Chapter 567: What Is Composure

Chapter 567: What Is Composure

Cui Dongshan came over and took a seat. At the table were three people: master and disciple, teacher and student.

Cui Dongshan bent down, reached out, and took the jug of immortal wine buried behind the bamboo pavilion. Chen Ping'an also picked up the wine in front of him. The two each drank a mouthful.

Chen Ping'an wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand and asked, "When will you leave?"

Cui Dongshan smiled and said, "In truth, your student has never left. Wherever Master is, your student's thoughts follow."

In the deep darkness of the night, the young man's smile was radiant like the sun.

Chen Ping'an turned to look at Pei Qian. "Don't learn to speak like him in the future."

Pei Qian was completely baffled and shook her head vigorously. "Master, I never learned from him, not once."

Cui Dongshan gave a thumbs up.

Pei Qian crossed her arms over her chest, trying her best to put on the airs of a senior senior sister.

Chen Ping'an said, "Please take good care of Chen Ruchu's affairs. Guarding against thieves day after day is the most draining."

Fallen Mountain was still quite a distance from Dragon Spring Prefecture. Although the little girl in the pink dress had long obtained a sword talisman forged by the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, allowing her to ride the wind without hindrance, Chen Ruchu liked to compare prices when buying things. She was very meticulous. Some items couldn't be bought in the prefectural city right away and might require a day or two. So she had used her private savings early on to purchase a house there, using a connection through the prefectural government office. She got a feng shui property at a very favorable price. The neighbors were all wealthy households from the Great Li capital. The person who handled the transaction at that time was a little-known civil secretary, an assistant to the former prefect Wu Yuan. Now he was the parent official of Dragon Spring Prefecture. It turned out he was a descendant of a major family from the capital in disguise.

Like today, Chen Ruchu was staying overnight at the prefectural city house and wouldn't return to Fallen Mountain until she had prepared the goods tomorrow.

Under such circumstances, before leaving Fallen Mountain, Chen Ruchu would always hand over a bunch of keys to Zhou Mili or Cen Yuanji.

Cui Dongshan said, "When your student handles things, Master can rest assured. The Great Li spies and death warriors are best at one thing: endurance. Wei Bo has also privately instructed the northernmost mountain god to keep an eye on the prefectural city's movements. Besides, the dharma robe on Warm Tree's body that uses an illusion technique is something your student once collected. Even if something sudden happens and the Great Li death warriors and mountain gods can't intervene in time, relying solely on the dharma robe, Warm Tree can still block one or two sword strikes from a Nascent Soul sword cultivator. After the sword strike, Wei Bo will know about it. By then, even if the other party wants to die to end it, it won't be easy."

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Doesn't this count as using public office for private gain?"

The safety of some people on Fallen Mountain necessarily required the sacrifices of others.

For the little girl in the pink dress to go out without worry, it required Chen Ping'an, Cui Dongshan, and Wei Bo's meticulous planning and careful arrangements.

But conversely, when he and Cui Dongshan were each traveling abroad, no matter what turbulent and dangerous battles they experienced, if they could think of Fallen Mountain and feel at ease, that was Chen Ruchu's great merit as the little steward.

There had been a time when Chen Ping'an agonized over his own calculations, feeling like he was a ledger keeper who weighed pros and cons, calculated gains and losses, and wouldn't even let go of the flow of people's hearts.

But now looking back, it was just unnecessary worry. Such calculations, which didn't only revolve around money, had their merits and their worthy aspects. There was no need to hide them, and certainly no need to reject them deep in his heart.

In short, Chen Ping'an absolutely would not allow regrets to arise because he "didn't think of it" or "didn't think more."

What good would it do to furiously strike out after the fact, like a common man's rage, spilling blood three feet? Would it reduce the regret? Could it erase the remorse?

Now the Fallen Mountain beneath his feet was his responsibility.

In the future, the Lotus Root Blessed Land under his nose would be too.

First have a conscience, then earn money.

Money still had to be earned, after all, because money was a hero's courage and a ladder for cultivation.

But the order must not be wrong.

Cui Dongshan said, "Not to mention Master and Senior Sister, but with Zhu Lian, Lu Baixiang, and Wei Xian, given all the extra martial fortune that Fallen Mountain has brought to the Great Li dynasty, even if I asked for a Nascent Soul level's permanent residence in Dragon Spring Prefecture, it wouldn't be too much. That old bastard wouldn't dare fart either. For argument's sake, there's no such thing in this world as wanting a horse to run but not feeding it grass. I labor and toil guarding the south, travel-worn every day, managing such a big mess, helping that old bastard stabilize seven or eight fronts, both open and secret. Even close brothers need clear accounts. I haven't asked the old bastard to open his mouth wide to demand a salary; that's already me being generous."

Chen Ping'an didn't say a word.

Cui Dongshan and the old national teacher Cui Chan's "family affairs" — he wouldn't meddle.

Only at this moment did Pei Qian realize there were so many twists and turns regarding the little steward Warm Tree. She became somewhat worried and asked, "How about I accompany Warm Tree when she goes out to buy things from now on?"

Cui Dongshan said with a sly smile, "You, a fourth-tier martial artist, going to deliver your head as a gift?"

Pei Qian sighed mournfully, banged her head on the table with a thud, and didn't lift it, speaking with a muffled voice, "No way. My fist training is too slow. Grandpa Cui says I'm like a turtle crawling, an ant moving house. It's infuriating."

Chen Ping'an's expression was strange.

Cui Dongshan added insult to injury: "Already worried? Then Senior Sister will walk even slower through the martial fifth and sixth tiers. Especially the matter of a martial heart — it needs long-term planning. It really can't speed up."

Pei Qian raised her head and said angrily, "Big White Goose, are you annoying or what? Can't you say something nice for a change?"

Cui Dongshan asked, "Can nice words fill your belly?"

Pei Qian said matter-of-factly, "They can get me to eat more! Every time I eat with Mili, I can have an extra bowl. But seeing you makes me lose my appetite."

Chen Ping'an comforted her, "If getting anxious won't help, don't get anxious."

Pei Qian immediately shouted, "Master is wise!"

Cui Dongshan turned to look at Chen Ping'an. "Master, see? The feng shui of our Fallen Mountain has nothing to do with your student, right?"

Chen Ping'an ignored him and changed the subject. "I've already talked to Wei Liang, the late emperor of Nanyuan Kingdom. But the new emperor, Wei Yan, has no small ambitions, so you might need to have a word with Wei Xian."

Wei Xian was the founding emperor of Nanyuan Kingdom and the first sovereign in Lotus Root Blessed Land's history to extensively search mountains and seek immortals.

Cui Dongshan smiled and asked, "Wei Xian is a lucky one brought out of Lotus Root Blessed Land by Master. Master's kindness is like rebirth. If Master gives the order, Wei Xian has no reason to refuse."

Chen Ping'an shook his head. "On Fallen Mountain, within the major rules, everyone must be given leeway and freedom to follow their own hearts. It's not that I'm deliberately trying to be a moral sage, only seeking a clear conscience. But if it's not done this way, in the long run, we won't be able to keep people. Today we won't keep Lu Baixiang, tomorrow we won't keep Wei Xian, and the day after tomorrow, we won't keep Master Zhong."

Cui Dongshan nodded. "Master is wise."

Pei Qian said angrily, "Change your words! Don't steal mine!"

Cui Dongshan wagged his head, fluttering his large sleeves. "Hehe, I won't. Come hit me, go ahead. If I dodge once, I'll take the old bastard's surname."

Pei Qian hugged her head with both hands, her brain hurting. It was only because Master was by her side, otherwise she would have thrown a punch long ago.

Unexpectedly, Master smiled and reminded her, "He's begging you to hit him, why not oblige? In the martial world, fulfilling requests is a good habit."

Pei Qian's eyes sparkled.

Cui Dongshan raised an arm, his two fingers pressed together, and wagged them in front of him. "Senior Sister, I know immortal techniques. If I cast the immobilization spell on someone who's eaten and drunk their fill, tsk tsk, the outcome would be unimaginable, a beautiful sight to behold."

Pei Qian said solemnly, "Master, I think there should be harmony between fellow disciples. Harmony brings wealth."

Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded. "Also reasonable."

Then Chen Ping'an said, "Get to bed early. Tomorrow, I, your master, will personally feed you fists."

Pei Qian's eyes went wide. "Huh?"

It wasn't that she was afraid of hardship; Pei Qian was worried that after being fed fists, she would reveal her true colors — the pitiful fourth-tier — and make a fool of herself in front of Master.

Chen Ping'an laughed and said, "Don't be anxious in your heart, but don't slack in your hands. When you reach the bottleneck of the fifth tier, you can go down the mountain to travel on your own. Whether to call Li Huai along is up to you. Of course, the little donkey I promised you will definitely come."

Pei Qian said eagerly, "Master, after midnight is 'today.' You can teach me fist techniques now."

Chen Ping'an pressed down on her little head and gently pushed her away. "I need to talk business with Cui Dongshan."

Pei Qian said aggrievedly, "Talking business with Old Man Zhong is understandable. But what business could you have with a big white goose? Master, I'm not sleepy. You two talk, and I'll just listen."

Cui Dongshan clicked his tongue. "Even Master's words aren't listened to anymore. This is just the fourth tier; when you reach the fifth or sixth, you'll probably fly up to the sky."

Pei Qian refused to budge, arms crossed over her chest, sneering, "Sowing discord between master and disciple — a villain's move!"

Cui Dongshan said, "Master, I can't handle her anyway."

Chen Ping'an put his two fingers together and bent them gently. "Does your little head hurt?"

Pei Qian finally ran off in a huff.

A few moments later, Chen Ping'an said without turning his head, "Picking up money in the grass?"

Pei Qian, who had been poking her head out and peeping, stood up dejectedly. "Master, I was halfway and heard a cricket chirping. I was catching crickets. Now it's run away, so I'll really go to sleep."

When Pei Qian was far away.

Chen Ping'an looked somewhat worried. "I know some worries are unnecessary, and thinking too much is useless. But it's easy to persuade others with reason; convincing oneself is really hard."

Cui Dongshan said softly, "Pei Qian did break through too quickly, and she consumed so much martial fortune. Fortunately, Wei Bo suppresses the aura, and Pearly Bead Cave Heaven is famous for its many strange people and unusual events. But when Pei Qian goes out to walk the martial world on her own, it will indeed be troublesome."

Chen Ping'an sighed and said slowly, "But hearing her talk about that trip in Lotus Root Blessed Land, that she could think of and speak the principle of 'being able to hold back the fist,' I was still a bit happy. What I fear is going overboard, learning from me in every way, so that the martial world that belongs to Pei Qian in the future might become much dimmer."

Cui Dongshan said, "Learn the good things first, then become yourself — what's wrong with that? Hasn't Master walked this path over the years? All the children under heaven, if they don't remember any rules in their hearts and only learn to be loud and boisterous, is that good? In the years when rules need to be remembered most, elders deliberately try to be close and indulgent, unwilling to say harsh words. I think that's very bad."

Chen Ping'an nodded, taking it in.

Cui Dongshan asked, "Are you also worried about Cao Qinglang's future?"

Chen Ping'an sighed. "Of course. I don't want to dictate Cao Qinglang's life, but I also don't want him to neglect his studies and cultivation."

Cui Dongshan smiled. "Why not let Zhong Qiu take Cao Qinglang along when he leaves Lotus Root Blessed Land? Let Cao Qinglang travel and study together with Zhong Qiu in the new world. Start from Vase Continent, but not too far. Cao Qinglang's talent is indeed not bad. Master Zhong transmits the way and resolves doubts, focusing on the word 'mellow.' That friend of Master's named Lu Tai taught Cao Qinglang to avoid the word 'stubborn.' The two complement each other. In the end, it's because Zhong Qiu's foundation is upright and his learning is pure. Lu Tai's learning is mixed but not chaotic, and he is willing to sincerely respect Zhong Qiu. Only then did Cao Qinglang develop this aura. If each insisted on their own extreme, Cao Qinglang would be ruined. In the end, it's Master's merit."

Chen Ping'an asked, "If I say I really want the name Cao Qinglang to be recorded in the genealogy of our Fallen Mountain ancestral hall, would that be too selfish?"

Cui Dongshan smiled and asked, "Master, at the small house in Humble Alley, did you bring this up with Cao Qinglang?"

Chen Ping'an said helplessly, "Of course I had to ask his own wishes first. At that time, Cao Qinglang just grinned foolishly and nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at rice. It made me feel like I was seeing Pei Qian again, so instead I felt some guilt."

Cui Dongshan laughed heartily. "There you go. It's a good thing of mutual consent. If Master feels uneasy, why not think about all the effort and energy you'll have to spend later to cultivate a scholarly seed? Will that help?"

Chen Ping'an thought it over and indeed felt much more at ease.

Then Chen Ping'an thought of another child, named Zhao Shuxia.

He wondered how that boy was doing with his fist post stances.

Chen Ping'an also valued Zhao Shuxia greatly, but he had different concerns and expectations for different juniors.

Zhao Shuxia's way of practicing fists was actually the most similar to his own.

Rely on nothing but diligence.

The boy's pure heart, his intention to learn fists, and his pursuit of martial arts — Chen Ping'an liked them all.

So Chen Ping'an mentioned Zhao Shuxia to Cui Dongshan for the first time, along with the girl with a cultivation foundation, Zhao Luan, and the Fisherman Elder Wu Shuowen, whom he deeply respected.

Cui Dongshan said slowly, "The meaning of simplicity has always been a major principle in fist techniques. On top of that, if one can innovate and bring forth the new, that is the great skill of reaching the heavens in martial arts."

Chen Ping'an laughed. "You're not even a martial artist yourself. You're talking empty talk. I can't argue with you, but don't meddle with Zhao Shuxia."

Cui Dongshan nodded in agreement.

With him as the student, when he had leisure time, he could take a few more glances and reduce many unexpected events.

Besides, he, Cui Dongshan, was too lazy to do things that were merely adding flowers to brocade. If he did anything, it would only be sending charcoal in the snow.

For example, improving the protective formation of the Linen Garment Sect, increasing its power by two-tenths.

Cui Dongshan naturally still held back some effort.

Zhu Quan of the Linen Garment Sect knew it well, but since it involved the rise and fall of the sect, Zhu Quan still did not push her advantage relying on past goodwill. She didn't even hint at it, let alone complain to Chen Ping'an.

Because the Linen Garment Sect couldn't offer equivalent goodwill at the moment—or rather, couldn't produce the kind of goodwill that Cui Dongshan, as Chen Ping'an's student, wanted—Zhu Quan simply kept her mouth shut.

If it had been Chen Ping'an, Zhu Quan would have spoken frankly. Even if she owed money after borrowing from the upper sect for immortal coins and still couldn't settle the account, then the old lady would just run up a debt. She, Zhu Quan, would owe a debt without the slightest guilt.

But Chen Ping'an was Chen Ping'an, and Cui Dongshan was Cui Dongshan. Even if they were master and student, both called Fallen Mountain home.

That was the measure.

Although Zhu Quan, as the sect leader of the Linen Garment Sect at Skeleton Beach, seemed very unfit—her realm wasn't low, but for the sect it was still insufficient—she had to use the lowest option: leading by example at Green Hut Town, stubbornly holding back the southward advance of Capital View City.

But everyone on the continent knew that the Linen Garment Sect was a straightforward mountain sect that distinguished between kindness and enmity.

This well-known mountain style and sect reputation were a huge pile of immortal coins that the Linen Garment Sect had accumulated intangibly.

During this trip to the Northern Utmost Continent, Chen Ping'an had learned many principles outside of books from the Linen Garment Sect under Zhu Quan's command and from the Sleeping Peak where Fire Dragon True Man had been napping soundly.

Chen Ping'an took out two more jugs of glutinous rice wine, one for each.

This time, both drank slowly.

With a mountain home that was beginning to take shape, matters naturally increased.

How to deal with the new governor Wei Li and the prefectural city god required careful handling of the measure and timing.

This was by no means a simple matter where Cui Dongshan could get any advantage just by flashing his official identity as "Leader of the Great Li Green Wave Pavilion."

At Turtleback Mountain, Lu Baixiang and Liu Zhongrun, who had obtained the two immortal treasures, Water Hall and Dragon Boat, were already on their way back. So when Lu Baixiang arrived at Fallen Mountain, his two direct disciples, the siblings Yuanbao and Yuanlai, should be recorded in the genealogy. But the awkward thing was that Fallen Mountain still hadn't built an ancestral hall. For many things, Chen Ping'an, as the mountain lord, had to be present: laying the foundation, raising the ridgepole, hanging portraits, offering the first incense—all required Chen Ping'an's presence.

So Chen Ping'an still needed to stay for a while, first waiting for Lu Baixiang, then waiting for Zhu Lian to return from Old Dragon City.

Whether Zhou Mili's formal appointment as the right protector of Fallen Mountain would stir up certain hearts and minds was also something Chen Ping'an needed to contemplate deeply.

Chen Ping'an stood up. "I'll go to Dragon Riding Alley."

Cui Dongshan smiled. "Walking?"

Chen Ping'an said, "Pei Qian has a sword talisman issued by the Dragon Spring Sword Sect; I don't. In the middle of the night, I won't trouble Wei Bo. Just as well, I can also go see Zheng Dafeng with his twisted ankle."

Cui Dongshan said, "Then I'll walk with Master."

As they went down the mountain, Cen Yuanji happened to be going up the mountain, practicing her fists.

Chen Ping'an and Cui Dongshan stood aside to let her pass.

Cen Yuanji said nothing, her fist intent flowing, single-minded, moving up the mountain along the stakes.

They continued down the mountain.

Cui Dongshan laughed. "This little girl is also stubborn. She only has eyes for Zhu Lian."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "It shows Zhu Lian has good judgment in taking disciples. The corrupted atmosphere of Fallen Mountain, brought about by you, can be corrected a bit by Cen Yuanji. Should cherish that."

Cui Dongshan said helplessly, "If Master is determined to think that way and it brings you some peace, then your student will just grit his teeth and admit it."

At the foot of the mountain, Chen Ping'an knocked on the door. For a long time there was no response. Chen Ping'an wasn't about to let Zheng Dafeng off. He knocked so loudly it shook the heavens.

Zheng Dafeng finally came limping to the door, bleary-eyed, and opened it. Seeing Chen Ping'an, he feigned surprise. "Mountain Lord, you're back home and didn't even tell me? A few steps and you can't be bothered? Look down on me, the gatekeeper, right? Since you look down on me, Zheng Dafeng, then what's this visit tonight about? I'm hurt, I'm hurt. Going to bed, so the Mountain Lord won't have to see me and be annoyed, and I won't be upset either. If I lose my job, tomorrow I'll have to pack up and roll out. That would be the end, wouldn't it? Unless I have to sleep on the county streets? Winter's coming, freezing cold. Would the Mountain Lord have the heart? Whatever business, talk later. After all, I'm just the gatekeeper. Nothing urgent to discuss. Mountain Lord, go do your big things first..."

Zheng Dafeng started to close the door.

This string of words flowed smoothly without a flaw.

Chen Ping'an pressed one hand on the gate and said with a smile, "Brother Dafeng, hurting your leg is such a big deal. Of course I have to pay my respects."

Zheng Dafeng was brimming with righteousness and shook his head. "No big deal. For a real man, as long as the third leg isn't broken, it's a small matter."

One tried to close the door, the other held it open. Neither gave way.

Zheng Dafeng muttered, "Mountain Lord breaks through realms and then bullies people like this. Then I, Zheng Dafeng, will just have to throw myself on the ground and act like a rascal."

Chen Ping'an said with a wry laugh, "There really is something to talk about."

Zheng Dafeng asked, "Whose business?"

Chen Ping'an said impatiently, "It's not Pei Qian's, anyway."

Zheng Dafeng let out an "Aiyo," bent down, moving nimbly, grabbed Chen Ping'an's arm, and pulled him inside the gate. "Mountain Lord, please come in. The place is small and the hospitality is poor. Don't mind it. This really isn't me complaining. I hate gossiping behind people's backs. It's that stingy Zhu Lian. The silver he allocates is just a drop in the bucket. Look at this house—does it have any dignity? For such a grand Fallen Mountain to have such a shabby gate, I, Zheng Dafeng, don't even have the face to buy wine in the town. I'm ashamed to say I'm from Fallen Mountain. Zhu Lian, as a brother he's one thing, but as a manager he's a damned tightwad!"

Cui Dongshan said cheerfully, "Truly tear-jerking and heart-stirring."

Zheng Dafeng turned his head. "Over the division of accounts from Lotus Root Blessed Land, for Young Master Cui's sake, I almost came to blows with Zhu Lian and Wei Bo. We had a huge argument. To get them to relent and agree to give Young Master Cui a tenth share, I almost got beaten up. It was a close call. But in the end, I still couldn't help. All I can do now is drink my sorrows. And then I twisted my ankle?"

Cui Dongshan smiled and nodded. "Overwhelmed with gratitude."

Cui Dongshan stopped, said he would wait at the gate for Master, stepped over the threshold, and gently closed the door.

Chen Ping'an and Zheng Dafeng each took a seat. Chen Ping'an spoke about the matter of one soul and one po that he had heard from Li Liu at Lion Peak.

Zheng Dafeng nodded. "There is such a thing. But right now, I don't have the heart to stir up trouble."

Then Zheng Dafeng asked, "What, you think Fallen Mountain lacks fighters, so you want me to put in some effort to give Fallen Mountain face?"

Chen Ping'an shook his head. "You know I wouldn't think that."

Zheng Dafeng laughed. "I know you wouldn't, so I asked just to make conversation. Otherwise, I would have long gone to the old house and drunk the northwest wind."

Chen Ping'an said, "This time I came to you because I thought if you felt like taking a break, you could often go to Lotus Root Blessed Land and look around. But it's up to you. I'm just making a casual mention."

Zheng Dafeng nodded. "Old Master Cui deliberately left half of his martial fortune in Lotus Root Blessed Land. Combined with its elevation to a medium-grade blessed land and the sudden increase in spiritual energy, it should indeed be interesting over there now."

Zheng Dafeng seemed a bit tempted, rubbing his chin. "I'll think about it."

For example, opening a thriving brothel over there?

Zheng Dafeng grinned and waved his hand unprompted. Such a wicked deed couldn't be done. Opening a tavern in the bustling market would be more like it. Hire a few graceful barmaids. They might be thin-skinned and not good at drumming up business, so it would be better to hire some plump, buxom wine women who could chat well. That way, there would be many repeat customers. Otherwise, going there and not making a few coins would be a shame to Fallen Mountain. "By the tavern, she leans, fair as the moon, her white wrists gleaming like frosted snow." So pleasing to the eye. As for his own role as the tavern keeper, he could just sit back with his legs crossed and only collect money.

Chen Ping'an didn't know what Zheng Dafeng was scheming. Seeing him full of smiles and wiping his mouth from time to time, Chen Ping'an felt something was off and took his leave.

Zheng Dafeng escorted him all the way to the gate. If Chen Ping'an hadn't refused, he probably would have seen him all the way to the town.

Chen Ping'an and Cui Dongshan walked away.

Zheng Dafeng sighed. He had deliberately mentioned Cui Cheng's martial fortune earlier, and Chen Ping'an's expression had been normal.

It was a good thing, but not too good.

No help for it.

A person's joys and sorrows matched their nature.

As for that Cui Dongshan, Zheng Dafeng didn't want to deal with him much. Too good at playing chess.

Zheng Dafeng didn't go back to sleep. Instead, he went out, his figure hunched, walking under the moonlight toward the mountain gate. He leaned against the white jade pillar.

Fallen Mountain didn't have obvious small factions. But if you looked closely, you could find them.

There was one gathering around Cui Dongshan.

Those outside the mountain like Lu Baixiang and Wei Xian were part of it.

Shi Rou at Dragon Riding Alley was also part of it.

As long as Cui Dongshan was willing, this faction could become the largest camp on Fallen Mountain overnight, with many new faces.

But Zheng Dafeng didn't think he was dispensable. Because those who gathered around Cui Dongshan like stars around the moon, if they wanted to enter Fallen Mountain—especially if they wanted their names on the genealogy in the future—they would at least have to pass the mountain gate first.

And coincidentally, he, Zheng Dafeng, was just the gatekeeper.

Thinking of this, Zheng Dafeng felt he was quite an important person. Fallen Mountain couldn't do without him. He waited quietly for a while, then suddenly stamped his foot. Why didn't Miss Cen come down the mountain tonight after practicing fists?!

---

Shi Rou opened the shop door and saw both Chen Ping'an and Cui Dongshan. She felt a bit awkward.

If it were only the young mountain lord, it would be fine, but with Cui Dongshan standing nearby, Shi Rou felt a chill in her heart.

Going to the backyard, Chen Lingjun yawned while standing by the courtyard well.

Chen Ping'an asked Shi Rou to open a room in the side building. He set a lamp on the table and took out a large stack of notes, either from government records or hand-drawn maps of mountains and rivers, and began to explain the matter of the Ji River walking-dragon journey. At the same time, he brought out black and white go stones, each engraved with names and sects. For example, Li Yuan of the Water Dragon Sect on the Ji River, and the Water God of the Southern Xun Hall were white stones. Also, from the easternmost part of the Ji River, cultivators like Tan Ling of Spring Dew Garden, Tang Xi, and Song Lanqiao; additionally, Cloud Above City and Colorful Sparrow Manor, and Duckweed Sword Lake, relatively central in the Northern Utmost Continent. As for the relatively fewer black stones, they mainly represented the Yang clan of the Chongxuan Office. Regarding these stones placed in different positions on the table, Chen Ping'an smiled and explained, "The stones are like this, but human nature isn't simply black and white. I'm just giving a general impression. When you go on your walking-dragon journey yourself, don't apply these rigidly, or you'll suffer a big loss."

Chen Lingjun looked at the snow-white line on the table, connected by one stone after another.

He held back for a long time before saying in a low voice, "Thanks."

Chen Ping'an was a little surprised and teased, "In the dead of night, the sun can rise from the west?"

Chen Lingjun said angrily, "I've already thanked you. Whether you accept it or not is up to you."

Chen Ping'an was a bit amused. He planned to explain to Chen Lingjun in detail the precautions for this Ji River walking-dragon journey. Everything, big and small, had to be laid out slowly. It would probably go on until dawn.

Cui Dongshan squinted and said, "Please pay attention, Your Lordship. This is the route your master obtained with his life. There is no better prepared walking-dragon journey under heaven."

Chen Lingjun's expression tightened. He clutched the stack of papers in his hand.

Chen Ping'an waved his hand. "It's not that exaggerated. On the trip to the Northern Utmost Continent, travel was the main purpose, walking the river was secondary. You don't need to be grateful to me. But remember, this is the foundation of your great path. If you don't take it seriously, you're being irresponsible to yourself. Before, on Fallen Mountain, you and Chen Ruchu were both of the dragon lineage. If you wanted to cultivate in seclusion, you couldn't exert yourselves, and I never said anything, right? But this time, you must change your lazy attitude. If I find out later that you treated the Ji River walking-dragon journey as a child's play, I would rather have someone throw you back to Fallen Mountain than let you wander around recklessly."

Saying this, Chen Ping'an said sternly, "Because you could die over there."

Chen Lingjun nodded. "I know how serious it is."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "I believe you."

Chen Lingjun looked at Chen Ping'an. The other's eyes were clear, his smile warm.

Chen Lingjun's heart calmed down.

Chen Ping'an smiled and took out writing brush, ink, and paper, placing them on the table. "A good memory is worse than a bad pen. I might speak in detail and in a jumble. If you think certain people or matters are very important, write them down. Later, when you travel, you can take them out and flip through them anytime."

Cui Dongshan said, "It's almost like walking the river for His Lordship himself."

Chen Lingjun was about to sit down, but hearing this, he stopped, lowered his head, and clutched the papers in his hand even tighter.

Chen Ping'an glanced at Cui Dongshan.

Cui Dongshan raised both hands. "I'll go out and sit, then."

Cui Dongshan indeed went out, closed the door, then brought a stool and sat beside the courtyard well. He crossed his legs, clasped his hands behind his head, and suddenly roared, "Sister Shi Rou, where are the sunflower seeds?"

Shi Rou said timidly, "Coming right away."

She forgot to conceal her female voice.

Having been in Dragon Riding Alley for so long, she had almost forgotten her own female body, but the moment she met Cui Dongshan, she was immediately thrown back to her original form.

Chen Ping'an patted Chen Lingjun on the shoulder. "Cui Dongshan says harsh things. I won't make excuses for him—they really are harsh. But you might also listen. Aside from the unreasonable ones, every harsh remark we hear is mostly words that hit the nail on the head. We can pretend not to care on the outside, but we should chew on them inside. Coptis is bitter, but it can clear heat and calm the mind. I'll say this much on the big principles. After we part ways this time, even if I want to say it and you want to hear it, we won't have the chance for a while."

Chen Lingjun silently took it to heart, then asked doubtfully, "Where are you going again?"

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Inverted Mountain, Sword Qi Great Wall."

Chen Lingjun complained, "There are so many things on the mountain. You, as the mountain lord, are too much of a hands-off boss."

He wanted to say why not come back to Fallen Mountain sooner, but held back.

Because he knew that anyone could say that except him, Chen Lingjun himself.

Chen Ping'an nodded. "I accept the criticism. I won't change it for now."

Chen Lingjun grinned.

Chen Lingjun sat up straight, picked up his brush, spread out the paper, and began to listen as Chen Ping'an recounted the local customs, cultures, and sect forces of various places.

After writing down one precaution on the paper, Chen Lingjun suddenly looked up and asked, "Master, will you still be like this in the future?"

Chen Ping'an asked doubtfully, "What do you mean?"

Chen Lingjun said, "When there are many people on Fallen Mountain, will Master treat everyone the same way?"

Chen Ping'an thought for a moment, then shook his head with a smile. "It will be hard. First come, first served—there will inevitably be differences in closeness. That's one aspect. And there are more things to consider. Being hands-on with everything isn't necessarily good. The more people there are on Fallen Mountain, the more complex human hearts and worldly affairs become. I can't possibly do everything myself. I can only try to ensure a good atmosphere on Fallen Mountain. For example, just because Cui Dongshan outside has high cultivation and great ability doesn't mean everything he says is right, or that you should always listen to him. If you can't reason with him and you feel unconvinced, you can come talk to me. I'll listen carefully."

Chen Lingjun said, "Mm."

From outside, Cui Dongshan said plaintively, "Master, your student is best at convincing people with virtue."

Chen Lingjun rolled his eyes.

Chen Ping'an continued to narrate the walking-dragon matters for Chen Lingjun.

Sure enough, this rambling went on until dawn.

Chen Lingjun had also written down dozens of key points in crooked characters.

Chen Ping'an clicked his tongue. "Chen Lingjun, your handwriting is... far worse than Pei Qian's."

Chen Lingjun's face turned red. "I don't copy books every day. If I copied books for this long, the characters I wrote would sell for at least a few small summer coins... snowflake coins!"

Chen Ping'an asked with a smile, "Do you believe that yourself?"

Chen Lingjun was speechless.

Thin-skinned after all.

Chen Ping'an sat on the long bench with his hands in his sleeves, closed his eyes, and pondered to see if there was anything he had missed. For the moment, there was nothing. He planned to write a letter for Chen Lingjun later if he thought of something more.

Opening his eyes, Chen Ping'an asked casually, "How is your Imperial River Water God brother now?"

Chen Lingjun shook his head. "Same as ever."

Chen Ping'an said, "Before you set off for the Northern Utmost Continent, you could go to the Imperial River to say goodbye. Drink and eat as usual, but don't say you're going on a walking-dragon journey. Just say you're going on a distant trip. Treating others with sincerity doesn't mean telling them everything without reservation. It means not causing them trouble, and within your ability, helping them solve some problems, without needing them to thank you verbally."

Chen Lingjun put away his brush and paper, lay his head on the table, and looked somewhat depressed. "I used not to think about these things. I just drank, ate meat, and boasted loudly."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "The world won't always let us have an easy time. Thinking more isn't a bad thing."

Chen Lingjun hesitated for a long time, not daring to look at Chen Ping'an directly, and asked cautiously, "If I say I don't actually want to go on the walking-dragon journey, don't want to go to the Northern Utmost Continent, and just want to stay on Fallen Mountain, idling away my time waiting to die, would you be very angry?"

Chen Ping'an smiled without speaking, as if he had long known this answer.

Chen Lingjun fell silent, not daring to look at Chen Ping'an.

Chen Ping'an spoke. "I'm not angry."

Chen Lingjun sat up abruptly, looking incredulous. "Really?"

Chen Ping'an smiled. "I never thought from the start that just because walking the river is a huge opportunity, you, Chen Lingjun, had to set off immediately, panting and puffing, braving wind and rain, and bury your head in the river. I even think that if you don't have a strong desire to go on the walking-dragon journey yourself, then there's no need to rush. That Ji River isn't going anywhere. In fact, only when you truly understand it yourself and then go walk the Ji River will your chances of success be greater than if you go now, clueless and treating it as a task. But that said, walking the river is a necessary path for you, Chen Lingjun. It's hard to bypass. Making more preparations now is never a bad thing."

Chen Ping'an paused for a moment. "Maybe saying this will sound harsh to you, but I should tell you my true thoughts. As Cui Dongshan said, there are countless dragons and serpents in the world, in the mountains, lakes, and marshes. But not everyone gets the chance to walk a major river. So if you know in your heart that this matter cannot be delayed but are just used to laziness and unwilling to leave your comfort zone, I would be very angry. But if you think this matter doesn't amount to anything—'What if I don't walk the Ji River? I, Chen Lingjun, have my own great path to walk'—or you think you just like staying on Fallen Mountain and would be happy to stay here your whole life, then your master, or the mountain lord of Fallen Mountain, won't be the least bit angry."

Chen Lingjun smiled. "Understood."

Chen Ping'an laughed. "Every time Chen Ruchu goes to the prefectural city to buy things, you secretly protect her. I'm very happy about that. That's responsibility."

Chen Lingjun was a little annoyed. "I was just taking a stroll! Who was such a blabbermouth to tell Master? If I find out, I'll slap his mouth..."

From outside the door, Cui Dongshan said lazily, "Me."

Chen Lingjun stood frozen like a wooden chicken.

Chen Lingjun trotted over, opened the door, crept up behind Cui Dongshan, and began to massage his shoulders. He asked in a low voice, "Brother Cui, you've been sitting here all night, working hard. Where are you sore or tired? You must tell your little brother. We're all family, too polite would be improper! Is the pressure of my hands too light or too heavy?"

Chen Ping'an stepped over the threshold and kicked Chen Lingjun in the backside, laughing and scolding, "You also have a part in the feng shui of Fallen Mountain!"

---

The herbal shop next to Dragon Riding Alley had opened for business too.

It was that girl nicknamed Jiu'er.

Chen Ping'an greeted her with a smile, "Jiu'er, where are your master and senior brother?"

The girl quickly performed a curtsy and said in surprise, "Mountain Lord Chen."

Then she looked a bit ashamed. "My master has been busy with business and is getting on in years, so he wakes up later. Today I opened the shop. It's not usually like this. My senior brother went to the mountains to gather herbs several days ago and probably won't be back to Dragon Riding Alley for a while."

Jiu'er was about to go call her master. After all, the mountain lord had come in person. Even if she got scolded by her master, she should report it.

Chen Ping'an stopped Jiu'er and laughed. "No need to disturb the Daoist elder's rest. I was just passing by to see you all."

Jiu'er was a bit nervous. "Mountain Lord Chen, the shop's business isn't too good."

Chen Ping'an said, "It's fine. Actually, business at this herbal shop is considered decent. Keep up the good work. If anything comes up, go to Fallen Mountain. Don't be shy. And be sure to pass this message on to him for me, Jiu'er. The elder is an honest man. Even if something really happens, he likes to bear it alone. That's not good. Family should speak openly with each other. Oh, and I won't come in and sit. I still have some things to attend to."

Jiu'er, who had just opened the door, put her hands behind her back, rubbed them together, and said softly, "Mountain Lord Chen, won't you really have a cup of tea?"

Chen Ping'an waved his hand with a laugh. "Really not this time. Let's save it for another day."

Jiu'er smiled.

Chen Ping'an nodded. "Jiu'er, you're looking much better than before. That shows the local water and soil here nourish people. I used to worry you wouldn't get used to living here. Now I'm relieved."

Jiu'er blushed a little.

Chen Ping'an waved goodbye.

He led Cui Dongshan along the steps of Dragon Riding Alley to the ancestral home on Mud Vase Alley.

This route inevitably passed by the Gu family ancestral home. Chen Ping'an stopped and asked, "Over at Uncle Gu's?"

Cui Dongshan said, "It's hard for even an upright official to settle family disputes. But now Gu Tao has become the mountain god of the Great Li's old mountains and forests, which can be considered a perfect end. His wife has wind and rain at her command in the prefectural city. Gu Can is doing well on Letter Scroll Lake. The son has promise, and the husband has risen in one step. A woman living a good life will naturally hide many of her flaws."

Chen Ping'an continued walking. "And that house with the plaque 'Beautiful Water and Lofty Wind'?"

Cui Dongshan said slowly, "That bride ghost? A pitiful ghost fell for a pitiful person. The former became hateful and abominable; the latter was truly pitiful. Back then, he was cruelly deceived by the scholars of Lu Dynasty and Great Sui, and ended up drowning himself in a lake. A sentimental man who only wanted to earn the title of Worthy through his learning in the academy, hoping to exchange it for the court's recognition and decree so he could openly marry a female ghost. Unfortunately, he was born too early, in the Great Li of that time, not the Great Li of today. Otherwise, the outcome would have been completely different. Over at the academy, being a filthy ghostly spirit, she naturally couldn't even enter the main gate. She insisted on forcing her way in and almost had her soul scattered. In the end, she wasn't completely stupid. She used up the last of her goodwill with the Great Li court to bring out the scholar's bones. She also learned the long-buried truth: that the scholar had never betrayed her love and had died because of it. She went completely mad. After Gu Tao left her mansion, she carried a coffin, stumbling all the way back there, took off her wedding dress, put on white mourning clothes, and every day sat there dazedly, just saying she was waiting for someone."

Chen Ping'an asked, "How should the rights and wrongs in this be calculated?"

Cui Dongshan extended a palm and made a chopping motion in the air, then laughed. "It depends on where you start and where you end. If you take the ghost and scholar's meeting, love, and affection as the start, and the ghost killing so many scholars as the end, then it's simple. Slap her to death. Now she doesn't want to live anyway, so it's over. But if you look further back, starting from the ghost's merits in the mountains and waters, from her good nature, then it gets troublesome. If you also consider the possibility that she might recognize her mistakes and make amends, repaying the world over the next hundred or several hundred years, then it's even more troublesome. If you then stand in the shoes of those wrongly killed scholars and think about the problem, it's... a huge trouble."

Cui Dongshan paused here and asked, "May I ask Master, which section of beginning and ending do you want to take?"

Chen Ping'an didn't give an answer.

When Chen Ping'an took out the key to open the gate of the ancestral home, Cui Dongshan smiled and asked, "Then has Master ever considered a question: When things are tangled like hemp, what do they have to do with Master?"

Chen Ping'an opened the door and then laughed. "Then think again."

Opening the room door, Chen Ping'an took out two small benches.

After Cui Dongshan sat down, he laughed. "On the mountain, there's a saying that can be easily misunderstood: 'Going up the mountain to cultivate the way has its reason; it turns out we are all immortal seeds.'"

Chen Ping'an said, "I've heard it."

Cui Dongshan said, "Ordinary people hear it and only feel the world is unjust, treating them thinly. Those who think this way are already not immortal seeds. Besides resentment, feeling sad for oneself is actually the most appropriate."

Chen Ping'an was silent. He used his toe to draw a circle with a tiny gap in the dirt of the courtyard, then drew a larger circle outside it. "There must be a path to walk, so that everyone has a choice."

Cui Dongshan suddenly fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly, "Aside from the first time, Master has never truly experienced despair in his life."

Chen Ping'an said nothing, hands in his sleeves, slightly bent, looking at the Mud Vase Alley outside the open gate.

Cui Dongshan continued, "For example, if Liu Xianyang had still died."

Cui Dongshan went on, "Or if Qi Jingchun were actually the mastermind, the one who calculated Master the deepest."

Cui Dongshan added, "Or if Gu Can made Master believe he knew his mistake and was correcting it, but later you found out it wasn't true. Or, when Pei Qian first returned to Lotus Root Blessed Land, killed Cao Qinglang, and then chose to wait for death, betting that Master wouldn't kill her."

Chen Ping'an finally spoke. "Set up a small world. I have things on my mind that I must say."

Cui Dongshan used his flying sword to draw a golden thunder pool.

Chen Ping'an stood up, hands in his sleeves, and paced in a circle in the courtyard. He said softly, "After Mr. Qi died, he still continued to protect my path. Because on me, there is a contention of the Three Teachings, deliberately arranged by Mr. Qi. I know."

Cui Dongshan stood up, his face slightly pale. "Master shouldn't have known the truth so early!"

Chen Ping'an turned his head, looking at Cui Dongshan expressionlessly. "Rest assured. I am very smart, and very composed. So Mr. Qi will not lose, and I, Chen Ping'an, will not lose either."