Upon returning to the residence, Yugu busied herself arranging breakfast. Zhuang Shaoqin quietly slipped Rong Chen Zi a malachite rouge compact, its craftsmanship exquisite and refined. “A tribute item — quite rare.”

Rong Chen Zi raised an eyebrow. “What for?”

Zhuang Shaoqin shook his head. “To win a beauty’s favor, of course. Surely you and I aren’t going to stay and sneak a dab of it ourselves?”

Rong Chen Zi understood at once. “She’s right there at the table. Just give it to her directly.”

Zhuang Shaoqin shook his head in admiring exasperation. “Senior Brother, how on earth do you win a beauty’s heart? I’m just doing you a small, convenient favor.”

Rong Chen Zi tucked the compact into his sleeve, then said lightly, “She has a childlike nature and doesn’t care for rouge and powder. I’ll pass it along to someone else.”

Zhuang Shaoqin pressed a hand to his forehead. In this entire world, every beauty must have gone blind…

Just as he was lamenting this, a young acolyte suddenly came to report: “National Preceptor, His Majesty requests your immediate presence at the palace.”

Zhuang Shaoqin frowned slightly. “What is the matter?”

“The eunuch bearing the imperial decree said… His Majesty had an inauspicious dream last night.” The acolyte bowed his head and spoke softly. Zhuang Shaoqin understood at once. “Senior Brother, Zhenren Xingzhi — all of you, accompany me to pay our respects.”

He Bang, however, was deeply displeased. “What about me? Me, me, me!”

Zhuang Shaoqin had no choice but to look to Rong Chen Zi, who likewise had no recourse, and could only admonish her: “The imperial palace is unlike other places. No causing trouble.”

Only then did He Bang brighten. She threw her arms around Rong Chen Zi’s neck and planted a firm kiss on his chin. “Damn it all, when have I ever caused trouble!”

The group entered the palace. His Majesty, deeply devoted to Daoist arts, resided in the Qingxu Palace. The palace’s architecture was arranged around the constellation of the Purple Subtlety Star, encircled by the sun, moon, and stars — a testament to the supreme authority of the imperial throne.

Because His Majesty revered the Dao, the concubines of the inner court had also largely taken up Daoist practice, wearing Daoist robes and carrying fly-whisks every day, making the imperial palace resemble a Daoist temple more than a Daoist temple itself. He Bang was deeply disappointed by the sight.

They walked along a winding corridor and passed through a grove of flowering trees. The Emperor sat reading in a small hexagonal pavilion, attended by two simply dressed consorts. Outside the pavilion, a musician played the qin, lending the inner palace the serene air of a realm apart from the mortal world.

Zhuang Shaoqin led the group in paying their respects. He Bang turned her head this way and that, only offering a perfunctory bow. Fortunately, His Majesty took no offense, and invited them all into the pavilion. “National Preceptor, venerable Immortal Masters — last night, We happened upon a dream in which a swarm of ants devoured a serpent, and the serpent’s body gradually weakened. Upon waking, Our heart has been ill at ease ever since, and so We have summoned you all here.”

Before Zhuang Shaoqin could speak, He Bang had already bounced over and plopped herself down on the edge of the pavilion. “The serpent is a symbol of the dragon. A swarm of ants devouring a serpent — this is surely an omen that the foundation of the nation is unsettled and the dragon’s vital energy is ebbing.”

Her voice was soft and bright, and the Emperor — who had been sitting quietly reading — only now noticed that mingled among this group of Daozhangs was a lively and animated He Bang. Though he preferred tranquility, he was rather genial toward her. “And who are you?”

Zhuang Shaoqin hurried to pull He Bang back. Ye Tian stepped in to smooth things over, inevitably singing He Bang’s praises at length. “In response to Your Majesty — she is this poor Daoist’s dearest friend. She is skilled in divination and dream interpretation, and her magical abilities reach the heavens. She has long dwelled in the Sacred Mountains, and thus her manners may leave something to be desired. We humbly beg Your Majesty’s gracious pardon.”

Though she was not as careful and restrained as the others, her smile was still as radiant and endearing as a sunflower. The Emperor was not inclined to take issue with her. “Then is what she said true? Is this dream truly an omen that the dragon’s vital energy is waning?”

Zhuang Shaoqin was also inwardly puzzling over this. “Your Majesty is a celestial being descended into the mortal realm. Since you have had such a dream, it is surely a divine message. This poor Daoist will proceed to examine the dragon’s vital vein, investigate the cause, and then report back to Your Majesty.”

The Emperor gave a slight nod. He Bang had no patience for such circuitous, hollow pleasantries, and reached out to grab some fruit from the table. Zhuang Shaoqin quickly swatted her hand away, and her small mouth immediately pouted sky-high. The Emperor smiled faintly, reached out, and handed her a string of lychees.

She accepted them without ceremony, and moreover began tossing lychee shells and pits everywhere. Zhuang Shaoqin dared not linger, and hastily said, “Since that is the case, this poor Daoist and the others shall first take our leave.”

The Emperor glanced up at He Bang, a hint of amusement in his voice. “You should indeed take your leave — otherwise this place will be buried in fruit pits.”

Zhuang Shaoqin chuckled softly as well. Ye Tian took He Bang by the arm and dragged her out. Zhuang Shaoqin was just about to bow out when the Emperor, head bent over his book, suddenly said, “We have long heard that Immortal Master Rong’s vessel is of remarkable beauty. Seeing him today, the reputation proves well-deserved.”

Zhuang Shaoqin froze slightly and looked up at him, but the Emperor waved his hand. “We are weary as well. National Preceptor, you may go.”

Zhuang Shaoqin bowed once more, his heart quietly chilling. This one in the palace may appear indifferent to worldly affairs, but his mind was anything but muddled.

The group departed from the palace. Rong Chen Zi took He Bang’s hand. He Bang had, true to form, completely forgotten the unhappiness of the past few days, and was now clinging to his arm. “Zhiguan, I still want some of those lychees.”

“Mm.” Rong Chen Zi carefully wiped the juice from her hands and face. “We’ll buy some now.”

That night, once everyone had made their preparations, they set out to investigate the place where the capital’s dragon energy converged. He Bang sat at the table eating lychees. Rong Chen Zi finished preparing the talismans and was about to depart when Zhenren Xingzhi quietly asked, “Are we not bringing Her Majesty along?”

Rong Chen Zi shook his head. “Her constitution is delicate — she cannot endure the exertion.”

But Zhenren Xingzhi had his own concerns. “The murderer who killed Minister Wen has yet to be caught. Leaving Her Majesty here — Zhiguan, are you not worried?”

Rong Chen Zi thought for a moment, then turned and carried He Bang into her room, changing her into a light, soft set of clothes. He Bang nuzzled and licked at his neck like a little dog. He carefully tied her sash, merely smiling gently. “Stop fidgeting.”

Past the middle of the zi hour, the group entered the underground passage beneath the imperial garden and made their way inward along the corridor. At the far end, a stone wall stretched across their path, as though the way ended there. Zhuang Shaoqin extended a hand to feel along the stone surface, but found no mechanism. The two of them searched for roughly the space of three quarters of an hour, turning up nothing.

Rong Chen Zi crouched down to examine the dust at the base of the wall, then suddenly said, “Something has already gone inside.”

Zhuang Shaoqin’s expression turned grave. “What creature would dare to absorb the dragon energy and shake the very foundation of the nation?”

Zhenren Xingzhi grew somewhat uneasy and glanced back at He Bang. He Bang’s expression was perfectly composed, as though she had no knowledge of anything at all.

Behind them, the chief eunuch stepped forward, his right hand holding a jade box. He opened the box, gripped the imperial seal, and pressed it firmly into the hollow indentation in the stone wall. The previously unremarkable wall suddenly emitted a faint sound. Dust scattered all around, and after a long moment, the wall slowly began to rise. A surge of spiritual energy rushed outward, bringing clarity of mind to everyone standing nearby. Even Rong Chen Zi could not help but remark, “The dragon’s spiritual energy here is overwhelming. It seems the intrusion of a foreign presence has not yet caused too significant an impact.”

Zhuang Shaoqin dared not delay, and quickly urged the group forward. “To prevent the earth energy from escaping, this door must not remain open long. Move quickly.”

The group proceeded in single file. He Bang suddenly stretched out her arm to stop Yugu, who was following close behind her, and under the pretense of reaching into Yugu’s bag for dried meat, whispered quietly, “Go to Changgang Mountain, find someone, and bring him here.”

Yugu looked greatly troubled. “Mistress, Changgang Mountain is several days from here. I…”

He Bang slapped her own forehead. “I forgot to teach you the long-distance travel technique. Rong Chen Zi is the same — I didn’t teach him and he didn’t ask, hmph!” She fished a piece of shark-silk from within her collar and handed it to Yugu. “Take this — it will get you there.”

Yugu took the shark-silk, but still had questions. “Mistress, who exactly is this person, and what do they look like? Changgang Mountain is quite large — how will I find them?”

He Bang was perfectly at ease. “Just stand at the very peak of Changgang Mountain and call out ‘idiot’ as loud as you can. Whoever answers you is the one.”

As Yugu slipped away, Rong Chen Zi noticed at once. “What is the matter?”

He Bang pushed Yugu off while saying, “I sent her back to fetch my dried meat!”

Rong Chen Zi took He Bang’s hand, his tone carrying a mild reproach. “Don’t stir up trouble.” Then, after a pause: “Though the situation ahead is unclear — it’s just as well for Yugu to go back first.” Yugu dared not say more, nodded repeatedly, and turned to exit the passage. He Bang was still muttering, “I’ve seen idiots, but I’ve never seen one this idiotic.”

Rong Chen Zi gave her a light tap on the head. “Stop calling people names.”

He Bang reached into the pouch at his waist to take out some raisins. “I wasn’t calling her a name.”

About ten paces beyond the stone wall, the chief eunuch ceased to follow the group any further. Ahead appeared to be an underground river of unfathomable depth, over which an iron-chain bridge had once been strung. But now, the wooden planks of the bridge had all been removed, leaving only a few chains — and those were thoroughly rusted beyond use.

Fortunately, all in the group were exceptionally agile, and they crossed quickly. The spiritual energy grew ever more intense. Zhuang Shaoqin, walking at the front, suddenly stopped in his tracks. He Bang peeked out from behind Rong Chen Zi, equally taken aback. The group had been walking for some time, and by now they must have walked well past the palace grounds. Before them rose a mountain, its face fronted by a shallow, clear stream meandering past. The surrounding mountain terrain formed a perfect configuration — the pattern known as a “thirsty dragon drinking water.”

“This… could it be the site of the current imperial family’s ancestral tombs?” Zhuang Shaoqin led the group forward. The mountain path was narrow and winding, ghostly blue-green flames flickering everywhere, and aside from the sound of flowing water, there was utter silence.

Rong Chen Zi held He Bang’s hand. Even with his broad experience and extensive knowledge, he could not conceal a measure of astonishment. “Who would have thought the imperial ancestral mausoleum of this dynasty would be built in a place like this? This world truly never runs short of wonders.”

The group all expressed their admiration. Every stone, every mountain, situated in this auspicious feng shui ground, with spiritual energy deliberately channeled by human effort — and the pool before the mountain fed by spiritual energy to replenish the ebbing earth energy. Whoever had conceived this mausoleum was some manner of extraordinary genius.

He Bang, however, was thinking about something else entirely. “Why would the Emperor let so many of us in here so easily? Is he not afraid this matter will be exposed?”

Zhenren Xingzhi was visibly nervous. “We should find the cause of the dragon energy’s loss as quickly as possible and leave.”

As they spoke, the group had already reached the dismounting terrace. On either side of the spirit road stood jade statues of divine beasts, and amid the dark green ghostly flames, stone steles loomed faintly in the distance. Rong Chen Zi drew from his sleeve the fragrant powder compact that Zhuang Shaoqin had originally given He Bang. The powder was of an exceedingly fine quality. He opened the compact, gave it a gentle blow, and the perfumed powder drifted into the air, swirling and settling.

After a moment, Rong Chen Zi handed the remaining powder to He Bang. “The spiritual energy flows normally — no issue with the terrain. It seems we’ll need to look beneath the water.”

No one spoke. Everyone was looking at He Bang. He Bang, who had been hiding behind Rong Chen Zi, was thoroughly irritated. “Is something wrong? I’m hiding behind him and you can all still see me?”

Rong Chen Zi smiled faintly. “I’ll go down. You stay put and don’t cause trouble.”

He Bang grabbed his arm. “Never mind, hmph!”

Rong Chen Zi was still surveying the surrounding terrain. He Bang, paying no mind to anyone else, began undressing herself to go into the water. That snow-white, crystalline skin, set against the dark green of the ghostly flames, appeared all the more luminous and flawless. The surrounding Daoist practitioners stared open-mouthed, and Zhuang Shaoqin’s eyes went wide as a frog’s.

Rong Chen Zi turned and his complexion instantly went greener than the ghostly flames. He snatched up the outer robe from the ground and wrapped it firmly around He Bang, then gave her a smack on the head. “No randomly taking off clothes.”

He Bang slipped into the water with grumbling muttering, but was startled to find the pool unfathomably deep. She had never truly wanted to search in the first place, and so she paddled about in a token circle with much muttering, then slowly climbed back out. “Nothing. There’s absolutely nothing.”

The assembled Daoist practitioners stared at her with expressionless faces until she felt her conscience prickling. “What? Surely you wouldn’t dare doubt me?!”

It was Qingxuan who finally leaned over and said quietly, “Shimu, look behind you.”

He Bang turned around — and there stood a man: red-robed, black-haired, stunning to the point of wickedness, wearing an expression hovering between a smile and not. He Bang narrowed her eyes and wrestled with herself for a moment, then tried to argue her own case: “Well, I didn’t see him — he was behind me. It’s not like I have eyes in the back of my head, right?”

Rong Chen Zi pulled her behind him and produced an apple from his pouch to stop her mouth. Zhuang Shaoqin raised an eyebrow. “Chunyu Lin? No… you’re the Resonant Serpent? You have remarkable audacity — how dare you absorb the dragon energy? Are you not afraid of calling down heavenly retribution?”

Chunyu Lin before them was looking at He Bang, seemingly paying this entire group from Daozong no mind at all. “You flatter me. And yet you’ve all come here to deliver yourselves to your deaths — you have no small amount of audacity yourselves.” He moved forward slowly, then suddenly extended a hand toward He Bang. “But why bring my Majesty along?”

He Bang continued to hide behind Rong Chen Zi. She was still crunching on her apple, and her words came out muffled. “Stay back. All of you have great courage — I don’t. Since you’ve encountered each other here, there will inevitably be a fine battle. Go ahead and fight — I wouldn’t dare interrupt.”

“…” Though the words were blunt to the point of crudeness, they were nonetheless the plain truth. The Daoist practitioners all raised their ritual implements. Chunyu Lin formed a hand seal with his right hand. “Very well then… allow me to send you all on your way.”