"If it were only me, I would have already done it. But now, every word I speak and every action I take represents the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Law Enforcement Hall. I have too many considerations, I cannot act as I please. Living in the cultivation world means one is not free to follow their own will."
Jian Dan sighed as she spoke.
If Liu Chuan could roll his eyes, he would have rolled them into the heavens after hearing Jian Dan's reasoning.
"I know you well. You talk like this just to set the stage. In the end, even if the sect sends no one, you will still rush in yourself."
"Ah, Chuan, you think too highly of me. I am not so foolish. That is a Mahayana evil cultivator we are dealing with. I have no wish to be cannon fodder. Of course I will act, but I will need a Mahayana Zhēnzūn from the sect to support me."
"Hehe. I knew it. You cannot hold yourself back. You want to go out and test your hand this time."
"It is a rare chance. Anyway, the Zhēnzūn has already granted me leave from the sect. Staying in the Law Enforcement Hall was suffocating me."
Jian Dan complained to Liu Chuan, then drew out a communication talisman and began reporting matters to Senior Brother Jian Li.
"Zūnshàng, Han Pengfei of Cloud Sea Sect requests an audience."
Just as Jian Dan sent her talisman, Jin Liuli came in with the report.
"Let him in."
Jian Dan knew many people wished to see her these days, so she simply waited in the side hall.
Han Pengfei entered wearing a sea-blue sect robe that made him appear even more handsome, mature, and striking in presence.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnshàng."
"Sit."
Jian Dan smiled, while Jin Liuli swiftly poured spirit tea and withdrew.
Each time Han Pengfei met Jian Dan, he felt her aura and cultivation had risen another level. Her bearing was that of one in command. No matter how hard he tried, he could not catch up. That realization left him slightly dispirited.
Jian Dan was sharp. Noticing his sudden gloom, she diverted the topic.
"Young Master Wushuang has come to see me alone. Does this mean you differ in opinion from Yu Tu Zūnshàng?"
At the mention of business, Han Pengfei composed himself and nodded.
"Indeed. He feels the Heavenly Sword Sect is rather—"
"Domineering," Jian Dan supplied the word, then asked, "Does Yu Tu know that the evil cultivator is your Cloud Sea Sect's Hai Yan? If he did, he would not have made things so difficult for you."
Han Pengfei glanced at Jian Dan's smiling face and asked, "Zūnshàng, how do you know this so clearly?"
Jian Dan laughed softly at his question, raising her brows.
"Because after Cloud Sea Sect was attacked by the evil cultivator, I returned to the sect and began tracing that line. During my time in the Law Enforcement Hall, I went through nearly a thousand years of Cloud Sea Sect records, even rumors and gossip. I filtered through it all, and the trail pointed toward Hai Yan."
She sipped her tea and continued.
"Some time ago, during the turmoil caused by evil cultivators in the mortal realm, one of our Nascent Soul cultivators from the Law Enforcement Hall was nearly possessed. With the aid of his fellow disciples, he managed to devour the enemy's Primordial Soul, which revealed a possible hiding place. It was near where I had last tracked the disappearance of an evil cultivator's divine sense. That allowed me to narrow the range further."
Han Pengfei lowered his gaze as he listened, then looked up sharply. He realized Jian Dan already knew Hai Yan's location.
"Wushuang, do you know the origin of the dao title 'Hai Yan'?" Jian Dan suddenly asked an unrelated question.
"I have not met him. I believe it was bestowed by my grandaunt's master."
"'Hai Yan' is taken from the phrase 'The rivers run clear and the seas are calm', a symbol of peace under heaven. Yet for his selfish desires, he now dares to disturb the peace of the cultivation world. He has already betrayed the original intent of your Cloud Sea Sect's Ancestor. For this, Cloud Sea Sect bears inescapable responsibility."
Her final words made Han Pengfei frown. Jian Dan pressed on.
"This matter should be led by Cloud Sea Sect, not Heavenly Sword Sect. But time is short. I have already forced him to reveal his tail, and I will not give him another chance to recover. You understand this well."
Han Pengfei had been holding his tea without drinking. At last, he spoke, "I understand. I will send word to my grandaunt and have this matter arranged properly."
Jian Dan gave no comment, only asked, "Those you arranged to watch the perimeter, have they sent news?"
"Only that cultivators have entered. None have come out."
Han Pengfei answered instinctively, then realized his slip.
"That matches the reports from my subordinates. It means the target has not moved. But more lives will be sacrificed to stall him. That is not the outcome I want."
"I understand."
"Anything else you wish to ask?" Jian Dan asked with a smile.
"Zūnshàng, from when did you begin suspecting his true aim?"
"The time when Cloud Sea Sect was attacked. They used the Azure Dragon Blood Array to confuse us, then I entered the Yunhai alone. I already suspected it then. Moreover, Tian Yun Zhēnzūn sent a flying sword message to Yun Yun Zhēnzūn, pointing to the same likelihood. Now it has all come true."
Han Pengfei understood the hidden meaning in her words. He did not say more, only bowed deeply and left the side hall.
As he walked away, Han Pengfei was keenly aware: this time the Heavenly Sword Sect had taken the lead for Cloud Sea Sect. It made no sense for them to expend effort and resources to kill a renegade from Cloud Sea Sect, while Cloud Sea Sect hid behind. If the truth came out, Cloud Sea Sect's reputation would be damaged beyond repair.
He would report everything faithfully to his grandaunt. No matter whom the sect sent, he would accompany them. Returning to his temporary cave, Han Pengfei immediately sent a flying sword message.
After receiving him, no one else came to seek Jian Dan at the Law Enforcement Hall. She called out once, then left early for her own cave.
"The arena over there is lively. Why not go watch? There are even wagers being placed."
Liu Chuan sent a voice transmission. He had been monitoring all movement around Tianyue Peak through its plants, so nothing escaped him.
"No mood for it. I cannot fight with full strength there anyway."
"Alright, suit yourself. I think the matches are quite exciting."
The next day, Jian Dan did not go to the Law Enforcement Hall. Instead, she practiced swordplay beneath a banyan tree.
Yun Juan and Yun Shu, seeing it rare for their Zūnshàng not to go to her duties, prepared a table of spiritual food and accompanied her in casual conversation.
"Why have I not seen Ting Feng and Wang Yu today?"
"They went to the side peak to watch the arena matches, and even joined a few fights."
Jian Dan ate a crystal fruit and asked idly, "That is good. Any results?"
"Ting Feng is close to breaking through to mid Nascent Soul. He says a few more matches may help him advance."
"Good. Real combat is the best way to strengthen one's cultivation, especially for us sword cultivators."
"Yes. Yun Juan and I also plan to watch tomorrow, and let Ting Feng and Wang Yu take our place on duty."
"Alright. Arrange it yourselves. Just remember not to force your potential too far. Cultivation must progress step by step."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
At that moment, Wang Yu came to report.
"Zūnshàng, Ting Feng has made a breakthrough. He needs to go into seclusion for several days, and asked me to request leave on his behalf."
"Truly spoken and then it happens. This is good. Let him settle and break through in peace. Nothing urgent here. With the three of you around, it is enough."
Jian Dan waved them off, signaling for everything to continue as usual.
"Zūnshàng, Qian Zūnzhǔ of the Loose Cultivator Alliance requests an audience."
===
It was from Chinese classic idiom 河清海晏 (Hé Qīng Hǎi Yàn).
河 (Hé): The Yellow River (黄河 Huáng Hé), specifically. This river is famously turbid due to the loess sediment it carries.
清 (Qīng): Clear, limpid.
海 (Hǎi): Sea, ocean.
晏 (Yàn): Calm, peaceful, serene (often used to describe a placid body of water or a sunny, cloudless sky).
So, the literal image is of the muddy Yellow River running clear and the vast sea lying perfectly calm.
This literal scene is a metaphor for a state of ideal peace, prosperity, and perfect political order. It describes an era where:
The world is at peace (海晏 - the sea is calm, meaning no wars or turmoil).
The government is wise and virtuous, leading to great prosperity and stability (河清 - the Yellow River is clear, a miraculous event symbolizing divine blessing and perfect governance).
There is harmony throughout the land, and the nation thrives.
In essence, 河清海晏 is the Chinese equivalent of a "Golden Age" or a "utopian era of peace and prosperity." It carries a strong connotation of benevolent rule and heavenly mandate.
Historical & Cultural Context:
The Yellow River clearing was historically considered a very rare, almost miraculous event. It was seen as an omen (兆 zhào) from heaven, indicating that a truly virtuous ruler was on the throne. This is why it became the ultimate symbol of perfect governance.
For centuries, Chinese rulers and scholars used this term to describe their aspiration for governance or to flatter a reigning emperor, hoping to usher in or celebrate such an era.
The phrase is famously found in the poetry of the Tang Dynasty, but the concept is even older.