Chapter 149: The Duel
Chen Ping'an's eyes widened as he saw that "Calm Heart and Contentment" seal, after striking the white-clad youth's forehead, first rebounded, then hung motionless in the air, and finally was pulled back as if someone were reeling it in by a string. However, the strength of the person pulling the string was a little weak, so the seal wobbled in the air, rising and falling, moving slowly.
Chen Ping'an followed its trajectory and saw that between himself and Li Baoping, the locust wood sword was hovering. A golden-clad little girl, about the height of a pinky finger, was lying spread-eagled underneath the flying sword, her hands and feet tightly gripping the wooden sword. She had just managed to climb up with difficulty, and now that she was standing on the sword's body, she was dizzy, staggering around like a drunkard. It seemed this flying sword journey had not been a pleasant one.
That "Calm" character seal landed on the wooden sword. The seal was somewhat heavy, pressing down on the sword's tail and causing it to tilt upward. The golden-clad little girl slid toward the seal, flustered and clumsy.
Li Baoping hadn't noticed the golden-clad little girl's presence before either, but now that she saw her, she found it amusing. She skipped over happily, crouched slightly, and cupped the locust wood sword at both ends. Gazing at the little creature trying to hide, the golden-clad little girl was startled. She seemed naturally shy, covering her face with her hands, then jumping up straight with her feet together. When she landed, her figure sank into the locust wood sword and disappeared.
Chen Ping'an didn't understand what was happening and didn't want to dwell on it. He said hoarsely, "Baoping, toss me the wooden sword. You keep the seal for now."
Li Baoping immediately curbed her curiosity, knowing the top priority was to deal with that Cui fellow. She grabbed the seal, let out a light shout, and threw the locust wood sword with all her might toward her little martial uncle.
But the little girl's strength was a bit off. The locust wood sword veered away from where Chen Ping'an was standing.
"Turn around!"
Chen Ping'an ordered Li Baoping. Then, with a light tap of his toe, he stepped in one stride to the left side of the old well, planting his foot on the edge. He precisely caught the wooden sword, took another big step forward, and upon landing, thrust the sword straight down at the white-clad youth's heart.
At that moment, the upper half of the golden-clad little girl emerged from the locust wood sword in Chen Ping'an's hand. She looked as if she was about to cry, filled with regret and guilt. She shook her head and waved her hands vigorously at him, as if trying to stop Chen Ping'an from killing.
But Chen Ping'an, from receiving the sword to thrusting it, was extremely decisive, making the whole motion in one fluid sequence. By the time the golden-clad little girl appeared, the tip of the wooden sword was already pressing against the white-clad youth's heart. Because Chen Ping'an had spent years making porcelain and shaping clay on the wheel, his control over force was exquisite. Even if he had wanted to pull back, the flow of Qi in his body, the contraction and extension of his arm muscles, and the momentum carried by the wooden sword all made it impossible for Chen Ping'an to change the outcome.
An old scholar carrying a cotton cloth bag suddenly appeared out of nowhere. "Good, good. That was almost being schemed against."
With the old scholar's unexpected appearance at the critical moment, the youth Cui Chan seemed to be grabbed by the neck and pulled backward, instantly coming to a stop. Although he was still unconscious, his back was straight, standing as firm as a green pine, thereby avoiding being stabbed through the heart by Chen Ping'an's sword.
The old man looked at the straw-sandal-wearing youth who quickly retreated, holding the sword horizontally in front of him, while shielding Li Baoping behind him. The youth's grip on the sword was awkward and clumsy, like a mountain woodcutter holding a writing brush—something about it just didn't look right.
The old man said with emotion, "So it's you."
Chen Ping'an was on high alert, not daring to let his guard down. He said softly, "Baoping, run as soon as you get a chance. Don't worry about me."
Chen Ping'an noticed Li Baoping tugging at his sleeve several times. Surprised, he turned and looked down. "What's wrong?"
The little girl's face was stiff. She raised her arm, pointed behind Chen Ping'an, opened her mouth, and her lips formed what looked like two words: "There's a ghost."
Attacked from front and back?
Chen Ping'an's nerves tensed. When he looked, his face went blank. The youth blinked, then blinked again, making sure he hadn't mistaken. With the old scholar and the white-clad youth behind him, he didn't dare say anything openly, afraid it would be overheard and harm that immortal sister. But he was truly anxious, hesitating like an ant on a hot pan.
Li Baoping secretly clutched her little martial uncle's sleeve, glanced at the kindly old man, then turned to look at the elusive female ghost.
Compared to the last time she saw that wedding-dress female ghost, tonight this one was dressed in white clothes and white shoes, holding a pure white... large lotus leaf? Li Baoping was puzzled. Were all female ghosts in the outside world so refreshing and refined? She recalled that back then, her elder brother had been forced by her to tell many bloody ghost stories. Those pink-skinned skeletons, water ghosts, river monsters, and other specters were always ripping out hearts and eating flesh, their appearances and manners terrifying.
How could they compare to this one? She was even more beautiful and moving than the previous wedding-dress female ghost.
She was tall, yet still possessed a natural grace of slenderness. Her head of waterfall-like glossy black hair was brought from behind to her chest, tied in a knot with a golden silk scarf, making her appear particularly serene and dignified.
Li Baoping felt that this tall woman was truly both tall and beautiful, making her very envious. The little girl secretly rose on her tiptoes, then quickly gave up and dropped back down.
The tall woman seemed to have eyes only for Chen Ping'an.
She smiled and said, "We're going to fight someone soon. Don't be afraid of that old man. He only knows a bit of defensive kung fu."
"Don't worry, this sister is not a bad person. She's one of us!"
Chen Ping'an first comforted the Li Baoping beside him, then looked up and couldn't help asking in a low voice, "Aren't you not supposed to leave the town? What if the sages from all sides detect you? What will you do?"
The tall woman flicked her wrist, lightly shaking the lotus leaf in her hand. Her tone was gentle and slow, and she had an aura that put people at ease. "Do you know a place called the Lotus Paradise?"
Chen Ping'an suddenly remembered Ning Yao and nodded. "Someone once told me about it. It's where the founder of Daoism goes to relax. Although it's only one of the thirty-six lesser paradises, even the smallest lotus leaf there is larger than the capital of Great Li."
The woman smiled. "It's not that exaggerated. A lotus leaf like the one in my hand, if it showed its true form, would cover about a dozen square li. Of course, the largest lotus leaves there are definitely much bigger than the capital of Great Li. These lotus leaves can conceal the Heavenly Mechanism. Simply put, they prevent the Three Teachings' sages and the Hundred Schools' masters from discovering my movements."
Seeing Chen Ping'an's confusion, she explained with a smile, "That time we met, I didn't have this good item yet. Before Qi Jingchun left the human world, he went to the Heaven Beyond Heavens, found the Dao Ancestor, and after some bargaining with that old immortal, managed to get this lotus leaf umbrella for me. As for what Qi Jingchun paid, I'm not sure. After all, the innate character 'Jing' violated taboos, and many within the Daoist lineage were dissatisfied about it. So it can be certain that Qi Jingchun's trip to the Lotus Paradise, when he left this Hao Ran world, came at no small cost."
Speaking of this, even the tall woman's eyes showed a trace of daze, filled with sincere admiration for that Confucian disciple.
After Qi Jingchun returned from the Heaven Beyond Heavens to the human world, they had one last casual conversation.
"This lotus leaf?"
"I went to the Heaven Beyond Heavens and picked it from the Lotus Paradise. It can help you leave this place without disturbing the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, so you don't have to worry about sages investigating."
"That's a good thing. But aren't you afraid that with me by his side, Chen Ping'an might become reckless and turn into the kind of person you don't like?"
"I know Chen Ping'an's nature well. I'm never worried about him bullying others. Even if you protect him from beginning to end, I wouldn't be concerned."
"Do you think so highly of Chen Ping'an?"
"What do you think? He is my little junior brother."
"You and Chen Ping'an are of the same generation, and I recognize him as my master. So what are you implying, Qi Jingchun?"
"Haha, I wouldn't dare!"
Thinking of these things, the tall woman sighed softly in her heart.
What a pity that there was one less Qi Jingchun in the world.
Li Baoping, who feared nothing, spoke timidly for the first time, "Sister, you are truly beautiful."
The tall woman nodded and smiled, "Yes, much more beautiful than you."
Not only was she ungracious, but her words were also hurtful!
The little girl in the red padded jacket was speechless and dumbfounded.
Chen Ping'an broke out in a cold sweat.
Behind Chen Ping'an, there was also a reunion.
The old man stared at the white-clad youth who had woken up. The youth stared back, thinking, now that I have nothing to lose, why should I fear you?
The old man first looked at the tall woman, who nodded to indicate it was fine.
Then the old man turned to the youth, annoyed and furious. "You, Cui Chan, aren't you supposed to be smart? Let's review then. Did you ever wonder why I suddenly lost control of those characters, allowing you to separate from the spirit? And how it happened to be evenly matched with the Dao intent contained in that sword aura, both consumed to nothing, enabling you to rush out of the well and use a killing move against Chen Ping'an? Did you ever consider that in the end, you might be beaten to death by Chen Ping'an while simultaneously severely injuring him?!"
The youth Cui Chan's expression shifted between dark and bright. Finally, he pursed his lips as if sulking, feigning indifference. "It's nothing more than a Confucian sage from some lineage interfering. What's so special? Even Qi Jingchun willingly walked into that fatal trap, resigned to his fate. Why shouldn't I, Cui Chan, be plotted against once?"
The more he spoke, the angrier he got. He pointed at the shabby old scholar. "Old man, you still have the nerve to say that? The one you had the highest hopes for, Qi Jingchun, is dead. The most indecisive fool, Ma Zhan, is also dead. And that fellow named Zuo has completely disappeared. I, Cui Chan, have fallen to this state. In the end, isn't it all because of you? You're the best at writing essays, with the deepest intent, the longest-lasting benefit to the world—got it?! And that second sage, listen carefully, a second sage, the third highest in the Confucian Temple! He advocated that the people are most important, the ruler less so, and the state the least! You're amazing, insisting on Heaven, Earth, ruler, parents, and teachers. The second sage says human nature is good; fine, you say human nature is evil! Damn it, what did the second sage ever do to you?"
The youth stamped his foot in anger, a habitual gesture that actually mirrored the old scholar. His finger was almost pointing at the old man's nose. "What's worse, the second sage isn't much older than you. He might still be alive and well in the human world. Why are you so stubborn, old man? Why don't you go argue with the Supreme Sage or the Ritual Sage? The second sage might even take your side! But you insist on opposing him—I'm in awe!"
The old scholar remained silent, merely wiping the spittle the youth had sprayed on his face.
Internal family disputes, small households, behind closed doors, arguments and red faces aren't a big deal.
But consider this: one was a second sage, the other a literary sage. This "debate between the three and the four" that shook the entire Confucian school, all academies and schools, was far too tumultuous. These two great sages, especially given that the first two of the Confucian Temple had long ceased to appear in the world, almost represented the entire Confucian school—the very ones who established the rules for this Hao Ran world. Although there were no signs of disintegration, the heads of neighboring houses, seeing the slightest hint, could foresee thousands of miles away. Wouldn't they secretly rejoice?
Afterward, within the Confucian school, there was an extremely covert wager. The loser accepted the bet and imprisoned himself in the Grove of Merit and Virtue.
The old scholar lost, and he stayed there waiting to die, allowing his statue in the Confucian Temple to be moved again and again until it was shattered.
But when his most accomplished disciple went to another continent, bore the Heavenly Dao, and perished in body and soul, the old scholar, to break his vow, had no choice but to make an agreement with all sages—not just Confucian sages—that no one would have expected. After all, a sage's vow, if easily reneged, would have long since turned this world of strict rules into a completely different place.
The old scholar voluntarily gave up his physical body and many of the divine powers of a Confucian sage, wandering the world only as a spirit.
When the youth, hands on his hips, finally stopped and bent over panting, the old man asked, "Finished scolding? Should I state my reasoning now?"
After venting his foul breath, the white-clad youth recalled that old fellow's various deeds from the past. Cui Chan felt a bit of fear and began to fall silent.
The old scholar sighed. "Who taught Qi Jingchun how to play chess?"
Cui Chan immediately puffed out his chest. "Me!"
The old man, expressionless, said slowly, "I once told all of you that when reasoning with people, even when arguing, even in great Dao debates, you must remain calm and composed."
Cui Chan immediately fell silent, quivering. He lowered his voice. "It was me... Qi Jingchun had no talent for chess. After losing to me a few times, he refused to play again."
The old man asked again, "Then who taught you to play chess?"
Cui Chan didn't want to answer.
The old scholar snorted. "Me!"
Cui Chan felt deeply wronged and gnashed his teeth. Old man, do you know what it means to set an example by your own actions?
The old scholar softened his tone a bit. "When you were teaching Qi Jingchun chess, how did your skill compare to mine?"
Cui Chan reluctantly said, "I'm not as good as you."
The old man asked, "Then do you know that after Qi Jingchun learned to play chess, he soon beat me?"
The youth was stunned.
He didn't doubt the truth of the old man's words.
The old man asked again, "Do you know what Qi Jingchun said privately? He said to me, 'The senior brother truly loves playing chess and cares a bit too much about winning or losing. I don't want to deceive him when we play. If he keeps losing to me, then he'll lose one of his joys in life.'"
The youth Cui Chan stiffened his neck and said, "Even so, so what?"
The old man, angered by his lack of progress and saddened by his misfortune, scolded, "You're just stubborn. You always realize your mistakes quickly but admit them slowly! As for correcting them? Hmph!"
The youth Cui Chan retorted angrily, "That's how you raised me!"
The old man glared at him, was silent for a moment, then said regretfully, "Ma Zhan's betrayal might have disappointed Xiao Qi more than your scheming, Cui Chan."
Cui Chan sneered, "Someone like Ma Zhan, I don't even bother to talk about. He had ambitions higher than the heavens but a fate as thin as paper. If I, at least, was striving for the opportunity of the Great Dao, for the continuity of our scholarly lineage, then what was he? Just for something like becoming the head of some academy or having the hope of controlling a school one day? For such trivial fame and profit, he was willing to betray the bonds of classmates and willingly become someone else's pawn. He deserved to die. Old man, back then you gave Qi Jingchun a farewell saying: 'Learning cannot cease. Blue comes from indigo, but is bluer than indigo.' That saying is widely known, I know. But what did you give Ma Zhan?"
The old man said calmly, "Heaven and Earth give birth to the noble man; the noble man orders Heaven and Earth. What a pity."
Whether he was pitying that saying or pitying Ma Zhan himself, it was hard to tell.
Cui Chan sneered, "After Ma Zhan left the town with those children, at first he had a pleasant and quite candid conversation with one of my chess pieces. He mentioned the matter of whether to stay or leave the Pearl Bead Paradise. He had a dispute with Qi Jingchun. Finally, Qi Jingchun said a very strange sentence to him, which startled Ma Zhan: 'When it is time to bend, the noble man bends; when it is time to stretch, he stretches.' That fool Ma Zhan, after Qi Jingchun's magnificent and generous death, still followed his selfish desires, dreaming of becoming the head of some academy. Only when he was about to die did he finally wake up and confirm that Qi Jingchun, back in the school, had long known about his actions but had always refused to expose him, still hoping that Ma Zhan would take good care of those children. Ma Zhan was truly slow to realize. After being delayed and brushed off twice, he finally knew all was lost. For the first and only time in his life, he mustered some manly blood and, at the cost of losing his future lives and afterlives, wounded my chess piece, enabling those children to return to the town, leading to so many subsequent events..."
As he spoke, the white-clad youth became more and more feeble.
The old scholar sighed deeply.
Many people and events in the Pearl Bead Paradise, especially in the last sixty years when Qi Jingchun was in charge, had the Heavenly Mechanism even more tightly sealed. Qi Jingchun, Old Man Yang, and some behind-the-scenes figures had secretly acted, making this small paradise increasingly murky and full of variables. Even the old scholar found it extremely difficult to deduce and infer, not daring to claim that the truth he deduced was definitely the truth.
The tall woman's gentle voice softly rang out, "Finished chatting?"
Cui Chan noticed the old scholar's expression turned a bit ugly. He sighed heavily. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the woman looking at him. The old man could only reluctantly take off his shoulder bag, pull out a scroll, and gently untie the string binding it.
Chen Ping'an was completely confused.
She walked over to Chen Ping'an and smiled. "You can draw your sword three times later."
She squinted at the sky outside the lotus leaf and said slowly, "I will restore my true form later. Don't be surprised."
Finally, as if remembering something, she said apologetically, "I forgot to say two words."
Chen Ping'an looked up.
The tall woman put away her smile and respectfully addressed him, "Master."