The city of Lanmo was anything but peaceful last night. Though the town was under the protection of the Willow Immortal, it was hard to imagine a place entirely free of rats.

For some unknown reason, last night, rats in every household went wild. The rats were scurrying and leaping, making a racket before streaming toward the city outskirts and rousing many from their sleep.

People only dared to peek out cautiously.

Some of the rats headed straight out of town, destination unknown; while others stopped halfway, appearing dazed in the streets before hurriedly finding shelter in nearby corners and wall crevices.

Those living on higher ground opened their windows to see flames rolling over a distant mountain, flowing like water. Those near the city temple, awakened by the noise, peered out to see divine figures moving through the night, as if Thunder Gods had descended to earth on some mysterious task.

The city was rife with unease.

By morning, townsfolk gathered to chat, speculating wildly. Some said the rat demon outside the city had grown angry and that disaster would soon befall Lanmo County. Others believed a deity had descended to exorcize the demon, ensuring the county’s peace.

Later that afternoon, word spread that just before nightfall the previous evening, a Daoist had left the city with a swordsman and a young girl. The girl was said to have the power to put on lights and ignite fire, while the Daoist radiated an extraordinary aura. The group had been out for the night, their destination unknown, but they returned safely and re-entered the city by early morning.

That same night, the temple caretaker dreamed of a deity, who told him the rat demon had been eradicated. It was indeed a young Daoist who had vanquished the rat demon.

Lanmo was instantly abuzz with talk of the temple caretaker’s dream of Lady Jinhua, the slain rat demon, and the Daoist himself.

Some claimed they had seen the Daoist during the day, noting his extraordinary aura, far beyond that of an ordinary person. Others said the young Daoist had questioned them earlier about the rat demon outside the city, and they had answered carefully, perhaps earning a share of the merit in the demon’s exorcism.

Some reported that, upon his return to the city the following morning, the Daoist had done nothing else but enjoy a bowl of noodles at a street stall and buy a few roasted cakes before departing again. They hadn’t seen the young girl mentioned by the gatekeeper, only a calico cat, to whom the Daoist shared pieces of meat.

Rumors spread from within the city to the surrounding areas like wildfire. The rumors reached the ears of the elderly farmers working their fields, the armed guards roaming the

jianghu

, and spread to every household. Everyone discussed it eagerly, delighted and overjoyed, with each family celebrating as if it were the New Year.

By then, however, the Daoist had already left.

***

The young girl rode on horseback, turning to fix a serious gaze on the Daoist beside her. “What was that last night?”

“What do you mean?” The Daoist paused by the roadside, picking cherries from a tree near a farmhouse.

“The thing you used to burn the rats.”

“A fire element spell.”

“Did you learn the same fire element spell as me?”

“More or less.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“When have I ever lied to you, Lady Calico?”

“...” The young girl on horseback turned to stare at him, her gaze filled with a strange mix of suspicion and the feeling that she shouldn’t doubt him. After a long pause, she finally asked, “How long would it take me to become that powerful?”

“That’s hard to say.”

“Tell me.”

“It depends on fate.”

“Give me your best estimate.”

“Maybe a few decades, maybe a hundred years,” Song You replied, picking cherries as he spoke. “Or perhaps a few hundred years.”

“...” The girl urged her horse closer, stretched out her little hands, and picked the reddest cherries from the branches before dropping them into the small pot Song You held. 𝐫áꞐɵ𝔟Ɛꞩ

“

Sigh

...” Song You couldn’t help but let out a quiet sigh.

This was at the foot of Mount Chongbie in Linxun County.

The village here, with its cherry tree heavy with early fruit, reminded him of a mountain village in Xuzhou, where peach, plum, and pear blossoms flourished around every home. It also brought to mind the children of Southern Art County who once stole cherries and the old man who guarded the trees.

Once, surely, people had lived in this village too. Once, this cherry tree must have been tended, cherished, and hoped for.

But now, only the sparrows and he were here to enjoy its bounty.

“

Sigh

...” The young girl mimicked his sigh, her voice soft and childish. Though it was hard to guess what melancholy could trouble a cat.

“

Clop, clop, clop

...” The sound of hooves echoed from afar.

A black horse, its coat glossy and sleek, approached, bearing a swordsman dressed in black. On his back was his treasured sword, and something unusual dangled from the saddle.

“

Neigh

...” With a long whinny, the horse stopped.

“Master.” The swordsman dismounted smoothly, leaving the strange object hanging from the saddle—a peculiar-looking head. “I’ve scouted the area. The troublemaker on Mount Chongbie was a mountain demon. I took care of it.”

“Well done.” The Daoist continued picking cherries as he spoke.

Meanwhile, the young girl on horseback turned her head, her eyes bright and filled with curiosity. “How did you kill it?”

“This mountain demon’s only strengths were its shapeshifting and enchantment abilities. In other respects, it wasn’t much different from any other mountain demon,” the swordsman replied casually.

He added, “Most likely, no one had passed through here for a long time. This mountain demon was probably so accustomed to eating humans that it could no longer resist its hunger. Before I even sought it out, it had already come looking for me. It disguised itself as a traveler and exhaled a breath to cloud my mind, attempting to deceive me.”

“And then?”

The swordsman only gave a slight smile. What more was there to tell?

With a firm will, untempted and unwavering, it was hardly so easy to be bewitched. Besides, his treasured sword had already slain countless demons and ghosts—it practically responded on its own. Calmly, he’d met the demon’s gaze, spat to the side, and drawn his sword.

But there was no need to boast about it.

By this time, Song You had finished picking cherries. Glancing at the bloodied head dangling from the horse, he said, “Let’s continue on. We’ll pass through Linxun County and inform the townsfolk that the demon on Mount Chongbie has been vanquished.”

“Understood.”

And so they continued on.

But this journey was not like those before—

In the past, Song You had traveled extensively through Yizhou, Xuzhou, and Pingzhou, spending months in each region. He visited nearly every county though perhaps not each town.

His journeys through Jingzhou and Angzhou had been even briefer, focusing on places of natural beauty, regions with unique customs, visits to masters and immortals, deities, and both prosperous and impoverished areas. Though, he inevitably skipped some along the way.

No one could measure every cun of the world’s land within twenty years.

But now, as he traveled through Hezhou, Song You was not merely heading northward. Beginning in Zhijiang and Lanmo, he planned to traverse every county in Hezhou, one by one.

The sour taste of cherries in early spring lingered on their tongues.

They moved on to elm seeds, the blossoms of locust trees in April, field mice, wild rabbits, pheasants’ eggs, and even larger game they encountered along the way, all of which became their regular fare.

The Thunder Division and the War Division of the Heavenly Palace were not thorough in eliminating demons; most of their efforts were spent fighting against several great demon kings. It was inevitable that there would be some oversight regarding the rear defenses. However, many of these demons, who could not be considered demon kings, would actually be significant demons in the southern regions.

The demons in this era of war derived their cultivation skills from the turmoil of the times, gaining their abilities quickly and urgently. After attaining enlightenment, they inevitably caused trouble, and they were far less restrained than the demons and ghosts of the south. Regardless of their cultivation or skill level, many demons caused varying degrees of harm to the common people.

The Daoist handled them all patiently, eliminating each one.

And before long, tales spread across Hezhou. They spoke of a young Daoist traveling with a short, lean jujube-red horse and a swordsman as his protector. Some said he was accompanied by a calico cat; others claimed he was not. Some identified the swordsman as Shu Yifan, the Thunder Sword; others insisted he was a former

jianghu

criminal reformed by the Daoist.

It was said that wherever the Daoist went, the disorderly demons and evildoers alike were eradicated.

They described the swordsman’s mastery, how his sword flashed like thunder when drawn, capable of dispatching demons and ghosts with ease. For lesser fiends, the swordsman dealt with them alone, as though refining his own Sword Dao.

For stronger ones, the Daoist himself stepped forward. No matter how powerful the demons and spirits were, none could escape.

It was said that even the jujube-red horse was unusually intelligent, able to find springs in the wilderness, travel by starlight without reins, and remain faithfully by the Daoist’s side. Even the calico cat seemed out of the ordinary…

The farther north they went, the fewer mountains and forests there were, and the land became flatter.

By the height of summer in May and June, the fields were lush with water and grasses, and wild fruits and greens became more plentiful along the way, adding a bit of joy to their journey.

The swordsman obtained a bow and arrows from a county official, and when they passed through areas with enough game, he would occasionally hunt. Lady Calico, too, would often bring small creatures from the grasslands as offerings for the Daoist and swordsman.

The chill had subsided by then, though it wasn’t as hot as in the south; indeed, this was the most comfortable time in this region.

Hezhou’s five commanderies and thirty-nine counties actually covered more area than Pingzhou’s six commanderies and forty-eight counties.

The counties varied in size, wealth, and stability. In some, there were few demons, or only minor ones. Thus, they could pass through in two or three days, spending a few extra days sightseeing or resting.

In others, demons were rampant, some with higher levels of cultivation or harder to eradicate, requiring more time—sometimes ten days, sometimes up to half a month.

It was truly a long journey.

They traveled from early spring to high summer, then from high summer to deep autumn, crossing mountains and rivers through storms and sunshine alike. Along the way, they witnessed the struggles of the people, the danger of demons, the bravery of heroes, and even the Thunder Gods banishing demons in the night.

There were corrupt officials who, amid the chaos of demons, exploited the people even more ruthlessly. There were virtuous leaders who, despite the turmoil, worked tirelessly to shield their people.

The insights gained in cultivation along the way were truly indescribable. And as for the demons they had slain, they had long lost count.

By winter, Hezhou felt noticeably colder than the south. The northern winds blew with a bone-chilling bite.

They each donned thicker clothes—even Lady Calico was sometimes bundled in a small cloak the Daoist had sewn for her. The gray-black fabric, complete with a hood, gave her the look of a reclusive “hermit cat.”

Yet the cat had little sense of how long this journey stretched ahead. All she knew was that wherever she went with the Daoist felt about the same.

She didn’t mind the piercing northern winds, either; she was used to braving the elements, and her fur kept her warm. When the wind got too harsh, she’d leap onto her horse and nestle into the saddlebags, letting the outside world drift away and dozing off comfortably. She knew the Daoist would wake her when they arrived, filling her with a sense of security.

Perhaps one day, she would understand, but that was for later. For now, she curled up in her cozy spot, dozing peacefully.

The horse swayed as it walked, gently rocking the bags, which lulled her into a stream of dreams.

In one, she breathed fire, driving away evil spirits. In another, her Daoist stood atop a mountain, summoning a storm of thunderbolts that illuminated the heavens and earth, wiping out legions of demons.

Then, she dreamed of a chaotic town, where a crowd of starving people carrying bundles of grass and fruits offered them gratefully with words of thanks. And another, of a rainy night chasing down demons, soaked through as the soft patter of raindrops mingled with the steady rhythm of hoofbeats.

She dreamed of walking alongside two people and two horses in the mountains, looking so small next to the horses that from afar, it seemed as if they were treading the heavens. Then, she dreamed of their group walking by a lakeside at dusk, where it was hard to tell if they were traveling on the path or skimming over the lake. Another moment saw her resting at the foot of a snowy mountain, with her horse lying beside her, while the Daoist gently stroked her fur, lulling her nearly to sleep.

In her dreams, the sun rose and set, spring turned to autumn, rain to snow, sunshine to clouds.

Truth and illusion blended together, leaving a chaotic blur.

When she finally awoke, still drowsy, she rubbed her eyes with her little paws adorned in white gloves and poked her head out of the saddlebags. She looked up into the chill wind and spotted a city in the distance.

The cat turned to her Daoist priest. “Are we almost there?”

“Nearly.”

“And what place is this?”

“Jingyu County.”

They were in Hezhou’s administrative center, Jingyu County of Pu Commandery.

“Jingyu County...” she repeated softly, amber eyes fixed on the path ahead. She was determined to remember it, so that if she dreamed of it again, she’d know where it was.

The bells on the horses jingled. By dusk, they had reached the city gates.

Being the administrative center of Hezhou, the city was heavily guarded, with temples and official halls lending it a certain peace. Though, it lacked the bustling vibrancy of Yidu or Pingdu.

At the city gate, two soldiers inspected those entering and leaving. Nearby, a middle-aged man with a small mustache sat motionless on a bench with his hands tucked into his sleeves, as if waiting for something.

Every so often, he glanced up. Upon spotting Song You and his group approaching, he promptly rose, he took a closer look and jogged over to greet them.

“Mr. Song!” he called out as he ran. Upon reaching Song You, he bowed low. “Greetings, sir. I’ve been awaiting your arrival!”

“And you are…?”

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

“Our commandery magistrate has been expecting you.”

“Ah...” Song You nodded, not particularly surprised.

Over the past months in Hezhou, he had traveled extensively, exorcizing demons along the way. Sometimes his work involved dealings with city officials; other times, he avoided it altogether.

Moreover, he met many villagers, local gentry, wandering

jianghu

martial artists, as well as skilled experts who also aimed to exorcize evil from the area along the way. The more people he met, the farther his reputation spread. Occasionally, there were even officials who calculated his arrival time and greeted him at the city gates.

Some sought his acquaintance out of respect. Others faced severe demon troubles in their territories and, distressed by their people’s suffering, were eager to rid their lands of these evils as swiftly as possible.

Their motives varied, as always.

It seemed Song You’s travels and deeds had spread his reputation widely enough that even officials anticipated his arrival with a mixture of respect and hope for peace in their territories. Here, his encounter with a familiar name stirs memories of earlier journeys and past acquaintances.

Despite the peaceful reputation of Pu Commandery, renowned for its skilled governance, Song You couldn’t shake a sense of familiarity as he observed the middle-aged man before him.

After completing his bow, the man fell into step beside Song You as they entered the city, speaking as they walked, “My lord has often recalled your presence and counted the days, believing you would eventually arrive here. A few days ago, he sent me to await your arrival and extend his warm welcome.”

“Hmm?” This remark made Song You pause, turning to him in surprise.

“Your magistrate has met me before?”

“Indeed, sir.”

“And may I ask your esteemed lord’s surname?”

“Before you, it would be improper to call my lord ‘esteemed’,” the man said with a smile. “His surname is Liu.”

“Liu…?”

“Yes, Liu Gao, and his style name is Changfeng.” The man beamed. “He was once a county head magistrate in Yidu. Although you rarely crossed paths, when you left Yidu, he personally came to see you off.”

“Ah...” It all started to come back to Song You, memories stirred by the mention of that name.