The capital!
Auntie had received dreadful news: her precious son was to join the army and head out to war again.
For Auntie, who was not well educated, short-sighted, and fancied herself something of a fairy, war was synonymous with death, it meant broken homes and ruined families, and old folk burying the young.
That autumn, Xu Erlang had marched north with the army to aid the yao and the barbarians. For a whole month, Auntie had neither eaten nor slept well, waking up in the middle of the night in shock from nightmares of Erlang dying beneath the iron hooves of the enemy.
At first, Xu Pingzhi was very attentive, tenderly comforting his wife with gentle words.
But as time passed, he began to grumble inwardly: “Erlang dies in your dreams every single night. Can you stop cursing the boy?!”
The parlour was warm, and the candlelight sparkled.
The family sat around the table, enjoying their dinner together. Xu Erlang, full of confidence, declared,
“Mum, don’t worry, I’m now a seventh-rank Benevolent.”
Auntie, upon hearing this, asked,
“How impressive is a seventh-rank Benevolent?”
Xu Erlang pondered and said:
“At the seventh rank in Confucianism, one experiences benevolence and righteousness, and establishes moral character, but there is no boost to fighting strength. If I have to name one improvement, it’s that I can better stick to my principles and not be tempted by wealth, women, or wine.”
Auntie spat in disdain:
“So you’re still just a frail scholar. I’d rather you were tempted by drink and women. Dalang used to be so honest, but he was a good-for-nothing. Ever since he kept going to Jiaofangsi, he became the renowned Silver Gong Xu…”
Xu Erlang was left speechless.
At that moment, Lina swallowed the food in her mouth and said,
“Erlang, when are you heading out? I’ll go south with you.”
Xu Erlang looked her up and down. “You?”
Is my family’s rice not to your taste any more?
Lina’s delicate face showed a helpless look:
“Xu Ningyan got in touch with me yesterday. He said he had business in the Southern Marches, and would probably have to visit the shaman clans. He wanted me to show him the way and make introductions. Sigh, I don’t want to leave the capital, don’t want to leave you all.”
You don’t want to leave our family’s white rice, that’s what… Xu Erlang grumbled inwardly. He just said “oh” and, considering Lina’s appetite, replied,
“You can come, but you’ll have to provide your own food and money.”
Military rations shouldn’t be wasted on her for nothing.
Auntie’s beautiful eyes lit up, she patted her ample bosom and said, “Lina is Lingyin’s teacher, so we should cover all her expenses for the journey.”
This rice-bucket from the Southern Marches was finally going. Her appetite alone was equal to ten members of the Xu household.
Besides, once Lina returned to the Southern Marches, Lingyin wouldn’t have to practise martial arts any more and could be sent into the palace to study.
Recently, the Grand Tutor had repeatedly sent word, hoping to take Lingyin as his last disciple, but Xu Erlang had turned him down for fear it would endanger the Grand Tutor’s life.
In Auntie’s opinion, a literary eminence like the Grand Tutor was an indispensable teacher for Lingyin on her path to becoming literate and virtuous.
Lina changed the topic:
“I want to take Lingyin back to the Southern Marches. The strength gu inside her has reached the first stage of maturity. I want her to absorb the power of the Gu God before it moves to the second stage. This is very important and will directly affect Lingyin’s future potential.
“Besides, I’ve taken an absolute genius as my disciple, my father and the clan will be delighted.”
She wanted to show off her pupil to the Strength Gu tribe.
“No way!”
Auntie slammed her chopsticks on the table in protest.
“Indeed, that’s not possible,” said Second Uncle Xu fairly.
“But Xu Ningyan has already agreed,” Lina argued. “He said with Lingyin’s potential, she should lay her foundations in childhood. With her talent, she is bound to heave mountains and dominate the world, just like my father. In your Central Plains terms: she’s destined for the history books.”
Born to heave mountains and dominate the world? Auntie turned pale when she heard this.
No, the history books will only record that Xu Lingyin had the makings of an overlord, but died halfway though her journey… Xu Erlang shook his head.
Lina patted her small chest and used her plain words to reassure them: “Don’t worry, I’ll look after Lingyin and see her safely to the Southern Marches.”
What we’re least reassured by is you taking her with you, a silly girl leading a daft child, you’ll never make it there… Second Uncle Xu grumbled inwardly and said seriously:
“The world is in chaos now. A little girl like you taking Lingyin to the Southern Marches, you’re bound to run into trouble on the way.”
Lina immediately patted her chest. “I’m already fourth rank.”
Second Uncle Xu was stunned and hesitated.
If Lina truly had fourth-rank strength, then there shouldn’t be any problem.
“Besides, I can keep in touch with Xu Ningyan in real time. He’s in the Southern Marches too, if we do run into trouble, he’ll come help.” Lina added.
To prove she was telling the truth, Lina ignored Daoist Jinlian’s warnings and, in front of everyone, took out her Earth Book fragment to contact Xu Qi’an.
She told Xu Qi’an about her family’s objections in a message.
But Lina forgot to send a private message and sent it directly into the Earth Book group chat.
【TWO: What? Lina’s taking Lingyin south? Don’t tell me they’ll be heading west again.】
【FOUR: Given Lina’s miserable experiences when she first came to the capital, that’s not impossible.】
【TWO: Exactly. With Lingyin and Lina’s combined intellect, my advice is don’t act rashly, just stay put in the capital.】
Second Uncle Xu, Auntie, and Xu Cijiu quietly looked away from the Earth Book fragment, staring at Lina without speaking.
【THREE: It’s fine. They can follow Erlang to Qingzhou first, then head southwest to Yuuzhou. That way it’s only about a thousand li on foot to the Southern Marches. We just need to make sure they’re safe in Yuuzhou.
【Heh, with Lina’s strength, there’s nothing to worry about. A little tempering will do them both good. I’ll ask Senior Brother Sun to watch over them from the shadows. Lina, pass my words on to Second Uncle and Erlang.】
Before Lina could say they were watching too, she saw another message from Xu Qi’an:
【THREE: Still, just to remind you: don’t trust anyone, and never allow yourselves to be scammed.】
【TWO: Don’t get scammed.】
【FOUR: Be careful not to get scammed.】
【SIX: Mind you don’t get scammed.】
【ONE: Be alert and don’t get scammed.】
My goodness, just how daft is Number Five… Li Lingsu was speechless.
Lina’s face flushed red, both embarrassed and annoyed. She was about to end the conversation when she saw Xu Qi’an’s next message:
【THREE: Lingyin really is gifted. Not letting her practise the Strength Gu would be a waste. My Auntie is a fool, clinging to unrealistic dreams and thinking Lingyin will turn out educated and refined. The whole family laughs at her, they just don’t say so.】
Li Miaozhen immediately chimed in:
【TWO: Auntie Xu is adorably silly. Your sister always has her running round in circles.】
【FOUR: Auntie Xu just loves her daughter too much, that’s all.】
Lina glanced at Auntie, whose face was thunderous with murderous intent, and timidly sent a message:
【FIVE: Xu, Xu’s Auntie is right next to me…】
The Earth Book chat group instantly fell silent.
Then, there was no more movement.
Auntie’s big carslan-blue eyes opened round as saucers. She glared first at Lina and the Earth Book fragment, then fiercely at Xu Erlang and Second Uncle Xu, gritting her teeth:
“Laughing at me, are you?”
She finally fixed her gaze on Xu Lingyue. “Playing games with me, are you?”
Second Uncle Xu and Xu Erlang hurriedly shook their heads.
Xu Lingyue, in a soft and aggrieved voice, said,
“I’ve no idea what Daoist Li’s talking about. When she stayed over, we got on quite well.”
Auntie believed her daughter easily. After all, no one knows a daughter better than her own mother. With such a guileless look, could she really play tricks on her?
She huffed, “Next time, I won’t let her stay here. But there’s one thing that Xu Ningyan got right.”
She turned her fire on her son and husband:
“Don’t think I don’t know, you’re all laughing at me. There’s not a good one among you Xus…”
…
How am I supposed to face anyone after this… Li Miaozhen held the Earth Book fragment, her cheeks burning.
Speaking ill of others behind their backs is not something a gentleman would do… Chu Yuanzhen, however, was satisfied that he had maintained a gentleman’s conduct by not speaking ill about others in their absence, even though he was bursting with criticism about Xu Lingyin’s utter uselessness.
Meanwhile, Li Lingsu was in a certain inn, laughing like a pig.
He did not even know why he was so happy, just felt that he was not alone in his views.
That idiot, Lina, he would have to ask Daoist Jinlian later if the Earth Book fragment had a block function… In the Stupa tower, Xu Qi’an groaned inwardly.
He put the Earth Book fragment away and continued the previous topic:
“Take me to your Sister Yeji.”
Baiji nodded her head swiftly and whispered,
“We’ve already entered the territory of the Hundred Thousand Mountains. You must stop using the Stupa tower, or you’ll attract the attention of the Buddhist monks.”
“Is it that bad?” Xu Qi’an looked down at the vast, desolate mountains, there was not a trace of human habitation.
But Baiji insisted,
“After the Buddhist sect drove us out of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, a mass migration of people from the Western Regions followed. Within the vast territory that belonged to the yao, they built twenty-seven cities. Each city has a Buddhist temple.
“In every temple there is a golden bell. If a crisis arises and that bell is struck, the other twenty-six bells respond as well. Reinforcements come swiftly.
“In five hundred years of reproduction and settlement, the Buddhist sect used the twenty-seven cities as their core and built many more small towns and villages nearby. Buddhist monks often travel between these places, reciting scriptures and preaching.
“The aura of the Stupa tower is too grand. Buddhist monks can sense it from very far away.
“Don’t alert them to our presence!”
Xu Qi’an gave an “oh,” and commented, “Your Mistress seems to have done a good job with compulsory education.”
Baiji usually acted naive, just a child in her thinking, though a bit smarter than Xu Lingyin.
But when it came to Buddhist affairs, her knowledge and foundation were extremely solid, she truly understood the material rather than just reciting it.
From this alone, it was clear the Wanyao Kingdom took ideological education very seriously for future generations.
The ideas of holding grudges and never forgetting national humiliation were deeply rooted in the yao.
“I plan to ride on the wind and hurry on. Nanzhi, you have a rest in the tower.”
He was about to meet an old lover in secret, of course Mu Nanzhi could not be there. A man needed to know how to manage risks.
Mu Nanzhi only knew that Xu Qi’an was there to fulfil his promise to the yao’s Mistress, to remove the Sealed Demon Nails. She had no idea about Fuxiang.
“No, I’ve never been to the Southern Marches. I want to have a look around.”
“Fine, then…”
He immediately landed the Stupa tower. Xu Qi’an carried Mu Nanzhi on his back, with Baiji lying atop his head, and skimmed over the tree tops like a dragonfly touching the water.
Miao Youfang had not yet reached the Transforming Force stage and could not soar along so easily, so chased them desperately through the forest.
The night was misty and mournful. Cold moonlight spilled overhead.
Mu Nanzhi wrapped her arms around Xu Qi’an’s neck. The cool wind blew into her face. She squinted her eyes and gazed at the endless forests and towering mountains stretching to the horizon.
“It’s all mountains!”
Mu Nanzhi murmured, “I like it here, what about you?”
As the reincarnation of the Flower God, she felt a strong sense of belonging to lands covered in vegetation.
When Xu Qi’an did not respond, she grew unhappy and snorted:
“If I ever tire of wandering the world, I want to settle here, and we’ll go our separate ways.”
She often said things like this to create a sense of crisis, but Xu Qi’an always ignored her.
Mu Nanzhi was so annoyed her teeth itched, but her proud nature would not allow her to back down, so they often had cold wars.
“I want to settle down here right now,” Mu Nanzhi said petulantly.
“Oh? Stay here if you want, it’s nothing to do with me.” Xu Qi’an was cold and heartless.
…Mu Nanzhi raised her hand and smacked him on the head, forgetting about the little white fox lying on top.
“Squeak, squeak~”
Startled by the sudden attack, the little white fox let out a piercing cry. Once she collected herself, she complained,
“Auntie, why hit me again? I haven’t even spoken!”
Feeling a little guilty, Mu Nanzhi rubbed her head and said coldly,
“I don’t want to go anymore. I want to return to the Stupa tower.”
Just waiting for you to say that… Xu Qi’an quickly summoned the Stupa tower and sent her inside.
“All done!”
Xu Qi’an put the tower away, utterly satisfied.
Except for the big shark Luo Yuheng, he had ways to deal with all the other fish.
He then followed Baiji’s directions, flying through the air along the edge of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
The core of the Hundred Thousand Mountains had been the capital of the Wanyao Kingdom, the Wanyao Mountains!
Now the Wanyao Mountains was called “the Southern Country” and belonged to Nanfa Temple.
The twenty-seven cities all radiated outwards from the centre, “Southern Country City,” to the surrounding lands. The border regions of the Hundred Thousand Mountains had no towns, because the area was so vast that the Buddhist sect did not have the human population to occupy it all.
And due to the terrain, many places were not suitable for humans to live or survive.
This gave space for the surviving yao of the fallen kingdom to hide.
Even today, many yao still sneaked back into the Hundred Thousand Mountains, moving about the border regions.
The Buddhist sect knew all about this, but had done nothing about it.
It was not out of mercy, but necessity.
In war, the hardest thing has never been conquering cities, but the guerrilla warfare afterwards.
Once the southern yao lost their land, they became desperate, with nothing to lose.
Baiji also explained that, along the edge of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, there were twelve settlements organised by the yao. Some were in natural caves, some deep in dangerous mountains, some alongside rushing rivers.
The biggest feature of these settlements was their simplicity, they could be abandoned at any time.
Their advantage was rallying power, they acted as symbols, and could quickly gather the clansmen of the Wanyao Kingdom for a short time.
“They’re like military bases. If war broke out, these settlements could quickly organise a fighting force.”
This suddenly made sense to Xu Qi’an.
All along this journey, he had not seen a single sign of human habitation.
The Hundred Thousand Mountains must be the largest mountainous terrain in the whole continent. It isn’t fit for human habitation, full of poisonous insects, fierce beasts, and miasma. No wonder the yao kingdom arose here.
In fact, it’s not suitable for large-scale human settlement, there’s no farmland, just hunting. If humans lived here, their civilisation would revert to hunter-gatherers.
In those years, the Buddhist sect went all out to destroy the southern yao, but actually, that violated the core aims of war. So there had to be another, real reason behind it: fortune.
The Nine-tailed Fox mentioned that the Hundred Thousand Mountains gathered the fortune of all yao on the continent, it was able to seal Shenshu. If I guess boldly, the Buddhist sect wiped out the Wanyao Kingdom for the sake of fortune. If that’s so, fortune is more important than I imagined.
The Church of the Warlock God and the Buddhist sect both try to reach into the Central Plains, probably for fortune as well. But the Confucian Sage sealed them…
The arcanist system is closely tied to fortune…
Xu Qi’an recalled fragments of familiar information and secrets, feeling as though inspiration was about to strike, he seemed close to grasping a terrifying truth.
But it was too vague, and for the moment, impossible to catch and summarise clearly.
At this moment, Baiji raised a paw and pointed at a distant valley, shouting with delight,
“It’s over there!”
Comments for this chapter. You will need a GitHub account. Please follow all terms and conditions of GitHub issues and maintain etiquette in the comments. Cookies are required for this functionality.
If you want to talk with other readers about Nightwatchers (or other cultivation type books) you can join our cultivation groupreading discord server!
I also have a Kofi, which for legal reasons is definitely for supporting my digital art only (promise!): ko-fi.com/yanxin ... plus I guess server space isn't free, and I don't want to put ads/trackers... ever, so thank you if you do!