Chapter 762: Return to Hometown, Departure to Open Heaven

Chapter 762: Return to Hometown, Departure to Open Heaven

Inside the small martial arts school in Xianyou County, Qingyuan Commandery, there had suddenly appeared a large group of guests of all ages. The county curfew had produced no reports at all, and no records were kept. The county yamen received word of this and rushed over early in the morning, demanding travel permits from the school. Such matters—even if the county magistrate and Old Brother Xu were on the best of terms—the yamen runners dared not turn a blind eye; any slip-up would cost them their heads, a whole string of them, from the county magistrate to the commandery prefect and on up, all would be held accountable. For some, losing their official post was little different from losing their head. Fortunately, the martial arts school did not make things difficult for them. A young county commandant personally led the team. After he saw three official documents of unusual types, he immediately elbowed one of the nearby yamen clerks in the head, turning sideways to examine them carefully. Then, with utmost respect, he returned them to the young woman before him. She was fine—a martial artist. But the other two documents were landscape travel permits custom-made by the Great Li Ministry of Revenue and issued by the Ministry of Rites. The young commandant then understood the situation. Even if she were accompanied by nine children—no, ninety—in this Xianyou County of Qingyuan Commandery, they could roam freely and "immortally travel" as they pleased.

Chen Ping'an rarely slept in this late. He didn't step out of his room until the sun was high. Just as he stretched after leaving the door, he saw Pei Qian practicing her six-step stance, calm and composed. The chubby boy Cheng Zhaolu and two little girls were following along beside her. Cheng Zhaolu was serious, while Nalan Yudie and Yao Xiaoyan were just fooling around. Jiang Shangzhen stood on the steps with his hands tucked into his sleeves, watching the martial arts school men who seemed unsure whether they were looking at boxing or at the young women.

Last night, after chatting with that young man who claimed to have studied books, without spending a single coin, he learned of the grudges and romantic entanglements between that young martial artist's master and a certain mountain immortal. Jiang Shangzhen sighed deeply, repeatedly saying it shouldn't have been this way.

No sooner had Chen Ping'an stepped out than Xu Yuanxia blocked his way back into the room, carrying two jugs of wine, saying that drinking wine to cure a hangover was the most soul-restoring method—the best cure for drunkenness in the world was always the next drink.

Chen Ping'an had no choice but to return to the room and drink with Xu Yuanxia early in the morning. There were cups in the room, and on the table were several books that seemed barely touched, looking quite new—Confucian sage texts, Daoist classics, and literati notes, all present.

This room, set aside for a friend, had been kept spotlessly clean and tidy over the years by an old man who had long traveled the martial world.

Xu Yuanxia listened to some of Chen Ping'an's tales about mountains and rivers from the Tongye Continent, then asked: "On the way past the City God Shen in Rouge County of the Colorful Garment Kingdom, did you stop to offer incense at the temple?"

The old man both hoped the young man hadn't forgotten these courtesies of the martial world, which would bring him comfort, and also thought that if the young man had carelessly forgotten, he'd have a chance to chide him a bit.

Chen Ping'an took a gentle sip of wine, set down the cup, and said: "Of course I didn't forget."

Xu Yuanxia nodded. It seemed there was really nothing left for him to say, so he began drinking in silence.

Chen Ping'an asked: "Are you truly not coming with me to take a look at Luopo Mountain?"

Xu Yuanxia smiled and shook his head: "No. Later, you and Shanfeng can come see me together. Traveling the martial world—as the big brother, I have to maintain some face."

He said this, but in truth, the old man was holding onto a breath of determination, waiting for two very young friends to come drink with him.

Chen Ping'an didn't press further.

Xu Yuanxia reminded him: "You'll be very busy on this trip home, so don't rush to drag Shanfeng along for a drink. Both of you focus on your own affairs first. Try to arrange it so that over the next ten or twenty years, the three of us can drink together two more times. Otherwise, it's always just the two of us drinking, staring at each other with big eyes—it lacks some flavor. It's truly not as good as the three of us gathered together. Let's agree: next time we drink, I'll take the two of you on by myself."

Chen Ping'an teased: "Taking on two by yourself? Only someone who doesn't even have a small dish of appetizers would talk such drunken nonsense."

Xu Yuanxia glanced at the longsword hanging on the wall, and for no reason recalled a line: "Ten years without seeing the old immortal, dragons and snakes soar on the wall." But the words were good, though not quite fitting the scene. Xu Yuanxia withdrew his gaze, joking: "You know, I've always admired Master Su's poetry the most. In the future, if you ever have the chance to meet the old immortal Su, be sure to tell him for me—a collection of Su's poems that I've carried with me for many years saved a wanderer named Xu Yuanxia quite a bit of money on drinking snacks."

Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded: "No problem. If I ever do meet that Master Su, I'll even ask him to critique a few of your doggerel poems, Brother Xu. If that senior is easy to talk to, I'll shamelessly beg him to write a preface for your travelogue. But of course, when talking over drinks, one always boasts first. Whether to take it seriously or not depends on how deep Brother Xu's wine cup is."

Xu Yuanxia shook the wine jug at his side—there wasn't much left—so he reached over and covered the cup on the table, smiling: "Same old rule?"

Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded: "Save it for now."

Xu Yuanxia was silent for a moment, then seeing that Chen Ping'an still hadn't made a move, asked suspiciously: "Kid, aren't you going to get going?"

After finally returning from the Sword Qi Great Wall to the Haoran World, all these years without returning to Luopo Mountain—this kid must be in a hurry to travel. Just like Chen Ping'an had said, boasting over drinks came first. Last night, Chen Ping'an had drunk heavily, completely plastered. He spoke loudly, but his drinking manners were truly good; not only did he not throw a drunken tantrum, he was actually full of spirit, with eyes brighter than those who hadn't drunk. The young man told Xu Yuanxia some things that were both thrilling and... inspiring. At first, Xu Yuanxia mistakenly thought this kid really could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. Then, without any warning, bang—his head hit the table, he passed out cold, snoring like thunder.

Chen Ping'an was startled for a moment, then laughed and cursed: "Can't I stay a few more days here? Is the martial arts school so poor it can't even open its pot? If there's not enough good wine, at least there should be tea, right?"

When young, one always thinks that in the future, when drinking, one must drink good wine, the most expensive. But in truth, any wine put on the table is just as drinkable. Time waits for no one. By the time one can afford any wine, one starts drinking more tea, and even when drinking, rarely drinks heavily with others.

Xu Yuanxia laughed loudly: "Well said!"

For the next few days, Xu Yuanxia took Chen Ping'an and the others on a tour of Xianyou County. They also visited a mountain immortal sect deep in the wilderness outside the city. The main reason was that a man named Zhou Fei had somehow become quite close to one of Xu Yuanxia's direct disciples, named Guo Chunxi—the one heartbroken by a childhood sweetheart. Already well past thirty, still a bachelor, he spent every day practically soaking himself in a wine vat. Otherwise, Guo Chunxi would have been the most promising of Xu Yuanxia's direct disciples, with a chance in this life to reach the fifth realm martial artist level, enough to be considered a martial arts titan in a small country capable of founding his own school. Zhou Fei privately sought out Xu Yuanxia, saying he had some mountain immortal connections and planned to take Brother Guo on a trip to clear his mind. He knew a bit of physiognomy, and felt that Guo Chunxi had the face of a mountain person. Spending his days in a martial arts school, practicing martial arts perfunctorily during the day, and sleepwalking in a wine vat at night—it was a waste of talent. Xu Yuanxia trusted Chen Ping'an's friends, so he didn't stop it, letting Zhou Fei take Guo Chunxi away.

That mountain immortal sect was called the Green Ganoderma Sect. Its founding patriarch was an old immortal master at the Sea-Viewing realm, and it was said they also had a Dragon Gate realm chief patron. The woman Guo Chunxi pined for was now not only a direct disciple of the sect's ancestral hall but also one of the candidates for the next mountain master. The sect leader of Green Ganoderma Sect was actually most aware of the depth of Xu Yuanxia's martial arts, the old temple master of Xianyou County. Because Xu Yuanxia, early on for his disciple Guo Chunxi, had worn a dharma blade at his waist and climbed the mountain to lecture on some principles. The Green Ganoderma Sect leader was also reasonable, not truly resorting to forcefully separating the pair. But in the end, the woman's heart was no longer in the mundane world; she and Guo Chunxi were fated to be together but not destined. Xu Yuanxia, as the master, ended up in an awkward position, pleasing no one.

Chen Ping'an didn't bring Pei Qian; he had her stay at the martial arts school to watch the children. Only Bai Xuan, with his hands behind his back, followed them up the mountain to visit the Green Ganoderma Sect. The child stayed close to Xu Yuanxia, imitating Master Cao, calling him "Brother Xu" repeatedly. Xu Yuanxia knew these children were from the Sword Qi Great Wall, so he was especially easygoing, calling Bai Xuan "Little Brother Bai" in return. This made Bai Xuan particularly fond of Xu Yuanxia, and they privately agreed that Bai Xuan would become the school's honorary guest elder. If anyone ever came to cause trouble, he would send word to Luopo Mountain. Whether it was arguing, fist-fighting, or swordsmanship, Little Master Bai was a master of all.

Jiang Shangzhen silently counted how many times Bai Xuan called Xu Yuanxia "Brother Xu" and how many times Xu Yuanxia responded with "Little Brother Bai," planning to report this to the senior apprentice sister later to earn some credit.

As for Guo Chunxi, with his messy hair and full beard, he inexplicably found himself wearing a new robe given by Zhou Fei, a green fabric woven with mountains, waters, and cloud patterns. It was supposedly made with some "kesi" technique—Guo Chunxi didn't understand anyway. It was light and airy, as if he weren't wearing anything, making him very uncomfortable. But on his feet he still wore the leather boots his disciples had mended for him. The sleeves weren't short, but he didn't dare roll them up, afraid of ruining the effect, leaving the big man unsure where to put his hands. He looked like an aging woman heavily powdered and rouged—one smile or one lift of the head revealed her insecurities, making onlookers suppress their laughter.

Xu Yuanxia of course recognized it as a mountain dharma robe, but couldn't tell its grade. He used sound condensation to ask Chen Ping'an, who replied: "It's a robe from one of the Eighteen Sceneries of Cloud Grotto Blessed Land, called Kese Workshop. It's a fairy kesi robe with spring water cloud patterns, very famous on Tongye Continent. This one came from Zhou Fei, so it should be at least a dharma treasure grade. Zhou Fei used an immortal illusion technique to suppress the robe's unique 'drawing silk' divine ability that connects warp and weft. Otherwise, Guo Chunxi couldn't have worn it. Once Zhou Fei removes the spell, if the Green Ganoderma Sect's formation can't contain it, the mountain's spiritual energy would be reduced by half, absorbed into the robe's warp threads."

Xu Yuanxia grew even more curious: "What is your friend planning to do?"

If this robe were worn by a qi refiner, would it itself be a heavy offensive treasure?

Chen Ping'an smiled and revealed the truth: "Zhou Fei does as he pleases, often with nothing better to do. We're used to it."

Xu Yuanxia said: "Guo Chunxi is just a pure martial artist of no high realm. In your eyes, he's hardly a martial arts prodigy. Can he handle this mountain fortune?"

Chen Ping'an replied: "Brother Xu, rest assured. Zhou Fei is extremely measured in what he does."

For example, the child he saved back in Northern Juzhou was taken by Jiang Shangzhen to the True Realm Sect on Letter Lake and given the name Zhou Caizhen on the lower sect's roster. Probably Zhou from Zhou Fei, Cai from Li Cai, and Zhen from Jiang Shangzhen.

Later, successive sect masters—Sword Immortal Wei Ying, Immortal Liu Laocheng, Jade Pu Liu Zhimao, Nascent Soul Li Fuqu, and Golden Core sword cultivator Sui Youbian—had all taken care of this child. In the strictly regimented Palace Willow Island on Letter Lake, where geniuses abounded, Zhou Caizhen—whose cultivation aptitude was negligible—was nevertheless the undisputed favorite. The little girl was quite gentle in nature and had never left Letter Lake. She often went to talk with Tian Hujun and a gatekeeper woman at Green Gorge Island.

Thus, a child with no cultivation aptitude was forcibly built up to the Cavern Dwelling realm using the Jiang clan's ancestral immortal techniques, the True Realm Sect's direct lineage dharma, and a mountain of immortal coins and blessings. Upon learning this, Chen Ping'an sincerely thanked Jiang Shangzhen. Jiang Shangzhen replied, "Don't insult me." This made Chen Ping'an feel guilty, so he said that at the next council meeting on Rainbow Peak Ancestral Hall, as mountain master, he would definitely push through any objections regarding the matter of the chief patron. At the time, Jiang Shangzhen looked at the mountain master's especially sincere gaze, thought of Pei Qian's earlier mention of "second-seat patron," and the mountain master's hasty return to Luopo Mountain, and for no reason recalled the saying "Good things take time." But then he thought of "small money makes ghosts push millstones, big money makes millstones push ghosts," and promptly calmed down a bit.

Why the surname Zhou had significance in the mountain world: Jiang Shangzhen's alias "Zhou Fei" was the name he used as a recorded guest patron on Luopo Mountain, entered into the Rainbow Peak landscape roster. This meant Zhou Fei was no longer an empty alias. The child taking the surname "Zhou" from Jiang Shangzhen, rather than "Chen," meant Jiang Shangzhen had taken on all the karmic consequences for Chen Ping'an.

Thanks to Xu Yuanxia, the group had unimpeded access through the Green Ganoderma Sect's mountain gate. The gatekeeper even sent word to the ancestral hall that Old Temple Master Xu was visiting.

A distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor. The Green Ganoderma Sect had a decent relationship with Xu Yuanxia. A sixth-realm martial artist who had loved to travel in his youth was not to be underestimated. But as Xu Yuanxia grew older, some rumors carried less weight. So when the ancestral hall received the message, they didn't disturb the sect master's meditation. Only a direct disciple appeared—a Cavern Dwelling realm, mid-five realm qi refiner, sixty years old, also one of the cultivation prodigies among the mountain master candidates, a personal disciple of the sect master named Cai Xian. He was responsible for receiving the group led ostensibly by Xu Yuanxia.

If, during the mountain ascent, Xu Yuanxia had assumed a humble position at the back, then the Green Ganoderma Sect master would certainly have been willing to "come out of seclusion, breaking cultivation." But since Old Martial Artist Xu was leading, with the rest just following along, they didn't get that treatment.

Cai Xian stood on the mountain peak steps, "welcoming" the honored guests.

Xu Yuanxia clasped his hands from afar: "Greetings, Immortal Master Cai."

Cai Xian smiled and returned the gesture: "Master Xu."

Cai Xian had been sizing up the people around Xu Yuanxia. As for Guo Chunxi in his flashy new clothes, he glanced over briefly—no need to look closer. A commoner in finery, even on a mountain, didn't belong.

Beside Guo Chunxi was a handsome man with narrow eyes, wearing a purple robe of silk fabric, looking like a scion of a wealthy clan.

Also a refined man in a blue long gown with a gentle smile. Earlier, when Xu Yuanxia had clasped his hands, this man had followed suit but remained silent.

Then there was a little white-clad brat whose eyes seemed to be on his forehead rather than his head, hands behind his back. When Xu Yuanxia clasped his hands, he didn't move. Only when the blue-robed man clasped his hands did the child reluctantly follow suit.

At the mountaintop, a vast array of precisely geomanced immortal residences, wreathed in clouds and mist, exuded an ethereal aura. Chen Ping'an looked around. Jiang Shangzhen used mind-voice to ask with a smile: "What, hiding secrets?"

Chen Ping'an replied: "No. Just once bitten, twice shy—I'm worried there might be a hidden world-expert like Sword Art Pei Min."

Jiang Shangzhen said helplessly: "That's nowhere near the mark."

Chen Ping'an smiled: "Isn't Old Sect Master Jiang standing right here?"

Jiang Shangzhen rubbed his chin: "Fair point."

On the Green Ganoderma Sect mountain today, there was actually a Mirror Flower Water Moon event—two immortal ladies playing chess in a pavilion. But it was quite far away, at a cliff-side spot several li of mountain path away.

Cai Xian had originally planned to brew a pot of mountain tea and then send them down the mountain. But after a glance at Guo Chunxi, he changed his mind and invited the group to the cliff-viewing terrace. He just explained some mountain etiquette, cautioning them not to wander into the "line of sight" of the Mirror Flower Water Moon. Cai Xian elaborated, saying it was best to stay at least ninety paces from the pavilion. The group followed the rules, walking along a shady mountain ridge path until the view opened up, then stopped early, far away, looking at the small pavilion with upturned eaves. A plaque hung overhead inscribed "Lofty Indeed."

A pavilion with upturned eaves, precarious and lofty—Lofty Indeed Pavilion. Chen Ping'an thought the name was good.

When it came to naming things—whether sect names, flying sword names, or cliff carvings—later generations were always at a disadvantage, much like composing poetry.

Chen Ping'an couldn't help but use mind-voice to ask: "In the Haoran World, are there other pavilions named Lofty Indeed elsewhere?"

Jiang Shangzhen laughed: "If not a hundred, at least several dozen."

Chen Ping'an nodded. Then I won't hold back.

Anyway, Rainbow Peak already had a Mountain Water Pavilion; one more Lofty Indeed Pavilion wouldn't hurt.

Chen Ping'an glanced at Guo Chunxi. The middle-aged man looked dazed, his eyes wide, staring blankly at a young woman playing chess inside the pavilion.

Chen Ping'an withdrew his gaze and looked back at the pavilion. He was actually a little surprised, because the mountain immortal playing against the Green Ganoderma Sect's registered female cultivator was a female Daoist priest in Daoist robes, no headdress, but with a plum blossom-shaped hairpin engraved with the small characters "Green Plum View, Viewing Green Plums."

Chen Ping'an had heard of the Green Plum View on South Pond Lake. It was said to be a small Daoist immortal sect where the thatched cottage plum grove's spring was richest. He had once encountered a female cultivator named Zhou Qionglin on the western mountain road of his hometown. She had been with Song Yuan and Liu Yunrun of the Cloth Belt Peak. Chen Ping'an clearly remembered that after they parted, Pei Qian had a good impression of her. At the time, Chen Ping'an was quite surprised. Pei Qian said that in Zhou Qionglin's heart lake lived many poor, emaciated children in tattered clothes, and she was very sad about an empty big rice bowl.

Jiang Shangzhen, sharp-eyed, immediately sensed something and asked: "Mountain master, do you know this sister? Should we greet her?"

Chen Ping'an shook his head: "I don't know her, but I've heard of Green Plum View on South Pond Lake."

Jiang Shangzhen smiled: "Green Plum View, a small sect. The entire South Pond Lake is gone, let alone a footless little Daoist temple. Fortunately, casualties weren't heavy. So in recent years, the immortal sisters from the temple can no longer live in comfort and quiet cultivation. They have to wander the world, begging for alms, pitiful. When I was sect master on Letter Lake, I once bought a plum tree from Green Plum View that they used to watch Mirror Flower Water Moon. A pity I can't see the sight of 'Plum blossoms reaching low, making up a beauty's face' anymore."

Chen Ping'an said helplessly: "A whole plum tree?"

Jiang Shangzhen nodded: "Absolutely. Every time the temple opened a Mirror Flower Water Moon, others would only get the privilege by throwing a Minor Summer coin. I just needed to throw a Snow Flower coin and I'd have it. Such a good deal."

Chen Ping'an smiled: "After throwing Snow Flower coins, get called 'Brother' a few times, then throw Minor Summer coins in a torrent?"

Jiang Shangzhen said helplessly: "It wasn't like I watched Green Plum View's Mirror Flower Water Moon often. My sleeve universe holds hundreds of items; I'm very busy all year round, carefully balancing favors to ensure no sister feels neglected. The mountain master thinks it's easy? It's more mentally draining than cultivation in free time."

Cultivation in free time... Making money and spending money was the main business. Such words would draw lightning strikes, but only Jiang Shangzhen could say them—and they were true.

The young mountain master wasn't aware yet that Jiang Shangzhen had earlier, through Mirror Flower Water Moon, "only" spent a single Grain Rain coin to buy a plum tree inside Green Plum View. So every time "Brother Zhou" under the alias "Zhou Shenqing" spoke, the immortal sisters of Green Plum View would smile sweetly, go to stop for a while under a thousand-year-old plum tree, pick a branch and touch their foreheads—otherwise, where would the saying "Plum blossoms make up a beauty's face" come from?

Chen Ping'an suddenly turned his head, smiling at the very observant "Cai of Cavern Dwelling" from Green Ganoderma Sect, and asked: "Immortal Cai, how can one watch this mountain's Mirror Flower Water Moon?"

Cai Xian smiled: "Purchase a green ganoderma jade—price not expensive, five Snow Flower coins. At current mountain market prices, that's roughly six thousand taels of silver down below. Since you're a friend of Master Xu, we won't talk about the premium of converting immortal coins to silver. With purchase, we'll gift a landscape booklet specifically explaining Mirror Flower Water Moon matters."

Cai Xian thought for a moment, then added: "However, I don't have a green ganoderma jade on me. If you're truly interested, later I can take you to the Ganoderma Hall to look around. Besides green ganoderma jade, there are also some relatively rare mountain spiritual artifacts, and besides that, some small exquisite hand-held trinkets, study items—all meticulously crafted and carved from our sect's unique green ganoderma jade. Prices vary."

Jiang Shangzhen smiled. This Cai of Cavern Dwelling knew how to handle people. A mid-five realm cultivation prodigy, not overbearing, knew to give people an easy way out.

No wonder Guo Chunxi lost to Cai of Cavern Dwelling. It wasn't just the chasm between mountain and mundane world.

The Green Ganoderma Sect's registered female cultivator, also a Cavern Dwelling realm, glanced over between chess moves, nodded politely to Guo Chunxi, and gave Cai Xian a bright smile—not the exchanging glances of a pair of immortal Daoist partners. In a small immortal sect like Green Ganoderma, having two young Cavern Dwelling realms meant whoever became sect master would be within their grasp. The current sect master would likely be happy to see it. Otherwise, if the other two direct disciples of the ancestral hall fought over it, it would harm harmony, and whoever left in a huff would be a serious loss. But it seemed the immortal lady and Cai Xian hadn't yet "cooked the rice." Actually, surprises could still happen—for instance, if she broke through too quickly to become the first Dragon Gate realm qi refiner in Green Ganoderma's history, then as sect master, she would look down from the mountain peak at the mountainside, just as she had looked down on Guo Chunxi back when she first entered the mountain.

It was a pity that the old Sea-Viewing realm immortal hadn't shown himself. Otherwise, he might have noticed the unusual nature of Guo Chunxi's robe, and things would have become very interesting afterward. For example, when the female cultivator went down the mountain to visit family, passing by the martial arts school in Xianyou County, the utterly disheartened former childhood sweetheart, that slovenly man, would have regained his spirit and gone off traveling, vanished without a trace... After returning to the mountain, the sect master would ask about it, and the woman would think about it more, finding it mysterious, missing him more, and a name she had almost completely forgotten would keep turning in her heart... Well, let it be, it's like Guo Chunxi giving flirtatious glances to a blind woman. The mountain is vast and leisurely, there will always be a time to meet again.

Jiang Shangzhen glanced at the woman's qi aperture scene. It would be difficult for her to reach Golden Core, but becoming a Dragon Gate realm qi refiner was very promising. For a remote immortal sect like Green Ganoderma, finding such a cultivation seedling was already enough for the ancestral hall's blue smoke to billow. However, Jiang Shangzhen felt more sadness. The other person in the chess pavilion, the little girl from Green Plum View whom he didn't recognize, had it too hard earning money—she had to come to a small sect like Green Ganoderma for Mirror Flower Water Moon. Since she had some connection with his mountain master, Jiang Shangzhen quietly dropped a Minor Summer coin and used mind-voice within the Mirror Flower Water Moon's forbidden system to whisper: "Do you recognize Brother Zhou?"

The Green Ganoderma woman was confused, but inevitably delighted—the spiritual qi ripples from a whole Minor Summer coin suddenly filled the small pavilion, intoxicating like wine.

The young female Daoist from Green Plum View was even more jubilant. She set down her chess piece, abruptly stood up, faced the cliff, performed a curtsey, and asked: "Zhou Shenqing? Immortal Master Zhou?!"

Jiang Shangzhen was about to reply, "Call me Brother Zhou, not Immortal Master Zhou," but got elbowed by Chen Ping'an. So he had to drop another Minor Summer coin and change it to: "Brother Zhou has business today, so I'll take my leave. Talk next time."

Chen Ping'an frowned slightly, puzzled: "If this mountain's Mirror Flower Water Moon were a bit more relaxed, wouldn't it be a kind of landscape gazette?"

Jiang Shangzhen smiled: "This was pioneered by the Great Li court. In the beginning, the Haoran World's landscape gazettes and Mirror Flower Water Moon were both banned. But on Bottleneck Continent, ignoring the Confucian Temple's rules, they were the first to restart Mirror Flower Water Moon, but with a compromise: they cannot discuss that war. Otherwise, the various kingdoms' Ministries of Rites would record it, and Great Li cultivators would come knocking—no one could afford the consequences. Since the great war is over, there's no reason to suffer that punishment. Of course, there were some mountain immortal sects with very hard heads who didn't take it seriously, thinking that a Great Li dynasty with halved territory and shrinking borders would be too busy to care. Their end was, unsurprisingly, grim. And the Great Li Song clan were truly insidious—they secretly dealt with a large number of immortal forces that didn't follow the rules, but didn't rush to announce it to the continent. Only after gathering fifty did they release the news. The Central Earth Confucian Temple not only didn't hold Great Li accountable, but simply followed suit."

Two terms popped into Chen Ping'an's mind: sticky poles, fishing.

Jiang Shangzhen sighed: "On Bottleneck Continent's mountains, they all say this was the handiwork of the old Minister of Rites in the Great Li secondary capital, Liu Qingfeng. That guy also left himself no way out. But according to inside information from the True Realm Sect, it was actually the idea of Zhao Yao, the Vice Minister of Justice in the Great Li capital. Those young people who walked out of the Pearl Grotto Heaven, especially the scholars, are truly ruthless. But that makes Liu Qingfeng's iron will even more apparent."

Chen Ping'an nodded: "I actually already knew Liu Qingfeng long ago. Extremely pragmatic, very formidable. He follows the path of inner sagehood and outer kingship mixed with hegemony, without any scholar's airs. Most of the time, he doesn't even seem like a Confucian disciple. If Liu Qingfeng were a cultivator, Zhao Yao wouldn't have much chance of becoming state teacher. In fact, many scholars' ideas are too vague, with no gradual steps, empty-handed, unable to support any particular ingenious thought. Liu Qingfeng is completely different—he excels at creating momentum, not even borrowing it. Back when I could still leave the Summer Retreat Palace to visit Spring Pennant Studio on Hanging Mountain, I had specifically studied Liu Qingfeng's official career."

Jiang Shangzhen sighed: "A scholar you praise so highly must be formidable indeed."

The chess game in the pavilion continued. The young female Daoist from Green Plum View and the Green Ganoderma female cultivator played chess while using mind-voice to talk about "Zhou Shenqing's" extravagance and his history of incense-fire with Green Plum View. The latter's mind shook—could there truly be a great cultivator in the world who spent immortal coins like ordinary silver? Could it be a land deity who had ascended to the clouds?

Thus, the group left the Green Ganoderma Sect mountain. Before descending, Chen Ping'an produced ten Snow Flower coins to buy two green ganoderma jades. At the foot of the mountain, he handed them to Xu Yuanxia.

Xu Yuanxia laughed: "What would I do with this? My martial arts school's few possessions couldn't afford even two viewings of Mirror Flower Water Moon."

Chen Ping'an explained: "If there's really an emergency, sending letters is too slow. Go to Green Ganoderma Sect's mountain and activate Mirror Flower Water Moon. I'll come immediately."

Xu Yuanxia laughed in exasperation: "Are you saying you'll be at Luopo Mountain every day watching Green Ganoderma's Mirror Flower Water Moon? As a mountain master, aren't you embarrassed?"

Chen Ping'an said: "Of course I won't watch it personally every day. I'll have someone pay attention. I am a mountain master, after all—I do have a few patrons and guest elders."

Xu Yuanxia asked: "So you're hoping something happens to me?"

Chen Ping'an thought about it—that was indeed unlucky. He had no choice but to put the green ganoderma jades away. After thinking a moment, he tossed them to Jiang Shangzhen: "You like this kind of thing. They're yours."

Jiang Shangzhen put them into his sleeve without standing on ceremony.

The martial arts school also had a money-making escort business. The group mounted several short horses. Bai Xuan, perhaps finding the horse's back too hot, stood up and put his hands behind his back, standing on the horse behind Jiang Shangzhen. Before Master Cao could say anything, Bai Xuan claimed that whenever they met someone on the road, he would obediently sit down. Bai Xuan then suddenly reached out and slapped Jiang Shangzhen's head: "Brother Zhou, let's gallop. These four legs are so slow, slower than Little Master's two legs."

Jiang Shangzhen smiled: "Why don't you get down on all fives and walk with five legs?"

How many years had it been since he'd ridden a horse through the martial world? Jiang Shangzhen thought carefully—probably several hundred years. Truly, this was thanks to the mountain master.

Bai Xuan, furious with embarrassment, bent down and wrapped his arm around Jiang Shangzhen's neck: "You've got nerve! How dare you talk to Little Master like that?!"

Chen Ping'an and Xu Yuanxia were on two horses at the front. Chen Ping'an turned his head, and Bai Xuan immediately let go, rubbed Jiang Shangzhen's head, then slapped his cheeks with both hands: "Riding slow, all dust on your face, Brother Zhou isn't handsome anymore."

Jiang Shangzhen laughed: "Bai Xuan, you'll be able to live off your looks too someday. If Luopo Mountain sets up Mirror Flower Water Moon, in a few decades or a century, you'll probably be the top star."

Bai Xuan sneered: "Little Master can't afford to lose that face."

Chen Ping'an heard this and turned his head again to look at Bai Xuan.

Bai Xuan immediately sensed trouble and hurriedly said: "Master Cao, we can't be too money-grubbing. Nalan the Little Money-Grubber, Yao the Little Confused, He the Blockhead, Yu the Little Daoist—they'd be perfect for it. The cross-eyed one and the dead-fish-eyed one and me, we won't do. Even Cheng Zhaolu, the little cook, is better than us three."

Chen Ping'an turned back, ignoring the little brat who liked giving people nicknames.

Guo Chunxi, riding side by side with Jiang Shangzhen, suddenly spoke: "Brother Zhou, you and Chen Ping'an are both mountain people, right?"

Otherwise, they couldn't produce so many immortal coins. Two mountain treasures, ten thousand taels of silver—not even a blink, then given away to Green Ganoderma Sect.

Guo Chunxi truly hadn't expected his master to have such friends in the martial world.

Jiang Shangzhen pulled a green ganoderma jade from his sleeve and tossed it to Guo Chunxi, using mind-voice to say with a smile: "Take this. You can use it as a meeting gift later. Go to a place called Palace Willow Island on Letter Lake, find a woman named Li Fuqu, tell her you're good brothers with a guy named Zhou Fei, and she'll take you up the mountain to cultivate. Also tell her: if you haven't reached Cavern Dwelling realm within fifty years, it'll mean my eye for people is too poor, or Brother Guo's fortune is insufficient. Then she can just kill us both. Brother Guo, do you dare to go?"

Guo Chunxi fumbled to catch the item worth five or six thousand taels. The man had never learned the secret sound condensation technique from his master—not because his master wouldn't teach, but because he couldn't learn it and didn't want to. Apart from drinking and spouting drunken nonsense, the man had no interest in talking to people. Guo Chunxi laughed: "What's there to dare or not dare? I can't even say I'll live another fifty years. I've never really traveled the martial world in my life. The farthest I've been is the neighboring commandery city. The school's escort team never called me because I messed up while drinking. It's time I learned from Master—while my legs still work, go out and see the world. A living person can't be choked to death by urine."

Jiang Shangzhen smiled and nodded: "Fair warning: the journey to Letter Lake is long, with many dangers along the way. Be careful. If you die on the road, I won't collect your corpse."

Guo Chunxi laughed heartily: "I've been dead for years already. What do I have to fear from that?"

Bai Xuan glanced at the man and gave him a thumbs up.

Back home, there had been many drunkards like Guo Chunxi.

Chen Ping'an used mind-voice to ask Jiang Shangzhen: "The Jade Gui Sect and Cloud Grotto Blessed Land, plus the True Realm Sect—aside from the landscape gazettes you openly control, how many are there?"

Jiang Shangzhen smiled: "Many. No fewer than ten. To be shameless, back then if it weren't for me, the Divine Seal Peak Ancestral Hall wouldn't have been willing to spend that unjust money."

Chen Ping'an nodded: "On Tongye Continent, lend me the landscape gazettes controlled by Cloud Grotto Blessed Land. I'll use them. Of course, keep clean accounts. Every time those mountain wordsmiths write a gazette, record it on the tab. Settle every ten years. As for Bottleneck Continent and Northern Juzhou, I'll pave my own way."

Jiang Shangzhen asked: "At critical moments, get people to curse you?"

Chen Ping'an smiled: "Otherwise?"

Jiang Shangzhen said: "It's hard to control the measure."

Chen Ping'an replied: "What's easier to talk about than 'impartial words' in the whole world?"

Jiang Shangzhen sighed: "The landscape gazettes I previously cobbled together precisely lacked the true mantra of 'impartiality'."

Chen Ping'an responded with a smile: "One shouldn't have the heart to harm others, but one must have the mind to guard against them."

After a moment of silence, Jiang Shangzhen laughed: "You scholars!"

Certain landscape gazettes combined with certain Mirror Flower Water Moons could gather many mountain cultivators that couldn't be hidden. Let it be for decades or a century. During that time, if Luopo Mountain paid a little attention, recording all the indignant words, they could trace the vines to find the melons, easily surveying every registered immortal sect big and small.

Raising fish.

Being able to have such mutual understanding with the young mountain master, exchanging words with far-reaching ideas without hindrance—Jiang Shangzhen and Cui Dongshan could both do it easily.

Secretly fostering several landscape gazettes that claimed to "let me speak impartially," while simultaneously paying attention to the various Mirror Flower Water Moon events on Bottleneck Continent in the future. Chen Ping'an already had candidates in mind: the blind old Daoist Jia Sheng from the Grass Head Shop on Riding Dragon Alley, and Zhang Jiazhen, the little accountant on Luopo Mountain. But Chen Ping'an also missed the Summer Retreat Palace of old. The sword cultivators of the Hidden Official lineage were all masters at this. Even if they personally took up writing landscape gazettes, it would be effortless: Lin Junbi, Gu Jianlong, Cao Gun, Xuan Shen...

Once the sect and lower sect's affairs were settled, he really would need to visit Central Earth Shenzhou.

Returning to the county martial arts school, Chen Ping'an took the sword down from the wall and strapped it to his back.

Xu Yuanxia, who was sitting at the table, stood up.

Chen Ping'an was about to speak, to say some long-prepared words, but the old man smiled and waved him off. He walked up to Chen Ping'an, reached out to straighten his collar, and said softly with a laugh: "You brat, do you think Xu Yuanxia has spent his whole life just waiting to drink with you two? After returning to my hometown, all these years, do you think I've been sitting around waiting for you two to come see me? Not at all. I opened a martial arts school, drank tea with martial arts friends, greased the palms of officials, taught disciples fist techniques during the day, revised travelogues at night—busy as can be. A person comes to this world, takes this journey, and at my age, if I can live, I live. When it's time to go, I go."

Chen Ping'an started to speak but stopped.

Xu Yuanxia took two steps back, smiled and nodded. Chen Ping'an's looks were quite decent, indeed a bit more handsome than that Zhang Shanfeng fellow.

The old man finally said: "Under three rounds of moonlight in the desolate barbarian world, how many sword cultivators died far from home, leaving just as casually? Think of them, then look back at Xu Yuanxia—you shouldn't be so hesitant like a woman."

Chen Ping'an clasped his hands: "Brother Xu, take care of yourself."

The white-haired old man straightened his back and returned a firm clasp: "The mountains are high and the rivers long. Safe travels."

The group walked out of Xianyou County. At a secluded spot in the landscape, Jiang Shangzhen shook his sleeve, first putting all the children into his sleeve universe, then he, Chen Ping'an, and Pei Qian rode the wind toward the cloud boat ferry. The ferry was actually only three hundred li from the Green Ganoderma Sect mountain, but covered by an immortal illusion. Even if that old Sea-Viewing realm immortal who loved quiet cultivation stared at the sky for centuries, he wouldn't find it.

This ferry traveled northward, naturally passing along the great river that flowed into the sea at the gates of the Cloud Forest Jiang clan.

Chen Ping'an walked to the bow, looking down at that great river winding like a dragon.

Jiang Shangzhen and Pei Qian came to his side.

Pei Qian said softly: "Master, that Wang Zhu seems to be in seclusion in some secret realm at the bottom of the sea. There are signs of a realm breakthrough."

Chen Ping'an nodded.

Zhi Gui, as the only true dragon in the world, gathered immense qi fortune upon her. When Wang Zhu was still at the bottleneck of the immortal realm, she could already be considered half a Flying Ascension realm. That was why she could fight toe-to-toe with Fei Fei on the battlefield at Old Dragon City, and even take a full-force blow from Yuan Shou, suffering only injuries to her flesh and bones without truly damaging her Dao foundation.

Jiang Shangzhen leaned on the railing, sighing: "If it weren't for the fact that there's still Qing Zhong from Lushui Pit, who received the Confucian Temple's official appointment as 'Rain Master' to command all dragon-kind on land, taking away part of the water fortune of the Haoran World—otherwise, once this girl Wang Zhu breaks through to Flying Ascension realm upon leaving seclusion, she would truly be lawless."

Chen Ping'an's eyes were dark and unreadable as he said: "She has always been good at seeking advantage and avoiding harm. Besides, the ones who naturally suppress her will only come one after another. Anyway, whoever it is, there will always be one."

Jiang Shangzhen said: "Your Clay Vase Alley is the most nerve-wracking place to tread. Setting aside the mountain master, Prince Song Mu is now in the secondary capital, the maid is a true dragon about to reach Flying Ascension realm, the old Cao family whose ancestral home is there has Cao Xi and Cao Jun, two sword immortals in one family, and Gu Can is in White Emperor City, making waves. I heard that in recent years, during his second down-mountain training, he pestered a wild cultivator at Jade Pu realm, chasing him for years while lecturing him on principles. Every day he'd fight and chatter. That Jade Pu wild cultivator was almost driven mad by Gu Can and finally ended up returning to White Emperor City with him."

Chen Ping'an asked: "Wasn't it that the Jade Pu wild cultivator was wary of White Emperor City, or had long coveted its Dharmas?"

Jiang Shangzhen shook his head: "Truly not. It was just that his Dao-heart couldn't withstand Gu Can's endurance."

Chen Ping'an remained silent.

Speaking of endurance, among the three of them back then, it had always been the youngest, Gu Can, who was the best.

Thinking of the little snot-nosed boy from before brought to mind Liu Xianyang. Thinking of Liu Xianyang brought to mind a person he didn't know, She Yue. That diverted his thoughts to Si Tu Longqiu, who seemed to have some interest in Liu Xianyang. Thinking of this Dragon Gate realm bottleneck sword cultivator from Jade Tablet Street inevitably led to thoughts of the old and new Five Absolutes of the Sword Qi Great Wall. From there, to the Haoran Three Absolutes including Sword Art Pei Min, and then to Cui Can's Haoran Splendid Three Affairs. Thinking of this "tireless protective interrogation" of Senior Brother, Chen Ping'an immediately turned his mind back to the Five Absolutes...

A Liang's best gambling spirit and hair-washing spittle; Old Deaf's speaking human words to everyone; Lu Zhi's national beauty and heavenly fragrance; Mi the Great Sword Immortal's "ancient deep feelings never linger."

Si Tu Longqiu's "I swear it's true"; Gu Jianlong's "Let me speak impartially"; Dong Heitan's "spending money like water"; Wang Xinshui's "before a fight I can, after a fight I'll take responsibility."

Chen Ping'an also leaned on the railing, the breeze brushing his face.

Jiang Shangzhen suddenly said: "Be careful about your thoughts. If they truly manifest as a mind-monkey and will-horse, it's like half an outer demon. Although I've never experienced such a thing, even the fools on the mountain know it's very troublesome."

Chen Ping'an nodded: "I'm working on changing it."

This was a lingering side effect from staying too long on the Sword Qi Great Wall. Cultivating strength was somewhat easier, but cultivating the heart was always a double-edged sword. Chen Ping'an didn't want to follow the "scholar" Yang Ningxing's path of cutting off the Three Corpses—too close to Daoism. But a mountain monk had once told Chen Ping'an clearly that studying Buddhist Dharma was not about escaping Zen. With that statement, Chen Ping'an could rest much easier.

So earlier, when asking Yao Xianzhi about that "young" monk, whether he was residing in some temple on Tongye Continent, Chen Ping'an was actually seeking an active method to break through, hoping to help him directly point to his own mind. The Ox-Head Zen lineage's Buddhist Dharma—just the phrase "green bamboo is all Dharma-body, lush yellow flowers are nothing but prajna"—was still insufficient. Even though Chen Ping'an had extended it to understand another phrase he spoke on the bank of Yellow Crane Rock in Cloud Grotto Blessed Land: "When the lotus does not fall, prajna flowers bloom of themselves," it was still not enough.

Chen Ping'an suddenly looked up at the sky, then looked down along the great river toward the center of Bottleneck Continent, and said: "I'll make a trip to the Great River Shrine. We'll rendezvous near the secondary capital."

Jiang Shangzhen said: "The mountain master has perfected the art of being an absentee manager."

Pei Qian asked: "Can I go with Master?"

Chen Ping'an shook his head with a smile: "I'll fly very fast on my sword. You couldn't keep up."

Pei Qian nodded.

Chen Ping'an extended two fingers and swept them forward: "Go."

The longsword left its sheath, lightning fast, shooting straight into the clouds.

Chen Ping'an bent his knees slightly, then leaped upward. The entire cloud boat sank, dropping several dozen zhang straight into a vast sea of clouds.

Pei Qian looked up in the direction where her master had vanished in a flash, but even straining her eyes she couldn't see any trace. She scratched her head: "I really can't keep up."

Jiang Shangzhen laughed: "A sword immortal's momentum, a peak martial artist's physique, going all-out on a flying sword. You're only at the mountain peak realm—it would be strange if you could keep up. Otherwise, how could your master have challenged Pei Min to a sword duel?"

Pei Qian asked curiously: "What if you had caught up with my master's sword duel back then, plus little senior brother?"

Her master was a Jade Pu realm sword cultivator and a peak martial artist.

Zhou Fei was an immortal realm sword cultivator who had fallen from Flying Ascension realm.

Little senior brother was at the bottleneck of immortal realm.

No need to say much more about her master; the other two were both extremely adept at fighting and... escaping.

Their spells, divine abilities, treasures, and trump cards were extremely numerous.

If that Pei Min weren't a sword cultivator but just an ordinary Flying Ascension qi refiner, Pei Qian wouldn't even need to ask such a question. Caught among her master and the other two, he'd either be beaten to death or slowly worn down.

Jiang Shangzhen said words almost identical to Cui Dongshan's: "There are ways to preserve life, and ways to fight to the death."

Pei Qian leaned on the railing, gazing into the distance: "Sect Master Jiang, thanks."

Jiang Shangzhen looked into the distance, smiling: "Thanking me for rushing to Shenjing City?"

Pei Qian shook her head: "Thank you for your Cloud Grotto Blessed Land, for letting me meet my Master earlier."

Jiang Shangzhen sighed.

He could keep up with the young mountain master's thoughts, but he really couldn't keep up with Pei Qian's ideas.

Pei Qian said calmly: "Sect Master Jiang, in the future, if there's someone you're not in a position to deal with, just tell me, and I'll go ask them with my fists. But you have to promise not to tell my Master, and even if he finds out later, he won't be too angry."

Jiang Shangzhen's smile was brilliant: "Deal!"

Pei Qian squinted with a smile.

Jiang Shangzhen suddenly leaned in, lowering his voice: "Senior Apprentice Sister, I heard that Liu Youzhou has some thoughts about you?"

Pei Qian looked puzzled, then shook her head: "I don't think so. Who's so careless as to spread false rumors? I only met him once at Thunder God Temple. We didn't even chat. He seemed like a bit of an idiot anyway."

Pei Qian genuinely thought such a thing was impossible. What would anyone like about her? She wasn't even good-looking.

As for the Liu clan of Aiai Continent, Pei Qian's only impression was that they were rich. During her solo travels through the Great Duan Dynasty, she had experienced that firsthand. As for Liu Youzhou, her only impression was that the bamboo robe dharma garment he wore back then looked extremely valuable.

At the sky, a blue-robed figure hovered on a sword, hands tucked into his sleeves, looking down at the mortal world.

What a pity that now on Bottleneck Continent, there were no more Confucian sages stationed in the sky.

Chen Ping'an took a step forward, his form hurtling toward the ground, the sword returning to its sheath.

A dozen li from the Great River Shrine, a blue-robed figure landed gracefully.

On the official road, traffic was bustling.

Chen Ping'an walked along the great river, dispelling his illusion technique, and turned his head with a smile: "Forgive my rudeness, Mr. Xu."

A man appeared beside him out of thin air, carrying a sword behind his back, nodding with a smile: "I was wondering who would have the nerve to fall straight down from the sky like that."

A Mo Clan wandering knight, Sword Immortal Xu Ruo.

Chen Ping'an made a deep bow.

Xu Ruo returned the clasp.

The two walked together toward the Great River Shrine.

Chen Ping'an asked: "Is Lin Shouyi still serving as temple priest?"

Xu Ruo shook his head: "Not in time. Lin Shouyi has just left his temple post and returned to Cliff Academy. He'll soon take the position of vice-academy head."

Chen Ping'an asked: "So Cliff Academy has a new academy head too?"

Xu Ruo said "Mm," and Chen Ping'an handed him a jug of Moonlight Wine. Xu Ruo took it naturally, took a sip, said it was good wine, and continued: "It's a great gentleman from Guanhu Academy. Chen Ping'an, do you have any issue with that?"

Chen Ping'an smiled: "Where would that come from? No such thing."

Xu Ruo escorted Chen Ping'an all the way to the square outside the Great River Shrine's gate, half-jokingly said in mind-voice: "Between you and me, drinking is fine. Best not to ask for a sword duel."

Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded: "That's hard."

Xu Ruo turned and left.

To the eyes of common folk, he was just a lazy-looking man.

Chen Ping'an straightened his clothes and walked alone toward the shrine gate.

He suddenly stopped, turning to look at a group of three.

Most were acquaintances.

Former neighbor from Clay Vase Alley, Song Jixin, now Great Li Prince Song Mu.

Ma Kuxuan from Apricot Flower Lane.

And an unfamiliar young earth immortal, definitely a sword cultivator, but with a martial luck that was somewhat unusual.

He might be that "half a friend" Ma Kuxuan had mentioned. True Martial Mountain sword cultivator, Yu Shiwu. This man was also said to be Bantle Continent's third Li Tuanjing, because the title "Second Li Tuanjing" had been placed on Wei Jin, the sword immortal of Wind Snow Temple, but I heard Wei Jin was now a great sword immortal, making that praise originally for Wei Jin's sword talent seem like an insult, so it was no longer mentioned.

Ma Kuxuan clicked his tongue: "The third fight has made me wait over twenty years. Chen Ping'an, you sure can drag your feet."

Chen Ping'an turned around to face the three, grinning: "One of the young candidates for the top ten—I wouldn't dare provoke them."

Yu Shiwu stopped, raising his hands: "Gods fight—don't include me."

Song Jixin stood shoulder to shoulder with him, nodding: "Same."

Ma Kuxuan continued walking forward, his eyes blazing: "She Yue from the barbarian world, Pure Azure from Green God Mountain, Young Master Jiang from that time—one of the young top ten, two candidates—I've faced them all. So-so, very so-so. Unworthy of their reputation. They're only fit for deciding victory or defeat, not life or death."

Chen Ping'an laughed: "Then I'll just decide victory or defeat with you? Seems like that's the case for all three fights. But first, let's make it clear: no more than three times. Cherish this last chance."

Ma Kuxuan stopped, interlaced his fingers, and pressed down lightly: "Where to fight?"

Chen Ping'an said: "Let's skip today. Afterwards, whether True Martial Mountain or Luopo Mountain, it's up to you."

Ma Kuxuan smiled: "Why not right here?"

Chen Ping'an was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed. He shook his head with his hands in his sleeves: "Let's skip today."

Song Jixin walked toward Chen Ping'an: "Mind if I join you?"

Chen Ping'an said nothing, but eventually the two walked together toward the shrine gate, up the stairs, and across the threshold.

The one he truly feared was not Ma Kuxuan, but the onlooker Yu Shiwu, who had made up his mind to sit on the sidelines.

Ma Kuxuan and Yu Shiwu remained outside. The latter smiled: "If it's just victory or defeat, he seems unbeatable."

Ma Kuxuan knew Yu Shiwu's temperament—he never insinuated or fanned flames. This half-friend either kept silent or spoke the truth.

Back when Ma Kuxuan first arrived at True Martial Mountain, the person he hated most was this Yu Shiwu who never watched his words. But after staying on the mountain for a long time, he found he couldn't hate him anymore. By seniority, the young Yu Shiwu was Ma Kuxuan's grand-uncle master. In short, Yu Shiwu was the True Martial Mountain master's senior uncle. How he got that seniority at such a young age was a gift from heaven. The reason Xu Bai went to True Martial Mountain back then was to follow the two military ancestors named Jiang and Wei, who first visited the lower sect Wind Snow Temple and then True Martial Mountain. As for Yu Shiwu, he only needed to address those two military patriarchs from Central Earth Shenzhou as uncle or junior uncle.

After a great war that engulfed two worlds, the romantics were all scattered by wind and rain. Countless ended, while at the same time, many emerged and rose through the currents. But who would ultimately stand at the top? Ma Kuxuan hadn't had that third fight with that guy yet. Whether it would be himself or him remained to be seen, but Ma Kuxuan was already certain it wouldn't be She Yue, Pure Azure, or Xu Bai. As for his half-friend Yu Shiwu, though he was a qi refiner, he relied too much on martial luck and had too big an appetite—he could only wait. Even though the military strategists, in response to that war, had received tacit permission from the Confucian Temple to give Yu Shiwu two portions of "martial luck," he still needed two more to fill the gap. Now that the war was over, he could only stare helplessly.

These were probably all calculations of that Embroidery Tiger. The Central Earth Confucian Temple and the two military patriarchs had no choice but to pinch their noses and accept it.

Ma Kuxuan and Yu Shiwu walked to the edge of the great river. Ma Kuxuan chewed on a blade of grass, hands behind his head.

Yu Shiwu sat beside him, sighing: "Chen Ping'an seems to have seen through my origins. Truly worthy of a peak martial artist at the end of the martial path."

Ma Kuxuan laughed: "It's not the eleventh realm."

Yu Shiwu advised: "Ma Kuxuan, listen to me. Don't fight this fight."

Ma Kuxuan leaned back, crossing his legs, tugging at the corner of his mouth: "Do you really think that if I don't seek him out, he won't come to me?"

Yu Shiwu asked doubtfully: "You've never liked talking about hometown matters. I wasn't curious before, but do you and Chen Ping'an have an irreconcilable enmity?"

Ma Kuxuan spat out the chewed grass and began to close his eyes to rest, offering no answer. Some old almanacs couldn't be flipped through—they had to be torn out by someone.

Walking slowly inside the shrine, Song Jixin asked with a smile: "When are you returning those three books to me?"

Earlier, each had lit three sticks of incense. The shrine was crowded with people, appearing somewhat cramped everywhere.

Chen Ping'an said: "I never took them."

Song Jixin laughed in exasperation: "Chen Ping'an, can you be a bit more direct?"

Back then, Teacher Qi had left six books for Song Jixin. Three Confucian texts: Elementary Learning, Ritual and Music, and Viewing the Extremes. Three miscellaneous books: the arithmetical Subtlety, the chess manual Peach and Plum, and the essay collection Mountain and Sea Strategies. When Song Jixin originally left the Pearl Grotto Heaven with his maid Zhi Gui, following Song Changjing to the Great Li capital, he left the first three in the Clay Vase Alley residence, only taking the three miscellaneous books.

Chen Ping'an said: "I truly didn't take them. If the books grew legs, you can look for them yourself. A reminder: ask the people around you. Don't miss what's right in front of you."

Song Jixin was skeptical.

Chen Ping'an said: "I don't know the current market price of those three books in Great Li. But I do know the price back then, which you didn't. So whether you had them or not never made a difference. That Elementary Learning—I found a total of eight versions including from Great Li, Great Sui, and Huangting Kingdom. The most expensive was sixty-five wen in Red Candle Town, the cheapest was thirty-six wen in the Great Sui capital. I had no need to take your books. As for what was written in them, I could recite them backward more than twenty years ago. If the price of Elementary Learning in the Great Li secondary capital is still higher than elsewhere, then I advise you, as a prince, to be more careful when walking at night."

Song Jixin sighed, then smiled: "You seem to talk a bit more than before."

This former same-age neighbor from Clay Vase Alley was always a person who wouldn't cry out when beaten, wouldn't complain when suffering, a mute gourd who liked to stay silent all day.

Chen Ping'an, after crossing the threshold of the Great River Shrine, no longer kept his hands in his sleeves, his expression indifferent: "It depends on the place."

Song Jixin suddenly deliberately said: "Would you like me to help clear the place? I am a prince after all—I have some ability. That temple priest actually recognized me already. Should I say a word to him?"

Sure enough, the blue-robed, sword-carrying former neighbor visibly held back, but he couldn't help snapping with mind-voice: "Are you out of your goddamn mind?!"

But Chen Ping'an quickly fell silent.

Song Jixin laughed: "It seems not much different from before. I almost couldn't recognize you earlier, but now it feels very familiar again."

On the square outside the main hall of the Great River Shrine, Chen Ping'an stopped and turned to ask: "How about you finish talking first?"

Song Jixin shook his head: "Nothing else. Chatting this much with you—you're annoyed and I'm annoyed. After offering incense, we each go our separate ways."

The shrine was bustling with incense-burning pilgrims.

Song Jixin was the first to light three sticks of incense. Facing the main hall, he bowed and offered incense, then inserted the left-hand incense into a large censer.

As for entering the main hall to kneel and bow—whether due to his status as a Great Li prince or his former identity as a student, it was neither appropriate nor necessary.

Chen Ping'an, holding incense in his right hand, lit it and bowed three times in three directions, exactly the opposite of Song Jixin. He did not face the main hall to worship the statues. He inserted the incense gently into the censer with his right hand, then walked to the front of the main hall. The blue-robed figure with a jade hairpin made a deep bow, and remained bowed for a long time.

Outside the shrine gate, the great river flowed. Spring breezes warmed the mortal world year after year, and thus another year of willows swaying gently, grass growing and orioles flying.

Year after year, the spring wind came and went. When the fourteen-year-old straw-sandaled boy first left home on a distant journey, in this distant journey and return to his hometown, he had unknowingly passed forty years of age.

---

At the ironmonger's shop by Dragon Beard Creek, Liu Xianyang was still sunbathing today.

He hadn't followed his master to the capital region, remaining here to laze about: sleeping, dozing in his chair, snacking on melon seeds, dozing again, sleeping—repeating endlessly. The only exception was when he chatted idly with the round-faced girl in the cotton-padded jacket. The round-faced girl liked to space out and didn't like to talk much. To keep her distance from Liu Xianyang, she filled the space between their chairs with small bamboo chairs and wooden stools. She only nodded when Liu Xianyang cursed someone. Liu Xianyang found it strange—this incredibly good-tempered Miss She Yue, who didn't even hold much of a grudge against Ma Kuxuan, why was she so embittered toward Chen Ping'an? It was almost like she wanted to make a straw doll to stab.

Actually, the Dragon Spring Sword Sect's ancestral hall had already moved away, but Liu Xianyang still preferred to stay here for peace and quiet.

In recent years, the town and the western mountains had changed a lot. Besides his own sect moving north, the Yang family shop's backyard was also empty.

And so, that kid Chen Ping'an had become the biggest landlord in Dragon Province—most of the mountains belonged to him, most of the lower lands belonged to Dong Shuijing. But unfortunately, Dong Shuijing worked hard to earn money but in the end still couldn't win the beauty. Upon learning certain news, he and Lin Shouyi, who had rushed back to his hometown—two pitiful wretches who had lost their souls—had a fierce drinking session. They first cursed each other, then together cursed a certain scholar from Northern Juzhou, apparently from the Hualing Dynasty surnamed Han, who somehow became Li Liu's husband. Then Lin Shouyi and Dong Shuijing went back to cursing each other, even throwing wine cups. Liu Xianyang had been sitting at the table mooching drinks at the time. Later, when Li Liu returned to her hometown town from Northern Juzhou with her parents and husband—a family of four—Dong Shuijing and Lin Shouyi didn't even dare to fart. Earlier at the table, they had talked big, each claiming to be more heroic than the other. One vowed to spend his wealth to death on that bastard surnamed Han, the other swore that as soon as he saw that Han, he'd stomp him into the ground. Thanks to Liu Xianyang's goodwill, after becoming sworn brothers with that Han, he immediately sent flying sword messages to Dong Shuijing and Lin Shouyi—but there wasn't even a reply.

So Liu Xianyang gave up on sending a second letter, because he could see at a glance that Li Liu, who had been seriously ill, seemed to be severing her worldly ties, repaying some kind of mountain debt. But that scholar didn't mind at all, seemingly content with just having a Dao partner in name. A lovesick fool! Truly a kindred spirit! So after a while, Liu Xianyang became friends with that top-tier noble from Northern Juzhou. The scholar then learned that there were two guys named Dong Shuijing and Lin Shouyi who would, at any time, put a sack over his head. In this unfamiliar town, he was terrified every day and hardly dared go out. Occasionally, he'd pluck up his courage to visit Liu Xianyang, saying that such matters of fate couldn't be forced and truly weren't his fault. It really wasn't his fault—the reasoning was sound—but you, Han Chengjiang, you're clearly a frail scholar, so when you say that, don't grin so wide. So Liu Xianyang decided it would be best for all three parties to sit down together and clarify things. He rewrote the letter and sent the second one, telling the two broken-hearted men that Han Chengjiang wanted to have a frank talk with them, meet at a drinking table, with him as the peacemaker who would only urge drinks, not stop fights—perfect for a four-person table.

Unfortunately, Dong Shuijing only made a detour to the shop, drank half a day's worth of wine in silence, and finally staggered off, saying he wouldn't bully a scholar who couldn't even truss a chicken.

Lin Shouyi later also sneaked over. He sat on a bamboo chair, silent, snacking on melon seeds for half a day. In the end, he asked Liu Xianyang a few things about Han Chengjiang, but likewise didn't dare go to the westernmost residence in town, saying he had no face to beat up a lower fifth realm qi refiner.

The round-faced girl, going by the alias Yu Qianyue, sat far away both times, but she was always listening. She thought Han Chengjiang was pretty good—what did cultivation realm have to do with whether a woman liked someone? But she also felt that Dong Shuijing and Lin Shouyi were indeed rather pitiful. Since they liked Li Liu so early, they should have said something. If you like someone, you confess. Even if the other party doesn't agree, at least you've said it, and you can still continue to like them. What if they agree? Then you'll like each other. Either way, you don't lose. The more she thought about it, the more right she felt. It was just a pity she had no interest in romantic affairs—such a shame that such a good point would go to waste.

Today, sitting on her bamboo chair, eating some pastries bought at a discount from the New Year's Shop, she said without turning her head, mumbling: "Liu Xianyang, if that guy comes home, can you really reason with him? Will he listen to you?"

Liu Xianyang opened his eyes and laughed: "Yu Qianyue, how many times do I have to tell you before you believe me? In the whole world, besides Ning Yao, I'm the only one who can make him take a beating without fighting back and take scolding without talking back. I'm not bragging."

She Yue sighed. Alright, you scholars' words really can't be trusted.

To say he'd take a beating without fighting back—She Yue could barely believe that of Liu Xianyang, but scolding without talking back? Just you, Liu Xianyang? And him, Chen Ping'an?

Liu Xianyang asked: "Since you're so scared of him, why do you still stay here?"

She Yue had her own logic, of course: "Don't the books say that the most dangerous place in the world is the safest place?"

Liu Xianyang said helplessly: "You actually believe that?"

She Yue gave an "hee hee" and said no more. You actually believe that, too? So foolish and naive, and you can make him not talk back when scolded? Go trick the ghosts, Liu Xianyang.

Liu Xianyang leaned back in his chair, looking up at the sky.

The ancestral sword scripture, in its opening lines, had the saying: "A hundred years, thirty-six thousand bouts, intending to carry the universe into the land of dreams." At first, he didn't take it seriously. Later, Liu Xianyang discovered it was very true: within a hundred years, if a cultivator was diligent enough, they could truly travel thirty-six thousand times the ancient battlefields in dreams. Immersed in it, Liu Xianyang's mind followed the dreams, going further and further away, like walking along the river of time all the way to its source. The reason Liu Xianyang had that exchange with Ruan Xiu a few years ago was that he recognized her, as well as Li Liu, Old Man Yang, and countless other ancient deities. They fell one by one on the battlefield, but there were over a dozen who not only stood firm but most seemed to be aware of Liu Xianyang's presence, just not paying much attention, or unable to on the battlefield.

During that time, there were vast, sky-obscuring dragons, their bodies enormous, roaming through brilliant star rivers, only to be grabbed by a lofty being seated on a throne, whose dharma appearance suddenly appeared. It casually crushed and killed them all.

Another time on a battlefield, there was a tall, dazzling golden figure with a blurred form, holding a sword, sitting cross-legged beside a giant in golden armor. Amidst the battlefield littered with corpses of deities and great demons, they casually slew great demons and casually blocked spells that seemed capable of opening heaven and earth. Those two supreme deities—the former even looked at Liu Xianyang with interest, seeming to say to him: "Little one, you're not afraid of death. You don't have to die."

The sword-holder reached out to stop the armored one who was about to stand. The next moment, Liu Xianyang was forcibly pushed out of the dream, drenched in sweat. The result was that Liu Xianyang, who had never stopped practicing his sword daily, stopped for the only time—a full half month, keeping his eyes wide open, not daring to close his eyelids, just to avoid dozing off, sleeping, and dreaming.

Liu Xianyang looked toward Divine Elegance Mountain.

She Yue sighed: "Why think about that? It has nothing to do with you."

Liu Xianyang smiled bitterly: "How does it have nothing to do with me? I almost ended up like Song Banchai..."

She Yue glared: "Are you looking for death?! You can think it, but can you say it? Aren't you afraid of karmic entanglement? What if—just what if—you can meet her again next time, and she'll crush you with one finger, a little Golden Core like you..."

She quickly stopped, probably feeling this statement was somewhat hurtful. She waved her hand, apologetically, and changed the subject: "Golden Core, sword cultivator, and a bottleneck at that—actually, that's very impressive."

Liu Xianyang nodded, rubbing his face with both hands.

Senior Apprentice Sister! Xiuxiu girl!

Ruan Xiu, who had "eaten" a certain "Li Liu," shattered one Ascension Platform and opened another, opening heaven and ascending first.

Standing beside her, alone, was Wenhai Zhoumi from the barbarian world.

After them came several followers, and finally dozens of sword cultivators.

Dragon Spring Sword Sect, Divine Elegance Mountain. The cliff carving read "Heaven Opens Divine Elegance"—four large characters perpetually shrouded in clouds.

So looking up from the mortal world, it was "Elegance Divine Opens Heaven."

And that blue-robed woman who had become so unfamiliar, after ascending to heaven, she reached behind her with both hands, slowly untying her ponytail, and took one last look at the mortal world before departing.