Chapter 691: A Young Girl Questions the River God with Her Fist

Chapter 691: A Young Girl Questions the River God with Her Fist

Near the mural of the Hanging Inkstand Goddess in Mural City, Pei Qian found the small shop selling copies and tracings of the Goddess Heavenly Official Chart. Now that eight portions of fortune had been lost, the shop's business was mediocre, much like her own shop in Qilong Alley that sold New Year's gifts.

The shopkeeper was a pretty young woman with delicate features. Pei Qian's master had once said that although she was not a cultivator of the Pima Sect, she and Pang Lanxi were a rare and blissful immortal couple.

Pei Qian couldn't help but worry. Pang Lanxi was a mountain sword cultivator who had mastered the art of preserving his youth. But a mortal woman would age year after year, even with some miraculous elixirs and medicines, she would eventually have white hair. What would she do then? Even if they stayed together forever and Pang Yuanji didn't mind at all, she would still secretly feel sad, wouldn't she? Pei Qian scratched her head. Maybe she should remember this sister's face and have the old cook make an exact copy? But then she worried she might be overstepping. Ah, annoying. If only Master were here.

Of the goddesses—Baogai, Lingzhi, Chunguan, Changqing, and the Zhan Kan Goddess, commonly known as the Immortal Staff—the five had already turned from painted murals into line drawings before Master's last visit to Mural City. After Master went to the Ghost Domain Valley, the three goddesses Guayan, Xingyu, and Qilu each chose their own masters. At the time, Pei Qian and Zhou Mili had been quite indignant. What was wrong with those three goddesses? Were they old and blind? But for some reason, Pei Qian noticed that Master had looked relieved and was smiling quite happily.

Pei Qian had come here just for the excitement. Unless she pawned everything she owned, she absolutely couldn't afford any of the goddess paintings here.

As for Li Huai, forget it. He was a complete pauper with not a single immortal coin on him, just some loose silver. A guy who just mooched off the boss.

No problem. Pei Qian planned to do some small business here. Before coming down the mountain, she had spoken with Wei Yusong, the god of wealth of the Pima Sect. Senior Wei had agreed that she and Li Huai could set up as small-time Baofu Peddlers in Mural City without paying the sect.

After saying goodbye to that gentle and lovely sister, Pei Qian took Li Huai to a crowded area. Finding an empty space, she took off her bamboo chest and pulled out a piece of cotton cloth she had prepared earlier. She spread it on the ground, placed two yellow talismans on the cloth, then gave Li Huai a look. Li Huai immediately caught on. This was his chance to make amends. The crisis of being given a hard time by Pei Qian was over. Good, good. So he quickly took out the Immortal Riding on a Raft Celadon Brush Washer from the bamboo chest and placed it on the cloth first, then reached for the other three items. Back when they split the spoils, besides this celadon brush washer, Li Huai had also gotten a small paperweight shaped like a replica Luoxia-style zither and a green-glazed bowl with dragon-and-pearl pattern in dark carving. As for the Fox Worshipping the Moon painting, the writing box containing a pair of three-color lions, and the Immortal Holding the Moon Drunken Inkstone—those all went to Pei Qian. She said they were all for giving away as gifts later. The inkstone was for Master because he was a scholar and liked to drink. The Fox Worshipping the Moon painting she would give to Xiao Mili, and the writing box to Nuan Shu, who was their Fallen Mountain's little steward and accountant. Nuan Shu could surely use it.

As for the big stack of talisman paper and the red string, Pei Qian took the larger number of talisman papers, while Li Huai obediently kept the red string that Pei Qian despised and which he actually despised even more. What was a grown man supposed to do with that thing?

Pei Qian glared at Li Huai, angry. "Are you stupid? Do we look like people from wealthy families? If you pull out so many treasures at once, who would believe us? Should we paste a note on our foreheads saying 'Definitely fakes'? Two talismans and one celadon brush washer are enough!"

In the end, Pei Qian and Li Huai crouched behind the cloth stall. This newly opened Baofu Peddler's stand was actually selling only two things: two very dubious scrawled talismans and an Immortal Riding on a Raft Celadon Brush Washer.

Passersby mostly just glanced at the talismans and the brush washer and moved on.

Li Huai whispered, "Want me to shout some sales pitches?"

"What's the rush? That's not how you do business."

Pei Qian crouched there with her hands tucked into her sleeves, sneering. "Actually, I could use a helper. This kind of itinerant selling without a proper booth is pretty similar to street-side medicine peddling in the martial world. Not as many tricks as a proper setup, but still some. If we had more people, I could send out notices to draw a crowd. Once we had enough people, I'd need a plant in the audience to raise doubts about the goods being fake. Then a back-and-forth exchange, quick-tongued, to kill the spectators' suspicions. Then another plant, dressed sharply, speaking like a real rich man, standing aloof from the crowd, who would declare he wants to buy everything... Forget it. It's pointless to talk about it. I only have you here, and you'd only mess things up. Just watch from the side for now. Your only use is your accent. I'll explain later."

Pei Qian paused, her expression complicated. She said softly, "The most skilled kind is someone who can do all these roles by themselves. That's someone truly capable in the martial world. They'll never starve anywhere, and they can make big money. But such people have many rules and taboos. For example, they absolutely never take the last copper from a victim. To put it in perspective: if someone has ten taels of silver in their pocket when they get cheated, the swindler will leave them with at least one or two. Besides being an old rule, there's great wisdom in it. If you leave someone a way out, they often won't hate you too much, and you won't make mortal enemies. But such people are very rare. I've only heard of them, never seen one."

Li Huai sighed. "Pei Qian, you really know a lot about these shady underworld dealings."

On Fallen Mountain, Pei Qian wasn't like this.

But in the martial world, Pei Qian seemed to be in her element, knowing all the rules and tricks.

Pei Qian was silent for a long time. "It's nothing. When I was little, I liked to join in the excitement. I've seen it. And don't misunderstand—when I walked the martial world with Master, I didn't pay attention to this stuff, and I certainly never did it."

Back in the small martial world of the capital of Nanyuan Kingdom, just scrounging off weddings and funerals wouldn't let you survive.

Later, when she followed Master, she never had to worry about food or clothes again. She could look forward to the next meal, even the day after or the day after that, and think about what good things to eat. Even if Master said no, at least the two of them always had money in their pockets, and it was clean money.

Pei Qian said to Li Huai, "Remember: these two talismans—we'll hold firm at the price of one Minor Heat Coin. Say they're your sect's heirloom sacred talismans, top-grade offensive treasures! After your master passed away, he passed them on to you, his only disciple. You urgently need a sum of money to try your luck at the Naihe Pass Market in Skeleton Beach. Don't sell for anything less. If anyone haggles, just ignore them. At most say you won't sell, you really can't sell. As for the celadon brush washer, it's not sold separately. If they buy the talismans—since it's not even worth a Snow Coin anyway—they can have it as a free gift."

Li Huai glanced at the two talismans, clicked his tongue. "These wretched talismans, you're asking for one Minor Heat Coin? Even a fool wouldn't buy that, right? And this brush washer—we actually paid ten Snow Coins for it."

Pei Qian had been scanning the surrounding tourists. She sneered, "You're worse than a fool. The Void Hatred Bazaar priced this brush washer at ten Snow Coins as a mountain artifact. Even if we got scammed, it's definitely worth at least four or five Snow Coins. Why did I deliberately say it's not even worth one Snow Coin? To make us look like the marks. That way, this brush washer can be someone's bargain find. The key is that it helps sell the two talismans. Unless someone is a real expert, they'll be even more uncertain about the talismans' grade. Eventually, someone will pretend to sneer and walk away, then come back. The third time, I'll start to persuade you, and you should hesitate, mutter something about letting Master down."

Li Huai said gloomily, "Why does my master have to be dead? But you get to pretend to be my fellow townsman?"

Pei Qian got angry and raised her walking stick. Li Huai scrambled away in fear. When he carefully crept back to his spot and crouched down, Pei Qian was still fuming. "Idiot! I really do have a master. Do you, Li Huai, have one?!"

"Besides, with your Northern Juzhou accent still not clear, you can 'pretend' to be a local who left home young. A kid your age, taking a cross-continent ferry from Skeleton Beach back to your hometown from Vase Bottle Continent—wouldn't it be normal to have one or two treasures? At most a few dozen Snow Coins' worth of business—not enough for mountain immortals to kill for. Even if there is danger, it's still Pima Sect territory. If it's just some martial world thugs, and I can't beat them, we'll run."

Half an hour passed. Li Huai's legs were sore from crouching, so he sat on the ground. Beside him, Pei Qian still crouched motionless, hands in her sleeves.

Many tourists just left after hearing the price. The nicer ones left without a word; the grumpier ones cursed under their breath.

Li Huai felt that today's Baofu Peddler venture with Pei Qian was doomed. He felt even more guilty—if he hadn't bought random junk at the Void Hatred Bazaar on the ferry, Pei Qian wouldn't have to work so hard.

Pei Qian said, "Wait another half hour. If nothing happens, we move on. Master said there's no easy Baofu Peddling in the world. It's normal not to sell."

Another half hour passed. Li Huai silently prayed: Heaven and earth, Three Pure Ones, immortals, bodhisattvas, saints, do something...

An old cultivator in a high hat and white robe glanced at the stall. After walking a few steps, he stopped, came back to the cloth, crouched down, and reached for a yellow talisman. Pei Qian quickly bent down and blocked his hand. "Can't touch. Only look. Senior, you mountain immortals have strange techniques. I don't want to harm anyone, but I must be on guard. Please forgive me."

The old man smiled and nodded. He casually picked up the celadon brush washer with both hands. This time Pei Qian didn't stop him. She repeated her spiel about Li Huai. The old man listened absently, shook the brush washer, then gently dropped it back on the cloth. He pointed at the two talismans. "How much for both?"

Beside him were a young man and a young woman, both carrying swords. What was most unusual was that their golden sword tassels had a single white pearl.

Pei Qian said, "One Minor Heat Coin. Not even one Snow Coin less. This is my friend's life-or-death immortal money. Really can't reduce. If you buy the talismans, the brush washer is free—just to make friends."

Li Huai kept a straight face beside her.

When Pei Qian said this, fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Was she pretending not to be a martial artist?

The old cultivator asked, "Will you sell for fifty Snow Coins?"

Pei Qian shot back, "Senior, is that how you do business? If I cut this brush washer in half and sell you one half, would you buy it?"

The old man was amused.

He said, "One Minor Heat Coin? Fine, I'll buy it."

Pei Qian suddenly said, "I won't sell."

The old man looked up, smiling. "Why? Trying to raise the price, or really not selling?"

Pei Qian said, "Really not selling."

The old man smiled. "Did my generosity make you think you undersold the talismans?"

Pei Qian nodded.

The old man stood up and left.

Li Huai scooted over. "Pei Qian, Boss Pei, what was that about?"

Pei Qian gestured with her chin at the brush washer. "He was actually after the brush washer. And he's not a local. He speaks Northern Juzhou dialect well, but a few pronunciations are off. A real Northern Juzhou cultivator wouldn't be like that. A cross-continent traveler like him won't be short on immortal money. We're the exception. He wasn't toying with us—he really wanted to buy the brush washer."

Li Huai was curious. "Who cares what he was after? As long as we sell for one Minor Heat Coin, we'll have made back all the immortal money we lost at the Void Hatred Bazaar, right?"

Pei Qian packed up the stall and handed the brush washer back to Li Huai, confident. "What's the rush? Pack up and leave now. Walk slowly toward Mural City. They'll definitely come looking for us. I'll think of a better price on the way. If we can't sell, no worry. I'm sure that celadon brush washer is worth at least one Minor Heat Coin. Sooner or later it'll be ours."

Li Huai wrapped the brush washer and put it into his bamboo chest. He said mournfully, "Pei Qian, you're so smart. I'm afraid one day when you're short of money, you'll sell me off too."

Pei Qian said calmly, "Business is business, friendship is friendship. Two different things. Besides being my friend, you're someone Master has taken care of for so long. Outside of Fallen Mountain, I might sell anyone for money, but I'd never sell you."

Li Huai smiled.

Pei Qian glanced at him. "What's so happy about that?"

Pei Qian and Li Huai walked toward the entrance of Mural City. She reminded Li Huai, "Some shady money is earned by gambling with your life. But no matter how good a person's luck is, how many times can they beat the heavens? Of course, when you can't survive, you throw caution to the wind. But being a Baofu Peddler isn't shady, and we shouldn't take the last copper. Li Huai was scammed by the Void Hatred Bazaar into buying a wooden token with real skill—now I, Pei Qian, will earn back one Minor Heat Coin with real skill."

Li Huai scratched his head. The boss's little account book had surfaced again.

He changed the subject. "Have you decided on a price?"

"Yes. One Grain Rain Coin."

Li Huai was stunned. Wasn't that a bit greedy for business like this?

Pei Qian said, "This isn't the same Baofu Peddler's stand anymore. Now we can set an outrageous price and let them bargain down. I can judge the old man's character by the two juniors with him. When I was haggling with him earlier, the young man and woman just found it interesting—they had honest eyes. Birds of a feather flock together. So the old man can't be too bad. If he were a deep and sinister villain, that would just mean my judgment is poor, and we shouldn't have come to Mural City as Baofu Peddlers, nor set foot in Northern Juzhou."

Li Huai smiled. "I wouldn't blame anything like that."

Pei Qian nodded. "That's why I brought you along."

Li Huai clasped his fists and walked sideways. "Thank you, Boss, for your appreciation."

Pei Qian said, "Get lost."

Li Huai grinned and said "Yes, sir," and walked alongside her.

Pei Qian said, "The martial world has deep waters. If real danger comes, and I tell you to go alone, don't hesitate."

Li Huai was silent.

Pei Qian had said she was a sixth-tier martial artist. Li Huai thought it was okay. Back during their school trip, Yu Lu was younger than Pei Qian was now and had already reached the sixth tier. Soon after arriving at the academy, he fought for Li Huai and advanced to the seventh tier. After years of study at the academy, he occasionally went on trips with the teachers but didn't have much chance to deal with martial world people. So Li Huai didn't have a clear concept of sixth or seventh tiers. Plus, Pei Qian said she had never really fought anyone with her sixth-tier martial arts and only sparred with peers a few times. To be safe, she'd discount herself to a fifth tier in a real fight.

Li Huai said gloomily, "That won't happen. Zheng Dafeng always says I'm lucky. If I don't step in dog shit, it's not even a day out. So this trip, our luck can't be too bad."

Li Huai suddenly smiled brightly and jiggled the bamboo chest on his back. "Look, isn't the celadon brush washer inside my chest proof?"

Pei Qian asked, "You get happy every time you step in dog shit?"

Li Huai was speechless.

He gritted his teeth and whispered, "Pei Qian, let me ask you something. Can we not sell that celadon brush washer? I want to give it to my sister. She's an unregistered outer disciple of an old immortal master at Lion Peak—really just a maid. My mother and sister are too embarrassed to say it. My family is poor. My sister probably couldn't even give a proper gift when she became a disciple. She was always good to me. Mother favored me since I was little, and my sister never got angry..."

Li Huai braced himself for a beating from Pei Qian.

But Pei Qian said, "Fine, fine. Of course you can. That celadon brush washer was yours to begin with. Even if I sold it for one Grain Rain Coin, I wouldn't take a single copper. If you want to keep it, why would I stop you?"

Li Huai was caught off guard and started to speak. Pei Qian rolled her eyes. "Get lost."

Li Huai grinned. "Sure."

After a moment of silence, Li Huai asked, "Why?"

Pei Qian remembered a small incident from her childhood at the Biyou Mansion by the Buried River.

Some things and some objects can't be measured by money.

But Pei Qian didn't say anything to Li Huai.

Sure enough, Pei Qian and Li Huai waited at the entrance of Mural City for a while, and the old man appeared.

Pei Qian clasped her fists and bowed. "Senior, I'm sorry. That brush washer really isn't for sale."

The old man looked at the clear-eyed girl. Though a bit puzzled, he nodded and spoke with his mind, smiling, "Little girl, you and I both know whether those talismans are worth anything. But the Immortal Riding on a Raft Brush Washer is indeed worth two or three Minor Heat Coins. The value isn't in the porcelain body but in the base mark—those characters are quite valuable. Next time you and your friend play Baofu Peddler, don't sell it too cheap. And be careful of ill intent. It's best to sell such items in major sects like Mural City, Dragon Palace Cave Heaven, or Spring Dew Garden. After deducting ferry expenses, you'll still make a profit."

Pei Qian hesitated, then smiled. "May I ask Senior's dao name and sect? If we have the chance, we'd like to visit."

The old man smiled and waved his hand. "Meeting by chance on the road—no names. Maybe fate will bring us together again. Besides, little girl, you already guessed I'm from another continent. This polite offer isn't very sincere, is it?"

Pei Qian looked at the old man, suddenly clasped her fists firmly, and sent her voice to him alone. "Martial artist Pei Qian bids you farewell, Senior!"

The old man was stunned, then laughed heartily. "Good!"

Li Huai watched the somewhat strange Pei Qian at this moment with envy and longing.

The old cultivator led his two disciples up the ancestral mountain of the Pima Sect. They rested briefly at the Sword-Hanging Pavilion halfway up.

The old man smiled. "Ask if you want."

The young woman asked, "Master, was that girl a pure martial artist? What tier is she?"

The old man thought for a moment, stroked his beard, and looked into the distance at the Yaohe River not far below. He said only two words, evading the question. "Strange. Both strange."

Wei Yusong came personally to the Sword-Hanging Pavilion, clasped his fists, and smiled. "Welcome, Grandmaster Ancestor from the Upper Sect. The Sect Leader is at Qinglu Town. Yan Su is at the Goddess Painting immortal ruins, instructing the direct disciple Pang Lanxi in swordsmanship, so he can't come. As for the other one... I suspect that if he heard Grandmaster Ancestor had arrived, even if he were at the foot of the mountain, he'd immediately turn around and go on a journey."

The old man smiled. "Doesn't matter. Just don't talk about money with me—I don't have any."

Wei Yusong said, "Oh. Then I'll leave."

The old man waved. "Don't go. Sit and chat a while. The view here is refreshing—makes you forget about money."

Wei Yusong smiled and sat down. The two young disciples bowed to the Lower Sect's god of wealth, and Wei Yusong returned the courtesy.

The old man asked, "I saw a little girl carrying a walking stick and a bamboo chest. Called Pei Qian, I think. Probably real. Do you know her?"

Wei Yusong smiled. "Ah, her. Yes, she's Piao Qian. She's the newly adopted god-daughter of our Sect Leader Zhu."

The old man smiled faintly. "No wonder."

Within the jurisdiction of Skeleton Beach, there is a great river running north-south, without any branches or tributaries—extremely rare in the entire Haoran World.

Pei Qian's next destination was the shrine of that Yaohe River God, Xue Yuansheng. Master had once said that the river god had been kind to him. Although Master hadn't accepted the favor at the time, this river god, along with the Fire God Temple in a certain city, were true mountain-and-water deities worth worshipping with incense whenever passing by. It didn't matter if it wasn't specially made mountain incense. Pei Qian naturally wouldn't announce her name; she'd just go to the shrine and burn incense quietly. Strictly speaking, the Yaohe River Shrine had always been an unorthodox shrine—never officially recognized by any imperial court or selected by a Confucian academy.

From the river god shrine, it was about six hundred li to the north. With Li Huai in tow, it was a long walk.

After burning incense at the shrine, they would follow the Yaohe River north to the entrance archway of the Ghost Domain Valley. Pei Qian just wanted to take a distant look. As for the Naihe Pass Market, she could take Li Huai to browse.

Li Huai began to miss those Mural City goddess painting sets. They looked so beautiful—every goddess was far prettier than his sister. Truly divine maidens in paintings. If only he had money, he would buy a set and split it into two: one for the old man at the pharmacy, and one for Zheng Dafeng, who used to carry him around. Even just letting those two bachelors feast their eyes would be good.

The Yaohe River was extremely wide, making it feel more like a lake. There was no bridge across. The water energy was strong. Two roads ran beside the river: a small path close to the river, very quiet, and a main road bustling with traffic. Pei Qian and Li Huai both carried walking sticks and took the small path. According to Master, they would soon encounter a riverside tea stall selling three bowls of Gloomy Tea starting at one Snow Coin. The shopkeeper was a lazy man, and the young waiter had a bad temper. Neither was bad, but travelers should still be careful.

Pei Qian looked up into the distance. She saw a sea of seven-colored clouds—probably auspicious signs. Below the clouds should be the Yaohe River God's shrine.

Pei Qian asked casually, "Li Huai, do you see those clouds?"

Li Huai followed her finger and nodded. "Yeah, a big patch of colorful auspicious clouds. I'm a proper academy scholar, so of course I know that's the manifestation of a deity's merit."

Pei Qian looked at him.

Li Huai asked, "What?"

Pei Qian hesitated, then asked softly, "Are you a Qi refiner?"

Li Huai grinned. "I wish I were. Like that Lin Mutou and Bukeqi—being able to come and go in the wind and rain, how divine."

He meant Lin Shouyi. Thanks.

Pei Qian thought for a moment but ultimately didn't "look closely" at Li Huai.

Master had said that the further away Master was, the more she, as the senior disciple, had to follow the rules—just like copying books.

Li Huai said, "Pei Qian, when are you going to teach me that crazy sword technique you used at the academy back then?"

Pei Qian's face darkened. "I don't know any crazy sword technique."

Li Huai muttered, "If you don't want to teach, just say so. So stingy. Liu Guan and Ma Lian and I have been coveting that sword technique for years. You're breaking our hearts."

Pei Qian ignored him.

She wondered how Chen Lingjun's river journey was going.

Actually, after Chen Lingjun reached Skeleton Beach and got off the ferry, he didn't dare wander at all. Apart from the Mural City at the foot of the mountain, he stayed far away from places like the Yaohe River Shrine and Ghost Domain Valley. "I have no backing in Northern Juzhou!" So he went straight to the Pima Sect's Muyi Mountain. Of course, when he came down the mountain, he realized his backing was pretty big—the Sect Leader Zhu Quan. That Aunt Zhu had average looks but was enthusiastic. As for now, Chen Lingjun had sneaked around like a thief, carefully bypassing the Chongxuan Bureau's Cloud Pillar Palace, and continued west. Once he reached the westernmost point of the Great River, he began his river journey in earnest, finally following the Great River back to its estuary near Spring Dew Garden.

There were actually two estuaries? The Ji River was far stranger than the Yaohe River beside Pei Qian, which had no branches.

Master never lied. There really was a riverside tea stall selling Gloomy Tea with plenty of customers.

Pei Qian hesitated, torn about whether to be extravagant this time. Before she left, the old cook had wanted to give her one Minor Heat Coin and several hundred Snow Coins, saying it was to weigh down her money pouch and attract wealth. Every Fallen Mountain disciple got such money when traveling. But Pei Qian hadn't dared to take too much—just five Snow Coins. Unlike the immortal coins that had previously fallen into her pocket, each with a name and recorded in her little "Ancestral Hall," these five Snow Coins hadn't taken root in her house. They had no names or records, so spending them wouldn't break her heart too much. So Pei Qian told Li Huai, "I'll treat you to a bowl of Gloomy Tea."

Li Huai said, "Forget it. It's too expensive."

Pei Qian said, "Fine. Then watch me drink three bowls in a row."

Li Huai had no choice but to sit with her. Pei Qian handed over one Snow Coin. A young waiter brought three bowls of the Yaohe River's most famous Gloomy Tea. Since the Pima Sect often used it to "entertain guests," it wasn't expensive at all.

Li Huai took one bowl. He felt like every sip was gold or silver. He drank slowly, both pained and indulgent.

Pei Qian downed her first bowl in a few gulps, then drank the second more slowly.

She turned to look at the Yaohe River, lost in thought.

She had only just arrived in Northern Juzhou, but she already missed Fallen Mountain.

After finishing the tea, they continued their journey.

After walking several dozen li in one go, Pei Qian asked, "Li Huai, aren't you tired from walking?"

Li Huai used his walking stick to brush through the reeds and laughed. "Are you kidding? Back when we traveled to Great Sui, I was the youngest and the most able to endure hardship. I never complained about being tired!"

Pei Qian thought about it and let him be.

Both had grown up traveling through mountains and rivers, so camping out along the Yaohe River came naturally to them.

They finally reached the incense-booming river god shrine. Pei Qian and Li Huai bought three sticks of ordinary incense and burned them outside the main hall. Inside, they saw a golden-armored statue of the god, holding a sword and a mace in each hand, stepping on a red serpent.

The river god's golden statue was extremely tall—actually three feet and an extra inch and a half taller than the Iron Talisman River Water God's statue in their hometown.

Pei Qian had always had a good memory.

All people and scenes she saw were either completely forgotten if she didn't think about them, or clearly remembered when she wanted to.

The shrine was packed with pilgrims. Pei Qian and Li Huai were inconspicuous in the crowd. After crossing the threshold of the main hall, they went further back. The shrine covered a large area with many halls. Pei Qian frowned as she walked, telling Li Huai to hurry up. Using her walking stick to clear the way, she stepped between a lean young man and an old man who was holding a little girl's hand and telling her tales about the shrine. The young man's arm was knocked aside by the green bamboo walking stick. It didn't hurt, but it ruined his chance. Seeing that the thin girl was standing firm between the old man and him, he smiled and moved to the front of the old man. Pei Qian stepped forward and lightly bumped his shoulder.

The young man staggered, took a few steps sideways, bared his teeth, and saw that the dark-skinned girl had stopped and was watching him.

He grinned. "A fellow practitioner?"

He walked forward slowly, and the girl holding the green bamboo walking stick and carrying a book chest walked side by side with him.

Pei Qian said softly, "You already took that rich man's pouch of silver. But this old man, judging by his travel-worn appearance and worn-out boots, that little money he has is probably just enough for his and his granddaughter's carriage fare home after burning incense and making wishes. And you still want to steal it?"

The young man laughed. "Is that any of your business? Can you handle it? Since we're in the same trade, you should know that if I can set up shop here, I have backing. Do you believe that once you leave this shrine, you won't make it ten li? Don't you know why the fish in this Yaohe River are so big? They eat people full!"

Pei Qian continued, "Judging by your pickpocket technique, you can already steal right in front of someone. You're not short on silver. Even if you don't do good deeds here, stealing from rich people's gold and jewelry is one thing. But you shouldn't be so wicked as to steal money that could cost someone their life, right?"

The young man said, "Are you determined to ruin my score?"

"Ruin your score? You're a thief. Don't you know right from wrong?"

Then Pei Qian added, "The gods are watching from above. Be careful—River God Xue might really 'get angry as a water god.'"

The young man scoffed. "We'll see. I'll wait for you outside. Let's see how long you can hide in here."

Pei Qian nodded. "Try me."

Li Huai was confused but followed behind Pei Qian.

Seeing the lean young man sneer and turn away, Pei Qian even reminded him, "When entering temples or shrines to burn incense, try not to retrace your steps."

The young man spat and walked off quickly.

Li Huai asked, "A thief?"

Pei Qian nodded. "Not old, but a veteran."

Li Huai worried, "Looks like he's going to block us at the gate. What do we do? Does this shrine have a side gate we can take?"

Pei Qian shook her head. "No worries. They won't dare cause trouble right at the shrine gate. They'll wait for a secluded spot by the river. We'll take the main road, not the path by the river."

In the rear hall, there was a couplet on black background with gold characters. The content had been carved by Master onto a bamboo slip. Pei Qian had seen it before when drying bamboo slips.

"Sincerity: don't come to kowtow—you already have hidden virtue to protect you. Evil: no matter how much incense you burn, you'll only anger the water god."

Pei Qian put her palms together and silently prayed.

Li Huai stood by, finding the couplet amusing. No wonder Pei Qian had warned the young thief to be careful of the water god's anger.

After leaving the shrine, nothing happened. Before nightfall, they arrived at the ferry crossing. According to custom, boatmen wouldn't ferry people across after dark, fearing they'd disturb the river god's rest. This folk tradition had been passed down for generations.

Three types of people weren't charged: the gravely ill, scholars going to take exams, and those attempting suicide. The first couldn't be charged, as it would harm karma. The second earned goodwill. The last—the boatmen didn't dare charge.

Pei Qian narrowed her eyes.

There they were.

She spotted a group in the distance, waiting like tigers guarding a tree. The young man was pointing at her and talking. Seven or eight burly men strode over, one of them tall and big, cracking his knuckles.

Looked pretty scary.

Pei Qian said to Li Huai, "Stand behind me."

Li Huai asked, "Can't we apologize, pay some money, and settle it?"

Pei Qian said, "Can't settle it. In the martial world, face is valuable—more valuable than money. It's not just empty reputation; it can really translate to money. And we shouldn't settle it this way. This isn't something that can be solved by paying to avoid disaster."

Li Huai asked, "What can I do?"

Pei Qian said, "If I can't win, just say you're a scholar from Yongjin Academy. They definitely won't believe it, but they'll probably hold back when beating you—scared to kill you."

Li Huai said, "Be careful. If you can't take the pain, let me take over."

This whole trouble was ultimately caused by Pei Qian meddling. But Li Huai never thought to blame her or resent her.

The group surrounded them. The young man fanned the flames: "This arrogant little bitch ruined a big score for me at the river god shrine. I had already gotten it—at least twenty taels of silver. When I told her our gang's name and told her to back off, she even said she'd wipe us all out, claiming she knew real martial arts and wasn't afraid of our crappy skills."

The leader shoved the troublesome young man aside and smiled at the girl. "Little girl, your martial arts are really that impressive?"

In Skeleton Beach and along the Yaohe River, there were always many immortals and strange people passing through.

But these two carrying bamboo chests? Probably not.

Pei Qian shook her head. "Not impressive at all."

Then she added, "But if you throw a punch at me, I'll answer it."

Everyone around burst into laughter.

This scrawny little girl didn't seem right in the head.

The man strode forward, kicking up mud and dirt at the girl's face. The girl wasn't pretty anyway, so he didn't need to be gentle.

Pei Qian didn't move. She took the punch.

The man had one hand behind his back. He nodded. "I'm not someone who disregards martial world ethics. I'll give you a little lesson today. Don't meddle in other people's business from now on."

He waved his hand and called for everyone to leave.

The thugs who had just started cheering were baffled by their boss's behavior. The young man especially was disappointed that the dark-skinned girl hadn't fallen. He didn't know what game his boss was playing.

After walking dozens of steps, the young man mustered his courage and asked, "Boss?"

The man was drenched in sweat, clutching his right wrist with his left hand, shaking all over, face twisted in pain. He stammered, "We hit... hit a hard nut. My hand... my hand's broken. You jinx, just you wait..."

The young man's heart sank.

Before anyone could react, the girl carrying the bamboo chest had blocked their path, her walking stick planted in the ground. She spoke firmly to the man, who immediately hid his hands behind his back. "Every house has its rules, every sect its principles. Snakes have their paths, rats their ways. You pickpockets have your methods. I don't know the customs of Skeleton Beach, but in my hometown, stealing inside temples and shrines is forbidden. If you do, you'll live only half a life compared to others. First, your man stole money that could cost someone their life inside the river god shrine. Then your punch—if it had been an ordinary woman, it would not only seriously injure her but also ruin her face. That punch breaks the rules too. Even when martial artists spar with each other, when an older fighter spars with a junior, the first punch should never be so vicious. Yes, your martial arts are poor, but more importantly, your heart is vicious."

Pei Qian nodded to herself. "Alright, I've sorted out the logic. Now I can throw a punch without worry."

An old boatman with dark skin and a stocky build was standing not far away, watching. He smiled. "Little girl, take it easy with your punch. Be careful not to kill someone. There's no real law here in Skeleton Beach, but we're near the river god shrine, under River God Xue's watch. Causing a death wouldn't be good."

Pei Qian turned to look at the old man, frowning. "Taking the side of the weak? Not concerned with right and wrong?"

The old boatman waved his hand. "No one said you can't throw a punch. I'm just reminding you to pull your strength."

Pei Qian asked, "That sounds right. But why didn't you stop them first? Now you come to stop me?"

The old boatman grinned. "Oh, you've got some resentment. What, you want to spar with an old ferryman? What can I, a boatman, do? Little girl, I'm old and can't take even half a punch from you."

Pei Qian said to the man with the broken wrist, "Get lost. If I ever find you haven't changed your ways, I'll return that punch."

The group fled desperately.

Because the two figures—the old boatman and the girl—seemed on the verge of a fight that would shake the heavens.

The old boatman turned to leave.

Pei Qian muttered to herself, "Master can't be wrong. Absolutely not! It's you, Xue Yuansheng, who let Master misjudge you!"

She took off her book chest, tossed her walking stick to Li Huai, and shouted angrily, "River God Xue Yuansheng, stop right there!"

When she was small, she had wandered the streets and alleys every day, only lying low when she was too hungry to walk. She had seen many "small things": cheats stealing people's life-saving money, fake medicines killing people who could have lived, kidnapping lone children in the capital's streets, giving them a few months of luxury life, tempting them to gamble, so that even if their parents found them and brought them home, the child would run away again and return to the trade, even if they couldn't find the original "teacher"—they'd do it themselves. Luring women into brothels, then secretly selling them to other places; or the women, seeing no way back, would collude to cheat some poor family out of their life savings as bride price, then run away. If stopped, they'd threaten to die. Or they'd just collude from the inside, finishing the job.

But back then, the capital of Nanyuan Kingdom truly had no mountain-and-water deities, and the government couldn't properly manage things. Fine. But here on the Yaohe River, what couldn't River God Xue Yuansheng see? What couldn't he manage?!

The old boatman was inwardly shaken—he hadn't expected a young pure martial artist to see through his identity. He stopped, turned to look at the girl, and said cheerfully, "Little girl, your martial skills are definitely not ordinary. You're probably from an immortal sect or big clan. But you don't understand the bottom layer of the martial world, especially the rules of the afterlife and karmic retribution. Human affairs and emotions are complicated—not just black and white."

Pei Qian said nothing, just slowly rolled up her sleeves.

Suddenly, Li Huai spoke up: "River God Xue, she might not fully understand, but she understands far more than you think. I beg the river god to speak properly. Explain slowly."

Li Huai grinned brightly. "Anyway, River God Xue, you're a river god who doesn't like to meddle. That means you must have a lot of free time."

The old boatman wasn't in the least offended. But explaining complicated and profound matters to these two kids didn't appeal to him. So he smiled. "Meddling has its price. Those thugs will probably keep a low profile from now on. You've got right on your side and the strength to back it up—that's what you deserve. But you think I, the Yaohe River God, haven't handled things fairly... Fine. I'll stand still and take a punch from you. After you've thrown it, we'll see if you still have the heart to reason with me. If you do, I'll explain everything in detail, for free, and even ferry you across the Yaohe River. Then we can talk for a while, slowly."

Pei Qian's expression was cold. Her eyes were as deep and still as an abyss, fixed on the Yaohe River God. "Xue Yuansheng, you've seen too much, so you just let things be, don't you?!"

Li Huai whispered to Pei Qian, "Pei Qian, don't go to extremes. Chen Ping'an wouldn't do this."

For no reason, Pei Qian erupted in fury. Her martial intent poured out like a waterfall, stirring the nearby Yaohe River. The waves crashed against the shore, and the boats in the middle of the river pitched violently.

Xue Yuansheng had to immediately activate his divine powers to suppress the nearby waters. The countless ghosts and spirits within the Yaohe River felt as if they were under a great curse, diving to the bottom in an instant.

She gritted her teeth and said, "So in this whole world, only Master is my master!"

Pei Qian crouched slightly, stamped her foot, and began with the "Deity Drums the Rhythm" stance.

Her martial frame opened wide.

The mountains and rivers changed color.

Several martial temples far upstream on the Yaohe River all trembled their golden statues at the same time.

Xue Yuansheng was stunned.

Was she about to break through? Using the strongest two characters to seize the world's martial fortune?!

Pei Qian said calmly to the old boatman, "This one punch of mine—whether ten punches or a hundred, it's still just one punch. If the right is only in my fist, then take the punch!"

Li Huai felt something was seriously wrong with Pei Qian. He wanted to stop her from throwing the punch, but he could barely even lift his foot, let alone move forward.

Li Huai shouted with all his might, "Pei Qian, if you throw this punch, even if we can't be friends anymore, I will definitely tell Chen Ping'an!"

Pei Qian sobbed, "My master might never come home again."

The dejected girl's surging martial intent continued to swell.

Above the Yaohe River God Shrine, the sea of seven-colored clouds began to coalesce and disperse erratically.

Xue Yuansheng smiled bitterly. Well, this was messing things up. He felt that if this girl threw a punch, his golden body would shatter. It made no sense—unless...

Unless this little girl broke through, consolidated the martial fortune, and then... broke through again in an instant! Just like that, in a single, confused burst of energy, she broke through two tiers and reached the Distant Travel stage?

Xue Yuansheng thought he must have water in his brain.

But this heavenly phenomenon before him had never been seen in the history of Skeleton Beach and the Yaohe River.

Li Huai said sorrowfully, "Whether Chen Ping'an comes home or not, Pei Qian is like this anyway. Chen Ping'an shouldn't have taken you as his first disciple. The person he misjudged most in this life is Pei Qian, not Xue Yuansheng."

Suddenly, Pei Qian turned and shouted, "Bullshit! Go to hell!"

Li Huai, drenched in sweat, reached behind his back and nodded. "Alright, I'll hold it in then. You take a whiff and see if it smells good. Chen Ping'an always says it smells real good."

Pei Qian suddenly remembered something. A time on their travels, a mountain valley path.

She had clenched her fist and asked Zhu Lian and Shi Rou if they wanted to know what was in her hand. Zhu Lian told her to get lost. Shi Rou rolled her eyes. Then Master had given her a rap on the head.

Before that, she asked, and Master answered.

"Master, is this called 'a gentleman does not take what others delight in'?"

"Me? I'm far from being a true gentleman."

"How far? As far as from Lion Garden to here?"

"Probably farther than from Lotus Flower Blessed Land to Lion Garden."

"That far?!"

"Indeed."

"Master, but no matter how far, you can always walk there, right?"

"That's right. Provided you don't take the wrong path."

...

Now, Pei Qian suddenly released her martial frame without warning. Her intent faded. She silently picked up her book chest, walked over to Li Huai, and took the walking stick that Master had personally given her from his hand.

Xue Yuansheng breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, on the Pima Sect's Muyi Mountain, several others also breathed a sigh of relief.

Pei Qian weakly apologized to River God Xue, then walked toward the ferry dock.

Li Huai somewhat understood Pei Qian's state of mind. He felt heavy-hearted as he walked beside her. He couldn't even comfort her—he was feeling terrible himself.

Pei Qian's strange behavior today had something to do with this old boatman masquerading as River God Xue, but not much. What was really suffocating Pei Qian were her past experiences and her Master's long absence without return. And according to Pei Qian, there was a possibility that he might never return home. Just thinking about it made Li Huai feel even more listless and depressed than Pei Qian.

Pei Qian said, "Li Huai, I didn't mean to."

Li Huai forced a smile and blurted out, "Haha, I'm not one to hold grudges."

Pei Qian glanced sideways at him.

The old boatman caught up. "I'll take you across the river. Old rule, you have to pay."

Pei Qian said, "I know. Eight qian of silver."

Only then did Li Huai truly admire this River God Xue Yuansheng. His heart was as wide as the Yaohe River, bearing no grudges at all.

Xue Yuansheng began to punt the boat. Li Huai sat in the middle. Pei Qian sat at the stern, her back to them. Li Huai said to the river god with a smile, "Please, River God Xue, tell us about the rules for mountain-and-water deities. Tell us what you can. What you can't, we'll pretend we didn't hear."

Xue Yuansheng nodded and roughly explained the life stories of that quick-witted young man and the group of thugs—how they ended up where they were and what would likely happen to them. He even mentioned the rich man who had his silver stolen and the elderly man and granddaughter who almost got robbed. He included some of the principles mountain-and-water deities followed, none of which were really taboo. Besides, this Yaohe River was ungoverned by heaven, earth, or immortals. Xue Yuansheng really didn't care about those damned golden rules.

Pei Qian didn't turn around. She said, "I was wrong to blame you, River God Xue."

Xue Yuansheng, holding his bamboo pole, shook his head instead. "Wrong? I'm not so sure. Many things—the countless big and small sufferings in the market towns—if they're too extreme, I'll intervene. But the rest—I've grown lazy. It's not that I'm afraid of karmic entanglement or losing merit. Little girl, you're actually right: it's because I've seen too much that I've become weary of it. Besides, in my hands, good intentions have led to bad outcomes more than once. I'm genuinely afraid of that."

Pei Qian mumbled, "Master said you should never blame a good person. So it's still my fault. Practicing martial arts... what's the point? Practicing a hammer."

Li Huai scratched his head.

Because of the eight qian of silver, combined with the girl's "crazy talk," Xue Yuansheng suddenly remembered someone. "Little girl, was your master a young man who traveled through here some years ago, wearing a bamboo hat and carrying a gourd of wine?"

Pei Qian finally turned around, her eyes red, but now she was smiling and nodding vigorously. "Yes!"

Xue Yuansheng laughed heartily. "Well, your master was much more reasonable than you. More like a scholar, gentle and mild."

He really wasn't a bad person, just a bit odd—he had turned down a huge goddess painting fortune for nothing. The Riding Deer Goddess had been furious on his boat back then.

True master, true disciple.

But such words were likely to earn him a punch, so Xue Yuansheng dared not say them now.

Li Huai felt his heart skip a beat.

But unexpectedly, Pei Qian's expression lit up instantly. Her eyes sparkled. "Of course! My master is the most reasonable scholar in the world! And also a swordsman."

See? Master hadn't misjudged River God Xue Yuansheng after all.

It was all her fault.

When Pei Qian turned around, Li Huai caught sight of the things in her hands. He was exasperated. Earlier, he had worried she was obsessing, but it turned out she had taken out a set of tools and was weighing out silver with a little scale. Using small scissors to cut out eight qian of silver from a chunk—afraid of cutting too much and wasting money. On her knee was a small wooden box that was small but complete—it had everything. Besides the small scissors, there was the little bamboo scale, and not just one counterweight—several of different sizes. On one she had carved "Never Lose Money"; on another, "Only Earn Money."

Xue Yuansheng also found it amusing. The girl was a world away from the one who had been ready to throw a punch. He couldn't help but say, "Forget it. Since you're both scholars, I won't charge you."

Pei Qian had just cut out eight qian of silver. She pointed at Li Huai. "I'm not a scholar. He is. So I'll give you four qian of silver."

Then she said to Li Huai, "I'm paying for you—be grateful. What about today's events?"

Li Huai started to say he didn't have immortal money but could at least afford the eight qian of silver. But Pei Qian stared at him and broke the eight qian into two pieces with her bare hand. Li Huai immediately nodded. "Today is fine and sunny, the Yaohe River is calm."

Then Li Huai realized something wasn't right: he was a scholar. He was the one who didn't need to pay to cross the river!

But he didn't dare argue with Pei Qian. He was more afraid of Pei Qian than he had been of Li Baoping as a child, because Li Baoping never held grudges or kept an account. She just hit him and that was that.

Xue Yuansheng shook his head with a smile. This scholar had a normal brain, but wasn't very sharp.

After paying the fare, Li Huai thanked the old boatman.

Pei Qian said nothing—just bowed in farewell.

Xue Yuansheng waved, punted the boat back to the other shore, filled with mixed emotions. This trip out for a walk—he didn't know whether it was auspicious or not.

Li Huai felt relieved to be free of any trouble.

Pei Qian suddenly asked, "What was that you said earlier about something smelling good?"

Li Huai's knees went weak. He felt that no one in heaven or earth could save him now.

Pei Qian suddenly turned to look behind them.

Li Huai followed her gaze, blinked, and his face showed disbelief. "Sis?!"

Li Liu smiled as she nodded.

Li Huai scampered over, pinched his sister's cheeks gently, and tugged. "Sis, are you a fake? Where did you pop out from?"

Li Liu smiled radiantly.

Next to her, the fox spirit Wei Taizhen felt as if she had been struck by a heavenly tribulation. Was this the little brother that her master talked about from time to time? Li Huai, who was good-looking, good-tempered, well-read, talented, kind-hearted... perfect in every way?

Pei Qian came over and happily said, "Sister Li Liu!"

Li Huai quickly put his hands down.

Li Liu smiled at Pei Qian and nodded. "With you by his side, I'm a bit at ease."

Li Huai quickly pulled his sister aside and lowered his voice helplessly. "Sis, why are you here? Two girls traveling so far alone, leaving Lion Peak to come all the way to Skeleton Beach? I'm not criticizing you, but you're not much to look at. Your friend, though—she's pretty. I'm telling you, this place is crawling with thugs and riffraff. But no worries—I just made friends with the Yaohe River God. If something happens, just use my... actually, Xue Yuansheng doesn't know my name yet. Better use Pei Qian's name. Earlier, Pei Qian almost threw a punch. Holy crap, that famous River God Xue Yuansheng stood firm as a mountain, smiling, not scared at all. If it were me facing Pei Qian, I'd have been on the ground already!"

Li Liu said gently, "I won't travel with you. I have some things to take care of."

Li Huai laughed. "I wouldn't want you to tag along anyway. What kind of trip is it with your sister? Would I be looking for a brother-in-law along the way?"

Li Liu suddenly asked, "Do you have a red string inside your book chest?"

Li Huai was taken aback. "What? Do you have a crush on someone and need a dowry? Is that future brother-in-law out of his mind? Can't get looks, so he's after money? Mother will be so angry she'll pinch your arm off. Sis, this is no joke. It doesn't matter if he's rich or poor, but if he has no character, I'm against it. Even if Mother agrees, I won't..."

Li Liu sighed.

Li Huai burst out laughing. "Sis, what were you thinking? Just messing with you."

Li Liu walked with her brother Li Huai for a few li before turning back. She didn't take the Immortal Riding on a Raft Brush Washer—just the red string. She gave her brother something else, which he casually tossed into his book chest.

Li Liu asked, "Why aren't you wearing those clothes and shoes Old Man Yang gave you?"

Li Huai rolled his eyes. "That old man saved up for those things. If I wear them while wandering around, they'll get ruined in no time. That'd be a waste of his dowry savings. Besides, when he bought them, I bet his hands were shaking from the pain of spending the money. Haha, just thinking about it makes me laugh. So forget it. I'll wear them on the way back when I'm close to home."

Li Liu smiled. "Better to wear them."

Li Huai said impatiently, "We'll see."

Li Liu didn't press further.

In the end, she left behind the golden core fox spirit Wei Taizhen, whose hometown actually wasn't far—it was at Precious Mirror Mountain inside the Ghost Domain Valley.

Poor Li Huai was almost losing his mind. That Miss Wei, supposedly a direct disciple of Lion Peak's Patriarch Hall, kept blinking and staring at him. What are you looking at? I know I'm not handsome, okay? So what if you're a registered mountain immortal? You're my sister's immortal friend—give me some slack!

Pei Qian didn't care. Whatever the fox spirit's background, she was a proper mountain immortal. Having her around for mutual support was good—otherwise, her own sixth-tier martial arts were too weak. If something happened, Wei Taizhen could take Li Huai and run.

After that, the three of them walked in silence.

Li Huai didn't want to talk.

Wei Taizhen dared not speak.

Pei Qian couldn't be bothered to talk. She just held her walking stick. Suddenly she asked, "Li Huai, my master will definitely come back, right?"

Li Huai said, "Mmm, of course. Chen Ping'an is so good to you—we all see that."

Pei Qian's spirits lifted. She said, "Your sister is also very good to you."

Li Huai nodded.

Pei Qian lightly swung her walking stick and hummed a folk song from her hometown. "Stinky tofu smells good~. Stinky tofu is delicious but can't afford it~! On the mountains there are demons and monsters, in lakes and rivers there are water ghosts—scared, I turn around and find I've been away from home for many years. Eating stinky tofu! Whose little girl carries the scent of orchid, why is her face stained with tears, isn't it pitiful? Not being able to eat stinky tofu is truly pitiful~..."

Suddenly, Pei Qian snapped out of it. She turned angry, only to realize that Li Huai had already tiptoed away from her. By the time she came to her senses, he had scrambled and run far ahead, sprinting as fast as his legs could carry him.

Pei Qian looked around, then caught up to Li Huai in a few steps and kicked him flat on the ground. Li Huai got up without even turning his head and kept running.

Wei Taizhen wiped the sweat from her forehead.

People from the master's hometown were terrifying.