Chapter 1076: Always Mending People's Hearts with Deeds

Chapter 1076: Always Mending People's Hearts with Deeds

A generation of rivers and mountains gives rise to a generation of figures; the rivers and mountains are like paintings, and the figures are even more remarkable, standing out from the mundane world.

Let alone Xie Gou, even Zhanglu Changming could not understand why Chen Ping'an was nervous. Earlier, only his disciple and Guo Zhujiu had noticed this.

Back in the day, at the meeting in the Chunfan Studio on Daoxuan Mountain, when Chen Ping'an first appeared as the new Hidden Officer of the Sword Qi Great Wall, he had not been nervous at all. From start to finish, he had been completely at ease.

No matter how small a paradise might be, it is still a complete world with an orderly cycle of the Great Dao. The rising and setting of the sun and moon, the withering and flourishing of plants, the blooming and fading of flowers, the alternation of immortals and mortals, the flow of the unseen and the seen—all occur within this heaven and earth.

Moreover, Chen Ping'an regarded the Lotus Root Paradise as akin to his hometown, the Lizhu Cave Heaven.

The old temple master had buried many threads here, yet to be revealed, waiting ahead for Fallen Mountain to explore and excavate. Whether the trend would be favorable or unfavorable depended entirely on Fallen Mountain, and was tied to Chen Ping'an himself.

According to the old temple master's arrangement, all exiled immortals who came to this place throughout history to temper their Dao hearts or play amidst the mortal world had to pay a toll to the Temple of Contemplation—their Dao hearts.

The Dao hearts of qi refiners were gathered into one, first achieving great synthesis, then scattered into ten thousand. The figures of the human world were each arranged accordingly. Thus came those astonishingly talented and exceptional individuals in the world, like the scholar Lu Sheng, who attempted to master all schools of thought, and his disciple Sui Youbian. Later, Zhu Lian and Ding Ying were also such, as were Yu Zhenyi and Zhong Qiu, and in the younger generation, Yuan Huang and Wu Jiang.

The Temple of Contemplation was like a Dao tree, with the mountains, rivers, and sentient beings as its branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Each branch was a nation's mandate, a household's incense, or a sect's lineage. The blooming of flowers was the life of sentient beings; the falling of flowers was their death. The fruit borne on this tree was the "Daoist priest."

The overall situation was settled, but details still needed discussion.

The Great Tree Temple, Falling Flower Courtyard.

Gong Hua, the water lord who was the host of Autumn Qi Lake East, personally brewed tea for the guests.

Compared to the undercurrents in the White Jade Square earlier, the atmosphere in the room now could not be called completely harmonious between host and guests, but it was at least a relief.

Those participating in this second, smaller-scale meeting included the qi refiner Gao Jun, Sun Wanyan (whose Dao name was Lingfu), Zhou Shuzhen of Reverent Tower, and Pei Xiang, the ruler of the Fox Kingdom.

Among martial artists, there were only Zhong Qian, the swordsman Cao Ni, and the female grandmaster He Qizhou.

Additionally, there were the monarchs of four kingdoms and the mountain lords of the Five Peaks. Earlier, in the square outside the main hall of the temple, the situation had been interesting: the mountain lords were already seated, while the monarchs were still standing.

The old mountain lord of the Northern Peak, who was better at concealing his abilities than Song Huaibao, originally named Zhang Xianshan, took the alias Wu Qiong after becoming a deity, and his Dao name was Yudie.

The old mountain lord intended to use his original name again, feeling that the alias Wu Qiong was not auspicious enough.

Chen Ping'an held his teacup and asked with a smile, "Your Majesties, the four emperors, do you have any objections regarding the division of divine duties among the Five Peaks' mountain lords? If you do, do you have any suggestions?"

The implication was that Tang Tieyi, Wei Yan, and the others could reject it, but they must provide a solution.

Tuoba Daze, the lord of the grasslands, said, "No objections. The Great Five Peaks were never under our jurisdiction anyway. Now that their duties are clearly defined and their responsibilities clear, it's fine."

Zhao Juran, the Eastern Peak mountain lord, asked, "How should the regulations for the City God Pavilion in the human world be set? For example, do city gods at various levels need noble titles that match their jurisdictions?"

Zhao Juran had no greed for power, but he fully understood that without real authority, the Eastern Peak's governance of the underworld and ghostly matters would be empty talk.

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Mountain Lord Zhao, as I said earlier, you can handle such specific matters behind closed doors. Fallen Mountain will not interfere today, nor tomorrow."

Zhao Juran nodded.

Chen Ping'an said, "Only one thing I must settle with you today, and then we will try not to change it. The Civil and Martial Temples: the main hall's primary enshrinement and secondary enshrinement, as well as the side halls, for the enshrinement of the sages from the two corridors—this is the fixed framework. For the dates of offerings and ritual specifications, there are ready-made examples to follow. Headmaster Gao is an expert on this. As for the selection of those who share the incense offerings, of course, you will choose them yourselves."

Huaifu, the Northern Peak mountain lord who oversaw the Martial Temple, asked, "In the ancestral Martial Temple built on my mountain, the primary deity in the main hall has been decided. The members who share the incense offerings will certainly be all exceptional generals. What about the side corridors? Besides famous generals from various dynasties with outstanding military achievements, can we also place martial arts grandmasters from past dynasties there? Can they occupy a separate side hall?"

Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded. "I think that's feasible."

Zheng Fengzhou, who oversaw the literary fortune of the world, asked with a smile, "Mr. Chen, for the Civil Temple, the sages who share the incense include Confucian masters who transmitted scriptures and explained the Dao, or pure and virtuous Confucians who acted according to the Way. It is believed that as long as they rectify rites and propriety, uphold principles, improve people's hearts, change customs, and benefit the world, they can enter the Civil Temple for shared offerings. What about a commoner who never entered officialdom or served as a high minister or prominent official in the court, but whose moral writings can benefit future generations? Can such 'white-body' literati be included in the Civil Temple's shared offerings?"

Chen Ping'an thought for a moment and nodded. "Extraordinary people should receive extraordinary treatment."

"But such exceptions must be handled with extreme caution and cannot occur too frequently. If it gives the impression of fraud, it will cause the entire Civil Temple to lose credibility in the world."

"Also, allow me to add one more thing. When the Central Peak and Southern Peak Civil and Martial Temples are first built, besides selecting those who share the offerings with great care to ensure each one can convince the public, it is best to... control the numbers. Do not rush to fill the numbers of thirty-six or seventy-two."

The old Northern Peak mountain lord stroked his beard and smiled. "We must leave some aspirations for future generations."

Cao Ni nodded. "Indeed, the sages and heroes of today need not be inferior to those of the past."

The old mountain lord suddenly said, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Mr. Chen?"

Chen Ping'an nodded. "As for the establishment of astronomical observatories in each country, Fallen Mountain will simultaneously provide a secret archive to the Western Peak Mountain Lord Song and the courts of the four kingdoms. It records several qi-watching techniques. Not all qi refiners can become qi watchers. Finding suitable cultivation seeds for this will likely require your efforts. Once the countries have qi watchers, the human courts can supervise celestial anomalies and the movements of senior figures as much as possible. Qi refiners, martial arts grandmasters bearing martial luck, and various mountain and river deities—these are all 'qi-burdened travelers' in the eyes of qi watchers. As long as the qi watcher's realm is sufficient, supplemented by instruments in the observatory specifically for observing the heavens and the earth, any minor disturbance will be exposed. In this way, the courts will have the capital to look into old cases and reward or punish according to established precedents."

Tang Tieyi nodded, his expression easing considerably.

If Chen the Sword Immortal and Fallen Mountain only favored "the mountain side," vigorously supporting the Five Peaks deities and cultivators, then they, the earthly monarchs in dragon robes, were just being brought by Fallen Mountain and Lake Mountain Sect as green leaves to set off red flowers in this meeting?

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Among qi refiners, besides qi watchers, who act as 'family thieves' to restrain qi refiners, there are also military strategist cultivators. They secretly forge a kind of military strategist armor pill, which, paired with the sword pills of sword immortals, acts as defense versus offense, each complementing the other. A martial artist holding an armor pill is like wearing armor, similar to a qi refiner wearing a dharma robe. Additionally, Legalist cultivators are also considered one of the four troublesome types in the mountain realm. So, Lord Tang, you need not worry about the mountain side dominating while the court is weak. The knowledge and situations within will likely become more complex and cumbersome over time. As rulers of a family state, you can certainly do many things."

Huang Mian, the young emperor of the Pine Sound Country, suddenly asked, "This junior ventures to add a question. In Mr. Chen's view, who ultimately holds the power over whether the human world is good or bad?"

Chen Ping'an smiled and countered, "Are you referring to the mysterious 'trend of the world'—whether it is led by a small group of people, with these few deciding everything with their words, such as me, Chen Ping'an, and Fallen Mountain, Gao Jun and Lake Mountain Sect, or you and Pine Sound Country? Or is it pushed forward by the entire intangible trend of the world, either uphill or downhill, with everyone caught up in it and only able to go with the flow?"

Huang Mian smiled and nodded. "Mr. Chen puts it more precisely."

Chen Ping'an said, "This is a very complex question, and it's hard to explain fully in a short time. But shooting an arrow first and then drawing the target will always hit the bullseye—that is a major taboo in debate. So it's better to set up two targets and shoot arrows indiscriminately, and also find enough positive and negative arguments. Finally, count which target has more arrows. When I have a definite answer in my heart someday, I will discuss it with Your Majesty in detail."

Huang Mian cupped his fists and smiled. "I look forward to that day."

Gao Jun couldn't help asking, "Mountain Lord Chen, in the Haoran world, according to the Confucian Temple's rules, rulers cannot cultivate qi, especially not ascend to the middle five realms. What about here?"

Chen Ping'an took a sip of tea, was silent for a moment, then looked out at the courtyard from his seat and slowly said, "I leave this matter for you to decide yourselves."

In the Haoran world, there was such a precedent, but in the Qingming world, there was no such restriction. In a paradise where "mountain qi" was rich and concentrated without dispersing, Chen Ping'an felt it best to wait and see.

Tang Tieyi and Huang Mian's eyes lit up. Upon hearing this, they quickly suppressed their joy, careful not to let their expressions betray them.

Wei Yan of Southern Garden Country and Tuoba Daze of the Golden Tent were completely indifferent to this; they were both pure martial artists and could not cultivate qi.

Chen Ping'an smiled and explained, "Actually, if Cao Ni and Zhou Shuzhen hadn't interrupted me back then, I had prepared a different opening line for today's meeting. It wasn't 'occupying the position of victory over others' but rather something else: 'The human world is your human world; I am merely a guest.' But I figured if I had said that, no one would have believed me; they would have just taken it as a hollow courtesy."

The old mountain lord laughed. "Mr. Chen's statement isn't entirely correct. You should add at the end, 'Except for Mountain Lord Zhang.'"

Song Huaibao pulled a folded fan from his sleeve and tapped it against his forehead. This Yudie Adept was not only good at "pretending to be poor" but also at saying nice things—even thicker-skinned than himself.

Cao Ni smiled slightly. "This matter was my fault first, a lack of propriety. But as it turned out, it accidentally led to a good outcome. Let's call it even. Mr. Chen doesn't need to blame me or thank me."

But Chen Ping'an shook his head with a smile. "According to the teachings of two particular moral sages, you must first apologize to me, and then I must thank you. Reciprocity in etiquette is the proper way."

What was meant as a half-joking remark made Cao Ni fall into deep thought, as if he had gained some insight.

The martial artist Cao Ni's excellent nature and aptitude were evident.

Chen Ping'an almost couldn't resist asking if Cao Ni had ever confirmed whether he could cultivate the Dao.

If the answer was yes, Chen Ping'an would then ask if Cao Ni would be willing to leave the paradise and go on a long-distance journey with him.

Chen Ping'an could take Cao Ni to the Pu Mountain Cloud-Grass Hall in Tongye Continent to try his luck.

Chen Ping'an said, "For the second meeting, a hundred years is too long. After all, martial artists' lifespans are limited. Some grandmasters who are 'born at the wrong time,' even if they reach the Golden Body realm or even the Far Traveling realm, may never participate in one meeting in their entire lives. That is certainly unreasonable. But holding it every thirty years seems too short. Let's set it at forty or fifty years for now. As for the venue, I have a suggestion: why not fix it permanently at Headmaster Gao's Lake Mountain Sect, without frequent changes? That would avoid unnecessary disputes on the mountain. Headmaster Gao, Daoist Qingci, do you have any objections?"

Gao Jun stood up and made a Daoist bow. "Gao Jun thanks Mountain Lord Chen for his trust. Lake Mountain Sect is willing to take on this matter."

After Gao Jun sat down again, Gong Hua said with a smile, "I agree with Mr. Chen's arrangement. It's for the best. A meeting like this consumes immense manpower and resources. It cost at least half of my assets. The Great Tree Temple was just putting up a front to deceive others. Lake Mountain Sect is willing to take this hot potato, so I'm more than happy. I wouldn't dare object—no, not at all."

When the old mountain lord first met the visitor Gao Jun, riding a white deer and holding a whisk, he claimed to be a divine being from the upper realm. At the time, Gao Jun mistakenly thought this mountain god was aloof and looked down on the common folk below. In the two secret meetings at Falling Flower Courtyard, Temple Master Gong Hua, Tang Tieyi, and the others, because Zhang Xianshan's acting was so masterful, subconsciously regarded this Northern Peak mountain lord as a weather vane. Now they realized that this Yudie Adept was truly a master who did not show his true colors—he hid deep.

The old mountain lord stroked his whisk and said with a smile, "A paradise is called a paradise for a reason. Beware of not appreciating your blessings while you are blessed. According to what that Daoist friend Lu from the Demon Sect once said, a paradise named Lotus Root was deliberately restricted to a lower rank by the 'Heavenly Father' Bixiao Cave Lord, who restrained its spiritual qi, causing this world to become a barren 'lawless land.' Good—the metaphor of 'lawless land' is well said. Daoist Lu once revealed to me a celestial secret, saying that the outside world he and Sword Immortal Chen came from was between a medium and low-grade paradise. May I ask Sword Immortal Chen, what rank is this place now?"

Chen Ping'an said, "It is now a top-grade paradise, already at its bottleneck."

Mountain Lord Zhang sighed deeply. "So every change in the seasons has been Fallen Mountain spending money. May I ask, how many of those white-as-snow immortal coins does it amount to?"

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Hard to calculate. Better not to say."

Earning money is like moving mountains; spending money is like flowing water.

Gao Jun was stunned and said with mixed feelings, "Mountain Lord Chen, why didn't you tell us this truth during the meeting earlier?"

Chen Ping'an smiled and countered, "What would be the point of that? To have more people feel grateful to Fallen Mountain?"

Song Huaibao tapped his palm with his fan and exclaimed in admiration, "What Mr. Chen did is exactly right. Those who should know this truth will eventually learn it. When that day comes, Fallen Mountain will have the benefit of showing kindness without expecting gratitude. Everyone will praise Mr. Chen for his openness and integrity, bright as the moon and clear as the wind. Those who don't know can remain ignorant forever. As Mr. Chen himself taught earlier, 'All things achieve harmony and live, each according to its own nature; they grow and become complete without seeing the process—this is called spirit. Everyone knows they become complete, but no one knows the formless process—this is called heaven.' At the same time, it prevents dissatisfaction from being ungrateful after receiving too much. The relationship between Fallen Mountain and the paradise is like two people getting along. If they start off loving each other so perfectly, what happens later? Do they keep deducting points forever?"

Chen Ping'an nodded. "Mountain Lord Song has keen insight into human hearts."

Song Huaibao smiled. "Since Mr. Chen trusts me to oversee matrimonial affairs in the Western Peak, although I, a minor deity, love beauty as much as virtue, and I never hide it—it's all on my face—I can guarantee to Fallen Mountain and Mr. Chen that I will not abuse my position for personal gain."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Let's consider it a gentleman's agreement. Mountain Lord Song need not swear an oath or sign a contract."

Song Huaibao's momentum weakened, and he tentatively asked, "If I marry officially and have one wife and several concubines, that's not excessive, is it?"

Chen Ping'an nodded. "As long as it's mutual consent, and Mountain Lord Song doesn't use his innate divine powers, there's no problem at all. Even if the mountain lord's mansion has a few 'secondary wives,' behind closed doors, outsiders presumably won't have much to say."

Song Huaibao sighed in relief and said with a bright smile, "Year after year, the rugged road of toil—where is the good lotus leaf and lotus flower? The mountain family's livelihood, drawing land into rivers, sharing harmony with orioles and swallows."

Chen Ping'an advised, "Romantic escapades with wind, flowers, snow, and moon—lament that old age saps your strength, none of it belongs to youth."

Song Huaibao smiled knowingly.

So Sword Immortal Chen was also one who had been through the garden of flowers. If he wasn't a kindred spirit, what was? One couldn't speak such insider words without having had more than a handful of confidantes.

Good. As long as he wasn't that kind of rigid, pedantic moralist, the Western Peak Mountain Lord's Mansion would definitely welcome Mr. Chen's visit.

At the entrance, a middle-aged Confucian scholar with graying temples and a girl with a sable hat and rosy cheeks appeared.

Chen Ping'an smiled and introduced them. "Jiang Shangzhen, formerly Zhou Fei of Spring Tide Palace in this paradise, is now our chief guest elder of Fallen Mountain. Xie Gou, she is our secondary guest elder."

Xie Gou sat on the threshold, while Jiang Shangzhen stood outside the door. He waved. "Tower Master Zhou, do you remember me?"

Zhou Shuzhen smiled without warmth. "Deeply impressed, etched in my memory."

Jiang Shangzhen said with sincere eyes, "Tower Master Zhou, please don't misunderstand Fallen Mountain because of me. My reputation on Fallen Mountain is terrible. People call for my beatings whenever I walk down the street..."

Chen Ping'an said impatiently, "Chief Elder Zhou, stop defending yourself."

Jiang Shangzhen leaned against the doorframe and chuckled. "Mountain Lord, allow me to say one last thing. Jiang Shangzhen is only an honest man on Fallen Mountain. In my own territory, the Jiang clan's Cloud Cave Paradise on Tongye Continent, I'm not so easy to deal with. By the way, besides being the former sect leader of the Jade Gui Sect, I am also a swordsman, a half-baked Celestial Immortal realm. Secondary guest elder Xie Gou, Lady Xie, is a genuine Transcending Flying Immortal realm, a pure sword cultivator. That sentence is a bit long. I'll say no more for now. Those present, please weigh it yourselves."

The atmosphere in the room immediately froze.

Jiang Shangzhen smiled. "Worried you might overthink and misunderstand, I'll add one more thing. I'm here just for fun, and Lady Xie was casually called by me to watch the show. It has nothing to do with the mountain lord. Scare you? Far from it, and there's no need. Now that you've been introduced to the vastness of the outside world by the mountain lord, you're no longer frogs at the bottom of a well. You should roughly understand the significance of an upper-five-realm sword immortal. Even if Fallen Mountain didn't have us registered members, just our mountain lord alone is worth talking about..."

Chen Ping'an waved his hand to remind Jiang Shangzhen not to make a mess. "Stop."

Zhong Qian smiled. "Our mountain lord has quite a reputation outside. So many stories, from martial arts tales to immortal chivalry and strange legends—enough to fill several thick books."

Jiang Shangzhen sent a secret voice about Liu Xu's bag of essence gold coins.

Chen Ping'an nodded, holding back a laugh. "It's typical of our Poet Immortal Liu to do good deeds quietly without saying a word."

Actually, on his way to Old Dragon City, Liu Xu had done another thing: he sent a flying sword message to the Luo Ma River Liu clan. The letter only mentioned two things.

Hidden Officer Chen urgently needed essence gold coins. The clan should bring out all their treasury. Consider it Liu Xu pre-empting his entire annual salary as clan head for the next hundred or thousand years. If the clan held back, he wouldn't be clan head anymore anyway, for his words didn't matter.

The letter also asked the old clan head to personally visit the neighboring Sanlang Temple to pass a message to the Yuan clan head: to repay the debt for helping Yuan Yizhi resolve his nightmare, just send essence gold coins to Fallen Mountain. The amount depended on how much Yuan Yizhi meant to Sanlang Temple. After all, giving one was also a gift, giving hundreds was also a gift. Hidden Officer Chen, who never expected repayment, wouldn't mind.

At the end of this family letter, Liu Xu stressed that this must be kept strictly confidential within the clan, not a word leaked.

Chen Ping'an finished his tea and stood up. "Since Chief Elder Zhou is here anyway, why not stay and chat a bit more. I won't linger. I've been a guest here, and I need to host guests at my own mountain."

Earlier, when Sword Immortal Chen and Headmaster Gao left, they didn't say the meeting was over or whether there would be another session, so no one dared leave the Great Tree Temple without permission.

Wu Que and Cheng Yuanshan had not been able to attend the more private, higher-level meeting at Falling Flower Courtyard.

The hot-tempered Wu Que was initially upset and wanted to say something about going too far, but then he glanced at a certain martial arts colleague lying in the corner snoring soundly, and he felt better.

At the mountain gate of the Great Tree Temple.

Jiang Qu and Gu Ling planned to wait for someone there. Out of courtesy and principle, they sincerely wanted to apologize, make amends, and thank Sword Immortal Chen. Even if he wanted them to kowtow a few times, so be it.

Wu Jiang stood with his sword, using sound-condensing technique to ask, "Yuan Huang, Jiang Shenzi was thrown out of the temple by Sword Immortal Chen. If we rashly try to rescue him, will we anger Sword Immortal Chen?"

Yuan Huang asked helplessly, "Are you more familiar with Sword Immortal Chen, or am I?"

Wu Jiang thought it over and decided it was best to leave immediately. Better to make a strategic retreat. If he learned that Sword Immortal Chen wasn't holding a grudge against Yuan Huang, he could show up then.

Rescuing the fallen Jiang Shenzi was Yuan Huang's idea. I'm just an accomplice... But just then, the blue-clad figure appeared at the gate, accompanied only by Pei Xiang and Zhou Shuzhen.

Chen Ping'an asked, "If Gu Ling hadn't shown up today, Jiang Quan, what would you have done?"

Jiang Quan was silent for a moment, unwilling to deceive the other, and answered honestly, "Whether I could draw my sword or not, I would pester Sword Immortal Chen every time I saw him until he lost all patience and casually beat me to death."

Gu Ling was anxious. Even if he was an honest man, he didn't have to answer so bluntly.

But she still held Jiang Quan's arm, sharing the same fate through life and death.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "I may not be much, but I do have the tolerance to hear a few sincere words. It's good to treat others sincerely when you're out and about. Do you have any plans for the future?"

Jiang Quan said, "Gu Ling and I have already discussed it. We'll travel the world as Dao companions. Neither of us has grand ambitions. At most, we'll find a scenic place we like to settle down and live in seclusion. While traveling, if we encounter injustice, we'll do our duty based on our abilities—that's enough. Being seen as extraordinary people by the locals is interesting enough."

Chen Ping'an listened carefully to Jiang Quan's description of their plans as a Dao couple, then finally cupped his fists and smiled. "I am deeply envious and long for it."

Jiang Quan was stunned. Was Mr. Chen really envious of him? Not being sarcastic?

Gu Ling performed a curtsy. "Mr. Chen, just wait and see. In the future, Jiang Quan and I will abide by the law and do what good deeds we can, both in the martial world and on the mountain."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "Yesterday's various things are like yesterday's death; today's various things are like today's life. Let us each strive to plant good seeds and reap good fruits."

With a wave of his hand, Chen Ping'an brought the zither case and the bag of coins left by the wall in the temple to the mountain gate. He smiled. "It's not much money, don't scorn it. Use it to buy mountain land or books—just a small gesture."

Gu Ling reached for the cloth-wrapped zither case, and Jiang Quan reached for the coin pouch.

But Chen Ping'an clicked his tongue. "That's not proper. Now that you're married, you should establish a household. Women should manage the money. Gu Ling, show the demeanor of a housewife."

Holding the zither case, Gu Ling quickly put the coin pouch into her sleeve. She turned to look at Jiang Quan—was her husband feeling reluctant?

Jiang Quan was quick to catch on and immediately nodded in agreement. "You handle the money. You must."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "In my hometown, there's a saying: a woman with high eyebrows is blessed. Whoever marries her is lucky. As long as the couple doesn't fight all day, the household will prosper and bring glory to the ancestors. Jiang Quan, cherish your fortune."

Gu Ling laughed heartily. So Mr. Chen was actually so understanding and witty!

Jiang Quan laughed heartily as well. "With Mr. Chen's auspicious words, I, Jiang Quan, will definitely cherish my fortune!"

Chen Ping'an turned to Yuan Huang, who had come to "rescue someone from a fallen well," and teased, "That talisman was indeed not given in vain. Grandmaster Zhong's earlier comment hit the mark: Yuan Huang is truly a man who walked out of ancient books."

Yuan Huang smiled. "A gift from an elder cannot be refused. In the end, it's still Sword Immortal Chen's discernment of talent."

Chen Ping'an raised an eyebrow. The young man not going to Fallen Mountain to learn boxing was a waste.

It seemed Yuan Huang naturally suited Fallen Mountain's atmosphere?

Chen Ping'an thought for a moment and said, "Yuan Huang, Wu Jiang, if either of you ever wants to learn boxing from a master, go to the Fox Kingdom and inform the ruler, Pei Xiang. Fallen Mountain can help you arrange several options. Don't worry—you don't necessarily have to apprentice with a martial artist from Fallen Mountain. In the nine continents of the Haoran world, there are not many, but not few, the martial artists at the ultimate realm. These grandmasters have different personalities and temperaments, but they all cherish talent. I happen to know a few. If you hit it off, you can serve tea and thereby establish a master-disciple relationship. From then on, your future and martial achievements depend on your own abilities."

Wu Jiang grinned. "That sounds great!"

Unexpectedly, Yuan Huang beside him said with a smile, "If I really want to find a master, I want to learn boxing from none other than Mr. Chen. I have no other thoughts."

Wu Jiang sucked in a cold breath. Damn, Yuan Huang could really lay it on thick! Why hadn't he thought of such flattery?!

Chen Ping'an smiled and shook his head. "Not convenient. I already have a closed-door disciple in martial arts."

"Then I don't need a master-disciple title. I just want to learn boxing from Mr. Chen, not officially take him as my master,"
Yuan Huang said without hesitation. "Besides, if one day Mr. Chen thinks I'm worthy and changes his mind to take me as a disciple, you don't have to replace the closed-door disciple. Let my future junior brother be the one to yield a little, and I'll have the nominal title of senior brother. Privately, I can even call him senior brother—it doesn't matter."

Wu Jiang was taken aback, and so were Pei Xiang, Jiang Quan, Gu Ling, and others. They all looked at Yuan Huang with new eyes.

Chen Ping'an couldn't help but chuckle. "Good, good. We can discuss it. We can discuss it."

Wu Jiang sighed. "Sword Immortal Chen, count me out. I won't seek this convenience from you. Learning boxing from various grandmasters is something I'd be delighted to do, but switching masters is out of the question. Master Tao is my master. Once a teacher, always a father. This is a rule of the martial world that must be upheld. Since grandmasters are people, isn't practicing martial arts about being a person? And being a person can't violate one's conscience."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Unintentionally planting willows may yield shade. It seems Tao Xieyang has taken on a good disciple."

With their wishes fulfilled and dream come true, before leaving, Jiang Quan glanced at Zhou Shuzhen, hesitating. He had once received favors from Reverent Tower; he didn't want it to suffer because of him.

Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded, signaling him not to worry, just be at ease.

Jiang Quan and Gu Ling took their leave.

Chen Ping'an watched the couple walk away across the waves like mandarin ducks.

Yuan Huang sent a secret voice: "Sword Immortal Chen, I was too eager for quick success. I apologize."

Chen Ping'an just asked, "Being so eager, is there a deeper reason? Was it because you couldn't truly take revenge back then?"

Yuan Huang shook his head. "I have already avenged myself. But on this journey, I often see villains in power. They wear purple or yellow robes, hold high positions, or are qi refiners who call themselves Daoists but behave improperly or are lax in discipline, growing more powerful. Not only do martial sects dare not speak out, but even the courts and officials can't control them. They collude with nearby temples and become more entrenched. Over the years, I've been pondering a question: some evils are covered up by local officials, and when the generals, ministers, and lords in the court die, they say it's not your turn—it's not time yet? The qi refiners who cultivate on the mountain have endless years. After decades or a hundred years, when all the wronged people in the mortal world have died, and the old cases are not pursued, does everything pass? I see too many injustices, and it troubles my heart. After much thought, it seems the only way is to learn boxing to a higher realm, to strike with greater force—a last-resort solution."

"Let's walk and talk."

Chen Ping'an clasped his hands in his sleeves and smiled. "If you had met Lake Mountain Sect's Gao Jun earlier, you would have had a seat in both the Great Tree Temple square meeting and the Falling Flower Courtyard meeting today."

Yuan Huang blushed. "Sword Immortal Chen flatters me too much."

"When I'm seriously discussing matters, I never praise lightly. When you get to know me better, you'll see that what I'm saying is true."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Before I answer your question, I have one for you. Don't worry about right or wrong; just say whatever comes to mind. How about it?"

Yuan Huang said solemnly, "Please ask, Sword Immortal Chen."

Chen Ping'an pointed to the lake. "If you were the water lord of Autumn Qi Lake, as the host and local master, would you consider nurturing, supporting, suppressing, and harvesting the sentient beings in the lake as... raising fish?"

Yuan Huang said, "As long as a gentleman acquires, uses, and acts in accordance with the Dao, even if it's raising fish, it's fine."

Chen Ping'an didn't evaluate Yuan Huang's answer. He simply asked, "If you could gain the world by committing one unjust act and killing one innocent person, what would you do?"

Yuan Huang said, "I wouldn't do it."

Chen Ping'an smiled slightly.

But Yuan Huang quickly added, "But now I can say that without guilt. If such a day actually came, I can't guarantee it now."

Chen Ping'an nodded, accepting Yuan Huang's supplementary statement. He slowly said, "The Dao is the foundation, and methods are secondary. For those who act in accordance with the Dao, the more schemes, techniques, and means, the better. Even if they make mistakes, they can immediately recognize and correct them. The act of correcting mistakes itself contains power. People who can correct mistakes can overcome themselves. Countries that can correct mistakes can benefit their people. That's why the sages said it's a great virtue to know one's mistakes and correct them. If one only has methods but no Dao in the heart, even if they don't walk the crooked path or scheme too cleverly, even if they walk on a bright road, there are still hidden dangers. Every word and action is like scattering grass seeds. When you look back carelessly, you find the roadside overgrown with weeds and fields barren."

"Whether human, ghost, deity, or immortal, judge by heart and action, not by words or form. Confucians can be teachers of people, Daoists can be teachers of people; both the literate and illiterate can be teachers."

"Practice at home, meet people outside."

"When arguing or inquiring about the Dao, speak with a kind heart, listen with a learning heart, and debate with a fair heart. If you win, it's a win; if you lose, it's also a win. That is discussing the Dao, not just debating."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Huang sincerely praised, "This way of arguing is excellent. If both sides had such intentions, how could there be so much talking past each other? The saying 'Each has their own truth' was originally disheartening, but with Mr. Chen's approach to solving problems, it can have a different interpretation. It not only proposes a rigorous reasoning debate rule but also a higher... moral principle!"

"But you must admit, there is an extremely difficult paradox here: those who are reasonable don't need others to reason with them."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Regardless, I dare not take credit. The one who proposed these principles is my teacher."

"No wonder Mr. Chen is so open-minded and composed in dealing with others."

Yuan Huang was full of admiration, but quickly added, "Truly a famous master produces outstanding disciples. My imagination cannot fathom how high Mr. Chen's teacher's knowledge is."

Chen Ping'an patted Yuan Huang on the shoulder. "Yuan Huang, if you ever really settle on Fallen Mountain, it will prove one thing: the mountain's atmosphere has nothing to do with me."

It was all you people bringing it up the mountain yourselves.

None of my business.

I, as the mountain lord, didn't hold it against you. How could you still have the face to blame me?

Yuan Huang had no idea that Fallen Mountain had such a family tradition. He only thought that Sword Immortal Chen had half-agreed to his learning boxing on Fallen Mountain.

Yuan Huang and Wu Jiang also took their leave, planning to travel together through the martial world. They truly hit it off, becoming friends at first sight.

As a parting gift, Chen Ping'an added a few more words of boxing theory to the two young martial arts prodigies, which could be either abstract or concrete.

"Before learning true skill, endure hardship and falls. A martial artist only truly enters the hall when they have boxing intent on their bodies. Since you are traveling together, practice more sparring. Don't be overly competitive, but don't be completely non-competitive either. Beyond sparring, daily life—eating, drinking, traveling over mountains and crossing rivers—is also boxing practice. Every step can be a boxing stance. Zhong Qian is one who gets a free meal from the ancestors, so he can be lazy every day. Don't follow his example; you can't anyway."

"But if you learn a killing technique and become addicted to it, then you are following the fist, not the person delivering the fist. Your boxing will become increasingly rigid. To put it bluntly, that is a path to self-destruction."

"There are thousands of boxing manuals and techniques. In my view, the ultimate principle of boxing is only one point: no matter who you are or how high your boxing realm, when facing an opponent, dare to deliver the fist."

"All personalities have no absolute good or evil, like a double-edged sword. When young, it's due to parental discipline and teacher guidance. Later, it's nothing more than using a leather belt to remind oneself to be urgent, or using a leather band to remind oneself to be slow."

After that, Chen Ping'an told them the exact address of the Fox Kingdom and jokingly warned them that as vigorous young men, they shouldn't be dazzled by the fox beauties and lose their ambition. The gentle nest is a hero's grave; they might never want to practice martial arts again. Finally, he subtly reminded the two young martial artists that the mountains and rivers are magnificent, and the world has great beauty. They should take it all in carefully, not just glance at it superficially—that itself is learning martial arts and can enhance boxing intent.

Wu Jiang took it as empty talk from a sword immortal walking on the void. The young man nodded rapidly and enthusiastically but was actually distracted. Yuan Huang, however, silently memorized every word without missing a beat.

Zhou Shuzhen said bitterly, "Sword Immortal Chen, I indeed knew Jiang Quan's identity early on. The reason he was able to find Reverent Tower and request martial arts secret manuals back then was deliberate on my part. I regarded him as a secret chess piece."

Chen Ping'an said, "It's nothing. A gentleman can be deceived by kindness. Of course, I'm not a Confucian gentleman from an academy, but that's the principle. Coupled with your impulsive action today, let's call it even. But remember, things must not happen more than thrice. You and Reverent Tower only have one more chance left."

Zhou Shuzhen said self-deprecatingly, "Mr. Chen, I misjudged your magnanimity with petty suspicion."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Caution is the mother of safety. In terms of original intention, you and Gao Jun are no different. Putting myself in your shoes, I would have been a bit more patient, but the reasoning is similar."

In the Lotus Root Paradise, or more precisely, the former Lotus Root Paradise, under the deliberate arrangement of the old temple master, heroes emerged in abundance and immortal seedlings were everywhere.

Take He Qizhou, a female martial artist, or Zhou Shuzhen, a qi refiner. In the Haoran world, given the same amount of time, their realms would be at least one or two levels higher.

Chen Ping'an said, "If the result is bad, everything is wrong. If the result is good, everything is right. Daoist Zhou, let us encourage each other."

Zhou Shuzhen made a Daoist bow. This female cultivator at the Guanjing realm, who was now completely convinced, said, "I will engrave it in my heart."

Pei Xiang laughed. "Before our mountain lord came to the meeting at the Great Tree Temple, he severely taught a lesson to Hu Jiao of Southern Garden Country, who was wearing a dragon robe."

Regarding the ambiguous relationship between that Dragon Gate realm lake flood dragon and the Supreme Emperor Wei Liang, Pei Xiang was naturally fully aware.

Zhou Shuzhen's eyes lit up, and the pent-up frustration of many years vanished. She performed a curtsy to the side but said nothing. That little vixen needed to be put in her place! Served her right to be humiliated there!

Chen Ping'an said, "Back then, Wei Liang was able to break through smoothly because his Dao heart aligned with the Heavenly heart. He treated the mountain serpent from the Imperial Tomb favorably. Seemingly unintentional but actually 'intentional,' he taught it the Dao and helped it transform successfully. This world's Great Dao regarded this matter and this intention as a transmission of the Dao and the purification of his Dao heart. However, he failed to form the golden core first, letting Gao Jun become a terrestrial immortal first precisely because his Dao heart was unstable. At the slightest setback, his nature deviated and he developed the intention to kill the serpent. Thus, the Great Dao considered him a quitter, unworthy of that immortal opportunity. Daoist Zhou, you can share these inside details or not. Use it as encouragement."

Zhou Shuzhen's expression turned awkward, but she still gritted her teeth and nodded. "I will personally explain this reasoning to Wei Liang."

Chen Ping'an nodded sternly.

Go ahead and quarrel.

Take a trip to Southern Garden Country and meet Wei Liang. Even if they don't argue, with Hu Jiao standing by, there's no way the three of you will be harmonious.

Pei Xiang smiled knowingly, glancing at Mountain Lord Chen. He truly didn't hold grudges.

Chen Ping'an said, "Qi refiners below the terrestrial immortal realm opening qi mansions is like digging wells everywhere. The more wells, the more spiritual qi is stored. But the water level's height and fluctuations are still limited by heavenly timing and geography. Why do people in my hometown say, 'Only those who form the golden core are truly our kind'? Because after forming the golden core, it's like a wealthy household building a huge cellar to store ice. In the sweltering summer, whenever you want, you can drink a bowl of cold, thirst-quenching iced plum wine. It's like building a bridge of longevity, connecting the inside and outside of the body. This is what the immortal technique calls 'The Daoist's own small cave heaven, the external world's great paradise.' These principles were all told to me by Lu Tai back then. I'm just relaying them."

Given Lu Tai's eccentric personality and abnormal behavior back then, he must have left psychological scars on Zhou Shuzhen. If he could improve her impression of him even a little, it was worth it.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Don't worry. The Fox Kingdom will not encroach on Reverent Tower in the future. But if you are willing to form an alliance and become allies on the mountain, I would certainly be pleased to see it."

Both places had mostly women. Women shouldn't make things difficult for each other.

Zhou Shuzhen performed a curtsy and slowly returned to the Great Tree Temple. The thought of having to proactively meet Wei Liang and that little vixen was vexing.

Pei Xiang said guiltily, "Mountain Lord, the Fox Kingdom accomplished nothing right and even caused trouble. Am I not someone who fails at everything?"

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Your Fox Kingdom meant well but did harm. It's excusable. Let's call it merits and faults balancing out. But don't let it happen again."

Xie Gou said, "Besides, Pei Xiang cultivated two proud disciples. The Fox Kingdom will be remarkable in the future. No worries about a gap between generations."

Pei Xiang was completely confused. Two proud disciples? Who were they? Surely not Luo Fumei and Qiu Qing? They had been terrified earlier at the Fox Kingdom's villa.

Chen Ping'an knew that Xie Gou had observed the interrogation in the Fox Kingdom prison, and she had probably seen and heard more than he had.

Looking at the bewildered Fox Kingdom ruler, Chen Ping'an couldn't help asking, "You didn't know that Luo Fumei has long become the backbone of the Fox Kingdom's law enforcement lineage?"

Pei Xiang was even more puzzled. Mountain Lord, don't be sarcastic. She said cautiously, "I know. This girl Luo Fumei does like to dabble in those so-called mind-reading techniques. She also bought and collected many medical and coroner books when she was young. She seems quite good at organizing intelligence?"

But as the ruler and master, Pei Xiang usually only praised her disciple verbally, while internally thinking that Luo Fumei was neglecting her proper work. Why waste time on these trivial matters? But because her disciple had good cultivation aptitude and broke through at a decent pace, Pei Xiang never expressed dissatisfaction.

Xie Gou chuckled. "Pei Xiang, one day when you have time, remember to conceal your form and watch Luo Fumei interrogating prisoners with all her tricks and ruthlessness. Then you'll know what the style of the next Fox Kingdom law enforcement ancestor looks like."

Pei Xiang's heart pounded as she looked at Chen Ping'an.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Just stating facts, not insinuating anything."

Xie Gou said cheerfully, "Sister Pei Xiang, how about a deal? You give me Luo Fumei and Qiu Qing—buy one get one free—and I'll take them as my nominal disciples. Price is negotiable. I have some assets."

Pei Xiang looked at Mountain Lord Chen again. Seeing no hint, she had to say, "Lady Xie, can we discuss this later?"

Xie Gou clapped her fist in her palm. "Forget it. Our mountain lord and Xiao Mo are both gentlemen who help others achieve their goals. I can't learn that. So I'll take a step back—I won't take what others cherish. We'll talk later!"

But Pei Xiang suddenly recalled something. Earlier in Falling Flower Courtyard, Mountain Lord Chen had said Xie Gou was the secondary guest elder of Fallen Mountain. Could this sable-hatted girl be a... person of the Dao who couldn't be judged by appearance?

If Chief Elder Zhou pulled her over to be a gate god, this girl must be at least Jade Pu realm?

It turned out Jiang Shangzhen was sneaky, leaving out the Fox Kingdom ruler when he revealed their backgrounds at the door.

Later, Chief Elder Zhou was chatting with people in Falling Flower Courtyard. Xie Gou found it way less interesting than when their mountain lord was teaching, so she had no interest in listening to Zhou's rambling. In the town's vernacular, it was "a thousand east and a hundred west."

Chen Ping'an rode the wind to Luo Dai Island's Gu Yue Xuan to meet with Zhanglu Changming and Guo Zhujiu. After Chief Elder Zhou, full of self-satisfaction, left Falling Flower Courtyard, leaving Pei Xiang to continue at the Great Tree Temple for the next meeting, Chen Ping'an summoned his talisman boat and returned to Fallen Mountain.

The group walked into the courtyard and put away the parasol tree umbrella.

Little Millet asked softly, "Good mountain lord, did the trip go smoothly?"

Chen Ping'an smiled and touched her head. "Relatively smoothly."

He heard that during this visit to Fallen Mountain, the old immortal master had shown the demeanor of a master, making a big move!

Not only did he cancel the previous debt of three hundred essence gold coins, but he also actively sent a thousand, and it was half-gift, half-loan.

It not only solved Chen Ping'an's urgent need but was like sending charcoal in the snow and then adding flowers to the brocade.

According to Zheng Juzhong's estimate, with another one and a half thousand essence gold coins, Chen Ping'an could again upgrade his flying sword "Well in the Moon" to "Wellhead Moon."

With only a two-hundred-coin shortfall, given Fallen Mountain's reputation and Chen Ping'an's connections, they could surely scrape it together quickly. Just the Luo Ma River Liu clan in Beiju Continent alone, plus perhaps Sanlang Temple, if Fallen Mountain was willing to offer a high premium to buy two hundred essence gold coins, it shouldn't be difficult.

Chen Ping'an only took Little Millet with him to that building. Nuan Shu had many trivial matters to attend to, so she didn't follow the mountain lord.

Guo Zhujiu took Xie Gou to play with the white-haired boy of their mountain lineage.

Jiang Shangzhen had to rush to the mountain gate to find Brother Dafeng and Immortal Priest Xian Wei to discuss learning. He had to brag about what he'd seen at Autumn Qi Lake's Great Tree Temple, to see if there was a chance they could all take a trip to the paradise together. Naturally, they couldn't rely on their realms—that was low-class and meaningless. They had to rely solely on looks and talent to win the ladies' hearts. Immortal Priest Xian Wei was still fine; a Daoist seeking a Dao partner didn't need to rush. But Brother Dafeng really couldn't be delayed any longer. Several illustrated secret books were already curling up!

Calling friends to an immortal inn in the prefecture city, Liu Chicheng was alone in his room, hesitating. On the table lay a money pouch.

The pink-robed Daoist took a sip of wine, troubled. He had ten thousand good points in dealing with others, except one: he easily caused misunderstandings.

On this trip, Liu Chicheng carried a large pouch of coins sent to him from White Emperor City. His senior brother said to open it when he needed money and handle it as he saw fit.

The pouch seemed to be a magic treasure; Liu Chicheng couldn't tell the type of immortal coins by weight.

But since it was a gift from his senior brother, even if it were Grain Rain coins, Snow Flower coins, or even common copper coins, Liu Chicheng wouldn't spend a single one. He had to enshrine them!

Each one was his senior brother's sentiment.

After all, Liu Chicheng was far from poor. Needing money? How could he, the master of the Glazed Tile Pavilion, be short of money? For instance, during the recent Confucian Temple meeting in the Central Earth, Fiery Dragon True Person had proactively mentioned he had a batch of excellent glazed tiles, hard-won and perilously obtained—it was truly thrilling... Hearing this, Liu Chicheng's heart pounded even harder. This Fiery Dragon True Person, whom his senior brother said "it's surprising he didn't reach the Fourteen Realm," was recognized as the top figure in Beiju Continent's black and white circles. Was he having a money shortage and coming to milk him?

The old true person asked Liu Chicheng if he was interested in buying. Of course Liu Chicheng's Dao heart was like a water bucket going up and down—half worried, half happy. But on the surface, he had to feign ecstasy. He gritted his teeth and decided to buy. How could he not? The glazed tiles used by the Glazed Tile Pavilion were different from those down the mountain. If even one piece appeared, Liu Chicheng would never miss it.

"Pavilion Master Liu, a hundred pieces of glazed tiles—that's a lot. The price won't be cheap."

"No problem. I'll take as many as you have. If I'm short, I'll borrow from others."

"Just for the sake of Lord Zheng's face, I'll give you a cost price, Pavilion Master Liu?"

Liu Chicheng asked the old true person to name a price. After hearing it, Liu Chicheng didn't haggle; he paid directly, a clean transaction.

Seeing the old true person's pained expression and regret, Pavilion Master Liu knew he had gotten a good deal and the old true person had undersold.

In the end, Liu Chicheng spent one thousand five hundred Grain Rain coins to buy a hundred pieces of ancient, qi-laden green glazed tiles from Fiery Dragon True Person.

A little money—a drizzle that wouldn't even strain the wealthy Pavilion Master Liu.

At the time, Liu Chicheng admired the old true person greatly. He was truly honest and had done his senior brother a favor!

After the Confucian Temple meeting ended, before Fiery Dragon True Person went on a long journey, he wrote a letter to Liu Chicheng. The old true person said he could overcome all difficulties and get twenty more pieces.

Liu Chicheng immediately replied, sending five hundred Grain Rain coins, stating that the senior couldn't suffer a loss again. These twenty pieces were worth that much!

In fact, these one hundred and twenty glazed tiles originally came from Chen Ping'an selling them to Fiery Dragon True Person in the Dragon Palace Cave Heaven. The old true person seemed to have spent six hundred Grain Rain coins back then?

Such a "cost price only" from a case of con artist eating con artist?

Liu Chicheng was anxious inside, unsure if he could still visit Fallen Mountain as a guest.

In truth, Liu Chicheng was overthinking. Even if he didn't seek out Mountain Lord Chen, Chen Ping'an would come to him.

Earlier, beyond the heavens, when Zheng Juzhong lent Chen Ping'an some coins, the vessel used to hold the essence gold coins was an ancient inkstone without inscription, a type of "Sun and Moon Wall" copying-hand inkstone, with pillar holes carved on the back arranged according to the twenty-eight constellations.

A sable-hatted girl appeared out of nowhere at this immortal inn whose owner was surnamed Dong. She lay on the roof, lifting a few tiles like uncovering a roof, lowered her head, and said to the man in pink Dao robes inside, "I'm Xie Gou, the secondary guest elder of Fallen Mountain. Our mountain lord asked me to tell you to come up the mountain for a drink. Bring along those good friends you chanced upon and hit it off with."

Liu Chicheng stood up and cupped his fists upward. "I sincerely thank the Daoist friend for informing me. I, Liu, will definitely bring friends to visit Fallen Mountain in the near future."

The other party had appeared on the roof without being noticed and had silently removed those tiles. It meant that if she wished, she could take his head at any time.

So it seemed the Jade Pu realm was no longer impressive, especially in this hidden-dragon-crouching-tiger place of Chuzhou.

The sable-hatted girl smiled and nodded, glanced at the money pouch on the table, then replaced the tiles neatly.

Liu Chicheng immediately understood: to go up the mountain for a drink as a guest, he had to pay!

Walking along the road, Chen Ping'an asked his ear informant with a smile, "Old cook, and Liu Xianyang and Gu Can, none of them have returned yet?"

It was fine if Zhu Lian hadn't returned—what else could he be doing besides visiting the old flame's former confidante? Chen Ping'an didn't want to see it.

He was just afraid Liu Xianyang couldn't control Gu Can.

Little Millet laughed heartily. "None of them are back yet. Old cook said he wanted to go get a few scoldings and beatings—some nonsense words. Liu the Sleepyhead swore to Nuan Shu and me that he wouldn't cause any trouble in the Lotus Root Paradise. At the time, there was a young man beside Liu the Sleepyhead. Seeing I was short, he crouched down to talk to me. Ha, he was quite tall but had a good temper. He told me a few secrets in his mind: he said if I ever go to White Emperor City to leap the waterfall and try the dragon gate, he would open the door for me. He could even make the waterfall of the Yellow River Cave Heaven flow backwards for me, so I wouldn't even need to leap—he'd send me straight to the dragon gate. Whoa, for such a young guy to have a big mouth, I pretended to take him seriously. Of course, I was genuinely happy. He crouched there and blinked, laughing just as happily."

Chen Ping'an laughed. "Is that so."