Chapter 629: Kill Zones Everywhere
The swordsmen of the Hidden Official lineage were all undisputed geniuses in the Dao of cultivation, first-rate favorites of heaven. The only reason their current realm was not high was their youth. Therefore, they were naturally no strangers to the matter of yin spirits traveling afar, though for a third-stage qi refiner to send out their yin spirit was a rare occurrence. And to be able to stay out for a long time on the Sword Qi Great Wall, traveling freely through this world filled with surging sword energy without leaving the slightest trace, was even stranger.
However, since such strange things happened to Chen Ping'an, the swordsmen including Mi Yu didn't even bother to inquire deeply.
Lu Zhi, on the other hand, saw more and directly asked via mind voice, "Chen Ping'an, when you lured Yang Zhi and Huang Luan to strike earlier, did you intend from the start to let them succeed?"
Chen Ping'an was drawing circles and lines in the Bing Ben booklet, helping Wang Xinshui select twenty earth immortal swordsmen on their side. At the same time, he replied to Lu Zhi via ripples of mind voice: "When an ordinary fishing bait enters the water, it attracts a big fish. Even if the big fish is finally dragged ashore, can that bit of bait be kept? You yourself said that old beasts who have lived to Yang Zhi's age won't be stupid. As for the means to hinder their retreat, of course I have to go first, otherwise our sword immortals' encirclement wouldn't be stable."
Lu Zhi frowned. "If your yin spirit collapses, it will damage the very foundation of your Dao. As the Hidden Official, why must you do this?"
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Trading a third-stage cultivator's yin spirit for one or two peak flying ascent great demons from the Barren Wilderness world is a very good deal."
Lu Zhi hesitated for a moment. She actually didn't like Chen Ping'an's roundabout way of speaking earlier, so she said directly, "Please be honest with me."
Chen Ping'an was silent for a moment. "For the Hidden Official lineage to gain a foothold, relying solely on intangible battle merits is not enough. The biggest problem with the Hidden Official lineage is that it stays behind the scenes, too comfortable. Everyone is a swordsman, but they haven't delivered a single sword strike. In times of smooth warfare, that's no problem. But once the Sword Qi Great Wall's battle losses increase, the Hidden Official lineage will attract criticism. That's human nature. So if I pay a small price early on, I can spare the entire Hidden Official lineage from some mental disturbance. And if the Hidden Official lineage can concentrate without distraction, formulating plans and deploying forces, in the long run, the Sword Qi Great Wall will gain enormously."
Lu Zhi shook her head. "What you said should be the truth, but I know you haven't told me all the reasons."
Chen Ping'an did not deny it. "Some heartfelt words can only be kept for later. Great Sword Immortal Lu, don't dig to the bottom right now. It's meaningless."
For example, his senior brother Zuo You was severely injured. Why wasn't Chen Ping'an extremely grieved? Was it really just because he was deep and good at forbearance? Of course not.
Because deep down, Chen Ping'an hoped that his senior brother Zuo You could live, and live with a clear conscience. In short, it absolutely could not be "Zuo You is bound to die."
The old sword immortal at the Ning Estate's training ground had once said that if there is a good ending, looking back on life, everything is kindness.
That was the principle.
So Chen Ping'an was not angry at the old sword immortal for imprisoning his yin spirit at that time, preventing him from tipping off his senior brother, and telling him to be careful of the Hidden Official's sneak attack.
Later, when Chen Ping'an went to the thatched cottage to visit his senior brother, he was not angry at the old sword immortal, much less resentful.
In worldly affairs, rarely talk about "if." There is no "if" the previous Hidden Official Xiao Xun had punched Zuo You to death.
Chen Ping'an ended this conversation. "Lu Zhi, you just do your best to protect and guard the Hidden Official lineage. Having a sword is enough. Don't bother with other matters."
Lu Zhi rarely joked, "The Hidden Official really puts on airs."
Chen Ping'an had no choice but to force himself, like his own disciple and student, to use some unorthodox methods from the Fallen Mountain and say with a smile, "Great Sword Immortal Lu's sword techniques are divine, almost reaching the heavens. Whether this junior's official airs are big or not, in the eyes of a senior, they are nothing but a joke to go with wine."
Lu Zhi laughed it off.
Chen Ping'an was using his mind for three things at once.
Circling one earth immortal after another in the Bing Ben and communicating with Wang Xinshui, who was responsible for writing the Bing Ben, about details via mind voice at any time.
Watching the movements of the two long scrolls on the Walking Horse Path—this was the duty of the Hidden Official; delegating power did not mean letting go.
He also needed to carefully observe the eleven swordsmen, listen to their conversations and exchanges, like a Ministry of Personnel official conducting a capital assessment.
Chen Ping'an put down his pen, habitually rubbed his wrist, and out of nowhere recalled volume six of that book "True Pearl Ship," which listed an entry for "infant intelligence."
Looking around, the eleven swordsmen present, if they were in the Bright World, with their aptitudes and talents, whether in cultivation or scholarship, they would probably be qualified to be included in such a list.
Among them, several had particularly outstanding specialties. For example, that Xuan Shen was simply a living map. His attention to and memory of the two scrolls made even Chen Ping'an feel inferior. Xuan Shen had an extremely detailed ledger in his mind for every geographical feature on the battlefield, such as a certain pit—why it appeared, when it appeared, and what impact it would have on the subsequent fighting between the two sides. Others who wanted to reach Xuan Shen's level could actually do it if they put in the effort, but it would probably require extra mental energy, far from Xuan Shen's effortless and joyful approach.
So Chen Ping'an specifically had Xuan Shen write an additional battlefield record, which would serve as a reference book that other swordsmen must browse.
Wang Xinshui had an astonishing intuition for predicting small-scale battles. So when Chen Ping'an wasn't busy with urgent matters, he really liked to observe Wang Xinshui. Stealing leisure was like drinking wine. Wang Xinshui felt that many of the swordsmen's sword strikes at critical moments on the scrolls were not perfect enough, or even had too many flaws. Wang Xinshui's expression would change slightly, or the enemy's exquisite coordination of treasures would make Wang Xinshui even more anxious. But since the battlefield changed in an instant, Wang Xinshui, in order to remember these details, often stared at the scroll with his eyes fixed, writing non-stop with extremely sloppy handwriting. Occasionally, Wang Xinshui would feel dejected, as if he didn't know if what he saw, thought, remembered, and wrote was useful at all. After all, as a swordsman of the Hidden Official lineage, he was too far from the battlefield. Even if he were on the battlefield, could he replace the swordsman and deliver the sword? So Wang Xinshui was the person with the most varied and complex expressions. Perhaps in just a few blinks, joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness would all appear on Wang Xinshui's face. Plus, Wang Xinshui liked to mutter to himself, which was very interesting.
Lin Junbi's overall planning was a kind of innate skill similar to a natal divine ability. As long as he was given enough information and intelligence to support a battle situation, Lin Junbi almost never made mistakes.
Guo Zhujiu was often one step ahead when it came to "accidents," or the worst-case scenario, and could even think further ahead.
So, in addition to the book on the minds of sword immortals co-authored by Dong Budo and Lin Junbi, after Chen Ping'an took his seat, he not only explicitly asked Xuan Shen to write the battlefield record alone, but also had Wang Xinshui, Guo Zhujiu, and others each write a "casual essay." Previously, Chen Ping'an had outlined twelve books of primary and secondary importance, all named after the Heavenly Stems. Now these could be named after the Twelve Earthly Branches.
With both the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches complete, the swordsmen in the middle represented harmony among people. It was also a way to seek a good omen.
Dong Budo suddenly said, "I'm afraid that the Barren Wild world's sword formation will only use the dumbest method to advance forward, focusing only on their own coordination, not thinking about anything else, and not coveting battle merits. Then our subsequent plans will all fail. The most troublesome part is that if we don't gain anything, it's a loss. If that happens, how do we solve it?"
Chen Ping'an looked up and said with a soft laugh, "It can be solved. The Sword Qi Great Wall's offensive and defensive battles have been too accustomed to grandeur and heroic spirit, which is actually not good. On the battlefield, when you're in the midst of it, the beasts of the Barren Wild world entrust their bodies to the white blade, with familiar comrades-in-arms dying around them. So we must not treat them as puppets and marionettes without education or emotions. After the Thirteen Clashes, the demon tribe attacked the city twice. Looking back, both were well-prepared military drills. Now the Barren Wild world has sixty military tents. What does that mean? It means that every battlefield is being watched by countless people. The human heart, this thing, is contagious."
"So to prevent the opponent's sword formation from 'seeking not to lose in stability,' which is the worst-case scenario, there are three things we can do. First, in our sword formation, we should learn more from Qi Shou and slaughter the enemy. Second, for those who can be killed or not, severely wound them instead of killing them. The more it's better to be dead than alive, the better. After they withdraw from the battlefield, this batch of wounded will be a natural source of resentment. Third, we pick some who are good at arguing and like to argue, like those seniors Zhao Ge Yi and Cheng Quan. I think they are very suitable. While delivering sword strikes, curse heaven and earth, especially scold the swordsmen of the Barren Wild world. For example, scold them that this attack on the city and quest for the sword is actually a 'return to the ancestors.' These words must be scolded by sword immortals. Young swordsmen with loud voices, the lower their realm, the better, must scold even more. If we do these three things well, then the most valuable swordsmen of the Barren Wild world will be forced to think about doing more. If the opponent is willing to do more, we will have opportunities."
Having said this, Chen Ping'an smiled. "Earlier, when I was fighting one-on-one with Li Zhen, do you really think I wasn't angry or resentful at his words? How could that be? At that time, I wished I could chew his flesh raw and pull out his sinews and skin. But because it was just a confrontation between the two of us, I couldn't afford to be distracted, so I had to suppress that emotion. But later, when two armies confront each other, with tens of thousands of swordsmen facing off, there is room in the human heart to spare. Remember, although we are staring at the two scrolls right in front of us and have just begun to try to understand the mental threads of our sword immortals, in fact, we need to put ourselves in the shoes of the Barren Wild world and think about how they view this war and all battlefields. If we understand that, many things can be foreseen. Not only can we go with the flow, but we can also create our own momentum, turning it into a scheme of open strategy, forcing the Barren Wild world into the trap."
Lin Junbi was deeply touched and nodded. "Indeed. On the battlefield, if our Hidden Official lineage can turn the entire battlefield into a kind of small world, then we can seize the initiative everywhere."
Chen Ping'an said, "Imagine, if we fully understood the thoughts of the Great Ancestor and the demands of the fourteen throne-level peak great demons, what would that scene be like?"
Everyone was stunned.
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Of course, it's impossible. Human strength has its limits. Knowing how to accept fate is also a skill."
Guo Zhujiu suddenly said, "With the fairly thick primary and secondary books of Yi Ben, I can actually trace the clues and look through the old Hidden Official lineage's secret archives to learn more about the secrets and inside stories of the Barren Wild world. In fact, guessing the thoughts of those great demons is something I can try. I definitely won't delay serious matters. Master, you don't need to set your mind at ease a hundred percent; just one percent is enough..."
But as soon as the word "master" slipped out, Guo Zhujiu immediately shut up. She was a little annoyed at her own impropriety and felt guilty for embarrassing her master, since the Hidden Official lineage's rules still had to be observed.
Chen Ping'an said, "Calling me master is fine. Similarly, if others call me Chen Ping'an instead of awkwardly calling me Hidden Official, I think it's better."
Gu Jianlong breathed a sigh of relief and smiled brightly, just about to say a fair word.
Chen Ping'an turned his head and smiled, "Brother Gu, so you're admitting your own 'awkwardness'? So easily hooked? Your cultivation of the mind is insufficient. If you were in the Bright World, besides cultivating and relying on your talent to make a living, you'd have no chance to mix in officialdom, literary circles, or the martial world."
Gu Jianlong looked as if he had lost his parents. Was he about to be given a hard time?
Chen Ping'an said, "Earlier, if Sword Immortal Mi hadn't given that answer, I would have actually regretted bringing up that topic. Everyone, the reason we are sitting here doing these things is not because we have to. It's not just Xuan Shen and these outland swordsmen; even Dong Budo, Pang Yuanji, and other locals shouldn't be taking on such heavy burdens with such thin arms and legs. If we're not careful, it can crush our Dao heart. Compared to going to the city wall and striking joyfully, Pang Yuanji, which do you choose?"
Pang Yuanji said honestly, "Delivering sword strikes."
Wang Xinshui was about to speak.
Chen Ping'an laughed, "Oh? Xinshui also has a fair word to say?"
Wang Xinshui immediately changed his tune, "Hidden Official, I wanted to second Pang Yuanji."
Wang Xinshui was actually quite special, a talented swordsman whose thoughts ran extremely fast but whose sword strikes couldn't keep up. Because his realm wasn't high enough, he always ended up being more of a hindrance on the battlefield. It wasn't that Wang Xinshui was disruptive; in fact, every suggestion he made was just right. But Wang Xinshui himself couldn't express it with his sword, and neither could his friends. So Wang Xinshui earned the title of one of the latest Five Absolutes of the Sword Qi Great Wall: "Before going into battle, I can; after fighting, it's on me."
Fortunately, there had never been too heavy casualties. But Wang Xinshui's feelings about going into battle were extremely complicated. It wasn't that he was afraid of dying, but he felt awkward all over, his true heart constantly bumping against obstacles.
Chen Ping'an laughed. "Polite words are about enough. From now on, I may often leave this place and move around. If there's resentment, remember to hide it well. Also, from now on, you certainly won't have the chance to go out of the city to fight, but I can. Just envy me."
Deng Liang, who was calm but not lacking in agility, asked, "A man of value does not sit under a hanging roof. On the Sword Qi Great Wall, that's a damned nonsense saying. But on our side, Hidden Official, I still ask you to think thrice before acting. Even if you must leave the city wall to fight, be careful to conceal your whereabouts. If our Hidden Official lineage loses you as its commander and has to change generals in the midst of battle, that's a great taboo in military affairs."
"I appreciate the good intention. Speaking so frankly should be the rule of our Hidden Official lineage. Behind closed doors, we are all family. A few unpleasant words from family are a good thing."
Chen Ping'an said. "As for those who can kill me, like Yang Zhi and Huang Luan, they still don't dare to take risks and strike. As for the other beasts, if they have no memory and don't believe in evil, they are welcome to come and try me."
Deng Liang remembered the female sword immortal Xie Songhua's successful strike earlier and said no more.
Chen Ping'an stood up. "I'm going to talk with seniors Nalan Shaowei and Yan Ming."
Chen Ping'an picked up the "Hidden Official" jade token and hung it at his waist. He was going to find two like-minded people to discuss the cross-continent ferry ships of the Inverted Mountain. This couldn't be explained in a few words by the "Hidden Official" flying sword; it required a face-to-face talk.
Some words could only be said by him in his capacity as the Hidden Official.
Walking on the Walking Horse Path, Chen Ping'an looked dispirited and muttered to himself, "Among the world's knowledge, the night ferry ship is the hardest to deal with."
Mi Yu looked at the young man's back, his mood stirring with some indescribable strange thoughts.
If earlier Chen Ping'an's traveling yin spirit sitting in charge of the Hidden Official lineage was strange.
His words and actions always gave a sense of steep danger and strangeness. Every sentence was profound and deliberate, invisibly accumulating authority, gradually tightening his grip on the Hidden Official's power. It even made people involuntarily try to fathom Chen Ping'an's thoughts.
Then now, Chen Ping'an seemed to have a more correct mindset.
Which was better, Mi Yu couldn't say.
In fact, neither was worth a damn.
He, at least a Jade Pupil realm swordsman, had become the one who had the least say here. Especially when Mi Yu thought about his little grudge with the Literary Saint lineage, it was even more annoying.
Finally, Mi Yu rubbed his chin and muttered, "Is my brain really not sharp?"
Chen Ping'an suddenly turned and shouted, "Sword Immortal Mi, come with me. It looks like you'll be busy soon."
Mi Yu braced himself and followed.
But after talking with Chen Ping'an, Mi Yu breathed a sigh of relief. It was good news; he could even go to the Inverted Mountain for some fresh air.
Not only that, Chen Ping'an also actively asked Mi Yu whether some of his ideas were feasible.
Mi Yu told the truth and vetoed them one by one.
This young Hidden Official didn't seem particularly discouraged.
----
The owner of the Spring Pennant Studio, Shao Yunyan, was well-known in the Inverted Mountain for being reclusive.
Today, Shao Yunyan visited the Ape Trample Mansion among the four private residences, passing by the Water Crystal Palace and the Plum Garden, only looking from afar.
Because he had used an illusion technique and Shao Yunyan himself wasn't someone who often appeared in public, very few people could recognize this sword immortal.
Shao Yunyan finally found a tavern. He knocked on the door with magic. Ripples appeared, and the door opened. Shao Yunyan stepped over the threshold. The business in the shop was still very quiet. Besides himself, there was not a single customer.
In this remnant Millet Dream Blessed Land, drinking a cup of Forgetting Sorrow wine.
It was almost a must-do for all transcendent experts visiting the Inverted Mountain.
The old man was dozing behind the counter, on which rested a jade birdcage with eight treasures and poetic inscriptions. The little yellow finch inside was dozing like the old man.
The young man named Xu Jia was very happy to see Shao Yunyan, mainly because he remembered this Spring Pennant Studio owner's string of gourds. So among the many familiar drinkers, Xu Jia, known for his laziness, was especially attentive today, quickly moving a jar of wine onto the table. Xu Jia had actually never dealt with Shao Yunyan before, but he had heard that this sword immortal from the Northern Reed Continent, when he first arrived at the Inverted Mountain, had come here to drink after hearing about the place. He couldn't afford the wine, so he used one of the Sword Nurturing Gourds from that gourd vine to trade with the tavern for a jar of wine and got dead drunk. Later, after he earned money, he regretted it and wanted to pay the full market price in Grain Rain coins. The owner didn't agree. Sword Immortal Shao, probably sulking with the owner, never came back to the tavern to drink.
Shao Yunyan stood under a wall, looked it over, and smiled, "Haven't been here for seven or eight hundred years. The wall is almost full of writing. Is business that good?"
Xu Jia complained, "Comparison kills. I heard that on the Sword Qi Great Wall, there's a tavern selling cheap, rough wine. It just opened a little over a year ago, but its wish plaques are almost covering three walls."
Shao Yunyan apologized to the young attendant, picked up the jar of Forgetting Sorrow wine, and sat down at the table where he had first drunk here. He poured a bowl of wine, looked towards the counter, and smiled, "Owner, that gourd vine has been taken to the Water Classic Mountain in the Northern Reed Continent by a young girl. In a little over ten years, that Sword Nurturing Gourd will be ripe. Then I'll trouble you to send someone to make the trip. Regarding the ownership of this Sword Nurturing Gourd, I've already spoken with Water Classic Mountain. The person shows up, takes the gourd, that's it."
The old man hummed, opened his eyes, glanced at Xu Jia, "Are you going?"
Xu Jia asked, "If I leave the shop just as Miss comes back, what then?"
The old man laughed and scolded, "I just don't understand. Why must you hang yourself from one tree? My daughter has no face, no figure, her mind is unclear, and she's already got someone in her heart. How can she be worthy of you?"
Xu Jia said angrily, "I've been here since I was a child. How many women have I seen? If I don't like Miss, who else can I like?! Like you, old fogey?"
The old man wasn't annoyed. His daughter had run away from home for years. The shop was just the old and the young, keeping this quiet place. They relied on his disciple to add some life. He couldn't bear to scold him. If he scolded too harshly, he might run away too, and the shop would lose too much.
The old man smiled. "Then you should leave even more. Go out and see the world. Really beautiful women will make your eyes pop."
Xu Jia nodded. "I also miss Cao Ci a bit. After I get the Sword Nurturing Gourd in the Northern Reed Continent, I'll go to the Central Earth Divine Continent to find him."
Having said this, Xu Jia walked to the counter, picked up the birdcage, shook it, and scolded, "You fool, why couldn't you see Chen Ping'an's martial arts foundation back then? Like to pretend to be sick and play dead, don't you?"
The yellow finch in the cage was the same species as the yellow finch of the third pope of the Azure World, Lu Chen.
But one measures literary fortune, the other measures martial fortune.
Shao Yunyan smiled. "Owner, there's a story. Can you tell it?"
The old man waved his hand. "Drink your wine. Drinking Forgetting Sorrow wine like ordinary wine is a waste of good stuff. If it weren't for that Sword Nurturing Gourd, I wouldn't bother selling you wine."
Shao Yunyan drank his wine and asked casually, "The Water Crystal Palace is still dreaming of making a fortune day by day, only thinking about making money, can't change. But the Ape Trample Mansion has already moved out all its belongings. These aren't important. I just want to know where your shop will be in the future, Owner. Among a thousand kinds of heavenly wines, I've drunk almost all of them. The ones I've drunk and still miss are only your Forgetting Sorrow wine and the Green Spirit Mountain wine from the Bamboo Sea Cave Heaven."
The old man glanced at his disciple, who was still sulking with the finch in the cage, walked around the counter, moved a jar of wine himself, sat down at Shao Yunyan's table, poured a bowl of wine, and drank each his own.
The old man said, "I'm an outsider to the world. You're an outsider to the situation. Naturally, you're more comfortable. Why bother getting involved? Now that you're involved, whether my shop is set up right in front of you or at the edge of the sky, even if you ask for the answer, will you be able to drink the wine?"
Shao Yunyan smiled and asked, "Can you say something from the heart?"
The old man nodded. "You know the shop's rules. A drunkard's words don't leave the shop."
Shao Yunyan looked towards the tavern's door, where white mist was thick, and said softly, "I promised the Sword Qi Great Wall something a long time ago. I have to do it."
The old man asked, "Can't you run away?"
The old man quickly nodded. "Hard."
Shao Yunyan smiled. "No need to run. As long as I don't leave the Inverted Mountain in a grand manner and act a little sneaky, it'll be fine."
The old man was silent for a moment. "If that's the case, how dare you stay? Your realm and sword technique are not enough. You're really looking for death. Dying stupidly is indeed not as good as dying drunk. Fine, I'll give you another jar of wine for free."
Shao Yunyan said, "On the Sword Qi Great Wall, the Hidden Official has defected to the Barren Wild world."
The old man raised an eyebrow. "That girl Xiao Xun has such a grudge against the Bright World?"
Shao Yunyan smiled. "I heard a new Hidden Official has taken over. If the owner can guess who it is, I won't freeload a jar of wine. You can guess three times."
The old man thought for a moment. "Is it that Chou Miao who followed A Liang to pick up the most money the farthest, or that girl Ning Yao? It can't be the child Xiao Xun took a liking to, can it? What was his name?"
Xu Jia said, "I think it was Pang Yuanji."
Shao Yunyan laughed heartily. "I freeloaded a jar of Forgetting Sorrow wine. Feeling great."
Shao Yunyan drank two jars of Forgetting Sorrow wine in one go and staggered out of the tavern, feeling that the trip was worthwhile.
The old owner had also told him some interesting things, such as some inside stories about the fifth world: vast mountains and rivers for thousands of miles, one auspicious land after another, ancient ruins, one brand-new cave heaven blessed land after another, waiting for destined people. The Azure World over there seemed to be able to get a share as well. All kinds of incredible Dao fortunes awaited those with affinity. The most substantial thing the old owner said was a secret that even Shao Yunyan had never heard of, let alone imagined. The old man said that many Confucian saints, besides expanding territories and stabilizing heaven and earth in the long river of time, had fallen silently. In fact, not a few had died in battle. Fortunately, that Sage of Rites who "severed the communication between heaven and earth" was still there, leading one Confucian saint after another, advancing wave upon wave, in the unknown distance beyond the firmament, confronting certain stubborn ancient deities for a long time.
Shao Yunyan couldn't help but ask a question at that time, "Don't the other three worlds need to do the same?"
The old man shook his head. "No need."
Shao Yunyan wanted to ask the reason.
But the old man, who was the founder of one of the Hundred Schools of Thought, said, "Better not to know."
Shao Yunyan strolled all the way back to his own residence, which was in a similar state to the Ape Trample Mansion.
The ground beneath his feet was fraught with kill zones.
Because it was all on the Inverted Mountain.
----
Bian Jing, who had been traveling the borders of the Sword Qi Great Wall with Sword Immortal Ku Xia and Lin Junbi, neither stayed at the city wall to kill enemies nor followed Jiang Guancheng and other young people to the Southern Bodhi Continent.
Bian Jing stayed in that Plum Garden, playing chess with Mrs. Tuo Yan, very romantic.
But today Bian Jing left the garden and went to the Catch-Release Pavilion to watch the round trips of those cross-continent ferries.
The Catch-Release Pavilion was considered the most misnamed scenic spot on the Inverted Mountain, but it was still bustling every day. The small pavilion, except in the dead of night, was always overcrowded.
Bian Jing didn't go there to join the crowd. He sat on the railing of a white jade viewing terrace at a cliff outside the Catch-Release Pavilion, muttering to himself via mind voice.
Bian Jing laughed and asked, "Aren't you always bragging that you're an old acquaintance of that Old Deafy? That prison of Old Deafy's doesn't have any other sword immortals guarding it. Isn't there really any possibility of stirring up some trouble?"
"No chance. Don't go looking for trouble."
Bian Jing sighed mournfully. "I'm just wondering. You beings in the Barren Wild world, your realms are so high. Why are you still so rigid in your thinking?"
"Tricky intestines, twisting and turning, is that also considered Dao cultivation?"
Bian Jing deliberately brought up a sore topic and laughed, "That Second Old Daoist who caused you to end up in this state, is he really invincible?"
"If you haven't truly fought him, you simply won't understand how terrifying that stinking cow-nosed Daoist is."
Bian Jing regretted, "It's a pity that Lady Gui from Old Dragon City in the Vase Bottle Continent didn't accept our Mrs. Tuo Yan's invitation."
"It's a great pity. That woman's true body is after all the most orthodox moon palace species. If she were willing to conspire with us on great matters, our chances of winning would be greater."
Bian Jing smiled. "Us? It's you. I'm just a small character who can't help myself."
"Can't help your body, but your heart is your own. Stop setting up a chastity archway while being a whore here."
Bian Jing said, "According to the latest news from Mrs. Tuo Yan, quite a few sword immortals whose hearts were stirred are now in a very awkward position. It's like sitting on wax. I guess they all wish they could just chop that Second Shopkeeper to pieces with random swords."
This time, that "old immortal" didn't speak to Bian Jing.
Bian Jing watched those cross-continent ferries. Everyone's face mostly showed unconcealable joy. Bian Jing smiled. "Seeing these people, so many of them, I feel much better. No more guilt."
Coming to the Inverted Mountain to do business with the Sword Qi Great Wall, bartering, was the most cost-effective. They came fully loaded and left fully loaded. When they returned to their continent, a resale would yield an astonishing profit.
"Three years without business, one deal feeds three years," that's what these cross-continent ferries doing all kinds of business said.
Moreover, during the war, each round trip of the ferries was more profitable than ever, because they had leverage to squeeze prices to the bone.
Bian Jing nodded. "Where is right and wrong? Only positions. A golden saying. I deeply agree."
A ripple in his heart. "Sarcasm?"
Bian Jing smiled and shook his head. "No, I really think so. Just like the fist being the only truth. I very much agree with that."
Bian Jing looked around.
Soon, the world would change.