Chapter 989: Drunk and Unaware of Which Day in the Human World

Chapter 989: Drunk and Unaware of Which Day in the Human World

At the academy in Huaihuang County, school had just let out, and the sky was still bright. Children from well-off families were flying kites.

After drinking tea and chatting about scenic travels, Chen Ping'an took Shao Yunyan and the Crimson-Faced Lady for a stroll around Fallen Mountain.

The travelers climbed the green mountain peak, white were the clouds and green the trees, unaware of which day in the human world it was.

Unexpectedly, Shao Yunyan found an excuse and unceremoniously wandered off on his own, leaving the Crimson-Faced Lady alone with the young Hidden Official, which made her extremely nervous.

Chen Ping'an walked with her toward the mountaintop. In his hand appeared a colorful braided cord that resembled a copper coin. He smiled and asked, "Do you recognize this?"

The Crimson-Faced Lady's expression shifted slightly.

This colorful braided cord was refined from a strand of soul essence from each of the many Flower Spirits of the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land.

It had no direct connection to her, but there was some history. Back when the Crimson-Faced Lady had managed to escape alive to Hanging Sword Mountain, several Flower Spirits of the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land had secretly lent considerable assistance.

That was why, during the last Confucian Temple assembly, the Crimson-Faced Lady felt particularly close to the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land.

Chen Ping'an put away the braided cord and said, "Since you're accompanying Sword Immortal Shao on his travels through the Central Continent, you can pass a message to the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land for me. Tell them that when I next visit the Blessed Land, I will bring this item. As for returning it, we'll need to discuss it in person."

The Crimson-Faced Lady showed a surprised expression. Was the young Hidden Official essentially giving her a favor for free?

It was like those mortal dynasties where messengers would announce good news to successful imperial examination candidates in the capital—they always received a reward!

And the surprise of this item was far greater than a scholar passing the imperial examinations. Every Flower Spirit in the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land had a share, so the Crimson-Faced Lady could fully imagine how honored she and Shao Jingyan would be as guests there in the future. Regardless of how Chen Ping'an's negotiations with the Flower Lord of the Blessed Land turned out, she might even be able to secure a position as a guest elder in the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land. As an Upper Five Realm spirit of a plum tree, how could she not have designs on the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land? This was similar to how demon clan cultivators from the Haoran homeland regarded Iron Tree Mountain as a holy land, and how wild cultivators yearned for White Emperor City.

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Consider this your compensation for consuming over a hundred years of cultivation at the Green Plum Temple on Nantang Lake?"

The Crimson-Faced Lady beamed and said, "No problem!"

There was only one ancestral hall for the spirits of plants, flowers, and trees in the world.

Chen Ping'an put his hands in his sleeves and walked to the top of the mountain. "Mei Jing—that's the name, right?"

The Crimson-Faced Lady's expression changed again, and her smile became forced.

Mei Jing was her true name recorded in the secret archives of the Summer Resort Palace, her true name as a demon clan member.

To open a plum garden right under the nose of the second disciple of the Dao Elder at Hanging Sword Mountain, she had no choice but to report her true name.

Chen Ping'an said, "Returning to the Haoran world, returning home in glory and traveling far and wide—what are your feelings?"

At Hanging Sword Mountain, the Crimson-Faced Lady could only control a puppet and act as the hidden owner of the plum garden; she didn't even dare leave the garden.

Now, however, she was a registered guest elder of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, widely recognized as a good friend of Lu Zhi, a registered guest elder of Fallen Mountain, and traveling with Shao Yunyan. With this backing, she could go anywhere in the nine provinces of the Haoran world without fear.

The Crimson-Faced Lady's nerves tightened immediately. She carefully reviewed her actions: she had handed over the entire plum garden to the Sword Qi Great Wall, completely severed ties with the deeply hidden Flying Ascension Realm demon who used the alias "Border," and voluntarily followed Lu Zhi back to the Haoran world. She had become an elder at the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect founded by Qi Tingji in Southern Brahmapura Continent, and recently accepted a position as guest elder at the Rain Dragon Sect... No matter how she looked at it, there was no transgression worth mentioning. Besides, settling old scores and lingering grievances was not the young Hidden Official's style. If nothing else, Chen Ping'an was quite decisive in his actions.

Chen Ping'an said, "People have knots in their hearts, just as trees have scars. The Haoran world—or rather, the cultivators of the Haoran world, especially the registered cultivators—are a scar in your heart."

The Crimson-Faced Lady said cautiously, "I have already let go of that. Your Excellency need not worry that I will hold grudges here and cause unnecessary trouble for the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect."

Time flowed on, and most of the cultivators who had once made things difficult for her were no longer around.

Chen Ping'an said, "Don't make peace with this world. Every so-called reconciliation is self-deception; it's just grievance. Grievance will always be grievance; it will not diminish one bit."

"Let me just offer my own perspective. You must carefully, stealthily, and secretly dismantle this world. First, you must understand how this world really works, and understand why many people say the things they say and do the things they do. In this regard, Crimson-Faced Lady, you've done much better than before. When poor, rely on grit; when humbled, rely on patience. As for when someone from the bottom rises to the top, whether they will retaliate against the world twofold, whether they will focus on avenging past malice, or repaying past kindness, or a mixture of both—it's a matter of personal ambition, and all is understandable."

Speaking up to this point, Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Whether you are close to me and can be called a friend—you don't need to test me by throwing orange peels. If it weren't for Nuanshu needing to clean the house, and Nuanshu absolutely wouldn't let me do it for her, I wouldn't bother with you."

The Crimson-Faced Lady smiled sheepishly and said, "Your Excellency, I overstepped."

Chen Ping'an said, "Qi Tingji has his own ambitions, and they are great. He is also someone who pursues meticulous thinking and rigorous conduct to an extreme. In other words, he has obsessive-compulsive tendencies and a touch of cleanliness. But he has always hidden this well. Before, when he managed a clan on the Sword Qi Great Wall, the environment was oppressive, so he couldn't reveal his true nature. Now that he has a sect that stands alone on Southern Brahmapura Continent, this trait will gradually expand and show itself. Moreover, in Qi Tingji's eyes, you have a price tag on you. That statement may sound harsh and might seem like I'm gossiping behind his back, but I don't want the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect to have a falling out between Lu Zhi and Qi Tingji because of you and some incident, turning a good situation into wasted effort. No matter what others think, I, for one, regard the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect on Brahmapura Continent and the Green Duckweed Sword Sect on Tungleaf Continent as continuations of the incense of the Sword Qi Great Wall."

"Lu Zhi has her own pursuit of the sword path. Distracting her with duels is not her wish. She doesn't like to think too much, and she strikes too heavily, leaving no room for leeway. The Haoran world has never wronged Lu Zhi, but you are her only friend. If she draws her sword for you, it will only be heavier. Lu Zhi doesn't care much about the rules of the Confucian Temple, but within the next hundred years, the Confucian Temple will only impose stricter restrictions on high-level cultivators. I'm not exaggerating. Take myself, for example: because of a certain plan, I had mentally prepared myself for both the upper and lower sects to be sealed off by the Confucian Temple for a hundred years. Then I would have to go keep company with Liu Cha for sixty to a hundred years, practicing swordsmanship and fishing every day."

"Shao Yunyan's realm is insufficient. Though he is a sword immortal, he is not skilled in combat. Moreover, his ambition does not lie in reaching the pinnacle of the sword—neither in the past nor in the future."

"If you ask me, our Sword Immortal Shao is a man who truly sees through life. 'No need to add wine when already drunk; water tastes sweet as nectar when thirsty.' 'Healthy in old age, free from a hundred worries; simply be a long-lived immortal in the world.' These two principles—one on how to conduct oneself, the other on why one cultivates—he has thoroughly understood and truly put into practice. So Shao Yunyan is not suitable to stand up for you either."

The Crimson-Faced Lady became increasingly confused. What exactly are you trying to say, Chen Ping'an?

Chen Ping'an said, "I've been rambling on and on, but put simply, it all comes down to one sentence: the person you can ultimately rely on is always yourself."

So you've taken both sides of the argument—the positive and the negative, the big and the small—and said it all yourself, Chen Ping'an.

When the Crimson-Faced Lady heard this, she felt her heart grow cold. Had she just been given another great grievance? Is this how you reason?

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "I believe in the Mei Jing of today. So when trouble arises in the future, if you go to Sect Leader Qi Tingji for help, it may not be well received. If you have Lu Zhi handle it, it will be satisfying, but it could easily spiral out of control. Qi Tingji might be willing to clean up the mess, but he won't say anything to Lu Zhi—but you will certainly be given the cold shoulder. So you must rely on yourself. For example, write a letter to Fallen Mountain, give me a heads-up, and I guarantee I'll come at your call."

Such a verbal promise, Chen Ping'an had only given to two others: his close friend Liu Jinglong and Suishan Mountain God Zhou You. The latter was because of his teacher's sake. During his last visit to Suishan, Chen Ping'an had left behind a promise of "at your command."

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Even if I happen to be away from the mountain at the time, or not even in the Haoran world, and can't get there immediately, I will inform Zhu Lian and Cui Dongshan in advance and make your request a priority for both the upper and lower sects. Rest assured, I will make sure that whoever provokes you—or whatever sect—knows what it means to ask for trouble."

The Crimson-Faced Lady was momentarily dazed. Coming back to her senses, she remained silent, but with great grace and dignity, she performed a deep curtsy to the young Hidden Official.

A figure in a blue gown stood leaning against the railing.

The Crimson-Faced Lady leaned over the railing as well. She needed no makeup; her natural allure was like plum blossoms blushed with rouge.

It seemed that without official business, there was nothing left to discuss, and a brief silence fell.

She suddenly turned her head and asked, "Chen Ping'an, today when you talked with me, first you took out the colorful braided cord, then you revealed my true name, then you explained the natures of Sect Leader Qi, Mr. Lu, and Shao Yunyan, and finally you clarified your intentions—was that also a form of dismantling me?"

"Don't make a good thing or a good word sound so strange."

"By the way, Chen Ping'an, the plan you mentioned earlier—what exactly is it? The consequences sound so severe."

"To lure out Yang Zhi, who has already been pardoned by the Confucian Temple, and then kill her. Then wait for Ritual Saint to throw me into the Merit Forest for confinement."

"..."

---

Distant Screen Peak neighbors Yellow Lake Mountain. The flowing clouds here arrive at the mountain like a person slowly climbing, then suddenly rush down the mountain. In an instant, the sea of clouds pours down like a waterfall.

For the first time, Chen Ping'an personally oversaw the construction of Distant Screen Peak, discussing every detail with Zhu Lian.

Because of his long years of travel, almost all of the architectural projects on Fallen Mountain—even the main ancestral mountain—had been handled by Zhu Lian, the big steward.

Chen Ping'an purchased many large blue stone slabs, intending to pave the entire mountain path of Distant Screen Peak with them, with bamboo railings on both sides. The mountain was full of green bamboo, so materials could be sourced locally.

Every morning at dawn, he accompanied Little Rice Grain on a patrol of the mountain. Then he went to the Spring Treasury accounting office to compare accounts with Wei Wenlong and Zhang Jiazhen.

Returning to the bamboo building, Chen Ping'an personally replied to a number of invitations.

In addition to teaching Zhao Shu Xia boxing, he also taught him breathing techniques and sword refinement.

Guo Zhujiu didn't like going to the Sword-Worship Platform; instead, he often wandered around the Spirit Herb Mountain, followed by a girl in a sable hat who encouraged him to start a gang together.

Chen Lingjun timed his "secluded cultivation" for exactly two hours each day, then promptly went out. He would either visit Priest Xianwei at the mountain gate for a chat, or go to the Riding Dragon Lane to inspect things. Old Brother Jia had become the second steward of the Wind Kite Ferry, so he was hardly ever home. That left him to bicker with the promoted white-haired boy. On the way back and forth, seeing the empty travel pavilion where Bai Xuan no longer set up his stall and drink tea, Chen Lingjun felt a bit unsettled. He thought about when he might persuade the master to call Bai Xuan back, lest the big white goose poach him. Wouldn't that be another loss of a future general for Fallen Mountain?

A man who dared to fight Pei Qian to the death was rare. Did Bai Shou of the Grand Tassel Sword Sect dare now? But Bai Xuan had great promise, young as he was, with lofty aspirations.

Recently, Chen Ping'an spent at least an hour each day on the second floor of the bamboo building, teaching Zhao Shu Xia boxing.

The first lesson only made Zhao Shu Xia see the inner essence of boxing, the depth within his own small world.

The second lesson, Chen Ping'an still didn't spar with him, but inside the room, he showed Zhao Shu Xia what "a different world within the world" meant. Chen Ping'an formed a hand seal with two fingers, and a talisman array immediately appeared.

The twenty-four talismans that emerged on the second floor corresponded exactly to the twenty-four solar terms of the year, from the Beginning of Spring, Rain Water, and Awakening of Insects, all the way to the Winter Solstice, Minor Cold, and Major Cold. When Chen Ping'an waved his sleeve, only the talismans for Minor Heat and Major Heat remained. Instantly, the room was filled with the boxing intent of scorching summer heat, making Zhao Shu Xia drenched in sweat in no time. Then Chen Ping'an simply picked out the talismans for Heavy Snow and Winter Solstice, and the room became filled with a bone-chilling cold boxing intent. Chen Ping'an told Zhao Shu Xia to settle into his stance and throw a full-force punch at him. Zhao Shu Xia did so. Chen Ping'an raised his hand and gently brushed it away, dispersing the boxing intent. Then he picked out the talismans for Grain Rain and Frost's Descent. Zhao Shu Xia threw another punch, only to find that as soon as he delivered his full punch, the master didn't need to dodge at all; the boxing intent simply dissipated between them, as if there were thousands of miles and mountains between them and where the master stood.

Chen Ping'an didn't remove the "small array" formed by the two talismans. He just had Zhao Shu Xia stand against the wall. Then Chen Ping'an himself assumed a boxing stance. In an instant, the boxing intent in the room condensed like a flood, spreading outward. The fierce intent slammed against the walls and surged upward. The entire bamboo building shook with it, and then the entire Fallen Mountain began to stir its mountain qi, and the sea of clouds scattered violently.

Then Zhao Shu Xia was carried downstairs by Zhu Lian, who had been waiting in the corridor outside the door.

Zhu Lian carried Zhao Shu Xia, who was drenched in blood. "Young master, this duel can't happen at all. Even if the location doesn't change, can we postpone it? What if it doesn't snow at all this winter in the Southern Yuan Kingdom capital? Let's talk about it next year? Or the year after!"

Chen Ping'an chuckled. "What a coincidence. I'm a qi refiner, and even more coincidentally, I happen to have a full set of five elemental life-bound items. Causing snowfall is no problem. I can make it snow as heavily as I want."

Zhu Lian said, "Then should I admit defeat?"

Chen Ping'an smiled. "I suggest you save your breath. Don't try to feign weakness."

He was not about to repeat the embarrassing mistake of confidently teaching someone a lesson only to get punched right in the face.

Zhu Lian grinned slyly. "Young master shouldn't have lent me that boxing manual."

Chen Ping'an laughed. "If you can't trick me into letting my guard down, you start trying to scare me? Using military tactics now?"

Later, when teaching Zhao Shu Xia boxing again, Chen Ping'an, as the master, seemed to have finally adjusted his mindset, and Zhao Shu Xia began to suffer.

Although there weren't any of Elder Cui's "harsh words," for a Fourth Rank martial artist, Chen Ping'an's punches were far from light.

Practice makes perfect. After a few more sessions, because he had roughly determined Zhao Shu Xia's physical limits, Chen Ping'an was able to sustain nearly an hour of guided boxing.

That day, Zhao Shu Xia passed out again, and Zhu Lian carried him to soak in a medicinal bath.

In the corridor on the first floor, Nuanshu and Little Rice Grain looked at each other. Both girls sighed softly and said nothing.

Actually, compared to Pei Qian as a child, Zhao Shu Xia was somewhat better off. Pei Qian had often had her arms and fingers tied to wooden sticks or bamboo strips while copying books.

Chen Ping'an stood at the intersection in silence for a moment, then walked back to the corridor and sat down. Nuanshu was sewing cloth shoes, with a sewing basket beside her. She wore a thimble on her finger. Making shoe soles was both a physically demanding task and required dexterity. Dividing the stitches and threading the needle required precision. Little Nuanshu was dexterous and focused, one hand gripping the sole, the other pulling the thread. The force had to be even for the cloth shoes to be both light and sturdy. The thousand-layer soles of a good pair of cloth shoes weren't easy to sew. Little Rice Grain had also pre-ordered two pairs from Sister Nuanshu. She had initially wanted to order twenty pairs directly, but got a gentle tap on the head from Nuanshu and gave up. It seemed the strategy of "asking high and bargaining low" wouldn't work.

Chen Ping'an had arranged with them that they could come play at this time every day.

Nuanshu and Little Rice Grain always came. Chen Lingjun felt he had nothing to talk about with two little girls, so he often sat for a while and then left.

Recently, Chen Lingjun had been having heart-to-heart talks with the Left Protector of Riding Dragon Lane. A new position of Chief Protector of Riding Dragon Lane had been established under the Riding Dragon Lane branch, and the diligent vermilion-robed boy had been promoted as a result.

Pei Qian sent letters to Multicolored Peak every so often. As per custom, she would write on the envelope: "For the Right Protector's personal attention, Sister Nuanshu to read and keep."

So the vermilion-robed boy's promotion from Riding Dragon Lane Right Protector to Chief Protector was confirmed. When Little Rice Grain announced the good news at the mountain gate, the incense spirit first made a gesture as if holding an imperial edict, then solemnly straightened his robes, bowed respectfully three times to the south, and gave three deep bows.

As for the Left Protector of Riding Dragon Lane, what could he do? Continue to lie low and do nothing.

Chen Lingjun was always disappointed in this fellow—a hopelessly lazy character. If he didn't want to be promoted himself, how could his uncle Jingqing cultivate and promote him?

These were all trivial matters on the mountain. They weren't exhausting, but they did consume time. So recently, whenever Nuanshu had free time, she would come here to sew cloth shoes, considering it a rest.

Carrying a bamboo basket and holding a walking staff—this was a trend started by the master.

Nowadays, wearing a blue gown and a pair of thousand-layer-soled old cloth shoes was also a trend.

So Little Rice Grain, Chen Lingjun, and Priest Xianwei all had ideas about it.

Actually, Mr. Zhu had always liked wearing cloth shoes, but nobody had really noticed.

After all, when Pei Qian first learned that the old cook had the nickname "Noble Scion," she almost laughed until she cried. Little Rice Grain was a bit better—she just circled around the old cook for a few days without saying anything, just staring hard. Nuanshu was probably the most considerate; when she heard Pei Qian laughing uproariously indoors about "Noble Scion" and "Banished Immortal," and Little Rice Grain was rolling on the bed laughing, Nuanshu just blinked, pressed her lips together, and didn't laugh out loud.

When Little Rice Grain swaggered over to ask the old cook if he wanted a pair of cloth shoes, she started shouting as soon as she entered the gate. Zhu Lian, wearing an apron and holding a kitchen knife, walked out of the kitchen. Little Rice Grain looked down—cloth shoes. Then she looked up—a kitchen knife. The old man and the little girl stared at each other, wide-eyed. The scene was quite awkward.

Nuanshu lowered her head and gently bit off the thread end. Curiously, she asked, "Master, did you give away that origami swallow?"

In the Central Continent's Five Sacred Mountains, the female mountain lord of Yanzhi Mountain once gave an origami black-clad swallow. It could be considered an incense spirit. It only needed to be placed on the plaque or beam of an ancestral home, and it would gain more spiritual energy the closer it was to famous mountains and great rivers.

Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded. "I was very reluctant, giving it away hurt, but giving it also brought peace of mind."

Chen Ping'an lay back, hands behind his head, crossed his legs, and asked with a smile, "Nuanshu, Little Rice Grain, what do you think Cen Yuanji is pursuing by practicing boxing so hard?"

If Cen Yuanji were cultivating the way on a mountain, such tireless effort might be understandable—separation of immortals and mortals, pursuing the Dao of longevity. Even minor achievements in cultivation could prolong life.

But she practiced boxing every day, summer passed to autumn, winter passed to spring, year after year, rain or shine. Logically, she should have some goal or expectation. But it seemed Cen Yuanji didn't insist on any particular outcome. It was as if practicing boxing was just practicing boxing. Even Chen Ping'an, with his great patience, sometimes felt bored enough to help her roughly calculate how many boxing stances she had taken over the years, going up and down the mountain.

Nuanshu thought for a moment and said softly, "Mr. Zhu says she has found herself in boxing. Pei Qian says she wants to prove that women can achieve great things in boxing. Chen Lingjun has his own opinion. Each has their own view. I think Sister Cen might just be doing something she truly loves. How others perceive the result doesn't seem that important to her. Maybe the process itself is the best result."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "I think I understand a bit."

Little Rice Grain was originally lying on the green bamboo corridor, propping her cheeks with both hands, counting the passing white clouds outside the cliff—one, two, three. When the good mountain lord lay down, she immediately flipped over, spun half a turn, and lay on her back too, imitating the good mountain lord, crossing her legs and swinging them.

Chen Ping'an closed his eyes.

Last time at the Multicolored Peak Ancestral Hall meeting, it was before he had thought about establishing a lower sect on Tungleaf Continent.

Chen Ping'an's earliest plan was to have the Nascent Soul realm Cui Wei guard the Sword-Worship Platform and practice swordsmanship there with the nine sword immortal seeds.

That was why Sui Youbian suddenly asked to make the Sword-Worship Platform her dao field during that meeting.

Chen Ping'an casually refused, saying that in other sects, it was Golden Core to open a peak, but Fallen Mountain required Nascent Soul realm.

As a result, the nine children—Yu Qingzhang, He Xiangting, and Yu Yue—all became disciples and left Treasure Vase Continent.

Cheng Zhaolu, He Gu, and Yu Xiehui each found masters. Since their masters were all members of the Green Duckweed Sword Sect's ancestral hall, they changed their sect registration and naturally went to Tungleaf Continent.

Bai Xuan and Sun Chunwang, though not... (the text seems cut off) they stayed behind at the cave heaven dao field on Secret Snow Peak to practice swordsmanship.

In the end, only two little girls, Nalan Yudie and Yao Xiaoyan, remained at Fallen Mountain.

Moreover, Nalan Yudie, a money-grubbing little accountant, liked to follow her master, who was the Fallen Mountain disciplinarian, on the Wind Kite Ferry, traveling across three continents. It was said she carried a notebook and recorded any good ideas for earning money whenever they docked at various immortal ferry ports.

Chen Ping'an opened his eyes, sat up cross-legged, and sighed. "Now that the Green Duckweed Sword Sect exists, it will be hard for the number of sword cultivators at Fallen Mountain to increase."

Little Rice Grain sat up too and nodded vigorously. "What can we do about that?"

Chen Ping'an reached out and rubbed her little head. "This clever little head—can you think of an idea?"

Little Rice Grain nodded, crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and furrowed her slightly sparse, faintly yellow brows.

Chen Ping'an didn't disturb her. He turned to Nuanshu and asked with a smile, "Nuanshu, among the unused vassal peaks, aside from Distant Screen Peak, is there any place you particularly like? If so, tell me, and I'll keep it for you."

Currently, the ten unused vassal peaks included Gray Mist Mountain, Cinnabar Mountain, Weixia Peak, Sword-Worship Platform, Fragrant Fire Mountain, Distant Screen Peak, and Zhaodu Hill.

The three peaks that had been leased out and then leased back—Treasure Record Mountain, Colorful Cloud Peak, and Spirit Herb Mountain—could of course also be used as sites for opening peaks.

At Yellow Lake Mountain, the water flood dragon Hongxia had already established a water mansion. The two Dragon King baskets belonging to Nuanshu and Chen Lingjun were also being refined there into a mountain-water grand formation.

As for Distant Screen Peak, Chen Ping'an had long since given it to Li Baoping.

That was why the Pure Yang True Lord had carved a Daoist poem on its cliff earlier.

If Jiang Qu hadn't become Cui Dongshan's direct disciple and changed his sect registration to the Green Duckweed Sword Sect, as Fallen Mountain's first true talisman cultivator in the strict sense, Treasure Record Mountain would have been reserved for him when he successfully formed his Golden Core.

At Zhaodu Hill, Lin Shouyi, Yu Lu, and Xie Xie had each chosen residences they liked.

However, once someone became a Confucian gentleman or virtuous person, they could no longer serve as a registered cultivator or registered guest elder of any immortal sect.

In the western mountains, there were still more than ten foreign immortal forces, like the Clothes Belt Peak under the Yellow Millet Sect.

Just as Jiang Shangzhen had said bluntly last time—those unfamiliar immortal mansions, as long as buyer and seller both agreed, could develop a bond of incense.

There was no problem in the world that a few Grain Rain coins couldn't solve. If there was, just add more money!

If that were the only statement, it wouldn't be the style of Fallen Mountain's Chief Zhou. The essence was in Jiang Shangzhen's next sentence.

"As long as the mountain lord speaks today, I will leave Multicolored Peak and go knock on their doors. If by tomorrow there is even one immortal master who isn't beaming while moving out of their mountain peak, then I, as the newly appointed chief guest elder, haven't done my job properly!"

In fact, during the last Multicolored Peak Ancestral Hall meeting, Wei Wenlong of the Spring Treasury had already made it clear: Fallen Mountain had long since paid off its debts. The so-called "slight surplus" on the Spring Treasury account meant there were still 3,600 Grain Rain coins in cash on the books.

And that didn't even include the 600 Golden Essence Copper Coins in the treasury!

Nuanshu shook her head. "Master, I'm still at the Dragon Gate realm, not even Golden Core, far from Nascent Soul. There's no need to reserve anything."

Besides, the pink-skirted girl didn't want to leave here. Even if it were right next to Fallen Mountain, it wouldn't be Fallen Mountain.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "No rush, then."

It seemed that with them, the most common phrase the mountain lord said was "no rush."

Unconsciously, he repeated it over and over.

Chen Ping'an continued, "Unlike a certain sir, who is already worrying about whether to choose Gray Mist Mountain or Cinnabar Mountain. At Ox Horn Ferry, he even deliberately asked me that, trying to trap me. I didn't take the bait."

Nuanshu frowned slightly, then smiled, and continued sewing her cloth shoes.

And so, another day passed. White clouds climbed to the green mountain top, then came and went.

In Spirit Herb Mountain, amidst apricot blossoms and peach blossoms, the leisurely sound of a flute summoned the moonlight to fill the sky.

The two adjacent shops on Riding Dragon Lane had both closed for the night.

The old cook rewarded himself by stir-frying two dishes to go with his wine. With each sip, he turned a page of the boxing manual.

Xiaomo, in the private residential library building named "Two Confusions" by the young master, glanced out the window. He wanted to say something, but recalling the young master's teachings, he held back.

Priest Xianwei had worked hard all day guarding the gate. By lamplight, he read and occasionally dipped his brush in ink to write something. The predecessors worked for the welfare of the present generation; the present generation should also contribute to future generations.

---

Someone rode a donkey into the mountain, swaying leisurely.

Of course, it was a donkey formed from a talisman. When cultivators crossed mountains and rivers and wanted to conserve their strength, they liked to use such talismans for travel, but they were not cheap and had high wear and tear. Lower Five Realm qi refiners could often afford to buy them but not to use them.

The man was unkempt, with a full beard, riding his little donkey and reciting poetry, shaking his head with self-satisfaction.

He was still some distance from Fallen Mountain. As he and the donkey were about to cross a small stone bridge over a stream, a figure in a blue gown appeared on the other side, smiling, "Who rides a donkey, alone in poetic verse?"

Liu Baqiao laughed heartily. "Chen Ping'an, every time I see you, I feel extraordinarily handsome."

What an opening line.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Brother Baqiao, on this trip down the mountain, have you already visited Sun Mountain of Zhengyang Mountain? Next time you go, remember to mention my name and feel free to stay a few extra days. Just lodge at the Passing Cloud Pavilion at Egret Crossing. I'm friends with the former innkeeper Ni Yuehua and the ferry manager Wei Yueshan. You can put it on my tab."

Liu Baqiao felt a stab at his heart and looked embarrassed. "You talk too much."

After that ceremony fiasco, the newly promoted Zhengyang Mountain had become a laughingstock across the continent, but it wasn't all bad. For example, Su Jia, whose sword heart had been shattered by Yellow River of Wind Thunder Garden years ago, had returned to Zhengyang Mountain. Though Su Jia was no longer a sword cultivator, she had been readmitted into the ancestral hall's direct lineage. However, outsiders didn't yet know that Su Jia had acquired a new opportunity to continue refining her sword. She frequently traveled between Sun Mountain and Dogwood Peak. But Wu Tijing, the closed-door disciple of the mountain lord Zhu Huang, had inexplicably left the sect registry, departed Zhengyang Mountain, and disappeared.

As for Zhengyang Mountain's sworn enemy, Wind Thunder Garden, their garden master Yellow River had already departed for the Barbarian Heavenly World and was now at the Sun-Setting Ferry. His junior brother Liu Baqiao, a Nascent Soul realm sword cultivator, was left to guard the mountain.

Moreover, Liu Baqiao was one of the Ten Young Cultivators selected by Treasure Vase Continent itself. Of course, his ranking had been dropping continuously.

Compared to Zhengyang Mountain, which already had two Jade Pure realm sword immortals, Wind Thunder Garden was at a disadvantage in terms of surface strength.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "What made you think of visiting Fallen Mountain?"

"I made a pact with my senior brother to reach Jade Pure within a hundred years. There are still over ninety years left. With my talent for practicing the sword, what's the rush?"

Liu Baqiao dismounted from the donkey. "You can't just practice swordsmanship behind closed doors. Look at Wei Jin of Wind and Snow Temple, then look at you and Liu Xianyang—which one of you isn't always wandering around? The three of you all reached Jade Pure in your forties. The reason I'm still just a Nascent Soul is that I left the mountain too late and not often enough."

As for reaching Jade Pure, Liu Baqiao wasn't being arrogant. He indeed had some confidence. But as for reaching the Immortal realm, his senior brother Yellow River had set his sights on it. Liu Baqiao could only rely on time.

In the old days, when the earthly immortals of Treasure Vase Continent ascended the Flying Ascension Platform together, whether they could see the ancient Heavenly Gate was the best touchstone.

Liu Baqiao asked slyly, "How could you bear to let Sui Youbian go to the lower sect?"

A lower sect's power becoming too great and overshadowing the main sect was always a major taboo in the cultivation world.

Of course, Fallen Mountain didn't need to worry about that.

Liu Baqiao had great confidence in Chen Ping'an. After all, Chen Ping'an had founded both an upper and lower sect in just thirty years. Besides, Chen Ping'an had grown up under Liu Baqiao's watch.

Chen Ping'an retorted, "What's there to bear or not bear? She's a sword cultivator, and the Green Duckweed Sword Sect is a sword-path sect. If she stayed at Fallen Mountain, that would be strange."

Among the Ten Young Cultivators of Treasure Vase Continent, Ma Kuxuan of True Martial Mountain led the list, followed by Xie Ling of Dragon Spring Sword Sect, Ma Kuxuan's senior uncle Yu Shiwu, then Cai Jinjian of Green Cypress Peak on Cloud Gown Mountain, Sui Youbian of Fallen Mountain, Jiang Yun and Zhou Ju of the academy, and a wandering Daoist named Zhao Xutuo. Sui Youbian, being a sword cultivator like Liu Baqiao, had been squeezed out of the top three after Xie Ling and Yu Shiwu overtook them. Liu Baqiao was very likely to be pushed to fifth place.

But then news came that Sui Youbian had run off to Tungleaf Continent to serve as an ancestral hall elder at Fallen Mountain's lower sect. This created a vacancy among the Ten Young Cultivators.

This made Liu Baqiao very happy. Without doing anything, he kept his seat. So lately at Wind Thunder Garden, when he encountered those senior elders who only made sarcastic comments, Sword Immortal Liu had a stiffer back, louder voice, and sharper tongue.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "You're just lucky. Wind Thunder Garden has so many young geniuses that you won't face a succession crisis for two or three centuries. Otherwise, with Garden Master Yellow River's personality, before he left the mountain, he would have issued a decree confining you to the mountain for a hundred years to practice swordsmanship."

After Li Tuanjing passed away, the burden of Wind Thunder Garden fell on the shoulders of his eldest disciple, Yellow River.

Over at Zhengyang Mountain, neither Zhu Huang, the mountain lord of First-Line Peak, nor Xia Yuancui, the Jade Pure realm old ancestor of Full Moon Peak, dared to duel with Nascent Soul Yellow River. No one dared to claim they would surely win despite being a realm higher.

Instead of declining, the sect flourished, showing a rising momentum.

Moreover, several of Liu Baqiao's junior brothers and nephews were extremely talented young sword cultivators.

Liu Baqiao nodded. "According to my senior brother, Song Daoguang, Zai Xiang, Xing Youheng, and Nangong Xingyan all have hopes of reaching Nascent Soul in the future."

Liu Baqiao rubbed his chin. "Chen Ping'an, don't you find it strange? Ever since Wei Jin broke into the upper five realms, the earthly immortal sword cultivators of our Treasure Vase Continent seem to have become so cheap."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Maybe a fishing net broke?"

Liu Baqiao asked suspiciously, "What do you mean?"

Chen Ping'an said, "No use saying more. Figure it out yourself."

Liu Baqiao led the donkey and laughed. "I have a junior nephew named Xing Youheng. You probably haven't heard of him..."

This Xing Youheng, who seemed to loaf around every day, was actually the most diligent cultivator in private, almost to the point of desperation. Every time he left his dao field, he would feign surprise: "Ah, Senior Brother X is in secluded sword practice again?"

What a scumbag.

But Liu Baqiao liked him. Just like himself.

Chen Ping'an, however, said, "I know him. A very young Dragon Gate realm sword cultivator. His killing power is quite outstanding among cultivators of the same realm. So, has he formed his Golden Core yet? If I remember correctly, Xing Youheng is only a little over thirty, right?"

Liu Baqiao nodded with a smile. "There was some luck involved, but he still managed to form his core. It has to do with a mysterious immortal opportunity, but because it involves internal sect affairs, I won't go into detail. Anyway, Wind Thunder Garden is planning to hold a small-scale peak-opening ceremony on the day of Lixia (Beginning of Summer), inviting only acquaintances. My senior uncle pesters me every day, saying, 'Since you and Sword Immortal Chen are old acquaintances, stop talking about how good your relationship is. Get the matter settled with Fallen Mountain. Let us arrange the seating.' And my senior uncle gave a death order: Sword Immortal Chen must attend in person; no one else from Fallen Mountain can take his place. Ever since you personally visited Lou Mountain, the Yellow Millet Sect of Mengliang Country has been walking with their tail in the air. We can't let Wind Thunder Garden be worse than a Yellow Millet Sect."

"I was afraid that a flying sword message alone wouldn't be enough to move the busy Sword Immortal Chen, and you might find some excuse to decline. Then I'd lose a lot of face. My senior uncle has a bad temper—he might even throw his shoe at my face. So I came in person to invite you to this ceremony. No need for pretenses. Chen Ping'an, if you're really busy and can't get away, that's fine. As long as I don't go back empty-handed today, I won't have made this friend for nothing."

Nowadays, the old fossils in Wind Thunder Garden worry every day that the garden master praises Xing Youheng and the others, and then scolds Liu Baqiao.

That's basically the atmosphere.

Chen Ping'an clicked his tongue. "I've seen mountain sect ceremonies asking for gifts, but I've never seen someone run over to another sect and proactively ask for congratulatory gifts."

Liu Baqiao said with righteous indignation, "Brother, don't call the kettle black. Look at the night tours you and Mountain Lord Wei set up—the entire North Peak region is groaning in misery. Compared to you two, I'm nothing."

Chen Ping'an chuckled. "Nonsense. How many of those night tours hosted by Wei Po have anything to do with me? If you don't believe me, I can bring Mountain Lord Wei here to confront you face to face and see if even a single Snow Flower Coin fell into Fallen Mountain's pockets."

Liu Baqiao suddenly realized, "Now that you mention it, if Mountain Lord Wei can spare some time during this peak-opening ceremony, that would be excellent. Remember to pass a message to Cloak Cloud Mountain for me."

Chen Ping'an grinned. "Lucky me, making such a friend."

Liu Baqiao pressed, "Enough talk. Just tell me whether you're coming or not."

Chen Ping'an helplessly replied, "I'll come. Guaranteed."

Liu Baqiao suggested, "First say no, fob me off with a gift today, then surprise Wind Thunder Garden later. That would be better."

Chen Ping'an curled his lip. "Mm, that way you get people and money, which is certainly better for Brother Baqiao—you get both face and substance."

Someone flew on a sword at great speed, a trail of light like a firefly streaking by, accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder. But they didn't fly above the peaks, keeping low to the ground, skirting around the winding mountain path. In the blink of an eye, they reached the front of Chen Ping'an and Liu Baqiao. The sword-riding girl bent her knees slightly, came to a sudden halt, landed gracefully, formed a sword seal with her fingers, and sheathed the suspended sword with purple lightning crackling around it into the scabbard on her back. She looked apologetic, with a hint of chagrin hidden between her brows. As she hurried along, she had been eating pastries. Now she hid the unfinished pastry behind her back and timidly called out, "Junior Uncle Liu."

Liu Baqiao's expression was peculiar. He smiled and introduced her, "This is my junior niece, Nangong Xingyan. Senior Brother Yellow's youngest disciple. When she reached the Cave Abode realm, Senior Brother personally gave her the Dao name 'Thunderbolt' and gifted her a treasured sword from the secret vault, 'Purple Gold Snake.' Besides swordsmanship, Nangong Xingyan also practices thunder techniques."

"She was brought up the mountain by Senior Brother when she was very young. Her hometown is in Yuezhou—a place of beautiful scenery and good people, renowned for fine wine and beautiful women."

"Nangong Xingyan... admires Fallen Mountain greatly."

Chen Ping'an nodded and smiled. "Pleasure to meet you, Daoist Thunderbolt."

The girl's appearance was youthful, and her actual Dao age was not great—a twenty-something Viewing the Sea realm sword cultivator.

Very talented.

In the old days, a cultivator reaching the Middle Five Realms at sixty years of age was considered an "old cave." For a sword cultivator to reach the Middle Five Realms by a hundred was still considered young. That meant a Dao practitioner reaching the Middle Five Realms by sixty was no small feat, but hardly a genius. Sword cultivators were the exception.

Take Qiu Zhi of Nine Yi Peak on Tungleaf Continent—he seemed to have gathered all the spiritual energy and sword intent of a continent. There was also Chai Wu from Treasure Vase Continent.

They were beyond the ordinary sense of genius.

Comparing with them was meaningless.

Learning boxing shouldn't compete with Cao Ci's talent; practicing swords shouldn't compete with Ning Yao's realm. This had become a recognized truth among the mountains of multiple worlds.

Liu Baqiao suppressed a laugh. Nangong Xingyan had put on a little makeup today—something absolutely unimaginable at Wind Thunder Garden. No wonder she had found an excuse to leave him in Huaihuang County, saying she wanted to explore the town on her own, and would meet him at Fallen Mountain.

Liu Baqiao said, "Junior niece, the gentleman beside me needs no introduction. The famous Hidden Official Chen, Mountain Lord Chen."

Nangong Xingyan's face lit up with realization and delight. She had already hidden the pastry. She respectfully formed a hand seal and bowed. "Wind Thunder Garden sword cultivator Nangong Xingyan greets Mountain Lord Chen!"

Liu Baqiao muttered to himself, "Keep up the act. Keep on acting."

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Honored to meet you."

Liu Baqiao rolled his eyes. "Keep acting, you too."

Last time, when Chen Ping'an sneaked over to Wind Thunder Garden to drink with him, Liu Baqiao had actually mentioned Nangong Xingyan.

Liu Baqiao said cheerfully, "As we traveled along, we passed several mountain immortal mansions. I noticed quite a few registered cultivators peering down from the peaks. But no one came down to the foot of the mountain to chat with you or say hello?"

There were sixty-two peaks in the western mountains. Apart from Cloak Cloud Mountain and Fallen Mountain, and since Dragon Spring Sword Sect had moved away, there were still more than a dozen foreign immortal forces occupying mountain peaks.

Most of them were sects on par with the Yellow Millet Sect—ranked at the bottom of the first tier or the top of the second tier in Treasure Vase Continent. Otherwise, they couldn't have scraped together a few bags of Golden Essence Copper Coins for their direct disciples to try their luck here.

Chen Ping'an remained unmoved.

Actually, anyone familiar with officialdom understood the reason.

In a strictly hierarchical bureaucracy, when you encounter the top leader on the street, you don't dare—and it's not appropriate—to go up and chat.

It had little to do with the leader's personality or approachability.

Liu Baqiao asked, "What was Ruan the blacksmith thinking, moving away just like that?"

Chen Ping'an shook his head. "Not sure."

Dragon Spring Sword Sect moved away from Chuzhou. Liu Xianyang took over as sect leader from Ruan Qiong. Mountain Lord Wei Po helped move the mountain. The mountain went, water came, and eventually, a huge lake was formed.

But the Great Li court had not yet officially named it. It was said that in the Ministry of Rites, some officials had suggested naming it Sword-Returning Lake or Sword-Falling Lake, others proposed Pearl of Li Pool or Dragon-Release Lake.

It was said that this lake now, along with the cloud waterfall on Distant Screen Peak, the Turtle's Back under sunlight and moonlight, and the three rivers around Red Candle Town, formed the new Ten Scenic Spots of Chuzhou.

Liu Baqiao smirked. "On the ferry here, I saw two landscape gazettes. One was nasty—it said that Sword Immortal Zhu Huang of Zhengyang Mountain, as the Great Li Chief Guest Elder, was actually more universally acclaimed than Ruan the blacksmith, who almost never attended Great Li consultations. Zhengyang Mountain quickly wrote a gazette to clarify."

Chen Ping'an laughed. "Don't be so quick to gloat. Just wait—Zhengyang Mountain's lower sect, Bamboo Mountain Sword Sect, might very well change one character soon."

With Fallen Mountain establishing a lower sect, and a sword-path sect on Tungleaf Continent at that, the Great Li court would have no more concerns. They would definitely support a new sword-path sect after Dragon Spring Sword Sect, to gather the fortunes of the former Zhu Ying dynasty. Eventually, three sword-path sects would form a tripod, stabilizing the sword-path fortune of the continent. The only variable now was whether Yellow River of Wind Thunder Garden could break through on the Barbarian Heavenly World battlefield. If he could reach Jade Pure, the Great Li court would be in a dilemma—not because they disliked Wind Thunder Garden, but because the sword cultivators there were too "pure," unlike the sword cultivators of the various peaks of Zhengyang Mountain, who knew how to "assess the situation."

Liu Baqiao curled his lip. "Change to Bamboo Mountain Sword Sect? It's all talk."

Zhengyang Mountain deliberately placed its lower sect in the former Zhu Ying dynasty territory. The intent was known to all on the continent. But investigators had found that at least seventy percent of young sword cultivator seeds still considered Wind Thunder Garden their first choice. Of course, they had to thank Fallen Mountain for that. Without that ceremony scandal, the situation might have reversed, shifting from 70-30 to 30-70.

Liu Baqiao hesitated, then couldn't help asking, "Any news about my senior brother?"

Chen Ping'an shook his head. "Fallen Mountain doesn't receive gazettes from the Confucian Temple."

After a pause, Chen Ping'an smiled. "No news is good news."

Liu Baqiao thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded. That makes sense.

When they reached the mountain gate of Fallen Mountain, seeing the mountain lord bringing guests, Priest Xianwei immediately got up from his bamboo chair. Chen Ping'an introduced the two sides.

After Xianwei exchanged greetings with the two distinguished guests, he quietly asked, "Do I need to record this?"

Chen Ping'an hesitated, then said, "You don't need to record it here, but tell Konghou later that Liu Baqiao and Nangong Xingyan of Wind Thunder Garden visited Fallen Mountain today."

Liu Baqiao asked, "What does that mean?"

Chen Ping'an explained, "Fallen Mountain recently assigned someone to compile an annals."

First, Pure Yang Lu Yan, then Shao Yunyan and the Crimson-Faced Lady. The white-haired boy, who had appointed himself the annals compiler, was delighted. He had privately tried several times to get Priest Xianwei to step down as gatekeeper and let him take over—money was negotiable. Xianwei would have been tempted if it weren't for the mountain of books left by Brother Dafeng and the ever-increasing numbers.

Liu Baqiao immediately perked up. "Priest Xianwei, remember to tell that annals compiler not to just write names. Be sure to add my realm and Nangong Xingyan's. A Nascent Soul under a hundred years old, and a Viewing the Sea realm at just twenty... eighteen! Both sword cultivators!"

Once on the mountain, Chen Ping'an had the old cook stir-fry a few dishes to go with the wine and pulled Liu Baqiao to drink.

Nangong Xingyan didn't want to disturb the reunion between her junior uncle and Mountain Lord Chen, so she followed a pink-skirted girl named Nuanshu to a residence, which was next to Liu Baqiao's.

When Liu Baqiao, tipsy and humming a tune, patted his belly and staggered back to his residence, the young sword cultivator happened to step out.

Nangong Xingyan murmured in admiration, "Junior Uncle Liu, you really do know Sword Immortal Chen?"

They seemed to have a very good relationship—he was even willing to come down the mountain to pick up Junior Uncle Liu in person, and they drank together on the mountain.

Liu Baqiao laughed indignantly. "Otherwise? Put your hand on your conscience and tell me—is your junior uncle the kind of person who likes to brag?"

He glanced sideways and chuckled. "You might not be able to find your conscience. Some things—when you're young, you worry about them and find them annoying. Hah, later on, you'll be grateful you have them."

Not old, but with quite some scenery in certain places.

This was just what a disreputable character Liu Baqiao was. In Wind Thunder Garden, regardless of age or gender, whether direct disciples of the ancestral hall or outer disciples, everyone either cursed or teased Liu Baqiao. It wasn't unfair; Liu Baqiao brought it upon himself.

But this rakish man, with good talent, high realm, and not bad looks, once off the mountain, could hardly speak a word or steal a glance at a single woman.

Nangong Xingyan, without a word, drove her elbow into Liu Baqiao's ribs.

The blow made her junior uncle double over, gasp, and wince in pain.

Though the girl looked delicate and gentle, with a slender figure and soft features, she had a fiery temper. Combined with her life-bound flying sword, no one in Wind Thunder Garden was willing to spar with her. Several of her Golden Core senior brothers and uncles only taught sword techniques and Dao formulas but never personally practiced with her.

Her senior brother Yellow River, who considered her likely his last direct disciple, valued her immensely.

Yellow River, who almost never publicly praised anyone, had called her the only one among Wind Thunder Garden's sword cultivators to truly grasp the essence of the word "thunder."

Liu Baqiao pulled a jade token from his sleeve and handed it to Nangong Xingyan. "A gift in advance from Mountain Lord Chen. Give it to Xing Youheng later."

Nangong Xingyan examined the jade token carefully. "What is this?"

Liu Baqiao had to explain. Back in the Spring Book Fragrance Pavilion meeting hall, when Chen Ping'an became the new Hidden Official, he gave out a batch of "Trouble-Free Tokens" specially crafted by the Summer Resort Palace.

The design was extremely plain and ordinary. The material of the jade token was not particularly precious and had no outstanding features. One side was engraved with "Haoran World," the other with "Sword Qi Great Wall." Beside them were the small seal characters "Hidden Official," along with a tiny regular script number.

Except for Tungleaf Continent, which had no cross-continent ferries, ferry owners and managers from the other eight provinces each received one. They were engraved with different numbers. For example, Wu Qiu had number nine, Tang Feiqian number twelve, Bai Xi from the "Washbasin" ferry on Fuyang Continent number thirteen, Jiang Gaotai from the "Southern Dipper" ferry on Aiai Continent number sixteen, Liu Shen from the "Rainbow Skirt" ferry on the southwestern immortal islands number ninety-six, and Dai Hao of "Great Broth" on Aiai Continent and Liu Yu of "Wild Bell" on Liuxia Continent each received one.

Chen Ping'an kept three for himself. The one he gave to Liu Baqiao was one of them, with the number six.

Another token, number eight, was given to the Old Immortal Lu of Green Tiger Palace on Tungleaf Continent.

Only the last one remained, number fifty-five, which Chen Ping'an planned to keep for himself.

Liu Baqiao laughed. "This thing is quite valuable now."

Wind Thunder Garden sword cultivators never concerned themselves with affairs outside the mountain. Just now at the dinner table, Chen Ping'an hadn't said much about the true value of these tokens, but Liu Baqiao wasn't stupid. He knew these were good things that money couldn't buy.

Liu Baqiao teased, "So you've finally met the real person. How do you feel? Disappointed?"

Nangong Xingyan gave a contemptuous snort, unwilling to dignify such a stupid question.

Back at Wind Thunder Garden, after watching the mirror-flower-water-moon broadcast, she had developed a catchphrase: "Could there really be such a handsome man in the world?!"

Now it seemed that when she returned to Wind Thunder Garden, her catchphrase would change slightly: "There really is such a handsome man in the world!"

Liu Baqiao shook his sleeves and said softly, "Liking someone who is destined not to like you back might be painful."

Nangong Xingyan shook her head. "Junior Uncle, I'm different from you. I won't be so half-dead."

Liu Baqiao smiled bitterly.

Nangong Xingyan's eyes sparkled.

"Whether I like someone or not has absolutely nothing to do with whether they like me or not. It's like..."

"It's like a mountain looking at water. The water flows away, but the mountain remains. The person I like can go far away, I'll just keep liking them."

Liu Baqiao gave a knowing smile. Are the young people nowadays so bold in love and hate?

Liu Baqiao sighed. "Girl, the reason you're so decisive and free of entanglements is that you admire, not truly love."

Nangong Xingyan nodded. "Maybe."

Ha, she wasn't a lovesick fool.

Liu Baqiao waved his hand. "Go wander around on your own. Your chaste junior uncle is going to sleep. I warn you, don't do anything reckless! Uncle Liu is a very upright man!"

Nangong Xingyan spat "Pfft!" and turned away.

Liu Baqiao sat alone on the steps in a daze. After drinking two pots of plum wine—smooth going down, but strong—the man still hadn't recovered. His vision was blurry.

The courtyard was quiet, clusters of banana trees green against the window screen. Liu Baqiao savored the aftertaste of the wine and felt the plum wine souring his teeth.

He said he was afraid a letter wouldn't be enough to move Chen Ping'an. That was, of course, a clumsy excuse. Liu Baqiao knew best how sentimental Chen Ping'an was. Even if Wind Thunder Garden didn't send an invitation, as long as Chen Ping'an heard about it and had nothing pressing, he would probably come in person.

Liu Baqiao just wanted to get off the mountain.

Sad thoughts gathered between his brows, aging a young heart.

On the rooftop, someone cackled, "Brother Baqiao, don't look so grim! Who are you grimacing for? Come, come, let's keep drinking!"

Liu Baqiao laughed and cursed. He stood up, lightly tapped the ground, and leaped onto the roof. He found six pots of wine already laid out. Liu Baqiao felt a bit intimidated. Chen Ping'an ignored him and uncapped a pot. Liu Baqiao gritted his teeth, sat down beside him, and pulled three pots toward himself, grumbling, "We each drink our own. Whoever tries to persuade the other to drink is a grandson."

Going down the mountain, again and again, I grow old.

The world shares a clear moonlit night—two bachelors drinking their sorrows away.