Compared to the past, the Ning household hadn’t become much livelier, even with the addition of Chen Ping’an.

The reason for its subdued atmosphere was far too weighty.

Originally, after Ning Yao’s birth, the Ning family had the chance to become a top-tier clan like the Dong, Qi, and Chen families. Now, those prospects had vanished like fleeting clouds, replaced by a lingering shadow.

However, the Stacked Verdure shop was experiencing a surge in business. After the Taiwei Sword Sect’s sword immortal Huang Tong held his homecoming banquet there, the old sword immortal Dong Sangeng personally attended, bringing along six sword immortals who squeezed around a table to drink. Three of them even inscribed words on the shop’s signboard, instantly transforming the struggling business. Sword cultivators were now squatting and drinking everywhere. At the same time, the shop launched Yan’s signature pickles. With every pot of wine purchased, a complimentary dish of pickles was offered, perfectly complementing the slightly bland Bamboo Sea Grotto-Heaven wine. A sip of wine followed by a crunchy bite of pickles was an exquisite experience.

Chen Ping’an’s life in the Ning residence was highly structured. Aside from the six hours of daily Qi refining at the Dragon-Slaying Cliff pavilion, he would often sweep the courtyard with Granny Bai for half an hour in the morning, meticulously inquiring about the art of boxing. Li Er from Lion Peak was helping with his boxing practice, explaining things in great detail. However, the peak masters each articulated the principles of boxing differently, often diverging in their paths and exhibiting vastly different styles. The old woman would frequently demonstrate boxing stances personally, and Chen Ping’an would imitate her. Granny Bai was particularly gratified because Chen Ping’an had already used her boxing techniques in his street fight. Her boxing style, known as Frost Refinement, went against the grain of most worldly boxing philosophies. It emphasized withdrawing one’s fist, internalizing one’s spirit, and cultivating a state of perfect and flawless inner energy before even considering delivering a punch.

Every noon, he would spar with Nalan Yexing in the Mustard Seed Small World arena to familiarize himself with a Jade Pure Realm sword cultivator’s flying sword, which consumed about half an hour.

Around midnight, there was another sparring session, a requirement from Nalan Yexing who wanted to impart his distinct sword intent. These two hours were considered the best time for this training.

Learning swordsmanship from Nalan Yexing was unlike learning boxing from Granny Bai. Injuries were frequent. Though Nalan Yexing was measured in his strikes, Chen Ping’an often looked battered and bruised. However, these were minor wounds, but Granny Bai was always distressed. Once, Chen Ping’an was slightly more injured than usual. After the midnight sword practice, following the usual routine, he had a couple of drinks with Grandpa Nalan. But Granny Bai unleashed a torrent of scolding on Nalan Yexing, leaving him utterly humiliated. Nalan Yexing could only cover his wine cup, not daring to retort. Chen Ping’an and even Ning Yao had tried to reassure her about the sword practice, hoping she wouldn’t worry. But for some reason, the usually sensible old woman was unyielding on this matter, much to Nalan Yexing’s dismay.

Later, upon hearing that Chen Ping’an’s sword qi at the Eighteenth Stop was showing signs of loosening, hinting at a breakthrough, Granny Bai relented, grudgingly letting off Nalan Yexing, who had put in so much effort without reward.

Regarding the modified Eighteenth Stop technique by Ah Liang, Chen Ping’an had privately asked Ning Yao why he had only taught it to so few people.

Ning Yao’s expression turned somber, saying that Ah Liang didn’t refrain from teaching more out of unwillingness, but out of fear.

Sitting in the pavilion at the time, Chen Ping’an was jolted awake, breaking precedent and breaking out into a cold sweat.

If taught more widely, the entire younger generation of demonic sword cultivators in the Wildlands would experience a leap in their sword dao!

Ning Yao looked at Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an said, “I have only taught Pei Qian so far.”

Ning Yao nodded, “Then it’s fine.”

After that, Chen Ping’an inquired about any scattered sword immortal’s notes in the city, whether by native or foreign sword cultivators, regardless of whether they wrote about the battles at the Great Wall of Sword Qi or the landscape travels of the Wildlands. Ning Yao said that the Ning residence didn’t have many of these miscellaneous books, as their library mostly contained the writings of the sages. However, he could try his luck at the Mirage Market north of the city.

But Chen Ping’an hesitated.

That market was peculiar. Its foundation was a true mirage, yet it had persistently solidified into reality. The magnificent buildings resembled a celestial abode, with nearly forty diverse structures capable of accommodating thousands. The city itself was heavily guarded, making entry and exit difficult for outsiders. Therefore, wealthy merchants who engaged in long-term trade between the Grand Azure World and the Great Wall of Sword Qi conducted business there. There were strange objects, antique treasures, magical artifacts, and formidable weapons of all kinds. The mirage market would dematerialize every hundred years, requiring all residents to evacuate until it re-solidified on its own.

Ning Yao had once been ambushed there.

Granny Bai had also fallen from the tenth realm warrior to the peak mountain realm, a rare occurrence for pure martial artists. This showed how perilous and tragic the ambush was.

Chen Ping’an didn’t agree to go there with Ning Yao. He instead planned to have someone else collect the books for him, using money. What was the point of working hard to earn money otherwise?

If one didn’t consider all the means employed in a life-or-death fight, but only the speed of cultivation,

Chen Ping’an, even without comparing himself to Ning Yao, and comparing himself only to Chen Sanqiu and Dong Huafu, would still feel genuinely inferior. Once, Yan Zhuo was in the arena, claiming to be “passing on the master’s teachings” and teaching the young girl Guo Zhujiu a peerless boxing technique. Chen Ping’an squatted to the side, ignoring the nonsense, and only glanced at Chen Sanqiu and Dong Huafu refining Qi within the pavilion. Using the Bridge of Longevity as a conduit between the large and small worlds, the speed of spiritual energy flow was astonishing. Chen Ping’an felt a bit anxious, feeling as though his daily breathing and exhalation were disrespecting the blessed land of Dragon-Slaying Cliff.

Ning Yao stood beside him and consoled, “Your Bridge of Longevity hasn’t been fully built yet, and those two are Golden Core cultivators, that’s why you feel such a great difference. Once you gather five natal treasures, with the five elements interdependent and supportive, and now with three natal treasures, the Water Seal, the soil from the Five Sacred Mountains of Treasure Bottle Continent, and the Wooden Fetus Statue, the quality of the three is good enough, forming a prototype for a grand design in your small world. You must know that even at the Great Wall of Sword Qi, most earth immortal sword cultivators don’t have such complex Dao Chambers.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Sword cultivators only need a good enough natal sword, and don’t need so many natal treasures for support.”

Ning Yao said, “Wasn’t I just saying some comforting words to you?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “I appreciate it.”
Chen Ping’an recalled something, “Diezhang is busy with the shop’s business every day. Will it really not delay her cultivation?”

Ning Yao shook her head and said, “It won’t. Except for the two times she ascended to the Cave Realm from the Lower Five Realms, and the ascension to Golden Core, which were in the Ning Residence, Diezhang relied on herself for all other realm breakthroughs. Each time she experienced the tempering of the battlefield, Diezhang could break through realms extremely quickly. She is a natural genius suitable for large-scale battles. Last time she sparred with Dong Huafu, you didn’t actually see the whole thing. Once you truly go to the battlefield and fight alongside Diezhang, you will understand why Chen Sanqiu and the others treat her as a life-and-death friend. Apart from me, Chen Sanqiu asks Yan the Fatty and Dong Black Charcoal after every major battle whether they got a good look at the back of Diezhang’s head and if it was truly beautiful.”

Ning Yao said, “Therefore, the elders of the Dong and Chen families have always held Diezhang, who doesn’t have a great background, in high regard. Especially the Chen family, they even intended to have a young and handsome man marry Diezhang. Chen Sanqiu’s elder brother even nodded in agreement, but Diezhang herself didn’t agree. Grandpa Dong’s decision to send off the Taihui Sword Sect’s sword immortal Huang Tong at Diezhang’s shop has nothing to do with you; it’s only related to the fact that Diezhang saved Dong Black Charcoal’s life. Diezhang once said, ‘If I am destined to die, there is no need to save me.’ Grandpa Dong especially admires that.”

Ning Yao smiled and said, “I didn’t tell Diezhang much about these things. She is meticulous and would overthink. I’m afraid it would distract her. She admires those meritorious veteran sword immortals too much, to the point of excess. You should have noticed it earlier at the shop. Whether it’s Zuo You, Grandpa Dong, or Han Huaizi and Li Cai, Diezhang gets very nervous when she sees them.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “I did notice. If you agree, I can talk to her about it later. I have some experience in this matter.”

Ning Yao stared at Chen Ping’an and asked, “What’s there to disagree with? Or are you saying that you think I am unreasonable?”

Chen Ping’an reached out and pinched Ning Yao’s cheeks, “How could that be?”

Yan the Fatty, who was always observing in all directions, accidentally got kicked in the face by the little girl who had learned his martial arts. Yan Zhuo was completely unaware and winked at Guo Zhujiu. The little girl turned her head to look, gasped, and thought, “My master is so bold! As expected, he is skilled and courageous! I am even more clever and lucky. This apprenticeship is definitely a win-win!”

Ning Yao stood still, allowing that fellow to pinch her cheeks with two fingers, “You’re so capable. Go to the Mustard Seed World and let’s spar?”

Chen Ping’an quickly withdrew his hand, but with one hand behind his back and the other palm open towards the practice field, he smiled and said, “Please.”

Ning Yao raised an eyebrow, swept into the Mustard Seed World near the south, stood gracefully, and gently twisted her wrist.

Chen Ping’an disappeared without a trace.

Ning Yao didn’t chase him. She just summoned her flying sword and strolled leisurely in the Mustard Seed World. It wasn’t even considered sword practice; she just hadn’t let her flying sword see the world for a long time.

Cultivation, for Ning Yao, was really not worth mentioning.

Guo Zhujiu said in a daze, “Judging the situation and being able to bend and stretch, my master is truly a great man.”

Yan Zhuo asked, “Green Sprout, I’ll teach you fist techniques, and you teach me this flattery skill, how about it?”

The little girl imitated the Qing Shan sword cultivator master’s dashing pose before fighting in the street, with one hand clenched in front and the other behind, and shook her head, “Your heart isn’t sincere, and your aptitude is even worse.”

Yan Zhuo was a little dazed.

Ning Yao waved her hand and said, “Green Sprout, come here and take a beating.”

Guo Zhujiu shouted “Okay!” and then started to run away. After all, she was a mid-Fifth Realm sword cultivator, and it wasn’t difficult to use the wind to escape, just not as smooth as her future master.

It’s not shameful for a disciple to be inferior to the master.

Unfortunately, Ning Yao reached out and grabbed her, using a burst of fine sword energy to casually drag Guo Zhujiu to her side.

Guo Zhujiu staggered and stood firm, took a deep breath, clasped her hands together, then intertwined her fingers to form a hand seal, “Heavenly spirit, earthly spirit, Sister Ning can’t see, it won’t hurt even if she hits me!”

Yan Zhuo covered his face with both hands and rubbed it hard, muttering to himself, “I’d rather have Green Sprout as my master than take her as a disciple.”

If Guo Zhujiu thought that she could escape unscathed with this, she would be underestimating Ning Yao too much.

The little girl left the Ning Residence with a bruised face, hopping and skipping. When she went out, she even asked Sister Ning if she wanted to eat pastries and guaranteed that she just wasn’t looking and fell, resulting in her face. In the end, Sister Ning grabbed her by the back of her head and slammed her against the gate.

A little dizzy, Guo Zhujiu left that sacred place of fist learning alone. She walked pitifully on the street, touched her face, and smeared the blood all over her body. The little girl raised her head high and walked forward slowly, thinking that practicing fist techniques was really not easy, but it was a good thing. How could there be peerless fist techniques that could be learned casually in the world? When she learned seven or eight tenths of the skill, Sister Ning was fine, the master’s wife was the greatest, and the master might not be willing to favor her, so she would tolerate her for now. But Dong Budel, that old maid who couldn’t get married, had better watch out when walking at night!

The little girl, with a swaying emerald green inkstone hanging from her waist, looked up at the cloudless blue sky and nodded lightly. Today was a good day.

This day, Chen Ping’an and Ning Yao took a walk to Diezhang’s wine shop together.

In the past, the two of them refined Qi and rested at different times, so they might not be able to get together. Chen Ping’an often went to Diezhang’s wine shop alone.

Today, Ning Yao clearly interrupted her cultivation to accompany Chen Ping’an on purpose.

Chen Ping’an didn’t think much about it.

Passing by the street with taverns whose business was far less prosperous than his own shop, Chen Ping’an looked at the couplets and horizontal scrolls of various sizes and said softly to Ning Yao, “The calligraphy is not as good as mine, and the meaning is even worse, right?”

Ning Yao said, “A large restaurant hired a disciple of a Confucian sage, a gentleman of the academy, to write the couplets and horizontal scrolls in his own hand.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “This is just a clumsy business tactic that has only learned a little bit of the surface. It won’t succeed. I bet that if the restaurant’s business doesn’t get worse, the shopkeeper will have to burn incense and thank the heavens. Don’t expect the diners to appreciate it. There are more than seventy large and small taverns here, and everyone sells wine. There are more than a hundred kinds of immortal wines produced in the vast world. It’s not difficult to drink whatever wine you want, but in the final analysis, what are they selling?”

Ning Yao asked, “What are they selling?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and didn’t speak, continuing to look at the contents of the couplets that seemed like shy young ladies.
Ning Yao said, “Fine, don’t tell me then.”

Chen Ping’an hastily replied, “Of course, it’s for those who buy wine! Those who drink my wine are more than mere sword cultivators, they’re practically immortal swordsmen! This humble shop, with its rough tables and benches, is precisely what makes it so unrestrained. A small wine cup holds a vast world. That’s why Diezhang said that if we make money, he wants to replace the tables and chairs, trying to make them as new and shiny as those in grand restaurants. But that will never do! Old Yan suggested using his private funds to become a partner, offering a failing silk shop under his name, but I directly refused. Firstly, it would ruin the feng shui, damaging the unique charm of the current wine shop. Secondly, our city isn’t small, with tens of thousands of people. Surely half of them are women who would buy silk! So, I plan to talk to Old Yan, telling him not to keep investing in our shop, but rather, we’ll invest in his silk shop. Here, the ones truly willing to spend money, besides the sword cultivators who love to drink, are the women who want to please their admirers. I’ve already drafted new couplets for the silk shop…”

Ning Yao slowly said, “A-Liang once said that a man practicing the sword can become a sword immortal with just talent. But if he wants to become a considerate man like him, without suffering the pain of women’s words like flying swords piercing the heart, without enduring the agony of women leaving without looking back, without drinking a thousand jin of soul-stirring wine, he shouldn’t even dream of it.”

Chen Ping’an turned to look at Ning Yao, blinking his eyes, “That’s right. In the past ten years, the person I longed for was far away. Even an immortal’s flying sword couldn’t reach her. Only practicing my fist and drinking wine could ease my worries.”

In the next moment, Chen Ping’an suddenly became flustered.

Ning Yao’s face showed an undisguised sadness.

Her eyes, filled with unspoken words. She was never good at words, so she never spoke. Because she never knew how to speak sweet nothings.

The sandal-wearing boy who practiced a million punches to reach Upside-Down Mountain was as clumsy as him, so she didn’t feel anything amiss. It seemed like it should be that way: you don’t speak, and I don’t speak, but we understand.

Chen Ping’an extended a thumb, gently wiping across Ning Yao’s eyebrows, whispering, “Don’t be unhappy, you should smooth out your furrowed brows.”

Ning Yao said, “I am just unhappy.”

Chen Ping’an bent down, picked up Ning Yao, and started running.

Ning Yao was at a loss.

Chen Ping’an carried her all the way to Diezhang’s Wine Shop, where dozens of sword cultivators, big and small, were sitting at the tables or squatting nearby, all dumbfounded.

Among them were many young women, mostly daughters of prominent families who had come for the reputation. Seeing this scene, they didn’t react much. Instead, their eyes shone brightly. Some bolder women even took a hearty gulp of wine and whistled with impressive skill.

Chen Ping’an put Ning Yao down and waved his hand, “All unpaid wine is now 10% off!”

Then Chen Ping’an added, “What the Second Manager says may not be valid, but the First Manager, Diezhang, has the final say.”

The wine drinkers all looked at Diezhang, who smiled and nodded, “Then it’s 10% off.”

Cheers erupted.

Damn, it wasn’t easy to save a little money on wine from this Second Manager.

Chen Ping’an picked up a small stool, intending to go to the street corner and become a storyteller again. He looked at Ning Yao, who nodded.

Diezhang came to Ning Yao’s side, quietly asking, “What’s wrong today? Chen Ping’an wasn’t like this before. I think at this rate, he’ll be going to the streets banging gongs and drums in a few days.”

Ning Yao glanced at a table of chattering young women in the distance, smiled, and said nothing.

Diezhang held back a smile. She had secretly mentioned to Ning Yao that the shop was now often visited by women who came for the wine in name only, but really for the sake of the well-known Second Manager. Two shameless ones not only bought wine but also carved their names on the “No Matters” board on the shop wall, writing words on the back. If Diezhang wasn’t the shop owner, she would have taken the board down. The last time Ning Yao went to flip open those two “No Matters” boards, took a look, and then silently flipped them back.

Chen Ping’an sat on the small stool, and soon a large group of children surrounded him.

He continued the tale of mountains, waters, gods, and monsters from the last time, pausing at a critical moment, smiling and saying, “To be continued in the next episode.”

Complaints filled the air.

The child who wanted to learn boxing from Chen Ping’an even earlier than Guo Zhujiu squatted at Chen Ping’an’s feet, taking out a copper coin from a pottery jar, “Chen Ping’an, keep talking, I’ll pay you. If it’s not enough, I can add more money.”

Chen Ping’an pushed the child’s head away, “Go cool off.”

Then Chen Ping’an took out a piece of paper taken from a stone inscription from his arms, gently unfolded it, “Are there any characters here that you don’t recognize? Anything you want to learn?”

A teenager mumbled, “There are too many characters I don’t recognize. What’s the use of learning these things? It’s boring. I don’t want to hear this. Continue the story, or I’ll leave.”

Chen Ping’an looked around. It was mostly the same. Children who grew up in poor alleys were not really interested in reading and writing. Once the novelty wore off, it was hard to sustain their interest.

Being literate was not useless in Sword Qi Great Wall. For the lucky ones who could become sword cultivators, it was certainly useful.

But in the poor families of these streets and alleys, it was just a way to relieve boredom. If it wasn’t for wanting to know what the characters in the picture books said, everyone would feel that they and those crooked stone inscriptions would not recognize each other from childhood to old age to death, and it didn’t matter.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Don’t be in a hurry. Today I’ll only explain one character to you, and after that, I’ll continue the story.”

Chen Ping’an picked up the bamboo branch on his knee and wrote a character on the ground: 穩 (wěn), meaning stable or steady.

Chen Ping’an smiled and asked, “Does anyone know this character?”

Someone spoke up.

Then Chen Ping’an raised the verdant bamboo branch in his hand, seemingly filled with spiritual energy, and said, “Today, whoever can help me explain this character, I will give him this bamboo branch. Of course, you must explain it well. At least tell me why this ‘stable’ character contains the character ‘急 (jí)’, meaning urgent or hasty. Aren’t they contradictory? Could it be that the sages who created characters were dozing off and confused when they blindly made up this character for us?”

A large group of children stared at each other blankly.

Being able to recognize that it was the character “stable” was already remarkable. Who would know that?
A little girl, lurking furtively among the crowd, whispered, “Future Master, I understand the meaning.”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and chuckled, “No, you’ve been reading since you were little, you deciphering the character isn’t fair to the others.”

Guo Zhujiu eyed the bamboo branch in her master’s hand with some envy. If she got her hands on it and took it back to her street, wouldn’t she be the most imposing person around? The little girl was a bit frustrated, “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have studied.”

After the crowd noticed Guo Zhujiu, they intentionally or unintentionally shifted their feet, distancing themselves from her. It wasn’t just fear and envy, but also a sense of inferiority, and the self-esteem that often dwelled alongside it.

The little girl, squatting alone, didn’t seem to notice. She didn’t mind the small, hand-held inkstone hanging from her waist touching the muddy ground.

A poor boy with delicate features but patched-up clothes mustered his courage, his face flushed slightly. Pointing to the character on the ground in front of Chen Ping’an, he said in a trembling voice, “The character for ‘steady’ (穩) is composed of ‘grain’ (禾) and ‘urgent’ (急). Rice seedlings actually grow quickly, but they grow slowly. In my Lingxi Lane, there’s a small stone tablet with the saying, ‘When rice husks and chaff gather, wealth rivals emperors and lords.’ I asked Sister Diezhang about it, and she knew the meaning, but Sister Diezhang said she’d never actually seen any rice husks or chaff. I think this ‘steady’ character has the meaning of taking grain as the foundation and urgency as the expression, just like the newly opened wine shop of you and Sister Diezhang, making money quickly but spending it slowly, so there’s a family fortune, and Sister Diezhang can buy a bigger house.”

Chen Ping’an had noticed this boy long ago, he was one of the most attentive and eager listeners to the stories and explanations of characters.

The boy was also one of the artisan apprentices who helped renovate the street.

However, Chen Ping’an discovered that the boy was physically weak, not only had he missed the best time to practice martial arts, but he was also inherently unsuitable for it, which was different from Zhao Shuxia. It wasn’t that he couldn’t learn boxing, but it would be difficult to achieve anything, at least he wouldn’t be able to endure the suffering of the first three realms.

Chen Ping’an wasn’t giving up, and after asking Ning Yao, Ning Yao looked at the boy from afar and also shook her head, saying that the boy didn’t have the aptitude for sword practice, he wouldn’t even be able to take the first step. If this didn’t work, everything else would be in vain, and forcing it wouldn’t do any good. Only then did Chen Ping’an give up.

Perhaps it wasn’t that the boy truly loved reading.

It was just that he had been lonely since childhood, with nothing to spare at home. He always had to do something. If it didn’t cost money and could make him slightly different from his peers, the poor boy would be especially diligent.

Chen Ping’an smiled and nodded, “Zhang Jiazhen, your interpretation of the ‘steady’ character is mostly correct, so the bamboo branch is yours.”

Chen Ping’an handed over the bamboo branch, but the boy, who didn’t expect Chen Ping’an to know his name, blushed completely, panicked, and shook his head vigorously, saying, “I don’t want this.”

Chen Ping’an also took back the bamboo branch and asked with a smile, “What, do you want to learn boxing?”

Zhang Jiazhen still shook his head, “It will delay my working as a hired hand.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Having a true skill is the most important foundation for survival. Otherwise, it will be difficult to live a good life, and then if you blame the world and resent others, you will always have a reason, and you will think that being a good person is still a mistake, which will be distressing.”

The boy seemed to understand, even though he was the most literate among his peers in the nearby streets, but how could he know true learning? But Chen Ping’an’s words were not the principles of sages and worthies, just rough everyday talk, so Zhang Jiazhen could still understand some of it, such as Chen Ping’an acknowledging that he was working as a hired hand to earn money and support himself, which made the boy feel much more at ease.

Being recognized by others, even in a small way, might not be a small matter for a boy like Zhang Jiazhen.

That little kid holding a pottery jar shouted, “I don’t want to be a bricklayer! It’s not promising, even if I marry a wife, she won’t be beautiful!”

Chen Ping’an reached out and pressed the head of the child beside him, shaking it gently, “So you have lofty ambitions, right? When you go home, ask your dad if your mom is good-looking? If you dare to ask, and have this heroic spirit, I’ll tell you a separate story about gods and monsters, is that a deal?”

“Am I itching for a beating? You tell stories all the time, they won’t run away. But when my mom gets angry, my dad will only let me take the beating for him.”

The child raised the pottery jar and said angrily, “Chen Ping’an, are you going to teach me boxing or not?! Are you a fool for not making money when you have the chance?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “After I finish the second half of the story today, I’ll teach you a set of simple boxing techniques, everyone can learn it, but I’ll say it beforehand, this boxing technique is very boring, even if you learn it, you definitely won’t have any prospects, at most you’ll just feel a little less cold when it snows in winter.”

The child gave an “oh” sound, thinking that it was okay too, it wouldn’t hurt to learn, so he hugged the pottery jar tightly.

Chen Ping’an smiled at the child, “Aren’t you going to bring the money jar over here?”

The child asked, “Are you embarrassed to cheat a child out of money, Chen Ping’an? You’re such a master, it’s really shameful, I’m just not learning boxing from you, otherwise I’ll never be like you when I become a master in the future.”

Laughter erupted around the small bench.

Even older teenagers like Zhang Jiazhen envied the child’s boldness, daring to talk to Chen Ping’an like that.

Chen Ping’an continued to finish the mountain and water story that had both ghosts and monsters and cultivators subduing demons, then stood up, placed the bamboo branch on the small bench, and the children also made way, watching the man in the blue robe slowly perform the six-step stance.

Chen Ping’an stood still and smiled, “Have you learned it?”

Guo Zhujiu stared intently, ultimate boxing technique, grandmaster demeanor!

The child holding the money jar said blankly, “Is that it?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Otherwise?”

The child gently put down the pottery jar, stood up, and started a flurry of wild punches, panting after he finished, the child said angrily, “This is the boxing technique you used to defeat so many little sword immortals, Chen Ping’an! Who are you fooling? Walking step by step, so slow, I’m getting anxious for you!”

Chen Ping’an pointed to the character on the ground and smiled, “Forgot?”

Chen Ping’an walked through the six-step stance again, still slowly, throwing punches leisurely, walking and saying, “All boxing techniques and skills come from steadiness. One day, when your boxing skills are fully developed, this punch will be delivered again…”

With the final punch of the stance, Chen Ping’an stopped, tilted upwards, the punch facing the sky.

The children all widened their eyes, looking at the sky.

Chen Ping’an had already quietly retracted his fist, picked up the bamboo branch and bench, and was preparing to head home.

The child asked blankly, “Doesn’t this punch even make a thunder sound?”

The others also nodded in agreement, feeling that it wasn’t satisfying at all.
Chen Ping’an chuckled, “I didn’t truly throw a punch.”

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Guo Zhujiu focused her qi at her dantian, and shouted loudly, “Boom!”

Chen Ping’an covered his forehead, feeling a bit embarrassed. However, not wanting to hurt the little girl’s feelings, he forced a smile and gave her a thumbs up against his conscience.

The other children, big and small, exchanged glances.

“Let’s scatter, there’s no fun. Let’s wait for the next story.”

Chen Ping’an called out to Zhang Jiazhen. The boy was bewildered, but still came to Chen Ping’an’s side, feeling uneasy.

In the boy’s eyes, this man named Chen Ping’an was like a… celestial being.

Chen Ping’an walked slowly, twisting his wrist and secretly taking out a bamboo leaf, which he handed to Zhang Jiazhen. He whispered, “This is for you. You can wear it on your body. It’s like the fist stance, it’s useless. It’s not that I’m deliberately testing you or anything, that’s just the truth. But if you’re willing to learn fist techniques and practice a few more times each day, this little bamboo leaf can help you slightly resist the cold. It’s going to snow soon. In the harsh winter, it’ll make being a hired hand a little easier.”

Zhang Jiazhen clenched the bamboo leaf tightly, and remained silent for a moment. “Am I really not suited for learning martial arts and swordsmanship?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Yes, you are not.”

The boy’s eyes turned red, and he lowered his head without a word.

Chen Ping’an looked ahead, “To be able to take responsibility for yourself at such a young age is a remarkable thing. Zhang Jiazhen, don’t underestimate yourself.”

The boy raised his head.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Is the name Jiazhen one you chose yourself, taking two characters you saw on those steles?”

The boy nodded. “My parents passed away early, and my grandfather is illiterate. For the past few years, I’ve only had a nickname.”

Chen Ping’an turned his head and said, “Jia means beautiful, and Zhen means steadfast. It’s a very good name. Life on the Sword Qi Great Wall isn’t easy, and that’s something you can’t change, so you have to accept it. But how you live your life is something you can decide. Whether things will get better in the future is hard to say. It might get even harder, or maybe you’ll become skilled at your craft and earn more money, becoming a respected artisan in the neighborhood.”

At this point, Chen Ping’an turned his head and smiled, “But at the very least, when I tell stories about the mountains and rivers to others in the future, I might mention that in Lingxi Alley on the Sword Qi Great Wall, there’s an artisan named Zhang Jiazhen, who may not have any other talents besides his craft, but who loved reading steles and was literate since he was little, no less than a scholar.”

After Zhang Jiazhen left.

From beginning to end, Guo Zhujiu hadn’t said a word, but just looked up at the man who would be her master in a year and a half.

In an instant, Guo Zhujiu’s eyes widened with anticipation.

Chen Ping’an counted on his fingers for a moment, and then said, “The matter of taking you as a disciple still needs a year and a half.”

Guo Zhujiu sighed heavily.

Chen Ping’an continued to walk forward. The bustling wine shop, with money flowing like water, all entering his coffers, looked very festive from afar. In a good mood, Chen Ping’an casually asked, “Have you ever heard a saying that only from a hundred misfortunes can you nurture a poet whose words will be passed down for a thousand years?”

Guo Zhujiu shook her head. “Future master has great learning, future disciple has little. I haven’t heard of that saying.”

Chen Ping’an found it strange. Has the feng shui of his own Fallen Mountain already spread to the Sword Qi Great Wall? It shouldn’t be. The main culprits, Zhu Lian and the others, are far away from here.

Guo Zhujiu asked curiously, “There’s more to the saying, right?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “Popular poems passed down for a thousand years are nothing. All of you, your ancestors, for ten thousand years here, are enough to put all the poems in the world to shame.”

Guo Zhujiu asked, “Master, do you need me to help you spread this saying throughout the streets and alleys? I can shout while walking the stances and practicing fist techniques, it’s not tiring.”

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “Don’t.”

Guo Zhujiu secretly rejoiced. There were hidden words in that sentence just now. She called him Master, claiming to be a disciple, she had made a big profit today.

When they reached the wine shop.

Ning Yao saw Guo Zhujiu preparing to slip away. The little girl ran to Ning Yao with a skip in her step and smiled, “Sister Ning, why are you especially beautiful today?”

Ning Yao glanced at Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an smiled wryly. “I don’t teach her these things.”

Guo Zhujiu saw that Sister Ning was, for once, not going to beat her, so she took what she could get and went home.

When you’re young, you think there are many big, worrisome things.

When you grow up, you forget what those worries were.

Ning Yao and Chen Ping’an returned to the Ning residence together.

Ning Yao asked, “Are you really planning to take her as a disciple?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “For now, it’ll be the unrecorded kind. The Guo family is kind, and I can finally do something for the Ning residence.”

Wei Jin, who had been drinking at the shop all this time, seemed to remember something, and turned to look at Chen Ping’an’s back, laughing inwardly, “The previous few times I was only focused on drinking and forgot to tell you. Senior Zuo asked me to pass on a message a long time ago, asking when you’ll start practicing swordsmanship.”

Chen Ping’an turned to Diezhang and called out, “Shopkeeper, give Grand Sword Immortal Wei an 11% discount for all drinks from now on!”

Wei Jin took out a Grain Rain coin and placed it on the table. “Good to hear.”

Ning Yao asked, “What’s wrong?”

Chen Ping’an smiled bitterly. “I have to go to the Sword Qi Great Wall right away. Have Granny Bai prepare the medicinal bath. If I don’t come back too late, you can go and carry me back.”

On the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Zuo You faced south, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes to rest.

There are many things that Zuo You doesn’t understand, and some that he can understand but is unwilling to accept.

So in the end, he chose to leave everything behind and stay away from the rights and wrongs of the world, heading out to sea on his sword.

This is not something that’s a romantic tale, but rather something that is not pleasant at all.

However, at the moment, there is another thing that Zuo You doesn’t understand.

With Master not by his side, this little junior brother, how dare he be so bold?