Chapter 497: I Too Can Split the Sky with My Sword

Chapter 497: I Too Can Split the Sky with My Sword

Chen Ping'an left the Sheep Intestine Palace territory and quickly sheathed his flying sword, drifting down into a mountain range dense with miasma. Earlier, when he had surveyed the land from above, he saw that once he crossed these mountains and continued southeast for about fifty li, he would reach the tall-walled Copper Stench City. Not far from there was the Green Reed Town, the stationed place of the Hemp-Clad Sect cultivators.

Learning to ride a flying sword like an immortal was a very interesting thing. The sea of clouds in the world changed endlessly, and besides never tiring of watching it, one could also do some amusing things to pass the time. Earlier, when he left Sheep Intestine Palace, Chen Ping'an had deliberately chosen a layer of clouds near the bottom that was as neat as if cut by a knife. He buried his head in the clouds and slowly flew his sword. If some mountain spirit or ghost happened to look up and see this scene, they would probably think... this headless qi refiner had a mental problem? Besides this childish and ridiculous self-amusement, Chen Ping'an also liked to bury his entire body in the clouds, leaving only his head out, and then wave his arms up and down, imitating swimming.

This was similar in spirit to how Pei Qian rested her head on the counter in the shop on Qilong Lane. Truly, they were a worthy master and disciple.

In the desolate mountain range, lonely and barren, the trees in the forest were mostly gnarled and sickly. Chen Ping'an passed a cliff face and looked up to see a slender plum tree growing from a crevice in the stone cliff, surrounded by clouds and mist. At the bottom of the cliff was a large pile of scattered white bones. It was most likely a plant spirit that had been on the verge of cultivating some ability, having just started to awaken and learn to catch birds and small beasts for food.

Generally speaking, it was hardest for plants and grasses in the world to become spirits. The vast majority of such spirits, even if they managed to transform into human form, had already reached a dead end in their path. For example, the cute little spirits standing on the potted pine and cypress trees at the Qingfu Workshop at the ferry crossing of Combing Water Country were destined to have no hope in cultivation. They merely relied on the innate longevity of plants to while away their time. Mostly, they were raised by cultivators, simply because they looked pleasing and auspicious.

Hence, before the Li Zhu Cave Heaven descended, the older generation under the locust tree in town liked to tell stories about ghosts and spirits in the mountains and waters, deliberately fooling and scaring the children. But most of the old people would also add a sentence, saying that it was not easy for us to be born human, so we should cherish it doubly. Otherwise, if we don't live well in this life, we might be reborn as pigs or dogs in the next. When Chen Ping'an was young, he liked to squat in the distance and listen to these stories. The fearless Liu Xianyang never liked to listen to these things, always saying that all these ghosts, spirits, door gods, and kitchen gods were just deceptive things. So it was mostly Gu Can who accompanied Chen Ping'an to cool off under the locust tree's shade, and then when the woman from the Mud Vase Alley shouted for Gu Can to eat or sleep, they would get up and leave.

Chen Ping'an leaped onto the stone cliff. His five fingers hooked like claws, embedding into the cliff face, and he hung in the air. Then he took out three Snowflake Coins and clenched them in his palm. Using the artifact refining technique given to him by the River Deity of the Buried River, he refined the Snowflake Coins and the spiritual energy within them into drops of emerald green liquid, letting them drip from between his fingers onto the junction of the old plum tree and the stone crevice. After doing all this, Chen Ping'an gently slapped the cliff face with his palm, slowly drifted down to the ground, and continued on his way.

If a fellow Daoist in a desperate situation, urgently needing a sum of Immortal Coins almost to save his life, saw this plum tree showing some strange signs, his first thought might be to wonder how much it was worth, and then he might take the risk to climb the cliff, cut it down, and let the axe sound in the empty mountain. As for whether the plum tree's own opportunity would be cut short, why would he care? If his cultivation was a bit higher, but he was still short of money, and he encountered those two spirits on the iron chain bridge, wouldn't that also be a deadly struggle no less dangerous than a conflict over the Great Path?

Chen Ping'an never hated the life-and-death struggles of cultivators climbing higher. Even if their methods were somewhat ruthless, Chen Ping'an could understand. The only people Chen Ping'an disliked, even detested, were those mountain immortals who were already in high positions, occupying all the advantages, like a flood dragon hidden in the clouds, lofty and aloof, yet showing no compassion for the mortal world. In their eyes, anyone with a lower cultivation realm was as insignificant as a blade of grass. They would casually suppress or kill those who displeased them, and then lightly say, "The Great Path is merciless," and their Dao heart would remain as firm as a rock.

What kind of Dao was that?

Walking alone in the mountains, Chen Ping'an muttered to himself, "Just because I don't like something, does that mean it must be wrong? Are you, Chen Ping'an, being too domineering? Who do you think you are?"

Then Chen Ping'an asked himself again, "The merciful cannot command troops, the righteous cannot manage wealth?"

Chen Ping'an shook his head.

Chen Ping'an felt that when the ancients spoke, they only said half the sentence, which couldn't be considered truly enlightening words. Once some out-of-context sayings are taken as golden rules for dealing with people and affairs, one might indeed avoid many troubles in life. It's not that it's bad, but it's still a flaw.

For example, the books also said:

After the merciful commands troops and holds great power, there must be great benevolence.

After the righteous manages wealth and becomes wealthy and noble, there must be great righteousness.

Chen Ping'an stopped walking, leaped onto a high branch, sat on the tree, took out his carving knife and bamboo slips that he hadn't used in a long time, and carved these two sentences onto a slip.

He thought for a moment, then also carved the words about cultivating the mind and power that he had said in Sheep Intestine Palace to the little mouse spirit onto another slip.

Chen Ping'an put away his carving knife, held one bamboo slip in each hand, raised them high, and said with a brilliant smile, "Now, this is truly 'said in the books'!"

Well then.

It turned out that all these principles were just made up by Chen Ping'an himself on the spur of the moment.

Probably, in the entire world, only those flatterers in the Fallen Mountain would be willing to take these words seriously, right?

Chen Ping'an carefully put away the two bamboo slips, feeling in a good mood.

Then, Chen Ping'an didn't rush to head to Copper Stench City. Instead, he took a few sips of wine. There was still quite a bit left in the wine flask he had brought out from Sheep Intestine Palace.

Chen Ping'an began to carefully count and calculate his possessions in his mind. This trip into the Ghost Valley for training from the Skeleton Beach had yielded a considerable harvest.

However, the damage to his Spring Grass Dharma Robe was not light. To truly repair it to its original state, it would probably require at least five or six thousand Snowflake Coins.

Earlier, when he fled the encirclement with the scholar at Earth Gush Mountain, in order to appear weak and not reveal his true identity as a pure martial artist too early, he had deliberately suppressed the pure true qi in his body and relied solely on the dharma robe, taking a heavy hammer blow from that Mountain-Sifting Ape. Later, by the banks of the Black River, he fought with the Thunder Summoning Divine General of Accumulated Mound Mountain, getting trapped in a thunder pool. The Spring Grass Dharma Robe was severely damaged by lightning and thunder. This considerable expense made Chen Ping'an grit his teeth.

Chen Ping'an could only console himself, "Even the smallest 'Burden Shop' merchant needs some capital to do business. This mindset of wanting huge profits with no investment is not good."

Moreover, being in the thunder pool, where his skin and soul were fried like oil and roasted like fire, was itself a genuine Ghost Valley training.

Although it was lighter compared to the tempering in the bamboo building of Fallen Mountain, the benefits were not small. Moreover, the thunder pool itself was the most torturous cage in heaven and earth. Enduring this suffering had its own unique benefits. Chen Ping'an had actually noticed that his bones and soul had become slightly tougher.

At Crow Ridge, he had taken a Snowflake Dharma Robe from the White Lady of Skinny Grease City. According to Fan Yunluo, its market value was two or three Grain Rain Coins.

If he sold it back to Skinny Grease City, he might get a premium of one or two Grain Rain Coins.

But thinking of that White Lady, who liked to mystify things, Chen Ping'an felt depressed.

At that time, she had conjured a face to confuse him, which made Chen Ping'an both indignant and a little guilty.

Besides having that couple from the lower five realms carry out the five white bones from the Ghost Valley, in his Inch-Measure Object, he also had a dozen or so glossy white bones of female officials and maids from Skinny Grease City.

As for how much money they could fetch at Skeleton Beach after leaving the Ghost Valley, Chen Ping'an had no idea.

Thinking of this, Chen Ping'an couldn't help looking south, wondering if that couple had sold them at a high price.

That so-called one-month agreement.

Actually, Chen Ping'an never took it seriously from the start; he just wanted the other party to accept the money in peace. Whether that couple, who had a hard time earning money in the Ghost Valley, would keep the appointment and wait a full month, Chen Ping'an didn't care.

Because after the couple sold the five Skinny Grease City white jade bones, whether they waited for that month or not, Chen Ping'an wouldn't show up at the Na He Pass market. If they didn't wait and ran off with the money, they would worry about being held accountable later, which would be a concern for them. If they waited a month, even better. They could leave with peace of mind. That female cultivator at the fifth realm could use the money to break through her bottleneck and enter the mid-five realms' Cave Mansion realm, which would be more than enough, and even help stabilize her Cave Mansion realm. As for the remaining surplus, whether the male cultivator could take the opportunity to break through depended only on heaven's will and fate.

As for why Chen Ping'an did this.

The reason was simple.

Just like how Chen Ping'an insisted on taking those two white bones of the couple holding hands in death in the Cooling Maiden's underground vault. It wasn't for wealth. Chen Ping'an didn't covet the white bones or the dragon robe and dharma robe of that Western Longxi kingdom's ruler and the Qingde Sect's female cultivator. His only thought was to find a suitable place, perhaps in their homeland, and bury their bones together in a tomb amidst green mountains and clear waters.

May the lovers in the world become couples and finally be married. May those who have passed away, having not betrayed their love in life, be together in death forever.

The Great Path is long, the road to immortality is distant. In cultivation, besides diligently practicing the sword and fist and not fearing to fight the strong, doing these small things that others are unwilling to do but I insist on stopping to do—how can this not be great joy in life?

From the Striped Fall Mountain's Guanghan Hall, he had gained from the Cooling Maiden's boudoir and treasure vault.

He had also acquired over a thousand Snowflake Coins from the scholar's share.

But Chen Ping'an thought the most valuable was the piece of cold iron used as a "door leaf," which a Mohist artifact master had skillfully crafted into a Moon Cold Palace.

As for the bottles and jars in the Palace Maiden of the Moon's boudoir, Chen Ping'an was quite attentive. After leaving Skeleton Beach and continuing north, who knew if he would encounter some noble ladies or mountain immortalesses with money to burn? Maybe they, blinded by vanity, would pay a high price for them? Zhu Lian swore that there was no woman in the world who didn't want to look prettier. If there was, it was only because she hadn't yet met a man worth "making herself beautiful for."

As for the large box of military books that the Great Immortal Catcher had treasured at the end of the Sheep Intestine Palace tunnel, Chen Ping'an hadn't had time to look through them carefully. He planned to flip through them one by one after settling down in Green Reed Town. They were probably books left behind in Skeleton Beach by the two great dynasties and their dozen vassal states. After being preserved in Sheep Intestine Palace for a thousand years, they were also one of Chen Ping'an's small "Burden Shop" assets. He still needed to carefully select the best ones to put in his own library in Fallen Mountain.

Thinking of the future, when a Fallen Mountain disciple would enter the library to borrow and read books, and hear an old library keeper say, "These were brought back by our mountain master during his travels to the Skeleton Beach in Northern Juju Continent," and the old man would add some embellished nonsense, saying, "Be careful when flipping through these books, because they are treasures found in dragon pools and tiger dens..."

Wouldn't that disciple feel he must read more carefully and diligently, and under the lamp, when tired of reading, feel more or less admiration for the young "mountain master" who had traveled through thousands of mountains and rivers?

Chen Ping'an sat on the high branch and couldn't help smiling.

He continued his calculations.

Just like an accountant in a blue robe, in the Book Weir Lake, he could only think of minimizing losses. Here in the Ghost Valley, he could think of maximizing gains.

Truly, life was getting better and better.

In the territory of the Thunder Summoning Divine General, Accumulated Mound Mountain, he had dug up five sections of golden thunder bamboo whips of varying sizes.

The true value of these natural treasures, the golden thunder bamboo whips, was still unknown for now.

However, why had that monster with two vulture-like heads earlier called him a thief who stole the thunder pool?

Because of this, Chen Ping'an was worried about a major change at Accumulated Mound Mountain. After leaving the Black River, he deliberately avoided it.

Actually, Accumulated Mound Mountain, like the Old Dragon Lair, if one truly wasn't afraid of death and explored it, there might be unexpected gains.

Of course, doing so would be like that low-realm couple, truly risking their necks to earn money, betting with their lives.

In the shrine by the banks of the Black River, he and the scholar had split the spoils, sharing the treasure stored in the riverbed cave dwelling built by the Sea Subduing Prime Lord.

Six spiritual artifacts.

Chen Ping'an gave up that so-called magic treasure hairpin and only took the pitiful eight hundred Snowflake Coins from the water mansion treasury.

Also, in the Little Turtle Water Mansion, the scholar had casually swept into his Inch-Measure Object a pile of "junk" similar to the treasures in the Palace Maiden of the Moon's boudoir.

Even after returning to Fallen Mountain from Book Weir Lake and learning that his Great Path was cleaving to water, Chen Ping'an still refused that magic treasure that solely benefited water-related cultivators.

Sometimes, a few pies do fall from the sky and hit one on the head.

But Chen Ping'an didn't trust that "scholar" from the Revered Symbols Office, Yang Ningxing, who had used a mysterious Daoist method to condense all his heart's evil into a pure "mustard seed."

However, Chen Ping'an was very curious about this unique Daoist method of the Cloud Palace Feather Robe Prime Minister—how exactly did it refine the mind and spirit like refining an object?

After finishing his calculations, Chen Ping'an realized that he had actually earned so much wealth on this trip to Ghost Valley.

Although on the way here, he had noticed that the mountains and waters of Treasure Mirror Mountain had collapsed, which was very likely that Yang Chongxuan had finally obtained the mirror's opportunity, and the thunder pool on Accumulated Mound Mountain had been secretly moved away, which was also a great fortune.

But Chen Ping'an didn't think that the rich gains of others were anything to envy or covet.

In fact, looking at the gains of that scholar who was always scheming and losing to Chen Ping'an in everything when he left the Ghost Valley—even if not mentioning the Three Mountain Mirror that Yang Ningzhen had painstakingly made for his wedding clothes, just the golden Liyu fish raised in the little water storage in the Old Dragon Lair and that coin matrix mother coin personally forged by a great hermit immortal of the Qingde Sect—these two items alone already meant he was returning with a full load.

But even if he knew the truth, Chen Ping'an wouldn't care.

You walk your wide road, I'll walk my single-plank bridge.

You take your great fortunes, I'll pick up my little trash.

Chen Ping'an suddenly smiled, unable to hide the joy on his face. He said cheerfully, "Such little trash—the more, the better!"

Then he shook his sleeves and added, "Besides, you are not trash; you are lots and lots of Immortal Coins."

Moreover, in the robe "Hundred-Eye Gluttonous Glutton" he had stripped from Yang Ningxing, there were still three talismans hidden that looked very valuable.

Chen Ping'an jumped down from the high branch, his steps light and cheerful. He imitated Cui Dongshan's swinging sleeves and Pei Qian's gait, perfectly capturing their essence.

Chen Ping'an felt that he was indeed a little carried away with joy.

But so what? I'm happy right now.

Chen Ping'an held the wine flask, drank from it, and even didn't bear to throw the flask away. He put it into his Inch-Measure Object and felt a little regret that he hadn't encountered any spirits or ghosts along the way. It was about the same as Tongguan Mountain. But just as he was about to leave the mountain top, he suddenly noticed from afar, at the foot of a mountain, two groups of people were engaged in a dispute, facing off with weapons drawn.

Chen Ping'an stealthily approached, familiar with the routine. He suppressed all his aura, chose a hidden spot, and hid.

A crude and enormous carriage—if it could be called a carriage, it had no coverings, more like a wooden raft. On it was a throne, where sat a burly, muscular man two zhang tall, with fists as big as bowls. He held a huge wine bowl made to his size, drinking heartily, spilling wine freely. His thick chest hair was like a forest after a heavy rain. At his feet were empty wine jars. Beside the throne, a spirit woman with pointed ears curled up, holding a large bowl full of wine. She occasionally stole a glance at someone in the "enemy camp," her eyes seductive.

The carriage was carried on the shoulders of eight small spirit minions.

Nearby, dozens of small spirit minions in iron armor, holding knives and spears, were shouting.

Facing this group of mountain spirits was a dozen or so tall ghostly beings dressed as elite soldiers, carrying swords and crossbows, like sharp troops on a mortal battlefield.

Leading them was a ghostly general in silver armor, his face full of anger. Beside him stood a living man a head shorter, mingling fearlessly among the ghosts and spirits, with an arrogant expression. He wore a large red civil official's robe with a white goose embroidered on the chest, a white gauze undershirt, white socks and black shoes, and a jade belt. This "official," probably not very old, was pointing a finger at the carriage and cursing loudly.

The burly man, sitting like a small mountain, listened to the incessant cursing. He gently kicked the woman at his feet with his foot and asked in a low voice, "What is he saying?"

The coquettish woman smiled and said, "He's saying you're not human, master."

The burly man was stunned. "When have I ever been human? Who among us here with these Copper Stench City skeletons is human? Isn't this pale-faced scholar the only human here?"

The woman lowered her head and chuckled softly. When the burly man threw away his wine bowl, she quickly raised hers to catch it. While massaging his legs, she smiled, "Master, the scholars of Copper Stench City don't talk sense. It's good that you can't understand. If you understood, wouldn't you have to go to Copper Stench City to be an official?"

The burly man grinned. "I'd like to be a minor official under that Chief Minister, talk sour words with her during the day, and then have a great battle in bed at night, listening to her moan like a song. Just thinking about it is truly thrilling."

The ghost general heard this clearly, pressed his sword hilt, his face darkening with anger. "Our Chief Minister is like an immortal! How dare a beast like you, who hasn't even shed your fur, speak lightly of her?!"

The burly man was unfazed. He drank half a bowl of wine and spilled the other half, threw the bowl outside the carriage, wiped his mouth, leaned forward, picked his teeth with a finger, and said with a smile, "I am sworn brothers with the great disciple of the Great Immortal Catcher, one of the adopted sons of the Mountain Moving Great Saint. Eating a few woodcutters from Lord Tang's territory is nothing."

The civil official man shouted loudly, "You old dog, stop playing dumb here! We came to demand the return of that new metropolitan graduate! He is the Chief Minister's most valued scholar. Return him immediately, or Copper Stench City will send a great army and forget all neighborly feelings! Weigh carefully: is your dog life harder, or are our city's army's swords and spears sharper?"

Chen Ping'an could vaguely see behind the burly man on the carriage a silhouette of a mountain-chasing dog form.

But the image was very blurry, sometimes appearing and sometimes disappearing.

The great disciple of the Great Immortal Catcher? Could it be that mouse spirit at the gate of Sheep Intestine Palace who had hidden a dagger and got flicked to death by him?

Chen Ping'an looked at the carriage. Comparing it to Fan Yunluo's treasure carriage from Skinny Grease City, it was indeed too shabby. No wonder it was sworn brothers with that rat spirit of Sheep Intestine Palace.

The new metropolitan graduate scholar that Copper Stench City was demanding must be Yang Ningxing, who had been captured by the fan-holding "gentleman" and taken to Striped Fall Mountain to claim credit.

Chen Ping'an was more interested in that civil official man.

It was clear that he was on official business leaving Copper Stench City. But judging by the subtle schadenfreude in his expression, deep down he probably hoped that his colleague, who might compete for favor in the court, had been eaten by the mountain-chasing dog and turned into fertilizer for the mountain.

Cursing without revealing secrets, the burly man, having been exposed, was also furious. He started cursing the Copper Stench City official as a short-lived, early-dying, unenjoyable man.

They argued for a long time.

Chen Ping'an didn't see who drew first blood.

In the end, they just turned around and went home.

Chen Ping'an was helpless.

He patted the Sword Nurturing Gourd and jumped down from the branch, following the group of Copper Stench City ghosts from a distance.

On the carriage, the burly man sat motionless, seemingly drunk and drowsy.

When they returned to the cave dwelling, the carriage slowly descended. The coquettish woman suddenly screamed.

It turned out that her invincible master had inexplicably died suddenly. The only sign on the mountain-chasing dog spirit turned human, a burly man, was a single drop of blood seeping from his forehead.

When Chen Ping'an approached Copper Stench City, he took out his Hemp-Clad Sect token and hung it on his waist.

He also carried a large bundle containing bottles and jars from the Striped Fall Mountain's Palace Maiden of the Moon's boudoir and the Black River water mansion.

As for whether trading these would expose his tracks, Chen Ping'an didn't care at all now. He even hoped the hordes of monsters would follow the clues and come seeking revenge.

But that Great Immortal Catcher didn't even dare to stay long in his own Sheep Intestine Palace, so he wouldn't dare come to Copper Stench City to die.

Earlier, in the Sword Nurturing Gourd, Chu Yi seemed reluctant to show up and kill the monster.

It was the flying sword Fifteen that killed that spirit.

Chen Ping'an adjusted his bamboo hat and then put on the old man's face mask.

Earlier, at the Water God's shrine by the Black River, the scholar had said he wanted to keep the young face mask as a small souvenir.

Chen Ping'an refused.

The scholar stepped back and said he would pay a heavy price to buy it.

Chen Ping'an said buying was fine, the price was ten Grain Rain Coins. Since they were already brothers who had shared hardships, talking about money hurt their feelings, so he would give an eleven percent discount.

The scholar then reluctantly returned the face mask.

He said that such a kind brother as Good Man was hard to find in the world.

Copper Stench City, among the southern cities of the Ghost Valley, was not a small city. It had tall city walls and three city gates. The northern part of the city was built like a mortal emperor's palace, where many enfeoffed generals, ministers, and civil and military officials lived nearby. Within the city were a dozen or so markets of various sizes, bustling with trade. The "Rest Assured Collection" compiled by the Hemp-Clad Sect recorded in detail that carrying a Hemp-Clad Sect jade token allowed entry into Copper Stench City without restriction and provided additional favorable treatment for all transactions within the city.

This showed that the city lord of Copper Stench City, who was rooted near Green Reed Town but had grown his business, knew how to be a human... or a ghost.

Indeed, the ghost guards at the gate, upon seeing the jade token at Chen Ping'an's waist, not only refrained from asking questions or demanding money but also put on a humble attitude, bowing and scraping with smiles. Not only that, they even chorused greetings, "Wishing the immortal master abundant wealth!" This caught Chen Ping'an off guard. After a moment's thought, he didn't hurry away. Instead, he put on the airs of a traveling big spender from out of town. He flicked a Snowflake Coin to a ghost captain responsible for the gate. The latter hurriedly caught the coin with both hands, gently bit it with his mouth, and grinned from ear to ear.

Within Copper Stench City, three major markets were famous in the Ghost Valley. One was the Girls' Market, filled with the overwhelming fragrance of makeup and numerous brothels. The mortal women of Copper Stench City were especially beautiful. Besides the flesh trade, the Girls' Market also trafficked in people, selecting clever-looking young girls and setting clear prices. In history, there had been cases where out-of-town immortals took a liking to young girls from Copper Stench City for their bone structure, taking them out of the Ghost Valley. One such girl, said to be a pure yin-constitution cultivation jade, eventually became an Earth Immortal alongside her benefactor who saved her. In the world's mountain sects and immortal mansions, when selecting disciples and assessing their qualifications, each had its strengths and weaknesses. It was extremely difficult to truly see clearly. Moreover, the various strange bone structures and opportunities were such that one person's honey was another's poison, one person's jade was another's stone. Such cases were countless.

Chen Ping'an deeply understood this. On that trip leaving Book Weir Lake heading north, he had passed by a gold and silver shop in a county town. There were two young clerks who didn't know their fortune. Two old immortals in disguise were watching them from the side. The older cultivator, with deeper cultivation, chose the seemingly honest boy with no spiritual talent as his disciple, while the cultivator one realm lower chose the clever and agile young clerk as his disciple.

There was also the Walking Horse Market, mostly for barter. Jade minerals, exotic flowers and plants, white jade bones, and various unintentionally acquired relics from the dynasties in the Ghost Valley could all be bought and sold there, each taking what they needed. Ghosts also had their own various practices in cultivation. Each step up in realm meant a longer existence in the world.

Finally, there was the Gold Powder Market, specializing in the treasures collected by that Chief Minister. Of course, traveling immortals from out of town could also bring their own treasures to sell to the city lord's sister.

This was Chen Ping'an's destination in Copper Stench City. To be a Burden Shop merchant, he had to practice first, learning to be thick-skinned.

On the road, ghosts walked freely in the daylight. Living people, men, women, old, and young, also showed no fear, shopping and enjoying themselves.

It seemed that the small world of the Ghost Valley had refined the sunlight of the Haoran World, especially since the sunlight no longer harmed ghosts.

The Gold Powder Market wasn't large. Besides the shops along one street, many scholars who hadn't yet passed the imperial exams but were already famous for their talent lived there.

This woman Chief Minister's idea was indeed unorthodox.

Chen Ping'an arrived at the first shop on the street corner. The shopkeeper was a beautiful young female ghost, accompanied by two pale-faced boy and girl ghost children.

Seeing Chen Ping'an with the Hemp-Clad Sect token at his waist, the two little ones showed some fear.

Many of Copper Stench City's historical calamities were caused by these out-of-town immortals massacring people in the city, causing countless deaths.

The young female ghost, however, remained calm and asked politely, "Old immortal master, are you buying or selling? Since my shop is on this street, my goods are naturally not inferior and certainly not fake."

Chen Ping'an changed his voice, making it hoarse, and said with a smile, "If I walked from that side, wouldn't I be at the end of the street?"

The young woman smiled, unconcerned. After all, the shop's business had always been that customers could buy or sell as they pleased.

The two originally timid children exchanged a smile. This old immortal in the bamboo hat could tell jokes!

Chen Ping'an looked at the antique treasures on the numerous shelves in the shop. Few had spiritual energy flowing. Most were relics from previous dynasties excavated from the ancient battlefield of Skeleton Beach, similar to the armor and weapons at Crow Ridge. The difference was that one set was well-preserved and shiny, while the other was abandoned in the wild and rusty. Moreover, treasures from the mountains weren't considered spiritual artifacts just because they held some spiritual energy. Only when a cultivator painstakingly refined and forged them to the point where they could nourish the qi refiner and warm the qi treasury could they be considered entry-level spiritual artifacts. Additionally, they must be able to absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth on their own and refine it purely, which was another difficulty—the so-called "heaven and earth bestow form, objects have spirit." Many treasures in the imperial treasury were considered priceless by mortals, but they didn't catch the eye of mountain cultivators, who regarded them as worthless.

However, the shop's treasure, a genuine spiritual artifact, was a heavy iron arrow without fletching. The owner of this arrow must have had astonishing physical strength, a fierce general on the battlefield. The arrowhead was stained with blood that hadn't faded, having completely soaked into the arrow.

Seeing this man staring at the arrowhead, the female ghost shopkeeper smiled. "Old immortal master has good eyes. This is called the 'Mountain-Breaking Arrow.' It once belonged to a peerless warrior of the Western Longxi kingdom. That general was a military cultivator. His life-bound object was a Mountain-Breaking Bow, paired with twelve Mountain-Breaking Arrows. One arrow could blast apart a mountain peak, extremely powerful. This arrow is especially rare because the arrowhead is stained with blood from piercing the eye of an opposing military general's eye. Therefore, the bloodstains have remained for a thousand years. Hence, my master named it the 'Eye-Piercing Arrow.' For ordinary Copper Stench City ghosts and mountain spirits, even glancing at this arrow would make their eyes sting and ache. If the old immortal master buys it, carrying it while traveling through mountains and rivers, evil spirits will naturally keep their distance and ghosts won't dare approach."

Chen Ping'an asked with a smile, "Where is that Mountain-Breaking Bow now?"

The female ghost said regretfully, "In that stirring battle at Skeleton Beach, it was broken by its owner being pulled too hard on the battlefield. Not only did the bowstring snap, but the bow itself also broke."

Chen Ping'an sighed. "Such a fierce battle."

The female ghost smiled. "If not for that, we ghosts wouldn't have had the chance to come back to life. We should thank those battlefield warriors who didn't cherish their lives."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "I'll look around a bit more."

The female ghost didn't press him, letting the old man in the bamboo hat leave the shop.

Chen Ping'an visited all the shops on this street and found similar situations. Each shop had one treasured spiritual artifact. For example, at the last shop, there was an iron pipa with a good appearance.

The rest of the scattered ancient relics were of low quality. Even if Chen Ping'an wanted to buy cheap and resell elsewhere, he couldn't find a single piece worth buying. It seemed that the truly good things had all been collected by that woman Chief Minister in her "palace."

Regarding picking up bargains and discerning quality, Chen Ping'an had only learned a little from Ma Duyi and that old ghost from Book Weir Lake.

But having seen many good things, he had some confidence in judging whether something was good or bad. However, determining just how good it was still lacked some skill and cultivation.

Finally, Chen Ping'an returned to the first shop he had visited. The two little ones were no longer afraid of him, sitting on the threshold basking in the sun. They just shifted their bottoms to make way.

The female ghost shopkeeper asked with a smile, "Old immortal master, any unexpected gains in our Gold Powder Market?"

Chen Ping'an shook his head. "Couldn't find anything that was both reasonably priced and to my liking."

She glanced at the large bundle on his back and asked, "Is the old immortal master willing to part with treasures to sell?"

Chen Ping'an nodded. "Just testing my luck. I wonder if the shopkeeper would be interested."

She smiled. "Let's take a look first. If it's truly a one-look item, my shop isn't afraid to spend money."

So Chen Ping'an took off his bundle, gently placed it on the counter, and started taking out items one by one.

This was only three-tenths of the items from the Cooling Maiden's boudoir and the Sea Subduing Prime Lord's water mansion.

It showed Chen Ping'an's ability to scrape the ground clean, leaving nothing behind.

The female ghost's expression started to turn strange.

Because the first few items were all women's boudoir items: face powder jars, makeup mirrors, silver boxes with engraved inscriptions and mandarin duck patterns, women's head ornaments, some as big as a fist but intricately carved with a cluster of bright red peonies, hundreds of swaying flowers...

This out-of-town old immortal master was truly a shameless old lecher!

The man in the bamboo hat also seemed to realize this was inappropriate. He stopped bringing things out and started picking and choosing, taking out a few relatively normal wealth-related items.

The female ghost shopkeeper's expression of anger and shame finally improved slightly.

When Chen Ping'an took out a pair of golden chopsticks, her eyes changed slightly.

She was even more moved than when she saw the exquisite gold flower head ornament.

Finally, Chen Ping'an only took out half of the items in the bundle, scattered but covering the entire counter. He asked, "Is there anything that catches the shopkeeper's eye?"

The female ghost shopkeeper casually swept her gaze over all the items, pausing only briefly on a powdered porcelain vase. She seemed slightly interested but mostly disappointed.

Chen Ping'an sighed. "Since neither of us has produced a one-look item, it seems I've wasted my trip to Copper Stench City."

The female ghost saw that the old man was about to pack up. She gently pressed a finger on the powdered porcelain vase and spoke up. "Old immortal master, what is the price for this little vase? I find it small and cute, so I'll buy it with my own money."

Chen Ping'an glanced at the little pastel porcelain vase, deliberately showing a hint of mockery, and smiled. "This one? Among my treasures, it's the least valuable. I'll give it to you as a gift."

Chen Ping'an was sure it was genuinely not valuable. Noble ladies and wealthy women might like it, but it would only sell for tens or hundreds of taels of silver. The reason the female ghost shopkeeper had singled it out was merely one of a series of price-lowering tactics. Chen Ping'an might not be a good businessman, but he wasn't lacking in this bit of discernment. When it came to the number of schemes and depth of mind, could this Copper Stench City female ghost shopkeeper compare to that scholar?

So Chen Ping'an began packing the items on the counter back into his bundle, looking like he was determined to leave, as if saying, "You, shopkeeper, are blind. I've made up my mind to go."

Sure enough.

The female ghost couldn't hide the urgency in her eyes and asked again, "Old immortal master, my shop hasn't made a sale in a long time. How about this: I'll buy everything in your bundle for ninety Snowflake Coins. What do you say?!"

Chen Ping'an glanced sideways at the female ghost, who looked pained at the thought of spending Snowflake Coins. He pushed that pastel porcelain vase aside and continued his actions, saying indignantly, "I'm not a beggar. This item is free for you. As for the real treasures, I'll go elsewhere to find a buyer with real money. I don't believe that in this big Copper Stench City, there isn't someone with good taste."

The female ghost seemed a bit angry and ashamed. She didn't pick up the pastel porcelain vase and didn't try to stop the old man. She let him take back all the items, put them back in the bundle, and sling it over his back. Seeing that she didn't take the vase, the old man didn't stand on ceremony either. He picked it up and put it away. Then he stepped over the threshold and walked away.

After the bad-tempered old man left the shop, the female ghost shopkeeper counted silently for a moment, then quickly beckoned a little girl ghost to the counter. "Follow that person. If he turns back to our shop, ignore him. If he keeps going and looks like he won't return to Gold Powder Market, go up to him and say that our shop is willing to negotiate the price properly."

About a quarter of an hour later, the little girl ghost ran back to the shop with a tearful face, her little face scrunched up, about to cry. "Sister Zhenguan, I followed that old grandfather secretly. He really didn't notice me. I followed him for a long time. Then, near the Girls' Market, he turned into a small alley. I didn't dare follow too fast, afraid he'd turn around and see me. I peeked in, and after he left the alley, I ran in and ran out to look, but he was gone! Sister Zhenguan, that old grandfather just disappeared with a whoosh! I ran back and forth on that street several times, but I couldn't find him anywhere..."

The little girl ghost covered her face with her hands and, when she got to the sad part, started sobbing.

The female ghost shopkeeper was both worried and distressed. She quickly came out from behind the counter, crouched down, and patted the little one's head, saying gently, "It's alright, it's not a big deal. Don't cry, don't cry."

The little boy ghost standing by made a face, gloating. "Sister Zhenguan, if you had let me follow, that old man definitely wouldn't have gotten away. Little Sparrow is clumsy; you know that, sister."

The little girl had just managed to stop crying, but now she burst into loud wails.

The female ghost shopkeeper glared fiercely at the little imp, then went behind the counter, took out a silver bell, and tossed it to him. "I can't leave the shop. Take this token of trust. Don't lose it. Hurry to the north palace gate and report to General Chu that a traveling old immortal master came to Gold Powder Market with many treasures on him. Tell the Chief Mistress not to miss him. It would be best if she meets with that immortal master personally."

The little boy ghost nodded vigorously. "Got it, Sister Zhenguan! Don't worry, I'm more reliable than Little Sparrow!"

The little girl cried even harder.

The female ghost shopkeeper pointed to the door and glared at the little troublemaker who kept adding fuel to the fire. "Get out of my sight, now!"

"Roger that!"

The little boy dashed out.

A moment later, the shopkeeper, who was crouching and comforting the little girl, looked up and was stunned.

At the shop door, a tall woman was holding the motionless little boy, walking into the shop with a smile. "Zhenguan, no need to look for me. Copper Stench City has been on high alert recently. The city lord has had everyone keep a close watch on all suspicious persons entering and leaving. So when that traveling old immortal master entered Gold Powder Market, I was already informed."

The woman put the little boy ghost on the ground, sniffed the air, and said with a look of intoxication, "Oh my, such a heavy treasure aura! Zhenguan, you really missed a huge deal."

The young female ghost said guiltily, "I was trying to bargain for the Chief Mistress, but that old man had a bad temper and left in a huff."

The woman waved her hand. "No matter. As long as he's still in Copper Stench City, we can find him. I've already sent someone to invite him here."

This woman was Tang Jinxiu, the younger sister of Copper Stench City's Lord Tang. Over the long years, she had, like a child playing house, built a court within the city and organized imperial examinations, earning her the title of Chief Minister.

The city lord, Tang Jingqi, was an old Golden Core ghost, but he had almost never fought anyone. This wasn't surprising. Among the dozen southern cities, Pu Rang had the highest combat power. If not for his own misdeeds, he would have long become a shocking Jade Pure realm ghost sword cultivator. The other city lords, except for the Grand Defender City's heroic spirit near Orchid Musk Town, hadn't reached the Nascent Soul realm and couldn't be described as "hopeful." Further north, there was one Nascent Soul city lord, the hidden backer of the Cooling Maiden, the powerful heroic spirit of That Unyielding City. He had been a pillar general who died on the battlefield in the Divine Strategy Kingdom. One of his three ghost marshals was the original owner of that Mountain-Breaking Bow from Copper Stench City. He had personally visited the Gold Powder Market, just looked at the Mountain-Breaking Arrow displayed in the shop, and didn't take it. Instead, Copper Stench City wanted to return the arrow, but that Golden Core ghost marshal didn't accept it.

Tang Jinxiu smiled. "When he comes, tell him I'm the market manager of this Gold Powder Market, the one who really controls the money. If you reveal my identity, that immortal master will definitely jack up the price."

The female ghost smiled and nodded.

Tang Jinxiu glanced at the two little ghosts. "You two little idiots, go play somewhere else."

The two little ones quickly ran out of the shop.

A tall figure appeared out of thin air in the shop. The surrounding yin qi rippled.

Tang Jinxiu was stunned for a moment, then smiled. "Brother, why are you here? If I remember correctly, this is your first time visiting my Gold Powder Market."

The female ghost, whom she called Zhenguan, had already knelt on the ground, trembling. "Greetings, City Lord."

The middle-aged man said, "I'm here to tell you that besides doing business with him, you'd better not have any other ideas."

Tang Jinxiu smiled. "Isn't he just an old man? What, are you afraid I'll take a fancy to him? He's not a young handsome man. I have no interest."

Tang Jingqi said helplessly, "This person is just using some disguise. If the intelligence is correct, he should be the young sword immortal who gave Fan Yunluo and the mountain monsters a hard time. I just got word that the Mountain-Chasing Dog is also dead, killed by a flying sword piercing his head, silently, without even showing his face."

Tang Jinxiu licked her lips.

Tang Jingqi said seriously, "I don't mind your usual games. But this time it's a serious matter. A wrong move could lead to losing half of Copper Stench City. If you still dare to mess around, don't blame me for grounding you for a hundred years!"

Tang Jinxiu said aggrievedly, "Since it's such a big deal, why don't you handle it yourself?"

Tang Jingqi scoffed. "Me? Handle it? If word gets out, will they say I'm secretly plotting to eliminate the other great demons? Or that I'm ambitious, wanting to annex the neighboring cities? Or that I'm sitting here in this shop, cracking melon seeds, haggling with him over prices? Since he hasn't made a big deal and just came to our city to trade, even you know to hide your identity to avoid him raising prices. If I'm here, how can I bargain? Buy an item worth a Lesser Heat Coin for a Grain Rain Coin? Otherwise, wouldn't Copper Stench City be disrespecting a young sword immortal?"

Tang Jingqi pointed a finger at his ashamed sister. "From now on, just focus on one thing: it's just business. Don't gild the lily, but don't fawn over him either. However, if he keeps pressing hard, don't be too afraid. We have a pact with Green Reed Town. Those Hemp-Clad Sect cultivators won't sit idly by."

Tang Jinxiu looked at him with a plaintive expression. "I know."

Tang Jingqi turned to look at the young female ghost and instructed, "Remind her not to get silly when the time comes. Our Copper Stench City's Chief Minister really doesn't match a young sword immortal."

Tang Jinxiu stomped her foot. "Brother! Is that how you talk about your own sister?!"

The city lord's heroic spirit had already come and gone in a hurry.

About half an hour later, a female ghost matron, who deliberately hadn't worn court attire, led the old immortal master to the corner shop in Gold Powder Market.

The female ghost Zhenguan was on high alert.

Tang Jinxiu had already stood at the shop entrance, hands behind her back, one hand gently pressing down to signal the real shopkeeper behind her not to be nervous.

After the matron reported the situation.

Tang Jinxiu looked at the "old man" in the bamboo hat carrying his bundle and said with a smile, "Old immortal master, you even bypassed the Girls' Market and hid to drink, making us search for you."

Tang Jinxiu then introduced herself. "I am the general manager of all the shops in this Gold Powder Market. Zhenguan has poor eyesight and not much money, so it's better for me to do business with you, old sir."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Good, I hope you don't bully customers since you're big. This old bones of mine can't withstand much beating, not even a few scary words."

Tang Jinxiu was cursing inwardly, but her smile grew even brighter. "The shops in Gold Powder Market, even the newest ones have been around for four or five hundred years. Each is a golden sign. We have many repeat customers. Old immortal master, rest assured."

Chen Ping'an entered the shop. Tang Jinxiu and the female ghost Zhenguan stood side by side behind the counter.

The matron who had found Chen Ping'an guarded the shop door.

Chen Ping'an took off his bundle and started taking out items one by one, placing them on the counter.

Again, he first took out three-tenths.

A dazzling array of items, with treasure light flowing.

Tang Jinxiu picked up each item, examined it, and put it down. When she saw that exquisitely carved gold flower head ornament with a hundred peonies, her heart trembled slightly. She smiled. "What a beautiful piece. Even in a mortal dynasty outside, just by the exquisite craftsmanship, which must be from a mountain immortal, it should be worth ten thousand taels of silver. This item has a great history. It was a beloved item of a beautiful queen of the Anting Kingdom. If you grind Snowflake Coins into a mist and drip it into all the flower stamens, it's said that a strange phenomenon occurs. I'll offer one Lesser Heat Coin."

During this time, she also picked up the golden chopsticks, examined them closely, tapped them together, and listened. Then she nodded. "Indeed. This item is also recorded in historical texts. It was an item bestowed by the last emperor of the Que Mountain Kingdom to his famous minister Song Jing during a grand feast. To commend Song Jing's incorruptibility, the emperor ordered immortal artisans to forge these chopsticks. They are not made of ordinary gold but incorporate some secret mountain treasures. Therefore, the sound from striking them resembles someone whispering 'incorruptible' and 'upright' in one's ear. Song Jing was worthy of these chopsticks. He led troops as a civil official, achieved remarkable military exploits, and made great contributions on the battlefield. But how could one person resist the general trend?"

Chen Ping'an suddenly said, "In that case, I won't sell this item."

Tang Jinxiu was startled. "Why not, old immortal master? I'm willing to offer the same price of one Lesser Heat Coin. Moreover, these golden chopsticks wouldn't fetch this high price elsewhere. Since I'm buying and even proactively told you the historical origin before you set a price, you can see the sincerity of our Gold Powder Market. We are truly treating you with honesty."

"Your sincerity is certainly very sincere," Chen Ping'an nodded and smiled. "But I plan to give these golden chopsticks to someone."

Tang Jinxiu had no choice but to give up. Under normal circumstances, she would indeed be tempted by these golden chopsticks, but she would only offer fifty Snowflake Coins, thinking she was saving the other party money.

In the end, of the three-tenths of items in the bundle, including the gold flower head ornament, Tang Jinxiu bought about half, totaling nine Lesser Heat Coins. Considering the premium of Lesser Heat Coins over Snowflake Coins, that was about nine hundred twenty or thirty Snowflake Coins.

One item, an old gilded incense burner that Chen Ping'an couldn't discern, fetched the highest price. Tang Jinxiu didn't explain its origin in detail, only saying she was willing to pay four Lesser Heat Coins. Chen Ping'an raised the price by one, and Tang Jinxiu hesitantly agreed. After she asked the female ghost Zhenguan to put away the little incense burner first, Tang Jinxiu suddenly laughed triumphantly, and Chen Ping'an knew he had sold it cheaply. But it didn't matter; she earned the