Chapter 464: No Difference in Throwing Punches
(Just a mention, "Sword Coming" is already on the Kindle store. For those friends who are already used to reading on Kindle, you can read it there. For other friends: The high fixed subscription for "Sword Coming" on Zongheng is 40,000, the average subscription is close to 35,000, and the 24-hour subscription is close to 30,000. Thank you all for your companionship over the past year and a half. "Sword Coming" will still be written for at least another year and a half.)
On the first floor of the bamboo tower, a row of curio shelves had already been placed. The wood was simple and elegant, arranged in a pleasingly irregular pattern, with many compartments but few treasures.
Chen Ping'an intended to take out items from his Storage Pouch and Dimensional Pouch to decorate the place. But then he froze. Logically speaking, after all his years of traveling far and wide, he had seen and handled quite a few good things. Yet it seemed that aside from the gifts Lu Tai had purchased from the Divination Sect's Shouting Heaven Street and given to him, the presents Wu Yi had given him at Ziyang Prefecture, plus that painting of a lady he had bought at Ape Cry Street in Chishui City, and a few small trinkets the old shopkeeper had thrown in as a bonus, there wasn't much left in the end. His family fortune was thinner than he had imagined. One by one, the treasures were like duckweed leaves spinning in the water—gone with the flow, vanishing without a trace.
Chen Ping'an inexplicably thought of that pass on the border between Stone Pen Country and Plum Glaze Country, "Stay Behind Pass." Its name meant "to stay behind," but in truth, what could it ever manage to keep?
Some things were lent to others temporarily—for example, the ancestral armor "Western Mountain" on Wei Xian, the narrow saber "Stopping Snow" at Lu Baixiang's waist, the "Infatuated Heart Sword" behind Sui Youbian's back, the jade plaque inscribed "I Cultivate Righteous Qi" on Wei Bo, and the two Infernal King Halls and the imitation Glazed Pavilion in Gu Can's possession. And so on.
More things had been directly given away. For instance, that City God's Seal of Manifested Benevolence obtained from Rouge Prefecture in Colorful Garments Country. Hadn't everyone on Luopo Mountain and at the Cliffside Academy received gifts from Chen Ping'an? Even setting aside these familiar faces, in that dog meat shop in Stone Pen Country, Chen Ping'an had given away a Minor Heat coin. In the forest by the Spring Flower River in Plum Glaze Country, Chen Ping'an had both paid money and given medicine. Even earlier, on Osmanthus Island, he had scattered countless snake gallstones into the water to feed a young flood dragon.
Chen Ping'an said self-deprecatingly, "When giving gifts, I was all bold and heroic. Afterwards, thinking it over, my heart and liver ache."
After a moment's thought, Chen Ping'an rubbed his chin and nodded to himself. "Excellent poetry!"
The little lotus flower person had been sitting on the table resting. Upon hearing Chen Ping'an's words, it immediately leaned back, fell flat on the table, and with its remaining little arm, patted its belly vigorously, laughing continuously.
Seeing the little guy's lively and adorable appearance, Chen Ping'an felt quite happy.
Up on Luopo Mountain these days, as long as it wasn't flattery, Chen Ping'an found everything pleasing to the ear.
Chen Ping'an extended a finger and gently tickled the little guy's armpit. The little guy rolled all over the table, but in the end, it couldn't escape Chen Ping'an's teasing. It had to quickly sit up, sit upright with a solemn expression, puffing out its cheeks. With its remaining arm, it waved lightly, pointing a finger at a stack of books on the desk, as if trying to tell this young master that the desk was no place for play.
Chen Ping'an smiled and stopped his actions.
He took out some of his belongings from the Storage Pouch and Dimensional Pouch, placing them one by one on the table.
Although his current possessions were fewer than expected, Chen Ping'an's family fortune was still quite considerable. Not only did the mountain have its own income, but he was also carrying a Sword Immortal on his back. This wasn't some mosquito leg scraped off the Fu Family of Old Dragon City; it was a solid half-immortal weapon.
That Dharma robe "Golden Sweet Nectar," stripped from the Nascent Soul old flood dragon in Flood Dragon Gully, was originally the relic of an overseas Daoist immortal. That unknown immortal had failed to ascend and had to undergo severance and reincarnation. The fact that the Golden Sweet Nectar hadn't turned to ashes along with him was proof in itself. So when Chen Ping'an learned that the Golden Sweet Nectar could grow into a half-immortal weapon by consuming Gold Essence Coins, he wasn't too surprised.
A partially complete string of walnut prayer beads, each carved bead equivalent to the fatal strike of an ordinary Golden Core Earth Immortal.
A thin, light green Dharma robe, its grade not reaching that of a magic treasure. But Chen Ping'an liked it; he always felt that the snowy white of the Golden Sweet Nectar Dharma robe was too eye-catching.
The walnut beads and the green Dharma robe would be brought along when going to Northern Juzhou.
There were many items on the table.
Two seals were still placed in the very center, surrounded like stars encircling the moon.
Chen Ping'an began to silently tally his accounts. Owing debts and not repaying them was definitely not acceptable.
Zhu Lian had once shared an experience, saying that borrowing money was the ultimate touchstone for friendship. Often, many so-called friends become impossible to remain friends with after you lend them money. But there would always be one or two who would repay. Zhu Lian also said there were two types of repayment: one was repaying as soon as you have the money; the other was temporarily unable to repay, which might actually be more valuable. This type of person, even if temporarily unable to repay, would always greet you and wouldn't hide. When they had the means, they would repay. During this time, if you urged them, they would feel guilty and apologize, without any resentment in their hearts.
Zhu Lian said that the latter kind of friend was worth keeping for a long time, even for a lifetime, because they remembered favors and were grateful.
Back then, Chen Ping'an had asked Zhu Lian with a smile, "Are you planning to borrow money? And you won't be able to pay me back for a while?"
The hunched old man had bowed and scraped, rubbing his hands, saying, "Young master, you truly understand all things worldly and divine, able to predict the future."
That stooped old man had indeed shamelessly borrowed some Snowflake Coins from Chen Ping'an—actually just ten of them—saying he wanted to build a private library behind the residence.
Of course, Chen Ping'an lent them. A Far Traveling martial artist, someone whose existence involved the martial fortune of a nation to a certain extent, had to stoop to borrowing ten Snowflake Coins, and needed to ramble and beat around the bush for a long time before getting to the point. Chen Ping'an felt indignant on Zhu Lian's behalf. But it was agreed: ten Snowflake Coins, not a single one more.
Chen Ping'an demanded that after Zhu Lian built the library, it must be a forbidden area on Luopo Mountain, with no one allowed to enter without permission.
Zhu Lian agreed. Chen Ping'an guessed that the bookstores in Longquan Prefecture City were about to see a boom in business.
The little lotus flower person was still over there playing with the items, arranging them neatly one by one. Chen Ping'an didn't know who the little guy had inherited this habit from.
Chen Ping'an let it be busy and minded his own business, calculating on his fingers.
There were debts owed to the secret storeroom of Green Gorge Island and to Liu Zhongrun of Pearl Hairpin Island.
But the truly major expenditure was destined to be the Grand Rite of Heaven and Earth and the Land and Water Dharma Assembly that he and Gu Can were jointly preparing. If they went all out, these could become two bottomless pits, definitely not just a matter of a few Grain Rain Coins.
If an ordinary small country's monarch or wealthy merchant were to set up such a rite or assembly, the Daoist priests and eminent monks they invited would mostly not be cultivators. Even if there were any, they would be few and far between, so the expenses wouldn't be too great.
With tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of silver taels, you could hold one or two events. Even if it required five hundred thousand silver taels, that converted to five Minor Heat Coins, or half a Grain Rain Coin. In any vassal state of Bottle Gourd Continent, that would be a grand event not seen in decades.
But once it involved cultivators, especially hiring Earth Immortals to preside, and dealing with the old venerable masters of famous temples and Daoist monasteries everywhere, even if they were kind-hearted and compassionate, smiling and saying a casual "whatever" or "just see fit," would Chen Ping'an and Gu Can dare to be "casual" when taking out the silver? Moreover, before leaving Shujian Lake, Chen Ping'an and Gu Can had discussed it. The two ceremonies should be large rather than small, and they must ensure that no one seeking fame and reputation would take the opportunity to fish in troubled waters. Otherwise, it wouldn't just be a waste of immortal money; it would be a disservice to the yin spirits and ghostly beings, harming their blessings for the afterlife and their reincarnation.
So within two years, Gu Can had to consecutively hold two ceremonies. That would be an extremely mentally taxing affair, testing one's judgment and requiring considerable patience.
This was also a kind of tempering for Gu Can. Since he had chosen to correct his mistakes, he was walking an extremely arduous and bumpy path.
Back then, in the mountains south of Shujian Lake, demons ran rampant, evil cultivators appeared, and miasma abounded. But even harder to endure were the Infernal King Halls Gu Can carried on his back and the farewells one after another. Gu Can had almost given up twice along the way.
Correcting mistakes isn't a matter of saying "I know I was wrong," and then acting as if nothing happened, walking a bit of a long road, tossing around some immortal money, and then feeling at ease, as if you had done something remarkably grand and virtuous. There has never been such a good thing in the world!
But Chen Ping'an knew full well that Gu Can hadn't gone from one extreme to another. Gu Can's nature was still wavering. He had just suffered greatly at Shujian Lake, nearly getting stuffed to death. So in his current state, his mindset was somewhat similar to Chen Ping'an's when he first started wandering the martial world, imitating the people closest to him. He merely observed the methods of dealing with people and the world, pondered them, and then made them his own. His nature had changed, but not too much.
Gu Can was still largely the same Gu Can.
He just understood the weight of the word "rules" a bit better.
Chen Ping'an stood up and hung that Sword Immortal on the wall.
Chen Ping'an came outside under the eaves and sat with the little lotus flower person on a couple of small bamboo chairs. They were of ordinary material, and over the years, their original verdant green had turned yellow.
Chen Ping'an sat there and began to doze. Inside and outside the bamboo tower, it was warm in spring and cool in summer. Throughout the four seasons, even a frail mortal scholar could sit here for a long time without worrying about catching cold or getting heatstroke. It was even more ethereal than Cui Dongshan's courtyard at Cliffside Academy.
Tomorrow, he would practice boxing again.
In a daze, it was as if in a distant place, a filthy land of human hearts and demonic schemes, he vaguely saw a flower blooming, swaying gracefully.
Chen Ping'an did not wake up from this. Instead, he fell into a deep, sound sleep.
The little lotus flower person sat on the edge of the adjacent chair, tilting its head back, gently swinging its legs, and seeing the smile on Chen Ping'an's face, it seemed as if he was dreaming of something wonderful.
——
The sun rose in the east, and soon the morning glow spread for ten thousand miles.
The bamboo tower shook, and Chen Ping'an, who had slept on the chair all night, woke with a start.
He directly took off his boots, rolled up his sleeves and pant legs, and went up to the second floor.
When he reached the outside of the second-floor room, Chen Ping'an paused briefly, lowered his gaze, and turned to look.
That must have been where Cui Dongshan was sitting back then, not entering the room. With his youthful appearance and temperament, he had finally reunited with his grandfather after a hundred years.
The two sat facing each other. What they said, no one knows.
Just as Chen Ping'an was about to step into the room, he suddenly said, "Let me go say a word to Shi Rou. I'll be right back."
The barefoot old man acted as if he hadn't heard, sitting cross-legged, eyes closed in concentration.
Chen Ping'an leaped down from the second floor without putting on his boots. With rabbit-like agility, he soon arrived at a place where several residences were built adjacent to each other. Zhu Lian and Pei Qian had not yet returned, leaving only the reclusive Shi Rou and a newly arrived Cen Yuanji. He didn't see Shi Rou first, but spotted Cen Yuanji. The tall girl had apparently just returned from enjoying the scenery. Seeing Chen Ping'an, she fidgeted, seemingly wanting to say something but stopping. Chen Ping'an nodded to her in greeting and went to knock on the door of Shi Rou's residence. When Shi Rou opened the door, she asked, "Does the young master have business?"
Chen Ping'an nodded and said, "After Pei Qian returns, tell her I want her to go watch the shop at Qilong Alley. You go with her. Also, remind her not to take Qu Huang to the town. With her forgetfulness, once she gets playing, she forgets everything. Keep an eye on her copying books. Also, if Pei Qian wants to attend the school, the one run by the Chen Clan of Dragon Tail Creek, if she's willing, have Zhu Lian go to the county office to inquire and see if there are any requirements. If nothing is needed, that's even better."
Shi Rou agreed, then hesitated. "Young master, can I stay on the mountain?"
Chen Ping'an laughed. "If you really don't want to deal with outsiders, that's fine. But I suggest you try to adapt more to this little world of Longquan Prefecture. Go to the Civil and Martial Temples for a look. Farther afield, there's also the Water God Temple of the Iron Talisman River. Actually, you can look around. Familiarizing yourself with people is always good. Your background and origins won't stay hidden forever like paper can't wrap fire. Even if Wei Bo doesn't tell, there are many extraordinary people in Great Li. Sooner or later, someone with sharp eyes will see through you. It's better to show yourself proactively. Of course, this is just my personal opinion. How you ultimately act, I won't force."
Shi Rou's face brightened a little. She nodded and said, "Then this servant will try."
Chen Ping'an said helplessly, "In front of outsiders, don't call yourself 'this servant' anymore. People will look at both of us strangely. If that happens, the first thing Luopo Mountain becomes famous for might be that I have a strange fetish. Longquan Prefecture isn't that big. If word gets around, both our reputations will be ruined. I can't go explaining myself to every single mountain."
Shi Rou suppressed a smile. "The young master is meticulous. I take your advice."
Chen Ping'an was even more helpless and quickly waved his hand. "There's no shortage of your flattery on Luopo Mountain."
Naturally, Shi Rou covered her mouth with her hand and laughed.
Chen Ping'an sighed inwardly and headed back to the bamboo tower.
Not far from the residence, a girl who seemed to be strolling but was actually sneaking glances had already broken out in goosebumps all over. Cen Yuanji tiptoed away, hurrying off. She felt she had witnessed some shocking truth. After closing her door, Cen Yuanji patted her chest gently and muttered, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. This makes things better; at least he probably won't have any ill intentions towards me."
The girl felt bitter inside. She had thought that by moving away from her hometown in the capital, she would never have to deal with those awful, powerful men again. But she hadn't expected that when she arrived at the immortal estate she had dreamed of as a child, she would run into a mountain master so young and not studying the good. On Luopo Mountain, Old Immortal Zhu didn't like to talk about the young mountain master. When she tried to hint and probe, all she got were vague pleasantries. How could she take those seriously? As for that charcoal-black girl named Pei Qian, she came and went like the wind; Cen Yuanji could hardly even get a word in with her.
Inside the second floor.
When Chen Ping'an stood still, the barefoot old man opened his eyes, stood up, and said in a deep voice, "Before we practice boxing, let me introduce myself. My name is Cui Cheng. I was once the head of the Cui Clan."
Chen Ping'an was a bit surprised.
This was the first time the old man had announced his own name.
The old man slowly said, "That gentleman, Cui Minghuang, the young man who came on behalf of Guanhu Academy to collect a debt at Lizhu Cave Heaven. According to the genealogy, this kid should call Cui Chan 'Great Master Uncle.' His branch was once a side branch of the Cui Clan. Now, they are the main branch. My branch, stained by this brute's reputation, has been removed from the Cui Clan. All disciples of my branch have been struck from the clan genealogy. Not sharing the ancestral hall in life, not sharing the burial mountain in death. The pain of a prestigious clan is no more than this. The reason I ended up like this is because I was once mentally disturbed and wandered the world for over a hundred years. If I were to settle accounts for this, it would be very simple using a warrior's methods: go to the Cui Clan ancestral hall, just one or two punches. But if I, Cui Cheng, still consider myself a scholar—and that goes for my grandson Cui Chan or Cui Dongshan—I can't do it. Because the other side is faultless regarding clan rules."
Chen Ping'an nodded, indicating understanding.
In the River of Time within the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, in the history of the Song Lai Kingdom, there was once a powerful high official who held the highest position. Because he was a son of a concubine, there was a dispute with the local clan regarding his birth mother's spirit tablet and the genealogy. He wanted to discuss it with the clan head, his elder legitimate brother. He wrote several letters home, his wording sincere. At first, the elder brother ignored him. Later, probably annoyed by this official younger brother's persistence, he finally replied, directly rejecting the prime minister's proposal. The letter was very unfriendly, and among the words was: "You may meddle in the world's affairs as you please, but you have no right to meddle in family matters." That high official died without ever achieving his wish. And at that time, the entire officialdom and scholarly circles agreed with this "small rule."
So why hadn't Cui Cheng appeared before the clan and thrown a punch at those insignificant figures in the ancestral hall? Why hadn't that prime minister of the Lotus Flower Blessed Land used his public office for private gain, a simple official document to force the issue?
They could have done it, but they didn't break this seemingly fragile rule.
Chen Ping'an thought it over briefly.
This was probably one of the fundamental threads as to why Cui Cheng could achieve his current realm of "no one before him," and why that prime minister could hold such a high position at court.
Once Chen Ping'an had made up his mind to truly establish a sect on Luopo Mountain, it was incredibly complex if one wanted it to be, or it could be relatively simple if one aimed for simplicity. It merely required being pragmatic with things, like a swallow gathering mud, accumulating little by little. For the intangible, it required being pragmatic with people, with reason. Slow and steady makes no mistakes. Keep steady, and move upward.
All of this required Chen Ping'an to think more, learn more, and do more.
Cui Cheng suddenly said, "This Cui Minghuang kid is not simple. Don't underestimate him."
Chen Ping'an was speechless.
What qualifications did he have to "underestimate" an Academy Gentleman?
He had already experienced the power of the worthy man Zhou Ju of Guanhu Academy at the manor in Comb Water Country.
And Zhong Kui of Parasol Leaf Continent had once been an Academy Gentleman as well.
Cui Minghuang was known as the "Little Gentleman of Guanhu."
He was one of the two most outstanding Gentlemen among the academies of Bottle Gourd Continent.
According to the agreement with the Great Li National Teacher, who was also his great grand-uncle, Cui Minghuang was supposed to openly leave Guanhu Academy and, in the capacity of an Academy Gentleman, become the Vice-Mountaineer of Great Li's Forest Deer Academy. The first Mountaineer of Piyun Mountain's academy was supposed to be that old flood dragon who appeared as the old vice minister of Huangting Kingdom, along with a famous scholar from Great Li. One chief and two deputies. These three Mountaineers were all transitional. After Forest Deer Academy obtained the title of one of the Seventy-Two Academies, Cheng Shuidong would step down as Mountaineer. The old Great Li scholar would be powerless and unwilling to compete. Cui Minghuang would then take the opportunity to become the next Mountaineer.
In this way, Guanhu Academy saved face. The real benefits would naturally fall mostly into Cui Chan's hands. The chess piece Cui Minghuang, who had already conspired with him, would finally obtain the Mountaineer position he dreamed of, content and satisfied. After all, this was an immense honor, almost the pinnacle for a scholar. Moreover, as long as Cui Minghuang was in Great Li's Longquan, with Cui Chan's calculative abilities, no matter how many "lofty aspirations" Cui Minghuang had, he would likely only be able to teach within Cui Chan's sight, obediently playing the part of a teacher.
But later, the situation changed unpredictably, and many developments even surprised National Teacher Cui Chan.
For example, that imitation of the Imperial Jade Capital in Great Li almost became a fleeting joke of the world. The late emperor, Song Zhengchun, was severely injured. The Great Li Iron Cavalry advanced south ahead of schedule. Many of Cui Chan's schemes in the middle of Bottle Gourd Continent also commenced. Guanhu Academy countered aggressively, dispatching several Gentlemen and Worthies in one go. They either personally visited various royal palaces, reprimanding the mortal kings, or settled the chaotic situations in various countries.
Especially when the cross-continental ferry of the Pounding Mountain Sect crashed within the boundaries of the Crimson Fire Dynasty, and the grand master Xie Shi of Northern Juzhou emerged, pressuring the Crimson Fire and its backer, Guanhu Academy. This not only aroused the fury of cultivators across the continent but also completely tore the facade between Guanhu Academy and the Song Clan of Great Li. Cui Minghuang had to remain stranded at the academy, unable to become the Vice-Mountaineer of Forest Deer Academy. It was said that in recent years, this Gentleman had been diligently studying in his study, not wasting a single moment, earning praise from everyone within the academy.
Chen Ping'an found this somewhat strange.
This time during boxing practice, the old senior didn't seem anxious to "teach him how to be a man."
In the past, it was always straight and direct, fist to flesh, as if watching Chen Ping'an suffer beyond compare was the old man's greatest joy.
Today, he had actually started with small talk and had done quite a bit of it.
Cui Cheng wasn't the type to be contrary. Although it didn't quite suit his own temperament, he still brought up Pei Qian's martial arts practice for the second time. "Is it that important to you to give Pei Qian a period of carefree time?"
The truth was, Pei Qian's talent was too good. Wasting it would be a pity.
Chen Ping'an hesitated. "An adult might say a casual, unintentional remark and forget it themselves, but a child might keep it in their heart. Even more so an intentional remark from someone like senior."
Cui Cheng frowned.
There was meaning behind the words.
Naturally, he was complaining about the old man's deliberate jab at Pei Qian earlier. That wasn't much. But Chen Ping'an's attitude was worth examining.
Chen Ping'an seemed to be deliberately avoiding the topic of Pei Qian's martial arts cultivation. To put it nicely, it was letting nature take its course. To put it harshly, it was as if he was worried that the disciple might surpass the master. Of course, Cui Cheng knew Chen Ping'an's character well. He wasn't worried that Pei Qian would surpass him, this half-baked master, in martial arts. He was worried about something else, like something good turning bad.
Cui Cheng said unhappily, "Speak frankly."
Chen Ping'an seemed to want to say something but stopped.
Cui Cheng laughed. "It's okay if you don't say it now. I have my own means of beating it out of you."
Chen Ping'an was tough, too. "How are we going to fight? If senior disregards the gap in our realms, I can speak now. But if senior is willing to spar within the same realm, I'll talk after I lose."
Cui Cheng said, "Then you can say it now. The moment I see you looking like you deserve a beating, my fists get itchy, and I most likely won't be able to control the force of my punches."
Chen Ping'an cursed inwardly.
On this return home, when facing Zhu Lian's "feeding punches" matter, Chen Ping'an's only reliance deep down were those four words: sparring within the same realm. He hoped to vent his frustrations, at least land a few heavy punches on the old man. As for whether he would be beaten worse afterwards, it didn't matter. He couldn't be sparring from the Third Realm to the Fifth Realm, training again and again, and still not even touch a corner of the old man's clothes.
Chen Ping'an sighed and told the old man about that strange dream he had.
This was the first time Chen Ping'an had shared this with anyone.
The old man remained silent.
Chen Ping'an asked, "Can senior help interpret this dream? Or, according to the old saying in my hometown, dreams are the opposite of reality?"
The old man scoffed. "Well, well, another major mental knot. One is afraid of death, the other afraid of not being skilled enough. What, Chen Ping'an, after traveling far and wide, have you become more timid?"
Chen Ping'an shook his head. "It's precisely because I've seen more of the world that I know there are many masters out there. For every mountain, there's a higher one. It's not that I look down on myself, but one can't be arrogant and truly believe that with diligent practice of boxing and swordsmanship, one can win every battle. Human strength has its limits..."
The old man looked disgusted and sneered. "Unbelievably foolish!"
Chen Ping'an sincerely sought advice. "Senior, please enlighten me."
The old man moved instantly. Chen Ping'an's mind perceived it, but his hands and feet lagged behind, just like in the old days when making porcelain, when his mind and hands were not in sync, causing frequent errors.
It wasn't that Chen Ping'an was "too slow" to get up; it was that a peak Tenth Realm martial artist was simply too fast.
Chen Ping'an had no choice but to raise his arms to block in front of him, but Cui Cheng still hit him in the forehead with a knee strike. His entire body flew high, crashing into the wall, then fell down again. The old man kicked him in the abdomen, sending him hurtling straight into the ceiling. He fell heavily to the ground, and finally, the old man stomped on his forehead. Chen Ping'an's body slid backward instantly, crashing against the base of the wall, violently coughing up blood, completely defenseless.
He really held grudges.
Knee strike ambush—that was Chen Ping'an's earlier move.
Cui Cheng stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed, smiling. "All those golden words of mine, I was afraid you wouldn't know their value unless you paid a price. Wouldn't remember them."
Chen Ping'an stood up and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Cui Cheng asked, "If fate is preordained, can Pei Qian avoid it by slacking off in her martial arts practice? Only the strongest martial artist can wrestle with the heavens! You wandered around the Lotus Flower Blessed Land for so long, claiming to have seen three hundred years of time pass like water. What kind of bullshit principles did you learn? Can't you even understand this?!"
Chen Ping'an didn't use his eyes to track the old man's figure. In an instant, he sank his mind into that mysterious state of "no one in front, only myself in focus." He stamped one foot heavily on the ground and threw a punch into the empty air.
But this punch was casually parried by the old man. Chen Ping'an felt as if a heavy hammer had smashed into his chest. His back pressed against the wall, his elbow bracing against it, coupled with the sudden release of force from his loose frame—like a bowstring taut before sudden release—he shot towards the old man even faster than he had been knocked back. But it was as if he had run headlong into a spear. The old man swung an arm, hitting Chen Ping'an's neck and flinging him onto the floor with such force that Chen Ping'an's body bounced several times before the old man stomped on his forehead again.
The old man looked down at Chen Ping'an, blood oozing from his seven orifices. "A bit interesting, but too weak, too slow to throw punches, too shallow in will. Faults everywhere, every punch a flaw. And you still dare to clash head-on with me? A girl swinging a long halberd, you're not afraid of breaking your waist!"
Chen Ping'an slammed his palms against the ground, inverted his body so his feet pointed skyward, sliding his head out from under the old man's foot. Supporting himself on his hands, he suddenly spun, barely dodging the old man's casual whip-like kick.
But the old man slightly raised his sleeve, and a fist essence "brushed" against Chen Ping'an, who was resisting with heaven-and-earth stakes. Chen Ping'an tumbled like a snowball, crashing into the windows and doors on the north side of the bamboo tower.
The old man didn't pursue. He asked casually, "Did you tell Wei Bo about the selection of the New Five Sacred Mountains for Great Li?"
Chen Ping'an struggled to get up and shook his head. "I thought about telling him, but after consideration, I decided against it. It's a top-secret matter for Great Li; I can't casually divulge it. Wei Bo and I are friends, but I can't sell out my own student for favors. Besides, Wei Bo is attracting too much attention these days, easy to hit with hidden arrows. Better to be cautious."
Cui Cheng still stood in place and nodded. "Family matters: for things that can be done or not, it's okay to try them out. Gossip and discussion: for words that can be spoken or not, it's best to keep them unsaid."
Chen Ping'an silently memorized these two old sayings from the old man. Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure, worth a thousand gold pieces.
Cui Cheng suddenly bellowed, "How dare you be distracted while facing punches?!"
Chen Ping'an appeared distracted, but in reality, he was using the secret technique of the Eighteen Stops of Sword Qi, applying it to the conversion of pure true energy, forcibly refining half a mouthful of true qi. After taking the old man's punch, he gritted his teeth, enduring the excruciating pain in his soul, and suddenly punched out. His fist transformed into two fingers, just an inch away from hitting the old man's glabella.
The old man reached out, grabbed Chen Ping'an's two fingers, yanked, and kicked him, sending Chen Ping'an flying through the air. Then he took a few steps, changed position, as if squatting in a horse stance, and, leaning his shoulder, crashed into the falling Chen Ping'an. With a loud bang, Chen Ping'an once again clashed with the bamboo tower wall. Finally, he could only slump against the wall, truly unable to get up. That half-mouthful of true qi was a life-or-death move that harmed the enemy one thousand and injured oneself eight hundred. Against the old man, it was just injuring oneself for eight hundred.
The old man rubbed his chin and laughed. "To be fair, you're not completely useless now. Back when you were forging your foundation in the Third Realm, your punches could only be described as simple and foolish. You didn't have the brains you have today. It seems that taking more punches also makes the mind sharper."
Chen Ping'an's expression was wooden as he wiped his face. His hands were covered in blood. Compared to the torment of body and soul in those days, this injury was an itch, and truly a minor matter.
Chen Ping'an leaned against the wall and slowly stood up. "Again."
The old man smiled and asked, "One last question: you're so afraid of death. Is it because you're rich and value your life, not willing to die? Or do you feel you cannot die?"
Chen Ping'an seized the opportunity to convert a mouthful of pure true qi and asked back, "Is there a difference?"
The old man's fist had already arrived. "No difference. You're getting beaten regardless."
——
Pei Qian and Zhu Lian had gone to Oxhorn Mountain to deliver letters. Having just struck up a good acquaintance with the horse Qu Huang, she had negotiated with him that from now on they were friends. Whether in the future she could wander the jianghu during the day and go home for dinner at night depended on his stamina. The better his stamina, the bigger her jianghu. Maybe she could even make a round trip between Luopo Mountain and the town. As for this so-called negotiation, it was Pei Qian leading the horse, chattering away to herself. After every question, she would add, "If you don't say anything, I'll take it as agreement!" At most, she'd give a thumbs up and praise, "Worthy of being my Pei Qian's friend, always available and never refusing. Good habit, keep it up."
Watching this, Zhu Lian's expression was like someone who had fished a fly out of their bowl.
When they finally returned to Luopo Mountain, Shi Rou relayed Chen Ping'an's instructions.
Pei Qian could only bid a reluctant farewell to Qu Huang and go down the mountain to the town with Shi Rou.
At the Suppressing Years Shop in Qilong Alley, besides the old pastry chef who still remained—and even he was only kept on at a higher price—the shop assistants had already been replaced. One girl had married, another had found a better job as a maidservant in a wealthy family in Peach Leaf Lane. She was quite idle and often came back to the shop to sit for a while. Always praising how wonderful that family was, located at the corner of Peach Leaf Lane, treating their servants like their own younger relatives. Going there as a maidservant was a real blessing.
Another woman had discovered two ancestral treasures her family had never considered valuable for generations. She became wealthy overnight and moved to the new prefecture city. She had also visited the shop twice, actually to show off to that "improperly named" Miss Ruan Xiu. After getting to know her, she didn't have strong feelings about Miss Ruan being the only daughter of Master Ruan or the unattainable Longquan Sword Sect. She just felt the girl was cold and aloof to everyone, not likeable. Especially when she was caught in a small misdeed by Ruan Xiu, it was very awkward. The woman grumbled inwardly: "What are you, an unmarried girl? You're not even anybody to Shopkeeper Chen. No title at all. And you spend all day here at the shop, pretending you're the boss lady or something?"
Compared to the fragrant Suppressing Years Shop, Pei Qian preferred the nearby Herb Head Shop. Rows of tall, multi-compartment shelves were filled with antiques and miscellaneous items that the Sun family had sold off in one go back then.
But back when Sister Ruan Xiu was in charge, she had sold some items at high prices that mountain cultivators called magical artifacts. After that, they couldn't move much stock. The main reason was that Ruan Xiu had secretly sealed a few things away. Once, she secretly took Pei Qian to the back storeroom to "appraise" them, explaining that these were the top-tier items, the shop's treasures. They could only be brought out if they encountered a big spender, a fat pigeon. Otherwise, it would be like throwing money away.
Pei Qian was thrilled at the time. This was an unexpected windfall. She laughed so hard her mouth couldn't close. Sister Ruan must have thought it was amusing and gave Pei Qian a piece of pastry. That was the first time Ruan Xiu had shared a pastry with her. After that, whenever Pei Qian asked for one, as long as Ruan Xiu had any, she wouldn't refuse.
Today, Pei Qian placed a small stool behind the counter and stood on it, making her head just "surface" above it, like... a head resting on the counter.
As for herself, Pei Qian felt she was more like a mountain bandit king, patrolling her little territory.
Shi Rou stood beside Pei Qian. The counter was indeed a bit high. Even she was only slightly better off than Pei Qian standing on the stool.
Shi Rou found it a bit strange. Pei Qian was clearly very dependent on her master, yet she had obediently come down the mountain to stay here quietly.
Shi Rou couldn't help but ask, "Pei Qian, aren't you worried that your master might screw up during his boxing practice?"
Pei Qian stood perfectly still in place, staring fixedly ahead, as if playing a game of who's the wooden man. She only moved her lips slightly. "Of course I'm worried. But since there's nothing I can do, I just pretend I'm not worried, so Master won't worry that I'm worried."
Shi Rou raised a finger and rubbed her brow. In the words of Zheng Dafeng's catchphrase: headache.
Pei Qian sighed, still looking straight ahead. "Sister Shi Rou, what do you think? If a person lives in someone else's house, and that person isn't your friend, do you need to pay rent?"
It was awkward to say, and even more confusing to hear.
Shi Rou was puzzled. "What are you talking about?"
Pei Qian sighed again. "Sister Shi Rou, from now on, copy books with me. Then we'll have each other for company."
Shi Rou found it both funny and exasperating. "Why would I need to copy books?"
Pei Qian said seriously, "Copying books makes you smart!"
Shi Rou finally realized belatedly that Pei Qian's "living in someone else's house" was a veiled jab at her for living in the immortal's discarded shell gifted by her master.
Shi Rou raised a finger, intending to flick the little girl's forehead.
But Pei Qian, pretending to be a wooden figure looking ahead, dodged lightning-fast, then resumed her original posture. She didn't even glance at Shi Rou from start to finish. Pei Qian complained, "Don't mess around. I'm concentrating on thinking about my master!"