Chen Ping’an lay in bed, the strange dream still lingered in his mind.

Last time, it was reading in a dream on the ferry to Guihua Island. He wondered what profound meaning this dream held, or perhaps it was just a dream, and he was being overly suspicious?

Chen Ping’an sat up. Since he couldn’t sleep, he simply went to the table and began to take stock of his possessions.

During the day, Ninth Niang had delivered definite news: the Yao family’s convoy would pass through Fox Cub Town at dawn tomorrow. At that time, the two parties would travel together to Mirage City, then part ways at a famous ferry outside the capital. Chen Ping’an and his group would continue north, entering the mountains to visit the immortal Tianque Peak. Old General Yao Zhen had arranged two identities for them, so they could travel freely in the mortal realm during the latter part of their journey.

Chen Ping’an lit the oil lamp and placed the Sword Nurturing Gourd on the table. The flying sword Fifteen emerged. Chen Ping’an took out the Dharma Robe Jinli, feeling a pang of heartache. He felt sorry for the damage to this relic of an overseas immortal, and even more so for the copper coin used to repair Jinli. The Grain Rain Coin had already been used up; it wasn’t a Lesser Heat Coin, let alone a Snowflake Coin, but one of the gold essence copper coins that Zheng Dafeng had given Chen Ping’an as a reward for breaking through in Old Dragon City.

Chen Ping’an stroked the neatly folded Dharma Robe and sighed.

No wonder people said that cultivation was an endeavor that devoured mountains of gold and silver. No one should claim to have so much money they couldn’t spend it all.

However, Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but think of Liu Youzhou of Ape Subduing Manor in Upside-Down Mountain. It was estimated that this father was the same age as the God of Wealth of Vast White Continent, and only he would be qualified to worry about having too much money.

Chen Ping’an then took out the bag of gold essence copper coins and gently poured them onto the table. He stacked them one by one, building a small tower, but it wasn’t even as tall as the palm of his hand. Chen Ping’an smiled knowingly; it was just that the tower was a little small, a little short, otherwise he would have been even happier.

These priceless gold essence copper coins weren’t offerings or spring welcome coins, but were all warding coins, with “Drive Away Calamity and Eliminate Misfortune” and “Universal Peace” engraved on the front and back respectively. The inscriptions were different from the warding coins Chen Ping’an had first encountered in Lizhu Cave Heaven, presumably because the coinage changed with each sixty-year cycle.

Back in Upside-Down Mountain, Chen Ping’an had learned a seemingly simple but extremely orthodox refining incantation from the sword-bearing gatekeeper. It only took him the time it takes to brew a pot of tea to refine the gold essence copper coin. The multiple damaged and torn threads of the Dharma Robe Jinli came alive, like willow branches sprouting, which was quite miraculous.

Chen Ping’an estimated that the robe would be restored to its original state in at most ten days. There was also a pleasant surprise: Chen Ping’an discovered the peculiarity of the golden dragons on the Dharma Robe. The largest coiled dragon’s held pearl and the eyes of the two smaller golden dragons didn’t have obvious golden light before. After “eating” the gold essence copper coin, they were like a stroke of genius, especially the spiritual energy contained in the golden pearl, which was as thick as water.

This discovery made Chen Ping’an, who had never been obsessed with spiritual artifacts and magical treasures, somewhat moved, because the quality of this Jinli Dharma Robe was increasing, just like Wei Xian and Zhu Lian’s martial arts realms. One must know, what lies above magical treasures? Immortal weapons! The Fu family of Old Dragon City, who were wealthier than an entire continent, had never possessed a true immortal weapon despite thousands of years of accumulation.

However, Chen Ping’an didn’t expect Jinli to grow into a Dharma Robe of immortal weapon quality, because the heavens only knew how many gold essence copper coins it would need to consume. Moreover, Lizhu Cave Heaven no longer existed, and the three types of gold essence copper coins were likely to be cut off, never to appear again.

Even if one were fortunate enough to cultivate a Bridge of Longevity, one would still have to refine five magical treasures of the five elements. It would be no exaggeration to describe it as difficult as ascending to heaven. However, for Chen Ping’an, it wasn’t too bad, just like practicing a million punches after practicing a million punches. As long as he could clearly see the road under his feet and know where to go next, that was enough. As for how far and how difficult it would be, he wouldn’t think about it for now.

Chen Ping’an continued to take out some long-treasured items.

The golden literary gallbladder given by the City God Shen Wen, fragments of the golden body left behind after the death of a god.

A pile of emerald green bamboo slips that could be traced back to Mount Qingshen, most of which had been inscribed with poems and verses by Chen Ping’an.

The snake gallstone that He Xiaoliang, the yellow-crowned Taoist priest of the Divine Decree Sect, had returned to him.

Finally, Chen Ping’an took out the Water character seal personally engraved by Master Qi and gently placed it in the center of the table. Chen Ping’an lay on the table. As the saying goes, mountains and water are inseparable. The Mountain character seal had already been destroyed in the Dragon Flood Ditch, and the Water character seal seemed a bit lonely.

Chen Ping’an was lost in thought and had an idea: to find an opportunity to buy a white jade hairpin on the way. It didn’t matter if the material was ordinary, as long as he could engrave those eight words, he could wear it in his hair. It wasn’t to show off anything, purely because he felt that even without wearing the Jinli Dharma Robe, his current attire of a blue robe and jade hairpin was passable as a scholar, even if he wasn’t one. Then, when he returned to Treasure Bottle Continent and went to the Cliff Academy on Mount Da Sui to find Li Baoping and the others, he wouldn’t have to worry about them being looked down upon by their classmates.

He had read so many books and seen so many sage principles, but Chen Ping’an still liked those eight words the most.

Speaking of a gentleman, his virtue is as warm as jade.

However, when he thought of the scholar who was sleeping on the floor in the inn, Chen Ping’an was a little curious about the Great Fu Academy. If it weren’t for the fact that he shouldn’t delay his trip in Tongye Continent any longer, Chen Ping’an would have really liked to travel and study at the academy.

One by one, Chen Ping’an put away all his things and put them back in the inch pouch.

Back then, Zheng Dafeng, in order to settle both old and new debts, had given him not only a bag of gold essence copper coins, but also a legendary object of reduced dimension, a jade tablet with no inscriptions, extremely simple and elegant.

However, Chen Ping’an was used to dealing with the flying sword Fifteen, which was both convenient and pleasing, so he had never touched the object. Even Yuan Ying Earth Immortals might not be able to have one of these treasures, but Chen Ping’an had hidden it away.

The “West Mountain” Amrita Armor was temporarily given to Wei Xian, the Narrow Blade Stopping Snow was hanging on Lu Baixiang’s waist, and the Obsessive Heart Sword was carried on Sui Youbian’s back.

The golden demon-binding rope made from the Old Flood Dragon’s whiskers was too flashy. Whether it was Jinli’s usual snow-white color, or the two blue robes purchased from the market, they didn’t match. Otherwise, it could be used as a belt.

After putting away his rich assets, Chen Ping’an felt relaxed. What could relieve his worries? Money and wine.
Chen Pingan stood up and walked to the window, opening it wide. He noticed the adjacent room, where Pei Qian was staying, was unusually quiet. The inn’s walls offered little soundproofing, and the little girl usually emitted soft snores while sleeping. Chen Pingan initially assumed Pei Qian was up to her old tricks, sneaking down to the kitchen on the ground floor like a little rodent to pilfer food. However, after waiting for about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, he heard the inn’s front door opening and closing. With a flick of his finger, Chen Pingan extinguished the lamp, and soon after, he heard Pei Qian’s footsteps ascending the stairs.

Once the door to the next room closed, Chen Pingan calmed his mind, relit the oil lamp, and retrieved three books, flipping through them at random.

These were *Shaking Mountain Fist*, borrowed from Gu Can, *Dan Shu True Traces*, gifted by Li Xisheng, and *Swordplay Canon*, given by Zheng Dafeng.

Now, the content of each book was deeply ingrained in his mind. However, aside from the recently started practice of the “Thousand Autumns” sleeping stance from *Shaking Mountain Fist*, his progress in both talisman-making and swordsmanship was almost non-existent compared to before his accidental entry into Lotus Flower Paradise. He simply couldn’t divide his attention. Chen Pingan believed he could try his hand at some talismans from *Dan Shu True Traces* that were of slightly higher quality than the Pagoda Suppressing Demon Talisman and, with luck, complete them in one go.

Chen Pingan read throughout the night, until dawn. Before the sky brightened, he detected faint rustling sounds from the neighboring room. Not long after, a knock came at his door. Chen Pingan put away the three books and opened the door to find Pei Qian, seemingly fully prepared for a journey, her cotton cloth knapsack already slung over her shoulder and her walking stick in hand. She looked up at him with a bright smile and asked, “When are we setting off for Mirage City?”

Chen Pingan questioned, “Weren’t you told to stay at the inn?”

Pei Qian’s smile remained unchanged as she feigned ignorance. “Should I wake up Little Cripple to cook for us? We need to eat well before hitting the road. I heard Fox Town is two or three thousand *li* away from Great Spring Capital, quite a distance.”

Chen Pingan was about to speak when a disheveled scholar, yawning widely, appeared at the top of the stairs. He walked over to the two of them and smacked Pei Qian on the back of the head. Still half-asleep, Zhong Kui asked Chen Pingan, “The Yao family here so early? Is Yao Zhen so eager to become the Minister of War?”

Furious at being hit for no reason, Pei Qian raised her walking stick, ready to deliver a blow to Zhong Kui’s waist. However, upon catching sight of Chen Pingan, she immediately stopped, muttering under her breath, “A gentleman uses words, not fists. That’s what the books say. What kind of scholar are you? No wonder Ninth Sister doesn’t fancy you. Little Cripple is right, poor scholars are the worst people under heaven.”

Ignoring the little girl’s incessant chatter, Zhong Kui pressed his hand on Pei Qian’s head and chuckled. “Chen Pingan, you should just take her with you. I don’t want to be stuck with this little brat every day, it’s too tiring. My plum wine will probably taste bland. Besides, Fox Town is not a safe place. Leaving her here goes against your original intentions.”

Pei Qian immediately stood upright, puffed out her chest, and focused her gaze, trying her best to appear obedient and well-behaved.

Chen Pingan didn’t give an immediate answer. “I’ll think about it.”

Zhong Kui nodded, smiling. “You should indeed think it over carefully.”

Chen Pingan went downstairs and left the inn for a stroll. As soon as Zhong Kui opened the inn’s front door, Ninth Sister and the others were already up and busily preparing breakfast.

Zhu Lian and the other three practically simultaneously opened their doors on the second floor.

Suddenly, everything became lively.

As Pei Qian and Zhong Kui descended the stairs, she secretly tugged at Zhong Kui’s sleeve. When he turned his head, Pei Qian whispered, “I’ll put in a good word for you with Ninth Sister later.”

Was this a reciprocal act of kindness?

Zhong Kui gave her a thumbs-up. “That’s loyalty!”

Chen Pingan strolled for several *li*, walking slowly along the official road in a six-step stance, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

He glanced at the outline of Fox Town in the distance a few more times.

Chen Pingan almost couldn’t resist taking out the Yang Energy Raising Lamp Talisman. It was the only Lamp Raising Talisman made of golden material. He wanted to use it to check what kind of entity was hidden in Fox Town. If it was truly a demon of profound cultivation, an ordinary Lamp Raising Talisman might not be able to reveal it. The fact that a scholar from Great Fu Academy was stationed there meant it was definitely not some “Fifth Realm Great Demon” from the Color Robe Country.

However, Chen Pingan forcefully suppressed this impulse. If he really used the golden Lamp Raising Talisman and there was a demonic giant lurking in Fox Town, the burning of the talisman would be both a warning and a provocation. Chen Pingan would have to be crazy to invite trouble upon himself. Besides, the rare golden talisman paper was becoming increasingly scarce with each use. He wouldn’t be so wasteful.

After returning to the inn, Chen Pingan sat by the doorway, feeling a headache coming on.

It turned out that Pei Qian and Zhong Kui were sitting at a table together. Zhong Kui, having drunk a bit of wine, was corrupting the young girl, who listened intently, appearing enlightened by his words.

Zhong Kui asked, “Do you know why it’s said that a gentleman uses words, not fists?”

Pei Qian answered, “Because scholars aren’t good at fighting.”

Zhong Kui lowered his voice mysteriously. “The real meaning of that phrase is that as soon as a gentleman speaks, the other person is already dead.”

Pei Qian was puzzled. “Are gentlemen so good at arguing that they can curse someone to death?”

Zhong Kui placed one leg on the bench, his face full of pride, and raised his eyebrows, signaling the little girl to pour him some wine before he would reveal the truth.

Pei Qian rolled her eyes, full of disdain, and glanced sideways at Zhong Kui. Her dark face clearly conveyed, “Who do you think you are?”

Zhong Kui wasn’t annoyed. He pointed a finger at the charcoal-like little girl and chuckled, “You just don’t like being at a disadvantage.”

Pei Qian became irritated. She stood up, bent over, and slapped Zhong Kui’s finger away with a clap of her hand.

Zhong Kui swayed his body, about to point at Pei Qian again, but Pei Qian kept waving her hand.

Ninth Sister, watching Zhong Kui from the counter, didn’t think a grown man’s childlike innocence was a trait that deserved a woman’s admiration.

But since Zhong Kui was like this, he probably wasn’t a completely bad person.

Pei Qian had never encountered such a shameless scholar. She was exhausted and panting, so she sat back down and sneered, “If gentlemen are so powerful, then why do they say, ‘Better to offend a gentleman than a petty person’?”

Zhong Kui smiled. “That’s because they haven’t met me yet.”

Pei Qian twitched her lips. “You’re just making things up. Have you read as many books as my dad?”

Zhong Kui slapped himself on the face, speechless, as if he couldn’t face the sages and virtuous men on the altar. “I concede.”
Chen Ping’an approached Ninth Sister and took out the silver taels he had prepared. Ninth Sister didn’t decline this time. This small sum, twenty or thirty taels, since this benefactor of the Yao family was willing to give, she could only accept it. She said with a wry smile, “Young Master Chen, I hope you can take care of Lingzhi a little on this trip to the capital. Her temperament is proud and indeed not likeable. Please be lenient with her, Young Master, and consider it my overstepping.”

Chen Ping’an nodded in agreement and then smiled, extending his hand.

Ninth Sister was puzzled.

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “The payment for taking care of Miss Yao, without twenty or thirty taels of silver, just won’t do.”

Ninth Sister hadn’t laughed so heartily in years. She slapped the silver heavily into Chen Ping’an’s palm, the woman overjoyed, “Oh my, I never thought Young Master was such a shrewd merchant!”

Chen Ping’an actually pocketed the silver, joking, “When traveling abroad, one needs to know how to make a living.”

Zhong Kui turned to look at Ninth Sister and Chen Ping’an’s harmonious interaction, and shouted loudly towards the kitchen, “When breakfast is served later, remember to give me a bowl of aged vinegar, a big bowl!”

After everyone had eaten breakfast, the sound of horses’ hooves on the official road outside the inn grew clearer and clearer.

Departure was imminent.

Chen Ping’an suddenly remembered something and tentatively asked Zhong Kui, “Could you help me write a couplet for the Spring Festival?”

Chen Ping’an thought that the scholar in the green robe before him was at least a gentleman from the academy, and his calligraphy must be excellent. He might as well ask for a good omen for the coming year.

Zhong Kui’s eyes lit up, “Do I get paid?”

Ninth Sister said angrily, “Are you obsessed with money?!”

Zhong Kui awkwardly and eagerly ran to the counter, rubbing his hands and saying, “Ninth Sister, brush and ink, please.”

Ninth Sister rolled her eyes, “You’re an accountant; can’t you find it yourself?”

The inn had brush, ink, and red paper cut into blank Spring Festival couplets because in previous years, Old Hunchback had personally written them, with excellent calligraphy. After all, he was the third brother of Yao Zhen. Although the Yao family was a powerful clan in the border army, they didn’t neglect poetry and literature. Military formations and strategies – Yao family disciples couldn’t handle them if they were all crude warriors.

Chen Ping’an said there was no need to prepare brush and ink; he had them.

Before saying this, he had already subtly turned his wrist, taking out the Small Snow Awl from his inch-square object.

Pei Qian flattered him by taking the pair of red couplet papers and spreading them on a wine table.

She didn’t forget to instruct Zhong Kui, who was standing in front of the table rolling up his sleeves, “You must put your heart into it and write well because they will be hung on my house’s walls in the future!”

Zhu Lian and the other three all gathered around, curious about what this gentleman would write.

As for where Chen Ping’an got the writing brush and why he could write without dipping it in ink, Ninth Sister pretended not to see anything.

Zhong Kui took the brush, gathered his qi in his dantian, and with a solemn expression, shouted softly, writing five characters with a powerful stroke.

The characters were upright, but things like style and charm were still out of reach.

The content was “Brush falls, startles wind and rain.”

It was obvious that this was not the kind of writing suitable for a Spring Festival couplet; it was more like Zhong Kui seizing an opportunity to show off his identity as a scholar.

Zhu Lian kept hunching over, carefully examining the five characters, smiling with narrowed eyes.

Sui Youbian had already turned his head, looking towards the inn’s gate. The Yao family would arrive soon.

Ninth Sister said expressionlessly, “Little Cripple, go get the broom. Someone’s skin is itching.”

Zhong Kui looked innocent, “Don’t! I wrote them with my heart. If it really doesn’t work, I’ll write another one. The money for these two couplet papers on the table will come out of my pocket.”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “They’re quite good, just add five more characters.”

Ninth Sister stared at Zhong Kui, who quickly pushed the gloating Little Cripple, “Go get another pair of papers from your master’s room, no, get two pairs. In case Ninth Sister isn’t satisfied, I can change them.”

After Zhong Kui wrote the first half of the first couplet, “Poetry Complete, Makes Ghosts Weep.”

Perhaps he thought he had written too “big,” Zhong Kui laughed drily, finding an excuse for himself, “My hand is stiff; I didn’t write well, not even half my usual skill.”

Later, Zhong Kui wrote the following couplets in a proper and festive manner. They were genuine Spring Festival couplets, not the frivolous kind like the first one.

“The New Year Receives Overflowing Blessings, The Auspicious Festival is Called Everlasting Spring.”

After writing the second couplet, Zhong Kui was extremely satisfied, saying that the content of this couplet was the ancestor of all Spring Festival couplets.

The third one was the most satisfying to Ninth Sister because it was very clever and appropriate for the occasion: “The country prospers, the family prospers, the nation prospers; the old are safe, the young are safe, the old and young are safe.”

Even Pei Qian thought it was pretty good, finally giving Zhong Kui a little bit of a kind look.

Chen Ping’an carefully put away the three couplets, clasping his fist in thanks to Zhong Kui.

Zhong Kui accepted it readily.

Then the two looked at each other.

Chen Ping’an helplessly reminded him, “Brush.”

Zhong Kui asked, “I’ve already given you three couplets with such auspicious meanings, can’t you give me a writing brush?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head, “No.”

Zhong Kui wanted to haggle, but found Ninth Sister’s face dark with clouds. It was estimated that she wouldn’t need Little Cripple to find the broom; she would personally sweep him out the door. He sighed and reluctantly returned the Small Snow Awl to Chen Ping’an, muttering, “The words ‘With Divine Stroke’ on the shaft are destined for me. How well they match! Chen Ping’an, you’re breaking up a loving couple; it’s very unsightly.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t deliberately hide it, putting away the Small Snow Awl given by Li Xisheng and smiling, “I really can’t give it to you.”

Seeing Zhong Kui’s pitiful expression, Ninth Sister laughed, “The money for the couplet papers is waived. Not only that, but in view of the three couplets, you can take a jar of five-year-old plum wine today.”

Zhong Kui immediately beamed with joy.

Outside the inn, the official road was already dusty.

The knife-wielding girl Yao Lingzhi and the young Yao Xianzhi dismounted and came to the inn’s gate to greet Chen Ping’an and his party.

Ninth Sister told Yao Lingzhi to be careful on the road and then began to choke up and sob.

The girl’s eyes also reddened as she lowered her head and turned away, no longer looking at her mother’s sad face.

Dressed in casual clothes, Yao Zhen stood beside a carriage. This time, the Yao family’s team entering the capital, in addition to three deliberately empty carriages, had also specially prepared five tall steeds for Chen Ping’an, all first-class warhorses from the Daquan border army. Even the top noble children in the capital might not be able to own one.

Yao Zhen hadn’t expected that, besides the gaunt little girl and the gorgeous woman carrying a long sword, the other four members of Chen Ping’an’s group had chosen to ride warhorses north.
Yao Zhen naturally had no objections. After exchanging greetings with Chen Ping’an, the old general returned to his carriage. He carried over a dozen military texts, all ancestral heirlooms of the Yao family. Each book was filled with copious notes and insights penned by Yao ancestors, almost every page was covered in annotations.

Perhaps this was the true essence of inheritance for noble and powerful families, like a flame passed down through generations.

This time, Yao Zhen only brought three Yao family scions, all belonging to the same generation. Yao Jinzhi rode alone in a carriage, while Yao Xianzhi and Yao Lingzhi rode abreast at the rear of the formation.

Seven or eight accompanying cultivators were scattered throughout the entourage.

Yao Zhen frankly told Chen Ping’an that two of them were secret retainers of the Great Spring Dynasty. If not for this imperial summons to the capital, even he, the Great Spring’s highest-ranking border general, would have no authority to command those two cultivators.

The remaining sixty-odd riders were all seasoned veterans skilled in horsemanship and archery, along with a small number of their family members, mostly stewards, servants, and maids from the Yao family’s estate.

Chen Ping’an mingled within the group, riding his horse at a steady pace.

Even while seated on horseback, Zhu Lian remained hunched over, his body swaying and bobbing with the horse’s movements. He appeared to be the most easygoing and amiable of Chen Ping’an’s four attendants.

Lu Baixiang kept his eyes closed, conserving his energy.

Wei Xian felt most at home within the riding group, perfectly at ease.

At the inn, Ninth Sister was reluctant to withdraw her gaze for a long time.

The old hunchback squatted at the doorway, puffing on his dry tobacco pipe, the wisps of smoke obscuring his wrinkled and weathered face, like mountain mist shrouding ravines and valleys.

The little cripple climbed onto the roof, seeking a higher vantage point. They had only just parted, yet he was already anticipating his next reunion with that sword-carrying sister.

Zhong Kui arrived at the small burial mound. The stone tablet had been overturned, and the earth had been dug up, the contents of the symbolic grave taken away.

“Such playful children,” he thought.

Zhong Kui scratched his head, turned to glance at the departing entourage, then retracted his gaze, placed his hands behind his back, and ambled back towards the inn, muttering to himself, “The sun rises in the east, a golden expanse of ten thousand miles. When the moon sets in the west, nocturnal apes begin to chirp. Alas, the parallelism is off, otherwise, it would be a masterpiece destined for immortality.”

Zhong Kui pondered whether to make a trip to Fox Cub Town.

“The Master is too timid,” he thought. “He’s a mountain master of the Great Fu Academy, and even hails from the residence of a Sage in the Central Continent.

That Nine-Tailed Fox, although its name resides on the second page of Old Man Bai’s ‘True Name Scripture,’ since I know her true name, wouldn’t killing her be as simple as uttering a word?”

Zhong Kui clasped his hands behind his head, a gentle breeze caressing his face.

It seemed as if the autumn wind was swirling within his raised sleeves.

The women in the inn had never seen Zhong Kui like this before.

First, set a small goal, like 1 second: