Chapter 910: Revisiting Old Places Like Turning Pages

Chapter 910: Revisiting Old Places Like Turning Pages

Luo Po Mountain, at the mountain gate.

Chen Lingjun looked around in every direction. Taking advantage of there being no outsiders, he stealthily pulled out a jug of wine, twisted his wrist, and produced two stacked wine bowls, tossing one to a new gatekeeper sitting across the table.

A young boy in blue, and a young Daoist, sat facing each other.

One had his feet propped on a bench, the other had taken off his boots and sat cross-legged.

Chen Lingjun leaned forward, stretched out his arm, and clinked bowls with the young Daoist. The latter took a big gulp of wine and laughed, saying, "Comfortable, comfortable."

Chen Lingjun asked, "Brother Xianwei, you don't feel like it's beneath you to keep watch here, do you? If you're not happy about it, just say the word. I'll transfer you back to Qilong Lane. The old cook is easy to deal with; it's just a small matter for me."

"What nonsense are you talking? Hurry up, fine yourself a bowl."

Xianwei raised his chin. "You know my character well enough, Brother Jingqing? I can't keep my mouth shut, and I can't hide anything in my heart. I'm blunt and outspoken, and I'd never stoop to please others. If I didn't like it here, I'd have packed my bags and gone back to Qilong Lane long ago."

According to Chen Lingjun, Xianwei had been promoted from a miscellaneous servant of a thatched shop in Qilong Lane to an outer disciple of Luo Po Mountain. Even if it wasn't exactly a meteoric rise, it was close enough.

He had heard that the first gatekeeper of Luo Po Mountain was a fellow named Zheng Dafeng. After that, Chen Shanzhu's proud disciple Cao Qinglang, Lu Baixiang's direct disciple Yuan Lai, and even Lord Zhou, who served as the Right Protector of Luo Po Mountain, had all held this position. If the Right Protector hadn't gone on a long journey, such a good opportunity wouldn't have fallen to Xianwei at all.

Now this heavy responsibility had landed on Xianwei's shoulders, thanks entirely to Brother Jingqing's strong recommendation.

In that thatched shop on Qilong Lane, without Old Brother Jia holding things together, it really wasn't much fun. Coming here, where heaven didn't care and earth didn't mind, was actually quite comfortable.

At first, Xianwei had felt a bit bored, but then he accidentally discovered a treasure trove in Zheng Dafeng's residence! Truly, the sea of learning had no bounds.

Now, forget about rain or snow—even if knives fell from the sky, Xianwei could stand firm at the mountain gate without moving.

Xianwei felt a bit indignant on his brother's behalf. "Establishing a subsidiary sect is such a big deal, and the mountain master didn't even call you over?"

But before Chen Lingjun could come up with an excuse, Xianwei answered his own question. "Right, right, the main sect here needs a pillar. Otherwise, the mountain master wouldn't be at ease. With such a big estate, it wouldn't be good if thieves came calling. I spoke out of turn; I'll fine myself a bowl."

Chen Lingjun laughed loudly, raising his wine bowl high. "Brothers united, their combined strength can break metal. With the two of us guarding the gate, the master can rest one hundred percent assured."

A little girl in a pink dress stood silently on the steps.

Chen Lingjun immediately struck a pose like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, suddenly lunging forward, lying flat on the table, and reaching out one hand to cover the wine jug and bowl. He turned sideways, his back to the steps, and loudly complained, "Xianwei, how come you're drinking again? That's improper! I tried to persuade you, but you wouldn't listen. I'll let it slide this time, but next time, I'll be angry. Brothers are brothers, but rules are rules. Let's not make a habit of this!"

Xianwei caught on immediately. Without looking sideways, he wore a look of deep guilt and nodded. "It's my fault for being greedy. I couldn't control myself."

Nuanshu reminded them, "Uncle Zheng said that the mountain gate is like a person's face. The first impression you give is very important, so it's best not to drink usually. If you really crave wine, you should drink less. You can have a few small cups in the small courtyard of the residence, while keeping an eye on whether any guests are approaching the gate. Then, when someone nears the mountain gate, quickly dissipate the smell of alcohol on you before going out to receive them, so as not to give outsiders a wrong impression of Luo Po Mountain's customs."

Chen Lingjun pretended to listen attentively while secretly making faces at Xianwei.

Nuanshu didn't even look at Chen Lingjun. She said to the young Daoist with a smile, "Daoist Xianwei, I wasn't talking about you. I was talking about someone else."

Chen Lingjun was fuming. How could she be siding with an outsider? But he wasn't about to get angry with a little girl. He turned around, grinning cheekily. "What brings you here today? So free that you've wandered all the way to the mountain gate? Playing hooky, are we?"

Nuanshu said impatiently, "Mr. Zhu asked me to pass a message to you. The Yujiang River God of the Huangting Kingdom just sent a letter to our mountain, saying he'll be visiting Luo Po Mountain at the shen hour today and wants to drink with you. Mr. Zhu said you should handle it yourself. Ha, go ahead and drink as much as you like. Who cares to bother with you?"

With that, she left. There were still many tasks to attend to up the mountain.

Xianwei looked astonished. Only after the little steward of Luo Po Mountain had climbed the steps and gradually walked away did he lower his voice and ask, "It's rare to see Nuanshu angry. What happened?"

Chen Lingjun looked disgruntled. After a long pause, he mumbled evasively, "That little girl has a bit of a misunderstanding about my brother, the Yujiang River God."

Xianwei asked curiously, "Give me the details."

Chen Lingjun grew even more embarrassed. "Long hair, short wisdom—what does she know? Nothing worth talking about. Let's drink, let's drink."

It turned out that back then, the Yujiang River God had come to Chen Lingjun for help, and eventually managed to obtain a Peaceful Nothingness Token issued by the Ministry of Justice of Great Li.

At a tavern in the small town outside the mountain, when he handed over the token, the boy in blue had puffed out his chest and claimed it was a small matter.

But in truth, just dealing with Wei Po had been a humiliating experience. Wei Po, the Northern Peak Mountain Lord, whose Piyun Mountain was a neighbor to Luo Po Mountain and seemed to be a close friend of the master, had not only refused to help but had said a bunch of deliberately nasty things. With no other choice, Chen Lingjun had had to burn incense elsewhere. After begging everyone he could, he ended up having to take out a snake gallstone that the master had given him as a New Year's red packet—his favorite one—and sneak off to Piyun Mountain again in the middle of the night. He had lingered at the foot of the mountain for a long time, not because he couldn't bear to part with the snake gallstone, but because he dreaded hearing Wei Po's dogshit words a third time. Gritting his teeth, he felt he couldn't let down his brother the Yujiang River God. At most, his own face would be lost at Piyun Mountain and never picked up again. Since no one else would see it, the disgrace wouldn't spread to Luo Po Mountain or the Yujiang River. In the end, he made a deal with Wei Po and bought the Ministry of Justice Peaceful Nothingness Token with real gold and silver.

A few years later, the Yujiang River God had come to find the boy in blue for a drink again, saying he had missed his brother after so long without seeing him. So even though leaving his jurisdiction as a river god required obtaining two official passes from the Huangting Kingdom and the Great Li court to travel all the way to Luo Po Mountain, it didn't matter—these were small things.

Then, in the tallest tavern in that small town, after the two brothers had eaten and drunk their fill, the Yujiang River God suddenly remembered something. He said that on the road here, he had seen the Water God Temple of Yang Hua on the Tiefu River and felt a bit envious. He wanted Chen Lingjun to do him another small favor—to put in a good word with the Great Li dynasty, the suzerain of the Huangting Kingdom, so that a few tributary rivers belonging to other families along the Yujiang border could be transferred to the Yujiang domain. That way, when Chen Lingjun returned to the Yujiang in the future, the old brothers would all have face.

The Yujiang River God smiled and said he was just mentioning it offhand, so Chen Lingjun shouldn't take it too seriously.

Chen Lingjun, swallowing his pride, naturally didn't refuse. On Master Chen's table, there was never a "no."

But this time, Chen Lingjun didn't make grand promises that he could definitely accomplish it. Still, he gave out a large sum of immortal money, saying it was for his brother to first smooth things over with the Huangting Kingdom court. As for his own side, of course he would help put in a few words—it was his duty.

In truth, the Yujiang River God's expression had soured at that point.

Chen Lingjun had felt gloomy but hadn't said much.

As soon as the Yujiang River God left the town, Chen Lingjun braced himself and went to Piyun Mountain first.

When he returned to Luo Po Mountain, he crouched on the ground picking up sunflower seeds to eat. When it came to Nuanshu, that silly girl who seemed to have suddenly grown a brain, Chen Lingjun naturally said he hadn't given any money.

But earlier at Piyun Mountain, Wei Po had said some unpleasant things. He wouldn't help and liked to ramble on about irrelevant matters, showing no sense of brotherhood. He said something that really stung Chen Lingjun.

The gist of it was cursing Chen Lingjun: "That Yujiang River God treats you like a fool, and you're that happy playing the fool?"

Even years later, whenever Chen Lingjun thought of that bastard's words, he still felt sick inside. Back then, he really hadn't been able to help his brother the river god. In the end, the Yujiang hadn't managed to annex those few rivers. So, all these years, he had never made a triumphant return to his old haunts.

Chen Lingjun took a big swig of wine, draining his cup.

Back in the day at the Yujiang, they had treated him, Chen Lingjun, well.

There was no reason for him to abandon his old friends just because he was doing better now.

But he wondered if this time, when his brother the river god came to Luo Po Mountain to find him, it would be to ask for a favor, and whether he would be able to pull it off.

Worry, worry indeed.

Fortunately, there was wine at hand and a friend before him.

About half an hour before the shen hour, Chen Lingjun hesitated for a long time but ultimately didn't wait at the mountain gate for his brother the Yujiang River God. Instead, he took his leave of Xianwei, saying he was going to Hongzhu Town to pick up his friend.

About an hour later, Chen Lingjun flew back from Hongzhu Town, landing gracefully. His sleeves flapping wildly, he swaggered toward the mountain gate and shouted at Xianwei, who was sitting in a bamboo chair keeping watch, "My brother the river god is a damn fool! He wasted so much official favor traveling such a long way, and guess what? He only came to drink with me!"

Xianwei leaned lazily against the back of his chair, basking in the warm late-winter sunlight, and nodded vigorously, giving a thumbs-up. "Birds of a feather flock together. After all, he's a friend of Brother Jingqing. Next time, introduce me, won't you?"

That way, when he went traveling to the Yujiang in the future, he wouldn't have to mooch a few good meals and drinks.

Xianwei had now figured out Chen Lingjun's temperament—praising his friends worked better than praising him.

Chen Lingjun waved his hand grandly and sat down on the bamboo chair next to him, stretching out his legs and clasping his hands behind his head, beaming brightly. "A trivial matter, why all the nonsense?"

In truth, he had once asked the master privately: if the Yujiang River God ever came to Luo Po Mountain as a guest, could he show his friend around the mountain?

The master had smiled and said, "Of course, no problem. Except for the Bamboo Tower and the Jise Peak Ancestral Hall, everything else is fine. The view from the top of Jise Peak on the ancestral mountain is great. You must take him there. Later, you can tell Nuanshu to prepare some fruits and snacks for you two. Tell her I said so."

But the master had also added, "Why don't you pick a time when I'm on the mountain, and as the mountain master, I'll host him for a drink?"

Today, the master happened to be away, busy with big matters on Tongye Continent.

Chen Lingjun, worried that the old cook and Nuanshu would find it troublesome, didn't even dare to bring the Yujiang River God up Luo Po Mountain.

If the master were on the mountain, would he have gone to Hongzhu Town and found a tavern to drink there instead?

As for having the master personally invite someone for a drink—forget it.

So Chen Lingjun had never set a drinking date with the Yujiang River God.

Chen Lingjun didn't want the master to have to drink this kind of social wine. His friends weren't the master's friends; there was no need.

He was among the earliest to follow the master to Luo Po Mountain, and he knew best how hard the master had worked all these years. His own face might not be worth a cent, but the master's face had to be very valuable.

Zhu Lian sat at the top of the steps, with Mountain Lord Wei Po standing beside him. Together, they watched that little fool at the mountain gate whose brows were dancing with joy.

Wei Po had found the Yujiang River God, who had sent a flying sword message to Luo Po Mountain, even before Chen Lingjun did.

In fact, it was on the orders of Mountain Master Chen Ping'an.

It seemed he had long anticipated this situation. He had said that if he happened to be away from the mountain and the Yujiang River God came to find Chen Lingjun again—if it was truly just for a drink, fine. Chen Lingjun could show him around Luo Po Mountain and even go to Piyun Mountain for another drink. Zhu Lian was to inform Wei Po that this was Chen Ping'an's promise to Chen Lingjun. But if it was another request for Chen Lingjun to do a favor, then after the flying sword message reached Luo Po Mountain, Zhu Lian was to notify Wei Po immediately. Wei Po was to trouble himself to block the door, help as much as possible, and if it needed to be converted into immortal money, not to stand on ceremony with Luo Po Mountain. It was just a case of brothers keeping clear accounts.

But he was to give the Yujiang River God a proper reminder: no more exceptions.

Wei Po asked curiously, "What if the Yujiang River God doesn't ask for anything today? Would Chen Ping'an really host him for a drink on the mountain?"

Zhu Lian smiled. "Of course. What did you think? My young master treats this Master Chen as if he's spoiled to the heavens. Since Chen Lingjun is foolish, the young master plays along and acts foolish too."

Otherwise, why would he leave the position of Left Protector of Luo Po Mountain vacant for so many years?

Just think of the journey Chen Lingjun made to the great river in Beiju Continent—how much thought did the young master put into it? In Cui Dongshan's words, he had marked out even where to use the latrine.

Zhu Lian raised his hand and breathed a warm breath, then asked with a smile, "What kind of help did you give?"

Wei Po twitched the corner of his mouth and said impatiently, "Fortunately, he didn't ask for too much. It was just that for this inspection of mountain and water spirits, the Yujiang River God's mansion had originally received a 'B-plus' rating. I helped raise it one grade to 'B-minus.'"

On Baoping Continent, only the Five Peaks regions and the two marquis and duke water mansions of the central great river were qualified to hold the decennial mountain and water evaluations. For the various mountain and water spirits and city god temples under their jurisdiction, there were only three grades: A, B, and C. The A-plus grade was left vacant and was just a formality; unless someone had accumulated great merit, it was generally not given. The A-minus grade allowed for a one-level promotion. The A-middle grade could allow for a jump-level promotion.

Generally speaking, the Great Li court was only responsible for verification and rarely overturned an evaluation result. Unless it was an "A-plus" rating, which required the emperor to convene a court meeting. If a mountain or water spirit received an A-middle rating, it would be put on the agenda for discussion in the imperial study after the court session. As for A-minus, it only required the Minister of Rites, who was in charge of mountain and water registers, to privately negotiate with the Five Peaks Mountain Lords and the Duke and Marquis Mansions of the Great River.

Zhu Lian clicked his tongue. "That's still a small favor? According to Great Li's mountain and water laws, being rated 'C' means you're in deep trouble."

If it was the lowest, C-minus, the spirit would lose its divine position outright. With a C-middle rating, the golden body would be downgraded by one rank. With a C-plus rating, the rank remained unchanged, but subject to re-evaluation. If the next evaluation failed to reach B-middle—even B-minus—the divine position would still be lowered.

This was probably the reason why the Yujiang River God dared to come to Luo Po Mountain to find Chen Lingjun.

Otherwise, nowadays, with the mountain and water spirits of Baoping Continent, let alone a minor fifth-rank river god of a vassal state of Great Li, even those at the third rank or higher—unless they had some accumulated old connections—wouldn't dare to guarantee that they could even set foot on Luo Po Mountain.

So who would dare to rashly visit Luo Po Mountain as a guest? The reasoning was simple: with so few registered members on Luo Po Mountain, whom could you ask to receive guests?

Would it be the young mountain master, the Sword Immortal of Luo Po Mountain? Or would it be Chen Ping'an, the Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall?

Wei Po smiled. "In truth, I just gave him an extra ten-year grace period. If in the next major exam he can't get a 'B-middle' rating, then my Northern Peak Evaluation Department will settle all accounts, old and new."

"I didn't say it outright, but he understood. Anyway, given the Yujiang's foundation, if he puts in a bit of effort and tosses a bit more immortal money into the Yujiang and its tributaries from the treasury, getting a B-middle isn't too hard. Besides, if he does get a B-middle, the Rewards and Punishments Department will send him a batch of gold essence copper coins. It's an easy calculation—the loss isn't great."

Zhu Lian teased, "Not to mention, just being able to have our Mountain Lord personally show up to block the way—whether with kind advice or a warning—is a table-talk topic that money can't buy."

Wei Po glanced at the mountain gate and couldn't help asking, "Do you think our Master Chen can figure out all these ins and outs?"

Zhu Lian shook his head with a smile. "He's a true fool. He won't figure it out. He won't even think in that direction."

Wei Po nodded with a smile. "If he had that kind of brain, he'd already be in the Jade Capital realm, and his tail would be up in the sky."

Zhu Lian, still defending his own people, said, "He's not that bad."

Wei Po couldn't help asking again, "I just can't figure it out. What is Chen Lingjun thinking? No matter how dumb he is, he should at least have some sense. Is he really that dumb, or is he pretending?"

Zhu Lian smiled but didn't answer.

The old cook just sat on the steps, hands in his sleeves, raising his eyes to gaze into the distance.

Clouds rose over the great ravine in a place without people; gathering all the strange peaks to make a draft.

Wei Po remembered something and couldn't help laughing. "The couplet sent by Luo Po Mountain was genuinely liked by Guangfu Temple. Otherwise, they wouldn't have hung it in the middle alongside the couplet from Zhongtu's Xuan Kong Temple."

Zhu Lian smiled but said nothing.

That Zen temple on Baoping Continent, which had recently been elevated to sect status, had a highly respected Buddhist dragon-elephant who had just held an enthronement ceremony not long ago.

Somehow, through connections, they had found Wei Po of Piyun Mountain, and then Luo Po Mountain. Because the matter was urgent and couldn't be delayed, Wei Po asked Zhu Lian to compose a couplet on behalf of the mountain.

Zhu Lian had originally wanted to send a flying sword message to Xiandu Mountain. Logically, such a thing should have been written by the mountain master personally, but time was indeed short. So he had to imitate the young master's handwriting. And since the young master had intentionally left a "Chen Ping'an" private seal in the Bamboo Tower for Zhu Lian to use as needed, after writing the couplet, he stamped it with the seal and had Wei Po send it to the temple. The old monk who had just become the abbot had profound Buddhist teachings, and there were two Chan anecdotes about "gathering clouds" and "releasing tigers."

"Gather clouds to mend robes, release the tiger back to the mountain. The sect's style is like a dragon; seeing one's nature becomes Buddha."

"Mount the Dharma King's throne, roar like a lion. A thousand-year dark room, a single lamp brings light."

Wei Po was about to return to Piyun Mountain, as the mountain of documents was no exaggeration.

But then Zhu Lian's words made him stop and sit down on the steps as well.

"Some people, when reading books, like to flip back and look at the pages again."

Zhu Lian rested his chin on his hands, squinting and smiling, speaking softly. "Chen Lingjun is one, and you, Wei Po, are another. It's just that the content you flip through is different."

"And when we pick and choose to look back at the old pages, we all like to look at the most beautiful words."

"So even if times have changed and things are truly different, what does it matter?"

---

Thin dusk, distant peaks in the vast mountains; fine rain, gentle breeze, faint clouds.

Several of his own peaks, slim and clear, emerged from the clouds.

Having completely moved out of Chuzhou prefecture, the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, with Xu Xiaoqiao leading two newly accepted direct disciples on an outing, while Xie Ling was in closed-door cultivation.

So when the new Sect Leader Liu Xianyang, bringing Miss Yu with him, finally managed to return to the sect, all he found was Senior Brother Dong Gu teaching a group of second-generation disciples sword techniques.

Among those who had come up the mountain a bit later than Dong Gu and Xu Xiaoqiao—the registered disciples—the previous sect leader hadn't kept those sword immortal seedlings. Those who truly became Ruan Qiong's personal disciples were actually a few with relatively poorer talent. Among them were two descendants of convicts from the Lu clan. But those young children from back then had now become teachers to others.

Liu Xianyang asked, "Where's Ruan the blacksmith? Why isn't he up the mountain forging today? Didn't I send a flying sword message before I came?"

Dong Gu ignored him.

Throughout Baoping Continent, the only one who dared to call the master "Ruan the blacksmith" was probably this junior brother.

Both previous emperors had held the master in high regard. And among the immortal masters of the continent—let alone others—even the neighboring Luo Po Mountain Master Chen, would he dare?

So now, the second-generation disciples of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect all admired the rarely-seen founder, Ruan Qiong, to no end. This was because they had all heard from their elder, Xu Xiaoqiao, a few words about "things that once were." She said that back when the Sword Immortal Chen was still a young man in the town, he had once worked as a helper at the sect's blacksmith shop by the Dragon Beard River—a kind of temporary job in the mortal world. And in the early days, Sword Immortal Chen had been extremely polite and respectful to the master.

Liu Xianyang coughed to get attention. "Senior Brother Dong, the sect leader is asking you a question."

Dong Gu replied stiffly, "Answering the sect leader: I don't know."

The round-faced girl softly complained, "Why are you putting on sect leader airs in front of Senior Brother Dong? Isn't that a bit too formal? Isn't it boring?"

She Yue didn't use telepathic speech; she said it out loud on purpose so Dong Gu could hear.

Hmph, nowadays, her skills in human relations weren't exactly perfect, but they were at least decent, weren't they?

Liu Xianyang grumbled, "Our whole sect, top to bottom, is just a handful of people. Add them all together, is there even fifty? Isn't that a bit too shabby? I remember when I was studying abroad, I had to queue even to use the latrine."

Dong Gu chuckled.

According to that promise from years ago, Ruan Qiong had resigned as sect leader, handing it over to Liu Xianyang, the first of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect to reach the Jade Capital realm. But such a major event had been decided over a single meal. No celebration was held. As a result, not many immortal clans on Baoping Continent even knew about it. Only the Great Li court had sent a Minister of Rites in person to the Dragon Spring Sword Sect to make up for the congratulations. There weren't many people, but the honor was considerable.

And the first thing Liu Xianyang did after becoming sect leader was "act on his own authority." He went to Piyun Mountain to find Mountain Lord Wei and used his great divine power to help relocate several peaks, including Shenxiu Mountain, to this area.

Patting Dong Gu's shoulder, Liu Xianyang said earnestly, "Senior Brother Dong, you need to cultivate well. As the Law-Keeper of our great Dragon Spring Sword Sect, only being a Nascent Soul—that's not proper."

After that, Liu Xianyang took the round-faced girl to tour the other peaks. The two of them walked along a mountainside path, both wearing cotton-padded jackets. Liu Xianyang walked with his head down and hands in his sleeves—after all, winter was for hibernating.

The round-faced girl, who had given herself the name Yu Qian Yue, asked, "Creating a subsidiary sect—such a big deal—why didn't he invite you?"

Liu Xianyang smiled. "Afraid I'd steal his thunder. If I showed up, no one would pay attention to Chen Ping'an."

Of course, Chen Ping'an had long explained this to Liu Xianyang.

She Yue rolled her eyes.

Liu Xianyang suddenly laughed for no reason. "For the same person, suffering and enjoying are two completely different kinds of knowledge."

She Yue nodded. "That makes some sense."

Liu Xianyang felt a bit emotional. He stopped and looked into the distance. "In the empty house of the mind, righteousness and desires vie to be the master."

After spending so much time together, She Yue had almost forgotten that this guy had studied for years under the Chen family of Pure Confucianism in Southern Bhavavati Continent.

She Yue asked, "Were you and Chen Ping'an that close since childhood?"

"Of course!"

Liu Xianyang laughed loudly. "No!"

She Yue found it strange. No?

Liu Xianyang crouched down, searched for a long time but couldn't find a stalk of sweetgrass, so he gave up. He said slowly, "They all say that only when temperaments match can a friendship last. Do you think Chen Ping'an and I have the same personality?"

She Yue shook her head vigorously. If you were as difficult as that Hidden Official, the two of us wouldn't have been able to share a pot of braised duck with bamboo shoots.

"Chen Ping'an was always meticulous and didn't talk much. I, on the other hand, am carefree and want to say everything—whether it's nice or not, I don't care; I say it first. Back then, when we first got to know each other, I actually found it a bit boring to be around Chen Ping'an. I thought he was dull. I liked to joke around and often roughhoused with peers my age, as if that made us close, as if that meant we had a good relationship. Of course, I'd be a bit careful with my strength. Chen Ping'an didn't get hit less often back then, but he just took it as me joking and didn't get angry. Then one day, someone—a neighbor—kicked me from behind. It was a joke, of course, but it made me furious. I was in a bad mood, so I got into a real fight with him. Later, Chen Ping'an brought me some medicinal herbs. It was like I suddenly understood something: I had a problem with the way I dealt with people, and I might never be able to make a real friend. After that, I rarely got rough with anyone. But Chen Ping'an still followed me around, up the mountains and down the rivers. I taught him all sorts of random things. Over time, I got used to it, and I guess we became friends."

"When we were kids, I used to play this game with people where we'd punch each other to see who couldn't take the pain first and gave up. I always won. Chen Ping'an never played that game. Later, a little snot-nosed kid started following him around, and that kid liked to play with me. He was just a little brat who wouldn't give up—crying while playing, absolutely refusing to admit defeat. Chen Ping'an had to talk him out of it and also told me not to play that game with the kid anymore. He said the kid was still growing and couldn't take the hits."

For some reason, no matter what Chen Ping'an was like now, or what he would become in the future,

in Liu Xianyang's eyes, he remained forever that dark, thin, bright-eyed boy from Nil Bottle Alley. He would do everything with a serious expression, look people in the eye when talking, and only purse his lips when thinking about something. No one knew what he was thinking, and he wouldn't say if you asked. It was as if, in that whole hometown—where some muddled through the present, others looked forward to the future, and the poor thought about making money—only the silent straw-sandal boy seemed to walk alone, facing backward.

Liu Xianyang sighed deeply. "No matter what, the three of us have grown up."

Once upon a time, the stream grew shallow, the well water grew colder, the locust tree aged, the iron lock rusted, and the low clouds hung heavy. This year, the peach leaves would see no peach blossoms.

But now, the snow has melted, the green hills have thawed, the sound of water under the ice, the oriole in the leaves, another year of peach blossoms blooming, announcing the best spring colors of the year.

---

In the night, someone sneaked into the Fire God Temple of Suijia City.

After entering the newly repaired main hall of the Fire God Temple, the man didn't dare wake the temple priest, who was already snoring like thunder. He tore off the Snow Mud Talisman on his body to prevent the City God Temple's underworld officials from detecting his tracks. Still, the man's palm secretly clutched the walnut that Senior Chen had given him back then. Facing the painted clay statue, he cupped his hands and said, "Du Yu of Ghost Axe Palace pays respects to the temple lord. Sorry to disturb. I'll rest a moment and then leave."

Over the years of wandering the martial world, Du Yu had not only broken through from the peak of Cave Abode realm into the Observation Sea realm, but had also learned to draw two types of talismans. Back then, that kind senior had given him two sheets of paper, on which were recorded the tips for drawing the Yang Qi Lamp-Lighting Talisman and the Mountain and Water Barrier-Breaking Talisman.

Of course, Du Yu had the aptitude for talisman cultivation; otherwise, back then he wouldn't have been able to teach that sword immortal senior, who called himself "Chen the Good," the Tortoise-Stele Talisman and the Snow Mud Talisman, which were considered "family teachings of the immortal path."

It was clear that these two immortal talismans were very different from the ordinary mountain-and-water talismans used to prevent ghost-blocking.

A big-bearded man materialized from the temple statue, floating down to the ground. He asked with a smile, "In trouble again?"

Du Yu gave a bitter smile—he'd hit the nail on the head.

Before coming to this temple in Suijia City, Du Yu had secretly made a trip to Cangyun Lake to find the lake lord, Yin Hou.

The other party hadn't kicked him when he was down. After hearing Du Yu's story, Yin Hou only said that tiny Cangyun Lake could never protect him, Du Yu, and that he should quickly find another way out.

That lake lord was still somewhat honorable; at the end, he asked if Du Yu needed traveling money for his escape.

"This temple is small, and I can't offer much hospitality."

The man waved his hand, maneuvering two parallel benches over from the corner. He tossed a jug of wine to Du Yu. "Tell me, what trouble have you gotten into? With my meager cultivation, I certainly can't help. But treating you to a drink and hearing you vent your grievances—that's no problem."

Du Yu, exhausted and terrified from his frantic escape, plopped down onto the bench, caught the wine jug, raised his head, and took a fierce gulp. "Actually, I shouldn't have come here. If I'm not careful, I'll drag the temple lord into a mountain-and-water lawsuit. Later, if any immortal masters come to interrogate you, just tell them the truth—that Du Yu was indeed here. Don't cover for me. As for what I did, I won't say. Just being able to catch my breath in the Fire God Temple is already a stroke of luck."

The big-bearded man smiled noncommittally. "How about I have the temple priest fry up a few dishes to go with the wine? The small temple has a kitchen out back. If you don't like the priest's cooking, he can go into Suijia City to buy some late-night snacks. I know a few hole-in-the-wall places with good food at good prices..."

Du Yu quickly waved his hands. "The fewer complications, the better. Just drinking is fine."

Looking at the travel-worn, exhausted cultivator before him, the big-bearded man stroked his beard and smiled. "You're already an immortal master of the Observation Sea realm, and you're still this ragged?"

Du Yu smiled bitterly. "After I finish this drink, I plan to try my luck elsewhere. If that doesn't work, I'll have to run to Baoping Continent to lie low."

The big-bearded man nodded. "Sounds like quite a mess."

Du Yu decided to try a desperate gamble. Once he caught his breath here, he would leave Suijia City tonight and head for the Floating Duckweed Sword Lake!

What if that guy named Zhou Fei, who spent money so lavishly, was really the Jiang Shangzhen that the Sword Immortal Li Cai still couldn't forget?

Back then, when he was guarding the house for Senior Chen and looking after the child in swaddling clothes, someone had climbed over the wall. The man had spoken in a very offbeat manner, introducing himself in a roundabout way as "Jiang from ginger, Shang from esteem, Zhen from truth." At the time, Du Yu had cursed back, "I'm your Uncle Jiang Shangzhen."

But the one thing that resembled Jiang Shangzhen was... money! For their first meeting, Du Yu had been given a golden military armor pill as a gift.

It was the priceless and rare Golden Crow Armor.

What if it really was that Jiang Shangzhen?

All the immortals of the continent said that the female sword immortal Li Cai of Floating Duckweed Sword Lake and Jiang Shangzhen were more than dao companions but not quite. The problem now was: even if he could make it alive to Floating Duckweed Sword Lake, seeing Sword Immortal Li in person was another huge problem.

The big-bearded man smiled. "Coming to me first—that was the right call."

Du Yu was baffled.

The man shook his wine jug leisurely. "Sword Immortal Chen came by here before. It seems he anticipated this day. Well, I can't say that exactly. Let's say it was his foresight. He asked me to pass on a few words to you."

At the mention of that kind senior, Du Yu's spirits lifted and he felt a bit more at ease.

Even if it couldn't solve his immediate crisis, at the lowest point of his life, just hearing someone talk about him was like being handed a ladle of clear water when thirsty.

The big-bearded man smiled. "He said: as long as you're in the right and have a clear conscience, you should go to the Golden Crow Palace, which isn't too far from here, and seek help from Sword Immortal Liu Zhiqing. If you think Liu Zhiqing's swordsmanship isn't high enough—that a Nascent Soul realm sword cultivator can't solve the problem—then go to the Taiwei Sword Sect and find Sect Leader Liu Jinglong."

"If the trouble is so big that even Liu Jinglong can't handle it, then go directly to Padi Peak and find that Fire Dragon True Man."

"No matter who you find, just say your name is Du Yu, and that you're a friend Chen the Good made in Suijia City. You'll get a drink for sure."

"This is one method. But if the situation is urgent and the circumstances are dire, there's another way—a last-minute one. You can find help nearby. If you're at the southernmost end of the continent, go to the Sacking Hemp Sect at the Bones Beach, or to Muyi Mountain to find Zhu Quan, or Wei Yusong, or Du Wensi—find any one of them. If you're in the middle of the continent, find the Jidu Lingyuan Gong, Shen Lin, or the Dragon Pavilion Marquis, Li Yuan. Also, Yunshang City's Shen Zhenze, in the southeast, the Spring Dew Garden's Tang Xi, Song Lanqiao, etc., the Colorful Sparrow Mansion's Sun Qing, Wu Qun, and so on—all are acceptable. If it's not too urgent and you can't travel far, send a flying sword message to any of the above sects. Just remember to tamper with the sender's name on the envelope, get someone to pretend to send it, so the secret letter isn't left aside and delays things."

"Sword Immortal Chen also said that the reason he didn't leave a letter for you at Ghost Axe Palace is that he was worried it would embolden you too much, which wouldn't be good for you. It's fine for you to continue walking the martial world with a bit of caution, as you usually do, so you can avoid trouble as much as possible. So at the end of the drink, Sword Immortal Chen laughed and said to me, 'I hope I never have to tell you this. But if you really do, like today when you see Du Yu, tell him not to be afraid. When you're away from home, you rely on friends. After all, my friends are his friends.'"

Looking at the dumbstruck fool, the big-bearded man chuckled. "Stunned? That's normal. I also think Sword Immortal Chen was joking."

It was believable that he knew Sword Immortal Liu of Golden Crow Palace and Sect Leader Liu of Taiwei Sword Sect.

But to say that going to Padi Peak and just giving his name would make the Fire Dragon True Man help—that was hard to believe.

Was he the Heavenly Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain?

Or was he the Sage of Wen's disciple who had stopped the sword cultivator from Beiju Continent crossing the sea?

Or were you, kid, on good terms with both the Heavenly Master Zhao and the Sage of Wen?

But when men drink at a table, especially a young sword immortal, talking big and boasting a little isn't against the law.

Du Yu swallowed his saliva and asked, "What is the full name of that kind senior?"

The big-bearded man was speechless for a moment, then pointed at the military cultivator in front of him and laughed angrily. "Du Yu, you're really something."

You've been by that sword immortal's side for so long, and you're just like me—only knowing his surname is Chen?

You, Du Yu, even went through thick and thin with that young sword immortal. Back in Suijia City, you made such a stir and even endured that heavenly tribulation.

Du Yu felt a bit embarrassed—he really didn't know more. That sword immortal senior liked to call himself "Chen the Good" when traveling the martial world.

Early on, a girl named Zheng Qian and a Confucian scholar named Li Huai had apparently come to Ghost Axe Palace looking for him. But Du Yu wasn't on the mountain at the time, and when he heard about it later, he didn't think much of it.

Then later, there was a young woman with the same name who had four boxing matches with Cao Ci in the Dazhong Dynasty of the Central Earth. Of course, Du Yu had heard some rumors, but he didn't dwell on it. How could he? That Zheng Qian who could box with Cao Ci—could she be the same girl who had come looking for him?

Du Yu finished the jug of wine, his courage surging. He cupped his hands and took his leave. The big-bearded man didn't try to stop him; he cupped his hands and smiled. "Safe journey. Remember to come back for a drink sometime. Burning three incense sticks is fine too."

After quietly leaving Suijia City, Du Yu carefully chose desolate wilderness paths, steering clear of various mountain sects and immortal ferry ports. Finally, he arrived at the gate of Golden Crow Palace.

Bracing himself, Du Yu announced his name. "Du Yu of Ghost Axe Palace requests an audience with Sword Immortal Liu."

The gatekeeper cultivator was aware of Ghost Axe Palace and this military cultivator named Du Yu. After all, Du Yu's parents were the direct descendants of that immortal couple from the Jinduo Kingdom. But he had only heard a little about it.

The Golden Crow Palace cultivator smiled. "Even if your parents came, they wouldn't be able to see our Uncle-Master Liu."

That Uncle-Master of theirs was not someone just anyone could meet.

It was widely acknowledged on the continent that a Nascent Soul sword cultivator from Beiju Continent carried a weight second only to a Nascent Soul sword cultivator from the Sword Qi Great Wall—no dilution.

The gatekeeper waved his hand. "Du Yu, go away. Don't make a fool of yourself, and don't get me scolded."

Uncle-Master Liu was famously aloof and withdrawn from worldly affairs. Apart from having befriended a young, out-of-town sword immortal at the Spring Dew Garden's Yuying Cliff early on—with whom he had an excellent relationship—he had almost no friends in the immortal world. Maybe Sect Leader Liu of Taiwei Sword Sect counted as one. Uncle-Master had visited Pianran Peak, and according to rumor, they'd had a drink—lost, of course. Liu Jinglong's unbeatable drinking capacity was known throughout the continent.

So, even Du Yu, let alone the Palace Master of Ghost Axe Palace, couldn't reach their Uncle-Master Liu.

Du Yu scratched his head anxiously. "Esteemed immortal master, please help me. I have a friend who is a friend of Sword Immortal Liu. He told me I could come to Sword Immortal Liu if I had a problem..."

The gatekeeper cultivator laughed angrily. "I have a friend whose friend has a friend who knows a disciple of the Zhixuan Peak lineage. And that Daoist is a grand-disciple of True Lord Yuan. So does that make me a friend of True Lord Yuan?"

Du Yu was at his wit's end. He was about to shout Liu Zhiqing's name when the gatekeeper raised a hand, pointing at the thundercloud swirling with lightning above. He smiled in warning. "Du Yu, I advise you not to do anything stupid. Our Golden Crow Palace's rules are all up there."

Du Yu took a few steps away, turned back, and didn't even know which peak inside Golden Crow Palace Liu Zhiqing was on. Unwilling to leave, he crouched by the roadside and slapped himself hard. "Always meddling. Without Senior Chen's skill, you still love to play the hero."

If worst came to worst, he'd have to go to Floating Duckweed Sword Lake. But he was afraid of repeating the same mistake—getting shut out again.

A streak of sword light silently left a mountain peak within Golden Crow Palace and arrived beside Du Yu. "Are you Du Yu?"

Du Yu looked up, bewildered. The newcomer had a youthful appearance, wore a gold hairpin, and was dressed in a white jade robe.

Du Yu asked suspiciously, "Who are you?"

Some direct disciple of Golden Crow Palace passing by the gate?

The man got straight to the point. "I'm Liu Zhiqing, the one you're looking for."

Du Yu scrambled to his feet, about to exchange pleasantries, but Liu Zhiqing had already said, "Tell me. Who do you want me to find? Which mountain do you want me to cause trouble for?"

Du Yu stood frozen. Didn't this Sword Immortal Liu even ask what it was about?

"If you're a friend of Chen Ping'an, then I trust you."

Seeing through Du Yu's thoughts, Liu Zhiqing twitched the corner of his mouth, which counted as a smile. "Since you came to find me, that means you trust my swordsmanship. So just lead the way."

Over the years, Du Yu had continued drifting through the martial world, only returning to Ghost Axe Palace twice—once for a mountain celebration and once for his mother's birthday.

He had never been interested in grand deeds in the immortal world. Anything involving wind and grass was just something far away that had nothing to do with him. He'd just mind his own business in his own martial world.

Could it be that the kind senior, Sword Immortal, his real name was really Chen Ping'an?

That name... didn't sound very immortal-like, but... it was nice.

Why, though, had he never heard that name in Beiju Continent?

No matter how many sword cultivators there were in Beiju Continent, and how they were like clouds, given Senior Chen's realm and swordsmanship, Du Yu should have heard of him somewhere—even if he hated spending money on mountain-and-water gazettes and disliked wandering around immortal ferry ports.

Anyway, Du Yu had never planned to ingratiate himself with the immortals of the mountains. Why would he waste money on that? Better to spend it on wine and women. Although Du Yu occasionally took an immortal ferry, he always stayed in the cheapest rooms. Aside from the ferry fee, he never spent a single extra coin. Dream on if you want to get my immortal money. One snowflower coin was a thousand taels of silver. In any mortal kingdom, he could be a wealthy squire.

Du Yu asked cautiously, "Sword Immortal Liu, did Senior Chen mention me?"

Liu Zhiqing nodded. "Of course. He said you were his friend and that you saved him."

At this, Liu Zhiqing couldn't help examining Du Yu more closely. Someone who had saved Chen Ping'an?

If this got out, among the sword cultivators of Beiju Continent, this military cultivator from Ghost Axe Palace would have quite a few talismans of protection.

The only problem was that those sword cultivators who had been to the Sword Qi Great Wall might not believe that an Observation Sea realm military cultivator had saved the Hidden Official.

Even with Du Yu's thick skin, he couldn't handle that. Senior Chen never needed saving from him.

Back then, he had just had a moment of hotheadedness and gone to see Senior Chen, who was recovering from injuries.

And Sword Immortal Chen, even among his friends, would say such things. Wasn't he afraid his friends would laugh at him?

But then again, that was exactly the kind of thing a good person would do. Maybe that's why he, Du Yu, had met Sword Immortal Chen in the martial world.

Liu Zhiqing asked, "Trouble from meddling?"

Du Yu blushed and nodded faintly.

Liu Zhiqing squinted and smiled, patting Du Yu on the shoulder. "Very good. From today on, you're welcome to visit."

Du Yu was both nervous and honored, and could only say politely, "I wouldn't dare."

Liu Zhiqing: "Hmm?"

Du Yu immediately changed his tune. "I do dare. Why wouldn't I? Since Sword Immortal Liu dares to call me a friend, why wouldn't I dare to claim a connection with you?"

Liu Zhiqing held back.

Very good. It was clear that this was indeed a martial world friend of Chen Ping'an's.

Afterward, Du Yu explained the source of his trouble to Liu Zhiqing. It was related to the wealthy Qionglin Sect.

Money could move the gods. For years, under the pretext of hunting down remnants of the Wild Clan, the Qionglin Sect had been massively capturing mountain and river spirits, as well as various wild creatures and water tribes, selling them for profit. They had made a fortune. Compared to the small dragon pool on Tongye Continent that had built a "wild garden," the Qionglin Sect's methods were crude and almost unprofitable. The Qionglin Sect's allies and business partners were spread across the continent. The shallower a sect's foundation, the wilder their methods and the more ruthless their earning techniques. Moreover, birds of a feather flock together. The immortal mansions and martial world sects that would follow the Qionglin Sect were, predictably, all money-grubbers. As a result, many peaceful local yao clan cultivators were caught in the crossfire. But the Qionglin Sect's cultivators were secretive and quick, making it hard for outsiders to catch them.

By chance, Du Yu had met one of these lower-five-realm yao cultivators while drifting through the martial world—a simple-minded youth who guarded a mortal house year-round and occasionally went to the Heavenly Bridge to listen to storytellers or visit gatherings. In fact, that little spirit had only taken human form a few years ago. Du Yu saved him twice, using the Golden Crow Armor he carried to block two groups of pursuing cultivators. But in the end, he couldn't save him.

The last time, a direct disciple of the Qionglin Sect's Ancestral Hall showed up in person—a very young Golden Core Earth Immortal, said to be the proud disciple of the Qionglin Sect's Law-Keeper Ancestor. If it weren't for the other party's fear of the walnut Du Yu held, Du Yu would have been splattered with dirty water and couldn't have escaped. The young Golden Core was meticulous and ruthless. He had already fabricated the little spirit's "background" and evidence of harboring a Wild Clan demon. The little spirit, inexperienced in the world and unwilling to implicate Du Yu, foolishly confessed and signed his confession. Now, his life or death was unknown. Du Yu only knew the youth had been taken to a vassal sect of the Qionglin Sect.

Du Yu felt this was wrong. There was no such reasoning in the world.

In that great war, the Wild Clan had never even reached Beiju Continent. They had been stopped by the Great Li Iron Cavalry in the middle of Baoping Continent. There might have been some Wild Clan cultivators running loose, but the cultivators of Taiwei Sword Sect, Floating Duckweed Sword Lake, Qingliang Sect, and others had long since established strict defenses along the continent's coastal borders.

Thinking of this, Du Yu's eyes reddened. It wasn't just his own misfortune—he had also implicated his parents and Ghost Axe Palace.

That bastard had even threatened to visit Ghost Axe Palace in person.

On the run, Du Yu sometimes regretted getting involved in the martial world and trying to be a good person.

So today, when Sword Immortal Liu called him a "friend," Du Yu actually felt quite sick inside.

With such low cultivation and such poor character, even if a sword immortal was willing to befriend him, Du Yu had no face to claim it.

"Qionglin Sect? Then I'll need to call one or two sword cultivators to go with me."

Liu Zhiqing squinted. "Just based on my current realm, it wouldn't be hard to challenge them openly, but it would be difficult to strike their Ancestral Hall."

Du Yu's heart trembled. All he wanted was justice—for the Qionglin Sect to release that spirit, and for that young Earth Immortal to stop pestering him. He also hoped that the Qionglin Sect wouldn't hold a grudge against Ghost Axe Palace afterward.

Otherwise, with the Qionglin Sect's vast connections, they could secretly undermine Ghost Axe Palace, and within a few years, it would be in trouble, effectively sealed off.

Liu Zhiqing clearly understood Du Yu's thoughts. He said, "Du Yu, when it comes to challenging a sect, you don't have to show your face. The matter will be resolved. As long as that little spirit isn't dead yet, we can definitely save him. But if he is already dead, I'll help you get justice. Be mentally prepared for that. As for any repercussions, just leave them to Chen Ping'an. He's best at cleaning up messes. I can guarantee on his behalf that it won't affect Ghost Axe Palace."

Du Yu shook his head and tentatively said, "There's really no need for a sword challenge. If Sword Immortal Liu could just put in a good word for me, I think the Qionglin Sect wouldn't insist on keeping a lower-five-realm spirit. I'll be willing to spend money."

"I don't want to go out of my way for once and then have to plead with some Qionglin Sect."

Liu Zhiqing said, "Du Yu, those with lower realms listen to those with higher ones."

Du Yu felt helpless. Sword immortals were just like that—their words carried authority.

Liu Zhiqing saw Du Yu was taking him seriously and explained, "That was a joke."

Du Yu had to lie through his teeth. "I understood, junior."

Liu Zhiqing said, "Don't worry. I won't act recklessly."

After that, Liu Zhiqing took Du Yu back to his own peak, told him to wait a moment, and sent two flying sword messages—one to Floating Duckweed Sword Lake and one to Taiwei Sword Sect.

Then he summoned a talisman boat. After boarding, Liu Zhiqing warned, "Du Yu, next we're going to two places. During this time, just focus on breathing exercises and healing. Don't let your mind wander. The frantic escape over the past few days has damaged your spirit a bit. If you're not careful, it could become a flaw in your dao heart. Whether you form a golden core or nurture a nascent soul later, it will cause big trouble. If your dao heart isn't perfectly round, reaching the upper five realms will be harder than climbing to heaven. It's said that inner demons are like spring grass, sprouting in the cracks of the dao heart, connecting to the roots of the mind's mountains. Before you know it, they take over. If the inner demons keep getting nourished, they eventually become a heavenly demon that grows with every foot of cultivation. That's why the older a Nascent Soul cultivator gets, the more they go into seclusion, the more they sit still, the more likely they are to decay in spirit and form. That's the root of it."

Liu Zhiqing handed Du Yu a porcelain bottle containing a few calming and spirit-condensing immortal pills. They weren't of the highest rank—just the standard issue for Golden Crow Palace's Ancestral Hall direct disciples. Liu Zhiqing said, "After you take each pill, calm your mind and silently breathe. Try to absorb the pill's spiritual energy within one full cycle of your circulation, turning it into the spring-like reservoir of a few of your life-bound qi palaces."

On the ferry boat, Du Yu breathed and breathed, feeling drowsy. Then he heard Liu Zhiqing say, "We're here."

Du Yu opened his eyes and looked down. A lake dotted with many islands, like green snails in a jade plate.

Liu Zhiqing found Rong Chang, the senior disciple of Floating Duckweed Sword Lake—a Nascent Soul realm sword cultivator—and briefly explained their purpose.

Rong Chang quickly went to ask his master. When he returned, he smiled. "Master readily agreed. She said her current realm is pathetic and she doesn't have the face to go out. She just told me to accompany you. But she said you don't know how to do things properly. What kind of sword cultivator openly challenges another sect's Ancestral Hall like that? That's too crude. Hitting someone in the face without going through the motions—that's more humiliating than chopping down an Ancestral Hall. First go to the Qionglin Sect's vassal peak and snatch the little spirit. If he's alive, save him. If he's dead, go to the Qionglin Sect to collect the debt. Use an illusion technique, sneak into the Qionglin Sect Ancestral Hall—it saves the trouble of using a few sword strikes to break the mountain's restrictions. When you get near the Ancestral Hall, before you swing your sword, cover your face and shout something grand like 'I am the number one sword immortal of the northern lands, Lord Bai Shang!' Then cut and run."

In fact, the master's original words weren't "pathetic" but "piss-poor"...

But those kinds of words, the master said as naturally as could be, so Rong Chang, as the senior disciple, had to be a bit more restrained.

Liu Zhiqing nodded. "I've learned something. In such matters, Golden Crow Palace's experience is indeed inferior to yours."

Rong Chang gave a knowing smile.

In Beiju Continent, that was the highest praise.

Du Yu had no idea who this tall, amiable man in front of him was.

But from the tone of their conversation, he was definitely a mountain senior with a realm not inferior to Sword Immortal Liu's.

Otherwise, who would be bored enough to frequently challenge a sect?

Rong Chang turned to Du Yu and cupped his hands with a smile. "Honored to meet you."

Du Yu nervously returned the gesture.

Soon, three more people arrived.

There was an extraordinarily beautiful woman who introduced herself as Sui.

And a young boy and girl, like a perfect couple from a painting.

A bunch of people all looked at Du Yu.

Du Yu felt a bit creeped out.

Chen Li asked, "Senior Brother, can we come along?"

Rong Chang said helplessly, "You'll have to ask Master first."

Each of them was the master's precious darling. If anything happened to them outside the sect, he, as the senior disciple, couldn't bear the responsibility. With the master's temper, she'd beat him to a pulp.

And the master's temper had indeed been bad these past few years.

The young boy crossed his arms. "Master obviously knew we'd follow. Since she didn't give any extra instructions to you, that means she agreed."

Among the direct disciples Li Cai had taken in on this continent, the one with the best talent for swordsmanship at Floating Duckweed Sword Lake, and the one Li Cai doted on the most, was now named "Sui Jingcheng." But on the Ancestral Hall's mountain-and-water register, it was an older name.

The Little Hidden Official, Chen Li.

Gao Yihou's younger sister, Gao Youqing.

Chen Li was now a Golden Core realm sword cultivator.

Unlike Bai Xuan, the self-proclaimed "Little Hidden Official," Chen Li's nickname came from the senior sword cultivators of her homeland.

On a certain peace talisman at a certain wine shop,

"Chen Li, sword Hui Ming, flying dagger Wu Mei. A hundred-year sword immortal, within easy reach."

As for Gao Youqing, she was also a Dragon Gate realm sword cultivator. But with Chen Li by her side, she paled in comparison. In any sword sect on the Righteous Qi Continent, Gao Youqing would be an undisputed sword prodigy.

As their master Li Cai put it, "Rong Chang, you're doing a great job as senior disciple, just waiting eagerly for your junior sisters and brothers to catch up to your realm."

In the end, Rong Chang still went to ask his master's opinion, not daring to take his three junior sisters and brother to challenge a sect without permission.

Li Cai couldn't be bothered to speak. She just gave Rong Chang a look.

Rong Chang nodded. No need for words.

The group boarded Liu Zhiqing's talisman boat. They had already arranged to meet with Liu Jinglong of Taiwei Sword Sect at that Qionglin Sect vassal peak.

Liu Zhiqing chatted with Rong Chang, "After this challenge, I plan to go to the wild battlefield to find an opportunity to break through."

No cultivator from Golden Crow Palace had ever been to the Sword Qi Great Wall.

First, there were very few sword cultivators. Second, Liu Zhiqing had only broken through from Golden Core realm a few years ago, and he really didn't want to go to the Sword Qi Great Wall battlefield only to need protection from the native sword cultivators there. That would be more of a hindrance than a help.

Rong Chang smiled. "That's a good thing."

Gao Youqing had been sizing up that military cultivator. She found it hard to believe Liu Zhiqing's claim. She asked via telepathy, "Senior Brother, do you think this person really saved the Hidden Official?"

On the Sword Qi Great Wall battlefield, which was so dangerous, it was always the young Hidden Official who saved others.

Chen Li thought for a moment and nodded. "Judging by the timeline, Hidden Official's meeting with Du Yu happened between his first return from the Sword Qi Great Wall to his hometown and his second visit to the Sword Qi Great Wall as the Hidden Official. At that time, the Hidden Official wasn't a sword cultivator yet, so it's possible."

"Actually, it's not just possible—it's certain. The Hidden Official wouldn't joke about such things."

Then Chen Li asked, "Daoist Du, among the out-of-town sword cultivators on the Sword Qi Great Wall, who do you think is the most powerful and famous?"

Du Yu quickly replied, "Who else could it be? That Hidden Official, said to be from Baoping Continent."

He had once stopped by an immortal ferry port and found a collection of two hundred sword immortals' seal prints. One of the inscriptions had made him slap his thigh in amazement and never tire of reading it.

"Let Three Moves!"

Haha, what a coincidence! Du Yu had almost laughed his stomach off.

That little place in southern Eastern Baoping Continent, the smallest of the Righteous Qi Nine Continents, was the land of heroes that had earned the admiration of the other eight continents.

There was a rumor circulating in the martial world, first spread by a manager of an intercontinental ferry from Beiju Continent. The old manager claimed that the youngest Hidden Official in the history of the Sword Qi Great Wall was handsome, ruthless, and killed without blinking.

Back then, at the first meeting in the Spring Censer Studio of Daoxuan Mountain, a young man wearing a "Hidden Official" waist token had appeared last.

The sword immortal and the manager had sat face to face. Then, before the two groups had even exchanged a few words, the Hidden Official had given an order in the hall. As a result, half of the more than twenty intercontinental ferry managers had been killed on the spot, dropping dead without a chance to resist.

Believe it or not.

I was there, and I even risked my old life to save two friends. That young Hidden Official, probably because he saw I was the most loyal, had a bit of admiration for me. Heroes respect each other; we fought and became friends. We drank arm in arm, with the Hidden Official sitting beside me in that blood-soaked place strewn with severed heads.

Now, in the Righteous Qi Continent, the place that most glorified the young Hidden Official might not be Baoping Continent, but the love-and-hate-driven Beiju Continent.

That precocious young sword cultivator squinted and nodded slightly.

The girl blinked.

Wasn't this Daoist Du a fool?

Du Yu was puzzled but didn't dare ask.

Chen Li smiled. "Maybe we'll have a chance to get to know each other?"

Du Yu quickly waved his hands. "I don't have that kind of luck."

---

Fuyao Continent.

A large group of sword cultivators from different homelands gradually gathered at an immortal ferry port near a mine entrance.

The female sword immortal from Aiai Continent, Xie Songhua, had two disciples, named Zhao Mu and Ju Xing—a young boy and girl, one carrying a bamboo box, the other holding a green bamboo staff.

Another female sword immortal, Song Pin from Jiazhou, had also taken two children from the Sword Qi Great Wall as direct disciples, both girls, named Sun Zao and Jin Luan.

There was also a Jade Capital realm sword cultivator, Yu Yue, with two newly accepted disciples, Yu Qingzhang and He Xiangting.

Pu He, an old sword immortal from Liuxia Continent who had fallen in realm on the Sword Qi Great Wall, was now at Nascent Soul. Back then, the old man had also brought two children from the Sword Qi Great Wall, a boy named Ye Du and a girl named Xue Zhou.

At that moment, Pu He was arguing with a fellow sword immortal who had just arrived at the inn.

"Oh, isn't this the illustrious Sima Jiyu, the great sword immortal with so many battle merits? What a rare guest. If I'm not mistaken, our Hidden Official only invited me and Song Pin this time. He didn't invite you. Why come on your own?"

"As the only Nascent Soul realm here, you'd better shut up and not speak to a Jade Capital sword cultivator."

"The Hidden Official thinks highly of you—truly kind. He's afraid your talent is too good and will delay your breakthrough to Flying Ascension realm, so he didn't bother to let you take a disciple. No wonder you're so sharp-tongued. Come, I'll fine myself a bowl as an apology. If the great sword immortal Sima is still unsatisfied, I'll kneel on the ground and offer you a toast!"

Inside the room, there were also a few old sword cultivators from various continents who had never been to the Sword Qi Great Wall. They were all old friends of Xie Songhua and the others—they knew each other well and had similar temperaments.

But today, crammed into this room, they didn't get a chance to speak.

In fact, before Sima Jiyu arrived, Yu Yue had already been cursed out by Pu He, who had pointed at his nose.

And Xie Songhua thought Yu Yue had indeed been a bit underhanded. He had the nerve to go to Luo Po Mountain and poach talent, even swiping a guest elder position ahead of others. Why didn't you, Old Sword Immortal Yu, just ask the Hidden Official to make you vice-mountain master outright?

Old Sword Immortal Yu, who had originally wanted to boast a bit to Old Man Pu, wished he could dig a hole and hide.

After all, Yu Yue had at least been to the battlefield on the Sword Qi Great Wall.

The remaining six or seven old sword cultivators from Righteous Qi didn't even dare to breathe loudly. They each sat silently, drinking wine or tea, looking at their noses.

Some of the old men wanted to exchange pleasantries, especially since they had never met some of these sword immortals in person, only heard their names—like that Xie Songhua from Aiai Continent.

But they soon discovered that whether it was Xie Songhua, who was said to have killed a Jade Capital realm demon sword cultivator on the Sword Qi Great Wall, or the stunningly beautiful Song Pin, who carried the "Fuyao" sword, neither cared to talk to anyone.

Furthermore, these old men, who would all be addressed as "Sword Immortal" in their own homelands, were indeed curious about those sword immortal seedlings of similar age.

Unfortunately, the female sword immortal Li Cai from Beiju Continent hadn't come. Heard she had taken two disciples with excellent talent. One of them even had the nickname "Little Hidden Official."

"Now that almost everyone is here, let me relay the Hidden Official's intention."

Song Pin suddenly spoke up. "In short: no matter who makes money or how they make it, we don't interfere. But if anyone has the thought or action of 'if I can't have it, no one can,' then take them out."

Pu He stroked his beard and smiled. "That must be the Hidden Official's exact words."

Song Pin smiled. "Actually, the Hidden Official's exact words were to have us 'reason with them' properly."

Pu He immediately clapped his hands in admiration. "That's even better."

Sima Jiyu couldn't help cursing, "Why didn't you kneel at the door of the Summer Pavilion back then?"

Pu He sneered. "I fell in realm and needed to recover. Otherwise, there would definitely be a place for me in the Summer Pavilion. Unlike some people, who were just fishing on the battlefield."

Yu Yue always felt that Old Man Pu was cursing him.

Xie Songhua smiled. "Being able to pick up scraps on the battlefield is a skill too."

Song Pin stood up first, her expression indifferent. "Let's move."

---

At the edge of the sky, one of the accompanying sages stationed in Tongye Continent nodded to the figure in the blue shirt. "Sage Li once instructed that the Hidden Official is permitted to visit the Five-Colored World once within sixty years, without consuming battle merits. But there's no need for me to proactively remind the Hidden Official. If the time passes, the offer expires."

Chen Ping'an made a bow of thanks and was about to ask a question when the Sage of the Temple of Confucius anticipated him and laughed first. "Is there anyone traveling with the Hidden Official? I don't see anyone."

At this moment, standing beside Chen Ping'an was indeed a single attendant in a yellow hat, blue shoes, and a green bamboo staff.

Chen Ping'an understood.

Xiao Mo instantly transformed, and a snow-white spider perched on the blue shirt's shoulder.

The Sage smiled and reminded him, "Don't stay too long."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "The Beginning of Spring is in a few days. I'll be sure to go and return quickly."

Chen Ping'an looked down at the mountains and rivers of the earth, gathered his thoughts, and with his blue sleeves billowing in the wind, stepped into that gate.

The old man silently praised: the young man had fine bearing.

Beneath his sleeves, white knew the color of the sea; above his brows, green pressed, recognizing the traces of heaven.

Five-Colored World, Ascension City.

Someone revisiting an old place—a foreign land that is also a hometown.