wants to take it out on Meng Yuandao’s concubines to avenge his sister?”

Oh my, oh my, it looks like a big drama is about to unfold!

Lu Xiaochan had no intention of meddling in the Meng family’s affairs, but that didn’t stop him from enjoying the gossip!

“Yes! To avoid offending the Chenhuan Cave Master, Meng Yuandao strangled his own concubine and even held a grand funeral for her!”

“And then?” Lu Xiaochan thought to himself that this Meng Yuandao was truly heartless, treating both his wife and concubine so badly.

After all, Madam Meng’s jealousy and resentment had a lot to do with Meng Yuandao’s unfaithful nature.

Although the sins were all of Madam Meng’s own making, a woman’s entire life after marriage depended on her husband. It was truly difficult for Madam Meng to be open-minded when Meng Yuandao was so fickle.

“Who would have thought that the Chenhuan Cave Master intercepted them halfway and insisted on opening the coffin to examine the body! When they opened it, they found it was empty!”

Lu Xiaochan couldn’t help but clap his hands. “Meng Yuandao is really something! He even dared to deceive the Chenhuan Cave Master!”

“Indeed! How could the Cave Master let it go? He found the concubine in Meng’s villa and personally tried to take her life! Of course, Meng Yuandao had to protect his concubine, and a fierce fight broke out between them. In the struggle, the Cave Master’s spiritual energy grazed the concubine’s face, leaving a bloody scar that wouldn’t heal!”

Lu Xiaochan’s interest grew more intense. His big eyes were fixed on the attendant, who, seeing that he had an attentive audience, became even more animated in his storytelling.

“Meng Yuandao claimed that his concubine was pregnant, saying it was Meng family bloodline, and hoped the Chenhuan Cave Master would show mercy. The Cave Master left in anger, placing a ‘death mark’ on everyone in Pengyuan Mountain except Meng Yuandao, including us common folk! He threatened to return and take her life after the concubine gave birth to the child!”

“Oh, I see! He put the death mark on you all for two reasons. First, if Meng Yuandao tries to escape secretly, it would implicate his entire family and all the people of Peng City, making it impossible for him to settle anywhere. Second, it’s to make everyone in Peng City keep an eye on Meng Yuandao. If he leaves, you all can’t survive either. Is that right or not?”

“That’s exactly it!”

The attendant sighed deeply and slightly opened his collar, revealing a mark on the side of his neck. As he wasn’t a cultivator and had little spiritual energy, the shape of the mark on his body wasn’t clear. Just as Lu Xiaochan was about to reach out and touch it, Shu Wuxi held his hand back.

“It is indeed a ‘death mark’,” Shu Wuxi said.

“What’s a death mark?” asked Lu Xiaochan.

“It’s a kind of vicious curse that ordinary Taoist sects wouldn’t use. Anyone with a ‘death mark’ will die from reversed blood flow if they leave a hundred-mile radius,” Wuxi answered.

“Is there a way to break it?” Lu Xiaochan asked curiously.

“The Chenhuan Cave Master’s cultivation level is higher than Meng Yuandao’s. The entire Pengyuan Mountain sect naturally can’t break the death mark he placed.”

Hearing this, Lu Xiaochan understood. With Shu Wuxi’s level of cultivation, that Chenhuan Cave Master’s death mark was child’s play.

“But what does this have to do with the town being so quiet and not seeing any women?”

“Didn’t I just mention that the Cave Master’s spiritual energy left a bloody scar on the face of Meng’s concubine? That scar hasn’t faded even after more than three months.”

“That spiritual energy is quite formidable!” Lu Xiaochan touched her own cheek.

“The Meng family sought out many doctors, who all said the Cave Master’s spiritual energy was too powerful and that the scar on her face would never heal. Somehow, the Meng family got hold of a prescription saying that using the blood of virgins as a medicinal catalyst could heal the scar on the concubine’s face.”

“So… Meng Yuandao didn’t just take all the unmarried young women in Peng City up to Pengyuan Mountain, did he?”

“That’s exactly what happened.”

“But… but after the child is born, the Chenhuan Cave Master will come to take her life. When she’s about to lose her life, why is her face so important?” Lu Xiaochan threw up his hands, completely bewildered as to why Meng Yuandao would go to such lengths for the concubine’s face.

“We just don’t know why! Now almost all the young women in the city have been taken away, but the Meng family is still not satisfied. When their disciples couldn’t complete the task, they even started taking married women, all of them taken up to Pengyuan Mountain!”

Lu Xiaochan felt deep sympathy for them. If he hadn’t guessed wrong, it was likely that either Meng Yuandao or that concubine had been possessed by an evil spirit, leading to such absurd actions.

“Just bear with it for a while. That Chenhuan Cave Master will be coming to take the life of Meng’s concubine soon. When he comes and removes your death marks, you’ll be able to leave this place.”

As for those women who were taken away, once Meng Yuandao’s concubine died, wouldn’t everything be resolved?

The attendant sighed, “Alas, we can only wait for Meng Yuandao’s concubine to give birth quickly. But I must warn you, young master, don’t wander aimlessly on the streets. If you run into Meng family disciples, who search house by house for women every day, it would be bad if there’s a conflict.”

“Thank you for the warning,” Lu Xiaochan bowed to him in gratitude for the advice.

After dinner, the attendant cleared away the dishes. Lu Xiaochan rinsed his mouth and was about to take a bath when he heard commotion from downstairs at the inn.

“Outsiders have come to the city and you didn’t notify the Meng family! How dare you!”

It seemed the Meng family disciples had come.

“Oh! Gentlemen, it’s two men who arrived, no women. If we had notified you, wouldn’t it just have been a wasted trip?”

“Nonsense! Whether it’s a waste or not is for us to decide!”

Then came the sound of arrogant footsteps.

Lu Xiaochan thought to himself that this night was likely to be far from peaceful!

But it was fine. During the day, he had done nothing but sleep while riding on Lushu’s back. Now, even if he lay down on the couch, he wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway!

“Brother Wuxi, save me!” Lu Xiaochan said with a mischievous smile, tugging at Wuxi’s sleeve.

Shu Wuxi was just raising his teacup to his lips. Lu Xiaochan’s tug almost made him spill the tea.

He turned his hand and grasped Lu Xiaochan, pulling him to his side.

“You just want to see me in action, don’t you?”

“Hehe, that’s right!”

When Shu Wuxi took action, his spiritual energy would overflow, outshining the sun and moon!

He never tired of watching it!

Just then, four or five Meng family disciples kicked open their door and rushed in, with the attendant following behind, constantly explaining.

“They really are two male guests! There are no women!”

The attendant was roughly pushed aside, crashing into the wall.

The four men burst in aggressively. The one in the lead shouted loudly, “They’re indeed here!”

Shu Wuxi calmly put down his teacup.

Lu Xiaochan noticed that their spiritual light was dim, just a bit better than ordinary people. They probably hadn’t even formed their elixir core yet.

These people, Shu Wuxi could deal with just by lifting a finger. How boring.

Lu Xiaochan patted his mouth and yawned.

Unexpectedly, all four men surrounded Lu Xiaochan and stared at him.

“This kid looks so delicate, he must be a woman in disguise!”

“That’s right! Let’s take him back to report to the master!”

Lu Xiaochan nearly choked on his own saliva.

“What? Are you even more blind than me? How am I dressed as a woman?”

Are you complimenting my looks, or are you so desperate that you’ll grab anyone?

Just as they were about to grab Lu Xiaochan, Shu Wuxi raised his hand and flicked his finger, releasing a burst of true qi.

This true qi moved in an arc, instantly penetrating through the chests of all four men. They immediately fell to their knees, spitting blood.

Some of them collapsed and couldn’t get up. Only the leader barely managed to support his upper body and raise his head to look at Shu Wuxi.

“This… who… are you…”

Even though neither of them had immortal swords by their side, the man’s true qi just now was incredibly powerful, with a strong aura, and unfathomably deep cultivation.