Chapter Nine: Seeking a New Path

Walking down the street, I brushed past one graceful woman after another, each dressed in men’s clothing. Though clad in masculine attire, these immortals did not neglect to paint their brows, line their eyes, powder their cheeks, and style their hair. Men's dress had become a trend representing beauty, not a means to conceal one’s gender.

To avoid aggravating Cold Wind’s injury, Bai Hao and I each wore a fur cloak and a large hood lined with fur. Bai Hao’s hood was pulled so low that his face was barely visible, but even so, his distinguished and elegant air drew many female immortals’ attention. Some paused to gaze at him, others boldly approached to strike up a conversation. Bai Hao, however, walked on indifferently, unmoved by their interest.

“Look! That immortal lord! So dashing, so handsome!”

“You’re falling for someone whose face you haven’t even seen?”

“Be realistic—Celestial Lord Yunxiao is out of reach, but this one’s aura is extraordinary…”

“Well, go on then… go over…”

A few immortals whispered among themselves.

“I think your future is bright,” I remarked to Bai Hao.

“Mmm,” Bai Hao replied softly.

I thought to myself that if he kept walking around the streets like this, half the female immortals seeking a master would end up wishing to be his disciple.

“Mmm, have you ever met Celestial Lord Yunxiao?” I asked.

“Yes,” Bai Hao answered calmly.

He had actually met Yunxiao!

“Is he really as remarkable as they say?”

“No,” Bai Hao said, his expression serene.

He dared to say Yunxiao wasn’t all that—had he already seen through it so quickly? I wondered.

“Where are you staying? Do you need to retrieve anything from your inn?” Bai Hao asked.

I chuckled sheepishly, “I’m not staying at any inn—all the inns are full.”

“Then where do you sleep?” Bai Hao inquired.

“I revert to my true form and sleep in the trees. My true form is a cold crow, quite small, so I never lack a place to rest,” I replied, smiling.

“And if there’s wind, rain, or snow?” Bai Hao seemed genuinely concerned about my accommodations.

“I hide under eaves or in rock crevices. If there’s nowhere to hide, I just endure it,” I said, unconcerned.

“What about your parents and family?” Bai Hao asked.

“I don’t know. As a child, I mingled with other birds. When some cultivated, I joined them,” I explained.

“How did you endure the tribulation to ascend as an immortal?” Bai Hao pressed.

Talking about ascension, I beamed, “I never endured one.”

“Never?” Bai Hao asked, surprised.

“That’s right, I’m puzzled by it myself. They say if your cultivation is insufficient, a powerful immortal god must protect you. I don’t know any such gods, and none have ever protected me. Maybe I went through it quietly without remembering. Everyone’s experience is different. Perhaps it was that time I ate a fish and choked on a bone,” I laughed.

“Oh, you’ve had a carefree life,” Bai Hao smiled.

“I don’t know how to calculate fate, nor do I know my own birth date and hour, so I just leave it to destiny,” I said, spreading my hands helplessly.

“You can’t ride a sword either?”

“No.”

“What about barriers and sealing techniques?”

“No. I only know basic immortal arts. The advanced ones you mentioned are beyond me.”

“How do you protect yourself in danger?”

“If I can run, I run. If I can hide, I hide. If not, I use this! It’s very handy!” I pulled out a dagger from my bosom and waved it.

Bai Hao glanced at the dagger and asked, “This dagger is quite sharp—how did you get it?”

“I bought it.”

“Where did you buy it? Let me see.”

I handed the dagger to Bai Hao. “From a stall that sells fake goods. Not only is it sharp, it’s quite spirited. I can hide it in my feathers. Ten silver leaves! A real bargain!”

Bai Hao examined the dagger carefully before handing it back to me, and I tucked it away. That he was even interested in the dagger made me feel increasingly at ease.

“What have you done these three thousand years?” Bai Hao continued.

“Grew up, made a living, cultivated on my own,” I said.

“You never sought a master in any immortal mountain?” Bai Hao seemed surprised.

I chuckled, “I did, but I had no money, no recommendation, insufficient talent, so I was rejected.”

“Oh. Have you ever tried Penglai?”

“No, even small mountains wouldn’t accept me—how would I dare approach a famous one?” I laughed.

“Hmm, perhaps you could try.”

“I’ve heard it’s wonderful there. Maybe someday,” I replied, though inwardly I thought Bai Hao was overestimating me.

“Yes, it suits you.”

I wondered, with my meager talent and power, where did he see that I was suited for Penglai? Still, I felt grateful for his encouragement.

We walked and talked, passing the bustling main stage at the town center, surrounded layer upon layer by immortals.

I asked an immortal friend, who responded enthusiastically, “That’s the Disciple List. It displays name plaques of immortals seeking a master. You can place bets on them—if your chosen immortal is admitted to Jade Purity Realm and becomes Yunxiao’s disciple, you’ll profit handsomely and could join the ranks of immortal world’s wealthy!”

“Oh, so it’s gambling,” I said.

The immortal quickly shook his head, “Not quite. For those placing bets, it’s gambling, but for the immortals whose names are displayed, it’s a dual opportunity. Other immortal mountains might come poaching talent. Some, knowing they won’t enter Jade Purity Realm, leave their name and information here, waiting for a benefactor.”

“How do you hang a name plaque?” I inquired.

“Go over there, find the immortal in charge, and pay a bit of silver,” he said, pointing into the crowd.

“You have to pay yourself?” I asked.

“Of course! Those with fame are sought out and even paid to have their names displayed, like the relatives of some emperors. If you’re not well-known, you pay yourself. Once your name is up, you gain some recognition. If others bet gold and jewels, even if you don’t become Yunxiao’s disciple, envoys from other renowned immortal mountains might invite you, giving you more opportunities,” he explained.

This struck me as a good opportunity—to hang Bai Hao’s name and place a bet. If Yunxiao didn’t accept him, he’d still have other options. If he succeeded, we could win a fortune.

“Come on, let’s go in,” I said to Bai Hao, squeezing into the crowd. After much effort, I reached the front, but when I looked back, Bai Hao was nowhere to be seen.

“What are you planning?” Bai Hao’s voice sounded beside me. He had somehow quietly appeared at my side, calm and collected, utterly unlike my sweaty, disheveled state. He startled me. “When did you get in?”

Bai Hao smiled, “I don’t need to squeeze.”

An immortal in charge of name plaques approached and, seeing Bai Hao, exclaimed, “Oh my! Where did this immortal come from? Incredible! Everyone, place your bets! He’s sure to win!” At his call, a crowd of immortals surged around Bai Hao, pushing me aside.

Seeing Bai Hao surrounded by admirers, none paying me any mind, I turned to examine the name plaques myself, searching for Dongfang Mo. If his name was here, it might include his residence. I hadn’t seen him these days, and tomorrow Kunlun Xu would formally open to welcome prospective disciples. I wondered if I’d get a chance to prove myself to him.

I scanned the plaques on the wall but found no sign of Dongfang Mo.

“No Dongfang Mo?” Bai Hao’s voice sounded beside me again.

He startled me anew, having once more appeared at my side without a sound, while the crowd was still clamoring around him. If it weren’t broad daylight, I’d have thought him a spirit.

“Mm!” I patted my chest, steadied myself, and kept searching.

“No need to look—I’ll keep an eye out,” Bai Hao said, hands behind his back, gazing at the plaques.

“Thank you, immortal friend, but I’d still like to find him soon.”

“Is he very outstanding?”

“Mm, like the immortal I met this morning—I think he’s good. Just too proud; he scolded me,” I sighed.

“He scolded you? Because you ruined his letter of recommendation?”

“No, because… when a burly man bullied me, I used my dagger in the fight to slice off his trousers. The man ran away in shame and anger. Dongfang Mo thought I was shameless and vulgar…” I laughed awkwardly.

Bai Hao smiled, turned to look at me, “In that matter, he owes you an apology. In warfare, one must avoid strength and strike at weakness—victory isn’t won by pride alone.”

“Oh, but he cares greatly for that recommendation letter. I think it’s better to prove myself in person,” I said, feeling dejected.

“You’re not angry, yet you still want to testify for him—it seems you care deeply about proof,” Bai Hao observed.

“Of course I’m angry—I hate being wrongly accused. I just want a clear conscience,” I replied.

Bai Hao fell silent, still watching the plaques.

Just then, the immortal behind the desk called out, “Write your names up! The virtuous from immortal mountains are watching! Gold and jewels, sell yourself or your land, anything goes!”

Hearing this, I had an idea.

“Help me look for Dongfang Mo. I’ll check over there,” I told Bai Hao, heading to the desk. “I want to buy Bai Hao’s stake. The rest I’ll use as his bet.” I tried to pull out the white hair ribbon I’d found at Jade Shattered Spring. Most of my money had been extorted by Madam Bai Xi; the white ribbon looked like it was woven from precious gems and should fetch a decent price.

But as my hand reached into my bosom, my arm was immobilized. No matter how I struggled, my body wouldn’t budge.

The immortal at the desk, seeing me only talk and not place a bet, looked at me disdainfully, “Well, go ahead! Buy! Place your bet!”

Bai Hao came to my side and unfastened a very exquisite white jade pendant from his waist. “Yu Fei,” he said, calmly placing the pendant on the desk.

“Good! Bets are placed! A finely carved mutton-fat jade pendant, worth a hundred gold leaves! Yu Fei, renowned immortal of Kunlun Xu! Any more bets?” the immortal called.

Seeing Bai Hao use his own jade pendant to place a bet for me, I panicked, “What are you doing? Betting on me is as good as throwing the jade away—I’m not seeking a master, Yunxiao won’t accept me.”

“I know. Jade Purity Realm won’t take you, but hanging your name gives you more chances. I left in haste; when I have time, I’ll exchange gold leaves to retrieve the pendant,” Bai Hao replied serenely.

“A hundred gold leaves! With my poor talent, hanging my name is useless. Why not write your name instead?” I tried to take the pendant back, but Bai Hao gently blocked my arm.

“I don’t need it,” Bai Hao smiled.

“Nor do I. Besides… a hundred gold leaves—I… how could I ever repay you…” I was troubled. I hadn’t expected that, despite his plain blue robe, he carried such a valuable jade. He was kind to me, but when Bai Xi took a single gold leaf, I was nearly ruined; a hundred gold leaves would cost me my life.

“No need to repay—it’s Bai Xi’s compensation for you.”

“He bullied me; he should compensate.”

“No matter—just a possession.”

“Whose name for the bet? What identity? Where is the address for correspondence?” the recording immortal asked without looking up.

“Betting on Yu Fei. Origin: Jade Purity Realm Medical Hall. If any immortal mountain is interested, send a letter to the medical hall,” Bai Hao instructed.

“Jade Purity Medical Hall? That’s notable. Betting on yourself is allowed. If you end up at another immortal mountain and don’t become Yunxiao’s disciple, the bet is wasted, nothing to gain. This money only positions your name higher so visiting envoys might notice,” the immortal explained.

“No matter,” Bai Hao replied.

“Why waste so much? No immortal mountain will take me… Besides, I only heal at the medical hall—I know nothing else. If I say this, I’m deceiving them…” I whispered to Bai Hao.

“Healing is also from Jade Purity Medical Hall. Saying so will attract immortal mountains. Let’s leave it to fate. How is your body feeling now?” Bai Hao asked.

“I no longer feel hot and cold,” I said, flexing my limbs. My whole body was much more comfortable than before I went out.

“Let’s go back,” Bai Hao said.

“Oh,” I replied, a bit disappointed.

“Come. Now is not the time for amusement,” Bai Hao said, turning to walk away with an ethereal grace.

“We just came out and now we’re going back? It’s not even noon,” I hurried to catch up.

“Mm, when noon arrives, it’s over,” Bai Hao said.

“Over?” I was puzzled.

“You were inwardly afflicted by heat toxin and outwardly battered by wind and snow; your yang energy was suppressed. You took cooling medicine. By harnessing the timing of nature, the internal heat is transformed, yang emerges, and the heat gradually clears. If you wait until midday, too much external yang will do more harm than good,” Bai Hao explained as we walked.

I cast him a look of gratitude and admiration. “You shouldn’t seek a master—you’re more than qualified to be a teacher. You might as well open your own school and let me be your disciple.”

Bai Hao smiled, “I am not your master; you have your own.”