Chen Pingan descended the stairs and casually selected a book from the bookshelf, a collection of refined sayings specifically about the art of navigating the world.

He flipped through it quickly, finding the sage advice within to be deeply insightful. “Never look back at scenes of excessive pleasure,” and “It is during raging storms that heroes prove their mettle.”

Chen Pingan felt as though every word was meant for him, instantly filling him with courage, far more effective than any wine.

Moreover, he had long pondered a certain principle: with those close to you, do not speak angrily, do not speak contrarily, and especially, do not remain silent.

Returning the book to the shelf, he inexplicably thought of the Dragon Province Daoist from Yellow Flower Temple in Tongye Continent. Chen Pingan smiled, imitating the man by gently adjusting the surrounding books with his palm, ensuring they were perfectly aligned. He strode out of the library, opened the courtyard gate, and after a moment’s thought, decided not to lock it. What if he needed to return? It would be an unnecessary hassle. After all, it was his senior apprentice brother’s residence; acting too freely would be inappropriate.

As for whether the Dali Song Dynasty Emperor and Empress Dowager would visit, it mattered little. If they came, it would be beneficial for all. If they didn’t, Chen Pingan was indifferent, as he planned to spend several more days reading in the capital.

Having discerned the intention of his senior brother, Cui Chan, the task was straightforward. Since this was a rare opportunity to do good without regard for personal gain, he would strike mercilessly. Furthermore, Chen Pingan suddenly recalled that, according to the lineage of scholars, if Song He was Senior Brother Cui’s student, then he was the Little Grand-Uncle of the Dali Emperor. Therefore, it was only right and proper to protect his grand-nephew’s Dao.

However, if Song He’s Dao heart proved insufficient, then they could simply find someone with a stronger Dao heart to become the emperor. After all, once the truth was revealed, and someone delved into the old records of the Song clan’s ancestral temple, the Emperor’s established right to inherit the throne would become precarious, causing an uproar across the continent.

The State Preceptor, Cui Chan’s assessment of Song Jixin likely hinged on the war on Treasure Bottle Continent. Prince Song Mu’s performance, from Old Dragon City to the Central Great River, had not been disappointing. Both the cultivators and mortals had witnessed it. The reason for the White Jade Capital replica remaining near the Dali auxiliary capital and the Great River ancestral temples was likely a form of “benevolent” reminder from the teacher to the student. Even if the teacher was gone, and Dali temporarily had no State Preceptor, a ruler should not forget self-cultivation and governing the realm.

Chen Pingan even suspected that the Dali court’s decision to return conquered lands based on military merit was a ploy of his senior brother, waiting for this very day. Firstly, without such a measure, the hearts of Treasure Bottle Continent would be scattered, and it would be difficult to gather the strength of the southern vassal states. Secondly, if the post-war situation remained one continent, one nation, a north-south division between the Dali capital and the princely residences would create a long and vulnerable front line, potentially leading to decades or even centuries of war, devastating the entire Treasure Bottle Continent.

As for whether Song Jixin had any ambition to reclaim his original name…

Chen Pingan had sensed Song Jixin’s ambition within the Ji River ancestral temple. However, Song Jixin was too wary of State Preceptor Cui Chan and had remained patient all these years, acting as a dutiful subject.

Otherwise, the relationship between Song Jixin, the Dali Prince, and almost all of the cultivation forces on Treasure Bottle Continent, especially the Dali border army, was exceptionally good.

As for governing talents, the Six Ministries in the Dali auxiliary capital were filled with pillars of the nation, both civil and military, who had directly faced war. Which one was not proficient in statecraft and pragmatism, possessing both talent and practicality? Moreover, compared to the officials in the capital, the southern bureaucracy was filled with young and vigorous civil and military officials. Furthermore, take Liu Gaohua from Rouge County of Colorful Garment Kingdom as an example. Why would he rather forsake his position as a minister in his homeland to be a mid-level official in the auxiliary capital court? This subtle recognition was, in itself, the former vassal states of Dali acknowledging Prince Song Mu.

Therefore, in the Dali capital, the Emperor dared not rashly move against the deeply rooted and well-established auxiliary capital, while the princely residence remained unaware of State Preceptor Cui Chan’s arrangements, hence the continued peace.

If, before coming to the Dali capital, Chen Pingan’s bottom line was to retrieve the porcelain shard from the Dali Empress Dowager, even if it meant breaking ties with the entire Dali court, he would simply fight them first, then relocate Fallen Phoenix Mountain and its affiliated vassals to a location in the southern region of North Entire Reed Continent, taking root there and echoing Fallen Phoenix Mountain’s lower sect established in Tongye Continent, with Dali in between. He would simply be completely opposed to the Dali Song Dynasty.

But now, Chen Pingan was not so easily satisfied with just retrieving the porcelain shard.

For example, abdication.

The southern prince would head north and ascend the throne.

Ultimately, it depended on the choice of His Majesty the Emperor.

Having walked only a few dozen steps in the alley, Chen Pingan began to carefully consider the three main threads of the court, the border army, and the cultivators, involving at least a dozen other loosely connected factors, such as the elders of the ancestral temple, all the surnames of the Upper Pillar Kingdom, the various patrolling envoys, and the further ramifications of each factor… Ultimately, he sought peace and tranquility for the nation and its people.

However, Chen Pingan was completely unaware that his current thoughts and actions were precisely those of a Dali State Preceptor.

And for the past hundred years, the Embroidered Tiger, Cui Chan, had also walked slowly through this alley, alone, deep in thought, every time he attended court or returned from it.

Nearing the entrance of the alley, Chen Pingan noticed the youth sneaking a drink while his master was away, occasionally glancing at the street to see if his master was approaching.

Hearing the footsteps in the alley, Zhao Duanming immediately stood up, hid the wine jug behind him, and asked with a flattering smile, “Brother Chen, are you going to see your sister-in-law? Should I help you lead the way? I know this place like the back of my hand, I can walk it blindfolded.”

If they were closer, Zhao Duanming would have thumped his chest and said, “I’ve taken a dump in every backwater around here.”

Chen Pingan stopped and asked, “Duanming, do you have a girl you like?”
Zhao Duanming was now supremely satisfied with his name. However, Chen Jianxian’s untimely question had left him feeling rather awkward. What was with talking about girls in the middle of the night? Did they take him for some kind of pleasure-seeker? The youth sighed, “Aiya, the woes! I’m not exactly young anymore. There are girls I fancy, and plenty more who fancy me, but all I do is cultivate, cultivate, cultivate until I’m sick of it! It’s kept me from even so much as kissing a girl. That old drunk, Cao, never fails to tease me about it. The nerve of that old bachelor, forty-some years old and doesn’t even have a warm body to share his bed. Who gave him the right to talk? Probably hasn’t sobered up from his drinking, I suppose I shouldn’t lower myself to his level.”

Then, the youth noticed that the blue-robed swordsman had also sighed.

His sorrows hit their mark, never missing.

Zhao Duanming immediately offered a handful of salted dried peanuts. Chen Ping’an also gifted the youth a flask of wine. The youth stashed his own flask, as he could never cadge good liquor from Cao the Drunkard, who was nothing more than a penniless freeloader always running up tabs. He cracked open the mud seal, tilted his head back, and took a sip, asking, “Brother Chen, where’s this liquor from? It packs quite a punch.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “I opened a small wine shop with a partner. We sell this Azure God Mountain liquor.”

The youth understood. “I knew it! I could tell the quality with just one sip. I tasted several Minor Heat coins’ worth of flavor right away. Could never get this taste from liquor made on ordinary mountains. Brother Chen, between us, let’s not stand on ceremony. How about you give me two more flasks of that liquor? I can give them to my master and Cao the Drunkard.”

At this, the youth became serious. “Brother Chen, rest assured. I’ve been known for my deep thinking and cunning since I was a child. Today’s sworn brotherhood, I promise I won’t breathe a word of it to anyone but Cao the Drunkard. Not even when I get home. Brother Chen, you just arrived in the capital, right? You wouldn’t know. Back there, between my Yi Chi Lane and Chi’er Street, we used to fight all the time. I could take on both streets single-handedly. Later, some shameless old bastard from Chi’er Street leaked my status as a cultivator, so I voluntarily yielded the top spot to someone else. Otherwise, that rabble of shrimp soldiers and crab generals from Chi’er Street would have been suppressed by our Yi Chi Lane for years. According to the old rules, they would have to tuck their tails between their legs and behave, taking detours whenever they saw us.”

Chen Ping’an flicked a peanut into his mouth, smiling and shaking his head. “Acquaintance or not, I can’t just give away two more flasks of liquor.”

Zhao Duanming tentatively asked, “Brother Chen, can I owe you?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head. “Small business, no credit.”

He wasn’t in a hurry to go to the inn. It was only a few steps away. Going too early, Ning Yao wouldn’t have returned yet, and him standing there alone would make him look like he had ulterior motives, too eager for the prize. Going too late, however, would also be inappropriate, making him seem indifferent.

“Oh, right, Brother Chen, how old are you? Someone as young, accomplished, and handsome as you, a swordsman, it’s no wonder your sister-in-law would choose you as her Dao companion.”

“Not too old. What’s your current realm?”

“Me? I haven’t reached the Jade Purity realm yet.”

“Not bad, not bad.”

“Brother Chen, with a woman as beautiful and powerful as your sister-in-law, you need to be careful. There must be countless men who secretly or openly desire her, more than you can count.”

“Duanming, you’re still too young. There are things you wouldn’t understand. A woman like my wife, most men wouldn’t dare to love her. Even if they did, they would only dare to keep it hidden in their hearts. Hmm, there was one who wasn’t afraid of death, but I knocked him out and hung him on a tree.”

“Who is it? So bold, with no regard for the law! Brother Chen, give me a name, and I’ll take care of him for you.”

“Coincidentally, he’s currently an official in the capital.”

“Who is it? Is he important? Does he have any influence in Yi Chi Lane and Chi’er Street?”

“His name is Zhao Yao. His official position isn’t very high. He’s just a Vice Minister in the Ministry of Justice of your capital. It seems his residence is in your Yi Chi Lane.”

“Is that all? People always say the Ma Fen Zhao clan is the most unruly. But that’s not a curse in the Great Li bureaucracy, it’s a compliment. But looking at you, I have my doubts.”

“Brother Chen, you’re joking. Just a Vice Minister in the Ministry of Justice? I’ll invite him over, beg him to come!”

“Oh, Minister Zhao, what a coincidence. Just passing by?”

The youth quickly turned his head. There was no Minister Zhao, not even a ghost. The youth laughed loudly, “It would be good if he came! His official position is high, but such a weak and frail scholar, unable to even kill a chicken. I wouldn’t even need to use any immortal magic. Just one punch, and then a kick, and I’ll make sure he goes back from whence he came, horizontally…”

Chen Ping’an patted the youth on the shoulder, holding back his laughter, “Stop, Minister Zhao is really here. If you keep talking, he’ll hear you. That guy is petty and likes to hold grudges.”

The youth nodded vigorously. “It’s really bad for a grown man to hold grudges. Not magnanimous at all.”

Chen Ping’an agreed. “Mostly because his cultivation of heart is insufficient.”

Ning Yao quietly returned to the inn, deliberately concealing her presence. She was currently lounging lazily on the table, listening to the idle chatter from the alley. She had a hint of a smile on her face.

Poor youth, he had no idea which ditch he was being led into by that fellow.

Chen Ping’an walked out of the alley, stopping with his hands in his sleeves, waiting for that martial nephew to approach.

He seemed to have quite a few martial nephews these days, the Emperor in the palace, the Vice Minister of Justice before him, and that Wu Yuan who once served as the first magistrate of Huai Huang County.

On the street, several enshrined cultivators from the Great Li court’s Ministry of Works were leading people to repair the streets. When they saw the blue-robed swordsman, they remained silent, pretending not to see him.

In an ordinary mountain-country dynasty, they would have definitely been left out in the cold for a night.

The Great Li capital was the luckiest place, because a Brocade Tiger had come.

In just a hundred years, he had created a border iron cavalry for the Great Li Dynasty that could find life in death, survive in death traps, and win in adversity. In the rare event of defeat, all the generals would die.

Zhao Duanming peeked around the corner. He had only seen Minister Zhao from afar a few times before. He was really quite handsome. In all honesty, in terms of fighting ability, a hundred Minister Zhao’s couldn’t beat one Chen Jianxian. But in terms of appearance, two Brother Chen’s might not be able to win against him.

Zhao Yao first greeted a familiar official from the Great Li Ministry of Works, then squatted down next to that “well”, looking at it for a few moments, before walking towards the alley, cupping his hands and bowing to Chen Ping’an, smiling. “Greetings, Mountain Lord Chen.”

Chen Ping’an laughed and shook his head. “We’re all from the same hometown, no need to be so polite. Just call me Martial Uncle.”
The young man, who had been eavesdropping with his ears pricked up, thought there was something intriguing about the conversation between Brother Chen and the outsider.

Zhao Yao asked, “Has Miss Ning returned yet?”

Chen Ping’an stretched his neck, looking left and right along the street. He needed to get further away to find tall trees with high branches.

Zhao Yao chuckled, “A virtuous maiden is a gentleman’s pursuit. Zhao Yao’s admiration for Miss Ning is as clear as a bright moon in a blue sky. There’s nothing I dare not admit, nothing I dare not show. Mountain Master Chen, please don’t deliberately act this way.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and spoke to Zhao Yao in the dialect of his hometown in the Li Zhu Grotto-Heaven, words the young man couldn’t understand at all. If transcribed phonetically in the Great Li official language, it would be… “Dou yin bian le wo shi chi yan lang yan xie xin she…” What in heavens did that even mean? Zhao Duanming was completely baffled.

Ning Yao couldn’t help but smile. She knew what Chen Ping’an was saying. She had recorded all the small-town dialects she had heard back then, translating them phonetically. For example, this sentence meant Chen Ping’an was lecturing Zhao Yao, “It’s so late already, and you’re still fooling around. Be careful!”

In their hometown, it was a common reprimand elders used on mischievous youngsters.

“Ne xing ye yin shi? Ta la shi?”

“I’ve come to see you about something.”
“What is it?”

The young Zhao Duanming was lost in the clouds, while Ning Yao at the inn had already sat up, propping her chin on her hand, listening with great interest. She understood everything.

Zhao Yao suddenly said in the Great Li official language, “I just received news that my Grandmaster has arrived at the Immortal Jade Capital and has begun to engage in philosophical discussions.”

Chen Ping’an nodded and said, “I knew that before you did.”

“Is arguing interesting?” Well, not really. Anyway, he always won, so for his esteemed master, the taste was rather ordinary.

“The greatest meaning, is why argue in the first place.”

“What is a sage? One who uses learning to rectify people’s hearts and uses Daoist principles to mend the heavens and earth.”

One person’s alignment with the Dao was located in the Treasure Bottle Continent, the Tung Leaf Continent, and the Soaring Dragon Continent.

The mountains, rivers, lands, vegetation, blossoming flowers, withered trees reviving in the three continents. The water accumulated, the mountain roots healed, the summer heat subsided and sweet rain fell on the drought-stricken lands.

This phenomenon, still invisibly “suppressed” by the world of Haoran, was naturally something Chen Ping’an would perceive sooner than Zhao Yao.

Zhao Yao endured it for a long time, and finally said, “Chen Ping’an, what exactly are you competing with me about?”

Chen Ping’an said, “I don’t like the way you look.”

Zhao Yao chuckled in anger, “Miss Ning doesn’t even like me, what’s there for you to dislike?”

Chen Ping’an exclaimed in surprise, “How can there be a grand-nephew who speaks to his grand-uncle like that?”

Zhao Yao took a deep breath and said, “It’s nothing. I just came tonight to meet you, my hard-working little grand-uncle.”

Chen Ping’an suddenly said, “Actually, there’s no need for that. Just do your job well as an official. Don’t get involved in many things, at least not for now.”

This was a sincere statement. Chen Ping’an still hoped that the people of his age from his hometown would have a better life and not be too down and out.

Zhao Yao waved his hand, turned around and left.

Chen Ping’an said, “Zhao Yao, let me say something unrelated. How is your relationship with the Ministry of Rites? If it’s good, can you do something difficult and unrewarding, like having mountain cultivators use immortal techniques to collect and record the dialects of various regions in a continent? Because books can be reprinted, but once a dialect is gone, it’s truly gone. And this matter might involve a nation’s literary fortune, so it’s not a complete waste of time. Do you have any thoughts on this?”

Zhao Yao turned his head and smiled, “The imperial court has already started working on it. The chief editor is me. It’s a part-time job, and I can get two salaries.”

*Download books for free, forever.*

“Tsk tsk, he thinks he can win a round with this?” So young. This newly debuted hero, he doesn’t understand the depth of this world.

Chen Ping’an nodded with a look of gratification, “You’ve become a success.”

Zhao Yao didn’t turn his head back, and left straight away.

After the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice was out of sight, the young man swaggered out of the alley, gave Chen Ping’an a thumbs-up, and laughed, “Brother Chen is very strong in chatting with people!”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “Don’t learn that. It’s meaningless. Focus on cultivating your Dao from now on.”

The young man suddenly asked seriously, “Sword Immortal Chen, do you think I can reach the Upper Five Realms in the future?”

Chen Ping’an asked with a smile, “Why are you suddenly asking this?”

Zhao Duanming’s expression dimmed, and he said softly, “My master said that the reason I’m advancing so quickly in cultivation is because I’m spending my future now. Don’t look at how young I am, I’m already a Dragon Gate Realm cultivator, but if nothing unexpected happens, I’m basically stuck as a Golden Core cultivator.”

Chen Ping’an was silent for a moment, his expression softened as he looked at this capital city youth who often sneaked drinks. The words Chen Ping’an spoke next only made the young man feel more dejected, because even a sword immortal said, “At least for now, I think it’s indeed difficult for you to reach the Jade Purity Realm. Golden Core and Nascent Soul are both high thresholds and major hurdles that are even more difficult to overcome than for ordinary Qi refiners. It’s like you’re paying off a debt, because your cultivation has been too smooth before. How old are you now, fourteen or fifteen? And you’re already in the Dragon Gate Realm. So your master wasn’t lying to you.”

The young man was silent.

Then Chen Ping’an smiled and asked, “Zhao Duanming, do you think meeting me tonight counts as a small surprise?”

Zhao Duanming nodded. Of course. The Hidden Hermit of the Sword Qi Great Wall, Mountain Master Chen who could chat with Cao Jiu Gui for a while, especially since he was Ning Yao’s man. A guy who could make even the Great Li’s “Heir Apparent” Zhao Yao suffer everywhere! Before today, the young man never dreamed that he could meet Chen Ping’an and chat for so long, eating peanuts and drinking wine together.

Chen Ping’an asked again, “Isn’t this a surprise then?”

Zhao Duanming’s eyes lit up, “That’s right!”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “Of course, mentors in the world should be proper instructors like your master. No one doesn’t want their heir to surpass them. Zhao Duanming, cultivate diligently. Don’t focus too much on the Upper Five Realms that are far away, or you’ll only feel worse. Just remind yourself from time to time, for example, ‘Master, please be patient and wait. One day, your disciple will definitely give you a surprise.’ Zhao Duanming, do you have that resolve?”

The young man’s eyes were bright and clear, his face determined. He nodded, “I can have it! It’s just a thought, not difficult.”
Chen Ping’an patted the youth’s shoulder and smiled, “Let me tell you something else. When I was your age, my Bridge of Transcendence was broken. I had to practice boxing every day just to stay alive, and I was only a first-realm martial artist. Look at me today, wouldn’t you say it’s another surprise?”

Zhao Duanming was dubious, “You’re not pulling my leg, are you?”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, not saying much more, and moved towards the inn. “You asked me for two jars of wine earlier, but I didn’t give them to you. I’ll save them for when you reach the Nascent Soul and Jade Pure realms. Then, I’ll treat you to all the wine you want.”

The youth gazed at the departing figure in the blue shirt and shouted, “Chen Ping’an, do you keep your word?!”

The swordsman in blue didn’t turn around, but simply raised his hand and lightly made a fist. “We swordsmen never lie about wine on the Jianghu.”

Inside the inn, Ning Yao lowered her head, resting her chin on her arm, her eyelashes fluttering slightly.

Inside the imperial palace,

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Dong Hu, reported the conversation in the alley to His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, word for word.

The woman had opened the window earlier and had been standing there ever since.

His Majesty the Emperor nodded with a smile, and the Empress Dowager didn’t speak.

Dong Hu knew that tonight he was dismissed.

But as he walked towards the door, Dong Hu suddenly stopped and turned around, first bowing to the Emperor, then rising and saying, “Your Majesty, this humble official suffered a great illness in the sixth year of Yuanshou, and had to resign from office. Only then did I dare to shamelessly ask National Preceptor Cui for a calligraphic work on self-cultivation, family harmony, state governance, and world peace.”

Song He smiled, “Of course, I know about this matter. Besides you, the National Preceptor never gifted calligraphy to anyone. It was a celebrated tale at court and in the countryside, and I envied you too.”

Later, the Dali Ministry of Rites official who went to the Liyuzhu Grotto-Heaven to help the court with the stele rubbing of the memorial archway was Dong Hu.

The woman turned her head and coldly smiled, “Minister Dong, are you implying something? Speak up. The Dali officialdom has always adhered to the rule established by the National Preceptor: scholars and warriors, warriors and scholars, only speak in terms they both understand.”

Dong Hu, the court softie that even Nascent Soul cultivator Liu Jia knew about, for some reason, tonight, facing the Empress Dowager’s questioning, the old minister straightened his back a little, “Since the Empress Dowager has asked, then this humble official will speak even more plainly. The four matters of self-cultivation, family harmony, state governance, and world peace, naturally, the order cannot be reversed, and the weight and harm, the distinction between major and minor, is self-evident.”

The woman was about to speak, but Emperor Song He already said with a gentle expression, “Minister Dong, you may return to your residence to rest. Thank you for your service tonight.”

Dong Hu bowed to His Majesty the Emperor and silently retreated from the room.

Song He softly said, “Mother Empress, don’t be angry. Minister Dong was only saying what a Minister of Rites should say.”

The woman nodded and turned away from the window, gracefully returning to her seat, smiling, “There’s no need to get angry with Dong Hu over such trivial matters. He’s a good man, worldly and adaptable. Moreover, he’s doing a good job as an official. The Ministry of Rites is operating in an orderly manner, and Dong Hu deserves credit for that.”

Song He breathed a sigh of relief.

That’s what she said, but he feared that Dong Hu’s posthumous title would have some minor twists and turns.

That was how his mother did things. She always made it so that no one could find any major faults, it was irreproachable, but it just occasionally made people feel like something was missing.

Song He picked up a segment of tangerine and said, “Literary Saint has arrived at the imitation White Jade City, debating with that person, benefiting the three continents and rivers, including Treasure Bottle Continent. This means that the Literary Temple will definitely take a few more glances at Dali along the way.”

The woman smiled, “What’s there to be nervous about? Isn’t this a good thing? First, there was Ning Yao disregarding Dali’s rules, wantonly drawing her sword and cutting people in the capital’s important place. Then, there was the Literary Saint’s arrival at Treasure Bottle Continent. Are they still going to be overbearing? Hidden Official is young and impetuous. During the Literary Temple’s council, relying on his little bit of merit and literary status, he spoke and acted without restraint, defeating one after another, and his reputation for arrogance in the Central Earth Divine Continent is almost greater than the sky. But the Literary Saint, such a sage who is the fourth most revered figure in the Literary Temple, should reason well, right?”

Song He said, “Chen Ping’an’s achievements today are extremely hard-earned. Although I have never met him, I am willing to hold him in respect.”

The woman nodded with a smile, “That’s right, this is your imperial magnanimity. It would be inappropriate to be petty. Anyway, you just have to not be afraid of him.”

Song He was speechless for a moment, put the tangerine segment into his mouth, and gently chewed. It was slightly astringent.

After leaving the imperial city, the old minister still rode in the carriage that had only changed drivers, heading back to his residence.

Liu Jia asked with a smile, “Lord Dong, in low spirits? Are you dealing with a major incident?”

Dong Hu was so enraged that he almost couldn’t help but burst into a tirade. What do you know? What are you smiling about? One wrong step, and our Dali court will change!

That young Hidden Official, and that Ning Yao, deliberately wore two “Peace and Tranquility” plaques issued by the Ministry of Justice, walking into the capital. What did that mean? Even a fool would understand.

But the old minister quickly restrained himself. Talking about the court’s treacherous situation with an old antique who only knew how to cultivate was like talking to a chicken and a duck.

Liu Jia was silent all the way, but just as they were about to reach Yichi Alley, he suddenly blurted out, “Dong Hu, do you have so little faith in National Preceptor Cui?”

Dong Hu was stunned, his brow furrowed.

The steady driver, the old Nascent Soul cultivator, glanced at the distance. Many places in the capital were brightly lit, illuminating the sky above the capital’s buildings, as if covered with a hazy, yellowish-brown gauze, like a lampshade.

Liu Jia laughed to himself, “I don’t understand anything about officialdom and politics. Besides cultivation, I only know one thing: Even if National Preceptor Cui is no longer here, he will still protect the people of this country, the Dali Iron Cavalry, and countless people like you and me. Others may not be able to do such posthumous deeds, but only National Preceptor Cui can definitely do it.”

Dong Hu’s brow smoothed out. Before reaching the entrance to his home, he asked to stop, got out of the carriage, thanked the old Nascent Soul, and slowly strolled home.

Liu Jia asked, “What about the carriage?”

Dong Hu turned his head and smiled, “What does it have to do with me!”

Liu Jia said with a chuckle, “Lord Dong, be careful walking at night. You’re old, it’s easy to be dazzled and sprain your ankle. I know many doctors in the capital who sell bone-setting medicine.”

Dong Hu was momentarily speechless, and could only mutter, “Just park the carriage at the entrance of the imperial city, and that’s it.”

Walking on the extremely wide Yichi Alley road, the old minister sighed from time to time, and stroked his beard and nodded.

Thinking back to those years, I, too, entered the Hanlin Academy in the same year as that old fellow from the Tianshui Zhao family, and was known as “Reading books and drinking wine, composing poems and lifting weights, collecting characters for inspiration.”
The old man, seeing no falsehood in the gesture, was overjoyed. But then the lad said, “Proprietor, I plan to stay in the capital for a few more days, and then I’ll be lodging here permanently…”

The old man, having just carefully placed the vase back under the counter, immediately replied, “Three hundred taels of silver, it’s yours! The deal is done, and you won’t need to pay for your lodging these next few days.”

Chen Pingan said helplessly, “Proprietor, you’ve really misunderstood.”

The old man extended his hand. “Say no more. I’m not one to keep secrets. The inn might have a few more empty rooms tomorrow.”

*Trying to outsmart me with your worldly experience? You’re still too green.*

Chen Pingan’s eyes lit up. He reached out to grasp the old proprietor’s hand, then prepared to pull out money from his sleeve.

The old proprietor was taken aback, shaking his hand free with a smile. “Forget it. You don’t look like you have much money. Expenses are high in the capital, and besides, such a large item is difficult to carry…”

Chen Pingan smiled knowingly, feigning disappointment. He still tried to haggle a few more words, but the old proprietor waved his hand, stating definitively, “No further discussion!”

Ning Yao suddenly appeared at the doorway, followed by… his own teacher, having rushed over from the great river in the central Azure Continent.

Chen Pingan quickly stepped over the threshold, cupping his hands in a bow. “Greetings, Teacher.”

The old scholar smiled, grasping his disciple’s arm. “Let’s go, to your room for a drink.”

Chen Pingan said mentally, “Actually, it’s just one room.”

The old scholar stamped his foot, filled with remorse. *What a rotten teacher I’ve been!*

The old scholar immediately turned to Ning Yao. “Girl Ning, unfortunately, I have to meet someone. I’ll come back for a drink tomorrow, or maybe the day after tomorrow, or even later, who knows… don’t wait for me…”

Ning Yao shook her head and smiled. “No need, there are many empty rooms at the inn.”

Chen Pingan and the old scholar exchanged a glance, both sighing simultaneously.

One with a reproachful look, *It’s all Teacher’s fault today!* The other with heartfelt guilt, *My fault, my fault, I’m sorry!*

Then Chen Pingan couldn’t help but laugh. “Teacher, let’s go have a drink.”

The old scholar nodded. “Good, good, good.”

*Only when he’s drunk will there be a chance to make amends.*

But then Chen Pingan suddenly turned his head, only to see a young girl skipping along the street.

He caught sight of her face.

Chen Pingan stared blankly, first turning abruptly to look in the direction of the Ren Yun Yi Yun Pavilion, then withdrawing his gaze, his eyes reddening, his lips trembling. He seemed about to raise his hand to greet the girl, but he didn’t quite dare.

Even the old scholar and Ning Yao exchanged puzzled looks, unsure of what was happening.

In all his life, after learning martial arts and leaving his hometown, Chen Pingan had rarely lost his composure like this, perhaps… never?

Chen Pingan raised his arm, wiped his eyes, then forced a smile and took a few steps forward, quietly waiting for the girl.

Many years ago…

Someone, on the verge of her soul scattering, had said, “May Master Chen and that beloved girl be a heavenly couple.”

The gaunt accountant had said, “May I have the chance to meet Miss Su again.”

She had said, “Please, please, Master Chen, don’t fail to recognize me then!”

That was merely a thing of Chen Pingan’s past, but it was a girl’s previous life.

The girl, returning home late that night, gradually slowed her pace, finding the man in green robes standing in front of her shop quite strange, staring straight at her. *Could he be a lecher?*

The girl saw the man raise his hand, smiling and waving, his voice trembling. “Hello, my name is Chen Pingan, Chen of peaceful safety, Pingan.”

The girl was silent for a moment, then suddenly shouted, “Father, there’s a hooligan harassing me!”

The old proprietor rushed out of the inn, laughing. “Don’t talk nonsense, he’s a guest at our inn.”

The girl said “Oh,” and as she passed the man, she turned her body slightly, walking slowly, and then suddenly quickened her pace and ran into the inn. Reaching her father’s side, she curiously looked back at the man in green robes. He was standing in place, his back to her, covering his face with his hands, his shoulders trembling slightly. Then he turned his head and gave her a bright smile.

*Sigh, he’s smiling even worse than if he were crying.*

*What a strange man.*

*Father is really something, how did he take in such a guest?*

The old scholar sat on the steps, smiling silently. He probably guessed the truth.

Chen Pingan took a deep breath, turned his head, and then turned it back again, apologizing to Ning Yao. “I’m sorry, don’t misunderstand, I’ll tell you why later.”

Ning Yao smiled and shook her head, her eyes gentle. “It’s okay.”

*If you weren’t this kind of person, why would I love you so much?*

*You are Chen Pingan, and I am Ning Yao. Throughout the countless years of humanity, we love each other.*