Chapter 1182: Assuming Office and Taking Over

Chapter 1182: Assuming Office and Taking Over

Just as winter had set in across the Multicolored Heaven, a heavy goose-feather snow began to fall in the vast, desolate northern territories. The accumulated snow was like jade, turning the world into a crystalline realm.

The mountains, waterways, grass, and trees were all white—truly a world as blank as a sheet of paper.

The cities and towns they had passed along the way were all crudely constructed, and there were few places along the route where the population was dense enough to form a settlement of ten thousand households. Even the immortal sects that had seized advantageous mountain and water locations to establish their schools exuded far more earthy odor than immortal aura. Often, the mountain gate archway was of shoddy workmanship, but the plaque overhead boasted an extremely grandiose name, either "Such-and-Such Sect" or "Such-and-Such School." It was a scene completely different from the Haoran Heaven.

Xie Gou found this immensely amusing. "Good heavens, there aren't even many cultivators in the Middle Five Realms, yet each and every one of them is setting up a school and calling themselves an ancestor."

At that moment, it was the time when the snow was just beginning to melt. They were walking along a river that had just started to break its ice, their boots crunching loudly in the thick snow. They passed a rural village by the water. A group of children, shivering like quails, were squatting by the river holding fishing rods. The small bamboo baskets at their waists were still empty of any catch. Not far away, women with chapped hands full of frostbite were washing clothes by the river. A band of woodcutters, returning from the mountains together, carried two large bags of charcoal suspended from bent carrying poles.

They were headed for the capital of the Heavenly Fish Dynasty. Chen Ping'an said he needed to find an acquaintance there, while Qi Tingji suggested they take in more of the snowy scenery along the way. Xie Gou, of course, welcomed this idea. The landscape travelogue she was writing—she felt she had already polished the prose to perfection. If only she could make it a bit longer! Tsk!

Chen Ping'an bent down, scooped up a handful of snow, and packed it into a tight snowball. After passing the village, in a place with no one around, the sable-capped girl, whose cheeks were flushed red, started rolling a snowball the size of a small hill. She was overjoyed, shouting "Wow!" at the top of her lungs.

Throughout the journey, it was mostly Xie Gou who was chattering away. Qi Tingji found it hard to connect her with "the sword cultivator Bai Jing."

In his letter, Chen Ping'an had already explained one matter to Qi Tingji: the Azure Firmament Cave Lord had already spoken, granting Azure Firmament Mountain and the Treasure Fall Shoal to Liu Tui's Tian Yao Township. However, Liu Tui must not use the banner of the Observing Dao Temple to swindle people outside; otherwise, he would be forced to repay everything with interest.

Qi Tingji laughed. "When Liu Tui heard this earth-shattering news, he was overjoyed. He immediately sent back a flying sword message, and his handwriting was so sloppy that you could tell how excited he was when he wrote it."

"He said that he would definitely visit Falling Mountain in the near future, to come to the door in person and thank the Hidden Official. In his letter, he also asked me about the Hidden Official's preferences, so he could prepare a gift. Naturally, I had to put in a good word for the Hidden Official. I told Liu Tui that Mountain Lord Chen was the most upright and pure, bearing righteousness on his shoulders, and not particularly fond of the stench of money. I suggested that he could visit the mountain empty-handed."

"As for when Liu Tui will actually arrive at Falling Mountain, I don't know."

Xie Gou gave the snowball a mighty shove, sending it rolling toward a mountain peak, climbing halfway up the slope before it came to a stop. She clapped her hands, thoroughly satisfied with having personally created a "immortal trace" worthy of being recorded in a book of marvels. Grinning, she said, "Old Sword Immortal Qi, you really understand our mountain lord."

Chen Ping'an explained, "A favor this great can't be settled with just one or two magic treasures. Going empty-handed is best; that way, the debt can remain outstanding. Right now, Tian Yao Township is still in the stage of rebuilding the sect, especially repairing Azure Firmament Mountain. The expenses are enormous, and they're certainly stretched thin in every area. I estimate that, at most, Liu Tui will grit his teeth and offer up a single half-immortal weapon?"

Xie Gou thought it over for a moment and felt that this made sense. Then she started complaining that Old Sword Immortal Qi was being underhanded. "All good intentions, and yet you have to put such a twist on it."

Qi Tingji lifted his chin slightly. "That's the style your mountain lord has fostered."

"Liu Tui has a rather mediocre reputation among the mountain sects of the three western provinces. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he's known for his gloomy temperament and vindictiveness. But once you become his friend, he's very loyal—the type who sides with his friends rather than with reason. I believe that Falling Mountain needs one or two such mountain allies."

"As for who is the number one figure on Fuyang Continent, it's still the old Ascension cultivator Yang Qian'gu. In the early years, even before Liu Tui had fallen in realm, he admitted he wasn't a match for Yang Qian'gu. But when it comes to sect strength, not to mention the current Rear Mountain, even before Yang Qian'gu went to the Merit Forest, Rear Mountain was still no match for Tian Yao Township."

Hearing this, Xie Gou said, "I heard that if Old Sword Immortal Qi hadn't saved Liu Tui on the battlefield, he would have ended up hanging on the wall being fed incense. For that alone, Liu Tui is not half bad. Otherwise, our mountain lord wouldn't have nodded and asked Xiao Mo to pass the message to Fellow Daoist Azure Firmament. In a few days, it will be Grain in Ear Day… Mountain Lord, can I say this?"

Chen Ping'an looked around, then tossed his snowball far away, sending it to the mountaintop where the big snowball was resting halfway up. He laughed. "What's there to hide about that?"

Xie Gou said, "On Grain in Ear Day, the mountain lord will officially assume the position of Great Li National Preceptor. It's the natural course of things. The Great Li Dynasty will hold a grand celebration. Previously, Emperor Song He even hinted to Wei Bo that he wanted Falling Mountain to dispatch as many experts as possible to bolster the show, to put on an impressive front and intimidate everyone, to properly set up the posture of a continent's Dao master. The capital will probably be empty of people! At first, the mountain lord felt it was completely unnecessary—just attending the morning court one day and standing in the hall would be enough. But not long ago, he changed his mind. Not only will Falling Mountain send a few strong warriors, but we'll also invite some friends. If Liu Tui happens to be here at the time, he can be counted among them. Let's all join in the grand celebration!"

Qi Tingji asked with a smile, "Your mountain lord has it all figured out. I can't get out of it either, can I?"

Xie Gou, however, continued on her own, "My use of idioms is becoming masterful!"

Chen Ping'an lied with a straight face, "Still a bit short of the realm where both the refined and the vulgar can appreciate it."

Xie Gou nodded. "Mountain Lord has keen insight. I must continue to strive."

Qi Tingji was utterly baffled. Could Bai Jing from ten thousand years ago really have had this kind of personality?

Unable to resist, he teased, "Second Seat Xie, if you just wrote down all your experiences and observations from the ancient years, it would be a unique book in itself."

Xie Gou sighed, waving her hand dismissively. "Old Sword Immortal Qi, you don't understand the market. If I wrote it truthfully, which bookshop would dare to print and sell it? The authorities would surely arrest me, mistaking me for some murderous bandit from the mountains and swamps—who else could write such a vivid, authentic account of the martial world?"

Qi Tingji was speechless.

Chen Ping'an laughed heartily.

On what could roughly be called an official road, there was a wheelbarrow carrying coal into the city. Near the county seat, there was a stall selling used clothes. A few beggars in tatters were eyeing the old but thick cotton coats while soaking up the free sunlight.

In a carriage leaving the city sat a scion of an official family, his face expressionless. These days, donkeys and mules were scarce; being able to ride a horse was a sign of great wealth and nobility.

Qi Tingji felt a pang of emotion. A brand-new world, this blank-paper world.

Back by the river, a crucian carp had finally taken the bait and was thrown into the bamboo fish basket.

Qi Tingji also understood the young Hidden Official's intentions. Coming to the Heavenly Fish Dynasty to find someone and discuss matters was real, but letting him see more of the customs and people of the Multicolored Heaven was an obvious arrangement. The two words "fame" and "profit" were the best bait, and the long life path on the mountains was also tempting. Throughout the ages, how many people could resist biting the hook?

This county seat, located in the imperial domain of the Heavenly Fish Dynasty, had no city walls. A river ran through the city. They entered the city and saw a high platform of blue bricks. It served both as the local waterworks office and a stage. Below it, there were holes that served as passageways. Today happened to be a temple fair. Colorful awnings were set up, and the crowd was thick and bustling again. The office had hired several dozen agile and vigorous men to perform somersaults, rope jumps, table flips, pole climbs, and tricks like spitting wine and breathing fire, entertaining the spirits. There were also several dozen sturdy women, some wearing linen clothes and masks, pretending to be ox-headed and horse-faced demons, others heavily made-up with bright colors, dressed as yakshas and rakshasas. The stage props were changed accordingly, setting up a mountain of swords and a tree of blades, grinding saws, and oil cauldrons—a veritable picture of hell. Two people, with satchels slung diagonally, nimbly climbed to the tops of two bamboo poles and hung up two long strings of white paper lanterns. Then, suddenly, they scattered paper money down to the audience, which flew like snowflakes. The onlookers outside the stage felt uneasy, their faces pale as ghosts. They dared not watch too long, yet they were reluctant to leave. A few timid children had already shrunk into their parents' arms, crying loudly. Fortunately, it was a sunny day. If it were night, even the young and strong would be afraid to walk the roads.

It was lively and noisy, and Xie Gou was fascinated.

A scoundrel tried to grope a young woman. Xie Gou pushed through the crowd, reached out, and kicked the man right in the back of the knee. He fell to his knees on the spot and couldn't get up. The young woman heard the commotion and turned to look, only to see the man kneeling there as if kowtowing for New Year's. Then she spotted the sable-capped girl not far away, standing with her hands on her hips. The woman covered her mouth and giggled, her smile like a flower. When she noticed the green-robed middle-aged man and the white-robed youth farther off, she restrained herself, blushed, and turned away to continue watching the show. But in her heart, she wondered which family's handsome young master from the county this was—had he come to the market with an elder?

Qi Tingji's attention was only on the stage. Two black-bottomed, gold-character pennants hung from the bamboo poles, bearing a couplet of great length.

"In the shadowy realm, any pretense of ghosts and gods—look how good and evil follow like shadow and sound, cause and effect. In the end, who can escape? This very life is the place to become a Buddha or an ancestor!"
"In the day and night, you may scheme with all your wits, but know that birth and death change names and transform appearances. When you depart, this heart remains! How can we, in this generation, muddle along in debt?"

Qi Tingji said softly, "Truly, using the stage to expound the Dharma."

Such scenes could never have occurred on the Sword Qi Great Wall. After arriving in the Haoran Heaven, Qi Tingji had immediately rushed to the war-torn Golden Armor Continent. After the war ended, he had gone to South Bodhisattva Continent to found the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect. He had been busy on the mountains these past years and had rarely encountered the flavors of the marketplace.

The stage show ended, and the crowd quickly dispersed. A round-bellied official from the waterworks office, seeing no trouble had broken out, led a group of clerks back to the office. On stage, a robust young man who had earlier climbed the pole to scatter money, and a woman wearing an exorcism mask, did not leave with their companions. Instead, they waited a moment, whispered to each other, then jumped down from the high platform and came over to Chen Ping'an and the others. Chen Ping'an laughed. "Brother Mumao, what's all this about?"

It was the second Guardian True Person of the Heavenly Fish Dynasty, Yang Mumao, whose Dao name was "Limitless."

As for the first Guardian True Person, Chen Ping'an had dealt with him using two principles. First, he had used his Golden Core realm to duel and defeat him. Second, he was actually a Jade Purity realm cultivator. That old immortal, a Nascent Soul realm expert, had been thoroughly convinced and had resigned from his official position, changed his appearance, and secretly become the manager of "Limitless" True Person's mansion.

Yang Mumao laughed. "With nothing else to do, I came here to observe the people's hardships. Since it's observation, not an inspection, I have to do something real. It took quite a bit of thought to gather a crowd—like putting on this stage show. Before and after, it takes about an hour of busywork, but we don't charge the people a single coin."

Chen Ping'an nodded.

"Brother Good Person, this is our Heavenly Fish Dynasty's princess, her surname is Ding, given name Rong. Absolutely not spoiled—she enjoys mountain and sea delicacies, but can also relish rough cornbread. She can sleep in a grand canopy bed made for a thousand days of work, and also curl up on a temple floor. She's quite adaptable."

Yang Mumao introduced her with a smile. "Your Highness, let me give you a formal introduction: this is Brother Good Person, whom I've often mentioned to you!"

Ding Rong had a strange expression on her face. She clasped her fists in greeting, not sure how to address him properly, so she merely said, "I've long heard of your great name."

She got along very well with True Person Yang and often heard him talk about an "unfight, no acquaintance" story from his hometown of North Juzhou. He said he and that young, promising Brother Good Person had started with misunderstandings, become enemies, then traveled together through that aptly named Ghost Realm Valley, eventually becoming brothers who had shared hardships. In terms of strategy, they were equals; in cultivation, a hair's breadth apart; in looks, he himself was the clear winner.

Chen Ping'an smiled and returned the clasped fist salute. "I have met Your Highness."

Xie Gou nodded. She found this woman agreeable—heroic and spirited, with a sturdy build. Despite a big rear and flat chest, she clearly looked like a martial artist who had trained hard.

Yang Mumao couldn't help but ask, "Brother Good Person, what about my great benefactor, Mr. Xiao Mo? Why didn't he come here with you?"

The sable-capped girl nodded. This fellow sure knew how to talk.

Chen Ping'an laughed. "He's in seclusion."

Yang Mumao tentatively used mind voice to say, "I saw a flash of sword light earlier, and it felt familiar. Could it be…?"

Chen Ping'an nodded. "Xiao Mo has broken through to a higher realm."

Yang Mumao pulled out a jade-spine folding fan from his sleeve and sighed, tapping it against his palm. "It really proves the old saying: good deeds bring good rewards!"

Xie Gou found it amusing. A mere Nascent Soul cultivator, yet so good at conversation? His status didn't match his virtue.

Yang Mumao had previously lied to the first Guardian True Person, claiming he was a Jade Purity realm cultivator. That was his usual trick for navigating the martial world. The fact that he had successfully inquired into the Dao as a Golden Core cultivator was true. In short, truth mixed with falsehood, falsehood mixed with truth—if you guessed it, you won.

Last time in Ascension City, he had set up a stall with Cui Dongshan, bartering some magic treasures.

If thirty years ago, a Nascent Soul cultivator could swagger across Vase Bottle Continent, then now, in the Multicolored Heaven, a Nascent Soul cultivator could swagger across the entire world.

Of course, if a swaggering fellow happened to run into that small handful of Upper Five Realm cultivators who also swaggered, he would either have to walk upright or lie flat.

Yang Mumao, who had appeared as a black-robed scholar in both Ghost Realm Valley and Ascension City, was still at the Nascent Soul realm bottleneck. His Dao foundation was that he was the decapitation of the Three Corpses by Xiao Tianjun Yang Ningxing of the Great Source Dynasty's Chongxuan Office. He had come to the Multicolored Heaven together with his "elder brother" Yang Ningzhen. Previously, in Ascension City, when they met Chen Ping'an's group, Xiao Mo had seen a purple-gold Dao aura on him connected to the Blue Stygian Heaven. In ancient times, this phenomenon was called "a thread of sky," and it was the origin of later aura-watching arts.

Xiao Mo had helped him sever that thread at the time, restoring his freedom.

As repayment, Yang Mumao had promised that once he became the Guardian True Person of some dynasty, he would send 500,000 people to Ascension City.

Now, the Heavenly Fish Dynasty not only allowed but encouraged the people to compile genealogies and build ancestral halls everywhere. At the same time, it was engaged in widespread canonical conferment of mountains and waters. Whenever a shrine to a licentious cult was erected in a local area, court officials would rush there immediately. The founding emperor of the Heavenly Fish Dynasty was a man from Fuyang Continent named Ding Ding, who wore the "Great Frost Armor." He was both the last monarch of the old dynasty and the founding emperor of the new. He had overruled all objections and insisted on not using the old dynastic title.

But here in the Multicolored Heaven, he had used some kind of arcane mountain technique to convert his martial arts into cultivation base. He was now a genuine Golden Core cultivator. Perhaps it was true that a mountain may be easily moved but a nature hardly changed. Emperor Ding Ding, renowned in Fuyang Continent for his love of territorial expansion and militarism, had established only one major national policy here: recruit troops, build military strength, and power past Ascension City as quickly as possible, then slaughter all the way to the southernmost part of this world, seize territory, establish vassal states, and go screw the mother of those soft eggs from Tongye Continent.

Yang Mumao asked curiously, "Brother Good Person, may I ask who these two are?"

Chen Ping'an introduced them. "Old Sword Immortal Qi, the founding patriarch of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect. Xie Gou, our second seat guest elder."

Yang Mumao was utterly confused. He had come to the Multicolored Heaven fairly early, and most of his latest news about the Haoran Heaven came from street gossip and dinner table hearsay during his travels to Ascension City. It was limited, and he knew little.

Yang Mumao decided to change the subject. "Brother Good Person, what a coincidence—I don't even have to expend effort to gather intelligence. Shu Zhongshu and Li Jin are both here, serving as officials in the same dynasty as me."

Chen Ping'an laughed. "Probably when the times are right, everything works together. The national fortunes of your Heavenly Fish Dynasty are rising day by day."

Yang Mumao clasped his fists and shook them. "Borrowing your auspicious words, borrowing your auspicious words."

Ding Rong had been observing this "Brother Good Person" the whole time, but she couldn't tell from his words and demeanor what kind of character he was or how deep his cultivation was.

Qi Tingji spoke up. "Which Li Jin? That youth from the Fuji Sect of Tongye Continent?"

Yang Mumao nodded. "I dare not hide it from Sect Leader Qi. That's him."

Since this man was the founding patriarch of a sword sect, he was presumably at least a Jade Purity realm sword immortal. But why had he never heard of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect? It was truly frustrating. The Multicolored Heaven was just too vast, incomparable to a single continent in the Haoran Heaven. These days, every piece of collected intelligence about other countries was extremely precious. Every spy sent abroad was as good as a dead warrior.

As for Li Jin, he no longer looked like a youth. Instead, he wore a perpetual scowl, often sighing deeply. Yang Mumao didn't particularly like dealing with him; he preferred… passionate people and things. Like Ding Rong, full of heroic spirit, vibrant vitality, dreaming of the martial world and actually stepping into it.

Qi Tingji was surprised for two reasons. First, Li Jin's identity was special. In a sense, this menial disciple of the Fuji Sect had been the one to first lift the curtain on the great war between the two worlds. Second, Tongye Continent had entered the Multicolored Heaven at the southernmost region. That meant this youth had crossed an entire world, from south to north, and chosen to settle in the northernmost Heavenly Fish Dynasty.

Yang Mumao found it odd. Why wasn't this "Old Sword Immortal Qi," whom Chen Ping'an addressed with such respect, more interested in Shu Zhongshu?

Shu Zhongshu was no nobody. As one of the candidates for the Young Ten across several worlds, the only son of that couple from the Heaven Corner Cave Heaven, he was hailed as a once-in-a-millennium genius from Liuxia Continent, and also a sword cultivator.

But for Qi Tingji, whether it was a candidate or even one of the Young Ten, they wouldn't catch his attention until they had proven their Dao and ascended. At most, he would note their names. When it came to geniuses, especially sword cultivators, could any of them compare to the Sword Qi Great Wall?

Chen Ping'an smiled. "I would ask Brother Mumao to make an introduction. I'd like to go to the capital and meet your emperor."

Ding Ding was one of the seven souls of the Two Patriarchs of the Military School.

Yang Mumao laughed. "That's easy! I'll just send a flying sword message. Let's find a place to rest while waiting for a reply from the capital. We can have a little wine and some food, right? You're on my turf, so I have to do my duty as host."

As the Guardian True Person, he was the highest-ranking official. Shu Zhongshu had become the Vice Minister of Public Works, personally overseeing construction projects everywhere. Li Jin served as an unregistered royal guest elder, keeping a low profile, with the emperor deliberately concealing his true identity. The Guardian True Person was a noble and pure position—you could work as much as you wanted, or laze about as much as you wanted. If you felt like meddling in affairs, that was fine too. It was the most comfortable role imaginable.

Chen Ping'an nodded. "As close as possible."

Yang Mumao knew the area well. He picked a nearby tavern with mediocre business. Entering the main hall, he shouted, "Waiter! Five catties of prajna brew, one steamed water shuttle fish, one plate of spicy stir-fried hedge bamboo shoots, and slice a few catties of sauced meat…"

The shop assistant stared wide-eyed. "What the hell is that?"

Yang Mumao laughed heartily. "Bring out your signature dishes, one of each, and the best wine—five catties to start."

The shop assistant said quietly, "Guest, if you order that way, it won't be cheap."

Yang Mumao slapped a silver ingot on the table. "Pay the difference or get a refund."

The shop assistant pocketed the silver ingot, then opened his palm. "Guest, you need to add another eight coins."

Yang Mumao turned to look at Ding Rong. She had no choice but to take out a small silver piece and said, "No need for change. Just add a few more hearty dishes to go with the wine."

A big spender had arrived. The boss personally led them to the second floor and chose a quiet room by the window. These days, there were plenty of shrewd people but few fools.

Yang Mumao and Chen Ping'an engaged in a polite round of refusals, but in the end, Yang Mumao took the seat of honor. He explained with a smile, "Brother Good Person, this is all hard-earned money we made with our own skills! Normally, Miss Ding and I, when traveling the rivers and lakes, live by only two words: 'make do'! So today, there won't be any exotic delicacies, but plenty of genuine sincerity."

Chen Ping'an laughed. "A 'make-do' person's fussy pretensions—wine and meat—that's sincerity enough. If Brother Mumao ever has the chance to visit my mountain, I won't dare promise anything else, but I guarantee there will be an extra morning drink and late-night snack every day."

Yang Mumao nodded. "Then I'll take you at your word."

The morning drink custom at Falling Mountain was entirely pioneered by Chen Lingjun.

At Chen Lingjun's drinking table, cups clinked, drinkers played finger-guessing games, and hearts were bared.

Self-praise, of course, was never ambiguous. But no matter how much he boasted about himself, he never spoke ill of others. At a drinking table, the worst thing is when someone gets drunk and says, "Who the hell does so-and-so think he is?" or "He was just lucky. If it were me, I'd do this or that."

Yang Mumao only addressed Chen Ping'an as "Brother Good Person." Ding Rong didn't ask too many questions, nor did she even use the secret technique of sound condensation.

Chen Ping'an spoke in mind voice, laughing, "I've heard that this Shu sword immortal's two flying swords have diametrically opposite natal divine abilities. I wonder how he actually cultivates his swords."

Shu Zhongshu, upon arriving in the Multicolored Heaven, had built an Elevated Terrace and even broken through to the Jade Purity realm there. Yang Mumao's ambitions were not low. He had stayed at the Elevated Terrace for a while, but he was fairly convinced by this young candidate's way of cultivation. If Shu Zhongshu was a genius, then he himself was a genius of the earth.

According to Yang Mumao's leaked inside information, when Shu Zhongshu was young, he had been very fascinated by the Sword Qi Great Wall. However, the reason he didn't stay in Ascension City was simple: as a Jade Purity realm sword immortal possessing the two natal flying swords "Three Volts" and "Yellow Plum Rain," he felt that the Summer Retreat Palace there was counter to his nature. So he could travel to Ascension City, but it was not a place for him to linger.

Qi Tingji said, "Are you planning something for that old deaf man who became a guest elder?"

Chen Ping'an nodded. "The old deaf man came to Falling Mountain because circumstances forced him. It wasn't his first choice. But he does his work without slacking, putting in both effort and labor. As his mountain lord, I can't let him spend the whole year grumbling about things like 'not acclimating' or 'incompatible customs.'"

Qi Tingji shook his head. "I don't think it will make much difference. That old deaf man's two flying swords are truly mutually restrictive. Shu Zhongshu's flying swords only seem to have opposite abilities. 'Three Volts' sword energy is like the steam of summer heat, while 'Yellow Plum Rain' sword intent is like a water prison of overcast rain. But at their root, they're still on the same line."

"The old deaf man isn't stupid. He had a good relationship with Xiao Xun back in the day. He spent so many years on the Sword Qi Great Wall—if he couldn't find a way to break the curse, how could he here?"

Qi Tingji's implication was clear: if the old deaf man couldn't solve this problem on the Sword Qi Great Wall, his chances in the Haoran Heaven were even slimmer.

Chen Ping'an nodded. "It's always worth trying our luck."

Qi Tingji laughed. "The absentee landlord sure is committed."

Xie Gou was displeased. Old Sword Immortal Qi's habit of speaking with a thorn in his tongue was truly not good.

When the food and wine arrived, Chen Ping'an first helped himself to a piece of the steamed fish, whose texture resembled sea bass, and also served a piece to Yang Mumao and Qi Tingji.

Xie Gou followed suit, proactively pouring the wine into white bowls. Ding Rong nodded inwardly. The girl was probably a younger relative of "Brother Good Person's" family out on a training trip? It was hard to say about her talent and conduct for now, but at least she had her eyes open to what needed to be done. Although Ding Rong was born of imperial blood, after all these years traveling the rivers and lakes, she had become increasingly disdainful of the ways of many nobles.

Idle chatter was actually the best accompaniment to the wine. Yang Mumao chewed the fish slowly and said, "After all, it's a brand-new world. The timing and geographical advantages haven't truly stabilized yet, so strange things always happen. After a while, you just get used to it."

"To the east, those Dao officials from the Blue Stygian Heaven—somehow, they had already divided up the territories and started managing their own affairs, but then suddenly everything fell into chaos. They started fighting each other, and I heard it's gotten to the point where brains are flying everywhere. They're not fighting one-on-one, but in gangs. Occasionally, someone gets caught alone, and it's sneak attacks and ambushes one after another. Anyway, whoever goes down the mountain is doomed. Even traveling in groups isn't safe. Some ancestral halls have even collapsed for no apparent reason. It's like our North Juzhou. If it weren't for our positions holding us back, I'd really like to go over there and broaden my horizons."

"We're farthest from the south, but I heard it's no peaceful place there either. Every day it's big fish eating small fish, small fish eating shrimp, shrimp eating mud. I heard a very large dynasty has already appeared. Its founding emperor is a Jade Purity realm cultivator who popped out of some unknown corner. After allying with two mountain sects, quite a few earth immortals joined up. They declared they would join forces to create an unprecedented peaceful era. Without moving a single soldier or horse, hundreds of cultivators set out together. Of course, they swept through the various states like a whirlwind, crushing everything. I heard that there was one dynasty that refused to submit—one of the few stronger countries, at that. Unfortunately, their army of over a hundred thousand men, including two elite border forces, wasn't even a snack for those mountain immortals. The battlefield on the ground was a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. The immortal masters, riding clouds, called it boring. They created a large number of ghostly beings, used techniques to drive ghost soldiers across the border, and cleaned up a few surrounding small countries along the way. Probably to establish their authority, those who became vassals suffered terribly in the first few years. Bandits are like combs, soldiers like fine-toothed combs—every horror recorded in history books is probably happening every day."

Qi Tingji frowned slightly.

Xie Gou seemed carefree, wolfing down the food, her chopsticks moving like lightning.

Ding Rong kept a peripheral watch on Brother Good Person's eyes and expression, but she couldn't discern anything unusual.

Right. If he could match True Person Yang in scheming and outwitting, going tit for tat and sharing the spoils… he must be a deeply calculating, cunning character.

Ding Rong still remembered the first time she secretly left the capital to travel the martial world. In an alley in a market town, she saw a group of sturdy men guarding a well pit, selling water. Women and children with sallow faces and cracked lips lined up to pay. If she had thought about people cutting ice on the river and storing it in cellars, she felt she had finally understood the meaning of "ice-cutting households." But when she learned that there were even some local bullies who had become unheard-of "sewer lords"… Ding Rong felt it was truly a bizarre and riotous world.

In True Person Yang's words, from the looks of it, there was almost going to be a Beggar's Sect.

Xie Gou transmitted with mind voice: "The main party is here."

Qi Tingji laughed. "It seems Ding Ding does things quite efficiently."

Not only Ding Ding, but also Shu Zhongshu, surrounded by a bevy of beauties, and a young man with a bitter face, behind whom were concealed a divine general and a female ghost immortal. Only Emperor Ding Ding had brought no guards or attendants.

Yang Mumao teased via mind voice: "Shu Zhongshu has this one weakness—when he goes out, he loves to put on a show. His nature is still good."

His mother had forced these maids on him. A son should have a few close people around to take care of his daily needs and offer him comfort.

So Shu Zhongshu had to bring five female sword attendants into the Multicolored Heaven.

Xiao Ping, Jiang Se, Cai Yi, Da Xian, Hua Ying.

They were all sword cultivators: two in Golden Core, three in Dragon Gate.

In the Haoran Heaven, they kept a low profile. Here, they could each establish five "sects."

Shu Zhongshu didn't let them follow him into the tavern. Li Jin also had his two "guardians" wait outside the county seat.

The Fuji Sect and the Nine Capital Mountain of the White Snow Continent shared similar Dao methods, both masters of green poems and green slips. Ji Hai of the Fuji Sect, in order to continue the incense and prevent the complete severance of the Dao lineage, had sent Li Jin to the Multicolored Heaven. At the ancestral hall altar, he had invoked a heavenly soldier, divine name "Catching Willows," and also used the planchette to summon a ghost immortal, "Flower Signature," to serve as the guardians for the youth who had been internally designated as the new sect master.

In the end, the Fuji Sect, like Peace Mountain, had been reduced to only one survivor.

Li Jin was in the same situation as Huang Ting—each was the sole remaining sprout of their respective sect.

Huang Ting had also come to the Multicolored Heaven, but Li Jin stayed here, waiting for the next opening of the gate. Huang Ting had already returned to Peace Mountain.

Yang Mumao transmitted with mind voice: "Brother Good Person, there's no need to come knocking to collect debts. The matter I promised you, I will definitely fulfill."

Chen Ping'an nodded.

Besides wanting to meet Ding Ding in person and familiarize himself with his temperament first, he also needed to decide whether to find Zhang Tiaoxia another time.

Emperor Ding Ding, martial artist Zhang Tiaoxia, Song Han Hong of the Ministry of Rites' Sacrificial Qing Bureau, and the sword cultivator Lu Fang thrown over by the old temple master.

If he made up his mind to actually do something, these people would be enough.

And with the existence of that "mountain peak," martial artists like Lin Jiangxian at the eleventh realm had stood on the mountaintop for a long time, so Chen Ping'an could contact Lin Jiangxian at any time.

More importantly, Chen Ping'an also wanted to see Li Jin.

Ding Ding and his group entered the room. Yang Mumao and Ding Rong stood up, one shouting "Your Majesty," the other "Father Emperor."

Chen Ping'an and the others also stood up. Qi Tingji and Xie Gou, of course, did so out of respect for the Hidden Official and their mountain lord.

Ding Ding clasped his fists, his spirits high, laughing heartily. "Ding Ding of Fuyang Continent pay respects to the Hidden Official, Patriarch Qi, and Second Seat Xie!"

Ding Rong was stunned.

Yang Mumao was also taken aback. "Patriarch Qi" or "Old Sword Immortal Qi" alone wouldn't have meant much. But when paired with "Hidden Official," Yang Mumao instantly understood the true identity of this "young talent." Brother Good Person, deliberately calling him a founding patriarch—how you have misled me!

Over a welcoming feast, Ding Ding's character was bold and unrestrained, and he drank heartily.

Shu Zhongshu was naturally curious about this last Hidden Official, one of the Young Ten. Such a lowly origin, yet such magnificent achievements—the contrast was striking.

Li Jin, for some reason, seemed distracted, constantly staring at the Hidden Official with the jade hairpin. His expression was gentle, bringing a spring breeze to the table.

Shu Zhongshu understood. That was it. Chen Ping'an and the guest elder Li Jin probably had similar backgrounds.

Chen Ping'an was also observing Li Jin, a person whose life experiences were filled with a fantastic hue.

After the meal, Chen Ping'an deliberately slowed his steps, letting Qi Tingji and Ding Ding walk ahead while he himself fell into step beside Li Jin.

In the corridor, Li Jin stopped abruptly, his face suddenly streaming with tears.

Xie Gou, at the very back, found it utterly baffling.

Even more baffling was that her mountain lord said something completely irrelevant to Li Jin: "I'm sorry."

Li Jin looked at that blurry yet gentle face. Here in the Multicolored Heaven, looking back on his many years of experience, it was like seeing this Chen Ping'an from Lizhu Cave Heaven's Mud Vase Alley today. He didn't know what to say. The ending of that story in his heart could be summed up in two words.

So bitter.

Li Jin probably understood why Chen Ping'an had said those words. Was it a misunderstanding? That he was part of Zhou Mi's plan? That he had the Dao foundation of the Barbarian race? That he had some other scheme? That he was a hidden danger to the entire human world? And if so, would it be better to mistakenly kill him than to mistakenly let him go… Li Jin himself, over all these years, had also been questioning himself.

Chen Ping'an reached out and patted Li Jin on the shoulder. "Rest assured. I will personally verify this matter with Ritual Sage and Liu Xiang and give you a definite answer. If the answer is good, then you'll be truly free. If it's not, there will always be a way to resolve it, and you can still seek your own ease. I once heard a very reasonable principle: I believe that whether it's Chen Ping'an of Vase Bottle Continent or Li Jin of Tongye Continent, the world of men also wants to see a few fresh faces. That's why we seem a little different."

Li Jin nodded vigorously.

It was only after Chen Ping'an and the others had left the tavern and flown away on the wind that Li Jin suddenly realized he hadn't said a single word from beginning to end.

Previously, Ning Yao had taken Pei Qian and left the Night Boat, making a trip to the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect.

Chen Ping'an had used a relatively moderate approach, asking Qi Tingji if he had any interest in becoming the city lord of Ascension City. He didn't say that the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect would be transferred as a subordinate sect to Falling Mountain; he merely suggested that Shao Yunyan succeed as sect master. He also said that this was Mr. Zheng's idea, and he, Chen Ping'an, only thought it was feasible.

Qi Tingji was certainly tempted.

Choosing to establish a sect in the Haoran Heaven was a last resort. How could he not have wanted to go to a brand-new world back then? Unfortunately, Chen Qingdu hadn't allowed any Upper Five Realm sword cultivator to enter Ascension City. In fact, even Chen Ping'an and Chen Xi had to be constantly on guard against him at first. But Qi Tingji valued face and also had his own selfish motives—he wanted to see if he could use his war merits to get an exception from the Confucian Temple.

Obviously, aside from practicing swordsmanship, the path Qi Tingji walked was also the "merit and achievement" path of Embroidered Tiger Cui Chan.

Qi Tingji just hadn't expected Chen Ping'an to take the initiative to invite him to take over Ascension City.

Chen Ping'an suddenly said, "Go to the sky dome and inform the governing sage. Ask him to pass a message to Elder He on Vase Bottle Continent, telling Xiao Mo to come to the Multicolored Heaven. As for…"

Xie Gou immediately chimed in, "Speak hard words softly, be polite in phrasing, firm in attitude. I know all these tricks."

Chen Ping'an said, "When you meet up with Xiao Mo, go to the south first. Let Xiao Mo familiarize himself with those three hundred cultivators. After examining their minds and backgrounds, you can kill all the ones who deserve it."

Xie Gou asked, "What if all three hundred deserve to die?"

Chen Ping'an said, "Then kill them all."

Xie Gou hesitated for the first time. "Wouldn't that bring a bad reputation to our Falling Mountain?"

Chen Ping'an said, "Xiao Mo judges the people, you swing the sword, and I'll bear the consequences."

Qi Tingji smiled and nodded.

Xie Gou said, "Then we'll do it that way?"

Chen Ping'an said, "Go quickly and return quickly."

A sword light shot up like a rainbow, soaring into the sky.

Ascension City was located at the very center of the Multicolored Heaven.

Ning Yao had personally "enclosed the land," setting up boundary tablets in the four directions.

At the northern boundary site.

Their figures landed at the foot of the mountain and slowly climbed.

The group of young sword cultivators stationed there recognized the identities of the three people at the foot of the mountain and felt as if they were dreaming.

Not only had the young Hidden Official come, but Qi Tingji had also come along?

They climbed the stone steps together. Qi Tingji transmitted with mind voice: "You don't have to deliberately use Zheng Juzhong as a shield. With his way of doing things, he would definitely have me step down as sect master."

Chen Ping'an didn't argue. He just waved his hand. "A gentleman helps others achieve good things; a petty man takes away what others cherish. Although I'm not a gentleman, I dare not be a petty man."

Qi Tingji said casually, "Liu Tui is willing to owe a favor, but I am not."

"But before I return to the Multicolored Heaven, I will still make a trip to the Barbarian Wasteland to fulfill a wish."

"I hope that after you take over the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, you won't hold any grudges against those Upper Five Realm sword cultivators."

"And one more crucial matter: you need to think carefully about how Lu Zhi will merge with the Dao. It would be best if she could figure it out herself. But as long as she hasn't found her path to Dao integration, you, as the new sect master, will have to rack your brains over it."

"Also, I have one more request. I'm not discussing it with you—it's mandatory. According to Haoran convention, the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect will be the subordinate sect, the Green Lotus Sword Sect will be elevated to the superior sect, and Falling Mountain will be the orthodox sect, the ancestral court. I don't expect the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect to become the superior sect, forcing the Green Lotus Sword Sect to become the subordinate. You can make the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect and the Green Lotus Sword Sect co-equal, without distinguishing between superior and subordinate."

If Chen Ping'an took over the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, Falling Mountain would instantly leap to become the undisputed number one sect in the Haoran Heaven.

Even Yu Xuan's Peach Talisman Mountain would pale in comparison.

Just considering the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, including Lu Zhi, there was a large group of Upper Five Realm sword cultivators.

Chen Ping'an and Cui Dongshan were also now at the Immortal realm. There was also Xiao Mo at the fourteenth realm, and Bai Jing at the full Ascension realm.

Qi Tingji didn't give Chen Ping'an a chance to refuse. In an unmistakable tone, he said, "Don't bother with false modesty and excuses. You and I are simply each taking what we need."

As for his personal disciples, the Eighteen Sons of the Sword Qi, Qi Tingji would definitely bring them all to the Multicolored Heaven.

But Lu Zhi, Shao Yunyan, and Drunken Yan Madam would certainly be happy to see this.

As for those private swordsmen, they probably wouldn't be too opposed to this last Hidden Official.

Chen Ping'an said, "Let's not talk about all this yet. Chen Ji has to agree first."

Qi Tingji laughed. "On the Sword Qi Great Wall, he was the most scholarly. Hah, from the 'Daya' King Wen chapter: 'Ji xi, bright and shining.'"

Just then, two people came around from behind the stone tablet at the mountaintop.

A youthful-looking Chen Ji, at the Nascent Soul realm. Beside him was a maid, Chen Yanquan, at the Jade Purity realm.

After Chen Xi's death and reincarnation, he had named himself Chen Ji. In the Multicolored Heaven, over seven or eight years, he had broken one realm per year.

Chen Ji smiled. "Such a decisive move. Very good."

Chen Ping'an was puzzled. How had Chen Ji appeared here? Qi Tingji laughed. "I called him over."

Chen Ji asked curiously, "How did the Confucian Temple agree to let Qi Tingji enter the Multicolored Heaven?"

Chen Ping'an said, "He went up to the sky and asked Zhou Mi one sword strike, accumulating some merit."

"Of course, face still has to be given. So before the next gate opening, Old Sword Immortal Qi probably won't show his face in public. As long as the members of Ascension City's ancestral hall know, that's enough."

Chen Ji was puzzled. "No need to taboo that name anymore?"

Chen Ping'an laughed. "No need at all to avoid anything. Now, during my leisure time every day, I practice calligraphy and fill several sheets of paper with the characters 'Zhou Mi.'"

Chen Ji, having received Qi Tingji's secret letter, had set out immediately. After informing Ning Yao, he had quietly left Ascension City to travel the world. The duration was uncertain, and the return date was unknown.

The descendants of the Taixiang Street Chen clan had many seeds of learning. But being on the Sword Qi Great Wall, they simply couldn't stay in the study and do research.

Good times are like flying birds; turning back becomes a story. Chen Ji's ambition now was to merge with the Dao, and he also wanted to read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles.

This "youth" wanted to travel with a book satchel, buy many books from people, walk far, and record his mountain and water experiences.

Chen Ji said, "Qi Tingji, it's not just about high cultivation realm to be a good city lord."

Qi Tingji smiled. "You just focus on your travels. Don't try to teach me how to do things."

Chen Ji said, "Don't make me, when I return to Ascension City, have to demand your abdication."

Qi Tingji said, "Come talk big again when you've returned to the Ascension realm. It won't be too late then."

Chen Ping'an didn't get involved. Two old sword immortals who had both carved words on the city wall—they spoke bluntly, and they had a great relationship.

Chen Ji said, "Why not let the Green Lotus Sword Sect remain the superior sect, and at the same time make the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect the orthodox sect?"

Qi Tingji nodded. "That's a good idea!"

Chen Ping'an was about to speak.

Chen Ji smiled. "Congratulations and felicitations."

Qi Tingji laughed. "Good things come in pairs."

Chen Ping'an opened his mouth but hesitated.

Chen Ji echoed, "In ten thousand years, the only one to hand over an entire sect as a congratulatory gift?"

Qi Tingji exclaimed in surprise, "Wow, I only just realized—what an extraordinary feat!"

Chen Ping'an clasped his hands in his sleeves, his lips moving slightly.

Qi Tingji asked doubtfully, "A dialect from that small town?"

Chen Ji hummed in acknowledgment. "It's probably because the Hidden Official is feeling quite emotional right now."

True enough. He was about to assume the role of Great Li National Preceptor, and now he was also taking over the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect.