Chapter 805: White Garment and Blue Robe

Chapter 805: White Garment and Blue Robe

The Night Ferry, Lingxi City.

At dusk that day, Ning Yao intended to go to the next city. She casually swung her sword, breaking the Night Ferry's restrictions, and a sword light shot straight into the clouds. This was to let the Central Plains Confucian Temple know the whereabouts of this ferry.

Before leaving, Ning Yao, together with Pei Qian, Xiao Mili, and the White-haired Boy, found the female city lord who was hailed as the number one lyricist of gentle and restrained poetry in the Haoran World. Besides thanking her for the hospitality of Lingxi City, she also delivered a message from Chen Ping'an's friend, Jiang Shangzhen.

Lady Li and the handsome antlered boy led the group of foreign guests through a covered bridge that soared above the sea of clouds. Near the bridge, a stretch of sunset clouds was like brocade, spread out like a precious red carpet. The group ascended to a height and gazed into the distance; the scenery was pleasant. The mountain air was fine at sunset, birds returned in flocks, and heaven and earth were serene and peaceful.

Lady Li suddenly became displeased because a group of uninvited guests had arrived at one end of the covered bridge from the city of Form and Appearance.

She admired Ning Yao, but that did not mean she liked all sword cultivators.

Ning Yao's place in the world's sword path was like her own place in the path of lyric poetry—inferior to no man, ancient or modern.

Ning Yao frowned slightly, wondering how this Night Ferry had inexplicably gained an extra Flying Ascension realm sword cultivator.

Was this person targeting Chen Ping'an?

But he seemed somewhat injured?

Ning Yao turned and said to Lady Li, "They're here for us. Madam, just stand by and watch. If Lingxi City gets damaged by accident, I'll pay for it afterward."

She had no money; Chen Ping'an did.

Lady Li nodded, indeed unwilling to get involved in these Haoran disputes and mountain grudge affairs, so she left with the antlered boy who had manifested from literary fortune.

The Prison Officer. His direct disciple Du Shanyin. The maidservant Jiqing, an incarnation of the Ancestor Coin.

Du Shanyin saw the sword-carrying woman and was a bit nervous. He called out "Sword Immortal Ning," then announced his name and mentioned the street where he had lived on the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Jiqing smiled radiantly, performed a curtsy, and called out "Miss Ning."

Ning Yao nodded in return.

On the Prison Officer's lifeless face, there was a rare hint of a smile. He introduced himself, "My name is Hao Su. Before, on the Sword Qi Great Wall, I stayed in the prison."

Ning Yao understood in her heart, clasped her fists and said, "Greetings, Senior Prison Officer."

She had never seen the Prison Officer, but she had heard the name "Hao Su." Chen Xi, who had renamed himself Chen Ji after reaching the Flying Ascension City, had mentioned him a few years ago. He said that if this person could come to the Fifth World next time the gate opened and was still willing to serve as Prison Officer, he would be a great help to Flying Ascension City.

Prison Officer Hao Su had a natural prejudice against Chen Ping'an, but that was only because Chen Ping'an possessed a blessed land.

Hao Su had no good feelings toward any owner of a world's blessed land.

But towards Ning Yao, he had the mindset of an elder looking at a junior.

This was the first time Du Shanyin, as his only direct disciple, had learned his master's given name.

But he didn't know if his master had never had a surname or had deliberately omitted it.

The White-haired Boy felt creeped out. He moved bit by bit until he stood behind Pei Qian. After thinking it over, he decided that standing behind Xiao Mili was safer. Standing behind the short winter melon, he bent his knees slightly, so that he couldn't see the Prison Officer, and pretended the Prison Officer couldn't see him either.

Hao Su glanced at the White-haired Boy and spoke to Ning Yao with his mind voice: "Earlier, at the City of Visage, I was entangled by Wu Shuangjiang, forced into a fight. I wasn't willing to go all out, so I got a little hurt."

"Wasn't willing." The Prison Officer's choice of words was somewhat subtle.

Ning Yao nodded.

The matter of a sword cultivator crossing realms to kill an enemy encounters a very high barrier when it comes to true mountain peaks.

How hard Wu Shuangjiang of the Suichu Palace was to kill, Ning Yao had just recently experienced.

Ning Yao asked, "Returning to Haoran this time, Senior, are you here to seek revenge?"

She didn't like polite small talk, nor did she like beating around the bush. If this sword cultivator weren't the Prison Officer, there would be nothing to discuss.

Hao Su nodded, "Seeking revenge, for matters of my hometown. There's a Nan Guangzhao in the Central Plains Divine Continent, not low in cultivation, Flying Ascension realm. But now he's just a shell, not good at fighting. The rest are a bunch of trash. Even those who haven't died over the years are merely clinging to life, not worth mentioning. But after I cut down Nan Guangzhao, if I'm lucky enough to escape, I'll go to the Azure Firmament World. If unlucky, I'll probably go keep Liu Cha company in the Forest of Merit. I won't go to Flying Ascension City for now. Anyway, I was only an average Prison Officer."

Ning Yao just listened to these old accounts.

The Prison Officer said out of nowhere, "Who to pick as a Dao partner, of all people you had to pick Chen Ping'an."

Ning Yao shook her head, "This matter, Senior, is not for you to meddle in."

The White-haired Boy secretly turned his head and quietly gave a thumbs up. Only Ning Yao dared to say that kind of thing.

Look, what a Prison Officer—doesn't even dare to fart, oh, and he still has the face to laugh? Why don't you laugh your teeth out?

Hao Su glanced sideways in that direction.

The White-haired Boy immediately ducked back, shrinking his neck.

Xiao Mili, anyway, understood nothing. She just held her mountain-walking staff and stood still, blocking the wind and rain for the white-haired dwarf behind her.

The little black-clad girl grinned at the man, then quickly turned it into a pursed-lip smile.

Hao Su smiled and nodded, considered it a greeting to the little girl.

Xiao Mili immediately imitated her good man mountain master, cradling her green bamboo staff, lowering her head with clasped fists—an old hand at the world.

Ning Yao introduced, "Xiao Mili is the Right Protector of the Fallen Mountain."

Hao Su was slightly surprised. Chen Ping'an's home mountain had found this Cave Abode realm little spirit creature to be a mountain-protecting offering?

The man stood on the covered bridge. With a different viewer's state of mind, the same scenery took on a different flavor.

Cold mountain, cold water, lingering sunset. White grass, red leaves, yellow flowers.

The man, who had originally planned to just greet Ning Yao and leave, hesitated, then said with his mind voice, "Tell him to be careful of schemes in the shadows. About twenty or so people, scattered across the nine continents. As for who specifically, there's an oath, I can't say more."

That's all he would say.

Even if he could, he'd be too lazy.

Ning Yao smiled, "Who needs to be careful remains to be seen."

Hao Su sighed. Was there no reasoning with any woman in the world once she fell for someone?

Hao Su said, "Setting aside my unreasonable prejudice, it was indeed unexpected and not easy for him to serve as the Hidden Officer."

Ning Yao said, "I'm not surprised."

Hao Su was momentarily at a loss for words.

Jiqing secretly chuckled. This Ning Yao and the young Hidden Officer seemed to have completely opposite personalities. How did they end up together?

Hao Su said with a smile, "During those years on the Sword Qi Great Wall, compared to Xiao Xun or Chen Ping'an, I, as the Prison Officer, was the most idle. After I settle this wish and settle accounts with my enemy, if there's still a chance in the future, I am duty-bound to draw my sword purely as a sword cultivator for Flying Ascension City."

Ning Yao clasped her fists in thanks.

Hao Su took his leave, splitting the night sky with his sword, and left the Night Ferry with his direct disciple and maidservant. He planned to settle them in first, then go alone and quietly to the Central Plains Divine Continent. As for that Hundred Flowers Blessed Land, he wouldn't go. Longing without benefit, meeting is worse than not meeting.

After leaving the Night Ferry, the sea vast and unknown where, Hao Su glanced at the night sky's stars, found a direction, and as he rode the wind, he reminded his direct disciple, "Du Shanyin, remember the promise. Once you've mastered the sword techniques, you must exterminate all mountain flower-thieves in the Haoran World. If you break your oath, even if I cannot question you with my sword personally, you will still die."

Du Shanyin, who had been somewhat distracted, was startled by this. He said respectfully, "Master, your disciple will certainly keep the promise. When I reach the Flying Ascension realm in this life, that will be the day the mountain flower-thieves are wiped out."

He didn't know what connection his master had with the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land that made him hate mountain flower-thieves so much.

Hao Su nodded, "With Jiqing by your side, even if you want to establish a sect in the future, it won't be difficult. But when you have your own mountain, don't hang my portrait in the ancestral hall. Just consider yourself a wild cultivator, with no teacher. Du Shanyin is the founding ancestor. But if you encounter difficulties, as long as I can draw my sword, I promise to help you three times. I left a sealed letter with Jiqing. When you are in a desperate situation, that is your escape route. Remember not to open the letter beforehand."

Hao Su looked up at the sky.

When I was young, my spirit was arrogant and overbearing. Xiang Xiu was content with simplicity and indifference, entrusting deep feelings to Hao Su.

Feeling that yesterday was wrong and today is right, how many full moons have I seen?

Du Shanyin had a cautious nature; he never asked unnecessary questions. With Hao Su, he was far less at ease than the maidservant Jiqing.

Jiqing asked curiously, "Master, are we really not going to visit the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land?"

In the end, she still hoped to stay a few more days by the Prison Officer's side. Actually, her impression of Du Shanyin was quite ordinary.

Hao Su shook his head, "No. You and Du Shanyin can go there yourself to travel later."

Jiqing couldn't quite understand, wanting to speak but stopping.

Hao Su said, "Don't ask too many questions."

Jiqing smiled sheepishly.

In fact, what Hao Su truly couldn't forget wasn't the Flower Goddess of the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land; she merely looked like a woman from his hometown. Years ago, after Hao Su killed an Upper Five Realm cultivator and fled far away, he managed by coincidence to escape to the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land, where he spent a few peaceful years healing and practicing swordsmanship.

Before he ascended from his hometown blessed land to the Haoran World, he had once made a pact with a woman that he would definitely return to find her.

At that time, Hao Su was full of ambition, regarding the "ascension" that only existed in ancient records as something within his grasp. He vowed to carve out a path to immortality and eternity for all sentient beings in his hometown world.

The one who opened a new path for later generations was Hao Su.

But he never expected that his "ascension" would attract the covetous attention of the major sects of the Haoran World, ultimately causing the blessed land to shatter, mountains and rivers to sink, and all living beings to suffer.

When the far traveler looked back, his hometown was a thousand miles away, with no old friends.

That was why this Prison Officer of the Sword Qi Great Wall disliked any owner of a blessed land, but the man he truly hated the most was Hao Su, himself.

At Lingxi City, Ning Yao was worried that Chen Ping'an might mistakenly think she had a conflict with the Prison Officer because he had drawn his sword to break the ferry's restrictions when leaving. So she said goodbye to Lady Li, cut open the Night Ferry with her sword again, and then took Pei Qian and the others to another city.

Ning Yao smiled and asked, "Xiao Mili, remember how many swords I've drawn?"

Xiao Mili thought seriously, "Can't remember, doesn't seem like a lot, huh?"

Ning Yao smiled, "Good."

Pei Qian, carrying a large basket, sighed in relief and silently made another note in her account to credit Xiao Mili for her effort.

Xiao Mili sighed pitifully, poking at the ground with her mountain-walking staff while scratching her face, "The good man mountain master is busy with serious business, he must feel that a day feels like a year. When I think about it, it's kind of pitiful."

The White-haired Boy slapped his forehead and wiped his face hard with his palm. This Xiao Mili really hadn't been a useless mountain-protecting offering at Fallen Mountain.

Pei Qian asked, "Master's wife, do the sword cultivators at Flying Ascension City miss Master?"

Ning Yao smiled and nodded, "They do."

Pei Qian hesitated, "What's their impression of him?"

Ning Yao nodded, "The old, the young—they all have a good impression of him. Of course, there are some bad ones, but very few."

Especially the younger generation of sword cultivators at Flying Ascension City, both qi refiners and martial artists.

What did they think of the Hidden Officer who stayed alone on the city wall?

Thank goodness he was one of their own.

Pei Qian smiled, "Then I'll go travel there in the future."

Ning Yao thought, What kind of logic was that?

On the covered bridge of Lingxi City, the antlered boy, hands tucked in his sleeves, asked softly, "Master, are you really going to resign as city lord? To whom? Over the years, among the passing ferry passengers, you haven't chosen a suitable candidate. The resident cultivators in the city, you look down on. We have no contact outside the ferry."

Lady Li smiled, "Don't worry, it definitely won't be that Xiancha who becomes city lord."

The antlered boy extended a finger to rub his temple. Just thinking about that old boatman made him irritable.

Many years ago, Xiancha rode his boat across the sea and accidentally bumped into the Night Ferry. That time, without Lu Chen by his side, he insisted on boarding again, saying he must see Lady Li to thank her in person. It was completely nonsensical. Lingxi City didn't open the gate, and Xiancha kept turning around, bumbling between the cities of the Night Ferry, getting shut out here, snubbed there. Every now and then, the old boatman couldn't help cursing. After cursing, he got beaten. After being beaten, he ran. After running, he cursed again. Beaten again, cursed again. Iron-boned indeed...

The old boatman spent a full century persevering, stubbornly insisting on visiting Lingxi City before getting off the boat. From the looks of it, as long as he didn't enter Lingxi City in a day, Xiancha would keep drifting along the Night Ferry forever.

Finally, the master couldn't bear to watch anymore, and with the acquiescence of the boat owner, Master Zhang, who didn't want Xiancha to stay too long on the Night Ferry because it might make the Third Sect Leader of the White Jade Capital think too much. If Lu Chen, across one world, used this opportunity to grasp all the mysteries of the ferry's great path, it might accidentally cause the Night Ferry to leave Haoran and drift to the Azure Firmament World. What wouldn't Lu Chen do? It could even be said that this Third Sect Leader of the White Jade Capital only liked to do things no one else would do.

Lady Li finally met with Xiancha. Who would have thought that this old boatman really had water in his head? After a hundred years of ghostly circling, he had only come to thank her, saying that Lady Li had written the best lyric in heaven and earth, the best, that Su Zi and Liu Qi and all that were just smoke and nonsense, and when they encountered Lady Li's lyric about chanting flowers, they all had to step aside...

It turned out that Lady Li had once casually written a lyric about chanting osmanthus, but it was her comparing herself to the osmanthus flower.

Naturally the best among flowers, plum must envy, chrysanthemum should be ashamed...

And that's what Xiancha "ordained" as the number one lyric in the world.

After thanking her, Xiancha was politely escorted out by the boat owner, Master Zhang. Master Zhang smiled and reminded him not to come again, that the Night Ferry didn't welcome him.

Who would have thought the old boatman would spit, "Crappy place, I wouldn't come even if invited."

Just thinking about Xiancha was annoying. The antlered boy quickly changed the subject, "That woman martial artist who doesn't talk much has remarkable eyes."

Lady Li was distracted, nodding casually, "Since human eyes can hold the sun and moon, how can those who cultivate the Dao on the mountains and those who follow the common path below not accommodate a few people in front of them?"

The master was sad, so the antlered boy was sad.

In her final years, the master settled in a foreign land anciently called Lin'an, but she never wrote any poem or lyric for that picturesque place.

Yi'an, Jian'an, Lin'an. Qizhou, Qingzhou, Hangzhou.

At the Confucian Temple's Forest of Merit, visitors came and went, mostly not staying long, just chatting casually with Wen Sheng.

Liu Qi and his friend Cao Zu, the monk Liao Ran of Xuankong Temple, Huai Yin of Feixian Palace, a Dao couple from Tianyu Cave Heaven, Liu Tui from Fuyang Continent...

Four of the Central Plains' Five Sacred Mountain Lords came. Except for that great deity of Sui Mountain, all came.

The Five Lakes Water Lords came together, among them Li Ye Hou of Jiaoyue Lake, bringing his maidservant Huang Juan and his attendant Sha Qing, a Martial Stopping Realm hero.

Li Ye Hou brought several jars of his own homemade wine for Old Scholar. Clearly, he was very familiar with Old Scholar, chatting and laughing without restraint.

Every time Old Scholar received a visitor, he would have Chen Ping'an by his side.

Jun Qian was lazy, and Zuo You was unsuitable for this kind of thing. Standing there like a mute would easily make guests feel like their warm face was being pressed against a cold butt.

But having his last disciple was different. In social interactions, he was flawless—smiling when needed, speaking when needed. Coordinating with his teacher, it was seamless.

The gift from Jiuyi Mountain was a pot of thousand-year calamus that condensed water fortune, so green it seemed to drip. Several leaves had water droplets gathered on them, about to fall. The mountain lord joked that when the water drips, one could collect it with ancient inkstones, brush washers, and other scholarly supplies, to be used for refining water pills or...

Old Scholar said, "I gratefully accept," and immediately handed it to Chen Ping'an, muttering to his last disciple that Jiuyi Mountain actually had several pots of three-thousand-year calamus, the water droplets they condensed were extraordinary, as big as fists. Chen Ping'an said that his teacher's hearsay wasn't reliable; according to the books, the water drops were at most the size of a copper coin.

The Jiuyi Mountain deity listened tremblingly, worried that this teacher and disciple pair would come to his mountain to shake him down tomorrow.

Another Water Lord sent a calligraphy scroll with three characters: "Drunk as." On the wrinkled rice paper, one could faintly see insects swimming, as fine as silk threads. The entire scroll was full of the smell of wine, a clear fragrance assailing the nose.

The insect cultivated in this precious scroll, according to ancient records, was called "wine mud" in the southern waters. It lived in water but would get drunk when it came ashore. It could spit out wine, at least filling a bowl, at most filling a vat. This creature was miraculous and extremely hard to catch. Only by placing a pot of fine wine in the water, using the wine as bait and the pot as a trap, was there a one-in-a-hundred chance. It was even harder to raise, with many rules.

A precious scroll was placed on the table for everyone to appreciate. The first thing Old Scholar asked was how much it was worth.

The Water Lord's head hurt.

But Old Scholar also made some gestures. He had prepared calligraphy scrolls and couplets in advance. Every time a guest came, he gave one as a return gift.

Moreover, Chen Ping'an was extremely familiar with the customs and practices of the Central Plains Divine Continent, as if reciting his family treasures. When talking with visitors, as a junior, he had nothing to give but sincerity.

Chen Ping'an could see that every guest who received his teacher's return gift was pleasantly surprised.

The surprise had two layers. First, the gift was heavy—after all, the calligraphy scrolls and couplets were genuine works by a Confucian Temple sage, especially his teacher, whose sage epithet was preceded by "Wen"—how could the weight be light? Moreover, Old Scholar wrote every character with great seriousness. So much so that for Water Lord Li Ye Hou, earlier his maidservant Huang Juan had taken the initiative to help her master accept the scroll, but she stumbled, and the scroll in her hand almost fell. It was Chen Ping'an who bent down in time to catch it, then smilingly handed it to that Ten Realm martial artist named Sha Qing.

Moreover, it seemed that none of the visitors to the Forest of Merit had expected this Old Scholar to actually give return gifts.

The female Mountain Lord of Yanzhi Mountain was named Zhu Yuxian, with a strange Daoist name, Kucai.

She came with the young sword cultivator from the Shao Yuan dynasty, Zhu Mei. They had a sacred contract of immortal opportunity.

Zhu Mei was happily reunited with Chen Ping'an after a long separation. She wasn't the least bit reserved, clasping her fists and joking, "Your little lady greets the gentle, virtuous, respectful, and frugal Hidden Officer."

Chen Ping'an smiled, "Miss Zhu, you flatter me."

Old Scholar stroked his beard and nodded, "Miss Zhu's words are well spoken. The Zhu clan of Xianxia has produced a Miss Zhu; it's truly a blessing to their ancestors."

Then Chen Ping'an spread out paper and brush, and Old Scholar improvised a poem about the ancient road of Xianxia, giving it to Zhu Mei.

As a congratulatory gift from Yanzhi Mountain, Zhu Yuxian, the only female Mountain Lord in the Central Plains, besides presenting a long bamboo box containing twelve boxes of rare rouge and powder.

She also brought a folded paper swallow, imbued with two portions of rich literary fortune and mountain and river spiritual qi. It could be placed on the house beam or behind a plaque, making the home equivalent to having a little incense figure. However, there was a requirement: the ancestral home where the paper swallow was placed must be near a mountain, within a hundred li there must be a tall mountain, preferably one of the country's orthodox mountains. It could not be a house in a plain or by a great river.

Those who came to the Forest of Merit to celebrate Old Scholar's restoration to the Confucian Temple's divine seat were still a minority. More cultivators had already left the Confucian Temple's territory one after another.

For example, the Mohist Ju Zi, after the discussion ended, was already on his way to the Sword Qi Great Wall, accompanied by the wanderer Xu Ruo.

When Xu Ruo mentioned the young Hidden Officer, the wooden-faced Mohist Ju Zi shook his head and said nothing, clearly unwilling to talk more about this person.

Xu Ruo knew the reason: it was because of Gu Can. The Mohist Ju Zi beside him had once killed his own legitimate son to uphold justice and destroy familial affection.

So barring any surprises, Chen Ping'an, who didn't kill Gu Can, would likely maintain a "well water doesn't interfere with river water" relationship with the several branches of Moism in the future.

Guo Outing of Tieshu Mountain, the female immortal Cong Qian of Liuxia Island, and others, instead of returning to their sects first, had already set off.

As for the monarchs and national teachers of various dynasties, they didn't need to rush to the Barbarian battlefield. They returned to summon troops and generals, call upon mountain cultivators, and temporarily build ferries suitable for cross-continent travel... There was plenty to do.

Before heading to the Barbarian World, Fire Dragon True Person came to the Forest of Merit, called Old Scholar brother, arm in arm, happily toasted each other, and both got drunk with red faces.

Fire Dragon True Person staggered to his feet, took Chen Ping'an aside, and they walked side by side. The old true person, hiccupping with wine, laughed and said, "Becoming famous early is right, it's a good thing. In the world's good things, there's only a 'but' to fear. You need to pay more attention to that yourself. Others' reasoning, old people's experiences—none are as reliable as your own pondering."

Chen Ping'an nodded, "Junior understands."

Fire Dragon True Person took out two handwritten copies of the Xiping Stone Classics from his sleeve.

Chen Ping'an was full of admiration. When it came to business, he was still young, ignorant, and shallow.

Fire Dragon True Person handed the two handwritten copies of Xiping to Chen Ping'an, smiling, "One set, when you get to Padi Peak, give it to the mountain yourself. This other set, I bought for you, boy. If you're in business, you can't be thin-skinned."

Chen Ping'an nodded, "I've been taught."

Fire Dragon True Person said softly, "The world has only been peaceful for a few years, and now there's trouble again. I just got some news. A dynasty emperor was attacked on his own ferry, the national teacher and attendants were all slightly injured. The two assassins were death guards, destined to be another unresolved mountain case. There's a civil war in Tianyu Cave Heaven. The former sect master of Feng Xuetao's Qingsong Palace, who was in seclusion to reflect, died suddenly. The old national teacher of the Shao Yuan dynasty, Chao Pu, his mountain stronghold as his base for scheming in other continents, was also heavily shaken, with heavy casualties. The ancestral hall was inexplicably attacked and the assailants left in a flourish. As for the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land and Lady Dandan, they were plotted against most dangerously. Don't think that this woman Qing Zhong, easygoing with us, has poor methods. She has a keen sense and struck back fiercely, killing everyone cleanly, both in the open and the dark."

Chen Ping'an, hands tucked in his sleeves, remained silent, calculating in his mind.

These various disturbances, large and small, occurred near the Confucian Temple.

It was clearly a show of force by the Barbarian World and Tuyue Mountain against the Confucian Temple. Seemingly a few meaningless conflicts of pride, wastefully consuming those deeply buried dead agent pieces, but in reality, it wasn't that simple.

Fire Dragon True Person patted Chen Ping'an on the shoulder and suddenly said, "Cherish life but don't fear death; seek survival but don't destroy integrity. Don't show reckless courage in daily life, but at the critical moment, go where thousands oppose you—that is a true man."

Chen Ping'an said, "I dare not accept such praise."

The old true person stared, "Was I talking about you?"

Chen Ping'an said, "I've admired the true person's ancient style and chivalrous spirit for many years, but I've never been able to learn it well."

The old true person smacked the young man on the head, laughing, "Brat!"

Old Scholar shouted from afar, "What are you doing?!"

Chen Ping'an asked, "What about Mr. Yu and the young Yuan Zhou?"

The old true person smiled, "So I'll help Xuan Mi protect him a bit along the way. A man can't only take advantage."

After Fire Dragon True Person left, Chen Ping'an returned to his teacher's side.

"Let me tell you some harsh words. Except for the old man and Li Sage, the entire Haoran World—who doesn't think that without them, the sky will fall?"

Old Scholar said, "So you can wait until you've built up your strength before killing the great thieves and bandits."

Chen Ping'an nodded, "Understood."

Later, the cave lord's wife of the Central Plains' Chanjuan Cave Heaven also came to visit Wen Sheng. She was a woman of eternal beauty, with a youthful appearance.

With her was a shrine maiden named Chen Xi, holding a peach blossom silk fan, on which was painted a bright moon and inscribed a bamboo branch lyric.

This time, Old Scholar inexplicably brought Zuo You along. The latter was baffled, not knowing his teacher's intention.

While Cave Lord Junxiu chatted with Old Scholar, the shrine maiden looked at Mr. Zuo, whom she hadn't seen for a hundred years since their last parting.

At first, Zuo You noticed the girl's inquiring gaze and would nod and smile. Once, twice, then he ignored her.

This shrine maiden, whose name he couldn't remember, had longed for Cui Chan for many years. Why hadn't she gone to Vase Bottle Continent to see him in the past hundred years?

Chen Chunhua, the current head of the Chen clan of Southern Brahman Continent's Pure Confucianism, besides paying respects to Wen Sheng, also spoke with Chen Ping'an, mentioning Liu Xianyang, who had once traveled far to study.

The old master Fu Sheng also came to see Chen Ping'an, to talk about Liu Qingfeng of Lion Garden in Vase Bottle Continent.

Additionally, Yang Qingkong, the national teacher of the Chongxuan Office of the Dayuan Dynasty, took this opportunity to discuss some business matters with Chen Ping'an.

As for Pei Axiang of the Thunder God Temple, her female disciple Liu Suiyu, and an old martial artist named Wang Fusu, they had come specifically for Chen Ping'an. Pei Axiang came because of Pei Qian, to meet Chen Ping'an, Pei Qian's master. They agreed that in the future, the disciples of the Thunder God Temple lineage and the Fallen Mountain could have frequent exchanges and boxing competitions to hone martial arts.

As for Wang Fusu, his initial plan was to challenge Chen Ping'an to a boxing match, but he caught sight of Zuo You sitting by the table, holding a book. After rethinking, he decided against it. There was no rush. Besides, if he relied on his age to bully a young man who had only learned boxing for a few years, it wouldn't be honorable; victory would be unworthy.

Liu, the Wealth God of Aiai Continent, came with his wife and son to visit. Without a word, he took out a huge pile of gifts from his within-reach object and piled them into a mountain on the stone table.

Not subtle enough? Would it be rude? What's wrong with money?

And when they left, this richest couple in the world seemed to have forgotten to take that inconspicuous within-reach object.

Liu Youzhou saw the young Hidden Officer, his smile brilliant, calling him by name.

Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded, then stood up and clasped his fists, thanking the family of three. Chen Ping'an said solemnly, "On behalf of the Sword Qi Great Wall, I thank the Liu family. In the future, if there's any errand, just send a flying sword message to Fallen Mountain. Chen Ping'an will rush to Aiai Continent immediately."

A Yuanrou Mansion on Inverted-Hanging Mountain was voluntarily given to the Sword Qi Great Wall by the Liu family.

And not only that, many hidden assets of Inverted-Hanging Mountain—money and goods—were all turned over to the Summer Palace.

Liu Jubao stood up, smiled, and clasped his fists in return, "Hidden Officer, you're too kind. The Liu family will not act that way. Some things are not transactions. I only hope that when you pass by Aiai Continent in the future, you will definitely come to our home as a guest."

Then Chen Ping'an said something that surprised both Old Scholar and Liu Jubao.

"Junior, could I ask the Liu family to become an unregistered guest official?"

Liu Jubao was stunned for a moment, then without a word of nonsense, laughed heartily, "Then it's settled!"

Zuo You glanced at his junior brother.

He knew why.

On the Sword Qi Great Wall, there were two sword immortals from Aiai Continent, Li Ding and Zhang Shao. They disliked their homeland very much, but in the end, they still died as sword cultivators of Aiai Continent.

Among the Hundred Schools of Thought, many founding masters who could come did come. After all, unlike ordinary great cultivators, they were "in officialdom" and had to watch the Confucian Temple's reactions.

The two founding masters of the Military School arrived first. Old Jiang stood beside Xu Bai, looking at the woman in red in the distance.

Mr. Fan, the founding master of the Merchant School, was the last to visit. He chatted more with Chen Ping'an than with Old Scholar. Among other things, they discussed the matter of the dharma robe from Colored Sparrow Temple in North Julu Continent. When he heard that Mr. Fan wanted to "shamelessly take a share," Chen Ping'an was extremely welcoming and offered thirty percent. He planned to take twenty percent himself and discuss with Sun Qing and Wu Qun of Colored Sparrow Temple, hoping they would also be willing to give up ten percent.

Old Scholar felt that this Mr. Fan deserved to be rich.

Several current heads of the Sage Clans, as well as the heads of the Yunlin Jiang clan of Vase Bottle Continent, also came to the Forest of Merit.

Old Scholar had originally planned to talk less. Constantly using his own reasoning to bother people—once or twice was fine, but too much easily became annoying.

But facing the descendants of those Sage Clans, Old Scholar couldn't help himself. He ended up talking to each of them again with his mind voice. There was praise, naturally, and plenty of it—no need to be stingy with that for good deeds. He also scolded a couple of them unceremoniously. Whether they listened or not, and how much they truly took to heart, was up to them.

But hosting like this took two days.

Finally, they had some rare quiet time. Under an ancient towering tree was a pavilion with a stone table carved with a chessboard.

Li Baoping was playing chess with Senior Uncle Jun Qian. Zuo You and Li Huai watched from the sidelines. The little spirit creature sat on a bench reading a book; he couldn't understand his master's chess game, but he could recognize all the characters.

Old Scholar took Chen Ping'an for a walk outside the pavilion and smiled, "Welcoming and sending off is troublesome, but never get tired of it. There's learning in it. Prick up your ears, listen carefully to what others say, then think about what is hidden in their words, especially why they said a certain thing. Think more, that's learning..."

Chen Ping'an smiled, "At the door, and at our own door."

Old Scholar nodded, "Telling you this seems redundant. Hmm, your wine shop business is good. A scholar can compete with a businessman and still make money; how could such a person be afraid of trouble? You've never been afraid of trouble since you were a child... Oh, next time the gate opens, when you go to the Colorful World, don't close that little wine shop. Whether business is good or bad, don't close it."

He left a sentence unsaid: children of poor families grow up early. The world and life never allowed that child, later that boy, to be afraid of trouble.

Chen Ping'an nodded, then smiled, "I'm just the second shopkeeper. The main shopkeeper is Miss Diezhang."

Then he told his teacher about Diezhang and that Confucian gentleman.

Old Scholar listened with rapt attention. Talking about this gave him extra energy. After all, his own scholarly lineage—strangely enough—if not for this last disciple who "broke new ground," they would all be damn bachelors.

Returning to the pavilion, Old Scholar walked around with his hands behind his back, occasionally giving Jun Qian some guidance.

Chen Ping'an sat together with the little spirit creature. For some reason, this little fellow, who was his junior disciple in terms of seniority, seemed a bit nervous.

Senior Brother Jun Qian's first disciple, his real name was Zheng You. But since he was a demon cultivator, his real name was crucial. So, at his master's reminder, Zheng You had recently given himself a name, Zheng Youqian. It came from a passage in the immortal secret manual that had put him on the path of cultivation—according to the preface, all knowledge came from the Qian hexagram. Moreover, the immortal master who compiled the book was surnamed Zheng. Since he had learned the immortal's techniques, he was inheriting the immortal master's grace, receiving that predecessor's protection and blessing in the unseen world. So the little spirit creature solemnly named himself Zheng You.

Besides, not to mention the real name, just his alias for walking the world, the homonym sounded good: "Truly Rich."

Once he had money, he must return to his hometown, properly repair and erect a monument for the Immortal Master Zheng.

Chen Ping'an had heard from Senior Brother Jun Qian that this little fellow liked reading and learning characters, but also had a bit of a hot temper.

Zheng Youqian came from the Yuhua Blessed Land in Tongyezhou. In that blessed land, if a qi refiner formed a golden core, they could "ascend like a feather transforming." It had once been a lower-grade blessed land typically poorly managed by a "Superior Immortal Sect" prototype. Because the sect lacked the foundation, they couldn't afford to upgrade the Yuhua Blessed Land to middle rank; if forced, it would easily drag the sect down, benefiting others.

Zheng Youqian stammered, "Hidden Officer."

Chen Ping'an smiled, "Call me Little Master Uncle."

Zheng Youqian clenched his fists, his palms sweaty, and said stiffly, "Yes, Hidden Officer Little Master Uncle."

Chen Ping'an grew even more curious and a bit worried. He immediately asked with his mind voice, "Senior Brother Jun Qian, is it because I carry the true name of a great monster that Zheng Youqian is so afraid of me?"

Liu Shiliu shook his head with a smile, "No, you've suppressed it quite well now. At his current cultivation, Zheng Youqian can't detect a thing. It's just that this child is naturally timid. When I took him traveling through the Barbarian World earlier, he heard many stories about you there: 'South Bestower, North Hidden Officer,' you wield your sword treacherously, slaughter monsters like hemp. Whenever you caught a demon cultivator, you'd either split his head or cut him in half. There were also tales of you liking to skin and eat your opponents alive on the battlefield... As soon as Zheng Youqian heard you were that Hidden Officer, and finally saw the ruins of the Sword Qi Great Wall, he became even more afraid of you. He says he admires you, his Little Master Uncle, but when he actually meets you, this is how he is. It's about the same as... when you see Zuo You."

Chen Ping'an said with a smile, "But I'm not afraid of Senior Brother Zuo."

Zuo You overheard Liu Shiliu's "message" and nodded, "Because Master is here, he's indeed never been afraid of me."

Chen Ping'an said helplessly, "Senior Brother Jun Qian, that's not appropriate."

Liu Shiliu chuckled, "I haven't told Master."

Chen Ping'an turned and said, "Youqian, Little Master Uncle doesn't have a particularly suitable meeting gift on hand right now. I'll make it up to you later."

Zheng Youqian lowered his head and waved his hand vigorously, "No need, no need."

When he arrived at the Confucian Temple, his master had previously lodged him in an immortal inn. It was bustling, all with rumors about this Little Master Uncle.

The blue-robed sword immortal, beating up anyone he met, fierce in fights, with a terrible temper.

Little Master Uncle's temper, to be honest, was really like a firecracker.

At the slightest disagreement, he'd take a large basket full of firecrackers, shove it over someone's head, and crackle away. Who could withstand that?

Chen Ping'an smiled, "Youqian, have you heard some false rumors about your Little Master Uncle outside?"

The little fellow, after lowering his head, hadn't lifted it again. He only turned his head quickly once to wipe his sweat.

Now hearing his Little Master Uncle's question, he smiled awkwardly. Lying was certainly not an option, but if he didn't lie, could he tell the truth? He scratched his head while wiping his sweat.

Zuo You laughed, "This uncle sure acts imposing."

Old Scholar gave Zuo You a slap on the head. "A true gentleman doesn't speak when watching a game. No wonder you only have the title of worthy man. Look at Li Huai, how old is he, and he's already a worthy man!"

Li Huai felt like he'd been struck by lightning, as if disaster had fallen from the sky. "Huh?!"

Old Scholar said cheerfully, "Look at my memory, I almost forgot to tell you. Li Huai, you're now a Confucian worthy man. Rest assured, our Wen Sheng lineage didn't pull any strings. It was decided by several Confucian Temple leaders, plus a few academy headmasters and vice-headmasters, after joint deliberation. Keep it up, strive to earn the title of gentleman in a couple of years. Then, when you meet Senior Uncle Zuo, you can even consult him on scholarship?"

Li Huai broke out in a cold sweat, scratching his head and ears. "I can't do that!"

Zuo You nodded. This child was very humble. As for the level of his scholarly achievements, with this attitude, there was no need to rush.

Li Huai said hastily, "Ancestor Master, the Confucian Temple can't be so reckless! Baoping isn't even a worthy man yet. Why should I be?"

Old Scholar said with a sly smile, "Boy, you've made great contributions."

Li Huai didn't care about any damn contributions. He blurted out, "Then I don't want the credit. Can you tell the Confucian Temple to take back my worthy title? How about that? Ancestor Master, please help me talk to them. Otherwise, I'll just stay here in the Forest of Merit and never leave!"

Old Scholar pretended to be surprised. "Li Huai, at such a young age, you have great ambition. You're planning to directly ask the Confucian Temple for a gentleman title? No problem, that's what I thought from the start. Giving a worthy title is petty; giving a gentleman title, I think, is fitting."

Li Huai felt like he was going crazy. He instinctively turned to look at Chen Ping'an. "What do I do?!"

I was just reading properly, why did they give me a worthy title? When I go back to Cliff Academy, won't I have to spend every day swimming in a vat of spittle?

Li Huai wasn't stupid. In the vast Vase Bottle Continent, how many orthodox Confucian academies were there? How many worthy men could there be?

Chen Ping'an smiled, "What to do? Since you're already a worthy man and it can't be returned, just hide and study hard. If you're truly afraid of trouble, try to negotiate with the Confucian Temple and the academy. Suggest that aside from a few headmasters, the matter not be spread. The Confucian Temple won't agree to take back the title—do they think it's a game? But having them keep it quiet at the academy isn't actually hard."

Li Huai thought about it. That made sense.

Hey, he wouldn't be a high-profile target mocked by others, and he could still have the title of worthy man. He could secretly show off in front of Alliance Leader Pei Qian. Maybe he'd even get a promotion from his long-term little deputy post.

So this was a good thing after all.

Liu Shiliu smiled.

It seemed this little junior brother was indeed skilled at handling the trivial matters of people's hearts.

Liu Shiliu glanced at Zuo You.

Zuo You couldn't be bothered. If Chen Ping'an couldn't handle something this small, what kind of junior brother was he?

Still had the face to be someone else's Little Master Uncle?

Li Huai looked at Chen Ping'an, thinking it was a pity he didn't become his brother-in-law.

Chen Ping'an guessed Li Huai's thoughts and cursed, "Get lost."

Zheng Youqian looked pitifully at his own master. He respected Little Master Uncle, but Little Master Uncle really had a bad temper. Sitting here, he felt uneasy all over. He couldn't muster any courage.

That evening, Chen Ping'an, alone, sat on the steps with his hands tucked in his sleeves, watching the wind blow fallen leaves across the ground.

In solitude, his thoughts were somewhat chaotic.

The world is thus. What do you want to do? What can you do? What should you do?

Self-discipline, self-reflection, self-seeking, freedom.

Read more ancient books to broaden your horizons; mind less idle matters to nourish your spirit.

Those unexpected turns in life are like a sudden, torrential downpour. The strong have umbrellas in their hands; the weak are empty-handed.

The strong walk with their umbrellas up. They want to shield this world from the wind and rain, even if only for a moment.

Li Huai sneakily came over, sat beside Chen Ping'an, and handed him two slightly wrinkled thin booklets.

Chen Ping'an opened them and saw that they were filled with Li Huai's recorded questions—doubts and difficulties in reading and studying, both big and small. Some had been crossed out, more remained.

Li Huai looked a bit embarrassed and said quietly, "I ask a lot of questions to friends and teachers. Sometimes I understand after hearing an answer, sometimes I still don't get it after hearing it. I'm too shy to ask over and over, and I'm afraid I'll forget, so I wrote them down. At first, I thought I'd see you soon, but it ended up taking so long. That's how I ended up with two booklets."

Chen Ping'an tucked them into his sleeve. "I'll keep them for now, take a look, and give you my answers. They might not all be right. I'll return them to you along with that talisman book."

Li Huai got anxious, his face reddening. "No, no! Just flip through them casually, read them. Chen Ping'an, don't be so serious."

Chen Ping'an smiled, "You didn't write these casually either."

Li Huai said helplessly, "Our levels of scholarship are different, can they be the same? I'm really not good at studying. For the questions I can't figure out, wouldn't it be a small matter for you to glance at them and say a few words?"

If it weren't for Chen Ping'an, Li Huai would have kept those two booklets hidden forever.

Chen Ping'an patted Li Huai's shoulder and smiled, "I've met your brother-in-law. He's a decent guy."

Li Huai grinned. "Well, he is my brother-in-law after all."

That night, Old Scholar gathered his three students to drink some wine together. The night breeze was cool, and hearts were warm.

Zuo You looked into the distance.

A figure in white, Cao Ci, holding a bamboo-yellow sword scabbard.

He came alone to the Forest of Merit to visit Chen Ping'an.

Old Scholar rubbed his chin. "If there's a fight, it'll be hard."

If it were Pei Bei, it wouldn't be a problem at all.

Old Scholar would pull out his signature skill: reasoning with people, convincing them with virtue. A scholar only argues, never fights, especially not with a woman.

Zuo You said, "Since it's not Pei Bei, if he challenges you to a boxing match, you handle it yourself."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "I'll go alone."

Chen Ping'an took off the long sword from his back, placed it on the table, and went to meet Cao Ci.

Two youths from the Sword Qi Great Wall, after three boxing matches, parted ways many years ago, each pursuing their own path. Finally, they were reunited tonight.

The world's martial arts split in half. The white-robed Cao Ci and the blue-robed guest.