The Great Cold season arrived, the lake waters vast and desolate, the chilling air biting to the bone.

Gu Can had been unconscious for three days and three nights. Every day, Chen Ping An would sit by his sickbed for a while, inhaling the thick medicinal scent.

Just like before, when Gu Can and the little mud loach would sit outside the house at the mountain gate, basking in the sun.

Inside the room, Chen Ping An would occasionally rise and sit at the head of the bed, checking Gu Can’s pulse. Long years of illness had made him a near-expert. He might not be a professional, but he could discern whether the injury was worsening or healing. The bottle of spiritual pills that Liu Zhimao had Tian Hujun deliver had a remarkable effect. It was very likely a rare elixir similar to those that Lu Yong of the Azure Tiger Palace specially refined for earth immortals.

On this day, Gu Can finally awoke and saw Chen Ping An sitting in the chair. He grinned weakly, but soon fell asleep again, his breathing much steadier.

After Chen Ping An left the Spring Courtyard Residence, the woman hesitated for a moment and instructed an old steward, a Dragon Gate Realm cultivator, to invite Liu Zhimao, saying she had something to discuss.

The woman sat by the bed, gently holding Gu Can’s still somewhat feverish hand, her eyes brimming with tears.

The woman’s thoughts wandered far and wide, and finally, she let out a soft sigh.

Fortunately, Can Can’s life was no longer in danger. It was just a bit of a shame, that the Spring Courtyard Residence’s carefully prepared “Immortal Meal” would be delayed.

The diet of cultivators was extremely particular, and the Pharmacists, among the hundred schools of thought, had made the greatest contributions in this regard. The people depend on food as their heaven, and this applied to cultivators on the mountains just the same.

Based on the twenty-four solar terms of the year as rough milestones, there was a complete and well-developed set of seasonal medicinal supplements. These could benefit a cultivator’s physique and spirit, and a cultivator’s medicinal supplements were similar to the dietary supplements of wealthy families.

Of course, if one wanted everything to be interlinked and increase cultivation, it required day after day, year after year. So, one had to be rich, very rich.

The woman’s eyes quickly turned firm.

The resilience of an unfortunate woman to life’s hardships, the unwavering concern of a mother for her son’s future, and the shrewdness of a widow who had to carefully calculate every copper coin, were like bricks and tiles, piecing together the ancestral home in Mud Bottle Lane, sheltering the mother and son who depended on each other from wind and rain.

She lightened her footsteps and stepped over the threshold. Outside the door, a young maid with an open-fronted jacket wanted to help close the door, but the woman glared at her, and she quickly withdrew her hand. The woman gently closed the door herself.

In a magnificent reception hall of the Spring Courtyard Residence, the woman met with the Intercepting River True Monarch, now the sovereign of Quill Book Lake.

Liu Zhimao, the otherworldly immortal who had brought them out of Mud Bottle Lane back then.

Looking at the woman before him, from a charming woman covered in the earthy smells of the countryside, gradually transforming into the current mistress of the Azure Gorge Island’s Spring Courtyard Residence, three years had passed. Her beauty had not diminished but rather increased, adding a great deal of wealth and prestige. Her skin was like that of a young girl. Liu Zhimao even knew that she loved the maids in the residence saying that she was now even more noble than the imperial consorts of Stone Mill Country. Liu Zhimao took a cup of hot tea that a steward carefully handed over, gently stirring the lid, regretting quite a bit. If he had forced the issue with this kind of woman back then, perhaps things wouldn’t be as they were today, with a master being wary of his disciple.

Because once this woman was subdued by him, Liu Zhimao, she would have a thousand reasons and excuses to completely convince herself.

Perhaps he could use this to better control Gu Can.

As long as he continued to bring her wealth and glory, she would desperately cling to it, holding it tightly in her hand, thinking of leaving everything to her son in the future.

That would be the best ally for Azure Gorge Island.

Instead of the way things were now, with her appetite growing larger and larger. Living in the Spring Courtyard Residence, which was no less than the mansions of princes, she began to eye his, Liu Zhimao’s, Transverse Wave Residence. From initially trying her best to flatter and understand Tian Hujun’s intentions, to now, still appearing amiable on the surface, but revealing an air of condescension in her bones. Not only that, a village woman who had become wealthy had even started reading books. Not only that, she had even started dabbling in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, having several young maids from wealthy aristocratic families teach her high-society etiquette and formalities.

This amused Liu Zhimao, she truly was a remarkable woman.

However, the regret Liu Zhimao felt earlier came and went quickly.

Liu Zhimao asked with a smile, “Madam, you’re looking for me to discuss something?”

The woman nodded, “I want to confirm something with the True Monarch. What exactly is Chen Ping An after, coming to our Azure Gorge Island? Is he really not trying to snatch that little mud loach back from Can Can? Also, the little mud loach said that Chen Ping An gave you a jade pendant, what is its background?”

Liu Zhimao didn’t drink the tea, gently placing the lid aside. Fragrant mist curled from the teacup. He smiled and said, “So, it’s these things. I thought the madam wanted to question me, asking why I, Gu Can’s master, didn’t step forward to protect my disciple.”

The woman said, “Let’s not talk about those things. I believe that the True Monarch has his difficulties, so I won’t harbor any resentment. I can also guarantee to help the True Monarch say some honest words to Can Can, otherwise wouldn’t it be a waste to let the jackals and tigers surrounding us take advantage?”

Liu Zhimao smiled knowingly. Who said that women were shortsighted just because they had long hair?

Liu Zhimao nodded, “That jade pendant has a great origin. I’m not at liberty to reveal the secrets of heaven. As for Chen Ping An’s purpose in coming to Quill Book Lake, it’s really hard to guess. To be honest, I’ve always been puzzled. After he became the accountant of our Azure Gorge Island, I understood even less. But I believe that Chen Ping An has no ill intentions towards Gu Can.”

The woman frowned, seeming a little strange, feeling that Liu Zhimao was being too evasive today. In the past, when discussing confidential matters with Liu Zhimao, he would never be so ambiguous. Could it be that after painstakingly becoming the co-lord of Quill Book Lake, he was scared out of his wits by that damned Liu Laocheng’s ruckus on Azure Gorge Island, even before he could enjoy his success for a few days? Did great joy followed by great sorrow cause him to lose his composure? Could it be that Liu Zhimao, such a scheming and ambitious hero, actually had a weaker temperament than a woman like herself?

Liu Zhimao narrowed his eyes and smiled, “The madam knows Chen Ping An’s character better than I do. He likes to be sentimental, and he cares wholeheartedly for Gu Can, whom he watched grow up.”
She wished she could give Gu Can everything good, but times had changed. They were no longer in that Mud Bottle Lane filled with chicken droppings and dog excrement. People change. Chen Ping’an, she surmised, had joined the ranks of the Confucianists, hence his fondness for lecturing. However, this might not suit Shujian Lake. That was probably why he slapped Gu Can twice in Pondside City. In her view, this stemmed from truly caring for Gu Can, remembering his goodness. Otherwise, most people, upon seeing relatives and friends achieve great success, would simply rejoice and ignore everything else. “Madam,” Liu Zhimao continued, “take Lü Caisang, for example. Seeing Gu Can with money, she would naturally think it was due to his ability, that his strong fists were a good thing.”

The woman twitched the corner of her mouth.

Liu Zhimao sighed, “Speaking of which, Chen Ping’an’s idea wasn’t wrong, but he was too unfamiliar with Shujian Lake, unaware of its treacherous nature. Fortunately, after staying for a while, he seemed to have finally learned some of Shujian Lake’s rules, so he stopped interfering with Gu Can. Madam, let’s turn the argument around. Clearly, for someone like Chen Ping’an, appealing to emotions is more effective than anything else. It all depends on the person and the place.”

The woman seemed thoughtful, feeling that Liu Zhimao’s words were somewhat sincere this time. Previously, they had been mostly polite platitudes.

As expected of the woman who never lost an argument in the small town, she understood immediately.

The woman felt a pang of regret. If she had followed Liu Zhimao’s reasoning, the night Chen Ping’an carried Gu Can back to Spring Courtyard Manor, until Chen Ping’an finally left the house, she had indeed handled things poorly.

If she had heard Liu Zhimao’s words beforehand, she would not have made so many mistakes that night.

In the past two years, whenever she had free time, she liked to have the manor’s maids attend to her, massaging her shoulders and back, fanning her to cool her down in the summer, and warming her in the winter. In addition, she would always have a maid, said to be the daughter of a vice minister of the Ministry of Rites, read aloud from various books. She had heard the grand principles advocated by those scholar-officials and literati, but she didn’t like them. However, certain anecdotes often inspired her greatly. For example, she had recently heard about a man whose house had caught fire. Upon hearing the news, he first asked if anyone was hurt, rather than asking about the losses. This immediately made him famous and turned him into a renowned benevolent man among scholars. The woman realized that she could also use this to her advantage, as the best way to win people’s hearts. There were also meritorious military generals who had gone down in history, who, despite their high positions, were willing to suck pus from the wounds of their soldiers. After that, the entire army was willing to die for them. The woman had her own insights into such matters.

The woman wanted to slap herself. Liu Zhimao’s words were actually the same as the principle in the book. She clearly knew it and remembered it, so why hadn’t she put it into practice when the time came?

Liu Zhimao noticed the woman’s change in expression and asked, “What’s wrong, Madam?”

The woman forced a smile, “Nothing. May I ask, True Lord, how should we act and speak from now on? Will Liu Laocheng of Willow Isle still be a threat to our Azure Gorge Island?”

Liu Zhimao reassured her, “Liu Laocheng is one of the most outstanding heroes in Shujian Lake’s history. Even his enemies admire him. He is decisive in killing, which is why when he came to Azure Gorge Island, no one could stop him from killing Gu Can. But now that he has spared Gu Can, no one can stop him either. You can’t change Liu Laocheng’s decisions. He certainly won’t come to Azure Gorge Island again. So, Gu Can and Spring Courtyard Manor are no longer in danger. I can even give you my word that after that night’s battle, Gu Can is truly safe. In today’s Shujian Lake, no one dares to kill someone that Liu Laocheng failed to kill!”

The woman was dubious.

Liu Zhimao didn’t say much more. It was best to speak only halfway to this woman and let her ponder the rest herself. Whether it was truth or falsehood, if he spoke too definitively, she would become suspicious and disbelieve him.

The woman turned and picked up her teacup, taking a sip with a dignified posture and elegant movements, showing no trace of her former rustic origins.

Liu Zhimao suddenly lowered his voice and asked, “Madam, why are you so… distrustful of Chen Ping’an?”

The woman’s eyes were dark and uncertain. “True Lord just said that people change.”

Liu Zhimao stroked his beard and smiled.

The woman asked, “True Lord, tell me, would I be considered a bad person in Shujian Lake?”

Liu Zhimao shook his head, “Of course not. You’re a good person. You have clear rewards and punishments, and you’re not unkind to your servants.”

The woman asked, “Even bad people have occasional moments of kindness. What I did for Chen Ping’an back then was just giving him a bowl of rice. Is that so strange? I’m wary of Chen Ping’an now for the sake of Can Can’s lifelong happiness and his path of cultivation. I’m not going to harm Chen Ping’an. What’s so strange about that?”

Liu Zhimao suddenly understood. “Now that Madam says so, I understand.”

The woman covered her mouth and smiled, then her moist eyes, full of allure, turned to him. “Does True Lord not appreciate the tea from Spring Courtyard Manor? That’s why you haven’t taken a single sip? If I remember correctly, this is immortal tea leaves from Rainbow Drink Isle, personally sent by Lord Tianhu. Does True Lord’s residence have better tea hidden away?”

“Madam’s words wound me deeply. Very well, even if I have to spend money to search everywhere, I will bring several catties of tea that are better than those from Rainbow Drink Isle to Spring Courtyard Manor.”

Liu Zhimao pointed his finger at the woman, laughed heartily, gently placed the lid back on his teacup, and took his leave, telling the woman not to see him off.

The woman stood up and then sat down again, pondering for a moment before getting up and leaving.

The old steward, standing far away at the courtyard gate instead of the hall door, quickly entered the reception hall. Normally, he would have the manor’s maids clean up, but today was different. With the island lord’s personal visit, he felt he should clean up himself.

When the old cultivator picked up Liu Zhimao’s teacup, not a single drop of tea remained, only a few jade-green immortal tea leaves lying at the bottom.

The old cultivator sighed inwardly. The island lord’s trust in Spring Courtyard Manor and the madam was as strong as ever.

After leaving Spring Courtyard Manor, Liu Zhimao returned directly to his own residence. First, he ordered someone to go to the capital of the Vermillion Glow Dynasty to buy several catties of the most expensive tea.

This Intercepting River True Lord, the most promising candidate in Shujian Lake to ascend to the upper five realms, sat on a priceless futon in his secret chamber, opened his palm, and revealed a small, crystal-clear ball of water. He took out a white bowl from his sleeve and placed the water ball into the bowl.

After sitting in meditation until late at night, Liu Zhimao finally used his supernatural powers to appear before the house at the foot of the mountain and gently knocked on the door.
Pushing open the door, Chen Ping’an had already walked around the desk and sat down, gesturing for Liu Zhimao to take a seat.

That this young man from Ni Ping Lane in Great Li didn’t point at his nose and burst into curses on the spot was both a good thing and a bad thing.

Liu Zhimao sat down opposite Chen Ping’an and explained with a smile, “Earlier, Mr. Chen forbade me from disturbing him without permission, so I had no choice but to refrain from offering any hospitality as a host. Now that Mr. Chen says he wants to see me, I naturally wouldn’t dare make you take a few extra steps, so I came to pay a visit. I hope Mr. Chen will forgive me for not announcing my arrival beforehand.”

For a Nascent Soul old cultivator of his stature, and on his own Qingxia Island territory, to speak so humbly could be described as being able to yield and stretch.

Chen Ping’an remained expressionless and extended his hand.

Liu Zhimao quickly twisted his wrist, a crystal-clear jade token hovering above his palm, not daring to touch it in the slightest. He gently pushed it forward, and Chen Ping’an accepted it.

Liu Zhimao then produced a water bowl and pushed it towards Chen Ping’an, finally stopping it in the center of the table. He smiled and said, “Gu Can’s mother sought me out and said a few words. I hope Mr. Chen can listen to them. My petty actions are naturally contemptible, but they can be considered a token of my sincerity.”

Ripples stirred on the surface of the white bowl.

Soon, the voices of Liu Zhimao and the woman from the Spring Courtyard mansion echoed from the bowl.

Unexpectedly, Chen Ping’an reached out his arm and covered the mouth of the bowl with his palm, shattering the ripples. The white bowl containing the echoes of sound returned to silence.

His other palm, the one that had held the half-immortal sword, even after Chen Ping’an had applied the secret elixir from the Central Earth Lu Clan that could regrow flesh and bone, was still a shocking and appalling sight.

Liu Zhimao wore an expression of sincere admiration and said, “Mr. Chen is truly a gentleman! Liu Zhimao was judging a noble soul with a petty mind.”

Chen Ping’an withdrew his hand and folded his hands in his sleeves. “I know what kind of person she is and what she thinks. Perhaps the words she spoke were even worse than I imagined. But from the moment I moved out of the Spring Courtyard mansion, her words and actions have little to do with me.”

Liu Zhimao nodded, indicating his understanding.

Chen Ping’an slowly said, “Back in Ni Ping Lane, in order to help Gu Can, whom you had chosen, and to retain the opportunity for that little loach, you not only bewitched Cai Jinjian of Yunxia Mountain with secret techniques, but you also secretly inscribed the four words ‘一心求死’ (a heart seeking death) in my mind with a sinister, unorthodox magical art, inducing me to assassinate Cai Jinjian and Fu Nanhua, striking a stone with an egg, so that I would disappear completely.”

Liu Zhimao said, “I admit that this happened and will not deny it. Doesn’t Mr. Chen have a half-immortal weapon? You can stab my heart or head with it. I will not retaliate. Then our grudges will be cleared! After that, if Mr. Chen continues to be relentless, then try and see.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “I have learned about your style of conduct in Shujian Lake. I never tire of seeing it; every day brings something new.”

Liu Zhimao kept a straight face, remaining silent.

In fact, in Shujian Lake, apart from Gu Can and the woman, Liu Zhimao gave the impression of being taciturn and sparing with words, only offering smiles to everyone. Especially in the eyes of Tian Hu-jun’s direct disciples and Yu Gui and other vassal “important officials,” Liu Zhimao’s hypocritical demeanor and ruthless methods were extremely intimidating.

A person who rarely speaks is either simple and inarticulate, or their mind is full of schemes.

Therefore, the old island owner of Tianmu Island, who disliked Liu Zhimao the most, the only eighth-realm sword cultivator in Shujian Lake, that poor wretch who has now been completely destroyed in body and soul, gave Liu Zhimao a sarcastic evaluation: “A fake gentleman, a smiling Buddha, a Shura blade hidden in his sleeve.”

Chen Ping’an then made a move that caused even Liu Zhimao’s eyelids to twitch. He raised the palm wrapped in cotton cloth from his sleeve, took down the gourd for nurturing sword from his waist, poured more than half a bowl of Wuti wine into the white bowl in the middle of the table, and pushed it back to Liu Zhimao. Chen Ping’an placed the sword gourd on the edge of the table and smiled, “What good would it do to stab you? Not to mention whether I could even injure a True Lord, even if I could, a cunning rabbit has three burrows. I know about the methods of the immortals on the mountain of finding a substitute, and there’s more than one.”

Liu Zhimao took the white bowl and generously drank the wine. “Mr. Chen is gifted, blessed, and fortunate. I, Liu Zhimao, was blind back then. I admit my punishment. Mr. Chen, feel free to name your terms.”

Chen Ping’an said, “If I said I would let bygones be bygones, you wouldn’t believe it, and neither would I.”

Liu Zhimao laughed heartily and pushed the white bowl forward. “Just for that incredibly frank remark from Mr. Chen, I’ll ask Mr. Chen for another bowl of wine.”

Chen Ping’an indeed poured another bowl of wine for Liu Zhimao, almost exactly half a bowl.

Liu Zhimao drank it in one gulp.

If the cultivators of Qingxia Island saw this scene, they would probably think that the host and guest were enjoying themselves, meeting with a smile, and forgetting their grudges in a cup.

Chen Ping’an said, “Before I name my terms, I have something to ask True Lord.”

Liu Zhimao nodded and said, “I will tell you everything I know.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “What is the foundation of True Lord’s cultivation of the heart?”

Liu Zhimao replied without hesitation, “A Daoist cultivates the Dao, naturally seeking truth.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Could you be more specific? Tell me about your own skill?”

Liu Zhimao hesitated slightly but still opened his mouth and answered, “Seven emotions and six desires are a tangled mess. So I unravel them, categorize them…”

At this point, Liu Zhimao pointed to the row of cabinets behind the desk. “Just like how Mr. Chen has different secret files placed.”

Liu Zhimao continued, “After that, the cultivators who choose to follow my unorthodox path have their own choices and compromises, each with their own small path to walk. They can either shrink them to the size of mustard seeds and set them aside, or transform them into mountains and continuously stabilize them. Both are methods of cultivation. As for how many mustard seeds are condensed and how many mountains of earth are accumulated, that depends on each person’s aptitude and talent for cultivation. There are many barriers and dangers. To deal with those mustard seeds, one can derive the ancient art of severing the three corpses, the inner refinement of the golden elixir. As for how to form a mountain, there are paths of consuming the essence of the sun and moon and consuming outer elixirs. The speed of cultivation and the height of the bottlenecks depend on the quality of each family’s ancestral cultivation secrets.”

Liu Zhimao stopped there. “I can only go into this much detail. Involving the fundamental Dao is truly seeking death. It would be better to let Mr. Chen stab me again.”

Liu Zhimao asked, “I know Mr. Chen already has a plan. Why not just say it directly?”
Chen Ping’an smiled, “No need to rush. I have another question. Liu Laocheng, like a mantis stalking the cicada, was lurking behind, and in a single night, he plunged Qingxia Island’s centuries of prestige in Shujian Lake, along with that little loach, into the lake’s depths. Can you still be the Lord of the Jianghu, then? Will you, Zhenjun, spit out the fat meat already in your mouth, offering it up with both hands to Liu Laocheng, from then on sealing off a dozen islands and mountain gates, becoming a regional warlord, a heteronymous king of Shujian Lake, or will you try to gamble? Liu Laocheng may be lurking behind like a mantis, but do you, Zhenjun, have a Great Li slingshot even further behind?”

Liu Zhimao didn’t directly answer anything, just sighed with a mixture of emotion and grievance, helplessly saying, “What I fear most is that Great Li has already quietly shifted its support to Liu Laocheng. Without a backer, Qingxia Island, with its small arms and legs, can’t withstand even the slightest storm. In Liu Laocheng’s eyes, I, Liu Zhimao, am no better than those scantily clad serving girls on the island. Forget about stripping off a few layers of clothing, even skinning me alive would be easy for him.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “I heard that Zhenjun brews an excellent cup of tea and also drinks cheap wine. I, on the other hand, am hopeless. I can’t get used to tea no matter what, and only know some theories from books.”

Liu Zhimao said dejectedly, “I, Liu Zhimao, will remember Master Chen’s teachings.”

Chen Ping’an’s smile faded, “The grudges between you and me can be written off, but you need to hand over one person to me.”

Liu Zhimao shook his head directly, “This is impossible. Don’t even think about it, Master Chen.”

Liu Zhimao chuckled, “To be honest, she’s just a half-human, half-ghost woman from Zhu Xuan Manor. Liu Laocheng forcibly abducted her that night himself. Or, like you, he could have asked me directly for her. Would I dare refuse? But why didn’t Liu Laocheng do that? Have you ever thought about it?”

Chen Ping’an sat quietly across from Liu Zhimao, sleeves folded in front of him, like a dilapidated, painted statue in a land devoid of spiritual energy.

Liu Zhimao asked curiously, “This secret, not only is she kept in the dark, but even Ma Yuanzhi, the ghost cultivator of Zhu Xuan Manor, doesn’t know about it. How did you guess it?”

Chen Ping’an didn’t hide anything, “First, it was the origin of the name ‘Zhu Xuan Manor,’ and then it was the name of a wine.”

Liu Zhimao became even more puzzled, addressing Chen Ping’an again as Master Chen, “Please enlighten me, Master Chen.”

Chen Ping’an slowly said, “Ma Yuanzhi, a ghost cultivator who started as a food delivery man, has a deep affection for Liu Chongrun of Zhuchai Island. I heard him tell his old stories, and when he spoke of Zhu Xuan Manor, he was quite smug, but he refused to give an explanation. So, I went to Zhuchai Island and used the three characters ‘Zhu Xuan Manor’ to test Liu Chongrun. This female cultivator immediately became angry and embarrassed. Although she didn’t reveal the truth either, she called Ma Yuanzhi a shameless scoundrel. Then, I made a special trip to Chi Shui City and, under the guise of buying ancient books, asked the old shopkeepers of several bookstores in Yuan Ku Street. Only then did I learn that in the homeland of Liu Chongrun and Ma Yuanzhi, there was a relatively obscure poem, ‘Chongrun Resonates with the Vermillion Strings.’ Thus, the riddle was solved. Ma Yuanzhi’s smugness was revealed in naming his manor Zhu Xuan, especially since ‘Resonates’ is a homophone for ‘Yearns’.”

Liu Zhimao clapped his hands and laughed, “Wonderful! If Master Chen hadn’t revealed the answer, I wouldn’t have known that Ma Yuanzhi, this lowly food delivery man, had such refined thoughts.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Yellow Vine Wine, Palace Wall Willow. Red Su, home-style official wine. Gongliu Island of Shujian Lake, and the extremely heavy baleful aura lingering around Red Su, upon closer inspection, are filled with obsessive resentment and hatred. I didn’t even need to look through the unofficial histories of Shujian Lake. The failed romance between Liu Laocheng and his female disciple, her sudden death, and Liu Laocheng’s departure from Shujian Lake are all well-known. Connecting this with how cautious you, Liu Zhimao, are, it’s natural to know that the biggest opponent in becoming the Lord of Shujian Lake is not Qingzhong and Tianmu Islands, with Youlisu Island as your and Great Li’s internal support, but Liu Laocheng, who has never shown his face. You dared to compete for this Jianghu Lordship, besides having Great Li as your backer, helping you gather momentum, you must also have some secret means to protect yourself, leaving yourself a way out, ensuring that Liu Laocheng, a cultivator above the Fifth Realm, at least won’t kill you once he returns to Shujian Lake.”

Liu Zhimao laughed heartily.

Truly a kindred spirit!

Truly unimaginable, in such a vast Shujian Lake, in the end, it was this young outsider who was his, Liu Zhimao’s, kindred spirit!

Chen Ping’an looked slightly tired, “I’ll make half a request first. You must have done something to Gu Can’s mother. Remove it. Now Gu Can is no longer a threat to you, and your immediate concern is Liu Laocheng of Gongliu Island, and how to maintain your position as Jianghu Lord. On the Great Li side, I’ll try to help you operate behind the scenes. At least not let you be discarded as a pawn on Liu Laocheng’s path to the top.”

Liu Zhimao frowned, “Red Su’s life and death are still in my control.”

The young accountant, his cheeks slightly sunken, picked up the Sword Nurturing Gourd, took a sip of wine, coughed a few times, and said, “What if? What if Liu Laocheng is no longer the island lord of Gongliu Island he once was? What if his pursuit of the Great Dao is involved? Is Red Su really that important? You couldn’t let go back then, are you sure you still can’t let go now? Perhaps when that ‘what if’ truly arrives, he’ll directly end Red Su’s life and then kill you with one punch for daring to touch his, Liu Laocheng’s, taboo. So, Liu Zhimao, make your own choice. I’m just giving you a way to prevent the worst outcome from happening.”

Liu Zhimao asked a key question, “Master Chen, do you really have the ability to influence the decisions of Great Li’s upper echelons?”