Chapter 988: Fleeting Youth, Carrying Wine to Rush the Mountain

Chapter 988: Fleeting Youth, Carrying Wine to Rush the Mountain

At the end of the first month of the sixth year of Chunping, a torrential downpour struck Chuzhou. At high noon, the sky remained as dark as night, but suddenly the thunder and rain ceased. After the rain, the sky cleared, washing the mountains into a lush green. The spring sun was warm, and orioles and sparrows flitted among the branches, drops of rain flying in the spring breeze.

Chen Ping'an had already lent the fist manual gifted by Konghou to Zhu Lian for perusal.

Since the two parties had agreed to have a fistfight in the capital of Nanyuan Kingdom, they would truly have a good brawl.

Shao Yunyan and Mrs. Tuoyan, who had been traveling through Baoping Continent visiting its landscapes, were about to visit Luopo Mountain together.

Since they had already sent a flying sword message to Jise Peak informing them of their travel dates, Chen Ping'an brought Wei Wenlong to the mountain gate that day to brew tea and wait for the guests.

Wei Bo materialized at the mountain gate, looking elegant and refined, his white robe as pure as snow, his divine bearing lofty as if walking on a jade mountain.

Sitting at the table, Wei Bo poured himself a cup of tea and said, "Your two guests have already arrived at Huaihuang County."

Chen Ping'an laughed and said, "Is this kind of trivial matter worth the Mountain Lord Wei personally coming to inform me? If you were sincere, you would go to the town to help me welcome them. That would show some respect."

Wei Bo didn't respond, only expressed his thanks. He didn't intend to stay long; after drinking a bowl of tea, he returned to the Mountain Lord's mansion, not wanting to delay Mountain Lord Chen in receiving his guests.

Because that Pure Yang True Man, who had visited Luopo Mountain a few days earlier, had taken a step ahead, using his great divine power to shrink the earth and cross mountains, striding directly to the northernmost tip of Baoping Continent. It seemed he intended to cross the sea and travel north to Julu Continent. Yet for some reason, the True Man had returned to the Northern Sacred Mountain's domain, coming to Luopo Mountain's subordinate peak called Yuanmu Peak. On a cliff face where ancient pines and old vines wound like giant eels over the mountain, Lü Yan, holding a gourd ladle to drink wine with one hand and forming a sword technique with the other as a brush, had carved a Daoist poem on the cliff. At Chen Ping'an's heartfelt reminder, Wei Bo immediately rushed to Yuanmu Peak, and while the Pure Yang True Man was in the throes of poetic inspiration, he tactfully invited him to his own Piyun Mountain to do the same—to inscribe a piece of calligraphy on the cliff. Even if there was no complete poem, even a character or two would be fine. Probably out of respect for Mountain Lord Chen, Lü Yan did not refuse and indeed followed Wei Bo to Piyun Mountain. The mountain was high with lingering snow. Lü Yan was generous with his "brush and ink." After a moment's thought, he carved a line of praise that read like a preface to a poem:

"Carrying wine to rush the mountain, snow blows against the drunken face. Having seen thousands of mountains in a lifetime, the first concern is Piyun."

Piyun Mountain was, after all, a "new sacred mountain." Compared to cliff inscriptions, it was truly meager. Among the Five Sacred Mountains of Baoping Continent, it was probably only slightly better than Fan Junmao's Southern Sacred Mountain.

With such a profoundly Daoist inscription on his own mountain, Wei Bo felt that the Central Sacred Mountain of Jin Qing was rustic.

After drinking the tea, Wei Bo smiled and said, "If there are any similar good deeds in the future, be sure to include my Piyun Mountain."

Chen Ping'an agreed, and Wei Bo promptly poured tea for Mountain Lord Chen himself, then left with satisfaction, having come in high spirits.

Wei Wenlong kept a stiff face, occasionally glancing toward the mountain path.

Chen Ping'an found it amusing, because the Finance Hall Master of his own mountain was very nervous. At this moment, drinking tea was like using alcohol to calm his nerves.

Walking along the mountain path, the two guests arrived at the mountain gate. When they met, Shao Yunyan and Mrs. Tuoyan habitually addressed Chen Ping'an as "Hidden Official."

The Finance Hall Master of Luopo Mountain, the head of the Spring Treasury, Wei Wenlong, with a solemn expression, bowed to Shao Yunyan with clasped hands and said, "Disciple Wei Wenlong greets Master."

Shao Yunyan only nodded in acknowledgment. Back when he was among the direct disciples of Chunfan Studio, Shao Yunyan had never thought highly of Wei Wenlong, a disciple who only enjoyed mathematics.

It wasn't that he wasn't close to Wei Wenlong—after all, Shao Yunyan only had a few direct disciples—but neither was the master-disciple relationship particularly warm. Moreover, Wei Wenlong had been a quiet, taciturn child who couldn't be pried open with a crowbar, and Shao Yunyan had never been an affable master or grandmaster within Chunfan Studio.

Shao Yunyan turned to Chen Ping'an and asked, "Hidden Official, here at Luopo Mountain, where does Wei Wenlong sit in the Ancestral Hall?"

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Only three people are ahead of him: myself, the Law Keeper Changming, and the Chief Supporter Zhou Fei. So Wei Wenlong is considered the fourth in line at Luopo Mountain."

In most sects, there were several elders of advanced age and high seniority, mostly given honorary titles without real power. However, their positions in the Ancestral Hall were often very prominent. If they were one or two realms behind the current sect leader, their seats might be second only to the sect leader, even ahead of the Law Keeper's seat.

Shao Yunyan laughed and said, "I never felt it before, but now standing at the foot of Luopo Mountain, it seems quite nice."

Wei Wenlong smiled sheepishly.

Sensing his master's glance, Wei Wenlong immediately straightened his face, suppressing his smile.

Chen Ping'an complained, "Sword Immortal Shao, I have to remind you: Hall Master Wei is a big shot here at Luopo Mountain. Please be more polite. Don't always put on the master's airs with a sour face."

Shao Yunyan didn't argue with the Hidden Official. "Wenlong, your mountain lord has criticized me. What do you think? Should I, as your master, force a smile?"

Wei Wenlong said nervously, "No need, no need. Master is fine as you have always been."

But when Hall Master Wei turned to speak to Chen Ping'an, he immediately regained his composure and said calmly, "Mountain Lord, my master has always been like this—cold face, warm heart. There's no need for Master to act differently; it would only make me uncomfortable."

Chen Ping'an exchanged a glance with Shao Yunyan and smiled.

Mrs. Tuoyan secretly pouted. Back at Daoxuan Mountain, she never would have guessed that the dull bookkeeper Wei of Chunfan Studio would have such opportunities and achievements today. Comparing people could really drive one to death.

Now, this Mrs. Tuoyan was named Mei Su, with the Dao name "Plum Blossom Master."

At the Green Plum View in Nantang Lake, she had consumed one hundred and twenty years of cultivation, but falsely reported it as one hundred and fifty.

Earlier, while traveling through the Rain Dragon Sect, which had changed dynasties, Shao Yunyan was invited by Sect Leader Nalan Caihuan. Because Mrs. Tuoyan had a good relationship with Yun Qian of the Water Crystal Palace in the past, they were now both honorary guests of the Rain Dragon Sect.

It seemed the Hidden Official had finally taken notice of the second guest.

Chen Ping'an glanced at Mrs. Tuoyan and said with a smile, "Traveling the world and being kind to others is never a bad thing."

Mrs. Tuoyan smiled awkwardly, grumbling inwardly.

Hidden Official, you really need to break that habit of trying to be everyone's teacher.

Chen Ping'an squinted, as if seeing through her thoughts. "Should I change that?"

Mrs. Tuoyan deliberately looked confused. Chen Ping'an didn't care and continued, "Nalan Caihuan is still the same. It's so awkward to talk about money hurting feelings, and she won't even pay you that much."

The host and guests began climbing the mountain together, and they encountered Cen Yuanji, who was practicing fist stances on the way down. She exchanged a glance with Mountain Lord Chen, and Chen Ping'an smiled, gently shaking his head to signal her not to stop and talk.

Mrs. Tuoyan asked telepathically, "What's with her?"

Chen Ping'an was too lazy to answer such questions. Even though he had already sent a flying sword message to Shao Yunyan, he once again brought up the invitation from the Nine Doubts Mountain God "Cangwu" to Mrs. Tuoyan, while also chatting with her about the local customs of Nine Doubts Mountain. After all, some things, especially involving inside information, wouldn't be publicized in landscape gazettes. The Middle Earth gazettes would not discuss matters of the Five Sacred Mountains; it was almost an unwritten rule, with occasional exceptions.

This made Mrs. Tuoyan quite proud. Being personally invited by a Middle Earth Five Sacred Mountain Lord was not extremely rare, but definitely uncommon.

Chen Ping'an asked, "Are you going straight back to the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect?"

Shao Yunyan shook his head and said, "We'll continue traveling north and return to our hometown."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "It's time to go back and take a look."

Shao Yunyan, a sword immortal who had been away from home for many years, was originally from Northern Julu Continent.

Back then, Liu Jinglong had brought his disciple Baishou to visit Chunfan Studio, and of course, there was also a female cultivator, Lu Sui, the direct disciple of the Water Sutra Mountain Sect Leader, who was deeply in love with Liu Jinglong.

During that visit, Liu Jinglong had ordered a nourishing sword gourd from Chunfan Studio for his disciple. Shao Yunyan gave him a very fair price, but it still made Baishou break out in a cold sweat.

And that gourd vine, an unparalleled innate treasure of the cultivation world, had borne fourteen gourds. However, according to Shao Yunyan's calculations, only seven gourds would eventually be successfully refined into top-grade nourishing sword gourds. From obtaining a gourd vine to the moment it was about to "ripen," Shao Yunyan had waited nearly a thousand long years. The entire construction of Chunfan Studio was for the purpose of cultivating this item.

The reason Liu Jinglong was able to reserve one of them was that among the seven, someone couldn't purchase as agreed, freeing up an extra spot, which Liu Jinglong, arriving just in time, managed to snag.

The first floor of the bamboo building was too small for entertaining guests, so Chen Ping'an led the two visitors to a temporarily vacant residence on Jiling Peak.

After they took their seats, Chen Ping'an pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Shao Yunyan. On it was a list of names and items.

Shao Yunyan carefully scanned it. Chen Ping'an said, "Price is not an issue. As long as the other party is willing to name a price, just agree for me."

Shao Yunyan immediately saw the pattern and asked doubtfully, "What do you need all this literary fortune for?"

On the list, besides the literary fortune calamus of Nine Doubts Mountain, there were also many major sects and great cultivators from Middle Earth Divine Continent, Northern Julu Continent, and Southern Posa Continent. Most of the sects listed were ones Shao Yunyan was familiar with. Regarding the six cultivators who had purchased the nourishing sword gourds, Shao Yunyan had never concealed anything from Chen Ping'an back then; there was nothing to hide. As one of the four private estates of Daoxuan Mountain, Chunfan Studio actually had a deeper connection to the cultivation world than the Ape Trampling Estate of the Bai'ai Continent Liu Clan, Mrs. Tuoyan's Plum Garden, and the Water Crystal Palace of the Rain Dragon Sect.

Originally lounging lazily against her chair, Mrs. Tuoyan perked up at the mention of "literary fortune." Her interest was piqued. Could it be that our Hidden Official, using his identity as a closed-door disciple of the Literary Sage, planned to become a sacrificial wine of the Confucian Temple Academy in the future, or even the... Vice-Leader?!

Chen Ping'an explained, "Our Luopo Mountain's little steward is called Chen Ruchu, Dao name 'Warm Tree.' Little Warm Tree has a literary fortune fire python origin. She is currently at the Dragon Gate Realm. Forming a golden core is a major hurdle in cultivation, and due to her Dao foundation, her 'crossing the water' is somewhat special."

Shao Yunyan said, "Even with these external aids, she will ultimately need to cross the water."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Don't worry about that. I have my own plans."

Liu Xianyang had once given Chen Ping'an a scroll of overturning wind, which Chen Ping'an had initially given to Chen Nuanshu. Later, it ended up with Cao Qinglang. Cao Qinglang had mentioned it helplessly, and Chen Ping'an told him not to overthink it and just keep it.

After all, if Little Warm Tree insisted, not even Cao Qinglang could argue, nor the old cook, nor Chen Ping'an himself.

Shao Yunyan thought for a moment. "I do have some connections with these sects and cultivators, albeit indirect. But the items on your list are not a matter of price. Moreover, none of the sects on the list are short of money. My influence may not be enough. Can I use your name?"

Chen Ping'an nodded. "No problem. Feel free, Sword Immortal Shao. I'll just be responsible for paying. If the other party doesn't want money and prefers barter, or proposes some non-monetary requests—for example, wanting me to attend a ceremony or asking for my seal—you can agree on my behalf."

Shao Yunyan looked at Chen Ping'an, somewhat curious about who this "Warm Tree" was.

Mrs. Tuoyan also stared blankly at the young Hidden Official.

She felt a pang of jealousy. Why did she always get the short end of the stick in front of the Hidden Official, while that Dragon Gate Realm literary fortune fire python was treated like a priceless treasure?

Chen Ping'an suddenly coughed, signaling them to stop discussing the matter for now.

Soon, a little girl in a pink skirt entered, carrying a tray of fruits and pastries. Her steps were light as she knocked on the door. Seeing her master nod with a smile, she stepped over the threshold, placed the tray on the table, curtsied to the two guests, and announced her name in a clear voice. Then, Warm Tree prepared to leave.

Mrs. Tuoyan observed the pink-skirted little girl, whom the young Hidden Official had described as the little steward of Luopo Mountain. She was a delicately carved little girl, quite adorable in appearance.

Chen Ping'an picked up a tangerine from the tray and handed it to her with a smile. Chen Nuanshu smiled shyly, gently shook her head, and said softly, "If you need anything, Master, just call me. I'll be waiting in the courtyard outside."

Chen Ping'an didn't insist and nodded with a smile.

After the pink-skirted little girl left the room, Shao Yunyan said, "A thousand years later, I'm going back to my hometown this time, mainly to visit Water Sutra Mountain."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "It's time to catch up over there."

Back then, Shao Yunyan had asked Liu Jinglong to escort Lu Sui, sending that immortal-grade gourd vine to Water Sutra Mountain in Northern Julu Continent. Originally, if such a thing were to leak out, it could easily lead to disaster. If Liu Jinglong had not been a Jade Pure Sword Immortal and his sect, the Taihui Sword Sect, did not have deep roots in Northern Julu Continent, Shao Yunyan would not have dared to make such a request. A single misstep would only harm both parties, not only losing the precious treasure but also ruining the Dao path of a celestial embryo sword cultivator. After all, wealth moves hearts, especially when it came to this priceless gourd vine, which could potentially give birth to a whole new string of "nourishing sword gourds" in the next millennium.

Shao Yunyan tentatively asked, "What about Sect Leader Liu and Lu Sui? Can the Hidden Officer help bring them together?"

Chen Ping'an felt a headache and said helplessly, "Sword Immortal Shao, Great Sword Immortal Shao! How can I, an outsider, bring that up?"

Besides, wasn't Sun Qing, the sect leader of Caique Manor, also one of Liu the Great Drinker's admirers?

Shao Yunyan sighed. Lu Sui and Liu Jinglong of Taihui Sword Sect, and Lu Sui's master and himself—so alike, all suffering from bitter longing.

That gourd vine had been discovered by Shao Yunyan and Lu Sui's master together in a secret realm of a shattered cave heaven. For being able to acquire it, her contribution was greater, yet she unhesitatingly gave the precious treasure to Shao Yunyan. They were supposed to become Daoist partners, but due to a twist of fate and various reasons, they never ended up together. Shao Yunyan also worried that in Northern Julu Continent, he wouldn't be able to protect this mountain-top treasure of a gourd vine, so he went alone to Daoxuan Mountain.

So later, when he saw Lu Sui, he treated her like his own daughter.

Chen Ping'an asked curiously, "What was the 'result'?"

Mrs. Tuoyan picked up a tangerine and casually threw the peels on the floor. She earned a sideways glance from the young Hidden Officer and immediately bent down silently to pick up the peels, sitting up straight with the peels resting on her lap.

Shao Yunyan nodded and smiled. "The result was better than expected. There are definitely eight that can be refined into nourishing sword gourds. There's one more that may or may not succeed, but it holds some hope. And that one, once refined into a nourishing sword gourd, would be of the highest rank. But no one dares to gamble on it, because I set a very high price, even higher than the other seven nourishing sword gourds. To be honest, I did it on purpose; I never intended to sell it."

"You intend to give it to me?"

Chen Ping'an's eyes lit up, and he said solemnly, "As a congratulatory gift for the establishment of our Luopo Mountain's subordinate sect, it's far too valuable, not quite appropriate. But if Sword Immortal Shao insists, I can only accept with all due respect."

Mrs. Tuoyan smiled.

Shao Yunyan said, "If the Hidden Officer is willing to speak up as a matchmaker, I will give you that unexpected nourishing sword gourd and present it to Luopo Mountain for free!"

Mrs. Tuoyan's heart trembled at these words. Shao Yunyan, you really are willing to dig deep.

Chen Ping'an waved his hand with a smile. "No, no, no. If I dared to say such a thing, Liu the Great Drinker would definitely break off our friendship."

Shao Yunyan seemed about to speak but hesitated.

Chen Ping'an asked with a smile, "Could it be that Bai Chang got wind of it and asked you for the eighth nourishing sword gourd before going into seclusion?"

Shao Yunyan nodded.

Chen Ping'an said, "Then don't hesitate. Sell it. Why not? Price it sky-high."

Shao Yunyan breathed a sigh of relief.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Bridges are bridges, roads are roads. Business is business. No need to be sentimental about such things."

Shao Yunyan felt relieved.

Chen Ping'an suddenly asked, "That gourd that might be a loss if bought—leaving aside the outrageous price you set, what would it cost if an acquaintance wanted to buy it?"

Shao Yunyan held up one finger.

Chen Ping'an clicked his tongue in amazement. Even for a friend, it was still a thousand Guyu Coins?!

Sword Immortal Shao, you're not doing business; you're robbing people.

Mrs. Tuoyan said, "On the way here, I already discussed it with Shao Yunyan. If the Hidden Officer didn't buy it, I would pay for it and give it to Mr. Lu as a gift to wish her well on her way to the Flying Ascension Realm."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "That's thoughtful."

After hesitating for a moment, Chen Ping'an tentatively said, "Sword Immortal Shao, we're all family here. A thousand Guyu Coins is a bit much. Five hundred seems more reasonable. After all, it's a gamble. If you lose, it's money down the drain—five hundred Guyu Coins is still a lot. Toss this gourd away, and you can't bear to part with it. Keep it, and it gnaws at you every time you see it. Five hundred..."

Shao Yunyan was too lazy to haggle and asked with a smile, "Hidden Officer, are you really not buying?"

Chen Ping'an was indeed torn. He scratched his head and said, "If it weren't for the matter of excavating the great river, I would grit my teeth and buy it. But right now, I'm truly broke."

There were many people he could give it to, but Chen Ping'an had no confidence in his "luck."

If it happened not to be refined into a nourishing sword gourd, and if by some chance Liu Xianyang found out, Chen Ping'an could fully imagine being strangled by Liu Xianyang, his head held down while he was cursed at: "You're so rich, why don't you just give me the money directly!"

Chen Ping'an glanced at Mrs. Tuoyan, who seemed indifferent, and waved his hand to indicate he wouldn't buy it. At the same time, he sent a telepathic message to Shao Yunyan.

Mrs. Tuoyan's eyes burned with desire, but she still asked cautiously, "Shao Yunyan?"

Shao Yunyan smiled. "It's yours."

Only then did Mrs. Tuoyan cannot help but laugh out loud.

Chen Ping'an twitched the corner of his mouth. "What, spending only a hundred Guyu Coins makes Mrs. Tuoyan so happy?"

Mrs. Tuoyan was immediately speechless.

Shao Yunyan smiled knowingly. This was probably what they meant by "a gentleman helps others achieve good things." It turned out that Chen Ping'an had already guessed the situation. The reason he hadn't snatched it away was probably because of that "thoughtful" comment. After all, Mrs. Tuoyan wasn't keeping it for herself; she was giving it to Lu Zhi.

Chen Ping'an turned his head toward the door and said, "Warm Tree, brew us a pot of tea. Use the mountain wild tea the old cook stir-fried."

The pink-skirted little girl hurried into the room, took out the tea set from the cabinet, and began brewing tea skillfully. Chen Ping'an introduced with a smile, "This Sword Immortal Shao is the former owner of Chunfan Studio at Daoxuan Mountain. Mrs. Tuoyan, Dao name Plum Blossom Master. They are both ancestral hall consecrators of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect in Southern Posa Continent."

"Chen Ruchu, Dao name Warm Tree, is our little steward at Luopo Mountain. Warm Tree was the first to come with me to the ancestral residence in Huaihuang County."

Speaking thus far, Chen Ping'an's eyes were tender. "She was the first."

As for Master Jingqing, let him stand aside and come in second.

The most beautiful scenery in life is like the first encounter; how wonderful is that scenery.

Warm Tree looked up upon hearing this, a soft smile in her eyes.

---

On the banks of the Phosphorus River, a thatched hut had been built, with a stall set up at the door. On the table were three wine bowls.

A white-clad youth squatted by the river, chewing a blade of grass, his eyes vacant. He raised both hands and tossed a pebble back and forth.

Two people arrived as promised. About two li from the stall, there was a tall, slender man in a Confucian robe, Yu Lu, a far-traveling martial artist, carrying a bamboo box on his back and holding a green bamboo staff.

And there was Xie Xie, who was currently at the bottleneck of the Golden Core Realm.

Yu Lu turned to look at the Phosphorus River, feeling a sense of familiarity. It was a good place for fishing. As he accompanied Xie Xie along the river for less than half an hour, they found three excellent fishing spots.

As for why they didn't just fly directly to the hut, it was because Xie Xie needed to stabilize her Dao heart. After all, she was going to see Cui Dongshan, and there was even a possibility she would become his disciple.

Being able to persist without turning around and fleeing as far as possible from Cui Dongshan, Yu Lu felt that Xie Xie had truly achieved some cultivation of the heart over the years.

To lighten Xie Xie's mood a little, Yu Lu deliberately found a topic and laughed. "Even a fool knows that this Phosphorus River, connected to the western sea of the continent, along with its main tributaries, stretches for ten thousand li. It's a treasure trove perfect for building a celestial ferry. But the problem is, when even a fool knows a certain business is profitable, it's bound to be a pitfall."

Xie Xie, distracted, forced a smile. How could she be in the mood to care about a Phosphorus River?

As Yu Lu said, the facts proved it. Earlier, near the source, middle, and end of the Phosphorus River, various forces in the middle reaches of Tongye Continent had banded together, calling friends and pooling money, engaging in massive construction. They successively built three ferry prototypes. During this process, many forces retreated, feeling they couldn't win against the bigger players and unwilling to waste money. The old owner of the nearby ferry was one of them. Moreover, because he was a bit slow to react, he still lost a large amount of immortal money. The reason was that while building the ferry halfway, having just laid the foundations, the forces of the ferries at the source and the end of the Phosphorus River suddenly joined forces. It was as if the head and tail had been cut off, making the middle part a chicken rib. One side threatened to invest heavily in building a landscape grand formation to completely cut off the water transport of the upper Phosphorus River. The other celestial force at the mouth of the Phosphorus River was even more despicable. They directly spent a fortune to hire a group of water-dwelling spirits and monsters who had lost their temples and incense, making them consecrators. Every day, they stirred up trouble in the middle section of the Phosphorus River, frantically drawing away water fortune. Most of these were former local gods of small kingdoms' licentious shrines. They even put on airs to build temples nearby, intending to act as officially sanctioned river earls and water gods. The most outrageous thing was that only after the celestial force that had withdrawn from the ferry discovered that the ferry at the mouth of the Phosphorus River was just a decoy—they had never actually broken ground. It was clear from the start that they intended to come to the middle of the Phosphorus River and seize the nest.

After that, a clueless white-clad youth appeared out of nowhere, stepping in to take over the ready-made ferry foundation.

Of course, the process wasn't that smooth. That wild cultivator of unknown identity and remarkable appearance seemed to know the rules. He set up a challenge arena near the ferry, welcoming heroes from all over the world, and also set up a wine stall.

Approaching the hut, Xie Xie looked at the "white-clad youth" squatting by the river. Instinctively, her breathing quickened. It felt like every extra step she took consumed a great deal of mental energy.

Over the years of traveling through Baoping Continent together, Yu Lu had often half-jokingly teased her: "Be careful, your future inner demon might be Cui Dongshan."

Xie Xie was truly afraid. She feared Cui Dongshan, but she feared even more the "inner demon Cui Dongshan"!

Thus, Yu Lu's half-joking remark, "choose the lesser of two evils," finally made Xie Xie decide that since she couldn't avoid it, she would face Cui Dongshan head-on!

This time, gritting her teeth and coming to the Phosphorus River, Xie Xie hoped to lessen her fear of Cui Dongshan. Otherwise, if she became a Nascent Soul cultivator and then tried to break the bottleneck of the Nascent Soul Realm to reach the Jade Pure Realm, if her inner demon really turned out to be Cui Dongshan... Just thinking about it made Xie Xie despair.

Back when they studied together at the Great Sui Academy, Cui Dongshan seemed to target only her.

But for some reason, this reunion in a strange land, seeing the squatting, dazed Cui Dongshan, Xie Xie felt he seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

The Cui Dongshan in her memory wouldn't be so... mentally exhausted?

Cui Dongshan threw the pebble in his hand into the river, directly knocking out a water spirit that had sneaked there to spy. The spirit revealed its true form. They say the horizon shows fish-belly white, but here, only the belly of a huge dark fish floated in the middle of the Phosphorus River—at least three hundred catties, a big one indeed! In the first month, offering a late New Year's greeting? Sending fish meat for dinner.

Setting up a village feast wouldn't be a problem.

Cui Dongshan stood up and complained, "Yu Lu, why didn't you come earlier? I had to suffer three fierce punches from a martial grandmaster at the Golden Body Realm. Those three punches, heaven-shattering and earth-shaking, changing the sun and moon! The weight of those blows is beyond the imagination of outsiders! I spat out several catties of blood on the spot and almost kicked the bucket. If that happened, wouldn't it cause our Miss Xie Xie to waste a lot of money?"

Xie Xie didn't understand and didn't want to.

But Cui Dongshan wouldn't let her off. "Xie Xie, tell me, why would you spend money?"

Just as Xie Xie's face turned pale, Yu Lu laughed. "Sect Leader Cui thinks that if you heard the bad news, you'd probably buy a bunch of firecrackers to celebrate."

Cui Dongshan gave Yu Lu a thumbs up, then shifted his gaze to the flustered Xie Xie. He sighed lightly. Trouble. Taking such a dull disciple.

Xie Xie was already so nervous that her palms were sweaty. She already wanted to return to Baoping Continent.

People who haven't been to the "Punish Stupidity Place" have no right to call her cowardly.

Before coming to the ferry, Yu Lu had gathered some information. It had already spread. First, a martial arts grandmaster of the seventh realm took money to eliminate troubles. He didn't intend to kill anyone, but still punched the youth until he rolled on the ground. Another punch sent the youth spinning in the air a dozen times. The last punch smashed the youth's face into the ground.

In the end, that martial artist felt so guilty that he quickly helped the youth back to the stall. A fight without making enemies.

Then an old god-like Golden Core land immortal used three offensive spells unreservedly, beating the white-clad youth until his clothes were torn and he lay in a pit, foaming at the mouth and twitching all over.

Half-dead, he struggled to stand, staggering like a drunkard back to the stall. This youthful-looking wild cultivator was said to be extremely bold. Trembling, he lifted a bowl, first drank half a bowl of wine, then spat back half a bowl of blood.

Finally, a Golden Core sword cultivator, also a wild cultivator, somehow after exchanging a few words with the white-clad youth, this sword cultivator named Tao Ran switched sides on the spot and started guarding the arena for the white-clad youth. Not hard to guess—he must have offered Tao Ran a higher price. Damn wild cultivator, only money is their ancestor...

That was very Cui Dongshan.

Yu Lu was not surprised at all.

Cui Dongshan shook his sleeves and started circling Xie Xie, grinning. "Since you're here, consider it a tacit agreement that you are my direct disciple. The apprentice tea is waived. I won't drink it. I'm timid, afraid you might poison it or spit in it."

Xie Xie's body was tense, her face expressionless.

Cui Dongshan kept circling. "Let me have another named disciple on the registry. Thank you, thank you."

Xie Xie's forehead beaded with sweat.

This time, Yu Lu didn't help Xie Xie out. To pass the heart barrier and walk the single-plank bridge, others could neither pull nor support.

Cui Dongshan suddenly asked, "Yu Lu, do you still have those sword talismans forged by the Dragon Spring Sword Sect from the early years? If so, hand them over as part of Xie Xie's apprenticeship gift. I'll thank you on her behalf."

Yu Lu smiled and pulled several miniature sword talismans from his sleeve. "Don't worry, they are all from the 'early years.'"

Cui Dongshan took them. There were five of them, a small surprise. He thought there would be at most three. He asked with a smile, "How come so many?"

Yu Lu explained, "I had some spare money back then. So I reported two lost to the Dragon Spring Sword Sect and bought two more. Xu Xiaoqiao from the Blacksmith Shop by the Dragon Beard River probably let it slide because of my relationship with Chen Ping'an. He just reminded me not to do it more than three times. Also, Xu Xiaoqiao agreed to one of my requests. As for the other two sword talismans, I bought them from an immortal master at double the price. The seller probably still thinks it was a good deal."

Back then, in the Dragon Prefecture of the old Pearly Bead Cave Heaven ruins, any Qi refiner who wanted to fly up in the western mountain or pass by Dragon Prefecture by wind had to buy a sword talisman the size of a tiny flying sword from the Dragon Spring Sword Sect.

Now, old Dragon Prefecture had become new Chuzhou, and the Dragon Spring Sword Sect had moved to the northern capital region of Great Li. The Dragon Spring Sword Sect no longer forged such sword talismans used as travel permits, but the rule established by Ruan Qiong regarding holding talismans for wind travel was still observed by all. No one dared to break it, especially since Ruan Qiong was still the chief consecrator of Great Li.

Cui Dongshan praised, "Yu Lu, Yu Lu, you are indeed clever."

Cui Dongshan beckoned, pulling the large fish that was drifting downstream towards him. He shouted, jumped high, and kicked the huge fish.

Done with the attack, he clapped his hands. Cui Dongshan nodded to himself. "My kicking technique is invincible! Well done!"

The huge fish, kicked by Cui Dongshan and rolling on the ground, suddenly transformed into a humanoid form. It sat on the ground covered in dust, its appearance that of a burly man.

Cui Dongshan pointed a finger and cursed, "You bastard, you despicable coward! Hiding in the water, peeping and gawking. Are you coveting my disciple's fair skin and round backside, thinking she's good for bearing children? Do you want to kidnap her as your wife?"

Before the dizzy burly man could even compose a response, Cui Dongshan swept his sleeve, turning the man back into a fish, which then heavily crashed into the Phosphorus River, splashing a considerable wave. "Two armies at war, no killing the messenger. I'll spare your life this time. Deliver a message to your master: a straight man doesn't do shady things. If you have guts, name a place for a duel with me. If he wins, this ferry is his. If I win... how could I ever defeat a renowned far-traveling martial grandmaster!"

The dark fish didn't dare to regain human form. It frantically shook its head and tail, fleeing downstream.

Cui Dongshan twitched the corner of his mouth.

When the new ferry was built, it would require a lot of manpower to run it. At least thirty to fifty people would be needed to maintain normal operations of a celestial ferry. Fortunately, no high realms were needed, just manual labor without needing to think. Then he would catch all those water spirit gods from the licentious shrines in one net. None would escape.

Did they need salary? They were lucky to keep their lives; why give them money?

On Cui Dongshan's suggestion, the three of them walked upstream along the river. Yu Lu asked, "Does the ferry have a name yet?"

Cui Dongshan said with annoyance, "Finding a good name that pleases both refined and popular tastes isn't that simple. I'm not my master; I can't come up with one on a whim."

In Baoping Continent, there were Bull Horn Ferry, Green Robe Ferry on Immortal Capital Mountain, Wild Cloud Ferry on Lingbi Mountain—this was the fourth private celestial ferry.

Along the Phosphorus River, there were now many small kingdoms, a chaotic mix. Those who restored their lost nations and those who founded new empires were about half and half. Only a few Golden Core old gods, considered to have profound magical powers, served as national teachers or protecting true persons. They collected many titles, performed the Five Sacred Mountains coronation for new monarchs, ordained river gods and water deities, or established sects. They were extremely impressive, often simultaneously serving as the chief consecrators or guests of several small kingdoms. But the Confucian academies didn't interfere in such matters. Generally, as long as no Qi refiner violated the established rules of the Confucian Temple, the gentlemen and sages of the academies wouldn't meddle in the politics of various countries.

"Yu Lu, do you know the origin of the name Tongye (Paulownia Leaf) Continent?"

"I've read some local records and unofficial histories. It seems in ancient times, there was a talented and virtuous Daoist king from Middle Earth Divine Continent who cut a paulownia leaf from his palace garden into the shape of a jade gui and bestowed it upon his younger brother. The latter came to Tongye Continent and established a dynasty along the banks of an old great river. That long-lost river was named Fen Du. At its peak of water fortune, its main tributaries included twelve great rivers and waters, including the Hui River and Shu River. Due to changes in valleys and hills, what is now the Buried River of the Great Spring Dynasty is only a small section of Fen Du's estuary. As for the Phosphorus River at our feet, it was just an insignificant tributary of Fen Du in the past, no more than two thousand li long. To the north is Tongye Sect, to the south is Yujue Sect. In fact, tracing back to their origins, the two largest and longest-lasting southern and northern sects of Tongye Continent come from the same ancestor. Thus, the founding patriarchs of both sects share the same surname."

Xie Xie was also genuinely impressed. Yu Lu, a pure martial artist, had read so many miscellaneous books during his travels. She was roughly aware of it.

Cui Dongshan exclaimed in wonder, "Ask one question, get two answers. Is that a buy-one-get-one-free deal?"

Yu Lu smiled. "Consider it as me adding Xie Xie's answer as a bonus."

Cui Dongshan sighed, "If only you could lend just a tiny bit of your brain to my direct disciple."

Cui Dongshan put his hands on his hips. "Stupid disciple, I'm planning to expel you from the sect. I'm not joking. Be serious!"

Not only was Xie Xie dumbfounded and at a loss, but even Yu Lu was stunned. You, Cui Dongshan, are a sect leader, and you're still this frivolous?

The white-clad youth swayed his shoulders left and right, then lifted a snow-white sleeve, shook it, and said triumphantly, "My master isn't here. Go ahead, complain. Go complain."

Yu Lu sighed, reached into his sleeve, and pulled out an envelope with his fingertips.

Cui Dongshan, with lightning speed, said definitively to Xie Xie, "Good disciple, I was joking with you! Don't take it seriously!"

Yu Lu continued his motion. Cui Dongshan strode forward quickly, grabbing Yu Lu's arm with one hand and pushing the envelope back into his sleeve with the other. "Yu Lu, we are brothers who have shared hardships and riches. Don't start anything just because you disagree. We're brothers, don't be so quick to pull out the trump card. It only hurts the ones we love and delights the enemy."

Xie Xie grew even more bewildered.

What was Yu Lu doing? And what was Cui Dongshan doing?

Yu Lu sent a telepathic message to Xie Xie: "Before coming, I roughly guessed your situation. So I secretly obtained a protective charm for you."

Xie Xie understood.

If it weren't for facing Cui Dongshan, Xie Xie was actually an extremely intelligent and spirited woman.

Cui Dongshan put on a stern face and asked, "Xie Xie, when you see my master in the future, do you know what to call him?"

Just like the little mute from Qilong Alley, she would have to call him "master's master."

Xie Xie rarely put on a stern face.

Yu Lu shook his head secretly.

Cui Dongshan grinned, also rarely refraining from further torturing Xie Xie.

Cui Dongshan held the back of his head with both hands and sighed, "One can be serious and rigid in behavior, but one's words must not be harsh."

"Like me, having both good looks and a good heart—truly rare."

"Both of you were once darlings of heaven. One was the crown prince of the Lu Dynasty, once a suzerain state of the Great Li Song Clan. The other was hailed as the most promising genius to reach the Jade Pure Realm in the Lu Dynasty. But everything turned upside down, and you became criminal remnants. I remember you once worked as my servants, at the Yuan family's ancestral house in Erlang Alley? You have indeed endured very real hardships..."

"When a person is poorest, the good and bad people, the good and bad things they encounter, are all real."

"So my master still remembers a woman's bowl of rice, a bun handed over by some snot-nosed kid, the wooden figure from the next kitchen, the few eggs wrapped in red paper by an old woman, and so on. But I think having too good a memory isn't necessarily a good thing."

"As the saying goes, if you're not ruthless, money won't come into your pocket. It seems that for the lowest to become the highest, one must be ruthless, only ruthless. So a hard heart is a sharp knife that only hurts others. Actually, a soft heart is also a blunt knife, but it only wears down oneself. Every time you grit your teeth and tell yourself not to be that kind of person anymore, that so-called maturity is just holding a vigil for yesterday's self."

Yu Lu found it strange. This Cui Dongshan was a bit bizarre, because he was too "normal." Back on their study trip, Cui Dongshan never talked heart-to-heart with them, and he had never seriously explained any principles.

Then Cui Dongshan smiled and asked a series of questions: "Yu Lu, before you went to Tongye Continent, you never visited Jiang Prefecture of Great Li, where the old capital of the Lu Dynasty was, right? So did Xie Xie suggest you restore your original name and establish a kingdom here in Tongye Continent? Or perhaps wait twenty or thirty years, with her serving as the national teacher? Or maybe she suggested you go to Poshan Yuncao Hall or something, to learn some immortality techniques from a martial artist to extend your life?"

Yu Lu admitted honestly, "You guessed almost everything right, Sect Leader Cui. The only difference is that Xie Xie felt there was no need to wait twenty or thirty years. Just finding a territory in Tongye Continent and planning for a decade or two would be enough to establish a kingdom."

Cui Dongshan's eyes widened. "Xie Xie, are you so confident about reaching the Nascent Soul Realm?"

Xie Xie nodded. "At most twenty years, I will definitely reach the Nascent Soul Realm. This is even assuming I fail my first seclusion attempt."

Cui Dongshan said in surprise, "Then didn't I pick up another ready-made treasure? A Nascent Soul cultivator who can dominate both sides of the Phosphorus River—that's worth more than an empty ferry foundation, isn't it?"

Xie Xie remained silent.

Cui Dongshan turned his head and said, "Yu Lu, don't be reserved and hesitant anymore. Stop pretending to be aloof. Those who chase deer don't look at rabbits. Show some real manly courage. You don't even need to wait ten or twenty years. Yu Lu, I've already found a territory for you, right here on the north bank of the Phosphorus River. Later, on the south bank, not far from here, there's another surprise waiting for you. As for what the surprise is, don't rush; let me sell it."

"The worst thing in life is meeting a friend without money for wine. By seniority, you and I are still fellow disciples of the same sect. When you become a monarch, and my disciple becomes your national teacher—with these two layers of relationship—how could I ever be short of wine?"

Yu Lu hesitated to speak.

Earlier, he had said something to Xie Xie, asking her, and even more so, asking himself: Could continuing the dynasty on another continent be considered restoration?

Cui Dongshan said inexplicably, "You have to lower yourself and keep your sights high."

Yu Lu asked, "Not see far?"

"In a hopeless situation, a person absolutely cannot see far."

Cui Dongshan shook his head. "But no one can stop us from looking up at the sky."

Xie Xie naturally didn't dare to interrupt. If she heard Chen Ping'an say such things, she would definitely joke, "Isn't that like a frog at the bottom of a well?"

Cui Dongshan chuckled. "Yes, we are all frogs at the bottom of a well."

Cui Dongshan murmured softly, "Fleeting youth."