Chapter Thirty-Four: Three Clear Paths

“I’m not sure whether this place belongs to the realms of immortals or is simply a territory I have never set foot in. The location on the map is unfamiliar to me, but perhaps Master Shuiyuan might recognize it...”
Mr. Yun Jing spoke, “He, too, is a cultivator of considerable attainment, fond of wandering and exploring different lands. He has visited many hidden places, even the abode of immortals.”
“Master Shuiyuan?” Qingyuan mused.
Mr. Yun Jing nodded, “Originally, Shuiyuan was expected to return within the past two days, but some unforeseen obstacle has delayed him. It may be another two or three months before he comes back. If you are not in a hurry, you may wait. If urgency presses, then you must seek another path...”
Qingyuan fell silent. Matters of life and death, perhaps three to five years in the making, were indeed urgent, yet not so urgent as to demand immediate action. Two or three months could still be endured.
After pondering, Qingyuan asked, “Which other path do you mean, sir?”
Mr. Yun Jing replied earnestly, “The master of the Bai family in Yuanjing City, Bai Jiye.”
Qingyuan was startled, “Bai Jiye?”
Mr. Yun Jing nodded, “Yes, that is the man.”
Qingyuan was about to speak when he noticed something amiss.
Mr. Yun Jing had referred to the Bai family of Yuanjing City as its master—usually, people spoke of them as the branch of Lin Dong Bai. His phrasing gave the Yuanjing Bai family great importance.
Qingyuan had dealt with Bai Jiye before; he knew the man’s weight.
“Bai Jiye was born frail and sickly, his cultivation not high, and he has little reputation outside. Even among the Bai family’s outstanding disciples, he seems ordinary.”
But Mr. Yun Jing’s brows were unusually grave as he said, “Yet, some years ago, I visited Yuanjing City with Qiyuan for certain matters and happened to interact with him. I discovered that Bai Jiye is exceptionally shrewd—a man of deep scheming and subtle calculation.”
Qingyuan recalled his conversation with Bai Jiye and agreed wholeheartedly.
“He hides his abilities well, but occasionally reveals a glimpse—never purely concealing his talents.”
Mr. Yun Jing thought for a moment, “Master Shuiyuan once told me that Bai Jiye secretly nurtures a host of birds and insects, has countless informants scattered everywhere, and is always well-informed. He might know about many places. If you have questions, you may try asking him...”
Qingyuan hesitated.
This matter involved treasures left by the ancient Celestial Sovereign of Guangyuan and his own life.
The map came from the Ninefold Treasure Casket.
The key to open the casket was obtained from the Bai family.
He truly did not wish to bring this matter back to the Bai family.
“The Bai family had the key for years, always probing its purpose. Now that I possess it, I’ve already had a stroke of luck. If I take the map to them for inquiry, wouldn’t I be walking right into their hands?”

Qingyuan thought thus, and recalling the events of that day, felt lingering fear.
Within the Bai family, depths were unfathomable—like a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den.
After his cultivation last night, he privately reflected that if conversation had soured and conflict ensued, only a cultivation above the third heaven would have allowed him to escape from the Bai family.
“Bai Jiye...”
Qingyuan closed his eyes and pondered for a long time.
Though Bai Jiye was physically frail, his cultivation only at the first heaven,
He always smiled gently, and his demeanor suggested that everything was under control, his calculations flawless.
In conversation, he seemed to see through everything, as if every word and gesture had been anticipated.
In Bai Jiye’s calm, clear gaze, it was as though no secrets could be hidden.
Qingyuan deliberated for a long time, saying nothing.
Yuanjing City lay at the foot of the mountain, Bai Jiye was there too—a road within easy reach.
Yet this man was adept at reading hearts; every word and deed in conversation required caution, lest he discern too much.
Qingyuan did not fear him, but the constant vigilance was exhausting.
If no other way existed, seeking Bai Jiye was a path. But if unnecessary, Qingyuan preferred to avoid it.
After a while, Qingyuan asked, “Does sir know of any other path?”
Mr. Yun Jing was not surprised. He smiled slightly, “There is another way, and it is the safest.”
At these words, Qingyuan was astonished.
“In the days before the fall of the Great Tang, there was an institution called the Bureau of Celestial Observance.”
Mr. Yun Jing explained, “This bureau gathered many extraordinary people, able to read celestial signs, measure terrain, discern the fate of the nation, and predict fortune. At the end of the Tang, it split and scattered.”
Qingyuan asked, “You wish me to use the bureau’s methods?”
“Precisely.”
Mr. Yun Jing continued, “I know a man—not a cultivator, just a mortal—but his ancestors served in the Bureau of Celestial Observance, and he has learned about sixty or seventy percent of their craft.”
“Not a cultivator?” Qingyuan mused, “If the map points to a cultivator’s sanctuary, or even an immortal’s abode, can he measure it?”
Mr. Yun Jing smiled and nodded, “As long as there’s a clue, he can most likely discern it.”

Qingyuan rose, “May I trouble you for an introduction.”
“We have met only a few times.”
Mr. Yun Jing shook his head, “If you wish his help, you must go through the Mingyuan Daoist Temple.”
Qingyuan asked, “Does this expert have ties to Mingyuan Daoist Temple?”
“Not exactly, but they share the same origin.” Mr. Yun Jing explained, “During the Tang, many from the Bureau of Celestial Observance were disciples of Mingyuan Daoist Temple. The art of geomancy originated there, with the famous ‘Book of Dragon Regrets.’ This expert’s ancestor was a disciple of Mingyuan who compiled the book. But after the bureau’s destruction, most dispersed and severed ties with the temple. Today, they’re no longer kin, but some incense sentiment remains.”
He placed the kettle on the stove, continuing to warm it, and said gently, “The methods of geomantic measurement are actually lost arts of Mingyuan Daoist Temple. If you approach in the temple’s name, he will surely assist you.”
Qingyuan nodded slightly, thinking, “It seems I must wait for Master Shuiyuan’s return.”
Thus, the map must first be shown to Master Shuiyuan. If he recognizes it, all the better, saving much effort; if not, then seeking the geomancer is the last resort.
Waiting for Master Shuiyuan would take two or three months.
It would not do to sit idle for those months. Should he try the path of Bai Jiye after all?
He pondered in silence.
“No need to wait.”
Mr. Yun Jing, seeing his contemplation, understood his thoughts and said, “The temple’s seal of succession is with Qiyuan. I’ll write a letter; you may ask Qiyuan to affix the seal for you.”
Qingyuan was taken aback, “But Master Shuiyuan is the temple’s abbot. Acting without his permission might be improper?”
“You do not know him.”
Mr. Yun Jing smiled, “He is easy-going and dislikes rigid rules. If he were strict, the temple would have returned to its former glory long ago, rather than being so quiet today. If you wait for him for months, he might scold you for being old-fashioned...”
“I am enlightened.”
Qingyuan bowed, “May I trouble you to write the letter.”
“It’s no trouble.”
Mr. Yun Jing gestured for him to sit, “Please enjoy your tea while I write.”