Chapter 604: To Whom One Asks of Fists, To Whom One Asks of Swords

Chapter 604: To Whom One Asks of Fists, To Whom One Asks of Swords

Yu Juanfu was actually a very straightforward woman. If she lost, she lost. There was neither unwillingness nor resentment. She rose generously and did not forget to take her leave of Chen Ping'an before leaving.

What Yu Juanfu was thinking about now was precisely the third fist duel that Chen Ping'an had already politely declined.

My fists are inferior to others, what else can I do? Just increase my fist intent and throw punches faster!

She simply refused to believe what Cao Ci had said, refused to believe that losing to Chen Ping'an once meant she could never catch up.

Chen Ping'an clasped his fists in farewell to her, saying nothing.

The talisman boat landed on the city wall, and the group of four descended gracefully.

Many sword cultivators dispersed, calling out to friends and acquaintances, greeting each other. For a time, streaks of sword light crisscrossed the sky north of the city wall. However, quite a few were grumbling and complaining—after all, no matter how good the spectacle, it wasn't beautiful when your wallet was empty. Buying wine on credit, just thinking about it brought melancholy.

Chen Ping'an put on his boots, smoothed his sleeves, and first bowed to Mr. Zhong. Zhong Qiu returned the clasped-fist salute, smiling respectfully as he addressed him as "Mountain Lord."

Before leaving the Lotus Root Paradise, Zhong Qiu had already resigned as the national preceptor of the Nanyuan Kingdom's new emperor. Now, having arrived at the Sword Qi Great Wall in another world, Zhong Qiu intended to become a completely pure martial artist. He wanted to be in the place with the most sword qi in the world, to carefully polish his fist intent. Perhaps one day he would have the opportunity to meet Yu Zhenyi again. He was no longer the national preceptor, and Yu Zhenyi would probably be an immortal who had attained the Dao. The two would certainly not be able to reason with each other, so Zhong Qiu would use his fists to question the immortal way.

Chen Ping'an had already exchanged a glance with Cao Qinglang. Cao Qinglang understood and was not in a hurry to bow to his teacher. He just stood quietly beside Master Zhong.

At this moment, Chen Ping'an smiled and looked at Pei Qian, asking, "On this journey, did you see and hear many things? Did it delay Master Zhong's studies?"

Pei Qian first nodded like a chick pecking rice, then shook her head like a rattle-drum, quite busy.

Her master seemed to have grown a bit taller again. How could this be? Taller today, taller tomorrow, wouldn't he eventually be taller than Fallen Mountain and Piyun Mountain? Would he be taller than this Sword Qi Great Wall?

Chen Ping'an rubbed her head.

Pei Qian suddenly let out an "aiya," her shoulder shaking as if she was about to fall. She furrowed her brows and said softly, "Master, isn't it strange? I don't know why, but my leg keeps feeling unsteady now and then. Nothing serious, Master can rest assured. It's just a sudden stumble now and then. It won't interfere with my fist practice with Old Chef, and it certainly won't delay my copying of books. After all, I've injured my leg."

Pei Qian stood on tiptoe, raised her hand to cover her mouth, and whispered, "Master, Nuan Shu and Mi Li say I often sleepwalk. Maybe I bumped into something, like a table leg or a railing or something."

Chen Ping'an suddenly understood, "Is that so."

Pei Qian felt relieved. A perfectly airtight excuse! Everything was fine!

Then Pei Qian's body stiffened instantly. She slowly turned her head.

Qi Jinglong was walking over slowly with his disciple. Bai Shou had a mournful face. Why did that worthless girl have to come? Here at the Sword Qi Great Wall, he prayed to the bodhisattva every day, begged for blessings from the heavenly officials, and chanted the names of sword immortals, hoping they would bestow a bit of fortune upon him. But none of it worked.

Chen Ping'an asked, "When are you two having your martial duel? Why not make it today, since we're already here?"

Pei Qian's eyes lit up. Bai Shou looked as if he had received a pardon. The two exchanged a glance, understanding each other perfectly. Bai Shou coughed and spoke first, "Martial duel my foot. Literary duel is enough!"

Pei Qian echoed, "Exactly. Bai Shou is Mr. Liu's proud disciple, a cultivator from the mountains. I am Master's first formal disciple, a pure martial artist. The two of us simply can't fight together. Besides, I've only been learning fists for a short time. My fist techniques aren't refined. Right now, I can only take Old Chef's feeding punches. I wouldn't dare ask anyone for a fist duel. If we really want a martial duel, wait until I've mastered that set of Demonic Sword Technique, then we'll talk."

Bai Shou became anxious, "Even if you master that sword technique, you'll still be a pure martial artist, a swordsman, not a sword cultivator. One word difference, worlds apart. Still can't fight together!"

Pei Qian also became anxious. What did he mean? Looking down on her sword technique? That meant looking down on Pei Qian! Looking down on her meant looking down on her master! Her master had always considered himself a swordsman! Had the Left Protector of Qilong Lane lent you, Bai Shou, his courage?! Pei Qian was furious. She heavily struck the ground with her Walking Mountain Staff, "Bai Shou, let's have a martial duel today! Right here, right now!"

Chen Ping'an bent two fingers and gave Pei Qian a flick on the back of her head, saying, "A pure martial artist, punching without stopping, must use the self of today to question the fists of the self of yesterday. Do not engage in battles of temper. The reasoning is a bit big. If you don't understand, just remember it first, and think about it slowly later."

Pei Qian turned around, aggrieved, "But Bai Shou looks down on swordsmen. Master has traveled ten thousand miles through the martial world, always considering himself a swordsman. It doesn't matter if Bai Shou looks down on me—I'm not familiar with him anyway. But if he, as a sword cultivator, looks down on Master as a swordsman, I won't accept it."

At this moment, Bai Shou only felt that his head was even more split than Yu Juanfu's. He wanted to slap himself.

Pei Qian's fist intent surged and flowed, as if a thousand tranquil, silent trickling streams had suddenly converged into a waterfall cascading down.

The senior Cui from the Bamboo Tower, when he fed punches in the old days, occasionally spoke some fist principles. Among them was the metaphor "Waterfall halfway up the sky, its roaring sound falls to the mortal world," describing the sudden formation of fist intent, the martial artist's aura born between heaven and earth. There was also "One dragon's four claws lift the four sacred mountains, high arched back and stretched waist," speaking of the foundation of the Cloud-Steaming Great Marsh-style fist intent. Since ancient times, old dragons spread rain, and sweet rain descended from the heavens. But I insist on taking the waters of the four seas and five lakes and returning them to the clouds, away from the mortal world.

Chen Ping'an: "Hm?"

Pei Qian's fist intent suddenly dissipated. She obediently said "Oh," drooping her head. What else could she do? Master was angry, disciple admitted fault. It was only natural.

Senior Cui's teachings in fist techniques were most deeply understood not by Chen Ping'an, but by Pei Qian.

At least Chen Ping'an felt this way. Pei Qian learned fists too quickly, received too much meaning, too heavily. Chen Ping'an, as her master, was both gratified and worried.

Bai Shou almost popped his eyes out.

If I, the Great Sword Immortal Bai Shou, were to be so partial to that surnamed Liu, respecting the teacher and honoring the Dao as Pei Qian did, that surnamed Liu would probably go to burn incense at the Taiwei Sword Sect's Ancestral Hall, wouldn't he? Then he'd secretly shed tears in front of those ancestral portraits, lips trembling, deeply moved, saying he had finally accepted a good disciple unseen in a century, encountered once in a thousand years for the sect's ancestors? What was wrong with Chen Ping'an? Had he had too much to drink at the wine shop, muddling his mind? Or had that solid punch on the forehead from Yu Juanfu knocked his brains loose?

Chen Ping'an said seriously, "Bai Shou counts as half our own family. It doesn't matter if you fool around with him normally. But just because he said a few things, you want to duel with him so seriously, an official martial duel? Then if you walk the martial world alone later, you encounter people you don't know, and by chance you hear them say a few heavy words, unpleasant words, about your master and Fallen Mountain, will you use faster, heavier fists to reason with them? It may not necessarily be so—after all, future matters, no one dares to assert. I wouldn't dare either. But tell me yourself, isn't there this most terrible possibility? Do you know, if by the smallest chance, it really becomes that 'one,' then that becomes 'ten thousand'!"

"Once that happens, among all the cultivators under heaven who go down the mountain to train, one mountain will always be higher than the next. The martial world is deep, everywhere seeming like a pond but actually a deep pool. You're alone outside. If you suffer a great loss, taste great bitterness, it was someone else's small fault, but you, relying on your fist intent, deliver a great wrong with your fists. Then their relatives, elders strike at you. Even if Master is willing to stand up for you afterwards, with all my strength, how many of my punches can I throw with a clear conscience? Could Master meet that person and, without saying a word, just throw all my strength into a punch? Could Master, after knocking him down with one fist, only say to him, 'My disciple's fists were small but the principle was great. As a teacher, I use new fists to tell you the old principle'?"

Pei Qian hung her head, not speaking.

Bai Shou's mind was blank. There is no greater sorrow than a heart dead. The young man only knew his life was finished.

Cui Dongshan smiled and said, "Mr. Liu, Mr. Zhong, shall we take a walk?"

The group understood tacitly and left the spot, leaving behind the pair of master and disciple who, though not truly reunited after a long separation, had nonetheless been separated by thousands of mountains and rivers across two worlds.

Chen Ping'an said, "Master has said his piece. Now it's your turn. Master only wants to hear what's in your heart. As long as it's from the heart, regardless of whether it's right or wrong, Master won't be angry."

Pei Qian still didn't speak.

She gripped the Walking Mountain Staff tightly.

This was unprecedented.

Chen Ping'an was a bit helpless. He had to say more, softly, "In the past, I wouldn't have said these things in front of Cui Dongshan and the others. I would have spoken to you privately. But now you're a formal disciple of Fallen Mountain's Ancestral Hall. Master and you are often apart. And you've grown up a lot now, and learned fists. Rather than caring about your feelings and speaking to you privately, if you don't take it to heart, then Master would rather say it in front of so many people. Even if you think Master has made you lose face, and silently blame Master for being unreasonable, you must firmly remember these principles. Among all things in the world, to leave some is a blessing. But only when it comes to principles, nothing can be left unsaid. What can be said today, say today. What was missed yesterday, make up today. If you raise but don't teach, that's the father's fault. If you teach but not strictly, that's the teacher's negligence. Master tells you so many annoying and troubling rules, not to bind you when you walk the martial world alone, making you unhappy. But I hope you think more when encountering things. Once you understand, and it doesn't violate principles, then you can punch without restraint. Once in the martial world is like this, ten times, a hundred times even more so. If you feel wronged, come back to the mountain. Find Master. Master doesn't need disciples to stand up for him. Since Master is Master, it's only right that he protects the Dao for his disciples. Pei Qian, do you know what wish is in the bottom of Master's heart? It is that the disciples and students taught by Chen Ping'an, when they go down the mountain, no matter where in the world, their fist techniques may be inferior to others, their learning may lose to others, their techniques need not be how high. But only one matter—anyone in the whole world, no matter who, doesn't need to come and teach you how to be a person. Master is here, teacher is here. One person is enough."

Pei Qian was already sobbing uncontrollably. She hugged the Walking Mountain Staff, which she loved, which was with her day and night, to which she often whispered her innermost thoughts. She raised her arm, wiping tears with her left hand, then wiping her face with her right hand. But the tears wouldn't stop, so she gave up. She lifted her head, scrunched up her face, and choked, "Master, the reason I said what I did earlier was because I felt that if it were a real martial duel, as long as Bai Shou took it seriously, I definitely couldn't beat him. But I was really angry at him. Since I couldn't beat him anyway, I still had to throw my fist. I am Master's first formal disciple. I just wouldn't allow him to look down on Master and swordsmen. Even if I can't beat him, I still have to fight!"

"So that's how it was."

Chen Ping'an scratched his head, "Then Master was wrong. Master says sorry to you."

Chen Ping'an bent down, reached out his hand, and helped wipe her tears.

Pei Qian was a bit embarrassed. She even had a runny nose. She quickly turned her head, then turned back, beaming, "How could Master possibly be wrong? Master, take back the words 'I'm sorry'!"

Chen Ping'an pinched her cheek, "You little rascal."

He had almost been unable to resist taking out his Sword-Nurturing Gourd to drink, but now he had lost the desire for wine. He said, "Knowing the weight of your own punches, or thinking about it before you throw a punch, means that when you throw a punch, you are always a person throwing a punch, not a person following the punch. Very good. So Master was wrong, and that's that. Master is willing to sincerely say sorry to you. And those words Master said, you should also take a bit to heart. Remember as much as you can. If there's something you can't understand, or feel isn't quite right, just tell Master directly, ask directly. Master isn't like some people, he won't feel like losing face."

Pei Qian shook her head and swayed, leisurely, "'Some people' really are terrible. So different from Master and me."

Chen Ping'an gave her a flick on the head.

Pei Qian rolled her eyes, one hand holding the Walking Mountain Staff, the other stretched forward, swaying and wobbling around Chen Ping'an. Whether she was pretending to be drunk or sleepwalking, she muttered dreamily, "Whose master has such amazing divine power? One flick and it makes people lose all sense of direction. Where is this? Is this Fallen Mountain... I envy the person who has such a master. So enviable it makes one drool. If it were the first formal disciple, wouldn't they be smiling in their dreams..."

Chen Ping'an took out his Sword-Nurturing Gourd, took a drink, but didn't give her another flick.

Perhaps in a few more years, when Pei Qian was a bit taller, no longer looking like a little girl, even a master wouldn't be able to casually flick her head anymore. Thinking about that, it was a bit regrettable.

So Chen Ping'an gave her another flick on the head, making Pei Qian dare not continue spinning around causing trouble. She reached up to rub her head, walking sideways beside her master, smiling and asking, "Master, the book says 'An immortal strokes my crown, binds my hair and receives immortality.' Master, do you think someday, I might suddenly become enlightened from Master's flicks? Then I could both learn fists and practice swords, and be a mountain immortal who rides clouds and mists. Then I'd have to copy books and look after the shop on Qilong Lane. I'd be too busy!"

Chen Ping'an laughed, "Those who cultivate the Dao seem only to rely on natural talent, mostly depending on the heavens and the ancestors to provide. But in truth, it most questions the heart. If the heart is unsettled, the spirit is unfocused, the truth is not sought. Even if you learn ten thousand techniques, you're still like duckweed."

Pei Qian nodded vigorously, "Master, although your cultivator realm currently, temporarily, temporarily, isn't the highest, these words couldn't be spoken by anyone below the Flying Ascension realm."

Chen Ping'an smiled and asked, "You know this much? Are you at the Flying Ascension realm?"

Pei Qian said, "Principles don't depend on how tall you are. Besides, I'm now standing on the highest city wall under heaven. So the words I speak now will also be a bit higher."

Chen Ping'an took a drink, "What nonsense is this."

Chen Ping'an suddenly laughed, "If we measure from the ground, this might indeed be the highest city wall among the four worlds. But if we don't talk about connecting with the earth, White Emperor City in the Central Land Divine Continent of the Haoran World might be higher. As for that Jade Capital in the Azure World, exactly how high it is, it isn't recorded in books. Master has never asked anyone either. So compared to this Sword Qi Great Wall's city wall, it's hard to say which is higher. If I have the chance in the future, I'll go see it with my own eyes."

Pei Qian asked curiously, "Is that the ancestor of the Great Li Capital's imitation of Jade Capital? What is Master going there for? It's so far. I heard from the Big White Goose that it's not like this Sword Qi Great Wall, where you take a ferry, ascend Hanging Mountain, pass through the gate, and you're in another world, and we can just wander around if we want. The Big White Goose said he once had the chance to go to the Azure World by his own ability. But I didn't believe him. How could a student go somewhere before his teacher has? Master, I can't persuade the Big White Goose. When you get the chance, tell him. He needs to change this annoying habit of bragging. Master, can I know why you want to go so far? I heard that inside the Jade Capital, there are Daoist priests and female priests. If Master goes there alone, and I'm not by your side, it'll definitely be super boring."

Chen Ping'an smiled, "It's not for travel either."

Pei Qian was even more confused, "Looking for someone?"

Chen Ping'an nodded, "You could say that."

Pei Qian frowned, "Who is it? So full of themselves, they don't even know to come to Fallen Mountain to find Master on their own."

Chen Ping'an laughed silently.

That person indeed had the qualifications to put on airs.

One of them, who declared, "You'll have to ask my fists if they agree."

Throwing fists at the world, parting the sea of clouds.

Another, who laughed and said, "Then let this one play with you."

Twelve flying swords descending upon the mortal world.

Chen Ping'an hesitated, thinking of those matters from his youth that he only learned some inside details of many years later. But he quickly remembered where he was now, and softly laughed, "Master currently has two wishes, never told anyone. Two wishes, perhaps I'll never achieve them in this life, but I will always think about them."

Pei Qian reached out and vigorously rubbed her ears, lowering her voice, "Master, I am already listening with ears pricked!"

Chen Ping'an shook his head, "If that day truly comes, when Master is about to travel far, then I'll come tell you. The boast is too big. Saying it too early is not appropriate."

Pei Qian sighed, "Then I'll just have to wait two or three years!"

Chen Ping'an murmured, "Two or three hundred years, I still won't be able to achieve it. Perhaps even after two or three thousand years, if I actually live that long, the hope will still be slim."

Fortunately, even if hope was slim.

There was still hope after all.

Chen Ping'an tucked his hands into his sleeves, his steps slow but always steady. He squinted his eyes, looking up at the sky.

Chen Ping'an soon withdrew his gaze. Ahead in the distance, Cui Dongshan and the others were on the city wall, gazing at the vast mountains and rivers to the south.

Bai Shou stood beside Qi Jinglong, signaling to Chen Ping'an with his eyes. Good brother, I'm counting on you. As long as you handle Pei Qian, I, the Great Sword Immortal Bai Shou, will call you Big Brother Chen from now on!

Chen Ping'an turned and said to Pei Qian, "A swordsman and a sword cultivator, according to the customs of the world, are indeed worlds apart. You shouldn't dwell too much on Bai Shou's words."

Pei Qian was in a great mood now. She couldn't care less about what Bai Shou had said. Was she, Pei Qian, the type to hold grudges? Was her secret little ledger, carefully hidden, that thick? Very thin! Now that she was beside her master, she had completely changed from her cautious demeanor on the ferry. She swaggered as she walked. This was what they called "walking arrogantly, demons' hearts panicking." Who needed yellow paper talismans stuck to their forehead? She looked up and smiled, "Master, I really can't say I'm all that accomplished in learning fists or copying books. But I have learned at least one-tenth of Master's magnanimity. One-tenth! How much magnanimity is that? Enough to hold two plates of food and three bowls of rice! How could I not accommodate a few light words from a certain Bai-head-someone? Master underestimates me!"

Only one person, Cui Dongshan, sat on the city wall, chuckling.

The only one who could make Pei Qian cry her heart out, then laugh and be happy again, was his own teacher.

And the key was, after Pei Qian cried and laughed, she would truly take things to heart, think about the principles—all of them, the understood and the not understood—rather than picking and choosing, leaving most aside.

Cao Qinglang, seeing Pei Qian return to normal, also breathed a sigh of relief.

Earlier, both in words and demeanor, he was truly a teacher.

Qi Jinglong smiled, "Nothing to say?"

Bai Shou tentatively asked, "If I admit I was wrong, will it really be over?"

Qi Jinglong smiled faintly, "Hard to say."

Bai Shou hesitated.

Qi Jinglong said softly, "In truth, this matter doesn't involve absolute right and wrong. What you need to apologize for is not those words. In my opinion, it wasn't offensive. Of course, that is in principle. In terms of emotion, it may not be the same. After all, when you speak to people in this world, it certainly doesn't mean you're talking to yourself. Your own mindset was off. You went through Fallen Mountain but didn't truly use your heart to observe more and think more. Otherwise, your relationship with Pei Qian shouldn't have been so awkward."

"How much more heart was I supposed to use? At Fallen Mountain, the moment we met, Pei Qian knocked me unconscious with one kick!"

Bai Shou rarely showed such resentment in front of this surnamed Liu. He glanced at the little dark-skinned guy not too far away, only daring to lower his voice and mutter, "You know how my Brother Chen is, don't you? Even if you don't, this whole Sword Qi Great Wall knows. If Pei Qian has learned seventy or eighty percent of Chen Ping'an's true skills, what then? Your relationship with Chen Ping'an is so good, you'll definitely interact often. You go to Fallen Mountain, he comes to Taiwei Sword Sect. Over time, am I supposed to hide from Pei Qian every time? The key is, my friendship with Chen Ping'an means nothing to Pei Qian—in fact, it makes things worse. In the end, it's still Chen Ping'an's fault. Jinx. He said my mouth would easily attract sword immortals' flying swords. Now, the sword immortals' flying swords haven't come, but Pei Qian has her eye on me. Look, just look! Pei Qian is glaring at me. Isn't that smile on her face exactly the same as my Brother Chen's? Exactly the same! Surnamed Liu, I've figured it out. Don't let Chen Ping'an's scolding of Pei Qian just now fool you. In his heart, he cherishes her the most. Right now, I'm scared that next time I go to the shop to drink, Chen Ping'an will have someone put laxatives in the wine—half a jar of wine, half a jar of laxatives. Chen Ping'an is definitely capable of that. It'll screw me over and save him money at the same time. Two birds with one stone!"

Qi Jinglong laughed, "Looks like you really have been thinking a lot."

Bai Shou sighed bitterly in his heart. What good is a teacher like you, who only gloats over others' misfortune and doesn't help?

Pei Qian bounced over in front of everyone and said to Bai Shou, "Bai Shou, from now on, let's only have literary duels."

What was face? A joke. Could you eat it?

Before she met her master, at such a young age, she had wandered the martial world of Nanyuan Kingdom's capital for many years. Back then, she hadn't even learned fists. In the martial world, she didn't have a damn bit of face.

When Bai Shou heard this, he was almost moved to tears like Pei Qian.

But Pei Qian turned slightly, putting her back a bit to her master, then pursed her lips, smiled, and stood still.

Bai Shou felt as if he had been struck by a five-thunder blast from the heavens.

Chen Ping'an reached out and pressed Pei Qian's head. Pei Qian immediately laughed, "Bai Shou, you're a man who aspires to be a great sword immortal. Teacher Liu accepted such a good disciple like you. Truly, master is a great sword immortal, disciple is a little sword immortal. Master and disciple, two sword immortals. Next time I accompany Master to visit your Taiwei Sword Sect, I'll bring along a few bundles of firecrackers to celebrate!"

Chen Ping'an said, "Speak properly."

Pei Qian coughed, "Bai Shou, I was wrong earlier. Don't mind it. I'll say sorry to you."

Earlier, Master had said sorry to her. How heavy were those words? There wasn't a scale in the world that could weigh that weight!

She split off a tiny bit and gave it to Bai Shou. A drop in the bucket.

Bai Shou's scalp went numb, his face stiff. "I don't mind."

I don't dare to mind.

Pei Qian smiled faintly, "I started learning fists late, and slowly. It'll be a few days before I can break through to a mere fifth realm. So in a few years, I'll ask... I'll ask Senior Brother Bai Shou for guidance."

Bai Shou braced himself and asked, "Didn't we agree to only have literary duels?"

Pei Qian chuckled, "We'll talk about the future when it comes."

Cao Qinglang watched this scene and was actually quite happy.

So it wasn't just him who was afraid of Pei Qian.

Chen Ping'an used heart-to-heart ripples to ask Qi Jinglong, "Will Bai Shou being so restrained around Pei Qian affect his cultivation?"

Qi Jinglong smiled and replied, "Consider it a necessary heart cultivation. On Pianran Peak before, Bai Shou never really had much drive to cultivate. Although he's changed quite a bit now and genuinely wants to learn swordsmanship, he still unconsciously goes against his own nature. Probably deliberately being stubborn with me. Now, with your first formal disciple supervising him, I don't think it's a bad thing. Look, since arriving at the Sword Qi Great Wall, just hearing that Pei Qian was coming, he's been exceptionally diligent in sword practice."

Chen Ping'an said, "The fact that Bai Shou absolutely refused to go all out, even at the cost of losing face, even when feeling extremely aggrieved, and never thought of using the trump cards of Gulu Mountain, that in itself is not a mistake. Otherwise, when the two of them were at Fallen Mountain earlier, they could have had a real fight."

Qi Jinglong smiled faintly, "Could my disciple possibly be inferior to yours?"

Chen Ping'an said, "He's still a bit worse."

Qi Jinglong asked, "And what about the teacher?"

Chen Ping'an said, "How old am I this year? Why would I bother competing with a sword cultivator who's almost a hundred years old? If I really wanted to compete, fine. You're at the Jade Pool realm now, and I'm a fifth realm Qi refiner at the moment. If we calculate by age, you can consider me a fifteen-realm cultivator, not your current eleven-realm Qi refiner. That's four realms higher. Not convinced? We'll talk about it when the time comes. When I reach a hundred years old, see if I've reached the fifteenth realm or not. If not, consider me talking nonsense. Until then, don't pull rank with your realm!"

Qi Jinglong chuckled, "Second Shopkeeper, not only do you have plenty of wine, you also have plenty of arguments."

Chen Ping'an felt a bit guilty, "Overpraised, overpraised."

Chen Ping'an stopped joking with Qi Jinglong. If this guy was really determined to argue with him, Chen Ping'an would have a headache too.

Chen Ping'an looked at Cui Dongshan and asked, "Should I go see my senior brother first, or go to the Ning residence first?"

Cui Dongshan seemed to have already planned it out and smiled, "Master, you can go to the Ning residence first. I'll pay respects to Master's senior brother alone."

Chen Ping'an thought for a moment and agreed.

Cui Dongshan suddenly said, "Senior Sister, lend me a yellow paper talisman to give me courage."

Pei Qian was actually quite confused. Where did Master get a senior brother?

Regarding this matter, Chen Ping'an hadn't had time to explain. Such matters weren't suitable to write about in secret letters. As for Cui Dongshan, he was too lazy to say a single word more. He couldn't even remember whether that fellow's surname was Zuo or given name was You, or surname was You and given name was Zuo. If Master hadn't mentioned it just now, he wouldn't have known that such a great great sword immortal was currently living exposed to the elements on the city wall, sitting there every day showing off his sword qi.

Pei Qian took out a yellow paper talisman from her sleeve and handed it to Cui Dongshan, then reminded him, "Master's senior brother, wouldn't that be my senior uncle? But I didn't prepare a gift for senior uncle."

Cui Dongshan said with a straight face, "That senior uncle of yours who fell from the sky, he's very fierce. On his head are carved five big characters: Everyone Owes Me Money."

Pei Qian turned to look at Chen Ping'an.

Chen Ping'an laughed, "Don't listen to his nonsense. That senior uncle of yours has a cold face but a warm heart. He has the highest swordsmanship in the Haoran world. When you get the chance, you can show him that Demonic Sword Technique of yours."

Pei Qian said fearfully, "Master, have you forgotten? Earlier, I couldn't even walk steadily. Now my legs are vaguely aching too. I bumped into something while sleepwalking, I don't know what. I can't perform that insignificant sword technique. I'd better not let senior uncle see me make a fool of myself, right?"

Bai Shou felt another inexplicable five-thunder blast.

Bumped into something while sleepwalking, bumped into something...

Qi Jinglong held back his laughter and led Bai Shou away to another part of the city wall. Bai Shou now had to practice swords with the Taiwei Sword Sect disciples.

As he left, for the first time in his life, Bai Shou felt that practicing swordsmanship was actually such a pleasant thing.

Chen Ping'an summoned his talisman boat and took Pei Qian and the other two away from the city wall, heading north into the city.

Since his teacher wasn't around, Cui Dongshan was unrestrained. On the city wall, he walked like a crab, swinging his wide sleeves. With a flapping sound, he soared up, then slowly drifted down. He kept rising and falling like this all the way, looking for that former junior disciple, now senior uncle, to catch up on old times. Catch up on old times, my ass. I'm not familiar with you, Zuo You. Back then when I was studying, if it weren't for me, the senior brother, having a bit of money in my pocket, wouldn't Old Scholar have been embarrassed for ten thousand years? You, Zuo You, wouldn't even have managed the damn money for Old Scholar.

But when Old Scholar finally had a proper real school, it wasn't due to his efforts either. After all, Baoping Continent was too far from the Central Land Divine Continent, and his family wouldn't have sent him much money initially. What really made Old Scholar stand tall, drink freely, buy books today, paper and brushes tomorrow, and finally acquire the Four Treasures of the Study and various elegant offerings, was because he took on a third formal disciple. That fellow was the richest among the fellow disciples, and the most filial to his teacher.

"Little Qi, how come you suddenly want to learn Go? That's great! Go find your senior brother. His Go skills are barely good enough to teach. But the school doesn't have Go containers and boards yet. The Go containers and pieces from Liuli Studio, and the horseshoe-shaped Go boards produced in Jiangzhou, though very close to the school, definitely don't buy them. They're too expensive. Really, don't buy them. Better to walk an extra thousand steps than spend one unjust coin."

"Yes, Teacher."

"Little Qi, I've been copying inscriptions and viewing steles lately. It's as if I have divine help. My seal script skill has greatly improved. Would you like to learn?"

"I understand, Teacher. I would like to learn."

"Little Qi, have you read the Er You reprint of the 'Miao Hua Collected Works'? Binding, paper—these are trivial matters. If they're a bit inferior, that's fine. We scholars don't fuss over such flashy things, let's not mention them. But the books of the sages, matters of learning are important. Missing characters, wrong characters—that's quite inappropriate. One wrong character, many times, and it can put you ten thousand miles away from the sages' teachings. We scholars must not fail to notice this."

"Teacher is right. I understand."

Of course, that fellow was also the one most fond of lodging malicious complaints, and was always accurate in doing so.

"Teacher, Senior Brother Zuo is being unreasonable again. Teacher, please see who's in the wrong..."

"What? That bastard hit you again? Little Qi, first wipe the nosebleed. Don't rush to talk to Teacher about right and wrong. Come, come. Teacher will take you to find your second senior brother and settle accounts first."

"Teacher, Senior Brother Zuo and I were analyzing the meaning of a passage in a book. He couldn't argue with me, so he..."

"Why is there a bump on your forehead?! Rebellion! Let's go! Little Qi, help Teacher bring the feather duster. Bring the ruler too! Oh yes, Little Qi, forget the stool. It's too heavy."

"Teacher..."

"Let's go! Find your Senior Brother Zuo!"

"Teacher, this time it's Senior Brother Cui. He cheated at Go. I don't want to learn Go from him anymore. I think a person who takes back their move is not a Go player."

"Ah?"

"Teacher takes back moves to teach me more, so naturally it doesn't count."

"Let's go! This time, bring the stool too! Well, don't actually hit him. Just scare him. That's enough."

...

Those who study, who engage in scholarship, especially those who cultivate the Dao and live long lives.

Old stories are actually very many.

Cui Dongshan was not that old turtle bastard Cui Chan.

Cui Dongshan would often think about all sorts of random stories, especially stories of old acquaintances.

Especially every time that person complained and framed his fellow disciples, or when Teacher set him up. Back then, the senior brother would often be at the door or outside the window, watching the spectacle.

So he had seen it with his own eyes, heard it with his own ears.

Cui Dongshan knew one thing better than anyone.

All those past events that seemed to no longer matter, as long as they were still remembered, they weren't truly past events. They were today's events, future events, spinning in the heart for a lifetime.

Without realizing it, Cui Dongshan had arrived near Zuo You.

Zuo You still sat with his eyes closed on the city wall, nurturing his sword intent.

As for Cui Dongshan's arrival, let alone acknowledging it, he didn't even glance at him.

Cui Dongshan jumped down from the city wall and stopped about twenty paces away from the city wall and that back view.

The white-clothed youth gave a little hop, jumped up, flailed his legs wildly, then threw a flurry of wild punches, all aimed at Zuo You's back.

He moved to another spot and continued, performing all those famous martial arts moves from the world, his fists and feet fierce.

Occasionally, while in mid-air, he would energetically bend over and reach for his toes. His posture was presumably extremely elegant and unparalleled.

Finally, with a very beautiful golden rooster stance, he spread his hands and made a motion of sinking qi into his dantian. Finishing his routine, he felt refreshed and clear-headed.

After a hundred moves, with his mere Jade Pool realm cultivation, he managed to be evenly matched with the Great Sword Immortal Zuo You, achieving a not-insignificant opening victory here at the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Zuo You wasn't even bothered to turn his head and look at the white-clothed youth. He asked calmly, "Do you want me to kill you with one sword, or chop you to death with a few more?"

"Senior Sister, someone is threatening me. It's so scary."

Cui Dongshan slapped the talisman onto his forehead with a smack. "Oh, I forgot Senior Sister isn't here."

Zuo You reached out and grabbed, condensing a long sword from sword intent.

He didn't even deign to truly draw his sword from its sheath.

The person behind him wasn't worthy at all.

You, Cui Chan, can have a clear conscience towards Baoping Continent, towards the Haoran World.

But you have no right to have a clear conscience and say you have no regrets towards Teacher!

I, Zuo You, am Teacher's student; I was once Cui Chan's junior disciple!

But from that day on, in the Wen Sheng lineage, I, Zuo You, am the senior brother.

Cui Dongshan yelled, "Show some respect to your own junior nephew!"

Zuo You rose with his sword.

Compared to the little Daoist boy who guarded the gate of Hanging Mountain, whose rising was like a majestic mountain standing tall, Zuo You's standing was as gentle as a breeze.

His sword qi was too heavy, too much. How could his sword intent be lacking? It was almost in harmony with the Great Dao of heaven and earth.

Heaven and earth were cut off.

Cui Dongshan tilted his neck, "Just kill me then. I won't say the important things either. Anyway, you've never cared about your junior brother's life and death or his Dao. Come, come, chop here. Put some strength into it. If this head doesn't roll seven or eight li across the ground, I'll change my surname to You in my next life."

Zuo You turned his head, "Just chopping you half to death would still let you speak."

Cui Dongshan changed his posture, clasped his hands behind his back, looked up at the sky, his expression bitter, "Ah, alas, woe is me, long sigh!"

Zuo You turned around.

Cui Dongshan quickly said, "I'm not that old turtle bastard Chan. I'm Dongshan!"

That day, a youth who looked like a drifting white cloud was knocked off the city wall from the north end by a three-foot sword condensed from pure sword intent, falling to the ground seven or eight li away.

Zuo You sat cross-legged again, sneering, "This is for my little junior brother's sake."

Zuo You furrowed his brows.

That old great sword immortal came to his side, laughing, "You sensed that little phenomenon earlier, didn't you?"

Zuo You nodded.

If not for that, Cui Chan, or rather, the current Cui Dongshan, probably wouldn't have dared to come see him alone.

Chen Qingdu sighed, "That was your little junior brother's heart voice. Your swordsmanship isn't high enough, so you couldn't hear it."

Zuo You said expressionlessly, "Senior is so good at talking, how about saying a bit more?"

Chen Qingdu shook his head, "I won't say it. If I were to speak those words, it would implicate three worlds."

Earlier, that Chen Ping'an, walking on the city wall with his disciple, had a thought in his heart. He hadn't spoken it aloud, but it kept surging in his chest.

And simply by relying on his heart voice, it had stirred up some interesting little disturbances.

Chen Qingdu merely sighed, "Youth is truly wonderful."

That young man, who wasn't really that old, had just had a soliloquy.

"Everyone, don't be impatient."

"Allow me first to break through to the tenth realm of martial arts, then strive for the eleventh realm."

"Then I will ask with my fists beyond the heavens."

"Allow me to reach the Flying Ascension realm."

"Ask the sword at the Jade Capital!"

——

And that young man was currently standing awkwardly at the entrance of the Ning residence.

There had been two surprises.

One was that Ning Yao had interrupted her seclusion and come out again, standing at the entrance to welcome them.

The other was—

His first formal disciple, upon seeing Ning Yao, without a word, thumped heavily three times on the ground.

Chen Ping'an said helplessly, "Pei Qian, isn't that a bit much?"

Pei Qian didn't get up, just raised her head and shouted, "Pei Qian pays respects to Mistress!"

Chen Ping'an immediately stiffened his face. Not too much at all. The etiquette was precisely appropriate.

Actually, the most embarrassed person wasn't Chen Ping'an earlier.

It was Cao Qinglang.

Cao Qinglang was wondering now—a bow didn't seem like enough etiquette, but kneeling and kowtowing was even more inappropriate given the rules.

Ning Yao grabbed Pei Qian's ear and pulled her up. But once Pei Qian was standing straight, she still had a hint of a smile. She used her palm to wipe the dust from Pei Qian's forehead, carefully examined the little girl, and Ning Yao laughed, "Even if you're not too pretty in the future, at least you'll be a girl who is pleasant to look at."

Pei Qian's tears flowed like a stream. She sniffled, and with complete sincerity, "Mistress's taste is so good! First you chose Master, and now you say this. Mistress, if you keep this up, I'll be worried that Master doesn't deserve you."

Ning Yao's gaze slid to a certain someone beside her.

Chen Ping'an immediately nodded, "This concern is extremely reasonable."

Ning Yao shifted her gaze and smiled at the Confucian-robed youth, "You must be Cao Qinglang. More like a scholar than your teacher."

Cao Qinglang finally bowed, "Paying respects to Mistress."

Ning Yao nodded, then clasped her fists at Zhong Qiu, "Ning Yao greets Mr. Zhong."

Zhong Qiu returned the clasped-fist salute and smiled, "Fallen Mountain's honored guest, Zhong Qiu. Many apologies for the intrusion."

Pei Qian suddenly remembered something. She took off her bundle, carefully pulled out that small calligraphy brush and that colorful cloud letter paper, stood on tiptoe, and presented them with both hands to her mistress.

Then she stood on tiptoe a bit further and whispered to Ning Yao, "Mistress, I chose the colorful cloud letter paper. You have no idea, I walked such a long way on Hanging Mountain earlier. If I had walked any further, I was afraid Hanging Mountain would have fallen into the sea from all my walking. The other thing, the brush, was chosen by Cao Qinglang. Mistress, on my conscience, it's not that we weren't willing to spend more money. It's just that we didn't bring much money with us. But mine was more expensive—three Snowflake Coins. His was cheaper, only one coin."

Cao Qinglang scratched his head.

Chen Ping'an and Zhong Qiu exchanged a smile.

Ning Yao looked at the small seal-script calligraphy. It was clearly intended by the little girl to be given to her own master. Ning Yao rubbed Pei Qian's head, then smiled at the nervous youth, "Cao Qinglang, the meeting gift is on credit. Remember to make it up later."

Cao Qinglang scratched his head again, then nodded.

Pei Qian was dumbfounded.

Oh wow!

Her mistress's insight—hundreds of Pei Qians couldn't catch up!

No wonder her mistress had been able to pick out her master at a single glance from among so many people across the four worlds!

Her mistress's home was truly a large mansion.

Pei Qian followed beside Ning Yao, walking at the very front. Pei Qian chattered endlessly.

Chen Ping'an walked side by side with Cao Qinglang. Zhong Qiu intentionally or unintentionally walked alone at the back.

Chen Ping'an said softly, "When you have free time later, help Master with a small task. We'll carve seals together."

Cao Qinglang nodded and said okay.

Chen Ping'an flicked his wrist. Taking advantage of Pei Qian being temporarily preoccupied—having a mistress made her forget her master, which was fine—he secretly handed a small carving knife to Cao Qinglang and reminded him, "It's a gift for you. Better not let Pei Qian see it. Otherwise, you bear the consequences."

Cao Qinglang smiled and said, "I understand, Master."