Chapter 797: As Expected
The ferry boat floated high above the ground, the heavenly winds blowing, making one feel like an immortal among the clouds even if they were not.
Chen Ping'an smiled and teased Li Huai: "You've traveled so far on your studies, even walked the jianghu with Pei Qian. Haven't you met a girl who caught your fancy?"
What did "catch one's fancy" mean? It was probably that moment amidst the bustling crowd, a fleeting glance, and then never being able to forget.
Li Huai shook his head: "No, I'm ugly as sin, look just like my dad. No woman with eyes would fancy me. I'm not lacking in that self-awareness. Even if someone wanted to swindle me for money and looks, I don't have the family fortune or the good looks. So there is one good thing—if a woman ever truly likes me, it'll be genuine. So why rush? I'll wait patiently."
Actually, Li Huai wasn't bad-looking. He was a young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, his features at least regular and neat.
The Tender Daoist remarked with feeling: "Young Master is terrifyingly humble."
Liu Chicheng nodded in agreement: "The first time I met Young Master Li, I saw a dragon's grace and a phoenix's bearing, a natural celestial quality."
Duo Yan, thinking of Mi Yu from the Spring Banners Studio, suddenly understood a bit why her relationship with Chen Ping'an had always been lukewarm—it was because she lacked this.
Li Huai didn't take the "heartfelt words" of the Tender Daoist and Pavilion Master Liu seriously. Insults didn't weigh on him, and praise didn't move him either.
When it came to cursing, the truly powerful ones weren't in books or on the mountains. The best were the village curses from back home. An occasional phrase or two could leave someone unable to hold their head high or straighten their back for years, having to pick times when few people were around just to fetch water.
Li Huai leaned on the railing, staring blankly into space.
It felt like his life was always inexplicable, always catching him off guard, forcing him to slide like stepping on a watermelon rind—wherever it took him, that's where he ended up.
When he was little, he just thought that Teacher Qi at the school was a strict teacher who was easy to talk to normally, but he was poor. Otherwise, how could he not even have a wife? So young Li Huai had made up his mind to follow his parents to work in the fields, go up the mountain to chop wood and burn charcoal, or become an apprentice at the dragon kiln—anything but becoming a teacher! That wasn't a job that could fill one's belly. It was only later that he learned Teacher Qi's knowledge was far greater than he had imagined. He was the headmaster of the seventy-two Confucian academies, a direct disciple of the Old Master Wen Sheng, and the junior fellow apprentice of Great Li's National Teacher Cui Chan. Teacher Qi was an incredibly remarkable scholar. The more you learned about him, the more remarkable he became.
After parting ways with Dong Shuijing and Shi Chunjia, only he and Lin Shouyi chose to travel far, catching up to Chen Ping'an and Li Baoping. Across mountains and rivers, during the day it looked fine, but at night it was pitch black and scary. Straw sandals were replaced one pair after another. Their hands and feet were covered in calluses.
Li Huai had never told anyone that back then, when he followed Lin Shouyi out the door, before they caught up to Chen Ping'an and Li Baoping, the phrase he repeated most was making Lin Shouyi swear over and over that if he, Li Huai, ever regretted it and wanted to go home, Lin Shouyi had to go home with him.
Later, he met A Liang, that slovenly man in a hat leading a donkey. No matter how you looked at him, he seemed like someone Zhu He could knock to the ground with one punch, rolling around.
Many times, Li Huai saw how A Liang talked so cheekily, just like Zheng Dafeng—the type you'd expect to have a wooden box under his bed filled with women's dresses and bellybands. Li Huai would worry that A Liang, with his loose lips, might say something that would anger Zhu He. After all, Zhu He was from Fulu Street and had many rules. So Li Huai always helped smooth things over. He was young and spoke carelessly, so Zhu He couldn't very well hit him.
A Liang came mysteriously and left without rhyme or reason. Then on the roadside, they encountered the big white goose, Yu Lu, and Bu Keqi.
That Bu Keqi was quite good-looking, probably as beautiful as his two sisters Li Liu. She seemed like a girl who wouldn't have trouble getting married. But unfortunately, Lin Shouyi was still fixated on Li Liu. Li Huai couldn't figure it out—had his sister fed Lin Shouyi some love potion?
When Cui Dongshan said that Chen Ping'an was his teacher, Li Huai was completely baffled. He always thought these out-of-towners had scrambled brains. Why not just call him father?
His parents had gone far away, moved away. His sister had become an immortal on Lion Peak. His parents had opened a shop at the foot of the mountain, business was good, they lived frugally without much expense. He heard that when his mother returned to their hometown, she spoke with more authority, her voice much louder. She took her husband with her back to her parents' home. Now she dared to be picky—complaining that the sister-in-law in charge of cooking didn't put enough oil in the meals, that the dried bamboo shoot and old duck stew wasn't chewy enough, that the fish had a slight muddy taste.
His best friend, Pei Qian, had suddenly transformed from a little dark coal into a grown young lady. Even now, Li Huai wasn't sure which kingdom's princess Pei Qian was, how she had fallen into the mortal world, and how Chen Ping'an had just happened to pick her up and keep her by his side.
The world fell into chaos; the world became peaceful. Zheng Dafeng was no longer the gatekeeper at Luopo Mountain. Old Man Yang was gone. His sister got married. Chen Ping'an became the Hidden Official.
On the Sword Qi Great Wall, he was taken as a disciple by that old blind man. No matter how hard he tried to resist, he couldn't escape; even when he kicked the old man away, the old man wouldn't leave. He, Li Huai, with his slender arms and legs, who could he reason with? And Chen Ping'an wasn't around at the time.
He never knew the reason for anything. When things came to a head, he just had to muddle through. What else could he do?
But Li Huai felt he was very lucky, so he always reminded himself to cherish his blessings.
Chen Ping'an said: "Knowing your own limits, facing difficulties without blaming heaven or others—that's what's called an ordinary mind. This probably comes from your father. It's not obvious usually, but it's actually a very remarkable thing."
Li Huai was happy to hear that, but he still said: "Come on, I'm just a bully at home and a coward outside."
In his memory, Chen Ping'an rarely cursed anyone and rarely praised anyone either.
On another street, that other Chen Ping'an also didn't curse anyone. He just tossed stones.
Ao Tou Mountain, Liu Jubao and Yu Panshui, two cultivators, were naturally meeting here in the form of yin spirits traveling afar.
They had inquired in advance with Elder Dong and the scripture scribe Xiping about leaving their true bodies in the Confucian Temple while their yin spirits left their bodies, and had obtained permission from the temple side.
Elder Dong even made a rare joke, saying the Confucian Temple didn't dare to delay the two gods of wealth in making money.
How many immortal coins Liu Jubao of Ai'ai Continent could earn in a day had always been a mystery in Haoran Heaven.
For instance, during this meeting, neither of the Liu couple was idle. The wife went to Parrot Island's Bundle and Bag Studio, while Liu Jubao had secretly bought the entire mountain's mansion at a high price, planning to announce it publicly only after the meeting.
After Liu's took over Ao Tou Mountain, the fruits and wines in each mansion had noticeably improved, especially the "Eight Water Immortals" pastries, which had a pure and exquisite taste.
The Confucian Temple was happy with the outcome. Besides the existing Wenjin Ferry, the expenses for building the other three temporary ferries had already been recouped, with some profit.
Liu Jubao had already made plans. Six scenic spots would soon be created on the mountain. Two places for playing Go: one was for the young Jiang Ziya to defend his title, and the other was a pavilion waiting for its plaque to be hung. Fu Jin, Lin Junbi, and Yu Qingqing could all be used for publicity. As for that Jiang Longxiang, forget it—he was too low-class, wouldn't attract guests and would drive people away.
In addition, there would be a poetry wall led by Zhang Wenqian, with dozens of people jointly writing poems and signing with their ciphers, a gathering of talents. There would be a land-and-water painting by an old master painter, in ochre red and green, with brilliant colors, featuring over five hundred various figures, a dazzling array of beauty, each with their own merits... In the future, whenever immortals traveled or met at the Confucian Temple, they would certainly stay at Ao Tou Mountain.
The young emperor Yuan Zhou, his face flushed bright red, said: "Excellent, excellent! The Hidden Official truly has the stature of a deep abyss and a towering peak. Just by his sword aura, he put that old villain Yun Miao under a fixation spell!"
"Senior Yan, a master at finding bargains! Damn, he actually picked up a Flying Ascension realm! Envious as hell!"
"Why stop fighting? You little brat Yun Miao, you still dare to talk tough? Hidden Official, stab him to death..."
In the hall, Liu Jubao and the others quietly watched that landscape painting, each lost in their own thoughts, with only the young man chattering noisily.
Yu Panshui couldn't stand the emperor's annoyance anymore and said: "Your Majesty, aren't you thirsty?"
Liu Suiyu smiled and said: "It's fine. Where's the annoyance?"
She had already kicked off her boots and was sitting cross-legged on the chair, barefoot, revealing a pair of beautiful, lard-like feet, her toenails painted red, very eye-catching.
Across from her, the emperor of Xuanmi Dynasty was like a fledgling storyteller. The key point was his sincere emotion, which was quite entertaining.
The young emperor, imitating the jianghu characters in books, cupped his fists high and said: "Sister Liu, we truly hit it off at first sight. If you don't mind, we could become sworn siblings. You're welcome to visit my home!"
Liu Suiyu smiled: "That's easy. As long as the salary is enough, I'd even take on a godson, never mind a brother. I'm still a maiden, after all."
Yuan Zhou immediately stopped talking. He had met his match and couldn't compete.
These jianghu older sisters, who didn't care about anything, were truly not comparable to the wooden dolls in the palace.
Liu Jubao and Yu Panshui suddenly exchanged a glance.
Someone was heading straight for Ao Tou Mountain like a rainbow.
Pei Axiang asked doubtfully: "Why is Chen Ping'an coming to Ao Tou Mountain? Making such a big commotion, what does he want to do?"
Yuan Zhou rolled his eyes: "No need to think about it. He's definitely going to beat up that Jiang Longxiang, who has a long-standing grudge. In official circles, most people warm cold stoves. But this guy, blinded by greed, dismantled a cold stove. Now he's broken his own old bones. Hitting him costs nothing, and then run away. If I were the Hidden Official, I'd beat the shit out of Jiang Longxiang and then feed it back to him!"
Liu Jubao waved his sleeve and conjured another landscape painting of Ao Tou Mountain. Soon, a figure in blue grabbed Jiang Longxiang and dragged him away.
Yuan Zhou slapped the armrest: "As expected of the Hidden Official! Always surprising! This trick of dragging a dog on a far journey is absolutely magnificent!"
The young man turned his head: "Grandpa Yu, I beg you, please help make a connection. Talk to the Hidden Official. Have him come to our place. Not as a national teacher, but just set up a sect. Our Xuanmi will provide money, effort, and people. Anything is negotiable. As long as he's willing to open his mouth, Xuanmi dares to agree. As emperor, I could even be a nominal guest elder in his sect, no problem at all. When the Hidden Official's divine carriage arrives in the capital, I'll have the Ministry of Rites plan it properly. We'll have a historic empty city, an unprecedented spectacle. I'll personally lead his horse into the palace. In the future, he can wear a sword in the court, ride horses and carriages, without any palace restrictions..."
Liu Youzhou said: "Count me in. I also want to be a nominal guest elder."
The more he looked at this young emperor, the more he liked him. He would definitely have to tour Xuanmi Dynasty more in the future.
Yuan Zhou said: "Brother Liu, if you ever do business in our Xuanmi, no matter what you fancy, from the court to the locals, on the mountains and below, friendly price, twenty percent off. A word is a nail. I'm laying it out right here today!"
Yu Panshui rubbed his forehead. Dealing with this kid who seemed like a fool but was actually black-hearted—how could he not have a headache?
Liu Jubao smiled: "My business on Tongye Continent is spread a bit wide. It's not suitable to be too close to Chen Ping'an and Luopo Mountain. But your Xuanmi Dynasty has no problem."
Yu Panshui shook his head. He didn't think that Chen Ping'an forming an alliance with Xuanmi Dynasty was necessarily a good thing. First, it would attract unwanted attention. Second, proximity breeds contempt; living too close makes one cheap; frequent visits make relatives distant. These old sayings should be heeded. Old sayings are always older than old people.
This young man Chen Ping'an merely acted like the Embroidery Tiger, but he wasn't the real Embroidery Tiger.
The national power of Xuanmi Dynasty was growing day by day. They didn't need anyone to send charcoal in the snow, nor did they need icing on the cake. Everything was proceeding steadily and orderly. Just follow the plan, and within a hundred years, they could improve the dynasty's ranking. If they could seize this opportunity to attack the Barren Wasteland, maybe within one generation, Xuanmi Dynasty could sit in the eighth position, compete for the seventh, and hope for the sixth.
Yu Panshui began to find fault: "That Tongye Continent is a leaking mess. It looks like there's money everywhere and opportunities everywhere. But if Luopo Mountain's branch sect chooses Tongye Continent, it might collide with the behind-the-scenes Liu family, and both sides might end up red-faced. You're a particular person, but in recent years, the businessmen under your Liu family umbrella have been a mixed bag. They're eager to make money and not so particular."
When a family or a mountain sect has many people, they often do unnecessary things.
For example, they might worry about becoming superfluous, holding a position without doing any work. To keep that prestigious position under their butt, they tend to work too hard when doing things and making money. It's like those in charge of mountain-and-water gazettes. Even if it's a clear-water yamen, they can't control their pens when writing, causing good intentions to lead to bad results. Then there are those in charge of clan halls and ancestral halls who are cold-faced and cold-eyed, seeing everyone as wrong, habitually finding fault. And those in charge of the money bags make trouble out of nothing, obstructing their own mountain's money-seekers in every way...
The Liu family of Ai'ai Continent had always handled these matters better than outsiders.
Great wealth lies in destiny, not in toiling. Great nobility lies in timing, not in hard plowing.
It sounds reasonable, but it's not entirely true. Without hard plowing and toiling as a foundation, everything is just a castle in the air, unable to withstand a few storms.
So Liu Jubao cared more about "family traditions" than anyone else. All Liu family disciples must start from the lowest levels, through trial and hardship, to make a name for themselves on their own. They often change their names and identities, going into the marketplace, into the court, into the jianghu, each undergoing years of training. During this process, the family only secretly helps twice. Only when the ancestral hall determines that they have truly become useful material can they return to the family. After that, there are still layers of scrutiny waiting for them, one checkpoint after another, until they finally become independent.
As for his only son Liu Youzhou, did he need to make money? Of course not. When Liu Youzhou was out and about, he just needed to spend money, like at that Ape Trampling Pavilion on Daoxuan Mountain.
Liu Jubao said: "For ambiguous matters, if conflicts arise with Liu's vassal forces on Tongye Continent in the future, we can give way a bit."
Better to avoid the sharp edge. Just don't be like the Nine True Immortal Pavilion and court trouble. On Tongye Continent, there were many newcomers from other continents who didn't play by the rules. As time passed, they would only become more unscrupulous. The person the Liu family really needed to deal with now was that Wei Ying, who hadn't shown his hand much at this Confucian Temple meeting. A Yuzhu Sect Patriarch willing to actively support Tongye Sect cultivators was worth the Liu family spending more thought on. So the Sword Immortal Xu Xie, stationed at Qushan Ferry, would soon receive a personal flying sword message from Liu Jubao.
As for Chen Ping'an and Luopo Mountain, the Liu family didn't need to fawn over them. As long as the other party's business was big enough and their trade routes numerous, they would inevitably run into the Ai'ai Continent Liu family, which had already taken root and flourished on Tongye Continent.
This wasn't Liu Jubao being arrogant or underestimating the young Hidden Official—it was just a fact.
Yu Panshui communicated via mind voice: "What do you think Zheng Juzhong and Chen Ping'an talked about on the road from the Panshui County mansion to Wenjin Ferry?"
Liu Jubao laughed: "Why would I guess that? I can't figure it out. It's harder than losing money in business."
Zheng Juzhong was a man of deep cunning, great wisdom bordering on the demonic. After all, he was someone who could beat Cui Chan at chess.
Yu Panshui clicked his tongue repeatedly. Listen to that—is that something a human would say?
Liu Jubao hesitated for a moment, then asked via mind voice: "Do you think if Zheng Juzhong merges with the Dao at the fourteenth realm, where would his merger be? In the early years, Cui Chan talked with you more. Did he give any hints?"
Yu Panshui grimaced: "Get lost, get lost! Don't bring this up with me. It'll get me in trouble. I haven't heard anything. I don't know anything. I don't even know any Zheng Juzhong."
Then Yu Panshui looked at this god of wealth from Ai'ai Continent, who had only made a few moves in battle, all relying on throwing money, with a half-smile.
What about you, Liu Jubao? Where will your merger be?
For a cultivator to merge with the Dao at the fourteenth realm is a silent crossing at the mountain peak.
Liu Jubao smiled: "Aside from making money, I can't do anything else."
Yu Panshui was convinced.
Liu Jubao said out of nowhere: "This Confucian Temple meeting is different. It doesn't quite tolerate those shrewd people who pretend to be muddled."
Besides Nan Guangzhao, there were a few other Flying Ascension realm cultivators who weren't qualified to participate in the meeting. The Confucian Temple didn't invite them, but they didn't dare not come.
For example, Jing Hao, whose Dao name was Qinggong Taibao, a cultivator from Liuxia Continent. And Feng Xuedao, whose Dao name was Qingmi, originally from Ai'ai Continent but a wild cultivator, often untraceable.
Both were Flying Ascension realm cultivators who liked to hide from the world, both formidable peak cultivators of Haoran Heaven.
Yu Panshui rested his chin on his hand: "Poetry and books must bring peace to the world, but village dogs bark endlessly at the feet."
Liu Youzhou smiled: "A good kick would shut them up."
---
In former times, the Golden Boy and Jade Maiden of the Shengao Sect walked side by side, strolling but not at ease.
By the waters of this Mandarin Duck Shoal, whose name carried such good omens, unfortunately they were not a pair of mandarin ducks. Only the man's feelings were one-sided.
Gao Jianfu glanced at her and said softly: "Why do you torment yourself like this?"
Many years ago, from the sect master, he had learned something. He Xiaoliang, in Beiju Continent, had once publicly declared that she already had a Dao companion on the mountains, only waiting for the other party's nod.
Gao Jianfu's heart grew even more desolate. He murmured: "And why do I torment myself?"
He always felt he was even worse than Wei Jin of the Wind and Snow Temple.
When a beloved woman is right in front of you, yet as far as the horizon, that feeling makes even water taste like bitter wine.
He couldn't accept even more that the Dao companion He Xiaoliang had set her heart on was that straw-sandal-wearing youth from the Lizhu Cave Heaven back then.
Thinking back and forth, even when he tried to recall that first meeting, Gao Jianfu could only remember a dark-faced, thin, muddy-legged boy, shabby, timid, too unremarkable.
He Xiaoliang turned her head and smiled lightly: "Is it really that hard to accept that the one in your heart has someone else in theirs? I feel the sky hasn't fallen, and the road is still there."
Gao Jianfu's expression darkened. He nodded: "You can accept it. I can't."
He Xiaoliang shook her head and said: "Many times, 'can't' is just something you tell yourself over and over, asking yourself repeatedly and only giving one answer. That's why you really can't. That's why we need to cultivate our minds."
Gao Jianfu said bitterly: "I'm not talking about Daoist teachings with you."
He Xiaoliang smiled: "If you're not talking about Daoist teachings with me, what else can we talk about?"
Gao Jianfu's heart ached to the extreme. This woman before him was always like this. In speech, in action, in cultivation—she followed her own path, her Dao heart clear and bright. But the more she was like this, the more others were haunted by her, unable to let go.
He Xiaoliang reminded him: "If you keep letting this go unchecked, your inner demon will prevent you from reaching the upper five realms for your entire life. This time, Heaven Lord Qi deliberately brought you along. Do you really not understand what he seeks? He hopes that after meeting me, you can cut the emotional ties with the sword of wisdom, make a clean break."
Gao Jianfu turned his head to look at the waters of Mandarin Duck Shoal. They all seemed like bitter wine in his heart lake. He only hated that he couldn't drink it all, couldn't see the bottom.
He Xiaoliang sighed inwardly and said no more.
Gao Jianfu didn't look away for a long time. He asked softly: "What is so good about him?"
Some lovelorn people only hope that the unreachable one in their heart is beyond the reach of all men in the world, including themselves.
The seven emotions, six dusts, five desires—humans roll in the red dust.
He Xiaoliang said: "It's not a question of whether he's good or not. It's about the opportunity for my great Dao."
Her implication was that even if he were good, he would still be the Dao companion in her heart; even if he weren't good, he would still be the Dao companion.
Gao Jianfu murmured: "I should have died in that battle at the Central Region's accompaniment capital back then."
He Xiaoliang was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
Gao Jianfu was mesmerized by the subtle changes in the woman's expression beside him.
Walking behind them with Lady Gui, the old boatman was also making small talk: "The Peach Pavilion fellow from the Barren Wasteland lives up to his reputation. A true hero indeed."
A Flying Ascension realm great demon from the Barren Wasteland, daring to dominate Nan Guangzhao on Mandarin Duck Shoal, a sacred place of the Confucian Temple, and subduing him thoroughly. Gu Qingrong was still somewhat impressed.
The only thing he was a bit dissatisfied with was that Brother Peach Pavilion was a Flying Ascension realm. Once the realm is high, it feels slightly imperfect. That was inferior to himself, who had dropped from an Immortal realm to a Jade Perfection.
Gu Qingrong glanced at the female immortal of the Qingliang Sect. He had heard that this junior sister had some unspeakable story with that Chen Ping'an.
The old boatman calculated in his mind how he could go ask the young lad for advice later. He should drop the senior pose; it wasn't likable. He knew how to prioritize. He was widely recognized on the mountains as steady and appropriate in speech.
This little thief Chen Ping'an—you truly can't judge a book by its cover. He had hidden his depth deeply. Back then, even he had misjudged him, mistaking him for a wet-behind-the-ears greenhorn who didn't know a thing about love between men and women. Never expected he was a self-taught master.
They had missed each other. How regrettable. It made one's intestines turn green.
Just that mountain-and-water travel journal that had burst onto the scene and then suddenly stopped publication—Gu Qingrong was the most devout among all the readers. He had memorized it back and forth. Many of Chen Ping'an's encounters with various women, the subtlety of their dialogues, he had circled with a brush. Unfortunately, he had learned eighteen martial arts, but when he came to Lady Gui, he couldn't even speak. The gap between what was written in the book and what was in his heart was too great. Knowledge from paper always feels shallow.
Gu Qingrong, on one hand, felt Chen Ping'an's talent was extraordinary, and on the other hand, was saddened by his own dullness. He didn't even know if he could learn a fraction of the skill even if Chen Ping'an were willing to teach everything. He couldn't help but whisper: "Lady... Lady Gui."
Lady Gui ignored him completely. This Celestial Raft had only learned one skill from Lu Chen—sticking like a piece of taffy.
Gu Qingrong tentatively said: "Jin Su getting together with Sun Jiashu is a pretty good match."
Lady Gui still said nothing. For ordinary people, give them an inch and they'll take a mile. Why bother with him?
Gu Qingrong was slightly pleased. Not being scolded this time—did that mean there was progress?
On the riverside path, two groups of people passed each other.
Gu Qingrong's expression was strange. It was Xu Xuan and a friend passing by.
How strange. Why did everyone have to fancy his junior sister He Xiaoliang?
Neither side made eye contact, treating it as a chance encounter with strangers.
After they had walked far, Xu Xuan turned back to look.
He sneered at Gao Jianfu, who was walking beside He Xiaoliang.
Lin Su was still talking about the earlier sparring match: "His swordsmanship is superb. He has been hiding his true skill. Facing an Immortal realm cultivator, he still had strength to spare. I cannot defeat him. One step slow, and every step slow. Perhaps for the rest of my life, I will be left in the dust."
Xu Xuan said irritably: "If you want to laugh, laugh. That guy is the Dao companion He Xiaoliang has set her heart on."
This man had once met He Xiaoliang on Beiju Continent at the estuary west of the Ji River. It was said that the two had climbed a high platform by the sea together, looking at the vast sky and ocean.
After that, He Xiaoliang and Xu Xuan had fought in a designated area of the Hualing Dynasty. He Xiaoliang struck very heavily. Not only did she wound Xu Xuan, but she also killed two of his Golden Core realm maidservants, directly seizing two swords, Kezhu and Fuhe. Afterwards, He Xiaoliang casually threw them at the entrance of Qingliang Sect, putting out a message across the continent for Xu Xuan to retrieve them himself. If he didn't have the guts or the skill, he could ask his master Bai Shang for help.
At that time, the traveler in blue was far away. Xu Xuan had had a chance to kill him, but He Xiaoliang didn't give him that opportunity.
At the gate of love, those inside at the lower five realms could freely laugh at the Flying Ascension realm cultivators outside.
Lin Su smiled: "If you hadn't said it, I really wouldn't have known. I know he's friends with Liu Jinglong."
Lin Su was a typical mountain dweller, living in seclusion, devoted to seeking the Dao, not caring about worldly affairs. The world's affairs were the world's business; cultivation was his own concern.
Fire Dragon Patriarch had once commented on Lin Su, saying he was a cultivation seedling who didn't lack immortal aura, but had little human touch. He shouldn't have been born in Beiju Continent. If he had been born in Ai'ai Continent, his achievements would have been greater.
There was both praise and criticism—both scolding and praising.
But for cultivators of Beiju Continent, even being scolded half a sentence by that old patriarch of Padi Peak was an honor.
As for Fire Dragon Patriarch also scolding Ai'ai Continent in passing—was that a big deal? It was giving Ai'ai Continent face.
Among the former young top ten of Beiju Continent, Xu Xuan ranked first, Lin Su second, and Liu Jinglong of Taihui Sword Sect third.
Because of He Xiaoliang, Xu Xuan had been severely injured. His originally smooth breakthrough to the upper five realms, becoming a sword immortal, had been greatly delayed.
In the latest young top ten list from a few years ago, Xu Xuan was still first, but Liu Jinglong and Lin Su were no longer on it. Lin Su because he had dropped in realm.
Mountain grudges don't just end because one party is aloof from worldly affairs. But Lin Su took it in stride.
Liu Jinglong was no longer on the list because he had taken over as sect master, which was not appropriate. Plus, he had broken through to Jade Perfection. Three sword immortals had challenged him in succession—Li Cai, Dong Zhu, and Bai Shang—and Liu Jinglong had accepted each one. So Beiju Continent had recognized Liu Jinglong's status as a sword immortal. They wouldn't use him to bully the younger generation still climbing the mountain.
Lin Su said via mind voice: "Take it easy. Don't leave any handles. Right now, that young sword immortal gains an advantage no matter who he challenges."
Xu Xuan smiled: "The mountain path is long. I don't contend for temporary highs and lows."
Lin Su felt a bit puzzled. He always felt his friend had an ulterior meaning, but he really didn't want to dwell on these mountain grudges.
On Mandarin Duck Shoal Island, Yan Ge had already run off to "win the beauty", and Tian Ni had also finished drafting his piece. He returned to Ao Tou Mountain's mansion and began to write. The turmoil at Mandarin Duck Shoal today was worthy of extensive coverage. He was just waiting for the Confucian Temple to lift the ban on mountain-and-water gazettes. Only Qin Zao was left, and she had found one of the four fate flower spirits of the blessed land—the plum blossom spirit, Yu Mian.
In fact, the elegant names literati had given this flower spirit were too numerous. Not to mention this Confucian Temple meeting, among the Confucian sages, Su Zi, Liu Qi, Cao Zu... all had well-known poems about plum blossoms.
So much so that she changed her name every hundred years, much like a woman changing her makeup every day.
For example, she once liked the name "Qing Ke" (Pure Guest). But when even Rui Feng'er got the name "Yu Ke" (Feather Guest), she abandoned it completely.
Besides that, Yan Po (Charming Soul) and Qu Xian (Emaciated Immortal) were both names she favored.
As for Bai Hua Kui (Queen of Hundred Flowers) and Yu Xiao Shen (Jade Flute God), the names were too grand. The Haoran scholars dared to give them, but she dared not use them. She only liked them privately, carving them on book collection seals and jade pendants.
And the "Yi Shi" (Postal Messenger)... forget it. It was truly a bit rustic.
Qin Zao smiled and asked: "Want to go look at the Xiping Stone Classics?"
She nodded in agreement.
This flower spirit lady had close ties with several mountain lords, such as Mount Jiuyi, where there were many calamus and plum trees. As for the Narcissus Flower Spirit, another fate flower spirit of the blessed land, she had a very good relationship with the Water Lords of the Five Lakes—due to the affinity of their Dao. Fighting for it was pointless.
Once, a swordsman who had sneaked into the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land stood up for her. He crouched on the courtyard wall and shouted something about the Eastern Lord not cherishing her, bending her with snow and frost. He said, "Sister, rest assured. One day, even if I have to wear out iron shoes and search the entire Haoran, I will help you get even."
At first, she thought he was a glib-tongued philanderer. Later, she realized she hadn't misunderstood him—he was one.
Unfortunately, in this round of elegant gatherings and wine parties, she didn't get to see that wandering rascal.
When Yan Ge arrived at the mansion on Ao Tou Mountain, Nan Guangzhao shook his clothes and suddenly woke up. The old man stood in the courtyard, his eyes shining with sharp light. He put away that immortal-grade water robe.
Just the repair alone would consume a large number of Guyu coins. The bigger trouble wasn't the money, but the smelted rivers that the Tender Daoist had shattered.
At this moment, Nan Guangzhao showed no sign of being heavily injured.
It made Yan Ge's heart skip a beat.
In truth, Nan Guangzhao was indeed quite badly injured, but he didn't want to be candid with Yan Ge.
Earlier, inside that small world, the Tender Daoist had only given him one choice: either play dead, or be beaten to death. If he was sensible and chose the former, after returning to Mandarin Duck Shoal, he still had to keep playing dead for a while.
When the Tender Daoist said those words, he had already revealed his true form, pinning Nan Guangzhao's dharma body with one claw and biting Nan Guangzhao's dharma image head with one mouth.
Although Yan Ge was surprised, he still said with a face full of guilt: "Senior Nan, I have overstepped."
Nan Guangzhao, of course, knew what kind of person Yan Ge was. But after this catastrophe at Mandarin Duck Shoal, not only had his Dao been worn down, but his face had also been swept away.
Having an Immortal realm like Yan Ge by his side made him feel a bit better.
Nan Guangzhao's expression softened a few points: "Much obliged."
Yan Ge, with a face full of flattered surprise, cupped his fists: "I wouldn't dare."
Nan Guangzhao then came straight to the point: "Pick two or three Yan family juniors and send them to my mountain to cultivate."
Damn it. If that Yun Miao fellow didn't show some gratitude afterwards, he would go to the Nine True Immortal Pavilion and teach him a lesson!
Yan Ge cupped his fists and bowed his head: "I dare not disturb Senior Nan too much. In my junior's family, there is only one Yan Li with acceptable aptitude. If Senior Nan could spare a few pointers in his spare time, that would be this child's greatest fortune."
Actually, Yan Ge was most optimistic about Yan Lü, because that kid was a sword cultivator and had even trained on the Sword Qi Great Wall. But Yan Ge wasn't stupid. Sending a sword cultivator to Nan Guangzhao right now—what kind of move was that?
So Yan Li had lucked out.
Nan Guangzhao's eyes flickered uncertainly. Back then, during that murky plot, Yun Miao had secretly betrayed and killed his master, publicly claiming that his teacher had entered a life-and-death seclusion and unfortunately undergone dissolution. That dog couple, Yun Miao and his Dao companion, had obtained that great opportunity, thinking no one knew. Did they really think he was a fool? Couldn't he see clearly the changes in the Nine True Immortal Pavilion? Yun Miao's master, who had passed on the Dao to him, was famously protective of his own life.
And that Immortal Yun Miao didn't directly return to his residence on Ao Tou Mountain.
At the lower reaches of Mandarin Duck Shoal, he landed, shook his sleeves, and threw Li Qingzhu to the ground. Then he waved his sleeves to raise a barrier of confusion.
Yun Miao remained silent, his eyes icy cold, looking at this former proud disciple.
Li Qingzhu stood up trembling, full of grievance: "Master, that sword immortal is simply insane..."
Yun Miao flicked his sleeve, sending Li Qingzhu spinning and falling to the ground. He pulled him up and struck him on the forehead with a white jade ganoderma, keeping him pinned to the ground.
Li Qingzhu lay on the ground, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
Yun Miao sneered: "What? Can't get anything good from me, so you're thinking of complaining to your master's wife?"
Li Qingzhu said shakily: "I wouldn't dare. Your disciple wouldn't dare bring any more trouble to the sect."
Yun Miao turned his head and looked at Ao Tou Mountain.
He began to worry about that old turtle Nan Guangzhao.
Nan Guangzhao looked kind and benevolent, but he was just sanctimonious.
Otherwise, how could he have hung around with Yun Miao's master? Calling each other brothers for years? According to his master, in the early years when they teamed up several times to seek out divine mansions, immortal traces, and secret realm ruins, Nan Guangzhao wouldn't strike unless he had to, but once he did, he was ruthless. He would uproot everything, leaving no future trouble. His master had joked at the time that if they hadn't been at the same realm and each had their own trump cards hidden, he wouldn't have dared to travel with Nan Guangzhao.
Yun Miao withdrew his gaze and cursed at the disciple on the ground: "Useless trash! Can't even handle a mere Golden Core little girl from Meishan Sword Sect! Where are your romantic tricks? Weren't they always foolproof? Didn't you boast that as long as she was a woman, even a Jade Perfection realm would fall into your hands? Do you think the ancestral hall of Nine True Immortal Pavilion doesn't know about those filthy, messy deeds? Do you know that the Song family of Zhuolu has already recorded everything clearly? They can make trouble for the Nine True Immortal Pavilion at any time!"
Li Qingzhu raised the back of his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth and said softly: "Master, your disciple still exercises some restraint when acting down the mountain. Those women end up devoted to me in the end. The Song family of Zhuolu can't use these trivial matters to make trouble for the sect."
Yun Miao sneered: "Relying on those low-grade soul-shifting techniques? A few inferior offbeat talismans? What a great skill! And you still have the face to say that?!"
If the Nine True Immortal Pavilion didn't need this disciple to accomplish one task, this kid really thought his master's wife favored him?
That female sword cultivator from Meishan Sword Sect was named Xu Xinyuan. She was the current sect master's legitimate granddaughter, and she was also the closed-door disciple of Meishan's old ancestor. The girl was extremely lucky. Somehow, she was noticed by Liu Zhou of Zhexian Mountain, who didn't practice swords but played Go. He saw her cultivation potential and made an exception to take her as an unregistered disciple. With these three factors combined, Xu Yuan was a well-known hot commodity on the mountain.
In other words, if Li Qingzhu could truly become Dao companions with Xu Xinyuan, it would be more than just a marriage alliance between two sects. Yun Miao had his own means to carefully manage, support this disciple, and within five hundred years, change the surname of Meishan Sword Sect to Li, quietly turning it into a vassal of Nine True Immortal Pavilion.
Yun Miao recalled something and laughed coldly.
Earlier by the river, that little girl from Plum Blossom Nunnery, carefree and foolish with good luck, had liked Li Qingzhu for his charm. But after he became a drowned rat, she was greatly disappointed. Probably from now on, she wouldn't cling to Li Qingzhu anymore.
As for that Xu Xinyuan, she had never given Li Zhuzhu a good face before. Unexpectedly, after he was in trouble, she instead felt pity? Was she somewhat dissatisfied with that blue-clad sword immortal? Did she think that as a fellow sword cultivator, he was too overbearing? The girl didn't know that this man had indirectly saved you, stupid woman, and saved Meishan Sword Sect's incense inheritance! Once this storm at Mandarin Duck Shoal broke out, that secret plot of Nine True Immortal Pavilion would, like Li Qingzhu, come to nothing.
Even if Xu Yuan was foolish, the old folks at Meishan Sword Sect were not. They would never let her form a pact with a cultivator who had become a laughingstock.
Yun Miao finally let out a long sigh. The Dao is impermanent.
The Immortal's expression softened a few points: "Qingzhu, get up."
Li Qingzhu stood up, made a bow, lowered his head, and sobbed: "It is your disciple who has caused trouble for Master. A hundred deaths cannot atone."
Yun Miao extended his white jade ganoderma, making a motion to help him up: "Treat this as a mind-cultivation. By the way, let's talk as we walk. Tell me the whole process from before, without missing any detail."
Li Qingzhu wiped his tears and began to recount the incident. He said it was as if he had been possessed by some demon. At the time, his words had seemed to bypass his brain. According to his usual temper, he would never have repeatedly provoked that blue-clad sword immortal.
Yun Miao's heart shook.
Sure enough!
It was definitely that Lord Zheng, whom he revered as a deity.
So Liu Daochun's sudden appearance was indeed a smokescreen.
When Yun Miao brought Li Qingzhu back to Ao Tou Mountain, he was horrified to learn of the matter at Wenjin Ferry.
Yun Miao stood speechless, his reverence boundless.
What a splendid "offer to the world first" from Lord Zheng! Truly deceiving everyone under heaven!
If Zheng Juzhong wasn't like this, who was?
On Parrot Island, at the Bundle and Bag Studio, money flowed like water.
Several glamorous young fairies were touring the scenery, living in mirror flowers and water moons, while making connections with outstanding young talents on the mountains—killing three birds with one stone.
A mountain lord from a small country in Liuxia Continent had traveled hard and far just to beg for a talisman from a celestial master, to remove the hanging talisman that held up a mountain.
A middle-aged Daoist, claiming to be from the Jingwei Observatory, found a common family in a city near the Confucian Temple. He said that his sect's patriarch had taken a liking to the child's spiritual roots and had immortal affinity, suitable for cultivating Dao energy in the mountains.
The child's parents didn't dare to easily hand over their only son to a stranger. They repeatedly confirmed he wasn't a fraud. They even dragged this good-natured half-baked immortal to find the school's teacher, and then went to the county office to carefully verify his travel documents and sect registry. Only then were they sure it probably wasn't a kidnapping by a villain. When they learned that the Jingwei Observatory, which sounded very grand, was actually a Sect-ranked Daoist celestial mansion?
The child, who had been confused from start to finish, seemed to have two green snakes hanging from his nose.
The Daoist acting as observatory master was a disciple of the Zhongtu talisman master Yu Xuan. The Jingwei Observatory was also one of the three sects on the mountain.
Some people had copied a portion of the Xiping Stone Classics at the Confucian Temple. Others, finding copying troublesome, directly bought rubbings from nearby shops. And those with more clever ideas simply hired a scripture scribe who specialized in copying books for a living to help inscribe a stele. This was more meaningful than buying rubbings. If these temporarily down-and-out scribes became Confucian sages or academy gentlemen later, the stele might even become a family heirloom.
In Panshui County, many qi refiners bought a lot of books. The prices were disgustingly cheap. Immortal coins were of no use—could it even be considered spending money? By buying books, they could soak up some literary aura. Then they'd take them back home as gifts. A small gift means deep affection. Besides, who knows if these books had ever been touched by accompanying sages or peak cultivators?
On this trip to the Confucian Temple, everyone felt it was worth their while. Especially the young female cultivators, who were so excited they felt like they were breaking through realms every day.
That Liu Qi was truly unparalleled in romance, with a willow branch tucked at his waist, the most banished immortal among mortals.
Fu Jin, this Little White Emperor, truly lived up to his name. He didn't disappoint the women; they fell for him at first sight.
And that Cao Ci, when he smiled, he was absolutely intoxicating.
The young Xu Bai was indeed ethereal, worthy of the nickname Fairy Xu.
Because Xu Bai was defending his title on Ao Tou Mountain, he was easiest to find. Cao Ci and his friends had also appeared on Ao Tou Mountain. Fu Jin had played a game of Go with Yu Qingqing—of course, it was a handicap game. As the undisputed master, Fu Jin gave Yu Qingqing two stones, displaying extraordinary bearing. A celestial sitting in reclusion, quite the flavor of "I am invincible except for my teacher." Liu Qi had taken a night boat ride on Mandarin Duck Shoal, so some lucky ones who didn't mind traveling back and forth tirelessly had seen two or three of them. Those who had seen all four had feasted their eyes, so much so that the women felt stuffed with "beauty."
Some fairies had even started to imagine: if there were a sect in the world that could gather Liu Qi, Fu Jin, Cao Ci, and other handsome men, and then open a mirror-flower-water-moon show, wouldn't they go crazy? They could even set aside cultivation.
A young man, who was fishing with a friend on Mandarin Duck Shoal, packed up his rod and headed home.
He was a scripture scribe who specialized in copying the Xiping Stone Classics for others. He wasn't actually a Confucian disciple, but he wrote a beautiful small regular script. He had been making money from it for a few years. Little by little, he had saved enough to rent a shop in Panshui County and start selling books.
Unlike other out-of-towners, he hadn't come here because of the peak masters like Zhang Tiaoxia fishing here. He usually liked to come here alone to fish.
He didn't talk much usually. When he smiled occasionally, he seemed very shy and sincere, like when he bargained with wandering scholars.
This young man, originally named Liu Cai, was a sword cultivator.