Cui Dongshan came over and sat down, making a table of three: master and disciple, teacher and student.

Cui Dongshan bent over, reached out, and took the jar of immortal wine brewed and buried behind the bamboo building. Chen Pingan also picked up the wine in front of him, and both drank it down in one gulp.

Chen Pingan wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand and asked, “When are you leaving?”

Cui Dongshan smiled and said, “Actually, this student has never left. Wherever the teacher is, this student’s thoughts will follow.”

In the deep night, the young man smiled brightly.

Chen Pingan turned his head and looked at Pei Qian, “Don’t imitate him when you speak in the future.”

Pei Qian looked bewildered and shook her head vigorously, “Master, I’ve never imitated him.”

Cui Dongshan gave a thumbs up.

Pei Qian crossed her arms, trying her best to show some of the demeanor of a senior apprentice sister.

Chen Pingan said, “Pay more attention to Chen Ru Chu’s side. Preventing thieves for a thousand days is the most exhausting.”

Luopo Mountain was still some distance from Longquan County. Although the pink-skirted little girl had long possessed a sword talisman forged by the Dragonquan Sword Sect, allowing her to ride the wind without restraint, Chen Ru Chu liked to compare prices before buying things, and was very meticulous. Some items couldn’t be bought immediately in the county; it might take a day or two. So, she had used her own private money to buy a house in the county. The county magistrate’s office helped arrange it, getting her a feng shui treasure at a very affordable price. The neighbors were all wealthy families from the Dali capital. The person who handled the transaction back then was just an obscure clerk, an assistant to the former magistrate Wu Yuan, but now he was the local official of Longquan County, originally a deeply hidden descendant of a prominent family from the capital.

Like today, Chen Ru Chu was resting at the house in the county, waiting to gather all the goods tomorrow before returning to Luopo Mountain.

Usually, in such cases, before leaving Luopo Mountain, Chen Ru Chu would give a string of keys to Zhou Mi Li or Cen Yuanji.

Cui Dongshan said, “The student does things, so the teacher can rest assured. Dali’s spies and death warriors are best at enduring. Wei Bo has also secretly instructed the northernmost mountain deity to keep an eye on the movements in the county. Moreover, the illusion-casting robe on the warm tree girl’s body is an old possession of this student. Even if something happens suddenly and Dali’s death warriors and the mountain deity can’t stop it in time, the robe alone can still block one or two swords from a nascent soul sword cultivator. Once the sword is drawn, Wei Bo should know. By then, even if the opponent wants to die, it will be difficult.”

Chen Pingan laughed, “Wouldn’t this be considered using public office for private gain?”

The stability of certain people in Luopo Mountain inevitably required the sacrifice of others.

The pink-skirted girl’s worry-free outings required Chen Pingan, Cui Dongshan, and Wei Bo’s meticulous planning and careful arrangement.

But conversely, when he and Cui Dongshan traveled outside, no matter what unpredictable waves or dangerous fights they experienced, being able to feel at ease when thinking of Luopo Mountain was a great achievement of Chen Ru Chu, the little housekeeper.

There was a time when Chen Pingan would be troubled by his calculations, feeling like he was an accountant who weighed the pros and cons everywhere, calculated gains and losses, and didn’t want to let go of even the slightest change in people’s hearts.

But looking back now, it was just unnecessary worry. This kind of calculation that didn’t just revolve around money had its merits and preciousness. There was nothing to hide, and there was no need to reject it in the depths of his heart.

In short, Chen Pingan absolutely wouldn’t allow regrets to be brought about by his “unthinkable” or “unthoughtful” actions.

What good would it do to act furiously after the fact, to be a reckless man’s anger, spilling blood five steps away? Could regret be lessened, could regrets be eliminated?

Luopo Mountain, right under his feet, was Chen Pingan’s responsibility.

In the future, the lotus root blessed land under his nose would also be.

First speak of conscience, then earn money.

Money still had to be earned, after all, money was the courage of heroes and the ladder of cultivation.

Only the order of priority couldn’t be wrong.

Cui Dongshan said, “Not to mention the teacher and senior apprentice sister, Zhu Lian, Lu Baixiang, Wei Xian, just based on the amount of extra martial fortune that Luopo Mountain has brought to the Dali Dynasty, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration even if I requested a nascent soul cultivator to be stationed in Longquan County year-round. That old bastard wouldn’t even fart. To take a step back, where in the world is there such a thing as wanting a horse to run without feeding it grass? I’m working hard and sitting in the south, traveling every day, managing such a large mess of things, helping the old bastard stabilize seven or eight lines of defense, both overt and covert. Even close brothers need to settle accounts clearly. I haven’t asked the old bastard for a lion’s share of a salary, which is already considered generous of me.”

Chen Pingan didn’t say a word.

He didn’t interfere in Cui Dongshan and Old State Preceptor Cui Chan’s “family affairs.”

Only at this moment did Pei Qian realize that there were so many twists and turns on the warm tree little housekeeper’s side. She immediately became worried and asked, “Otherwise, I’ll accompany warm tree when she goes out to buy things in the future?”

Cui Dongshan smiled and said, “Are you, a fourth-realm martial artist, going out to deliver your head?”

Pei Qian sighed and slammed her head on the table, making a loud bang. Without raising her head, she muttered, “There’s no way. I’m too slow at practicing boxing. Grandpa Cui said I’m a turtle crawling, an ant moving house, so frustrating.”

Chen Pingan’s expression was strange.

Cui Dongshan added insult to injury, “Are you worried now? Next, senior apprentice sister’s martial artist fifth and sixth realms will be even slower, especially the matter of martial courage, which needs to be considered carefully. It really can’t be rushed.”

Pei Qian raised her head, annoyed, “Big White Goose, are you annoying or not?! Can’t you say a few nice words?”

Cui Dongshan asked, “Nice words, can they be eaten?”

Pei Qian said righteously, “They can go with the meal! Every time I eat with Mi Li, I can eat an extra bowl. When I see you, I don’t even want to eat.”

Chen Pingan comforted, “Don’t rush things that are useless to rush.”

Pei Qian immediately said loudly, “Master is wise!”

Cui Dongshan turned to look at Chen Pingan, “Teacher, how is it, the feng shui of our Luopo Mountain has nothing to do with this student, right?”

Chen Pingan ignored him and changed the subject, “I’ve already spoken with the late emperor of the Nanyuan Kingdom, Wei Liang, but the new emperor, Wei Yan, has great ambitions, so you might need to greet Wei Xian.”

Wei Xian was the founding emperor of the Nanyuan Kingdom and the first monarch in the history of the Lotus Root Blessed Land to visit the mountains and seek immortals on a large scale.

Cui Dongshan asked with a smile, “Wei Xian is the lucky one whom the teacher brought out of the Lotus Root Blessed Land. The kindness is akin to being reborn. Since the teacher has spoken, there’s no reason for Wei Xian to say no.”
Chen Ping’an shook his head and said, “In Falling Phoenix Mountain, within the grand rules, everyone should have the space and freedom to follow their heart. It’s not that I, Chen Ping’an, deliberately want to be some moral paragon, I only seek to have a clear conscience. If it’s not like this in the long run, we won’t be able to keep people. Today, we lose Lu Baixiang; tomorrow, we lose Wei Xian; and the day after, we’ll lose that Teacher Zhong.”

Cui Dongshan nodded, “Venerable Teacher is wise.”

Pei Qian raged, “Hurry up and change your way of speaking, don’t steal my style!”

Cui Dongshan shook his head, swaying his large sleeves. “Hehe, I won’t. Come and hit me, come on! If I dodge even once, I’ll take on the same surname as that old bastard.”

Pei Qian clutched her head, feeling a headache coming on. It was only because her master was nearby, otherwise she would have already thrown a punch.

Unexpectedly, her master smiled and reminded her, “He’s asking you to hit him, why not agree? In the martial world, fulfilling requests is a good habit.”

Pei Qian’s eyes sparkled.

Cui Dongshan raised an arm, shaking two fingers together in front of him. “Eldest Senior Sister, I know Immortal spells! If someone full of food and drink gets hit by my immobilization spell, tsk tsk tsk, the consequences are unimaginable, a truly beautiful sight to behold.”

Pei Qian said with a serious face, “Master, I think fellow disciples should be harmonious, harmony brings wealth.”

Chen Ping’an nodded with a smile, “There’s also truth in that.”

Then Chen Ping’an said, “Go to bed early. Tomorrow, Master will personally help you with feeding punches.”

Pei Qian’s eyes widened, “Ah?”

It wasn’t that she was afraid of hardship. Pei Qian was worried that after the punch-feeding, her true strength would be exposed, making her pitiful Fourth Realm self a laughingstock to her master.

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Don’t be impatient at heart, but don’t slack off in your efforts. When you reach the Fifth Realm bottleneck, you can travel the world on your own. Whether or not you want to bring Li Huai along is up to you. Of course, the little donkey I promised you will definitely be there.”

Pei Qian was eager to try, “Master, after midnight it’s ‘today’. Can you teach me the fist techniques now?”

Chen Ping’an pressed down on her little head, gently pushing her away. “I need to discuss serious matters with Cui Dongshan.”

Pei Qian said aggrieved, “Discussing serious matters with Old Teacher Zhong, I can understand. But what serious matters can you possibly have to talk about with a big white goose? Master, I’m not sleepy, you guys talk, I’ll just listen.”

Cui Dongshan clicked his tongue. “Not even listening to her master’s words anymore! She’s only a Fourth Realm martial artist, if she reaches the Fifth or Sixth Realm, wouldn’t she be flying up to the heavens?”

Pei Qian refused to budge, crossing her arms and sneering, “Sowing discord between master and disciple, a despicable act!”

Cui Dongshan said, “Venerable Teacher, there’s really nothing I can do.”

Chen Ping’an put two fingers together, gently bending them. “Does your little head hurt?”

Only then did Pei Qian run off in a huff.

After a moment, Chen Ping’an didn’t turn around and said, “Is there money to be picked up in the grass?”

Pei Qian, who had been peeking around, stood up awkwardly. “Master, I was walking halfway and heard a cricket chirping. I was catching crickets. It ran away now, so I’m really going to sleep.”

After Pei Qian had gone far away.

Chen Ping’an was somewhat worried. “I know some worries are unnecessary, and thinking too much is useless, but it’s easiest to advise others with reason, it’s really hard to convince yourself.”

Cui Dongshan softly said, “Pei Qian’s breakthrough is indeed a bit too fast, and she’s consumed so much martial luck. Fortunately, Wei Bo is suppressing her aura, and the Li Zhu Grotto-Heaven is famous for its many strange people and events. But when Pei Qian goes out into the world alone, it will indeed be a bit troublesome.”

Chen Ping’an was somewhat sentimental, slowly saying, “But after hearing her recount her travels to the Lotus Root Blessed Land, to be able to think of and speak of the principle of ‘restraining her fist,’ I was still somewhat happy. I’m just afraid of overdoing it, constantly learning from me. Then, the martial world that belongs to Pei Qian alone may be overshadowed.”

Cui Dongshan said, “What’s wrong with learning the good things first, then becoming oneself? Haven’t you, Venerable Teacher, been walking this path all these years? If all the children in the world don’t have any rules in their hearts, and just learn to clamor first, is that good? In an era where rules need to be remembered the most, the elders deliberately act intimately with the younger generation, unwilling to scold, unwilling to speak harsh words, I think it’s very bad.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, listening to him.

Cui Dongshan said, “Are you also worried about Cao Qinglang’s future?”

Chen Ping’an sighed, “Of course. I don’t want to interfere with Cao Qinglang’s life, nor do I want Cao Qinglang to delay his studies and cultivation.”

Cui Dongshan smiled and said, “Why not let Zhong Qiu take Cao Qinglang with him when he leaves the Lotus Root Blessed Land, and let Cao Qinglang study with Zhong Qiu in the new world, traveling far away? Starting with Treasure Bottle Continent, it can’t be too far. Cao Qinglang’s aptitude is really good. Teacher Zhong is teaching, imparting knowledge, and resolving doubts, focusing on the word ‘mellow.’ Your friend named Lu Tai taught Cao Qinglang to stay away from the word ‘pedantic,’ complementing each other. In the end, Zhong Qiu is upright, his knowledge is refined, and Lu Tai’s knowledge is diverse but not chaotic, and he is willing to sincerely respect Zhong Qiu. Only then does Cao Qinglang have this aura. Otherwise, if they each hold to one extreme, Cao Qinglang would be ruined. In the end, it’s still Venerable Teacher’s credit.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “If I said, I really want to have Cao Qinglang’s name recorded in the ancestral hall genealogy of our Falling Phoenix Mountain, would I be too selfish?”

Cui Dongshan smiled and asked, “In the humble house over in the alley, have you ever mentioned this to Cao Qinglang?”

Chen Ping’an helplessly said, “Of course, I had to ask for his own opinion first. At that time, Cao Qinglang was just grinning foolishly, nodding vigorously, like a chick pecking at rice, giving me the illusion of seeing Pei Qian. So I was a little uneasy instead.”

Cui Dongshan laughed loudly, “Isn’t that a great thing of mutual consent? If Venerable Teacher feels uneasy, why not think about the many efforts and troubles involved in cultivating a scholar seed in the future? Would that make you feel better?”

Chen Ping’an pondered and considered, and indeed felt much more at ease.

Then Chen Ping’an thought of another child, named Zhao Shuxia.

He wondered how that young man’s fist-practicing and stance-walking were going.

Chen Ping’an also valued Zhao Shuxia very much, but for different juniors, Chen Ping’an had different concerns and expectations.

Zhao Shuxia’s path of practicing fists was actually the most like his own.

Relying on nothing, only on diligence.

The young man’s mind was pure, his heart for learning fists, and what he sought in martial arts, were all things that Chen Ping’an liked very much.
Chen Ping’an spoke to Cui Dongshan about Zhao Shuxia for the first time, including that cultivation prodigy, the girl Zhao Luan, and the fisherman Mr. Wu Shuowen, whom he deeply admired.

Cui Dongshan slowly said, “Simplicity and unadornment have always been a profound meaning in fist techniques. If one can innovate upon this foundation, it’s a great feat of martial arts reaching the heavens.”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “You’re not even a martial artist yourself, just engaging in empty talk. I can’t win against you in debates, but regarding Zhao Shuxia’s situation, don’t overcomplicate things.”

Cui Dongshan nodded in agreement.

With his student keeping an eye on things in his spare time, many unexpected events could be avoided.

Besides, Cui Dongshan was too lazy to do things that were merely icing on the cake. He only did things that provided help in times of need.

For example, enhancing the Protecting Mountain Array of the Pima Sect, adding an extra twenty percent to its power.

Cui Dongshan naturally held back some of his strength.

Zhu Quan of the Pima Sect was well aware of this, but when it came to matters concerning the rise and fall of the sect, Zhu Quan still did not take advantage of their acquaintance. She didn’t even drop hints, much less nag Chen Ping’an about it.

Because the Pima Sect temporarily couldn’t offer an equal amount of goodwill, or rather, couldn’t offer the kind of goodwill that Cui Dongshan, Chen Ping’an’s student, wanted, Zhu Quan simply remained silent.

If it were Chen Ping’an, Zhu Quan would definitely speak her mind frankly. Even if she had to ask the Pima Sect’s superior sect for immortal money, and it still wasn’t enough to settle the debt, she would simply take the IOU. She, Zhu Quan, wouldn’t feel guilty about owing debts.

But Chen Ping’an was Chen Ping’an, and Cui Dongshan was Cui Dongshan, even if they were teacher and student, and both considered Luo Po Mountain their home.

This was the essence of propriety.

Although Zhu Quan, as the sect leader of the Pima Sect in Skeleton Beach, seemed unqualified, her cultivation realm wasn’t low, but it wasn’t enough for the sect. She could only resort to the lowest tactic, personally leading the charge in Qinglu Town, resisting the southward advance of Jingguan City.

But everyone in the continent knew that the Pima Sect was a very straightforward mountain sect, clear about its debts and grudges.

This kind of well-regarded reputation and the positive image of its cultivators was a significant sum of immortal money accumulated by the Pima Sect.

During his trip to the Northern Entirely-Submerged Continent, Chen Ping’an learned many lessons outside of books from the Pima Sect, where Zhu Quan was stationed, and from Crouching Ridge Peak, where the Fire Dragon True Man was always sound asleep.

Chen Ping’an then took out two jars of glutinous rice wine, one for each of them.

This time, they both slowly savored the wine.

Once a mountain stronghold began to take shape, naturally there would be more matters to attend to.

How to deal with the newly appointed Governor Wei Li and the City God of the state capital required careful handling and judgment.

It certainly wasn’t as simple as Cui Dongshan revealing his official position as “Leader of the Green Ripple Pavilion of the Great Li Dynasty” to gain any advantages.

On the back of the snapping turtle, Lu Baixiang and Liu Chongrun, who had already obtained the Water Palace and Dragon Boat, two treasures of the immortals, were already on their way back. Therefore, Lu Baixiang’s two direct disciples, the siblings Yuanbao and Yuanlai, would have their names recorded in the register when he arrived at Luo Po Mountain. But the awkward thing was that Luo Po Mountain had yet to build an ancestral hall. Because for many things, he, as the mountain lord of Luo Po Mountain, had to be present for the groundbreaking, the raising of the beams, the hanging of portraits, the offering of incense, and so on. All required Chen Ping’an’s presence.

Therefore, Chen Ping’an still needed to stay for a while, first waiting for Lu Baixiang, then waiting for Zhu Lian to return from Old Dragon City.

Whether Zhou Mili’s official appointment as the Right Protector of Luo Po Mountain would cause unrest among some people was also something Chen Ping’an had to think deeply about.

Chen Ping’an stood up, “I’m going to Qilong Lane.”

Cui Dongshan smiled, “Walking there?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Pei Qian has a sword talisman issued by the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, but I don’t. It’s late at night, so I won’t trouble Wei Bo. I’ll just check on Zheng Dafeng’s sprained ankle.”

Cui Dongshan said, “Then I’ll accompany you for a walk, teacher.”

As they descended the mountain, Cen Yuanji was just practicing her fist techniques and ascending.

Chen Ping’an and Cui Dongshan stood aside, making way.

Cen Yuanji didn’t say a word, her fist intent flowing, single-minded, taking steps up the mountain.

The two continued their descent.

Cui Dongshan laughed, “This little girl is also stubborn, only admiring Zhu Lian.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “It shows that Zhu Lian has a good eye for disciples. The unhealthy tendencies in Luo Po Mountain that you’ve corrupted can be corrected a bit by Cen Yuanji. We must cherish her.

Cui Dongshan said helplessly, “If teacher is determined to think this way, and can feel more at ease, then I will reluctantly acknowledge it.”

When they reached the foot of the mountain, Chen Ping’an knocked on the door, but there was no response for a long time. Chen Ping’an didn’t plan to let Zheng Dafeng off the hook, and knocked loudly.

Zheng Dafeng finally opened the door, limping, still sleepy-eyed. When he saw Chen Ping’an, he pretended to be surprised and said, “Mountain Lord, why are you back home without telling me? You couldn’t walk a few more steps? Do you look down on me, the gatekeeper? Since you look down on me, Zheng Dafeng, why are you visiting me tonight? I’m hurt, I’m hurt. I’m going to sleep, so that Mountain Lord doesn’t find me an eyesore. I’m worried too. If I lose my job, I’ll have to pack up and leave tomorrow. Wouldn’t that be terrible? Would I have to sleep on the streets of the county? It’s almost winter, it’s freezing cold. Does Mountain Lord have the heart to do that? We can talk about things later. Anyway, I’m just the gatekeeper, there’s nothing important to talk about. Mountain Lord, you go ahead and take care of the important things…”

Zheng Dafeng was about to close the door.

His words flowed smoothly, without any flaws.

Chen Ping’an held the door with one hand, smiling and said, “Brother Dafeng, you’ve injured your leg, such a big thing, of course I have to inquire about it.”

Zheng Dafeng was filled with righteousness, shaking his head and said, “It’s not a big deal, men, as long as the third leg isn’t broken, it’s all a small matter.”

One was closing the door, the other was holding it open, and they were at a stalemate.

Zheng Dafeng muttered, “Mountain Lord, you’ve broken through your realm, and you’re bullying people like this. Then I, Zheng Dafeng, will have to throw a tantrum.”

Chen Ping’an said angrily, “I really have something to talk about.”

Zheng Dafeng asked, “Whose business?”

Chen Ping’an said unhappily, “Anyway, it’s not Pei Qian’s.”

Zheng Dafeng cried out in mock surprise, lowering his head and bending over, his legs and feet were agile as could be. He grabbed Chen Ping’an’s arm and pulled him into the gate, “Mountain Lord, please come in. The place isn’t big, and the hospitality is lacking, so don’t be disgusted. It’s not like I’m complaining, it’s just that Zhu Lian is stingy, the money he allocates is just a drop in the bucket. Look at this house, does it have even a little bit of grandeur? Luo Po Mountain, with such a shabby gate, I, Zheng Dafeng, am too embarrassed to go to the small town to buy wine, and I’m too embarrassed to say that I’m from Luo Po Mountain. Zhu Lian, as a person, is a brother, but business is business. He’s a damn tightwad!”
Cui Dongshan chuckled, “Truly, the speaker weeps, and the listener is moved.”

Zheng Dafeng turned his head and said, “Regarding the distribution of profits from the Lotus Root Blessed Land, I almost fought with Zhu Lian and Wei Bo for the sake of this young Master Cui. We argued fiercely! To get them to budge, I nearly got a beating for agreeing to give that portion of the profits to young Master Cui. It was a close call! In the end, I still couldn’t help, so I could only drink in silence and then accidentally sprained my ankle?”

Cui Dongshan smiled and nodded, “Grateful tears streaming down my face.”

Cui Dongshan stopped walking, said he would wait for the master near the mountain gate, stepped over the threshold, and gently closed the door.

Chen Ping’an and Zheng Dafeng each took a seat, and Chen Ping’an spoke of the matter of the single soul and single wisp of spirit that he had heard from Li Liu of Lion Peak.

Zheng Dafeng nodded, “I am aware of this matter, but I don’t have the energy to bother with it right now.”

Then Zheng Dafeng asked, “What, you think Falling Phoenix Mountain is short on fighters and want me to put in some effort? Help Falling Phoenix Mountain gain some face?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head, “You know I wouldn’t think that way.”

Zheng Dafeng laughed, “I know you wouldn’t, that’s why I asked. It’s just small talk. Otherwise, I would have already gone to the old residence to drink the northwest wind.”

Chen Ping’an said, “I’m looking for you because I thought if you wanted to relax, you could often go to the Lotus Root Blessed Land to take a look. But it’s up to you, I’m just mentioning it casually.”

Zheng Dafeng nodded, “Old Master Cui deliberately left half of his martial fortune in the Lotus Root Blessed Land. Plus, it’s been upgraded to a mid-grade blessed land, and the spiritual energy has suddenly increased, so it’s indeed more interesting there now.”

Zheng Dafeng seemed a little tempted, rubbing his chin, “I’ll consider it.”

Perhaps open a thriving brothel there?

Zheng Dafeng grinned and waved his hand to himself. Such a wicked thing wouldn’t do. Opening a wine shop in a bustling area would be more like it. Hire a few graceful wine maidens. They might be too shy to attract business, so he’d have to hire a few plump wine-selling women who are good at chatting to get repeat customers. Otherwise, he wouldn’t earn much money going there and would let Falling Phoenix Mountain down. A beauty by the wine stove, with her fair wrist like frost and snow, would be pleasing to the eye. The proprietor himself could cross his legs every day and just collect money.

Chen Ping’an didn’t know what Zheng Dafeng was planning. Seeing his smiling face and occasional hand wiping his mouth, Chen Ping’an felt something was wrong and took his leave.

Zheng Dafeng saw him all the way to the gate. If Chen Ping’an hadn’t refused, he probably would have escorted him all the way to the small town.

Chen Ping’an and Cui Dongshan walked away on foot.

Zheng Dafeng sighed. Chen Ping’an’s expression had remained normal when he deliberately mentioned Cui Cheng’s martial fortune earlier.

It was a good thing, but not a particularly good thing.

There was no help for it.

Different people have different joys and sorrows.

As for that Cui Dongshan, Zheng Dafeng didn’t want to interact with him too much. He was too good at playing chess.

Instead of going back to sleep, Zheng Dafeng went out, his figure hunched over, walking in the moonlight towards the mountain gate, leaning against a white jade pillar.

Falling Phoenix Mountain doesn’t have obvious cliques, but if you look closely, there actually are some.

There’s one centered around Cui Dongshan.

Lu Baixiang and Wei Xian outside the mountain are part of it.

Shi Rou from Riding Dragon Lane is also part of it.

As long as Cui Dongshan is willing, this faction could become the largest faction in Falling Phoenix Mountain overnight, with many new faces.

But Zheng Dafeng didn’t think of himself as an insignificant existence, because those figures orbiting Cui Dongshan, if they wanted to enter Falling Phoenix Mountain, especially if they wanted their names recorded on the register in the future, they would at least have to pass through the mountain gate first.

As it happened, Zheng Dafeng was a gatekeeper.

Zheng Dafeng felt like he was an extraordinary figure when he thought about this. Falling Phoenix Mountain really couldn’t do without him. He waited quietly for a long time, then suddenly stamped his foot. Why hadn’t Miss Cen come down the mountain tonight after practicing her fist techniques?!

Shi Rou opened the shop door and was somewhat embarrassed to see Chen Ping’an and Cui Dongshan both there.

If it was just the young mountain master, it would be fine, but with Cui Dongshan beside him, Shi Rou felt apprehensive.

In the backyard, Chen Lingjun stood by the courtyard well, yawning.

Chen Ping’an had Shi Rou open a room in the wing and lit the lamp on the table. He took out a large stack of notes and maps of mountains and rivers, drawn by either the government or himself, and began to explain the Ji River journey, while also taking out black and white chess pieces engraved with names and sects. For example, Li Yuan of the Water Dragon Sect and the Water God Goddess of the Southern Fragrance Palace were white pieces, as well as Tan Ling, Tang Xi, and Song Lanchao from the Spring Dew Garden on the easternmost side of the Ji River. In addition, there were Cloudtop City and the Variegated Sparrow Prefecture, as well as Floating Duckweed Sword Lake, located in the central part of the Northern Jambu Continent. As for the relatively few black pieces, they were mainly from the Yang family of the崇玄署 (Chongxuan Office). Chen Ping’an placed these pieces in different positions on the table and explained with a smile that the pieces were like this, but human nature doesn’t care about black and white. I’m just giving a general impression. When you go on the river journey yourself, you can’t copy it exactly, or you’ll suffer a great loss.

Looking at the snowy white line on the table, linked by the chess pieces.

Chen Lingjun held it in for a long time before whispering, “Thank you.”

Chen Ping’an was a little surprised, so he teased, “In the middle of the night, the sun could rise from the west?”

Chen Lingjun said in embarrassment and anger, “Anyway, I’ve already thanked you. Whether you appreciate it or not is up to you.”

Chen Ping’an was amused and intended to explain the precautions for this Ji River journey to Chen Lingjun in detail, little by little, which would probably take until dawn.

Cui Dongshan squinted and said, “Trouble you to put your heart into it, young master. This route was obtained by your old master at the cost of his life. There is no one in the world more prepared for this river journey than you.”

Chen Lingjun looked nervous, clutching the stack of papers in his hand.

Chen Ping’an waved his hand, “It’s not that exaggerated. The trip to the Northern Jambu Continent is mainly for travel and exploration, and the river journey is secondary. You don’t need to be grateful to me, but remember that this is the foundation of your great dao. If you don’t put your heart into it, you’re not responsible to yourself. In the past, on Falling Phoenix Mountain, you and Chen Ruchu were both dragons, and you couldn’t even focus your efforts to cultivate, so I never said anything, right? But this time, you must change your lazy habits. If I find out afterwards that you dare to treat the Ji River journey casually as a child’s play, I would rather have someone throw you back to Falling Phoenix Mountain than let you wander around blindly.”

Speaking of this, Chen Ping’an said sternly, “Because you will die there.”

Chen Lingjun nodded, “I know what’s important.”
Chen Ping’an smiled, “I believe you.”

Chen Lingjun looked at Chen Ping’an, whose eyes were clear and smile was warm.

Chen Lingjun’s heart calmed down as well.

Chen Ping’an smiled and took out brush, ink, paper, and placed them on the table, “The palest ink is better than the best memory. I might speak in detail and in a disorganized manner, so if you feel like a person or event is extremely important, write it down. When you set off on your journey in the future, you can take it out and review it at any time.”

Cui Dongshan said, “The only thing missing is personally walking the river for this esteemed sir.”

Chen Lingjun was just about to sit down when he heard these words, and he stopped, lowered his head, and clenched the paper in his hand tightly.

Chen Ping’an glanced at Cui Dongshan.

Cui Dongshan then raised both hands and said, “I’ll just go sit outside then.”

Cui Dongshan indeed went out the door and closed it, then carried a stool to sit beside the courtyard, crossed his legs, and held the back of his head with both hands, suddenly roaring, “Aunt Shi Rou, where are the melon seeds!”

Shi Rou timidly said, “Coming right up.”

She even forgot to conceal her female voice.

Having stayed in Riding Dragon Lane for so long, Shi Rou had almost forgotten about her female identity, but as soon as she encountered Cui Dongshan, she was immediately brought back to her original form.

Chen Ping’an patted Chen Lingjun on the shoulder, “Cui Dongshan’s words are harsh, and I won’t say anything nice to defend him, they really are harsh. But you might as well listen to them. Apart from the unreasonable parts, most of the words we find unpleasant are the ones that hit our hearts. We can pretend not to care on the surface, but we should chew on them in our hearts. Coptis is bitter, but it can clear heat and calm the heart. I’ll only say this much wisdom. Anyway, after this separation, even if I want to say it and you want to hear it, we won’t have the chance for the time being.”

Chen Lingjun silently noted this in his heart, then asked in confusion, “Where are you going again?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Upside-Down Mountain, Sword Qi Great Wall.”

Chen Lingjun complained, “There are so many things to do on the mountain, you’re being too much of a hands-off mountain lord.”

He originally wanted to say why didn’t he return to Fallen Phoenix Mountain sooner, but he ultimately held back.

Because he himself knew that anyone could say this, but he, Chen Lingjun, was the least qualified.

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Criticism accepted, will not change for the time being.”

Chen Lingjun grinned.

Chen Lingjun sat upright, picked up his pen, spread out the paper, and began to listen to Chen Ping’an’s narration of the local customs and factions.

After Chen Lingjun wrote down a matter to pay attention to on the paper, he suddenly looked up and asked, “Master, will you be like this in the future?”

Chen Ping’an asked in confusion, “What do you mean?”

Chen Lingjun said, “In the future, Fallen Phoenix Mountain will have many people. Will you treat everyone like this?”

Chen Ping’an thought for a while, shook his head, and smiled, “It’s difficult. First come, first served, there will inevitably be differences in closeness, this is one aspect. Of course, there are more things to consider. It’s not necessarily good to do everything personally. The more people there are in Fallen Phoenix Mountain in the future, the more complicated people’s hearts and the world will be. I can’t do everything myself. I can only try my best to ensure that Fallen Phoenix Mountain has a good atmosphere. For example, just because Cui Dongshan outside the door has high cultivation and great abilities doesn’t mean he’s right in everything, and you should listen to him in everything. If you feel like you can’t reason with him and you’re not convinced, then you can talk to me. I’ll listen carefully.”

Chen Lingjun hmm’d.

Cui Dongshan said outside with resentment, “Teacher, this student is best at persuading people with virtue.”

Chen Lingjun rolled his eyes.

Chen Ping’an continued to tell Chen Lingjun about the matters of walking the river.

As expected, this rambling continued until dawn.

Chen Lingjun also wrote down dozens of key items in a crooked manner.

Chen Ping’an tutted, “Chen Lingjun, your handwriting is… far worse than Pei Qian’s.”

Chen Lingjun’s face flushed red, “I don’t copy books every day. If I copied books for so long, the calligraphy I wrote would sell for at least a few Minor Heat coins… Snowflake coins!”

Chen Ping’an asked with a smile, “Do you believe that yourself?”

Chen Lingjun was speechless.

He was too thin-skinned after all.

Chen Ping’an sat on the long bench with his hands in his sleeves, closed his eyes, and thought for a while, seeing if there were any omissions. There weren’t any for the time being, so he planned to write a letter later if he remembered anything, and give it to Chen Lingjun.

Opening his eyes, Chen Ping’an casually asked, “How is your Yujiang Water God brother doing these days?”

Chen Lingjun shook his head, “Just like that.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Before heading to the Northern Ju Luzhou, you can actually take a trip to Yujiang to say goodbye. Drink and eat as you should, but don’t say you’re going to walk the river, just say you’re going on a long journey. Treat people with sincerity, but not by spelling everything out and being completely transparent. Rather, it’s about not causing trouble for others, and helping others solve some problems within your ability, without needing them to thank you on the lips.”

Chen Lingjun put away the pen and paper, lay on the table, and looked somewhat gloomy, “In the past, I didn’t think about these things, I just drank and ate meat, and boasted in a loud voice.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “The world won’t always let us save effort and worry. Thinking more isn’t a bad thing.”

Chen Lingjun hesitated for a long time, not daring to look Chen Ping’an in the eye, and said cautiously, “If I said that I actually don’t want to walk the river, don’t want to go to any Northern Ju Luzhou, and just want to stay on Fallen Phoenix Mountain and live a life of eating and waiting to die, would you be very angry?”

Chen Ping’an smiled without saying a word, as if he had known this answer long ago.

Chen Lingjun then fell silent, never daring to look at Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an spoke, “Not angry.”

Chen Lingjun suddenly sat up, looking incredulous, “Really?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “From the beginning, I didn’t think that walking the river was such a great thing that you, Chen Lingjun, had to set off immediately, huffing and puffing, rain or shine, burying your head in walking the river. I even think that if you don’t really want to walk the river one day, then there’s no need to rush this matter at all. That Jidu River isn’t going anywhere. In fact, only when you really understand it yourself and then go to walk the Jidu, will it be more likely to succeed than if you’re just doing it blindly, completely treating it as a chore. But then again, walking the river is a necessary path for you, Chen Lingjun. It’s hard to bypass. Preparing more now is not a bad thing after all.”
Chen Ping’an paused for a moment, “Perhaps this might sound harsh, but I should tell you my true thoughts. As Cui Dongshan said, there are countless dragons in this world, in mountains, fields, lakes, and marshes, but not all have the chance to travel the great rivers via the great canals. So, if you clearly know this matter is urgent, yet you simply indulge in laziness and refuse to move and endure hardship, I will be very angry. But if you think this matter is insignificant, that not traveling the Ji Canal is fine, that you, Chen Lingjun, have your own grand path to follow, or that you simply love staying on the Falling Mountain and are willing to stay for a lifetime, then neither your old master nor the mountain master of Falling Mountain will be the slightest bit angry.”

Chen Lingjun smiled, “Understood.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Every time Chen Ruchu goes to the prefectural city to buy things, you secretly protect her. I am very happy because that is responsibility.”

Chen Lingjun was somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, “I was just wandering around! Who is the chatterbox who told the old master? I’ll slap him senseless…”

Cui Dongshan said lazily from outside the door, “Me.”

Chen Lingjun was dumbstruck.

Chen Lingjun trotted over to open the door, tiptoed behind Cui Dongshan, massaged his shoulders, and asked softly, “Brother Cui, you worked diligently all night, where are you tired and sore? You must tell your little brother! We are all loving family, being too polite would be impolite! Is the strength of my hands too light or too heavy?”

Chen Ping’an crossed the threshold, kicked Chen Lingjun on the butt, and scolded with a smile, “You have a share in the geomancy of Falling Mountain!”

The grass shop next to Riding Dragon Lane also opened.

It was the young woman nicknamed Jiu’er.

Chen Ping’an greeted with a smile, “Jiu’er, where are your master and senior brother?”

The young woman quickly gave a blessing, surprised, “Mountain Master Chen.”

Then, somewhat shyly, she said, “Master has been busy with business and is getting old, so he will wake up later. I came to open the door today; it wasn’t like this before. Senior brother went to the mountains to gather herbs several days ago and probably won’t return to Riding Dragon Lane until later.”

Jiu’er was about to call her master. After all, the mountain master had come in person, even if she was blamed by her master and scolded, she should still inform him.

Chen Ping’an stopped Jiu’er and smiled, “No need to disturb the Daoist’s rest. I was just passing by, checking on you.”

Jiu’er was a little nervous, “Mountain Master Chen, business at the shop isn’t very good.”

Chen Ping’an said, “It’s okay. Business at the grass shop is actually quite good. Continue to work hard. If you have any problems, go to Falling Mountain. Don’t be shy. Jiu’er, you must pass this message on to him. The Daoist is kind and honest, even if something really happens, he likes to bear it himself. That’s not good; family doesn’t talk like strangers. Oh, I won’t go inside the shop to sit. I have some things to do.”

Jiu’er, who had just opened the door, quietly put her hands behind her back, rubbed them together, and said softly, “Mountain Master Chen, would you really not like a cup of tea?”

Chen Ping’an waved his hand and smiled, “Really, no tea. Just consider it saved.”

Jiu’er smiled.

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Jiu’er’s complexion is much better than before, which shows that the soil and water of my hometown are nourishing. I used to worry that you wouldn’t be used to living here, but now I’m relieved.”

Jiu’er blushed slightly.

Chen Ping’an waved goodbye.

Taking Cui Dongshan along the Riding Dragon Lane steps, they went to the ancestral home in Mud Bottle Lane.

This route necessarily meant passing the Gu family ancestral home first. Chen Ping’an stopped and asked, “How is Uncle Gu doing?”

Cui Dongshan said, “It’s hard for an honest official to settle family matters. But now that Gu Tao has become the mountain god of the old Great Li mountains, it can be considered a complete merit. The woman in the prefectural city has everything she wants, and Gu Can is doing well in Shujian Lake. With a successful son and a husband who has ascended to great heights, a woman who lives a good life will naturally hide many of her faults.”

Chen Ping’an continued forward, “What about the house with the ‘Elegant Conduct and High Virtue’ plaque?”

Cui Dongshan slowly said, “That ghost in a wedding dress? A pitiful ghost, in love with a pitiful man. The former became hateful and detestable, but the latter was truly pitiful. Back then, he was miserably deceived by scholars from both the Lu Dynasty and the Great Sui, and ultimately ended up committing suicide by drowning. A passionate man who originally only wanted to earn the title of a virtuous man through scholarship in the academy, hoping to exchange it for the court’s recognition and decree, so that he could formally marry a female ghost, but unfortunately, he was born too early, born in the Great Li of that time, not the Great Li of today. Otherwise, the two endings would have been completely different. That female ghost, after all, was a foul and filthy spirit in the academy, so she naturally couldn’t even enter the main gate. She insisted on breaking in and almost had her soul scattered. In the end, she wasn’t completely stupid. She used up her last remaining karma with the Great Li Dynasty to take away the scholar’s remains and learned the long-sealed truth. It turned out that the scholar had never betrayed her deep affection and had died because of it. She then completely went mad. After Gu Tao left her mansion, she carried a coffin, stumbled all the way back there, took off her wedding dress, put on plain mourning clothes, and stood there blankly every day, only saying that she was waiting for someone.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “How should the rights and wrongs in this be calculated?”

Cui Dongshan stretched out a palm and, with a hand-knife gesture, cut a few times in the air, smiling, “It depends on where to where, respectively as the beginning and the end. Taking the female ghost and the scholar meeting, loving, and being affectionate as the beginning, and the female ghost killing so many scholars as the end, then it’s very simple, a slap would kill her. Now she doesn’t even want to live herself, ending it once and for all. But if we look further back, from the female ghost’s achievements in landscape, from calculating her from the beginning of her good nature, then it becomes very troublesome. If we still think that she has a chance, to know her mistakes and correct them, and in the next hundred or several hundred years, to make up for the world, then it becomes even more troublesome. If we go to stand in the perspective of those wrongly dead scholars, to think about the problem, then it’s… a huge trouble.”

Speaking of this, Cui Dongshan asked, “May I ask, sir, which segment of beginning and end do you want to intercept?”

Chen Ping’an did not give an answer.

Chen Ping’an took out the key.