The three of them arrived at the edge of the stone cliff and took their respective seats. Neither Cui Dongshan nor Pei Qian were willing to sit in the seat opposite Chen Ping’an, feeling it was too far from their teacher or master.

Like moonlight in a wealthy house being less than lamplight, the clear brilliance of the mountains and wilderness was particularly pleasing.

The three gazed into the distance together. The most senior, in terms of generation, was actually the one whose view was the shortest. Even with the moonlight, Chen Ping’an still couldn’t see very far. Pei Qian, however, could see the faint lights of Red Candle Town and the subtle green hue of Chessboard Mountain, the lingering benefits of the *Qing Shen* bamboo planted by Wei Bo, a mountain mist and aura that still enriched the mountains. As a Nascent Soul Earth Immortal, Cui Dongshan naturally saw even further, capturing the general outlines of Embroidery River, *Chong Dan* River, and *Yu Ye* River, their winding twists all within his sight.

Pei Qian took out a handful of melon seeds from her pocket and placed them on the stone table, sharing her joy rather than keeping it to herself. However, she placed them in a way that they were slightly closer to her master and herself.

Cui Dongshan, hearing the faint sound of the melon seeds landing, snapped out of his reverie. Remembering something, he twisted his wrist and produced four bags of varying sizes, gently placing them on the ground. Iridescent light flowed from them, with different colors, casting a layer of colorful shadows that softly covered the moonlight. Cui Dongshan smiled and said, “Teacher, these are the Five-Colored Soils of the future Four Sacred Peaks of Treasure Bottle Continent. Don’t let their small size fool you; they are incredibly heavy. The smallest bag alone weighs over forty *jin*. They were dug from the ancestral veins of the major mountains, and all but the Northern Peak, *Pi Yun* Mountain, are complete.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “You’ve worked hard.”

Cui Dongshan chuckled. “Hard work? If it weren’t for this little hope, I would have died of boredom on this trip down the mountain.”

Pei Qian lifted her behind and stretched her neck. “Can I open them and take a look?”

Cui Dongshan waved his hand expansively. “Look, look, shame yourself, you good-for-nothing! See how this student is relieving Teacher’s worries, and then look at yourself. As Teacher’s first disciple, you’re just loafing around all day, satisfied with earning a measly ten-odd taels of silver each month in Riding Dragon Lane? If you can’t earn at least twenty or thirty taels of net profit each month, how dare you ask for praise? If you can earn three hundred taels of silver in a year, enough to buy a decent little house in Dragon Spring County, that’s more like it.”

Pei Qian crossed her arms. “Forget it, I don’t want to look.”

Cui Dongshan grinned. “Then I’m begging you to look, will you look?”

Pei Qian raised her thumb. “Generous!”

Not giving Cui Dongshan a chance to regret it, Pei Qian jumped up and went around Chen Ping’an in a flash. She opened each bag of the legendary Five-Colored Soils, squatted down and stared with wide eyes, her face glowing with reflected light, exclaiming in admiration. Her master once mentioned in some immortal book a type of *Guan Yin* clay that could be eaten when hungry. She wondered if these colorful muds were edible?

Cui Dongshan kicked Pei Qian’s rear. “Little girl, your vision is so shallow. Be careful, when you travel the world, you might be easily swindled by some honey-tongued scholar.”

Pei Qian patted her rear, without even turning her head. “If I don’t beat their heads into blooming flowers, then I won’t be living up to my chivalrous heart.”

Cui Dongshan started to talk business, looking at Chen Ping’an, and said slowly, “Teacher, take even Wei Bo’s share with you on this trip to *Ju Lu* Continent. You can wait there for the news to spread, about a year and a half to two years. When the Dali Song Clan officially bestows titles upon the other Four Peaks, it will be the best time for you to refine these materials. This refinement cannot be too early, but it can be late. Actually, without talking about taboos, refining the Five-Colored Soils in the future Central Peak is the most beneficial, making it easier to attract anomalies and blessings. However, we should still save some face for the Dali Song Clan, otherwise, it would be too much of a slap in the face. The entire court is watching. Song He, that kid, has just ascended the throne, and he has already become the greatest emperor in history for expanding the territory of Treasure Bottle Continent. It’s easy for him to get a swelled head, and once the people below instigate him, even the Old Turtle might not be able to suppress him. For Fallen Phoenix Mountain, it will be a future hidden danger. After all, the Old Turtle will be very busy then. That’s just how things go, those who get things done make more mistakes and find it hard to please everyone. When it truly comes to unifying Treasure Bottle Continent, the Old Turtle will have to face many constraints from the Central Earth Divine Continent, and they won’t be small troubles. On the contrary, Song He and those who do nothing will enjoy the blessings. Once people are idle, they easily breed resentment.”

“I understand the matter of refining the Five-Colored Soils.”

After Chen Ping’an nodded, he said worriedly, “When the Dali Iron Cavalry gains control of Treasure Bottle Continent in one fell swoop, and everyone is rewarded for their merits, it will be inevitable that people will become lax. It will be difficult to reveal the secrets of heaven to them in a short period. That will be the time when your and Cui Chan’s skills in governing and controlling people will be most tested.”

Cui Dongshan smiled. “There will definitely be many troubles at that time, but there won’t be any major chaos. For a new house, if the foundation is solid and the frame is well-built, as long as the main beams don’t go wrong, there’s no need to fear wind and rain. If the window paper is broken or some roof tiles are broken, those are just small things that can be patched up. When the new house becomes an old house, the door pivots will rot, the pillars will crack, and there will be termites and snakes and rats inside. That will be the time for me and the Old Turtle to worry about.”

Chen Ping’an nodded and didn’t say anything more. Matters of governance emphasize meticulous effort. He shouldn’t forget that the guy in front of him was the progenitor of that school of thought.

Cui Dongshan turned his head and glanced at the bamboo building. After withdrawing his gaze, he asked, “Now that there are more mountain peaks, Fallen Phoenix Mountain goes without saying, it’s already as good as it can be. For the remaining Gray Mist Mountain, *Ao Yu* Back, Sword-Bowing Platform, etc., have you chosen the *ya sheng* items to be buried in each place, Teacher?”

Chen Ping’an smiled wryly. “A clever woman can’t cook without rice. I have some ideas, but I don’t have suitable objects.”

The Rain Water Coins originally used to create the protective formation of Fallen Phoenix Mountain are now being overspent. It’s not a long-term solution. Therefore, on this trip to *Bei Ju Lu* Continent, in addition to sword practice, he really has to try to become a true rogue cultivator, visiting immortal mansion ruins in the mountains and seeking dragon palace secret realms underwater, to see if he can earn some unexpected wealth to supplement the family.

Cui Dongshan was about to speak.

Chen Ping’an had already waved his hand and said, “Those are two separate matters. Even biological brothers in a family need to settle accounts clearly.”

Cui Dongshan was a little sullen. As long as he was willing, and learned his teacher’s ability to be a *Sudhana*, he was afraid that only the Liu family in *Ai Ai* Continent could compare with him in terms of wealth.

Chen Ping’an casually asked, “Wei Xian has been following you all the way. What is his current cultivation level?”
Cui Dongshan shook his head, “After Wei Xian left Lotus Flower Blessed Land, his ambition wasn’t to reach the peak of martial arts. The talents I have at my disposal are pitifully few. Since Wei Xian has that ambition himself, I’ll give him a push. Once we return to Guanhai Academy, I’ll quickly throw Wei Xian into the ranks of the Great Li military. As for whether he chooses to attach himself to Su Gaoshan or Cao Ping, we’ll see. There’s no particular rush. As Great Li moves south, there won’t be many battles like the suicidal resistance of the Zhu Ying Dynasty, but there will be plenty of tough ones. Wei Xian will be in time for that, especially with the mountain immortals in the south who are used to throwing their weight around, those millennium mansions that are even more hard-headed. Wei Xian’s opportunity to stand out will come. Teacher, even if Fallen Phoenix Mountain becomes a mountain dwelling in the future, no matter how abundant the immortal Qi, the relationship with the human dynasty, the connection between mountain and world, will still need one or two bridges. Wei Xian in the court, Lu Baixiang in the martial world, Zhu Lian staying by your side, each with their own responsibilities, seems to be the best arrangement for now.”

Chen Ping’an hummed in agreement.

Pei Qian asked, “What about Sister Sui?”

Cui Dongshan didn’t answer Pei Qian’s question, but said solemnly, “Teacher, don’t be impatient.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “That sentence in your previous letter, ‘Undermine the strong and destroy the firm, plan slowly.’ It can actually be applied to many things.”

Tongye Continent, Upside-down Mountain and Sword Qi Great Wall.

Originally planning to head straight to Upside-down Mountain after touring Northern Ju Lu Continent, it seems that after returning from the Sword Qi Great Wall, I need to take another trip to Tongye Continent before returning to Old Dragon City.

Cui Dongshan hesitated for a moment and held out a palm, “Both the old bastard and I believe that there’s at least this much time left for us to focus on cultivation.”

Fifty years.

Chen Ping’an turned his head to look west. His view was currently blocked by the bamboo building and Fallen Phoenix Mountain, so he naturally couldn’t see Dragon Spine Mountain with its Dragon Slaughtering Platform cliff.

Saint Ruan Qiong, and True Martial Mountain, Wind and Snow Temple, plus the Great Li Dynasty, have been extremely discreet in “opening the mountain” here these past years. Dragon Spine Mountain is also the most heavily guarded mountain in the western mountain range. No matter how good Wei Bo’s relationship with Chen Ping’an, he would never mention a single word about Dragon Spine Mountain.

Cui Dongshan looked up at the sky, then simply hugged the back of his head with both hands, leaning back and spacing out.

Chen Ping’an and Pei Qian were cracking melon seeds. Pei Qian asked, “Master, do you want me to peel them for you? I’ll give you a handful of melon seed kernels, and you can pour them all into your mouth in one go.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “No need.”

Cui Dongshan was a spoilsport, “Your teacher doesn’t want to eat your saliva.”

Pei Qian, like a little mouse, lightly cracked the melon seeds. Although her movements weren’t fast, there was already a small mountain of melon seed shells on the table beside her. She asked, “Do you know about a saying called ‘Dragon Elephant Strength’? If you do, have you ever seen a flood dragon and an elephant? You know, elephants with long, curved tusks. The books say that the flood dragon has the greatest strength in the water, and the elephant has the greatest strength on land. Xiaobai’s name has that character in it.”

Circling around, Chen Ping’an didn’t understand what this fellow wanted to say.

But Cui Dongshan sneered, “If you want to say that I can’t spout ivory from a dog’s mouth, just say it directly, why beat around the bush?”

Pei Qian shook her shoulders, triumphant, “I didn’t say that. It’s good that you know it yourself.”

Chen Ping’an smiled.

Cui Dongshan made a gesture of throwing melon seeds, but Pei Qian didn’t budge, twitching her lips, “How childish.”

Chen Ping’an gently flicked a finger, and a melon seed lightly hit Pei Qian’s forehead. Pei Qian grinned, “Master, so accurate, I couldn’t dodge it.”

Cui Dongshan was amazed, “Fallen Phoenix Mountain should be renamed Bootlicking Mountain from now on, and you, the teacher’s first disciple, can be stationed there. Gray Mist Mountain has a strong literary atmosphere, so Xiaobao Ping and Chen Ruchu can stay there. Let’s call it Reason Mountain. Ao Yu Ridge has more martial fortune, so Zhu Lian can be stationed there later, and it can be called ‘Face-Slapping Mountain’. The disciples on the mountain are all pure martial artists, roaming the world, all arrogant and domineering. On that mountain, one wouldn’t even dare to go out and greet people without being a Golden Body Realm martial artist. The Sword Worship Terrace is suitable for sword cultivators to cultivate, so they can compete with Ao Yu Ridge for the name ‘Face-Slapping Mountain’, or they’ll only get the name ‘Dumb Mountain’, because the sword cultivators of the Sword Worship Terrace should only have reason in their scabbards.”

“I’m not just a good-for-nothing bootlicker!”

Pei Qian said angrily, “I want to go to the Sword Worship Terrace! I’m going to claim territory tomorrow! No one is allowed to snatch it from me except Master! I will definitely cultivate unparalleled swordsmanship there! No one can compete with me for the Sword Worship Terrace, or else I’ll…”

Chen Ping’an looked at Pei Qian’s eyes that suddenly shone brightly. He still leisurely cracked melon seeds, casually interrupting Pei Qian’s grand ambitions, saying, “Remember to go to the school to study first. Next time if I return to Fallen Phoenix Mountain and hear that you’re not studying diligently, see how I deal with you.”

Pei Qian’s imposing manner suddenly disappeared. Oh, she said. She was very annoyed. It seemed that she would have to build a good relationship with those teachers in the future, so that they would never say bad things about her in front of her master. At the very least, they should say that she was “fairly diligent in her studies.” But if she studied very hard and the teachers were still gossipy and liked to wrongly people, then she, Pei Qian, couldn’t be blamed for not being ethical. Master had said that walking the martial world was at your own risk! She would beat them into a Zhu Lian!

Chen Ping’an looked at Cui Dongshan and asked, “Are you leaving?”

Cui Dongshan nodded, his face bitter, “Traveling under the stars and moon, day and night, and then thinking about the teacher traveling north and the disciple traveling south, my heart is really twisted into a knot.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Then you two wait for me. I’ll go get two things. After I’ve finished, you can travel far away.”

Chen Ping’an got up and went to the first floor of the bamboo building.

Cui Dongshan looked at Pei Qian. Pei Qian shook her head, “I don’t know either.”

Chen Ping’an returned with a small brocade pouch and a plum pit, placing them on the table after sitting down. Opening the pouch, he revealed the emerald green seeds inside, round and thin like coins. He smiled, “These are elm seed coins that a good friend bought from Hantian Street of the Fuji Sect in Tongye Continent. I never had the chance to plant them on Fallen Phoenix Mountain. It’s said that as long as they’re planted in a place with good soil and sunlight, they may grow in three to five years.”
Cui Dongshan picked up one of the elm seed coins, nodding, “Good stuff. Not just any immortal elm seed coin, this is from the granddaddy of all elm trees in the Central Earth Divine Continent! Teacher, if I’m not mistaken, these aren’t trinkets the Spirit Writing Sect could acquire. More likely, that friend didn’t want you to accept it, so he made up some random excuse. Compared to ordinary elm seeds, these have a much higher chance of sprouting an elm sprite. This whole pouch, even with the worst luck, should still produce a couple of golden sprites. The remaining elm trees, once they take root, can help gather and stabilize the mountain’s fortune, just like that golden-scaled crucian carp you captured back then. These are both treasures coveted by the major immortal sects.”

Chen Pingan was a bit helpless.

This was indeed something Lu Tai would do.

Chen Pingan consoled himself with ‘easy come, easy go,’ and pointed to the plum pit. Pei Qian interjected, “I know, I know! This is from that skinny bamboo pole named Wu Yi from Purple Sun Mansion. He had the puppet master of Purple Sun Mansion gift it to my teacher. Later, I worried that the skinny bamboo pole might be dishonest, trying to fob off some inferior goods on my teacher, so I secretly took it to Wei Bo for appraisal. He said that in a year, it could grow into a thousand-year-old Yangmei plum tree, at least half the height of the bamboo pavilion! It’s also called a ‘Seasonal Plum,’ because on each of the twenty-four solar terms, a vast amount of spiritual energy will flow out, making it perfect for cultivators to refine their qi beneath the tree. Wei Bo also said that for an immortal master with a stable mountain dwelling, this plum pit was actually the most precious of the four gifts from Purple Sun Mansion!”

Chen Pingan smiled, “Then let’s plant them all tonight.”

Cui Dongshan glanced at Pei Qian, “You choose first.”

Pei Qian chuckled, “Even if the plum pit is good, there’s only one! Of course, I’ll choose the elm seeds. Right…?”

At the end, Pei Qian secretly looked at her teacher. Seeing Chen Pingan gently nod, she turned to Cui Dongshan decisively, “Such a precious plum pit, I’ll give it to you! But let’s make it clear beforehand, even after it grows into a big plum tree, it’s still Teacher’s. I want to climb the tree and play with Sister Bao Ping, and you can’t stop me.”

Cui Dongshan sighed.

Such abundant cleverness, every word layered with meaning.

It was fortunate that it was his own teacher, able to suppress this black coal with a single thing. Anyone else wouldn’t work, not Zhu Lian, not even his grandfather, let alone outsiders like Wei Bo from the Fallen Phoenix Mountain.

Fallen Phoenix Mountain was actually quite large.

As the southern gate of the Carp Pearl Paradise, it possessed a majestic aura, soaring into the clouds.

So much so that Chen Pingan hadn’t explored the northern side of Fallen Phoenix Mountain much, mostly lingering around the bamboo pavilion on the south side.

On the sunny southern side, below the bamboo pavilion and above the mountain gate where Zheng Dafeng was stationed, Cui Dongshan selected two adjacent auspicious locations to plant the pouch of elm seeds and the plum pit.

With the great task completed, Pei Qian leaned on the hoe. The little black coal, having contributed a lot of effort, was covered in sweat and brimming with smiles.

Cui Dongshan was still dressed in white, spotless. When it came to the handsomeness of a man’s features, perhaps only Wei Bo and Lu Tai, and of course, Cao Ci from the Great End Dynasty in the Central Earth, could compare with Cui Dongshan.

Chen Pingan softly said, “Ten years to grow a tree, a hundred years to cultivate a person. Let’s encourage each other.”

Cui Dongshan once again, with excessive formality, bowed respectfully, “Student takes his leave. Teacher’s travels will surely have a purpose.”

After Cui Dongshan straightened up, Chen Pingan took out a bamboo slip that he had prepared long ago from his sleeve, and smiled, “It seems I’ve never given you anything before. Don’t dislike it. The bamboo slip is just made of ordinary mountain bamboo, worthless. Although I’ve never felt qualified to be your teacher, that question often came to mind during those three years at Bamboo Brief Lake, and it’s still difficult. But regardless, since you’ve been calling me that for so many years, then I’ll act like a teacher and give you this bamboo slip as a small farewell gift.”

Cui Dongshan received the already yellowed bamboo slip, both sides inscribed with writing.

On the front, the inscription was quite old, “One may hear the Way earlier or later, but Sages have no constant teachers.”

On the back, the inscription was likely newly carved when Chen Pingan had gone to the bamboo pavilion to retrieve something, lighting a lamp and taking out a carving knife. Although it was done in haste, the handwriting was still meticulous and proper, “The student surpasses the master, yet builds upon their work.”

Pei Qian coughed twice, clearing her throat, and said solemnly, “Cui Dongshan, as the eldest senior sister, I must remind you of something. Don’t take it lightly. Teacher actually cares the most about these bamboo slips!”

Cui Dongshan slowly tucked it into his sleeve, “Teacher’s expectations are earnest and heartfelt. Student will keep them in mind. Student also has something to give in return.”

Cui Dongshan flicked his snow-white sleeves and took out an antique bamboo folding fan, elegant and pure. Cui Dongshan offered it with both hands, “This object used to be the beloved treasure of someone who lost the flying sword ‘Golden Autumn’ to me in a game of chess. Folded, it gathers the spring breeze; with a flick, it creates the autumn air. The fan surface is plain white without any writing, perfect for Teacher to ward off the summer heat in foreign lands during his travels.”

Chen Pingan accepted the jade bamboo folding fan, which was as light as a goose feather, and joked, “A gift this weighty, are you carrying an Ao turtle on your back?”

Pei Qian pondered for a moment. Cui Dongshan had previously said that the Ao turtle’s back was “Slap-in-the-Face Mountain.” She had been secretly pleased, feeling that her teacher had made a good deal with this exchange of gifts. But then she somewhat resented Cui Dongshan.

Cui Dongshan laughed loudly, “I’m leaving, I’m leaving.”

For some reason, Cui Dongshan faced Pei Qian and raised his index finger to his lips.

Pei Qian blinked her eyes, feigning ignorance.

Cui Dongshan just stared at her blankly.

Pei Qian then stamped her foot, “Fine, I won’t say it. We’re even!”

Cui Dongshan twisted his body, his posture swaying, his sleeves billowing. His entire being soared backward, instantly transforming into a streak of white light, leaving Fallen Phoenix Mountain.

Chen Pingan took Pei Qian up the mountain, taking the hoe from her hand.

Pei Qian held it in for a long time before asking softly, “Teacher, why didn’t you ask what the Big White Goose didn’t want me to say? If Teacher asked, as a disciple, I would have to open my mouth. It would be good that Teacher knew the answer, and I wouldn’t be considered to have gone back on my word.”

Chen Pingan ruffled Pei Qian’s head, smiling without speaking.

Pei Qian skipped along beside Chen Pingan, climbing the stairs together. Turning her head, she saw that the figure of the Big White Goose was already gone.
After the grand white goose personally planted the plum pit, Pei Qian witnessed a small plum tree sprouting beside the deep pool where the Flood Dragon swayed in his heart, alongside the golden texts and books.

Chen Ping’an suddenly inquired, “Is your habit of bullying the white geese in the town’s streets and alleys related to Cui Dongshan, who you nicknamed ‘Grand White Goose’?”

Pei Qian wiped the sweat from her brow, then vigorously shook her head. “Master! There’s not a copper coin’s worth of connection! It’s absolutely not because I see those white geese as Cui Dongshan! Every time I saw them, whether sparring or later riding them to patrol the streets, I never once thought of Cui Dongshan!”

Chen Ping’an suppressed a smile. “Tell the truth.”

Pei Qian clutched her walking stick in one hand and tugged at the hem of Chen Ping’an’s blue robe with the other, looking pitiful. “Master, planting those elm seeds was so exhausting! I’m worn out, and my head aches just thinking about anything.”

Chen Ping’an reached out and took Pei Qian’s hand, smiling gently. “Alright, alright. Master won’t tattle.”

Pei Qian’s face bloomed with a radiant smile. She turned her head slightly upward, gazing at her master’s profile. “Master, it’s okay. Even if Master were to tattle, I wouldn’t feel even the slightest bit wronged. Master is already so good; if you were any better, it would be too much!”

“Master is leaving for a long journey this time and won’t be returning to Fallen Mountain for a while. Whether you attend the school or wander around, you don’t need to be too restrained, but you mustn’t be too mischievous either. But as long as you’re in the right, no matter how big the trouble you stir up, don’t be afraid. Even if Master isn’t by your side, go find Senior Cui, Zhu Lian, Zheng Dafeng, or Wei Bo. They will all help you. However, when they lecture you afterward, you must listen obediently. Some things don’t mean you’re exempt from hearing reason just because you’re in the right.”

“Alrighty! Master, rest assured. Even if I do suffer a grievance, as long as it’s not too, too big of a grievance, I’ll just imagine that Master is right beside me, and I won’t be angry at all!”

“Since nothing has happened yet, it’s difficult for Master to say much. After Master leaves, you can go ask Zhu Lian or Zheng Dafeng what ‘correcting a wrong by overcorrection’ means, and then ponder it yourself. Although one is justified, no one on Fallen Mountain can press their advantage to the point of being unforgiving. But being a good person and suffering injustice is never a given. Don’t rush these words; think about them slowly. Good principles aren’t just found in books and schools; Sister Shi Rou in Riding Dragon Alley will have them, and Cen Yuanji, who learns martial arts slowly on Fallen Mountain, will also have them. You must observe more and think more. The most cost-free business in the world is learning a single ‘good’ from others.”

“Master…”

“I know your head is starting to ache again, so Master will say no more. In the coming years, even if you want to hear Master’s nagging, you won’t have the chance.”

“Haha, Master, you’re mistaken! I’m hungry! Master, listen, my stomach is rumbling. I’m not lying, am I?”

“A martial artist eating midnight snacks late at night? Endure it.”

“Master, when you reach that, uh, Northern Ju Continent, be sure to send back letters often! So I can give Sister Bao Ping and Li Huai news of your safety, haha, news of your safety, news of Master…”

Pei Qian held her walking stick in one hand and held her master’s hand in the other. She was full of courage, puffed out her chest, walked arrogantly, and sent demons and monsters into a panic.

One big and one small, they walked in the moonlight, climbing higher step by step.

As if at this moment, the most moonlight in the world shone upon this mountain.

(End of Chapter)