Chapter 138: Shoushan Sect
Chapter 138: Shoushan Sect
“Welcome back to the mountain, Elder Fang Cun…”
With the Dharma Ship, the speed was naturally nothing like that of a wheeled carriage.
In just two days, Fang Cun had crossed most of Qingjiang Prefecture and arrived at the Shoushan Sect in the southeast. As the Dharma Ship’s power faded and it gently landed over a range of mountains, he saw Young Sect Master Xu—whom he had met in Willow Lake City—along with two Elders in black robes and several Stewards of Shoushan Sect standing patiently on a cloud platform, waiting for him.
Fang Cun appeared on the deck. With a single glance, he took in Shoushan Sect’s rolling peaks, deep valleys, ancient halls among the mountains, cloud-ladders, stone paths, and the pitifully few people who had come to greet him. Only one thought crossed his mind…
…Hmm, how poor it is!
Back in Willow Lake City, he had heard Shoushan Sect was nearly hollowed out. Now it seemed true.
At first sight, he could roughly judge the sect’s territory.
The method was simple: any place with nearby structures likely belonged to Shoushan Sect. It covered about a hundred miles. But looking at these peaks, he saw only a worn-out mountain gate and sparse buildings. Forget the grand fairy scenes he imagined—flying palaces or swirling clouds underfoot—even the Mountain Protection Array seemed old and broken…
Was this really an ancient sect with a thousand years of history? Wasn’t it just a bunch of half-finished villas?
“Ha ha, greetings, Young Sect Master Xu…” Fang Cun stepped off the Dharma Ship, all smiles, and praised as they met, “This sect immediately looks ancient and endless…”
Hidden meaning: How long since you last repaired anything?
Young Sect Master Xu seemed to catch that hint. He looked a little awkward and laughed. “Shoushan Sect was founded by my Xu clan ancestors. For generations, it once shone brightly. Alas, I lack talent and have failed my forefathers. Now that Second Young Master Fang doesn’t mind our humble state and graces us by joining, perhaps we can revive our former glory…”
Fang Cun smiled. “Yes, we will.”
After small talk, Young Sect Master Xu introduced the two Elders who had come along.
One was tall and thin, wearing a loose black robe—Elder Green Pine, the Disciplinary Elder. His common name was Fu Gui. The other, flaunting gold and silver with a plump belly, looked like a rich old man—if Old Man Fang were here, they would be twins! This was Elder Cold Stone, the Teaching Elder. His common name was Zhao Jinyin.
Outside these two, it was said there was one more Elder, always in the Rear Mountain, who hadn’t come to welcome him…
Behind the two Elders were several old Stewards handling chores. Then, nothing else…
“Nothing else…” Seeing this tiny group, even Yu Qingli—lugging bedding on his back—stared blankly.
Was this a sect? It felt less proper than White Xiang Academy!
…
“Haha, please this way, Elder Fang. We have some food and drink ready to welcome you…”
Young Sect Master Xu politely led Fang Cuin inside. The feast was also quite modest. The two Elders, Cold Stone and Green Pine—one grinning nonstop, poured wine while secretly assessing Second Young Master Fang’s outfit and belongings. When he saw Fang Cun’s snow-silk robe, his eyelid twitched. Then Fang Cun’s jade pendant? Eyelid twitch. His golden hair ring? Eyelids fluttering wildly. The Little Fox’s beaded necklace? His eyes glowed.
The other Elder, sly-eyed, steered chat to other topics—praising Fang Family of Willow Lake as ‘twin gems’, then probing: Was Second Young Master Fang married? What kind of ladies did he like?
With such fellows around, how could he keep drinking?
After one round, he made excuses about being tired. He wanted to rest.
“Your quarters are ready! Follow me, Elder Fang!”
Young Sect Master Xu offered to lead him to the Main Peak.
“Guest quarters?” Fang Cuin paused in surprise and smiled. “Now that I’m Shoushan Sect’s Elder, I live here too. Isn’t there an empty hall or cave-dwelling? No need to use guest rooms and trouble me to move later.”
“Well…” Young Sect Master Xu looked awkward. He guided Fang Cun outside and gestured across the peaks. “These mountains and Spiritual Veins below all belong to Shoushan Sect. If you wish, pick any peak. Only… many halls are badly damaged… That… that…”
From his expression, Fang Cun suddenly understood. He chuckled softly.
Young Sect Master Xu was clearly broke. The sect had plenty of territory, but only occupied peaks had decent halls. The empty ones were ruins…
He wanted to house Fang Cun temporarily, then let him choose later. If Fang Cun picked some peak, he would fix it up. If the Young Master took one look and ran… Why spend the money?
“No need. I’ll pick one myself and fix it.”
This suited Fang Cun just fine. He walked alongside Xu. “I choose any?”
Young Sect Master Xu said, “Of Shoushan’s twelve peaks, besides Main Peak, Elder Green Pine and Elder Cold Stone each have one. One is for Stewards. Two are for male and female disciples. Avoid the two near Rear Mountain… The other five are yours to pick. After choosing, I’ll arrange repairs. Until then—”
He hesitated. “If wary of the guest rooms… I could just give you Main Peak?”
Fang Cun laughed. “No, no! How rude to take Sect Leader’s place right away?”
Young Sect Master Xu relaxed. Pretty please, don’t take it later either…
But he read Fang Cun’s tone: Now he wasn’t snatching it…
Young Sect Master Xu pulled over a wisp of cloud. With Little Fox Girl following, Fang Cun circled the mountains. Xu explained hillside layouts simply as they passed. Less than one lap, he was done. Fang Cun knew where he wanted. He pointed to a lovely peak in Shoushan’s west and smiled. “I’ll live here!”
“Jade Mirror Peak?”
Young Sect Master Xu looked. “As Elder says!”
Fang Cun eyed the peak contentedly. At Shoushan’s western fringe, where mountain veins three ways met. Woods lush, waters clear. Behind it, a waterfall poured into a lovely front lake. Before the peak, a gentle slope held an old building. If torn down, he could build a lakeside retreat amid hills—sheer bliss…
As he admired it, young Sect Leader Xu secretly tallied, “How to fix this? A bigshot Elder, keeping three-tenths of our Spiritual Veins? Can’t let his home seem lowly. Must rebuild the main hall…”
Beside him, Elders Green Pine and Cold Stone guessed his worry. Sharp snickers passed between them—far too expensive… Whispered thoughts flew: Fang’s rich! Main hall only? Please! Forget side halls… at least dig him a fine toilet?
Then Fang Cun spoke. “This peak’s building is too shabby. Tear it down. Build a main hall, two side wings. Also, an elixir room, a Scripture Hall, practice grounds… gentle front slopes? Farmable Spiritual Field spots. A mountain path too. And that broken Mountain Protection Array must be restored…”
“Hiss—”
Young Sect Master Xu froze. Both Elders sucked in deep breaths.
Six eyes locked on Fang Cun.
Fang Cun looked baffled. “Not workable?”
One Sect Leader, two Elders all seemed troubled. Young Sect Master Xu tentatively asked, “Second Young Master Fang knows elixir-making?”
Fang Cun shook his head. “Nope.”
Elder Green Pine quietly said, “Got lots of books?”
“A handful.”
Elder Cold Stone said, “Practice martial arts? Farm herbs?”
Fang Cun grinned. “Practice? Some, not much. Herbs? No clue.”
The Sect Leader and two Elders sighed relief. Elder Green Pine smiled meekly. “So, skip the elixir room, Scripture Hall, practice ground, Spiritual Field! Who needs a mountain path? Fly up and down! As for the Mountain Protection Array… ours broke years ago. Who cares if Jade Mirror Peak has it…”
Elder Cold Stone laughed. “The main hall’s finest! Toilet too…”
Fang Cun, “…”
Nearby, Little Fox Girl, Xiao Qingliu, and Yu Qingli all stared dumbly.
“The main and side halls, elixir room, Scripture Hall, practice ground, Spiritual Field, and path must all happen…”
No point debating. Fang Cun simply smiled. “They might not get used much, but they’ll look grand. I don’t understand construction details. I rely on you three.”
Young Sect Master Xu and the two elders looked utterly resigned.
Then Fang Cun said, “Just tally costs—silver coins or dragon stones—and come fetch payment from me.”
snap
Six eyes flashed to him. Elder Cold Stone asked excitedly, “Elder Fang pays for it?”
Fang Cun looked surprised. “Should the sect afford it?”
“Good, good! Trust us!”
“True! New Elder needs a new chamber!”
Instantly, moods flipped. Young Sect Master Xu sighed. Elders Cold Stone and Green Pine instantly beamed, both eager now. They took charge of building Fang Cun’s mountaintop retreat—one bragged of elixir rooms, the other of toilets. Fang Cun smiled and took all suggestions. Three toilets: one for himself, one for males, one for females.
At last, Fang Cun was pleased. Young Sect Master Xu relaxed. Elder Green Pine buzzed. They landed on Jade Mirror Peak. Fang Cun pointed: hall here, Immortal Platform there, elixir shop over here, Spiritual Field patch here…
Just as they planned, laughter broke out from Rear Mountain. A group of young disciples was roasting rabbits in the woods. They froze, caught on the spot. Elder Green Pine scowled first. “Can’t you see Elder Fang? Bow! Also, this is Jade Mirror Peak—Elder Fang’s home! No more tomfoolery!”
Disciples shuffled over and bowed loosely. Only then left.
Faint sounds of them grumbling: “What arrogant crap is this?…”