Chapter Forty-Eight: The Seven Mile River Market

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“I see flames swirling around you, but the other four aspects are somewhat lacking; have you only opened the Heart Palace? When I met Su Kong and Su Xing, they were likely no older than you are now, but they had already opened all five palaces and were only waiting to break through to the Palace stage. You’re the newcomer, so you can’t let us old-timers outshine you.”

Upon learning of Yunqi’s identity, the Elder of Tianfang was exceedingly amiable. Perhaps he was simply a genial man by nature, for he continued to jest with Yunqi.

Yunqi clasped his hands in salute, embarrassed. “Elder, you flatter me. The wisdom of my seniors far surpasses mine—I can hardly measure up. Besides, I have yet to open any palace myself. I only possess a cursory understanding of the cosmic cycles. I am truly ashamed.”

The Daoist was somewhat surprised.

“That’s unexpected. I see your whole body ablaze, your vitality like smoke. When you walk in the sunlight, you seem to blend light and dust. I’ve encountered some cultivators of the Inner Alchemy path at the first stage, and even those who’ve opened the Heart Palace don’t possess your presence. In my memory, only Su Kong and Su Xing could compare, yet they had already opened the Heart Palace back then. So, as I said, it’s always the young who deserve our attention.”

Yunqi clasped his hands again, “Elder, you overpraise me.”

“You do resemble Wensu Kong’s disciple, though. Both of you have bold hearts—one dares to walk, the other dares to let go. The mountain can’t hold you, can it?”

Yunqi smiled, “Before entering the mountain, I lived in a small town. My parents were elderly and couldn’t travel far. Once I began cultivating, I could no longer bear to stay in one place—I always wanted to explore the world. Elder, look: the forests of Miao Territory are so vast and majestic, golden roosters and white dogs under the stilt houses. If I remain in the mountains, who knows when I’ll get to see such wonders?”

The Elder of Tianfang clapped his hands in delight. “Well said, young friend. I’ve lingered in these lands so long I scarcely wish to move anymore. I ought to learn from you.”

Yunqi hurriedly said he dared not presume.

The two walked up the mountain for another half hour and soon glimpsed some temple complexes. Yunqi noticed that all the rooftops were covered in blue tiles, and the corners of the eaves were fashioned into the heads of azure dragons, their faces hidden among lush branches, lending an air of mystery and majesty.

The Elder of Tianfang led Yunqi into one of the temples. Passersby greeted him as Master Yu, Elder, or Grand Elder, and he nodded with a gentle smile to each. Yunqi recalled the Elder’s travels with Su Kong as fellow disciples; he was already at the early second stage then, so now he must be a third-stage cultivator. Yet he appeared so approachable, even standing guard at the mountain gate—truly, appearances can be deceiving.

“Registrar, this is a fellow Daoist from Azure Spirit Mountain’s Jade Cloud Temple, here to lodge at our Azure Dragon Cave. I’ll vouch for him.”

The registrar, whom the Elder called by title, was a middle-aged Daoist seemingly as old as the Elder, though in truth likely much younger. He rose and nodded repeatedly, inviting Yunqi to write his name, sect, and today’s date in the register.

After the Elder led Yunqi away, the registrar glanced at the “Azure Spirit Mountain Jade Cloud Temple” written in the book, scratching his head. The name sounded familiar, but he couldn’t quite recall why.

Outside the registration office, Yunqi saw a bustling crowd opposite and glanced over, realizing it was the place where command tokens were issued—the very reason he registered. He asked the Elder of Tianfang,

“Elder, may I ask, as a registered itinerant Daoist here, am I eligible to receive command tokens?”

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The Elder nodded, “You just wrote your name in the register, so of course you can. Lately, there’s been much unrest in the Southern Wilds, and the temple is troubled by the shortage of volunteers for command tokens. But you’ve only just arrived—won’t you rest a bit first?”

Yunqi smiled, “I’ve rested enough these past ten years. Now I wish only to be active. Elder, please wait for me a moment.”

The Elder nodded, and Yunqi entered the assignment hall.

Inside, people crowded together, some collecting tasks, others reporting completion. To claim rewards for completed tasks, one had to queue, but collecting new assignments was quite convenient. Numerous red cloth strips hung from the beams, each detailing the task, the reward, and the requirements. It was very clear. Below each strip hung a command token with a serial number. If one wished to take a task, they simply took the token and registered—it was quick, no queue needed.

Yunqi scanned the offerings and found several that suited him, especially those with rewards he desired. He squeezed into the crowd, swiftly grabbed several tokens, and proceeded to register.

The registrar, a female Daoist, took the tokens, glanced at the serial numbers, and asked,

“Daoist, what is your name?”

“Cheng Qieqing—Cheng as in grain, Qie as in also, Qing as in clear water.”

She wrote swiftly while murmuring,

“Cheng Qieqing, claiming three tokens: First, one month or one hundred talismans for Seven-Li River Market; Second, one month or fifty instances of thunder-fire purification at Seven-Li River Market; Third, slaying twenty demon soldiers.”

Finished, she added, “Daoist, once you fulfill the quotas for these three tokens, you may collect your rewards. If you exceed them, you can accumulate your achievements and claim them all at once. Also, here: this is a Moon Reflection Mirror. At times, when urgent matters arise or if your task is hard to prove, you may use this item to record it. But when you return the tokens, the mirror must also be returned—don’t lose it, it’s expensive and you’ll have to compensate. Everything else is clearly written on the red strips. The demon tide is fierce—take care.”

Yunqi nodded in thanks, took the tokens and the palm-sized jade mirror, and left the assignment hall.

The Elder of Tianfang saw Yunqi emerge with three tokens and laughed, “You’re eager to get busy as soon as you arrive.”

Yunqi bowed with the tokens in his hands, “Thank you, Elder, for guiding me into the mountain and vouching for my lodging. I won’t stay at the temple but will head directly to the frontlines. The longsword at my waist has been sheathed for years, much like my heart—it cannot remain still!”

The Elder nodded with a smile, “Go on, go on. All young people are like this—refining arts, slaying demons, making a name. It’s all good. But be careful. If you’re tired, come back and rest before heading out again. These battles are always drawn out.”

Yunqi took his leave.

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Seven-Li River Market lay seventy or eighty li south of Wangchun Mountain, aligned with the Sanjiang Gorge. It was a small outpost on the Miao Territory front, named for the river that ran seven li through it.

Yunqi, accompanied by his dog, hurried toward Seven-Li River and soon arrived nearby. The river itself was narrow, no wider than twenty paces, winding through dense woods. Without the directions from Azure Dragon Temple, it would have been hard to find.

Following the river upstream, Yunqi ventured deeper into the forest, only to be stopped by several villagers from the Miao settlements, all bearing minor wounds. Yunqi drew the command token engraved with a dragon motif from his waist and flashed it. Their faces brightened.

“So, you’re a young master from Azure Dragon Temple.”

Yunqi replied, “I dare not claim such. You must be market guards? I’ve taken the talisman-drawing and purification assignments. Please lead me to the Azure Dragon Temple’s stall.”

They readily agreed, and one stepped forward to guide Yunqi farther into the woods.

Soon, the sound of voices grew louder. On both sides of the river stood dense clusters of grass huts with mats; some trees bore wooden houses. People sold wares at stalls, others meditated to gather spiritual power, and many tended wounds. Most bore injuries, and demonic heads lay scattered on the ground, likely to be taken to the villages or temples for reward collection.

Yunqi, a fresh face and young Daoist, drew many glances as he passed, but seeing his Azure Dragon Temple command tokens and the white dragon at his side, they held no wariness. Many greeted him warmly.

Finally, the market guard led Yunqi to a grass hut stall, saying it was Azure Dragon Temple’s. Yunqi needed only to raise the flags. The previous stall keeper had vanished two days ago—whether dead or recuperating elsewhere, none knew.

Yunqi surveyed the hut: it had tables and chairs, boxes sealed with Azure Dragon Temple’s marks, and several flags lying on the floor, marked “Purification,” “Talisman Drawing,” “Alchemy,” “Artifact Repair,” “Healing,” and so on.

Yunqi entered, took up the “Purification” and “Talisman Drawing” flags, and placed them at the entrance. This signaled to the market that someone from Azure Dragon Temple was here—those whose artifacts had been tainted or who needed talismans could come and have their needs attended to.