Chapter 975: A Certain Sect
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In the night, the Wind Kite Ferry slowly docked at the Jade Gui Sect's Bicheng Ferry. This immortal ferry, renowned across the continent, featured gentle mountains and soft waters, a great lake like a mirror, moonlight on the ground, and lights floating to the sky.
On the ferry, everyone came out of their cabins to enjoy the scenery, splitting into two groups. One group was Mi Yu leading Zhou Mili, the Lawkeeper Changming leading her direct disciple Nalan Yudie; the other was Wei Wenlong, along with Tao Ran and Shao Poxian and their party.
Nalan Yudie said with a smile, "Great Sword Immortal Mi, seeing such beautiful scenery, don't you feel like reciting a poem?"
The children who grew up on the Sword Qi Great Wall spoke casually around Mi Yu. Nalan Yudie was actually quite polite. Back then, Yuan Zaohua, the former child queen who now stayed in the Hanxing Palace of Feisheng City, often led a large group of peers to fly kites on the city wall, and was even closer to Mi Yu, who loved to lie drunk on clouds and evening hues while enjoying wine and moonlight.
Mi Yu smiled and asked back, "The Hidden Official suggested that you, Bai Xuan, Sun Chunwang, and a few others go practice swordplay and break through your realm in that cave heaven dojo. Why didn't you agree?"
Once this batch of children successively entered the Dongfu realm, each could travel far on the wind. The Hidden Official had long-term plans. For instance, Luopo Mountain would join forces with Qingping Sword Sect to organize a proper guardian journey for these sword immortal seedlings. They might go to the mouth of the Great River in central Baoping Continent, or to the Dragon Ascension Platform of Old Dragon City, where they would build thatched huts and cultivate for a time, watching the sun rise and set, climbing high to broaden their horizons, nourishing their sword intent, purifying their sword heart. After they each reached the Guanhai realm, they would go to White Emperor City in the Central Earth Divine Continent, to see the waterfalls and great rivers pouring down from the Yellow River Cave Heaven, to see the Dragon Gate...
Given the Hidden Official's connections with Old Dragon City, Yunlin Jiang Clan, and White Emperor City, these matters were trivial.
Nalan Yudie tugged at the corner of her mouth, giving a fair reason: "My master can't bear to part with me, and I can't bear to part with my master."
Changming smiled faintly, rubbed the girl's head, and said, "Indeed, she can't bear to part."
On the path of sword refinement, there were thousands of roads. Changming didn't think Nalan Yudie had to stay at Xiandu Mountain. She had her own methods to ensure that this senior disciple's sword achievements wouldn't fall behind her peers. Of course, Chai Wu was an exception.
Mi Yu recalled something and said, "Nalan Caihuan is now the new sect leader of the Rain Dragon Sect. When you have time, go visit family? I can accompany you on a sea-crossing journey. I hear that Lu Hua Island, with its Creation Cave, has extremely beautiful moonlight too. By seniority, shouldn't you call Nalan Caihuan 'Grandmaster Grandaunt'?"
Among the nine sword immortal seedlings, even a fool could see that the Hidden Official had the most affection for Nalan Yudie and Yao Xiaoyan—one a little accountant, the other a little muddled—but he never showed favoritism in actual matters.
Bicheng Ferry was the premier large ferry in southern Tongye Continent. Though called a ferry, its scale was already comparable to a prefectural city. After years of meticulous construction by mountain craftsmen, it had been renovated to look new. The ferry was planted with many immortal plants, green all year round. Moreover, the stone used to build Bicheng Ferry's structures appeared nearly emerald-green and glassy, hence the name "Bicheng" (Emerald City).
Over thirty ferries docked simultaneously at Bicheng Ferry—a display of the sect's heritage.
Wei Wenlong sighed, "Without a hundred years or so, Qingshan Ferry will find it hard to reach Bicheng Ferry's scale."
Shao Poxian looked down at the ferry, ablaze with lights, the streets bright as day, bustling with traffic. At root, it was all about people and money. He said, "The hardest thing to gather is still popular support, especially trust in financial matters. Jade Gui Sect is the undisputed head of Tongye Continent. Our Qingping Sword Sect still lags far behind. That's normal. With the support of the upper sect and Sect Leader Cui's management, there's a chance we might surpass them."
Shao Poxian would disembark at the Lin River during the Wind Kite Ferry's northward journey. On this trip, besides taking a large sum of Guyu Coins from Zhong Fuzi's sect treasury, Cui Dongshan had privately given him over a dozen mountain treasures used to gather the qi of mountains and rivers. Plans for founding a state and performing fengshan ceremonies were taking shape. The hardest part of everything is the beginning. With these immortal coins and treasures as a foundation, they wouldn't be too strapped for funds. The money had to be repaid, but no interest. As for debts of gratitude, they already owed three. The first was fleeing and eventually taking refuge in Luopo Mountain. The second was helping establish a state by the Lin River in a foreign land, restoring the lineage of the old Zhuying Dynasty's Dugu clan in Baoping Continent. The third was Wu Yi, the founding patriarch of Ziyang Prefecture, who led a group of core followers and voluntarily served as the nation's guardian immortal—another considerable debt.
Wei Wenlong said, "Originally, dozens or even hundreds of financial routes belonging to Tongye Sect, except for a few lifelines still barely in their hands, have almost all actively shifted to Jade Gui Sect."
Shao Poxian smiled. "So the Literary Academy was far-sighted, letting that Academician Zhou preside over the Five Streams Academy to prevent Jade Gui Sect from forming a monopoly."
Wei Wenlong, a steady character, rarely opened his heart to anyone other than the young Hidden Official. He smiled. "Sir Shao, you are now a Nascent Soul sword cultivator. Once Dugu Menglong establishes her state, if you can reach the Upper Five Realms, founding a sect would be a natural next step. Then a nation and a sect supporting each other—it shouldn't be hard to gain a foothold in Tongye Continent. The future is promising. I wish you smooth sailing in all endeavors."
Shao Poxian cupped his fists in thanks. "If that day truly comes, I'll invite Mr. Wei for a drink!"
The woman now renamed Dugu Menglong, the future empress of the new state, probably because she had known Mountain Lord Chen for a long time, wasn't particularly warm or eager toward Chen Ping'an. But she had followed Shao Poxian—whose true identity was a deposed prince—to live in Luopo Mountain for a long time. Even though she rarely met this accountant from Spring Banners Studio of Daoxuan Mountain, she still felt close to him. Perhaps life's encounters were a matter of affinity. Upon hearing this, she also cupped her fists and sincerely thanked him. "Over the years, I have received much of Mr. Wei's care. Welcome to visit often."
Wei Wenlong said seriously, "It's a good thing the Hidden Official isn't here to see this, or I'd be written down in his ledger."
Dugu Menglong was naive and didn't understand. She was momentarily at a loss for words. Shao Poxian had to explain with a smile, "Mr. Wei is joking. He's teasing that you never show a good face to Mountain Lord Chen, but you're so pleasant with him."
She laughed. "Mountain Lord Chen's magnanimity isn't that narrow."
Shao Poxian smiled. "This good word, I beg Mr. Wei to relay it to Mountain Lord Chen in a roundabout way."
Dugu Menglong blushed and laughed. "That's not what I meant. It's my honest feeling. Mr. Wei needn't pass it on, or it'll lose its flavor."
Wei Wenlong nodded. "Rest assured, the Hidden Official sees things like a mirror. He understands. Once, when chatting in the accounting room, he said personally that Miss Meng followed Sir Shao through all hardships, never leaving or complaining. Not everyone can do that. Bitter wine gives courage, hardship nurtures character; there will always be a turning point."
Dugu Menglong was stunned. "I thought he only had heart-wrenching opinions about me."
Wei Wenlong shook his head. "Stars revolve with the seasons; yin and yang transform greatly—neither revolves around one person. Sun and moon shine in turn, not for one person alone. Each has their own life, their own fate."
Shao Poxian laughed. "That sounds like something Mountain Lord Chen would say."
Looking at the picturesque Bicheng Ferry, Shao Poxian felt peaceful.
Spring is Heaven's inmost feeling; autumn is Heaven's different tune. Flowers bloom, fall, and bloom again.
The Wind Kite Ferry docked at Bicheng Ferry tonight not to show off Luopo Mountain's wealth. The ferry had to cross three continents, loading and unloading goods at each dock. Additionally, accounts had to be checked. Usually, Zhong Qiu, Zhang Jiazhen, and Jia Sheng, the second steward of the Wind Kite Ferry, would handle the handover with Bicheng Ferry. Wei Wenlong, as an accounting officer of the upper sect, was not supposed to meddle too much in the lower sect's financial details, per mountain rules. Although Zhang Jiazhen was also a member of Luopo Mountain's registry, this was more of a training exercise under Zhong Qiu. A sect's inheritance involves more than just cultivation techniques and spells.
As for Old Immortal Jia, having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. Setting aside his cultivation realm, according to Cui Dongshan, his worldly wisdom alone was at least at the Flying Ascension level.
Normally, when cargo and accounts were handed over at Bicheng Ferry, the passing ferry's steward would go to the dock to seek them out—a mark of respect for Jade Gui Sect. If it were up to Chief Mi's temper, Bicheng Ferry would have to make an exception. In fact, Bicheng Ferry had considered it and found the matter quite troublesome. They certainly wanted to show goodwill to Luopo Mountain or Hidden Official Chen Ping'an, but feared being reprimanded by the Divine Seal Peak Patriarch Hall of Jade Gui Sect. Yet reporting such a trivial matter to Divine Seal Peak would be improper. There were indeed many twists and turns in the mountain officialdom. Fortunately, the first time the Wind Kite Ferry passed through, Zhong Qiu and Jia Sheng quickly disembarked, much to the relief of Bicheng Ferry's few old cultivators in charge.
In an accounting room at Bicheng Ferry, compared to the three familiar faces from previous visits, three more guests accompanied the Wind Kite Ferry party tonight.
Among them was Sword Immortal Mi, who had never disembarked on previous visits. Also present were a man in a blue long gown and a black-clad little girl sitting upright. They were drinking tea brought by the accounting room's head.
Old Immortal Jia didn't help introduce their identities, so the several hurriedly arriving stewards of Bicheng Ferry didn't dare ask.
The sword-bearing man, who appeared affable, carefully examined the account books. He seemed to have a high status in Luopo Mountain of Baoping Continent or the newly established Qingping Sword Sect.
Perhaps he was Sword Immortal Mi's direct disciple?
A rumor was spreading wildly that this Sword Immortal Mi from the Sword Qi Great Wall had indeed reached the Immortal realm.
What immense fortune it would take to become the direct disciple of a Great Sword Immortal? An unimaginable blessing.
The man in blue also raised several highly professional questions about the accounts. Everyone in the room was an expert; they could tell he was a fellow insider. An amateur couldn't ask such questions.
Chen Ping'an didn't sit long. After reviewing the accounts, he took Little Mili and Sword Immortal Mi to take their leave.
As Old Immortal Jia was about to stand, Chen Ping'an smiled and gestured for him to stay seated, indicating no need to see them off. Old Immortal Jia kept his seat glued to the chair. This scene made the Bicheng Ferry folks, skilled at reading people, start muttering. Had they slighted an honored guest? Especially when they saw the man in blue cross the threshold first, with Sword Immortal Mi following, the few observant ones in Bicheng Ferry were utterly bewildered.
After the three left the accounting room, the old cultivator serving as head of Bicheng Ferry asked softly, "Brother Jia, who is that gentleman?"
Jia Sheng stroked his beard and smiled. "To be honest, that's our Luopo Mountain's Mountain Lord Chen. You may not know, but Mountain Lord Chen has always respected accountants. Thus, when the ferry docked, no matter how busy he was, he insisted on meeting you gentlemen. On the way here, the Mountain Lord said you were half-colleagues of his. I took the chance to tell him your general backgrounds. He listened carefully and has already remembered them. As for why he didn't announce himself, it's not that our Mountain Lord wanted to put on airs. He's been through it himself—familiar with abacuses and ledgers—and knows accounting is meticulous work. He didn't want to distract you with pleasantries."
Zhong Qiu drank tea silently.
Zhang Jiazhen kept his head down, tallying accounts, deeply impressed.
Zhou Mili had originally planned not to disembark, thinking she'd just watch the scenery from the railing. But the kind Mountain Lord said he wanted a little late-night snack, so she secretly weighed her money pouch—her army still had thousands of troops! Could it lose to a table of food? No way. Still, she left her golden carrying pole on the Wind Kite Ferry.
So tonight, a black-clad little girl, carrying a small bamboo box and holding a walking staff, walked in the middle. Ha, a fox using the tiger's might.
Beside her, the kind Mountain Lord wore a jade hairpin, blue long gown, cloth shoes, and carried a sword.
The other, in a pure white robe, with excellent features and a sword at his side, also wore a gourd named "Haoliang" for raising swords.
One strolled leisurely, with the bearing of a grandmaster. The other was languid in manner, with outstanding looks.
Not to be trifled with.
Even in the night, Bicheng Ferry's streets were crowded and bustling. Many were curious about the "little girl's" identity. Was she an old ancestor from some immortal mansion who had achieved cultivation and returned to youth? When traveling, one needed some ability to observe qi. Clothing, especially the style of dharma robes, and accessories that revealed sect or immortal mansion identity—all were particular.
Chen Ping'an teased, "Looks like it's because we're too far from Baoping Continent. Walking around openly like this, without even using a concealment spell, and no one recognizes Great Sword Immortal Mi."
Zhou Mili asked, "Kind Mountain Lord, is Yu Mi very famous outside?"
Mi Yu sensed trouble and was about to explain, but Chen Ping'an had already nodded. "Great Sword Immortal Mi's fame is huge. I definitely can't compare."
Zhou Mili whispered, "Oh right, I heard from Luan-jiejie that at Caique Manor in Beiju Continent, our Yu Mi is very popular. Every time he walks on the street, immortal sisters greet him first. He's really well-liked."
Chen Ping'an glanced sidelong at Great Sword Immortal Mi and smiled. "Oh?"
Mi Yu explained, "I never talk to anyone at Caique Manor."
The Hidden Official sneered. "Heh."
Little Mili was puzzled. Was Yu Mi that aloof at Caique Manor? Why so unapproachable? That can't be right. How could she smooth things over? How to salvage? The girl had to pretend to be confused. "Ah?"
Mi Yu was helpless.
Chen Ping'an asked with a smile, "Want to buy some melon seeds on the way?"
Zhou Mili quickly shook her head. "In a place with such heavy immortal qi, don't buy anything you can get in market stalls. It's a rip-off. For melon seeds, we should go to the shop on Red Candle Street. I know it, I'm a repeat customer—buy more, get a discount!"
Chen Ping'an nodded. "Wise indeed."
Since they were here for a late snack, Zhou Mili reached into her sleeve, feeling the heavy money pouch again, and grinned. "Today, I'm treating!"
They picked a nearby tavern. On the wall behind the counter, wooden plaques listed all the signature dishes. Zhou Mili liked them all, but looking at the prices in parentheses...
Zhou Mili scratched her face, took a deep breath. Oh well, money is an external thing. Go, go. Move house, find a good home. After today's parting, may fate reunite us in the martial world.
After ordering and sitting down, Mi Yu held back for a long time but couldn't help asking, "Little Mili, do you like fish too?"
At Luopo Mountain, the old cook occasionally stir-fried some river delicacies. But whenever fish was on the table, Mi Yu would inevitably glance at Little Mili a few times. She would pick up her chopsticks, but it was hard to tell if she liked it—she always ate fish without spitting bones. Today, Little Mili was generous, ordering a table full of dishes, including two fish: one steamed, one braised.
Little Mili blinked.
Chen Ping'an said exasperatedly, "Little Mili lived at Mute Woman Lake. What else could she eat every day but fish and shrimp? Drink water to fill up? What kind of question is that, Mi Yu, are you a..."
Then Chen Ping'an and Zhou Mili said in unison, "Fool?"
The little girl sat on the bench, holding her stomach and laughing. It was too funny.
Mi Yu chuckled helplessly.
Right, Little Mili also always had a bag of dried fish on hand.
Zhou Mili secretly winked at Mi Yu—that previous messy account was surely settled with the kind Mountain Lord.
Chen Ping'an ordered an extra wine cup so Little Mili could have a little sip to satisfy her craving.
Actually, Pei Qian had also craved wine when she was little. It wasn't that she really loved drinking; she wanted to show she was old enough to drink. But back then, Chen Ping'an was strict. Every time Little Charcoal craved a drink—let alone drink—would she like some chestnuts?
Little Charcoal often went behind her master's back to find Wei Hailiang, and they'd play finger-guessing games—one drinking water, one drinking wine. It looked authentic. Wei Xian couldn't even beat her.
Zhou Mili took a sip each time, softly going "wow"—good wine, good wine—so she had to exclaim in admiration.
If it were tea, the etiquette was different: hold the cup with both hands, nod gently, and say "mm."
These were the martial world tricks Zhou Mili had figured out on her own!
Halfway through the meal, Wang Ji, a Patriarch Hall offering of Jade Gui Sect, arrived at the tavern with Qiu Zhi, the peak master of Nine Chess Peak, and a pair of young sword cultivators who looked like a perfect couple, the siblings Wei Gusu and Wei Xianyou.
The tavern instantly buzzed.
In Tongye Continent these days, Upper Five Realm cultivators were as rare as phoenix feathers.
As for those children, there were speculations that they might be the unparalleled sword talent from Nine Chess Peak.
Wang Ji cupped his fists and smiled. "Mountain Lord Chen, we happened to have some things to handle at Bicheng Ferry. When we heard the Wind Kite Ferry had docked, we rushed over. Sorry for the interruption."
In the old Tongye Continent, cross-continent ferries were as numerous as Flying Ascension cultivators.
Nowadays, the cross-continent ferries appearing here included two from Beiju Continent and two from Baoping Continent. One was Luopo Mountain's Wind Kite Ferry, the other from the Fu family of Old Dragon City. They were easy to recognize.
Chen Ping'an stood and returned the greeting with cupped fists. "Mr. Wang, Brother Nianjiu, Miss Wei."
Mi Yu had just put a bite of food in his mouth and was too lazy to stand, so he just raised his hand in a casual fist salute.
Mountain Lord Chen and Zhou Mili sat on one bench, Mi Yu occupied another, leaving two benches free.
Wang Ji sat first, across from Chen Ping'an. Wei Gusu stood still, as did his junior sister Wei Xianyou, but she had already moved to stand beside the bench near Mi Yu.
Wei Xianyou reminded softly, "Senior brother, sit. What are you standing there for?"
Wei Gusu had no choice but to sit beside Wang Ji.
Wei Xianyou laughed. "Sword Immortal Mi, we meet again."
Mi Yu smiled and nodded.
Wei Gusu drank a mouthful of wine in silence.
He hadn't even drunk yet, but his heart was already broken.
Old Sect Leader Jiang always talked nonsense, but why did he hit the mark so precisely on matters of love?
Mi Yu also had his own bitter knowledge. With the Hidden Official present, he felt completely powerless.
Chen Ping'an glanced at Mi Yu without leaving a trace. Mi Yu had already straightened his back, sitting up straight like a gentleman who passes through a sea of flowers without a leaf touching him.
Wang Ji's expression was strange. An Immortal realm sword cultivator, and this was his standing? If it weren't for the nickname "Mi Lanyao" (Mi the Waist-Hugger) being well-known and undeniable, Wang Ji would have suspected whether Mi Yu was really a native sword cultivator of the Sword Qi Great Wall.
Wang Ji asked, "Mountain Lord Chen, shall we find a quiet place to talk after we eat?"
The entire Bicheng Ferry was Jade Gui Sect's private property, always rented, never sold. Rent collected from various immortal mansions and national courts doing business there was a considerable income.
Chen Ping'an shook his head with a smile. "No need to trouble. Let's talk while we eat."
Wang Ji said via mind voice, "That Bundle Peddler wants to participate in digging the Great River, with four thousand Guyu Coins as a deposit. Divine Seal Peak Patriarch Hall received your flying sword message two days ago and held a special meeting. There wasn't much opposition. They've now notified Sect Leader Wei. At the very least, the confidential letter made clear the Patriarch Hall's stance—the majority approve."
No matter how big or small, the content of Patriarch Hall meetings should not be leaked to outsiders lightly—an unwritten rule on the mountain. Wang Ji was so candid because, first, he recognized Qingping Sword Sect's principles and Chen Ping'an's character. Second, regarding the Bundle Peddler's sudden intervention, Qingping Sword Sect was basically just informing outsiders, a courtesy to Jade Gui Sect.
But the most important thing was that the Bundle Peddler's cooperation method wouldn't disrupt the existing structure too much—it was like adding bricks and tiles to what was already there. Otherwise, not just Jade Gui Sect, but even the Daquan Yao Clan would be the first to oppose.
Chen Ping'an picked up a bite of food for Little Mili, then raised his own wine bowl, gently clinking it with Wang Ji's. He smiled. "On Divine Seal Peak's side, if the Patriarch Hall had more objections, that wouldn't be a bad thing. I think the Bundle Peddler seems somewhat prepared."
Wang Ji immediately caught the meaning. They each drank.
Mi Yu had learned something new again. When scholars did business... truly seasoned.
Chen Ping'an said, "Regardless, the Bundle Peddler has a good reputation in business, both on and off the mountain. It's a golden signboard built over many years. And I think the Bundle Peddler's focus will be on the Tongye Continent area south of the new Great River. They'll inevitably have frequent dealings with Jade Gui Sect in the future. I've already met the Bundle Peddler's old patriarch, Zhang Laogianbei. To run a business to this extent, he naturally has depth and skill. But I think Old Zhang is still a man of heart. In the future, you folks at Divine Seal Peak might as well be straightforward with him."
Wang Ji nodded with a smile. "Roughly understood."
After that, Chen Ping'an chatted a bit more with Qiu Zhi. It seemed the Nine Chess Peak master had exchanged several letters with Bai Xuan since returning to the sect. Truly a hero on the hero list—sharing blessings and hardships.
The meeting was pleasant, with good food and drink. During it, Zhou Mili even ordered another pot of wine. When Chen Ping'an stood up, intending to let Mi Yu settle the bill, Wang Ji smiled. "At our Bicheng Ferry, how could there be a rule that guests pay for a meal?"
Wei Gusu immediately stood. "I'll pay."
Zhou Mili said shyly, "Old Immortal Wang, I've already paid."
Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded. Wang Ji had to drop it. After leaving the tavern, Wang Ji led Qiu Zhi and the others away from Bicheng Ferry, taking out a talisman boat and returning to Jade Gui Sect that very night.
Chen Ping'an asked with a smile, "How much did it cost?"
Zhou Mili held up three fingers.
Chen Ping'an was shocked. "Three Xiaoshu Coins?! Is this a rebellion? A rip-off! Let's go demand an explanation!"
Zhou Mili grinned. Chen Ping'an patted her head and said earnestly, "Mili, Mili, are you a little piggy? You obediently paid that much?"
Mi Yu was speechless.
Hidden Official, isn't your acting a bit... too clumsy?
"Wrong! It was Snowflake Coins."
Unexpectedly, Zhou Mili said smugly, laughing. "If I hadn't ordered that last pot of immortal wine, it would have cost less than two Snowflake Coins."
Snowflake Coins weren't a big deal—they were unregistered disciples. If they left the mountain, they left. On the path, each strives. Wherever the coins end up later, it's a matter of fate.
Xiaoshu Coins were for Patriarch Hall direct disciples. In Zhou Mili's mind, each coin had a name.
Guyu Coins—oh wow—those were something else. Unfortunately, Little Mili had saved for so long and still hadn't saved a single Guyu Coin.
She, Pei Qian, and Nuan Shu-jiejie each had three money jars, each with three coin mountains! They were all kept with Nuan Shu-jiejie. One jar for copper coins, one for gold and silver, one for immortal coins.
The little girl suddenly felt guilty. "Kind Mountain Lord, actually, I bought the cheapest wine at the tavern. The other immortal wines were too expensive; I couldn't bear to."
Mi Yu wanted to comfort her—it's okay, the thought counts, it was already generous. Wang Ji and the others should be grateful to get a pot of wine.
But the Hidden Official was different. He rubbed Little Mili's head and teased, "Why so stingy? Where's that Mute Woman Lake Water Monster who once urged me to use a Guyu Coin to buy a string of bells?"
Little Mili grinned. "Frugal management!"
Chen Ping'an nodded. "Like me. Indeed, birds of a feather flock together."
Mi Yu clasped his hands behind his head. Occasionally, women cast glances his way, but our Great Sword Immortal Mi never looked sideways.
"Kind Mountain Lord, is there really a place where a meal costs two or three Xiaoshu Coins?"
"Of course there is. Not just Xiaoshu Coins—there are feasts that cost Guyu Coins. Tsk, every chopstickful is eating immortal coins."
"Would you even be able to lift the chopsticks?"
Chen Ping'an put on a straight face, raised his hand in a chopstick-holding gesture, deliberately trembling his wrist. "That's right. I'd have to pick up food like this."
"Then that's really gorging yourself."
"That's right. In the future, whenever there's a chance, I'll definitely bring you along to broaden your horizons."
"Ha! Then I'll negotiate with the host—I'll take one less bite, eat one less dish, drink one less sip, and have it converted to cash for me."
"No way. That would be so degrading. I could never open my mouth. Looks like I can't bring you along, or I'd end up a little beggar squatting by the table with a bowl asking for money."
"Ha! Just thinking about it is quite fun. Just thinking."
Mi Yu listened to their conversation and found it very interesting.
Zhou Mili, Chen Nuanshu, Cao Qinglang.
No matter their identities, they were the beautiful things in the Hidden Official's heart.
Like holding a small bowl, flowers bloom in spring, the sky is clear, no troubles today, safe and sound.
In matters, do not ask about harvest but about cultivation; seek not from outside. In the heart, diligently cultivate morality and wisdom, pray to Heaven.
---
A young emperor, incognito, visited a city within his domain. He was accompanied by a Golden Core realm royal offering—not old, the closed-door disciple of a revered guardian immortal. That Nascent Soul old immortal had died with the previous emperor in the capital. The old capital of the Dayuan Dynasty had long been reduced to ruins, a relic, razed by the demon army. Also with him was a eunuch, the young emperor's personal bodyguard, and a military officer surnamed Bao, of high rank, a veritable regional commander.
Those receiving the party included Guqiu and the maidservant Xiaofang, the martial artist Hong Chou, the loose cultivator Wang Mameng, and the dazed-looking Qian Hound.
It was early spring, with many state rituals. The current emperor was not a cultivator, so he came by ferry. Now, the two groups walked together toward an abandoned mansion. The emperor, Yuan Ying, said softly, "Guqiu, this matter is significant. You should have notified General Bao earlier so we could do our duty as hosts. After all, that Immortal Cui is a sect leader. In today's Tongye Continent, immortal mansions with 'sect' in their name are few and far between."
The young emperor didn't intend to blame Guqiu.
Yuan Ying's court had learned of this in a roundabout way. First, Qian Hound let slip to Wang Mameng about Xiandu Mountain and Qingping Sword Sect. Wang Mameng was meticulous and, though she had fallen out with Hong Chou, still told him about that group, especially the man in blue named Cui Dongshan, who seemed to be from Baoping Continent. Once it involved the northern neighbor, Hong Chou became interested and used his network to contact General Bao... One thing led to another, eventually alerting Emperor Yuan Ying.
Facing an emperor, Guqiu remained composed. "General Bao has military and civil duties. I didn't know the inside story earlier, so I naturally wouldn't trouble him with uncertain trivia."
The powerful general's face showed embarrassment.
Yuan Ying smiled and let it go. They arrived at Qian Hound's house. Trembling, Qian Hound brought two chairs and stammered, "Your Majesty, that night, Sect Leader Cui and Mr. Chen sat right here. The positions of the chairs are exactly the same."
It was his first time dealing with an emperor, and Qian Jun couldn't speak smoothly.
Seeing Qian Hound's hands shaking as he moved the chairs, Wang Mameng covered her mouth and giggled. This man could sit around a stove with a sect leader and chat for most of an hour, yet he was so nervous before a mortal emperor.
The old Dayuan Yuan Dynasty had once been a powerful state in northern Tongye Continent. Now its territory was split into three, with three imperial relatives from branch families declaring themselves emperors, each claiming legitimacy. The other two states were considered illegitimate. In the old days, the Dayuan Yuan Dynasty and the Daquan Yao Dynasty had both dared to use their full national strength to resist the demon invasion. Yuan had mustered armies at the border, the interior, and the capital. But unlike Daquan Yao, they failed to defend the capital, and the dynastic line was cut off. Now the old dynasty was divided into three, its national strength greatly diminished.
Among them, the new monarch Yuan Ying had gathered a group of old civil and military officials from the former dynasty. However, many generals, especially the younger ones, had defected to Yuan Li, who had also ascended the throne. Yuan Ying knew his own bitterness: they simply thought his official hats weren't big enough, his rewards too meager, his ennoblements too stingy. They shopped around—fine birds choose their trees. But Yuan Ying didn't think placing those warlord generals in key positions would be good for the court or the people.
Yuan Ying didn't despise their origins. If they had genuine talent and acted even slightly properly, he would have accepted them. But they hoarded troops, drew salaries for nonexistent soldiers, demanded offices and money. Some old strategists advised Yuan Ying to turn a blind eye, get through the crisis first, lest those arrogant troops and fierce generals defect elsewhere—a loss of strength meant the state itself might not survive. But Yuan Ying didn't agree. As a result, the general by his side, Bao, was the best of a bad lot.
He had to admit that the truly capable generals had all gone to Yuan Li. That man was most generous: mansions in the "capital," titles, beauties, gold and silver—whatever bold martial artists asked for, Yuan Li gave. What he couldn't give immediately, he promised. When they conquered territory and earned military merits, he converted those lands into rewards... That was why Yuan Bi wanted to ally with Yuan Ying. But Yuan Ying knew such a remedy was worse than the disease—it was like seeking skin from a tiger. In the end, the emperor who did nothing was seen as indecisive and soft-hearted.
Qian Hound was sweating profusely, his tongue tied. He mumbled, "Reporting to Your Imperial Majesty, that night, Cui Dongshan sat on this chair, and this chair was for his teacher. These two land immortals from Xiandu Mountain were extremely approachable. Somehow, they took a liking to me and chatted for quite a while..."
Some of these flowery phrases Qian Hound had picked up from miscellaneous books and plays. Whether they were appropriate or not was a gamble!
Qian Jun still didn't know what earth-shattering event had occurred that required an emperor's personal visit to the city.
He just hoped not to get caught in the crossfire. With his thin arms and legs, there was barely any meat on him—not even enough to fill a gap between teeth.
Yuan Ying's expression was gentle. He just smiled and nodded.
Having a "sect"-level neighbor suddenly appear was like a thunderclap on flat ground for the Dayuan Dynasty.
If Yuan Ying remembered correctly, the entire history of Tongye Continent had only had a sword sect perhaps three or four thousand years ago?
Since fortune or misfortune couldn't be avoided, Yuan Ying had carefully reviewed all intelligence about this city. After weighing pros and cons, he still insisted on coming personally.
Yuan Ying laughed. "Qian Jun, don't be nervous. Tell me, what did the two immortals talk about with you that night?"
The young emperor ordered someone to bring two benches from the main hall. "Let's all sit and talk."
Qian Hound swallowed hard, perching half his buttocks on the bench. Yuan Ying couldn't help laughing. "Qian Jun, do you drink?"
Qian Hound hesitated, glancing at Wang Mameng from the corner of his eye. She looked aloof. Young lady, is this how you show loyalty?
Hong Chou cupped his fists. "Your Majesty, Qian Jun can drink, but not too much. Half a catty is best."
Yuan Ying smiled and nodded. "Then bring a pot of wine. Qian Jun, drink as you like."
Yuan Ying said to Guqiu, "I've seen what you did in this city. Guqiu, I'll temporarily assign you to fill the vacancy at this prefectural city god temple. When I rebuild the capital someday... well, let's talk about the future later. I won't make grand statements here."
Guqiu nodded silently.
Yuan Ying had wanted to say he would promote Guqiu to the capital city god temple, but he wasn't good at such buying-people's-hearts tactics, so he only said half.
"Hong Chou, you're a Sixth Realm grandmaster. If you're willing, go serve under General Bao. The specific official post will be discussed later. Within half a month at most, the court will give you a concrete answer."
Hong Chou immediately stood and cupped his fists in acceptance.
"Wang Mameng, you are an Upper Five Realm mountain immortal. If you're willing to found a sect, the court is willing to allocate a territory to you. As for money, I won't hide it—the court is indeed powerless."
Wang Mameng smiled. "Your Majesty overpraises me. I'm just a Dongfu realm qi practicer, barely touching the Upper Five. A rogue female cultivator with no dojo, drifting around—hardly worthy of being called an 'immortal.' Founding a sect is beyond my hopes. I'm used to a leisurely life, not necessarily suited for the mountain officialdom. I beg Your Majesty's pardon."
Yuan Ying nodded with a gentle expression. "I won't force you."
Then, emboldened by wine, Qian Hound recounted the casual chat from that night in full.
The more Emperor Yuan Ying heard, the more bottomless it seemed. Who exactly was that Mr. Chen, to serve as a sect leader's transmission teacher?
Guqiu suddenly spoke. "Your Majesty, there are visitors. Four in total. Two are ghost cultivators at the Golden Core realm. The other two are hard to gauge."
Soon, people arrived at the courtyard outside the house. Among the four, indeed two were Earth Immortal ghost cultivators.
Guqiu frowned slightly but quickly relaxed after a glance. The netherworld and the living have different paths; good and evil are distinct, not determined by whether one is human or ghost.
It was Cao Qinglang, Cui Wei, Wu Gou, and Xiao Manying.
Yuan Ying waved his hand, signaling no need for alarm, and stepped over the threshold into the courtyard.
The young man in Confucian robes, with a gentle expression, made a deep bow. "Cao Qinglang, registered cultivator of the Qingping Peak Patriarch Hall, Xiandu Mountain, greets Your Majesty."
The stern-faced middle-aged man said flatly, "Qingping Sword Sect, Lawkeeper Cui Wei."
The other two ghost cultivators then announced themselves: "Wu Gou, Patriarch Hall offering of Qingping Sword Sect." "Xiao Manying, Patriarch Hall offering."
The young emperor's heart stirred.
A sect's Patriarch Hall Lawkeeper Patriarch actually spoke after a registered cultivator?
Unfortunately, news was scarce in Tongye Continent these days, let alone affairs from other continents. Some hydrological newspapers had to be sent to places like Bicheng Ferry or Taoye Ferry and bought at high prices. Even worse, the court had to buy on credit from those immortals, most of whom were family offerings of old Dayuan noble families and never minded.
On the first day of spring, in the Xiandu Mountain region, the newly established Qingping Sword Sect, with first sect leader Cui Dongshan. Among the guests were Jade Gui Sect and the Daquan Dynasty.
That was all the information in the hydrological paper.
Cui Dongshan? Yuan Ying consulted some old cultivators of high Dao age; none had heard of him.
Yuan Ying straightened his robes and returned the bow to Cao Qinglang. "Yuan Ying, descendant of the Gaozong branch of Dayuan Yuan, greets Immortal Cao, Lawkeeper Cui, and the two offering immortals."
Cao Qinglang smiled. "Your Majesty need not be overly polite. Lawkeeper Cui, Offerings Wu and Xiao, and I have already surveyed the livelihoods within the territories of Your Majesty, Yuan Li, and Yuan Bi."
In fact, the other two emperors were better informed. Yuan Li, for instance, had already set out with his guardian immortal and the new Five Peaks mountain lords, making a grand procession to Xiandu Mountain.
Cao Qinglang said, "Governing a great state is like cooking a small fish. A clever woman cannot cook without rice, but she is still clever. A ruler who seeks quick success will gain temporary advantage, but it is not a long-term plan."
Emperor Yuan Ying was momentarily speechless.
Cui Wei said flatly, "Cao Qinglang is the direct disciple of Mountain Lord Chen of the upper sect Luopo Mountain. Therefore, Cao Qinglang's view is the view of the entire Qingping Sword Sect."
Hong Chou and Wang Mameng, who had remained relatively calm, were both shocked. They exchanged glances. In an instant, Hong Chou's forehead was covered in sweat. He swallowed and cupped his fists. "May I ask Immortal Cao and Lawkeeper Cui, is Luopo Mountain the one in Baoping Continent? And Mountain Lord Chen... is he the Mountain Lord Chen of Baoping Continent?"
Cao Qinglang smiled and nodded. Cui Wei asked back, "Otherwise?"
At this, the young emperor and his party were all dazed, just like Qian Hound.
But it was a good dream.
---
Qilong Alley.
Xie Gou hesitated but still didn't reveal her true form. After having her head pressed down, she shrank her neck, showing rare weakness. "Hey, now we're all family."
She laughed. "Xie Gou? Why such a name? 'Bai Jing,' 'Zhao Yun,' 'Wai Jing,' 'Yao Ling'—all fine names. Now, be careful your dog head doesn't get chopped off."
Bai Jing was a sword cultivator, and Bai Jing was also the new owner of that "Wei Jia." So by transmission, Bai Jing and Yang Zhi both had their own lineages.
Xie Gou smiled stiffly.
Sword Holder, Sword Attendant, Sword Spirit?
Xiao Mo tried to stand up. "Chen Ping'an" indicated for Xiao Mo to stay seated.
This wine table at the Thatched Shop in Qilong Alley now seemed like a vortex in the river of time, like water from a well not interfering with river water.
A poem by a Zen monk: "When a person walks on the bridge, the bridge flows, the water does not."
Whether by accident or not, it had long revealed the mystery.
That "Chen Ping'an" laughed. "Xiao Mo, my true body is still in Tongye Continent. As for the me before you, I'm just a pitiful person exiled by myself. Of course, I am still me."
Xiao Mo hesitated but still suppressed the awkwardness in his heart. "Xiao Mo greets the young master."
Bai Jing looked at this strange existence and asked a matching strange question. "Between you and that Chen Ping'an, who ate whom?"
For cultivators, the relationship between the Yangshen outer body or detached Yin spirit and the true body is clear: who is primary, who is secondary.
But the one before her—that was a profound matter.
In the wine shop, Zhao Denggao, Tian Jiuer, the white-haired boy now calling himself Konghou, and the young girl Cui Huasheng were all frozen in place.
She looked at the white-haired boy, an extraterrestrial demon, and laughed. "Playing the statue game?"
The white-haired boy rolled his eyes slightly. Since they were all family, what was there to fear? He stopped pretending to be a statue and immediately raised his arms and shouted, "Hidden Ancestor, your Dao is omnipotent, your fist suppresses three continents, your sword art is peerless, your demeanor is outstanding, your calculations never miss..."
The trajectory of the white-haired boy's arm movements pulled up strands of iridescent colors. The "words" he spoke scattered in the air like golden sand.
Chen Ping'an chuckled. "Continue. I never tire of good words."
The white-haired boy felt his throat was about to smoke. He looked at him with a plaintive gaze. "Hidden Ancestor, forgive my limited learning, I really have no more words."
Chen Ping'an smiled. "Don't want to brew some more?"
The white-haired boy sniffled, his face full of grievance. "I need to consult books, learn on the spot."
Bai Jing was slightly surprised. "Konghou, you're quite deep."
She had thought this neighbor was an immortal amusing himself in the human world, not expecting him to be a hidden Flying Ascension realm?
Between qi practitioners, same realm looking at same realm was like seeing flowers through fog. Unlike pure martial artists, who could judge martial arts realms by breath, footsteps, posture, and especially subtle changes in bones and muscles.
Sensing "Chen Ping'an's" gaze, Bai Jing understood. She asked tentatively, "Need to swear an oath?"
This small, palm-sized Huaihuang County had finally shown Bai Jing what it meant to hide dragons and crouching tigers. First, the gatekeeper Xian Wei, now a Flying Ascension extraterrestrial demon, was only an outer sect labor disciple of Luopo Mountain?
She patted Bai Jing's sable hat and sat beside her. "Konghou's identity is indeed no small matter. But swearing an oath is unnecessary. If he can't keep his mouth shut, that's not a great crime—just can't keep his head."
Bai Jing sighed involuntarily. "Man has times of defying Heaven; Heaven never cuts off a man's path."
The white-haired boy noticed Xie Gou's contemptuous gaze. Sidelong glance at me?
You short gourd, who do you think you are?
The white-haired boy put his hands on his hips and stared straight at Bai Jing.
Xie Gou spread her hands. "You win."
Chen Ping'an suddenly asked, "Bai Jing, by seniority, is Fei Fei your second-generation disciple?"
Xie Gou thought for a moment. "I have countless disciples and disciples' disciples. I can't even count them all. Unless I confront Fei Fei face to face and spar, it's hard to be sure. I slept until dawn. When I was at Yelu River before, I was in a hurry to see Xiao Mo, so I didn't even meet that junior Fei Fei."
According to Qing Tong, this Bai Jing had once built a dojo in that great sun of the Barren Wastes. But every few hundred years, the dojo needed rebuilding. Half of the demon cultivators who practiced the path of tempering the sun and moon in the Barren Wastes owed Bai Jing this favor. So when Chen Ping'an first heard Qing Tong mention Bai Jing, he guessed if Bai Jing was a "Fire Essence Incarnation." Unlike many moons, within the sun, even Flying Ascension cultivators proficient in fire techniques found it extremely difficult to live long. For instance, Fire Dragon True Person, hailed as the number one fire cultivator in the Haoran World, hadn't been able to walk this path and break into the Fourteen Realm.
Ten thousand years ago, there were many genius cultivators on the earth whose Dao foundations belonged to the "Divine Anomaly" path—reincarnations of gods with shattered golden bodies. Though their divine nature was incomplete, they were naturally suited for cultivation and often broke through realms quickly. But their Earth Immortal bottlenecks were harder to break than those of pure "Daoists."
As for Xie Gou saying she had "countless disciples and disciples' disciples," that wasn't empty boasting.
Xie Gou carefully glanced sideways at the woman in white beside her. Oh my, she's quite tall—almost a head taller than her.
Then Xie Gou looked at that Chen Ping'an. Why ask me? Why go far when you have the answer close? Ask the Sword Holder next to me.
She glanced at Xie Gou lazily. "Not a Fourteen Realm—why care?"
Xie Gou was furious. In the past, she was the one who said such things, just replacing "Fourteen Realm" with "Flying Ascension."
So indeed, she was a head shorter. Maybe more.
She also ignored a Bai Jing and said slowly, "Suppose there's a mountain in the human world. Take this Huaihuang County as the birthplace of a dragon."
"One day, announce to the world, establish a sect and be venerated as a patriarch."
"Leaders: Kou Ming, Cui Can, Qi Jingshun as three vice-leaders; Zheng Juzhong as lawkeeper; Liu Jubao as treasurer."
"These few can not only point out the direction of the Great Dao for others, but some also climb high first, leading by example, opening paths, turning natural moats into thoroughfares. At the same time, they check each other's omissions in scholarship, education, and achievements. In just one Patriarch Hall, seated are five Fourteen Realm grand cultivators."
Even Bai Jing was dumbfounded.
Fourteen Realm grand cultivators—were they cabbages in a roadside garden? Clumped together, one after another?