Chapter 1

Mount Changbai is located in the northeast of the Republic, with its peak covered in snow all year round. The winter lasts for ten full months, and only in July and August can one climb to the top to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Especially at the center of the peak, there is a beautiful oval lake surrounded by mountains, like a precious gemstone embedded among the peaks. However, due to its location at the highest point of Mount Changbai, it has a mysterious quality beyond its beauty and allure.

This is reflected in its name, Tianchi (Heavenly Lake).

Due to its high altitude, the climate of Tianchi is complex and changeable. Strong winds, heavy snow, and calmness like a maiden can suddenly turn into violent storms, with waves several zhang high.

Of course, such weather adds to the beauty of Mount Changbai, but it is a disaster for those who gather herbs on the mountain.

However, for some people, it is more than just a disaster.

At this moment, the wind howled, and snowflakes danced across the entire peak of Mount Changbai. A dragon-like figure formed by the snow swirled in the sky, and the surface of Tianchi was also stirred up by the wind, with huge waves crashing down.

A wooden boat bobbed on the lake, and a young man stood naked at the bow, holding a black oar in his hands, fighting against both the natural disaster and human misfortune.

The huge wave roared and crashed down. The young man took a step, and the small boat darted to the left. At the same time, he raised his oar high to meet the towering wave.

In fact, his action was unnecessary. Since the boat had already avoided the wave, why did he need to invite trouble? Could human strength really challenge nature?

The wave crashed down, and the young man swung his oar, drawing a circle in the air, which enveloped the entire wave.

With a "bang," the wave crashed down, and the oar in the young man's hand trembled, almost slipping out of his hands. However, he managed to avoid the wave's attack, though he was drenched in the icy cold lake water.

The young man, however, paid no attention to this. He raised his oar and roared to the sky, "Old man, you damn old man, you're playing tricks on me again! Didn't we agree it would be a level seven storm? This is more like a level eight or even higher!"

"Old man, are you trying to trick me?"

A loud laugh echoed from the sky, making the peaks tremble. A figure flashed in the air, and a Taoist in a green robe landed on a mountain peak, waving his sleeves. "Brat, I am tricking you. What are you going to do about it? Come and hit me if you dare."

"Regardless, you've been here for so many years and can't even withstand a level nine storm. Don't ever say you're my disciple; I can't afford the embarrassment."

"Also, you haven't eaten for two days, and you look like a woman, or even worse. Are you a man at all?"

"Old man, you dare to trick me, fine, just wait!"

The young man was furious. He gripped the oar and rowed to the right, almost capsizing the boat. He grunted, reached out with his left hand, and slapped the boat, sending it flying towards the Taoist.

As the boat approached the shore, the young man leaped off, landing barefoot in the thick snow, and charged at the Taoist with the oar.

"Good, good, brat, I'll teach you a lesson. It's been a while since I last spanked you." The Taoist laughed and pounced, his smoking pipe striking down like lightning.

A metallic sound rang out, and the young man roared, swinging his oar to the left, slicing through the air.

"Good, that's more like it."

The Taoist laughed, his pipe striking again, and he flipped in the air, taking a deep puff. As he landed, he opened his mouth, and a smoke arrow shot out.

The young man was taken aback. His move was old, and he had used all his strength. It was almost impossible to avoid the smoke arrow with the oar, so he had to let go of it.

Thinking this, he released the oar, crouched down, and swept his right foot forward, pushing his left palm out.

"Crafty brat, trying to trick me."

The Taoist was surprised, laughed, and extended his right hand to meet the young man's palm. With a "bang," their palms met, and a cunning smile flashed in the young man's eyes as he flipped back to the ground.

The black oar landed in the snow, piercing deep into it, and the sound of metal clashing with rock could be heard.

The Taoist stepped back, his face showing shock. "Brat, you tricked me!"

"Old man, you've tricked me so many times. It's not too much to trick you back once."

The young man laughed, picked up the oar, and threw it. It flew out and struck a large rock, sending snow and rock fragments flying, and the oar pierced deep into the rock.

"Old man, surprised? Shocked? Didn't expect my skills to improve so much in these few months?"

The Taoist spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turning pale. He quickly pressed several acupoints on his chest and took a deep breath.

"Master, don't scare me. I couldn't possibly make you bleed even if I tried my hardest." The young man was stunned, slowly squatting down, and dipped his finger in the blood mixed with the snow, sniffing it. "Did someone offend you? I'll go and kill them!"

"Foolish brat, finally tricked you once." The Taoist laughed, his face quickly turning red. He looked at the young man's crotch. "Brat, your skills have improved, and even your 'bird' has grown. Come clean, did our family's big bird lose its chastity?"

"Master, don't change the subject."

The young man's face turned red, and he stepped forward, grabbing the Taoist's arm. "Your injury is old, and the blood has a foul smell. You must have fought someone. Tell me who hurt you, and I'll go and kill them!"

The Taoist's face showed satisfaction, and he patted the young man's shoulder. "Xu Yi, I'm satisfied with your heart."

"Think about it, if even I, Chisongzi, can be at a disadvantage, do you think you can kill them? Besides, don't go around killing people. It's a rule of law society now."

The Taoist sighed. "I've made you live on this mountain for twenty years. It's been hard on you. Your temper has become as fierce as mine. It's time for you to go home."

"What? Old man, you're letting me go home?"

Xu Yi was stunned, his mouth agape. He stood up, and the fox skin covering his crotch suddenly tore into pieces.

"Foolish brat, when the time comes, we part ways."

Chisongzi nodded solemnly. "In Taoism, we believe in tranquility and non-action, going with the flow. Since our connection has ended, it's time to part."

He paused, smiling. "Brat, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You can't wait to leave this place, can you?"

"Master, I don't want to go, really, I don't."

Xu Yi's knees buckled, and he fell to the ground. Chisongzi lifted him up. "Alright, foolish brat, let's go home first. Xiao Bai is hungry. If it sees your 'bird,' it might mistake it for food."

"You old pervert, you have the nerve to say that. Even the old duck by your side is so perverted!"

Xu Yi was angry, remembering the bullying by the perverted bird since childhood. He looked down and saw the fox skin was in tatters, quickly jumping up and using the oar to cover himself.

"Brat, it's a crane, not an old duck."

Chisongzi grunted. "If you hadn't called it an old duck, it wouldn't have bothered you. Besides, if it hadn't been supervising your training all these years, you wouldn't be where you are today."

"Alright, let's go. I'm tired."

Chisongzi paused, lifted Xu Yi with his left hand, and waved his right hand, rising into the air. At that moment, a white figure flashed and landed at his feet, a large white bird about two meters tall.

"Xiao Bai, you know I'm back." Chisongzi laughed, sitting on the bird's back and stroking its back. "You haven't let me down after all these years."

Xiao Bai cackled, turning its head to look at Chisongzi, its eyes sweeping over the naked Xu Yi with a mocking glance. Xu Yi was furious, covering his crotch. "Perverted bird, what are you looking at? I'll deal with you when we get back."

Xiao Bai cackled again, suddenly turning its head and pecking at Xu Yi's crotch. Xu Yi jumped, surprised by the bird's sudden attack. If it had been a bit later, he might have been left childless. He quickly raised his left hand, and with a "clang," the bird's beak hit the oar.

Xu Yi was furious, flipping his right hand and grabbing the bird's beak, holding it tightly. Neither the man nor the bird would give in.

"Alright, that's enough. If you keep this up, I'll lose my temper."

Chisongzi laughed, looking down to see a small estate below.