A man and a woman turned into the narrow alley of Mud Bottle Lane. The young man wore a tall crown and had a green jade pendant at his waist. Compared to the descendants of the richest Lu family in town, he resembled far more a noble scion of some illustrious lineage. The woman's age was difficult to determine—at first glance, she appeared to be a young maiden, with dewy skin and a sharply pointed chin, like an icicle hanging beneath a winter eave. Yet on a second look, she exuded the allure of a woman in her thirties—phoenix eyes, a beguiling figure, and a sensual grace that poured from her like a cascading waterfall. Her swaying walk bore a charm no woman of the small town could ever hope to imitate.
With curiosity brimming in her eyes, she glanced around and even reached out to touch the clay walls, finding no clues, and asked inquisitively,"Fu Nanhua, is this truly one of the hidden blessed lands you spoke of? Why was this alley not marked with importance in the geomantic diagrams my ancestor gave me?"
The young man replied with a question of his own,"If, by chance, we uncover an unexpected fortune here—how will you repay me?"
The woman turned slightly, clasping her hands behind her back, a pose that accentuated her already bountiful bosom. With a half-jesting, half-serious smile, she said softly,"Shall I offer myself to you without reservation?"
The young man had not anticipated her frankness, which caught him entirely off guard. Besides, their visit to the town was under the pretense of "seeking kin and old friends," while bearing the weighty burden of their clan's century-long rise—or millennium-long glory. No matter how flirtatious his heart, he dared not indulge in a fleeting affair under the watchful eyes of the entire town.
He quickly changed the subject, pointing into the depths of the alley with a smile,"Fairy Cai, friendship is one thing, business another. I must remind you once more—per our previous agreement, there are two households in this Mud Bottle Lane: a master and servant, and a mother with her child. You may choose either to place your bet. The wager: ten pieces of your Yunxia Mountain's precious Cloudroot Stones delivered annually to Old Dragon City."
The woman nodded, her smile enchanting."But of course."
The young man strolled forward, continuing,"Should you discover an unexpected opportunity here beyond your clan's predictions, that item must be jointly appraised by both our patriarchs to determine a fair price. Yunxia Mountain will then offer Cloudroot Stones equal to half the value. Cai Jin Jian, do you have any objections? Or can you guarantee that, once the profit is in your hands, you'll still be able to convince those esteemed patriarchs of yours to honor this wager?"
Her expression shifted completely—gone was the flirtatious courtesan, in her place stood a queenly matron, dignified and solemn. With unshakable certainty, she declared,"I agree!"
Fu Nanhua narrowed his eyes, his gaze somber as he stopped and faced the tall woman who stood as his equal in height,"Let's be clear: the alliance between us today is one of mutual benefit, not some whimsical romance or meeting of kindred souls. This cooperation is rooted in the centuries of goodwill painstakingly cultivated between Old Dragon City and Yunxia Mountain. If we fail and provoke the wrath of those old monsters, neither you nor I—nor even our parents or masters—will be spared!"
Cai Jin Jian laughed softly,"Which is why, during our stay in this little town, we must be open and sincere, working together in harmony, no?"
In the dim alleyway, Fu Nanhua's charm shone through, his smile roguish,"Indeed, but beyond that…"
He glanced behind him, then lowered his voice,"We must tread carefully around those two. They're not of Zhengyang Mountain—not reputable, not bound by convention. From what I've heard, those two have always walked a wild path, not known for playing by the rules."
The tall woman narrowed her phoenix eyes, her gaze speaking volumes—"Which is precisely why I chose you, dear Young Master Fu."
Fu Nanhua replied softly,"Let's go. Though sages safeguard this land, keeping the balance of power in check, it's best not to stumble carelessly in the dark. Whether we soar like carp leaping the dragon gate—it all hinges on this venture."
This famed prodigy grew ever more resolute in his heart, silently chanting:"The Great Way lies ahead; should gods or Buddhas block it—I shall slay them all!"
He looked down the alley and saw a thin youth approaching from the other end. Their paths were crossing for the second time.
The two walked on, unhurried and poised, like an immortal couple descended into the mortal world.
The tall woman also caught sight of the boy and teased,"Twice now, in this same alley—do you think that youth might be…"
She trailed off, her implication clear. Fu Nanhua chuckled helplessly,"My dear Fairy Cai, there are six hundred households in town, nearly five thousand souls if you count the servants and retainers of the great clans. Even in a place of hidden dragons, talent is not infinite. Most promising seeds have long been plucked in secret. The only reason we're able to 'pick up the scraps' this time, is because those unfathomable powerhouses allowed such leaks to slip through their fingers."
The woman gave a self-deprecating smile, feeling embarrassed by her own naïveté.
After a pause, Fu Nanhua said,"I don't know how your patriarchs reveal heaven's secrets, but my father once warned me: if someone in this place stirs a chill in your heart, retreat at once. Keep your distance, and never provoke them lightly. This town hides unfathomable forces. Those who make your skin crawl are likely to be your rivals in this treasure hunt. And those who spark a sense of kinship in you—they may be carriers of fortune, fated to bestow opportunity. Just remember—don't kill lightly, and don't break the iron laws that have never once bent to time. Beyond that, whether by trade, deception, or brute force…"
Cai Jin Jian's lips curled into a sly smile,"...depends on our mood, yes?"
Then she frowned slightly,"Master Fu, why didn't you let me bring one of the local Zhao clan heirs? I studied the dialect before coming…"
Fu Nanhua cut her off with a shake of his head,"Those ancient clans maintain secret channels to the outside, passing messages right under the saints' noses without crossing the line. Generations of accumulation have left them with deep-rooted foundations. In comparison, our Old Dragon City and Yunxia Mountain are still a step behind. Besides, relying on outsiders tends to create complications. If you don't wish to speak, I'll handle it."
She laughed,"No matter. A few twisted words—I'm not that delicate."
Fu Nanhua smiled without comment, and Cai Jin Jian said no more. After all, allies forged mid-journey could never match true kin. And to those with grand ambitions—those aiming for immortality—what are blood ties, really?
Fu Nanhua's smile was calm, his bearing noble, as befitted the heir of a great family. The reason he revealed his father's secret teachings to Cai Jin Jian was simple. Among their companions, the stolid middle-aged man and the cold, black-clad girl didn't concern him. From the moment they stepped into the walled gates of the town, Fu Nanhua had already entertained murderous thoughts toward this "ally" beside him—Cai Jin Jian of Yunxia Mountain.
He instinctively gripped the green jade at his waist.
Old Dragon calls rain, nature bends to its will.A gentleman keeps jade at his side without cause.
Cai Jin Jian considered for a moment, closed her eyes, then opened them to say,"Song Jixin and Gu Can… I choose Gu Can."
Fu Nanhua raised a brow."Very well. It's a deal."
Just ahead, they saw the youth, now turning keys in a door to enter. Fu Nanhua quickened his pace with Cai Jin Jian and called out with a smile,"What a coincidence—we meet again."
The poorly dressed boy was Chen Ping'an, just leaving Gu Can's house. Hearing the voice, he turned around and asked with a nod…