After that foreign sword immortal spoke, Yao Chongdao, the head of the Yao family, found himself in a difficult position.

True to his name, Zuo You (Left Right), his words and actions easily put people in a bind. A century ago, those congenital sword embryos in the vast world whose sword hearts had shattered must have deeply sympathized with Yao Chongdao’s current predicament. For example, Cao Jun, the prodigy from Southern Shapo Continent whose sword heart had once resembled a lotus-filled pond, didn’t hesitate at all when he drew his sword, and his ending was extremely tragic. Only a pond of withered and decaying lotus flowers remained, and he fell from grace, becoming the laughingstock of the entire Southern Shapo Continent. In the end, he could only quietly leave for Baoping Continent, wasting a hundred years of time in the process and still unable to break through to the Jade Purity Realm. One must know that Cao Jun was once recognized as a once-in-a-century sword Dao talent in Southern Shapo Continent.

Other sword immortals had already noticed the abnormality here and were starting to smile, planning to watch the show. Those who liked to drink had already opened their wine gourds.

They weren’t the gawking sword cultivators from the streets. Those stationed on the city walls were all battle-hardened sword immortals, so naturally, they wouldn’t yell or whistle.

Of course, they were also afraid that Zuo You would get unhappy and ask them to join a group fight.

Zuo You’s swordsmanship was too high, his sword Qi too abundant, and he was rather unreasonable. He wasn’t afraid of taking on a group of people alone.

Yao Chongdao’s face was very unsightly.

As the head of the Yao family, the pent-up anger and unhappiness in his heart had accumulated for many years.

Just as Yao Chongdao was about to ask Zuo You to fight in the south of the city wall, Chen Pingan stiffened his scalp and acted as a mediator. He gently put down Ning Yao, called out to “Old Mister Yao,” and then asked Ning Yao to accompany her elders for a chat while he went to see Senior Zuo.

Ning Yao took her grandfather for a walk.

Chen Pingan moved like an arrow, flashing away to find Zuo You.

Without that impetuous and unruly young man around, and only his granddaughter by his side, Yao Chongdao’s expression improved a lot.

As for his daughter and son-in-law, the old man might have mixed feelings – sadness, regret, resentment, anger, disappointment… It was hard to truly say. But for Ning Yao, who was a generation removed, the old man only felt pride and guilt.

On the opposite city wall, Chen Pingan stopped ten steps away from a middle-aged sword immortal who had his back to him. He couldn’t get any closer because almost all the acupoints in the miniature universe of the other man’s body were overflowing with sword Qi, as if constantly at war with the greater world outside.

Ordinary sword cultivators and cultivators of the other three religions and hundreds of schools found it difficult to fill even a few key acupoints with spiritual Qi and expand them slightly, let alone cultivate them.

Seeing Zuo You, Chen Pingan clasped his hands and said, “Junior greets Senior Zuo.”

Zuo You remained unmoved.

So Chen Pingan detoured slightly, jumped onto the city wall, turned around, and sat cross-legged facing Zuo You.

Countless sword Qi crisscrossed, tearing apart the void. This meant that every strand of sword Qi contained sword intent that had reached the legendary level of utmost purity and refinement, capable of breaking open small universes at will. In other words, if he arrived at a place similar to the border of Bone Beach and Ghost Domain Valley, Zuo You wouldn’t need to draw his sword at all, or even control his sword Qi. He would be able to enter as if there was no one there, and the gates of the small universe would open on their own.

Seeing that Zuo You was unwilling to speak, Chen Pingan couldn’t just leave. That would be too impolite. Having nothing to do, he simply calmed down and stared at the flow of sword Qi, hoping to find some “rules.”

About half an incense stick later, Chen Pingan’s eyes felt sore, and his mind stirred slightly, but his state of mind quickly returned to stillness.

Just now, he had seen a wisp of sword Qi that seemed about to be released, about to break free from Zuo You’s restraint. That moment of terror felt like an immortal was holding a mountain and about to smash it down on Chen Pingan’s heart lake, making Chen Pingan feel apprehensive.

Zuo You still didn’t open his eyes, but he finally spoke, “Do you have something to ask me?”

Chen Pingan asked, “Where is Mister Wen Sheng now? If I have the chance to go to Middle Earth Divine Continent in the future, how should I find him?”

Zuo You’s expression softened slightly, and he said calmly, “Mister has already left Sui Mountain to open up an ancient land that successive sages of Confucianism have long been unable to open and break through. A Middle Earth senior is holding a celestial sword to pave the way, while Mister is responsible for consolidating the road. Both are indispensable.”

Chen Pingan nodded and said, “Thank you, Senior Zuo, for clarifying my doubts.”

Zuo You asked, “How is your learning?”

Chen Pingan replied, “I haven’t neglected my studies, and I keep asking myself.”

Zuo You said, “The effect is not very good.”

Chen Pingan said, “Reading is a long-term endeavor. Being fast and reading a lot might lead to superficiality due to my limited aptitude. It’s better to be slow and accurate, seeking depth.”

Zuo You was silent.

On the opposite wall, Yao Chongdao said with some sourness and helplessness, “There’s nothing to see over there. With so many realms separating them, they can’t fight.”

Ning Yao hesitated to speak.

Few people on the Sword Qi Great Wall knew about the connection between Chen Pingan and Zuo You. Ning Yao hadn’t mentioned a word to Bai Momo or Grandpa Nalan.

That was the most interesting thing. If Chen Pingan and Zuo You had no connection, with Zuo You’s temperament, he probably wouldn’t even bother to open his eyes, let alone speak up for Chen Pingan.

So Yao Chongdao was actually confused at this moment, not understanding why a strange sword cultivator like Zuo You, who had no business outside of swordsmanship, would argue with him for an outsider. Zuo You, were you interfering too much in the Yao and Ning families’ affairs? Therefore, if that kid named Chen hadn’t been meddling and mediating, Yao Chongdao would already be experiencing firsthand on the vast battlefield south of the city wall whether Zuo You’s swordsmanship was really that high.

As for winning or losing, it didn’t matter.

Anyway, he would lose either way.

Although Yao Chongdao was an immortal realm great sword immortal, he was in his twilight years and had long given up hope of breaking through. The constant battles over the past few centuries had caused deep-seated problems. Yao Chongdao himself admitted that he, this great sword immortal, was becoming increasingly unworthy of the name. Every time he saw those young earth immortal children from various families, each one of them a vigorous Jade Purity Realm junior, Yao Chongdao often felt both gratified and sentimental. Only when he took a distant look at his granddaughter, who was the undisputed leader of that group of young geniuses, would the old man, who had been given the nickname “bitter gourd face” by A Liang, show some smile.

Someone once said after drinking too much that whenever he saw Yao Lao’er’s bitter gourd face, which seemed to be engraved with the four words “repay debts,” he would have a pang of conscience and remember the wine money he had owed for many years.

After that, all the restaurants and taverns under the Yao family never sold that guy half a pot of wine, and he didn’t have to repay the owed wine money either.
Yao Chongdao casually inquired, “Looks like those two knew each other before?”

Ning Yao could only offer one piece of information, “When Chen Ping’an first came to the Great Wall of Sword Qi, his intercontinental ferry encountered obstruction at Jiao Long Gorge. It was Zuo You who drew his sword to clear the path.”

This incident was known to some at the Great Wall of Sword Qi, but most details were incomplete. Firstly, Upside-Down Mountain was tight-lipped about it because, after the upheaval at Jiao Long Gorge, Zuo You and the Daoist Second Child’s direct disciple, a Great Heavenly Sovereign from Upside-Down Mountain, had a fierce battle at sea. Secondly, Zuo You’s swordplay seemed to require no reason at all.

The old man and Ning Yao hadn’t met often, and their conversations were even rarer.

So, it wasn’t much better than the relationship between Zuo You and Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an said, “Senior Zuo slew a dragon at Jiao Long Gathering Place, saving my life. This junior will always remember his kindness.”

Zuo You indifferently stated, “Tracing back to the source, it has nothing to do with you.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “I know. I’m well aware that Senior Zuo doesn’t really regard me as a junior.”

Zuo You said, “No need to dwell on it. Of all the people and scenery in this world, few catch my eye.”

Chen Ping’an added, “I also don’t feel the need to recognize Senior Zuo as my eldest martial brother.”

Zuo You chuckled, opening his eyes to gaze into the distance, “Oh?”

Chen Ping’an remained calm, shifting his position to sit cross-legged facing the horizon, “It’s not out of youthful ignorance back then, nor is it youthful exuberance now. It’s simply what’s in my heart.”

Zuo You didn’t show any anger. Instead, he said something completely unrelated, “In this life, besides determining whether the world is vast and boundless or as small as a mustard seed, the most important thing is to prove the truth of one’s own being.”

Chen Ping’an slowly said, “Then I’ll speak a few more words from the heart, perhaps with no logic to it, but I must say it. Senior Zuo, throughout his life, pursued both scholarship and swordsmanship, ultimately accumulating immense power, experiencing ups and downs, and living a truly extraordinary life. First, he made countless innate sword embryos lower their heads in submission. Then, he ventured out to sea, seeking immortals, single-handedly wielding his sword, questioning the way in Northern Ju Luzhou. Later, he questioned the way in Tongye Continent, forcefully slaying Du Mao and preventing his ascension. Having done so much, why not take a single glance at Treasure Bottle Continent? What Master Qi thinks is his business. What Eldest Brother should do is what an Eldest Brother should do.”

Zuo You fell silent.

Chen Ping’an stood up, “That is the only thing I wanted to say after arriving at the Great Wall of Sword Qi and hearing that Senior Zuo was also here.”

Chen Ping’an was about to take his leave.

Zuo You said, “When speaking with a senior, don’t stand so tall.”

Chen Ping’an had no choice but to swallow the words of farewell and obediently sat back down.

Truth be told, Chen Ping’an had come to the city prepared to receive a beating, and if that happened, he would simply spend a month or two recuperating at the Ning residence.

Both remained silent.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Does Senior Zuo have something to say?”

Zuo You shook his head, “I’m too lazy to reason; it’s not my forte. So, I’m hesitant about the force of my sword. Your realm is too low, making it a troublesome matter.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t think Zuo You was joking, so he said, “The old gentleman Wen Sheng loves to drink and travel. Has he never been to the Great Wall of Sword Qi? The wine here isn’t bad, actually.”

Zuo You seemed to be uncharacteristically…

Somewhat aggrieved, “Get lost!”

When a senior speaks, a junior obeys. Chen Ping’an immediately rose, called out to Ning Yao, and summoned the talisman boat, hovering it outside the city wall.

Yao Chongdao nodded to Ning Yao, who rode the wind to the talisman boat and returned with the composed Chen Ping’an to the distant, brightly lit city.

Zuo You glanced at the young man in azure robes on the talisman boat, especially the familiar white jade hairpin.

Zuo You closed his eyes again, continuing to hone his sword intent.

Complaining to his master behind his back.

Always accurate, and always with righteousness on his side.

When everyone was still young, who was the most skilled at such things among their fellow disciples?

Yao Chongdao came to Zuo You, gazing at the small talisman boat and the large city, and asked, “Zuo You, do you value this young man highly?”

Zuo You indifferently said, “My impression of the Yao family is generally poor. So, don’t assume you can speak nonsense to me just because you’re older.”

Yao Chongdao nearly burst with anger. Did he really think he was a clay Buddha with no temper?

Let’s fight then, who’s afraid of who!

Could Zuo You really kill me?

But then the old Sword Immortal walked out of the thatched hut, stood at the door, looked up, and softly said, “A rare guest.”

Chen Qingdu quickly returned to the thatched hut. Since the visitor was a guest and not an enemy, there was no need to worry. With a stomp of his foot, Chen Qingdu immediately cast a restriction, isolating the entire Great Wall of Sword Qi’s city wall, creating a small world to prevent unnecessary prying eyes.

Besides Chen Qingdu, who first noticed the clues, the several seated Sages and the Hidden Official also realized something was amiss.

No one could pass through the Heavenly Veil restrictions of two great worlds without making a sound and without going through the main gate of Upside-Down Mountain, arriving directly at the Great Wall of Sword Qi.

Not even the Great Heavenly Sovereign of the Dao family guarding Upside-Down Mountain could do it.

Perhaps even the Confucian Temple’s accompanying sages in the Great Hao Zhou world, who were responsible for guarding a continent’s map and held jade tokens, couldn’t do it either.

Many garrisoned sword immortals on the city wall hadn’t yet realized someone had infiltrated. Outside the Great Wall of Sword Qi, no one even noticed.

By the time the city wall showed signs of anomaly and someone tried to investigate, it would be as difficult as ascending to Heaven.

Moreover, no one dared to act rashly, so the sword immortals continued to cultivate diligently.

Zuo You was stunned for a moment, then he wanted to stand up.

But he was slapped on the head, “Is this how you speak to a senior? Where are your manners?”

Zuo You hesitated, but still wanted to stand. His master was here, so he had to stand up and pay his respects, but he was slapped on the head again, “Are you not listening? You want to talk back? Three days without a beating and you’ll tear the roof off?”

Zuo You had no choice but to remain half-standing, half-sitting, and said to Yao Chongdao, “This junior was impolite. I apologize to Senior Yao.”

Then Yao Chongdao saw an old, poor-looking Confucian scholar, who was helping the somewhat uneasy Zuo You up, while grinning at him, “Clan Leader Yao, Great Sword Immortal Yao, I’ve heard so much about you. You raised a good daughter, who helped find a good son-in-law. The good daughter and good son-in-law then had a top-notch granddaughter, who then helped find the best grandson-in-law. Great Sword Immortal Yao, you’re truly blessed. I can’t even envy you; I just raised a few disciples who are barely passable.”
Finally, Zuo You could stand and speak properly. He took a step back, cupped his fist in a bow, and said, “Venerable One!”

The earth-shattering sword Qi surrounding them had no effect on the ethereal old scholar in the green robe.

Yao Chongdao, looking utterly perplexed, tentatively asked, “Venerable Literary Sage?”

The old scholar looked embarrassed. “Literary Sage? That’s all in the past. I’m too young to deserve such a title. It’s just that I was fortunate enough to have a sliver of past glory. But it’s not worth mentioning now. I’m not as old as Patriarch Yao; just call me Brother.”

Yao Chongdao was stunned.

He was unsure how to interact with this renowned Literary Sage of the Great Alignment World.

The elaborate formalities of Confucianism, after all, were precisely what the sword cultivators of the Great Wall of Sword Qi found most disdainful.

The old scholar looked around, anxious. “I came in a hurry and have to leave quickly. Can’t stay long. Old Sword Immortal, shall we chat?”

Chen Qingdu, sitting inside the thatched hut, smiled and nodded. “Then let us chat.”

A Confucian Saint, guarding the Great Wall of Sword Qi, proactively emerged and bowed. “Greetings, Literary Sage.”

The Saints of the Three Teachings, guarding this place, would rotate, with no fixed term.

This Confucian Saint had once been a celebrated Great Buddha Son. After arriving at the Great Wall of Sword Qi, he mastered the knowledge and powers of both teachings, his mystical arts were formidable, something even the Hidden Official was reluctant to provoke.

The old scholar sighed. “You only lost an argument because your own learning wasn’t profound enough; it’s not that your Buddhist teachings are inferior. I advised you against it back then. Why did you insist on joining our Confucian sect? Now, see, you’re suffering, aren’t you? Did you really think one person could master the fundamental teachings of two religions? If it were that easy, what would be the point of arguing? Even the ability of the Dao Ancestor and Buddha to reconcile disputes isn’t that high! Besides, you may be bad at arguing, but you’re excellent at fighting. What a pity, such a pity.”

Such words, heard by Confucian disciples in the Confucian Academy, might be deemed blasphemous, heretical, or at least siding with the enemy.

The Confucian Saint, who had switched allegiances after losing the debate, smiled. “Infinite time is where freedom lies.”

This simple sentence triggered a change in the heavens and earth above the Great Wall of Sword Qi, but the anomaly was quickly dispersed by the sword Qi on the city walls.

The old scholar shook his head, sighing, and with a flash, arrived at the thatched hut. Chen Qingdu extended his hand and smiled. “Literary Sage, please sit.”

The old scholar composed himself. “The Confucian Academy needs to borrow three people from you.”

Chen Qingdu asked, “Why did you come? Why not the more justifiable Ritual Sage or Sub-Sage, or the Deputy Sect Leader of the Central Earth Confucian Academy?”

The old scholar chuckled. “My skin is thick. If they came, they’d only suffer humiliation.”

Chen Qingdu shook his head. “I won’t lend them.”

The old scholar murmured, “That’s not very kind.”

Zuo You arrived outside the thatched hut.

Before long, the old scholar walked out of the house, looking dejected. “Difficult to talk to, but even if it’s difficult, I have to talk.”

Zuo You asked, “When will you be leaving, Venerable One?”

The old scholar scratched his head. “I have to try again. If there’s really no room for negotiation, there’s nothing I can do. I have to leave eventually. Alas, I’m destined to be a busybody, a scapegoat.”

Zuo You said, “Aren’t you going to see Chen Ping’an?”

The old scholar snapped, “Is that any of your business?”

Zuo You fell silent.

He truly was the founding ancestor of the Literary Sage lineage.

The old scholar seemed a little guilty and patted Zuo You on the shoulder. “Zuo You, your venerable one and that scholar you respect finally opened up a path together. It’s a vast territory, comparable to the Fifth Continent. Everything is plentiful, except for people. And it won’t become crowded anytime soon, which suits you, doesn’t it? Why not go take a look?”

Zuo You shook his head. “Venerable One, there aren’t many people here either, and it’s better than that brand-new continent, because here, the fewer people there are, the fewer there will be in the future. It won’t be a stampede.”

The old scholar lamented, “I’m such a wronged venerable one. None of my students listen to me.”

Zuo You softly said, “There’s still Chen Ping’an.”

The old scholar earnestly said, “Zuo You, if you keep poking at my heart like this, you’re being impudent.”

Zuo You asked, puzzled, “Why isn’t it suitable for you to meet Chen Ping’an?”

The old scholar’s expression was strange, a mix of laughter and frowns. “I heard that your little junior brother just established an ancestral hall in his hometown mountain, and hung my divine image in the center, at the highest position. It’s actually quite inappropriate. Hanging it secretly in his study would have been fine. It’s not like I care about such trifles. Did I care when the Confucian Academy expelled me back then? I didn’t care at all. Worldly fame and fortune are so meaningless, like those salted peanuts for drinking, one after another.”

Zuo You said, “Venerable One, please restrain your smile.”

The old scholar said, “Oh,” and noticed that Old Yao was no longer on the city wall. He rubbed his face, jumped up, and slapped Zuo You on the head with his backhand. “You dare to call others verbose? Aren’t you full of nonsense yourself? Among all my disciples, you’re the most unperceptive.”

Zuo You said helplessly, “After all, she is Ning Yao’s family elder, so it’s hard for this disciple to act freely.”

The old scholar asked, puzzled, “I didn’t say you’re not supposed to hold back. You don’t move your hands or feet, but you have so much sword Qi. Sometimes, you can’t control even a trace of it and it runs towards Old Yao. Then Old Yao would shout a few words, and then you two would take the opportunity to spar, benefiting each other’s swordsmanship. After you win against Old Yao, you can flatter him a few words. Isn’t that wonderful? Can’t you figure that out?”

Zuo You nodded. “This disciple is dull. Venerable One is right.”

The old scholar turned and ran towards the thatched hut. “I thought of some reasons to haggle.”

Zuo You walked to the city wall.

A moment later, the old scholar quickly returned to Zuo You’s side, sighing deeply.

Zuo You asked, “Venerable One, do you think we are standing on a grain of dust, and walking to another grain of dust is already the limit for cultivators?”

The old scholar smiled. “A tree greets another tree in the wind. A mountain and another mountain remain silent for thousands of years. A river and another river will collide after they grow up. Observe all things in stillness and you will find contentment.”

Zuo You pondered for a moment. “Please, Venerable One, explain it more simply.”

The old scholar said, “Your venerable one doesn’t know the answer to your question, so I had to just fool you.”

Zuo You was speechless.
The old scholar sighed, “Immortals sit atop the mountains, while mortal roads are mired in mud.”

His attendants said, “Master is blaming the students.”

The old scholar shook his head and said gravely, “I am demanding perfection from sages and heroes.”

After that, the attendants accompanied their master, watching the scenery all night, without another word.

At dawn, the old scholar turned and walked towards the thatched hut, saying, “If I still can’t persuade Chen Qingdu this time, I’m going to throw a tantrum.”

The attendants waited quietly for the result. At midday, the old scholar left the hut, stroking his beard as he walked, lost in thought.

The attendants whispered, “Chen Ping’an wants to propose marriage to the Ning family, and the Great Sword Immortal has agreed to be the matchmaker.”

The old scholar was stunned, then stamped his feet in frustration, “Chen Qingdu, that old scoundrel, shameless! What’s it got to do with him? Is his former teacher dead? Fine, even if I’m half-dead…”

With a sudden *poof*.

The old scholar’s already ethereal form transformed into a wisp of illusion, vanishing without a trace, as if suddenly erased from this world.

The attendants narrowed their eyes, gripping their sword hilts, facing the thatched hut.

But in an instant, there was another subtle ripple, and the old scholar stood still, looking somewhat weary, his clothes dusty. He reached out and patted the arm of the attendant gripping the sword.

The attendants still did not release their sword hilts.

The old scholar laughed, “Alright, it’s not a big deal.”

Chen Qingdu appeared at the door of the thatched hut, smiling as he asked, “Are you planning to stay here forever?”

The old scholar sighed, “Even if I wanted to stay, I couldn’t. After a drink, I’ll pack my bags and scram.”

This was the suppression of the heavens and earth.

Back then, when Lu Chen descended from the Azure Heavens to the Vast Expanse, and then to the Li Zhu Grotto-Heaven, it was not easy. He would be suppressed by the Great Dao everywhere.

Chen Qingdu smiled and reminded him, “We don’t have Master Wen Sheng’s baggage here. I advise you not to steal anything.”

The old scholar suddenly understood, “That’s right, that’s fine too.”

The Sword Qi Great Wall, when not at war, was actually quite peaceful. There were also bustling streets outside noble mansions and the crowing of roosters and barking of dogs in small alleys.

It was just that there were no temples of literature or martial arts, no city god pavilions, no customs of pasting door gods or Spring Festival couplets, and no ancestral tombs to visit.

And that dilapidated street was being repaired and filled in. The craftsmen were busy, and the biggest culprit sat on a stool in front of a grocery store, basking in the sun.

Ning Yao was chatting with Diezhang. Business was slow, very ordinary.

Chen Ping’an saw that Diezhang didn’t seem worried at all, and he was starting to get anxious.

But they had only met a few times, and Chen Ping’an didn’t want to speak rashly. He had to be especially careful around the woman beside his beloved.

A small child tentatively approached, wiping his nose with a fist, and asked boldly, “Are you Chen Ping’an?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and asked, “What do you want, looking for a fight?”

The child took a few steps back, but still didn’t want to leave, and asked, “Do you teach boxing? I can give you money.”

Chen Ping’an shook his head, “I don’t.”

The child insisted, “If you think the money is too little, I can owe you. After I learn boxing and kill demons and earn money, I’ll pay you back bit by bit. Anyway, you’re skilled, your fists are so big, I wouldn’t dare not pay you back.”

Chen Ping’an folded his hands in his sleeves, his shoulders relaxed, and asked lazily, “Why learn boxing? Shouldn’t you be practicing swordsmanship?”

The child said dejectedly, “I’m not a born swordsman. I won’t amount to anything practicing swords, and no one wants to teach me. Sister Diezhang even despises my poor aptitude and insists that I become a bricklayer. I’ve been watching the shop for her for months for free.”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “Learning martial arts and boxing is similar to practicing swordsmanship. They both cost a lot of money and require talent. You should just be a bricklayer.”

The child squatted on the ground, probably having guessed this would be the outcome. He sized up the young man in green robes who was said to be from the Vast Expanse. If you speak so rudely, don’t blame me for being impolite, he thought. So he said, “You’re not good-looking either. Why does Sister Ning like you?”

Chen Ping’an was amused and asked, “Do you only look at appearances when you like someone?”

The child retorted, “What else?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “I’m not bad-looking either.”

The child squatted there, shaking his head and sighing.

Chen Ping’an felt a little hurt. His appearance was indeed not as good as Chen Sanqiu or Pang Yuanji, but he shouldn’t be considered “bad-looking.” He raised his hand and stroked the stubble on his chin with his palm. It must be because he hadn’t shaved.

With this bold child taking the lead, a large group of peers soon gathered around, as well as some teenagers and even some young girls in the distance.

They looked at the foreigner who had fought four battles in a row, their eyes, big and small, filled with curiosity.

When the Vast Expanse was experiencing the willows and flowers of Spring, the Sword Qi Great Wall would be in the chilling winds of Autumn.

A door was all that separated them, different worlds, different seasons, and even more different customs.

At the Sword Qi Great Wall, survival was not difficult, even for the weakest child.

But wanting to live well here was extremely difficult.

So those who could often drink alcohol, even on credit, were definitely not ordinary people.

Of course, it was easy for children of great families to live a life of luxury and fine clothes without worrying about food and clothing, a life no less than that of princes and nobles.

It was truly the accumulation of virtue by their ancestors, swordsmen and sword cultivators who had exchanged their lives for wealth and prosperity. Moreover, they also needed to go to battle and be able to walk down from the city walls alive. It was right that they should enjoy their blessings.

Perhaps it was because they thought Chen Ping’an was easier to talk to.

Soon, a large group of people surrounded Chen Ping’an’s small stool, chattering noisily.

Foreigners who could enter the city from Upside-Down Mountain usually stayed in the areas where the great families and wealthy clans congregated. They didn’t like to come here.

Chen Ping’an had come to the Sword Qi Great Wall for the first time and had talked to Ning Yao about the city’s people, affairs, and customs. He knew that the local young people had all sorts of attitudes towards the Vast Expanse, which was so close yet so different. Some vowed to go there to eat a bowl of the most authentic Yangchun noodles. Some had heard that there were many beautiful girls in the Vast Expanse, truly just girls, delicate and weak, with willow-like waists, swaying east and west, with not a trace of sword qi on their bodies. He also wanted to know what kind of immortal lives the scholars there lived.

Now, Chen Ping’an was surrounded by many questions. Chen Ping’an answered some, and pretended not to hear others.
A child, never having ventured south of the city walls, inquired, “Is it true that your homeland boasts countless verdant peaks, especially lush after a rain, where a deep breath fills you with the fragrance of blossoms and verdure?”

A slightly older lad pressed Chen Ping’an, “What’s the real story with mountain gods and water sprites taking spouses, the City God’s nocturnal judgments, and the true nature of mountain demons and river imps?”

Another eagerly produced well-worn, yet treasured, picture books, asking, “Are the drawings and writings in these books all true? Do mandarin ducks truly seek shelter from the rain beneath lotus leaves? And those grand houses, do they really string nets under the eaves to keep birds from nesting and fouling the place? Does a courtyard designed to collect rain from all sides truly keep people warm during the frigid winter months, even with rain and snow? And the wine from your home – is it really as common as pebbles on the road, free for the taking? Is paying for wine here truly unreasonable? And what exactly are those pleasure houses and brothels like? What kind of liquor is ‘flower wine’? How does rice planting work? Why is it that everyone there gets a burial plot after death? Aren’t they afraid of running out of space for the living? Is the vastness of the Great Alignment truly as boundless as they say?”

Finally, a youth grumbled, “Doesn’t know much, answers only one out of three questions. And he’s supposed to be from the Great Alignment!”

Chen Ping’an subtly twisted his wrist, retrieved his Sword Nurturing Gourd, took a swig, and waved his hand, “Scatter, scatter! Don’t keep Sister Diezhang from her business.”

The very first child who had approached Chen Ping’an squatted beside a small stool and said, “The shop doesn’t have much business anyway. Let’s chat some more.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “I’ve been chatting with you all for ages, and I haven’t earned a single copper coin.”

Complaints arose on all sides, and they scattered like startled birds.

The child who had originally spoken ran a good distance away, then turned around and shouted, “Sister Ning, this guy is a miserly cheapskate! Why would you like him?”

Chen Ping’an pretended to rise. The child darted away, disappearing around a street corner, only to pop his head out again, yelling at the top of his lungs, “Sister Ning, I’m not lying! Chen Ping’an secretly told me that he thinks Sister Diezhang is quite pretty! Don’t fall for such a womanizing scoundrel!”

Ning Yao, leaning against the counter inside the shop, exchanged a smile with Diezhang.

Chen Ping’an sat back down on his stool and raised a middle finger towards the street corner.

After the hubbub subsided, the sun shone warmly and quietly. Chen Ping’an, drinking his wine, still felt somewhat out of sorts.

Suddenly, Chen Ping’an stood up.

An old scholar had appeared beside him, unnoticed.

The old scholar reached out and patted the young man’s shoulder. “You’ve grown up. It’s been hard, hasn’t it?”