The layered peaks outside the shop caught Diezhang’s eye, sparking a touch of wonder. In Sword Qi Great Wall, scholars were truly scarce. There were no academies here, thus no teachers. Children from humble backgrounds, like Diezhang, learned to read from crudely carved stone tablets, scattered haphazardly in the alleys. They learned a few characters each day. With enough dedication, they could eventually decipher books. But deeper knowledge remained elusive.

Ning Yao, though never having met the Literary Sage in person, vaguely recognized the old gentleman. She felt little emotion, except perhaps that he bore no resemblance to the idealized portraits of the Literary Sage that survived in some corners of the world. Those books depicted him as a dignified and imposing figure, whereas this man was merely a skinny old fellow.

Diezhang was puzzled, but Ning Yao said, “Let’s talk about our things, ignore them.”

Outside, an unexpected reunion was unfolding.

Chen Ping’an simply smiled, offering no further greeting.

The old scholar turned towards the two young women inside the shop, asking softly, “Which one?”

Chen Ping’an whispered, “The prettier one.”

The old scholar was overjoyed, making a fist and giving a thumbs-up.

Chen Ping’an asked the old gentleman to wait, went inside to tell Diezhang, and carried a stool outside. When Diezhang said there was nothing in the shop to accompany wine, he asked Ning Yao to help buy some food. Ning Yao nodded and soon returned from a nearby tavern, carrying a food box complete with dishes and bowls. Chen Ping’an and the old gentleman were already sitting on small stools, using the chair as a table, which looked a bit comical. Chen Ping’an rose, meaning to take the food box and set everything out himself, only to receive a glare from Ning Yao. She arranged the dishes and placed the bowls, putting the food box aside, and then said to the old scholar, “Please enjoy the wine, Literary Sage.” The old scholar had already risen and stood beside Chen Ping’an. He was now smiling more broadly than ever, radiating happiness.

Ning Yao called Diezhang to leave the shop and take a walk together.

The old scholar took a hearty sip of wine, shuddered slightly, and took a deep breath. “After all the toil, I’ve finally become a celestial being again.”

Chen Ping’an slowly drank his wine, smiling at the old gentleman, who seemed unchanged.

The old scholar picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks. Seeing that Chen Ping’an wasn’t eating, he lifted his chopsticks and mumbled, “Eat, eat. Just knowing how to drink isn’t enough. Drinking without food is dull. Back in the day, I was poor, so I had to use the classics as food. Cui Chan, that little bastard, was a blockhead at first. He mistakenly thought that drinking and reading was elegant. Later, he followed suit, but he didn’t know that if I had money in my pocket, I would have filled the table with dishes, and to hell with the classics!”

Only the one who scolds himself most harshly can speak the most truth.

Chen Ping’an picked up a piece of food, chewed slowly, and took a sip of wine, with practiced ease.

It wasn’t that they had nothing to say, but that they didn’t know how to begin, what they could say, and what they couldn’t.

The old scholar ate and drank with gusto, fortunate that Ning Yao had bought enough.

When the old gentleman’s wine bowl was empty, Chen Ping’an leaned over to help refill it.

After they finished eating and drinking, Chen Ping’an put the bowls and dishes back into the food box. The old scholar wiped the wine stains from the chair with his sleeve.

Suddenly, Zuo You appeared at the shop entrance.

The old scholar asked, “Why are you here?”

Zuo You replied, “This disciple wants to see the master more.”

The old scholar pointed to the empty chair, and laughed, “Your swordsmanship is the best, so you can sit here?”

Zuo You glanced at Chen Ping’an, who had no choice but to give up his stool, walk around the chair, and stand next to the old scholar.

The old scholar could only sit on the chair, and Chen Ping’an then sat on the stool.

The old scholar asked, “Have you two acknowledged each other as martial brothers?”

Zuo You said, “I don’t think so.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Same here.”

The old scholar, of course, favored his last disciple, and slapped Zuo You’s head, who was a bit shorter. “How are you a senior martial brother? You only started studying earlier. What’s so great about being blind? How many years have you been a bachelor? Leaving aside other matters, in this important matter, our Literary Sage lineage is now relying on your junior martial brother to hold up the fort! Carrying a sword around, running here and there, can it warm your bed, or pour you tea and water?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Senior Zuo was planning to teach me swordsmanship on the city wall before, but Senior Zuo was worried that my realm was too low, so he was in a dilemma.”

Unsurprisingly, Zuo You was slapped again. His face darkened as he thought, “Once the master leaves Sword Qi Great Wall, I, Zuo You, won’t be in any dilemma at all.”

Chen Ping’an continued, “But Senior Zuo did support me when he first met Senior Yao.”

The old scholar said “Oh,” and turned his head, saying casually, “Then that slap just now was a mistake on my part. Zuo You, why didn’t you explain? You’ve been like this since you were a child, change it in the future. Don’t hold a grudge against the master for hitting you by mistake, understand? If you feel wronged, remember to speak up. To acknowledge one’s mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue. I used that sentence back in the day to conjure up a whole basket of profound principles, leaving the Buddhist and Daoist disciples dumbfounded, right?”

The master is always right. So Zuo You didn’t say a word, but decided to teach that kid two sword arts lessons, one definitely wasn’t enough.

Chen Ping’an suddenly said, “The Deputy Headmaster of Cliff Academy, is always concerned… about Master.”

This was the first time Chen Ping’an had addressed the Literary Sage as simply “Master.”

The old scholar hiccuped hard, perked up his ears, and feigned confusion, “Who, what? Say it again.”

Zuo You rolled his eyes.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Senior Martial Brother Mao is very concerned about Master.”

The old scholar turned around, leaned on the chair arm, looked at Chen Ping’an, and said with a smile, “Little Dong is most willing to use the dumbest methods to teach, he has excellent patience, he’s most like me. It’s just like Zuo You, once they get stubborn, they’re blockheads, unable to turn around. Back in the day, I almost tied Mao Xiaodong up, stuffed him in a sack, and threw him into the Book of Rites Academy. I even abandoned my old face and privately helped him smooth things over, but he refused to go. As his master, I had no choice.”
Right and Left abruptly inquired, “Why were you unwilling to acknowledge Master as your master back then, but now, with a higher cultivation realm, you do?”

Chen Pingan replied, “Back then, I hadn’t even studied; on what basis would I recognize Master? Just because Master is a Literary Sage? Then would I acknowledge the Supreme Sage Confucius, the Ritual Sage, or the Second Sage if they appeared before me and were willing to accept me? If a master wishes to accept a disciple, the disciple should also choose the master before entering the sect! After reading the books of the Three Teachings and Hundred Schools, it’s like comparing shops; only after determining that Master truly possesses the greatest knowledge did I acknowledge him. Even if Master regrets and refuses to acknowledge me, I would diligently seek apprenticeship and study, only then would it be considered rectifying my heart and sincerity.”

Right and Left was stunned for a long time.

He had seen shamelessness before, but never such shamelessness. Chen Pingan, is your family running a reasoning shop?

Three rounds!

The Old Scholar kicked Right and Left, “What are you standing there for? Get the wine.”

Right and Left helplessly said, “Master, I don’t like drinking, and Chen Pingan has plenty.”

“Right and Left, you’re a bachelor. You don’t have to worry about owing money or anything.”

The Old Scholar reasoned with a sincere tone, patiently persuading, “Your Junior Brother is different. He has his own mountain now and is about to get married. How much will that cost? You used to manage the money for Master. Don’t you know the hardships of supporting a family? Show some senior brotherly demeanor and don’t let people look down on our lineage. If you won’t offer wine to Master, then go, go to the city wall and shout that you’re Chen Pingan’s Senior Brother, so that when Master isn’t around, your Junior Brother won’t be bullied.”

Right and Left feigned deafness and dumbness.

In his past student life, this was Right and Left’s greatest protest against his master.

Chen Pingan took out two jars of wine from his mustard seed pouch and handed them to the Old Scholar.

They were all rice wine from his hometown of Longquan. He had given all the immortal wines to the sword-bearing man guarding the Upside-down Mountain.

The Old Scholar handed a jar to Right and Left.

Right and Left didn’t refuse.

Chen Pingan took out a jar for himself.

The Old Scholar asked with a smile, “Right and Left, how does it taste?”

Right and Left could only say something that spared his conscience, “It’s alright.”

The Old Scholar shook his head and clicked his tongue, “That’s what someone who doesn’t understand wine would say.”

The Old Scholar turned to look at Chen Pingan.

As expected, he wasn’t disappointed.

Chen Pingan laughed, “Free wine tastes the best.”

The Old Scholar laughed heartily.

After laughing for a while, he noticed Chen Pingan looking at him.

The Old Scholar coughed a few times, “Don’t worry, I’ll have your Senior Brother treat you to wine later. Here in the Sword Qi Great Wall, as long as it’s drinking, whether it’s by yourself or with friends, the bill will be charged to Right and Left’s name. Right and Left…”

Right and Left sighed, “I know.”

The Old Scholar called out “Right and Left” again.

Right and Left had already said, “It’s not a grievance.”

Only then was the Old Scholar satisfied.

Chen Pingan drank the wine, feeling that the more things were like this, the more difficult his days ahead would be.

Unexpectedly, the Old Scholar thoughtfully said, “Your Senior Brother Right and Left’s swordsmanship is still decent. But if you don’t want to learn, you don’t have to. If you want to learn, just tell your Senior Brother how you think he should teach you. Your Senior Brother won’t go too far.”

Right and Left said, “You can start learning.”

Chen Pingan immediately said, “No rush.”

Right and Left leaned forward, staring at Chen Pingan.

Chen Pingan looked at the Old Scholar.

The Old Scholar understood and immediately reached out to hold Right and Left’s head, pushing him back and scolding, “Be considerate of your Junior Brother.”

Right and Left began to drink heavily.

It was strange that the Literary Sage treated his direct disciples, especially Right and Left, so impolitely. But this disciple was always the one who stayed by the master’s side, inseparable from him.

Even a registered disciple like Mao Xiaodong couldn’t understand it.

It’s just that Senior Brother Right and Left was too solitary. Mao Xiaodong and Ma Zhan, in fact, did not dare to speak to Right and Left proactively.

Cui Chan, who hadn’t committed the crime of betraying his master at that time, was the dazzling first disciple of the Literary Sage. He made all the academies and scholars of the Central Earth Continent pale in comparison. His knowledge was high, his cultivation was high, and his chess skill was even higher. Still, he would often be scolded by Right and Left without talking back. As for whether Cui Chan was unwilling or dared not at that time, Mao Xiaodong and the others were destined to have no chance to know the answer.

As for how Right and Left’s knowledge was, the direct lineage of the Literary Sage was enough to explain everything.

It was only overshadowed by his swordsmanship.

Therefore, whenever people mentioned the late-blooming Sword Immortal Right and Left, they only said that his swordsmanship was very high, extremely high, or the highest in the world.

Many people even forgot his identity as a disciple of the Literary Sage.

One person suppressing all the innate sword embryos in the world, that was Right and Left.

But today, this Right and Left sitting on a small stool in front of the shop, in the eyes of the Old Scholar, was always just that tall teenager with clear eyes, who came to the door and said that he had no money, but wanted to read the books of the sages and learn some principles. He owed money, acknowledged the master, and would pay it back later. But if he studied and passed the imperial examination or something, helping the master recruit more disciples, then he would not pay back the money.

The teenager said these words very seriously back then.

At that time, the poor scholar, who was not too old, had not yet become the Old Scholar, let alone the Literary Sage, but had just published a book and had some money on hand, so he was not so poor that he could not afford wine. He agreed, thinking that Cui Chan didn’t have a junior brother by his side, which was not right. Moreover, the poor scholar at that time felt that his greatest wish in this life was to have disciples all over the world. With a senior disciple, it would be good to have a junior disciple. Every little step counts, after all. It was a good sentence that he figured out by himself. At that time, the man with only a scholar title really didn’t think too much, and didn’t think too far. He would even think that having disciples all over the world was just a distant thought, like being in a poor alley, drinking the murky wine bought home for a pound or half a pound, thinking about the fine wine sold in jars and jars in those big restaurants.

After many years, he could still vaguely remember that the young daughter of the shopkeeper of a restaurant seemed extremely beautiful.

Seeing her from afar, it was like drinking mellow wine. You couldn’t look too much, it would be intoxicating.
Thus it came to pass that a Confucian sage of later generations, a meticulous scholar obsessed with textual criticism, penned a certain tome that portrayed the old scholar in an excessively sanctimonious and rigid manner, greatly altering his original intent. This infuriated the old scholar, for the stirring of emotions between man and woman is a natural law. Are humans not sentient beings? Even plants can transform into spirits, and no man is without flaws, let alone saints, who are also prone to error. It is unreasonable to demand that ordinary teachers behave as sages in all aspects. If such scholarship becomes the sole standard, it will not draw scholars closer to sagehood, but rather push them further away. The old scholar then went to the Confucian Temple to reason with them. The other party was equally stubborn, listening to everything he said but refusing to argue, not uttering a single word.

Yet, it was this very sage, who seemed so unyielding and detached, who, at the cost of exhausting his own cultivation, forcibly erected the gateway to that crucial pass for the vast world. Only when the old scholar and that sword-wielding scholar appeared before him did he finally relinquish his burden and quietly pass away, offering the old scholar a knowing smile before departing in peace, his soul utterly scattered, leaving no possibility of reincarnation.

Life is but a fleeting moment.

To smile at each other, a bond deeper than words.

The old scholar finished a flask of wine and didn’t rush to get up from his chair, embracing the wine pot with both hands, basking in the sun of another realm.

On either side, a soft voice said, “Master, it is time to leave. Otherwise, the ascendant realm great demons of this world may join forces to intercept your departure.”

Chen Ping’an was just about to speak when the old scholar raised his hand gently, pressing down. “No need to say anything, Master knows. Master has many things to say, but will not tell you everything for now.”

Leaning back in his chair, the old scholar murmured to himself in a leisurely manner, “Let’s sit a little longer. It has been many years since Master has had two students sitting beside him at the same time.”

One student to the left, one to the right, the master sits in the middle.

Finally, the master is no longer alone with just left and right by his side.