Chapter 474: The Jianghu Still Has Chen Ping'an

Chapter 474: The Jianghu Still Has Chen Ping'an

The female ghost Wei Wei traveled through the wind over great distances, as if shrinking the mountains and rivers, naturally arriving at Sword Water Manor well before the convoy.

Wei Wei had come and gone, returning to the manor as a guest once more. Song Yushao still did not show himself, and it was again Song Fengshan and Liu Qian who received her.

Back in the day, Song Yushao had let Wei Wei off the hook at that ancient temple, but that did not mean the old Sword Saint of Comb Water Kingdom was fond of her. Even Liu Qian, one of the Four Fiends of Comb Water Kingdom, who had married into the Song family as his grandson's wife, had not been free from his lingering doubts at the time. It was only when an old jianghu veteran, who strictly adhered to old rules, grew older, retraced his steps from the realm of family, state, and empire back home, and engaged in some self-reflection—especially after that incident involving the sword scabbard sale—that Song Yushao finally fully acknowledged Liu Qian as "a person." He allowed her to manage the household, and even went out of his way to help her with her future aspirations of becoming a mountain and river deity, actively corresponding with Han Yuanshan. Otherwise, Song Yushao, having already earned the favor of the academy, would have had his advancement to a higher realm sealed off, turning it into a mere illusion like flowers in a mirror or the moon's reflection on water.

In truth, Song Yushao was especially delighted to reunite with Chen Ping'an this time. It was not just because he had witnessed with his own eyes that Chen Ping'an had become a mountain sword immortal; it was more that Chen Ping'an's path through the jianghu resembled his own.

On that road, there were few travelers. When they chanced to meet, walking side by side through wind and rain, fine wine was fitting.

If their first meeting had Song Yushao merely regarding the young Chen Ping'an, who had carried a bookcase and traveled far and wide, as a promising junior, then their second reunion—sharing tea, wine, and hotpot with the green-robed Chen Ping'an, who wore a bamboo hat and carried a longsword on his back—felt more like kindred spirits connecting without words, a mutual admiration. However, this was Song Yushao's personal feeling. In truth, Chen Ping'an treated Song Yushao exactly as before, in both words and attitude, always showing the respect of a junior toward an elder. Song Yushao did not force a change either—after all, who in the jianghu doesn't care about face?

After hearing that Song Fengshan and Liu Qian were once again receiving Wei Wei to discuss matters, Song Yushao went to the waterside pavilion by the waterfall and sat alone.

Having not worn or practiced with a sword for many years, Song Yushao today laid that old companion across his knees. The sword's name was "Yiran." Years ago, he had fished it out by chance from the mechanism of the pillar stone pier in this very deep pool. The green bamboo scabbard was also taken from there. However, back then, Song Yushao had been somewhat puzzled, sensing that the sword and scabbard seemed to have been pieced together by the person who lost them, not originally a matched set.

Yiran was undoubtedly a divine weapon that jianghu martial artists dreamed of. Song Yushao had loved traveling his whole life, visiting famous mountains and roaming the jianghu with his sword. He had encountered many mountain and marsh spirits, demons, and monsters, and Yiran had performed great deeds in slaying them. As for the bamboo scabbard, made of a special material, Song Yushao had traveled everywhere, searching through official and private libraries for ancient texts, finally finding a fragmentary page. From that, he learned that the sword had been forged in person by a Martial God from another continent. Some immortal had left it behind in Porcelain Flask Continent while traveling across continents. The ancient fragment recorded: "Sharpening its light splits the Five Sacred Mountains; its sword aura cuts through great rivers"—a description of immense grandeur.

However, as for the origin of the bamboo scabbard, Song Yushao had asked every mountain immortal he encountered, yet still never received a definitive answer. Some immortal masters vaguely speculated that it might be a spiritual object from the Green God Mountain within the Bamboo Sea Paradise. But since the bamboo scabbard bore no inscriptions, there were no traces to follow. Apart from being exceptionally tough and able to serve as a sheath for Yiran with no internal wear, it displayed no other remarkable qualities. Previously, Song Yushao had considered it merely as a fallback choice for the original owner of Yiran—little did he know that he might have actually wronged the bamboo scabbard?

Song Yushao looked down. The ancient sword Yiran was still unmatched in sharpness, gleaming and radiant under the sunlight. The mist-filled waterside pavilion could not overshadow the sword's brilliance in the slightest.

Song Yushao stretched out his palm and gently patted the blade. He lifted his head again to gaze at the plunging waterfall, like the snow-white hair of an immortal cascading from the heavens, and murmured, "Old friend, we've both grown old."

Over at the Meeting Hall, Wei Wei had finished recounting the ins and outs of that battlefield, along with the message Chen Ping'an had asked her to convey. Song Fengshan's expression was grave.

Liu Qian, with her calm demeanor that rarely revealed joy or anger—a trait shaped by her dual identity—listened to Chen Ping'an's words and understood their weight. She felt a twinge of emotion: "Grandfather didn't misjudge him."

Song Fengshan said softly, "That principle is hard to argue."

Liu Qian nodded. After all, she was a spy for Great Li planted in Comb Water Kingdom as a dead agent. Her vision and insight were actually superior to most ordinary martial arts grandmasters and mountain immortal masters.

Thus, she understood the might of that pure martial artist even better than Song Fengshan and Song Yushao.

In the jianghu of countries like Comb Water Kingdom and Pine Creek Kingdom, a seventh-realm martial artist was already a legendary Martial God. In fact, the Golden Body Realm was only the first of the three realms of refining the spirit. The subsequent two realms—Far Traveler and Mountain Summit—were far more terrifying. As for the tenth realm, it was a terrifying existence that would make even summit-level cultivators bristle.

How strong was that Far Traveler realm martial artist from the Middle Earth Divine Continent? She had a rough idea, thanks to the official channels of Great Li's Green Wave Pavilion, which she had used to help the manor investigate the situation. The results proved that not only was that martial artist an eighth-realm pure martial artist, but he was by no means an ordinary Far Traveler. He was most likely among the strongest of the Far Traveler realm in the world—similar to a national-level player in the game of Go, someone worthy of being appointed as a court Go attendant. The reason was simple: Green Wave Pavilion had sent a specialist to find Liu Qian and the local mountain god to inquire about the details, because this matter had alarmed the Great Li regent, Prince Song Changjing! If that pushy outsider hadn't left early with the sword scabbard, Song Changjing himself might have come. If that had happened, things would have been simpler—after all, this Great Li military god was already a tenth-realm, ultimate-realm martial artist. As long as he was willing to act, Liu Qian believed that no matter how powerful the opponent's backing was, Great Li and Song Changjing would have no hesitation.

This was no longer purely about whose fists were harder; it was the force of the greater trends of the world.

The Great Li dynasty now controlled half a continent as its territory. To dominate the qi of an entire continent in the future was already an inevitable trend. This was the Song clan of Great Li's greatest confidence and support.

Perhaps it wouldn't be difficult for them to leap into the top five dynasties in the entire Righteous Qi Heaven.

Wei Wei, always one to revel in chaos, sat in a chair, swinging her embroidered shoes, and said, "Madam Chu is coming to visit. When she gets here, are we going to kick her out directly, or receive her with a smile? Besides that venomous-hearted Madam Chu, there's also Wang Shanhu of Horizontal Blade Villa and Han Yuanxue, Han Yuanshan's sister. Three women together—that's quite the spectacle."

Liu Qian smiled slightly. "Small matters, I handle. For big matters, of course, Fengshan makes the decisions."

Song Fengshan said helplessly, "We still have to listen to Grandfather. I'm naturally unsuited for handling these mundane affairs."

Wei Wei looked at Liu Qian and said with a grin, "I heard that Wang Shanhu used to secretly harbor feelings for your husband?"

Song Fengshan remained unmoved. Such topics were off-limits. Being ignorant of mundane affairs didn't mean he was truly unaware of human emotions—he just didn't want to be distracted from going further on the path of the sword.

Liu Qian laughed. "A good man having a few girls admire him—what's so strange about that?"

For no apparent reason, Wei Wei said, "That fellow surnamed Chen is truly impressive. Your grandfather has a sharp eye. I didn't notice anything back then. But then again, both he and your grandfather are a bit dull. They have such high swordsmanship, but when it comes to action, they always hem and haw. It's never clean. They have to think over even killing someone ten times. Even when they're in the right, they still hold back. Look at Su Lang—he broke through to a higher realm, said nothing, and came straight outside your manor, announcing to the world that he wanted to challenge a sword duel. Even I, an outsider who is also your friend, deep down think that Green Bamboo Sword Immortal is truly free and easy. Walking the jianghu should be like that."

Song Fengshan sneered. "And what was the result?"

The petite female ghost Wei Wei leaned lazily in her chair. "Su Lang was just a bit unlucky. I dare say, even though he hit a wall at your manor this time, that Pine Creek Kingdom sword immortal will undoubtedly be the leader of the jianghu in a dozen countries within the next few decades. No question. You, Song Fengshan, are in for a rough time—you'll be eating his dust. In both swordsmanship and reputation, you'll just have to be inferior to that domineering, selfish Su Lang."

Song Fengshan dismissed it with a smile. Everyone had their own fate. Besides, a swordsman's ultimate achievement depended on the sword in his hand. For instance, back when Sword Water Manor was at its peak, people said that Comb Water Kingdom's Sword Saint Song Yushao's swordsmanship had already surpassed the old, decrepit Sword God of Caiyi Kingdom. They claimed the latter had retired and sealed his sword out of fear of Song Yushao's challenge, afraid to face him in a duel, so he voluntarily backed down and showed weakness. But in truth, even though the old Sword God of Caiyi Kingdom met with an accident, was defeated and died, ending his career in an inglorious manner, he remained the swordsman his grandfather respected most in his life—bar none.

Liu Qian, however, showed some anger.

Wei Wei quickly clasped her hands together in mock supplication. "Alright, alright, I'm just a woman with shallow insight who speaks without thinking. Sister Liu Qian, please be magnanimous and don't be angry."

Song Fengshan didn't want to get tangled up with this female ghost, so he took his leave and headed toward the waterfall to pass on Chen Ping'an's words to his grandfather.

The female ghost Wei Wei ruled over a mountain stronghold; though she might not be called utterly evil, Song Fengshan really didn't like her. But since his wife was on good terms with her, and they had an alliance, he could sit down and drink tea with her. For example, the romantic entanglement between Wei Wei and Han Yuanshan disgusted Song Fengshan. He had privately advised Liu Qian that an alliance was an alliance, and business dealings were business dealings, but the personal friendship between Liu Qian and Wei Wei needed to be kept at an appropriate level. This was one of the few times Song Fengshan had "asserted his authority as the head of the household" to "reason" with his wife. It was precisely because such trivial matters were rare that this reasoning carried weight.

Fortunately, Liu Qian listened and acted accordingly.

Thus, Liu Qian's claim that her husband made the big decisions was not empty words.

This was also where Liu Qian's wisdom lay, and of course, it was a reflection of the Song family's upbringing. Otherwise, Liu Qian would have been stuck with the empty title of young mistress of Sword Water Manor, never earning Song Yushao's true recognition for the rest of her life. In that case, the one who would have had the hardest time would actually have been Song Fengshan. If Song Fengshan had let her run everything, he would have only brought trouble upon himself—he could hardly blame Grandfather Song Yushao for being cold, nor could he blame Liu Qian. As the saying goes, even an upright official finds it hard to settle family disputes. Ultimately, it's not that reasoning is hard, but rather how to reason. And within a family, there is such a thing as "the lowly speaking lightly," making it truly difficult.

As Song Fengshan passed by the Scenery-and-Water Pavilion, the massive convoy had already passed through the town and arrived outside the manor.

Liu Qian hesitated for a moment but still did not send anyone to notify Song Yushao and Song Fengshan.

First, the visitors were all women—Madam Chu, Wang Shanhu, and Han Yuanxue. If Song Yushao himself came out to welcome them, it would be too grand a gesture, and Liu Qian couldn't bring herself to ask. Actually, it would have been just right for Song Fengshan and her to greet them together, but Liu Qian didn't want to disturb the grandfather and grandson. Second, the timing of their arrival, right after Su Lang had left, was too obvious. The apparent decline of Sword Water Manor was just an illusion anyway; they didn't need to curry favor with anyone. Even if the great general "Chu Hao" himself came in person, so what? Was she, Liu Qian—head of the Great Li Green Wave Pavilion's spy network in Comb Water Kingdom—not enough in terms of status and courtesy?

Wei Wei hid herself and wandered around the manor.

Finally, she sat down in the Scenery-and-Water Pavilion near the waterfall. With nothing to do, she thought it over and found it utterly baffling. How had that unremarkable, mud-legged boy suddenly risen to prominence? And more importantly, how had he transformed from a pure martial artist of not very high realm into a legendary mountain sword immortal? Had he taken some wrong medicine? If there really was such a miraculous pill, she would take a whole handful, even if it killed her, without regret.

By the waterfall pavilion, Song Yushao had already placed the ancient sword Yiran back into the stone pier mechanism of the deep pool, closed the mechanism left by some predecessor, and stood on the small "midstream pillar stone." With his hands behind his back, he looked up at the cascading waterfall, letting the mist wet his clothes. When Song Fengshan approached the pavilion, the old man in black snapped back to reality, glided back inside, and asked with a smile, "Something up?"

Song Fengshan repeated the words Wei Wei had brought.

Song Yushao's expression was serene.

Song Fengshan asked doubtfully, "Grandfather doesn't seem surprised at all?"

Song Yushao smiled with great self-satisfaction. "That kid—if he lifts his leg, I know exactly what he's going to do. What's there to be surprised about? If he hadn't said or done that, I would have found it strange."

Song Fengshan, now on much better terms with Song Yushao and without the former restraint, couldn't help teasing him. "Grandfather, you've made a friend of a young sword immortal, and you're so proud of it."

Song Yushao grinned. "Not convinced? Then you go find one on the mountain and bring him back to show me. If his skill and character are even half of Chen Ping'an's, I'll admit I'm the loser. How about that?"

Song Fengshan said with some grievance, "Grandfather, who's your real grandson, anyway?"

Song Yushao laughed. "Of course, the less accomplished one is the real grandson."

Song Fengshan was speechless.

Song Yushao laughed heartily and patted Song Fengshan on the shoulder. "Even if your skills aren't that great, you're still my real grandson. Besides, your character is no worse than that kid's."

Song Yushao paused for a moment. "Besides, you've already found a good wife. That Chen Ping'an has only just made his first move—so he's still losing to you. If you hurry up and let me hold a great-grandchild, even if Chen Ping'an gets married, he'll still be behind you."

Song Fengshan was still at a loss for words.

They sounded like good things to hear, but he still couldn't feel happy about it.

However, deep down, Song Fengshan breathed a sigh of relief. His grandfather had been in a great mood since seeing Chen Ping'an, and hearing those words from Chen Ping'an had finally opened up his knotty heart; otherwise, he wouldn't be joking like this with him.

Song Yushao pondered for a moment, rubbed his chin, and said, "Having a great-granddaughter would be nice. Immortal cultivators seek longevity. Who knows, maybe you'll have the chance to become Chen Ping'an's father-in-law."

Song Fengshan finally couldn't take it anymore. "Grandfather! That's going too far!"

Song Yushao's smile faded, but his expression was peaceful, as if a burden had been lifted. He said softly, "Alright. All these years, you and Liu Qian have been worried. I was being stubborn, unable to turn the corner. I also underestimated Chen Ping'an. I thought that the principles of the jianghu I had upheld all my life, after being crushed by an outsider who hadn't even thrown a punch, had lost all meaning. But that's not how it is. The principles are still the same. I, Song Yushao, am merely weak in skill and lacking in swordsmanship. But that's okay—the jianghu still has Chen Ping'an. What I, Song Yushao, cannot make others understand, he, Chen Ping'an, will."

Song Fengshan said softly, "If so, will this not delay Chen Ping'an's own cultivation? For mountain cultivators, branching out and getting involved in worldly affairs is a major taboo."

Song Yushao was very gratified. His eyes had never been so bright in all these years. "Good, very good. That you, Song Fengshan, can think like this means you're not losing to Chen Ping'an! This is the very spirit of our Sword Water Manor!"

Song Yushao paused, lowering his voice. "Some words, as an elder, I find hard to say. Those nice words, you can say to Liu Qian. Sword Water Manor owes Liu Qian far too much. You are her man. Focusing single-mindedly on the sword is a good thing, but that is no excuse for you to ignore what the people around you do. A woman who marries and takes on all the toil and trouble—that is never a matter of heaven's natural order."

Song Fengshan was about to speak.

Song Yushao glared at him. "Is your grandfather's advice ever wrong? Just listen to me. Look at Chen Ping'an—he almost wrote down everything I said. Learn from him!"

Song Fengshan laughed. "I wouldn't dare argue with Grandfather. I'll just put that debt on Chen Ping'an's tab. Next time he comes, with his drinking capacity, one Song Fengshan can at least drink two Chen Ping'ans under the table."

Song Yushao nodded. "That I won't stop."

Suddenly, Song Yushao said, "You should go see Han Yuanshan. I won't bother with him. There's nothing to talk about."

Song Fengshan asked, "Is he hiding in the convoy?"

Song Yushao nodded. "If you don't believe me, we can make a bet."

Song Fengshan shook his head. "A bet I'm sure to lose—what's the point? I'll go to Liu Qian now."

Song Yushao escorted Song Fengshan to the Scenery-and-Water Pavilion, where the female ghost Wei Wei was still sitting on a railing, swinging her legs.

Song Fengshan walked away quickly.

Song Yushao stepped into the pavilion.

Wei Wei turned her head and said pitifully, "Old Sword Saint, please don't pull out an old almanac from your sleeve."

Song Yushao smiled. "It's been years since I walked the jianghu. That old almanac is truly just an old almanac now."

Wei Wei sighed. "Back when the Old Sword Saint was roaming the jianghu, we villains all wished you would die young, so we wouldn't have to live in fear every day. We were always afraid you'd pull out your almanac and declare it a 'good day for a sacrificial sword.' Now, looking back, without the Old Sword Saint, it's not all good either. Take that mountain goblin, for example. If the Old Sword Saint were still around, would it dare do whatever it pleased, harming everyone, nearly kidnapping me to be its mountain stronghold wife?"

Song Yushao spoke bluntly, without any mercy. "You evil people and ghosts with your lowly bones—only when rivals like yourselves grind against you do you learn a little lesson."

Wei Wei was amused, giggling and swaying.

Song Yushao glanced at her. "You reek of coquettishness. You're ruining the feng shui of my manor. Want me to strike you down?"

Wei Wei quickly sat up straight and asked softly, "Old Sword Saint, may I ask you a question?"

Song Yushao scoffed. "Old Sword Saint? How old are you, woman? Don't you know yourself?"

Stuck with this rigid old man, Wei Wei was truly furious, but the situation in Comb Water Kingdom was tricky, and Sword Water Manor was full of oddities. Liu Qian, that heartless woman, never considered Wei Wei's interests, always thinking about this shabby manor about to be converted into a mountain god temple. As for Song Fengshan, Wei Wei didn't dare provoke him, lest Liu Qian hold a grudge—that would be a losing deal. So she had no choice but to try to curry favor with Song Yushao.

Wei Wei steeled herself and asked, "Can Han Yuanshan keep using Chu Hao's skin to dominate the court of Comb Water Kingdom?"

Song Yushao clicked his tongue. "Aren't you his lover? Why ask me instead of him? No wonder you, Wei Wei, can't even compare to a mountain goblin boar spirit."

Wei Wei smiled bitterly. "The Old Sword Saint knows what Han Yuanshan is like. He's the type to flip on a dime and deny any debts. Even a good deal with him—who knows when he'll sell you out completely? In the past few years, haven't I been burned enough? I'm genuinely scared. Even this time, when I left my mountain stronghold to scheme for a small mountain god position on my own turf, I didn't dare mention it to Han Yuanshan. I just obediently followed the rules, sending money and women as required, afraid that if I wasn't careful, after riding the coattails of that academy worthy person, I'd cut ties with him completely. If I let my guard down and went to him voluntarily, making him remember that there's a female ghost like me, he'd drain my assets. Then, when the new local mountain god ascends, he might use me as an example to establish his authority. After all, if he kills one of the Four Fiends of Comb Water Kingdom, who wouldn't applaud?"

Song Yushao said, "You're not stupid."

Wei Wei sighed. "I was stupid back then, and that's why I died. Now, I can't afford to be so stupid that I can't even remain a ghost."

Song Yushao seemed to have already thought it through. "Regarding your plan to obtain the mountain god identity, I can have Fengshan and Liu Qian help you arrange it. In exchange, aside from the immortal money you must pay, you also need to help us keep an eye on this area. We don't trust the local mountain god. If he ruins the mountain and water foundation of this blessed land, even if we move away, we'll still be affected."

Wei Wei tested the waters. "Would the manor have helped me on its own even if I didn't ask?"

Song Yushao sneered. "Then pretend I never said these words. Just wait and see."

Wei Wei looked embarrassed and lightly slapped her own face. "What a loose tongue I have. The Old Sword Saint is a great hero and a true champion. Your words are like nails! Otherwise, why would Chen Ping'an respect you so much? Old Sword Saint, you don't know—at my mountain stronghold's ancient temple, that move he made with his sword shattered the mountain god's golden body into pieces. That was at least a court-appointed mountain and water deity. He died without even a trace of his body, and there was no backlash from the mountain and water afterward. And that remarkable young sword immortal still showed you great respect. When all is said and done, it's because you are formidable."

Song Yushao stroked his beard and smiled. "Although those are just insincere flattering words, they are fitting for the occasion."

Wei Wei gave a charming smile.

But Song Yushao added, "Too much of a good thing becomes cloying."

Wei Wei looked crestfallen.

After a moment of silence, Wei Wei asked, "Old Sword Saint, aren't you going to check on the open and covert schemes over there?"

Song Yushao said an odd thing: "Drinking tea has no flavor."

Wei Wei seized the opportunity. "Then shall I keep you company with some wine later?"

Song Yushao answered with just one word: "Scram."

Wei Wei was indignant but helpless.

Over at the Meeting Hall.

There was actually not much verbal sparring.

Because Madam Chu, the principal wife of the great general, as well as Wang Shanhu and Han Yuanxue, hardly got a word in.

When they entered the manor, an aged coachman with cloudy eyes and a hunchback wiped his face, straightened his posture, and turned into Chu Hao.

This took everyone by surprise.

Madam Chu, whether or not she and Chu Hao were strangers in the same bed, as his pillow companion, didn't even recognize "Chu Hao," let alone anyone else.

Clearly, Han Yuanshan took Liu Qian more seriously than Song Fengshan, who was obsessed with the sword.

Madam Chu was the most resentful and indignant. Back then, when Han Yuanshan placed a legendary Dragon Gate realm old immortal by her side, she had thought it was a rare show of affection from that heartless man. Little did she know it was all for his own safety—she had been flattering herself.

Han Yuanxue, with her baby face, still found it awkward every time she saw the great general "Chu Hao."

As for Wang Shanhu, her motives were relatively pure. She just wanted to see Song Fengshan, to let this once-esteemed jianghu prodigy and swordsmanship master know that she was doing well now—she had married a man far superior to any jianghu wanderer: a prefectural governor and future central minister of Comb Water Kingdom. Meanwhile, you, Song Fengshan, are about to be driven from your ancestral home, drifting through the jianghu—how could you compare?

Unfortunately, when Song Fengshan saw her, he was still polite and courteous—nothing more.

This left Wang Shanhu somewhat defeated.

Liu Qian understood all this clearly and never gave it a second thought. She simply thought Wang Shanhu had never truly understood her husband. Even without Liu Qian, Fengshan wouldn't have liked Wang Shanhu—she was too spoiled. Women can be proud, but being competitive in every moment and place, like a little hedgehog, might appeal to some men, but Fengshan wasn't one of them.

There were no outsiders in the Meeting Hall.

Even the two mountain immortal elders hadn't been called over; they were cultivating behind closed doors in their respective courtyards. For cultivators, even when descending the mountain to enter the mortal world, they needed to calm their hearts; otherwise, instead of strengthening their state of mind, they would only erode their cultivation and waste their Dao heart.

Liu Qian had some straightforward business talk with Han Yuanshan that could be heard in the presence of the three women, then she took the initiative to lead them away, leaving only Song Fengshan and the most powerful minister of Comb Water Kingdom's court.

The four women strolled through the manor. This was Han Yuanxue's second visit, and she still found it novel. With her innocent, naive nature, she spoke without restraint, lamenting how such a place would be a pity to abandon. Liu Qian chatted and laughed with this naive aristocratic lady, who remained childish even after marriage. Madam Chu felt uncomfortable being on enemy turf. But since her man wouldn't back her up, and Sword Water Manor had turned misfortune into fortune thanks to an outsider's intervention—which not only blocked Su Lang's challenge but also made the entire jianghu of Comb Water Kingdom aware that the manor had such a mountain friend—it would be even harder for her to cause trouble for Sword Water Manor and Song Yushao in the future.

Wang Shanhu was distracted.

Although she had married a refined scholar with a promising official career—who was excellent in every way and with whom she had a harmonious relationship—as a woman who had been immersed in jianghu since childhood, there was inevitably a trace of regret buried deep in her heart. Whenever she was alone at night, or when she heard a random mention of recent jianghu grudges from a trusted confidant of her family's Blade Villa, Wang Shanhu's heart would ripple.

When Han Yuanxue brought up the assassination attempt they encountered on the road and the sudden appearance of that green-robed swordsman.

Madam Chu and Wang Shanhu both perked up their ears at the same time.

Liu Qian didn't hide anything. She smiled and said, "That man is a friend of our grandfather."

Liu Qian suddenly became coy, speaking only halfway. "You both know him, actually."

Han Yuanxue's eyes widened. She pointed at herself. "I know such an immortal? How come I don't know myself?"

Wang Shanhu was suspicious but didn't ask anything, as if asking would make her seem inferior to Liu Qian.

Madam Chu, quick-witted, smiled and asked, "Could it be that outsider boy who fought side by side with Old Sword Saint Song back in the day?"

Liu Qian nodded. "That's him."

Wang Shanhu frowned, her face turning pale.

Han Yuanxue was stunned and blurted out tactlessly, "You mean that shabby boy who sparred with Sister Wang Shanhu back then?"

Liu Qian felt helpless. Such a simple-minded woman was lucky to be blessed; otherwise, how would she survive away from her family?

However, Liu Qian didn't want to rub salt into Wang Shanhu's wounds. She smiled and said, "Indeed. When that man visited the manor this time, after driving away Su Lang, he was drinking with our grandfather and mentioned the way they wear swords at Horizontal Blade Villa. He said it left a deep impression on him—he had never seen anything like it, whether on or off the mountain. When my grandfather praised Villa Master Wang's swordsmanship as 'truly miraculous,' he agreed."

Although Wang Shanhu knew it was just polite words, she felt a bit better. After all, her father, Wang Yiran, had always been a towering figure in her heart.

But Han Yuanxue poured salt on her wounds again, asking dizzily, "Sister Wang Shanhu, didn't you say back then that that young sword immortal was no match for Villa Master Wang? But that man defeated the Green Bamboo Sword Immortal, doesn't that mean Villa Master Wang would probably lose?"

Wang Shanhu acted as if she hadn't heard, saying nothing.

Besides her anger at Han Yuanxue's loose tongue and her hatred for that old enemy, she also felt a deep fear.

That boy, once covered in dirt and poverty, had become the most carefree sword immortal on the mountain.

What was she to do now?

She was unwilling to believe it, dared not believe it, but she knew it was the truth.

Would her father's painstakingly built Horizontal Blade Villa be dragged down by her impulsive decisions from the past? She had heard that mountain cultivators, in their conduct, always repay a grievance, even a hundred years later, without any rule of finding a reputable mediator, sitting down and raising a glass to settle old grudges.

Liu Qian said softly, "Wang Shanhu, rest assured. That man is my grandfather's friend, and he doesn't seem like the typical cultivator; he's more like a fellow jianghu rover."

Wang Shanhu forced a smile and nodded, thanking Liu Qian. But her face grew even uglier.

---

At Earth Dragon Mountain, a mountain immortal ferry crossing on the border between Comb Water Kingdom and Pine Creek Kingdom.

A green-robed swordsman in a bamboo hat led his horse forward.

As he traveled, two matters had spread like wildfire throughout Comb Water Kingdom, so much so that industrious storytellers had begun to embellish them wildly.

First, the Green Bamboo Sword Immortal Su Lang of Pine Creek Kingdom had challenged Song Yushao to a duel. Outside the manor's town, he had chanced upon a supreme mountain immortal. Two soul-stirring battles had ensued, especially the second one. It was said that on that day, Sword Water Manor was filled with sword qi soaring to the heavens, covering the skies, shifting wind and clouds—a battle considered the pinnacle of the century in the jianghu. Even if the old Sword God of Caiyi Kingdom had been resurrected and fought in Su Lang's place, he might not have achieved such a feat, let alone the bystander Old Sword Saint Song Yushao. No one would doubt that for the next sixty years, Su Lang would be the number one martial arts figure in the jianghu of over a dozen countries.

Second, a group of jianghu heroes led by Lady Xiao had fought a bloody battle against a band of Chu party rebels. Though they suffered heavy casualties, their fierce spirit was thoroughly displayed, showcasing the heroic mettle of Comb Water Kingdom. They might not match Su Lang in immortal aura, but in chivalrous spirit, they were not inferior.

Chen Ping'an paid no attention to these matters. He made a special trip to the Qingfu Pavilion. Back then, he, Xu Yuanxia, and Zhang Shanjian had visited this immortal shop and then parted ways.

He tied his horse outside the five-story Qingfu Pavilion. The couplet on the pillars was still the same as he remembered: "Old and young alike are not deceived; our prices are fair. Put yourself in our shoes, esteemed customer, and come again."

Chen Ping'an stepped inside. Soon, a young woman came to greet him with the same standard speech: "Instruments for appreciation are on the first floor, spiritual artifacts on the second, and magic treasures on the third."

Chen Ping'an asked if a certain old man was still on the second floor handling appraisals. The woman nodded, so he declined her company and went up to the second floor.

He knocked and entered. The old man looked puzzled to see a guest without a Qingfu Pavilion attendant.

Chen Ping'an looked around the large desk. The decorations were just as before: an exquisite small incense burner with curling smoke, and a lush ancient cypress bonsai with gnarled branches stretching far and wide. A row of little green figures sat perched on the branches. Seeing a guest arrive, they all stood up, bowed, and chanted in unison, "Welcome, honored guest, to this shop and room! May you grow rich!"

Chen Ping'an took off his bamboo hat and burst out laughing.

He was utterly delighted.