Senior Disciple Lu Ri looked on with pride as the mortals finally began to return to their homes, exhausted but triumphant smiles on their faces.

Indeed, they were right to be triumphant, for they had accomplished much. Jin Rou—or rather, just Jin, as he had been asked to be called—was speaking with the learned mortals of the Lord Magistrate, Bao and his father-in-law, Hong Xian. Both of whom had been a delight to work with.

Things would likely move swiftly now, at least in this corner of the province, as the Lord Magistrate began to test this new mail system. A working prototype would be established. A working prototype that he could be confident would actually run to Lu Ri’s own exacting standards.

“I trust you will be amenable to such an arrangement?” Master Shen asked as he leaned against the wall beside Lu Ri.

“Of course, Master Shen. I will need to return to the Sect for more materials, but I will carry out your will in this matter.”

“Good. Rest assured, you shall be rewarded for this service… though I do imagine you would stay for a while, anyway.”

Lu Ri gazed upon the mortals, and the Lord Magistrate in particular. “Indeed, I would.”

“Then we shall speak no more of this.” The Master said, as Lu Ri’s Junior Brother approached.

“Are you ready to go, Gramps, Senior Brother?” He asked with a bright smile. “We’re going to have some extra guests. Teacher and Lady Wu will be coming for dinner as well.”

“A fine idea, Junior Brother.” Lu Ri complimented.

Thus did Jin bring them to the compound of the Zhuge Clan, and Lu Ri first laid eyes upon Hong Meiling.

Her sharp, intelligent eyes reminded Lu Ri of Senior Sister Yeo Na, when she pierced him with her gaze and intent. Her Qi was medicinal in nature, and her bearing was surprisingly stately. All of it, even the freckles, seemed to suit her, as her sharp eyes locked on to him, judging him, and not finding him wanting.

Hong Meiling bowed to him, her hands in her sleeves and in front of her face like a proper noble lady. Her bearing was immaculate—even as he saw Lady Wu give a slight nod of approval out of the corner of his eye. It seemed the wife of Jin acted with the same forthrightness he did, in learning from those experiences in fields that she knew little in.

“It is a pleasure to meet my husband’s Senior Brother. Thank you, for all you have done for him—many a tale I have heard of your generosity, and our household holds you in the utmost regard. Our house is yours.”

Lu Ri, following all proper protocol, bowed back. “It is an honour to be welcomed this way into my Junior Brother’s home. I will partake of your generous hospitality.”

Thus, did Lu Ri travel down a road to a farm.

Thus, did Senior Disciple Lu Ri have an excellent dinner.

===============================

Inside the rustic manor, Lu Ri sat at a table. It was mid-morning of the day after, and most of the household was otherwise occupied. Jin needed to tend to his fields, and Master Shen had gone with him. They gave him much face to allow him to wander what was effectively their sect compound at will, and without supervision; he had been granted the trust of not just Jin, but Master Shen… Not that he would ever do anything untoward in the first place. He was an Honoured Guest. They could open their secret vaults before his eyes and he would not see them nor tell a soul.

That was not to say that Lu Ri had been left on his lonesome. He glanced to the side, where a dragon was perched, and just outside the house, there was the sound of combat. He then turned his gaze out of an open window, across gentle, rolling hills, and his breath came easily for the first time since entering the Azure Hills. It no longer felt like he was having his soul sucked out of his body. He was no longer straining himself. He could relax the strict control of his Qi, and best of all—

‘Here you are, good sir.’ the sow, Pi Pa, said as another cup of tea was provided for him. Lu Ri had known about the Spirit Beasts, so it wasn’t much of a shock to see the creatures roaming about—but even here, it seemed that the teachings of the Honoured Founders could be found. Each and every one of the creatures was well-mannered and orderly.

They had conquered their baser natures. They had imposed law, order and virtue upon themselves. They were the disciples of a former disciple of the sect in that sense, and thus worthy of at least a measure of respect.

That, and she brewed some excellent tea.

“My thanks,” Lu Ri intoned back. Slowly, and with grace, he picked up another piece of maple fudge from the half empty plate of fine porcelain on the table—the creation of a snake who had the air of a master artisan about him. He popped the confection into his mouth and chewed; it was filled with warming Qi of maple, sweet and rich. Then he picked up his new cup of tea and took a sip.

The temperature was perfect, just hot enough to extract all the flavour, but not enough to have scalded any of the tannins; the time it spent brewing was a masterstroke, the perfect strength, neither too watery, nor too strong. The tea held a slight amount of bitterness by design, and it contrasted wonderfully with the warm, rich sweetness of the maple fudge. It cut through any lingering flavour and refreshed his palate, making his tongue ready for another bite of fudge. It was an almost electric experience… though that may be due to the water involved in its brewing.

‘It took us thirty-eight cups of tea to get that blend right.” The dragon beside Lu Ri stated with utmost seriousness as he stroked his chin. The pig looked slightly amused, but said nothing as the dragon smiled at his cup. ‘Pi Pa’s nose was invaluable in discovering the right temperature, and this noble lord has mathematically deduced the optimum brewing time. Miantiao’s cups are perfect for this blend as well, enabling the temperature to remain just so for longer. However, it still needs refinement.’

“Mathematically optimum brewing time? If it pleases the Lord Dragon, This Disciple would learn of his calculations.” Lu Ri asked, intrigued. “But as for refinement… For this pairing, may This Disciple recommend Dew Touched Red from the Three Sister Waterfalls? In addition to the depth of the bitter flavour, the tea itself is red. Thus, it would mimic the red of fall maple leaves. It would be quite the experience, I do believe.”

The eyes of the dragon of Fa Ram, He Wa Shi, went dreamy. ‘You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. To even think of the aesthetics of dining…’

Lu Ri of the Cloudy Sword Sect raised his cup slightly in salute, and took up another piece of fudge.

Truly, this was a place of enlightenment. Jin followed the path recommended by Kongzi well, committing to the path of the Scholar Farmer. His library already had a great many medical texts and treatises on architecture. Jin had called it “disappointingly small” and vowed to fill its halls.

His dependants displayed all due respect for his post as their patriarch, yet he did seek the council of those who were elder and wiser. That sometimes such councils were beasts was irrelevant; or perhaps, more impressive for it.

All in all, his Junior Brother had done well for himself. Very well for himself, and his farm. Lu Ri snorted, as he thought back to yesterday.Though there had been an amusing moment last night…

“I….uh.. Yeah, these were the seasonings.” Jin had declared, when Lu Ri had enquired about what had been in their food.

Lu Ri knew that he had, technically speaking, stolen them.

Jin knew that Lu Ri knew that he had stolen them…. But in all honesty, it didn’t matter to the sect. There was nothing that they could do to retrieve them, and they owed Jin reparations besides. Instead, he studied them closely, and, for the umpteenth time, cursed a braindead fool who drove this man from their Sect.

“You have a talent, Junior Brother.” Lu Ri announced. “If I may… the Sect would be interested in purchasing herbs of such quality.”

Jin blinked, obviously surprised. ”I’m sure we can work something out…”

Well, it was also another excuse to come back to this place. Lu Ri would have to impose upon his Junior’s hospitality a bit more… but he would also bring his own gifts. Raging Waterfall Gorge was quite far away for mortal tradesmen, after all. Though, perhaps, once the mail system was developed enough they might start being able to send full packages through it!

That would be quite something! What would be next after that? Flying Barges from Soaring Heaven’s Isle ferrying mail from one end of the continent to the other? Well, it might be feasible, if the skies were not quite so dangerous…

Lu Ri shook his head at the sudden flight of whimsy, and took another sip of his tea as the sounds of light combat got closer— and then Hong Meiling sailed past the window and landed in a heap.

She grumbled in irritation as she picked herself up, and Cai Xiulan, who was rather aesthetically pleasing, walked over to her while carrying Jin’s son; as well as Rou Tigu, Jin’s… Cousin? Daughter? He still was not quite sure, but she had an interesting physique and cultivation. They both went to check on her.

They had been trading pointers, evidently.

“Wow, Mistress. You’re… well…” Rou Tigu started, scratching at her neck.

“Even worse than Ri Zu at this?” Hong Meiling asked mildly as she brushed off her skirt and rested her weight on a wooden spear.

The women paused in their discussion, obviously thinking.

“Trading pointers?” Lu Ri asked as he finished his tea and stood, walking over to the window.

“Ah, Mister Lu.” Cai Xiulan said. She seemed a bit surprised whenever he looked at her, though not in a way that radiated aggression. Rather, she seemed a bit pleased. She was quite open and friendly for a Young Mistress. “We were. Senior Sister wished to try to limit her strength, to refine her technique.”

“Lady Hong, if I may…?” he asked. It was presumptuous of him… but he did indeed regret not being able to trade pointers with Jin while he was still under the care of the Cloudy Sword Sect.

“Ah… yes?” she allowed as Lu Ri simply climbed out of the window. He took the spear from her and looked closely at her form.

“I believe the Raging River Style would be best in this instance,” he began, and all three began to listen attentively, as he went through the opening forms of the style.

It was quite a nice way to spend an afternoon.

And then, after that… he was given another meal and treated to a quite interesting series of lessons on which fungus made potent laxatives.

Perhaps… Perhaps he had judged the Azure Hills too harshly. This was truly a rather nice place.

Too bad Lu Ri would have to leave quite soon, but he would return as soon as he was able.

He had to make sure the mail system was developing well after all… and he did not wish to miss out on good company and food for long.