Chapter 934: I Am the Host (IV)
At the peak of Piyun Mountain, the Northern Sacred Mountain. Ancient pines towered to the heavens. Beneath a pine tree, a man reclined sideways on a white jade couch, one hand supporting his cheek, seemingly asleep yet not, seemingly smiling yet not. He wore a long white robe, stepped in clouds gathering shoes, tied a colorful sash around his waist, and a golden ring dangled from his ear. God? Immortal? Ghost? Beautiful as a painting.
It was said that the five mountain lords of Bottle Gourd Continent each had their own elegance. The Central Sacred Mountain lord, Jin Qing, was the oldest in Dao age, exuding an ancient aura. The Southern Sacred Mountain lord, Fan Junmao, despite being a woman, was the most heroic. The Eastern Sacred Mountain lord had an immortal air, the Western Sacred Mountain lord was chivalric. And the Northern Sacred Mountain lord, Wei Po, was universally acknowledged as the best-looking among the five lords of the continent, hence he possessed the most divine spirit.
According to a certain highly placed but minor "ear-tip god" of Fallen Mountain, nowadays the only ones looking forward to hosting the Night Tour Banquet in the Northern Sacred Mountain territory were the various female cultivators with registered genealogical identities. At the banquet, just by taking a few extra glances at the slightly drunk and blushing Mountain Lord Wei, they would feel drunk even without drinking.
Hearing this, Chen Ping'an wanted to defend Mountain Lord Wei, so he asked Little Mi Li where these rumors came from. Little Mi Li said it was Bai Xuan, but Bai Xuan seemed to have heard it from Jing Qing. And Jing Qing had even urged Bai Xuan to definitely attend the next Night Tour Banquet to steal a bit of Wei Po's thunder, lest their Mountain Lord Wei become too arrogant and swell-headed.
At this moment, Wei Po opened a pair of pure golden eyes, sat up, and smiled: "Is Xiao Mo here?" A good question. Chen Ping'an laughed angrily: "I advise you not to scheme against Xiao Mo!" Wei Po chuckled: "Now you know how I feel?" Did it help when Fallen Mountain schemed against my few bamboo trees? Back then, Little Mi Li wasn't also instigated to come count bamboo on Piyun Mountain all the time?
Qing Tong stood by Chen Ping'an's side, observing the famous mountain lord through the thin gauze of her hood. It was said that the Night Tour Banquet under heaven had almost become synonymous with Wei Po of Piyun Mountain. According to legend, this Great Mountain Lord of a continent was once a remnant of the Divine Water Kingdom in the ancient Shu region, demoted to an Earth God. For some unknown reason, he gained the favor of National Teacher Cui Chan and was promoted to the position of mountain lord of Great Li Dynasty. The ups and downs of this lord's fortunes were truly breathtaking.
Nowadays, both Bottle Gourd Continent and Northern Juju Continent knew that Piyun Mountain and Fallen Mountain were allies so close they wore the same pants. But interestingly, the first time the young mountain master of Fallen Mountain set foot on Piyun Mountain was when he was a young kiln apprentice. By the time Wei Po took charge of this mountain as the Great Li Northern Sacred Mountain lord, Chen Ping'an had also become the master of Fallen Mountain. However, after that, it was mostly Wei Po who visited Fallen Mountain as a guest; Chen Ping'an never voluntarily climbed Piyun Mountain. It wasn't until Chen Ping'an's last trip to the Wild Continent and his return home that he brought Xiao Mo to climb the mountain. The hospitality gift was so generous that Wei Po was already looking forward to their next meeting.
Chen Ping'an smiled: "I won't waste words with you."
After learning of Chen Ping'an's intention for this dream roaming, Wei Po unhesitatingly nodded in agreement, but couldn't help sighing: "Originally, when I heard you had snatched the abundant water transport of Yeluoluo River, I thought you would go into seclusion for a while. If you were lucky, after a few hundred years, you might even have a chance to compete for the seat of 'number one in water methods' under heaven. But as it turned out, not only can't you keep this water transport, now you even want to give up merits."
The Five Thunder True Method of the Celestial Master's Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain, the fire method of Fiery Dragon True Man, and the earth method of Wei She of Aiai Continent, all had reached the pinnacle of their arts. Chen Ping'an's first real realization that his Dao was close to water came from Wei Po's reminder.
Wei Po said: "The Eastern and Western Sacred Mountains of Bottle Gourd Continent may not be willing to nod. If we can't get all five mountain lords of the continent to agree, it's still a heap of loose sand, and the effect of mountain incense will be greatly diminished."
Dealing with mountain and river spirits is difficult because "benefit cannot surpass the Dao." On the paths of the mortal world, people bustle about for profit, but in the divine way of the mountains, it's different. Just as Wei Po was willing to agree to this matter, how could it be only for the sake of merits? If he were blinded by greed, even his mountain lord golden body might develop problems. After all, there is a great prerequisite here: the various gods who light a stick of sincere incense still need to truly recognize Chen Ping'an himself. So Chen Ping'an is the crucial "mountain water incense transmitter."
Chen Ping'an nodded and smiled: "I've already prepared myself for being shut out, which is why I came to you first to get an auspicious start."
Wei Po asked: "Should I greet those two colleagues in the officialdom?" Chen Ping'an shook his head: "Forget it, whether it's your letter or not doesn't make much difference." Wei Po nodded. Indeed, the five sacred mountain lords had equal rank; none could command another. Besides, Wei Po had no close relationship with those two mountain lords, not even any personal friendship. Every correspondence between their mountain lord mansions was just official business.
Chen Ping'an asked: "Has Ye Qingzhu changed her mind? Did she visit your mountain lord mansion today to voluntarily withdraw her resignation as Water God of the Jade Liquid River?" Wei Po shook his head: "You guessed wrong. On the contrary, Ye Qingzhu did rush to Piyun Mountain, but she almost didn't resort to crying, making a fuss, and threatening suicide. She was even more determined in her previous intention to relocate to another place. She doesn't expect a lateral transfer; she can accept a demotion. She has taken a fancy to several rivers, the only common point being that they are all far from Fallen Mountain. She even said to me in a pique: if the Northern Sacred Mountain doesn't approve this, she will go to the capital to file a complaint. As she spoke, her eyes were red, tears glistening, pitifully charming."
Chen Ping'an rubbed his chin: "It can't be. Earlier, at the Jade Liquid River Water Mansion, I had a pretty good talk with the Water God Lady. We were open and frank, considered our past grievances settled." Wei Po smiled: "Even if she trusts your words, she trusts her own intuition more." Chen Ping'an fell silent. Wei Po's smile faded, and he said seriously: "This means that in your future secluded cultivation, you must be careful of your own Dao heart. Is it a small matter that the image of the 'holder of the realm' and the 'person in the mirror' should deviate?" Chen Ping'an nodded: "I'll pay attention." This was indeed a true friend.
Wei Po took something out of his sleeve and handed it to Chen Ping'an: "This is a congratulatory gift for the founding of the lower sect. Take it." Chen Ping'an glanced at the gift: "Can you show a little shame?" It turned out to be one of the two half-immortal artifacts that Xiao Mo had previously given away—the yellow jade ax that could suppress water transport. Our great Mountain Lord Wei was using someone else's gift to appear generous. If not for the fact that the sword case given by Wu Yi was left with Xiao Mo, Chen Ping'an would have taken it out to ask Mountain Lord Wei if he was ashamed.
Wei Po squinted and smiled, testing: "Then forget it?" Chen Ping'an waved his hand. Looking at the obviously insincere Mountain Lord Wei and the miniature jade ax that had disappeared into his sleeve in a flash, Chen Ping'an felt a headache, recalling Pei Qian's old catchphrase.
Wei Po looked at the cultivator in the green dharma robe. Since he couldn't see through the depth of his cultivation, he was at least at the Immortal realm. He asked: "And this Daoist friend is?" Chen Ping'an didn't bother with mind voice and said: "Dao name Qing Tong, master of the Demon Suppression Tower in Tongye Continent, adjacent to the Guan Dao Temple in the Eastern Sea. His true form is a phoenix tree. This time, while roaming the three continents in a dream, Daoist friend Qing Tong has been a great help. It's a case of becoming friends after a fight."
Qing Tong sighed faintly. Just like that, all his background was revealed. The Hidden Hand had no regard for jianghu rules or mountain-water taboos. This man's charm was extraordinary, outstanding. But upon closer inspection, Qing Tong felt he was still inferior to Zhu Lian, the noble son of Lotus Flower Blessed Land.
Wei Po bowed deeply with clasped hands, showing considerable respect. In a warm voice, he said: "Wei Po of Piyun Mountain is honored to meet Senior Qing Tong." Qing Tong took off her hood, returned the salute, and smiled: "Qing Tong greets Mountain Lord Wei." Wei Po chuckled: "Senior Qing Tong, a thief's boat is easy to board but