Beware Of Chicken v7c52: Private Tour

We managed a mere hour or two of slumber that night, yet rising with the sun wasn't particularly difficult. Our cultivation had been remarkably effective… for most of us. The Lord Magistrate and Lady Wu appeared quite fatigued, but their desire to explore more of the mountain remained strong.

“It’s nothing compared to the hardship of overcoming floods or other calamities,” Teacher remarked, dismissing the thought with a wave of his hand. “A gentle stroll through this wondrous place will hardly tire us, and if fatigue sets in, we can simply take a short rest.”

Which was entirely reasonable.

Our accommodations were akin to a luxury penthouse, boasting not only multiple beds but also an expansive dining table crafted from marble.

In stark contrast to the opulent surroundings and the lavish multi-course dinner from the previous evening, the meal laid out before us today resembled simple fast food. Tigu had ventured out with Yin and the Torrent Rider to procure Chao Baozi for everyone, which, truthfully, was incredibly satisfying. It was a casual breakfast, with individuals scattered throughout the room, engrossed in their dumplings. Meimei was spending time with Xianghua, discussing the anticipated journey of her pregnancy while they ate.

Even Zhuye clutched a small dumpling—evidently, the dumpling establishment offered a children's menu. All it needed was a small toy to complete the set.

“Ah!” he exclaimed, presenting his tiny dumpling to Xiulan, who held him on her lap. Tigu had permitted Xiulan to care for her younger brother this morning. “Au’ Lala! Ahm!”

Xiulan lowered her head and took a bite, feigning exaggerated delight, which made Zhuye erupt in giggles.

“Thank you,” Xiulan said, a faint smile gracing her lips. She was the third person to partake in his dumplings; Washy had been the first, followed by Tigu. The dragon, true to form, had initiated the gesture with a smug air, and now the two were playfully rolling on the floor… though their scuffles were more akin to affectionate embraces. The wrestling seemed more like hugs than anything.

“Mmm!” he declared with a beaming smile. He reached into the open box before him and retrieved another dumpling. I was genuinely relieved that the little one didn't have a penchant for tossing his food, and while he did create a minor mess, we could trust that a good portion of the food would find its way into his mouth. He took a bite, nodded in approval of the taste, and scanned the table for another companion to share his breakfast. “Susu! Susu, ah!”

“My gratitude, Young Master,” Suyan replied, delicately accepting the dumpling from his grasp. Her typically impassive expression softened with a subtle smile as she played along.

Another dumpling was retrieved, and Zhuye consumed most of it, clearly relishing the flavor. When only a small portion remained, he extended it once more.

“Bu! Buuuuuuu!” he proclaimed, drawing out the sound like a persistent hum. The bees accompanying us immediately sprang into action, hovering around him. “Ah!”

The bees appeared momentarily perplexed. They were unable to consume the offered item. Nevertheless, they accepted it, with three of them grasping it firmly and soaring skyward with their prize, parading it around the room as if it were a trophy while the others flew in formation.

Zhuye eventually seemed to reach his fill and began offering dumplings simply to distribute them—even to individuals he didn't quite recognize by name.

“Ah?” he inquired, pointing.

“That's Uncle Rags,” Xiulan informed Zhuye. The unkempt man looked rather taken aback by Xiulan's introduction, then blushed and awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

“Unc’ Aggy,” Zhuye decided, holding out a dumpling.

The scruffy man chuckled. “! He has his father’s generosity!”

Uncle Wei—also known as Loud Boy—was next.

I watched with a smile, allowing the tranquil moment to linger.

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And then, it was time to resume our roles as cultivators as we stepped out onto the Dueling Peaks. I assumed the guise of Master Rou, and Xiulan embraced the title of Grand Marshal.

I proceeded arm-in-arm with Meiling down the corridors, accompanied by Xiulan, Gou Ren, and Delun, along with, naturally, Teacher, Lady Wu, Suyan, and Xue Ji. Everyone else had to return to their respective duties. They could have joined us for the excursion, but that would only mean a substantial backlog of work later on.

It was somewhat disheartening to forgo more time with them, but we would be reuniting later in the day. My first request was to visit the site Gou Ren and Delun were currently overseeing.

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“This is the primary levitation shaft,” Delun explained, gesturing with his arms. The entire chamber resonated with activity, bustling with individuals already deeply engaged in their tasks. Some members of Delun's sect were meticulously carving into the walls, monkeys diligently transported materials back and forth, and individuals without any discernible affiliation were engrossed in studying blueprints. All activity ceased, and a collective bow was offered as we entered.

Normally, I would have simply instructed them to proceed without me, but circumstances prevented such a course, and my own professional background confirmed that maintaining a 'business as usual' demeanor in the presence of a significant visitor was virtually impossible.

Therefore, I offered a greeting, and they momentarily joined our contingent. Zhuye took a few sniffs, seemingly unfazed by the number of cultivators present, which he appeared capable of managing.

While I had viewed numerous videos of mega-projects in the Before Times, witnessing the internal structure of this mountain was an entirely different experience.

Meimei simply gazed upwards, attempting to conceal her evident astonishment at the colossal scale surrounding us.

Tianlan let out a chuckle within the confines of my head.

The primary levitation shaft ran in a straight passage from the mountain's base to its summit, resembling a colossal elevator shaft. It was abundantly clear that this structure had endured a lengthy period of existence. Massive chains lay coiled to one side of the chamber, with holes bored into the mountainside to accommodate them. Colossal lockstones, each weighing hundreds of thousands of tons, protruded at regular intervals from the walls, securing the arena in place once it reached a designated height. The stone floor bore the stains of countless years of sweat and blood, remnants of cultivators who had manually hoisted the entire arena.

Furthermore, a discernible presence of Qi permeated the air. Crystals were embedded within the walls, and luminous characters were etched directly into the stone. Much of the wall's cladding had been removed, revealing even more intricate and peculiar internal mechanisms.

Delun and Gou began explaining their work — a considerable undertaking involving chiseling and the repair of formations. They indicated that restoring the levitation shafts to their full functionality would require years of dedicated effort.

For instance, the 'slow drop' feature was currently non-operational. The arena would simply descend rapidly until it reached a specific altitude, then abruptly decelerate as if encountering an unseen cushion of air.

This mechanism was manageable for cultivators, but it would likely prove fatal to any mortals occupying the stands.

“We are considering retaining the chains even after the repairs for the Dueling Peaks Tournament,” Xiulan stated. “The act of the Elders uplifting the next generation and the contestants working in unison is, for many, an intrinsic element of the tournament. Additionally, the victor must then assist in lowering it back down.”

It served, if nothing else, as a demonstration of solidarity — and the Elders, collaboratively elevating the subsequent generation… it projected a powerful image.

“There is another one on the opposite side of the mountain. How long will this entire repair process take?” Meiling inquired.

“A decade at the very least to reinstate the majority of its functions. We anticipate continuous work for at least the next fifty years to achieve completion,” Delun responded.

For cultivators, this represented a period that was simultaneously fleeting and immensely long, given the sheer magnitude of the undertaking.

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We continued our exploration through the mountain's interior, observing additional systems, ancillary chambers, what appeared to be a crystal jumbotron for recording and replaying matches, and even a rudimentary museum. This area housed several significant historical documents and wall drawings attributed to the First Emperor, who in this context, was Xiaoshi.

Subsequently, we proceeded to the heart of the mountain, entering the main halls where the majority of administrative functions were conducted.

It was at this juncture that we began encountering more individuals. All of them were attired in blue tunics, displaying their Sect symbol over their heart and the character for on their backs.

“Grand Marshal! Master Rou!” exclamations would erupt as people stepped aside, bowing respectfully. Most of these individuals belonged to the Younger Generation… and greeted Xiulan first.

Their words conveyed genuine deference; the admiration they held for her was palpable and beyond any pretense.

Xiulan reciprocated their greetings, often by name. Though the exchanges were brief, she occasionally posed inquiries: regarding the well-being of a family member, the progress in mastering a particular technique they were struggling with, the timing of their next patrol, and other similar matters.

It was akin to observing the Lord Magistrate strolling through the streets of Verdant Hill. The Lord Magistrate himself stroked his beard, a faint smile gracing his features.

Eventually, she led us to the end of a corridor and gestured towards a door.

“And finally, this is where work takes place,” Xiulan announced, opening the door to reveal a well-furnished office. It was an appealing space, yet unmistakably a functional workspace that bore clear signs of frequent use.

“Grand Marshal! Welcome back!” Sarnai exclaimed, offering a polite bow at the entrance. “And good morning to you as well, Master Rou, Lady Meiling.”

Xiulan inclined her head slightly. “Good morning to you as well.”

“Good morning, Sarnai,” I replied, feeling a distinct sense of satisfaction at having recalled her name.

Her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed. “Ah-ah- Lovely weather we’re having today!” she immediately winced. Being in the presence of a “big shot” was perhaps intimidating. I felt a little sorry for having startled her.

“It certainly is. Thank you for spending it indoors. Xiulan has mentioned that your assistance is invaluable,” I remarked.

“Thank you, Master Rou! Thank you, Grand Marshal!” she responded. Then, managing to regain her composure, she let out a breath and turned her focus to Xiulan. “Additionally, Grand Marshal, as you requested, everything is arranged!”

“Thank you, Sarnai. May I have a moment alone with Master Rou, please?” Xiulan inquired.

The woman nodded and withdrew.

We proceeded further into her office, and that’s when I noticed her desk. It was neat, orderly, and… held a rather substantial pile of paperwork.

“Hmm, less than I anticipated,” Teacher commented, stroking his beard.

Xiulan let out a laugh.

“In the initial stages, I had to sift through… before I managed to implement a system. Nowadays, only the more critical documents reach my desk. However, if it does, it generally signifies a time-consuming matter. These, along with meetings, consume the majority of my time. Due to my previous actions with the crystals, I am entrusted as an impartial judge… and I strive to uphold the trust placed in me.”

It sounded utterly exhausting. Yet, at this moment, there was no hint of fatigue. Right then, she was the Grand Marshal. Her blue eyes practically gleamed with vitality.

“What is the major project currently underway?” Meimei asked. Xiulan then presented us with papers, a scroll detailing facts and figures, blueprints for the restoration of nearby structures, and an exhaustive inventory of necessary resources.

“Presently, the endeavor consuming the most time and resources, as Rags indicated, involves integrating independent cultivators who have joined our ranks, along with the newly-ignited. It remains quite nascent, but our aim is to offer the most compelling incentives and provide them with a stake, thereby discouraging them from resorting to banditry—because Rags mentioned some discontent regarding the sects’ all-encompassing control. I have an idea. Or rather, the beginning of one. We possess a small collection of ancestral techniques lacking clear succession, and we can utilize these as the basis for our independents, should they choose not to align with one of the sects.” Her gaze met mine directly. “This is not solely the domain of the sects. This province, too.”

Her voice resonated with passion. It was filled not only with care but also with genuine concern.

Xiulan possessed the capacity to offer aid, and so she was assisting. She harbored a goal, a vision of a brighter future… and was exerting her utmost effort to achieve it.

We all settled back to listen as Xiulan spoke—simply being present and allowing her to articulate her thoughts to us.

…she was truly remarkable.