Su Yu had only just woken up when the Crimson Condor arrived with that delicate silhouette on its back.

He’d spent the night “hard at work” once more, but he was nonetheless in excellent spirits.

This was the wondrous effect of dual cultivation.

A man and woman gleaned enlightenment into the Grand Dao together, experiencing the charming profundities of fusing one’s qi, essence, and spirit with another. In the process, both of their cultivations were fortified and sublimated.

Dual cultivation was different from those aberrant branch techniques that used Yin to nourish Yang or Yang to replenish Yin.

Su Yi was gratified to learn that Cha Jin had, through regular dual cultivation, become a Xiantian Martial Ancestor, and that her foundations were incomparably firm.

Furthermore, the effects of dual cultivation had subtly altered her spirit and vitality. Both her disposition and her appearance were even more vibrant than before, as if she’d gotten younger.

They said that beauties were like wine; the more you indulged, the more intoxicating they became. 

Su Yi emerged from Burbling Spring Pavilion and saw Ning Sihua chatting with a woman in worn, undyed hemp clothes. 

The woman’s long hair was tied into a bun, but she still looked like a complete mess. Her skin was sallow, her face was gaunt, and the sword hanging diagonally from her waist was rusted. A gray vine about two fingers thick was wrapped around it as a sheath.

If it weren’t for her ample chest and lack of an Adam’s apple, Su Yi might well have assumed she was a slovenly man. 

“Fellow Daoist, this is the Grand Elder of the Great Zhou branch of the Ten Directions Pavilion. She’s come to take you to the Great Qin,” Ning Sihua introduced their guest with a smile.

Su Yi was stunned. This is the woman Monk Hongji called a peerless beauty of her generation? The one whose beauty can topple cities? The immortal maiden?

“My name is Hua Xinfeng. Greetings, Young Lord Su.” The woman in hemp clothes walked up and greeted him courteously.

Only then did Su Yi realize that, despite her unexceptional appearance, her gaze was deep, and her eyes were bright, like sparkling obsidian or lake water on a clear spring day. They were simply stunning.

Of course, such beautiful eyes on such a haggard face seemed an awful pity.

Su Yi said, “‘Hua Xinfeng’? Like ‘spring winds’ in the line, ‘after one hundred and five days of winter, new flowers bring spring winds.’ Your name is actually quite lovely”

Ning Sihua’s expression was rather strange. He’s just praising her name. Does that mean he disdains her overly-ordinary appearance? Fellow Daoist, Su, you sure are direct…

Hua Xinfeng was stunned too. Her eyes were like limpid pools as she smiled, “Young Lord, you exaggerate. If your preparations are in order, we can leave right now.”

“Alright.” Su Yi nodded. 

That very morning, Su Yi and Hua Xinfeng left, soaring through the skies on the back of the crimson condor.

As the condor flew through the vast sea of clouds, it spread its fiery wings. It had a several-dozen-foot wingspan. Its movements were smooth, and sitting on its back was comfortable.

“Young Lord, do you have any plans regarding this operation?” Hua Xinfeng pressed her legs together and wrapped her jade-like arms around her knees, then sat at an angle. Her deep gaze bore into u Yi.

Su Yi was drinking from a green-skinned wine gourd. In his blue robes, he looked transcendent and aloof. He was handsome, with an unrestrained elegance.

Hua Xinfeng was looking at him rather intently, as if trying to see through all his secrets.

Were she to look at anyone else like that, it would have long since made them uncomfortable, but Su Yi didn’t even seem to notice. “Searching for fortuitous encounters is unpredictable. Better to take things one step at a time.”

Hua Xinfeng thoroughly agreed. “You’re absolutely right. That said, an enormous number of experts are headed to the Sea of Chaotic Spirits, and most are Origin Dao cultivators. There’s no shortage of heretical cultivators, the Possessed, and other such formidable characters. Given the circumstances, I think it might be appropriate to come up with countermeasures in advance.”

“Oh?” said Su Yi. “What did you have in mind?”

Hua Xinfeng blinked, and a faint smile rose on her lips. “When a tiger sees a pig, it cannot contain its hunger. It will surely pounce upon its prey and kill it.”

She smiled and asked, “Tell me, Young Lord. What if the ‘pig’ was actually a dragon in disguise? What would happen then?”

Su Yi took a sip of wine. “The tiger would die.”

“That’s right,” said Hua Xinfeng. “The way I see it, during this expedition, no one is better suited to play the role of ‘pig’ than you.”

Splurt!

Su Yi spat out his wine mid-sip, then looked at the sallow, gaunt woman before him. “Did you do that on purpose?”

She laughed. “That was just an example. Don’t take offense; given your intelligence, I’m sure you understand what I was getting at.”

When she laughed, her lips parted slightly, and faint dimples appeared on her cheeks. Her little canine teeth were pearly white, giving her an additional playful charm.

Su Yi naturally wouldn’t make trouble for a woman. He just said, “So, you want me to pretend to be a pig and eat a tiger?”

“Exactly,” said Hua Xinfeng. “Young Lord, you slew an entire group of Earthly Immortals in the skies above the Jade Capital, and you defeated the top sword cultivator of the Great Wei, Qiu Hengkong, before the gates of the Wheel of the Moon Sect. Your reputation has long since spread throughout the Great Qin; everyone in the three nations knows your name.

“Given the circumstances, if you use your real name and identity, you’ll stir up waves wherever you go, and everyone will see you as a dangerous foe. You’ll become a common enemy, which will inevitably lead to numerous variables as we search for good fortune.”

“However, if you switch identities and keep a low profile, everything will be completely different.” Her eyes suddenly lit up. “First, no one will be afraid of us or consider us major rivals in the struggle for fortuitous opportunities. Second, should someone be so blind as to offend us… How would that be any different from prey offering itself up on a silver platter?”

“Why is it that I get the sense you’re rather looking forward to someone provoking us?” said Su Yi.

Hua Xinfeng laughed gleefully, as if she were indeed just itching for that to happen.

“This time, our opponents include numerous Possessed. Never mind the rest; even the more ordinary Earthly Immortals are loaded. Each is wealthier than the one before. Wouldn’t it be just grand if we could gather some trophies?

“In that case, even if we don't find any fortuitous opportunities, we won’t return empty-handed.” Her eyes shone with eagerness, and an exultant smile spread across her face.

Su Yi took a deep look at the Grand Elder of the Great Zhou branch of the Ten Directions Pavilion, then said, “I finally understand why Monk Hongji is so afraid of you.”

“Why?”

“You’re too treacherous.” Su Yi sighed. He suddenly recalled a close friend from his past life, the Monarch of the True Path. He was elegant and agreeable, awe-inspiringly righteous, and he fought for the sake of the people. He took on the responsibility of rooting out yao and demons, and he cared for the whole world and every living thing in it. The people called him “the Light of Justice.”

But in the eyes of the old monsters he’d scammed, he was a treacherous, shameless, debased, and despicable conman. 

When he defeated them, he’d always feign grief and pity. It was always the same line: “My friend, the weight of your sins is too heavy. You have to offer up all of your treasures to atone. Otherwise, you’ll inevitably face disaster.”

If they obediently offered up their treasures, that would be the end of it.

But if they refused? They really would face disaster.

Still, the Monarch of the True Path was worthy of praise in that his targets were indeed prominent heretical cultivators and other irredeemable villains.

Hua Xinfeng’s style was somewhat similar to his. However, the Monarch of the True Path was even more shameless and insidious. He treated almighty Demon Emperors as nothing but toys.

When she heard Su Yi sigh, Hua Xinfeng instantly laughed, her eyes like crescent moons. It seemed she wasn’t the least bit ashamed. On the contrary, she seemed to take pride in it. “Thank you for the compliment, Young Lord.”

Hua Xinfeng really wasn’t like other women. She was thick-faced and insidious. No wonder Monk Hongji was so cautious every time he mentioned her…

“What do you think of my suggestion?” asked Hua Xinfeng.

Su Yi got straight to the point. “How will we divide the spoils?”

This instantly caught Hua Xinfeng off guard. And here I thought that someone who seemed so proud would disdain such tricks.

I wouldn’t have thought he’d just launch right into deciding how to divvy up the loot….

“Indeed, you didn’t disappoint me.” Hua Xinfeng sighed with appreciation. “How about this? I’m responsible for gathering and providing information, while you do all the fighting. We’ll split the spoils eighty-twenty. How about it?”

Su Yi said calmly, “We can split whatever good fortune we happen upon that way, but ninety percent of the trophies of war go to me. As I’m sure you’re well aware, in a direct clash of strength, your information isn’t of much use.”

Hua Xinfeng pondered briefly, then straightforwardly agreed. “Alright. This is our first time working with you, so it’s only right that the Ten Directions Pavilion shows its sincerity. It’ll be as you say.”

Once everything was settled, she seemed delighted. She took a wine gourd from her sleeves, threw back her head, and started drinking, as open and unrestrained as any man.

Su Yi actually rather admired her temperament.

Alas, her appearance was just a bit too ordinary, even unseemly.

….

Two days later.

The Great Qin’s Dongfu Prefectural Capital.

The Crimson Condor landed several miles from the city gates.

“Go back.” Hua Xinfeng patted the bird, which spread its wings and took to the skies once more.

“Young Lord, that’s the Dongfu Prefectural Capital up ahead. It borders the Great Qin’s eastern seas, and it’s one of the most prosperous places in the Great Qin. If we leave the city and venture three hundred miles out to sea, we’ll reach the edges of the Sea of Chaotic Spirits.

Hua Xinfeng pointed to the distant outline of the massive city. “Let’s enter the city and gather some information, then head out. How about it?”

“You make the arrangements,” said Su Yi casually. He could never be bothered to concern himself with such trifles.

The two then promptly set off for the Dongfu Prefectural Capital.

The massive outline of the city rose and fell, spreading far and wide, like a colossus stretching across heaven and earth. A mortal air rose from the city streets, filling the skies, and the sounds of hustle and bustle were audible even from a distance.

“Hm?” As they neared the city gates, Su Yi suddenly looked up at the sky.

There was a five-hundred-foot-long treasure ship, like a flying mountain circulating with misty light. It bore through the crowds, flying in from the distance.

The treasure ship had towers, pavilions, and gazebos on deck. It was simply gorgeous, and he could faintly discern human figures shuttling between the various structures.

The city gates burst into uproar and startled cries.

In the mundane world, a flying treasure ship appearing out of nowhere would inevitably draw people’s attention.

Even Su Yi was no exception.

This was his first time seeing a magic treasure like this since his reincarnation.

He knew that whoever was steering the boat had to be an Origin Dao cultivator. Otherwise, they couldn’t possibly have controlled such a treasure. 

I don’t have time to go too far down this rabbit hole, but Hua Xinfeng’s name is a reference to a poem. Comes from the phrase “the Twenty-Four Flower Messenger Winds.”

Here’s a facebook post that goes into it. Yell at me in the comments or on discord if the content disappears or the link doesn’t work. 

Also, on Zongheng, novels have various genre/content tags, right? “Dressing up as a pig to eat a tiger” is one of the first few listed for this novel. More background here. It’s from a Cantonese-learning site, but whatever; it’s the same idiom.