Chapter Sixty-Nine: Brother Dao, It Has Been a Long Time

Within the Thunder Residence, all affairs are governed by strict rules and regulations. At the hour of the rabbit, one enters the office; at the hour of the rooster, one departs. Should one need to leave unexpectedly, a formal leave of absence is required. Each month is divided into three ten-day periods; one works the first, rests the other two. However, if there is a shortage of personnel for external duties, those on rest may be summoned. Should one be assigned to external service for several months or longer, upon exchanging the command token upon return, compensatory rest is granted.

During days on duty, one must prioritize the affairs of the residence; rest days are reserved for absorbing spiritual energy, gathering thunder’s essence, tempering the flesh, and crafting magical artifacts. Do you understand?

Cheng Xinzhan bowed respectfully. “I understand, Master.”

“Today is already the ninth day of the second month. I am on duty for the first period, but after tomorrow, I will be on rest. Here, take these two books—‘Essentials of Thunder Residence’ and ‘Divine Sky Method of Absorbing Thunder Qi.’ They are introductory texts explaining the workings of the Thunder Residence and the methods for absorbing thunder qi. If there is anything you do not understand, jot it down. Five days from now, come find me at Yixin Tower on Frost Terrace, Shujishan. I will answer your questions and teach you the basics of thunder arts. Next month, I will formally take you on duty and out into the field. Does this arrangement suit you?”

Daoist Jianxian took two books from his own study and handed them to Cheng Xinzhan.

Cheng Xinzhan accepted them gratefully.

After receiving the books, he asked, “Master, do you know Daoist Jianping?”

Jianxian replied, “Of course I know him. Why do you ask?”

“My friend He Bingkun, who studied with me at Little Wan Mountain, is registered under Daoist Jianping. Before I departed to travel, he had already established his own residence and should now be a true disciple of the Nine Heavens Thunder Residence.”

Jianxian nodded with a smile. “I know exactly whom you mean—Jiyuan, right? Jianping is stationed at the Ganlin Office of the Penglai Division, on the fourth floor. Go up and find them yourself. Familiarize yourself with the place; I won’t escort you.”

Cheng Xinzhan acknowledged and took his leave.

The Nine Heavens Thunder Residence was exceedingly vast, with staircases every hundred steps or so. After leaving the Office of Exorcism, he found the nearest staircase and ascended.

The Thunder Residence was a wooden tower. Cheng Xinzhan could not identify the wood, but copper ornaments were everywhere, including the staircases. The rings of the wooden steps were beautiful, and all corners were wrapped in purple copper, displaying the grandeur of the high tower.

He reached the fourth floor, territory of the Penglai Division, where each public office bore its own sign. He soon found the Ganlin Office.

He waited outside, and before long, someone approached to inquire about his purpose.

Cheng Xinzhan explained that he was here to see He Jiyuan, whose common name was He Bingkun.

The man called into the office, “Jiyuan, someone’s here for you!”

A rough voice replied from within.

Soon, Cheng Xinzhan saw the burly figure.

“Cloud Qi!”

He Bingkun—now more fittingly called He Jiyuan—spotted Cheng Xinzhan and rushed forward, lifting him up as if he were a child.

“When did you return?”

Cheng Xinzhan quickly patted his shoulder. This was the Nine Heavens Thunder Residence, after all—such conduct was hardly proper!

Once he was set down, he smiled. “I just arrived, and naturally came to find you.”

He Jiyuan was evidently overjoyed. “Wait here!” he said.

He dashed back into the office, spoke to someone, and then reemerged. “Let’s go! I’ve applied for leave. Let’s have a good chat, you have no idea how many rules there are here!”

Cheng Xinzhan smiled; he already knew, and would soon be subject to them himself.

The two soon left the Thunder Residence, heading to the beast stables.

He Jiyuan released his Thunder Sparrow, while Cheng Xinzhan picked up his white dog.

“You went out and brought back a dog?”

Cheng Xinzhan nodded with a smile.

“In the Thunder Residence, we have days of duty and days of rest. On duty, I stay in the residence; on rest, I’m at my own dwelling. There are eighteen slopes on the southeast side of Shujishan; we all live there. I’m at Xiechen Tower, the easternmost house on Half-Moon Slope. Next time you come, find me there. But not now—let’s head to Cuckoo Valley and visit Jihu!”

Cheng Xinzhan agreed; he had intended to do so. Brother Jihu had left on the second day after guiding him into the mountain, and it had been two years since they last met.

He Jiyuan rode his sparrow, Cheng Xinzhan rode a cloud, and together they set off from Lotus Paradise Shujishan straight for Cuckoo Valley.

It was early spring—not yet the season for cuckoos—so the valley was mostly green, with none of the late-spring sea of flowers.

They landed at the mouth of Cuckoo Valley and walked in. Cheng Xinzhan discovered that it was not only cuckoos; the paths were lined with plum, apricot, and cotton trees, now blooming in the brisk spring wind, vying in beauty.

Cheng Xinzhan had never entered Cuckoo Valley before, but He Jiyuan clearly knew it well and led the way.

Cheng Xinzhan admired the scenery behind him. Little Wan Mountain was crowded with people, Mingzhi Mountain with bamboo, Shouyin Mountain with clouds, Shujishan with tall towers; but Cuckoo Valley was abundant in flowers and trees. Walking the narrow paths, surrounded by dense foliage, he felt as if he had returned to the forests of Miao territory.

Compared to Shujishan, the white dog obviously preferred Cuckoo Valley, as if it too had returned to Miao forests. It often darted off the path into the woods, only to reappear ahead.

As they walked, Cheng Xinzhan noticed that not only were there many flowers and trees, but also far more female cultivators than elsewhere—even more than at Shouyin Mountain.

After a short walk, they arrived at a verdant field beside a small lake, around which a dozen or so courtyards were scattered. He Jiyuan pointed to one and said,

“That’s Jihu’s place. Let’s go over.”

As they approached, Cheng Xinzhan was immediately taken with the small courtyard, surrounded by a waist-high wooden fence, containing only a small wooden house. The rest of the land was filled entirely with flowers and plants—so many varieties that even in early spring, the colors and scents spilled over the fence.

The fragrance seemed to attract many birds; the courtyard was alive with their song. One could only imagine how pleasant it must be to cultivate in such a place.

Cheng Xinzhan resolved to ask Brother Jihu for some flower seeds.

“Jihu!” He Jiyuan called out loudly.

Cheng Xinzhan smiled; before He Jiyuan established his own residence, he addressed him formally, but now he called Jihu by name without hesitation.

“I’m home!” came a gentle voice from inside.

Cheng Xinzhan waited outside with a smile.

The gate creaked open, and a young man stepped out, carrying the scent of flowers. He wore Daoist robes with the sleeves rolled up and held a small hoe, evidently tending his garden. Behind him, flowers seemed to weave a tapestry.

He was, truly,

Like jade among the fields, a gentleman unmatched in the world.

He Jiyuan, standing like a guardian at the gate, stepped aside to reveal Cheng Xinzhan. “Jihu, look who’s here!”

Cheng Xinzhan smiled like the spring breeze, greeting the flower-scented young man with a bow.

“Brother, it has been a long time.”

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(End of chapter)