Chapter 968: Snatching a Disciple

Chapter 968: Snatching a Disciple

In a snowy night, five people walked toward the city gate amidst the blinding wind and snow.

Throughout the continent of one region, most cities were like this—ruined, uninhabited ghost towns, resembling rotting corpses not yet decayed. The wind passed through the city like a bone flute.

A gaunt young man with long eyebrows and a cold, stern expression carried a saber tucked under his arm.

In his hand, he held a tightly packed snowball, tossing it back and forth between his left and right hands.

An old man with a robust build and steady steps kept coughing as if he couldn't withstand the cold.

A middle-aged man in a cotton robe wore a sword at his waist.

Two others walked closer: a sturdy man with an ancient appearance, a bundle slung over his shoulder.

The woman was tall, not particularly striking in appearance but full of heroic spirit, with a long saber in a black sheath hanging at her waist, its handle made of white poplar wood.

The young man asked softly, "Is that person really inside this ghost town? Mr. Zeng, do you think he's already discovered our whereabouts?"

The man in the thick blue cotton robe smiled and nodded. "He's known for a long time."

The old man coughed a few times. Snow fell heavily across heaven and earth, but the snowflakes around him would melt on their own, forming a misty white haze of rising steam.

Those who cultivate on mountains and become accomplished Daoists have an advantage. They can far-sight observe qi, or grasp the mountains and rivers with their palms, and even judge others' movements through changes in the ripples of heaven and earth's spiritual qi, or by divination.

Pure martial artists, even if the old man was a Grandmaster at the Paragon Realm, had no advantage in such matters.

In Middle Earth Divine Continent, Pei Bei; in Golden Armor Continent, Han Guanghu; in Parasol Leaf Continent, Wu Shu; in Baibai Continent, Pei Axiang— each was undisputedly the foremost martial artist of their continent. To put it simply, the number one could beat the number two without the latter being able to fight back.

The other continents couldn't claim the same. For example, in Vase Precious Continent, there were now two Paragon Realm martial artists, both from the Great Li Dynasty, but Song Changjing and that young Hidden Official had never fought.

As for Northern Julu Continent, it was said that a Li Er from Lion Peak, who had popped out from some unknown corner, and the old rogue Wang Fushu had had a private boxing match. Rumor had it that when Wang Fushu was fishing at Yuanyang Islet, he spoke dismissively of Li Er's boxing skills.

And this old man, who looked disease-ridden, was the foremost martial artist of Golden Armor Continent, nicknamed "Han Ten Thousand Cuts." Over a hundred years, he had successively assisted and deposed six emperors and monarchs.

He had once teamed up with the great swordsman Xu Xie to block Wanyan Laojing, causing his own realm to drop. He was invited by the Confucian Temple but did not attend that meeting, a stark contrast to many mountain immortals who eagerly flocked to the Temple to show their faces.

The old man felt there was nothing to talk about there anyway; he had few acquaintances. He knew a certain Zhang Tiaoxia who often fished within Golden Armor's borders, but they weren't especially close. Zhang Tiaoxia was too wild and untamed, coming and going through clouds and mist all year, while Han Guanghu was always buried in official documents. But the most important reason was that the old man didn't want to meet Song Changjing of Vase Precious Continent. If he hadn't dropped in realm, a boxing match would be fine. But having dropped, he would be beneath the other, his words lacking authority, only resulting in discomfort all around.

This group of five had first gathered at the Blue Seal Sect of the Yu Clan Dynasty, then gone to the Great Spring Dynasty, and then traveled north, taking their time as if sightseeing.

Besides Han Guanghu, there was Jian Ming, Mr. Zeng. The "Pine Resin" Luo Yang Wood Guest was a bundle merchant. Qin Buyi came from the Zhongtu Prefecture, Tonglong County.

Jian Ming was originally from Stone Mill Kingdom in Vase Precious Continent. He had given himself the Daoist title "Song of the Yue Man."

The young man had once, on a snowy day, accidentally "picked up" a jade pendant from a headless corpse dressed in expensive clothes. On both sides were carved the words "Cloud Mist Mountain" and a celestial Daoist formula resembling poetry. After Mr. Zeng "took a fancy" to his talent and bone structure, he embarked on the path of cultivation.

Qin Buyi smiled. "This snow in Parasol Leaf Continent is strange."

The taciturn man with the Daoist title "Pine Resin" nodded. "It contains a lot of spiritual qi. Falling snow is like falling money."

Mr. Zeng said, "Probably thanks to that grand 'Night Journey' earlier. It scattered the people's hearts but then regrouped them somewhat, allowing this snow of heaven-man resonance to fall."

Qin Buyi said, "Unprecedented."

Could it be the handiwork of some sage from the Confucian Temple? Order by Ritual Sage, carried out by the Confucian Temple?

Unfortunately, she had no dealings with Confucian Temple sages or Confucian academies.

Mr. Zeng hummed softly in acknowledgment. "It's probably also something that will have no successor. It's not easy for us to have had the luck to witness it."

A white-robed youth holding a green bamboo staff led a group of martial artists and cultivation immortals, blocking the middle of the street.

Cui Dongshan stamped the green bamboo staff heavily on the ground and announced loudly, "This gate is opened by me, this tree is planted by me. If you wish to pass, leave the toll money behind!"

Earlier on the night boat, that wealthy Mr. Wu from the Year-End Palace had waved his hand generously, without even blinking, and given two farewell gifts. Chief Zhou received a sword scabbard, used to nurture a piece of willow leaf.

Cui Dongshan received a green bamboo staff inscribed with "Xing Qi Ming" (qi circulation inscription). But it wouldn't belong to him for long, because Cui Dongshan planned to give it to Chai Wu as a congratulations gift for breaking through a realm.

From the third realm of Qi Refiners, the Tendon Realm, leaping across multiple realms directly into the Upper Five Realms—since Liu Qi started this feat, over the past few thousand years, across several worlds, only a handful of cultivators had accomplished this. Liu Qi was the first, Zhou Mi might be the second, and the most recent was Liu Qi's direct disciple in the Poetry Surplus Blessed Land of the Azure Underworld. Between them, there might have been a few deeply hidden cultivators who showed no sign of it.

Wang Manmeng, Qian Hou'er, and the others nearby had been forcibly conscripted to block the road and rob, reluctantly, and now found it quite embarrassing.

Jian Ming laughed. These people had guts, trying to rob their group. Was this a case of a small temple with deep evil, shallow water with many turtles?

Cui Dongshan saw the man with the bundle slung over his shoulder. His eyes lit up. Good, very good. Just what he needed.

Not long ago, he had discussed with his master how to invite the ancestor of the Bundle Brotherhood to set up shop at Green Shirt Ferry, and here came a Luo Yang Wood Guest from the same lineage as the Bundle Brotherhood's ancestor.

Luo Yang Wood Guest was a collective term for a group of reclusive wild folk hiding deep in the mountains. They had an ancient, generation-passed tradition: their hands could not touch money. Occasionally they would come down the mountain to meet people, preferring barter. The old ancestor who founded the Bundle Brotherhood profession in the Grand Hao Realm was originally a Luo Yang Wood Guest, but because he broke the ancestral teachings, he was expunged from the clan temple. They were of the same lineage but different paths.

He wondered how the seniority in the clan temple's genealogical records worked between that Liu Yan and this taciturn man.

As for the swordswoman, she also had an extraordinary background.

She was from the same hometown as Bai Ye, considered the same peer in the mountains. Bai Ye had even written a well-known praise poem for her.

One of the ten young candidates across the worlds, Pure Green of the Bamboo Sea Cave Heaven—the young girl's combat techniques were learned from Qin Buyi.

Qin Buyi and Pine Resin had both followed Chen Rong, of the Chen family of Southern Brahman Continent’s Pure Confucianism, to Locust Yellow County. At Qilong Lane, the ones responsible for hosting guests for Fallen Mountain were Old Immortal Jia and Chen Lingjun.

Cui Dongshan said seriously, "Sister Manmeng, Monkey Qian, all of you retreat. This enemy is tough! I think they're strong and numerous. We can only outsmart them, not overpower them. Let me first test their depth. If words fail and a fight breaks out, don't worry about whether I'm being bullied. Go find my master quickly and bring reinforcements to rescue me. Agreed beforehand: don't shirk responsibility and act like cowards. Rest assured, there's no loss my master can't recoup!"

Jian Ming was speechless at his laughter. He still wanted to outsmart them?

Mr. Zeng warned through heart voice, "Jian Ming, if I didn't have business to discuss this time, I would absolutely not want to provoke him voluntarily. I would only take a detour if I saw him."

Jian Ming asked doubtfully, "Is he the kind of worldly hermit who seems cynical and enjoys toying with the mortal world?"

Just as Mr. Zeng was about to speak, he heard Jian Ming continue, "It must be so. This grandmaster of mine, how elegant and refined, young and accomplished..."

Mr. Zeng's expression changed. He immediately reached out, pressed Jian Ming's shoulder, and with two bent fingers, tapped several times on the back of the boy's neck. Finally, he used his thumb to press against Jian Ming's back of head, staring at the white-robed youth, and said through heart voice, "Sect Leader Cui, such an act is beneath your status."

Jian Ming was only puzzled by Mr. Zeng's series of actions. The young cultivator didn't feel anything wrong with his own words at all.

Because he was in a state of unconscious obliviousness, still absent-minded, not yet returned.

Cui Dongshan looked bewildered. I don't admit it, what can you do? If you have the guts, hit me. Come for a boxing match. After three punches, I'll roll on the ground, and you'll have to beg me not to die...

Then a slap landed on the back of his head.

Cui Dongshan quickly put away this little trick.

Chen Ping'an stood beside Cui Dongshan.

Cui Dongshan hurriedly tried to make amends, changing the subject through heart voice. "Master, this guy, besides being a Debt Knife Man, might also be the 'wood mover' from history."

Chen Ping'an was slightly surprised. "The unknown wood mover from the anecdote of 'erecting a tree to win trust'?"

The "wood mover" was of course two people: one who wanted to erect a tree to win trust, and one who literally moved the long wood. The former was famous in history, the latter nobody cared about.

Cui Dongshan nodded. "Close enough."

Chen Ping'an asked, "Is he a Flying Ascension Realm cultivator or a Ghost Immortal?"

Cui Dongshan smiled. "The latter."

Cui Dongshan stuffed his hands into his sleeves and tilted his chin toward the woman. "And this Qin Buyi is Pure Green's boxing teacher from Bamboo Sea Cave Heaven. The assassin who once sneaked into Luo Jing and cut off a Yu Clan emperor's head was the master of Fu Nanhua's maid Qingtao, and also Qin Buyi's junior sister. But this group moves erratically, hides and conceals themselves, and likes to call themselves the 'Innocence Restorers.' They are a very loose faction, rarely meeting each other. They don't like staying on the mountain as immortals, prefer running around down below. Their style is similar to the Mohists, just similar."

While Chen Ping'an and Cui Dongshan were sizing up the group of five, the other party was also sizing up the three—one old, one young, one youth: two martial artists and one cultivator.

Chen Ping'an cupped his fists from a distance and smiled. "Mr. Zeng, it's been years. You still look splendid."

Mr. Zeng cupped his fists in return. "A mere worthless rotten piece of wood, unworthy of the word 'splendid.' Mountain Lord Chen has a good memory."

The young man with a saber tucked under his arm hesitated, then mustered his courage to ask, "Are you Chen Ping'an?"

The figure in blue in front of him was different from the young Hidden Official Jian Ming had imagined. During this journey, Mr. Zeng occasionally talked about some deeds from the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Mr. Zeng had also held back a detail, only saying he owed this person a debt and would have to repay it when the chance came. But Mr. Zeng hadn't explained how the debt came about.

Still, when he learned that the young Hidden Official was from Vase Precious Continent, Jian Ming was quite pleased. Being able to have some connection with Chen Ping'an, even if it was just repaying a debt, Jian Ming didn't think it was a problem.

Chen Ping'an nodded and smiled. "Little brother, are you Mr. Zeng's esteemed disciple?"

Jian Ming grinned but didn't say anything. When traveling the martial world, one must understand the principle of not speaking deeply with casual acquaintances.

Although Jian Ming had a nominal teacher-disciple relationship with Mr. Zeng, the young man still called him Mr. Zeng as agreed.

Earlier, Jian Ming had secretly made a trip to Mirage City of the Great Spring Dynasty and successfully stole a precious saber named "Famous Spring" from a woman who hadn't mastered martial arts well.

But according to Mr. Zeng, this act of taking without permission wasn't theft; it was a kind of return. Because it was what the Great Spring Li family owed him. Since they couldn't repay the interest, the principal had to be taken back.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Going by your accent, you're from Stone Mill Kingdom in Vase Precious Continent?"

Jian Ming was startled and frowned slightly. He had only said a few words in clumsy Parasol Leaf Continent dialect, and Chen could guess his hometown?

Mr. Zeng smiled and revealed the secret for the boy. "Earlier, while traveling through wind and snow, there was a flying sword secretly escorting us."

Cui Dongshan muttered softly, "Master, this Mr. Zeng really knows how to talk."

Han Guanghu took a step forward in the accumulated snow, first looking at the Song Yushao standing beside the young Hidden Official. Both nodded in greeting.

Then the old martial artist shifted his gaze, looking at the youth famous across several worlds, and asked with a smile, "Are you Pei Qian's master?"

Chen Ping'an nodded. "I am Pei Qian's master. Senior is?"

With such an opening and the old man being a Paragon Realm martial artist, he was undoubtedly Han Guanghu of Golden Armor Continent.

But from the looks of it, during the battle in the northern battlefield of Golden Armor years ago, when he and sword immortal Xu Xie jointly blocked Wanyan Laojing, the old man was seriously injured, clearly affecting his internal organs. The chain reaction from dropping a realm had never been properly resolved.

Chen Ping'an glanced again at the young-looking Qi refiner. The saber tucked under his arm seemed to be that "Famous Spring" thrown away by Yao Lingzhi.

So it seemed the young man's current theft was likely instigated by that "Debt Knife Man" Mr. Zeng.

He just didn't know if this debt had been settled. If the Great Spring Li family hadn't repaid, would it be recorded against the Great Spring Yao family?

The old man announced his name. "My surname is Han, given name Guanghu, from Golden Armor Continent."

Chen Ping'an cupped his fists. "Chen Ping'an of Fallen Mountain greets Grandmaster Han."

Han Guanghu still kept his hands behind his back, cutting to the chase. "No need for pleasantries. On this journey, besides looking for Pei Qian to drink and catch up, I also want to ask her boxing teacher, Grandmaster Chen, for some guidance and a sparring match."

Back then, on the screen wall of Sword Hanging Pavilion at Inverted Mountain, there were various bounty notices posted. Among them was one signed by Han Ten Thousand Cuts of Golden Armor Continent, offering a bounty as high as five hundred Grain Rain Coins. He wanted to buy a boxing match from heroes across the world—whoever could defeat the Great Li martial artist Song Changjing of Vase Precious Continent would collect the reward. Actually, he had no grudge with Song Changjing; they had never even met. But at that time, "Han Ten Thousand Cuts" sneered at the tiny Vase Precious Continent and was utterly contemptuous of the Great Li prince Song Changjing, who had just broken into the Paragon Realm. What right did such a small place have to have a Paragon Realm martial artist guarding the land?

This was also the origin of his earlier statement at the Blue Seal Sect, claiming he had been "slapped several times by Vase Precious Continent."

On the peak of that small sect, Han Guanghu had said he wanted to find a chance to weigh Chen Ping'an's boxing skills.

Now, the largest dynasty in Parasol Leaf Continent was the Great Spring Yao.

Han Guanghu's trip to Parasol Leaf Continent was to repay debts. There was no escape once involved with a Debt Knife Man.

This elusive Mr. Zeng, after Qin Buyi and the man with the Daoist title Pine Resin arrived in Parasol Leaf Continent, finally stopped hiding and fully confided in Han Guanghu. The plan was for him to go to the Great Spring Dynasty, serve as prime minister, assist Empress Yao Jinzhi, and help the Yao family stabilize their "family business," creating a long-lasting great enterprise on the map of Parasol Leaf Continent.

Back home, there was a huge pile of affairs waiting for Han Guanghu to handle. Besides, working as a deputy for a little girl—Han Guanghu didn't think he could adapt.

At the time, Mr. Zeng saw Han Guanghu's difficulty but simply smiled and said, "Debts must be repaid; it's only natural. If you're determined not to repay, that's fine—leave it for the next life. Just add a bit of extra interest."

It wasn't a threat or a joke. This Mr. Zeng was simply stating a fact.

Han Guanghu couldn't decide immediately, so he said he'd first go to the Great Spring Dynasty. So the group went to Peach Blossom Ferry and Mirage City, seeing for themselves some of the local customs.

Chen Ping'an declined politely. "Junior is not worthy of the title Grandmaster. As for a boxing match, forget it. If Senior doesn't mind, we can have a snow night drink."

Han Guanghu didn't force the issue. If the other wasn't willing to receive a punch, he couldn't force a fight. Martial artists' sparring had never been trivial. So the old man changed the subject. "I'm looking for Pei Qian. Besides catching up, I also want her to learn boxing from me as my apprentice. But I don't know if Grandmaster Chen is willing to part with her, and whether you can agree to this."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Senior is joking."

Cui Dongshan clicked his tongue. "Han Guanghu, Han Ten Thousand Cuts, Senior Han, Grandmaster Han! Do you know what realm my senior sister is in now? Paragon Realm! Since they're the same realm, what boxing can Senior teach Senior Sister by taking her as a disciple?"

Cui Dongshan immediately turned to file a complaint. "Master! This cannot be tolerated, absolutely cannot! They're snatching disciples right at our doorstep! If it were me, I'd start with a curse!"

Chen Ping'an said, "Learn from Zhou Junchen."

Cui Dongshan immediately extended two closed fingers and drew them across his mouth—zipped it shut!

Han Guanghu completely ignored the white-robed youth's sardonic tone, just staring at the very famous young man. His peer Cao Ci was also outstanding, but on the Barbarian Desolate Continent side, he wasn't as famous as Chen Ping'an, the Hidden Official. The old man smiled. "I have a few bottom-of-the-chest boxing techniques, not vulgar, and I believe I can teach anyone without issue. Besides, when Pei Qian was in Golden Armor Continent years ago, we often chatted. The little girl said her master didn't teach much boxing. I found it strange at the time. How could there be such a person in the world, willing to let such good material go uncultivated? Either his own boxing skills were insufficient, so he had no more boxing to teach, or his standards were too high, thinking even a disciple of Pei Qian's talent wasn't worth teaching seriously."

In fact, at that time, Pei Qian's meaning was that her master taught little boxing, so her realm wasn't high and her punches lacked weight. If she made a fool of herself, they could laugh at her, not her master.

But Han Guanghu didn't care about that. To take Pei Qian as his closing disciple, he was willing to throw away even his old face.

Cui Dongshan was amused. He wished he could take out an account book right away. How the tables had turned! He had to make an entry for Senior Sister.

But then he thought again, wouldn't his keeping accounts itself be recorded by Senior Sister? Cui Dongshan rubbed his chin. This deal didn't seem profitable.

Chen Ping'an glanced at Cui Dongshan.

What a coincidence—another one came to poach talent, and you still have the nerve to stir things up here?

Cui Dongshan immediately pretended to be mindful, looking at his nose and heart, earnestly admiring the snow.

Han Guanghu raised his hand, formed a loose fist, covered his mouth, and coughed lightly a few times.

Cui Dongshan asked with concern, "Senior Han, I have medicine for coughing. Want some?"

Han Guanghu was speechless for a moment. This white-robed youth was truly despicable.

He never spoke properly from start to finish.

How did Chen Ping'an teach such an unreliable disciple? What a difference from that gentle, polite, and courteous little girl!

Han Guanghu ignored him and didn't respond to the white-robed youth, instead saying directly, "Regarding Pei Qian becoming my disciple: since Grandmaster Chen is unwilling, I'll talk to Pei Qian myself. If I can convince her and she changes her mind, I hope Grandmaster Chen won't obstruct this matter."

Cui Dongshan cradled his walking staff, coughed a few times, leaned his head close to his master, and whispered, "Master, master, what if Senior Sister really does change her mind as Senior Han said? What do we do?"

Chen Ping'an shoved Cui Dongshan's head away, looked Han Guanghu in the eye, and smiled. "A sparring match to the point of stopping is no problem. Consider it opening the door to sweep the snow."

If you haven't seen me as the master, it doesn't matter if you go to Pei Qian and hit a wall again.

But since you've met me, Chen Ping'an, and still openly poach talent, that's a bit against the code of the martial world.

Qin Buyi's eyes sparkled. Was the young Hidden Official finally going to throw a punch?

Cui Dongshan struggled to keep a straight face, looking like he was gritting his teeth, barely suppressing his laughter.

On Fallen Mountain, Pei Qian, Xiaomili, and Chen Nuanshu—even if Cui Dongshan had more guts, he wouldn't dare poach them.

At Sweeping Flower Terrace on Immortal Descending Peak, how did Huang Yi Yun break into the Paragon Return to Truth layer? She was beaten into it by the master's "cherishing the jade" kindness!

Han Guanghu twisted his wrist lightly, looked around, then withdrew his gaze and asked, "What layer of the Paragon Realm are you? Return to Truth?"

If he hadn't broken into Return to Truth, he couldn't have had a boxing match with Cao Ci.

Chen Ping'an said, "Like Senior, I once broke into the Paragon Return to Truth layer, then dropped a small layer and returned to Qi Vigor."

The implication was that since both were at the same layer of the Paragon Realm, no one bullied the other.

Han Guanghu smiled. "My Return to Truth layer once touched the threshold of the Spirit Reach layer. Even though I've dropped realms now, my foundation is still not thin. If you hear a few coughs and think I'm a sick man, be careful you don't suffer losses."

Because according to that ranking list, when Chen Ping'an was alone guarding the Sword Qi Great Wall, he was still a Mountain Summit Realm martial artist.

Didn't that mean that in just a few years after returning to the Grand Hao Realm, this young man in his forties had broken through two realms in succession?

Good heavens! No wonder he could trade blows with Cao Ci at the Merit Grove of the Confucian Temple.

He had heard that during that "Azure versus White" debate, the young Grandmaster in front of him had thrown very tricky punches, using all kinds of underhanded methods, even swelling Cao Ci's face!

Song Yushao said softly, "Don't take it lightly, and don't overestimate yourself."

It seemed like one statement, but it had two meanings. When sparring at the same realm, one must take it seriously. Respecting the opponent is respecting one's own fist. At the same time, it was a reminder to Chen Ping'an not to punch too lightly.

Chen Ping'an nodded. "Got it."

Cui Dongshan was a little envious. There weren't many people who could teach his master how to do things.

By all rights, Old Senior Song's realm was far inferior to his master's, but the old senior didn't feel awkward, and the master didn't find it inappropriate.

This was probably his master's martial world.

So many heroes in the snow, so many tales in the martial world, both past and present—the night watchman in the city and the fisherman beyond the city wall sing together at the third watch.

Gu Qiu led the maid Xiao Fang, silently appearing at a street corner.

Gu Qiu's expression was grave. This group of "river-crossing dragons" was extremely high in realm.

Even the young cultivator with a saber tucked under his arm, who looked like a youth, was a Golden Core Earth Immortal, actually in his early thirties.

As for the other four beside the youth, Gu Qiu couldn't discern their cultivation depths at all. Since he couldn't see through them, that already said a lot.

Xiao Fang's face was pale. She quickly moved to hide behind Gu Qiu. That tall old man had a thick fist intent, extremely heavy yang energy. To her, a ghostly being, it was like a blazing sun tearing through the night, burning fiercely on the earth. Just looking at him a few more times would scorch her eyes.

Because of Gu Qiu's identity, he wasn't particularly afraid of the pure martial artist's yang fist intent. So when he noticed Xiao Fang's discomfort, Gu Qiu could roughly determine that the old man was at least a Mountain Summit Realm Grandmaster.

Could it be that Wu Shu, honored as the Martial Saint by Parasol Leaf Continent?

Wang Manmeng raised her fist and gently shook it, cheering for the graceful Mr. Chen.

Having spent too much time with Cui Dongshan, she had started to find that gentle, blue-clad handsome young man increasingly amiable and lovely.

He was like winter sunshine, or a spring breeze.

Cui Dongshan stamped his foot. "What's wrong with all of you? Daydreaming, and wanting to become my master's wife?!"

Wang Manmeng covered her mouth and laughed.

Chen Ping'an was about to say that this account should be recorded by Pei Qian, when he suddenly raised his head and looked into the distance.

Qin Buyi's expression shifted slightly. This person had sensed the anomaly outside the city earlier than him.

Then a brilliant sword light pierced through the air, followed by a series of deafening thunderclaps in the night sky.

A sword immortal in white appeared above the city wall, hovering on his sword. He had a delicate, handsome face like a painting, making one sigh involuntarily that it wasn't only women who could be beauties.

He was just traveling on his sword and paused here, but it made Jian Ming's Dao heart tremble. He had to hold his breath and concentrate to suppress the ripples in his heart lake.

Cui Dongshan jumped up and cursed, "Chief Mi! How dare you! Aren't you afraid of overshadowing my master?!"

Chen Ping'an smiled.

He would deal with this proud student later.

Mi Li immediately floated down from the city wall, reached out to catch the sword that arced over to him, gently sheathed it, and pressed his palm against the sword hilt, walking gracefully through the snow.

Cui Dongshan said with disgust, "Chief Mi, nothing for you to do here. Immortal Capital Mountain needs a sword immortal stationed there. Go back, go back."

It wasn't a joke. Senior Sister wasn't at Green Duckweed Sword Sect now, and Fellow Daoist Changming, despite his realm, wasn't good at fighting. They needed someone capable to intimidate petty people over there.

Mi Li nodded and smiled. "Alright."

With a light tap of his toe, Mi Li's figure reversed toward the gate. His long sword unsheathed again. He turned and stepped onto the sword body, a white rainbow trailing behind him as he returned to Immortal Capital Mountain.

He came in haste and left in haste. In Jian Ming's eyes, it was utterly bizarre. A few words sent him off? Was there such a frivolous sword immortal in the world?!

Because Gu Qiu was the reserve city god of this city, when the white-robed sword immortal broke through the air, he felt as if "a golden body" and the entire city began to shake and tremble, and this was despite the other deliberately suppressing his sword qi as he approached the city wall.

Qin Buyi could confirm that this Mi Li from Sword Qi Great Wall was now undoubtedly a Sword Immortal of the Immortal Realm.

Regarding rumors from the Sword Qi Great Wall, because among their group of Innocence Restorers, there was a lineage of Western Mountain Sword Immortals, they had always paid attention to news from the Sword Qi Great Wall.

For example, this trip to Parasol Leaf Continent was at the behest of her senior brother Liu Taozhi, who wanted Qin Buyi to invite the young Hidden Official to become a guest elder of the Western Mountain Sword Immortal lineage.

If there was a chance, Chen Ping'an might even be promoted to the long-vacant position of Supreme Guest Elder.

Their faction was small in number, with extremely high thresholds, roughly divided into three lines, each taking disciples and passing down the lineage. They almost never contacted each other, so many Innocence Restorers might not recognize each other even after years.

Because most native swordsmen of the Sword Qi Great Wall had gone to the Five Colors World, those remaining in the Grand Hao Realm—like Mi Li, Nalan Caihuan, and others—became key targets of interest for the Western Mountain Sword Immortal lineage.

As for Qi Tingji.

Skip him.

This old sword immortal who carved words on the wall was too lofty to be approached.

Lu Zhi.

Her temperament was too solitary, and she didn't like the Grand Hao Realm. Probably also a no-go. Rushing to see her would likely be unwelcome.

Cui Dongshan asked tentatively, "Master, should I take my beloved generals and withdraw a bit?"

Chen Ping'an said, "No need."

Cui Dongshan sighed. "It's a pity little junior sister isn't here, and that errand-disciple from Qilong Lane isn't here either. Otherwise, the momentum would definitely rise."

Chen Ping'an paid no attention, walking forward slowly, extending a single palm. "Senior, please throw a punch."

The old man smiled. "Since we're at the same realm, according to the rules of the martial world, the younger one can throw the first punch."

Cui Dongshan raised his arm and shouted, "Give him three moves!"