Chapter 501: Some Truths Are Self-Evident

Chapter 501: Some Truths Are Self-Evident

At the end of winter, the sky was cold and cyan, the mountains frozen without flowing clouds. Chen Ping'an looked around; as far as his vision extended, there was only desolation.

This was the color of the human world. From a celestial ferry gazing down upon thousands of miles of rivers and mountains, one would never experience such a feeling. Thus, cultivation on the mountains made one unaware of the world's seasons.

The walking stick in Chen Ping'an's hand, refined using the immortal technique from the Azure Wander Palace, displayed an emerald hue. This made the vein, which resembled a thunder pool, appear more like bamboo whip material. Otherwise, the golden color would be too conspicuous. However, by removing a single restriction, this crude prototype of the ghost-beating whip, which was temporarily in a state of minor refinement, could revert to its original appearance.

One good thing about Northern Juzhou was that as long as one could speak the continent's common language, there was no need to worry about miscommunication. In Bottle Gourd Continent and Parasol Leaf Continent, there were countless official languages and local dialects, making travel very troublesome.

Chen Ping'an walked to the foot of the mountain. There was still no one around. He gently lit a Yang Energy Luring Lantern Talisman, and its burning speed was normal. This indicated that the likelihood of demonic activity near the prefectural city was low. It was more likely the second scenario mentioned by Golden Core cultivator Song Lanqiao: a nearby mountain or river deity of the prefectural city was facing a great calamity, their golden body on the verge of collapse, thereby affecting the local feng shui and fortune, leading to natural disasters.

However, nothing was absolute. Chen Ping'an planned to take it step by step. Holding the talisman, he walked slowly until he encountered an oxcart loaded with charcoal from afar. A strong man in tattered clothes was leading it, accompanied by two children with frostbitten hands, heading to the prefectural city. Only then did Chen Ping'an extinguish the talisman and quicken his pace. The two children looked at him with curiosity, but being shy country kids, they shrank closer to their father. The man noticed the young man with a bamboo box and staff but said nothing.

The winter cold froze the ground, making the muddy road hard. The oxcart jolted violently, and the man dared not rush the ox. If the charcoal broke, it wouldn't sell for a high price. The stewards of the wealthy city folks had sharp eyes and would find every fault, driving down the price with words colder than the biting wind. But slowing down meant the two children would suffer the cold, which made the man gloomy. He had told them not to come along; what was there to see in the city? Just the stone lions at the mansion gates that looked frightening, the painted door gods that were bigger. Seen once, that was enough. If he sold this cart of charcoal for a good price, he'd bring back some snacks and buy the necessary New Year goods for them.

The outline of the prefectural city's high walls was faintly visible. The man breathed a sigh of relief. The city was bustling and lively, warmer than outside. Once the children were happy, they'd likely forget about the cold.

But the young man in the bamboo hat was following the oxcart at a steady pace, making the man uneasy.

Chen Ping'an quickened his steps slightly and asked with a smile, "Elder brother, I'm a traveler from afar. May I ask what this prefectural city is called? Are there any notable places to visit?"

The man was taciturn but dared not pretend to be deaf and dumb. He forced a smile and said in a hoarse voice, "To answer the gentleman, ahead is Suijia City. It's said that when the emperor traveled south back then, he caught a chill and stayed here for a while, so he bestowed this name. I only know the City God Temple in the north and the Fire God Shrine in the south have the most visitors. You could go check them out."

"Alright, I'll visit those two places after entering the city."

Chen Ping'an nodded with a smile, reaching out to gently press the oxcart. "It's on my way, and I'm not in a hurry. We'll enter the city together, and I can ask you more about Suijia City."

The man looked nervous, but when he glanced up and saw the oxcart getting closer to Suijia City's gates, he felt nothing could go wrong, which somewhat eased his mind. He tried to mimic the city folks' speech and said some pleasantries: "I'll tell you what I know. If I can be of some help, that's best. I haven't studied, so I can't speak well. If I say something wrong, please bear with me."

Chen Ping'an held the walking staff in one hand and steadied the oxcart with the other. "That's wonderful. Just speak freely."

Under the man's rambling introduction, Chen Ping'an learned that Suijia City was in the Yinping Kingdom, not a small city. Historically, it had produced a prime minister, so the Kuixing Tower by the City God Temple had abundant incense. The Fire God Shrine was also lively, said to be very effective for prayers for wealth. Rich merchants in the city liked to go there to burn incense. The man was taking his oxcart to the market near the Fire God Shrine to sell the charcoal, then buy New Year goods at nearby shops and head home.

The two children kept sneaking glances at Chen Ping'an, but whenever he smiled at them, they immediately turned away, looking embarrassed.

Before they knew it, the oxcart reached the city gates. Since it was still early, they had to queue to enter. There were some breakfast stalls nearby. Chen Ping'an bought a bowl of millet porridge and a rolled pancake, took off his bamboo hat, and sat at a table to eat. Not far away, the two children swallowed their saliva. The man hesitated, then fished out a small handful of copper coins and gave them to his daughter. With the money, the two kids scampered to the stall and bought the same – a bowl of millet porridge and a rolled pancake with an eggy aroma. The girl held the pancake out to her father. He took only one bite, then tore the rest in half and gave it back to his daughter. The little girl ran back to the table, handed half to her brother, and the two siblings shared the porridge. The man guarded the oxcart, wiped his mouth, and grinned.

The stall was doing good business, and the two kids sat opposite Chen Ping'an.

Chen Ping'an was used to eating slowly and chewing carefully, all while thinking.

Earlier, during the trip to Ghost Valley, the scheming with the scholar and the physical struggle with the Golden Eagle spirit of Jixiao Mountain hadn't been particularly dangerous.

But the journey from Copper Odor City to Green Reed Town, or more accurately, from disembarking the Cross-Continent Ferry of the Hemp-Clad Sect to breaking through the sky with a sword immortal's power and escaping to Wood Garment Mountain, still made Chen Ping'an's heart pound. Several post-battle analyses later, he felt it had been a matter of life and death. But thinking of the final harvest – full and abundant, with no shortage of immortal money and rare items – he had no complaints. His only regret was that he hadn't fought enough. It hadn't even been as satisfying as the fist-fighting practice at the Fallen Mountain Bamboo Tower. If the monsters of Jixiao Mountain had joined forces with that Mountain Moving Great Sage, and if Gao Cheng, that Upper Five Realm spirit, hadn't been lurking in the north, it might have been a bit more exhilarating.

Afterward, recuperating at the Wood Garment Mountain residence, he learned much about Northern Juzhou's recent events from a stack of celestial gazettes brought by someone.

The most surprising news was that the Taiping Mountain Daoist nun Huang Ting, in a life-or-death battle at Dili Mountain, had lost to a young mountain prodigy named Liu Jinglong. Remember, Huang Ting had come to Northern Juzhou to break through her Nascent Soul bottleneck. Though she was a new Nascent Soul, her swordsmanship was undeniably high. And above Liu Jinglong, who was roughly the same age and cultivation level as Huang Ting, there were two even more outstanding "young cultivators" in terms of cultivation, talent, fortune, and background. As for the seven prodigies ranked below Liu Jinglong, judging by the skills and temperament of Yang Ningxing from Xiaoyao Palace, Chen Ping'an dared not underestimate them.

Beyond that, there was another place at Dili Mountain that piqued Chen Ping'an's curiosity.

Mountain beyond mountain, the constantly warring Dili Mountain was near a most suitable observation spot: Hundred Springs Mountain. With over a hundred spiritual springs, it was a natural treasure land. Over a thousand celestial residences of various sizes had been built there, nestled among green hills and clear waters, with deep courtyards and pleasant scenery. It was a top-tier cultivation site. These Hundred Springs Mountain residences were only for rent, not sale, all constructed by Qionglin Sect hiring yin-yang masters for site selection and Mo family artisans for meticulous crafting. Long-term leases were available, but the longer the term, the higher the price.

Relying on this endlessly profitable business, the Qionglin Sect, adept at generating wealth, had managed to support a half-baked Jade Pure Realm patron with immortal money, allowing the sect to earn the suffix "sect" in its name.

This sect had a poor reputation in Northern Juzhou – they only cared about money, never about relationships. But that didn't stop them from raking in gold daily.

Thus, Qionglin Sect was both envied by cultivators and scorned by those on the mountains. A well-known mocking saying spread across the continent: "Embroidered pillow in the Upper Five Realms, empty sleeves the Qionglin Sect."

Chen Ping'an put down his chopsticks and looked toward the city gate. In the distance, there was the sound of horses' hooves thundering on the ground. It seemed to be a group of eight tall horses, leaving the city together. Approaching the crowded city gate, they didn't slow down but instead whipped their horses, causing chaos at the entrance. People entering and exiting Suijia City pressed against the walls to avoid them. The townsfolk seemed accustomed to it, experienced as they were. Along with the man's oxcart, they hurriedly but orderly moved to the sides, instantly clearing a wide path.

This kind of thing happened everywhere.

The group of young dandies in fine clothes sat high on their horses, galloping out of the city. The sound of rapid hooves was like a string of firecrackers. With arrogant expressions, these children of the powerful rode past with practiced ease, all wearing precious mink furs, holding ornate whips, carrying swords and bows on their backs. Their servants brought eagle cages. What a sight of chasing the wind and lightning – how majestic!

But Chen Ping'an's attention was more on two young people sitting at a stall in the distance. A man and a woman, dressed simply but cleanly, both carrying long swords. Neither was particularly handsome or pretty, but they had an air of distinction. They were each eating a bowl of wontons with indifferent expressions. When the man noticed the group of Suijia City youths galloping wildly, he frowned. The woman put down her chopsticks and gently shook her head at him.

Chen Ping'an understood inwardly.

They should be cultivators drawn by the anomalies in Suijia City.

But the young man and woman were not highly cultivated. Judging by the subtle signs of their spiritual energy circulation, they were Qi Refiners who hadn't yet reached the Cave Abode realm. Though they carried swords, they were definitely not sword cultivators.

When the sword-carrying woman turned her head, she only saw a young man paying the stall owner, holding a bamboo whip, bamboo hat, and green bamboo walking staff. The man appeared ordinary and unremarkable in aura, no different from wandering martial artists. The woman sighed. If this was a martial artist who had inadvertently stumbled into Suijia City, he was unlucky. If he, like them, had come specifically for the great calamity befalling Suijia City and the treasure emerging, then he truly didn't know his limits. Didn't he know the treasure had already been claimed by two major immortal sects of Yinping Kingdom? Anyone else who dared to meddle, like her and her fellow disciple besides her, aside from completing their sect's secret orders, they mainly saw this as a dangerous training experience.

This was a genuine fight of immortals. For a mortal to get involved, even accidentally obstructing a great immortal's path, would result in being ground to dust.

The woman's thoughts drifted.

She herself was considered an outstanding young cultivator among the countries including Yinping Kingdom. But compared to those two, she knew she was far behind. One was a mere fifteen-year-old youth who had already reached the Cave Abode realm two years ago. The other was a woman in her early twenties, constantly encountering opportunities, cultivating smoothly, and possessing heavy treasures. If not for the two top sects being mortal enemies, they would be a perfect pair of golden boy and jade girl.

Spanning over ten countries, both on and off the mountains, everyone seemed to watch their growth and rivalry.

Every encounter between them became a delightful story to tell.

She envied them, too.

Because that precocious youth, destined to be the center of attention from birth, indeed had an otherworldly appearance, a gentle temperament, and was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She couldn't understand how there could be such a boy in the world that made women forget the mundane.

When the young man saw his senior sister lost in thought, he thought she was worried about the journey ahead. He comforted her, "Senior Sister, if we're not confident, we can just find that child and leave. No need to deal with this unavoidable disaster. Master said that we cultivators should understand fate and follow the situation. Since Suijia City enjoyed the blessings of divine protection for hundreds of years, it should suffer this destined calamity."

The woman nodded, then reminded, "Be careful of eavesdroppers."

The man laughed, "If you said the city was full of mixed talents and hidden masters, I'd believe it. But to say there are transcendent experts at the city gate... I don't buy it. Our sect isn't any small, insignificant school. All the old immortals and young masters on the mountains are familiar faces. Could that monkey-tamer be a hidden immortal? Or that young wanderer in the bamboo hat be a great martial grandmaster?"

The woman's expression changed slightly. "Have you forgotten the sect's teachings? When traveling down the mountain, be careful in words and deeds!"

As she warned him, her gaze quickly swept over the old man with a monkey on his shoulder and the young man near the oxcart. Then her heart jolted. The latter was fine, still oblivious to her junior brother's offensive words. But the old man, who had been feeding the monkey on his shoulder, turned to look at her, curling his lips in a displeased expression. The woman stood up and cupped her hands in apology.

But the old man wasn't inclined to accept it. His gaze wandered, sizing her up from head to toe, then sneered and looked away, as if disdainful of her appearance and figure.

The woman wasn't too bothered, but her junior brother nearly burst with rage. This old bastard dared to insult them like that! He was about to step forward, but his senior sister gently tugged his sleeve and shook her head. "We were rude first."

The young man glared fiercely at the monkey-taming old man, committing his face to memory. Once inside Suijia City, when the treasure hunt began and forces tangled, chaos would ensue. When the opportunity came, he'd make sure this old bastard would have it coming.

Chen Ping'an had observed all this and felt a bit emotional. Both parties had inexplicably become enemies, and neither had a good temper.

In fact, the ten-odd countries including Yinping Kingdom were barren lands with thin spiritual energy, unsuitable for cultivation. Most were dominated by martial artists. Song Lanqiao of the Spring Dew Garden ferry had said the Qi Refiners here were like frogs at the bottom of a well, liking to fight among themselves in their small pond. Real enlightened cultivators from outside didn't care about such trifles, while those inside were happy that no "river-crossing dragons" came to disturb them. They closed their doors and threw their weight around, with the two Golden Core cultivators – heads of the two rival sects, both at low realms – leading their minions in battles that had supposedly gone on for hundreds of years.

But though Song Lanqiao had spoken lightly, Chen Ping'an was used to treading cautiously in the martial world. Carefulness would keep the boat sailing for ten thousand years.

Cultivators on the mountains had all sorts of strange techniques. Once a fight broke out, realm levels, even the quality of magical artifacts, couldn't be taken as absolute. The five elements' mutual generation and restraint, timing and terrain, luck's shifts, open schemes and hidden plots – all were variables.

Entering the city, to avoid making the charcoal seller think he had ill intentions, Chen Ping'an didn't follow him to the Fire God Shrine market but went to the City God Temple first.

In fact, Chen Ping'an could tell that the man was a pure martial artist, around the fourth realm. After seeing Chen Ping'an's figure, the man deliberately made his breathing ragged and footsteps light. Presumably, in the martial world of Yinping Kingdom, a third-realm martial artist with decent foundations should have some reputation. Why he had become a rural charcoal seller, dragging his family to earn a hard living, likely had its own story. Chen Ping'an wouldn't pry into that. You are not a fish; how can you know the fish's joy?

After they parted ways.

The man led the oxcart, the two children still carefree, looking around. The man smiled and turned to glance at the retreating figure of the young wanderer. He muttered to himself, "He didn't even realize I'm a martial artist, so he must be a second- or third-realm youngster. Sigh, why would he wade into this muddy water? Those immortals who cultivate magic on the mountains are like flood dragons. If they just flick their tails, how many commoners will drown?"

Chen Ping'an smiled.

The man was kind-hearted. He had deliberately added that Lingbao City in the north was worth visiting more places. He probably wanted Chen Ping'an to leave Suijia City, this den of trouble, as soon as possible.

Coincidentally, the monkey-taming old man and the young sword-carrying pair were all heading to the City God Temple first, just like Chen Ping'an.

So Chen Ping'an deliberately slowed down to keep his distance. Halfway there, he stopped at a calligraphy and painting shop. Inside, he looked at paintings for the time it takes to burn an incense stick. He didn't buy any paintings but spent a few silver taels on a few booklets that the shop used as freebies. These booklets introduced famous works by painters of various dynasties in the Yinping Kingdom region. The printing was decent, though not rare editions, but the content was pleasing.

After putting them in his bamboo box and leaving the shop, the old man and the young pair were gone.

Approaching the City God Temple, Chen Ping'an's expression turned grave. Thick incense smoke curled up. On the street outside the temple, one could smell the unique scent of incense. But having visited many mountain and river temples, he knew that the quantity or density of incense didn't matter. It was the purity that counted. Whether an orthodox temple officially sanctioned by the court or a shrine illicitly erected by commoners or spirits, it all depended on the essence of the incense. When Chen Ping'an focused his gaze, he saw that this grand and majestic City God Temple had its incense smoke trapped, as if the City God had used a secret method to confine it, not letting even a wisp escape. This was an act of overstepping. All orthodox temples – mountain and river deities, City God temples, civil and military temples – should give back to the local landscape, releasing a portion of the incense essence into the surrounding world. This subtly benefited the people and provided protection, forming a cycle. But this City God Temple was like a tight-lipped vessel, keeping everything to itself.

Chen Ping'an sighed softly. He could understand. This was the golden-body deity's desperate act to prolong its life. It had no choice but to ignore everything else. It was like drinking poison to quench thirst. In the long run, the trouble would only accumulate and grow.

Chen Ping'an didn't enter this City God Temple, which was duty-bound to protect the city. The charcoal seller had spoken vaguely, but since he had come here to pray piously, Chen Ping'an had gotten a general idea. The layout of Suijia City's City God Temple was similar to others elsewhere. Apart from the front and rear halls and Kuixing Tower, there were also a Wealth God Hall and a Stellar Hall built according to local customs. Still, Chen Ping'an asked an old shopkeeper at an incense shop outside the temple for details. The old shopkeeper was warm and talkative, explaining the temple's origins. The front hall enshrined an ancient general from a thousand years ago, a meritorious figure from an early dynasty's annals. This hero's main temple was naturally elsewhere. The actual City God who "oversees fortune and misfortune, patrols the dark and light, and governs the souls of the dead" was a famous civil official enshrined in the rear hall, a third-rank marquis granted by the Yinping Kingdom emperor.

Speaking of this title, the old shopkeeper asked with a smile, "Young man, are you wondering why it's only a third-rank marquis when this official was a second-rank minister in life?"

Chen Ping'an smiled. "It is a bit strange. I was about to ask you, old shopkeeper. Is there a reason?"

He already had a thorough understanding of the rules and customs of numerous temples in this Haoran World. But to "do as the Romans do when in Rome," he naturally had to ask about local customs first.

The old shopkeeper smiled but didn't speak.

Chen Ping'an quickly bought a bundle of incense from the shop.

Sharp.

The old shopkeeper laughed heartily and began to explain the nuances. "A young man like you, who's been around the martial world, probably doesn't understand officialdom. That's normal. In officialdom, noble titles and official ranks are different, not to mention the ranks of these immortals who receive incense offerings. What, getting confused?"

Chen Ping'an nodded and smiled. "It is a bit complicated."

The old shopkeeper started showing off his knowledge, shaking his head. "Our City God here was originally only a fourth-rank earl granted by the founding emperor. But the incense was always effective. A few years ago, after the new emperor ascended the throne, he issued another imperial decree, posthumously promoting our City God to a third-rank marquis. It was a grand affair. The Minister of Rites personally left the capital, such a high official, bringing the decree to our Suijia City. After entering the city, they chose an auspicious day. This street outside my shop, see? That day, before dawn, a large group of yamen runners came from one end to the other, first sprinkling water and cleaning. Outsiders weren't allowed to watch. To see the spectacle, I slept in the shop the night before, so I got to see the Minister. Tsk, tsk. Truly like a star of literature descending to earth. Even from afar, I could feel the nobility."

The old shopkeeper preened. "Our place here, though just a prefectural city, our City God's treatment is already equivalent to that of a provincial capital's City God. Apart from the capital's City God Temple and the secondary capital's City God Temple, there's no higher decree. Young man, now that you've bought incense, you should go into the temple and pay your respects, kowtow more. Though the City God Temple has always been more effective for scholars seeking literary fortune, our City God holds a high rank and great power. If you're sincere, he'll likely protect you a bit."

Chen Ping'an asked more about the civil and military officials within the City God Temple. Indeed, there were two judges, six departments of the City God, as well as two day and night roaming spirits, and a general of shackles. These subordinate officials each had their own origins. The old shopkeeper was very familiar with them, speaking fluently. But when Chen Ping'an asked if he had ever seen the City God manifest in person, the old shopkeeper was at a loss, his expression unnatural. He replied that commoners like them couldn't possibly see the City God's true form. Even if he stood right in front of them, they wouldn't recognize him.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "That makes sense. There's an old saying: 'A true man does not show his face; one who shows his face is not a true man.' Surely these deities are even more so."

The old shopkeeper's expression improved.

The ceremonial system for City Gods in Yinping Kingdom was largely the same as in Bottle Gourd Continent, but there were still differences in ranks and subordinate offerings.

However, the current emperor of Yinping Kingdom's posthumous promotion was unusual. It seemed he had detected something abnormal about this City God's golden body, to the extent that he went against protocol to bestow a higher decree on a prefectural city's City God.

After leaving the incense shop, Chen Ping'an stood on the bustling street and looked at the City God Temple.

Better to sleep in a grave than in a broken temple.

That was the principle.

Once the spiritual energy of the world's landscapes shifts, it can easily invite reversal of fortune and disaster.

Chen Ping'an headed for the Fire God Shrine. The City God Temple's aura hadn't yet shown signs of collapse; it could probably hold for a while longer.

At the Fire God Shrine, the incense was also thriving. But compared to the chaotic scene at the City God Temple, the incense here was clearer, calmer, and more orderly in gathering and dispersing.

But he also didn't enter. He could now use his fist intent to suppress the strange matters on his person, but whether stepping into a temple would attract unwanted attention, Chen Ping'an wasn't sure. If this trip to southeastern Northern Juzhou hadn't been so rushed, his original plan was to visit the Swaying River Water God Temple at Skeleton Beach first, then go through several major temples in the secular kingdoms to personally inspect them. After all, the master of the Swaying River Temple was a mountain and river deity neighbor of the Hemp-Clad Sect, with high standards. If he went in to burn incense, the deity might not care. Whether the deity chose to see him or not didn't mean much. However, that river god, the largest at the southern end of the continent, hadn't appeared in the temple but had instead played the role of a boatman with a pole, trying to give him some guidance.

Chen Ping'an also wandered through an incense shop near the Fire God Shrine, asking about the deity's origins.

One thing was similar to the old shopkeeper at the City God Temple: this deity in charge of the southern part of the city had never truly manifested in the mortal world. But there were more legends about him than about the City God in the north. They seemed to depict him as more approachable to the people, mostly stories about rewarding good and punishing evil, frolicking in the human world. These tales were ancient, passed down through generations, circulating on the lips of later people. Among them was a rumor that this Fire God had once had a conflict with the "Lake Lord" of Cangyun Lake, eight hundred li away, which frequently flooded. Within Cangyun Lake's jurisdiction, there was a water immortal temple where the wife of a canal master had angered the Fire God. They fought fiercely. The canal master was no match and sought help from the Lake Lord. In the end, an unnamed passing sword immortal mediated between the two deities, preventing the Lake Lord from flooding Suijia City with his divine power.

Chen Ping'an thought for a moment, then directly left Suijia City. He chose a mountain path and secretly headed for the water immortal temple within Cangyun Lake's jurisdiction. If that self-proclaimed "canal master," whose rank was actually equivalent to a river grandmother, was still there, he could probe for information and see if he could learn the inside story of Suijia City. If the calamity would truly affect the entire city, he should intervene. If it was just a local divine dispute, he would see.

In the night, Chen Ping'an followed a wide stream to a temple. The path was overgrown with weeds, with no sign of human presence. Clearly, the canal master's wife had little incense offering.

And this temple was only a few dozen li from a market town.

But earlier, at a mountain where the stream met the lake, Chen Ping'an had seen a group of people holding torches heading toward the temple.

So he followed them from a distance. Listening to their conversation, he found it both amusing and exasperating. These bored town youths and adults were competing to see who was bravest – who would dare enter the temple and tease the canal master's wife. Such things were common in towns and villages. Back in Chen Ping'an's hometown, there was a similar tradition. If a child dared to sleep on a deity's grave, they'd be considered a hero. In Apricot Flower Lane, there was a peer who claimed he had slept on the deity's grave for a night. When he boasted about it under the old locust tree, he instantly earned admiration from many peers. "After that battle," he became the king of children around Apricot Flower Lane, finding joy in bullying Chen Ping'an and Song Jixin of Mud Vase Lane. Of course, he also wanted to play house with the strangely named Zhigui as his little wife. But he was always cursed out by Song Jixin, while Zhigui always wore a stern expression and cold eyes, following Song Jixin back to town. That peer would throw mud clods at the master and servant from behind with his followers.

In truth, that night, Chen Ping'an had gone to pay respects to the Bodhisattva there. From afar, he saw that peer just pace a few steps outside the deity's grave before running back home.

Tonight, seeing this group of seven or eight, they seemed unwilling to shortchange themselves, bringing plenty of wine and meat. When they entered this two-courtyard water immortal temple, the plaque was askew, and the temple had been abandoned for a long time, dilapidated, with walls covered in green ivy. Chen Ping'an sat on a tree far from the temple, with a wide view. He placed the walking staff horizontally across his lap, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and looked up to observe, waiting to see what would happen.

He took out some dry provisions, unsheathed the sword-nurturing gourd containing the deep stream water of Treasure Mirror Mountain, and began his late-night snack. This journey, rushing and flying, was hardly a leisurely stroll.

Inside the small temple, several bonfires had been lit, with drinking and eating, laughter, and lewd talk.

Three statues were enshrined: one tall and two short. They had been painted, but time had taken its toll, and the paint was flaking. The one in the center was the canal master's wife, with attendants on either side.

The statues had clear features, lifelike, especially the canal master's wife. She had a slender figure, adorned with necklaces and pendants, exceptionally beautiful.

Chen Ping'an glanced at them, finding it strange. The three statues didn't seem like golden bodies capable of holding divine light.

That was fortunate for those reckless town youths.

Chen Ping'an planned to eat his dry provisions and then head to Cangyun Lake. But this Lake Lord had no temple on land, which was troublesome. If worse came to worst, he'd have to show himself and ask those lusty fellows if there were any other water god temples nearby.

He began to close his eyes and meditate, refining the deep, gloomy water from Treasure Mirror Mountain.

Simultaneously, his mind slowly sank, using the basic inner vision method of mountain cultivation to let his yin spirit roam within his own small world.

These days, the content of certain ancient records often puzzled later readers.

For example, the passage: "Leading the officials and commoners, he sank a white horse to sacrifice to the river god Hebo." Why a white horse? No book ever explained.

As for the line "The water god cannot be seen; use big fish or flood dragons as emissaries," it was even more baffling. In various continents of the Haoran World, mountain and river deities and temple golden bodies were not rare.

Suddenly, Chen Ping'an opened his eyes, instantly converging all his qi, motionless.

His gaze fixed on the distant stream mouth where it entered the lake. There was a ripple of subtle changes in the world's spiritual energy. Soon, he saw the water glistening, and three women approached from a distance, one leading, two following. The lead woman was dressed in colorful robes, her sashes fluttering, shrouded in mist. The two maids behind her were similar to those depicted in the water immortal temple, only more attractive than the statues. As for the canal master's wife, her appearance was far inferior to the painted statue. Chen Ping'an wondered what the master artisans who carved the temple's statues were thinking with each stroke.

Shifting his gaze, Chen Ping'an began to admire the audacity of that group inside the temple. One youth had climbed onto the altar platform, hugging the canal master's statue and kissing it, spewing lewd talk. This drew roars of laughter and cheers, shouts and applause.

Youth, for the most part, was like that. They always felt that breaking the rules was a mark of capability.

And in youth, when they encountered a girl they actually liked, teasing her, being cursed at, getting a few eye rolls – that counted as mutual affection.

The three women who had come from Cangyun Lake, upon nearing the temple, used an illusion technique, transforming into a white-haired crone and two lovely young maidens.

The crone sneered contemptuously but, upon entering the temple, put on a kind expression.

Those youths and adults, upon seeing this wrinkled old woman and the two fresh, tender maidens behind her, were dumbfounded.

For a moment, the temple was dead silent, except for the occasional crackling of dry branches in the fire.

Especially the youth who had been hugging the canal master's statue around the neck and waist – he turned around, at a loss.

One of the youths used his elbow to nudge the adult beside him, stammering, "Could it really be the Water God Lady coming to punish us?"

The man shook his head, his initial shock turning to delight, grinning. "Open your eyes wide. She doesn't look like her at all. Just an old granny walking at night with her two granddaughters. Probably from a nearby village we don't know. We're in for a treat."

The youth wiped the grease from his mouth, knowing the man's temper. Afraid he'd do something bad after drinking, he cautiously advised, "Brother, don't act rashly. If this blows up, we'll end up in court."

The man sneered. "Blow up? So what? Cook the rice and it's done. We'll just marry them as wives. Don't any of you fight me over them. I fancy both girls, but I'm generous. I'll take the left one. The right one, you can sort out among yourselves."

The crone pretended to panic, trying to leave with the two maidens, but the man and his group surrounded them.

The boldest youth, who had jumped onto the altar platform, slid down from the canal master's statue, put his hands on his hips, and smirked at the scene by the door. "That outsider with the knife was right. My luck with women is good. Liu San, one for you, one for me!"

Chen Ping'an frowned.

He looked toward a beam inside the temple.

Someone was sitting there – a burly man with thick eyebrows, a knife at his waist, his legs dangling. He yawned lazily and tore off a yellow paper talisman stuck to himself. As it came off, the talisman burned up completely.

The crone was shocked.

The man laughed. "Without a trick, I wouldn't catch any fish."

He stretched his limbs, and with a flick of his sleeve, a stream of spiritual energy slithered like a snake along the walls. Then he snapped his fingers, and on the inner and outer walls of the temple, golden talismans emerged, their patterns like flying birds.

Before those foolish townsfolk moved, he had snuck into this water immortal temple, drawn the talismans, and used his unique talismans and secret techniques, like the art of holding one's breath to conceal his aura. Otherwise, this canal master's wife would have been scared off. As for those binding talismans, they were his sect's signature technique, known as "Snow Mud Talismans" or "Flying Bird Seal Script." Once formed, they were extremely hidden and hard to detect, truly like "a swan's footprint left on snow; the swan flies off, where does it go?"

But aside from this talisman expertise, his sect was a renowned military strategist school, skilled in assassination, different from ordinary military strategist forces. Fellow disciples often served as close bodyguards to generals and ministers in secular dynasties. Though not the top immortal force on the map of these ten-odd countries, it was not to be underestimated. However, this man had a wild nature and hated restraint. For decades, he had preferred to roam the mortal world, preferring to be a rooster's head rather than a phoenix's tail. He enjoyed mocking those martial heroes who were like loaches in water and earthworms on mountains. Killing freely was gratifying. Especially those so-called "female heroes" – they had a unique flavor.

Now, the man looked at the crone and the two young women, already considering them his prey.

The crone asked slowly, "May I ask, immortal master, why you schemed so carefully to lure me out of the lake? And to do this in my home? Doesn't seem right, does it?"

The man reached out, grabbed a wine jug from beside the bonfire, took a big gulp, then threw it away contemptuously. "These brats bought such crap. Tastes like piss. No wonder they can't think straight."

Seeming in a bad mood, the man glared at the crone. "My junior brother has a grudge with your Cangyun Lake Lord. This time, I'm on a sect mission to Suijia City. The Lake Lord is hiding in his underwater palace, hard to find. I know you're a restless widow who can't stand loneliness. That idiot junior brother of mine and the Cangyun Lake incident were ultimately because of you. So I'll use you as a sacrificial blade. If the Lake Lord comes, even better. Once he's on land, I'm not afraid of him at all. They say you're the Lake Lord's exclusive woman. After I've had my fun with you, I'll dump your body by Cangyun Lake and see if he can resist coming out."

The crone's face turned pale.

The two maids looked devastated, miserable, and pitiful. The canal master's wife could still maintain her illusion, but their spiritual energy was dissipating, faintly revealing their true appearances.

Those town rogues were terrified beyond description.

Especially the frivolous youth on the altar platform – he needed to lean against the statue to keep from collapsing.

Although Chen Ping'an didn't know how the man had hidden his aura so well, one thing was clear: none of the three parties in the temple were good.

The only youth still sitting by the fire had some conscience left, but by now he was scared into wetting his pants.

The crone dropped her illusion, forcing a smile. "Great immortal master, you must be from the Ghost Axe Palace of Jinduo Kingdom, right?"

The man was stunned, then burst into curses. "With a face like yours, you could make my junior brother pine for you for years after just one tryst? I took him on a trip through the mortal world back then to cheer him up. We tasted quite a few noble ladies and beautiful heroines, but my junior brother always found it boring. What, are your bed skills that good?"

On a distant branch, Chen Ping'an squinted, still with his hands in his sleeves.

At the temple entrance, the canal master's wife looked ugly but still spoke flatteringly. "Back then, your junior brother and I were deeply in love. I didn't just want a brief encounter; I was determined to become an improper divine-human dao couple. But that bitch, the Zao Stream canal master, framed us and secretly reported it to the Lake Lord. Afterward, even though I pleaded with the Lake Lord, he insisted on hurting someone. That's how the misunderstanding arose. Great immortal master, please see the truth!"

The canal master's wife saw the man on the beam already grasping his knife handle. She grabbed a maid and pulled her forward, smiling seductively. "Immortal master, these two maids of mine are quite pretty. I present them to you as warming-bed maids. I only ask that you be gentle. When you tire of them next year, please send them back to Cangyun Lake."

The man asked, "And you?"

The canal master's wife smiled. "If the immortal master deigns to favor me, if you don't despise this humble, frail body, why not serve you together?"

The man didn't confirm or deny. He lifted his chin twice. "What about these filthy wretches? How do you plan to handle them?"

The canal master's wife beamed. "Offending a deity is already a capital offense. Offending the immortal master's eyes is a thousand deaths. I'll clean them up now. I have a Luminous Cup in my sleeve, using the essence of Cangyun Lake's water as wine. Let me pour you a drink. These two maids were court dancers in life. If you'd like, they can undress and dance for your entertainment."

The man's smile remained enigmatic, silent.

This made the canal master's wife increasingly anxious.

In an instant.

Without warning, the man slashed out with his blade.

The canal master's wife shrank back in fright, but fortunately, the blade light wasn't aimed at her head. It shot out of the temple.

The canal master's wife, her face drained of color, turned to look.

Under the tree, illuminated by the blade light, a young wanderer in a bamboo hat slightly raised his head, one hand still tucked in his sleeve. With the other hand, he caught the blade light. The clash between the blade light and the concentrated Qi gathered around his palm made him appear like a deity holding the bright moon.

The man was shocked inwardly but kept his expression unchanged. He shifted from sitting to crouching on the beam, holding his saber, the blade gleaming. Clicking his tongue in admiration, he said, "Oh, nice technique. Pure Qi, condensed and perfect. When did Yinping Kingdom produce a martial grandmaster as young as you? I've dealt with the top martial artist of Yinping Kingdom. Grinding his teeth, he could block this strike, but he couldn't do it so easily."

Chen Ping'an gently withdrew his hand, the last traces of blade light dissipating. "The talisman you had on you, and the ones drawn on the walls – are they your sect's secret transmission? Only you Ghost Axe Palace cultivators use them?"

The man laughed. "You only parried a casual strike, and you're already playing big shot?"

The man dropped from the beam to the ground. As he strode toward the temple entrance, the canal master's wife, her two maids, and the scattered town men all scurried further away.

The man planted his saber on the ground and sneered. "State your name quickly! If you're from a mountain familiar with our Ghost Axe Palace, you're a friend. Friends share blessings. Tonight's encounter – everyone gets a share. But if you're planning to be a chivalrous hero and act the righteous knight here, then I, Du Yu, will have to teach you how to behave."

Those town youths thought the immortal's words were terrifying beyond measure.

But the canal master's wife was very surprised. This Du fellow's words held great subtlety. It wasn't an admission of weakness, but it certainly wasn't arrogant.

Next, what amazed her even more.

The young wanderer appeared in a flash, standing at the wide-open temple gate, smiling. "Then I beg you to teach me how to behave."

Du Yu pressed one hand on the saber handle, the other hand clenched into a fist, slowly twisting, his expression fierce. "Are we talking about determining victory or defeat, or directly deciding life and death?!"

The other replied, "If you hadn't beaten me to death, you'd have already scared me to death."

The canal master's wife didn't dare to laugh out loud, or she would have been rolling with laughter.

Suddenly, her mind raced. She took a step back. "Du Yu! Du Yu of Ghost Axe Palace! Are you the legitimate son of that great dao couple from Jinduo Kingdom?!"

Du Yu twitched the corner of his mouth. Well, well, quite sharp. This woman could live.

But the person outside the door spoke again. "How great a dao couple? Two Upper Five Realm cultivators?"

The canal master's heart leaped with joy. What a stroke of luck! Even after she brought up Du Yu's prominent background, the other party remained unafraid. It looked like tonight would at least be a case of "drive the wolf to swallow the tiger." A mutual defeat would be best. If this sudden fool won, even better. Dealing with a wanderer with no grudge would be negotiable, much better than dealing with Du Yu, who was coming for her. Even if Du Yu chopped the young wanderer, who seemed all show and no substance, into mincemeat, he should still remember her little favor. After all, Du Yu didn't look like he was about to fight to the death. If he had been like typical Ghost Axe Palace cultivators with their bad tempers, he would have drawn his saber and attacked already.

Du Yu crooked his finger, lifted his saber, and flicked it casually, laughing. "If you can break through my talisman array and get into this temple, I'll let you have the first move."

In an instant, a ring of golden light exploded around the temple walls, dazzling and disorienting.

Then, the young wanderer in the bamboo hat appeared as if by magic beside Du Yu. One arm swept across the latter's neck, and with a blow that shook Du Yu's qi sea, he knocked him unconscious. Du Yu crashed heavily onto the altar platform, smashing the canal master's wife's statue in two, and embedded himself into the wall. His saber clattered to the ground.

The blade light on the ground shone like water. It was a decent blade.

Chen Ping'an stood still, holding the walking staff. This slightly varied "Cavalry Break Formation" technique, combined with a "Dimension Fold Talisman" after breaking the array, had been moderated. Otherwise, this fellow who claimed to let him have the first move would have become an unfilial son, making that Ghost Axe Palace dao couple lose their child before their old age. But of course, cultivators on the mountains, hundreds or even thousands of years old while still retaining youthful faces, weren't unusual.

The reason he held back was that Chen Ping'an intended to "humbly seek advice" from that person about the two unique talismans.

As for those town rogues, now utterly terrified, they were knocked unconscious by the ripples of qi from the fist technique.

As for the frivolous youth on the altar platform, he was hit by Du Yu's flying body when Du Yu was thrown, and he too was knocked out. Compared to those in the courtyard, this youth had it worse.

Everything was calculated perfectly.

And it only took one punch.

Only the youth sitting by the fire remained.

Chen Ping'an looked at him. "Don't know how to play dead?"

The youth quickly leaned back and fell to the ground, his head tilted, even rolling his eyes and sticking out his tongue.

Chen Ping'an asked with a smile, "Canal Master's wife, I've damaged your statue. You don't mind, do you?"

As he spoke, he flicked his sleeve, sending one of the sturdy men flying like a broom into the wall. The man and the wall collided with a crash, accompanied by the faint sound of bones shattering.

The canal master, who governed the stream and river's water transport, felt as if her bones had turned to jelly.

She quickly said, trembling, "No matter, no matter! Whatever pleases the immortal master. Even if it's shattered to pieces, it's fine!"

Chen Ping'an asked, "What's really going on in Suijia City?"

The canal master's wife bent slightly, holding up a magical artifact shimmering with spiritual light. "The immortal master can enjoy a drink while I explain slowly."

Chen Ping'an laughed. "That routine of yours didn't work on Du Yu over there. Do you think it'll work on me? Besides, your 'younger brother' still pines for you. Don't you have a clue, Canal Master's wife? If you're seeking death, you should use a smarter method. Do you take me for someone with low martial skills and shallow worldly experience, easy to cheat?"

The canal master's wife quickly put away the cup, but a chill surged from the top of her head, and excruciating pain followed. A slap sent her knees sinking into the ground.

Her spirit shook, as if thrown into a boiling cauldron. Enduring the pain, her teeth chattered, and her voice trembled more. "Have mercy, immortal master! Have mercy! I dare not seek death again!"

Chen Ping'an waved his hand. "I'm not like this Du. I have no quarrel with you or Cangyun Lake. I'm just passing through. If Du hadn't insisted on letting me have the first move, I wouldn't have bothered to come in. Tell me everything you know about Suijia City's inside story, honestly. If I know you know something, but you know and pretend not to, then I'll have to have a good 'talk' with you, Canal Master's wife. That Luminous Cup you deliberately hid in your sleeve—it's a natal item for carrying something like soul-soup or luck in love, isn't it?"

The canal master's wife's smile was uglier than tears.

This guy was a hundred times more troublesome than Du Yu!

Trembling, the canal master's wife recounted the calamity of their neighbor, Suijia City.

As he listened, Chen Ping'an secretly observed the expressions of the two maids.

The City God of Suijia City was indeed on the verge of collapse, reaching the end of his incense road. At the end of his rope, just like any fearful mortal, the City God had tried everything. He had exhausted his savings to bribe for an unorthodox imperial decree from the court. But it wasn't effective. This stemmed from an old incident that no one had cared much about at the time, but which had far-reaching consequences. A century ago, a case of wrongful death had wiped out an entire scholarly family in Suijia City. In the eyes of officials and commoners, justice had supposedly been done. But the truth was far from it. At the time, even the officials of the City God Temple hadn't realized how severe the consequences would be. Otherwise, things would have been different.

Cangyun Lake and Suijia City were close neighbors. The Lake Lord, who governed one lake, three rivers, and two canals, had deep roots and knew many inside stories. That scholarly family had accumulated good deeds for generations. A Incense Little Man was almost born from the plaque in their ancestral hall. But overnight, they were slaughtered, not even a chicken or dog left. The City God was furious and ordered his officials to investigate. But in the end, the trail led right back to the City God Temple itself. The head of the Yin-Yang Department, the City God's primary assistant, had colluded with the General of Shackles, who was akin to a county deputy. One transformed into human form, wearing the skin of a handsome youth, to seduce and abuse the women of that family. The General of Shackles took a liking to the not-yet-fully-formed Incense Little Man, hoping to bribe an immortal cultivator to secure a position as a military judge in the provincial City God Pavilion – a promotion above all others. He blackmailed the Yin-Yang Department head, and together they hired a band of roving bandits to enter the city and massacre the scholarly family. The Yin-Yang Department head had already secretly hidden two beautiful women in a secluded villa outside the city.

If it had ended there, and the City God had shown a little favoritism by lightly punishing his two subordinates, he might not have fallen to this state. But the City God, who had been skilled at seeking fame and reputation in life, pretended to have the ghost officials help the authorities find the bandits and execute them on the spot, leaving no survivors. In secret, he let the Yin-Yang Department head go and killed the General of Shackles, who had turned against him. The two women naturally couldn't escape death. However, a child of that scholarly family was playing hide-and-seek with a maid and hid in a cavity within a wall. The maid, loyal to the core, deliberately died near the cavity, using her own corpse to conceal the entrance. The child eventually escaped Suijia City. Over a decade later, with the help of a senior from a family friend, he changed his name and identity, passed the imperial examinations as the runner-up, and then another ten years saw him become a prefectural magistrate. He began to investigate the case, gradually uncovering the trail to the City God Temple. Naturally, it led to another tragedy. But unlike the first massacre, which was known to all, this time it was completely silent. The court only learned that a diligent prefect had died of illness in office.

That scholar, who should have had a bright future, never married, had no book boy or maid. He took office alone and died alone. He seemed to have sensed the danger in the city. Before secretly sending a coded letter to a friend in the capital, he was already resolved to die. That day, he went to the abandoned, haunted mansion. In the night, he shed his official robes, donned mourning clothes, burned incense, and kowtowed. Then... he died.

In fact, before he even left the prefectural office, the ghost officials of the City God Temple had surrounded the entire yamen. The day and night roaming spirits personally acted as "door gods." Inside the yamen, civil and military judges lurked by his side, watching like predators.

So that night, as he walked from the yamen to the old house, there wasn't a single passerby, not even a night watchman.

After wiping out the last root, three years later, the City God of Suijia City found a crack appearing in his golden body.

All the accumulated yin virtue couldn't mend that crack. He could only watch helplessly as it spread further.

Thus came the anomalies of Suijia City.

Chen Ping'an listened quietly. Then the canal master's wife, with a tone of schadenfreude, delivered a final verdict for the Suijia City City God Temple: "Those who make their own bed must lie in it. The City God Temple was most familiar with that phrase. How ironic! Inside that City God Temple, they even had a stone abacus to warn the living: 'Man proposes, gods calculate.'"

Chen Ping'an finally spoke. "That sealed letter sent to the capital – was it intercepted by the City God Temple?"

The canal master's wife shook her head. "To report to the immortal master, according to my Lake Lord, the prefect was quite meticulous. The letter did reach his friend in the capital. But for some reason, it vanished like a stone dropped into the sea. All these years, the court remained unaware. As for the recipient, his official career was smooth. He even became Minister of Punishments. Later, his family flourished, his descendants excelled in the imperial examinations. Six of them became metropolitan graduates. The current head of the family is also a high-ranking official governing a region."

Chen Ping'an asked again, "Along with this Du fellow, so many cultivators are converging on Suijia City. Why? Could it be that the Suijia City City God is so magnanimous, having made so many mountain friends, and they want to give him a hand?"

The canal master's wife, still obediently standing in place, lowered her voice and looked up. "The feng shui of Suijia City is quite peculiar. After the City God Temple became unstable, it seemed a treasure could no longer be contained. Every full moon, heavy rain, or heavy snow night, a beam of treasure light would shoot from a prison in the city, reaching the Bull Dipper. Over the years, many mountain masters have come to investigate, but none could grasp the treasure's true nature. Some geomancer experts speculated it was a natural treasure nurtured by the region's landscape and spiritual energy for thousands of years. But because the resentment and murderous aura in Suijia City had become too heavy and persistent, the treasure no longer wanted to stay, hence the signs of it emerging."

Chen Ping'an narrowed his eyes again. "I just asked you casually, and I've learned so many shocking truths. And so many capable people over so many years, flying around on clouds, coming and going through Suijia City, many cultivators even settling there for years – hasn't a single immortal master tried to seek justice for that family?"

This time, the canal master's wife's stunned expression was genuine, not feigned. She murmured, "Seek justice? Why? Wouldn't making an enemy of the City God Temple mean losing the treasure?"

Chen Ping'an took off his bamboo hat, looked up at the night sky, and scratched his head. "I see. That makes a lot of sense."

From the area behind the altar platform's wall, there was some noise.

The canal master's wife felt a gust of fresh air and whipped her head around.

The altar platform had been split in half by the man's impact, dust flying. Du Yu of Ghost Axe Palace, who had secretly woken up and was about to move, was caught by the neck with one hand and slammed into the ground.

When the man stood up, Du Yu's qi was severed. He was deader than dead.

At that moment, the canal master's wife, a water goddess, felt a chill that seemed to freeze her entire being, as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

That man turned sideways to look at her.

His expression was blank.

His eyes were like an ancient well, deep and dark, as if somewhere in those depths, a flood dragon was stirring, trying to climb up the well wall, sticking its head out to see the world beyond.

The canal master's wife wanted to step back, to get further away. But her feet were stuck in the ground. So she could only lean backward, as if that were the only way to avoid being scared to death.

But for some reason, the next moment, the man suddenly smiled. He stood up, clapped his hands, adjusted his bamboo hat, raised two fingers, and straightened it. "Cultivators on the mountains, untouched by the red dust, uninvolved in karma – that's self-evident."

First set a small goal, such as memorizing 1 second: shukeju