Chapter 1164: Mortal World Suppression
At the Spirit Resonance City of the Night Voyager Ship, within the private courtyard residence of the acting city lord.
Chen Ping'an had dozed off for a while, unsure how much time had passed. When he opened his eyes, he realized he was already inside the house, sitting on a chair.
Beside him, Pei Qian spoke softly: "Master, you can close your eyes a little longer."
The old scholar sitting across from him stroked his beard and chuckled. "Just rest, it doesn't matter. Stealing a moment of leisure—the sky won't fall."
Over at the Confucian Temple and the Martial Ancestor's sacred ground, things were already in chaos. They all wanted him to return and take charge, but the old scholar simply pretended not to hear, feigning ignorance.
Ning Yao said, "Wu Shuangjiang has already returned to the Green Myriad World. He left two 'Arm's Reach' objects for Cui Dongshan and placed all the compensation he could offer inside. He said that for anything he didn't have on him, Xiao Mo could, after delivering that one sword strike, immediately go to the Green Myriad World. First, head to the Contemplation of Dao Temple of Radiant Moonlight, then have Bixiao accompany Xiao Mo to the Year-End Removal Palace. That way, it would be an open and honest sightseeing trip, and the White Jade Capital wouldn't dare say much. Mr. Zheng is still in the outer courtyard, wanting to exchange a few words with Bai Jing."
Chen Ping'an nodded. Directly across from him sat Jiang She, legs spread wide in a powerful stance. Chen Ping'an tucked his hands into his sleeves, then shifted his body, placing his arm on the armrest. For a moment, he didn't know how to speak to Pei Qian beside him.
Outside the door, in the courtyard, Zheng Juzhong returned the two flying swords, "Upstream" and "Downstream," to Bai Jing and thanked her.
Xie Gou, completely without guard, casually retrieved her lifebound flying sword, not worried at all that Zheng Juzhong might have tampered with it. She grinned and said, "Yo, the grade has improved quite a bit. I should be the one thanking Mr. Zheng. If there's ever another similar opportunity to challenge swords, just give me a shout—I'll lend them out the same way."
Zheng Juzhong smiled faintly. "Courtesy calls for reciprocity."
Xie Gou, feeling sentimental, said, "Back in the day, sparring with fellow swordsmen was the most boring thing. Aside from a worthless Dao name, there was nothing to gain. I've forcibly stripped out multiple lifebound flying swords before, but I could never make them my own. They all ended up smelted into wastes—a waste of time and precious materials. Infuriating. Those discarded swords were at most useful for scaring people. Over time, my reputation soured. Everyone misunderstood that I had seven or eight lifebound flying swords. Ha, all misunderstandings."
Zheng Juzhong had his own insight. "It's still because you haven't made enough attempts."
Xie Gou hummed in agreement and nodded emphatically. "Back then, there were so few Dao companions I could have a proper conversation with. Sword techniques, Daoist methods, cultivation paths—I had to figure it all out on my own. If only I had met Mr. Zheng earlier."
Zheng Juzhong smiled but said nothing.
Xie Gou understood. If they had met earlier, either they would have hit it off, or only one of them would have survived. Given her temper and patience, and Zheng Juzhong's mind, if either developed killing intent, there would be no room for negotiation.
Xie Gou sighed. "That made quite a commotion. Can you tell me the details?"
Zheng Juzhong shook his head. "Saying too much is useless."
As they parted, Zheng Juzhong spoke some cryptic words. "If you grasp the method, writing running script and cursive script can both nourish the spirit."
"But writing small standard script, the more you master it, the more it drains the spirit."
"However, its advantage is suitability for long compositions. Once written, whether placed on a table or hung on a wall, knowledgeable onlookers—the closer they look, the longer they gaze—will be all the more startled."
Xie Gou nodded. "At Fallen Mountain and the Myriad Mountains, I thought of this too, but I just couldn't make up my mind."
She understood Zheng Juzhong's intent. Earlier at Fallen Mountain, when she saw Yu Xuan accepting the purple qi vision granted by the Dao Ancestor, Xie Gou felt uneasy. It wasn't that she begrudged others their good fortune; she was simply frustrated with her own lack of achievement. Ashamed to carry a short sword, only to watch the mountains!
The swordswoman Bai Jing possessed immense talent, incredible opportunities, and an unusually smooth cultivation path. Ten thousand years ago in the mortal world, whether challenging with swords or settling grudges, Bai Jing never needed "long compositions"—everything was like a short sword.
Xie Gou raised her chin slightly and said in a low voice, "Mr. Zheng, aren't you going inside to keep the peace? I'm afraid they might start arguing again, maybe even fight."
Zheng Juzhong shook his head. "I'm useless there. It's not a place for reasoning."
Xie Gou was stunned. "Mr. Zheng, why belittle yourself like that?"
Zheng Juzhong said self-deprecatingly, "I have never truly understood what 'emotion' is. Not in family, love, or friendship."
Xie Gou's eyes showed pity, and she sighed. "That is a bit pitiable."
Zheng Juzhong smiled. "It's fine."
From a distance, Xiao Mo had to remind her, "Don't speak so rudely to Mr. Zheng."
Xie Gou put her hands on her hips and laughed. "Mr. Zheng, did you hear that? I haven't even officially joined his household yet, and Xiao Mo is already trying to control me."
Zheng Juzhong said, "Then let me thank you both on behalf of Palace Master Wu. He earnestly asks that you look after Dao Companion Konghou a little."
Xie Gou waved her hand grandly. "That's unnecessary from Wu Shuangjiang!"
She and Konghou, who served as the music editor, were good sisters—both from the same small mountain peak.
Zheng Juzhong looked at Liu Xianyang, nodding in greeting.
Liu Xianyang beamed brightly and cupped his fist to Gu Can's master.
After Zheng Juzhong left, he waved to the girl in the sable hat. "Doggy, doggy, over here. Our hardworking Chief Zhou has something to ask you."
At their gathering in Spirit Resonance City to exchange information, Liu Xianyang had relayed the explanation from that woman, and Cui Dongshan had shared some insights about the ancient battlefield ruins.
The girl in the sable hat frowned, trotted over to stand beside Xiao Mo, and said, "What is it?"
Jiang Shangzhen's expression was bashful. He rubbed his hands and said, "Cui Sect Leader plans to recommend me as Vice Mountain Lord. What does Second Seat Xie think about that?"
Xie Gou rubbed her sable hat and frowned. "Did Chief Zhou get punched a few times by Jiang She before saying something like that? Is the injury serious? Forget the Vice Mountain Lord position for now—see a doctor first."
Jiang Shangzhen continued his alliance-building, lowering his voice. "Think about it, Miss Xie. If I become Vice Mountain Lord, the Chief Offering position will be vacant. Who will fill it? And the vacant Second Seat seat—who will fill that? For a couple on the same mountain, the Chief and Second Seat would be a perfect match, a divine Dao couple."
Xie Gou propped her chin on her palm, seriously pondering the matter.
Liu Xianyang egged her on from the side. "Doggy, what's so hard about this? Be bold!"
Xie Gou waved her hand dismissively. "Friends are friends, rules are rules. This is internal business of Fallen Mountain—you really have no say."
Xiao Mo's brow was dark with shadow. He spoke through mind transmission: "Cui Sect Leader, the young master has lost so many lifebound objects. Even that imitation White Jade Capital has shattered. If this isn't damage to his Dao foundation, what is? How can it be remedied? That Daoist scripture gifted by Palace Master Wu is good, but it can't quench an immediate thirst."
Cui Dongshan's expression was grim. "I didn't want to say much with Liu Xianyang and Pei Qian present, but the truth is, even the young master's Five Elements lifebound objects were shattered. Within his personal small world, not a single lifebound object survived."
Xiao Mo fumed, "Then why keep Jiang She? Just kill him directly!"
Cui Dongshan felt wronged and helpless. "This was a decision made together by the young master, Zheng Juzhong, and Wu Shuangjiang. Even the young master's wife held back and said nothing. What could I say? Even if I were determined to give my life to remonstrate, it would be useless."
Though Xie Gou couldn't hear their mind transmissions, she sensed Xiao Mo's agitation and quickly interjected, "Xiao Mo, don't be impulsive! Just now Mr. Zheng said that if we really killed Jiang She on the spot and left only his skeleton, our mountain lord would have truly and completely made a losing deal."
Xiao Mo's face darkened. "That Zheng Juzhong isn't even a sword cultivator. I don't want to hear his nonsense. If we don't kill Jiang She and grind his bones to ash, it will be the greatest hindrance to our Dao heart. In the future, when he wields his sword to ascend, there will be hidden dangers. That is the young master's greatest loss."
Xie Gou got angry too, rubbed her sable hat vigorously, and glared. "Stinky Xiao Mo! I'm the one who decides about this!"
Chen Ping'an's mind transmission sounded, "What are you arguing about? I have my own plans. I'll explain in detail later. And Xiao Mo, speak more politely to Doggy."
In addition, each of them heard a separate mental message: "Great Grand Sect Leader Cui, earning new merits again, are you? I'll settle accounts with you later."
"Who are you pulling that sour face for? Apologize to Xie Gou immediately."
"Doggy, be a little understanding toward Xiao Mo. Actually, forget it. Don't understand. He's just asking to be scolded. Go ahead and scold him."
Inside the house.
The atmosphere was strange and heavy.
The seating arrangement was personally set by the old scholar.
On one side sat the old scholar, Jiang She, and Wu Yan.
On the other side were Chen Ping'an, Pei Qian, and Ning Yao.
It was the old scholar who spoke first. "Ping'an, roughly the course of events and the reasons behind them—Daoist Wu Yan has explained the general picture to us."
Chen Ping'an, who had been sitting with his hands in his sleeves, took his hands out as his master spoke. He nodded and looked at Pei Qian. "Whatever decision you make, your master understands and supports it. I will respect your choice."
Pei Qian's face was expressionless. Through gritted teeth, she said, "Then I'll just acknowledge the cheap parents?"
Chen Ping'an said, "Speak from the heart."
Pei Qian lowered her head.
Ning Yao reached out and rubbed Pei Qian's head. "Your master has already won. What is there to worry about?"
Pei Qian was about to speak when Chen Ping'an suddenly said, "Let me decide this. Pei Qian?"
Pei Qian nodded vigorously.
Chen Ping'an asked, "Jiang She?"
Jiang She let out a sigh of relief and smiled. "You decide."
Wu Yan's eyes lit up, not hiding her expression of gratitude.
The old scholar nodded gently. That way, Pei Qian would be the least troubled.
Our lineage of the Literary Sage is, after all, the most protective of its own. Good!
Silence fell over the room.
There really was nothing more to discuss.
The girl in the sable hat swaggered to the door, knocked furtively, and asked, "Mountain Lord, Lady Mountain Lord, are you finished talking? Can I dare to interject a word?"
Ning Yao said nothing. Chen Ping'an put on a stern face and nodded. "We've finished the important matters."
Xie Gou put on a serious expression. "That's good then. See, our Chief Zhou has an immature idea. Before it's brought up at the Purple Mist Peak Ancestral Hall meeting, we should first discuss it internally. That way, when it's formally proposed, we won't have a mess of one opposing, one seconding, another adding support, and yet another saying it needs further discussion—a noisy stalemate that wastes the mountain lord's precious cultivation time."
Jiang She's head ached. Where had Bai Jing learned this way of speaking?
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Then wait until his idea matures."
Jiang Shangzhen grew anxious and quickly stepped up to the threshold. "Mountain Lord, this idea of mine was carefully considered and is a solemn decision!"
Xiao Mo stood beside Xie Gou, gently pressing her head back as she leaned toward him. Liu Xianyang crossed his arms and leaned casually against the doorframe, saying he had to back up Chief Zhou this once. He met Chen Ping'an's gaze and gave him a thumbs-up. Cui Dongshan sat on the threshold, nodding like a chicken pecking rice, raising two fingers together, swearing that Chief Zhou was not lying. Jiang Shangzhen was confident—his promotion was as good as settled. Wu Yan looked at Pei Qian, whose expression had softened. Jiang She didn't dare, or rather held himself back, from looking at the opposite side. The man just gently patted his Dao companion's hand. Ning Yao cupped her chin with one hand, squinting with a smile, as if exchanging mind transmissions with Pei Qian. The old scholar let out a long breath, leaned lazily back in his chair, turned his head, and smiled toward the bright doorway.
—
Only when the old boatman was finally willing to pole his boat away from the sect's territory did the lonely little skiff disappear into the vast, misty blue waves.
Qi Tingji carried a Green Rainbow Blessed Land with him. He was about to set off for Fuyao Continent to personally exchange blessed lands with Liu Tui.
First, he went to the thatched pavilion. Shao Yunyan, Madam Tuoyan, and three disciples were there drinking wine.
Sword Immortal Shao was still not looking at him properly, and Qi Tingji couldn't be bothered to explain. He simply said he needed to go to Tianyao Township immediately, then went down the mountain to find Lu Zhi.
Earlier, Liu Tui had said that Qi Tingji could just take the Hanging Bow Blessed Land directly, without making an extra trip. But Qi Tingji said that matter still needed to be discussed with Lu Zhi, Shao Yunyan, and the others. At parting, Qi Tingji, who had agreed to pass along the message, suggested to Tianyao Township that they might as well start repairing Bixiao Mountain. Liu Tui thought for a moment and made a decision, but couldn't help asking if it wouldn't be overkill and anger the old temple master?
Qi Tingji said no more. Liu Tui gritted his teeth and immediately issued a decree to all Ancestral Hall members: spare no effort in mending the mountain!
Even if the old temple master saw through their intentions—worst case, Bixiao Mountain would still be taken back—they wanted to ensure he received a complete Bixiao Mountain.
The problem was that within the heirloom "Multi-Treasure Pouch," half of the treasures had been either refined into lifebound objects by successive patriarchs or lost in life-or-death battles. This made Liu Tui extremely uneasy. It was a messy account passed down generation after generation to him, the current sect leader. What could he do?
Lu Zhi, along with her newly accepted disciple, was climbing the mountain. She was a bit curious. "Why did you pick that name?"
The young girl smiled brightly. "It's a homophone. 'Cheng' and 'Chen,' 'Sancai' and 'Scatter Wealth.'"
Back then, that person had given her a snake gall stone.
Lu Zhi thought for a moment. "I remember there's a Buddhist parable about the boy Sudhana visiting fifty-three teachers?"
Cheng Sancai nodded. "According to Buddhist scriptures, he traversed a hundred and ten cities and consulted fifty-three wise masters, showing great perseverance and great wisdom."
In ancient times, before the Dragon-Slaying Battle, if it came to treasuries—especially book collections—the Dragon Palace claimed second, and no one dared claim first.
Seeing Qi Tingji walking down the mountain, Cheng Sancai looked a little nervous. She performed a proper bow. "Greetings, Elder Sword Immortal Qi."
There were countless sect leaders in the world, but how many could carve characters on a city wall?
So she felt this title might show more sincerity.
Qi Tingji nodded. "I have a few words with your master. You can wander and look around—no need to be restrained."
Perhaps the title "Elder Sword Immortal" was appropriate enough. Qi Tingji's expression softened, and he added, "Welcome to the Dragon-Tusk Sword Sect. At the next Ancestral Hall meeting, I will personally inscribe your name into the registry. Your apprenticeship ceremony will be held in the Ancestral Hall."
Cheng Sancai showed a grateful expression, but in her heart, she thought Elder Sword Immortal Qi was quite amiable—not the fearsome, murderous reputation she'd heard of.
After the girl left, Lu Zhi remained silent. Qi Tingji was composing his words. Earlier, Qi Tingji had bitterly exclaimed, "How can one treat Dao and life as a joke?" He wasn't referring to Lu Zhi attempting to break through two realms at once during seclusion in order to merge with the Dao and achieve ascension.
He was referring to the fact that Lu Zhi had stripped away a lifebound flying sword even more precious than "Embrace Simplicity" and given it to someone else.
In the whole world, besides Chen Ping'an, who had once served as the Hidden Official, who else could make Lu Zhi act this way?! He had poached several of his offerings and guest elders—and now this kid pulls this stunt?
If Lu Zhi hadn't said at the time that she was in a bad mood too, Qi Tingji might have blurted out another angry remark: "Are you planning to become Dao companions with the Hidden Official Chen? Giving love tokens like some mortal commoner?!"
Even if he would regret it afterward, he'd deal with it then.
Even if Lu Zhi flipped out on the spot, or even in a fit of pique defected to Fallen Mountain, or left the registry to become a rogue immortal on another continent, Qi Tingji would have had to speak his mind... Fortunately, the words had stayed at his lips, and he hadn't spoken them. Now, he felt a lingering fear.
Qi Tingji had thought that since it had already come to this, they could just move on. But seeing Lu Zhi again, he couldn't help grumbling a little.
"For instance, when accepting someone into the sect, or between master and disciple, when granting mountain opportunities, you have to see if the other party can handle it. The flying sword Plow the Dipper—who can refine it? Either a high Daoist master whose Dao aligns with it, or a military great cultivator who often dwells among the dead—only then..."
Qi Tingji felt he had been too long-winded and stopped, surprised to find that Lu Zhi hadn't shown impatience. She just listened.
Puzzled, Qi Tingji smiled teasingly. "In a better mood after taking on a disciple?"
Lu Zhi smiled. "You're the sect leader. A little earnest advice from you is nothing. I may not be as clever as you, but I'm not heartless."
Qi Tingji was speechless.
Lu Zhi explained seriously, "At the time, you were angry. When you heard me say 'you're the sect leader,' you thought I was being sarcastic. But to be honest, when I first chose to settle at the Dragon-Tusk Sword Sect, my reasoning was simple: find a quiet place to take it easy. Better than going to another continent and dealing with endless pointless chatter. But after staying here for a few years, I truly think you're doing a fine job as sect leader."
Qi Tingji sighed. "So that's it. I thought it would take a century for you to feel a sense of belonging here. Looks like I'm indeed a decent sect leader."
Lu Zhi said through mind transmission, "I just remembered something. Lu Chen suggested that you shouldn't rush to merge with the Dao at the fourteenth realm. Of course, if the time truly ripens, you'll go with the flow—the arrow is on the bowstring and must be released. Those are Lu Chen's exact words, verbatim."
Qi Tingji remained composed and smiled. "Take it as a suggestion—don't dismiss it entirely, but don't take it too seriously either."
When it came to sword practice, Qi Tingji had his own plans.
After all, it wasn't as if Qi Tingji had begged that Ascension Realm great demon to lend him its head for carving words on the city wall.
Celestial phenomena kept appearing.
Qi Tingji suddenly looked up toward the skies, straining to see into the distance.
Lu Zhi also wanted to discern more signs. She removed her concealment technique, flicked her wrist, and held the sword "Southern Darkness" in one hand, with "Leisurely Blade" at her waist. A sword manifestation—a "green fish"—circled around her.
The sword light was too dazzling. Qi Tingji squinted for a moment, then had to turn away and stop probing the celestial phenomena.
Lu Zhi barely managed to suppress a laugh.
Qi Tingji's face tightened. After a long silence, he forced out a single line: "As expected of the youngest Hidden Official in the history of the Sword Qi Great Wall."
Lu Zhi burst into laughter.
The young-looking elder sword immortal, with relaxed brows and eyes, also laughed.
—
The bright moon hung in the sky; a cool breeze blew. The mountain was silent in the night. Zheng Dafeng, like a county yamen clerk with a modest official cap but a grand sense of authority, strolled with his hands behind his back to the old cook's residence. Entering the courtyard, he found Zhu Lian still lying on his rattan chair, a palm-leaf fan covering his face, his hands folded on his stomach. Zheng Dafeng pulled a small stool and sat beside the rattan chair. He was a bit puzzled—by now, Zhong Qian and Wen Zixi should have arrived.
The boy in blue came swaggering in, shaking his sleeves. Even before entering the courtyard, he could be heard shouting through the wall: "Old cook, I've pulled off another great exploit! I just coaxed a shrine goddess away from Wei Yeyou. Her Dao name is Meizheng, her given name Zhou Hu. After my tireless persuasion, she finally made up her mind to sever ties with Wei Yeyou and Piyun Mountain. She plans to build a thatched hut and cultivate on the Huaying Peak of our Tiaoyu Mountain. Ha! Don't I deserve a nice late-night snack? Once I've eaten my fill and regained my strength, I'll head to Piyun Mountain first thing tomorrow morning to poach more people."
He swaggered into the courtyard and was startled—Brother Dafeng had arrived even earlier than he had. Truly diligent in reporting for duty.
Zheng Dafeng, with a conflicted expression, asked, "Old cook, they keep teasing you with those old titles from Lotus Flower Blessed Land—'Noble Scion' and 'Jade Lord.' Doesn't that make you angry?"
Zhu Lian smiled. "What's there to be angry about?"
Zheng Dafeng rubbed his stubble with his thumb, puzzled. "That's not right. I get furious. Is it because my cultivation of the mind isn't advanced enough?"
"Brother Dafeng, it has nothing to do with cultivation of the mind. The reason is simple: you're genuinely ugly."
Chen Lingjun raised his hand to block his mouth. "Think about it. If you told Bai Xuan his realm was low—he's only at Dragon Gate realm now—he'd definitely get riled up. But if you say that to me, there's no need to get angry. Isn't that the logic?"
Zheng Dafeng reached out and pushed away the dog-like head. "I'm not handsome—I'm not ugly."
Before leaving for Aiai Continent, Liu Xiang had left a question, one for Zheng Dafeng, for Chen Ping'an, and most of all for Zhu Lian.
"Isn't anyone curious why the martial artist 'housekeeper' Zhu Lian is on the mountain, while the Daoist priest Xianwei is 'keeping the gate' at the foot of the mountain?"
Zheng Dafeng stole a glance at the old cook with the fan covering his face. Forget it. Why spoil the atmosphere with such matters.
Zhong Qian and Wen Zixi appeared at the gate. Chen Lingjun beamed and hurriedly invited them in.
Zhu Lian remained lying still and said grumpily, "There's steamed sponge cake in the steamer, and crab roe soup dumplings. Fix your own dipping sauce. That's all. Take it or leave it. If you don't want it, get lost."
Zhong Qian frowned. "That's not right."
Had Xiao Mili's intelligence been faulty?
According to a certain menu record, tonight's late-night main course was supposed to be a big bowl of oil-splashed noodles, with several side dishes: crispy pickled cucumbers, wild garlic stir-fried in chili sauce... He had even brought two jugs of Shaoxing wine. Could it be that Xiao Mili had reported false information? Or was old cook slacking off?
Zheng Dafeng rarely admired anyone, but he had to count Zhong Qian, who even now had a toothpick dangling from his mouth.
This martial artist from Lotus Flower Blessed Land had become the ringleader of the "late-night snack faction" at Fallen Mountain, capable of commanding everyone's loyalty. They followed him wholeheartedly, and their stomachs reaped the rewards.
Zheng Dafeng and the others had no choice but to go to the kitchen to find food themselves.
A little girl in black clothes was taking a solitary stroll, humming a little tune she had made up, heading toward old cook's place.
Tonight's late-night battle must end in victory.
"Slept until I was full, rooster crowed once, opened my blurry eyes, lost to the quilt, went back to sleep, sun three poles high, did a carp flip, shouldered a golden carrying pole, took my mountain-walking staff, slung my cloth bag, went out to eat, walked slowly, happily, patrolling and patrolling, sun went down, moon flew up, a happy little immortal. Ask me who I am—the Great Water Monster of Mute Lake, the Right Protector of Fallen Mountain..."
She reached the gate, peeked timidly, scouted the situation, quickly ran to the other side of the door to hide for a while. No ambush. With a hop, she entered the courtyard. "Old cook, is the enemy's late-night snack force strong tonight?"
Zhu Lian had already put on his mask of disguise. He stood up, placed his palm-leaf fan on the rattan chair, and smiled. "The enemy force is quite strong. Wait a moment—I'll go to the kitchen and lure them onto the table."
It was only then that Xiao Mili noticed over by the kitchen, Jing Qing and a few others were munching on sponge cake. When they saw her, they all looked overjoyed.
She scratched her head. "Old cook, Sister Nuan Shu will be here soon too."
Zhu Lian was already tying on an apron. He turned his head to glare at those rascals to clear out of the way, then said to Xiao Mili with a smile, "Good. Then I'll have to show off some of my best skills."
The Daoist at the foot of the mountain, suppressing the mortal world?
Just then, at the gate, a young Daoist priest with a wooden hairpin came running. He bent over, panting, then raised his head and lifted his arm, laughing. "Better early than late! Count me in for tonight's late-night snack."