Soaring the Heavens

Dawn was breaking, and along the path that one would normally take to enter Raincloud Manor territory, ten Mountain Chieftains—as well as all their subordinate Cave Masters—were waiting by the side. They had been informed beforehand that their new Manor Head would soon be arriving, and thus waited under a long pavilion that they had built on the spot.

Even Qian'Er and Xue'Er were completely awed by the grandeur of such an envoy. Looking back, Miao Yi had been nothing but a mere Cave Master a few short decades ago. But now, he was the master of ten Mountain Chieftains and over a hundred Cave Masters.

Surrounded by a lush forest and tranquil waters, Miao Yi's identity was confirmed by the other party. After which, the hundred over cultivators bowed and shouted in unison, "We respectfully greet the Manor Head!"

Miao Yi sat quietly on his mount and received their bows. Meanwhile, Yan Xiu and Chen Fei couldn't help the sparkle in their eyes.

The crowd then proceeded to invite Miao Yi into the long pavilion to take a short break. Inside, the ten Mountain Chieftains each stepped forward and introduced themselves. As for the hundred over Cave Masters, they could only stand guard outside. They had no qualifications to speak in such a setting. And even if they could talk to Miao Yi, he wouldn't be able to remember so many names anyway.

While Miao Yi was busy talking to the Mountain Chieftains, Qian'Er and Xue'Er were equally occupied, surrounded by the handmaidens that the Mountain Chieftains had brought over. These handmaidens continuously gave praise to the two young ladies, attempting to establish an amicable relationship between their own respective masters and the Manor Head. As for those Cave Masters, they didn't have the qualifications to bring their own handmaidens to try and steal the show from the Mountain Chieftains' handmaidens.

"Elder Auntie, is this hairpin a present from the Manor Head? It's very beautiful!"

A certain handmaiden finally hit the sweet spot. The hairpin that Qian'Er was wearing was something she bought while shopping by herself. Immediately, her initially reserved demeanor turned into excitement. She subsequently took down her hairpin and began talking enthusiastically about how she got it.

All hell broke loose after that. Those twenty handmaidens started taking turns borrowing the hairpin and offering compliments one after the other. This chain reaction was triggered by a single hairpin. The group of women immediately started exchanging shopping tips, each person recommending certain items in their respective vassal cities and inviting the two Aunties to pay them a visit sometime. Some also promised that they would send Qian'Er and Xue'Er presents if they saw something nice in the future.

As the tide rises, so too does the ship. This adage had effectively manifested itself on Qian'Er and Xue'Er.

Miao Yi cast a sideways glance at the two young ladies being surrounded by a group of women, and couldn't help being amused. The style of conduct in this Raincloud Manor was quite intriguing indeed. Yang Qing's South Edict Manor didn't seem to favor such dealings too well.

Inside the pavilion, having acquainted himself with the ten Mountain Chieftains, Miao Yi felt like something was missing, and couldn't help asking, "Are any of the main troops of Raincloud Manor present?"

The ten Mountain Chieftains exchanged glances with one another, all looking a little awkward. Finally, someone replied in a low voice, "Manor Head Sun is currently waiting for you to finish the handover procedure. As such, the main troops can't make it all the way out here."

Miao Yi immediately understood everything after hearing this. He initially thought that Manor Head Sun Lianping had sent these people over to receive him, but it turns out they had come here of their own accord to try and get into his good books. And because Sun Lianping was still inside Raincloud Manor, the main troops were unable to come out this far.

Miao Yi finally understood what was going on with the group of handmaidens outside. When the master was already acting like this, the servants would naturally behave the same way!

"Everyone! We shouldn't keep Manor Head Sun waiting. Let us be on our way then!"

Miao Yi stood up and walked out as he said this. The Mountain Chieftains immediately followed after him in an obsequious manner.

As he got onto his mount, Miao Yi looked back at the crowd behind him. Figuring he should be a little considerate towards Manor Head Sun's feelings, he immediately commanded, "I don't need so many of you with me. All Cave Masters, return to your own territories!"

The Mountain Chieftains immediately ordered their respective Cave Masters to return. Soon after, the remaining crowd set off towards Raincloud Manor.

True to its name, there were lakes of all sizes along the road towards Raincloud Manor. Various fishing boats could be seen on the surface of the lakes, and as it was still quite early in the morning, there was a layer of mist enveloping the surroundings.

Miao Yi soon reached the outskirts of Manor, and what lay before him was an even wider expanse of water, as though he was facing the ocean. A stone bridge about several kilometers long extended towards the center of the lake, its width large enough for ten dragon steeds to walk side by side. God knows how much effort it took to construct such a bridge.

Miao Yi led the group across the bridge towards the island at the center of the lake. The island itself was surrounded by several other islands, both big and small, and each linked by the stone bridge. The architecture of the place was indeed beautiful, and at the same time, awe-inspiring!

Once they reached the mountain gates, Miao Yi raised his hand and called for everyone to stop. He didn't charge straight in just because the gatekeepers were already informed of his identity, and instead waited for them to report his arrival to Manor Head Sun.

Not long after, Manor Head Sun Lianping appeared with a somewhat forced smile on his face, heartily laughing as he personally stepped forward to welcome Miao Yi. "Manor Head Miao, I have been waiting for your arrival!"

"I have long heard tales of Manor Head Sun! It troubles me to have you personally receive me like this!" Miao Yi said, cupping his fists.

Holding each other by the shoulder as though they were brothers, both the new and old Manor Heads proceeded towards the Manor Head's quarters, and simply left the Mountain Chieftains standing outside.

Manor Head Sun clearly didn't wish to see their annoying faces either. Sitting down with a teapoy between them, Miao Yi and Sun Lianping exchanged a few pleasantries, and before long, started discussing the handover procedure.

After they talked everything out, Manor Head Sun received the handover documents from Miao Yi and was about to take his leave. He didn't wish to stay and dampen everyone's mood. However, Miao Yi insisted that he stay so he could throw him a proper send-off banquet.

When the rest of the troops realized that the handover procedures were completed, they immediately revealed their true colors. The Mountain Chieftains and the main Raincloud Manor troops all fought to offer a toast to Miao Yi's name. Sun Lianping was completely given the cold shoulder by these former subordinates of his. These people had almost turned Sun Lianping's farewell banquet into Miao Yi's welcoming banquet.

Miao Yi's expression turned grim at this. He smashed a jade cup and coldly asked the crowd, "If I were to leave my post one day, would all of you treat me in the same way as well?"

Only then did the crowd start paying more attention to Sun Lianping. However, Sun Lianping was no longer in the mood for drinks after their earlier behavior. He didn't even wish to stay for formality's sake anymore, and quickly excused himself.

Miao Yi gathered all the troops to send him on his way. No one was allowed to be absent.

As they reached the bridge, Sun Lianping politely remarked that this was far enough. However, Miao Yi insisted on having five Mountain Chieftains send him all the way to Suppressing Tenth Hall.

Sun Lianping gently tapped on Miao Yi's arm, declining, "Thank you for your consideration, Brother Miao. The world is a cold place, but at the same time, there is also the warmth of human kindness to be found. This, I know well enough. You don't have to force them to do such a thing. It'll only make them unhappy. I can go on my own. It's more relaxing for me that way as well!"

Miao Yi fell silent. These subordinates no longer held Sun Lianping in any regard. Figuring the other party probably didn't wish to worry about them on the road ahead, he didn't force things anymore. Taking out a storage ring and stuffing it in Sun Lianping's hand, Miao Yi said, "This is a small gift from me. Please accept it, Brother Sun!"

There was a First Grade Armor Artifact inside. Miao Yi wasn't expecting Sun Lianping to be grateful because of it. No, it was merely a token of his apology, as he was the main cause for all this to begin with!

Sun Lianping happily accepted it, then got on his mount and left.

The sun set upon the lake, casting an orange hue over its gentle surface. Amidst the reddish-yellow hue, Sun Lianping departed, accompanied by his two handmaidens. It was truly a lonely sight to behold. He only had two handmaidens by his side; there wasn't a single person here who was willing to leave with him. They didn't even wish to escort him all the way out.

Miao Yi looked back coldly at the crowd. However, he didn't feel any sympathy for Sun Lianping. The guy had been in charge of Raincloud Manor for over two hundred years, yet still ended up in such a state. There was a high chance that Sun Lianping himself had played a major role in there being so many apple-polishers here.

To someone like Miao Yi, who had been used to living in the deep mountains, the sunset at Raincloud Manor was indeed an exotic sight. The orange glow on the surface of the lake perfectly reflected the color of the vast sky, giving a soothing feeling to all those who beheld it. Back on the stone bridge, Miao Yi slowly led his troops away, so as to fully take in the beautiful sight around him.

Once they were back at the Manor Head's quarters, Miao Yi ordered for two of the spirit eagle's rainbow feathers to be sent to Thousand Lake Manor and Mulberry Cloud Manor respectively. These were to be handed to Zhao Fei and Sikong Wuwei for ease of communications in the future.

Meanwhile, Qian'Er and Xue'Er instructed the other handmaidens in Raincloud Manor to clean up the place. Not everyone liked the things that their predecessor had left behind. Under Qian'Er's and Xue'Er's instructions, whatever needed to be changed was either moved, replaced, or washed anew. After all, this would be their home from now on. Naturally, everything had to fit their tastes. And since Miao Yi never bothered with such things, the two young ladies were in charge of the refurbishing.

Not to mention, they just so happened to have a bunch of helpers in this place right now. Hence, the Manor Head's quarters was quickly bustling with activity. Qian'Er and Xue'Er kept walking around, examining the place and handing out orders to the other handmaidens, who continuously scuttled back and forth the mansion. Not a single one of them dared to slow down the pace.

The most basic display of a Manor Head's authority was the complete command of almost all cultivators under the Red Lotus realm. The Hall Master would rarely ever step in unless their subordinates caused some kind of major trouble. And in accordance to the Manor Head's authority, their handmaidens' prestige was also not to be easily challenged. Thus, how could the other handmaidens possibly dare to slack in their duties?

In the dead of the night, Miao Yi led Yan Xiu and Chen Fei up to Raincloud Pavilion, situated at the highest point of Raincloud Manor. Here, they began discussing the state of things within the Raincloud Manor's territory. It would be foolish of them to act haphazardly without first assessing the situation.

However, their discussion was soon disrupted by the incessant reports from the Mountain Chieftains, Deacons, and Advisors, each denouncing one another for the heinous crimes that they had helped Sun Lianping commit before. This guy blamed that guy, and so on and so forth… It seemed there wasn't a single decent person in this entire Raincloud Manor. All in all, they were trying to use these reports to draw the line between themselves and Sun Lianping in an effort to prove to Miao Yi their loyalty.

Besides those, there were also some who noted down recommendations on places to visit around Raincloud Manor, as well as the beautiful women in their vassal cities, who, as per their words, were quite exquisite and absolutely alluring.

Yan Xiu and Chen Fei looked at each other. They had never heard of such a situation happening between Yang Qing's subordinates back in South Edict Manor. Wasn't this Raincloud Manor a little too strange?

Miao Yi felt a terrible ache in his head. He had never encountered such a situation before. This Raincloud Manor was a little too messy for him to handle. Miao Yi didn't know how to reply to these people at all.

He then asked the main troops of Raincloud Manor, who explained to him that the situation here was completely different than that of South Edict Manor. Here, they did not engage in war to take another person's territory. Instead, they employed the use of flattery.

How did things turn out this way? The reason was simple. For these people to climb up the career ladder, they had to win the favor of their superiors. After all, to them, no matter how hard and how brutally one fought for a particular territory, in the end, they would still have to spit everything back out if their superiors commanded them to. The use of force did not hold any ground here. The only time it would be employed was when the superiors needed to quell their subordinates by pure strength.

What a joke! From the dawn of civilization, the strong and powerful were the ones who had the last say in any situation. In Miao Yi's perspective, if one truly had the strength, who could stop them? Even the Hall Master would have to make himself scarce, lest he wished to suffer the consequences.

After which, a few of his subordinates secretly revealed to him that this was the way things were run in the entire Traversing Water Palace and not just Raincloud Manor alone. As for why such a culture came to be, they had no idea. They just noted that this practice had existed ever since they had entered the cultivation realm. In a nutshell, it was not common practice to solve problems by force here in Traversing Water Palace. Instead, they preferred to talk things out peacefully instead. No one had heard of anyone who had earned their territories here through battle before.

Miao Yi, Chen Fei, and Yan Xiu suddenly felt like they had stumbled upon another world. What kind of situation was this? This place was completely out of line with the culture of the entire cultivation realm!

By this time, Miao Yi understood a little better why Shen Huaixin had acted so irresponsibly and even hinted for them to properly tie up all loose ends. As it turns out, this situation pervaded throughout the entire Traversing Water Palace. Much like its name, it was indeed soft like water. What a strange place to be in this dog-eat-dog world that was the cultivation realm. And for it to be so peaceful all this while, no less… It was as if he was seeing a ghost in broad daylight!