Chapter 1132: Why Seek the Mountain, Ask the Spring Wind

Chapter 1132: Why Seek the Mountain, Ask the Spring Wind

The youth who resembled a white cloud returned to the parasol tree ferry boat. Seeing the marten-hatted maiden crouching by the ladder at the bow, Cui Dongshan smiled and asked, "Is Vice Chief Xie squatting over a latrine or ambushing me?"

Xie Gou was too lazy to stand up. Reaching up to cover her mouth, she asked, "Sect Leader Cui, can you really point that Qingmi fellow toward a path of Dao integration? You weren't fooling him?"

Cui Dongshan crouched down beside her. "Ai," he sighed. "Our family's tradition is to treat others with sincerity. When I say it's fifty-fifty, that means half and half. No cheating."

Cui Dongshan grumbled and fussed, shaking his sleeves. "I'm a sect leader now. My face is more valuable than gold."

Xie Gou was skeptical. Cui Dongshan, as if suddenly realizing something, looked utterly horrified. "How does Vice Chief Xie know about such secret matters? Don't tell me you also saw the time Senior Brother Qingmi and I, thinking no one was around, watered the wall side by side in that little alley? I'm still an innocent young man! If word of this gets out, how will I ever show my face again..."

Xie Gou grinned, showing her teeth. "It's not like you were taking a dump. What's there to see?"

Cui Dongshan sucked in a cold breath. Truly, one must view a person with new eyes after three days apart. Vice Chief Xie's conversational skills had skyrocketed after just a few days of cultivation at Fallen Mountain.

Pei Qian was strolling on the deck. "It's just a matter of success or failure. Half and half, that's all."

Xie Gou looked bewildered. "Huh? You can play it like that?"

Had she been cultivating at a counterfeit Fallen Mountain? Oh, right, she remembered Zheng Dafeng saying that Sect Leader Cui now belonged to the Green Ping Sword Sect. Water spilled—no longer family.

Pei Qian said, "It's not entirely deception. Since Senior Qingmi didn't catch the hidden meaning in Fiery Dragon True Person's words, Little Senior Brother had to give him a hand."

Cui Dongshan extended both hands, giving a thumbs-up. "No one knows me better than Big Senior Sister!"

Xie Gou's expression remained unchanged. "Huh? Huh?"

Pei Qian had to patiently explain: "Senior Qingmi is the type of Flying Ascension realm cultivator whose spirit has already fallen. He's completely given up on the fourteenth realm, believing his talent and fortune can't compare to those forcefully ascending. Actually, this state of mind is what truly pushed his ascension path to a dead end. If that White Goose said 'Feng Xuetao, you're this and that,' Feng Xuetao might not believe him. That's why the White Goose said 'your Dao heart is sufficiently resilient,' which was actually a double entendre. So the White Goose used a... expedient method. In short, he needed Feng Xuetao to first raise his spirits again, to have hope. Even if it's still remote, the Feng Xuetao of yesterday and the Feng Xuetao of tomorrow will become very different. In a sense, Feng Xuetao had already stepped onto the path of Dao integration at that moment. Additionally, the White Goose knows many things and can cross-reference Dao techniques, which is certainly beneficial."

Xie Gou suddenly understood. "I've learned, I've learned. You can really play it like that?"

Cui Dongshan clasped his hands behind his head and chuckled softly. "After the heavy rain, integration certainly becomes much easier. But the fourteenth realm, after all, isn't like yellow mud clods or cabbages by the roadside."

Xie Gou looked distressed. "Breaking through is really hard. It's truly worrying."

Cui Dongshan smiled faintly. "So when I just said Feng Xuetao might achieve integration, Vice Chief Xie immediately developed murderous intent toward Senior Qingmi. I'm not wrong, am I?"

Xie Gou frankly admitted this. "It's instinct. What can I do? But I can control it."

Pei Qian laughed. "That's already very good."

Cui Dongshan chimed in, "Right. Our Vice Chief Xie has such excellent cultivation talent. She learns everything easily, and the harder it is, the faster she learns. It's just that when it comes to tempering the Dao heart, there's still some room for improvement. As an observer, I'm anxious, scratching my head and ears. I'm truly envious."

Xie Gou directly asked Pei Qian, "Isn't 'White Goose' an insult?"

After spending time at Fallen Mountain, she'd discovered that certain phrases had a strange infectiousness, easy to learn and addictive. For instance, the nickname "White Goose."

Pei Qian said, "Whether it's cold mockery veiled in sarcasm, or subtle insinuations, or saying the opposite of what one means, it's hard to tell."

Cui Dongshan said helplessly, "Heaven and earth be my witness! Don't wrong a good man!"

Xie Gou waved her hand dismissively. "No matter. I'll just take it as a compliment!"

Cui Dongshan clasped his hands behind his back and paced a few circles on the spot, making faces. "Shouldn't the entire Green Leaf Continent, both mountain and below, hope that Sect Leader Jiang of the Jade Gui Sect would one day achieve integration? Doesn't everyone in Vase Prefecture owe me a fourteenth realm? Shouldn't all the Qi refiners of the entire Barbaric Wilderness not want my Master to enter the fourteenth realm? Heh, none of these seem to be the case. Isn't that strange?"

Xie Gou thought for a moment, frowning. "What are you on about? None of my business."

Cui Dongshan immediately imitated Little Rice's "oh-wah, oh-wah."

Pei Qian rolled her eyes. Two childish ghosts.

Xie Gou swaggered away. Pei Qian was about to return to her room to practice boxing when Cui Dongshan called out "Big Senior Sister" and then hesitated, as if wanting to speak but stopping.

Pei Qian stopped walking and asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Cui Dongshan smiled. "Do you prefer the old Little Black Charcoal or the current Pei Qian?"

Pei Qian was silent for a moment, then said, "I really don't like that ignorant, foolish version of myself from before."

Cui Dongshan said softly, "Anyway, both Master and I often think of the old Little Black Charcoal."

Pei Qian laughed. "Did Master tell you that himself?"

Cui Dongshan shook his head. "He didn't have to."

Regarding Pei Qian's growth, it seemed Master was both gratified and saddened by it.

Probably because Master, who loved and was good at reasoning, found this kind of feeling simply unreasonable, so he could only remain silent.

It was like when a child is hopping and skipping one moment, and in the blink of an eye, has become a grown young lady.

After some polite and conventional conversation, Chen Ping'an returned to the ferry and walked toward them, smiling as he asked, "What are you all chatting about?"

They spoke almost simultaneously.

The student said, "Big Senior Sister wanted to secretly drink again, but I stopped her."

The disciple said, "That White Goose wasn't talking nicely with Vice Chief Xie."

Chen Ping'an nodded with a smile, saying "very good, very good" as he raised both hands and gave each of them a knock on the head.

Cui Dongshan asked, "Master, are you going back to Fallen Mountain?"

Chen Ping'an said, "First I'll make a trip to Parasol Tree Mountain in Green Same to thank them for giving me several parasol leaves for free. Then I'll stop by Green Tiger Palace to drink with Old True Person Lu. After that, I'll head back and continue cultivating at the Fuyao Slope training ground."

Cui Dongshan said, "Master doesn't actually have to be so patient every time he goes down the mountain."

When it came down to it, wasn't going to Parasol Tree Mountain for the sake of that couple? And wasn't "stopping by" meant to make that master and disciple feel they didn't owe anyone a favor?

"Whether we have a little patience or not might determine the joys and sorrows of many people we encounter. How dare I not have patience? Right?"

Chen Ping'an reached out and pressed down on Cui Dongshan's head, continuing, "It's precisely because I met many patient people along the way that I could become the Chen Ping'an of today."

Pei Qian hummed in agreement.

Cui Dongshan sighed. "Heaven is vast, earth is vast, but Master is the greatest. Everything you say is right."

Chen Ping'an said, "I've finally figured something out."

Sensing danger, Cui Dongshan was about to flee, but Chen Ping'an reached out and pressed his head, saying with a smile, "There's no need to feel guilty about anything. Why run?"

Pei Qian thought for a moment and prepared to leave. Master and Little Senior Brother definitely had serious matters to discuss—major issues.

But Chen Ping'an gestured for Pei Qian not to move. Speaking with his mind, he said to them, "Regarding that earlier question—as long as I don't give an answer for a day, someone will have to keep waiting for an answer, just like you."

Cui Dongshan said gloomily, "This is that old bastard's intention. I only figured it out a few days ago myself."

Chen Ping'an teased, "So Big Senior Brother protecting my path is essentially giving me a talisman of protection. What are you, the student, feeling guilty about?"

The name of this talisman could probably be called "The Answer"—related to right and wrong, to process and result.

On the path of life, Sword Cultivator Chen Ping'an was searching for answers in the process of "drawing the talisman." Cui Dongshan waited patiently, while Zouzi watched from the sidelines.

Cui Dongshan muttered under his breath, "That old bastard doesn't even use grass paper when he takes a shit."

Chen Ping'an laughed angrily. "Don't talk nonsense."

Cui Dongshan asked, "Since there's nothing much going on, how about another round?"

Chen Ping'an said, "I don't mind. My drinking capacity is what it is. What do you say, Pei Qian?"

Pei Qian said, "My drinking capacity is average—can't compare to Master. My drinking manners are second-best too."

Cui Dongshan's eyes widened. "Little Black Charcoal, what do you mean by that? Are you saying I'm last in both categories?"

They returned to the wine table. Chen Ping'an insisted on cooking himself, saying that Feng Xuetao's culinary skills were truly average, not worth mentioning.

Pei Qian sat waiting, her eyes closed in rest, her brow gentle and soft. Cui Dongshan lay sprawled on the table, yawning and clamoring for wine and meat.

During the drinking that night, the student and the disciple surprisingly didn't side with their master and teacher. Instead, Big Senior Sister and Little Senior Brother teamed up to get the one with the best drinking capacity and manners drunk.

It seemed Chen Ping'an told some funny stories about his days as a kiln apprentice. The White Goose said a few embarrassing things about being locked up as a child and forced to study. Little Black Charcoal talked about some fun times from when she was young, wandering around the capital of Southern Garden Kingdom.

Xie Gou felt that since she was now an important official, she needed to be broad-minded and generous. So she wanted to build some rapport with those two native Sword Qi Great Wall sword cultivators. But she was rebuffed. She returned feeling disgruntled, but undeterred, she went back again and tried to reason with the two sword immortals. "These days we're practically family. We've never had any grudges before. There's no reason for our relationship to be so strained..."

The old woman listened to the chatter outside the door and began to drive her away.

The marten-hatted maiden made a funny face, pounded vigorously on the door a few times, then swaggered off. Walking down the corridor, she spat and muttered under her breath, "Uncut Jade realm sword immortal, ptooey ptooey ptooey."

The old man inside, who had been deliberately keeping a stern face, almost burst out laughing. But the old woman's face darkened as she immediately stood up, opened the door, and angrily shouted, "Say that again if you dare!"

But the marten-hatted maiden had long since disappeared without a trace.

The old man thought his relationship with that "maiden" was completely ruined. Unexpectedly, the old woman gently closed the door, returned to her seat, her expression softening as she twitched the corner of her mouth and smiled slightly.

The old man stared straight at the old woman. She suddenly glared and slammed the table. "What are you looking at, you old lecher? Watch your dog eyes!"

The old man was speechless. He only dared to grumble inwardly, "I'm not young anymore. Even if I have no self-awareness, I can still afford a mirror..."

But somehow, the old woman seemed to have heard his thoughts. "Oh, you old fool, you can't afford a mirror?"

The old man winced and left the room. At the corner of the corridor, the marten-hatted maiden grinned and said, "Sword Immortal Xing Cloud, she's got such a bad temper. Why do you like a woman like that?"

The old man said irritably, "Because I want to."

Xie Gou laughed heartily. "Serves you right."

Xing Cloud was somewhat puzzled and couldn't help asking, "Both sides have started fighting, and you're not even helping the Barbaric Wilderness. You came all the way here just to flirt?"

Xie Gou retorted, "Your true form is that of a youth, yet you insist on dressing up as an old man. 'The setting sun is infinitely beautiful'—fun, is it?"

Xing Cloud was furious and about to curse back when Xie Gou began stabbing into his heart with one jab after another. "Old fellow, your mouth is so foul. Did you forget to rinse after eating shit? No wonder Willow Water doesn't like talking to you. Take it easy. Sword Immortal Mi's appearance is far more handsome than yours. What, do you think only men can be attracted to beauty? Can't women like handsome men too? Sword Immortal Mi—now that's easy on the eyes. Besides, he's a genuine sword immortal, not quite the same as your little Uncut Jade realm..."

Xing Cloud was fuming with rage. The marten-hatted maiden leaned against the wall and began picking her nose. "What kind of sword cultivator is this? Cowardly and spineless, swordsmanship is dreadful, and even more timid."

The old woman came over, her face ashen, and shouted furiously, "White Scene, shut your mouth!"

Xie Gou put her hands on her hips and began to put on airs. "How insolent! An ordinary offering from a lower sect dares to be so disrespectful when meeting a vice chief offering from the upper sect? On Fallen Mountain, I'm extremely popular. If you two come there later, be careful not to get yourself into trouble. Don't say I didn't warn you!"

Xing Cloud and Willow Water were both furious, but when faced with this marten-hatted maiden's official tone, they only felt extremely awkward.

Especially since the other party was none other than the legendary Barbaric Wilderness White Scene, who would draw her sword at the slightest disagreement.

Xie Gou backed away down the corridor, as if reminding them with feigned ferocity: "A gentleman uses words, not fists. Let's have a verbal duel, not a physical one. I'm afraid you'll try to swindle money out of me."

The old woman sneered with her mind: "Why don't you challenge her to a sword duel? Back in the day, who was it that swore one day they'd definitely spar with a Flying Ascension realm great demon?"

Xing Cloud said resentfully, "I'd rather just argue with her."

After all, White Scene's collection of unused Dao titles wasn't something others had kindly given her.

He heard that Crimson Concubine, when meeting White Scene, would have to call her "Ancestor" by seniority?

The reason they hadn't really fought was because they both knew in their hearts that the marten-hatted maiden, despite her arsenic-tongue, bore them no ill will.

After Xie Gou left, she walked with her hands clasped behind her back, chin tilted skyward, one shoulder higher than the other, whistling.

One was waiting for the other to express their feelings; the other thought the first clearly understood their feelings.

Just don't say it, keep it all to save for eating. Does spoiled rice taste good?

Sigh, she, as an outsider, would have to play the villain and help them out, break through that paper window.

Her role as Fallen Mountain's vice chief offering was impeccable. She deserved a promotion.

The reason White Scene dared to defy convention and leave the Barbaric Wilderness was to do three things: find Xiao Mo on Fallen Mountain, retrieve the Golden Crow in Vase Prefecture, and incidentally meet Pei Qian.

This time, Xie Gou had left Fallen Mountain for two serious matters as well. First, since Xiao Mo wasn't there, she had to take on the responsibility of protecting the mountain lord. Second, Xie Gou had detected a very familiar ancient aura in the Green Leaf Continent.

But Xie Gou wasn't in a rush to go reminisce with her just yet.

There was one more fresh piece of news. Xie Gou was still hesitating about whether to tell the mountain lord: that old blind man, Brother of the Pool, who had no more earthly pursuits, wanted to ascend to heaven.

Xie Gou remembered asking earlier: "Mountain Lord, do you truly remember those place names, or did you make them up on the spot when writing?"

Chen Ping'an had replied: "I've had a good memory since I was young. Those place names were all roads I've actually walked."

---

The mountain ranges stretched endlessly. Though it was early summer, the main peak was sealed in heavy snow. This was Parasol Tree Mountain, where the ancestral hall was located. Viewed from afar, it looked like a world of silver crystal.

Xie Gou laughed. "This is too beautiful. At first glance, it doesn't even look like a place for demon cultivators to train."

Chen Ping'an was sitting on a rock by a stream, a tributary of a great river, fishing. He'd made the fishing rod from local materials. On this journey, Xie Gou was still following him, but compared to before, the marten-hatted maiden was clearly paying more attention to the unremarkable scenery and local customs. Chen Ping'an teased her, "You're about to become a colleague of a very close friend of mine now."

Xie Gou burst out laughing. "I know, I know. The mustachioed gallant who runs a martial arts school in Immortal Travel County, Big Brother Xu." Chen Ping'an was helpless. Sure enough, her time with Little Millet hadn't been wasted.

Xie Gou crouched beside him, hands cupping her cheeks, and casually asked, "Those five-colored soils that Pure Sun Daoist gave you—when are you planning to refine them?"

Chen Ping'an said, "I'll do it when I get back to Fuyao Slope. No rush. Besides, I haven't even refined the soils from the five mountains of the entire continent that the Great Li court sent earlier."

Xie Gou laughed. "I heard Mountain Lord Tong helped a little?"

Chen Ping'an asked doubtfully, "Even Little Millet knows about this?"

Xie Gou said, "I heard it from Wei Night Travel myself." A rumor was circulating through the various government offices at Pi-yun Mountain, saying that the Western Peak had jacked up prices without any regard for Daoist principles or informing the other divine lords beforehand. This had caused the wind-and-earth departments in charge of the five-colored soils at the other four peaks to have to rush their work. What's more, it was said that even among gods and immortals on the mountain, those who smoked dry tobacco had black hearts.

Chen Ping'an smiled but didn't say anything.

Xie Gou said, "I often sneak over there to relax. It's a breach of etiquette, isn't it? Aren't you going to scold me, Mountain Lord?"

Chen Ping'an smiled faintly. "I'll just pretend I don't know. We'll say you didn't say it, and I didn't hear it."

Xie Gou asked, "Besides the bags of five-colored soil from the great mountains, what other treasures did Pure Sun Daoist give you?"

Chen Ping'an said, "In short, they'll help me reach a point in my path of the five-element life-bound treasures where I won't hit a bottleneck. I've accomplished what a Flying Ascension realm cultivator does while still in the Immortal realm."

Xie Gou praised, "A grand gesture. Lay a good foundation early, and then adding bricks will be twice the work with half the effort."

Chen Ping'an said, "Fiery Dragon True Person warned me not to always pursue killing power. Cultivation is cultivation. If I aim too high and rush, I'll burn my mouth eating hot tofu."

Xie Gou asked, "So Lu Wei being so accommodating is thanks to the old true person's oblique hints? Was the old true person thinking you could help Lu Wei guard his path, get some practice, and then later return the favor by guarding his prized disciple's path?"

Chen Ping'an laughed heartily. "I think that's very possible!"

Xie Gou said, "Little Millet said Mountain Lord met that chivalrous saber-wielder Xu Yuanxia and that clean-handed Daoist Zhang Shanfeng a long time ago?"

Chen Ping'an nodded. "We met when we were all still unknown. We traveled the martial world together. Back then, our adventures were truly down-to-earth—finding joy amidst hardship. Every time we drank, we had to carefully count our coins. It felt like we'd walked very, very far. Not like now, leisurely and carefree. If I want to travel fast, it's a thousand miles' worth of mountains and rivers in an instant. I don't even have to worry about the price of drinks anymore."

Xie Gou sighed emotionally. "To have met confidants in your youth with whom you could be friends for a lifetime—that's truly wonderful. I'm envious."

A few cultivators passed by. Seeing the man and woman fishing by the river, they began to speak carelessly. Though their voices weren't loud, the content was certainly unpleasant—something about a skinny one not having much chew, and the one beside him was surely some kind of grass-eating pervert.

Xie Gou said softly, "Mountain Lord, see how good my temper is now? In the old days, heh, I'd have turned them to ash with a flick of my finger."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "You have a good temper now, and you were very capable before."

Xie Gou imitated that White Goose's gesture of cupping her hands and shaking them. "You flatter me, you flatter me."

Chen Ping'an laughed. "You're learning all sorts of useless things from Sect Leader Cui."

If Chen Ping'an hadn't stopped her, Xie Gou would have worn a wide-sleeved Dharma robe on this trip. She thought it would make her look more impressive when walking.

Chen Ping'an asked curiously, "I've never heard you mention any grudges or romances from your past cultivation years. Whenever I chat with Xiao Mo about it, he's always vague."

Xie Gou said happily, "There's really nothing to talk about. I figured out my cultivation on my own. I walked alone, so I never owed any Daoist any favors in my early years. I don't like complaining or griping. When I occasionally suffered losses, I'd just swallow my teeth and blood. As for those who had reason to resent or hate me—well, they can't complain anymore. Mountain Lord, you know this: the former owners of my dust-collecting Daoist titles are all dead. Among the living earth immortals, those who can't defeat me wouldn't dare resent me—they're afraid I'll come to steal their Dao titles. Those Daoists I can't defeat naturally don't need to resent me either. As for enemies, ha, I have none."

Women of later generations would put on makeup and change clothes when going out. But White Scene, whenever she left her training ground to walk alone in the human world, would simply change her Dao title directly.

Gratitude, resentment, romance—Xie Gou only said three words. She deliberately avoided the first two, leaving only that "romance," which naturally was all given to Xiao Mo.

It was like a love letter with a very long term but very few words.

Xie Gou said suddenly, "Green Same made such a big fuss, and all they got were these inferior goods? Mountain Lord, I hope Fallen Mountain won't be implicated. After all, the reason Parasol Tree Mountain could become a sect was because you helped relay the message to the Confucian Temple. If anything goes wrong, I'll have to go talk some sense into Green Same myself. Don't try to stop me."

Chen Ping'an spoke slowly, "They can be taught. No matter how lazy Green Same's temperament is, he still cherishes his reputation. As long as he's willing to teach, has a bit more patience, and sets stricter rules, it will be a different scene. Let's take it slowly."

Xie Gou pressed, "And if Green Same can't teach them well?"

Chen Ping'an said, "Isn't Grand Vow Academy keeping an eye on things?"

Xie Gou made an "oh" sound.

Although it wasn't the only path to the ancestral mountain, soon another group of cultivators passed by. Among them was a coquettish woman who asked in a sweet voice, "Is that white mountain peak up ahead Parasol Tree Mountain?"

Xie Gou rolled her eyes and shook her head. A flirt asking what she already knew. Just because she had big tits, so what?

Chen Ping'an just stared at the water and said, "No."

Xie Gou couldn't help but laugh.

The female cultivator laughed alluringly, tossed a flirtatious glance at the figure in blue, and slowly performed a curtsey. "Such a witty and handsome young man. Perhaps we'll be fellow disciples someday. Remember to look out for each other."

Chen Ping'an's answer was succinct: "No."

Xie Gou burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.

That group of demon cultivators heading to Parasol Tree Mountain to try their luck found the exchange amusing and laughed heartily as they walked away.

Initially, when the native demon cultivators of Green Leaf Continent heard about this, they thought it was a carefully laid trap by some audacious fool to lure them in.

Later, the Jade Gui Sect and Pu Mountain both confirmed through landscape gazettes that Parasol Tree Mountain was a temple-level immortal residence approved by the Confucian Temple.

But after years of living in fear, the demons remained cautious, adopting a wait-and-see attitude, afraid to approach the parasol tree.

It wasn't until they learned that Old Flood Dragon Cheng Longzhou, the mountain head of Grand Vow Academy, was willing to personally ascend the mountain to congratulate them, that they began to believe in Parasol Tree Mountain somewhat.

The academy also established a rule: demon cultivators were permitted to obtain a special travel permit temporarily issued by the academy from the officially enfeoffed mountain and water spirit mansions of the various countries. They strictly forbade cultivators of any country along the way from stopping them from going to Parasol Tree Mountain. If any dispute arose, the academy would handle it personally.

Only then did they finally feel at ease.

It was a chaotic rush to get there. Everyone was afraid of arriving late, missing out on the hot deal, of there being no seats left in Parasol Tree Mountain's ancestral hall.

Those who'd come recently carried, to varying degrees, a unique barbaric aura of demons. Those of lower realms had a strong fishy smell, and some hadn't even fully succeeded in transforming their forms. Luckily, in this area, when they met on the road, they weren't surprised by each other—in fact, they found it familiar and comforting.

Xie Gou asked curiously, "What was Green Same thinking? Changing his Dao title to Green Jade and claiming to only be in the Uncut Jade realm was one thing. But since he'd chosen to openly establish a sect, why lower his status by pretending to be an Uncut Jade? Isn't that like taking off your pants to fart?"

Chen Ping'an explained, "Green Same is very interested in establishing a sect, but he doesn't have much confidence in handling sect affairs. He's worried that with more registrants over time, they'd get used to having a Flying Ascension realm cultivator as their sect leader. He's afraid of insatiable desires. And since he yearns for that 'inscrutable imperial heart' state, he came up with this gradual, clever method. First, a young Uncut Jade appearing out of nowhere already carries significant weight. As a demon Qi refiner who's also received the Confucian Temple's approval to establish a sect in Green Leaf Continent, outsiders will think there must be something to it—something intriguing. Second, Green Same just needs to wait a century or two, then announce he's going into seclusion. When he successfully emerges as an Immortal, it'll be enough to prove he's a 'young sect leader' with a promising path. Then..."

Xie Gou interrupted, "And then, after another three to five hundred years, Green Same pretends to be a Flying Ascension? No, that's not quite pretending."

After thinking for a moment, Xie Gou asked, "Is this about the principle Jing Qing mentioned—that when dealing with people and affairs, don't start too high?"

Chen Ping'an turned his head to look at the marten-hatted maiden. Was she now learning the principles of human relations from Chen Lingjun?

Xie Gou asked doubtfully, "What's wrong?"

Chen Ping'an turned back to look at the river. Let her be.

Xie Gou continued her previous topic, "But following this process, wouldn't Green Same be exposed in five or six hundred years? He'd still have to be a Flying Ascension sect leader."

Chen Ping'an said, "Who says you can achieve ascension in just one seclusion? Failing once or twice is perfectly normal."

Xie Gou's eyes widened. "Green Same is even worse than taking off your pants to fart—this is basically shitting without even taking off your pants! I get it, I get it. Just how dirty is Green Same's mind to come up with such a vicious scheme? Dammit, I used to think he was a stupid fool who just couldn't catch on. Well, well—he even fooled me! Maybe he deliberately failed to enter the fourteenth realm? Maybe he's already in the fourteenth realm?! No, I have to ask him face to face. If he still won't be honest, if he dares not admit to being in the fourteenth realm, I'll challenge him to a sword duel and force him to reveal his true form..."

Chen Ping'an smiled faintly. "Is it possible you've misunderstood Green Same? Maybe a mastermind pointed this out to him? Of course, I'm just guessing."

Xie Gou hadn't spent her time at Fallen Mountain for nothing. She immediately changed her tune: "A brilliant plan! It must have been a behind-the-scenes mastermind pointing the way!"

Chen Ping'an was momentarily speechless. Damn—she'd learned all the good points of everyone on Fallen Mountain.

Xie Gou suddenly said something contemplative, "When cultivators look at the mortals below the mountain, it seems it's hard for them to see people as people, and hard to see themselves as people either. In short, the former finds it difficult to consider the latter as their own kind."

It was clear that Xie Gou didn't consider Green Same or those demons who'd transformed into human form as her fellows.

Chen Ping'an didn't say anything about this but suddenly advised, "At Fallen Mountain, you don't have to force yourself to speak in a refined, scholarly way. No one treats you as an outsider anyway. If you suddenly start acting like that, it'll be awkward instead."

Xie Gou looked a bit confused. "It's just knowledge coming out naturally—it bubbles up like a spring. When the words reach my lips, I can't hold them back. I don't think it's awkward at all. Don't others find it awkward either? Mountain Lord, is it just my imagination?"

Chen Ping'an was even more helpless. He could only brush it off, saying, "Fine, fine. It's not your imagination."

He put away his fishing rod and empty bamboo basket, returning them to his inch-reaching artifact, and continued on toward the ancestral mountain.

Xie Gou chuckled happily. "Mountain Lord, don't we look like those imperial censors in the opera, traveling incognito to observe the people's condition?"

Except the straw sandals and bamboo staff made it look a bit shabby.

Chen Ping'an said, "As long as you're happy."

Xie Gou glanced at the mountains around them. "So many empty peaks. It feels like the territory is bigger than Fallen Mountain and Green Ping Sword Sect combined. This Green Same is really fond of grandiose projects."

Chen Ping'an smiled and asked, "Why are you always picking on Green Same?"

Xie Gou curled her lip. "A waste of a Flying Ascension realm isn't even worthy of me picking on him."

Chen Ping'an said nothing.

Xie Gou said, "Mountain Lord, same rule as before—treat it as if I never said it and you never heard it."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "I can pretend I didn't hear it, but it's better if you don't say such things."

Some clever soul had set up a temporary shop by the main mountain path, selling various immortal brews purchased in bulk from other ferry ports. By reselling them at slightly higher prices, it was a sure profit—after all, the customers were all here seeking their futures. Perhaps every word and action they made was under the watchful eye of that Sect Leader Green Jade.

The wine shop was packed. Xie Gou picked an empty table in the corner and ordered a catty of loose wine, two catties of braised meat, and several appetizer dishes. The group of cultivators who'd passed by the river earlier happened to be here drinking and chatting. That coquettish woman's eyes lit up, and she was about to strike up a flirty conversation with the man in blue. Xie Gou didn't like that at all. She curled her index and middle fingers, pointing first at herself, then at that slut's eyes.

Xie Gou adjusted her marten-skin hat and muttered quietly, "The price is damn expensive. What a ripoff."

When it came to spending money, Xie Gou wasn't particularly free-spirited. Otherwise, when she first entered the Grand Peace World, she couldn't have gone to set up a stall selling medicinal herbs and mountain goods.

Chen Ping'an didn't say a word.

Xie Gou then remembered that the mountain lord and the shopkeeper were in the same trade—experts at selling wine—and she felt a bit embarrassed. She crossed her arms and closed her eyes to rest.

The wine shop was noisy. Some cultivators had even started playing drinking games. Xie Gou felt their voices might just shake the roof off, but that wasn't a big problem, because Xie Gou had spotted a taciturn young man occupying an entire table by himself, refusing to share it with anyone. On the table lay a long sword in a black sharkskin sheath. The young man was drinking alone, his expression cold and aloof. His attitude was as if a banner had been erected behind him, inscribed with the four big characters: "No One in My Sights."

Xie Gou said with her mind, "Mountain Lord, this sword has some age to it. The forging method is an old technique. I can't quite place it, but it looks familiar."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "It's definitely an old piece. Though this person's realm isn't high, the Dao energy within him is condensed, giving off a flavor of returning to simplicity. If nothing unexpected happens, Green Same should give him an important position."

After drinking, words became increasingly unrestrained. Besides discussing the excavation of the Great River, there were all sorts of hearsay "inside stories" and "truths": Green Secret joining the Jade Gui Sect, Taiping Mountain's Huang Ting going into seclusion, the recent sparring match at Pu Mountain's Cloud Grass Hall. There was also cursing of the Green Leaf Sect for turning coat and siding with the demon scum.

Xie Gou wasn't interested in any of this. The only thing she found amusing happened to be related to her own mountain: some said that this Chen from Vase Prefecture, instead of throwing his weight around back home, was digging a big river in their Green Leaf Continent just to curry favor with the Great Spring Empress, and to conveniently suppress the Green Leaf Sect, with whom he had old grievances, forcing them to completely seal their mountain and never hold their heads up again...

Xie Gou pricked up her ears, only regretting that there weren't more details. Then she found the mountain lord looking at her with a half-smile.

Xie Gou quickly pretended to drink, thanking her lucky stars that Little Millet and the Konghou fellow weren't here—they were Fallen Mountain's two great informants.

Chen Ping'an glanced at the door.

Soon a man and woman walked in. They had the look of a married couple, though the woman, being a pure martial artist, appeared slightly older than the man, who was a cultivator.

The man looked at the tables in the wine shop. About to identify the one with the sword on the table as someone not to be trifled with, he headed for the corner table with two empty seats.

He walked up to Chen Ping'an, cupped his fists, and asked in a clumsy Green Leaf Continent accent, "Daoist friend, mind if we share a table?"

Chen Ping'an, however, replied in pristine Northern Reed Continent dialect, "Of course."

The woman frowned slightly, but the man sat right down, beaming. "I didn't expect to meet a fellow townsman here! Are you here to train too, friend?"

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Just making a living on foot."

Among the drinkers, someone seemed to recognize the couple and started whispering. It turned out there was a female martial artist from out of town who wasn't weak. At the mountain peak realm, she had wanted to spar with Pu Mountain's Huang Yiyun, who was said to have entered the Return to Truth first layer. For some reason, Pu Mountain didn't hold this sparring match behind closed doors—they opened up a Mirror Flower, Water Moon projection, attracting many spectators. But what was most discussed afterward wasn't how brilliantly the two female martial arts grandmasters fought—the outcome was never in doubt anyway—but a rumor that had spread with great detail. Supposedly, sharp-eyed observers had spotted a man in blue among the Pu Mountain spectators, and it was that young Hidden Official Chen from Vase Prefecture. The number of viewers for that Mirror Flower, Water Moon had spiked instantly, and Pu Mountain quickly shut it down.

In truth, Chen Ping'an had been in seclusion at the Fuyao Slope training ground and certainly hadn't gone to Pu Mountain to watch.

A customer in the shop carefully studied the woman and confirmed she was indeed the unknown martial arts grandmaster who had sparred with Ye Yunyun. Someone started talking about the Chen Ping'an who had watched from Pu Mountain, giving his evaluation: "If I were face-to-face with him, I might still show him some respect. But since it was through Mirror Flower, Water Moon, I have to say—he still falls a bit short."

Hearing this "generous" assessment, Xie Gou tried hard to keep a straight face. This fellow had to be a promising talent.

An older, prudent demon cultivator in the shop couldn't hold back any longer. He slammed the table and said sternly, "Enough noise! You're all just running your mouths, oblivious to the danger. Have you no idea what the world is like now? Aren't you afraid that someone will hear you and report it to the academy to curry favor?! That Chen fellow—if he were only backed by Fallen Mountain, that would be one thing. But now there's a subordinate sect right here in Green Leaf Continent. Who knows if there are spies from the Green Ping Sword Sect among us right now? If I say I'm not one of them, would you believe me? If I say I am, would you dare not to believe me?!"

At this, the noisy wine shop fell into dead silence.

Green Same's earlier worry wasn't unfounded—he didn't want Chen Ping'an to reveal his identity when visiting the mountain and make a public spectacle. A person's reputation is like a tree's shadow. If the last Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall truly came to Parasol Tree Mountain territory, regardless of the ostensible reason for his visit, all the native Green Leaf Continent demon cultivators would scatter like birds and beasts. Is a place to live and a sky-high fortune worth more than one's own life and limb? If Chen Ping'an truly had murderous intent, wouldn't the entire Parasol Tree Mountain territory be littered with military merits just waiting to be collected? Parasol Tree Mountain would become a hotpot restaurant, with that Chen sweeping the whole pot away in one go.

Chen Ping'an glanced at the old man. The latter noticed the look and nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Among this roomful of simpletons, this lone man in blue said little and just drank his wine. He looked to be not very old but was still fairly steady.

Xie Gou said with her mind, "Mountain Lord, the old man is praising you inwardly."

No wonder everyone said Mountain Lord had excellent luck with elders.

Chen Ping'an said irritably, "Then why don't you go toast him and thank him on my behalf?"

Chen Ping'an said to the couple with his mind, smiling, "I saw your match on Temper Mountain back then. I never imagined you two would become Dao companions. Congratulations."

Back when Chen Ping'an first traveled through Northern Reed Continent, rogue cultivator Huang Xi and the female martial artist Embroidery had a life-and-death match in the arena.

Two of Chen Ping'an's friends, Liu Jinglong and Huang Guan, had also had a sword duel on Temper Mountain signed with a life-and-death contract.

In fact, the Great Li court had once considered recruiting this Embroidery to complete the twelve Earth Branch members. But in the end, they chose Zhou Haijing, who was more suitable.

Chen Ping'an raised his wine bowl. "Back then on Temper Mountain, Huang the teacher's magical techniques came one after another, tightly linked. Being able to fuse dozens of immortal methods into one furnace was truly eye-opening. At the very least, as I watched from afar, I felt I benefited greatly. Later, on my travels, I often pondered on it. Your esteemed wife's punches flowed like dragons, her momentum magnificent, not falling behind at all. Truly the bearing of a grandmaster. I admire it greatly. Since we happen to meet in a foreign land while drinking, let me toast you both."

Huang Xi laughed heartily. He didn't take the polite words too seriously, but he still filled his bowl and downed it on the spot. The silent Embroidery just raised her bowl and took a small sip.

Setting down his bowl, Huang Xi belched and asked, "Brother, are you traveling through Parasol Tree Mountain, or are you here to pledge allegiance to that Sect Leader Green Jade?"

Chen Ping'an said, "I'll see how things are here first."

Huang Xi nodded. "That's the way to do it. Having your name recorded on the golden jade registry isn't like picking a random inn to rest at. It's no small matter. You need to be careful."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "True enough."

This time it was Huang Xi who raised his bowl. "We're simpatico. Cheers."

Chen Ping'an smiled and clinked bowls with him. "Meeting by chance is fate itself."

Huang Xi drank fast and hard, and soon his face was a bit red. Embroidery was about to advise him, but her man had already started opening his heart to a stranger. "To be honest, I have some connections here at Parasol Tree Mountain. I have a good friend. His realm isn't the highest, but he'll achieve great things in the sword path. Now that Parasol Tree Mountain is recruiting, I believe he can become a front-row member of the ancestral hall. If you two decide to settle here and run into trouble, you can ask for his help. Of course, it would be best if there were no trouble at all."

Embroidery sighed softly. He was always like this, opening his heart to everyone he met. And he always had his reasons: his intuition was very sharp; he could tell at a glance whether someone was worth befriending. But Embroidery didn't stop him this time. Half of it was confidence in her husband's skills and her own martial arts attainments—an Uncut Jade realm cultivator and a mountain peak realm martial artist, traveling through Green Leaf Continent without actively seeking trouble, was enough. The other half was that she thought the marten-hatted maiden, who was just burying her head in the braised meat, occasionally looked up with a dazed expression and flushed cheeks, which was quite cute.

They chatted about all sorts of recent news from Northern Reed Continent. Huang Xi sat cross-legged on the long bench. "From our homeland to here, and let alone Vase Prefecture in between—nowadays, everywhere is talking about that Sword Immortal Chen. My ears have grown calluses from hearing it. Powerful as he certainly is, when you really think about it, he's still that kind of 'arrow-platform' figure."

Upon hearing this, the man in blue seemed to be moved and nodded. "When you're in the martial world, fame is something you can't be without, but you can't have too much of it either. If one's virtue doesn't match their position, if the name doesn't fit the reality, the more empty reputation you have, the more you're like a snowman—you can't withstand the sunlight."

Hearing this, Embroidery felt that even if this man was just spouting platitudes, they were still decent enough.

Huang Xi hesitated for a moment, then wanted to tell his new drinking buddy an inside tip, advising him that if possible, he should pledge allegiance to that "Uncut Jade realm Green Jade Ancestor" and not move elsewhere—because this founder with the Dao title Green Jade had countless connections with Green Leaf Continent's Demon Suppression Tower... But this time, Embroidery didn't indulge her man. Under the table, she stepped on Huang Xi's instep and twisted the toe of her embroidered shoe, warning him not to act recklessly. At the foot of someone's training ground, casually revealing a mountain-topping cultivator's fundamental Dao lineage—did he think paying a few fines in wine could cover that? And what about his friend, who would be cultivating here long-term? If he wasn't concerned for his own safety, wouldn't he at least think of his friend?

Luckily, after hesitating, Huang Xi himself realized this wasn't appropriate and swallowed both his words and his wine back down.

Huang Xi said with his mind to his wife, complaining, "I'm not even drunk! I know what I'm doing."

Embroidery said nothing. Huang Xi became listless. "Let's drink, let's drink."

Embroidery was used to this. The man beside her would always say that when conflicts arose, one must be decisive in killing and must uproot one's enemies, but in daily life, one should still be soft-hearted... This kind of man had a thousand small flaws, but Embroidery still loved him. Thinking this, the taciturn woman's expression softened.

Embroidery noticed the marten-hatted maiden look up and grin at her. Embroidery was taken aback for a moment, then smiled back at the naive-looking girl.

She guessed in her heart: was she the daughter of the man in blue? The two of them didn't look alike.

Huang Xi stood up to take his leave. The man in blue rose as well and said with a smile, "This round of drinks is on me."

Huang Xi was a man of passion, so he took it as casual and easygoing.

Besides, back in Northern Reed Continent, Huang Xi had no small number of Qi refiners who admired him and women who adored him. Embroidery had personally driven away quite a few "flower butterflies" over the years.

Huang Xi smiled and asked, "I can't help myself—let me ask one last question that might spoil the mood. Before you started drinking, those first few words—'benefited greatly,' 'pondered often'—were they real or fake?"

Chen Ping'an smiled faintly. "At the table, say more polite words; away from the table, say fewer insincere ones."

Though it was a non-answer, the response was still vague, but Huang Xi still found it satisfactory. "We both know how to drink."

Embroidery noticed the marten-hatted maiden blink. It seemed she had also held back, but finally couldn't help saying softly, "My dad not only drinks, he also sells wine."

Huang Xi's expression suddenly turned odd. "No wonder he's willing to treat."

Embroidery smiled radiantly. The little girl was so innocent—surely her father wasn't some deep schemer.

The couple walked toward the shop entrance. Unexpectedly, the young swordsman who had been occupying the table alone also stood up, placing his wine money on the table.

The young swordsman sneered, "Teacher Huang has a lot of friends, doesn't he? Goes out drinking and doesn't even have to pay."

Huang Xi said proudly, "I just made a new friend, and he's our fellow townsman! He deeply admires me—it has nothing to do with realm or reputation. He just thinks I have a solid character."

Embroidery didn't call her man out on his bragging. She just reminded him, "Aren't you forgetting something? Someone bought you a drink. Can you really be so ungracious?"

Huang Xi slapped his forehead. He'd just remembered something. Turning his head, he said with his mind, "Oh, right, brother. I was so busy drinking I forgot to ask your name. My apologies, my apologies."

The man in blue, who was settling the bill at the counter, turned his head and smiled faintly. "My traveling alias is Cao Mo. My real name is Chen Ping'an. If nothing unexpected, I'm that 'arrow-platform figure' you mentioned."

Huang Xi was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily. He pointed at Chen Ping'an. "So you've been drinking too—'heaven is vast, earth is vast, but I am the greatest.' That's the spirit! We're exactly the same! Let's have another drink sometime."

Chen Ping'an nodded, his expression cheerful. "No problem."

Xie Gou, with her back to the door, used both hands to press hard against her cheeks. She was afraid she'd burst out laughing.

After leaving the wine shop and starting up the mountain, Huang Xi was silent for a long time before asking curiously, "How are you two so calm about this?"

Embroidery said doubtfully, "Why shouldn't we be?"

It was just a fleeting encounter. Like the time back in Northern Reed Continent when they'd run into an old Daoist who claimed to be the Fiery Dragon True Person of Prostrate Peak—and more than once, at that.

The young swordsman said crossly, "Back at Pu Mountain, during that Mirror Flower, Water Moon, plenty of people mistook me for Chen Ping'an too."

Huang Xi was already sweating profusely. He tugged at his collar and said with a wry smile, "The problem is, you two might not take it seriously, but he really is that him."

Embroidery just shook her head in disbelief.

Huang Xi had no choice but to explain: "I've had a peculiar divine ability since childhood. I can see a certain Dao-transformation aura in others. The higher their cultivation, the fuller their spirit, that aura becomes like a deity's true body or a cultivator's Dharma form. You both know this. At the same time, I can roughly judge the purity or turbidity of a person's energy."

Embroidery asked doubtfully, "Then you should have recognized him as Chen Ping'an from the start. Why did it only hit you after you'd left?"

The young swordsman laughed. "Sis, this is what they call 'talking drunk.' It seems they really did hit it off."

It turned out he was Embroidery's younger brother. In Huang Xi's words, this kid's eyes were on top of his head. He didn't even give a damn about having a brother-in-law as famous as Huang Xi, saying that an Uncut Jade realm sword immortal wasn't qualified to be his teacher. A mere Golden Core realm, and his mouth as big as the sky.

Huang Xi was helpless. He didn't want to waste words on this persistently arrogant brother-in-law. "At first, his aura was extremely light and low, roughly equivalent to a Cave Abode or Observation Sea realm Qi refiner. But when he stood by the counter to answer, suddenly there was a remarkable vision."

Embroidery frowned. "A cultivator's Dharma form taller than Parasol Tree Mountain?"

Huang Xi shook his head. "If it were only that, I wouldn't have lost my composure. The truth was, there was nothing—not a trace, not a bit, completely absent. The last page of that family heirloom ancient text of mine records this mysterious scene. It's called 'A True Person passes by unrecognized; the Dao transforms heaven and earth within arm's reach.'"

Huang Xi had no prior connection with this man. So even if they met and he knew the other was Chen Ping'an, it wouldn't have mattered much to Huang Xi's character. What truly made Huang Xi nervous was the Dao energy on that person.

Huang Xi sat down heavily on the steps.

The young swordsman didn't say a word. He turned and went back down the mountain.

Embroidery asked worriedly, "What are you doing?"

The young swordsman said firmly, "To take him as my master!"

Huang Xi seemed to want to say something but stopped.

Embroidery thought for a moment but didn't stop her brother from... going to the mountain.

Huang Xi asked, "Embroidery, I had no idea Deng Jianping had been thinking of taking Chen Ping'an as his master! Last time we passed through Vase Prefecture, why didn't he go to Fallen Mountain?"

Embroidery said helplessly, "You know Jianping—he never tells me anything."

Huang Xi smiled. "True. As long as that brat says a few extra words to you, you act like it's New Year's."

There was no help for it. He'd chosen a good wife. Now among the three of them, Huang Xi was at the bottom of the totem pole.

Embroidery's real name was Deng Jianqiao. The siblings had become orphans at a very young age and had depended on each other ever since. Actually, Deng Jianqiao also had the aptitude for cultivation initially. She ended up becoming a pure martial artist because, at the beginning of her ascent, she abandoned cultivation halfway, forcibly using pure true qi to scatter the heaven and earth's spiritual energy, damaging many of her acupoints. Many times, when things come to a head, there's no way to have it both ways. The siblings had gone through a bleak period in their youth when heaven didn't answer and earth didn't respond. But Embroidery never mentioned the specifics of this past, and Deng Jianping was even more tight-lipped.

Embroidery said, "I don't know either. When he went out training back then, he returned and went straight into seclusion. When I asked him, he wouldn't say anything. He only said that this trip down the mountain was to 'go to the mountain.'"

After that journey, Deng Jianping had become a different person. Before that, the siblings had finally managed to stabilize their livelihood and their mountain training ground, but Deng Jianping was very lax about cultivation and practicing the sword, wasting his days away. Deng Jianqiao had always felt the most sympathy for this younger brother, so of course she wouldn't say much. Fortunately, after that journey, Deng Jianping began to truly focus on cultivation, and with a good sister who gave him everything he asked for, his sword training progressed rapidly, and his realm climbed quickly. Later, Huang Xi often teased Embroidery: "Thank goodness Jianping has a good foundation; if you kept spoiling him like this, with no rules and letting him have his way, he'd have long become a lawless, tyrannical good-for-nothing."

Embroidery would then smile like a flower and retort, "Well, whose brother do you think he is?"

But on that training journey, Deng Jianping also brought back two children with frostbitten hands, taking them as his personal disciples.

Of course, Huang Xi knew all this after becoming Embroidery's Dao companion. He also knew that the two children came from poor families—their fathers made a living selling charcoal. As for their hometown, they'd mentioned it, but Huang Xi had forgotten the specific name. It was supposedly a small country in the southeast of Northern Reed Continent, a village outside some city. By the time they saw Huang Xi again, they'd already been cultivating on the mountain for some years. The boy had grown into a handsome youth, and the girl into a graceful maiden. But even though they were now cultivators on the mountain, they still liked to talk about childhood things—like riding an oxcart into the city with their father to sell charcoal during market days or at the New Year, exchanging it for money to buy new clothes and shoes. Though their aptitudes were clearly extremely ordinary, their master Deng Jianping still valued them greatly, sparing no expense in rare treasures and materials. Deng Jianping had no intention of taking any more disciples, saying that having one first disciple and one last disciple was enough.

Huang Xi didn't think much of it and didn't ask further. He just assumed that his outwardly cold but inwardly warm brother-in-law, seeing the two children on his long journey, felt a kinship and took pity on them, bringing them back to the mountain.

Embroidery said softly, "Actually, Jianping is quite satisfied with you as a brother-in-law. He's just thin-skinned and doesn't want to say it out loud."

Huang Xi smiled. "I know. A family that eats together doesn't drift apart."

Embroidery said, "Going to take him as a master so rashly—will it work?"

Huang Xi smiled. "I don't know if it'll work. I'm only certain that Jianping went the wrong way. He shouldn't have gone down the mountain to seek a master; he should have gone up the mountain to find one."

Embroidery quickly understood the logic and became worried. "Always so single-minded. Lacks common sense. How will he ever find a wife?"

Huang Xi said, "We don't need to worry about that. This kid has good luck with romance."

Sure enough, the young swordsman returned to the mountain path, his expression gloomy. He sat down beside his sister. Deng Jianping cursed himself for being an idiot. Seeing that green bamboo staff, he should have paid attention.

Huang Xi teased, "Usually a pretty sharp one, aren't you?"

Embroidery elbowed him. This was no time for sarcastic comments.

Deng Jianping didn't mind. He just looked melancholy.

Huang Xi asked, "When you passed by last time, why didn't you go to Fallen Mountain? Did you hear it was sealed off and think you'd be turned away, so you didn't bother?"

Deng Jianping said, "At the time, I felt unworthy. I thought I didn't yet have the right to climb that mountain to see him."

Huang Xi fell silent. Embroidery elbowed him again, signaling him to keep asking. She was curious too.

Huang Xi had no choice but to continue, "Is it because you're a sword cultivator and he's the Hidden Official? Because of his achievements on the Sword Qi Great Wall, which made you hold him in especially high regard?"

Deng Jianping shook his head. "It's not those reasons."

Huang Xi said seriously, "Jianping, then I'm even more curious. You've never been one to admire those with higher realms. Why do you specifically want to take him as your master? If I remember correctly, White Robes even wanted to take you as a disciple, but you refused."

Deng Jianping remained silent.

Some injustices had always been taken for granted—heaven wouldn't care, earth wouldn't care, even the gods and immortals wouldn't care. After I, Deng Jianping, had minor achievements in the sword, I insisted on meddling in these matters, willing to walk the straight path in the footsteps of those before me, even at the cost of my life.

Huang Xi asked, "Since you weren't willing to go to Fallen Mountain in Vase Prefecture, why did you change your mind when you saw him today?"

Deng Jianping got agitated and started cursing. "I'm single-minded, not stupid! Since I can see him, why shouldn't I? Since I can ask to be his disciple face to face, why would I let it pass?!"

Huang Xi and Embroidery exchanged a glance and smiled.

Chen Ping'an was indeed on Parasol Tree Mountain. He saw that Sect Leader Green Jade was inside a library hidden within a cloud cave. Xie Gou clicked her tongue in wonder. So Daoist Green Same was actually a serious scholar, wasn't he?

Inside the mountain of books, Chen Ping'an occasionally pulled out a volume and flipped through it. Green Same watched him like a hawk watching a thief, which made Chen Ping'an a bit uncomfortable. "I'm really just looking, I swear. This has nothing to do with a thief's rule of never leaving empty-handed."

Green Same said, "Then as a guest, do as the host wishes. Let's change places to chat."

Xie Gou began to shake her head and whistle. Keep being so arrogant—I'll clear out your whole collection. Nowadays, I not only like reading, but the mountain lord also praised my landscape travelogue as "simple and unadorned." From his tone, maybe I'll get it published someday.

Chen Ping'an laughed. "There's no such logic as a host telling a guest to do as the host wishes."

Even so, he still put the book back in its place and walked together with Green Same toward the corridor outside the building. Chen Ping'an shared some of his observations and feelings, saying that it was really good for Daoist Green Same to establish his sect here. Those demon cultivators, no matter what they talked about, there was a kind of bright light in their words, on their faces, and in their eyes, in what had originally been a gray and murky world. At the very least, they dared to look forward to tomorrow, regardless of whether tomorrow would bring disappointment.

The library had naturally been sealed with mountain and water restrictions by Green Same. They walked to the railing, and Chen Ping'an asked tentatively, "Want me to introduce two guest elders who can earn their keep?"

Green Same clicked his tongue. "Surely not those two I saw earlier?"

Chen Ping'an was indeed thick-skinned. He smiled heartily. "What a coincidence."

Green Same said indifferently, "Easy enough. Two extra sets of chopsticks and bowls in some office on the mountain."

Green Same asked, "Arranging them like this, Hidden Official, don't you think it's beneath your dignity?"

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Being able to discuss small matters with a big figure—I think that's plenty of dignity for me."

Green Same and Xie Gou said in unison, "Sarcasm?"

Xie Gou was furious—to think of the same thing as Green Same. She wished she could swallow those two words back.

Chen Ping'an took out his dry tobacco pipe and began to puff clouds and mist.

Green Same said, "I've heard the mountain lord is good at naming things. I have a favor to ask."

Xie Gou tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Then you've found the right expert."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Easy to say."

Green Same said, "Parasol Tree Mountain territory has a total of ninety-six peaks, over two hundred large palaces and towers, thirty-nine major ridges suitable for cultivation, eighteen rock caves fit for training, twelve bamboo groves and peach forests, three large rivers, sixteen mountain streams, even more lakes, ponds, and waterfalls. Plus, various cliff inscriptions, stone tablets..."

Chen Ping'an was choked by his tobacco smoke and coughed violently. "Let's talk about this next time. I happen to have something urgent to attend to—I need to go immediately to Clear Mirror Mountain's Green Tiger Palace. I have an appointment."

Green Same said with a chuckle, "What a coincidence."

Chen Ping'an sighed. "Who says it isn't?"

Green Same saw a group of three ascending the mountain together on the ancestral mountain's main divine path. Among them, the young sword cultivator had hastily gone back down the mountain.

On his own territory, a Flying Ascension realm cultivator like Green Same could hear not only the content of words but even cultivators' inner thoughts. But he couldn't be bothered with such things.

The gates of Parasol Tree Mountain were wide open. Whoever you were, whatever your background, whatever your cultivation aptitude—come, go, it didn't matter.

Xie Gou complained, "Daoist Green Same, you're the host. As a guest, I'm just giving a suggestion: don't always talk with such sarcasm. It hurts people's feelings. I might not come again."

Green Same found it a bit strange. When had Sword Cultivator White Scene become so easy to get along with?

Outside the building, clouds gathered and dispersed, much like the meetings and separations of human life.

Green Same was about to say "I won't see you out" when, unexpectedly, Chen Ping'an didn't move. Xie Gou also leaned on the railing, waiting patiently.

On the mountain path, Embroidery said softly, "Jianping, your brother-in-law said when you went down the mountain that that person is likely still on the mountain now. Let's see if we can introduce you to him."

Huang Xi said confidently, "For my brother-in-law's future on the Dao, I, as the brother-in-law, am certainly willing to swallow my pride and say a few good words to that newly acquainted friend to ask for his help."

For some reason, Huang Xi noticed the atmosphere had changed. First, Embroidery fell silent, then Deng Jianping turned slightly to the side and began to stare blankly into space.

Huang Xi was a bit bewildered but still asked with his mind, "Embroidery, did I say something wrong? Should I apologize to Jianping?"

Embroidery, sitting between them, had gentle eyes. She patted his arm lightly. "No. Don't overthink it."

Then Huang Xi was even more startled. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Deng Jianping, that kid, had his face scrunched up, mouth open, his face covered in tears, but he never cried out—or maybe he couldn't.

Embroidery tried several times to speak but didn't know how to comfort her brother. Her eyes reddened, and she began to choke up herself. Maybe it was heartache, maybe grievance. Who knows.

Deng Jianping took a deep breath. Without wiping his tear-streaked face, he said in a trembling voice, "Sis, I let you down when we were kids. Even after you killed those beasts and took me to live a stable life, I still deliberately refused to cultivate properly. Because it seemed like every time my realm rose a little, it proved I was even more of a worthless piece of shit. Later, I learned a bit of swordsmanship and thought I could cut ties with the past. But then, in a place called Suijia City, I ran away again. At the time, I saw those two children on the street and felt close to them, like I was looking at ourselves. Then those two kids, kept in the dark, were still standing by that oxcart, just looking at me. I abandoned them. The heavenly tribulation was about to fall on my head, and I escaped alone. What was wrong with that? It seems like anyone could escape—why couldn't I? But I felt that Deng Jianping, of all people, couldn't. I couldn't lie to myself..."

The young swordsman lightly beat his chest, once, twice. "Sis, my heart aches. For so many years, I've felt that everything I did was wrong. Practicing the sword was wrong. Eating and drinking were wrong. Everything was wrong. Sis, having me as your brother was also wrong. I'm sorry..."

Deng Jianping stopped talking. He seemed both deeply disappointed and enormously relieved. He handed the long sword to his sister.

Deng Jianqiao didn't dare take the sword. She instinctively turned to look at her man. Huang Xi's gaze was firm. He nodded. "Take it and keep it safe for Jianping for now."

The woman took the sword. Through her mind, she choked out, "Huang Xi, what do we do? Why did it turn out like this?"

Huang Xi said softly, "If you never see it, you can hide, you can deceive yourself. Only when you truly come face to face with it do you realize there's no escape. I think this is good. In the long run, it's not a bad thing."

Deng Jianping stood up and went down the mountain first.

On this trip up and down the mountain, the young swordsman walked in front.

Embroidery asked softly, "Is he really okay?"

Huang Xi wiped her tears. "Trust me. He's really okay. Embroidery, when have I ever lied to you?"

Embroidery nodded, but what she said next made Huang Xi both exasperated and heartbroken: "What if we go beg Chen Ping'an? Would he agree? Even if he just took Jianping as an unregistered disciple, that would be fine."

Huang Xi was both frustrated and pained. He had to say, "Taking disciples on the mountain involves Dharma lineage and traditions. It's not child's play."

Embroidery looked at Deng Jianping's dejected back. All kinds of emotions surged within her, and grief arose from the depths. She had never before felt that life was bitter—not until this moment did Deng Jianqiao truly feel the bitterness of existence.

Huang Xi clenched his fists, resting them lightly on his knees. He gazed into the distance. It seemed that all young people, in their youth, believed that if the mountain wouldn't come to them, they could go to the mountain, and that would let them accomplish many things.

He suddenly recalled a verse: "A person walks on the bridge, the bridge moves, the water does not flow."

Perhaps the difficulties and hardships on life's path were like walking on a bridge. After you cross, the bridge remains, making you afraid to look back at the road you came from.

Deng Jianping arrived at the foot of the mountain. It seemed he had collected himself and was about to turn around to call his sister and brother-in-law. Let's go home.

The young man barely managed a forced smile. He was about to call out to them when, in an instant, he was dumbstruck.

There, further up the mountain path, stood a man in blue robes, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his smile warm.

The man asked, "Now that it's come to this, you're not going to take him as your master?"

Deng Jianping hesitated, then nodded. "I won't take him as my master. I just want to personally thank Sword Immortal Chen on behalf of my two disciples."

Chen Ping'an laughed. "Then I'll also thank you."

Deng Jianping was completely confused.

Chen Ping'an said, "Many of the principles I speak, I myself often dare not fully believe. But at least one of those principles—it has been proven true by the current Golden Core realm sword cultivator Deng Jianping."

Deng Jianping asked, "What principle?"

Chen Ping'an smiled. "You're not lacking that principle. You don't need to know."

Deng Jianping was somewhat embarrassed. So even wanting to exchange a few more words with him was difficult?

But Chen Ping'an quickly added, "What you lack is swordsmanship and realm. What you lack is an enlightened master who can both teach principles and impart sword techniques."

Deng Jianping was completely stunned.

A figure in blue robes slowly descended the mountain. The sword immortal's twin sleeves swayed gently as if in a spring breeze.

"Deng Jianping is unwilling to take a master. But Chen Ping'an is willing to take a disciple."