Chapter 402: At the Academy
Li Baoping had accumulated many things to say, but when she actually saw Chen Ping'an, every word that reached her lips fell back into her stomach.
Chen Ping'an reached out and gestured at Li Baoping's forehead, measuring it. "You've grown quite a bit, huh."
Li Baoping hopped once, her face full of worry. "Little Uncle-Master, how come you've grown taller than me so quickly? I can't catch up."
Chen Ping'an helped wipe the tears from the young girl's face, but Li Baoping suddenly crashed into his arms. Caught off guard, Chen Ping'an had no choice but to gently embrace the girl, smiling knowingly. It seemed she hadn't grown up much at all.
Old Master Liang watched this scene. How to put it? It was like admiring the most refreshing and heartwarming painting in the world—spring breeze meeting willow trees, green mountains paired with clear waters.
There was a poem that captured it well: "When golden wind meets jade dew, it surpasses countless encounters in the mortal world."
So the old master was also quite happy, beaming with joy.
The big one and the little one greeted the old master and then entered the academy.
Li Baoping was like a little oriole, chattering endlessly, introducing the academy's interior to Chen Ping'an.
The two arrived at the guest lodgings. Chen Ping'an saw a tall old man and Pei Qian standing at the door. Pei Qian silently opened her mouth wide, forming the shape of the word "Mao" without making a sound.
Having traveled the jianghu extensively, Chen Ping'an instinctively wanted to clasp his fists, but quickly stopped himself and instead performed the Confucian bow to the vice-master of Cliff Academy.
Mao Xiaodong nodded in acknowledgment, stepped forward, and said, "Chen Ping'an, let's have a talk."
Leaving twelve-year-old Li Baoping and eleven-year-old Pei Qian at the entrance of the guest lodgings.
One in a red short-sleeved dress, the other a little charcoal-black girl.
Li Baoping looked at Pei Qian. Pei Qian didn't know where to put her hands or feet, lowering her head, not daring to meet her gaze.
Li Baoping circled Pei Qian once, then returned to her original spot and asked, "Are you Pei Qian? Little Uncle-Master said you're his first disciple and that you've traveled a long road together?"
Pei Qian let her head droop, nodding.
Li Baoping asked, "Little Uncle-Master said you have excellent talent for martial arts, that you're very smart, and can endure hardship just like I did back then. He also said your biggest wish is to one day ride a little donkey and wander the jianghu?"
Pei Qian lifted her head, glanced at Li Baoping, then lowered it again and nodded.
Li Baoping thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll give you two things as a welcome gift. Come with me."
Pei Qian swallowed hard, not daring to move. Although Pei Qian knew this older sister who liked wearing red clothes was definitely not a bad person, she was still afraid of walking into some dark alleyway. What if Li Baoping turned around, threw a sack over her head, and dumped her in some corner of the Great Sui capital outside the academy?
Li Baoping had already turned and run a few steps, but when she looked back and saw Pei Qian standing there like a wooden dummy, she said considerately, "Little Uncle-Master told me a lot about you, said you're timid. Fine, stick a yellow paper talisman on your forehead and then come with me."
Pei Qian quickly pulled out a Pagoda-Suppressing Demon Talisman, slapped it onto her forehead with a *smack*, and finally mustered some courage, walking forward slowly.
Li Baoping walked very fast, but to accommodate Pei Qian's pace, she had to take tiny steps, swinging her arms like she was on a swing. She ran backward to Pei Qian's side. "Pei Qian, you're Little Uncle-Master's first disciple! Even if you're unfamiliar with the place and afraid of meeting strangers at the academy, you have to pretend to be bold! Besides, with me around, no one dares bully you. Relax."
Pei Qian forced a smile, pulled out a Lamp-Lighting Talisman, and handed it to Li Baoping. Truly a weathervane swaying with the wind, she was already thinking of currying favor with Li Baoping first. As for her earlier grand ambitions—like competing with Li Baoping—they had long been thrown to the winds ten thousand miles away.
But as soon as she took it out, Pei Qian regretted it, thinking Li Baoping would look down on her. Unexpectedly, Li Baoping took it directly, licked it with saliva, slapped it firmly on her own forehead, and burst out laughing.
Pei Qian laughed along with her.
Pei Qian could even see through the Venerable Abbot's supernatural powers of the Taiping Mountain Patriarch, so she could also perceive the fluctuations in people's hearts. Some people were like a mass of ink, their hearts pitch black; others were a mess of pulp, confused and lacking opinions. The female ghost Shi Rou, for instance, was like wind and rain meeting evil omens. Only a barely visible golden seed had just sprouted, showing a hint of green. As for Zhu Lian, he was especially terrifying—bloody winds and thunderous storms, though faintly visible amid it all was a magnificent tower, rich and imposing.
But some people... were pure as crystal, like this older sister in red. Pei Qian felt especially ashamed of herself.
Seeing that Pei Qian still wasn't walking fast, Li Baoping gave up on dashing back to her own guest lodging and instead accompanied Pei Qian on a turtle's stroll. She casually asked, "Little Uncle-Master said you ran into Cui Dongshan. Did he bully you?"
Pei Qian didn't dare tell the truth and only said it was alright.
Li Baoping made a grabbing motion, blew on her hand, and said, "That guy needs a good lesson. When he gets back to the academy, I'll get even for you."
Pei Qian turned to steal a glance at Li Baoping, suddenly full of admiration and awe.
Apart from her master, who didn't fear Cui Dongshan? From Old Wei, Xiao Bai, and the other four, to Sister Shi Rou, and even the earth-ox-like yellow cow demon. Pei Qian was even more afraid.
In Cui Dongshan's heart, there was a vast, dark deep pool, but not a lifeless stagnant water. Shadowy and indistinct, there was a so-called flood dragon like those Pei Qian had seen in books and paintings. A shadowy outline slowly swam, and every time the dragon's body neared the surface, it sent chills through one's heart. Fortunately, beside the pool were piled books of gold and silver, making it less terrifying. Otherwise, Pei Qian wouldn't have dared to stay with Cui Dongshan at all.
The tall old man with a warning ruler hanging at his waist was none other than the true backbone of Cliff Academy: Mao Xiaodong.
Mao Xiaodong led Chen Ping'an all the way to his own study, with almost no polite formalities along the way.
After they sat down, Mao Xiaodong, who had been keeping a stern face, suddenly smiled. He stood up and actually performed a deep bow to Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an quickly sidestepped, feeling absolutely unworthy of this sudden great Confucian salute.
Rising, Mao Xiaodong laughed, "If it weren't for your protection back then, the literary lineage of our Cliff Academy would have been cut short by more than half."
Chen Ping'an didn't know how to respond.
Mao Xiaodong explained, "Outside just now, there were too many eyes and ears, so it wasn't convenient to speak freely. Little Junior Brother, I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Chen Ping'an smiled wryly, about to say something.
Mao Xiaodong waved his hand grandly. "We're family. Just keep it in mind."
Chen Ping'an sat down helplessly.
Mao Xiaodong smiled as he studied Chen Ping'an, then reached out. "Little Junior Brother, let me see your travel permit. Let me broaden my horizons."
Chen Ping'an stood up again and handed over the travel permit with both hands.
After taking it, Mao Xiaodong laughed, "I also need to thank you for subduing that little bastard Cui Dongshan. If that fellow weren't worried about you visiting the academy someday, he'd probably have turned Little East Mountain and the Great Sui capital upside down."
Chen Ping'an said, "Actually, Cui Dongshan is still in awe of Sage Wen Sheng. It has little to do with me."
Mao Xiaodong pointed at Chen Ping'an. "Little Junior Brother, your demeanor is exactly like our master back then. The greater the feat, the more you downplay it to us disciples. 'Where, where? Small matter, small matter. Not much credit, just a few words. You all, stop flattering me. As if I've done some great deed that benefits all beings. The ones I argued and won against weren't the Dao Ancestor or the Buddha. Why are you so excited? What, did you think I couldn't win from the start? Is your joy just because I won? Mao Xiaodong, you're laughing the most unbecomingly. Get out and go read in the courtyard with Zuo You. Oh, and remind Zuo You to bring Xiaoqi a late-night snack when he sneaks over the wall. Xiaoqi is at that age where he's growing, so not too greasy. The smell will keep people awake at night..."
Mao Xiaodong rambled on about his master's old stories, laughing heartily.
Chen Ping'an's head ached.
How was this even harder to talk to than Cui Dongshan?
Chen Ping'an asked, "Earlier, Old Master Liang at the gate said Lin Shouyi is doing very well and there's no need to worry. But Li Huai seems to be struggling with his lessons. Is he finding the studies very tiring?"
Mao Xiaodong smiled slightly. "That kid Li Huai has such an easygoing temperament. Even if the sky falls, he'd still lie on the ground playing with his painted wooden puppets and clay figurines. Maybe he'd even be happy that he doesn't have to listen to the masters lecturing today. Don't worry about Li Huai. He's always last in his studies, but he hasn't missed a meal. Last time his parents and sister visited the academy, they left him some money. He didn't squander it, but one night the duty master caught him. He was in the dormitory with two classmates, using bowls of water as wine, gnawing on big chicken legs. After being punished to stand outside and take the ruler, Li Huai was still burping. The master asked him, 'Which tastes better, the ruler or the chicken leg?' What do you think Li Huai said?"
Chen Ping'an suppressed a smile. "If getting hit with the ruler means you get to eat chicken legs, then the ruler tastes good too. But I suspect after saying that, he got hit until he had his fill."
Mao Xiaodong gave a thumbs-up. "Truly the little junior brother who escorted them all the way. No one understands Li Huai better than you."
Then Mao Xiaodong laughed, "Li Huai is slow to catch on in his studies, but he's not stupid. Many of his peers just memorize texts. Li Huai, when he reads something and truly absorbs it, it becomes his own. So the teaching masters actually have a good impression of him. Even when he's at the bottom, they don't scold him much."
Chen Ping'an tentatively said, "Still, we should tell Li Huai to study harder and not slack off."
Mao Xiaodong's eyes showed appreciation. "Exactly right. Back when Li Er caused a big ruckus in the palace, everyone was scared stiff. The masters liked Li Huai, but they were also afraid of Li Er being too protective. For a while, they didn't dare say a harsh word. So I gave those masters a good scolding. After that, things got back on track. If a ruler is due, then take it. If a scolding is needed, then scold. That's how a disciple of the master should be treated."
Chen Ping'an asked, "After that turmoil, did Li Huai and the other children suffer any hidden aftereffects they might not notice themselves?"
Mao Xiaodong laughed, "With me around, not to mention that troublemaker Cui Dongshan keeping an eye on things, nothing bad happened. Such things are inevitable, part of seeking knowledge and learning propriety. Don't worry too much about it."
Chen Ping'an hummed in agreement. "Knowing when to let things happen and when to rein them in, not going to extremes. But Headmaster Mao, you must be quite burdened with the effort."
Mao Xiaodong feigned complaint, "Is it that hard to call me 'Senior Brother Mao'? What, do you think I'm so far beneath Qi Jingchun and Zuo You? Even inferior to Cui Chan and Cui Dongshan? Is that why you won't call me Senior Brother Mao?"
Chen Ping'an shook his head. "It's not like that. I beg Headmaster Mao's understanding."
When it came to matters of the literary lineage, Chen Ping'an couldn't afford to be casually polite or perfunctory.
Mao Xiaodong seemed a little dissatisfied but inwardly nodded in approval.
If a young man could be swayed by a saint of Cliff Academy being kind one moment and stern the next, changing his mind so easily, then even if he called him "Senior Brother Mao," he might be qualified, but as the master's closed-door disciple and the little junior brother of Qi Jingchun and Zuo You, that might not be suitable.
One can see the whole from a small part.
Mao Xiaodong had that much discernment.
Back when the Sage Wen Sheng had four direct disciples, the eldest disciple Cui Chan was the most learned and versatile; Qi Jingchun's knowledge was the deepest and most orthodox; Zuo You, who advocated "the great way walks itself," was a late bloomer with the highest cultivation; and there was another fellow who seemed dull in temperament and matured the slowest, but aside from Qi Jingchun, he was the master's favorite. In fact, after the defeat in the Third and Fourth debates, the once-thriving lineage of Wen Sheng gradually fell silent. Only this person followed the master from beginning to end, accompanying him until he eventually imprisoned himself in the Merit Forest.
Among the nominal disciples, people like Mao Xiaodong weren't especially remarkable either.
From this, one could see how spectacular and brilliant the literary fortunes of the Wen Sheng lineage were back then.
Mao Xiaodong felt a pang of regret. Splendor always gets battered by wind and rain.
Qi Jingchun left the Central Continent Divine Land and came to Bottle Gourd Continent to establish Cliff Academy. Outsiders said it was to contain and intimidate his former senior brother Cui Chan, who had betrayed the master. But Mao Xiaodong knew it wasn't like that at all.
Zuo You was even more decisive, directly leaving the human world to sail the seas in search of immortals alone.
That legendary simpleton who was once the only one who could chase A Liang all over the streets had been silent for over a hundred years.
Mao Xiaodong cast aside his chaotic thoughts, his gaze finally settling on this young man.
Now, the master had taken on this closed-door disciple to inherit the lineage's learning.
In the nearly three years since Chen Ping'an had passed by the academy without entering, Mao Xiaodong had been both curious and worried. Curious about what kind of seed of learning the master had taken in; worried that this young man from Li Zhu Cave Heaven, whom Qi Jingchun had placed great hopes on, might disappoint.
But when Mao Xiaodong, using the saintly powers of a Confucian sage overseeing the academy, watched Chen Ping'an's every word and action from afar, he felt neither amazement nor disappointment.
He simply felt that this poor scholar named Chen Ping'an was exactly the kind of disciple the master would take, exactly the little junior brother Qi Jingchun would be willing to accept on the master's behalf. And that was precisely as it should be.
Afterward, Chen Ping'an asked in detail about Lin Shouyi's dual pursuit of cultivation and study, whether there would be conflict.
He asked whether Gao Xuan and Yu Lu's friendship would lack purity.
He asked whether Xie Xie's state of mind would be affected after becoming Cui Dongshan's maidservant.
Mao Xiaodong answered each question one by one, occasionally flipping through the travel permit.
Having learned roughly everything, Chen Ping'an finally felt truly relieved.
Mao Xiaodong asked with a smile, "Thinking so much about yourself and others—are you not tired?"
Chen Ping'an shook his head honestly. "Not at all."
Mao Xiaodong nodded and said softly, "Pursuing learning and practicing martial arts or swordsmanship are essentially the same: both require building momentum. A gentleman moves when the time is right; when the time is not, he coils like a dragon or snake. Thus, a sudden inspiration, a brilliant idea, seems like resplendent literary grace descending from beyond the heavens, unseen and unattainable by the worldly."
Chen Ping'an felt that this remark was a bit too grand, and he grew a little uneasy.
Mao Xiaodong suddenly lowered his voice and asked, "Has the master ever mentioned me?"
Chen Ping'an hesitated, then answered honestly, "It seems... he hasn't."
Mao Xiaodong slapped his knee, fuming. "Is there such a biased master under heaven?!"
Still unwilling to give up, Mao Xiaodong asked, "Think carefully. Could you have missed something?"
Chen Ping'an decisively shook his head.
Mao Xiaodong stroked his beard and smiled, full of confidence. "Surely the master holds his disciples in his heart, so naturally there's no need to mention us often."
Chen Ping'an felt greatly reassured.
The Headmaster Mao before him was definitely a disciple personally taught by the old Sage Wen Sheng.
---
Probably feeling that Li Baoping was more approachable, Pei Qian walked faster and faster, her steps growing lighter.
But when Pei Qian arrived at Li Baoping's dormitory and saw the stacks of copied books on the bed, she nearly knelt and kowtowed to Li Baoping.
No wonder earlier, when Pei Qian had mustered the courage to show off a little, saying she copied books every day, Li Baoping had just said "Oh" and dropped the subject. Pei Qian had initially thought she had managed to regain some ground and felt a bit smug, straightening her back slightly.
Li Baoping poured Pei Qian a cup of tea and told her to sit wherever she liked.
She climbed onto the bed, took out the small bamboo chest from the head of the bed against the wall, placed it on the table, and pulled out the narrow saber "Auspicious Talisman" and the silver gourd that A Liang had given her.
Li Baoping said, "These are for you."
Pei Qian looked at the narrow saber and the small gourd. She had become quite discerning by now. She looked up at Li Baoping and asked a redundant question, "They're very, very expensive, right?"
Li Baoping didn't try to hide anything and explained candidly, "I heard A Liang say privately that this Auspicious Talisman blade is average in quality—a so-called semi-divine weapon. This little gourd, which he swindled from the Snow Wind Temple's sword immortal Wei Jin, is the real treasure. It's one of the seven Sword-Nurturing Gourds from the gourd vine that the Dao Ancestor personally planted during his early thatched-hut cultivation. Sword cultivators use it to nurture their flying swords and become quite formidable. Pei Qian, since you've already started learning swordsmanship, you might as well use it."
Pei Qian's tongue was tied in knots. She mumbled, "But I've only just started practicing swordsmanship, and I'm very sloppy at it. I'm not a sword cultivator. As for natal flying swords... I'm pretty stupid. I might never be able to nurture one in this lifetime..."
Li Baoping asked directly, "Do you like the Auspicious Talisman and the little gourd?"
Pei Qian timidly nodded.
Li Baoping scratched her head, sighing inwardly.
How had Little Uncle-Master found such a simple, dull disciple?
Pei Qian grew even more uneasy, her peripheral vision darting between the mountains of books on the bed and the narrow saber and silver Sword-Nurturing Gourd on the table.
A flash of inspiration struck Pei Qian, and she said softly, "Baoping-jie, these gifts are too valuable. I dare not accept them. Master will scold me."
Li Baoping blinked. "Then tell your master I lent them to you. A year or a decade is lending; a hundred or a thousand years is also lending. Anyway, I won't ask for them back. That way, you can take them with a clear conscience and roam the jianghu. Isn't that fine?"
Pei Qian hung her head. "That's right."
Li Baoping changed seats, sitting on the bench next to Pei Qian, and consoled her, "Don't think you're stupid. You're young. Little Uncle-Master said you're a year younger than me."
Pei Qian's ears perked up. That made sense. She immediately raised her head and smiled, resting her hands on the table. She asked cautiously, "Baoping-jie, can I touch them?"
Li Baoping suddenly stood up, startling Pei Qian. Li Baoping signaled with her eyes not to panic and then told Pei Qian to watch carefully.
Pei Qian watched as Li Baoping drew the saber from its sheath in one swift motion, held it with both hands, took a deep breath, and brought it down on the gourd with a single chop.
Pei Qian stared like a dumb little goose.
The chop was quite fierce, but the small gourd was smooth. It bounced off and flew straight at Pei Qian, who instinctively slapped it away with a *smack*.
The silver Sword-Nurturing Gourd slammed with a *crack* right into Li Baoping's face.
*Bang!*
The gourd hit the floor.
Li Baoping froze for a moment, then her nose started to bleed.
Pei Qian felt she was doomed.
At that moment, Li Baoping still held the Auspicious Talisman. She might very well chop off Pei Qian's head with the next swing.
But instead, Li Baoping raised her hand, wiped her nose casually, and replaced the saber in its sheath with practiced ease. She lightly kicked the gourd up with her toe, caught it, and placed it back on the table.
Sitting down, Li Baoping smiled happily at Pei Qian. "Pei Qian, that block and slap you did just now was really pretty impressive! Very jianghu style! Not bad, not bad. Truly my Little Uncle-Master's disciple."
Pei Qian's face crumpled. She pointed at Li Baoping's nose and said dazedly, "Baoping-jie, you're still bleeding."
Li Baoping wiped her nose again, looked at her hand, and saw that she was indeed still bleeding. She stood up calmly, went over to the bed, pulled a sheet of paper from a stack of papers, tore off two wads, tilted her head back, stuffed them up her nostrils, then sat down casually beside Pei Qian. Pei Qian's face was pale, which baffled Li Baoping. What was going on? It felt like the gourd had smacked this girl's face instead. Even if it had hit her solidly, it wouldn't hurt. Li Baoping rubbed her chin and studied the little dark-skinned Pei Qian carefully. She thought her Little Uncle-Master's disciple had some peculiar ideas—even Li Baoping couldn't keep up. No wonder she was Little Uncle-Master's first disciple—there was definitely something to her!
Pei Qian, enduring heartache, hesitantly pulled out her beloved little hand-twisted yellow gourd from her sleeve, placed it on the table, and gently pushed it toward Li Baoping. "Baoping-jie, this is for you. Consider it my apology."
Li Baoping was a bit annoyed. Why was Pei Qian being so distant? She glared and said, "Put it away!"
Pei Qian, with lightning speed, obediently tucked the little gourd back into her sleeve.
---
Leaving Mao Xiaodong's study, the last rays of sunset were fading, and twilight was approaching. Chen Ping'an went to find Li Huai, who should be listening to a master's lecture.
Outside the window of the schoolroom, Chen Ping'an immediately spotted Li Huai, who had his book held high, and behind it, he was nodding off like a chick pecking at rice.
On either side of Li Huai sat two classmates. One was a quick-witted boy who couldn't sit still, constantly looking around. He spotted Chen Ping'an early on and stared back at him with wide eyes.
The other child sat up straight, listening attentively.
Liu Guan saw the white-clad young man smiling toward them. Knowing he was too young to be an academy master, Liu Guan secretly made a provocative fist-and-palm gesture.
The teaching master suddenly roared, "Liu Guan!"
Liu Guan obediently stood up.
Li Huai, lost in a grand dream, was scared out of his wits. Startled awake, he put down his book and looked around in confusion.
The master immediately shouted, "And you, Li Huai! The two of you will copy 'Exhortation to Learning' five times tonight! And you're not allowed to let Ma Lian help!"
The lesson ended, and the old master walked out of the schoolroom with a stern face.
He nodded in acknowledgment to Chen Ping'an, who had been paying attention.
Chen Ping'an returned the bow with a gesture.
Li Huai walked out of the lively, noisy classroom, then suddenly widened his eyes in disbelief. "Chen Ping'an?!"
Chen Ping'an smiled and waved.
Li Huai grinned broadly, then suddenly shouted, "Chen Ping'an, take a lesson from Grandmaster Li's invincible fist technique!"
He then rushed toward Chen Ping'an in a clumsy six-step stance, only to have Chen Ping'an press a hand on his head and hold him still.
Li Huai flailed for a while before calming down. His eyes reddened, and he asked, "Chen Ping'an, why did you come so late? My sister left a long time ago. If you'd met her, and I played matchmaker, you two could have exchanged glances, whispered sweet nothings, and met under the moonlight on the willow branches here at the academy. By now, I'd be calling you brother-in-law."
Chen Ping'an was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
Li Huai grabbed Chen Ping'an's arm and turned to Liu Guan and Ma Lian, laughing, "This is Chen Ping'an! The one who gave me the book chest and wove straw sandals for me! I told you he would definitely come to the academy to see me. Well? Now do you believe me?"
Liu Guan rolled his eyes.
So this was the Chen Ping'an that Li Huai had been droning on about until their ears were calloused.
Ma Lian hurriedly bowed to Chen Ping'an.
Li Huai laughed unrestrainedly, then suddenly stopped. "Have you seen Li Baoping yet?"
Chen Ping'an nodded. "When I arrived at the academy, I went to see Xiaobaoping first."
Li Huai nodded vigorously. "Let's go find Li Baoping together later. She should thank me. I'm the one who invited you here. Back then, when she was on the mountaintop, she even wanted to beat me up. Ha! A little girl like her, can she outrun me? Ridiculous. I, Li Huai, have mastered a divine technique now. I walk as fast as flying, leap over walls and roofs..."
Chen Ping'an coughed.
Li Huai suddenly noticed Liu Guan gloating and Ma Lian looking sheepish. He slowly turned around and saw Li Baoping behind him, along with a little charcoal-like girl beside her. At first glance, Li Huai felt a kinship with her—she looked a lot like Chen Ping'an when he first met him.
Li Baoping crossed her arms and sneered, "Li Huai, I'll let you run a hundred paces first. Hide in a tree, on a rooftop, or in the latrine—it's all the same to me."
Li Huai said sheepishly, "Li Baoping, since Chen Ping'an actually came to the academy, let's call it a draw?"
Li Baoping laughed. "A draw?"
Li Huai thought for a moment. "Fine, then let's say I lost a close match?"
Li Baoping, for the sake of her Little Uncle-Master, decided not to argue with Li Huai this time.
Seeing that Li Baoping didn't seem intent on punishing him, Li Huai immediately puffed up with pride. He tugged at Chen Ping'an's arm and said excitedly, "Where are you staying now? Want to come to my place and sit for a while?"
Pei Qian's eyes lit up. This Li Huai was a kindred spirit!
The group headed to Chen Ping'an's temporary guest lodging.
Ma Lian really wanted to follow Li Huai, but Liu Guan dragged him off to eat.
Zhu Lian was still traveling and hadn't returned.
Shi Rou stayed in her own guest lodging, not showing herself.
In a Confucian academy.
Even if you were a genuine earthly immortal yin creature, who would dare to flaunt themselves in such a place?
Shi Rou felt that every breath she took was a desecration of the academy, full of guilt and reverence.
This was the Grand Pure World.
Chen Ping'an, Li Baoping, Pei Qian, and Li Huai sat around a table, having eaten the special guest lodging meals the academy provided.
Li Huai, sitting across from Chen Ping'an, was the loudest. As long as Chen Ping'an was around, he wasn't even afraid of Li Baoping.
Li Huai asked, "Chen Ping'an, after dinner, should I take you to find Lin Shouyi? That guy is hard to get a hold of these days. He's having a great time, often leaving the academy to play outside. I'm so jealous."
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Right now it's the hour of Xu, a period that qi cultivators value highly. Better not disturb him. I'll find Lin Shouyi myself after the Xu hour. You don't need to guide me."
In the great path of cultivation, every moment counted.
There were some cultivation rules that applied universally.
For instance, the day was divided into four key periods, and one must not be negligent. During the Zi hour, the heavens and earth were clear and tranquil, most suitable for inner vision of life force and using the Longevity Bridge to communicate between the human microcosm and the external macrocosm. During the Yin hour, nurture qi circulation, replenish qi palaces and meridians. During the Wu hour, use yang fire to refine qi into liquid. During the Xu hour, refine liquid into spirit, storing bit by bit in the important "mansions" of the life-force acupoints, accumulating and strengthening the foundation of the great path.
Beyond the four daily periods, there were also specific considerations for each month and year.
The foundation of the great path was nothing more than using acquired cultivation to polish and fortify the innate, like grinding a mirror with water, gradually becoming clearer, ultimately reaching the legendary state of crystal-clear immaculacy.
The most critical thing was that for those minor changes, once one crossed the threshold of cultivation and began climbing the mountain, a single day of laziness meant knowing what one had lost that day. So cultivators could not afford to slack off.
If one understood these mysteries, many derived rules that seemed obscure would become clear. For example, mortal emperors and monarchs could not cultivate beyond the middle five realms. Or why cultivators gradually distanced themselves from the mortal world, unwilling to be swept along by the mundane currents, choosing to cultivate in cave paradises filled with abundant qi, treating their returns to the world—journeys down the mountain—merely as tempering their minds, unrelated to actual improvement in cultivation. Or why, after reaching the Flying Ascension realm, cultivators were no longer permitted to leave their mountains without authorization or to greedily devour the qi and fortunes of other places.
Cui Dongshan once joked that among qi cultivators pursuing immortality, the higher their cultivation, the more they refused to follow rules, the more they acted without regard, and the world below began to wobble like a stool with loose tenons and joints.
The Confucian sages, as the head of the Grand Pure World's household, had a hard time mending things.
Take the matter of "household discipline." In the Azure Underworld, the Daoist priests were the least troublesome. As long as a great cultivator got too bold and displeased them, the White Jade Capital's five cities and twelve towers would send an immortal, following the decree of a "Tower Master" of the Three Teachings, who would fly out and slap the offender dead. There were some great cultivators who escaped such a fate, climbing a certain Ascension Platform in that world and beating the Heavenly Drum to cry injustice. Historically, only the Furong Daoist Crown Grand Master, the chief disciple of the Dao Ancestor, would often listen to complaints and help mitigate punishments, at least reducing them. There were even records of him directly canceling punishments and instead reprimanding and severely punishing the White Jade Capital immortals.
If the little disciple of the Dao Ancestor, Lu Chen, was in charge, it depended on his mood. If he was in a good mood, everything was negotiable, and there might even be a fortuitous opportunity. If he was in a bad mood, the punishment might double.
If the Dao Second was in charge of the White Jade Capital, no one would dare beat the Heavenly Drum to cry injustice. The Dao Second would simply strike them down directly. Their residual souls would likely be dragged into his palm, into the most refined "Thunder Pool Purgatory" between heaven and earth.
The heavens were vast, the earth was immense.
Mortal scholars, even if they loved to travel, might not finish walking through a single kingdom in their lifetime. Even cultivators dared not claim to have walked through an entire continent. And those lucky enough to reach the upper five realms, the mountain-top immortals, could not claim to have walked through all the worlds.
Li Baoping didn't talk much while eating.
Pei Qian didn't dare to speak.
So it was Li Huai who was making the most noise. Li Baoping shot him several glances—so many academy stories had been spoiled by Li Huai. How could she still tell them to Little Uncle-Master?
Li Huai shook his head, still recklessly provoking Li Baoping. He was like a broken pot, just rolling aimlessly. He knew Li Baoping would get even with him later.
Chen Ping'an spoke little, eating as always with careful chewing, mostly just adding food to the three children's bowls.
Li Huai suddenly asked, "Chen Ping'an, why did you change your outfit? You're not even wearing straw sandals anymore. Be careful—it's easy to go from frugal to luxurious, but hard to go back..."
Before Li Huai could finish, he bent over in agony.
Li Baoping and Pei Qian had each kicked him under the table.
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Actually, I thought about changing back into my old clothes and straw sandals when I came to the academy, but I was afraid it would embarrass you all. As for this outfit, it's because when I travel the jianghu, I have to be very careful. Plus, wearing this helps with cultivation. So this Golden Nectar Dharma robe has become comfortable over time. But I don't feel uncomfortable in my old clothes either."
Li Huai grinned through the pain. "When I saw you outside the schoolroom, I almost didn't recognize you, Chen Ping'an. You've gotten so much taller, and you're not as dark as before. I'm not used to it."
Chen Ping'an teased, "But Li Huai, you haven't changed. The moment you see a book, you get sleepy?"
Li Huai sighed mournfully. "Chen Ping'an, you have no idea how hard I have to study now. It's even more exhausting than our journey back then. Especially during the masters' lectures, holding in my pee almost kills me."
Li Baoping tapped the table with her finger, signaling Li Huai to watch his language.
Li Huai said grumpily, "Annoying! Even more rules than the masters."
They had almost finished eating, and there was little food left on the table.
Chen Ping'an said, "I need to go see Headmaster Mao later to discuss some things. After that, I'll find Lin Shouyi, Yu Lu, and Xie Xie. You three can wander around on your own, but remember not to violate the academy's curfew."
Li Huai asked, "Chen Ping'an, are you going to stay at the academy for a few years?"
Li Baoping smiled, a rarity.
Pei Qian grimaced, trembling nervously.
Chen Ping'an said with exasperation, "I won't stay too long, but I'm not leaving in just a few days either."
Li Huai let out an "oh." As Li Baoping and Pei Qian cleared the dishes, he asked, "Chen Ping'an, why don't you stay and study at the academy? We could return to Dragon Spring Commandery together later. What, after wandering outside for so long, has your heart gone wild? Even if you don't care about Li Baoping, the academy has me, Li Huai! We're sworn brothers who've been through thick and thin! Maybe I'll even call you brother-in-law someday. Can you bear to leave your future brother-in-law hanging here at the academy? You know that back then, A Liang begged and pleaded to be my brother-in-law, and I didn't agree!"
Chen Ping'an said helplessly, "Don't say things like that in front of Lin Shouyi and Dong Shuijing."
Li Huai sighed heavily. "Those two—one's a quiet gourd who can't speak his mind, the other's a wooden block that won't open up. I think it's hopeless. My sister probably won't like either of them. My mom likes Lin Shouyi a bit more, my dad likes Dong Shuijing a bit more. But what kind of family is mine? I, Li Huai, have the most say. Even my sister listens to me. Chen Ping'an, let's make a deal. If you stay at the academy and keep me company for a year—okay, half a year is fine—you'll be my brother-in-law! No need for any lousy betrothal gifts!"
Chen Ping'an laughed and scolded, "Get lost!"
Li Huai slapped the table. "Chen Ping'an, show some respect to your future brother-in-law! Don't say I didn't warn you!"
Li Baoping slapped Li Huai on the back of his head, and his arrogance instantly vanished.
While Li Baoping and Pei Qian took the dishes to the kitchen outside the guest lodging, Li Huai leaned over the table and whispered, "Chen Ping'an, my sister is really pretty now. I'm not lying to you."
Chen Ping'an rubbed the kid's head. "You really don't need to play matchmaker. I already have a girl I like."
Li Huai's expression darkened.
Chen Ping'an said softly, "Even if I'm not your brother-in-law, that doesn't mean we're not friends anymore."
Li Huai said weakly, "But I'm scared. Last time you left for three years. Next time, will it be another three or five years? Is that how a friend acts? When I was being bullied at the academy, you weren't here."
Chen Ping'an had no words to reply.
If he followed the plan in his heart, it really might be three or five years before they met again.
He planned to go to Dragon Spring Commandery and the Bookish Letter Lake, then to the Colorful Garment Kingdom and the Comb Water Kingdom, and then head north—even farther north than the Great Li Dynasty at the northernmost tip of Bottle Gourd Continent.
Li Huai sniffled, then raised his head and smiled. "Forget it. We're adults now. Being so sentimental is unbecoming. We'll worry about tomorrow when it comes!"
Chen Ping'an patted Li Huai's head. "Pei Qian seems a bit afraid of Baoping. You can keep her company during this time."
Li Huai immediately grinned mischievously. "That little charcoal? No problem. What's shameful about being afraid of Li Baoping? I'm afraid of her too. Whoever is afraid is the real hero!"
Only Li Huai could state something so embarrassing with such righteous, bold bravado.
Afterward, Chen Ping'an went to Mao Xiaodong's study again.
They began discussing the refinement of the second life-bound object.
Mao Xiaodong had already received Cui Dongshan's secret letter. His preparations were even more meticulous than Chen Ping'an's own.
Regarding the heavenly materials and earthly treasures needed to refine the golden literary courage, Mao Xiaodong had already purchased most of them. Some hadn't arrived at the academy yet, but before autumn, everything would be collected without fail.
Chen Ping'an offered to repay the debt later.
Mao Xiaodong didn't stand on ceremony, saying they would calculate the amount at market price and aim to settle within twenty years.
Since the golden literary courage was a very special item, one of the five elemental life-bound objects, Mao Xiaodong carefully examined the literary courage that Chen Ping'an had taken from his Cunkong object. Before this, Mao Xiaodong had thoroughly studied the history of the Colorful Garment Kingdom and the local chronicles of the City God's Pavilion where it was found. He determined that the civil official turned god, Shen Wen, combined with pure incense fire and grand hao-ran qi, possibly further influenced by the Grand Heavenly Master's personally crafted seal and its thunderous blessings, had ultimately conceived this golden, corporeal literary courage. It was exceptionally extraordinary.
So Mao Xiaodong planned to privately take Chen Ping'an on a tour of the Confucian temple and other sites in the Great Sui capital.
But the final refinement venue would certainly have to be at Cliff Academy, where Mao Xiaodong could oversee the qi flow.
The two continuously refined the details.
Mao Xiaodong grew increasingly gratified.
Even when it came to the foundational matters of cultivation that determined ultimate achievement, Chen Ping'an remained calm and unhurried, his mind as still as an ancient well. Mao Xiaodong was very satisfied.
In many seemingly casual chats, Chen Ping'an's answers and the doubts he raised from books never left Mao Xiaodong feeling amazed, but they did give him a sense of certainty, subtly revealing an unyielding resolve.
That was more than enough!
Especially when Chen Ping'an checked the time and said he needed to go see Lin Shouyi, Yu Lu, and Xie Xie first, rather than continuing to discuss the overwhelmingly important "business" in one go, Mao Xiaodong smiled and agreed.
After Chen Ping'an left with an apologetic look.
The tall old man, who always seemed rigid to everyone, sat alone in the study, unable to contain his emotions. Tears streamed down his face, but he smiled with great relief.
In Mao Xiaodong's view, ten supremely talented Cui Chans were inferior to one Chen Ping'an!
---
With Li Baoping no longer around.
Pei Qian instantly felt free and uninhibited, full of spirit.
Arriving at Li Huai's dormitory, she hadn't been there long before not only Li Huai but also Liu Guan and Ma Lian were staring wide-eyed at her, exchanging glances.
Pei Qian had the bamboo saber and bamboo sword from the "Saber and Sword Mistake" hanging at her waist. She sat upright on the bench, facing the three seated in a row.
She was recounting her adventures in the jianghu.
Her opening words were quite intimidating: "You should be able to tell that I, Pei Qian, as my master's disciple, am a very cold-blooded and iron-blooded jianghu wanderer! The mountain spirits and monsters I've beaten to death or subdued are countless."
The gadflies she had killed with her Madman Sword Technique, the toads she had kicked off the mountain paths, the stray dogs she had pinned down, the hares she had caught—all these she imagined as future spirits and monsters.
Liu Guan, half-believing, served her tea.
Ma Lian, taking advantage of the gap while Female Hero Pei drank water, hastily pulled out melon seeds and pastries.
Li Huai cradled his painted wooden puppet, grinning foolishly. Deep down, he thought this dark-skinned girl was someone who shouldn't be judged by her appearance. She was even better at boasting than him and A Liang! He had finally met his match!
---
Chen Ping'an left Mao Xiaodong's residence and found Li Baoping waiting for him at the door, still carrying her little bamboo chest.
He wasn't surprised at all.
The first time Chen Ping'an left his hometown and ventured into the world beyond Li Zhu Cave Heaven, it had naturally been him escorting Li Baoping to the Great Sui for her studies.
But didn't that also mean the young girl was accompanying her Little Uncle-Master on his journey through the jianghu?
During that earliest stretch when only the two of them traveled together, the green mountains and clear waters they passed seemed especially lovely and endearing.
Chen Ping'an didn't rush. He crouched down and asked with a smile, "Baoping, has anyone bullied you at the academy these past few years?"
Li Baoping thought carefully, then shook her head. "Little Uncle-Master, not at all."
Chen Ping'an scratched his head, feeling a bit disappointed.
In his mind, Mao Xiaodong's words suddenly echoed.
Chen Ping'an's expression didn't change. After listening, he stood up, took Li Baoping's hand, and began to gaze at the night scene of the capital city beyond the academy's Little East Mountain.
The big one and the little one started walking down the mountain.
"Little Uncle-Master, I've already divided the copied books into five portions, put them in my little book chest, and given them to five teaching masters. But those are just the copies for skipping class for a month. I have plenty more in my dormitory. Little Uncle-Master, don't worry."
"Were the masters angry?"
"The masters weren't angry. They're used to it. They just told me to slow down when carrying the books."
"The masters are all very nice."
"Yes, they are nice. But none of them are as learned as Teacher Qi."
"Why?"
"Teacher Qi had the deepest knowledge, and Little Uncle-Master is the kindest person. There's no reason."
"Ha, that makes sense."