Chapter 1106: Home Amidst These Mountains
Amidst the verdant bamboo groves stood a three-bay house facing a shimmering pond. Spring was warm, grass was lush, sun set and moon rose, and a gentle breeze rippled the glazed surface of the water.
Chen Ping'an took up residence at Fuyao Ridge, nestled between Jise Peak and Tiaoyu Mountain. He recalled his nine talisman avatars, and his mind and spirit were fully restored. He then began secluding himself to heal his injuries, step by step nurturing his physique, re-refining the Night Wandering sword, mending his dharma robe, and personally compiling and revising several boxing manuals, spiritual books, and secret scriptures. A superior sect must have the bearing of a superior sect; it had to have several "lineages of orthodoxy" to pass down.
The breathing and mountain-climbing method taught by old man Yao at the medicine shop, Gu You's Mountain-Shaking Fist, Zheng Dafeng's revised Sword Manual, Chen Ping'an brought in his disciple Pei Qian to compile Cui Cheng's boxing techniques, while also organizing the boxing methods of White Mammy from the Ning Mansion. The secret treasures of the "Martial Treasury" of the White-Haired Boy, the trump cards of the Qingming martial artists, along with the vast wilderness boxing routines recorded in the Summer Retreat Palace, Li Er's unique understanding and analysis of the human body and heaven and earth from a martial artist's perspective, A Liang's eighteen stops of sword qi, Li Xisheng's gift of the authentic alchemy manuscript, and Chen Ping'an's own barely accomplished Thunder Bureau, the secret technique of Cloud Water Body from the immortal Yunmiao of the Nine True Immortal Pavilion, the true meaning of the Thunder Method forcibly taken from the wandering cultivator Feng Xuetao of the Middle Earth Confucian Temple, and so on. Just the various booklets Chen Ping'an had categorized filled forty or fifty volumes on the table, not to mention a large stack of loose manuscripts piled two feet high. All those whom Chen Ping'an had ever fought or stolen techniques from were recorded in detail here.
Moreover, to a certain extent, Chen Ping'an's "self" was literally a "miscellaneous book," containing the half-fist of the eleventh-tier martial artist handed down by the First Ancestor of the Military Clan, and the sword qi dismantled from his battle with the sword master Pei Min at the Heavenly Palace Temple in the rain outside the Great Spring Mirage City.
According to Chen Ping'an's preliminary plan, the orthodox lineage of Fallen Mountain would generally be divided into four main lines: sword technique, boxing method, talisman arts, and artifact refinement, while also encompassing Thunder Method, Qi Observation, formations, and so on.
Earlier, in the Lotus Root Blessed Land's Grand Wood Temple, Chen Ping'an had actually conducted an unconventional teaching session, imparting a rough sequence of cultivation.
The reasoning was simple: if you want to teach and enlighten others, you must first have the Way yourself and be reasonable first, so as not to mislead students.
Pei Qian was the only witness to this, utterly amazed, almost dropping her jaw. But Chen Ping'an didn't let Pei Qian see too much content beyond boxing.
Chen Ping'an smiled and said he planned to fuse the strengths of a hundred schools into one furnace, ultimately compiling the most authentic boxing manual. The threshold for martial artists to learn boxing was very low, but the mountaintop was very high, progressing layer by layer with almost no wrong paths.
However, he told Pei Qian to take this boast with a grain of salt, lest he talk big too early and then fail to compile it, becoming a laughingstock.
Chen Ping'an specially set up two "Cloud Nest" formations for Little Rice, who loved patrolling the mountain, between Jise Peak and Fuyao Ridge, functioning like ground-contracting talismans, making it easier for Little Rice to visit.
Chen Lingjun naturally wanted to join in the fun but found he couldn't even enter the cloud nest. The mountain lord was a bit partial, but since he favored Little Rice, Chen Lingjun didn't feel wronged.
The Minister of Personnel Cao Gengxin, who was responsible for escorting the sixteen people here, along with the sword cultivator Yuan Huajing and one of the Four Grandmasters of the Martial Review, Zhou Haijing, each had their private requests. Drunkard Cao said he had a mountain friend who wanted to ask Mountain Lord Chen for two copies of the Hundred Sword Immortal Seal Compendium and the Two Hundred Sword Immortal Seal Compendium. Chen Ping'an said he didn't even have them, so where could he find them? Unexpectedly, Minister Cao came prepared, immediately pulling two exquisite seal compendiums from his sleeve—ones that some bookshop had secretly printed. They were so good... obviously fake. Chen Ping'an didn't bother about the authenticity of the compendiums but just asked, "This friend of yours, male or female?"
Cao Gengxin swore it was a robust man, and Chen Ping'an immediately understood and unhesitatingly rewarded him with two words: "No deal."
Cao Gengxin had to tell the truth, saying it was a woman from a wealthy family from Chi'er Street, but like Guan Yiran, she had been a military mage with the Great Li Iron Cavalry for many years. She was also his childhood friend; they used to sell books together to make money when young. Chen Ping'an glanced at Cao's other sleeve. Cao Gengxin smiled awkwardly, saying he wouldn't dare take out this landscape travelogue even if beaten to death. No matter how good their relationship, no matter how childhood sweethearts, it still wasn't a life-and-death friendship. He only did it reluctantly to placate her, just making a show. Getting back two seal compendiums with Chen Mountain Lord's book-collection seal would be enough to make her happy and keep a smile for several years.
Chen Ping'an placed the two seal compendiums on the table, saying, "Let's discuss business first; I'll send the compendiums to you later." Zhou Haijing grumbled inwardly: See? And he says he doesn't put on airs? Last time in the Great Li capital, she didn't see Mr. Chen being so haughty. It seems whether one is a national teacher or not does make a difference. Cao Gengxin was more worried that Mountain Lord Chen might just pocket the two compendiums.
Yuan Huajing said he wanted to borrow a vassal mountain peak from Fallen Mountain, preferably the Sword Worship Platform, because he might soon go into seclusion to attempt a breakthrough. All expenses would be covered, even doubled.
Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "No problem. Before Sword Immortal Yuan goes into seclusion, he can just consult with our new guest elder, Gan Tang."
Although Yuan Huajing didn't know who this person was, since Chen Ping'an dared to say so, he must be a more genuine senior sword immortal than the so-called "Sword Immortal Yuan."
Zhou Haijing glanced at Pei Qian, who had been silently sitting in the corner. She had been curiously sizing up this young woman with no aura, and the latter had occasionally glanced back.
Seeing that Pei Qian didn't match the legendary Zheng Qingming at all—remember, in the Great Li auxiliary capital Luojing, there was a saying: "Fight with Zheng Qian, three moves and it's over"—how come Pei Qian, on her own turf, seemed like a proper lady? Although Zhou Haijing was puzzled, she didn't conceal her thoughts and said she wanted to spar a few moves with Grandmaster Pei.
Chen Ping'an smiled and advised, "Better wait until Grandmaster Zhou reaches the Limit Realm."
Zhou Haijing said that a Mountain Summit martial artist asking for a boxing match with a Vigorous Qi Limit Realm martial artist was just right—losing wouldn't be shameful.
Pei Qian actually had no intention of sparring. If she hit too hard, it would harm the harmony; after all, the other party was a guest of Fallen Mountain. If she hit lightly, the other might not appreciate it and think the famous teacher didn't produce a good student—no big deal—but she was afraid it would be misunderstood as her master's teaching skills being inadequate.
Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "It's just a spar between fellow martial artists. Don't be too competitive, but don't take it too lightly either."
Pei Qian nodded, stood up, said "I concede in advance," and left the house first. Zhou Haijing's eyes lit up. Learning boxing? Only you, Chen Ping'an, know how? I'm not bad either!
Not only did Cao Gengxin want to watch the boxing, but Yuan Huajing also took his leave. Chen Ping'an then had his hands free, opened the two seal compendiums on the table, thought for a moment, and picked up his brush to write.
When they came down the mountain, Zhou Haijing was grimacing, rubbing her chest, still shaken.
In fact, Pei Qian was quite fair. Before the fight, she used sound-condensation secret technique to say she would suppress her realm to Mountain Summit.
The fight lasted about ten rounds, with Zhou Haijing seemingly on the offensive, hitting Pei Qian with no chance to fight back, only to have Pei Qian suddenly use both elbows in a straight line, as fast as thunder, defending while attacking, like forcing open a door. The elbows slammed into Zhou Haijing with a bang, sending her flying back dozens of feet, crashing heavily to the ground. Zhou Haijing slapped the ground, twisted her body, and instantly shifted sideways more than ten steps. She barely managed to steady herself, but before she could see clearly, Pei Qian's lifting elbow hit her face...
Pei Qian went to the house, got the seal compendiums from her master, and handed them to Cao Gengxin. She hesitated and then said to Zhou Haijing, "I'm sorry for the offense."
Zhou Haijing couldn't muster polite words at the moment and just nodded silently.
Cao Gengxin realized there was an extra seal compendium. What a wonderful man, Mountain Lord Chen! Buying a fake book just the same. Cao Gengxin laughed heartily, "Ha! There's a bonus! Profit, profit!"
Chen Ping'an had indeed written an inscription in his own hand, the ink still fragrant: "Fame and fortune are like snakes in wine; they enter the belly but not the heart. For Brother Cao to keep."
Yuan Huajing didn't have the talisman swords crafted by the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, so he couldn't ride the wind and had to walk to the Sword Worship Platform. After bidding farewell to Cao Gengxin, the nominal new leader of the Great Li Earthly Branches, Yuan Huajing didn't use teleportation but strolled slowly toward the Sword Worship Platform. Zhou Haijing raised her chin, signaling to open the other two compendiums to see if Chen Ping'an had written anything or just stamped his book-collection seal perfunctorily. But Cao Gengxin put the compendiums into his sleeve, saying they'd look later once they boarded the ship at Niujiao Ferry.
On the Great Li military ship heading north, Cao Gengxin took off his red-lacquered gourd, pulled out the stopper, took a gulp of wine, and then pulled the seal compendiums from his sleeve. On the flyleaf of each compendium was a different inscription with different seals.
One read: "Armor leaves the vermilion gate, fighting across a million miles, halting the horse by the willow. Envy you, in a cup of wine, seeing flowers bloom daily, feasting in peace."
The Hundred Sword Immortal Seal Compendium was stamped with five characters: "Mountain guest hard to be sword immortal."
The other read: "Together to hold back heaven's fall, not yielding to women."
The Two Hundred Sword Immortal Seal Compendium was stamped with seven characters: "Great Li National Teacher Chen Ping'an."
Zhou Haijing suppressed herself for a long time before saying, "Pity I can't beat Ning Yao."
Cao Gengxin laughed heartily, drank some wine, and said, "Emotions are irresistible, lingering feelings hard to settle. We infatuated fools, when facing them, it's like enemy camp with thousands of troops charging, raising a banner with the word 'love,' breaking through both the brow and heart defenses. There's no way to dodge, and we are utterly defeated, abandoning armor and scattering."
Zhou Haijing glanced at him sideways. Can't he understand human speech, this fool?
But that fool instantly understood in his heart: There's hope!
Not long after Cao Gengxin's military ship left Niujiao Ferry, another cross-continent ship named "Dragon Snake Trail" arrived. It came from the Middle Earth Continent, huge but not flashy. If the ship hadn't proactively notified and reported to Deity Lord Tong before crossing the sea and approaching the Western March territory, the Great Li court might not have even known of its existence. After entering the Western March and then transferring to the Northern March jurisdiction, the "Dragon Snake Trail" seemed to vanish into thin air.
The passengers on the ship were not many, coming from five sects but belonging to one family. The founding patriarch was none other than the talisman master Yu Xuan.
Stepping off the ship were men and women, old and young, all dressed in Daoist robes. The leader was the Daoist Heavenly Lord Xue Zhisui, Dao name "Night Watch."
Also present were Wang Tingzhi, Daoist Ding, Tian Gong, Xiang Tong, Bai Feng, and others, over a dozen people. When they saw Yu Xuan, they called him master, grandmaster, or supreme patriarch.
This trip from the Middle Earth Continent to Bottle Gourd Continent had two purposes—one overt, one covert. Openly, they were delivering a thousand gold essence copper coins. Covertly, Yu Xuan had personally instructed his direct disciple Xue Zhisui to select a few of the most proud and arrogant from each sect to bring along to Fallen Mountain, so they could see what a truly intelligent person was like.
The one receiving guests at the ferry this time was not Chen Ping'an, who was still in seclusion, but Fallen Mountain's Discipline Elder Changming and Spring Treasury's Wei Wenlong, along with Pei Qian.
The Middle Earth guests were settled in private residences within Fallen Mountain.
There were many interesting stories at the mountain peaks of the Haoran World. It was said that when Yu Xuan was young, perhaps having suffered from sword cultivators before, he would prepare hundreds of Sword-Sealing Talismans before every journey down the mountain.
Later, when he attained ascension, he would still pull his direct disciples aside before they went out for training and ask if they needed a stack of Sword-Sealing Talismans—he still had plenty left.
Hearing that Mountain Lord Chen was in seclusion, these Daoists didn't mind at all. For cultivation Daoists, secluding for days, months, or even years was perfectly normal.
Heavenly Lord Xue's last seclusion had lasted forty years, and that wasn't even for breaking through a realm—just to test three talismans.
Moreover, the master had clearly told him before this trip: regardless of how long it took, stay as long as you can at Fellow Daoist Chen's Fallen Mountain. If any are willing to stay there for long-term cultivation, even better.
When they reached the mountain gate archway, the White-Haired Boy recorded their names according to protocol. The gatekeeper, Immortal Wei, seeing these ethereal orthodox Daoists, felt somewhat inferior.
In this prefecture, green hills were like books often stacked in disorder. Mountains high enough to match the sky, deep enough to hide spirits. The guests went for a morning walk together. Mountain mist rose, enveloping them, sending cool breezes under their armpits, making them feel as if they had ascended to immortality. On the path, they suddenly encountered two young lads, one in green and one in black, both bright and fresh.
Chen Lingjun, accompanying Little Rice on patrol, clasped his hands behind his head and swayed, "Little Rice, how come you're so happy every day?"
Little Rice lightly patted her cotton satchel, and even though no one was around, she still lowered her voice, "Because I have money."
Sensing movement in the distance, Chen Lingjun warned via heart-to-heart, "Stop talking. Guests are coming. Walk behind me."
Generally, guests who could climb the mountain had guaranteed cultivation and character, but you never know who might scare timid Little Rice.
Besides, even relatives and friends from the market town would say some harsh words behind one's back.
Whether Chen Lingjun was clever or not was hard to say, but if you thought he had no worldly experience, then his book "Collection of Passersby" was written in vain?
Little Rice nodded vigorously and tiptoed behind Jingqing.
"That Sword Immortal Chen is so young. Could he be a deified person?"
"Uncle Ding, can we Daoists truly overcome inner demons with forceful attacks?"
"Why did the Patriarch send us on this trip? Heavenly Lord Xue doesn't say a word. Are we just to waste time every day? The mountain scenery is good, but after one or two walks, there's nothing new."
The group of guests walking opposite were also chatting, but using several secret talisman techniques to prevent eavesdropping. It wasn't that they suspected Fallen Mountain; they just wanted some freedom with their words. When they drew near, they all stopped, made a Daoist salute to the two youths, and upon learning their identities—the green-clad youth, Dao name Jingqing, a registered cultivator of Fallen Mountain—they found their expressions turning strange.
The strange black-clad little girl, carrying a golden flat pole and holding a green bamboo staff, called herself Zhou Mili. She didn't say anything more about her identity but just gripped the strap of her satchel, unable to hide her nervousness.
Chen Lingjun exchanged pleasantries with them, very appropriately.
These Daoists had impressive backgrounds.
The orthodox ancestral temple was Taofu Mountain, founding patriarch Yu Xuan, with his Daoist temple on Tianjin Peak.
A superior sect, Yuhua Mountain, was purely built from millions of talismans piled together. It was said that a hundred years ago, the count had already reached over nine million, soon to hit ten million.
Three subordinate sects: Feixian Palace, with the reputation of "Supreme Purity," hailed as a gathering place of immortals, with temples everywhere and many true men emerging. Daoists from other sects had been achieving immortality there for generations.
Also, the "Sudden Peak Soaring, Casting Talismans to Open Ten Thousand Mountains" Dou Ran Sect. The former abbot of Jingwei Observatory, Zhao Wenmin of "Pine Snow," had already gone to the Barren Wastes Heaven. And Zhao Wenmin's master, Gou Daoren, was one of Yu Xuan's six direct disciples, renowned in the Middle Earth Continent for his clear-cut love and hate—rewarding kindness, avenging wrongs. When the great war began, Gou Daoren left a message: "Let the younger generation cherish their spirit, preserving this body to bear the universe," and drifted away, eventually dying in battle at the Southern Bodhi Continent battlefield.
The orthodox Taofu Mountain had one of the seventy-two Minor Cave Heavens, the Cloud Dream Cave Heaven. The superior sect Yuhua Mountain held a superior "Tai Geng" blessed land. Feixian Palace and the Dou Ran Sect each held a medium-grade blessed land, "Old Pit" and "Hundred Refinements." No wonder at every Taofu Mountain ancestral hall meeting, Jingwei Observatory always complained of poverty.
The two groups passed each other. When they were far away, Little Rice, who had been holding her breath, finally relaxed, shaking her head, "Ha, they're all quite friendly."
Chen Lingjun chuckled, "Wealth gives one a bold voice; power makes one arrogant. Some temperaments, even if not shown in words, can't be hidden in the eyes and brows."
Little Rice frowned, her thin, pale eyebrows creasing.
Chen Lingjun snorted, "Little Rice, we don't need to worry about that. The mountain lord is at home."
Little Rice scratched her face and murmured, "Jingqing, but I still think they're pretty good."
Chen Lingjun turned sideways and made a face, "If even Guardian Zhou thought they were bad, they wouldn't have made it to Fallen Mountain."
At the Fire God Temple in the Great Li capital, Aunt Feng was rare to send a flying sword letter to Fallen Mountain, asking Chen Ping'an whether he still intended to go to the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land.
Little Rice, on patrol, came to deliver the secret letter with both hands. After reading it, Chen Ping'an had to reply, saying he would strive to travel to the Middle Earth Continent by the end of this year, but couldn't guarantee anything. If extended to mid-next year, it would be fine. Aunt Feng also mentioned in the letter an unverified "palace romance": a certain man from a blessed land, before becoming a Criminal Officer, had once taken refuge in the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land and had an affair with a flower goddess named "Xiang Xiu," which had quite a bit of spice. She asked Chen Ping'an to help verify the truth if he got the chance. Chen Ping'an wasn't interested in that, but he recalled a poignant ancient poem: "Xiang Xiu is content with simplicity; deep heart entrusted to Hao Su."
Wei Bo visited Fuyao Ridge, saying he had just attended the Imperial Study Council meeting. Even the very patient Emperor had subtly hinted at him: when would the Great Li dynasty announce something to the entire continent?
Chen Ping'an said to wait a bit longer, until he figured out how to deal with those mountain and river deities in southern Bottle Gourd Continent whose golden bodies were still suppressed. Wei Bo nodded, saying this matter did need careful handling.
Previously, Old True Man Lu Yong had met Chen Ping'an and, in just a few words, settled Zhao Zhu becoming a guest elder of Fallen Mountain. Sensing Mountain Lord Chen's weakened state, Lu Yong didn't even suggest a small drink and quickly took his leave, only saying that before the next ancestral hall meeting on Jise Peak, he would notify Qinghu Palace and bring Zhao Zhu to Fallen Mountain. Revisiting old times was like drinking wine—the older, the mellow. The old true man didn't even let Chen Ping'an see him to the mountain gate, saying he had already arranged with Daoist Jingqing to visit the Iron Talisman River Water Mansion and meet the new mansion lord Bai Deng. Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded, just saying good.
Three new "Great Way Blood Brothers" had appeared on Fallen Mountain: the dragon seed sword cultivator Bai Deng, Dao name "Restless Lord," now promoted to high water deity of the Iron Talisman River; the Jade Purity Realm Gao Geng, a disciple of the old ascendant Jing Hao from Flowing Xia Continent; and the ghost who once went by the name "Silver Deer" at the Immortal Hairpin City and now changed his name to Zeng Cuo. On Fallen Mountain, the three of them accompanied the green-clad youth in drinking every meal like water, drinking through hardships. Now that they were all rich together, no one dared to mention the word "wine." Gao Geng hadn't returned to Qinggong Mountain in Flowing Xia Continent. His master ordered him to linger here a while longer, build a good relationship with Daoist Jingqing, and ignore the Qinggong Mountain affairs that originally belonged to him. Without Gao Geng, Qinggong Mountain would still be Qinggong Mountain. But if Gao Geng could take root here, that would be a great achievement. Now Zeng Cuo wrote a diary every day, e.g., "Went out today; couldn't guard my heart; spoke several rash words; shameful and hateful."
The Confucian orthodoxy had passed down the torch through the ages. Since ancient times, there had been three pillars: The First Sage created heaven and earth, leading Ritual Sage and the seventy-two worthies of the Confucian Temple, like the rising sun breaking through ignorance—that was the first pillar. The Literary Sage studied heaven and man, like the sun at high noon—the second pillar. The time of the Hidden Official was like the sun shining anew—the third pillar. These three pillars of the orthodoxy were all heavenly days and times; we who study the Way must not be ignorant of them...
This was just a small insight written in a private journal, but somehow the Hidden Official got wind of it. Zeng Cuo, who was sitting smugly at the table, received a solid brick to the back of the head.
Senior Jingqing misled me too much! Didn't he say that his mountain lord disliked flattery the most, except when praising his teacher Old Scholar's vast knowledge and calling him a true scholar, which would surely be meritorious and without fault?
But when Old True Man Lu Yong and the green-clad youth descended from the clouds to the Iron Talisman River, each formed hand seals to part the water, and reached the water mansion entrance, Water Deity Bai Deng and Zeng Cuo, who served as half a strategist for the water mansion, were already waiting there. Entering the residence, passing through corridors, they reached a place specially for entertaining distinguished guests. There, Lu Yong saw Mountain Lord Chen standing by the table with a smile, wine and dishes already set, just waiting for them to sit, pick up chopsticks, and raise glasses.
The old true man was moved in his heart but didn't say anything; it was all in the wine on the table.
Chen Lingjun organized this drinking session for the old true man clearly—main host, secondary hosts, third and fourth hosts—determined to entertain Brother Lu well, not going home until drunk.
Old Deaf and his disciple You Yu met the young Hidden Official and temporarily stayed at the Sword Worship Platform. Here, Old Deaf truly regretted a bit. Not to mention this Dragon Spring Commandery area, even the entire Great Li Chu Prefecture's mountains and rivers were just the size of a palm in Old Deaf's eyes. Although Old Deaf only managed a prison on the Sword Qi Great Wall, that territory was vast and quiet—how could this speck of land compare? Moreover, having left the Sword Qi Great Wall with his disciple, finally escaping the chatter of that White-Haired Boy who wore a green snake, donned a dharma robe, and hung a short sword, they met again in just a few days. The worry was real. He only hoped that the Hidden Official would have a little conscience, help him connect with that "Mr. Xiao Mo" and Senior Bai Jing, learn a few superior sword techniques, so that his time as a regular guest elder here wouldn't be wasted. Later, when they went to Ascension City in the Five Colors Heaven, he could put in a good word for the Hidden Official, speak a few fair words that would clear his conscience.
Arriving at the increasingly remote and small Sword Worship Platform, with its simple thatched hut, Old Deaf didn't find it shabby. You Yu, having heard the Hidden Official's pleasantries with his master, couldn't help asking: Had his master once been a crown prince of a great Barren Wastes dynasty? Had he owned an Eastern Palace Daoist field with ninety thousand winding corridors, where the sun rose in the east and rain fell in the west? Had he led troops in battle, invincible, annexing two hereditary enemy dynasties in just a hundred years? Old Deaf smiled and said that was ancient history from thousands of years ago, not worth mentioning. If there was a place with a bit of style, it wasn't the number of rooms in his former residence, but when the sun was high, tens of thousands of female officials would bring out their dressing mirrors, like a dazzling sun shining on the earth, reflecting back to the sky. But unfortunately, in those youthful, vigorous days, confident in his cultivation talent and sword skills, he didn't know the hidden dangers of being too showy. He had actually been emperor for a few days after inheriting the throne. Looking around, finding all was his own territory, he felt a lack of heroes and wanted to go to the Sword Qi Great Wall to meet a few old sword immortals who could carve words on the wall.
You Yu then asked a question that local Sword Qi Great Wall sword cultivators were very curious about: "Master, which old sword immortal did you lose to back then?"
This question hit Old Deaf's most itchy spot. It turned out to be Gan Tang, Dao name "Dragon Roar," who had once taken the initiative to go alone to the city wall, single-handedly wielding a sword, looking around with pride, ignoring all the sword cultivators, and declaring a one-on-one challenge to the Great Old Sword Immortal.
Down the mountain, young men sought fame, sparing no cost.
At the Sword Worship Platform, besides Guo Zhujiu, who often went out alone, there were also Nalan Yudie and Yao Xiaoyan—two little girls. One acknowledged Discipline Elder Changming as her master, the other bowed to the White-Haired Boy who called himself "Konghou." Their masters weren't actually sword cultivators, but neither master nor disciple saw any problem.
When Yuan Huajing came humbly seeking guidance, Old Deaf answered every question, but sighed inwardly: Only been here a few days, and already I have to start "reciprocating in singing"? Annoying. Indeed, he wasn't attuned to Fallen Mountain's great way.
Xie Gou came to check in with Alliance Leader Guo. The White-Haired Boy, temporarily removed from the register, happened to be here too, laughing with his disciple Yao Xiaoyan, hopping around, comparing heights. One asked his master, "Should I start practicing swords?" The other replied, "What's the rush? You have three life-bound flying swords, you genius. The three sword-refining methods I taught you—learn them slowly and refine them gradually. I guarantee the Hidden Officer won't push you."
Xie Gou shot a look at the White-Haired Boy, and they understood each other instantly.
"Want to go play with Little Rice?"
"She's on patrol! Let's go have fun!"
On the Jise Peak mountain path, a cheerful black-clad little girl and a laughing White-Haired Boy, hands crossed, walked sideways, as if carrying a sedan chair for a sable-hatted girl. Approaching the ancestral hall, a group of Daoists came toward them. The leader, Heavenly Lord Xue of Feixian Palace, seeing this harmonious scene, smiled knowingly, nodded to them, and then actively leaned against the cliff to make way. The Daoists behind him followed suit.
Little Rice mustered courage to thank the Daoists. Heavenly Lord Xue said kindly, "Fellow Daoist, you're welcome."
The sedan-chair-carrying White-Haired Boy pretended to be blind; the sable-hatted girl playing the passenger played dumb. Only Little Rice wanted to tell Jingqing, "See? They're good people."
With some spare time, and having received a thousand gold essence copper coins from Old True Man Yu Xuan, plus the more than two hundred that Yu Shiwu insisted on giving—refusal wasn't allowed—Chen Ping'an began to refine the sword "Well Moon," raising its grade, hoping to achieve the expected one sword transforming into eight hundred thousand swords. If it reached a million, that would be a pleasant surprise.
To be careful, Chen Ping'an thought it over and still had Xie Gou come to help guard the seclusion, while having Old Deaf replace Xie Gou to teach Daoist arts at Tiaoyu Mountain.
Xie Gou thought Chen Ping'an was making a mountain out of a molehill. On this Fallen Mountain, which Bixiao Cave Master had gifted a grand formation, was this necessary?
Xie Gou slapped her sable hat and remembered: It was all her fault for letting slip that her sword technique could sever causal lines, not far behind the Pure Yang Lü Yan...
Lying on the porch floor, hands folded under her head as a pillow, Xie Gou crossed her legs, swinging them one over the other. With Xiao Mo not home, it was just boring, so boring.
Xie Gou also thought of that woman Yang Zhi. She didn't care for her Dao name, but Yang Zhi's life-bound divine ability was not to be underestimated. Yang Zhi had learned it; before ascending, it was a great fortune. But after ascending, the higher Yang Zhi's cultivation, the more useless it became, even possibly hindering her path to enlightenment. Xie Gou was very envious. The reason she wasn't too anxious about merging with the Dao was that she wanted to visit Tongye Continent sometime. Fellow townsman meets fellow townsman, tears in both eyes; I give gifts and you return them; if you dare not return, I'll cut you down... Oh, that rhymed. Her learning had skyrocketed since coming to Fallen Mountain; she was becoming more and more worthy of Xiao Mo.
Suddenly, without warning, from inside the house, Mountain Lord Chen—rarely losing his composure—cursed.
Xie Gou was inside in an instant, simultaneously deploying six or seven sword techniques and Daoist arts. Still, she couldn't find any trace.
Chen Ping'an's face darkened. He put his hand to his neck, still cursing.
Xie Gou thought at first that the mountain lord was playing a trick on her.
But she quickly saw blood oozing between his fingers.
Xie Gou asked gravely, "What happened?"
Chen Ping'an moved his hand away, revealing a bloody wound on his neck, like a gash caused by a wire in the marketplace.
Xie Gou squinted, "Did someone get a hold of your birth date and time, or fragments of your life-bearing porcelain? Also, I can confirm that whoever did this must be a Fourteen Realm cultivator. Unlikely to be that small handful of old ones. There are only a few; if they wanted to act, they would have done so long ago, not waited until now to target you. Those disciples of Yu Xuan? They're in the mountain now, close, but impossible. I've already secretly turned them inside out. Their meager skills definitely don't have this ability. Or is there some Fourteen Realm hiding far away, giving you a vicious sneak attack like this? Chen Ping'an, I'm sorry, but I can sever causality. Tracing back along a causal line, I currently cannot do."
Chen Ping'an shook his head, "No need to apologize. This is a kind of insidious trick from the mountaintops that is hard to guard against. I can only be more vigilant."
Xie Gou hesitated but held back her words. Such unexpected disasters, unwarranted calamities, actually had reasons.
Chen Ping'an understood but said nothing.
This involved the profound and mysterious fate and fortune, related to a new student he had accepted.
Instead, Chen Ping'an smiled, "Good thing. It just shows how strong my new disciple's fortune is."
Xie Gou found it strange. Chen Ping'an wasn't trying to find joy in misery or self-deprecate; he genuinely seemed happy.
Xie Gou said quietly, "That kid is harming you."
Chen Ping'an stood up, radiant, "So I need to protect him even more."
Xie Gou was dumbfounded. What logic is this?
At the same time, Chen Ping'an looked at Xie Gou, who immediately nodded, "I promise I won't tell anyone."
Seeing Chen Ping'an still not entirely satisfied, Xie Gou listlessly added, "Fine, fine, even Xiao Mo is no exception."
Only at this moment did Xie Gou truly understand why Xiao Mo was willing to stay by this man's side.
Both Chen Ping'an and Xiao Mo were strong. The way they looked at this world was the same—both steadfast and gentle.
Chen Ping'an couldn't stand Xie Gou's gaze, so he had to think of a makeshift solution: "Xie Gou, you've been chasing Xiao Mo for ten thousand years. Don't be fickle."
Xie Gou pressed her hands firmly on her sable hat, stomped her feet in anger, "Mountain Lord! When you see any pretty woman, you always look straight ahead, afraid of leaking even a hint of interest, terrified that Ning Yao will settle accounts with you later. But with me, you dare to casually tease and joke, huh?!"
Chen Ping'an couldn't help but laugh, cupped his hands, and shook them slightly as an apology.
Closing the door, he continued refining the sword.
Mi Yu was reluctant to use the Three Mountain Talisman. Since Sect Leader Cui's leave was generous, he wanted to visit the Old Dragon City, so he simply flew across the sea to Bottle Gourd Continent.
A great sword immortal traveling was not slow. But just as he left Tongye Continent's land, he was intercepted halfway. It was Chief Zhou, and he was holding Bai Xuan.
Bai Xuan saw Great Sword Immortal Mi and just nodded. He was only the chief guest elder of the subordinate sect. Mi Yu was used to it; if Bai Xuan hadn't been like that, it would have been strange.
Taking advantage of Pei Qian being busy at the Great River, Bai Xuan wanted to visit Fallen Mountain and see Master Cao. He hit it off with Chief Zhou, who happened to be visiting the Qingping Sword Sect's Mixue Peak, and they set off immediately.
That day, another visitor came to Fallen Mountain. Before the Daoist Immortal Wei could ask, the White-Haired Boy leaped out and asked cheerfully, "Who goes there? State your name!"
The White-Haired Boy was delighted. Our Fallen Mountain was really booming with business and wealth. Here came another golden core.
The handsome man, who looked somewhat spirit-weakened, respectfully cupped his hands, "Lingfei Palace, Wen Zixi. I've come unannounced to humbly request a serious boxing match with Grandmaster Pei."
Wen Zixi hadn't been able to focus his spirit for a long time. If this continued, he estimated his path would be completely cut off. He had no choice but to come. Every time he breathed and meditated, as soon as he closed his eyes, his mind was full of that strange-smiling face that grew more unsettling the more he looked—undoubtedly a sign of inner demon. The ambitious Wen Zixi couldn't take this lightly. He had to grit his teeth and come here properly to ask her to... teach him boxing.
The White-Haired Boy glanced at Daoist Immortal Wei. She was just a registry officer, not responsible for receiving guests. Besides, the visitor was looking for Pei Qian. If he said too much, he might get reported to Alliance Leader Guo by Xie Gou. Immortal Wei didn't know where Pei Qian was either, so they just stared at each other, at a loss. Wen Zixi was even more helpless, so he had the Daoist announce that he would find a place to stay in Huaihuang County and would come to pester until Grandmaster Pei agreed to a spar.
The White-Haired Boy felt a bit regretful. Since this golden core wasn't climbing the mountain, he couldn't record his name.
In Changning County, the capital of Yuxuan Kingdom, the green-dressed woman was bored to death at the Chongyang Temple, which had a prime location near the water. She wanted to go out for a stroll. Why not take a look at Fallen Mountain?
She flew to Red Candle Town, crossed Qidun Mountain, swayed to the mountain gate, sat down at an empty table, and the young Daoist with a wooden hairpin brought her tea.
The green-dressed woman, who had been in a good mood, suddenly turned frosty when she saw a figure. The latter felt even more guilty and wanted to avoid her. "Thirty-six stratagems, the best is to flee." But before he could leave, the green-dressed woman sneered, "Old Sect Leader Jiang, what's the rush? If I remember correctly, you're the chief guest elder here. Don't you entertain guests?"
Jiang Shangzhen was helpless and had to obediently land, forcing a smile, "Long time no see. Meeting suddenly feels like a dream. Your face hasn't changed since we parted. Time has been generous to Madam Xiao."
Bai Xuan and Mi Yu were both curious.
The green-dressed woman, using a disguise, was Xiao Pu, one of the reserve leaders of Cherry Green Garb. Jiang Shangzhen hadn't provoked her; it was just in his early years in Northern Julu Continent, when he was young and ignorant, that he had some misunderstandings with one—no, two—of her close friends. As for this "Madam Xiao," her ancestral home was in an ancient dynasty's Yangzhou in the Middle Earth Continent. Heh, Madam Xiao's face was too delicate to bear tears; Peach Leaf's brows were long and easy to sense sorrow. She had at least ninety wen of appearance and bearing—an assassin? So what if Madam Xiao was a female assassin? What did the young ones know? With that identity, she was even more brilliant—must be ninety-five!
Xiao Pu sneered repeatedly, as if unwilling to spend even a moment with Jiang Shangzhen. She stood up and left directly.
Jiang Shangzhen was puzzled. What was she doing here? Had she already met the mountain lord?
Putting aside these thoughts, Jiang Shangzhen asked with a smile, "Immortal Wei, where's Brother Dafeng?"
Immortal Wei smiled, "He's teaching boxing at Tiaoyu Mountain every day, so he moved there."
Jiang Shangzhen exchanged glances with Immortal Wei, and they nodded at each other, arms around shoulders, heading off together. Whether the gate was guarded or not, the mountain gate was still there.
Mi Yu hiked up the mountain. He wasn't interested in watching mirror flowers and water moon.
Bai Xuan went straight to the Sword Worship Platform. After his arduous journey, he needed to reward himself—first a pot of goji tea, then catch up with Chen Lingjun.
Hands behind his back as if inspecting his territory, Bai Xuan widened his eyes, "Deaf Old Man, slap yourself a few times. Am I dreaming?"
Jiang Shangzhen could watch mirror flowers and water moon. Just the ones involving Zheng Dafeng and Chen Lingjun numbered over fifty. Chief Zhou's family wealth was bottomless.
For instance, this current one featured a heavily made-up fat woman. Jiang Shangzhen called her "Sister Golden Lotus." She adored the Blizzard Temple's Wei Jin, Great Sword Immortal Wei.
Second place was the man known only by his surname, Brother Jiang. Sword Immortal Wei relied on his looks; Brother Jiang relied on his wallet.
Jiang Shangzhen wanted to chat some more ribald talk, but another mirror flower and water moon had started. He quickly threw down a Minor Summer Coin, apologized to Sister Golden Lotus, saying his personal maid had warmed his bedding—Brother Jiang was off.
There was a loose sect called "Overthrow Jiang Sect," whose hometown was Tongye Continent, second hometown Northern Julu Continent, and the sect's own Bottle Gourd Continent—cultivators from all three continents were members.
There was a "Collapsed True Lord" who claimed a blood feud with Jiang Shangzhen. Through diligent attendance, frenzied spending, and a variety of crazy biting tactics, he had finally reached the third-highest position. Two more steps up, and our Vice Chief Jiang would become the sect leader, sitting in the top seat.
When Jiang Shangzhen hurriedly opened this mirror flower and water moon, he heard someone mocking Jiang the Thief as a fancy bolster—drew water with a short rope, couldn't reach far, couldn't cover [a certain part]... Someone was cursing that Jiang the Thief wouldn't earn another coin, would wake up early to collect manure, so hungry he hadn't pooped in three days... Jiang Shangzhen immediately threw down several Minor Summer Coins, shouting cheers, and upon hearing the familiar voice of the Collapsed True Lord, he felt like the backbone and pillar had arrived. In no time, coins were flying just to shout a line praising the Collapsed True Lord, Vice Chief Jiang's brilliance.
A woman serving as the chief guest elder of Overthrow Jiang Sect threw down several Minor Summer Coins at once, her voice fierce, "One day I'll cut off that extra thing in his crotch and soak it in wine."
Elsewhere, a woman saying such a thing would be like losing eight hundred to hurt a thousand—a losing strategy.
But not in Overthrow Jiang Sect. Immediately someone followed suit, throwing coins and cheering. The woman threw another Minor Summer Coin and asked with a smile, "Collapsed True Lord, are you playing the empty city stratagem with me?"
Jiang Shangzhen quickly closed the mirror flower and water moon, silently chanting, I'm not panicking.
After being personally taught boxing by Grandmaster Pei, those who had walked the six-step stake for a full two hours that day were now training even more diligently. When learning boxing from Master Cen, they were filled with awe.
At the back of Fallen Mountain lived two young members of the Shangzhu Kingdom's Cao clan—the youth Cao Yin and the girl Cao Yang, one childhood name Fenghuang, the other Wutong. Cao Yin was a Margin Gazing Realm bottleneck sword cultivator; Cao Yang had just broken through to the Fifth Realm. They had come to Tiaoyu Mountain today to see some friends. Cao Yin had relatives among a pair of twin sisters and a sibling pair. The twin sisters, Ding Yao in cultivation and Ding Tiao in martial arts; the siblings, Wu Shanyi and Wu Longdu, both studied martial arts. Both the Ding and Wu families were in-laws with the Cao clan, though it was a case of marrying up. Marriage alliances among wealthy aristocratic families were common. In the Great Li capital's Yichi Alley and Chi'er Street, there was a tacit understanding that almost no marriages occurred between Shangzhu Kingdom surnames. Occasional exceptions were done quietly, as if trying to skip all the elaborate ceremonies and go straight to the bridal chamber.
Cao Yin wasn't worried about any negative views from Fallen Mountain. Such social niceties in rituals—if deliberately ignored, that would be more inhuman. Besides, he knew well the atmosphere of Fallen Mountain, especially Chen Mountain Lord's breadth of mind and bearing, which had long left the Cao youth in awe. One Cao family motto was "Sincere heart, warm demeanor; gentle spirit, courteous words"—wasn't that describing Mountain Lord Chen?
Master Zheng probably never washed his feet. After teaching boxing, he would sit on a bench, take off his cloth shoes, and pick his toes.
Because they were sure Master Zheng was a true expert with real skill, a few youths were willing to squat nearby and ask boxing questions, each feeling how hard it was to learn boxing.
Zheng Dafeng casually answered a few questions and then suddenly reached out to a youth named Wu Shanyi, "Smell this—sour and spicy flavor? Or sauce aroma?"
Wu Shanyi scrambled away. Behind him, Master Zheng yelled, "Little thief, where are you running? Take this dart!"
Cao Yin chatted with the familiar Mr. Zheng for a while, then exchanged a few words with Wu Shanyi and the others before taking Cao Yang elsewhere.
Zheng Dafeng said to a silent youth beside him, "Boxing is your own. Don't fight for three inches of breath, or you'll whiten your young head."
Chen Lingjun learned that Bai Xuan had returned to Fallen Mountain. He went to the Sword Worship Platform to find Bai Xuan while secretly notifying Pei Qian.
At Fallen Mountain, when it came to seniority by rank, they never lost to anyone. When it came to iron bones and righteousness, the green-clad youth was unmatched.
As for loyalty and devotion... that White-Haired Boy who always called himself "Hidden Officer" also had his skills. As for Bai Xuan, he was still young, a bit short of the mark.
The number one martial artist in the Lotus Root Blessed Land, Grandmaster Zhong Qian, hit it off with Grand Sword Immortal Mi Yu as if they were old friends. Probably heroes cherishing heroes.
Lying in chairs soaking up the sun. When meal time came, they would go to the old cook. Zhong Qian would be picky, then discuss which dishes to cook for the next meal and what wine to drink for the late-night snack.
That evening, on the main path of Jiling Peak, Mi Yu and Jiang Shangzhen each held one of Little Rice's hands while also carrying her golden flat pole and green bamboo staff. Little Rice grinned broadly, laughing, "Flying, flying!" They swayed up the mountain together.
At the mountaintop, some Yuhua Mountain Daoists enjoying the view couldn't help asking, "Is that Sword Immortal Mi?"
Another from the Dou Ran Sect asked, "May I ask if this is Old Sect Leader Jiang of Yurui Sect?"
Mi Yu couldn't be bothered to reply. Being called "Sword Immortal Mi" by his own people, Mi Yu didn't care.
Jiang Shangzhen nodded with a smile. Sword Immortal Mi was from Qingping Sword Sect, but he was Fallen Mountain's chief guest elder. He couldn't be lacking in etiquette in front of outsiders.
Little Rice quickly asked Chief Zhou and Yu Mi to put her down. She then, with precise movements, made a proper Daoist salute to those immortal masters.
The Daoists couldn't help but look at the black-clad little girl a few more times. When she saluted, almost all of them returned the gesture, except for one stern-faced youth who didn't move.
Mi Yu glanced at the youth. Jiang Shangzhen smiled. Neither said anything.
Little Rice paid no attention to such details; she was too busy being happy.
Besides Fuyao Ridge, which served as a temporary Daoist hall, there was a bamboo building on Jiling Peak. Actually, Chen Ping'an had a private residence, but he never lived in it. Whether reading or sleeping, he still chose the ground floor of the bamboo building.
Today, that residence was a bit lively because the mountain lord said he would receive guests here. So Warm Tree was busy in the kitchen, preparing ingredients. The stove was covered with various dishes and condiments. Little Rice held a bamboo blowpipe, sat on a small stool, swaying her head and grinning, familiarizing herself and rehearsing. She was in position, ready to start work at any moment!
The green-clad youth, acting as half the host, occasionally peeked at the divine path mountain road, worried both that his river god brother from the Imperial River might be delayed and, more afraid that the mountain lord, still reading on the ground floor of the bamboo building, would change his mind at the last minute and not come.
Imperial River Water Deity Yu Kan was flattered and had to be extremely vigilant. After all, it was "Water Deity climbs the mountain," and that mountain was called Fallen Mountain.
The day before, Chen Lingjun had sent a letter to the Qingjian Water Mansion, inviting him up the mountain for a drink, setting a time but not specifying the reason.
Today, Yu Kan had changed several outfits—immortal dharma robes, water deity official robes, scholar's attire—but none satisfied him.
Even when summoned to the palace to meet the Emperor of Huangting Kingdom, Yu Kan had never been this nervous.
The Imperial River was one of the main waterways in Huangting Kingdom, second only to the Cold Food River. As the master of Qingjian Mansion, Yu Kan's divine rank in the Great Li Ministry of Rites' Golden Jade Register was Rank Five Deputy.
The White Crane River, having recently annexed the upstream Iron Coupon River, had its water deity, Lady Canna Xiao Luan, also Rank Five Deputy, but still inferior to Yu Kan in heritage.
These water deities qualified to establish mansions were equal in rank to the Five March Mountain Lords of Huangting Kingdom. When they used to go to the Huangting Kingdom palace, it was less an audience and more like visiting neighbors. After all, not just the emperor on the dragon throne, but their fathers and grandfathers lying in the imperial mausoleums—these mountain and river deities had seen who knows how many. What bloody court stories, what hidden palace secrets, hadn't Yu Kan, Xiao Luan, and the others seen or heard?
Yu Kan left the water mansion, activated his life-bound divine art. The river waves rolled fiercely, truly like divine assistance—water pushing waves, waves stacking waves, with thunderous might, waves exploding like snowflakes. At the Imperial River border, a mass of green water vapor rose. Yu Kan concealed his form within, rode the mist far. Approaching the western mountains, he followed the rules, descended, and revealed himself. Because he wore a "Peaceful No Trouble" token issued by the Great Li Ministry of Justice, Yu Kan avoided many checkpoint procedures.
Trembling, he arrived at Dragon Spring Commandery. Obediently, he reported to a gatekeeper Daoist at Fallen Mountain's gate.
Suddenly, from some corner, the White-Haired Boy popped out, claiming to be a noble registry officer, recording the date and name of the visitor to Fallen Mountain.
Yu Kan quickly stated his water mansion's name. The White-Haired Boy recorded it all, concise without too many questions, and said with an air of maturity, "Chen Lingjun already told me and Immortal Wei. You're allowed up the mountain." Yu Kan gritted his teeth, apologized to the registry officer and the gatekeeper with the wooden hairpin and Daoist robe. He shook his sleeve, from which a meticulously carved miniature "General-Pointing Platform" model fell. As it landed, two slender rainbow lights shot out from the jade platform, instantly manifesting two sturdy armored generals, the size of ordinary men. They stood behind their mansion master Yu Kan, one hand on a sword hilt, the other holding a longsword, both holding their breath.
This water deity's battlefield mustering trick stunned the White-Haired Boy, who then burst into laughter. "Great! Two more experts!"
The White-Haired Boy was about to pull out his paper and brush again when Yu Kan hastily explained, "Esteemed immortal, they won't climb the mountain with me. They'll only wait at the foot. I dare not trouble you with extra writing."
Shrimp soldiers, crab generals, and turtle ministers, female ghosts, water nymphs, and pretty palace maids—almost standard for Bottle Gourd Continent water mansion staff.
The general on Yu Kan's left, Huang Jia, led eight hundred Yangcheng Yellow Crab Robe soldiers. The one on his right, Hong Zhou, commanded two thousand "elite" soldiers claiming to be from Xuyi.
"Elite" meant they were masters at urging others to drink and also excellent at drinking—formidable on the banquet table.
Huang Jia and Hong Zhou: one admired Sword Immortal Chen's heroic feat at Zhengyang Mountain, feeling very satisfied; the other respected Mountain Lord Chen's fame spreading beyond the walls—becoming the Hidden Officer of the Sword Qi Great Wall.
They both dreamed of meeting Chen Ping'an in person. So when they heard Mansion Master Yu was visiting Fallen Mountain, the two Imperial River generals—unafraid on the battlefield or at the banquet table—found Yu Kan and, without a word, knelt down, pleading with their mansion master to show mercy and take them along to Fallen Mountain. Yu Kan didn't dare casually agree. The two beloved generals began enumerating the merits they had earned for the Imperial River, the blood they had shed. When it came to the emotional parts, Hong Zhou even stripped off his armor and tore his clothes, revealing a trembling pile of fat, trying hard to find a few scars...
Huang Jia, still kneeling, glanced at his colleague and quickly looked down, suppressing a laugh.
Hong Zhou himself seemed to feel it was inappropriate, pulled at the torn fabric, covering up a little.
Yu Kan, loyal to his friends, gritted his teeth and used a clever method—he employed the mansion's treasure, the General-Pointing Platform, to "smuggle" them here.
After all, they were only going to leave his two trusted generals at the foot of the mountain, let them look at the mountain gate archway, gaze at the towering Fallen Mountain, just to satisfy their eyes.
They themselves understood and never dared to hope to accompany Mansion Master Yu up the mountain for a drink.
The green-clad youth ran down the mountain all the way, overjoyed. Today, he had face. Next time he went to the Imperial River Water Mansion to beg for a few bowls of wine, he wouldn't feel guilty.
He leaped over the mountain gate archway and immediately ran into his Imperial River Water Deity brother and those two simpletons who often drank with him under the table. Chen Lingjun started chattering like firecrackers, "Old Yu, why so early? There's still half an hour."
"Huang Da, same as always, yes, yes, mighty and majestic! Fist stands a man, arm runs a horse! Those 'tendon meats,' I envy you! Hong Er, face glowing red, those little wives finally let you go? Your kidneys are healed? You guys are unfilial! You don't treat your blood-brother as a real brother! How many steps is it from your water mansion to my Fallen Mountain? I've been busy with cultivation in recent years, indeed a bit occupied. But my not having time to visit you—is that a reason for you brothers not to come see me? Huh? Ah?!"
At the foot of Fallen Mountain, Yu Kan had to restrain himself, speaking softly, "Lingjun, Huang Jia and Hong Zhou aren't going up the mountain today. They'll just wait here at the gate. I won't cause you any trouble."
The two water mansion generals were indeed hearty men. They didn't be coy. Each extended a fist-sized palm, and with the green-clad youth, they made some secret gestures—twisting wrists, slapping and hitting—then, without a word, each grabbed one of the youth's shoulders and dragged him to the table. Since there was still time before the mansion master went up for a drink, they could catch up a bit.
Chen Lingjun raised an arm and waved. Immediately, Immortal Wei came over with tea, his expression attentive. That's what you call tacit understanding, style!
The Daoist Immortal Wei suppressed a laugh. For this little thing, Jingqing had made him practice several times yesterday? He was quite good at reading people.
The black-clad little girl ran all the way head-down, legs spinning like cartwheels, rushing down the mountain to report crucial intelligence to Jingqing.
Chen Lingjun blinked. Little Rice nodded emphatically: Absolutely true. The good mountain lord said it himself. If she was lying about the military intelligence, tonight's dinner would be pickled fish!
Chen Lingjun then said to Yu Kan and the others with a smile, "Brothers, let's all go up the mountain for a drink!"
Yu Kan looked incredulous. Hong Zhou and Huang Jia, two rough men, exchanged glances.
They followed Chen Lingjun to a residence and saw a middle-aged man in a blue long gown, with a gentle expression, hands tucked in sleeves, standing at the entrance.
Yu Kan and the others didn't even know how they entered the house.
Chen Lingjun wanted to say something, but the mountain lord just rubbed his head.
Once seated, Chen Ping'an personally made tea and entertained, smiling, "The food and wine will take a while. Let's have tea first."
Yu Kan's face was stiff; he nodded woodenly, "Yes, yes." The two water mansion generals were tense, voices like mosquitoes.
Chen Ping'an smiled, "I heard from Chen Lingjun a long time ago that Mansion Master Yu's dream is to have a sword-nurturing gourd in each hand."
Fallen Mountain actually had two famous people outside the mountain: besides that genius Xiahou Zhan from Zhengyang Mountain, there was the Imperial River Water Deity Yu Kan of Huangting Kingdom.
Last time, during the Northern March mountain and river deity evaluation, the chief examiner, Mountain Lord Wei Bo, had upgraded Imperial River's Qingjian Water Mansion from Grade B Upper to Grade B Lower. Although it was just one step up, the entire despondent water mansion was overjoyed.
The beloved generals kept flattering: this is what they call having someone in the court makes it easy to be an official. Our Mansion Master Yu has people up there!
More than one!
Yu Kan, however, knew the bitterness. Mountain Lord Wei—now Divine Lord Wei—had personally warned him. Not angrily, indeed unnecessary. But Yu Kan had been in the mountain and river officialdom for years; he couldn't miss the implications. So this mountain visit, Mansion Master Yu was treading on thin ice. He was even prepared for the worst possibility—being reprimanded face-to-face by Sword Immortal Chen.
Chen Ping'an handed them cups of tea, and Little Rice immediately served melon seeds.
Chen Ping'an asked with a smile, "Mansion Master Yu, do you have any thoughts on the Great Li court's mountain and river deity assessment system? Today is just casual talk. In my hometown, there's a saying: a good neighbor is like finding a piece of gold. Mansion Master Yu, General Hong, General Huang, no need to be nervous."
Yu Kan took the tea cup with both hands, cautiously glanced at Mountain Lord Chen, and out of the corner of his eye, saw the green-clad youth nodding vigorously at him, as if encouraging him to speak boldly, say everything without reservation.
Yu Kan said tremblingly, "The ten-year evaluation cycle is too stressful. If changed to a sixty-year cycle, we could catch our breath. Besides, ten years is too short for mountain and river deities. Even a compromise of thirty-year evaluation would be good..."
Chen Ping'an nodded, "That makes sense."
The two water mansion generals changed color drastically and almost simultaneously kicked their mansion master under the table.
That was the law set by the suzerain Great Li dynasty itself, by National Teacher Cui himself!
Even if National Teacher Cui was Sword Immortal Chen's senior brother... Mansion Master, you shouldn't have said that.
Chen Ping'an smiled, "Then let's change it to thirty-year evaluations. The entire country's mountain and river deities might have to thank Mansion Master Yu."
Yu Kan and the others were completely dumbfounded.
Of course we know that you, Sword Immortal Chen, have divine swordsmanship, profound background, connections to the heavens... but this matter involves the fundamental national policy of the Great Li dynasty. Not even Northern March Divine Lord Wei could decide it. Even the Emperor of the Song clan would have to weigh it repeatedly, through many Imperial Study Council meetings, before concluding.
Chen Ping'an smiled, "Let's not talk about that."
After tea and a meal—really, not much drinking—Yu Kan and the others didn't dare urge drinking. To be honest, even offering a toast twice was inappropriate.
But after a few drinks, they finally relaxed a bit and no longer felt like sitting on pins and needles. Moreover, Sword Immortal Chen truly had no airs, and it wasn't a forced approachability. Yu Kan and the others were just afraid of this legendary Sword Immortal Chen. They weren't fools. Did they really believe, as Chen Lingjun said, that at Fallen Mountain, once you sit at the table, there were no realms?
Chen Ping'an stood up and saw them to the door with a smile, saying he would visit Qingjian Water Mansion for a big drink sometime, and next time they would definitely drink to their hearts' content.
Warm Tree and Little Rice cleared the dishes. The green-clad youth accompanied the guests to the mountain gate, then flew back. The mountain lord was still in the kitchen helping with the dishes.
Chen Ping'an smiled, "Made some good friends."
Warm Tree, busy, smiled with pursed lips.
Little Rice said, "Good mountain lord, you go be busy. I'll help Sister Warm Tree. Hah, spotless!"
Following the mountain lord out of the residence, the green-clad youth said apologetically, "Lord, you found it annoying, right?"
Chen Ping'an said softly, "If I find this annoying, how can I be a mountain lord? Might as well be a hands-off boss. Besides, no matter how busy I am, I have to support you, don't I?"
Chen Lingjun grinned.
Chen Ping'an stood at the door, smiling, "Everything presses in, a thousand threads, like troops besieging the city. This old man must fight ten thousand alone."
"Huh?"
"Can't rely solely on this effort, but can't lack it either. Dwelling in the mountain, refining Qi, seeking the Way; handling worldly affairs, tempering the heart—both are indispensable cultivation."
"Oh."
A knock on the head made the green-clad youth clutch his head with both hands.
Chen Ping'an laughed angrily, "Go get Little Rice. You go help in the kitchen."
Chen Lingjun swung his sleeves and swaggered back to the kitchen.
Little Rice ran out, looking confused.
Chen Ping'an smiled, "Come, let's entertain guests together. If I don't even show my face, it's really inexcusable."
Little Rice thought for a moment, then was about to take off her beloved cotton satchel, worried it might seem childish and embarrass the good mountain lord.
But Chen Ping'an crouched down and patted his neck.
Little Rice scratched her face and wrapped her arms around the good mountain lord's neck. Chen Ping'an stood up and walked toward several adjacent peaceful residences.
Riding on Chen Ping'an's neck, Little Rice whispered, "When we get to the door, put me down, then you knock."
Chen Ping'an smiled, "Fellow Daoist Yu doesn't think it's necessary."
"Wow, that's a domineering thing to say!"
"Of course, I'm an old hand at this."
The big water monster of Silent Lake, whose home was at Fallen Mountain, rested her hands on Good Man Chen's head.