Chapter 565: Returning Home

Chapter 565: Returning Home

Chen Ping'an and Cui Dongshan went to their family shop on Old Locust Street.
Chen Ping'an sat on a small bamboo chair at the entrance, basking in the warm autumn sun. Cui Dongshan chased away the acting shopkeeper Wang Tingfang, telling him to take a day off. Wang Tingfang, seeing the young boss nod with a smile, left the Ant Shop in bewilderment.
Business that day was decent. Word had spread on Old Locust Street that a remarkably handsome young man—rare in the world—had appeared, so there were especially many young female cultivators. Cui Dongshan was also highly skilled at pouring honeyed words, so he earned a fair amount of conscience-pricking immortal coins. Chen Ping'an didn't interfere.

The next day, at Fu River Ferry, Tan Ling and Tang Xi appeared together, along with Song Lanqiao, who managed the Spring Dew Garden ferry.
After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Ping'an and Cui Dongshan boarded the ship. Song Lanqiao followed along. This experienced old Golden Core cultivator noticed a strange phenomenon: when he looked at the young sword immortal alone, or at the white-robed youth alone, he could never connect the two. Especially the notion of master and student—that was even harder to imagine. But when they walked together, there was an indescribable harmony. Could it be because both carried green bamboo walking staffs?
Song Lanqiao didn't dare say much, only mentioning one matter and sincerely expressing gratitude.
It turned out that Song Lanqiao had just been given a seat in the Spring Dew Garden Ancestral Hall. Although it was only replacing Tang Xi's bottom position—with him and Tang Xi on the left and right, like two door gods of the Spring Dew Garden Ancestral Hall—this step forward brought a surge in prestige among mountain immortals and secular dynasties, an extra large sum of immortal coins each year, and a promotion for some of his mortal relatives.
Thus, facing that young sword immortal, claiming that he had received a great favor was no exaggeration. But Song Lanqiao's wisdom lay here as well—accustomed to business and pragmatic, he did not constantly flatter the young man surnamed Chen.

On the ferry, Song Lanqiao arranged a top-tier room for them. After some thought, he simply didn't let any maidservants from Spring Dew Garden show their faces.

Inside the room, Cui Dongshan poured a cup of tea for Chen Ping'an and then leaned on the table, his two snow-white sleeves covering nearly half its surface. He smiled and said, "Master, when it comes to fighting, ten Spring Dew Gardens can't match one Linen Sect. But when it comes to business, Spring Dew Garden is not inferior to Linen Sect in the slightest. From now on, our Falling Mountain and Spring Dew Garden will have plenty to discuss—we can definitely deal with them often."

Chen Ping'an drank his tea without saying anything.

Cui Dongshan continued, "Tan Ling is someone who seeks stability. Spring Dew Garden's business has already reached its peak. Up on the mountain, she's focused on clinging to Linen Sect; down the mountain, she mainly courts the Grand View Dynasty. There's nothing wrong with that. But after setting up the framework, Tan Ling has also discovered many accumulated problems in Spring Dew Garden. Too many old-timers are used to a life of ease, or still have ambition for cultivation. There are too few usable people. Even if she previously wanted to support Tang Xi, she would fear too many things—that this god of wealth might collude with Gao Song, who only knows how to frantically rake in money and is too big to control. If that happened, Spring Dew Garden would be doomed. When her time comes, Spring Dew Garden would change dynasties, turned upside down. Tan Ling's lineage has many disciples, but none capable of handling affairs. The gap between generations is fatal; they simply can't withstand a coalition of Tang Xi and Gao Song. When disciples are useless, they can't fight, and when it comes to money, the difference is like clouds and mud."

"So Tang Xi allying with Lin Cue is the safest. Although Lin Cue has a bad temper, he has no ambition and is loyal to Spring Dew Garden. Adding Song Lanqiao, who is deeply grateful to Tan Ling, the three forming a bloc gives Spring Dew Garden some new vitality. If our Falling Mountain then offers a pillow, helping Spring Dew Garden open a gap in the northern part of Vase Bottle Continent—even if it's just a small gap—it will invigorate the many cultivators at the mid and lower levels of Spring Dew Garden who are familiar with trade. And now that Vase Bottle Continent is undergoing massive construction everywhere, Spring Dew Garden has people, resources, and money. Both sides taking what they need is the most suitable business partnership. However, we also need to be careful about Spring Dew Garden's potential maladjustment in Vase Bottle Continent. Fortunately, the Great Li imperial court—from civil officials to battlefield generals—share the same mindset as Spring Dew Garden cultivators."

"Master's long-term planning, precise and meticulous placement of pieces—truly the style of a national chess master."

Hearing this, Chen Ping'an finally couldn't help but laugh and say, "The feng shui of Falling Mountain was corrupted by you, wasn't it?"

Cui Dongshan said aggrievedly, "How could that be! Old Chef Zhu, Senior Sister, Brother Dafeng—they're all experts in this! Besides, the feng shui of Falling Mountain these days—where is it bad?"

Chen Ping'an said, "I never deliberately planned to cooperate with Spring Dew Garden. To be blunt, I didn't even dare think about it. Being a pack peddler would have been good enough. If it really works out, most of the credit goes to you."

Cui Dongshan raised one arm, tapped the table three times with his finger, and drew a triangle. "Tang Xi, Lin Cue, Song Lanqiao—that's one three. Tan Ling's lineage, Gao Song's lineage, Tang Xi's small faction—that's another three. Falling Mountain, Linen Sect, Spring Dew Garden—that's yet another three. The forces Master has gathered—southern North Severance Continent, northern Vase Bottle Continent—that's an even larger three. Of all the relationships under heaven, this one is the most stable. Master, still unwilling to admit you're a national chess player?"

Chen Ping'an shook his head with a smile. "Just accidental hits."

Cui Dongshan sighed. "Master is truly humble. Your student has learned well."

Chen Ping'an laughed and cursed, "Get lost."

Cui Dongshan was about to speak, but Chen Ping'an immediately said, "Again?!"

Cui Dongshan felt that all his supreme skills and eighteen weapons were useless here.
Indeed, Master was formidable.

Cui Dongshan suddenly asked, "When we reach Skeleton Beach, do you want to meet Gao Cheng? I can guarantee Master a safe round trip."

Chen Ping'an shook his head. "Not going to Skull Tower City for now."

Cui Dongshan asked, "Because that man, to sacrifice his sword for Pu Rang, actively broke the heavenly canopy? With a bit of remaining heroism?"

Chen Ping'an said, "It's not that simple. It's more complicated. We'll talk later."

Cui Dongshan naturally had no objection.

When passing through the area above Escort City and Azure Bamboo Lake, Chen Ping'an left the room. Cui Dongshan stood with him by the railing at the bow, looking down at the land.
The vast Azure Bamboo Lake, seen from the ferry, looked like a small green pebble lying quietly in the stream of Jade Lustrous Cliff.
He still owed a jug of wine to a certain Fire God Temple over there.
He'd have to owe it for now.

Cui Dongshan said softly, "Master, please don't take such risks in the future."

Chen Ping'an said, "Of course I should agree. And right now, I do take it to heart, telling myself to stay away from storms. As a mountain cultivator, matters below the mountain are matters outside oneself. But you and I both know that when the time comes, it's hard."

Cui Dongshan leaned on the railing, legs bent, his two sleeves hanging outside like two small snow-white waterfalls.

Chen Ping'an asked, "Is Zhou Mili getting used to life at Falling Mountain?"

Cui Dongshan nodded. "Very used to it. She always thinks that Pei Qian, who copies books every day, is a scholar. She's eagerly waiting for Pei Qian to personally write the story of the Great Water Monster of Mute Lake for her someday. That little girl is incredibly sycophantic—every day she's Pei Qian's little tail, carrying a walking staff with great enthusiasm. Now, from being the Right Protector of Dragon Riding Lane, Master has promoted her to Right Protector of Falling Mountain. Now, before speaking to people, she has to cough twice to clear her throat, then speak in an old-fashioned manner—all bad habits she learned from my senior sister."

Chen Ping'an laughed. "That's good."

Cui Dongshan asked curiously, "Are you really going to register that little girl in the Falling Mountain Ancestral Hall registry, making her something like a mountain's Right Protector?"

Chen Ping'an said, "Of course. This is not a joke. I was hesitant before, but after seeing the factionalism and undercurrents in Spring Dew Garden, my resolve has hardened. I want outsiders to think Falling Mountain is strange and incomprehensible. I know the cost of doing this, but I can make up for it elsewhere—either by me, the mountain master, earning more money and cultivating diligently, or by you, my student, or by Zhu Lian, Lu Baixiang. Our existence is the reason for Zhou Mili, Chen Ruchu, and others to exist. And it will also be a reason for new faces at Falling Mountain in the future to think, 'This is how it is, so it's not strange.'"

"I don't reject the possibility of Falling Mountain becoming a sect-level mountain gate in the future, but I will never deliberately abandon the flowers and grass along the roadside just to gather power. They were never dispensable on Falling Mountain before, and they won't be in the future. Moreover, they have never just been beautiful scenery by the roadside—they are part of my life. Taking care of those worth caring for brings me great peace of mind."

Chen Ping'an turned his head and asked, "Is that understandable?"

Cui Dongshan nodded vigorously. "Understood and accepted!"

Chen Ping'an sighed. "But it will definitely not be easy."

Cui Dongshan said, "Every bold declaration, every ambitious aspiration—none of them are easy once put into practice."

There were some things Cui Dongshan didn't even want to say.
Every joyful reunion is nothing but a future sadness at parting.
But that doesn't diminish the delight of meetings that can happen again—the joy, the wine, the happy faces.
But don't forget, sometimes parting is just parting.

Chen Ping'an also leaned on the railing, gazing at the golden sea of clouds under the bright sun, and asked, "Being my disciple—does it feel uncomfortable?"

Cui Dongshan said, "No."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Great disparity in realm, great disparity in knowledge—of course you're fine as a student."

Cui Dongshan said, "Master, if you say that, your student will have to argue. If Pei Qian makes rapid progress in martial arts, breaking through realms as fast as a grain of rice eating—bowl after bowl, leaving tablemates dazzled—would Master also feel uncomfortable?"

Chen Ping'an nodded. "Of course uncomfortable. Where would the master's face go? When reasoning, if my voice gets a bit loud, I'd have to worry about the disciple giving me a knock on the head—how could I not be flustered?"

Cui Dongshan laughed heartily.
Master's northern journey had done wonders for cultivating his mind.

After a moment of silence, Chen Ping'an said, "I'm a stubborn person, prone to dwelling on trivial matters. Someday, at Falling Mountain, some trivial things might become my huge problems. When that happens, give me some advice."

Cui Dongshan nodded. "The sage said, 'When there is work to be done, the disciple should take the burden.'"

Cui Dongshan turned his head, cheek pressed against the railing, eyes squinting with a smile. "When there is wine and food, the master should have them first. Is this considered filial?"

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Don't randomly twist the original meaning of moral writings. Don't waste the good intentions of the sages."

Cui Dongshan said, "Master, don't forget that in my youth, I was bursting with high spirit and sharp edges. My knowledge was so great it poked through the bag, impossible to hide, impossible to block. I'm not bragging without a draft—I could have easily become the Grand Sacrificial Priest of the Academy. If I wanted to be more mercenary, I could have even become the Deputy Head of the Central Earth Confucian Temple."

Chen Ping'an shook his head. "If the National Teacher said that, I'd believe it. But you—give it a rest. The wind is strong here at the bow; be careful not to bite your tongue."

Cui Dongshan grinned. "Speaking of which, your student doesn't even need a draft to brag."

Chen Ping'an asked, "Is the Central Earth Divine Continent very big?"

Cui Dongshan nodded. "Very big. The combined territories of the other eight continents can match it. If one or two people from the other eight continents can squeeze into the top ten of the Central Earth, that's an achievement. For example, Chen Chun'an of Southern Samvara Continent, the great heavenly master of Dragon Tiger Mountain from North Severance Continent, Fire Dragon True Master, and the Great God of Wealth Liu from White-Capped Continent."

Chen Ping'an said, "Then I must go see it someday."

Cui Dongshan said resentfully, "That's where your student was heartbroken."

Chen Ping'an laughed. "You asked for that beating. Even with a bruised face, you have to grin."

Cui Dongshan helplessly said, "Master, you're not very supportive, huh."

The ferry entered the territory of Skeleton Beach. Song Lanqiao took the initiative to visit, bearing heavy gifts.
There were two sets.
One was from himself; one was from Tan Ling of Spring Dew Garden.

His gift of thanks was actually a magic treasure selected by his master Lin Cue from the Ancestral Hall: a scripture box made of bamboo yellow with dragon patterns, crafted from Spring Dew Garden's specialty immortal wood, containing four jade tablets.
Tan Ling's gift was even more priceless—one of Spring Dew Garden's few mountain treasures, a set of eight ink sticks in a collection.
As he handed it over, Song Lanqiao felt sorry for Tan Ling.

Chen Ping'an did not refuse. The fact that Tan Ling didn't personally deliver the gift at Fu River Ferry but instructed Song Lanqiao to give it just before docking at Skeleton Beach Ferry was itself a sign of sincerity.

This was Song Lanqiao's first official business after joining the Spring Dew Garden Ancestral Hall, and it went smoothly, which relieved him.

But sitting and drinking tea with that master and student pair made Song Lanqiao uncomfortable, especially with Cui Dongshan beside him.

Cui Dongshan twirled his cup between two fingers, gently tracing circles on the table, smiling. "Lanqiao, people who carry a pig head but can't find the temple—there are plenty in the world. You're lucky, Lanqiao."

Just moments before, Song Lanqiao had heard Chen Ping'an call him "Senior Song," and now this student of his was addressing him familiarly as "Lanqiao" left and right—of course it felt awkward.

Spring Dew Garden treated others sincerely, so Chen Ping'an naturally wouldn't let Cui Dongshan keep joking around here. He waved his hand, indicating he had matters to discuss with Song Lanqiao.

Unexpectedly, with that gesture, the next scene made Song Lanqiao break out in a cold sweat.

The white-robed youth seemed to be slapped flying by Chen Ping'an, spinning countless times in the air with his chair. Finally, the man and chair stuck to the wall, sliding down slowly. Cui Dongshan wore a mournful expression, the chair against the wall, him against the chair, and said timidly, "Student will just sit here, then."

Chen Ping'an's face darkened.

Song Lanqiao was inwardly shocked: Could this gentle Chen Sword Immortal be exactly like Liu Jinglong of Grand Emblem Sword Sect—not just an Earth Immortal, but a deeply hidden Jade Pure Sword Immortal?

Chen Ping'an ignored Cui Dongshan and began to seriously discuss matters with Song Lanqiao, striving to reach an agreement on future cooperation between Falling Mountain and Spring Dew Garden. It was only a broad framework and general direction, so Song Lanqiao couldn't make the final decision on the spot. He would need to return to the Ancestral Hall and argue several times before it was done. Once both sides finally decided to cooperate, all specific matters would require Zhu Lian, Wei Bo, and others from Falling Mountain to set the rules. Chen Ping'an had a good grasp of Spring Dew Garden's business, so his conversation with Song Lanqiao was not awkward. His stint as a pack peddler on the North Severance Continent had not been in vain. Falling Mountain's biggest asset was, of course, the important transportation hub at Oxhorn Mountain Ferry. With Great Mountain Lord Wei Bo stationed at Cloud Coat Mountain, Oxhorn Mountain Ferry could accommodate most cross-continent ferries from North Severance Continent. This was like a pack peddler having a settled shop; when money pauses somewhere in the world and then circulates again, it breeds money.

Chen Ping'an occasionally even wondered: How many cultivators had a single, somewhat worn Snowflake Coin seen? A thousand? Ten thousand? Had it already traveled across all nine continents of the Haoran world?

Song Lanqiao had been fully focused on discussing major matters with Chen Ping'an. In his heart, the old Golden Core cultivator even felt that today's talks might determine Spring Dew Garden's direction for the next hundred years.

Then Song Lanqiao saw the Chen Sword Immortal glance toward the wall.

Song Lanqiao followed his gaze. The white-robed youth was holding the chair handles, swaying back and forth, wobbling the chair as if using the chair legs as human feet, staggering along.
When discovered by his master, Cui Dongshan immediately stopped and looked up, whistling.

Song Lanqiao smiled politely and looked away.
This guy—was he mentally ill? He must be!

Chen Ping'an chatted with Song Lanqiao for a full hour, both sides proposing many possibilities. They enjoyed a very pleasant conversation.

By the end, Song Lanqiao had relaxed considerably, hitting a comfortable stride. Many ideas he had accumulated over the years but couldn't voice came pouring out. The young sword immortal sitting across, frequently refilling their tea, was a rare congenial businessman. His words were never decisive "yes" or "no"; rather, he used gentle phrases like "I'm not clear about this part; may I ask Senior Song to elaborate?" or "I have a different thought on this matter; Senior Song, please listen first, and if you have any objections, feel free to say so." However, the young man was not vague. When Song Lanqiao tried to set traps for Gao Song with small moves, the young sword immortal did not expose them directly, only saying, "This matter may require Senior Song to put more effort into the Spring Dew Garden Ancestral Hall."

The white-robed youth, idle, kept circling the table with his wobbling chair. Fortunately, the chair made no sound as it moved.

Song Lanqiao had already learned to ignore him.

After the conversation, Song Lanqiao felt refreshed. There was no tea left in the pot, and though he felt it could go on, he stood up to take his leave.

Song Lanqiao said that Mr. Chen need not see him out. The young man smiled and nodded, only seeing him to the door, telling Cui Dongshan to escort him a bit further.

After Song Lanqiao entered the corridor and the blue-robed sword immortal was out of sight, only the white-robed beautiful youth remained. The old Golden Core cultivator's nerves immediately tightened.

The youth walked backward, gently closing the door, then turned to smile at Song Lanqiao.

Song Lanqiao's smile stiffened.

Cui Dongshan came up to the instinctively bowing Song Lanqiao, jumped up, threw an arm around his neck, and dragged the old Golden Core forward. "Brother Lanqiao, you were eloquent, a stream of pearls and jade."

Song Lanqiao almost couldn't help shouting for "Mr. Chen" to come rescue him.

Suddenly, a chill ran down Song Lanqiao's spine. He wanted to stop, but found he couldn't. Under the youth's light pull, one step forward, and Song Lanqiao knew something was terribly wrong.

The next moment, the white-robed youth had vanished.

Song Lanqiao found himself in a vast white mist. There was no scenery—like a withered miniature world. The view was filled with chilling white. Walking, the ground was slightly soft, not like any earthly soil. When he stepped harder, it only created ripples.

He began to walk cautiously. After an incense stick's time, he started flying. After an hour, he even used a magical treasure, disregarding all propriety, and unleashed light and power wildly, bombarding everything, but he could not change this small world in the slightest. After a year, Song Lanqiao sat cross-legged, haggard, waiting for death.

In an instant, Song Lanqiao looked up and saw a giant head—a young boy's face, smiling but with cold eyes. He slowly raised an arm.

Song Lanqiao's scalp tingled—had he been spinning on the other's snow-white sleeve all along?

The next moment, Song Lanqiao, exhausted in spirit, found himself standing in the ferry corridor. Not far away, the youth stood with hands in his sleeves, smiling at him.

Overwhelmed with relief after escaping death, Song Lanqiao almost burst into tears.

Cui Dongshan smiled slightly. "Master told me to see you off, so I took the liberty of sending you a little farther. Lanqiao, don't complain to my master about me afterward, or next time I'll see you off for ten or a hundred years. Then we'll see who's really mentally ill."

Song Lanqiao trembled and said, "Thank you, senior, for the guidance."

Cui Dongshan asked, "Accustomed to the abundant spiritual energy of Spring Dew Garden and the thin energy on the ferry—why are you uncomfortable in a place without it?"

Song Lanqiao was stunned.

Cui Dongshan passed him by, patted his shoulder, and said earnestly, "Lanqiao, your heart cultivation is rotten, your Golden Core is paper-thin."

Song Lanqiao slowly turned around and bowed in thanks. This time, he was sincere. "Senior's instruction clears the fog before the moonlight. Though I have not yet truly seen the bright moon, the benefit is boundless."

Cui Dongshan ignored him, knocked on the door, and said, "Master, do you want me to bring some fruit and tea?"

Song Lanqiao looked at the youth's profile—that young face—and felt a sense of dislocation, as if separated by a lifetime.

Chen Ping'an opened the door, pressed down on Cui Dongshan's head, and asked Song Lanqiao, "Senior Song, has my disciple been disrespectful to you?"

Song Lanqiao, whether out of madness or sudden inspiration, said something he would never have dared before: "To be honest, it was unbearable."

Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded. "Understood."

The white-robed youth, ears pinched, was dragged howling into the room by Chen Ping'an.

Curses still came from inside: "Damn Song Lanqiao! Ungrateful wretch! Just wait, old man... Master, I was just sincerely helping Brother Lanqiao cultivate! I wasn't playing tricks on him... Master, I was wrong!"

Song Lanqiao shook his sleeves and strode away.
Satisfying.

When the ferry docked at Skeleton Beach, Song Lanqiao simply didn't show up. He sent someone to see them off and disappeared early with an impeccable excuse.

Cui Dongshan rubbed his chin with his palm, looking around.

The two disembarked and headed together toward Linen Sect's Wood Robe Mountain.

Cui Dongshan began to complain. "Master, when Zhu Quan met me for the first time, she said you had never mentioned your student. She pretended not to know me. It broke my heart."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "I mentioned you a few times to Sect Leader Zhu. But she's a sect leader focused on everything, and she also needs to guard the entire Ghostly Valley. Forgetting is not strange."

Then Chen Ping'an reminded him, "Sect Leader Zhu is a rare kind of cultivator on the mountain. I respect her deeply. On Wood Robe Mountain, don't cause any trouble. And that youth Pang Lanxi—he's the direct disciple the mountain has high hopes for. As an outsider, don't say random things. I know you actually have a sense of propriety, but this is Skeleton Beach, not our own Falling Mountain."

Cui Dongshan nodded, glanced at Wood Robe Mountain, and felt a bit regretful.
Nothing to do—this was a bit boring.

At the mountain gate of Wood Robe Mountain, they passed through unimpeded. Most Linen Sect cultivators knew Chen Ping'an, and it hadn't been long since his last visit.

Zhu Quan was not on the mountain; she had already gone to Ghostly Valley's Green Lodge Town.
However, Du Wensi had returned to the Ancestral Hall and begun secluded cultivation to break through to Nascent Soul, with high hopes.

Cui Dongshan mentioned Du Wensi, grinning. "Master, that guy is a lovesick fool. It's said that Huang Ting of Great Peace Mountain once went to Ghostly Valley, and she was utterly aiming for Du Wensi. But not wanting him to overthink, she just dropped a line: 'I, Huang Ting, will have no dao partner in this life.' It broke Du Wensi's heart. But in his grief, he still had some subtle hopes: the girl he longed for, he couldn't have, but at least he didn't have to worry about her being with another man. That was a blessing in misfortune. So Du Wensi started thinking that his realm was too low. If his realm were high enough, at least he'd have a chance—like visiting Great Peace Mountain someday, or even better, traveling the world with Huang Ting..."

Chen Ping'an laughed. "You've only been on Wood Robe Mountain a few days, and you know all this?"

Cui Dongshan nodded. "Just wandered around. Mountains and foothills are no different. When people have leisure, they love to talk about these romantic affairs, lovelorn men and bitter women. Especially some young female cultivators who admire Du Wensi—they're more vexed than Du Wensi himself. They all speak up for him: 'What's so great about that Huang Ting? Just a higher realm, a prettier face, a bigger sect...'"

The main peak of Linen Sect, Wood Robe Mountain, like most ancestral peaks of immortal sects, had a straight flight of stone steps leading up.
But direct disciples could often fly or ride swords. On some peaks, even ordinary disciples had no restrictions. However, immortal abodes often had rules like "each bird has its own path"—different altitudes, different routes. The situation in Dragon Spring Commandery was different, mainly because it was in its early stages. Dragon Spring Sword Sect and Falling Mountain both had few disciples and were not particular about such formalities, which made them seem quite unorthodox. For old establishments like Linen Sect and Spring Dew Garden, with many rules and strict laws, Chen Ping'an thought that was actually a good thing.

But there was no one-size-fits-all cheap solution. The reason Spring Dew Garden was so shaken was that the written sect laws and formal rules had not truly taken root in people's hearts.

On this point, Linen Sect earned Chen Ping'an's genuine respect. From Sect Leader Zhu Quan to Du Wensi, and then to Pang Lanxi—each had different temperaments, but they all shared a similar bearing.
Life and death are small matters, the sect is great.
Cultivators pursue eternal life, yet Linen Sect cultivators were all willing to die for the sect. Zhu Quan, along with successive sect leaders and ancestors, led by example in every deadly battle, willing to die first!

The Linen Sect Discipline Elder, an old man, flew down the steps and landed before them. He smiled and said, "Young Master Chen, Daoist Cui, I apologize for not coming to greet you."

After greetings, Chen Ping'an noticed a strange thing: this Linen Sect Discipline Elder seemed very close to Cui Dongshan, speaking like an old friend.
Had Cui Dongshan done more than just idle wandering on Wood Robe Mountain?
Otherwise, even if Cui Dongshan had fought a battle at Skull Tower City, it wouldn't have made a Discipline Elder regard him so highly. Linen Sect cultivators all fought their way through bone piles. Even someone like Du Wensi, seemingly gentle and refined as a Golden Core cultivator, had long endured battles in Ghostly Valley.

The Discipline Elder personally led them to the courtyard where Chen Ping'an had stayed before.

Linen Sect's cross-continent ferry, which traveled between Skeleton Beach and Old Dragon City, would take about ten days to return to North Severance Continent.

Pang Lanxi and his great-grandfather Pang Shanling were already waiting at the entrance.
The youth smiled and waved. "Mr. Chen!"

When they met, Pang Lanxi's first words were to report good news. He whispered, "Mr. Chen, I've gotten you two more sets of Goddess Portrait Scrolls from my great-grandfather."

Chen Ping'an asked softly, "What's the price?"

Pang Lanxi smiled. "At market price..."

He paused. "Impossible! They're a gift, free!"

Chen Ping'an laughed. "Immortal Pang really dotes on you. But let's go by market price. Friendship is friendship, business is business."

Pang Lanxi looked a little disappointed. "It's only been a few days, Mr. Chen, why are you being so distant?"

Chen Ping'an lowered his voice. "Polite words don't cost money. You be polite first, then I'm polite, and then we don't have to be polite anymore."

Pang Lanxi laughed, unable to close his mouth.
Learned something again.
Mr. Chen's knowledge was truly extensive.

The four sat down. Pang Lanxi, being the youngest and lowest in seniority, stood behind his great-grandfather.

Chen Ping'an went straight to the point, bringing up the matter with Spring Dew Garden.

The Linen Sect Discipline Elder named Yan Su immediately sent a flying sword message to a Nascent Soul cultivator on another peak, named Wei Yusong, one generation lower than Yan Su but not young in age. He and Pang Lanxi were fellow disciples. Wei Yusong held the sect's financial power, similar to Gao Song of Spring Dew Garden. He was a thin, short, and vigorous old man. When he met Chen Ping'an and Cui Dongshan, he was very courteous.

Since Zhu Quan had made that small deal with Falling Mountain's Oxhorn Mountain Ferry, her first action was to talk with Wei Yusong. On the surface, as sect leader, she was concerned about Wei Yusong's cultivation; in truth, she was boasting. Wei Yusong was both amused and exasperated, refusing to say a single flattering word, which left Zhu Quan frustrated. Wei Yusong's impression of the blue-robed young man was merely "not bad," nothing more.

But he had immense respect for that youth-faced Daoist Cui. The reason was simple: after arriving at Wood Robe Mountain, Cui Dongshan had wandered the mountain for two days, then went straight to the Linen Sect Ancestral Hall, handed over a large stack of diagrams, and bluntly said that Wood Robe Mountain's protective array was a bit crude, wasting the combat power of its batch of heroic spirits. The Ancestral Hall gathered and even invited a veteran elder who was a Mohist artificer. They found that if they modified Wood Robe Mountain's array according to Cui Dongshan's blueprint, spending just over a thousand Grain Rain Coins, they could increase the array's power by two-tenths! The Mohist artificer was so ashamed he almost wanted to resign his elder title.

To tell the truth, even spending ten thousand Grain Rain Coins—if it increased the protective array's power by just one-tenth—would be a bargain worth burning incense and telling the ancestors about.

So the old cultivators in the Linen Sect Ancestral Hall looked upon Cui Dongshan with great favor.

Especially when the white-robed youth dropped the diagrams, explained a few key points in the hall, and then swaggered off to continue wandering Wood Robe Mountain, chatting with the immortal ladies.

Afterward, Zhu Quan personally asked Cui Dongshan how Linen Sect could repay this favor. If he, Cui Dongshan, would name his price, Linen Sect would sell everything it had, even go into debt, to repay this bond of gratitude.

Cui Dongshan was not modest. He named names: Du Wensi and Pang Lanxi. After they each reached the Nascent Soul realm, they would serve as recorded guest elders at Falling Mountain. But it was just a recording; Falling Mountain would not demand anything of them unless they volunteered.

Zhu Quan was a bit puzzled at the time: "That's it?"

Cui Dongshan retorted, "What else do you want?"

Zhu Quan then looked guilty and touched his heart, sighing, "That Chen Ping'an—he never once mentioned you, his student, in front of me. Really disgraceful. His conscience must have been eaten by a dog. Next time he comes to Skeleton Beach, I'll definitely scold him for you."

Cui Dongshan almost cried, pitifully, "Sister Zhu, your conscience must have been eaten by a dog, too."

Zhu Quan then said a fair word: "Chen Ping'an should be proud to have you as his student."

Cui Dongshan reciprocated. "A good woman like Sister Zhu still has no dao partner—that's an injustice against heaven."

Then they almost fought, and Zhu Quan went to Ghostly Valley's Green Lodge Town still fuming.

Wei Yusong was a shrewd man familiar with business. Otherwise, with an unreliable sect leader like Zhu Quan and unreliable old ancestors like Yan Su, even though Linen Sect had few direct disciples, its foundation would have long been eroded by Skull Tower City's slow, steady cuts. Every time Wei Yusong attended Ancestral Hall meetings, even when facing Zhu Quan or his own master Yan Su, he never smiled. He liked to bring an account book, flipping through it and making sharp remarks, one after another. Over time, the ancestors in the hall just smiled and pretended not to hear—they got used to it.

Wei Yusong thought that helping Spring Dew Garden transport goods to Vase Bottle Continent was certainly fine, but the profit-sharing would need serious negotiation.

While Wei Yusong was calculating accounts, Yan Su and Pang Shanling began their usual smiles. Cui Dongshan felt this wasn't his place to speak, so he exchanged winks and expressions with Pang Lanxi. Pang Lanxi was wary of this "peer" who was unbelievably handsome. Being a youth, he worried that the girl he had grown up with might be attracted to a better-looking peer. Especially when he went down the mountain to Mural City to see her, she casually mentioned this outsider youth who had come to buy Goddess Portraits. Though she said some ordinary comments about his strange temper, it still upset Pang Lanxi.
Recently, Pang Lanxi had been worried to death.
So he especially wanted to consult Mr. Chen.

Chen Ping'an, the rogue cultivator and pack peddler, bargained with Wei Yusong, who controlled all of Linen Sect's money.
Even Chen Ping'an found it a bit difficult.
This Wei Yusong was too miserly.
He didn't have the style of a sect-registered immortal at all.

Whenever there were tricky details, Wei Yusong would invoke a wandering old ancestor other than Yan Su, splashing mud. He would firmly claim how old-fashioned and pedantic that ancestor was, how he quibbled over every single Snowflake Coin. Even the slightest suspicion of harming sect interests would make that ancestor demand accountability in the Ancestral Hall, giving face to no one. Wei Yusong claimed that he himself had the least status in Linen Sect. Everyone who came asking for money always had a loud voice; if he refused, they'd fall out. Some relied on high cultivation, some on high seniority, and some even more shamelessly relied on low seniority and low cultivation to cause trouble.

Listening to Wei Yusong's grievances, it seemed like he was the most despicable and least influential person in the entire Linen Sect.

So Chen Ping'an had no choice. He gently put down his teacup and coughed.

Cui Dongshan, who had been yawning, immediately sat up straight and said, "The Wood Robe Mountain protective array still has room for improvement."

Wei Yusong slammed the table. "All agreed! Just as Mr. Chen says!"

Chen Ping'an asked with feigned sincerity, "Won't this make things difficult for Linen Sect?"

Wei Yusong said with great righteousness, "Nonsense! When it comes to money matters in Linen Sect, not even Sect Leader Zhu or the Heavenly King himself can interfere with me, Wei Yusong!"

Chen Ping'an pretended to understand and nodded with a smile.

Wei Yusong's smile remained unchanged.
Indeed, a kindred spirit.

Wei Yusong left with Yan Su and Pang Shanling.
He insisted on chatting with Daoist Cui, so Cui Dongshan had to follow.

Only Chen Ping'an and Pang Lanxi remained. Pang Lanxi sat down and said softly, "Mr. Chen, is that Senior Cui really your student?"

Chen Ping'an nodded. "It's normal if it doesn't seem like it."

Pang Lanxi hesitated.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "If it's hard to ask for help, then..."

Chen Ping'an stopped talking and raised both hands, making a gesture.

Pang Lanxi immediately understood—the Gallery Edition Goddess Portrait Scroll.
Pang Lanxi quickly flew away and quickly returned to the courtyard with two wooden boxes on the table.

Besides that, there was a letter sent from Cloud City, addressed to him, Pang Lanxi, to be forwarded to "Good Man Chen."

Chen Ping'an put the letter into his sleeve and smiled. "Now you have the courage to speak?"

Pang Lanxi whispered, "Mr. Chen, I'm a little worried."

Chen Ping'an understood in his heart.
Pang Lanxi was a youth who didn't need to worry about cultivation. A young man's worries on the mountain, if not about cultivation, could only be about the sect's survival or decline. Linen Sect had no such hidden concern—or rather, it had always been riddled with dangers, and all cultivators had gotten used to it. So it had to be that other matter.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Tell me first, then I'll help you analyze."

Pang Lanxi spoke of those things. Actually, there was nothing much.
Just youthful romantic feelings. Sometimes, they could be roundabout—not just girls had such twists and turns.

After listening, Chen Ping'an thought for a moment, suppressed a smile, and said, "Don't worry. The girl you like definitely won't change her mind and fall for Cui Dongshan. Besides, Cui Dongshan wouldn't fancy her."

Pang Lanxi's face turned red. He said angrily, "Mr. Chen, I'm going to get mad! What do you mean 'Cui Dongshan wouldn't fancy her'?!"
Mr. Chen really didn't know how to talk!
He wasn't like this before.

Chen Ping'an couldn't help but laugh.

Pang Lanxi thought about it, scratched his head, and felt a little embarrassed.
That knot in his heart was gone.

Not only that, but deep inside, the youth felt a bit indignant. He resolved to cultivate well and make sure his girl knew she hadn't chosen wrong, that she would never regret it for life.

Chen Ping'an then said, "That girl likes you not because you, Pang Lanxi, are a cultivation prodigy. But if you can prove yourself a true cultivation prodigy, she will be even happier—happy for you, and happy for herself."

Pang Lanxi asked softly, "Is that so?"

Chen Ping'an nodded. "Yes, on this point, I am absolutely certain."

Pang Lanxi lay on the table, staring blankly.

Chen Ping'an opened the wooden box, took out a scroll of the Goddess Portrait, spread it on the table, and examined it carefully. It was indeed Pang Shanling's masterpiece.

Pang Lanxi suddenly asked, "Mr. Chen, there must be a lot of girls who like you, right?"

Chen Ping'an slowly rolled up the Goddess Portrait and shook his head. "No, there aren't."

Pang Lanxi shook his head. "I don't believe it."

Chen Ping'an opened Xu Xingjiu's letter. It was brief, mentioning some recent events in Cloud City and that he was ready. Once Mr. Liu succeeded in his sword challenge, he would visit Grand Emblem Sword Sect again. This time, it would be a down-the-mountain training trip, north to Grand Emblem Sword Sect, south to Skeleton Beach.

After reading the letter, Chen Ping'an said, "I have a friend, the letter writer, Xu Xingjiu of Cloud City. He might come to travel here in the future. If you're free then, you can help me host him. If you're busy, don't force yourself. That's not just polite talk. Just because he's my friend doesn't mean he'll automatically be yours, so don't force it."

Pang Lanxi nodded and agreed. "Alright, I'll send a letter to Cloud City first and arrange it. Whether we become friends or not, we'll see when we meet."
Mr. Chen's friends must be worth befriending.
Just like earlier, when Mr. Chen discussed Spring Dew Garden with Senior Brother Wei. Pang Lanxi didn't understand business, but with so few disciples in Linen Sect, he knew Linen Sect's attitude toward Spring Dew Garden. It wasn't contempt, but it certainly wasn't friendship—just business. The reek of copper at Spring Dew Garden was a bit strong, and Linen Sect cultivators didn't like that. For years, Spring Dew Garden had tried to ingratiate themselves with Wei Yusong, but they dared not be too obvious. Moreover, Song Lanqiao, who managed Spring Dew Garden's ferry, couldn't even speak fluently in front of Nascent Soul Wei Yusong. Wei Yusong had an unmatched status in Linen Sect, notoriously hard to deal with.

Yet when Mr. Chen proposed that the three forces cooperate in cross-continent business, Pang Lanxi noticed that Senior Brother Wei had been lenient from the start, without any intention of refusing.

Pang Lanxi felt this was something he needed to learn from Mr. Chen.
The art of interpersonal relations was profound.

Finally, Chen Ping'an said, "Do you know that when you were worrying about Cui Dongshan, the girl you like was actually happiest? That's why she smiled more than usual. You must understand: it's because she truly felt your nervousness."

Pang Lanxi turned worry into joy, beaming.

Chen Ping'an laughed. "What are you waiting for? Take a little personal leave and go down the mountain to see her."

Pang Lanxi stood up. "I should have asked for another set of Goddess Portraits from Mr. Chen earlier."

The youth left.

Chen Ping'an sat alone.

A long time later, Cui Dongshan sauntered into the courtyard, his two large sleeves swaying.

Then he saw a blue brick placed on the table in front of his master.

Cui Dongshan's heart skipped a beat. He immediately stopped and stood still. "Master, I knew nothing about Pei Qian practicing martial arts beforehand! It was Zhu Lian, Zheng Dafeng, and Wei Bo—they knew and didn't report it, hiding it from Master. Your student hasn't a single copper coin's worth of involvement!"

Chen Ping'an said in a nonchalant tone, "It's not about that. The grievance has a clear debtor. I'm not looking for trouble with you."

Cui Dongshan immediately burst into smiles. "If Master wants to teach them a lesson, your student can help."

Chen Ping'an ignored that and pointed at the blue brick—a Daoist temple brick that had not yet fully refined its water fortune and Dao intent at the Mountain Shrine. "I've collected thirty-six bricks like this. In the future, I plan to pave them on the ground at Falling Mountain for six people to practice their horse stance boxing: me, Pei Qian, Zhu Lian, Zheng Dafeng, Lu Baixiang, and Cen Yuanji."

Cui Dongshan looked as if he had lost his parents; he stretched out his right hand and one left finger and wailed, "Master, what about me? I'm your proud disciple!"

Chen Ping'an said helplessly, "I'll give you my share."

Cui Dongshan then extended two fingers, rubbed his eyes, and smiled. "Tears of sorrow have become tears of joy. Master is truly inspired."

Chen Ping'an looked at him sideways.

Cui Dongshan obediently sat down.

Chen Ping'an pushed the brick over. "You have good handwriting. I just thought of this and want you to write some auspicious words, carved on the back of the bricks. Then just the two of us will secretly lay them, with no one seeing. Maybe someday, someone will accidentally discover them—a little surprise. It's not a big deal, just for fun."

Cui Dongshan nodded like a chick pecking rice. He sat cross-legged on a stone stool, leaned forward, lay on the table with both hands pressing the brick, and whispered, "Master, let's think carefully. These thirty-six sentences must be earth-shattering and ghost-crying."

Chen Ping'an asked, "What do you think? We secretly write a sentence for everyone at Falling Mountain and carve it on them? As for the rest, you can just copy some wise sayings from the books."

Cui Dongshan gleefully said, "Totally works!"

Chen Ping'an said, "Annoying?"

Cui Dongshan sheepishly said, "Master's jokes are also outstanding."

Chen Ping'an rubbed his chin. "The feng shui of Falling Mountain was really corrupted by you."

Cui Dongshan raised both hands and imitated Senior Sister. "Heaven knows my heart!"

The two boarded Linen Sect's cross-continent ferry and truly began their journey home.

During breaks from cultivation and boxing practice, Chen Ping'an took the initiative to visit Cui Dongshan in the next room and asked a question.

"Confucian sages have such vast knowledge. Why don't they speak in more detail about cultivation, study, doing good, and the like? And why are they so messy? At least within Confucianism, everyone has their own say. Differences of opinion—they're not arguing, but it's still like arguing."

Cui Dongshan, for once, did not flatter. He asked seriously, "Do you feel that many teachings are complex and lofty, making the world at a loss?"

Chen Ping'an thought for a moment and nodded.

Cui Dongshan shook his head. "Some teachings should be lofty. What distinguishes humans from plants, birds, beasts, and all other sentient beings is precisely these teachings that hang above our heads. Teachings that can be directly used—those must exist, clearly, plainly, and orderly. But if there are no lofty teachings above, something that inspires people to yearn and endure hardship to go see—then it would be wrong."

Chen Ping'an was silent for a long time. Finally, he nodded. "That makes sense."

Cui Dongshan slowly said, "Let's return to the first part of your question."

Chen Ping'an, however, said, "No rush. Let me think about it myself. Shall we play chess?"

Cui Dongshan smiled. "Master's chess skill has returned to simplicity, soaring into the clouds. Does he still need a terrible player like me to teach? Ashamed, ashamed. Terrified, terrified."

As he spoke, he took out a chess pot and board.

Chen Ping'an said sternly, "From now on, at Falling Mountain, talk less."

Cui Dongshan raised his sleeve, picked up a chess piece, and held it in the air, smiling. "Master says nothing, so the disciple dares not open his mouth."

Chen Ping'an also picked up a piece.

When Cui Dongshan sat before the chessboard, his whole demeanor changed. He said calmly, "Your student presumes: four corners free, center star, plus three edges, letting Master have twelve moves."

Chen Ping'an looked at his dead-serious student, silently put the piece back into the pot, stood up, and left without a word.