Chapter 20: The Roll Call
Sword Immortal Xu Xie departed the western shore of Tongye Continent, crossed continents and oceans to land on Vase Bottle Continent, and arrived at the Great Li Imperial Capital to visit the National Teacher Residence.
According to the rules established by the Great Li Dynasty, a flying ascension realm cultivator landing on Vase Bottle Continent must first report to that imitation of the Jade Capital.
Xu Xie had stowed away Du Hanling's head and headless corpse, a portion of the lingering artistic conception and spiritual energy, and several fragments of natal objects using his sleeve-containing universe technique. When doing business with someone, there must always be beginning and end; goods and payment settled, clean and clear.
He could not very well make an empty trip to the Great Li Imperial Capital, say a few insubstantial words to Chen Ping'an, and be done with it. Whether the other party believed him was one matter, but Xu Xie himself would not be able to pass his own heart's hurdle.
Xu Xie traversed the Thousand-Step Corridor lined with government offices on both sides and arrived at the street gate of the National Teacher Residence. He was a quarter-hour early for their agreed meeting time. He saw a beautiful woman slowly walk out of the gate. She cupped her hands in salute and said apologetically, "Master Xu, the National Teacher is still receiving guests in the official hall and cannot get away for the moment. Please be patient for a short while. My name is Rong Yu, a maidservant of the National Teacher Residence. The National Teacher asked me to invite Master Xu to his study first to drink some clear tea."
Xu Xie smiled and said, "The National Teacher has heavy responsibilities. I understand."
Between the street gate and the residence gate was a square with a screen wall standing in it. It seemed to be made of Jiexiu colored glaze, its colors brilliant.
The moment he crossed the street gate, Xu Xie's breath caught. His entire Dao body felt as if mired in a muddy swamp, and he found himself suppressed to the Immortal realm. This National Teacher Residence, clearly a separate paradise within, had obviously employed extremely ingenious suppressive techniques.
Xu Xie did not bother to consider whether this manner of receiving guests hinted at some underhanded intent. After all, this was the hub of an entire dynasty like Great Li. Moreover, Great Li's stern attitude toward the mountains had always been acknowledged by Xu Xie. In his home continent of Golden Armor, many sect disciples who went out on journeys returned home with the air of emperors, utterly spoiled and elevated to the heavens. But when the desolate demon race swept in like a plague of locusts, these noble registered cultivators, for the most part, were trampled into the mud.
Occasionally, Xu Xie also wondered whether he should thank those desolate beasts; otherwise, who could have reformed the already thoroughly corrupted customs of Golden Armor Continent?
Of course, when facing people like Wanyan Laojing and Du Hanling, Xu Xie never hesitated to draw his sword, for they were not even as good as those desolate beasts.
This newly ascended Xu Xie had not been idle either. He silently performed calculations and deductions, imagining how he should respond if Chen Ping'an were to set a trap for him.
Rong Yu led Xu Xie past the colorful and beautiful screen wall, and together they entered the residence gate. There was another screen wall with a Sumeru throne base. However, she did not go toward the courtyard shaded by dense parasol trees. Instead, she turned into a side gate and went to a newly opened area on the east side. It was also a layout of three courtyards along a central axis, with a bit more of an immortal aura from the mountains. Of course, this was not to show off wealth. Chen Ping'an had already established several new government offices here. Besides Guo Zhuijiu, Yu Shiwu, and Xun Qu, who were already handling official business here, several temporarily vacant official rooms had been reserved.
Earlier, Chen Ping'an had brought back eighteen people from Flying Ascension City. Those with similar private sword identities were all mid-five realm sword cultivators with good aptitude and disposition. Besides Nian Xin, who had already taken charge of the prison, Dong bude had gone to the Rain Dragon Sect, where Nalan Caihuan had "occupied the magpie's nest" and seized the position of sect master. Later, she would decide whether to establish her own sect on Golden Armor Continent or Flowing Xia Continent. Fan Dache had gone to travel in Northern Reed Continent. Upon his return, he would serve as a civil secretary in the National Teacher Residence.
Furthermore, the Flower Goddesses of the Capital Flower God Temple, who had temporarily set up a provisional deliberation hall there, could also come here directly in the future for meetings.
In the second courtyard, besides the covered corridor, there was actually no vacant land, because an immortal technique had been used to carve a map of the desolate wilderness situation.
Xu Xie's eyes were opened wide. So the desolate wilderness territory was this vast! He glanced over it roughly, seeing no fewer than a thousand immortal prefecture cultivation sites. Each mountain peak had a miniature flag inserted into it. Besides the name of the cultivation site and the identity of the founding ancestor, the flags also bore the Dao name of the contemporary great cultivator, their true body, natal divine abilities and Dharma treasures, the approximate number of registered cultivators in the cultivation site... The flags also differed in color and size, and the amount of annotation text varied.
Among the more conspicuous ones were the ruins of the Holding Moon Mountain, the half-abandoned Immortal Hairpin City, a Yiluo River guarded by Crimson Consort, a blank space marked "Former Site of Gold Kingfisher City," and several secular dynasties at the foot of various mountains. These were also easy to recognize; their flags were all bright red, making them extremely eye-catching. Could it be that the young Hidden Officer considered their threat greater than that of the sect cultivation sites?
Xu Xie nodded inwardly. He stopped and asked with a smile, "Miss Rong Yu, may I take a few more looks at the map?"
The officialdom always had many taboos.
Rong Yu smiled and said, "Master Xu, feel free to look. This map of the desolate wilderness landscape of ours is exactly the same as the latest sand table in the Confucian Temple's military tent. Moreover, every so often, we can perfect certain areas. In the matter of 'supplementing the map,' the Confucian Temple will share information with us."
Xu Xie placed one hand behind his back, while the other formed a fist, his thumb and index finger rubbing together. Clearly, he was thinking earnestly about something.
The reason he had agreed to Chen Ping'an's request to keep an eye on Du Hanling was partly out of respect for the Hidden Officer and admiration for Pei Qian, but ultimately, it was because Sword Immortal Xu Xie deeply hated the desolate wilderness.
Even if the magnificent rivers and mountains of his homeland had fallen into degenerate ways, disappointing Xu Xie for a long time, that was no reason for the desolate demon race to be allowed to ravage a continent.
He only hoped that the Hidden Officer Chen was not setting up a mere facade here, putting on a show for the Central Confucian Temple and the cultivators at the pinnacle of Haoran.
Xu Xie narrowed his eyes.
Slay the generals and seize their banners!
Count me in?
Chen Ping'an walked over quickly. Cupping his hands, he said, "Greetings, Master Xu. Sorry to have kept you waiting."
Xu Xie returned the salute with cupped fists. "National Teacher, you are too polite."
Chen Ping'an smiled and explained, "This new National Teacher Residence imitates the Lizhu Cave Heaven of my hometown. Xiao Mo and Xie Gou both helped. We copied the design and made some arrangements, specifically targeting great cultivators like Sword Immortal Xu."
Xu Xie gave a wry smile.
Earlier, he hadn't quite understood why the three parties—the desolate wilderness's Bai Ze, the Central Confucian Temple, and Falling Mountain—would all allow Sword Immortal Bai Jing to wander about freely.
But after Xu Xie personally witnessed that Heaven and Earth Passage and saw Bai Jing's act of dispersing her Dao, he understood the weight of the two phrases "Ancient Daoist from Ten Thousand Years Ago" and "Battle of Ascending to Heaven."
Xu Xie got straight to the point. "Du Hanling is dead. I still failed to detain even a shred of Du Hanling's soul. He exploded his golden core and nascent soul. It can only be considered an anticlimactic half-beheading."
"Afterward, I secretly made a trip to the Gold Summit Temple. I searched all the places where mountain and water restrictions were set up, as well as the secret chambers of several vassal sects, but I could never find where he had hidden his natal soul lamp. Please forgive the Hidden Officer's ridicule."
A flying ascension realm cultivator, a sword cultivator no less, killing a Jade Polishing realm cultivator was like turning over a hand. But failing to imprison the soul—the problem precisely lay in being a "sword cultivator."
Xu Xie shook his sleeve. "Would the Hidden Officer like to take a look? Verify the kill?"
"No need. Master Xu personally drew his sword. Your realm and your reputation are one and the same. I have no worries about that."
Chen Ping'an waved his hand and laughed. "After all, he was a Jade Polishing realm cultivator who schemed to become the Dao Lord of an entire continent. A wily rabbit has three burrows. Not finding his natal soul lamp is only normal."
Xu Xie did not insist. That would have been too pretentious.
It was obvious that Chen Ping'an did not care at all whether Du Hanling was taken to the Confucian Temple's Merit Forest.
In fact, from the very beginning, Chen Ping'an had wanted to use "Master Xu's" hand to slay this man with a sword, finishing it once and for all?
It was indeed a matter of practical merit.
Actually, Xu Xie had figured this out while flying his sword across the continents, and he harbored no resentment over it.
However, Xu Xie was unaware of one thing. During the previous celebration, when he observed Chen Ping'an's demeanor and Dao aura from afar, it was strikingly similar to the impression a Mountain Goddess had when she first saw the blue-robed swordsman by the lake in the Lotus Root Blessed Land—there was no "human flavor."
But Xu Xie only thought that having spent a long time in the Sword Qi Great Wall's Summer Resort, having seen too much life and death, the young Hidden Officer had no choice but to become hard-hearted. Only by being iron-willed could he endure.
Chen Ping'an, imitating the words of a chivalrous novel, said, "It was also his fate that hadn't run out, and his life wasn't meant to end."
Xu Xie smiled knowingly.
Chen Ping'an said, "The rules of the Confucian Temple must still be followed. I have already discussed this matter with Director Dong and Vice-Leader Han. They both think there is no problem. Just write a brief text of two to three hundred characters and submit it to the Confucian Temple for archiving. Once I understand the general situation, the National Teacher Residence can handle it on your behalf. No need for Master Xu to waste ink."
Unexpectedly, Xu Xie said, "Actually, writing short landscape travel essays is not beyond my skills. Describing scenery, capturing sentiments and objects, I have my own unique perspective."
Rong Yu couldn't help but laugh. She never expected that Master Xu was also such a witty mountain-top figure.
Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Official documents don't care about that."
Xu Xie laughed. "No matter. Worst case, the Confucian Temple sends it back for rewriting. Then I'll ask the National Teacher Residence to help revise and polish it, turning a beautifully written essay into a flat, narrative official document."
Rong Yu was greatly surprised. She glanced at this Sword Immortal Xu.
Chen Ping'an nodded without hesitation. "Then I'll discuss it with the Confucian Temple in advance. We'll agree beforehand that if the document Master Xu sends to the Confucian Temple for archiving does not conform to the standard format, it can be returned directly to the National Teacher Residence, up to three times."
Xu Xie nodded. "Good!"
Was it because the document format didn't meet the standards that the Confucian Temple would send it back for rewriting? Of course not. It was because after killing Du Hanling, Xu Xie intended to continue drawing his sword on other continents. And this kind of unauthorized killing was absolutely against the current rules of the Confucian Temple. A cunning old-timer like Du Hanling had ways to scrape off all his memories, even tamper with his own soul and divine consciousness. He could do it flawlessly by going into seclusion to break through a realm, completely wiping the slate clean.
Before drawing his sword, how could Xu Xie present facts and evidence to the Confucian Temple? And after drawing his sword, how could he explain that he was not acting out of personal vendetta?
Xu Xie did not want to fall out with the Confucian Temple over this, nor did he want to go to the Merit Forest to drink tea and read the classics of sages every day.
So, the meaning of Chen Ping'an's promise was actually very clear.
Don't worry about the Confucian Temple's opinion. Master Xu just needs to draw his sword three times within Haoran. Chen Ping'an will take responsibility for it.
This way, Xu Xie would not have to be restrained, and he could go and meet those upper-five realm cultivators he had been watching for years.
Xu Xie's spirits soared. "The National Teacher speaks and acts very straightforwardly."
Chen Ping'an smiled faintly. "I have always been simpatico with pure sword cultivators."
Xu Xie carefully looked over the map, committing it to memory. He was silent for a moment, then asked, "Are you truly not the slightest bit sorry?"
Rong Yu knew that this Sword Immortal was referring to the National Teacher's "half and one."
Chen Ping'an and Zhou Mi each had their own half. It wasn't decreed by heaven; it was something they sought for themselves. It was not the reincarnation of some heaven-defying figure, nor the reincarnation of some ancient high-ranking deity. This was also why Xu Xie both hated Haoran's Jia Sheng and couldn't help but admire Wenhai's Zhou Mi.
Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "The greatest gains, the most numerous gains, and the hardest gains and losses—all lie within one's own intent and effort. Master Xu, I ask you, if this is not freedom, then what is?"
Xu Xie was suddenly enlightened. "I understand! We sword cultivators should have this heart!"
Chen Ping'an was silent for a moment, then said with a straight face, "Freedom is a great freedom, but it doesn't mean there is no pain. I have also thought about the best possible outcome. For example, if I were lucky enough to completely defeat Zhou Mi and become a complete 'one,' then at this moment, who would Sword Immortal Xu be speaking to? A new Heavenly Lord, by God."
Xu Xie's brows and eyes flew wide, and he laughed heartily. The sword cultivator hadn't been this carefree in many years.
Rong Yu also felt that the National Teacher's self-deprecating words were quite meaningful.
Afterwards, Chen Ping'an demonstrated the wonderful use of the geomantic map to Xu Xie. A cultivator only needed to hold a specially made talisman jade tablet to "summon" a location in the desolate wilderness. A mustard-seed-sized wisp of the cultivator's divine consciousness could then be transported there, as if truly touring the landscape. Although Xu Xie was not a military strategist, he understood the power of this technique and its profound impact on the future direction of battlefields.
Returning the jade tablet, Xu Xie sincerely praised, "This is a great achievement."
If being with someone felt like a spring breeze, it was definitely because the other person was more adept at social graces.
Xu Xie hesitated for a moment, then said, "Hidden Officer Chen, Zhou Song of Mang Mountain is both a sacrificial officer of the Sword Qi Great Wall and the guide who led me to the path of cultivation. Therefore, in a sense, although Xu Xie is not a private sword of the Sword Qi Great Wall, I am indeed indebted to the Sword Qi Great Wall for its grace."
Chen Ping'an nodded.
Xu Xie said, "National Teacher, can we find a place to talk about something that shouldn't see the light of day?"
Chen Ping'an led Xu Xie and Rong Yu to an inconspicuous side room in the third courtyard.
Rong Yu gently closed the door.
After stepping over the threshold, Xu Xie was somewhat astonished. The scene before his eyes was actually a small Daoist temple built on a small earthen slope?
They climbed the mountain together. Pine and cypress trees on both sides stood like celestial officials in formation, like divine generals standing at attention. The small Daoist temple was called the Spirit Realm Temple.
As they walked up the slope, they chatted a bit about their respective insights into Sword-Sealing Talismans. Xu Xie even mentioned an ancient "decapitation" swordsmanship specifically targeting mountain and water spirits. Its power was immense. For example, if a sword cultivator wanted to suppress a river god, he only needed to find the river's source and strike down with his sword once. The effect would be equivalent to building a dam upstream of a great river.
Xu Xie admitted that he had not yet refined this swordsmanship to its perfection. One day, with a single, silent sword strike, he could even cause a major river to change its course for the next ten-plus years. The key was that the sword strike was extremely subtle, the cause and effect obscured, making it difficult to trace.
Xu Xie laughed. "I've explained the Dao method and the refining method to the National Teacher. Help me find any loopholes."
Chen Ping'an agreed, saying he would discuss this swordsmanship in detail with Xiao Mo and Bai Jing. If there were any benefits, he would immediately send a flying sword message to Master Xu. He couldn't help but joke, "Don't let the Confucian Temple find out. Be careful, or in the future, whenever any obscure mountain or water anomaly appears on any continent, you will be the first one suspected."
They did not enter the Daoist temple. Xu Xie looked at the couplet on it. It had very few characters, but its content was extremely vast.
"Heavenly Power Uses the Nine." "Xun Mandate Bestows the Three."
Xu Xie said, "It has backbone and spirit. Is it the Hidden Officer's handwriting?"
Chen Ping'an quickly waved his hand. "It was written by Senior Brother Cui. My calligraphy is quite ordinary."
Xu Xie nodded. "I've flipped through both the Hundred Sword Immortal and Two Hundred Sword Immortal seal collections, and I've seen all the inscriptions. The Hidden Officer excels in overflowing talent and quick wit. However, his skill in metal and stone carving is indeed ordinary."
Chen Ping'an asked, "Is it really that 'ordinary'?"
Xu Xie smiled but said nothing. He had heard some rumors about the atmosphere in the Summer Resort. As for the atmosphere of Falling Mountain and the Green Ping Sword Sect, he had seen and heard it with his own eyes and ears. Now that Chen Ping'an was also the Great Li National Teacher, he wasn't short on a few insincere flattering words from Xu Xie, right?
Earlier, when Xu Xie said his landscape travel essays were not bad, besides having ulterior motives, it wasn't really a lie.
Xu Xie loved landscapes and sightseeing. All the magnificent scenery he had seen in his life, he painted himself. Scrolls hung all over the walls, blue-green landscapes, winding mountains and rivers, like dragons and snakes flying on the walls. He would also hang a few swords he had once used on the walls; the dragons in their scabbards seemed to roar, wanting to make all the mountains echo.
They got down to business.
Xu Xie said, "First, there is Chen Qingliu, originally from the Peach Blossom Blessed Land, with the Dao name 'Azure Lord.' And there is 'Heavenly Debater' Master Zou, who monopolizes half of the Yin-Yang school."
Upon hearing this, Rong Yu's expression changed instantly.
Chen Ping'an smiled. "I am familiar with both."
Xu Xie continued, "A Daoist from the Azure Underworld, lay name Zhang Jiao, Dao name 'Yellow Sky.' He is an old Fourteenth, adapting his teachings according to circumstances, undergoing tribulations as a teacher. Zhang Jiao once said, 'My life's ambition lies in peace and prosperity.' This saying left a deep impression on me. Initially, Zhang Jiao was forced to leave the Azure Underworld and went to the Western Buddhist Kingdom. Now he has returned to the Azure Underworld."
"Wei She of Mount Lu on the Drifting Snow Continent, a new Fourteenth. He styles himself 'Master of the Thirty-Seven Peaks.' The entire Quanjiao Mountain, which Gu Can is currently using as the site for his sect, was once Wei She's private Dao field, alias 'Empty Mountain,' hall name 'Cocoon Studio.'"
"These few should be the founders of that twenty-member ancestral hall."
"Their original intention and purpose are related to Lu Chen's theories of Inner and Outer Chapters. Would the National Teacher care to guess?"
Chen Ping'an smiled and replied, "Since Master Xu has given me clues, I suppose it's 'Inner: Equalizing Things; Outer: Opening Satchels'?"
Xu Xie nodded. "Precisely."
Chen Ping'an said, "This old true man once won a Three Teachings debate. He publicly declared, 'Nature imitates the Dao, the Dao imitates Heaven, Heaven imitates Earth, and Earth imitates Man,' going against the Dao Ancestor. What I admire most about this old true man, perhaps different from Master Xu, are that bowl of talisman water and that bowl of white congee."
"As for Wei She, using the appearance of a Daoist wandering with a lute on his back and a satchel, he once voluntarily walked to the gate of Falling Mountain. It was considered an open and honest self-identification. Perhaps he felt it was best to leave some leeway for future meetings, or perhaps there were other reasons. In any case, it didn't matter much anymore."
Xu Xie nodded. "Speaking of which, why did the Sage of Literature say that Lu Chen was 'obscured by Heaven and ignorant of Man'?"
Chen Ping'an thought for a moment and said, "I have never asked my Master this question. I guess it's because Lu Chen saw the world of Heaven and Earth too clearly, and instead lost sight of where he himself should stand. But this is just a guess. When I have the chance, I'll ask my Master and also ask Lu Chen. I'll give you a definite answer then."
Xu Xie thanked him, pointed to himself, and said with a smile, "Next, it will be me, Xu Xie, sword cultivator of Golden Armor Continent."
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Was it Old Master Zeng who first recommended you, or was it Master Zou who led the way?"
Xu Xie said, "It was Master Zou."
Chen Ping'an said in sudden understanding, "It seems that what he found first was not the later Liu Cai, but the sword cultivator Xu Xie."
Xu Xie said, "I'm not saying this to defend Master Zou out of personal friendship, but Master Zou had indeed begun laying his plans early on, targeting what he believed would be an inevitable fifteenth realm pure sword cultivator. He still believes that Heaven and Earth cannot bear this. In his eyes, the fifteenth realm of the Three Teachings' ancestors and the fifteenth realm of a pure sword cultivator are as different as heaven and earth. He believes that our sword cultivators' earth-shattering, overwhelming righteousness will bring unimaginable trauma to the mortal world, like..."
Chen Ping'an took the initiative to interject, "Like a full ten thousand years of peaceful times, only to wait for a great calamity to strike on the ten-thousand-and-first day, the annihilation of all sentient beings in the mortal world. Even if this tragedy were just a one-in-ten-thousand chance, Master Zou would still take precautions against the unforeseen, and would not allow a certain fifteenth realm pure sword cultivator to preside over Heaven and Earth, creating a being against whom the combined strength of the entire world and the gathered will of all people would be powerless."
Xu Xie asked curiously, "Is this heart of Master Zou's righteous or biased? Right or wrong?"
Chen Ping'an said, "This kind of 'presupposition' that no one can see or touch, who can say whether it is righteous or biased, right or wrong? Those who understand, understand. Those who don't accept it, don't accept it. Each goes his own way. When paths cross on the road, true principles are revealed."
Xu Xie said, "The Credit-Seller, Old Master Zeng."
Chen Ping'an smiled. "We are old acquaintances too."
"Qin Buyi, who has already stepped down as leader of the Cherry Black Robe lineage, a native of Tonglong Prefecture in the Central Earth. She is a contemporary of Bai Ye. She is the junior sister of Liu Taozhi, the Hidden Sword lineage of the West Mountain. The mastery of martial arts in the Bamboo Sea Cave Heaven, Pure Cyan, was taught by Qin Buyi."
"An acquaintance as well."
"The foremost cultivator of Golden Armor Continent, Wanyan Laojing. Deceased."
"It seems that Master Xu's first public appearance and sword strike was against this long-established fellow countryman. Truly, a hero's origins are irrelevant; you used the unknown to kill the renowned."
"Xun Yuan of the Jade Gui Sect on Tongye Continent. Killed in battle."
"A pity."
"Han Yushu, sect master of the Ten Thousand Yao Sect, from the Three Mountains Blessed Land."
"I have already killed him."
"Lu Xu, the ancestor of the Central Earth Yin-Yang Lu family, Dao name 'Yellow Chariot,' in charge of the Celestial Chronology lineage. Since the National Teacher has visited the Lu family, you must have met."
"Oh? Truly, the real person conceals his light. When I return to Tiandu Peak, I'll have a few words with Lord Lu and see if I can invite Daoist Yellow Chariot to be a guest on Falling Mountain."
"The master of the Tianyu Cave Heaven on Flowing Xia Continent, Shu Nan'ying, a new ascension, Dao name 'Blazing Nether.' However, for a thousand years, he has always been suppressed by Jing Hao of the Blue Palace Mountain, never able to stretch out fully."
"Cave Master Shu's strategies are slightly inferior to Jing Hao's by half a move, but he has a good son."
"Qin Zao of the Liao River Sect, an Immortal, master of the Song'ai Blessed Land, Dao name 'Surname Cicada.' His senior sister, Cong Qian, is in seclusion, seeking ascension."
"He is also an extremely shrewd figure who is very good at watching from the sidelines and absolutely refuses to take risks. Fortunately, it is his senior sister Cong Qian who is in seclusion seeking the Dao. Otherwise, I would suspect that the feng shui of Flowing Xia Continent has major problems."
"Hidden Officer, among the two people I intend to duel with, there is this Qin Zao. He actually achieved flying ascension earlier than Shu Nan'ying. He has been for a long time. I suspect he had planned long ago to privately guide the desolate demon race to land on Flowing Xia Continent. But the three clues I found were all cut off. Before, since I hadn't ascended yet, I couldn't confront him head-on easily; I might end up failing to catch the thief and getting myself soiled instead."
"Before killing Qin Zao, it's best to confirm whether he has any connection with Wei She. As for the document submitted to the Central Confucian Temple, I'll help Master Xu draft it."
"Is it settled?!"
"Master Xu, just go ahead and draw your sword freely. A sneaky flying ascension realm cultivator is not enough to harm Haoran's primordial energy."
"The founding ancestor of the Great Dragon Pond on Central Earth, Song Hong, still remains in his Dao field, but he has long since changed his appearance. No one within his own sect knows about this."
"A pity about the Great and Small Dragon Ponds, with their peerless scenery. I wonder if Situ Mengjing can kill his master and rectify the origins."
"The founding ancestor of the Rain Dragon Sect, Liu Zhou, a new ascension. He once used the alias Tian Su."
"At the Rain Dragon Sect's Ascension Platform, I was a step too late and couldn't catch him in the act."
"From Northern Reed Continent, Lou Miao of the Qionglin Sect is actually Wei She's Yin spirit."
"So that's how it is. It's more than a hidden thread stretching a thousand miles; it's a brilliant technique from the mountain peaks!"
"On Southern Vaisravana Continent, Duan Qingchen, originally a Confucian scholar, calls himself 'Apostate.' He was a very young vice-mountain chief in the academy. He seemed to have an old grudge with Chen Chun'an and left the academy soon after. During one meeting, he made a cynical remark, saying he wanted to see how Chen Chun'an could monopolize the title 'Pure Confucian.'"
"Good, 'Duan Qingchen.' I'll remember that name. I will definitely find him and ask him face-to-face, hearing his answer with my own ears."
"A cult spirit on Fuyao Continent, his actions and Dao field are very secretive. I only know he calls himself the 'Master of Rouge.'"
"I'll have the Confucian Temple look into it."
"Luo Shan, a sword cultivator of the old Hidden Officer lineage. In several meetings, she never spoke ill of the Hidden Officer Chen; on the contrary, she mostly praised and defended him."
"Next time we meet in the desolate wilderness, I must thank her in person."
"This Luo Shan is indeed beautiful and knows how to dress up."
"... *Silence*."
"Next, Du Shanyin, who filled the vacancy left by Hao Su. He is also a native sword cultivator of your Sword Qi Great Wall. It seems he has a maidservant named 'Ji Qing' with an extraordinary background. In a previous meeting, someone tried to buy her, but Du Shanyin refused. To be honest, every time I look at this kid, I feel uncomfortable."
"I also find him irritating. I won't deny that his talent for practicing the sword is indeed excellent."
"Tian Wan of the Cornus Elaeagnus Peak on Zhengyang Mountain, Master Zou's junior sister. It seems she is good at matchmaking and making random pairings."
"When I have a bit more free time, I will arrange a marriage for her in the future, giving her a taste of her own medicine."
"Cloud Miao, the Immortal of the Nine True Immortal Residence, Dao name 'Green Haze.' His Dao partner has already reached the flying ascension realm ahead of him."
"Daoist Cloud Miao, who is generous with his wealth, and I are old friends. There's just a small misunderstanding that has never been cleared up."
"What misunderstanding?"
"He is convinced that I am Zheng Juzhong of White Emperor City."
"An ingenious thought."
After that came the young people from various continents who were on the reserve list. For example, Shao Benchu, who used the alias Xiao Baojuan on the Night Boat; Su Jia, who returned to Zhengyang Mountain; Huai Qian, who had used a natal soul lamp; the Daoist Wang Wu; He Buoruo of Southern Vaisravana Continent; and from Northern Reed Continent, besides Xu Xuan, the sole true disciple of Bai Chang, there was also Lin Su, who had failed to break through to the Nascent Soul realm twice. In total, there were twelve reserves.
After roughly discussing these figures, Xu Xie asked his biggest doubt, "Chen Ping'an, why can't I sense the slightest bit of anger, sarcasm, or any emotional fluctuation from you?"
Chen Ping'an smiled and said self-deprecatingly, "After being the Hidden Officer for a few years and spending time at Shujian Lake, I have seen quite a bit of human nature."
Xu Xie asked an even bigger question, "Master Zou says that neither you nor Zhou Mi have any illustrious past lives. I am still skeptical. Is it really true?"
Chen Ping'an shook his head and said with a faint smile, "Not having one is the correct way. If there were, it would be like..."
He thought for a suitable metaphor.
Xu Xie understood intuitively and interjected, "It would be like vegetarian dishes made to look like meat dishes."
Chen Ping'an nodded. "Then I don't have to be skeptical anymore either. Master Xu, besides your peerless swordsmanship, you are also a good writer."
Xu Xie rubbed his chin. "Hearing a compliment from you always feels like being cursed."
The National Teacher Residence was already a separate paradise within. They walked out of this side room, which was yet another paradise within a paradise.
Xu Xie turned his head and looked at the main official hall at the very end of this central axis, seemingly the grand finale. It was five bays wide and nine purlins deep, with a hard mountain roof, covered with yellow and green glazed tiles, and five ridge beasts.
The most extraordinary thing was the nine wooden pillars in the corridor outside. They were additionally carved with nine lifelike painted coiling dragons, their bodies winding around the pillars, their dragon heads held high.
Xu Xie took his leave, and Chen Ping'an cupped his hands in farewell.
In the corridor of the opposite wing-room, a cane chair was placed, an ordinary item from a market household. Placed here, it became eye-catching.
Rong Yu said, "National Teacher, you don't need to receive anyone for the rest of the morning."
Chen Ping'an nodded. He went to the cane recliner, lay down, closed his eyes to rest, and folded his hands over his stomach.
Rong Yu stood quietly in the covered corridor opposite.
In this courtyard, there was also a map of Vase Bottle Continent's situation. A great river in the middle split the continent in half.
Chen Ping'an, looking relaxed, closed his eyes and said, "Actually, if it were possible, I would prefer to turn our great river into a river of a hundred flowers."
Rong Yu said softly, "It's not appropriate for the National Teacher to discuss this matter personally. How about I go and mention it to the Flower Goddesses of the Flower Blessed Land?"
Chen Ping'an shook his head. "That would be even more inappropriate. Forget it. Let it be."
Rong Yu looked at the map of the dynasty south of the great river. The National Teacher Residence often needed to update the maps.
Remembering something, Chen Ping'an said, "Send word to Zhao Yao of the Ministry of Justice. Regarding the matter we discussed earlier, make some changes. Tell him not to show up personally. There's no need to make such a big fuss. Just have a director-level official handle the affairs. Otherwise, we'll inflate the appetites of that group of Lu clan remnants too quickly."
Rong Yu nodded. "Noted. I'll go inform the Ministry of Justice right away."
Back then, when Chen Ping'an left Youyi Peak, before descending the mountain, he had spoken privately with Lu Xiting about one thing. The Lu clan had already restored their kingdom in the Lin River area of Tongye Continent. The dynasty's surname remained Lu. The new monarch was the deceased state's crown prince, "Yu Lu."
He also made it clear to Lu Xiting that, of course, the Great Li court was aware of this. They turned a blind eye. Yu Lu wasn't raising troops and rebelling within the borders of Great Li's two prefectures to carry out a restoration.
Chen Ping'an then asked Lu Xiting to send a message to those remnant nobles who still longed for the elegance of their former kingdom. If they were willing to go to Tongye Continent to assist Yu Lu, they could clarify matters with the Great Li Ministry of Justice. Not only would the court not make things difficult for them, but it could even help a little. For specific negotiations, they could discuss the details with Zhao Yao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. If they were worried it was a Great Li scheme to "shut the door and beat the dog, catching them all in one net," they could just go directly to Tongye Continent. The Great Li Ministry of Justice would not hold them accountable at all. Their families and property left behind on Vase Bottle Continent need not worry about being targeted by Great Li's wrath or being confiscated.
Upon hearing the National Teacher's personal promise, Lu Xiting was naturally energized. But he admitted that he was not well-versed in court affairs. He was afraid he might not explain things clearly. He didn't doubt Chen Guoshi's intentions, but he was worried that those former kingdom remnants would overthink things or fail to handle matters properly. To be honest, Lu Xiting was a hermit cultivating in the mountains, a kind of immortal. But from his several interactions with them, he found them far too sentimental. Often, they would be happily reciting poetry and drinking, but then, just looking at a certain painting of mountains and waters, they would suddenly burst into tears and snot, heartbroken and melancholy. If they wanted to get someone to stay a few more days, they had their own elegant way of saying it. For example, pointing to the hazy landscape after a rain, they would say something like, "Sir, even if you don't think of old friends, can you bear to part with this Mi family landscape painting?" And the person who heard this would stay. Or, hosting a banquet in a flower garden without bothering to set up tables, chairs, or benches, they would have servants and maids gather fallen petals as cushions, and everyone would sit on the flowers. The host would preen and say, "Though my house is poor and plain, it has its own flower blankets..." Lu Xiting and Lu Langhuan would often look at each other, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Lu Langhuan, however, helped make the final decision: "We just pass on the message and let them decide for themselves. At most, we offer a few reminders. National Teacher Chen and the Great Li court have given them an opportunity. Whether they end up crying or laughing, resentful or grateful, it will be their own doing. We have done our duty and been more than kind. We are not their parents, elders, or ancestors. Hmph! Next time someone tries to probe us with words, using national and moral obligations to force us to take a stance, I won't tolerate them anymore. I'll curse them on the spot! Lu Xiting, agreed? If you dare to speak up for them, I'll curse you too!"
Rong Yu had already returned here. Having been with the National Teacher for a long time, she naturally knew when to wait, when to leave, and when to appear.
It was both experience and intuition.
Sure enough, Chen Ping'an said, "Rong Yu, make a note of Lu Langhuan. She is quite intelligent and has considerable worldly experience. Many of her unique insights seem innate. With proper cultivation, she might not be unable to become a figure like Huang Mei Immortal. In the future, both she and Lu Xiting will serve as accompanying military cultivators beside the General and Deputy General of Jian Prefecture. Have Xiao Shu and Yuan Rong and the others keep an eye on her record. The National Teacher Residence will file a separate archive."
Rong Yu nodded. "Noted."
Chen Ping'an said, "Another matter. Cultivators from the Eternal Spring Palace will be visiting the Ministry of Rites shortly to discuss the matter of agricultural cultivators with Minister Dong Hu. Feng Jie and the others may not be able to provide anything effective. Have Vice Minister Dong prepare a draft in advance. The final plan, jointly agreed upon, will be submitted to the National Teacher Residence. The Secretariat, Pei Jing, will be responsible for recording this matter."
Rong Yu said, "Understood."
Chen Ping'an asked, "Those two groups of people?"
Rong Yu nodded. "The officials from the auxiliary capital and the localities are all on their way. They can all enter the capital by tonight."
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Just look at where they stay tonight, and their origins will be clear at a glance."
Rong Yu said, "It's obvious that Xu Xie is not as relaxed and at ease as he appears on the surface."
Chen Ping'an clasped his hands in his sleeves, opened his eyes, and said calmly, "Neither am I."
Rong Yu said, "I just received news. Wang Yongjin of Yongtai County wanted to resign from his post, but he has changed his mind. It seems he intends to continue as county magistrate."
Chen Ping'an said slowly, "Have Pei Jing record this as well: As long as Wang Yongjin dares to resign, notify the Ministry of Personnel. Each time he resigns, he will be directly demoted one rank. If Wang Yongjin has any objections, have the Ministry of Personnel tell him directly that for the next three generations of his descendants, they will not be allowed to hold any official post. If he has no objections, the Ministry of Personnel may select any local government office for him at will, without needing to inform the National Teacher Residence. Once he is demoted to the ninth rank, he will serve as a minor clerk. Let him return to the Yongtai County office. Only after that can he successfully resign."
Likes being an official? Let him be the magistrate of Yongtai County for his entire life.
Likes resigning? Let him retire in old age as a minor clerk in Yongtai County. For the next three generations, he can farm or do business, whatever he pleases.
Chen Ping'an said, "Rong Yu, imitate my handwriting and send a letter to Senior Brothers Mao at the Rites Studies Academy. Ask the Confucian Temple to investigate the background of that cult spirit, the 'Master of Rouge.'"
Rong Yu hesitated. "I've heard that Director Mao has extremely deep skill in calligraphy. Won't he recognize the handwriting?"
The recliner gently swayed. Lying leisurely, Chen Ping'an closed his eyes again and smiled faintly. "This is what I call deliberately asking for a scolding."
Rong Yu understood in her heart. The woman's smile was like a blooming flower. She returned to the central second courtyard and began to push forward the matters the National Teacher had assigned, one by one.
Before Xu Xie arrived at the National Teacher Residence, Chen Ping'an had just been receiving the three newly empowered Earth Immortals of the Eternal Spring Palace.
The new palace master, Feng Jie. She was the young Earth Immortal who, on board a Great Li military ferry, had spoken eloquently without any fear of the Great Li National Teacher.
The former manager of the Liquan Ferry, Gan Yi, Dao name 'Fog Mist.' She had now stepped down from her managerial role and was responsible for managing the finances of the entire Eternal Spring Palace.
There was also a young female cultivator named Wei Rui, who had recently achieved Earth Immortal status in that ancient blessed land.
The Great Li capital region had two ferry ports. One was the Gansu Ferry, open to anyone regardless of status. The other was the Mingdi Ferry, reserved exclusively for Great Li military vessels. Throughout the entire Vase Bottle Continent, the only exception was the Eternal Spring Palace's Liquan Ferry.
The fact that the Liquan Ferry was docked at the Mingdi Ferry today caught the attention of many observant people in the capital's officialdom.
One must know that the Song clan of Great Li had granted the Eternal Spring Palace not only this honor. If a cultivator successfully broke through to the Nascent Soul realm, the Liquan Ferry could even slowly glide over the Great Li Imperial Capital. That cultivator would stand alone on the bow, overlooking the entire capital city, accepting the cheers and congratulations of all the citizens below. The Emperor and all civil and military officials would stand outside the main hall, offering their most sincere congratulations to that female cultivator.
In fact, the previous palace master, Lu Fanlu, had enjoyed such treatment when she broke through to the Nascent Soul realm.
Even later, when the Embroidery Tiger Cui Chan served as the Great Li National Teacher, this agreement remained unchanged. At his last attendance of the Eternal Spring Palace's peak-opening ceremony for Golden Core cultivators, Cui Chan had explicitly stated that as long as he was the Great Li National Teacher, this matter would never change.
He would still, according to the agreement between the Great Li Song clan and the Eternal Spring Palace, stand within the shadow of the ferry as it passed over the capital and pay his respects from afar.
Thinking back to those days.
Looking at the present.
The new National Teacher, lying on the cane chair, was still resting with his eyes closed. He just tugged at his collar and twisted his neck.
Rong Yu stopped at the side gate, then quietly returned to the side room to continue her work. She began to habitually replay the events in her mind.
Earlier, while accompanying the National Teacher to receive guests, Rong Yu learned that Tiao Yu Mountain was actually Gan Yi's private property. She had voluntarily sold it to Falling Mountain through Zheng Dafeng.
Logically speaking, even before Chen Ping'an became National Teacher, there was already a fairly good bond of incense-fire friendship between the two parties.
Perhaps that was precisely why Lu Fanlu and the others mistakenly believed that the Great Li Song clan was forever the Great Li Song clan that owed the Eternal Spring Palace a debt?
When she met the three Golden Core cultivators in the official hall, the National Teacher's first words were, with a smile, "Did you repeatedly try to persuade Song Yu to come visit as well, but still couldn't move this ancestor who couldn't save face?"
Their expressions were all awkward.
The National Teacher's second sentence: "A Dao-seeker always needs to understand one principle: why and how the body and the mind become enemies. Lu Fanlu doesn't understand, Song Yu doesn't quite understand either. But the few of you need to think it through clearly."
After that, Feng Jie mustered the courage to speak about the Eternal Spring Palace's future plans. Naturally, they wanted the National Teacher to help them review and see if there were any major directional errors in their combined ideas. A draft of barely over a hundred words, yet Feng Jie, a Golden Core Earth Immortal, had to recite it repeatedly on the Liquan Ferry, weighing even the pauses, intonation, and emotional delivery over and over.
It was both "fortunately" and "unfortunately" that the National Teacher only listened once and gave no evaluation whatsoever.
So, whether their ideas were good or bad, they had no idea in their hearts.
Originally, they could have left and returned within a quarter of an hour. At least they hadn't made any mistakes that would incur the National Teacher's wrath or the court's liquidation. The Eternal Spring Palace had made it through a dangerous pass, barely? Did it mean the new ancestral hall's personnel arrangements were approved?
However, the National Teacher suddenly asked with curiosity, "Palace Master Feng, how many jars of Eternal Spring Brew can your Eternal Spring Palace actually produce in a year?"
Although Feng Jie didn't understand why the National Teacher would ask about such a trivial matter, she reported truthfully, "At most one hundred and twenty jars. If we make more, the wine's flavor changes, and it will also damage the water vein of the Spiritual Clear Spring."
Chen Ping'an laughed and cursed, "Goddammit, the Cattail River Tavern in the capital and the Oriole Flower Quarter in Luo Capital consume more than a hundred jars of Eternal Spring Brew in a single night, right?"
Gan Yi was slightly better off, but Feng Jie and Wei Rui were both startled by the National Teacher's "goddammit."
Feng Jie ventured, "National Teacher, does the court want to requisition the Spiritual Clear Spring, turn it into government-brewed alcohol, lower the wine quality, increase sales, and slightly ease the pressure on the Ministry of Revenue?"
If that were the case, the Eternal Spring Palace would have absolutely no objections.
In the eyes of Feng Jie and these younger Earth Immortals, as well as many mid-five realm female cultivators, their Eternal Spring Palace had, over the past century, been too intoxicated by the illusion of being surrounded by various forces. They had forgotten their roots.
Chen Ping'an smiled and waved his hand. "Just pure curiosity. A random question. Don't overthink it."
"You probably don't know this, but now some people are starting to suggest that I should concurrently head the Ministry of Revenue. Their reasoning is that it's my old line of work, and the Ministry of Personnel's performance evaluations would certainly be quite good."
"That makes sense. I'm used to being a peddler, and I used to run a tavern on the Sword Qi Great Wall. So, you suspecting me of wanting to brew wine is indeed reasonable and plausible."
Clearly feeling the National Teacher's relaxed mood, Feng Jie and the others immediately felt relieved.
Gan Yi hesitated for a moment, then took the initiative to propose, "National Teacher, for these one hundred and twenty jars of Eternal Spring Brew, our Eternal Spring Palace will keep twenty jars for our own use. As for the remaining one hundred jars, how about we regularly deliver them to the Ministry of Rites in fixed quantities? For some court celebrations, like enfeoffing a legitimate mountain or water god, the Ministry of Rites can allocate them as they see fit. Consider it a bit of icing on the cake."
Chen Ping'an glanced at her and nodded. "Feasible."
Feng Jie's eyes lit up. Indeed, the older ginger is spicier.
Wei Rui, who had been quite quiet during the audience with the National Teacher, frowned slightly.
Chen Ping'an smiled faintly. "Your Eternal Spring Palace has good incense-fire friendships on the mountain. When you discuss this matter with Vice Minister Dong of the Ministry of Rites, take the opportunity to also try to negotiate a proper set of rules regarding the matter of agricultural cultivators."
Gan Yi was clearly taken aback, stunned. Palace Master Feng Jie, although startled in her Dao heart, agreed without hesitation.
Rong Yu sneered inwardly. This Gan Yi had outsmarted herself. Was it so easy to take advantage of today's Great Li court?
Agricultural cultivators in the three continents of Vase Bottle, Fuyao, and Tongye had never been so "in demand." So much so that many agricultural cultivators from Flowing Xia and Drifting Snow Continents saw an opportunity and began running to these three continents. But because Vase Bottle Continent had the Great Li Dynasty, which was extremely strict in its control over the mountains, the number of incomers was relatively small. Additionally, the local agricultural cultivators of Vase Bottle Continent had "served" in the various prefectures of the Great Li Dynasty during the war. Even though it was unpaid land reclamation and farming, they had no complaints. Well, they didn't dare to have any complaints. After the war, especially those registered cultivators from the south, they wanted to return home. According to the new treaties established by the Great Li Song clan, their annual salaries were meager. How could that withstand an increasingly strong surge of homesickness?
Beyond homesickness, in the south of Vase Bottle Continent, where kingdoms and Dao fields were being restored, an agricultural cultivator in the lower five realms would likely be fawned over by an Earth Immortal from the mountains. Wasn't that much more comfortable than being in the Great Li Dynasty north of the great river?
Feng Jie, Gan Yi, and Wei Rui left the National Teacher Residence and returned to the Liquan Ferry. Gan Yi was full of guilt, saying she had overreached.
Feng Jie, however, shook her head and said with a smile, "All things are difficult at the start; we just need to be wary of those with intent. The more problems we can solve, the more respect the Eternal Spring Palace will earn. The scattered hearts of an ancestral hall can instead be reunited through this."
Wei Rui transmitted her thoughts via heart voice: "I guess the National Teacher threw us such a huge problem not necessarily to see how well we write our rules, or how solid and feasible they are, but for the court to observe the Dao hearts of most of our new Eternal Spring Palace. So we just need to do our best and not worry too much about the severity of the consequences. But we three are the only ones who can know about this. We must never mention it to anyone else."
Feng Jie smiled slyly and pinched Wei Rui's cheek. "Immortal Wei, aren't you usually the one who loves flipping through the two seal collections the most? And you even compose some 'assembled phrase' poems. Now that you've seen the owner of the seal collections today, why didn't you say a single word?"
The women of the Eternal Spring Palace loved and hated clearly. Matters of romantic love between men and women, which were too entangled in the mortal world, were often hidden and guarded against in other immortal residences. But here, there were no rules or etiquette restrictions. It was not uncommon for a registered cultivator of the Eternal Spring Palace to marry an ordinary mortal man from the lower world, spend several decades with him in the mundane world, and then return to the mountains to continue her cultivation.
Wei Rui was both annoyed and amused. She exchanged a few playful jabs with Feng Jie, then let out a quiet sigh and murmured, "Palace Master Feng, Auntie Fog Mist, our Eternal Spring Palace needs to be extremely careful. This is not a matter of honor or disgrace, but of life and death hanging by a thread."
Feng Jie nodded seriously. "Consider it a battle with our backs to the river."
Her expression then changed. Feng Jie smiled lecherously—or rather, to be accurate, lustfully—and said, "Immortal Wei, what do you think..."
Wei Rui, knowing full well this palace master's private nature, immediately reached out and covered her mouth. "Feng Jie, you gossip girl! Don't you dare say anything!"
Gan Yi watched the two juniors tease each other, then looked at the surging sea of clouds outside the ferry window. Her Dao heart felt at ease, and the world became vast.
It started to rain.
Dark clouds gathered, a sudden downpour.
Song Yunjian lazily strolled along the covered corridor to this spot, looking at the cane chair in the opposite corridor.
The two were like being separated by a central courtyard where the four streams of water converged.
Chen Ping'an, with his hands clasped in his sleeves, listened to the sound of wind and rain and asked with a smile, "Having seen the flowers bloom, fall, and bloom again, what are your thoughts, Daoist Ying Ning?"
In the courtyard, a peach tree symbolized the number of years of the Great Li dynasty's reign. Previously, there were around six hundred and fifty blossoms, not too far from eight hundred.
But after a Heaven and Earth passage, until the young National Teacher returned from the Great Suo Dynasty to Great Li, Song Yunjian witnessed a heart-stopping scene. Those six hundred-plus peach blossoms, one after another, drifted and fell to the ground, completely unsettling his Dao heart, leaving him wanting to cry but having no tears.
A bleak scene of only eighty-six blossoms remaining on the tree.
Fortunately, as the hour approached midnight, near the end of the day, the peach blossoms bloomed again, filling the tree, restoring it to six hundred.
Even now, thinking back, Song Yunjian still felt lingering fear. He said bitterly, "Mortals climbing high cliffs and steep precipices, like a rolling pearl falling from a height of ten thousand ren—naturally, one's spirit and bones are terrified."
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Now you know that being the protector of the Great Li Song clan isn't so easy, and it's certainly not a matter of lying back and enjoying the blessings?"
Song Yunjian composed himself, smiled, shook his sleeves, and said with a free and easy air, "Traversing mountains and fording rivers, first showing ruggedness, danger, and roaring waves, then showing magnificent rivers and mountains, unique scenery—this is just where the mountain spirits and water immortals place their intent."
Many things in the National Teacher Residence, such as who was received each day and the general content of conversations, were compiled and summarized monthly and submitted to the Imperial Study for the Emperor's perusal.
This was not a requirement of Emperor Song He, but a rule established by the National Teacher Residence itself.
Rong Yu was responsible for this.
Song Yunjian transmitted his thoughts via heart voice: "Are you really planning to groom Rong Yu as the next National Teacher?"
Chen Ping'an retorted, "Why not?"
There were many precedents for women serving as National Teacher. In the Great Duan Dynasty of the Central Earth, Pei Bei was the National Teacher. The Cao clan was Haoran's second dynasty.
There was also the Azure Spirit Dynasty in the Azure Underworld, where the female National Teacher Bai Ou was the third-ranked martial arts grandmaster in the Azure Underworld. If he remembered correctly, last time when he and Leader Lu visited the desolate wilderness together, they passed through a place called the Cloud Pattern Dynasty, where there was also a female National Teacher named Bai Ren. That Emperor, with the Dao name 'Unrivaled,' seemed to be named Ye Pu. They had a congenial conversation, and the other party insisted on giving him twelve flying swords. He couldn't refuse such warm hospitality.
Song Yunjian smiled. "It's all good, anyway."
Chen Ping'an said, "Rong Yu is just one of the candidates for now."
Song Yunjian said, "No matter what, it's a good thing."
Chen Ping'an sat up. "Trouble you, Daoist Ying Ning, to go next door and get my tobacco pipe."
Song Yunjian couldn't be bothered to point out that an eleventh realm martial artist could retrieve objects from afar with no difficulty. He still fetched it and casually tossed it to this fellow who appeared to be living a life of leisure but was actually snatching a moment of respite.
Taking the tobacco pipe, Chen Ping'an seemed very happy.
Seeing the National Teacher in such a mood and demeanor, Song Yunjian asked curiously, "What's the good news? Let's hear it?"
Chen Ping'an didn't keep him in suspense. "Cao Ci has finally broken through to the eleventh realm."
Song Yunjian, however, caught the key word in the National Teacher's words: "finally"?
Hmph. Look at you, all smug, just because you broke through to the martial god realm a few days before Cao Ci did.
Who doesn't know across several worlds that you lost four fist-fights in a row?
But Chen Ping'an was quite unkind. He held back for a moment, then finally couldn't help it and burst into loud laughter.
Song Yunjian shook his head and walked away on his own. He couldn't stand that look of a petty man basking in his glory.
It took Chen Ping'an a while to stop laughing. He rubbed his face. Cao Ci breaking through to the eleventh realm might make Chen Ping'an the happiest person in the entire world, bar none.
He stretched, took off his boots, got up from the cane chair, and stood barefoot in the corridor. He smoked his pipe and looked at the curtain of rain in the courtyard, remaining silent for a long time.
Ten thousand years of the mortal world's history.
A never-ending tale. Wears a vague, distant expression, as if lost in thought.