Chapter 9: A Person Beyond the World
The former Xia Dynasty had held the Mandate of Heaven for six hundred years.
In its twilight era, the emperors were all men of extravagance and indulgence, neglecting state affairs while levying ever-heavier taxes, until the people were utterly exhausted and the roads were lined with the starving dead.
It was an age of chaos — demons and evil ran rampant, beacon fires blazed across the land, and banners of rebellion rose on all sides.
The Last Emperor, Jiang Gen, ascended the throne with a genuine desire to govern and the ambition to pacify the realm. Yet the dynasty was like a tattered rag — impossible to mend.
At that time, the Li Clan of Luozhou seized the advantage of heaven, earth, and men, and settled the realm by force of arms — and so the Great Jin Dynasty was born.
The last bloodline of the Xia Dynasty drifted homeless through the new dynasty. At first they harbored ambitions of restoration, but gradually all news of them faded, and they vanished into the long river of history.
Over the past century, the court had stopped pursuing the Jiang Clan of the Xia Dynasty. Even the [Zhusha List] that had long hung on the vermilion walls of Coiling Dragon Garden in the Imperial Capital had removed the Jiang Clan's name.
Perhaps they simply did not wish to be painted by the brushes of scholars and literati as ruthless exterminators.
As for the Jiang Clan of the former dynasty — not a single piece of news had surfaced in nearly a century. Many idle courtiers joked in their leisure hours: surely they had all died out long ago, their line extinguished?
And yet the answer was —
They had been hiding all along, right here in this Peach Blossom Spring!
Had it been anyone else, they would likely have been wild with excitement by now. Simply reporting the Jiang Clan's hiding place to the provincial authorities would earn a thousand gold pieces and the title of a ten-thousand-household marquis — a lifetime of wealth and glory beyond measure.
But Pei Su merely felt a mild surprise.
Not even a flicker of desire to help the Li imperial family wipe them out.
Though the Pei Clan had served as high ministers for generations, deeply rooted in the court, and Pei Su himself had been showered with imperial favor since childhood —
His heart harbored not the slightest thought of loyalty to the throne.
Not only because he had lived two lives, but also because… the thousand-year-old noble house of the Pei Clan had raised him from childhood with exactly that same philosophy.
As for those impoverished scholars from the Imperial Academy who spent their days chanting about loyalty to the sovereign and repaying the imperial grace — those so-called "pure stream" partisans —
Pei Su let a cold smile touch his lips.
Loyalty! Loyalty!
The reigning emperor had been in seclusion on Kongtong Mountain for twenty years. The Crown Prince had been reduced to a figurehead. The Empress Dowager ruled from behind a curtain. All power of the court had fallen entirely into the hands of a woman of a different surname.
And yet how many of those scholars had been willing to die in righteous defense of the weakened Li imperial family…
Pei Su steadied his thoughts and turned his gaze back toward the distant peach grove.
Then he entered Nirvana Concealment once more and silently followed, light as a drifting feather, swift as a shooting star.
* * *
When Zhao Lan came to again, he found himself lying on a wooden chair, surrounded by bamboo huts and a trickling stream — peaceful and serene.
He scrambled upright and spotted a maidservant hurrying away into the distance, calling out: "Your Highness, he's awake! He's awake!"
A moment later, Zhao Lan saw that figure again — the one who seemed to exist only in dreams — walking slowly toward him.
It was… it was her!
Not a dream.
She was real. A girl that beautiful was truly real.
Zhao Lan had only just regained consciousness, and already he was struck dumb by her face.
The girl walked up to him and held out a fragrant medicinal pill.
"You've been unconscious for four hours. Here — this is a Seven Wonders Pill. It will help your injuries recover."
She wore a long moon-white dress with a pale orange cloak draped over her shoulders, its surface shimmering with a noble luster. Her long hair fell loose, dark and gleaming as a river of stars.
Not a trace of powder or rouge — and yet she was the most beautiful thing in the world.
"Thank you! Thank you, immortal lady!"
Zhao Lan leapt to his feet and accepted the pill, his voice slightly unsteady.
"Your great kindness is beyond repayment. From this day forward, I am willing to serve at your side with all my heart and strength."
The girl faltered for a moment, then took a small step back.
"There's no need for that. Focus on healing your injuries. Once you've recovered, please leave Butterfly Dream Valley — and don't mention this place to anyone."
Zhao Lan wanted to say more, but the girl had already turned and walked away.
He drew a deep breath, savoring the faint trace of her scent still lingering in the air, and felt his soul soar to the clouds.
How could it be — how could anyone in this world be so beautiful?
Liu Zhi of the Liu Clan had a bright and vivid face, skilled with cosmetics, and was considered one of the top beauties in Lin'an Commandery. But compared to this girl before him, she was like a plain green leaf — utterly without radiance.
Then again, Liu Zhi had a vicious heart, and one's face reflects one's soul. How could she possibly be mentioned in the same breath as this celestial little sister before him?
It was laughable that he had once been so infatuated with Liu Zhi. He must have been out of his mind!
Liu Zhi! Pei Su!
Just you wait!
I will bide my time and sharpen my edge — and I will repay the humiliation of today!
Zhao Lan suppressed the rage in his heart, then swallowed the pill in his hand in one go. Sure enough, a cool, refreshing energy spread through his entire body, and his wounds began to slowly mend.
Looking at the severe injuries covering his body, Zhao Lan ground his teeth.
"Impossible! How could that Heir of the Northern Marquis cripple me so badly with a single palm strike? He must have used some underhanded method!"
He refused to believe it!
Ever since he had recently broken through to the Profound Origin Realm, he had often fought above his rank among his peers. Though the Heir of the Northern Marquis was renowned throughout the land, and losing to him was something Zhao Lan could accept — but how could it be…
With just one palm?!
Zhao Lan drew a deep breath, sat cross-legged, circulated his energy, and settled his breath into his dantian.
One hour later, he felt that his injuries had healed by more than half.
"What terrifying efficacy!"
He marveled aloud. What on earth was that pill? Could it be some thousand-year rare treasure, a miraculous elixir?
Such a divine medicine had been gifted to him by that girl — could it be that she had some… feelings for him…
Ahem, ahem!
Zhao Lan immediately shook off the stray thought and looked around, puzzled.
Just what kind of place was this…
Distant mountains rose in deep blue-green hues, wreathed in drifting mist, their layered peaks like a painting.
Nearby, bamboo huts were scattered about — pale brick and green-tiled roofs — blending harmoniously with the bamboo groves and peach trees, like a paradise on earth.
He only knew that the secluded spot outside the peach grove had been discovered by chance by his Uncle Xiao, but he had never known that people actually lived here. He hadn't expected to find a hidden paradise within a paradise.
Zhao Lan was perceptive enough to notice that several elderly men and women resting nearby all faintly radiated an aura that told him not to provoke them.
This village certainly harbored powerful cultivators on par with Uncle Xiao — and more than one.
Suddenly, Zhao Lan saw an old woman walking toward him.
She was dressed in brocade, her hair silver-white, her frame slender, her steps steady and firm.
"What is your name?" she asked.
Her voice was cold and sharp, her eyes flickering with a probing chill.
"This junior's name is Zhao Lan," he replied.
Zhao Lan dared not be careless, clasping his hands and lowering his gaze.
Behind the old woman stood several elderly figures and a few middle-aged men in armor, all watching Zhao Lan with measuring eyes.
The old woman let out a cold snort.
"For over ten years, you and that sloppy old man have frequently lingered outside the [Peach Blossom Array]. We have watched in silence and endured to the very limit of our patience…"
She flicked her sleeve:
"Once your injuries are healed, leave at once. Do not breathe a single word about this place to anyone — and do not come back!"
An old man leaning on a walking staff stepped forward, his eyes sharp as a hawk's.
"Her Highness has a pure and flawless heart, a soul as white as snow. She knows nothing of the world, cannot distinguish good from evil, and would rescue even a wounded beast. Do not harbor any foolish notions."
Zhao Lan could feel the undisguised rejection in everyone's eyes, but there was nothing he could do. He simply said:
"Please be at ease, seniors. Once my injuries are healed, I will certainly leave and cause no further trouble."
It seemed no one here welcomed him — perhaps only that celestial girl was willing to show him any kindness.
Zhao Lan sighed inwardly, and a thought suddenly rose in his heart.
If that girl could leave with him and travel the world together — how wonderful that would be.