Chapter 348: Missing You a Little
The Yao family acted with seasoned prudence. Someone from the courier station had already been waiting for Chen Ping'an, and Zhu Lian was among them. The young scout Yao Xianzhi, in particular, had shamelessly insisted on staying.
Chen Ping'an apologized to the two veteran Yao soldiers. The old soldiers laughed heartily, and one of them quickly waved his hand, saying that Young Master Chen was being too polite, treating himself like an outsider—there was no need for that.
Yao Xianzhi looked at Chen Ping'an the way one might look at a meritorious general returning victorious from the battlefield, leaving Chen Ping'an somewhat baffled.
The group mounted their horses and set off to catch up with the main column. Pei Qian rode with Chen Ping'an on the same horse, the little girl overjoyed. Old General Yao Zhen had long since ordered the carriages to slow down, so Chen Ping'an soon spotted the column's silhouette.
After this period of rest and recuperation, and thanks to the miraculous medicine from His Highness the Prince, Yao Zhen's injuries from the assassin's attack had nearly healed. Today, since the northward march was proceeding at a leisurely pace, and with Yao Jinzhi's permission, he left the carriage to ride a horse. After all, he was an old man who had spent most of his life fighting on horseback, accustomed from his youth to long-distance forced marches—he could even sleep in the saddle without falling. Today, riding alongside Chen Ping'an, with pleasant scenery along the way and the young benefactor chatting with him about the scenes at the Maihe River Water God Temple, Yao Zhen was in excellent spirits, his laughter hearty.
Chen Ping'an asked the old general to help him procure a topographic map of the Maihe River basin from the authorities. Yao Zhen agreed without even asking why.
Pei Qian had already been shooed into the carriage, once again sharing the compartment with Sui Youbian. The latter sat cross-legged, eyes closed in meditation, a horizontal sword resting on her knees, her demeanor stern and imposing.
Pei Qian had never liked this cold woman. She acted as if everyone owed her dozens of taels of silver, always wearing that sour face—who was she trying to impress? She'd better be careful not to turn into an old crone by next year.
Before entering the carriage, Pei Qian had retrieved her small regular-script brush and rice paper from Chen Ping'an. Now she sat in a corner, opened the cloth bundle herself, carefully placed her new belongings inside, and from the very bottom pulled out a heavily creased book. She glanced at a pair of boots in the bundle—they looked newly bought but were covered in mud. She stuck out her tongue, quickly tucked the bundle away, not wanting anyone to see.
Lying back, Pei Qian held the damaged old book high above her head, flipping through it for a long time. Finally, she placed it on her face and fell into a deep sleep.
Before falling asleep, the little girl thought about the words of that fellow—how she should truly apply her mind to studying in the future, not just memorize by rote. She thought for a moment, then decided she was too tired today. She'd do it tomorrow. Tomorrow, for sure. But then she remembered a saying: "Tomorrow after tomorrow, how many tomorrows are there?" She felt so happy she nearly laughed out loud.
So the little girl slept especially soundly today.
Sui Youbian opened her narrow, peach-blossom-like eyes and let out a gentle breath. She quickly raised her hand and lightly brushed it away, shattering the stream of Qi in an instant.
Of the four people from the scroll, aside from the taciturn Wei Xian, who had been the first to escape the scroll's cage, the other three had all come to this Haoran World in a single day.
Zhu Lian had taken the extreme path of an external martial artist, reaching the pinnacle of martial arts before turning inward. Otherwise, this "Martial Madman" who had been slain by Ding Ying would never have dreamed of single-handedly killing the other nine Grandmasters. In that horrific, chaotic battle, Zhu Lian's most terrifying trait was that the more severely he was wounded, the stronger his killing power. Although Ding Ying was the one who survived to the end and obtained the Lotus Crown that Zhu Lian wore, this man, hailed as the foremost in a millennium, never once spoke of that battle at the capital of Nanyuan Kingdom. Perhaps there was great mystery hidden within.
Lu Baixiang was exceptionally talented. He learned everything quickly and thoroughly, so his path in martial arts was all-encompassing—much like Ding Ying, the foremost figure of the later era in Lotus Flower Paradise. However, Lu Baixiang's ambition, or perhaps his aspiration, was not as obsessive and pure as Ding Ying's. Hence, after founding the demonic sect, he remained a solitary figure who enjoyed wandering the world, which was why he ended up surrounded and trapped. Yet, even among the righteous masters who had participated in that bloody siege and suffered a drop in their cultivation realms, there was a trace of genuine admiration for Lu Baixiang deep in their hearts. As for something that was destined not to remain in the martial world, during that great battle, the two who fought most relentlessly to the death were both famous celestial maidens who adored Lu Baixiang—perhaps they had embraced a desire to die for love.
Wei Xian's martial path was the most unusual. Born to be a force of nature on the battlefield, he specialized in breaking encirclements. He would charge alone into enemy formations, undeterred even by a million foes. Historically, in the unofficial histories and martial world anecdotes about this founding emperor of Nanyuan Kingdom, there are almost no records of him engaging in one-on-one duels.
As for her, Sui Youbian, whether in talent or temperament, she was actually more like a cultivator of the Dao in this Haoran World than a pure martial artist yearning for some "realm of cessation."
Although Sui Youbian had recently been confined to a small space, her true gaze was still not on the mortal world but on the heavens above.
She was currently attempting an unconventional sword technique. In Lotus Flower Paradise, where spiritual energy was scarce, it could only be a castle in the air. But in Haoran World, it held great promise.
Her current process was somewhat similar to the martial artist's "Filling the Sea," but with a difference: she was stirring up a fire within her ribs and flanks, forging a sword furnace of her own, nurturing a single strand of sword Qi, imitating the true Qi of a pure martial artist, allowing it to roam like a fire dragon, patrolling all directions.
If Sui Youbian succeeded, she would not only refine her physical body and spirit but also forge a strand of sword Qi into a sword embryo—essentially the prototype of a sword cultivator's natal flying sword.
Yet, regarding everything about sword cultivators, Sui Youbian currently had no opportunity to learn. Her talent for practicing the sword was thus clearly extraordinary.
In recent days, she had only heard some private discussions among the Yao border troops about the heroic deeds of the Yao family's benefactor, Chen Ping'an, in dealing with assassins. These mentions included the elegance of sword cultivators—the sharpness and power of their killing, the elusive nature of flying swords—which filled her with longing.
That was good. Lotus Flower Paradise was too small to contain her sword. This world was big enough. One day, she would definitely go to the highest place and draw her sword!
Sui Youbian closed her eyes again.
In the matter of cultivation, she would never lose to anyone. Her opponents had never been Wei Xian and the other two.
Outside the carriage, the sound of hooves was rhythmic. The Great Quan Dynasty was at the height of its prosperity. Along the way, many village children would stop and stare. The village wives and matrons showed no fear, only curiosity in their eyes.
Chen Ping'an rode his horse, watching these people of Great Quan.
He remembered the time when he had traveled with a green-robed boy and a pink-skirted girl during a heavy snowfall, crossing the border. They had encountered a crack squad of frontier scouts from the Great Li Dynasty—well-trained, extremely hardy. After looking at his travel pass, they had cheerfully suggested he could stay at a beacon tower to shelter from the wind and snow.
Chen Ping'an's impression of the Great Li Emperor, the Prince Song Changjing, and his neighbor Song Jixin was not particularly favorable. But it was precisely because of that chance encounter that Chen Ping'an held no prejudice against the Great Li Dynasty.
That day, as dusk fell, the group lodged at a large courier station near a prefectural city. The station was extremely elegant, with a small garden filled with lush bamboo groves.
That evening, Yao Zhen personally delivered a topographic map to Chen Ping'an. At the time, Chen Ping'an was in his room carefully examining a jade slip, while Pei Qian yawned across the table, a "Pagoda Subduing Demon Talisman" stuck on her forehead. Her reason was that she heard bamboo groves often harbored female ghosts—when the wind blew, the rustling sound made her feel like a female ghost was drifting among the bamboo. When Yao Zhen knocked, Pei Qian immediately ran to open the door. The old general saw the talisman on the little girl's forehead and asked about it. He laughed heartily, saying there was no need to be afraid. Even if there really were ghosts lurking in the bamboo grove, the Yao family's sons, born and bred in the military, were full of fierce yang energy—it was the ghosts who should be afraid of them.
Pei Qian said "oh," took off the talisman, placed it on the table, and went to sleep in her own room.
Yao Zhen gestured for Chen Ping'an to sit down and talk.
Once they were seated, Chen Ping'an naturally expressed his thanks. Government topographic maps had always been strictly forbidden from circulating among the people, with even tighter controls than weapons like bows and crossbows.
Yao Zhen smiled. "It's no big deal. The local governor agreed quite readily. When an official reaches the level of a regional magnate, he doesn't have to worry about such things. Don't feel you owe me a huge favor. By the way, when Governor Liu first saw me, he was quite ill at ease. It so happens that his son-in-law works in the Ministry of War and thus falls under my jurisdiction. When he heard I wanted a topographic map, you should have seen the look on his face—it was pure relief."
Chen Ping'an laughed. "Then I really won't stand on ceremony?"
Yao Zhen pointed at Chen Ping'an. "You, you—I just don't get it. Twice now, you've faced life-and-death battles, matters of utmost importance. You're such a straightforward and decisive benefactor. But when it comes to everyday dealings, you're so bound by rules—no boldness, no heroic spirit."
Chen Ping'an was speechless.
Yao Zhen said softly, "My grandson, Yao Xianzhi, has a thin skin and couldn't bring himself to ask, so he begged me to speak with you. He wants you to give him some guidance in martial arts. What do you think?"
Chen Ping'an thought it over carefully. "If it's just a polite sparring session, I have no objection. But if Yao Xianzhi truly wants to gain something, I recommend he go to Wei Xian. I'll put in a word with Wei Xian."
Yao Zhen said with a serious face, "That boy just wanted a polite sparring session."
Chen Ping'an sighed helplessly. "Then I'll have a go with him tomorrow."
Yao Zhen stroked his beard and smiled. "After that polite session, I'll have him go find Wei Xian."
Chen Ping'an nodded. "I'll go inform Wei Xian later. That way, I can accept this topographic map with peace of mind. After all, guidance from experts like us is worth more than gold."
Yao Zhen slapped the table and laughed. "Yes, that's it! This kind of shameless, sly demeanor of yours is just like me when I was young. No wonder we get along!"
Chen Ping'an shook his head with a wry smile.
Yao Zhen came and left in high spirits.
Chen Ping'an spread out the topographic map, took out the Water Character Seal from his storage item, lightly breathed on it, and stamped it firmly on two locations: the Maihe River Water God Temple and Biyou Prefecture.
Then he put away the Water Character Seal and the topographic map.
He continued to study the densely packed tiny characters on the jade slip. The slip, the size of a palm, had over five thousand characters engraved on both sides. The front contained the main text of the Immortal Artifact Refining Technique, while the back held the Water God's annotations and insights.
Although it appeared to be merely a formula for refining artifacts, it actually discussed the Great Dao of the Five Elements. The text was precise and refined, with lofty principles. Since the Water God had realized it from an inscription on a rain-prayer stele, she used Water, one of the Five Elements, as a starting point to elaborate on the general framework. Water: in the five viscera, the kidneys govern water; in the five senses, the ears correspond to water; in the five perceptions, sound corresponds to water; in the five fingers, the little finger corresponds to water; in the five fluids, saliva corresponds to water; in the five notes, the note Yu corresponds to water; in the five emotions, fear corresponds to water; in the five sacrifices, the well corresponds to water; the presiding deity is the Northern Black Tortoise.
The framework was clear. The specific acupoints and Qi mansions involved, and how exactly to refine them, were all explained in detail by the Water God on the back of the jade slip. She could be said to have shared everything she knew without reservation. She even told Chen Ping'an plainly on the back of the slip that this Immortal Dao technique could refine the Golden Body and incense offerings.
Chen Ping'an was deeply shaken by what he read. He learned that the engraved line "a drop of water from the golden vase in heaven" contained profound meaning. It meant that when the technique was cultivated to great achievement, it was as if one had melted an entire Golden Core into the essence of water, nourishing the five viscera and six bowels. "Flying threads fill the sky like a shuttle" referred to connecting and resonating with the "post roads" of the meridians within the body. The "four heavens" in "transforming into the cool of the four heavens, sweeping away the world's heat" involved the Daoist Azure Firmament World, specifically four levels of the White Jade Capital Tower. These four types of Dao methods could help cultivators subdue inner demons. This was no heterodox path but the most orthodox Daoist method. It was the smooth path to the heavens that all Nascent Soul Earth Immortals dreamed of. Walking this path did not guarantee success, but it was like an Earth Immortal who had "climbed to the highest peak" building four sky bridges into the heavens—granting four extra opportunities to avoid going astray, and even allowing one to return by the same path. Moreover, during cultivation, it could also benefit the body and spirit. Who wouldn't envy such benefits?
No wonder the Water God had bluntly stated that this technique "could refine all things," inferring that even in a "Zong"-level Immortal cave dwelling, this Dao technique would be the exclusive mountain-gate treasure of the sect master.
Chen Ping'an closed his eyes and silently recited the five thousand characters in his mind, resolving not to take out the jade slip lightly in the future.
Somehow, holding the jade slip made Chen Ping'an feel a refreshing coolness throughout his body, a sense of comfort. The injuries from the battle at the inn were healing rapidly.
Chen Ping'an opened his eyes, aware that this was somehow unusual. He couldn't identify what kind of fine jade this slip was made of, and he thought that when he got to the Fallen Mountain, he could ask Wei Bo.
In the dead of night, a watery aura suddenly filled the courier station, shrouding it in a dense white mist. Yin Miaofeng and Shao Yuanran were forced to interrupt their sitting meditation and walked out of their rooms toward the garden.
Chen Ping'an also stopped his sword-furnace standing stance, opened the window, and leaped out.
Soon, at the urgent reminder of several accompanying military cultivators, the Yao family members at the station hurriedly dressed and rose. The old soldiers donned armor and held weapons, on full alert.
Zhu Lian's room was pitch dark, but the hunchbacked old man was actually circling the table, taking deliberate, meaningful steps.
Sui Youbian sat cross-legged on the bed, opened her eyes, then closed them again.
Wei Xian lay flat on his bed, fists clenched and stacked on his abdomen, motionless.
Lu Baixiang stopped at the window.
By the bamboo grove, Yin Miaofeng and Shao Yuanran saw the uninvited guest and breathed a sigh of relief.
Baozhen Daoist smiled and clasped his hands in congratulations. "Water God, your Golden Body is fully achieved—congratulations!"
The person standing before them was short in stature, dressed in a set of extremely splendid official robes. It was the Maihe River God, who had hurriedly arrived from Biyou Prefecture.
From now on, even if the abbot of the Golden Summit Temple came here in person, seeing this Water God whose cultivation had soared, he could no longer look down on her. One must know that within the Maihe River territory, especially near Biyou Prefecture and the Water God Temple, this short woman had the equivalent strength of a Nascent Soul Earth Immortal.
The Water God laughed. "Last time, my Biyou Prefecture was an insufficient host—most discourteous. This time, aside from a private matter, I also wanted to invite True Man Yin to visit my residence soon. I offer my apologies to you and Little Shao."
Baozhen Daoist was indeed somewhat flattered.
First, her cultivation was now different from before—even here, she could be considered a half-step Nascent Soul elder. Second, Biyou Prefecture had already formed a connection with the quasi-sage Zhong Kui, and even if the Great Quan Liu family ignored it, the imperial court could only grit its teeth and accept it. Third, the upper echelons of Great Quan knew of the Water God's bad temper. For her to be willing to express herself like this—Yin Miaofeng was merely one of the Liu family's Dragon Gate Realm retainers—how could he not be pleasantly surprised?
Even the proud Shao Yuanran had a sincere smile on his face.
Chen Ping'an approached the master and disciple, greeted them, and then looked at the Water God.
Yin Miaofeng and Shao Yuanran tactfully left, simultaneously instructing the Yao family veterans and the accompanying military cultivators to stand down. Yin Miaofeng took the opportunity to reveal the Water God's identity.
Yao Zhen smiled and clasped his hands in greeting from afar.
There were many tales about the Maihe River God circulating even at the border, naturally suiting this old general's temperament.
The Water God returned the salute and blurted out a straightforward remark that left people amused: "One day, when the general returns to his hometown and goes back to the border, be sure to visit my Biyou Prefecture for a drink. We'll have plenty!"
Yao Xianzhi and Yao Lingzhi almost rolled their eyes in unison.
Yao Jinzhi, wearing a veil hat, stood beside Yao Zhen, graceful and tall.
Finally, the Water God turned her wrist, produced a jar of wine, and tossed it to Chen Ping'an. She said to him via mind transmission: "Take good care of that jade slip. The slip itself is a treasure; otherwise, it would have been shattered by those Dao texts long ago."
Then the Water God's words were no longer secret; everyone could hear her. She said boldly and heartily, laughing cheerfully, "On the journey here, I kept thinking about it. I almost wanted to offer myself in return for your great kindness. Luckily, I held back. This jar of Water Flower Wine—I drank a bit of it on the way, originally to give myself courage. But when I entered the station, I still lacked the nerve. I just couldn't bring myself to say those embarrassing words. Chen Ping'an, are you a little disappointed that you missed out on a beautiful wife? Ha! Luckily, there's still half a jar left. Use it to drown your sorrows!"
This Water God.
She came in a flurry and left in a flurry.
Chen Ping'an stood there, holding the wine jar, feeling that he couldn't drink it, but he couldn't not drink it either.
Yao Zhen laughed with schadenfreude.
Yao Xianzhi, after standing dumbfounded, extended both thumbs toward Chen Ping'an.
Pei Qian stood drowsily in the distance.
Chen Ping'an kept a straight face and led Pei Qian back to their quarters.
When they parted, Chen Ping'an said sternly, "From now on, if you ever meet a girl named Ning, you are not to breathe a word about tonight's events!"
Pei Qian blinked. "What if, I mean what if, I accidentally let it slip?"
Chen Ping'an said gravely, "After I get beaten half to death, I'll beat you half to death. Understand?!"
Pei Qian immediately declared loudly, "I understand! I've read books, so I'm iron-boned and upright! I'd rather die than talk!"
They each returned to their rooms.
Chen Ping'an wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
Finally, he smiled.
He stopped practicing the sword-furnace standing stance, leaned over the table, and took out the small whetstone engraved with the beautiful characters "天真" (Innocence) and the lovely "宁姚" (Ning Yao).
Ning Yao, I'm doing well.
I've traveled far again, met many people and experienced many things.
I miss you a bit. No, I miss you a lot.
First, set a small goal: remember 1 second. Book lover mobile version reading URL: