The female ghost, Wei Wei, traveled far on the wind, as if shrinking mountains and rivers, naturally arriving at Swordwater Manor earlier than the carriage.

Wei Wei’s departure and return, as a guest to the manor, Song Yushao still did not show herself, and it was still Song Fengshan and Liu Qian who received her.

Song Yushao had spared Wei Wei once in the ancient temple, but that did not mean that the old Sword Saint of Shushui Kingdom liked her. Even Liu Qian, one of the Four Fiends of Shushui Kingdom, as his granddaughter-in-law, did Song Yushao not have misgivings about her back then? It was just that an old Jianghu figure who abided by old rules, as he aged, turned his attention from the nation and the world back to his home, and after some self-reflection, especially after experiencing the matter of the sword scabbard transaction, Song Yushao completely recognized Liu Qian “as a person,” letting Liu Qian manage the household, and even willing to work hard for her future becoming a mountain and water deity, taking the initiative to interact with Han Yuanshan. Otherwise, Song Yushao had already gained the favor of the academy, and the matter of breaking through to a higher realm, which should have been a sure thing, had become a mirage.

In fact, Song Yushao was particularly happy to reunite with Chen Ping’an this time. Not only did he personally see Chen Ping’an become a mountain sword immortal, but also Chen Ping’an’s Jianghu journey resembled his, Song Yushao’s.

On a road, few travelers walked, and occasional encounters, in the wind and rain, walking side by side, deserved fine wine.

If the first meeting was just Song Yushao regarding the young Chen Ping’an, carrying a book box and traveling around, as a promising junior, then the second reunion, drinking tea, wine, and eating hot pot with Chen Ping’an in green shirt, wearing a bamboo hat and carrying a long sword, was more like a tacit understanding between two like-minded people, becoming kindred spirits. However, this was Song Yushao’s personal feeling. In fact, Chen Ping’an still treated Song Yushao as before, respecting him as a senior in both words and deeds. Song Yushao did not force a change; who in Jianghu didn’t care about face?

After hearing that Song Fengshan and Liu Qian were again receiving Wei Wei to discuss matters, Song Yushao came to the waterside pavilion by the waterfall to sit alone.

Song Yushao, who had not worn a sword or practiced swordsmanship for many years, today placed that old partner horizontally on his lap. The sword was named “Yiran.” He had accidentally retrieved it from the cornerstone mechanism in the deep pool in front of him. The green bamboo scabbard was also found there. However, Song Yushao had been somewhat puzzled back then, as it seemed that the sword and scabbard were pieced together by those who had lost them, and were not a “matched set.”

Yiran was of course a divine weapon coveted by Jianghu martial artists. Song Yushao had a lifelong fondness for traveling, visiting famous mountains, and roaming the Jianghu. He had encountered many mountain spirits, water monsters, and chimeras, and Yiran sword had made great contributions in slaying demons and eliminating monsters. As for the specially-made bamboo scabbard, Song Yushao had traveled everywhere, searching through official and private libraries for ancient books, before finding a page of remnants. Only then did he learn that this sword was personally forged by a martial god from another continent. He did not know which immortal had traveled across continents and lost it in Treasure Bottle Continent. The ancient book remnants had a record of “Grinding light to split the Five Peaks, sword qi to cleave the Great Rivers,” which was extremely imposing.

It was just that Song Yushao had asked immortals from the mountains about the origin of the bamboo scabbard, but still had no definite answer. Some immortal masters roughly speculated that it might be a spiritual object from Green God Mountain in Bamboo Sea Grotto Heaven. However, since the bamboo scabbard had no inscription, there were no more clues. Furthermore, apart from being able to serve as a sword sheath for “Yiran” and being abnormally tough inside without any wear, the bamboo scabbard had no more miraculous qualities. Song Yushao had previously only regarded the bamboo scabbard as a compromise choice made by the owner of Yiran sword. He had never thought that he was actually wronging the bamboo scabbard?

Song Yushao lowered his head and looked. The ancient sword Yiran was still unparalleled in sharpness. Under the sunlight, it shone brightly, with flowing brilliance. The waterside pavilion was shrouded in mist, but it could not hide the brilliance of the sword light at all.

Song Yushao reached out his palm and gently patted the sword body, then looked up again at the waterfall falling straight down, like an immortal’s snow-white long hair hanging down from the sky. He murmured, “Old partner, we are both old.”

In the council hall, Wei Wei had spoken about the aftermath of that battlefield and the words that Chen Ping’an had asked her to pass on. Song Fengshan’s expression was solemn.

Liu Qian was of a steady disposition that did not reveal her emotions, owing to her dual identity. However, after hearing Chen Ping’an’s words and knowing their weight, she was also somewhat moved, “Grandpa did not misjudge him.”

Song Fengshan said softly, “This reasoning is difficult to explain.”

Liu Qian nodded. After all, she was a spy planted by Dali in Shushui Kingdom. Her vision was actually higher than that of ordinary martial arts grandmasters and mountain immortals.

Therefore, she was even more aware of the power of that pure martial artist than Song Fengshan and Song Yushao.

In the Jianghu of Shushui Kingdom, Songxi Kingdom, and other places, seventh-realm martial artists were legendary martial gods. In fact, the Golden Body Realm was only the first realm of the Refining Divinity Three Realms. After that, the Far Wander and Mountain Peak Realms were even more terrifying. As for the tenth realm after that, it was a terrifying existence that made even Mountain Peak cultivators’ scalps tingle.

She had a rough idea of how strong that Far Wander Realm martial artist from Central Earth Divine Continent was, stemming from the fact that she had used her official channels at Dali Green Wave Pavilion to help the manor investigate the truth. The facts proved that the martial artist was not only an eighth-realm pure martial artist, but also definitely not an ordinary Far Wander Realm. He was very likely to be among the strongest group of Far Wander Realms in the world, similar to a national master among Go ninth dan players, an existence capable of being elevated to the position of a state’s chess-waiting edict. The reason was simple: a Green Wave Pavilion expert had come here specifically to find Liu Qian and the local mountain god to inquire about the details, because this matter had alarmed Song Changjing, the Dali regent prince! If that foreigner who forced the sale had not left early with the sword scabbard, perhaps even Song Changjing would have come here in person. However, if that were really the case, things would have been simple, after all, this Dali military god was already a tenth-realm Peak martial artist. As long as he was willing to take action, Liu Qian believed that even if the other party had a stronger backer, Dali and Song Changjing would not have any scruples.

This was no longer purely a matter of whose fist was harder, but rather the general trend of the world.

The Dali Dynasty now had half of the continent’s territory as its territory. In the future, it would exclusively occupy the fortune of a continent, which was the general trend. This was the biggest trump card and reliance of the Dali Song family.

Perhaps it would not be difficult to become one of the top five dynasties in the entire Vast World.

Wei Wei was the kind of person who feared that the world would not be chaotic. Sitting in the chair, she swayed her embroidered shoes, “Madam Chu is coming to pay a visit. Should we directly kick her out, or welcome her with a smile? Besides that vicious Madam Chu, there is also Wang Shanhu of Horizontal Saber Manor, and Han Yuanshan’s sister, Han Yuanxue. Three women in a group, what a lively show.”

Liu Qian smiled slightly, “I’ll take care of small matters, but Fengshan will naturally make the decisions on big matters.”
Song Fengshan said helplessly, “I still have to listen to Grandpa; I’m naturally not suited for handling these mundane affairs.”

Wei Wei gazed at Liu Qian, giggling, “Rumor has it that Wang Shanhu secretly harbored affections for your husband back then?”

Song Fengshan remained unmoved. These kinds of topics were best avoided. Not being adept at worldly matters was simply that he didn’t want to be distracted, hoping to go further on the path of the sword. It didn’t mean Song Fengshan was truly oblivious to human relationships.

Liu Qian chuckled, “What’s so strange about a good man having a few admirers?”

Wei Wei blurted out, “That Chen fellow is truly astonishing; your grandfather has sharp eyes. I didn’t notice a single clue back then. It’s just that he and your grandfather are both so boring. Their swordsmanship is so high, but they always do things in such a roundabout way, never decisive. They even overthink killing someone. Even when they’re in the right, they always hold back their strength. Look at Su Lang; after breaking through, he came straight to your manor’s gate to announce to the world that he wanted to test his sword skills. Even an outsider like me, and even though I’m friends with you all, deep down, I still find that Azure Bamboo Sword Immortal so dashing. That’s how one should roam the martial world!”

Song Fengshan sneered, “And the result?”

The petite and exquisite female ghost Wei Wei leaned lazily against the chair, saying, “Su Lang was just a bit unlucky. I dare say, even if that guy gets a face full of dirt at the manor this time, that Pine Stream Kingdom Sword Immortal will surely be the leader of the martial world in these dozen or so countries for the next few decades, without a doubt. You, Song Fengshan, will be miserable, only able to eat his dust, whether in swordsmanship or reputation. You’ll just be inferior to that domineering and selfish Su Lang.”

Song Fengshan dismissed it with a smile. Everyone had their own destiny. Besides, the ultimate achievement of a swordsman still depended on the sword in their hand. Just like before, when Swordwater Manor was at its peak, the world said that Song Yushao, the Sword Saint of Combwater Kingdom, had sword skills that surpassed the aging Sword God of Painted Clothes Kingdom. The latter retreated and sealed his sword because he feared Song Yushao’s challenge, afraid that Song Yushao would one day seek to test his sword skills, and dared not accept the challenge, so he took the initiative to retreat and show weakness. But in reality, even though the Sword God of Painted Clothes Kingdom met with an accident, was defeated and died, ending in such a disgraceful way, he was still the swordsman his grandfather respected most in his life, without exception.

Liu Qian, however, looked somewhat angry.

Wei Wei quickly put her hands together, feigning pity and begging for forgiveness, “Okay, okay, I’m just a woman with long hair and little knowledge, speaking without thinking. Sister Liu Qian, you’re magnanimous; don’t be angry.”

Song Fengshan didn’t want to get too involved with this female ghost, so he took his leave to the waterfall, to pass on Chen Pingan’s words to his grandfather.

The female ghost Wei Wei was a mountain tyrant, perhaps not utterly wicked, but Song Fengshan really disliked her. It was only because his wife was on good terms with her and they had an alliance that he could sit down and drink tea with her. For example, Song Fengshan was disgusted by the scandalous affair between Wei Wei and Han Yuanshan. He had privately advised Liu Qian that while alliance was alliance, and business was business, her personal friendship with Wei Wei should be kept within limits. This was one of the few times Song Fengshan “asserted his role as the head of the family” to “reason” with his wife. Precisely because these were trivial matters, Song Fengshan rarely reasoned, which made this particular reasoning seem important.

Fortunately, Liu Qian listened and acted accordingly.

So Liu Qian’s saying that her husband made the decisions on important matters was not a lie.

This was also Liu Qian’s cleverness, and the strength of the Song family’s upbringing. Otherwise, Liu Qian would only have the empty title of the young mistress of Swordwater Manor and never gain Song Yushao’s true recognition. At that time, the one who would be in the most difficult position would actually be Song Fengshan. If Song Fengshan really let her do whatever she wanted, he would only bring trouble upon himself. He couldn’t blame his grandfather Song Yushao for being unreasonable, nor could he blame Liu Qian. The so-called upright officials found it difficult to judge family matters, ultimately because it was not difficult to reason, but difficult to reason properly. Moreover, within a family, one had to consider who was of low status and light words, so the difficulty was real.

As Song Fengshan passed the mountain and water pavilion, a large caravan had already passed through the town and arrived outside the manor.

Liu Qian hesitated for a moment but still didn’t ask anyone to inform Song Yushao and Song Fengshan, grandfather and grandson.

Firstly, the visitors were all women: Madam Chu, Wang Shanhu, and Han Yuanshan. It would be too much of a commotion for Song Yushao to personally come out to greet them. Liu Qian couldn’t bring herself to ask. Actually, it would be just right for Song Fengshan and her to greet them together, but Liu Qian didn’t want to disturb the grandfather and grandson. Secondly, the other party had come right after Su Lang left, making their intentions clear. The seemingly declining situation of Swordwater Manor was just a facade, and there was no need to deliberately curry favor with anyone. Even if General “Chu Hao” came in person, so what? Was she, Liu Qian, the Combwater Kingdom head of the Great Li Green Wave Pavilion spies, weighty enough? Was the etiquette sufficient?

Wei Wei hid away, wandering around the manor.

Finally, she sat in the mountain and water pavilion near the waterfall, thinking aimlessly. She found it incredible. How did a plain-looking mud-legged boy suddenly rise to prominence? The key was how he transformed from a pure martial artist with a low cultivation level into a legendary mountain sword immortal? Did he take the wrong medicine? If there really was such a miraculous medicine, she, Wei Wei, would take a whole bunch of it, even if it killed her, she wouldn’t regret it.

At the waterfall pavilion, Song Yushao had already placed the ancient sword Yiran back on the stone pier in the deep pool. After closing the mechanism built by his predecessors, he stood on the small “pillar of strength in midstream,” with his hands behind his back, looking up. The waterfall cascaded down, letting the mist soak his clothes. When Song Fengshan approached the pavilion, the old man in black came back to his senses, swept back into the pavilion, and asked with a smile, “Something wrong?”

Song Fengshan repeated Wei Wei’s words.

Song Yushao looked content.

Song Fengshan asked in confusion, “Grandpa doesn’t seem surprised at all?”

Song Yushao said with a smile, quite pleased with himself, “I know what that kid is going to do as soon as he sticks his butt out. What’s so surprising? If he didn’t say that, didn’t do that, I’d find it strange.”

Song Fengshan’s relationship with Song Yushao was now harmonious, with no more restraint. He couldn’t help but joke, “Grandpa, you’re so proud of making friends with a young sword immortal.”

Song Yushao smiled, “Not convinced? Then go find one on the mountain, bring him back and let Grandpa take a look. If his ability and character are even half as good as Chen Pingan, I’ll admit defeat, how about it?”
Song Fengshan said with a hint of grievance, “Grandfather, who exactly is your real grandson?”

Song Yushao chuckled, “Of course it’s the one with less ambition who’s the real grandson.”

Song Fengshan was speechless.

Song Yushao laughed heartily, patting Song Fengshan’s shoulder, “Even if your capabilities aren’t great, you’re still my grandson. Besides, your character isn’t worse than that dimwit, Chen Ping’an.”

Song Yushao paused for a moment, “Besides, you’ve already found a good wife. That Chen Ping’an hasn’t even started on that path, so he’s already lost to you. If you hurry up and let your grandfather hold a great-grandson, then even if Chen Ping’an gets married, he’ll still lose to you.”

Song Fengshan was still at a loss for words.

It sounded like praise, but he couldn’t quite feel happy about it.

However, Song Fengshan felt a sense of relief in his heart. His grandfather had met Chen Ping’an and was already in a much better mood. Now that he had heard Chen Ping’an’s words, he had finally resolved the knot in his heart. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be joking with him like this.

Song Yushao pondered for a moment, rubbing his chin, “Having a great-granddaughter would be nice too. Cultivators seek longevity. Maybe you, boy, will even have the chance to become Chen Ping’an’s father-in-law.”

Song Fengshan finally couldn’t take it anymore, “Grandfather! This is going too far!”

Song Yushao restrained his laughter, his expression peaceful, as if he no longer carried any burdens. He said softly, “Alright, I’m sorry for worrying you and Liu Qian all these years. Your grandfather was being stubborn and couldn’t see the light. He also underestimated Chen Ping’an. I just felt that the principles of the martial world that I’ve followed all my life were being suppressed by an outsider who hadn’t even thrown a punch, and it just didn’t make sense anymore. But that’s not the case. The principles are still the same. I, Song Yushao, just have limited abilities and mediocre swordsmanship. But it doesn’t matter. The martial world still has Chen Ping’an. The things that I, Song Yushao, can’t explain, Chen Ping’an can explain.”

Song Fengshan said softly, “Wouldn’t that delay Chen Ping’an’s own cultivation? In mountain cultivation, extraneous matters and involvement in worldly affairs are a major taboo.”

Song Yushao was very gratified, his eyes shining brighter than they had in years, “Good, very good. The fact that you, Song Fengshan, can think like this means you haven’t lost to Chen Ping’an! That’s the spirit of our Swordwater Manor!”

Song Yushao paused for a moment, lowering his voice, “There are some things that I, as an elder, can’t say. Those sweet words, you should say them to Liu Qian. Swordwater Manor owes Liu Qian too much. You’re her man. Dedication to sword practice is good, but that’s not a reason to ignore the sacrifices of those around you. It’s never been a matter of course for a woman to worry about everything and work hard after marriage.”

Song Fengshan was about to speak.

Song Yushao glared at him, “Would your grandfather’s principles be wrong? Just listen to me. Look at Chen Ping’an, he can’t wait to write down everything I say. Learn from him!”

Song Fengshan laughed, “I wouldn’t dare to argue with Grandfather. I’ll put this debt on Chen Ping’an’s head. Next time he comes, with his meager alcohol tolerance, one Song Fengshan can at least drink two Chen Ping’ans under the table.”

Song Yushao nodded, “I won’t stop you from that.”

Song Yushao suddenly said, “Prepare to meet with Han Yuanshan. I won’t bother with him. There’s nothing to talk about.”

Song Fengshan asked, “Could he be hiding in the caravan?”

Song Yushao nodded, “If you don’t believe me, we can make a bet.”

Song Fengshan shook his head, “A bet I’m sure to lose. What’s the point of betting? I’m going to see Liu Qian now.”

Song Yushao escorted Song Fengshan to the Mountain and Water Pavilion, where the female ghost Wei Wei was still swinging her legs on the swing.

Song Fengshan quickly left.

Song Yushao entered the pavilion.

Wei Wei turned her head, looking pitiful, “Old Sword Saint, please don’t pull out an old almanac from your sleeve.”

Song Yushao smiled, “I haven’t been in the martial world for many years. The old almanac is just an old almanac.”

Wei Wei sighed, “When the Old Sword Saint was roaming the martial world, we evildoers all wished for you to die sooner rather than later, so we wouldn’t have to be on edge every day, afraid that you’d flip through the almanac and say, ‘Today is a good day to offer a sword in sacrifice.’ Looking back now, it’s not all good without the Old Sword Saint. Like that mountain demon, if the Old Sword Saint were still around, where would he dare to act so recklessly, harming people everywhere, and almost abducting me to be his wife?”

Song Yushao spoke bluntly, without any mercy, “It’s only when you scoundrels and evil ghosts are ground down by your own kind that you learn a little something.”

Wei Wei was amused and giggled, swaying with laughter.

Song Yushao glanced at her, “So much flirtatious energy, spoiling the feng shui of my manor. Want a beating?”

Wei Wei quickly sat up straight, asking softly, “Old Senior, can I ask you something?”

Song Yushao sneered, “Old Senior? How old are you, woman? Don’t you have any idea?”

Dealing with such a rigid old coot, Wei Wei was really grinding her teeth in anger. However, the situation in Combing Water Country was treacherous, and Swordwater Manor was full of strange occurrences. Liu Qian was a heartless woman who didn’t think about her, Wei Wei, at all, and was only concerned about this dilapidated manor that was about to be turned into a mountain god temple. As for Song Fengshan, Wei Wei didn’t dare to mess with him, because she knew that if she accidentally made Liu Qian hold a grudge, it would definitely be a losing proposition. So, she could only come to Song Yushao to curry favor.

Wei Wei forced herself to ask, “Can Han Yuanshan continue to use Chu Hao’s skin to monopolize the power of the Combing Water Country court?”

Song Yushao tsked, “Aren’t you his paramour? Why don’t you ask him and ask me instead? No wonder you, Wei Wei, are not even as good as a mountain demon hog spirit.”

Wei Wei said bitterly, “What kind of person is Han Yuanshan? Old Senior, you know it very well. He likes to deny everything, especially when it comes to acknowledging favors. Trading with him, even if things are going well, you still don’t know when he’ll sell you out completely. How many people have been tricked by him in the past few years? I’m really afraid. Even if I leave the mountain this time to plan for a small mountain god position on my own mountain, I still don’t dare to mention it to Han Yuanshan. I can only obediently follow the rules, sending money when I need to send money, sending women when I need to send women, just to avoid that after taking advantage of the momentum of the virtuous scholars of the academy that time, and then cutting ties with Han Yuanshan afterward, if I accidentally go to him and remind him that there’s a female ghost like me, after emptying my pockets, maybe the new mountain god of this place, after ascending to godhood, will use me as a tool to establish his authority. Anyway, who wouldn’t feel happy and applaud if he killed one of the four evil spirits of Combing Water Country like me?”

Song Yushao said, “You’re not stupid.”

Wei Wei sighed, “I was already stupid when I died back then. I can’t be so stupid that I can’t even be a ghost now, right?”
Song Yushao seemed to have a plan already in mind, “Regarding your scheme to acquire the identity of a Mountain God, I can have Fengshan and Liu Qian assist you in maneuvering it. In exchange, besides the Spirit Money you’ll need to pay, you’ll also have to keep an eye on things here for us. We don’t trust the local Mountain God; in case he ruins the fundamental mountain and water essence of this Feng Shui treasure land, even if we move, we’ll still be implicated.”

Wei Wei tentatively asked, “Even if I didn’t ask, your manor would still proactively help me?”

Song Yushao coldly laughed, “Then consider everything I just said as if it never happened. You can wait and see.”

Wei Wei looked embarrassed, lightly slapping his own face. “Look at this wretched mouth of mine. Senior is a great hero, a grand champion! What you say is as firm as a nail! Otherwise, how could Chen Ping’an respect you so much? Senior, you don’t know, at the ancient temple on my mountain, good heavens, just a single sword strike shattered that beast’s Mountain God statue to pieces. He was, after all, a Mountain and Water God officially appointed by the imperial court, truly a pitiful end with no remains. And afterwards, there wasn’t the slightest backlash from the mountains and rivers. Such an extraordinary young Sword Immortal still treats you with such respect. All said and done, it’s still because you, Senior, are formidable.”

Song Yushao stroked his beard and smiled, “Although they’re all insincere, opportunistic words, they are indeed opportunistic.”

Wei Wei smiled charmingly.

Unexpectedly, Song Yushao added, “Too much is as bad as too little. Otherwise, it just becomes disgusting.”

Wei Wei was disheartened.

After a moment of silence, Wei Wei asked, “Senior, aren’t you going to take a look at the obvious and hidden threats over there?”

Song Yushao said something strange, “The tea has no flavor.”

Wei Wei followed up with a laugh, “Then I’ll come and drink with you later, Senior?”

As a result, Song Yushao simply said one word: “Scram.”

Wei Wei was humiliated but helpless.

Over at the discussion hall.

In reality, there wasn’t much subtle maneuvering.

Because neither the General’s wife, Madam Chu, nor Wang Shanhu or Han Yuanxue had much to say.

After entering the manor, an elderly, hunched-over coachman with cloudy eyes wiped his face, straightened his back, and transformed into Chu Hao.

This was a great surprise to everyone.

Madam Chu, regardless of whether or not they were just sharing a bed, as Han Yuanshan’s wife, didn’t even recognize “Chu Hao.” Naturally, the others were even more oblivious.

Clearly, Han Yuanshan took Liu Qian more seriously than he would Song Fengshan, who was obsessed with the sword.

Madam Chu felt the most aggrieved and resentful. At first, Han Yuanshan placing a legendary Dragon Gate Realm old immortal by her side made her think that this unfaithful man was showing her rare affection. She hadn’t imagined that, in the end, it was all for Han Yuanshan’s own safety. She had been deluding herself.

Every time the baby-faced Han Yuanxue saw the General “Chu Hao,” he still felt awkward.

As for Wang Shanhu, she was relatively simple-minded. She just wanted to see Song Fengshan and let this once-admired handsome Jianghu hero, the pinnacle of swordsmanship, know that she was now living a good life, married to a man far superior to any Jianghu figure—a prefect of a region, a future core minister of the Shuishui Kingdom. How could Song Fengshan, about to be driven out of his ancestral home and wandering the Jianghu, possibly compare?

It was just that when Song Fengshan saw her, he remained polite, and nothing more.

This made Wang Shanhu feel somewhat defeated.

Liu Qian was well aware of all this. She never dwelled on it, only feeling that Wang Shanhu had never understood her husband. Even without her, Liu Qian, Fengshan would never have liked Wang Shanhu. She was too delicate. A woman could be proud, but constantly being competitive and acting like a little hedgehog—perhaps there were men who liked that, but Fengshan certainly wasn’t one of them.

There were no outsiders in the discussion hall.

Even the two old immortals on the mountain hadn’t been summoned, simply cultivating in seclusion in their respective residences. Cultivators, even when they descended the mountain and became involved in worldly affairs, needed to maintain a calm mind. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be tempering their hearts but rather wasting their cultivation and abandoning their Dao hearts.

After Liu Qian discussed some proper matters that the three women could also be present for with Han Yuanshan, she proactively led the three away, leaving only Song Fengshan and the most powerful official of the Shuishui Kingdom’s court.

The four women strolled around the manor. This was Han Yuanxue’s second visit, and she still found it novel. With her innocent nature, she spoke without restraint, lamenting how such a place was wasted by being moved out of. Liu Qian, holding hands with this family heiress who remained innocent even after becoming a wife, chatted and laughed. Madam Chu was uncomfortable in the territory of her sworn enemy, Sword Water Manor. However, her husband didn’t support her, and now, Sword Water Manor had benefited from a disaster, having been saved from Su Lang’s sword challenge by the intervention of an outsider. Furthermore, the entire Jianghu of the Shuishui Kingdom knew that Sword Water Manor had such a mountain friend. It would be even more difficult for her to make trouble for Sword Water Manor and Song Yushao in the future.

Wang Shanhu was somewhat distracted.

Although she had married an elegant scholar with a bright future, who was perfect in every way, and their relationship was harmonious, as a woman who had grown up accustomed to the Jianghu, she inevitably felt a touch of regret, buried deep in her heart. Whenever she was alone late at night, or when she heard the trusted aides of her family’s blade manor casually mention recent Jianghu grievances, Wang Shanhu would feel a ripple in her heart.

When Han Yuanxue mentioned the assassination they had encountered on the road and the sudden appearance of a green-robed swordsman,

Madam Chu and Wang Shanhu pricked up their ears almost simultaneously.

Liu Qian didn’t hide anything, smiling, “That person is a friend of our grandfather’s.”

Liu Qian suddenly teased, saying only half the story, “Actually, both Shanhu and Yuanxue know him.”

Han Yuanxue widened her watery eyes, pointing at herself, “I know such a celestial being? How come I don’t know myself?”

Wang Shanhu was suspicious, but she didn’t ask anything, as if asking would make her seem inferior to Liu Qian.

Madam Chu, however, was quick-witted and asked with a smile, “Could it be the foreign youth who fought alongside Sword Saint Song back then?”

Liu Qian nodded. “That’s him.”

Wang Shanhu frowned, her face paling slightly.

Han Yuanxue paused for a moment, then blurted out, “Wasn’t he the poor boy who sparred with Sister Shanhu back then?”

Liu Qian was helpless. Such a simple-minded woman was fortunate to have such good fortune; otherwise, how would she survive without her family?
Willow Qian, not wanting to add insult to injury to Wang Shanhu’s already wounded heart, chuckled, “Indeed. That person, during his visit to the manor, after defeating Su Lang, mentioned the way Horizontal Blade Manor carried their sabers while drinking with our grandfather. It left a deep impression on him, unlike anything he’d seen on or off the mountain. And when my grandfather praised Manor Lord Wang’s saber techniques as being ‘divine,’ he agreed.”

Although Wang Shanhu knew it was just polite words, she felt a bit better. After all, her father, Wang Yiran, had always been a towering figure in her eyes.

But Han Yuanxue rubbed salt into her wounds, blurting out, “Sister Shanhu, didn’t you say that the young Sword Immortal wasn’t a match for Manor Lord Wang? But that person was able to defeat Green Bamboo Sword Immortal. Doesn’t that mean Manor Lord Wang’s chances aren’t good?”

Wang Shanhu pretended not to hear, remaining silent.

Besides the annoyance at Han Yuanxue’s loose tongue, and the lingering resentment towards that old enemy,

There was also lingering fear and apprehension.

That youth, once covered in dirt and smelling of poverty, was now the most carefree Sword Immortal on the mountain.

What was she to do?

No matter how unwilling she was to believe it, how much she dared not believe it, she knew it was the truth.

Would the Horizontal Blade Manor, which her father had painstakingly built, be implicated by her youthful indiscretion? She had heard that cultivators on the mountain had a style of exacting revenge, never forgetting a grudge, even after a century. There was no tradition, like in the Jianghu, of finding a respected mediator to arrange a truce over drinks.

Willow Qian said softly, “Shanhu, don’t worry. That person is a friend of my grandfather, and he doesn’t seem like the typical cultivator from the legends. He’s more like a Jianghu figure.”

Wang Shanhu forced a smile and nodded, thanking Willow Qian. But Wang Shanhu’s face grew even more troubled.

At the Dragon Mountain, a celestial ferry crossing bordering the Combing Stream and Pine Creek Kingdoms,

A blue-robed swordsman wearing a bamboo hat was leading his horse.

Two matters had caused a great stir, spreading throughout the Combing Stream Kingdom. Eloquent storytellers had already begun to profit from them.

First, the Pine Creek Kingdom’s Green Bamboo Sword Immortal, Su Lang, challenged Song Yushao. In a small town outside the manor, he encountered a peerless Immortal cultivator, resulting in two earth-shattering battles. The second clash, it was said, had the entire Sword Water Manor ablaze with sword energy, a spectacle unseen in a century of Jianghu history. Even if the Old Sword God of Rainbow Cloth Kingdom were resurrected to replace Su Lang, he might not achieve such a feat, let alone Old Sword Saint Song Yushao watching from the sidelines. No one doubted that Su Lang would be the foremost martial artist in the ten kingdoms for the next sixty years.

Secondly, Lady Xiao and her righteous companions had fought a bloody battle with a group of traitors from the Chu Faction. They suffered heavy casualties, but their courage ignited a spirit that exemplified the chivalry of the Combing Stream Kingdom. Their immortality might not rival Su Lang’s, but their chivalry was unmatched.

Chen Pingan paid no heed to these rumors. He simply made a special trip to Azure Coin Pavilion, the place where he, Xu Yuanxia, and Zhang Shanfeng had parted ways after shopping.

He tied his horse outside the five-story Azure Coin Pavilion. The couplets on either side of the entrance were the same as he remembered: “No cheating the old or the young, our prices are fair; treat customers as we’d like to be treated, and they will return.”

Chen Pingan entered the building. A young woman quickly approached him, offering the same greeting as before. Heavy treasures were appraised and sold on the first floor, spiritual tools on the second, and magical treasures on the third.

Chen Pingan asked if a certain old man was still on the second floor, in charge of appraising items. The woman nodded. Chen Pingan politely declined her escort and ascended to the second floor.

After knocking on the door, the old man saw that the customer was not accompanied by a Azure Coin Pavilion attendant and looked puzzled.

Chen Pingan looked around the room. The decorations were the same as before, with a delicate incense burner emitting fragrant smoke and a lush bonsai juniper, its branches gnarled and twisted, extending horizontally. A row of green-clad little figures squatted on the branches. Seeing a guest arrive, they stood up, bowed, and chanted in unison, “Welcome esteemed guest to our humble abode, may you prosper!”

Chen Pingan removed his bamboo hat and burst into laughter.

He was very happy.