# Chapter 344: A Confucian Sage Descends upon Biyou Mansion
The old woman who served as temple keeper of the Mai River Water God Temple was a trusted confidant of the local prefectural governor's mansion. Aside from the prefect's recommendation, she had spent a considerable amount of her family's silver to curry favor with the Ritual Department of the Shenjing City government, thereby securing this lucrative position. Countless Qi refiners envied her, unaware of how much she had paid for it. Earlier, she had tried to lodge a complaint with Biyou Mansion using the method of burning incense to appeal to higher spirits, but now, without needing any reminder from the Water God Niangniang herself, she had quieted down completely. All thoughts of revenge were gone. She dared not, absolutely dared not.
That young gentleman from Dafu Academy could probably kill her just by passing gas.
Why had the Daquan Dynasty been thriving for decades, gradually becoming the de facto leader of the various states in the central region of Tongye Continent?
Aside from the emperor's brilliance and the gathering of talented civil and military officials, everyone knew in their hearts that it was because a gentleman resided in Shenjing City. Traditional powers like Northern Jin and Southern Qi didn't even have a single academy worthy or sage between them.
This academy gentleman before them was so young—that in itself was an immense deterrent.
A man who painstakingly earned the title of Principal Graduate at thirty or forty was worlds apart from a child prodigy who seized the top honors.
The old temple keeper and the elderly Daoist who had returned to the shore stood like two errant schoolchildren waiting for their teacher's ruler to strike.
In the eyes of ordinary folk, these two were "old immortals." Their relationship with Biyou Mansion was mediocre at best. They knew that the Water God Niangniang looked down on them deep down, but out of consideration for the prefectural mansion and the court's face, the Niangniang turned a blind eye, as long as they didn't go too far in lining their pockets.
But tonight was going to be difficult.
Because the Water God Niangniang and her temple were no longer their protective talisman.
Zhong Kui barked harshly, "One of you is the temple keeper responsible for the incense and offerings, the other is the Daquan court's stationed prefecture Daoist. Neither of you has even a shred of compassion. Without asking the truth of the matter, you were ready to use your power to commit violence. No wonder there are so many water ghosts beneath the Mai River. Besides the great demon causing havoc, you two are equally to blame!"
The old woman and the old Daoist turned pale with fright. When an academy gentleman "straightens his cap and gown," his words carry the weight of gold and jade—every single character weighing ten thousand catties. This was no idle saying.
The short woman said solemnly, "The proliferation of water ghosts in the Mai River is primarily my fault."
Zhong Kui waved his sleeve, showing no deference to the Water God Niangniang. "Two separate matters! These two have such important duties, yet they seek to shirk responsibility at every turn, unwilling to ask one more question or think one more thought. What dereliction of duty! They are not some idle rich folk enjoying a life of ease. In their positions, they must govern their affairs. Here, every move they make affects the court's mountain and river qi fortune!"
The two were nearly frightened out of their wits.
Judging by the way things were going, the matter had already been elevated to the righteousness of the court. If this young gentleman further invoked the principles of the academy, would they be doomed beyond redemption?
The old woman was the first to kneel and beg for mercy, spouting words about never repeating her mistakes.
The old Daoist also bowed and apologized, saying he had failed the court's trust and would henceforth spare no effort.
Zhong Kui snorted coldly. "Considering this is your first offense, I'll leave your punishment to the Water God Niangniang."
The two quickly rose to thank him and then apologized to the Water God Niangniang.
Zhong Kui found them an eyesore. He waved his sleeve and scolded, "Why aren't you hurrying back to the temple to shut yourselves in for reflection? Stop disgracing yourselves here!"
The two fled in disgrace.
Zhong Kui turned to the short woman and said sternly, "As the Water God of the Mai River, receiving the offerings of ten thousand people, you ought to at least manage those beneath you instead of always fixating on that river demon. The matter of divine incense isn't just about fighting and killing. If the common folk who burn incense are sincere, even if they only offer one stick a year, the incense is never broken. But if everyone within your domain is driven by greed, coming here to burn incense only to receive, without any true sincerity toward you—what then? Hundreds of years of incense, clouds of smoke filling the air, even at night there are hundreds waiting outside the temple to burn incense. The commotion is greater than that of the Confucian Temple and the City God Pavilion in Shenjing City! The true quantity and weight of incense—how many catties per day? Ordinary folk don't know, the temple keeper doesn't know, but as the Mai River Water God, how could you not know? If not for the Hall of the Inspirational Niangniang, which helped you win the sincere incense offerings of many women, you would have long been crushed by that gifted river demon, your water god temple razed and your Biyou Mansion trampled!"
The short woman, for the first time, showed signs of guilt and embarrassment.
Zhong Kui said no more.
Chen Ping'an's heart-lake had calmed. In his two journeys through the Haoran World, only three times had outsiders mentioned Teacher Qi or the Old Scholar of the Wen Sage.
The City God Shen Wen of Caiyi Country in Baoping Continent, the old Daoist from Lotus Flower Blessed Land who spoke of the order of things, and now this Water God Niangniang before him—she had actually read books and become an admirer of the Old Scholar of the Wen Sage. And it wasn't just ordinary admiration—it bordered on obsession. Even Chen Ping'an dared not say that the Old Gentleman's scholarship was merely on par with the Ultimate Saint. Back when Cui Dongshan spoke of his former teacher, he only said that the Wen Sage's scholarship was heaven-reaching, as radiant as the sun in the eyes of the world's scholars, without comparing him to any of the saints enshrined in the Confucian Temple.
Moreover, requesting a Confucian classic from Dafu Academy to welcome and enshrine in the temple touched upon the very foundation of a deity's golden body. It also involved the dream of every mountain and river deity: the elevation of their mansion to a palace.
Chen Ping'an was both shocked and genuinely pleased by this short woman's decision.
It was as if, amidst the vast sea of humanity, he had finally encountered a kindred spirit.
Zhong Kui said to Chen Ping'an, "Do you know why reason prevailed tonight? It wasn't just because of those two slaps, and it wasn't even because of my status as a gentleman."
Chen Ping'an was indeed curious and asked sincerely, "How so?"
Zhong Kui said with great spirit, "It's because of the accumulated merit of our Confucian academies, using the books of sages and worthies over thousands upon thousands of years. Seventy-two academies stand firm across the nine continents, making both those on the mountains and those below revere them in their hearts. If the academy masters relied solely on force, they would only win outward submission but not inner conviction, and corruption would breed endlessly. I, Zhong Kui, am merely enjoying the shade of trees planted by my predecessors."
Chen Ping'an found this somewhat odd.
Zhong Kui's current words and actions were completely different from his usual self.
Of course, the logic Zhong Kui spoke was faultless.
Zhong Kui rolled his eyes a few times, then assumed a pose of listening intently. He laughed aloud. "The master has finally left. The turmoil tonight has surely been handled by me—a blessing in disguise, haha. Maybe when I return to the academy next time, the master will even praise me a few words."
Chen Ping'an was speechless. This was the Zhong Kui he knew.
The Mai River Water God Niangniang was astounded. She almost suspected that this person's status as a gentleman might be forged.
Zhong Kui patted his belly. "Talking about that bowl of noodles has given me a craving. Let's go to your Biyou Mansion for a late-night snack?"
Chen Ping'an frowned. "There's a night market stall not far away."
By now, Chen Ping'an was no longer ignorant of the world. The statue of the Old Scholar of the Wen Sage had not only been removed from the Confucian Temple but also smashed. His writings were banned and destroyed throughout the Haoran World. Back then, the seventy-two academies across the nine continents had either had their mountain masters personally oversee the matter or at least a gentleman to preside over it, urging the various courts to carry out the order without fail.
If he got involved with the Mai River Water God Temple, the Daquan court, and Dafu Academy, and if someone with ulterior motives exploited the situation, it might very well harm both himself and others.
In the already-settled disputes between scholarly lineages, later generations had the least room for debate. Why? Because the sages had already exhausted all reasoning.
The diminutive Water God Niangniang seemed to have changed her mind. She took the initiative to invite the two to Biyou Mansion, smiling. "Those stalls outside the temple—how could they compare to the late-night snacks at my Biyou Mansion? Let's go, let's go. I just happen to have a jar of century-old vintage wine to entertain two distinguished guests."
She was thinking of using this academy gentleman's status to borrow his prestige and intimidate the two Liu family enshrined Daoists who had been pestering her outside Biyou Mansion.
She was secretly pleased with herself, thinking her scheme was no less clever than that river demon's.
The more she thought about it, the happier she became, giggling foolishly.
Chen Ping'an felt helpless. This Water God Niangniang was far too straightforward. Wasn't she clearly signaling that the late-night snack at her Biyou Mansion wouldn't be easy to eat? She should at least have waited until she had tricked the two inside before secretly gloating.
Zhong Kui pretended not to notice. He pulled Chen Ping'an along, saying he wanted to see if that century-old vintage wine could compare to the five-year green plum wine at the inn.
Appearing at the Water God Temple tonight was already impossible to hide. Coupled with Zhong Kui's public reprimand of the old temple keeper, the short woman decided to go all out. She reached out toward the Mai River, and the water surged violently. A column of water rose up, and as it streaked toward the shore, it transformed into a lifelike yellow flood dragon, a hundred zhang long. Upon arriving outside the mountain temple, the flood dragon docilely lowered its head. The Mai River Water God leaped onto the dragon's head. Zhong Kui pulled Chen Ping'an along as they floated up and stood between the yellow flood dragon's neck.
The dragon twisted its body, returning from the shore to the Mai River, and swiftly swam downstream toward Biyou Mansion.
The common folk waiting on the shore to enter the temple and burn incense saw the Water God Niangniang's heroic bearing and divine powers. One by one, they knelt and kowtowed. After rising, everyone was overjoyed, feeling that this trip was not in vain—to witness the Water God Niangniang manifest her spirit was such great fortune!
The three of them rode the river-formed flood dragon and soon arrived at Biyou Mansion, nestled among the quiet, secluded woods. It appeared to be quite far from the river, but in reality, the mansion was connected to the water vein beneath. Situated at the hub of a formation, it could gather the water essence of the Mai River and absorb the incense and qi fortune of the entire Mai River region. This was the foundation of the Mai River Water God's existence. The golden statue in the temple was merely an external manifestation.
At the gate were the Daoist master and disciple from Golden Summit Temple: the Baozhen Daoist Yin Miaofeng and his disciple Shao Yuanran. Not only had they been given the cold shoulder by the Water God Niangniang, but they had also been treated to a late-night snack—a feast of delicious dishes prepared by the old steward's cook, along with two jugs of fine wine. This was to entertain the two Daquan enshrined Daoists who swore they wouldn't leave without seeing the Water God Niangniang. The old steward felt a bit guilty. The two guests from afar had excellent temperaments. They neither barged into the mansion nor made harsh threats. The old Baozhen Daoist simply smiled and asked for this late-night meal, which moved the old steward, who had feared he might be killed at the doorstep.
The flood dragon turned into a stream and quickly vanished into the ground outside the mansion.
Zhong Kui understood the situation. He glanced at the short woman beside him, who gave a dry laugh, playing dumb.
When the master and disciple saw Zhong Kui, they immediately rose to greet him. Walking down the steps, they made Daoist salutes and announced their names.
Although they hadn't personally witnessed Zhong Kui leaving the inn in his yin or yang spirit to teach the two princes a lesson, Yin Miaofeng had long heard of Zhong Kui's name—it thundered in his ears. The earliest they had discovered him was when they noticed that every time the Yao family's iron cavalry fought fierce battles on the border, a disheveled, slovenly blue-robed scholar would appear in the distance, watching from afar without ever interfering, vanishing quietly when the battle ended. Later, whenever a new battle erupted elsewhere, that blue-robed figure would appear again.
Yin Miaofeng, using his status as an enshrined Daoist, had inquired about this matter in Shenjing City, but no one could find out who this person was. Later, relying on his sect's Golden Summit Temple, he learned that Zhong Kui was the youngest gentleman in the history of Dafu Academy—a worthy at twelve, a gentleman at eighteen, and at twenty, he had obtained the prefix "Upright Man" before his gentleman title. Receiving the title "Upright Man" wasn't something a single academy mountain master could decide. It required the personal verification of a learning palace sage from the gentleman's scholarly lineage, followed by the approval of several sages who had statues in the Confucian Temple. Only then would it pass.
Because every Upright Gentleman was also known as a quasi-sage.
The reputation of Dafu Academy wasn't as great as the two academies at the northern and southern ends of Tongye Continent, but within the Confucian circles of the continent and in the eyes of sect-level immortal caves, Zhong Kui, as a native-born scholar of Tongye Continent, was well-regarded by various powers and earth immortals. To win over this Upright Gentleman to sit in their country, the most powerful dynasties of Tongye Continent were all doing their utmost to befriend Dafu Academy.
Even the master of Golden Summit Temple, if he came down the mountain and encountered Gentleman Zhong Kui, would probably have to treat him as an equal. Thus, Yin Miaofeng and Shao Yuanran dared not show the slightest disrespect.
Shao Yuanran could feel that his master, Baozhen Daoist, was even deliberately respectful and ingratiating toward Zhong Kui.
This genius of Golden Summit Temple felt a bit uncomfortable inside but didn't show it.
Yin Miaofeng had no choice but to adopt such a low posture.
The matter of Biyou Mansion's elevation to a palace had reached a critical juncture. Zhong Kui, as the favored disciple of Dafu Academy's mountain master, might be able to play a decisive role. If he succeeded, not only would he complete the secret mission from Shenjing City, but he would also help Daquan win over a future Confucian sage—a certainty. Then his most valued disciple, Shao Yuanran, would have a backer outside Golden Summit Temple.
Zhong Kui had naturally long known about this pair of Daoists who had entered the mortal world. He had seen them more than once and had neither a bad nor a particularly good impression; otherwise, he would have greeted them long ago.
After Yin Miaofeng explained the purpose of their night visit to Biyou Mansion, Zhong Kui noticed the Mai River Water God was putting on an air of detachment. He found it both amusing and exasperating. But since he had come to the Mai River tonight precisely for this matter, and because the river demon's bribery of Shenjing City was no simple affair and had offended his sensibilities, he simply said to Yin Miaofeng, "I'll take it upon myself to persuade the Water God Niangniang about enshrining the books in Biyou Mansion. You can report back to Shenjing City with confidence. Of course, feel free to phrase it flexibly. If it succeeds, you get the credit; if it fails, you won't bear the blame. As for why I'm helping you this time, there are reasons, but you don't need to speculate."
Yin Miaofeng expressed his gratitude and took his leave with his disciple Shao Yuanran.
The old steward led the way, guiding his Water God Niangniang and the young guest, who seemed to be even more important, toward the main hall of the mansion.
Chen Ping'an walked beside Zhong Kui, taking in the scenery of Biyou Mansion. A screen wall was painted with a vivid scene of the Water God Temple and the flow of the Mai River: curling incense smoke, rising mist, and surging river water that even emitted the sound of flowing water.
Only the Water God Niangniang could see Chen Ping'an's yin spirit; the Daoist master and disciple couldn't perceive it. This was because Chen Ping'an was within the territory of the Mai River, both at the temple and Biyou Mansion. As for the river demon and water ghosts—the former, so long as it was in rivers, lakes, or seas, with its deep cultivation—especially in this Mai River, which it had chosen for its path to the river—it had already acquired powers close to those of the Water God Niangniang, so it could also see him. As for the shallow-cultivated water ghosts, they were more like drunkards catching a whiff of fragrance—they were naturally attracted to him.
They arrived at a bright hall with candles as thick as arms. On the table was still the bowl of stir-fried eel noodles.
Chen Ping'an stared at that "big bowl," dumbfounded.
Zhong Kui's expression remained normal. He plopped down at the table and said to the Water God Niangniang with a smile, "Give me a serving too, but not such a big bowl. A small dish will do."
She nodded, then looked at Chen Ping'an. "Does this young master want a late-night snack too?"
A yin spirit, unlike a cultivator's yang spirit, cannot partake in mortal delicacies. It only replenishes itself with the spiritual qi of heaven and earth.
Chen Ping'an smiled and shook his head, saying he didn't need any.
A water god and a gentleman sat at the same table, each eating their eel noodles from a basin or bowl.
In Chen Ping'an's heart-lake, Zhong Kui's voice sounded. "This Water God Niangniang is skilled in refining weapons. Somehow, she obtained an ancient inheritance. She uses that prayer-for-rain poem inscribed on the stele as her weapon-refining technique. I hear the rank of that technique is quite high—it's the very foundation of a fifth-realm immortal's enlightenment. That's why certain people are very interested in it. But because of their reputations, they have to proceed slowly."
As Zhong Kui said, the Mai River Goddess had refined nine weapons in total, two of which had reached the level of dharma treasures. In her battles with the river demon, three had been destroyed. Those weapons were the trump cards that allowed her to keep the river demon firmly suppressed for over two hundred years—she simply had too many weapons.
When mortal women went on outings, they changed their makeup and dresses. This Mai River Water God Niangniang, when patrolling her domain, would choose which weapon to carry based on her mood.
After finishing the late-night snack, the Water God Niangniang spoke plainly to Zhong Kui. "Let me ask you directly, sir gentleman. If I insist on demanding that book of the Old Scholar of the Wen Sage, will Dafu Academy find some excuse to reduce my Biyou Mansion to ashes? Or will it deliberately make things difficult for the Liu family of Daquan, so that sooner or later they'll be attacked by Northern Jin and Southern Qi and be destroyed?"
Chen Ping'an looked at her with new respect.
Zhong Kui smiled and shook his head. "Dafu Academy wouldn't go so far as to be that overbearing. At worst, Biyou Mansion will have to forfeit its own future. No matter what great merits you and the Daquan Dynasty achieve in the future, you will never have hope of being elevated to a palace. You need to understand that. Today, whether it's because deep down you feel that the title of Biyou Palace was not rightfully obtained, or because you truly admire the moral integrity and writings of that Old Scholar of the Wen Sage, in any case, you are rejecting Dafu Academy's goodwill. From now on, this matter will be recorded in the academy's files. In the future, even if you perform glorious deeds that benefit the people and contribute to the state, you will still only be able to hang the signboard of Biyou Mansion. If you then think the academy is unfair, just recall today's choice."
She nodded. "I'll remember that. When the time comes, I certainly won't blame Dafu Academy. A debt for a debt—actually, if you think about it, it was I who overstepped Dafu Academy's authority."
Zhong Kui sneered. "You realize that, do you?"
A mere water god's Biyou Mansion daring to reject Dafu Academy's decree—in the eyes of the other three academies of Tongye Continent, wasn't that a huge joke?
These seemingly casual "conclusions" from Zhong Kui came with great pressure and risk.
Scholars cared most about face. Perhaps eating a big loss in silence wasn't a big deal, but if they were slapped in public, they would likely kill with the brush.
So the words Zhong Kui spoke tonight were the greatest protective talisman for Biyou Mansion and the Mai River Water God Temple.
After all, Zhong Kui was the undisputed next mountain master of Dafu Academy. Some even said he had the potential to become the grand libationer of a certain learning palace.
She gave an awkward smile. "How about another bowl of noodles?"
Zhong Kui clicked his tongue. "One bowl of noodles preserves Biyou Mansion, another bowl preserves the Daquan Dynasty. Water God Niangniang, you certainly know how to bargain."
Though Zhong Kui's words were harsh, he still asked for another bowl of noodles because it was truly delicious. She also had two jars of fine wine brought out, their aroma intoxicating. Chen Ping'an had drunk many wines before, but not counting the Yellow Millet Forget-Sorrow Wine of Daoxuan Mountain, only the osmanthus brew could compare. However, drinking and eating noodles had nothing to do with him.
Before drinking, the Water God Niangniang repeatedly warned that this century-old vintage was not to be indulged in—each person could have at most three large bowls; any more, even immortals would get drunk.
Then Chen Ping'an watched as she and Zhong Kui each drank four large bowls, draining one jar dry without a drop left. The Water God Niangniang even had a servant fetch another jar for the table.
Thus, Chen Ping'an witnessed two drunks with terrible alcohol tolerance.
Zhong Kui wailed, "Nine Niang, oh..."
The Water God Niangniang babbled drunkenly in a loud voice, occasionally slapping the table to bolster her own momentum. Now she had one foot on the chair, one thumb pointing at herself as she asked Zhong Kui, whom she had just sworn brotherhood with, "When you walk the jianghu, what do you rely on?!"
Zhong Kui was still muttering about his Nine Niang.
She answered her own question. "Backbone! Your spine must be straight, your fists must be hard, and in both conduct and speech, you must be open and upright! Brother Zhong Kui, I think you're not a bad person. You have a sense of responsibility, you're manly! So I'll take you as my sworn brother. From now on, through fire and water, just say the word!"
Chen Ping'an sat bored to one side.
He thought that if that green-robed lad from Imperial River Water Snake were present, he'd probably say it was about brotherly loyalty, patting his chest loud enough to shake the heavens.
Zhong Kui pointed at the far side of the table—his finger aimed far from the Water God Niangniang's seat—and said through bleary eyes, "Isn't walking the jianghu a matter for martial artists? You're a water god... No, wait, I suppose for a water god to claim to walk the jianghu is the most legitimate thing. Fine, you have a point. But backbone won't fill your belly..."
The Water God Niangniang raised an eyebrow and took a big gulp of wine. With a thick tongue, she slurred, "I have food to eat normally! I'm full, very full. Stewed snake meat, stir-fried eel noodles—my cook used to cook for His Majesty the Emperor, you know. His skill is unmatched. So... backbone is still necessary!"
Zhong Kui shook his head. "You have your backbone, what's that to me? I just want Nine Niang..."
Chen Ping'an stood up, about to go to the hall entrance to enjoy the view.
The fine wine so close at hand that he couldn't drink was truly irritating.
Just then, Zhong Kui suddenly sat upright, startled. His blue robe shook violently, and all the reek of alcohol vanished without a trace.
The Water God Niangniang, with a bang, slammed her head onto the table, lolled to one side, and fell into deep sleep.
Chen Ping'an turned to look.
There was only a medium-height figure from behind, wearing a Confucian scholar's robe.
Zhong Kui made a deep bow. "Disciple Zhong Kui pays respects to Master."
The man's voice was deep and unhurried. "A miscellaneous outer-sect disciple of the Fuji Sect stumbled upon an enormous calamity a few days ago. After the news was transmitted to the academy, before we could finish planning, the other side seemed to sense something amiss. It was a great demon of the upper fifth realm. It destroyed about half of Fuji Sect's mountain gate. Two Jade Pure realm cultivators of Fuji Sect—one dead, one injured. The great demon, severely wounded, tried to flee toward the Western Sea, but was fortunately intercepted by the sect leader of Taiping Mountain, who arrived first. However, the demons and monsters that Taiping Mountain had suppressed at the bottom of a well for thousands of years happened to escape just then, most of them. Now the entire central region of Tongye Continent is in turmoil."
Zhong Kui's face was grave. "Master, what should your disciple do?"
The man sneered. "Not drown your sorrows in drink in the middle of the night, that's for sure."
Zhong Kui lowered his head. "Disciple knows his error."
The man sighed. "Before dawn, set out for Taiping Mountain. There, you and all the academy disciples will follow the orders of the Taiping Mountain Daoists. Do not act on your own relying on your academy status. Is that clear?!"
Zhong Kui nodded. "I understand."
Zhong Kui seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
The man in the Confucian robe—presumably the mountain master of Dafu Academy—shook his head. "To surround and kill that great demon, only upper fifth realm cultivators are qualified."
Zhong Kui remained silent.
Finally, the man in the Confucian robe said, "Zhong Kui, you must be careful. In this calamity, anyone could face destruction of both body and dao—myself included."
Zhong Kui nodded, then suddenly realized something. "Fox'er Town?"
The Confucian sage hesitated. "You can set that aside for now."
Zhong Kui's expression was complex.
The sage's manifestation at Biyou Mansion dissipated and vanished in an instant.
Chen Ping'an stood by the entrance, stunned.
Fuji Sect. Taiping Mountain.
Both were relatively familiar sects of Tongye Continent to Chen Ping'an, especially the Mirror Heart Studio immortal from Lotus Flower Blessed Land, whose true identity was a female Daoist named Huang Ting from Taiping Mountain.
But most astonishing was that great demon, which had actually killed and injured the immortal couple of Fuji Sect?
Zhong Kui stood up and looked at Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an was puzzled. "What's wrong?"
Zhong Kui gave a bitter smile. "I might have an unreasonable request."
Chen Ping'an immediately understood Zhong Kui's intention. "That small snow awl?"
Then Chen Ping'an shook his head.
Zhong Kui's face darkened, but he felt it was only reasonable.
Chen Ping'an smiled. "I can't give it to you, but I can lend it to you."
Zhong Kui was taken aback. "Really?! Think carefully. This fight will be extremely dangerous. Not just me, Zhong Kui, but even my master might die. Aren't you afraid that if I borrow your small snow awl to help me write with divine inspiration, it might be destroyed in battle one day? Aren't you afraid that even if I survive, I might just default on the debt and not return it?"
Chen Ping'an blinked and held up four fingers.
Zhong Kui burst into laughter. "I understand. 'Search your own heart.'"
Chen Ping'an suddenly thought of a question. "You want my true body to come to Biyou Mansion? Three hundred li of waterway—it would take a lot of time. Why not just go to the courier inn by the river yourself and pick up the small snow awl?"
Zhong Kui considered it. "I can have the Water God Niangniang bring your true body. It'll be fast. There are some things I need to do here at Biyou Mansion that aren't suitable for outsiders to see."
Zhong Kui walked to the table as he spoke and tapped its surface with his finger. "Water God Niangniang, still pretending to sleep?"
She sat up with a smile, left the wine table, and said, "I'll go fetch this young master's true body right away. But I'll need the young master's true body to jump into the Mai River after I count ten."
As the Water God Niangniang counted out loud, she dashed toward a section of the Mai River near Biyou Mansion to "fish him out." This was a unique divine power of a local deity.
When she reached ten, Chen Ping'an slapped his forehead in exasperation.
Moments later, the Water God Niangniang returned, bringing not only Chen Ping'an's true body but also a drenched little tagalong.
Zhong Kui laughed heartily.
Chen Ping'an asked, "How do I return my yin spirit?"
Zhong Kui waved his sleeve, stirring up a breeze that gently blew Chen Ping'an's yin spirit back into his true body. He cautioned, "Until you can conjure a yang spirit to guard you, don't go yin spirit wandering at night anymore."
Chen Ping'an let out a long breath. He took the small snow awl from his storage item and handed it to Zhong Kui.
After receiving the small snow awl, Zhong Kui asked, "How do I return it to you later?"
Chen Ping'an smiled. "You can send it to the Great Li Dynasty's Dragon Spring Commandery, Luopo Mountain, care of Chen Ping'an."
Zhong Kui nodded, but then his expression grew increasingly strange.
He couldn't help but ask, "Don't tell me you really know Teacher Qi of Shanya Academy? I know quite a few things about Pearl Bead Cave Heaven."
Chen Ping'an neither nodded nor shook his head.
The Water God Niangniang took a sip of wine to calm herself, then carefully asked, "Then do you know Teacher Qi's teacher?"
Chen Ping'an scratched his head, took down his Nurtured Sword Gourd, and started drinking.
It seemed that learning to drink was something the Old Gentleman had taught him?
Back then, the Old Scholar was being carried on the back of a certain youth. The old man kept slapping the youth's head and shouting, "A young man must learn to drink!"