Chapter One: Cheng Tang Imprisoned in the Xia Tower 1

In the Kingdom of Shang, King Wu Cheng Tang had already departed for Yu Province’s Great Xia, the ancient capital of Zhenxun, several days prior. At this time, the land of Shangqiu flourished in prosperity. Though not as vast and resource-rich as Great Xia, the people were far more harmonious than ever before. This was not only due to the guidance of the Left Minister Yi Yin, but also because of the neighboring kingdom—You Shi—whose princess, Mei Xi, was betrothed to King Wu. Together, the alliance of the two nations spurred Shang’s rapid growth. Their mutual courtesy and support quickly elevated Shang above all the other vassal states of Great Xia.

Yet, while the people of Shang remained blissfully unaware, a conspiracy was quietly unfolding against their nation. It would not be long before troubling news returned to Shangqiu.

Now, King Wu’s adopted son, Hao Dan, was a disciple of the Cave Heaven Sect—a branch of the Human Daoist tradition—but he was only an unofficial third-generation disciple, never formally recognized. Though the sect had few disciples, its influence and prestige among the people were undiminished.

There were seven second-generation disciples in the sect. The founder and head teacher, Master Nan Tongzi—known by his immortal title “True Lord Nan Tong”—was one of the many outer disciples under the Grand Magus of Xuandu, master of Human Daoism. His boundless magical power benefited the populace, and thus the people of Shangqiu revered the Nanze Cave Heaven as:

“Mount Song’s Human Dao, Southern Cave Heaven, Seven Heroes descend to relieve suffering.”

“True Lord Nan Tong calms the rivers, blessings abound in Shangqiu.”

Yet, years ago, the greatest headache for the sect was the impostor third-generation disciple, Hao Dan. This child, gifted from birth, was notoriously mischievous and prone to causing trouble. Instead of applying his talents to virtue, he delighted in deceiving the people: running gambling dens, extorting taverns, pranking children, harassing virtuous women, and, worst of all, brazenly spying on bathing maidens—utterly disgracing the sect. Fortunately, the Seven Heroes of Cave Heaven disciplined him strictly, correcting his ways before he came of age.

While Hao Dan was not truly a third-generation disciple, his intelligence was apparent from a young age. Yet, King Wu, often away at war, rarely disciplined his adopted son. Thus, Hao Dan grew up among the generals, inevitably picking up less savory traits. As one unknown, roguish general once said, looking both aggrieved and proud, “When I was young and foolish, I couldn’t shake off that mischievous mud—naturally, I was influenced by it! But at least my will was strong; even if I wasn’t untouched by the filth, I kept my childlike heart forever! Hahaha!”

It’s little wonder then, that living with such company, Hao Dan’s remarkable talents were wasted; the words of sages went in one ear and out the other, while he mastered all sorts of petty mischief.

At last, King Wu realized that if he let the boy continue unchecked, his bright future would be ruined. So, he sent Hao Dan to the Cave Heaven Sect atop Mount Song in Shangqiu.

Thanks to King Wu’s popularity and the people’s reverence for the Cave Heaven, and considering Hao Dan’s drastic transformation in recent years, the once brazen rascal was welcomed back.

On this day, at midday outside the city of Shangqiu, a sudden gale arose, the earth shaking violently, sending the townsfolk into a panic.

Recently, with the Seven Heroes of the Cave Heaven mostly roaming the four seas, and the sect’s founder in seclusion, only one senior female disciple remained to guard the gate, known to the people as “Seventh Lady of the Cave Heaven.” She was also Hao Dan’s godmother; whenever Hao Dan returned from childhood mischief, she would always plead on his behalf and pay for his mistakes. In Hao Dan’s heart, Seventh Lady was dearer than his own mother.

At this moment, winds swept the summit of Mount Song, and the grasses bent with sorrow. The signboard above the Cave Heaven temple swayed violently. There, Hao Dan—the sole so-called third-generation disciple—stood, his blue Daoist robe stained with mud, a plain golden bell hanging from his neck. His hair, tied in a neat ox-horn ponytail, framed a strikingly handsome face. Had he worn a clean robe, with his figure and looks, he would have been the very embodiment of youthful elegance.

Alas, this young man cared nothing for cleanliness, preferring to roam through the dens of filth and chaos.

Today, as usual, he muttered while sweeping fallen leaves before the temple gate, humming, “So many leaves upon Mount Song, I sweep them now, and soon they fall again—a cycle without end, forever hopeless, how bitter my fate!”

“Your master made you sweep the leaves not as punishment, but to cultivate your heart and calm your spirit,” a refined female voice suddenly sounded at his ear. It was the Seventh Lady, the sect’s only female disciple.

“Seventh Lady!” Hao Dan stopped and bowed.

“Quietly sweeping the temple’s leaves, you cultivate a boundless heart; neither hurried nor slow, you face the world with composure.” Seventh Lady stood in blue Daoist robes, her graceful form alighting softly, a veil drifting from her peerlessly beautiful face. Her snow-white skin gleamed like jade, her features delicate beyond compare—indeed, she seemed a beauty fit for the heavens, outshining even the immortal maidens of the celestial palaces.

Hao Dan cocked his head comically, broom in hand, and grinned, “Your words are wise, Seventh Lady! From now on, I’ll sweep these leaves with a quiet heart!”

“Mischievous boy—just now, you were grumbling under your breath! Did you think I didn’t hear?” Seventh Lady removed her veil, her voice filled with affection.

“It’s just that this life is so dull—Seventh Lady, please let me go down the mountain! I promise not to bother the people, and if I meet demons, with my skills I can help protect the common folk!” Hao Dan, weary of the monotonous mountain life, pleaded with her.

“See? You’ve practiced the way of calmness for only a few days, and already you’re restless!” Seventh Lady teased. But just then, the ground shook violently, and her smile froze.

“This is bad! A demon is attacking—such tremors can only mean the legendary Earth-Quaking Fiend!” Hao Dan immediately sensed the extraordinary nature of the disturbance; it was no ordinary earthquake.

“How can you be so sure?” Seventh Lady asked, surprised. Even with her cultivation, she had not sensed anything so unusual.

“The wind comes after the quake—when such things happen, there must be evil at work!” Hao Dan replied with an air of false solemnity.

“Wind is natural, but an unexplained quake…,” he added.

“Look at you, so earnest you almost convinced me!” Seventh Lady laughed, but she had to admit, there was something strange afoot. Recently, the region around Shangqiu had seen many odd happenings; there were rumors of bizarre demons and monsters appearing in the southern forests, though rarely did they show themselves near the city.

“With your master in seclusion, I might as well take you down the mountain—but you must not act on your own. If you do, there will be no next time, understand?” Seventh Lady warned. Given Hao Dan’s recent change in character, she no longer opposed taking him with her.

“Alright! Thank you, Seventh Lady—you’re the best!” Hao Dan cheered, tossing his broom aside, nearly hugging her in excitement.

“Finish sweeping the leaves first, then come find me in the woods.” With that, Seventh Lady drifted away.

Meanwhile, chaos reigned in Shangqiu. Stalls were toppled, people fled in panic, but though the city was in turmoil, there were no casualties and no sign of monsters. Hao Dan, with his keen senses, caught a faint trace of evil energy lingering southward, disappearing near an apothecary.

Suddenly, a figure dashed out, calling to the blue-robed Seventh Lady, “Seventh Lady! A fiend appeared in the city just now and fled south—please, help us poor folk!”

“Don’t worry, though I haven’t mastered the path of exorcism, I am skilled in calming the heart and in talismans. Ordinary fiends I can handle,” Seventh Lady replied. She practiced the arts of inner peace and the refined pursuits, but was not adept in battle.

Hao Dan stepped forward, patting his chest and grinning, “Don’t worry, uncle! I’m here too. In the past, I caused you all so much trouble, but now that I’m on the path of cultivation, you can leave it to me!”

The uncle, recognizing Hao Dan’s transformation, relaxed.

“Let’s go investigate before making any decisions,” Seventh Lady said, leading the way, with Hao Dan following close behind.