Chapter 52: Once a Youth with Pure Thoughts

Chapter 52: Once a Youth with Pure Thoughts

Jing Hao sighed in sincere admiration upon hearing this.

He figured that Chen Ping'an would not bother to speak empty words to him, a mere Flying Ascension cultivator.

He had initially expected some grand, bold statement like "A single move of creation's hand, heaven opens the heart of ten thousand ages."

But it fell upon a word so ordinary it could not be more ordinary: "good person."

Jing Hao had a clear understanding of himself. In this life, he was diligent in cultivating the Dao, but he absolutely would not do things that served as a wedding dress for others. He had not done much to provide timely help, but he had indeed done quite a bit of adding flowers to brocade.

Taking advantage of the fact that this Grand Secretary of Great Li showed no sign of leaving for the moment, Jing Hao wanted to ask, to negotiate with Chen Ping'an, whether he could conveniently help Wang Xian restore his orthodox status as a Water God. The remaining golden ink in the inkstone was enough for Wang Xian, the Water God, to reshape his golden body. However, Wang Xian's Water God shrine was not one of those unorthodox temples like the Fox Goddess Temple at Chaozhu Beach. It still required the endorsement of the local court. With Chen Ping'an's current status, position, and power, it was merely a matter of considering who to pass a word to, a truly trivial matter that could be done with a casual gesture.

Unexpectedly, after hearing the general situation, Chen Ping'an shook his head and smiled, "I am merely the Grand Secretary of Great Li in the north. I cannot meddle in the internal affairs of the states south of the Great River."

Jing Hao only took it as Chen Ping'an politely declining his request. Naturally, he dared not press the matter, and he could understand. After all, as the Grand Secretary of Great Li, he was no longer a purely sect master or Dao master. His thoughts and considerations could not be based solely on personal preference. The "matters of achievement" that the Embroidery Tiger advocated were something Jing Hao greatly admired.

Jing Hao glanced at the Water God, who did not seem disappointed. Wang Xian was too busy being excited to care. His hand holding the inkstone trembled violently.

Of course Wang Xian was excited. Why wouldn't he be? How could he not be? Finally, he had met a living person!

At this moment, having met the young sword immortal whose life story could be called a legend, seeing the person was like reading a book. In an instant, it seemed as if Cui Chan's strategic planning, Great Li's "one state is one continent," the magnificent waves of the Sword Qi Great Wall, and the joys and sorrows of the Literary Sage lineage from teacher to students, all leaped off the page and came to life together.

Chen Ping'an stood up, gazing into the distance at the "two armies facing off" at the battlefield site.

Jing Hao was fine; after all, he was an old Flying Ascension cultivator and familiar with the atmosphere of Fallen Mountain. Wang Xian, however, immediately felt compelled to stand up as well. Having once been a local Water God, he was not unfamiliar with social etiquette, but Jing Hao stretched out his hand and pressed down twice, signaling him not to be so deliberate. This pavilion was not the officialdom of mountains and waters. Wang Xian, receiving the hint, continued to sit.

Chen Ping'an asked casually, as if out of thin air, "Senior Qingzhu inquired whether the three drumbeats of the primal turtle were a major or minor matter. Why did Jing Hao answer with 'a minor matter'?"

Jing Hao replied, "Of course I know that answering with 'a major matter' would have been a better answer. But what I truly thought in my heart was that it was a minor matter. I neither wanted to lie against my conscience nor dared to harbor any wishful thinking, thinking I could deceive Senior Qingzhu."

Having inherited the lineage of Qinggong Mountain, attained the Dao of Flying Ascension, and ultimately become a continent's Dao master, how could Jing Hao be stupid? Calling him exceptionally intelligent would not be an overstatement. He would not make a major mistake on such a minor matter. Jing Hao deeply understood the taboo of those in high positions: being treated as a fool and casually fooled by those below.

Chen Qingliu scolding Jing Hao as "a piece of rotten wood" was not too harsh but rather too lenient.

An old Flying Ascension cultivator, hailed by the outside world as a man of virtue, standing on the mountaintop for too long, too high and too long from the mortal world, would eventually become a tree without roots, decayed. Unable to touch the sky above nor stand on the ground below, what else could he be but a piece of rotten wood? According to Chen Qingliu's usual rhetoric towards Jiang She, the Ancestor of the Martial Strategists, not cursing him, Jing Hao, as a hanged ghost was already good of him.

Of course, if a native Upper Five Realm cultivator from Liuxia Continent had the audacity to speak such grandiose and empty words to his face, if Jing Hao did not slap away the opponent's hundred-year cultivation with a single palm, it would be a testament to Jing Hao's profound self-restraint as a continent's Dao master, an old senior who could humbly accept advice.

For some reason, Chen Ping'an still asked, "Why was it a minor matter?"

It was as if he had asked the same question twice in a row.

In an instant, Jing Hao's Dao heart became stagnant, his breath difficult. It felt as if his Dao body, like a ship, was being dragged to the bottom of a lake by an overly heavy anchor.

Jing Hao smiled bitterly, "Mr. Chen, for old cultivators like us, how difficult it is to suddenly twist our Dao heart in an instant."

The implication was that it was not that he, Jing Hao, was unwilling to heed the advice of you two and repair his Dao heart, but that this kind of thing was like drinking strong liquor at a table; he needed some time to slow down.

Chen Ping'an said with a faint smile, "Old Flying Ascension, Flying Ascension old. Throughout the ages, how many heroes and extraordinary people have become Flying Ascension and died old in Flying Ascension? Unwilling to exert desperate effort in the 'present,' unwilling to fiercely struggle with the 'now,' yet daring to hope for the path of merging with the Dao beyond Flying Ascension? Are they worthy?"

Wang Xian was stunned. Did what Chen Guoshi said imply that Old Immortal Jing was a Flying Ascension cultivator?!

He looked down at the jade-handled inkstone and the golden ink in the inkstone pool, his mind filled with only one thought: This debt cannot be owed?

Jing Hao was silent for a long time before finally confessing honestly, "Mr. Chen, to be honest with you, after a change of circumstances six hundred years ago, I had already completely given up hope. I no longer dared to dream of reaching the combined Dao realm in this life."

After speaking these true words, Jing Hao also sighed deeply.

It seemed that the ambitions of youths were always looking down from high, tugging at their hair to reach the sky.

Once becoming a cultivator, becoming a man of virtue, as Dao age increased and realm became higher, one would gain more experience. Having seen the true heights and depths of heaven and earth, the deeper one's experience, the more... timid one became.

Chen Ping'an was momentarily speechless. Seeing that Jing Hao's expression did not seem feigned, he nodded and said, "Then consider I said nothing."

He had mistakenly thought that Jing Hao, even if not as tirelessly pursuing the Dao as the old deaf man who sought further progress, should at least be a person of character like Liu Tui or the wild cultivator Feng Xuetai.

Chen Ping'an smiled, "Knowing what 'two-foot thing' is its own kind of true skill."

The old saying always goes, "If fate gives you eight feet, don't seek ten." In truth, one can chew on many principles within a single saying, like viewing a mountain from different angles—it becomes a ridge from the side and a peak from the front.

Unconscious contentment can easily make one miss opportunities that should have been grasped, sinking the body and mind into a quagmire called pessimism.

Conscious discontent, on the other hand, seems to allow one, while accepting fate, to do a little more, walking on a rugged mountain range called optimism.

Delighting in teaching others? It is rather self-reflection.

Jing Hao was extremely curious, even knowing it was inappropriate, but he could not help asking through divine sound, "Why did Senior Qingzhu say that Mr. Chen is 'from top to bottom, empty like a bamboo tube'?"

Chen Ping'an turned his head to glance at Jing Hao and smiled, "Probably means I have no ink in my belly, not a drop. As a close disciple of the Literary Sage, I am a mere embroidered pillow with shallow learning, not up to par."

Wang Xian felt that Chen Guoshi's words were too self-deprecating. A scholar's essence lies in mastering poetry, calligraphy, painting, and seal carving simultaneously.

Chen Guoshi's handwritten couplets and plaque inscriptions were impromptu texts. Without a deep scholarly foundation, how could he write them in haste? The regular script, combining skill and intent, was written with such exhilaration, true qi permeating, breath like a rainbow. As for 'seals,' that was Chen Guoshi's specialty. The Hundred Sword Immortal Seal Manual and the Two Hundred Sword Immortal Seal Manual were bestsellers across the world. Even a frog at the bottom of a well like Wang Xian had heard of them like thunder.

That glance from Chen Ping'an made Jing Hao's hair stand on end, his Dao heart unstable. Indeed, it was too reckless to ask such a question, committing a grave taboo.

Jing Hao made up his mind and said, "Mr. Chen, I dare not hide it. I have always had a good relationship with Liu Tui of Tianyao Township. Before each of us ascended to Flying Ascension, we secretly planned several major undertakings. Generally, we each got what we needed and could discuss things in advance. Liu Tui's White Porcelain Cave Heaven is located on Liuxia Continent, and Liu Laocheng of the Book-Scour Lake now hides within that cave heaven. What he seeks is nothing but Flying Ascension. Do you need me to act?"

Since Senior Qingzhu had already given advance warning, Jing Hao had to speak openly.

As long as Chen Ping'an nodded, Jing Hao would take the hint and return to Liuxia Continent to visit the White Porcelain Cave Heaven and cause trouble for Liu Laocheng.

If Chen Ping'an asked him to directly deal with his good friend Liu Tui, Jing Hao might still have a headache, finding it hard to pass the mental hurdle, and would have to reluctantly say he couldn't comply.

But targeting a Liu Laocheng who came from Book-Scour Lake gave Jing Hao no mental block. He might even feel like a moral saint punishing evil.

Chen Ping'an waved his hand, "You don't need to go out of your way to do this and ruin your friendship with Liu Tui. New friends can never replace old ones; this bit of Jianghu righteousness must still be observed."

Jing Hao breathed a sigh of relief, with more unexpected joy. Mr. Chen's mention of "new friends" was indeed a great reassurance.

Chen Ping'an said, "If I were determined to make things difficult for Liu Laocheng, he wouldn't even be able to leave the Great Li capital, let alone enter the White Porcelain Cave Heaven to go into seclusion."

Because the conversation between Chen Guoshi and Old Immortal Jing was not conducted through divine sound, and since Wang Xian was a mountain and water spirit, he naturally cared about cave heavens and blessed lands. The Tianyu Cave Heaven of Liuxia Continent was famous, and that married couple seemed to have a good son, a young cultivation genius, though he couldn't remember the name. Wang Xian tentatively asked via divine sound, "Is Old Immortal Jing a Flying Ascension cultivator?"

Jing Hao replied via divine sound, "Otherwise? A fake Flying Ascension, cheating you out of your meager assets?"

Wang Xian asked, "Has Old Immortal Jing ever been to Tianyu Cave Heaven?"

Regarding the local customs of Liuxia Continent, Wang Xian had only heard of three things: the Liuxia Boat, Tianyu Cave Heaven, and Yu Xuan's "a talisman supporting a mountain."

Jing Hao's smile was playful, "I've been there a few times. What, Brother Wang has connections and ties with Tianyu Cave Heaven? Feel free to speak. When I see that wealthy Daoist couple in the future, it'll give me a topic of conversation, so we don't end up in an awkward silence."

Wang Xian quickly explained, "No connections. It's so far from the northwest Liuxia Continent. What rank am I, and what status are they? How could there be any ties between us? I'm just curious if the Tianyu Cave Heaven described in ancient books is really at the 'corner of the sea and edge of the sky' as it's said."

Jing Hao glanced at Mr. Chen and finally held back a remark that was on the tip of his tongue: If you, Wang Xian, want to know about the corner of the sea and edge of the sky, you should really ask Chen Guoshi, because Chen Guoshi's senior brother, Liu Shiliu, "the great roc spanning the edge of the sky," is not an exaggeration by a literary man.

After Jing Hao finished his divine sound conversation with the Water God, Chen Ping'an spoke again, "Jing Hao, you've been neighbors with the couple Shu Nanyuan and Ni Tang of Tianyu Cave Heaven for so long. You must have dealt with them a lot, right?"

Jing Hao nodded, "We've been bad neighbors for a long time. We each have a good understanding of what the other is like."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Jing Hao felt he had misspoken. Was he betraying the term "new friends"?

Chen Ping'an smiled, "I am also curious about the situation in Tianyu Cave Heaven. I had previously planned to travel through the nine continents of Haoran, but something came up temporarily, delaying it."

Jing Hao was speechless. This "something came up" was... really, only you, Chen Ping'an, could say that, considering the entire Great Li, Bottle Gourd Continent, even the entire mortal world.

Now that the conversation had turned to Liuxia Continent, Jing Hao's eyes turned cold. In an instant, he became that old Flying Ascension, a continent's Dao master. The old man rubbed his chin and chuckled, "Shu Nanyuan had a rather rough time breaking into the Immortal realm and later the Flying Ascension realm. She had four secret closed-door sessions, accumulating countless heavenly materials and earthly treasures during that time. Tsk, I'm afraid even an old immortal like Yu Xuan, who is never short of money, would feel a bit of pain. I spoiled the first three attempts, costing her immeasurable resources. One of those times, I joined forces with Liu Tui to secretly sabotage her efforts. To say she hates me to the bone is no exaggeration."

Water God Wang Xian was dumbfounded. Old Immortal Jing was not only an old Flying Ascension but also a continent's Dao master of Liuxia Continent?!

Today, he had truly learned something!

Without discussing the rights and wrongs of this peak-level grudge, Chen Ping'an just smiled and asked, "Wasn't there once or twice when Shu Nanyuan deliberately let you sabotage her, as a way to give both sides a graceful way out?"

Jing Hao was slightly surprised and nodded, "Indeed, it was. The players are often blind to the situation; I only figured out the implications afterward. Liu Tui said that Tianyu Cave Heaven was seeking a 'three strikes and you're out' for fairness, walking a path of retreat as a means of advancement."

"Even if I am nominally a continent's Dao master, repeatedly obstructing a native cultivator's path to the summit could be understood once or twice, but any more than that, in the eyes of the Central Earth Confucian Temple and peak cultivators of other continents, would leave me with an impression of being narrow-minded and hindering the continent's fortune."

Truly someone who had served as the Hidden Official, always able to "hit the point" when looking at a puzzle, striking the vital spot.

In truth, during his time at Fallen Mountain, Jing Hao had no real interaction with Chen Ping'an. Without conversation, how could there be heart-to-heart exchanges?

Of course, it wasn't that Jing Hao was aloof; it was simply that he was powerless. Chatting with a great cultivator was never easy. It could easily turn from a casual, breezy conversation into a mutual examination of hearts and minds, a seated discussion of the Dao. Moreover, to cope with the unavoidable "morning wine" every day, especially drinking with Senior Qingzhu, who was not only a "notorious" old-school Fourteen Realm cultivator but also the true master of Qinggong Mountain, the pressure on Jing Hao was immense.

And then there was Fellow Daoist Jingqing's unique "persuasion to drink" technique, which Jing Hao could only describe as terrifying.

"Chen Zhuoliu, I deliberately belittle you in front of outsiders and always lift up Old Immortal Jing. Ultimately, it's for your own good. It's a kind of worldly wisdom that can't be bought with gold. Don't be ungrateful."

"You don't understand my good intentions as a brother, so I can't blame you for being a blockhead. Who told me to be stuck with you as a friend? I won't hold it against you. But there's no banquet that doesn't end. In the future, when you go down the mountain and wander the Jianghu alone, without me by your side, with your stubbornness, you're sure to suffer. Chop-chop, put on a smile and offer a bowl of wine to Old Immortal Jing..."

"In the future, when you old rascal roam to Liuxia Continent, with Old Immortal Jing's care, you'll be able to eat and drink well, and I'll be at ease... Oh dear, you really are a big shot, what are you standing there for? Offer the wine!"

At the wine table, the green-robed boy, while burping, used divine sound to persuade "Chen Zhuoliu," while Senior Qingzhu simultaneously let Jing Hao hear it all clearly.

Jing Hao, though confident in his Dao heart's resilience, still feared that Senior Qingzhu might suddenly turn hostile and overturn the table.

Chen Qingliu, from that peach blossom blessed land, was young and decisive, vengeful, and quick to repay grudges.

The dragon-slaying campaign three thousand years ago, and the appearance of ghosts three thousand years later, Heaven Weary and Heaven Punishment, two great calamities, were respectively resolved by "two Chens."

Indeed, such people and such matters were not isolated cases.

Don't forget that Chen Ping'an himself came from the Pearls of Li Cave Heaven.

Moreover, the executioner Hao Su, who soared from the Ling Shuang Blessed Land with a sword, did the same. The first thing he did upon returning to Haoran was to seek out his enemy and cut off his head, killing him with his own hands!

Jing Hao was initially almost forced by Chen Qingliu to become a drinking buddy with "Fellow Daoist Jingqing." Now, however, he could say without awkwardness or hypocrisy that he and Fellow Daoist Jingqing were friends who met by fate.

Being friends with Chen Lingjun had one reassuring point: you never had to fear him harming you in the slightest.

Even if a mountain of gold and silver were piled on the table, easily within reach, a vast profit.

Chen Lingjun, I believe, would see it and wave his hand, saying, "This is not the bowl of wine I want to drink."

Jing Hao gathered his courage and asked, "Since it's a 'river diversion' by Fellow Daoist Jingqing, shouldn't Mr. Chen not show himself? Isn't there a risk of 'adding legs to a snake'?"

It was still an untimely remark, clearly questioning Chen Ping'an's carelessness, losing the big for the small.

But upon hearing this, Chen Ping'an just turned his head and glanced at Jing Hao.

This time, Chen Ping'an's demeanor and expression, however, gave Jing Hao a sense of relaxation and ease, as if to say, "Indeed, a new friend."

Withdrawing his gaze, he returned to his seat and asked, "That couple made their fortune from Tianyu Cave Heaven. Logically speaking, they shouldn't have direct conflict with you and Qinggong Mountain. You could have each minded your own business, managed your own Dao fields. You could even have formed an alliance, doing business like 'the first two take the big share, the third gets the leftovers.' I've heard that the couple aren't particularly strong-willed or stubborn people. In dealing with others, they are quite flexible. From top to bottom, Tianyu Cave Heaven is meticulous in social interactions, giving visiting cultivators from other places a feeling of being at home... Wait a moment."

A cave heaven refers to a cavernous secret realm that reaches the heavens, a mysterious pivot of heaven and earth, the axis of yin and yang. Cultivating there yields twice the result with half the effort, providing a spiritual dwelling for Dao seekers to avoid military calamities and pursue the path of longevity. A blessed land, as the name implies, allows one to receive blessings and transcend the world, becoming a landbound immortal.

Especially those cultivators who can break through the grand barrier of the Dao from a blessed land and "ascend" to various worlds—their accomplishments are not low.

This is because the earthly immortals of a blessed land, since the highest "world" is the position of earthly immortal, compared to a Qi refiner from a world who forms a golden core and nurtures an infant, they appear to be at the same realm but are actually different in meaning.

Just like Chen Ping'an and the uninvited guest, asking about the other's homeland, "Are there any sword cultivators there?"

Of course, this place is very special, a junction of cave heaven and blessed land.

The other replied, "There are sword immortals but no sword cultivators," and Chen Ping'an had a rough idea. It must also be due to the suppression of the formless Dao.

Among the seventy-two blessed lands of the mortal world, throughout history, how many romantic affairs and people, all ultimately blocked by a single word "heaven," remained in the mortal world.

Previously, he had received secret instructions from his master to leave this matter to Chen Lingjun to handle.

Pei Qian originally came to see Little Mili anyway, not wanting to steal Chen Lingjun's thunder. She was in no hurry to knock down the martial artist in front of her with one punch.

But Pei Qian kept suppressing her realm, and the yellow-bearded strongman, wearing only a pair of blue silk trousers, seemed eager to make a name for himself. Clearly, he was using his lifelong martial arts skills to the fullest, brandishing a dagger with quite some style.

He was shirtless and unarmored, his upper body bare, muscles knotted, one arm as thick as a child's thigh. If he set up a stall selling plasters at the Heavenly Bridge, just this physique alone would probably intimidate those troublemaking thugs. The strongman's expression was fierce, dagger in hand, and his boxing skills were refined, his weapons familiar. It was a natural progression. He closed in, aiming for the neck, the heart, the throat, the dagger always seeking the vital spots of the young woman with a coiled bun.

Pei Qian merely moved slightly within a small range, as if strolling leisurely. Occasionally, she would use her elbow to block his attacks, or a hand blade aimed at his forehead, easily forcing him back. The strongman nimbly dodged and weaved, his figure remarkably agile, not giving the impression that he was at a disadvantage. For instance, the little girl in black sitting on a horse and watching from the side often had to break out in a cold sweat for Pei Qian.

Pei Qian's expression was strange. Although she had suppressed her realm to the Golden Body realm and had no intention of killing for the moment, the martial artist before her, who was a ghost at root, had pulled out his ultimate killing move, but showed no sign of true killing intent.

Standing on the battlefield, so casual, was he just asking to die?

Pei Qian couldn't be bothered to deal with him further. She "lightly" struck the arm with which the strongman was holding the dagger, ready to stab for the heart.

A light touch.

In an instant, it broke the strongman's arm. There was no blood, flesh, or bone, only rolling black smoke, which quickly restored it to its original state.

The strongman was furious. He shook his wrist and stabbed the dagger at Pei Qian's face, shouting, "Thief woman, you have some strength! I let my guard down."

But at the same time, he quickly whispered, "Miss, be careful of the sword boat hidden in the clouds!"

"That sword boat is a fake, but the dozen or so secret mountain-made ballistas on it are very real and extremely powerful! They were formidable weapons of the Great Li border army in the past; you must not take them lightly."

Pei Qian ignored him, turning her head to avoid the dagger's edge, but she nodded almost imperceptibly. However, her movements suddenly quickened. As the strongman swept the dagger horizontally, Pei Qian used her elbow to send him flying. The strongman slid backward, his chest tight as if struck by a heavy hammer, but inwardly, he secretly appreciated it. He had feared she might be too inexperienced. He had wanted to remind her to just know this and not reveal it. But she pulled off this move, making their cooperation seamless and perfect.

Seeing that she was truly skilled in martial arts, the strongman no longer held back, letting his hands and feet act freely. He felt he had met his match, a worthy opponent. It was exhilarating, like drinking immortal brew.

Pei Qian also gauged his depth and ability. Without stopping, she raised her palm and brought it down. With a bang, the strongman's entire head exploded, the killing intent dispersing, only to quickly reform a head.

Though a ghost, the strongman was still dizzy, swaying a few times. He couldn't help but mutter to himself, this woman looks gentle but has no sense of strength.

Pei Qian habitually twitched the corner of her mouth. But after a moment, she apologized, "I'll suppress another realm."

The strongman still reminded her, "Whether you are a martial arts grandmaster who has tempered their bones to the peak, or an earthly immortal with plenty of defensive treasures, if you're not careful, you'll suffer a big loss. Remember not to keep too much distance from me, and be careful of that... little girl on the horse. Keep her from being caught in the crossfire of a volley from the sword boat's ballistas."

Pei Qian whispered, "I appreciate the kindness."

Meanwhile, Chen Lingjun, having reached the sword boat, also reminded Pei Qian via divine sound, "This guy is named Ma Suwu. According to a kind female ghost from the Ceremonial Office, Ma Suwu doesn't seem to be a bad person. But people's hearts are unpredictable. You should still be careful. You can help verify him further."

Seeing the young woman suddenly stop, she asked, "If I were outmatched, unable to even get past you, what would you do? What would you do?"

Ma Suwu said calmly, "Other than killing you, what else could I do? Do you think I would risk my life to help you escape this place? Under the watchful eyes of everyone, do you think Shen Fujun and the others are fools? Don't think about it. If I truly dared to play the hero, I would end up being killed alongside you."

Ma Suwu sighed. Fortunately, the young woman's eyes at that moment did not show any sign of incomprehension, sarcasm, or resentment, like "How could you say such words?"

Ma Suwu suppressed his complex emotions, looked around, and said bluntly, "You shouldn't have barged in here recklessly. If you truly want to solve the problem completely, at least let top immortal mansions like Cloud Mist Mountain or Yellow Millet Sect know about this. If you could invite an influential divine official from some office of the Central Marchmount, that would be best. I mean the North Marchmount of Bottle Gourd Continent, Mountain Chee Azure, not some state's central marchmount."

"For example, you, falling into my hands today, at least you'll die a quick death. After death, your soul would be captured here, reduced to a ghost. Though it's still an unavoidable disaster, it's better than suffering both before and after death."

"This damn place is not for humans."

That Shen Fujun was born cruel. Whenever he got drunk, he would torture and kill women, splitting their bodies in half with a whip. But since they were female ghosts, he didn't have to worry about them vanishing into thin air. After some time, they would regain their slender figures and beautiful appearances. When he got bored, he would casually give them as gifts to some allied force... No one could stand up and play the hero here twice.

Coming back to his senses, Ma Suwu was about to remind her not to be dazed, careful not to let Shen Fujun see through the truth.

But he saw in her eyes a puzzling understanding, approval, and appreciation.

Pei Qian smiled, "No need to keep up the act."

She tilted her chin towards the sea of clouds above, "My great-grandfather Jingqing has already discovered the sword boat. That Shen Fujun has moved his divine sense away from us. He has to focus on that side now."

Ma Suwu, though puzzled as to how she could perceive Shen Fujun's divine sense, assumed it was the keen perception of a martial arts grandmaster, something he couldn't yet comprehend.

Pei Qian asked, "Your name is Ma Suwu?"

He stared for a moment, then nodded, "I am a nobody."

On the battlefield, his head had been smashed casually by some demon beast, without the slightest ability to resist.

After becoming a ghost, he went through a period of confusion. When he regained some clarity and remembered his past life, he found himself already at the battlefield site, standing next to a large banner. At the time, Shen Fujun's realm wasn't high, probably just breaking into the Middle Five Realms, with shallow Dao power. Because Ma Suwu was familiar with battle formations, Shen Fujun promoted him to a commanding general. In recent years, he had even granted him a high official position, nominally for leading troops. But there wasn't really any fighting to do. When dealing with cultivators from other places, Shen Fujun always went himself. Earlier, Ma Suwu had thought about cultivating some trusted captains to one day lead troops in rebellion and escape this place. But later, he gave up. Not only did Shen Fujun's Dao power become deeper, but his skills in distant alliances and close attacks, as well as vertical and horizontal strategies, were polished to perfection. His methods of controlling subordinates were also skilled. He was generous with treasures and money, very willing to reward. Many of the beautiful ghosts, nominally his concubines, had become tools for buying loyalty.

Pei Qian asked, "General Ma, were you a spy for Great Li?"

Ma Suwu was amused and shook his head, "I wish."

He said grimly, "A homeless dog. The old state could not be restored. My hometown and the six prefectures' mountains and waters were all flattened by demon techniques in those years. I have no home to return to."

Pei Qian immediately understood a key point, "The water-and-land Dharma assemblies and the Grand Sacrifice to Heaven sponsored by the courts of the surrounding states—are they all fake, completely ineffective?"

Ma Suwu nodded, "It was originally Shen Fujun's money. The Rites Ministries of the various states, from the ministers to the directors, all took their cut."

Pei Qian asked, "Given your current level of cultivation and your clean past, if you had the chance to serve in a City God Temple, would that be a path to survival?"

Unlike the shrines of various mountain and water spirits, the City God Temples in Haoran World held an transcendent status, and the courts of various states dared not interfere easily.

Ma Suwu shook his head, "That would require having the connections to make it happen. Shen Fujun guards this matter most strictly. Just like the Water God Wang Xian, who has always wanted to file a complaint. But the local mountain lord couldn't be trusted, and the leak ended up costing him even his golden body. He had to go to Rain Dew Mountain to complain, to shout his grievances at Chee Azure Mountain. But Wang Xian couldn't even enter the gates of the civil and military temples. Beating the drum to air grievances requires having a drum to beat, right?"

Pei Qian asked again, "General Ma, if you really had the chance to serve in a City God Temple, would you be willing?"

Ma Suwu said helplessly, "Miss, is this a matter of my willingness?"

For example, he would also like to stroll around the gates of the Great Li auxiliary capital's Ministry of War, but could he?

Pei Qian's mind stirred. She was about to find a nearby state's City God Temple to explain the situation.

This had nothing to do with whether she was a peak martial artist. It was because Pei Qian was a "darling" of the Central Earth City God Temple, designated as a "bookkeeper" in some department.

Ma Suwu had no idea that this young woman with remarkable martial arts truly had such a direct "connection" to the heavens.

Pei Qian suddenly changed her mind and said with slight embarrassment, "My master said there's no hurry. In any case, there will be a suitable position for General Ma."

Ma Suwu asked doubtfully, "Your... Dao field, does it also lack commanding generals?"

He still thought she was a female grandmaster nurtured by some prominent family.

Pei Qian was momentarily speechless. What a tricky question. After all, she was no longer the little charcoal who found cheating easier than eating.

Ma Suwu suddenly asked, "Miss, are you from Qinghe County?"

Earlier, he had heard that a neighboring county to his hometown, Qinghe, had a girl who, at a young age, was spotted by a high-ranking person for her innate talent and taken into the mountains to cultivate immortality.

Pei Qian shook her head, "No."

Ma Suwu felt both disappointed—disappointed that she was not a fellow countrywoman of the old state—and relieved, because it meant that the woman was still living in the mountains, cultivating. The ghost, with a complex mood, finally said only, "Good that you're not."

As if he had made a certain decision, Ma Suwu turned around, facing Shen Fujun's army, twisted his wrist, and spun the dagger. He said softly with a smile, "Miss Pei, don't be stubborn. Please take that little girl and leave this place immediately. I'll delay them as long as I can. Oh, I don't even know your name or where you're from."

Pei Qian said, "Great Li, Pei Qian."

Ma Suwu strode forward, smiling freely, "Good place, good name."

Wow, the same name as one of the female grandmasters on the martial arts ranking, also from the Great Li Dynasty.

Pei Qian didn't stop him. She just smiled, "When I travel the Jianghu, I learn from my master in everything. So I have a pseudonym, 'Zheng Qian.'"

Ma Suwu stopped instantly, his body frozen.

Just then, the black-clothed little girl on horseback pulled on the rope of her cloth bundle and said, "Pei Qian, Pei Qian, the Good Person Mountain Lord said to let me ride the horse to the pavilion on the mountaintop. He wants to eat sunflower seeds, but there are none by his hand. He asked me to 'escort reinforcements' to save the day. What do we do, what do we do?"

Pei Qian smiled, "Go on, go on."

At the pavilion, Chen Ping'an stood up, pursed his lips, and let out a whistle.

Pei Qian had brought a horse here. It was clearly not an ordinary war horse. It lifted its hoof and lightly pawed the ground a few times, and under its feet, yellow clouds blossomed. Carrying a little girl in black, the horse trotted, riding the clouds towards the pavilion.

Little Mili sat cross-legged on the horse's back, arms crossed over her chest. This sitting posture was a bit hard on the buttocks, but no matter, the immortal style came first.

This horse, named Quhuang, had been brought back by Chen Ping'an from Book-Scour Lake and left to roam on Fallen Mountain for many years, developing many miraculous traits.

Zhong Qian walked slowly to Pei Qian's side, looked up at the fake sword boat in the clouds, and asked, "Pei Qian, what's the plan now?"

Pei Qian said, "Let Chen Lingjun finish first."

Zhong Qian smiled, "I'm happy to see it."

In an instant, Zhong Qian inexplicably lay on the ground, blood seeping through his clothes, soaking them.

Pei Qian immediately had a guess, so she frowned slightly.

Zhong Qian performed a carp leap, refreshed and standing on the spot. He stretched comfortably, all his joints cracking. A surge of pure true qi had the momentum of breaking through bamboo. Zhong Qian was radiant. He cupped his hands and thanked, "Senior, good fist."

Chen Ping'an stood up, walked out of the pavilion, lifted Little Mili off the horse, and introduced Wang Xian to her as a warm-hearted local Water God.

Little Mili gently patted the Good Person Mountain Lord's arm, signaling him to put her down, otherwise it would be indecorous, haha.

Landing on her feet, Little Mili straightened her back, stood below the steps, clasped her fists, and said loudly, "Greetings, Water God! Old Immortal Jing!"

Jing Hao did not deliberately lower his stance or speak overly polite social niceties. He just stood up, stroked his beard, and smiled, nodding slightly, "Guardian Zhou, meeting in a foreign land is a joyful event."

Water God Wang Xian was at a loss for how to respond, his head buzzing. He felt that the other party should not have placed him before Jing Hao.

Leading Little Mili up the steps into the pavilion and sitting down, Chen Ping'an reached out his hand, and Little Mili, familiar with the routine, began to share out the sunflower seeds.

Seeing that Old Immortal Jing also had a share, and that the little girl then handed him a handful, Wang Xian brazenly took it, thanking her.

Little Mili sat obediently beside the Good Person Mountain Lord. Finding her feet dangling, she secretly shifted her bottom, making the soles of her shoes touch the ground. Very good, very good, it made her look taller.

Chen Ping'an cracked seeds and asked with a smile, "Where's the little carrying pole? The walking stick? The cloak?"

Little Mili covered her mouth with her hand and whispered, "That would seem like showing off, not very experienced, like a rookie in the Jianghu."

Chen Ping'an nodded, "An old Jianghu wouldn't know."

Little Mili said, "Good Person Mountain Lord, taking this detour to come here was all my idea. It has nothing to do with Jingqing or Zhong Diyi."

After saying this, the little girl in black sighed heavily, clapping a fist into a palm, "Alas, my fault. This matter... was too hasty."

Not only did Pei Qian come, but the Good Person Mountain Lord himself had arrived. They must have made a big mess, just like that time when they went to Chess Pier Mountain with Pei Qian and poked those big hornet's nests.

Little Mili was, of course, afraid that Jingqing would be scolded by the Good Person Mountain Lord.

Old Cook had once said that there is probably a kind of person in the world who loves making friends the most but is most afraid of troubling them. They dread making friends feel the slightest bit put out. Yet if they genuinely think a business can make money, they will drag friends into it. When money is made, they laugh and drink good wine. If they cause their friends to lose money, they feel terrible inside, secretly making up the difference, borrowing money everywhere to fill the gap, pretending to be relaxed. They especially don't want their friends to be blamed by their "sister-in-law" or "sister-in-law-to-be," dreading hearing them say, "How did you make such an unreliable friend? Don't deal with them anymore."

Old Cook also said that Chen Lingjun was that kind of person. Face was more important than heaven. Whoever called him brother, he would take it seriously.

But the Old Cook, wearing an apron and holding a spatula, standing with Little Mili sitting on a small stool holding a bellows, and Warm Tree carefully picking vegetables nearby, added in the end, "But who can blame him? He's just a fool of a landlord's son."

Chen Ping'an was first surprised, then understood, then snorted, "Tsk, I thought so. Chen Lingjun and Zhong Diyi, those two lazy gluttons who would never stand if they could lie down, how could they have the heart to draw their swords to help when they see injustice on the road? How could they have such chivalrous courage to help the weak..."

Little Mili was dumbfounded. She frowned briefly, then immediately beamed, shaking her head, "Haha, Good Person Mountain Lord, you were fooled by me! It was Jingqing who wanted to come and take risks, Zhong Diyi who helped with the battle plan. I couldn't stop them. Seeing they were determined, I just went along with them and hid far away to watch the show."

Chen Ping'an rubbed Little Mili's head and smiled, "Everyone did well."

The reason he had called Little Mili over, besides wanting to crack seeds and listen to some mountain and river anecdotes, was also that he didn't want her to watch the battle up close.

Little Mili gave a thumbs up, "The couplet outside the pavilion is very long, and the characters are very upright!"

Praising how well someone writes, giving the comment "upright" is like saying a man looks proper or a woman has delicate features—it's always safe.

Water God Wang Xian glanced at Jing Hao. Old Immortal Jing sat with his eyes closed, not saying a word, just cracking a seed.

Wang Xian was filled with mixed emotions. What a good day this was, to encounter such a lively scene that brought honor to his humble abode. Even if he were no longer a Water God, not the host of this place, it didn't matter. Just thinking that the tens of thousands of women, children, and elderly in the county town could this year peacefully see the crisp autumn skies, witness a few snowfalls, celebrate the New Year and welcome spring, and have another year after next, bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new.

Chen Ping'an smiled, "I forgot to introduce her. Zhou Mili is our Fallen Mountain's Guardian."

Wang Xian quickly stood up, cupped his hands and bowed, "Wang Xian, lowly divine official, pays respects to Guardian Zhou."

Little Mili immediately reached out her hand, and the Good Person Mountain Lord tacitly extended his as well, taking the sunflower seeds from her palm.

Little Mili made a bow and said respectfully, "Zhou Mili of Fallen Mountain, pays respects to the Water God."

Wang Xian said with guilt, "I am unworthy of such a grand salute."

The little girl in black blinked, thought for a moment, grinned, and said, "Same here, same here."

Jing Hao couldn't help but laugh.

Chen Ping'an also laughed out loud.

Little Mili scratched her cheek, pointed to the railing overlooking the battlefield site, and asked softly, "Good Person Mountain Lord, you chat. I'll go enjoy the view over there."

Chen Ping'an said sternly, "Keep a good lookout. Don't slack off. At the slightest sign of trouble, report back quickly."

Little Mili immediately snapped her feet together, standing straight, "Roger that!"

This scene left Water God Wang Xian dumbfounded.

Little Mili ran to the bench, leaned over the railing, and stared in the direction of the battlefield. Logically speaking, with her current low realm and poor eyesight, she couldn't see any scenery. But Little Mili's imagination was always different from others. For example, she had a theory she came up with: since seeing someone with your eyes is "sight," then thinking of someone in your heart and believing you will surely meet them is "meeting." Its alias is "appointment," its nickname "miss," its Dao title... not yet decided, but she would run into it eventually.

Jing Hao had long been used to it. He cracked sunflower seeds expertly and said leisurely, "The reason for the discord with Tianyu Cave Heaven started with a small conflict between the disciple generations over the title of 'Protector of the State True Man.' One side had backing and was used to being arrogant; the other was full of youthful vigor and had long been dissatisfied with Qinggong Mountain. Initially, both sides were relatively restrained, competing with their wits behind the scenes, using puppets to fight on the front stage. Then they personally entered the fray, fighting to the death. With more such conflicts, the struggle turned from a conflict of interests to a conflict of pride, and finally into a conflict of the Dao."

"You make me hurt, I'll make your heart ache. Your heart aches, I'll make you lose your cultivation. You lose your cultivation, someone else will make your lineage extinct. And so the cycle repeats. Each person's cultivation journey... was quite solid, actually."

"On and off the mountain, deceit and scheming, intrigue—where is there truly a carefree life of clouds and water? In a world full of material desires, with perplexing times and a mix of coincidence and inevitability, only the human heart remains unchanged."

Jing Hao sighed deeply. In contrast, Fallen Mountain was a very strange place. For instance, Jing Hao couldn't help but think of morning wine whenever he saw a table. Every time he passed the courtyard of that steward Zhu Lian, he couldn't help but go in for a chat. If he went for a walk at night, he might occasionally encounter a group of people with toothpicks in their mouths... After leaving the mountain, the old Flying Ascension wouldn't feel particularly nostalgic. Even after leaving Bottle Gourd Continent, he wasn't necessarily eager to go into the mountains. When he returned to Liuxia Continent, the old immortal really didn't feel like drinking with anyone, always finding it tasteless.

Chen Ping'an cracked seeds and asked more about the mountain and river stories of Liuxia Continent that outsiders would find hard to verify.

Which old immortal who had lived for over a thousand years wasn't a master of anecdotes?

At the battlefield site, overgrown with weeds and strewn with bones, two allies emerged from Shen Fujun's army to see what was happening with Ma Suwu.

Pei Qian tilted her chin forward and said, "These two can be dealt with at the same time."

Zhong Qian looked and said, "They don't look like good people, but I just hope I don't accidentally kill them."

Pei Qian said, "I can't be mistaken."

Zhong Qian had no further doubts. Pei Qian was young but a true old hand in the Jianghu.

The gloomy Old Cook, whenever he was busy in the kitchen and got started on a topic, would talk about Pei Qian's embarrassing childhood stories. The kitchen would be filled with laughter. Later, Zhong Qian and a few others finally noticed something was off. Chen Lingjun, who loved to join in the fun, always kept a straight face and never laughed. When they saw Little Mili open her eyes wide, looking at them as if inspecting troops, even Wen Zixi knew there was a trap. Sure enough, they had all been set up by the Old Cook.

He had been startled when Zhong Qian suddenly fell to the ground, thinking he had been ambushed.

Ma Suwu, of course, recognized the two despicable characters approaching. He feared they might be concealing their abilities, not just ordinary Middle Five Realm cultivators but earthly immortals.

Two of Shen Fujun's allies were coming. A woman strolled slowly, her skirt trailing on the ground. A man with a crane-feather cloak and narrow shoulders wore a grim expression.

The woman was one of Shen Fujun's paramours, named Zhao Xinying, who had a younger brother named Zhao Kui. She had sworn sisterhood with the Fox Goddess of Chaozhu Beach.

The narrow-shouldered man spoke worriedly through divine sound, "Madam Zhao, they are clearly not just riffraff. The situation is tricky. Who knows whether we'll be lucky or unlucky on this errand."

Zhao Xinying smiled seductively, "What's there to fear? If things go wrong, just retreat. Your escape techniques are not bad."

The narrow-shouldered man, a philanderer, couldn't help but crack a lewd joke, "If this were another battlefield, Madam Zhao taking on three at once would be no trouble."

Zhao Xinying shot him a coquettish glance, "You look like a good-for-nothing. After a little effort, you'd drop your armor and admit defeat."

They walked side by side, speaking through divine sound, not afraid of Shen Fujun overhearing.

The narrow-shouldered man leered, "We haven't tested each other's depth. Don't underestimate my abilities, Madam Zhao."

Zhao Xinying lowered her gaze slightly, covering her mouth with a titter, "Underestimate?"

The narrow-shouldered man's heart itched. Was there a chance? But thinking of Shen Fujun, it was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head.

He asked curiously, "Madam Zhao, I heard a rumor that Feng Su is a remnant of the old Zhuying Dynasty?"

Zhao Xinying's face darkened at the mention of that slut. In the past two years, Feng Su had been the most favored. Previously, in order to compete for favor with that slut, she had privately suggested that the Fox Goddess serve Shen Fujun together with her. They were both skilled in the arts of the bedchamber. Sisters serving together would add variety. The sister initially hesitated, but couldn't resist Zhao Xinying's tearful pleas and her recounting of grievances, along with promises of real benefits. The Fox Goddess finally agreed, saying she couldn't let her sister be sent to the cold palace by Shen Fujun, letting an outsider take all the advantage. Unexpectedly, when Shen Fujun heard of this wonderful idea, he refused. When she pressed the matter, she received a solid slap that sent her rolling off the bed. She was both shocked and scared, and full of hatred. Not only did he lack any romantic interest, but he was also an ungrateful dog!

The more Zhao Xinying thought about it, the angrier she got. Her gaze turned vicious, "Isn't that so? If it weren't for the greater good, I would have long since informed the Great Li auxiliary capital to have that wanton woman arrested and executed!"

The narrow-shouldered man shook his crane-feather cloak, "Madam Zhao, let me go first and test them out. I don't forget you for this devotion."

Zhao Xinying smiled sweetly, "You say that. After today's victory banquet, I won't go over to that certain someone to make a fool of myself. I'll hurry home. Remember to come and have a private chat with your sister."

The narrow-shouldered man's eyes burned with desire. He glanced at Madam Zhao's red lips and rubbed his hands, "Then I'll drink less at the victory banquet."

Zhao Xinying's eyes were like silk, licking her lips.

The narrow-shouldered man tapped his toes and shot forward. While flying through the wind, he squinted again at the mediocre-looking young woman. She really wasn't pretty. Having been spoiled by the beautiful ghosts under Shen Fujun, he couldn't stomach such coarse fare...

A sudden gust of fierce wind hit his face.

Just one punch, and the narrow-shouldered man was gone from the world—crane cloak, body, all turned to dust.

After a moment of shock, Zhao Xinying turned and fled. She used her unique escape technique, turning into a pink mist, not caring whether the narrow-shouldered man was alive or dead. In a fleeting glance, she saw the young man with a sling bag standing where the narrow-shouldered man had been.

Another punch, the fist intent wandering like a dragon, annihilated the pink mist. With a bang, a bloody, mangled corpse fell to the ground. The woman's last sight was a sole pressing straight down towards her face...

Stepping on and crushing the skull, Zhong Qian's heart was without a ripple. His fist intent remained thick, condensed like a great river surging.

He looked up at the ferry boat, resisting the urge. Though it was far from the sea of clouds, he still had ways to get up there.

Ma Suwu stood speechless.

The back of that young martial artist was like a high mountain, a towering cliff.

Pei Qian said, "Ma Suwu, you are a pure martial artist too. You can learn from him. Looking at the fist frame is not as good as looking at the qi; observing the qi is not as good as observing the intention."

Ma Suwu murmured, "I can't see clearly. I can't learn."

Pei Qian instinctively glared, "What?!"

We martial artists are so disheartened and weak? Not afraid of being beaten within an inch of your life?!

Ma Suwu shuddered, suddenly realizing that the young woman beside him was Pei Qian, standing at the pinnacle of martial arts in Bottle Gourd Continent!

Pei Qian took a deep breath and softened her tone, "It's precisely because it's hard to learn that you must learn. When you encounter good fist techniques, open your eyes wide and look carefully."

Whether it was because her aura was too strong or something else, Ma Suwu's knees went weak, and suddenly tears welled up in his eyes. He almost wanted to kowtow and take her as his master.

On that imitation Great Li sword boat, there was also a trusted confidant of Shen Fujun. If it weren't for some cruel and loyal character, Shen Fujun wouldn't have trusted him with such a deadly weapon. But the commotion below the ferry boat had already grown. Shen Fujun's main force was about to engage in close combat with those intruders who had trespassed into the forbidden area. Yet this scoundrel still had the mood to indulge in daylight lechery. Inside the cabin, on a large bed, a jade foot extended out of the gauze curtain, the instep straight.

Who knew what its owner was suffering at that moment. The woman made a muffled nasal sound, like weeping and complaining.

Outside, a deputy general hurriedly reported that the green-robed boy who had killed the Fox Goddess had come to the ship to cause trouble, already killing many soldiers.

The man roared, "What's the panic?!"

He pushed aside two voluptuous bodies, sat up, and roughly pinched the chest of the slender concubine on the left, causing her face to twist in pain. Then he smacked the plump rear of the other woman, which quivered, showing a lard-like, glossy white.

He stood up barefoot, throwing on a robe, and grabbed a wrought-iron spear from a weapon rack, casually holding it, "Lead the way!"

The deputy general, bowing his head, quickly averted his eyes and led the commander to the bow. The commander, also the ship's master, pointed the spear at the green-robed boy with his hands in his sleeves, "Little brat, don't be arrogant! Playing tricks in front of your grandpa here!"

Chen Lingjun knew that this ship's commander was Shen Fujun's top confidant, named Zhao Kui. Even the female ghost Huang Ye didn't know his background or strength, only saying that this beast was exceptionally ferocious and cruel, especially towards women. Huang Ye had only one comment: if an immortal encountered this man, kill him without mercy; there was no chance of wrongful death.

Zhao Kui sneered, "What nonsense about a registered cultivator! How many blind fools have I captured with ease, cutting out their hearts and livers for a side dish with wine? Die!"

He moved quickly, thrusting the spear straight at the boy's head, the tip forming a line of cold light.

Chen Lingjun had spent so many years at Fallen Mountain that he was used to the signature moves of all kinds of martial arts grandmasters.

For example, the martial adage goes: "A spear fears a shake, a cudgel fears a point." A weapon is an extension of a martial artist's arm; the circular techniques of a long spear in particular can enliven all the dead moves.

This bastard's spear technique was so clumsy that Chen Lingjun couldn't bear to look.

Chen Lingjun didn't waste a word. With his hands still in his sleeves, he stood motionless, not dodging, and actually bumped his head forward.

In an instant, the spear tip shattered inch by inch.

Seeing the spear break continuously, Zhao Kui was shocked but still increased his force. He refused to believe that a mere Qi refiner relying on flashy techniques could have such a tough body! Zhao Kui roared, channeled a breath of pure true qi, poured all his fist intent into his arm, and through the remaining half of the spear shaft, he would pierce and break through even an undefeated golden body!

Good heavens, the spear had broken nearly in half, and the green-robed boy still stood there. Seeing the boy's cold eyes, Zhao Kui felt a chill, his courage drained away. He had no momentum left. He was about to retreat with the half-spear. The green-robed boy casually summoned a long sword from a captain's scabbard. It flew with a clang. He didn't hold it but pointed with two fingers, flicked, and the sword shot into Zhao Kui's chest. The force was immense, piercing straight through. Zhao Kui was pinned to the wall by the sword, a sharp pain shooting through him. Damn it, this broken sword was wrapped in fierce qi. Being a ghost, this serious injury wasn't fatal.

The group of ship ghosts, who could barely be called arrogant soldiers, were loyal to their master and not afraid to fight. In an instant, spears and halberds converged, gleaming coldly, rushing at the green-robed boy from all sides. The boy still didn't dodge, letting the weapons chop, smash, and stab him. They made a sound like metal striking stone, sparks flying and sizzling. Those with weak strength had their weapons deflected; the strong ones saw their weapons shatter on the spot, their arms aching from the shock. This was a ghost meeting a ghost during the day!

The boy didn't use any defensive treasures or magical powers. He simply relied on his physical body to take it all!

This green-robed boy, who should have been wearing open-crotch pants and walking the streets, didn't even blink. He just slowly walked towards the ship's commander.

Terrified, Zhao Kui tried to pull the sword out of his chest while throwing the half-spear.

Chen Lingjun grabbed the spear, shook his wrist, and it broke into several pieces. Then he flicked his sleeve, and with bangs, bangs, bangs, the pieces pierced Zhao Kui's shoulders and abdomen, nailing him to the wall like hammering nails.

"Everyone, get out of the way!"

A burly man wearing a talisman-armor strode forward, wielding a large glaive, and swung it at the boy's head.

Again, the boy didn't avoid the edge. He let the glaive strike his head. The weapon bounced back violently, a large chip broken from the blade. The warrior roared, gripped the glaive tightly, and swung again with a whoosh, faster and fiercer. This time, the glaive tilted slightly and chopped into the deck. This showed that it wasn't that the warrior lacked strength or the weapon wasn't sharp, but that the boy's body was unreasonably tough. The common street plays' "steel and iron body" was nothing more than this.

Chen Lingjun simply swept his sleeve, cutting the glaive-wielding warrior in half at the waist.

There were also fierce ghosts who knew some magic and had cultivated life-bound objects, throwing all sorts of offensive spells and items at the boy as if they cost nothing.

Chen Lingjun remained unmoved, feeling that two of the spells were a bit sneaky and had some power, but they were just an itch.

He flicked his toe, picking up a fallen sword. Holding it in one hand, he walked towards the commander pinned to the wall, casually performing a beautiful outward wrist rotation.

As if remembering something, as if it were hot, Chen Lingjun quickly dropped the sword. He was afraid of being teased by sword immortals like Mi Yu; after all, Pei Qian's berserk sword technique was something he, Chen Lingjun, had often mocked.

He looked around and spotted a saber on the deck. He summoned it into his hand, but it felt as light as if he were holding nothing—unsatisfying.

It seemed he needed to find a suitable weapon sometime.

Chen Lingjun casually tossed the saber, spearing it into Zhao Kui's crotch.

Though Zhao Kui was a ghost, for them to walk in broad daylight, they needed a sufficiently solid "physical body" as a vessel. So being wounded by ordinary weapons, though not fatal, the pain was real. Moreover, these weapons were not ordinary; most were purchased from the armories of various states. So the pinned commander Zhao Kui was a miserable sight, with black smoke rising from multiple wounds, pus oozing endlessly, and a foul stench.

Another burly man, looking like a captain, even if he quietly bent his knees and shrank his neck, was still called out by Zhao Kui by name and ordered to kill the boy. Hearing the commander's command, though terrified of the boy, he was even more afraid of being held accountable by Shen Fujun later. He gritted his teeth and thrust his iron spear at the boy's back.

Chen Lingjun spun around, his large sleeves fluttering. He grabbed the spear, turning the tables. He thrust the spear out, slightly upwards, the tip blooming like a flower, shaking and circling.

He pierced the captain's neck, decapitating him instantly with a single spear thrust.

Then he twisted his waist, turned over, and made another spear thrust like a horse-turn, piercing Zhao Kui's head. The spear tip spun like a circle, and the head exploded.

The spear slid down, splitting Zhao Kui's body in two.

Chen Lingjun pulled out the spear, simultaneously shattering his soul. He retreated dozens of feet, then looked up at the railing on the third floor.

Damn it, after cultivating at Fallen Mountain for so long, you could say I'm not expert in anything, but you absolutely can't say I know nothing!

Chen Lingjun held the spear at an angle, saying nothing, the tip pointing directly at the man who seemed to be the true backbone of this ferry boat.

He was the one who had secretly attacked him with two spells earlier. Damn it, a useless piece of trash!

A middle-aged man with an immortal aura appeared on the third floor, leaning on the railing. Seeing the carnage below, he was not at all concerned about the loss of troops. Instead, he smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist has quite a fierce method. May I ask which sect's patriarch you are?"

Seeing the boy silent, the man continued, "With such a body and profound Dao power, why not join me in assisting Lord Shen, work together to achieve great things, lay a foundation for a thousand years, and surely go down in history..."

The fierce villain downstairs, looking like a boy, was indeed not to be underestimated. Earlier, he had used water and fire spells separately. Strangely enough, not only did they fail, but as soon as they touched the boy's green robe, they seemed to... chicken out. The fire technique quickly dissipated, and the water technique seemed to flee before even fighting. Such strangeness was unheard of, and it even made the man who styled himself "Twin Flood Dragon True Lord" feel uneasy.

Actually, in previous years, his Dao title was "Twin Dragon True Lord." But after hearing that a true dragon had appeared in the world and become the East Sea Water Lord, he, a small fry, dared not offend such an exalted being and hastily changed his Dao title in secret.

Chen Lingjun finally couldn't listen anymore. He flew into a rage, "Dao your mother's friend! Assist your father's seat! Get the hell out of here and cool off!"

He casually threw the iron spear, which shot through the air with the sound of wind and thunder.

Seeing the spear coming at him like an arrow, the man didn't dare to be careless. He raised his arm and rolled his sleeve. The cuff suddenly enlarged like a basket, with spiritual energy swirling rapidly inside. The iron spear spun like a small boat in dangerous rapids and shoals, gradually emitting faint cracking sounds. The man lifted one foot and quietly stepped back, stomping heavily on the ground, finally stabilizing himself. He also managed to crush the spear. With a flick of his sleeve, a cloud of iron filings scattered in the wind.

The man clasped his hands behind his back and smiled, "Has Fellow Daoist finally vented? Can we now have a proper chat?"

This sword boat was Shen Fujun's treasure. Compared to it, even Madam Zhao or the Fox Goddess could be discarded like worn-out shoes.

No mishap could be allowed; not a single error could be made. So he, as the chief guest, had to come and block the way.

Thus, he rarely spoke in a conciliatory tone, "You are a venerable Nascent Soul. I am far inferior, merely a Golden Core whose realm has stagnated for years. However, according to the old rules of the mountain, addressing a senior as 'Fellow Daoist' is not rude for a junior."

The mountain saying goes, "Those who form golden cores are my kind." Even if this boy were truly a Nascent Soul, on another's turf, addressing a Golden Core—and a well-established old Golden Core—as 'Fellow Daoist' was the proper etiquette. If it weren't for the boy's overwhelming strength, he wouldn't have admitted to being a Golden Core earthly immortal. Out in the world, earning some immortal money, there was no need to reveal everything to everyone.

Chen Lingjun rolled his eyes, "Filthy mouth. Just talking to you makes me afraid I'll get sick if I bite you."

The man said helplessly, "Why must Fellow Daoist be so aggressive? Out in the world, harmony brings wealth. Even if you have great skill and boldness, you should know a simple truth that even a child understands."

He raised his sleeve and pointed towards Chaozhu Beach, "A large boat rushing into a narrow strait hits rocks and stirs waves, the water boiling in fury. It's easiest to capsize. Fellow Daoist, don't you agree?"

Chen Lingjun tapped his toes, rising into the air, and landed lightly on the railing, "Showing off your learning here? Why don't you go take the imperial exam?"

The man's Dao heart shook. The moment the boy landed on the railing, the entire sword boat suddenly dropped sharply. The man hid his hand in his sleeve, quickly forming hand seals, sending two beams of light to the ship's bottom. Yet even so, he couldn't stop the sword boat from landing.

He could no longer maintain his composure. His face was full of rage as he shouted, "We have no enmity! Do you really want to fight to the death with me?!"

The green-robed boy grinned cheekily, shaking his head, "Fight if we fight. Who's afraid of who?"

The man laughed in anger, gritting his teeth, "Fine, fine! A fine Nascent Soul old immortal, bullying others with power! A fine river-dragon who doesn't regard the local snake at all! Then let's each rely on our abilities and see who survives!"

Chen Lingjun clicked his tongue, "So much nonsense. Get lost."

Seeing that there was no peaceful resolution, the man had to silently recite a fragment of a Daoist scripture from the ancient Shu secret realm. What he thought was, he would definitely ask Shen Fujun for an extra treasure.

Oh, he had some skill. He leaped into the sea of clouds, apparently really desperate, using the divine power of Dharma Body.

The sea of clouds churned like boiling water. The next moment, the clouds cleared, revealing a golden Dharma Body several hundred feet tall. It sat cross-legged high above, with pitch-black eyes, looking down at the tiny ferry boat, which was as small as a walnut carving. One hand slammed down with a bang, the palm lines as large as mountain streams.

In comparison, the boy standing on the ferry boat railing was as small as a mustard seed. The fierce wind blew, making his sleeves billow and rustle.

Chen Lingjun looked up at the Dharma Body, his eyes burning, "Trying to scare me?"

A streak of green light arced towards the higher heavens, and strangely, layers of clouds spread out in midair. In an instant, faintly visible, a flood dragon as massive as a great mountain appeared, its golden eyes gleaming. One giant claw descended, reaching through the layers of clouds, and pressed down on the head of the golden Dharma Body, forcing it to kowtow heavily.

At the pavilion, Little Mili stared wide-eyed, her expression shifting from worry to joy. Jingqing was this impressive?!

Chen Ping'an stood up, brushed off his hands, walked out of the pavilion, down the steps, and stopped after a short distance. He turned to look back at the pavilion.

Jing Hao signaled Water God Wang Xian not to get up, and followed Mr. Chen alone, laughing, "Fellow Daoist Jingqing has made such a big commotion. The other side is probably going to call for reinforcements."

Chen Ping'an remained silent.

Jing Hao had a strange feeling at that moment. It seemed that this Mr. Chen was both far away in the horizon and right before his eyes.

A thin, dark-skinned, straw-sandaled youth had walked from Mud Vase Alley to today. Step by step, he had come here, full of spirit, seeking the Dao. The green-robed man, brimming with considerable achievements and accomplishments, had taken a seat in this pavilion, which he had just named "A Pavilion to Rest the Mind." Years of spring, summer, autumn, and winter passed. The hardships and difficulties, or the joy and complacency, were not for outsiders to know. In a nutshell, it was simply not letting those who had placed their hopes in him feel disappointed.

Human affairs and heavenly timing are too hasty and careless. Drunk eyes see the mountains, all freely.

We were all once youths with pure thoughts.