Chen Pingan intended to ask the old cultivator Liu Jia for some Gazettes of Mountains and Rivers, both from this continent and other continents, the more the better.

Unexpectedly, on the way to the alley, a young official from the Honglu Temple came to find Chen Pingan of his own accord. His official rank wasn’t high, only ninth-grade, newly entered the ranks of the literati, but temporarily in charge of the Capital Temple Affairs Department and the Supervisory Office. Yet, he was a cultivator, possessing the View of Seas realm. He respectfully handed Chen Pingan a wooden official badge, speaking in a standard Dali Mandarin, with a slight Xunzhou accent, saying it was the Temple Minister’s personal order for him to be responsible for connecting with Mr. Chen. He was to be at Chen Pingan’s beck and call. Besides the official wooden badge, he also gave a quaint sword box engraved with the character “Heaven,” small and exquisite, only the size of a palm. The young official himself carried a “Earth” character box, for the convenience of both parties using flying swords to transmit messages.

The young man was named Xun Qu, possessing a graceful and refined bearing, a graduate of the second class of the new imperial examination.

Located on the right side of the Thousand Step Corridor, the South Xun Ward was lined with government offices, with the Honglu Temple among them, neighboring the Ministry of Works office where Guan Yiran resided.

Chen Pingan looked at the wooden official badge. The front side displayed “Honglu Temple, Attendant.” The reverse side read, “Officials attending court wear this badge. Those without a badge will be punished according to the law. The borrower and lender share the same guilt. Not for use outside the capital.”

At a glance, the calligraphy was from the hand of the Tian Family Master of the Zhao Clan. In fact, the Admonishment Stone inscriptions, ubiquitous in officialdom throughout the country, were also penned by the Zhao Clan Master.

At first, Chen Pingan was puzzled as to why the Dali court would send a minor official from the Honglu Temple, temporarily in charge of temple repair affairs in the capital, to follow him. Whether it was the young man’s department, official rank, or cultivation realm, none of it seemed suitable. But upon hearing the young man’s name, he understood the Dali court’s hidden intention. Xun Qu was from a humble local clan in a Dali tributary state. Crucially, he was a close friend of Chen Pingan’s student, Cao Qinglang, with whom he was kindred spirits. When Cao Qinglang came to the capital to participate in the provincial examination, he and Xun Qu had once lodged together in a capital temple. Two poor scholars, finding joy in hardship, would often visit the markets filled with books, literary playthings, and antiques during their leisure time, only looking and never buying.

Back in Fallen Mountain, Cao Qinglang only mentioned Xun Qu to his fellow graduates and official colleagues. Therefore, Chen Pingan had remembered the name of this student’s colleague in the officialdom.

A smile appeared on Chen Pingan’s face. He returned the wooden official badge to Xun Qu, jokingly saying, “In a few days, when I have some free time, let’s go to Xiliulichang together. The Honglu Temple will definitely be paying for the purchase of books and seals. If you see any rare editions or carvings by masters that you like, just give me a subtle hint. I’ll buy them all and give them to you later. That way, it won’t be considered you abusing your position for personal gain or lining your own pockets.”

Xun Qu nodded slightly, understanding. No wonder Cao Qinglang wasn’t a bookworm, always adaptable and resourceful, confident and prepared in everything. It turned out he had learned it all from his teacher.

However, this Mr. Chen was indeed much more approachable than he had imagined.

Chen Pingan put the small sword box into his sleeve and said, “Official Xun, there is indeed something I need your help with. Send some Mountain Gazettes to my residence, the more the better.”

Xun Qu immediately took his leave, saying he would get busy right away, and Mr. Chen should expect to wait about an hour.

Chen Pingan nodded and went to the alley. First, he told Liu Jia not to stop the young man from the Honglu Temple named Xun Qu later. The old cultivator naturally had no objections; he was just a View of Seas cultivator, and stopping him wouldn’t be much of an accomplishment.

Chen Pingan went to his senior brother’s residence, leaving the door open. He picked a few books to read in the “Everyone Says It” building, patiently waiting for the young man to deliver the gazettes.

With about an incense stick’s worth of time remaining before the hour was up, a carriage stopped near the alley. Xun Qu got out of the carriage, walked into the alley, and gently called out, “Mr. Chen,” at the door. The young man was holding a paper bag in his hand. Chen Pingan came to the door, not inviting the young official into the residence. Xun Qu glanced at the courtyard door, respectfully bowed, and left. Chen Pingan returned to the book building, sat on a circle-backed chair made of yellow rosewood from Danzhou, opened the bag, and found that besides a dozen or so Gazettes of Mountains and Rivers from different sects in the Vast World, there were also Court Gazettes from the six ministries of the Dali court.

Yi Chi Lane and Chi’er Street weren’t far from the South Xun Ward, where the government offices were concentrated, or from the Kejia Lane. It took Xun Qu about half an hour to go back and forth, which meant that these twenty-odd gazettes were collected in less than half an hour. It was easy to gather the Gazettes of Mountains and Rivers under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites, but the Honglu Temple would need to visit seven or eight heavily guarded government offices. As for actively delivering Court Gazettes, whether it was Xun Qu’s own suggestion or the Honglu Temple Minister’s intention, Chen Pingan guessed the former was more likely. After all, the three words “no responsibility” were the top lesson for cultivators in officialdom.

While flipping through the Mountain and Sea Sect Gazette, Chen Pingan frowned. He didn’t understand how he had offended this great sect of the Central Earth Continent. Could it be that he was mistakenly identified as a lecherous intruder of the sect’s forbidden area when the Sage of Rites threw him there last time, and they held a grudge? It didn’t seem like it. The female founding master Nalan Xianxiu, who liked to smoke a dry pipe, seemed quite easy to talk to. But in the end, the first gazette to reveal his name was from the Mountain and Sea Sect. Was it mostly because of A’Liang? Or because his senior brother Cui Chan had broken the heart of a Mountain and Sea Sect fairy in his early years, and he, as the junior brother, was being disliked as well?

Suddenly, a gust of clear wind swept into the book building, and twelve jars of Hundred Flower Wine instantly appeared on the desk. Feng Yi’s voice echoed in the clear wind, “I made a bet with the Sage of Culture, and I’m willing to admit defeat. I’m delivering twelve jars of Hundred Flower Wine to you.”

Chen Pingan asked, “Did my teacher leave the Fire God Temple?”

Feng Yi replied, “He left. I helped the Sage of Culture with a section of the journey through mountains and rivers, arriving at the West Sea Coast of Treasure Bottle Continent.”

Chen Pingan thanked her and said with a smile, “If Aunt Feng is distressed about the wine, just take back the Hundred Flower Wine. Consider it a thank-you gift from this junior.”

Feng Yi said, “No need, I still have a hundred or so jars of Hundred Flower Wine. I don’t need these twelve jars.”

Chen Pingan remembered it: a hundred or so jars.

Chen Pingan focused more on the official gazettes. He leaned on the table, took out the pot of Hundred Flower Wine that had already been opened at the Fire God Temple, and a plate of salted soybeans, reading with great interest.
Li Chui, a minor official in the Ministry of Works of the secondary capital, was a master of hydraulics. He had painstakingly crafted a “Map of the Lay of the Waterways,” detailing the optimal routes for diverting several major rivers and their tributaries. However, the scale of the project was immense, requiring the imperial court to dispatch officials for on-site verification.

One official noted that the demand for massive timbers from Yuzhang Commandery of Hong Prefecture had skyrocketed in the capital among wealthy and influential families. This insatiable appetite had led to rampant logging by unscrupulous individuals, a situation proving impossible to control, resulting in frequent armed clashes between the authorities and the timber poachers.

Word arrived from Huangting Kingdom, a tributary state, that a fifty-mile-long stream had been discovered in Yun Prefecture. Unnamed as yet, its waters were exceptionally pure, resembling the finest spring water. After inspection by geomancers from the Imperial Observatory, it was speculated to be the ruins of an ancient Shu Kingdom’s Dragon Palace.

Furthermore, the cocoon-silk industry in Wu Prefecture was booming. The number of looms had reached 1,200 by the end of the previous year, producing an annual yield of 30,000 bolts of silk. It was suggested that the imperial court might reconsider establishing an Imperial Silk Weaving Institute in the region.

Meanwhile, Wang Qinruo, an official in the Ministry of Rites, proposed a nationwide undertaking to compile and collate all family trees, clan genealogies, and records of ancestral halls at all levels, from primary shrines to branch and subsidiary halls.

Finally, an official in the Ministry of War advocated for the reduction of postal stations and the number of clerks, thereby cutting down on redundant positions. He presented a detailed analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of such a measure…

Having finished reading the court gazette, Chen Pingan tucked it into his sleeve, leaned back in his armchair, and closed his eyes to gather his thoughts. Focusing his mental energies, he began to guide his nascent consciousness through the various vital energy centers within his inner world.

Arriving at the Water Palace, he saw that the entrance was adorned with a pair of vividly colored murals depicting “Rain Masters” – a male and female couple with somewhat indistinct features. Inside, a throng of little green-clad sprites spotted Chen Pingan and erupted in joyous cheers. Some were visibly tipsy, a consequence of Chen Pingan’s recent indulgence in a pot of Hundred-Flower Wine. This triggered a surge of water essence within the Water Palace, resulting in a downpour of nourishing rain. Chen Pingan greeted them with a smile and examined the grand “Map of Waterways” etched on the walls of the palace. The spirits imbued within the map were becoming increasingly numerous and lifelike. Each painted figure on the wall seemed almost ready to spring to life as a true deity.

Due to his affinity with the Water element, back in Old Dragon City, amidst the sea of clouds, when refining the “Water” character seal, Fan Junmao, the Mountain Lord of Southern Mountain Prefecture, had personally safeguarded him during the process. This was because, during the refinement, Chen Pingan had inadvertently discovered a rare and precious “Water Way Legacy.” This legacy manifested as the green-clad sprites themselves, forming into a scripture of unparalleled depth and insight. It was a Way-诀 so profound that it could be directly imparted to select disciples as the foundation of an entire mountain sect’s lineage. This discovery had even led Fan Junmao to mistakenly believe that Chen Pingan was a reincarnation of a Rain Master.

Chen Pingan, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, squatted beside a pond, smiling and saying to several of the larger green-clad sprites, “We made a promise back then, that I would eventually send you back to the Biyou Palace of the Water God, Lady of the Buried River. It’s taken me far too long. Please forgive me. Next time when Fallen Phoenix Mountain selects a branch location in Tongye Continent, I’ll personally escort you home.”

The green-clad sprites were both happy and wistful.

Years ago, after reaching the Dragon Gate realm, Chen Pingan had refined two ancient swords, acquired through transactions with Outer Demons, into the two dragons residing within this “Dragon Pool.” The first water-essence dragon, formed from condensed water spiritual energy, had been transformed by Chen Pingan into a Water Essence Dragon Pearl. This, together with the Water Palace’s “Water” character seal and the “Map of Waterways,” formed a “Twin Dragons Chasing Pearl” configuration for the Dragon Pool.

Chen Pingan pulled two jars of Hundred-Flower Wine from his sleeve and placed them beside the pond, still only of “Dragon Pool” grade. He peeled off the red paper seals, and the two dragons, one black and one white, emerged from the water, drinking the wine in a dragon-like manner. However, they seemed hesitant to meet the gaze of their master, Chen Pingan.

Leaving the Water Palace, Chen Pingan went to the Mountain Shrine, scattering the ten-thousand-year-old soil, used to seal the wine in Hundred-Flower Paradise, at the foot of the mountain, gently compacting it with his hands.

Mountains and waters depend on each other. Where water gathers, dragons are born; where soil accumulates, wind and rain arise. This is why core disciples of a Sect and those recorded in the genealogical registers strive to acquire all five elements as fundamental aspects of their being. The eleven Earthly Branch cultivators are especially keen on this pursuit. These favored sons of Heaven, who never worry about immortal coins or heavenly treasures, are most concerned about acquiring a certain fundamental object that is a high-grade treasure, almost reaching the quality of a semi-immortal artifact. Consider the Fu family of Old Dragon City, who were once the wealthiest in the entire continent. After thousands of years of dedicated and skillful accumulation, they possessed only three semi-immortal artifacts.

Chen Pingan intended to let Ning Yao at the inn know that he would be staying at the residence to cultivate for the day. He walked around the desk to the door and tentatively called out, “Ning Yao, can you hear me?”

There was no verbal response from Ning Yao.

Chen Pingan had no choice but to make a trip to the inn. However, as soon as he reached the entrance of the residence, he heard Ning Yao ask, “Something you need?”

Chen Pingan said, “I’ll be staying here today. Are we still going to watch Fish Rainbow and Zhou Haijing’s duel tomorrow morning?”

Ning Yao said that was fine. Chen Pingan suddenly realized, if he wasn’t staying here, did that mean he could stay at the inn? Feeling a bit worried, he walked down the alley to the white jade dojo to chat with the master and disciple there. The young Zhao Duanming had just completed a full circulation of energy and was practicing his cringe-worthy punches and kicks. The old cultivator sat on a futon, and Chen Pingan squatted beside him, asking the boy for a handful of spiced peanuts. Liu Jia asked, “How did you get involved with the Court of State Ceremonial?”

Chen Pingan smiled and said, “I have a student named Cao Qinglang. Heard of him?”

Liu Jia thought for a moment, “That new Imperial Examination Second Place Winner?”

Chen Pingan hummed in affirmation. “Cao Qinglang and this Xun Xu Ban from the Court of State Ceremonial were examination classmates. They met when they went to the capital to participate in the Spring Examination and became good friends.”

Liu Jia asked with puzzlement, “Why is your student only the second place winner, and not the top scholar?”

Chen Pingan was too lazy to argue, simply glancing sideways at the old cultivator and throwing a peanut shell on the ground.

Zhao Duanming, grunting as he threw punches, called out, “Master, you don’t know, but my grandfather told me that Cao’s graduating class was full of talent and cultural prosperity. Not only Cao Qinglang and Yang Shuang, the second and third place winners, but even the top few in the second tier of graduates would have easily won the top position in the past.”

Liu Jia casually said, “The capital has a Spring Examination every three years. Isn’t there always a top three? Nothing special. If you ask me, if you don’t get first place, you might as well get third place. That way, you can ride horses through the capital with the youngest successful candidate, attracting all the attention. If I remember correctly, Yang Shuang was eighteen years old that year, and the other little guy was only fifteen? How old was your student, Cao Qinglang? Had he reached the age of twenty yet?”

Chen Pingan said with a smile, “How old are you this year, Senior Immortal Liu?”

Liu Jia stroked his beard and said with a smile, “If I had taken the Imperial Examination when I was young and won third place, there wouldn’t have been anyone but me.”
Chen Ping’an departed the White Jade Dojo. The youth softly spoke, “Master, that Cao Qinglang is quite formidable. My grandfather was chatting with an old friend from the Ministry of Rites in private, and he specifically mentioned him, saying that Cao Qinglang’s examination papers were recognized as the best in both economics and military affairs. The two Ministers and more than a dozen examiners even gathered together to review his papers.”

Liu Jia chuckled, “Nonsense, do you think I don’t know Cao Qinglang is not simple? Your master is just deliberately trying to provoke Chen Ping’an. He’s not satisfied with having Pei Qian as his first disciple, and has a successful student who passed the imperial examination with excellent results, showing off to me for what.”

Zhao Duanming carefully said, “Master, in the future, when you’re walking at night, please be careful. I heard from Brother Chen that Vice Minister Zhao of the Ministry of Justice was found hanging from a tree.”

The old cultivator’s eyelids twitched. Hanging a Capital Vice Minister from a tree? Liu Jia was puzzled, “Zhao Yao of the Ministry of Justice? Isn’t he from the same hometown as Chen Ping’an, and also a scholar from the same literary lineage? Is their relationship so strained? That doesn’t seem right. Didn’t you tell me earlier that Zhao Yao even came here to see Chen Ping’an? That’s very taboo in officialdom.”

Zhao Duanming nodded, “Yes, their relationship seemed good, and they even had a junior/senior apprentice connection, just like the familiarity between us and Brother Chen. That’s why Master, you need to be careful.”

Liu Jia said in annoyance, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

The youth said aggrievedly, “Master, you were speaking so eloquently just now, with hidden meanings in your words, I was enjoying listening, I didn’t want to interrupt.”

The old cultivator glanced at the pile of peanut shells beside the meditation cushion and smiled, “Duanming, aren’t you going to watch the martial arts competition with Cao the Drunkard tomorrow? Take your Brother Chen with you, and help him get a good spot.”

Zhao Duanming rolled his eyes, “Brother Chen doesn’t need my help. He has a ‘No Disturbance’ plaque issued by the Ministry of Justice for his position as a retainer.”

The old cultivator grumbled, “It’s the thought that counts, don’t you understand? You’re still the son of an official, are you stupid from being struck by lightning?”

Zhao Duanming said “Oh” and continued to practice his self-taught martial arts, wondering if he could withstand half a punch from martial arts grandmasters like Yu Hong and Zhou Haijing?

The next day, near the Fire God Temple, a renowned “Mountain Peak Fist Challenge” was about to begin.

The innkeeper originally wanted to tell Chen Ping’an to take his daughter with him, to avoid her being targeted by petty thieves or ruffians, but he didn’t expect his daughter to run off early in the morning, probably meeting up with her friends to browse the market and secure a good spot. The old man had no choice but to give up.

The news of this fist challenge had spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital a month ago. So, when they got closer to the Fire God Temple, the journey that originally only took the time for an incense stick to burn took Chen Ping’an and Ning Yao a full half an hour. The roads were packed with people, and the small vendors squeezing in along both sides made the roads leading to the martial arts arena behind the Fire God Temple even more congested. There were occasional screams from women, or panic from losing something. Some nimble youths or young adults weaved through the crowd like fish, stealing the belongings of ordinary people or groping young women. Once they succeeded, they would disappear in an instant.

Ning Yao began to regret coming here with Chen Ping’an to join in the fun. It was too noisy and chaotic. In such a short distance, Chen Ping’an had already dealt with five or six groups of would-be molesters. One of them was grabbed by the wrist by Chen Ping’an, who smiled at him, and lifted so that his toes barely touched the ground. He immediately turned pale with pain. Chen Ping’an released his hand and patted the back of his head, causing him to stagger and quickly run away with his companions. After a few times, no one dared to take advantage of them. Damn, this young couple was skilled in martial arts!

On the way, a group of thieves were directly knocked to the ground by government plainclothes officers, hitting them on the head with the flat of their blades, causing blood to flow from their foreheads. They all squatted on the ground, covering their heads, and obediently handed over a pile of money pouches and many sachets taken from women. One of the older government yamen officers seemed to recognize one of the youths, pulled him aside, glared at him, scolded him a few times, and told him to leave immediately. The others were all taken to the county yamen by a subordinate.

Yu Hong, with white hair and a burly figure, was a former warrior of the old Zhu Ying Dynasty. It was said that he was already one hundred and fifty years old, yet he was still vigorous and had recently broken through to the Mountain Peak realm.

According to a pre-determined route by the Ministry of Justice, the old Grandmaster rose from a place south of the capital and landed with the wind, instantly appearing in the plaza behind the Fire God Temple, drawing a roar of cheers.

As for Zhou Haijing, the female Grandmaster from a small coastal vassal state in the southwest, she had not yet appeared.

Before reaching the Mountain Peak realm, Zhou Haijing was unknown. She came from a fishing family, seemingly the daughter of a fish market owner. At fifty-seven years old, she had the youthful appearance of a woman in her early twenties, with a slender figure. Rumor had it that she was extremely beautiful. Today, almost all the meritorious officials and young nobles of the capital were here for her. As for Yu Hong, what was there to see? His muscles?

Not far from the martial arts arena, a carriage was parked at the entrance of an alley. Inside the carriage, a young woman sat cross-legged, breathing deeply and steadily.

She held a flower cake called “Brushing Fragrance,” which was extremely popular in the capital. Once brushed, it would leave a fragrance on the hand all day long.

Goods from a hundred nations across one continent gathered in a single city of the Great Li.

The woman switched hands, holding the flower cake in one hand, and spoke softly to the coachman outside through a curtain, “I’m sorry to trouble Mr. Su to be my driver.”

The driver who was respectfully called “Mr. Su” by Zhou Haijing was none other than Su Lang, the Bamboo Sword Immortal from the Songxi Kingdom, a vassal state in central Treasure Bottle Continent.

Recently, Su Lang had just finished his secluded cultivation and successfully reached the Distant Roaming realm. He was now secretly serving as a second-class retainer of the Ministry of Justice of the Great Li. Moreover, he and Zhou Haijing had met in the Jianghu many years ago. Su Lang naturally had feelings for this youthful-looking female Grandmaster, but one was willing, the other was not. This time, Zhou Haijing was in the capital to challenge Yu Hong in a fist match, and Su Lang wanted to fulfill his duty as half a host, both publicly and privately.

Zhou Haijing put down the flower cake, picked up a makeup mirror, and looked at herself carefully. No matter how she looked at it, she was a lovable and beautiful woman, a peerless beauty.
Then, a hint of self-pity crossed her face. She truly wasn’t young anymore, yet she still hadn’t found a man who captured her heart. How sad, to adorn herself beautifully, yet have no one to ask if it suited her.

Su Lang said, “I wonder if Pei Qian will come to watch the battle?”

Among the Four Grandmasters of the martial arts world, Pei Qian ranked second. She was the youngest and had the best reputation.

Zhou Haijing, clad in a light yellow dress, shook her head. While gently applying floral stickers to her forehead, she said, “She probably will, but she’ll likely conceal her presence. It seems Pei Qian is someone who doesn’t care much for empty fame.”

Zhou Haijing glanced at the makeup box at her feet, frowning slightly. Earning money for a dowry was truly difficult. She still had to add so many hairpins and ornaments, but there was no choice. This was a rare opportunity, once it was gone, it was gone. She had already negotiated prices with over a dozen shops in the capital, including those selling silk fabrics, cosmetics, and hair accessories. If she broke the agreement and was missing anything, she would have to pay a large sum in compensation afterward.

Su Lang reminded her, “Yu Hong has arrived.”

Zhou Haijing hurriedly tidied herself up, stood up, and bowed as she lifted the curtain, jumping down from the carriage. She was adorned with so much jewelry that she didn’t look like a martial artist about to spar, but rather like a wealthy woman who had suddenly become rich after living a hard life. She wore every valuable item she could find on her body, head, and hands.

Su Lang suppressed a smile, knowing it looked quite comical. But anyone who thought Zhou Haijing’s martial skills were weak because of this would be sorely mistaken.

Zhou Haijing didn’t rush to the martial arts arena. She stopped by the carriage and carefully adjusted a golden hairpin that looked like it was “protruding from a cliff,” saying, “Don’t laugh. Mr. Su has never suffered hardship, so he doesn’t understand how difficult it is to earn money.”

On the rooftop of a wine shop, quite far from the martial arts arena, the young Zhao Duanming held a man by the neck, annoyed, “Cao the Drunkard?! This is what you call a prime location, a Feng Shui treasure?!”

Cao Gengxin, who had long returned from his post as the Director of Kiln Affairs in Dragon Province and been promoted in the capital, patted the boy’s arm and coughed, “Duanming, you’re a cultivator. Isn’t this distance just a hair’s breadth? You can still see everything clearly. Besides, the view is open here, you have to admit that, right? Let go, let go. Accidentally strangling an official is a serious crime.”

Zhao Duanming instead tightened his grip, angrily saying, “A mere Vice Minister in the capital, I begged and pleaded, and this is the position I got? Who was patting their chest and making a resounding promise earlier? Are you messing with me?!”

Cao Gengxin’s head tilted to the side, his eyes rolled back, and he slumped.

Zhao Duanming quickly released him. Cao Gengxin immediately straightened up, took out the well-worn wine gourd from his waist, took a swig, stretched his neck, and looked towards the carriage at the alley entrance. “What a graceful figure, trembling slightly, ready to burst forth. A common man would find her difficult to handle.” Cao Gengxin lowered his gaze slightly, wiped his mouth, narrowed his eyes, and used two fingers to measure the distance, sighing, “Sister Haijing, your reputation is well-deserved, your legs are truly long.”

Zhao Duanming glanced at Cao Gengxin’s crotch. Cao Gengxin happened to be looking at the same area, one big and one small, a knowing smile passed between them. It seemed the other’s resolve was strong, they were still holding back. Cao Gengxin cleared his throat, “Duanming, one must be upright.”

Zhao Duanming scoffed, “I heard from my Second Aunt that you started secretly selling erotic books near Yichi Lane when you were just over ten years old. Heh, if you couldn’t afford to buy them, you could borrow them, with the price doubling every day.”

Cao Gengxin laughed, “Did your Second Aunt also tell you that back then, she was one of the tagalongs behind my ass, helping me go door-to-door to cover my tracks? She even got a cut of the profits. We were partners back then, and every time we returned home after doing business, we would sit together on the blue bricks at the foot of the Guan family’s wall, counting money. Your Second Aunt had the sharpest eyes, her actions of spitting on banknotes and weighing silver ingots and gold yuanbao were more skilled than mine.”

Zhao Duanming was stunned. Impossible, the Second Aunt in his memory was known for her virtuousness. She was one of the few refined young ladies in Yichi Lane, and people had broken down her door to propose marriage in her younger years.

However, Zhao Duanming also knew that, in reality, his Second Aunt, like many women, had always secretly harbored a drunkard in her heart, but it remained unrequited, as if it never existed.

Zhao Duanming couldn’t understand why his Second Aunt and the others didn’t like Yuan Zhengding, that bookworm, and instead liked Cao Gengxin, this guy who had been “notorious and infamous” since he was young. Could it really be true that bad boys were more attractive to women? The boy had heard his grandfather say that many elders in Yichi Lane and Chier Street used to guard against the young Cao thief, who was idle every day, as if they were guarding against a thief. The most famous incident was that Yuan Zhengding’s elder sister, the daughter of the Yuan family, who was a few years older than Cao Gengxin, had somehow offended Cao Gengxin when she was young. As a result, Cao Gengxin, who was only five or six years old at the time, would block her door every day, and whenever she went out, Cao Gengxin would take off his pants.

So even now, some people of the same age like to call Cao Gengxin a “Cao Thief.”

Zhao Duanming asked in his mind, “Aren’t you going to ask me about that Mr. Chen?”

Cao Gengxin shook his head and smiled, “What’s the point of asking? Meaningless. A meeting of the minds from afar, even without a word, is better than face-to-face greetings and formalities.”

Zhao Duanming nodded and asked a question that Yichi Lane and Chier Street were very curious about, “Cao the Drunkard, you’re not young anymore, why are you still single? My Second Aunt and the others say it’s probably because you don’t like women and like men, so you haven’t gotten married yet.”

Cao Gengxin slapped his knee in anger, saying, “Good heavens, I was wondering why my parents would ask me strange questions every now and then. What is my dad like? What a gentlemanly demeanor he has! Yet he started implying that I could go to brothels and drink! It turns out it was these gossiping women, including your Second Aunt, who couldn’t get my heart and soul, so they slandered me behind my back! I’m just old, or else I would take off my pants and chase them around cursing them naked.”

Zhao Duanming chuckled, “Cao the Drunkard, even if you take off your pants, you might not see anything.”

Cao Gengxin sighed, “Yichi Lane and Chier Street aren’t as interesting as they were when I was a kid.”
Then, Cao Gengxin patted the young boy’s head, “Never forgetting the old karma of Lingjiu, earning a complete and blissful life in this existence. You are still young, you wouldn’t understand.”

Cao Gengxin suddenly turned around to face the distance, lifting his gourd of “Wine within Wine.” On a rooftop, a man in a cyan robe smiled and raised his vermilion wine gourd.

It turned out that Chen Ping’an realized it was impossible to see any true “Asking Fists” sparring on the ground. Many people were even bringing benches and chairs from their homes. He had no choice but to disregard the possible exposure of their “immortal” identities and, with Ning Yao, flashed onto the rooftop for a better view.

That Zhou Haijing, with her graceful figure, walked unhurriedly towards the training grounds, holding a pot of immortal wine from the mountains, drinking as she walked.

Ning Yao found it a bit strange. Was this Grandmaster, about to engage in “Asking Fists,” a little too flamboyant?

Chen Ping’an, however, felt enlightened. So, this was a way to make money? He could never learn to do that.

Zhou Haijing’s dress, hairpin, rouge, bracelet, wine… she was like a walking, talking gold sign, helping to attract business.

Sure enough, within the crowd, shops were loudly proclaiming that a certain item on Grandmaster Zhou came from their shop.

At the Fire God Temple training grounds, an immortal snail dojo was set up. If one only looked at the people inside the dojo, the opposing sides would appear as small as mustard seeds in the eyes of mortal scholars. Fortunately, with the help of several “Mirror Flowers Water Moons,” including those from the Changchun Palace, water screens stood all around, showing every detail. One “Mirror Flowers Water Moon” from the mountain deliberately lingered on Zhou Haijing’s hair and dress for a long time, while others intentionally focused on the Grandmaster’s makeup and earrings.

Some storytellers who earned their living in the capital’s taverns were especially serious, constantly recording the female Grandmaster’s every move, because the future stances of two martial arts Grandmasters were the seeds of silver.

Zhou Haijing slammed the wine pot onto the ground, thinking to herself, “Damn it, this taste is just so-so.” She still had to pretend that she was drinking the finest wine. It was more tiring than fighting. Then, with a tap of her toes, swaying gracefully, she landed in the training grounds, smiled charmingly, clasped her hands in salute, and said loudly, “Zhou Haijing greets Senior Yu.”

Yu Hong clasped his hands in return.

Ning Yao asked, “How does this ‘Asking Fists’ match look?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “From what I can see so far, Zhou Haijing has a higher chance of winning. Both sides’ foundations in the ninth realm are about the same, but Zhou Haijing has the mentality to fight to the death. Ignoring their respective trump cards, the odds are roughly 60-40. Yu Hong is here to win the match, while Zhou Haijing is here to kill. Actually, at their level of martial arts, what they’re fighting over is the mindset. If the fist intent is right, it’s about whose path is unobstructed.”

Ning Yao asked, “If they faced you, how many fists could they withstand?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and didn’t speak, just drank his wine.

Ning Yao said, “I’m asking you a question.”

Chen Ping’an had no choice but to answer honestly, “If I really wanted to end it quickly, it would only take one punch.”

Taking a sip of wine, Chen Ping’an looked at the confrontation in the training grounds. “But if they really faced me, even if they knew my identity beforehand, they would still want to give it a try. That’s why I’m still not as good as Cao Ci. If they faced Cao Ci, no matter how high their spirits were, no matter how confident they were in their martial arts, they wouldn’t even talk about having an unobstructed path. It would be like standing in front of a mountain or a fortress. When ‘Asking Fists’, they would only seek to exchange pointers, not hoping to win.”

Ning Yao asked again, “What about Pei Qian in the ninth realm?”

Chen Ping’an thought for a moment and said, “Ignoring the master-disciple relationship, three to five punches to determine the victor, within ten punches, it’s a matter of life and death.”

“Suppose Song Changjing wanted to spar with you?”

“Currently, I would definitely lose. As for how I would lose, I can’t say without fighting.”

Chen Ping’an suddenly said, “Two outsiders from Beiju Luzhou have arrived.”

They were both experts that Chen Ping’an knew, but they didn’t know him.

From Beiju Luzhou, a female martial artist, an embroiderer. The other male cultivator had fought with her at Dilishan.

Ning Yao glanced at the man and said, “This person’s previous Earth Immortal realms were about grasping everything and mastering nothing, and his height would be limited. Even if he stepped into the Jade Purity realm, he would still face a greater bottleneck later.”

Chen Ping’an folded his arms and cradled his wine gourd, whispering, “Born a wild cultivator, nothing can be done. He can only accept whatever Heaven gives him, afraid of missing even the smallest bit.”

People like Song Xu and Han Zhoujin were extremely fortunate on their path of cultivation, more so than even the direct descendants of ancestral halls of Sect rank. Their own aptitudes, bones, and comprehension were already excellent. Each cultivator’s refinement of their Five Elements attribute natal item, as well as the opening of their sovereign-mountain Qi residences, were extremely meticulous, matching their respective destinies. Everyone had innate gifts, especially possessing some kind of extraordinary natal divine power, and everyone carried immortal treasures. In addition, all those who transmitted the Dao were experts on high mountains, each possessing their own divine abilities, pointing out the path from above. The path of cultivation was naturally twice the result with half the effort. Ordinary recorded immortals only dared to say that they took few detours, but this group of cultivated geniuses carefully nurtured by Great Li did not take any detours at all. With dangerous battles as tempering, their Dao hearts were also refined to near flawlessness. Whether they were fighting one-on-one or jointly beheading enemies, they were experienced. That was why they were acting experienced and had stable Dao hearts.

As long as they progressed steadily, step by step, to the Upper Five Realms, they were destined to shine brightly on this Treasure Bottle Continent mountain.

Once the last member was filled, the twelve working together, within a hundred years, they would be similar to a walking, Great Li-style Jade Capital in miniature, and might even have the opportunity to grind down a flying ascent cultivator, but, of course, a flying ascent cultivator of Nan Guangzhao’s level. As for that flying ascent cultivator with the Daoist title of Qingmi, even if the Earthly Branch lineage could win, it would still be difficult to kill.

Chen Ping’an’s appearance, through three previous engagements, to a certain extent, actually more like that “Filling the Gap,” helping the Earthly Branch lineage cultivators repair the last bit of flaw in their Dao hearts.

Chen Ping’an pointed to the sachet hanging on Zhou Haijing’s waist and explained, “This sachet is probably her own item, not related to business. Because according to the customs of the fishermen of her vassal state’s seacoast, when a woman wears a silk sachet embroidered with a swallow pattern, it means that the woman is tied down after becoming someone’s wife to indicate her commitment, both physically and mentally.”

Ning Yao nodded. “This custom is quite interesting.”
Chen Ping’an murmured, “I’ve actually been thinking that someday, after I’ve wandered through the Central Earth Divine Continent and the Azure Vast World, I’ll personally write a book similar to the ‘Supplement to the Classic of Mountains and Seas,’ specifically introducing the local customs and traditions, detailing everything, writing several million words of it, a grand and magnificent work, not for sale on the mountains, but specifically for the mundane world’s market, interspersing some mountain and water stories heard along the way. I reckon it’ll be better than any ‘Tales of the Strange,’ small profits but quick turnover, a steady stream of income.”

Ning Yao raised her chin, pointing at the woman martial artist with a face full of rouge, “You could partner up in business.”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “Then forget it, I’m not even interested in watching this martial arts contest.”

Chen Ping’an shifted his position, secured the gourd for nurturing swords at his waist, leaned back, resting his head on Ning Yao’s lap, and said, “Tell me when it’s over, I’ll take you out to eat.”

Closing his eyes, Chen Ping’an actually began to doze off, falling asleep just like that.

Song Jixin left the viceregal residence in the secondary capital, first making a trip to the imitation Jade Capital.

Afterward, the secondary capital sent flying sword messages to the Great Li Imperial Palace and the Ministry of Rites respectively, and then Song Jixin boarded a frontier army ferry, heading to the capital.

According to the Great Li laws, it’s no trivial matter for a Prince to enter the capital. Precisely because Song Mu possesses the most authority among the princes, there are even more restrictions, especially since the Great Li’s secondary capital and the capital city now vaguely show signs of a north-south confrontation.

On the way north by ferry, he received a secret letter from the Great Li Emperor, instructing Song Mu to lead those mountain-crossing ferries to the Wild Desolate World to meet up with the Imperial Uncle.

In fact, the Emperor’s secret edict had only one meaning: Song Mu, you are not allowed to enter the capital without authorization.

After receiving this secret letter, Song Jixin pretended not to see it and continued north to the capital. Prince Song Mu is not suitable to enter the capital, but as his son, he has no choice but to make this trip. Even if it means completely falling out with Chen Ping’an, Song Jixin must prevent the worst outcome from happening.

Standing beside him was the maid Zhigui, who asked, “Are you really going to do this? Be careful you end up at odds with that Emperor before you even fall out with Chen Ping’an.”

Song Jixin nodded, his eyes firm, “There are always some things that leave a person with no choice.”

In the Azure Vast World, at the Great Profound Capital Temple.

There was a young Daoist priest with a lotus crown on his head, clutching the outside wall, only his head sticking out, feet dangling in the air, craning his neck to look inside.

An old Daoist priest appeared out of thin air inside the wall, smiling and saying, “Don’t bother looking, you won’t find any droppings to eat. If you really want to eat, I have some fresh ones, shall I take you to eat some hot ones?”

After all, there were still some newly cultivating little Daoist children, so their Daoist temple still had outhouses. He just didn’t know if it would be enough to fill this guest’s stomach.

When a distinguished guest arrives, propriety must be observed.

The young Daoist shook his head, “Forget it, I’m not hungry right now.”

One is the old master of the Great Profound Capital Temple.

The other is the Third Master of the White Jade Capital.

When the two sides meet and chat, it’s always so ethereal and otherworldly.

Daoist Sun asked, “Since you’re not busy with important matters, what are you doing here?”

Lu Chen said with a cheeky grin, “Guess?”

Daoist Sun said solemnly, “I won’t guess.”

Lu Chen said, “Isn’t it because I saw the commotion here was a bit big, so I immediately ran over to congratulate Bai Ye and the Old Master?”

Daoist Sun frowned, “You haven’t been to the Outer Heavens all this time? Yu Dou kicked the bucket, and you don’t care?”

Lu Chen just smiled and didn’t say anything.

Daoist Sun stroked his beard and smiled, “Since that’s the case, then we’re even. Neither the Profound Capital Temple nor the White Jade Capital needs to congratulate the other.”

As the female Daoist priest Chunhui, the gatekeeper of the Daoist temple, only at this moment did she realize the existence of this Third Master. Walking out of the Daoist temple and onto the street, she said in a deep voice, “Get down here!”

Lu Chen turned his head, “I won’t.”

Daoist Sun signaled to her that there was no need to pay attention to this piece of cowhide smeared with dog droppings.

Lu Chen sighed, “To be able to nurture such an aura with just the first flying sword, the only one in ten thousand years, worthy of being Bai Ye.”

Daoist Sun smiled and narrowed his eyes, “You can do it too. What kind of relationship do we have? As long as you’re willing to disperse your cultivation, I’ll make an exception and shamelessly go to the White Jade Capital to protect your Dao. With your aptitude, Old Brother Lu Chen, reincarnating as a sword cultivator would be a cinch. When the heavenly thunder rolls, several worlds will hear it, and maybe it’ll directly scare that Zhou Mi to death.”

“No need, no need.”

“Try it, try it.”

“Forget it, forget it.”

“So unheroic? Where did the unrivaled, heroic Old Brother Lu Chen in my heart go?”

“Bah, bah, bah, not dead, not dead, all is well, all is well.”

“Chunhui, come here, there’s a bastard who dares to spit into the Daoist temple, kill him!”

“Sister Chunhui, don’t come, don’t come, I’ll take back that spit right now!”

Still, a sword light flashed, casually collected into Lu Chen’s sleeve, shaking his sleeves and laughing, “It’s a bit like a love token… Here it comes again! And again…”

The old Daoist priest let the female Daoist priest return. Lu Chen continued to perch on the wall, smiling and asking, “Have you thought of a name for Bai Ye’s flying sword? Do you need my help?”

Daoist Sun shook his head, “Don’t bother looking for things to say.”

If he hadn’t been idle today, and since it wouldn’t hurt to scold Bai Ye, he wouldn’t have come to see this guy.

Lu Chen smiled and asked, “Old Brother Sun, there’s one thing I’ve always wondered about, what were you thinking back then? A Taibai Immortal Sword, given away just like that, do you not care about the fourteenth realm at all?”

In fact, early on, Second Brother Yu Dou had prepared to leave the White Jade Capital and fight a battle. It was highly likely that he and this old Daoist priest would each draw their swords and go to the outer realms to fight to the death.

Daoist Sun sneered.

Lu Chen cupped his fists and took his leave.

Old Master Sun Huaizhong, the leader of the Daoist sword immortal lineage, is both a Daoist priest and a peak Ascension Realm sword cultivator.

Bai Ye, the most favored human in the Azure World, once held Taibai and opened the Yellow River Cave Heaven with his sword, but in fact, he is not a sword cultivator.

Now, Bai Ye is finally a true sword cultivator.

At the ruins of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

“A sword cultivator’s lifelong obsession, without dreams, reaches this city wall.”

Zuo You, who has always been alone, now seems to have two followers by his side: Wei Jin, an Immortal Realm sword cultivator, and Cao Jun, a Core Formation Realm bottleneck sword cultivator.

The three of them cultivate separately on the city wall, at a distance from each other.

The two small thatched huts on the city wall have long disappeared, but it seems that no one wants to restore the scene.

More and more Azure World cultivators are coming here to travel.
Everyone had received reminders from their elders, and repeatedly so, thus no one dared approach the three sword cultivators, or rather, dared approach Zuo You.

Long ago, the eldest Sword Immortal had bestowed a sword manual upon Wei Jin, seemingly awaiting his return to the Great Wall of Sword Qi.

Within Cao Jun’s heart-lake, the withered lotuses of yesteryear had transformed into ten thousand budding emerald blossoms.

During his sword practice breaks, Cao Jun would often borrow mountain and river gazettes from the Central Earth Divine Continent, brought by the Confucian Sage stationed there, to while away the time.

Today, Cao Jun chatted with the Great Sword Immortal of Wind and Snow Temple, “If I had come here to practice sword earlier, with my aptitude, how many opportunities could I have obtained?”

Wei Jin, sipping his wine, replied, “Aptitude is secondary; what truly matters is the compatibility of one’s disposition.”

In Cao Jun’s view, Wei Jin had received a sword manual here, and after returning home to practice, this dignified Great Sword Immortal, the foremost swordsman of Treasure Bottle Continent, had almost regressed in realm. Wei Jin was quite the genius.

According to Mister Zuo, Wei Jin’s study of the sword manual was akin to a ‘sword inquiry’. If Cao Jun were to peruse that sword manual, it would be harmless, as he wouldn’t understand it, nor learn it, for he lacked the qualification for such an inquiry.

Cao Jun was somewhat puzzled at the time, why didn’t Mister Zuo seize the chance to learn another sword art?

Zuo You’s answer was simple: the sword manual was of high caliber, but he had no need for it.

Today, Zuo You suddenly stood up, squinting into the distance.

To the extremely distant south.

A’Liang, dragging the rogue cultivator Feng Xuetao, had ventured deep into the desolate wilderness, yet hadn’t fought a single battle from beginning to end.

On this day, A’Liang suddenly said, “Feng Xuetao, you can return.”

Feng Xuetao remained silent. He had been unwillingly dragged here before. Not to mention leaving, even running, he would have fled back to the Vast Sky World to hide if he could.

Now, he didn’t genuinely intend to follow A’Liang and perform some feat of piercing through the desolate wilderness. He simply wasn’t so eager to leave. As long as his life was safe, he would take as many steps south as possible.

Even if he were to drop a realm, as long as he could return to the Vast Sky World alive, it would all seem worthwhile.

A’Liang spat, wasting none, into his palm, smoothed it over his forehead and temples, “Not leaving? So you’ve become addicted to freeloading? Get lost, don’t stay here and hinder me.”

Feng Xuetao said, “I am, at the very least, an Ascendant Realm cultivator; self-preservation shouldn’t be too difficult, right?”

A’Liang’s expression turned grave, shaking his head, “You’re mistaken. Your enemy is not the great demons of the desolate wilderness, but me. Therefore, it is very difficult.”

Feng Xuetao looked astonished.

A’Liang surveyed the surroundings, “In a moment, I will unleash my full power in a sword strike, without restraint. I fear I might accidentally injure you. How is that not hindering me? Hurry and scram.”

One to the south, one to the north, two sword cultivators from the Vast Sky World.

The highest among all swordsmen, A’Liang.

The highest in swordsmanship, Zuo You.

Soon, they would join forces, wielding their swords.