Chapter 42: Please Be at Ease
On Flower Shadow Peak, Celestial Master Zhao Tianlao casually created a heavily restricted thunder pool domain, explaining the origins and context of the world's thunder techniques clearly and systematically. At the same time, he supplemented with spells, diagrams, and talismans, or spoke words that became law. A series of golden sacred texts hung in the air, allowing everyone to see them vividly and truly.
For those present, this opportunity was a genuine "hearing of the Dao." Everyone felt greatly benefited and gained much. However, since it was taught by the Celestial Master, even though their cultivation aptitudes were excellent, most admitted they had only understood seven-tenths or five- or six-tenths temporarily. For example, that Taoist priest Xianwei's disciple, Lin Feijing, felt immensely benefited, experiencing the essence of it, as if drunk with joy.
Among them, the highest realm was the qingqiu fox lord, who was greatly startled. What the Celestial Master said was not just about thunder techniques; it was almost the Dao itself.
On the other hand, the two listeners were somewhat unusual. The ten-year-old girl Chai Wu felt that she had even more questions.
As the gatekeeper of Luopo Mountain, Xianwei felt suddenly enlightened. No wonder he was the Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain; when it came to explaining Dao techniques, he was truly formidable. Even someone with my mediocre aptitude could understand clearly. Many difficult problems that had accumulated over years of reading Daoist scriptures and had always puzzled me were finally solved.
After the lesson ended, Zhao Tianlao made a bow and left the thatched hut. He asked Old Deaf to call the girl outside the door, then asked with a smile, "What is your name? Do you have a Dao name?"
The upper fifth realm, undoubtedly. And a sword cultivator at that. This alone was enough to shock the world.
But this child also seemed to have a mysterious, innate connection with thunder techniques.
Chai Wu replied respectfully, "In response to the Celestial Master, my name is Chai Wu. I have no Dao name for now."
The girl quickly added, "My godfather is Wei Xian, and my master is... Xie Dog."
Zhao Tianlao nodded. "May I invite you to take a walk along the mountain path? For example, let's walk together from here to the Ancestral Hall on Jise Peak?"
Chai Wu was stunned.
Zhao Tianlao laughed. "Earlier in the class, I saw that you had moments of understanding, but also many expressions of doubt. We can talk as we walk. If you are willing, you can also follow me down the mountain for a while, stopping at Huaihuang County, for instance."
Chai Wu said, "Celestial Master, I need to discuss this with my master and the mountain lord. Is that okay?"
Zhao Tianlao smiled. "Of course."
If it weren't for the mountain's rules and his feeling that it was inappropriate for an outsider to interfere, Zhao Tianlao would have been willing to stay at Tiaoyu Mountain for a while.
The qingqiu fox lord was naturally charming. She performed a curtsy. "Celestial Master, this servant uses the pseudonym Xu Niang, with the Dao name Qingqiu. My origin is the fox kingdom of the Lotus Root Blessed Land on Luopo Mountain. I am fortunate to receive your true teachings today."
She felt a closeness to this Taoist. Hadn't there been a rumor about a ten-tailed celestial fox that had survived a heavenly tribulation using the Celestial Master's Seal?
Zhao Tianlao asked directly, "Daoist friend, the reason you haven't gathered all your kin in the wilderness to rebuild Qingqiu is because you plan to refine your heart and seek enlightenment in the mortal world, thereby returning to the fourteenth realm?"
The qingqiu fox lord did not dissemble. She nodded. "Exactly so."
Zhao Tianlao smiled. "That's perfect. Currently, there are two younger members of your clan residing in my mansion. If you don't mind, I can send a letter to Dragon Tiger Mountain to inform them of this. They can come here to pay respects to their ancestor, or you can visit Dragon Tiger Mountain in the future. Both are acceptable."
The qingqiu fox lord said, "That would be wonderful."
Just then, a girl in a sable hat rushed over from the National Preceptor's Residence, laughing heartily. "Old Zhao!"
Zhao Tianlao smiled slightly. "Greetings, Daoist friend Baijing."
Every time he saw this sword cultivator, he felt a sense of refreshment.
It had nothing to do with gender perception; it was a kind of beauty in the world itself.
"I'll take you to see Xiaomo right away."
Xie Dog made a gesture of tilting her head to drink.
Old Zhao is one of us!
He saved Xiaomo, after all.
Zhao Tianlao politely declined. "I am not good at drinking, and besides, Young Master Xiaomo is currently in seclusion. It would be inappropriate to disturb him."
Xie Dog sighed. "Seclusion can happen anytime, but drinking depends on mood and occasion. Don't worry, our mountain lord said that forcing someone to drink hurts character. Xiaomo and I both have a good reputation for our drinking habits. Old Zhao, just drink however you see fit."
Zhao Tianlao laughed. "Isn't this already persuading me?"
Xie Dog was momentarily speechless.
Chai Wu was greatly surprised. Her master was this familiar with the Celestial Master?
Xie Dog reached out and patted Chai Wu's head, one hand on her hip, laughing heartily. "Old Zhao, how's my disciple? Pretty good aptitude, huh?"
Zhao Tianlao nodded. "Among the younger generation, Chai Wu's aptitude is the best I have ever seen. But the more so, the more the Dao transmitter must carefully ponder, diligently nurture, and do their utmost to protect her Dao heart. One day, Chai Wu will be both Baijing Daoist friend's personal disciple, bearing the lineage of the Dharma vein, and Chai Wu herself."
Xie Dog nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking rice.
Old Zhao's words were both refined and substantial, full of reason, good reason.
In the capital of Great Li, Chen Ping'an returned to the National Preceptor's Residence. Passing by Rong Yu's "official hall," he asked her to retrieve the file of Bian Chuntang, a clerk in the household department of Yongtai County. Although Rong Yu was surprised, she did not ask why. Chen Ping'an went to the backyard study, where Song Yunjian was still standing under the tree counting peach blossoms.
The oil-paper umbrella he had seen earlier at the White Clouds Escort Agency clearly carried a warm and mellow sword intent from Old Deaf. Somehow, it had ended up in Bian Chuntang's hands.
Rong Yu quickly brought the dossier. Naturally, the National Preceptor's Residence did not store such files; she had temporarily summoned them from the Ministry of Revenue.
Chen Ping'an quickly flipped through the file. Although Bian Chuntang was young, he was experienced in worldly affairs, especially proficient in grain and finance. His superiors and colleagues in the household department spoke highly of him, and he had a good reputation in other departments of the county office. His only flaw was that he had no official scholarly title. Although Great Li's distinction between pure and turbid officials was not as strict as in other dynasties, this dividing line was not easily crossed. The main path was through military merit.
Chen Ping'an nodded, roughly understanding the situation. "Rong Yu, make another trip. Also get the evaluation records of the current clerk in the county household department and the resume of Lu Zhuang from the detention room. Have the residence copy an extra set for our files."
Rong Yu was about to turn and leave to retrieve the files when she heard the National Preceptor say, "By the way, Rong Yu, find a suitable reason to gift the Green Mystic Cave of Yuanrou Stack to Hong Zhengyun. No need to rush; just get it done before the end of the year. In the end, let Hong Zhengyun vaguely sense that County Magistrate Wang Yongjin and Wei Li of the Sihai Martial Arts Hall both secretly helped."
Rong Yu said, "The Green Mystic Cave has a long history. Although it has been abandoned for many years, it has many peculiarities. For so long, no one has been able to take possession. The court didn't dare to casually give away this ancient Daoist site located on a dragon vein. The Ministry of Rites was worried that breaking ground and building in the Green Mystic Cave would affect the capital's feng shui. Hong Zhengyun is only in the Cave Dwelling realm. Can he suppress it?"
Chen Ping'an explained, "The Green Mystic Cave naturally has its mysteries. Its qi is both clear and cold. Ordinary Daoists indeed cannot suppress it. Not to mention the Cave Dwelling realm, even an Earth Immortal might not dare to claim their virtue matches the position. However, Gu Can had already tampered with the Green Mystic Cave earlier. Later, Zheng Juzhong also stayed at the entrance for a while. In mountain terms, the cold ground has been warmed. Although Hong Zhengyun's realm is not high, his virtue is deep, and his nature is warm and mellow. There will be no major problems with him residing there. Later, I will personally visit the Green Mystic Cave."
Rong Yu nodded. "I'll go handle it. I won't let Hong Zhengyun easily guess the National Preceptor's identity."
Chen Ping'an said with a straight face, "But don't make it too flawless. Let Brother Hong have a bit of doubt, or else how can the knight-errant Cao Mo continue to trick him out of wine later?"
Rong Yu couldn't help but smile. She didn't dare comment, but said softly, "Compiler Cao has officially submitted his resignation to the Hanlin Academy and returned a portion of his salary. The Hanlin Academy didn't dare make a decision on their own and is still waiting for word from the National Preceptor's Residence."
Previously, Rong Yu had thought it over and decided that addressing Cao Qinglang as Compiler Cao was the safest. As for Lin Shouyi, who was "lodging to take the exams" at the residence, there were no such concerns; calling him Young Master Lin or Immortal Lin were both fine.
Besides being the National Preceptor's personal disciple and the master of a peak at Green Lotus Sword Sect, Cao Qinglang was also a second-place scholar in the Great Li imperial examinations and had been serving as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, seventh rank.
Under Cui Dongshan's arrangement, Compiler Cao had spent these years compiling histories and books in the history bureau. He never missed a Hanlin Academy assessment or an official evaluation. His official position remained unchanged, neither promoted nor demoted, and his monthly salary was never short a single coin.
Before his master became the National Preceptor, Cao Qinglang had been forced by his little senior brother to sit on this cold bench in the Hanlin Academy. He had always felt uncomfortable inside. Once his master became the Great Li National Preceptor, Cao Qinglang made up his mind: he could no longer take the court's salary for nothing; he had to resign.
Chen Ping'an laughed. "When there's work, let the disciple do it. It's fine to become a schoolteacher. In this world, which scholar doesn't enjoy teaching others?"
Now, with Chen Ping'an's cultivation realm, he was too busy to be everywhere. Ordinary teleportation talismans were no longer "up to the task." Even Wei Bo, who wanted to throw the National Preceptor, who had reached the eleventh martial realm, to Luopo Mountain or the Residence, found it quite strenuous. But the lessons for the village children couldn't be neglected, so Cao Qinglang became the third teacher of the village school after Jiang Shangzhen.
Chen Ping'an said, "Also, let the Hanlin Academy know not to act on their own. Just follow the procedures."
Rong Yu tentatively asked, "Approving the resignation is standard procedure. But about returning the salary—does he have to? Although Compiler Cao didn't report for duty at the Hanlin Academy, he did put in real effort for the book compilation."
Chen Ping'an rubbed his brow. "Handle it as you see fit. Also, when asking Zhou Haijing to feed you punches, don't be polite with her."
Rong Yu laughed. "Zhou Haijing has already left the capital by boat with Cao Gengxin."
Chen Ping'an wasn't surprised. He chuckled. "If they can end up together, they'd be an enviable pair of immortal Dao companions."
After a moment of silence, he said, "Then send the file of the martial artist Yu Hong to Cao Gengxin."
He was essentially throwing a difficult problem at Cao Gengxin. If handled well, it would be a sincere betrothal gift. If mishandled, Minister Cao might lose both his official career and his love life.
Rong Yu understood tacitly.
Chen Ping'an took a few booklets from the drawer and handed them to Rong Yu. "There are sixteen volumes in the original. I had Cui Dongshan use mountain techniques to make several handwritten copies recently. Each of my disciples and students has a copy. Take these and read them when you have time."
Rong Yu took them with both hands, her expression gentle, and thanked the National Preceptor.
Chen Ping'an had written that travelogue of mountains and waters solely for Ning Yao's viewing. He had to be careful with the details, avoiding too much complexity or simplicity, so she wouldn't find it boring.
But for some "extraneous thoughts," he didn't have to worry about such rules. So in his spare time, he wrote sixteen volumes of reading notes. Calling them reading notes was a bit of a misnomer; only half were excerpts from books. The rest were more like impromptu idle chatter—for example, some words from Li Xisheng, his hometown friend from Fulu Street, or Zhu Lian's discussions on poetry from Luopo Mountain. But the bulk of the content was carefully collected memorials and policy essays from Liu Qingfeng, as well as a few rare conversations between them.
Ning Yao had long read the original manuscripts, but she was clearly more interested in those martial arts tales and detective stories. The anecdotes and principles recorded in these booklets made her yawn, so Chen Ping'an didn't force her. When it came to reading, his Ning Yao had never been patient since childhood. As for the scene in the Ning residence's study, well, she had a good memory and even better comprehension, so there was no need for her to read a hundred times to understand the meaning.
Chen Ping'an reminded, "When flipping through the books, pay more attention to Minister Liu's 'self-referential remarks'."
Rong Yu smiled and nodded.
Chen Ping'an said, "Make a note: let me know as soon as Liu Qingshan and Liu Boqi return to Baoping Continent."
This Daoist couple had been leisurely traveling through several continents for years. It seemed they were currently roaming around Liuxia Continent, their traces appearing and disappearing. As for the Liu family's ancestral mansion, the Lion Garden in Blue Luan Kingdom, it was always guarded and maintained, so there were no issues.
Rong Yu remembered something. "Before Compiler Cao left the capital, he was going to attend a same-year scholars' banquet with Xun Qu."
Chen Ping'an laughed. "Setting up a banquet to welcome, and breaking willows to see off—these are elegant scholarly affairs. That year's group of successful candidates produced many promising young officials. They should gather."
There are no walls without ears. That Cao Qinglang was the National Preceptor's private disciple—those in the capital with sharp eyes would eventually know.
Cao Qinglang was the top candidate in that year's spring examination and the second-place scholar in the palace examination. If he hadn't come in second, he would have achieved the triple first.
Chen Ping'an was particularly petty about this. He had even specifically retrieved the palace exam essay of the top scholar, Zhang Ding, and concluded that both Zhang Ding and Cao Qinglang were worthy of the top spot.
That year's group of successful candidates who passed with Cao Qinglang were all doing well in the Great Li officialdom. For example, the eighteen-year-old third-place scholar Yang Shuang, and a fifteen-year-old young scholar, and one named Wang Qintuo. These had all served in the Hanlin Academy compiling books before being assigned to various ministries for training, and their promotions were fast.
Chen Ping'an said, "For tomorrow's morning and afternoon meetings at the Residence, add a few more people to both lists. Remember their names."
Rong Yu immediately became serious and silently noted two groups of people. For the afternoon meeting, Patrol Envoy Pei Mao was temporarily added.
Chen Ping'an picked up his brush to review documents. Rong Yu walked softly out of the room. As she crossed the threshold, she heard the National Preceptor say, "Notify Zhujiu. We'll go together to the famous Changpu River area tonight to eat at a restaurant and have a late-night snack."
---
The sky was cloudless, a vast expanse of green as far as the eye could see, like emerald walls clinging to the heavens.
The ferry chose a wide stretch of a great river, crossing like a bird in flight.
A young boy in blue stood on the observation deck of the ferry, hands behind his back. "Little Millet, once we cross this great river, we'll be in another country."
Little Millet nodded. North of the great river was all Great Li territory. Going south, it would indeed be foreign lands.
Zhong Qian picked his teeth with a toothpick and burped. Thanks to Patriarch Jingqing, he had made a new friend, eaten a free meal, and tasted immortal wine.
That young cultivator who kept calling him Patriarch Jingqing wasn't a wealthy immortal. It was said that his sect had moved to the Central Mountain area a few years ago and "happened" to attend a night tour banquet.
After that, initiated monks like him had to be thrifty when traveling. Just now, Chen Lingjun had wanted to pay the bill, but that immortal had secretly paid in advance. He had no intention of currying favor with Luopo Mountain; it seemed he just wanted to treat them to a meal. Chen Lingjun felt guilty; he had originally planned to pay, so he had ordered a pot of good wine. Afterwards, feeling embarrassed, he wanted to chat with the man, but when he asked, he learned the man had already disembarked at the previous dock.
In the end, besides knowing his name, Chen Lingjun didn't even know what sect he belonged to.
Chen Lingjun sighed softly. I wasn't careful enough in my dealings.
He looked up at the sky, which reminded him of the monochrome glazed porcelain from his master's hometown.
Now, the orthodox water gods of this great river were headed by Changchun Hou Yang Hua and Linli Bo Cao Yong, along with the newly appointed Qiantang Chief Cen Wenqian.
Chen Lingjun often went to his brother's Iron Symbol River God Residence for morning drinks, so he was very familiar with the inner workings of the mountain and water officialdom.
The ferry finally docked at an immortal dock called Green Crane Shoal.
After disembarking, they deliberately chose a route along the eastern coast. Leaving the dock area, they came across a large river.
Zhong Qian hadn't yet reached the Far Traveling realm. Chen Lingjun and Little Millet used their innate abilities to dive into the river; Zhong Qian could only run on the shore.
After climbing back ashore, Chen Lingjun and Zhou Millet laughed heartily, boasting to each other about their water-repelling abilities and how skillfully they had used them.
Then they traversed mountains and ridges, sometimes strolling leisurely, sometimes riding clouds or wind. Zhong Qian, the escort who could only travel on foot, followed their whims and wanderlust.
At a desolate mountain peak, Chen Lingjun suddenly stopped, shielding his eyes with his hand. "Eh? That's strange? Oh, right, we're no longer in Great Li territory."
Chen Lingjun activated his abilities. His eyes sparkled. Wherever his gaze reached, the grass and trees were withered and yellow, the clouds were gloomy, the wind was chilling—there was a heavy aura of slaughter.
Little Millet tugged at the string of her crossbody bag and hopped a couple of times. "What's going on?"
Chen Lingjun frowned. "I think I saw a battlefield ruin."
Zhong Qian said lazily, "Then let's keep our distance and take a detour. We can avoid what we can't handle."
Chen Lingjun thought for a moment. Unlike the old days when he wandered around the Northern Ju Continent with his friend Bai Mang, always liking to head into danger, he nodded. "Alright, we'll detour."
They avoided the area for over a hundred li and passed a dilapidated county town. They didn't even need to show their travel permits. Walking on the streets, Chen Lingjun looked at the faces of the locals—they were all covered in a faint black mist. Chen Lingjun was silent. He asked around in the Great Li official language. The county had no city god temple, but there was a collapsed Confucian temple that hadn't been repaired for years due to lack of funds. They went there. It happened to be temple fair day. There was a neglected cold stall with some old paintings and calligraphy spread out, most of them moth-eaten and damaged. Chen Lingjun didn't understand these things. On his mountain, only his master and the old cook were experts. Chen Lingjun crouched down, going by intuition. He saw a piece of clerical script reading "Today Nothing Happens." Although the paper was yellowed, fortunately the characters weren't damaged. Looking at the signature, Chen Lingjun recognized the characters but not the person.
The stall owner swore that this person was very famous, had been the literary leader for decades, and this was definitely authentic, not a fake... Chen Lingjun haggled while asking if there had been a battle nearby and if the local government had held any purification rituals or water-land assemblies. Chen Lingjun eventually spent a few silver coins to buy the piece. He stood up. Children who had come to the temple fair with their elders were full of innocent joy and laughter.
Chen Lingjun hesitated for a moment, then said, "Zhong Qian, I'm going to take a look over there. You and Little Millet stay here."
Zhong Qian glanced at Little Millet and smiled. "Let's go together."
Although not a cultivator, he was a martial arts grandmaster at the bottleneck of the Golden Body realm and the number one martial artist in that blessed land. Zhong Qian was quite sensitive to the flow of qi and the clarity-turbidity distinction in the world.
Zhong Qian also glanced at the elderly stall owner. The old man was squatting with his hands in his sleeves. He looked up, grinned, and clasped his fists. "Everyone is thoughtful."
They left the county and went straight to the ancient battlefield, where bones and corpses were everywhere.
Chen Lingjun crouched down, pinching some soil between two fingers, and used a secret technique. The soil instantly sizzled and smoked, then crumbled like pale incense ash. Chen Lingjun sniffed it, squinting. "There must be a powerful evil spirit haunting this place. Somehow, it managed to thrive, disrupting the local weather and geography."
Zhong Qian asked with a smile, "You know about these things too?"
Chen Lingjun clapped his hands. "My master's original profession. How could I be an outsider and completely ignorant?"
Zhong Qian suggested, "If there really is a malicious spirit causing trouble here, let's find a nearby immortal dock and send a flying sword message to Luopo Mountain, explaining the situation. They can decide how to handle this, whether to intervene or not. Even if we take a step back, we can return near the great river, find a mountain god or water lord in the Central Mountain area, and inform them to take the lead. That would be better than us stumbling around blindly."
Although this place wasn't Great Li territory, with the Central Mountain Lord's golden signboard, they might still be able to meddle quietly.
Chen Lingjun said, "Since I've seen something wrong, I can't stand by and do nothing."
"Whether it's finding a dock to send a flying sword, waiting for a reply, then returning here, or going north to report to the mountain and water deities, it will take time. Who knows what will happen in the meantime?"
"Zhong Qian, use a teleportation talisman immediately and take Little Millet back to the Green Crane Shoal dock to wait for me. At the earliest, half a day; at the latest, two days. I will definitely meet up with you."
"I will take on this lawless local tyrant alone."
Zhong Qian laughed. "Patriarch Jingqing, we're just sightseeing. Why stir up trouble and insist on fighting to the end?"
Chen Lingjun glared, raising his voice. "Why? Listen to yourself—what nonsense are you talking?! If the heavens don't care, the earth doesn't fear, I don't care, you don't care—then who will?! I've cultivated in the mountains for so many years, hardworking and diligent, finally managing to scrape together an Infant realm. Is it just to hang my portrait on the wall and look at it?!"
Zhong Qian, as the leader of the late-night snack faction, was well-versed in Luopo Mountain's inside stories. He chuckled. "You cultivate diligently on Luopo Mountain so that when you go out, you won't be killed with one punch, but with two punches?"
Chen Lingjun's heroic momentum immediately dropped by half. "That's only in my hometown. Outside the old Pearl Bead Cave Heaven territory, I can still hold my own."
In his heart, Zhong Qian actually admired Chen Lingjun for staying to take on the trouble, but due to his "escort" identity, he had to say something.
Little Millet said, "Jingqing, Jingqing, just use this."
She was about to pull a "big talisman" from her crossbody bag.
Chen Lingjun was both amused and exasperated, immediately waving his hand. "No need, no need. This talisman is for navigating water. Using it for a fight would be too wasteful. Besides, do you really think my Infant realm is made of paper?"
Little Millet insisted, "Even if you don't need it now, keep it just in case."
Chen Lingjun patted her cloth bag and smiled. "Keep it. Don't worry, I'm a seasoned traveler. I've seen all kinds of storms."
Zhong Qian took Little Millet and used a teleportation talisman to leave the battlefield site first.
After using a few talismans, Zhong Qian switched to carrying Little Millet. As he sprinted through the forest, he used sound condensation to send a secret message. "Brother Wen, since I'm with Little Millet, you don't need to follow. Go keep an eye on Chen Lingjun to prevent accidents. You know the ins and outs of mountain scheming better than I do."
Zhong Qian looked around casually. "Around here, a few shrimp soldiers and crab generals aren't enough to fill my teeth."
Back in his hometown, Zhong Qian had always been a good-tempered man who never actively sought trouble. If he couldn't avoid a conflict, he would act as cowardly as possible before throwing a punch. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been called a sissy back home. As for after he threw the punch—well, the number one martial artist in the Lotus Root Blessed Land didn't get that reputation by bragging.
On this long journey, Wen Zixi, who had been secretly protecting them, still hadn't left. He laughed angrily. "Zhong Number One, have you gone hungry without your late-night snacks and lost your mind? Can't you tell what's important?"
Wen Zixi was an extremely rare "two golds"—both a Golden Core cultivator and a Golden Body martial artist. His situation was similar to Zhong Qian's: both were just one breath away from the Far Traveling realm.
Besides the concealment techniques passed down through his lineage, Wen Zixi also used a talisman personally taught by the mountain lord. Even Chen Lingjun hadn't detected his presence, but Zhong Qian knew about it. They worked in the open and in the shadows.
Wen Zixi laughed. "Do you really think 'Patriarch Jingqing' is just an empty title? That's a water flood dragon who achieved the feat of walking the river!"
Even if this guy couldn't win a fight, what's so hard about running away?
As long as he wasn't a sword cultivator, even an ordinary Jade Perfection realm cultivator couldn't do much to their Patriarch Jingqing.
On the other hand, Little Millet couldn't afford any mistakes. Besides, the mountain lord had emphasized two points.
"Whatever Chen Lingjun does outside, whatever he encounters—whether he beats someone or gets beaten—you handle it."
"With Little Millet, you handle it."
Wen Zixi wasn't dim-witted. He clearly understood what these two "handle it" meant.
He was living well on Luopo Mountain, with food and drink aplenty, able to improve his martial arts and gain countless extraordinary cultivation opportunities. He couldn't end up getting expelled from the mountain just for escorting someone out of goodwill.
Besides, on Luopo Mountain, who doesn't truly like Little Millet?
Zhong Qian was amused. It was always hard to associate this "young boy in blue" with an Infant realm water flood dragon.
A drunkard who liked to swing his sleeves when walking, always trimming his sails and buttering people up. Of course, he was also truly loyal and had no airs—just like Zhong Qian himself. Otherwise, how could they have banded together on Luopo Mountain and formed their own faction?
Zhong Qian sent a secret message. "So, those tailing us—you'll handle them?"
Wen Zixi thought to himself, "A trivial matter."
Zhong Qian suddenly said, "When you have time, how about we spar, brother?"
Wen Zixi was silent for a moment. "Get lost."
Zhong Qian was resigned. You immortal masters look down on us martial artists, huh. Fine, fine. From now on, Brother Wen is expelled from the late-night snack faction.
Back at the battlefield site, after confirming that Zhong Qian was far away, Chen Lingjun shook his sleeves, making them crackle. "Stop hiding sneakily! Come out and face me!"
He had already seen through the shoddy illusion technique. Earlier, he had only refrained from exposing it because he was afraid of scaring Little Millet. Given Chen Lingjun's natural personality and his usual wandering style, well.
The illusion was lifted, revealing a group of charming women. But they looked eerie.
The leader, a seductive woman holding a pipa, said coquettishly, "This concubine is sweet sixteen. I've been skilled at playing the pipa since childhood, well-versed in song and dance. Handsome young man, how about coming to our mansion for a look? If you like, you could even marry into this place and enjoy pleasure from the start?"
Another woman covered her mouth, tittering. "An Infant realm old immortal, no less! He knows the celestial art of rejuvenation."
These pale-faced, ghostly women surrounded him like children boasting big words, unable to resist teasing him a bit.
What they truly feared was that martial artist with a slightly effeminate manner and speech. His condensed fist intent was very eye-catching, giving them a burning sensation as if approaching a large furnace in the hot summer. Otherwise, ordinary martial artists' blades couldn't even touch them.
But this ignorant young boy in blue was probably a direct disciple of some mountain sect. He completely failed to understand the principle that a strong dragon doesn't oppress a local snake. He insisted on acting big and playing hero, sending his companion away.
Chen Lingjun sneered. "Laugh, just laugh. Wait until I find out your lineage and confirm your evil deeds. Then you'll cry."
Since he decided to act, he would see it through to the end. If the small fry caused trouble, the big ones would come. If the big ones were unrighteous, he would beat them and their reinforcements too.
The woman clasped her hands over her heart, pretending to be pitiful and frightened. "Young man, your killing intent is so strong. You've scared little me to death."
Another woman said fiercely, "Sister, why bother talking to him? Just take him down, cut out his heart and liver. We haven't tasted the flesh of a qi cultivator in a long time."
Chen Lingjun grinned. "No need to scare me. I wasn't raised on fear. Come on, take me to your mansion. Let me see the boss directly. It'll save us both a lot of trouble."
---
An old Ascension realm cultivator arrived at a thatched riverside tavern. He steadied himself and entered.
There were few customers, and business was slow. The old, dim-sighted shopkeeper was leaning on the counter. Hearing footsteps, he looked up, his eyelids drooping. Seeing the man heading straight for a table, he didn't even bother to ask.
Beside the gaunt, elderly man in blue sat a tall, imposing female attendant. Her name was Xie Shiji.
Seeing Chen Qingliu, Jing Hao didn't dare sit casually.
Chen Qingliu asked, "Did it go smoothly?"
Jing Hao held his breath, cautious. He didn't dare claim it had gone smoothly without proof. He just said softly, "Junior has already arranged with Daoist friend Jingqing that once he lands on Liuxia Continent, I will pick him up and take him to Qinggong Mountain for a good few rounds of drinking."
Chen Qingliu gave a faint, ambiguous smile. "For a continent's Taoist leader who has held the top seat for over two thousand years to show such courtesy to an Infant realm water flood dragon—isn't that beneath your dignity? Jing Hao, if this troubles your Dao heart and makes you uncomfortable, tell me directly."
Jing Hao's back instantly went cold. He thought for a moment, then said softly, "At first, it was indeed a bit awkward. But after spending some time with him, I found it refreshing instead."
Chen Qingliu asked, "After the freshness wears off, then what?"
Jing Hao had to answer honestly, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
Chen Qingliu nodded, apparently satisfied with Jing Hao's answer. "The character 'caution' is always a talisman for avoiding disaster."
Jing Hao breathed a sigh of relief. Did that mean he had passed?
Chen Qingliu tapped the table with two fingers together.
Jing Hao immediately sat down as ordered.
Chen Qingliu suddenly laughed, muttering to himself, "No wonder he's Zheng Juzhong's uncle."