(Uploaded late, apologies, apologies.)

The night deepened, and in an instant, A-Liang’s figure vanished, leaving only sword light blazing, illuminating all directions.

A single strike held the aura of countless gods and spirits unleashed upon an ancient battlefield.

Xin Zhuang, tasked with operating the formation alongside Shou Chen, was the direct disciple of the Great Ancestor of Tuoyue Mountain, and Li Zhen’s senior sister. She swiftly surveyed her surroundings, employing a mystical art of penetrating the veil, her eyes gleaming with a treasure-like radiance. Even the river of time and the paths of the underworld yielded traces to her sight, yet Xin Zhuang still could not find the man.

No wonder he managed to escape the perilous encirclement of great demons years ago.

Shou Chen had already drawn a sheathless longsword from his sword box, pinching the blade between two fingers, and swiftly stroking it towards the tip, as if peeling away a layer of immortal skin. The sword light transformed into a bolt of lightning, colliding with the dazzling electric light. At the same time, he transmitted a thought: “Stop searching. Focus on maintaining the formation beneath our feet and receive the sword.”

Hearing this, Xin Zhuang immediately composed herself, producing an unassuming pouch. With a gentle shake, mist arose, rapidly spreading, as if borrowing wind and rain from the ancient wind god and rain master, enveloping her figure within. The shifting mist, seemingly confined to a mere acre, actually concealed a vast and boundless world, a separate realm akin to a Mustard Seed Dimension, helping Xin Zhuang conceal herself within a vast lake. Even if A-Liang could casually cleave through the mountain and river restrictions of a minor world with a single sword strike, he would not be able to hit her true form.

It seemed that the horde of great demons from the desolate wilderness who came to encircle and kill A-Liang would be embarrassed to show their faces here without a celestial weapon or two on hand.

With Xin Zhuang temporarily out of harm’s way, she took the opportunity to examine Shou Chen’s sword box. In terms of lineage, the only one in the entire desolate wilderness that could rival Tuoyue Mountain was the Zhou Mi lineage of Wen Hai.

Shou Chen repeatedly stroked the sword, continuously peeling away layers of ancient sword intent to counter A-Liang’s sword-derived seismic aura.

Though both were Flying Ascension Realm sword cultivators, the gap between them was vast. It was not just that Shou Chen’s current realm had not yet fully stabilized, but more so that their sword arts differed in their profundity.

Shou Chen had to admit that the only way to approach A-Liang’s current sword art was for the other man to be short-lived, while he himself lived long, slowly relying on patient effort and future opportunities.

The sword box Shou Chen carried was adorned with a map of the ancient Three Mountains, Four Seas, Five Peaks, and Ten Rivers, vastly different from the later widely circulated Daoist talismanic True Form Chart.

Because it had been entangled by A-Liang’s sword intent earlier, the illusion surrounding the sword box had faded, revealing the long-lost true forms of the Three Mountains, resembling a god seated in corpse pose, a wild ape in mountain stride, and a dragon soaring hidden in clouds.

The Three Mountains each held responsibility for the yin-yang creation, the five elements, determining the time of birth and death, the length of life, governing astral divisions, and also overseeing the lives of aquatic creatures.

The sword box itself was a heavy treasure formation of the Great Celestial Weapon grade. Legend had it that in ancient times, a spirit true person holding this chart would traverse the Three Mountains, cross the Five Peaks, travel through rivers and seas, and be greeted with reverence by all the spirits.

It was both an ancient formation chart, but the refiner who forged it was unknown, only customarily referred to as the Mr. Three Mountains and Nine Lords by cultivators on mountain peaks. Later, it was meticulously refined by his teacher Zhou Mi into a sword-nurturing place called “Sword Tomb,” hailed as the culmination of the world’s sword-nurturing gourds, capable of nurturing up to nine longswords and giving rise to some supernatural power similar to a natal flying sword. Once a Qi practitioner obtained this heavy treasure, they would be more than a sword cultivator, even if they were not.

Mountain inheritance was so important, the saying “choosing a master is like being reborn” held true.

As for that Zhu Yan, the ancestor of all mountain-moving creatures, stepping on the longsword “Mountain Stabilizer,” the Grand Dao manifested as a small mountain and earth world. Zhu Yan wielded a long staff, emulating the heavens and the earth, revealing its thousand-foot true form. The long staff expanded along with it, smashing down, striking the head of the fire dragon, shattering it into pieces, scattering flames everywhere, causing fire rain to pour down upon thousands of miles of mountains and rivers.

Unexpectedly, the fire dragon whose head had been shattered transformed into hundreds and thousands of slender fire dragons, each winding like a mountain range, resembling the earth’s dragon veins, challenging Zhu Yan, the mountain-moving ancestor, to move them if it liked moving mountains.

Zhu Yan switched to holding the staff with both hands, its massive body spinning non-stop, and roared with laughter, “Damn A-Liang, although we are on opposing sides, I respect you as a man. I’ll erect a monument for you in my desolate mountains and rivers, and I, your grandpa, will personally write your epitaph, guaranteeing that your grave will be piled high with wine every year, how about it?!”

With another sweep of the staff, Zhu Yan unleashed a natal supernatural power of the mountain-moving attribute, the great feat of dividing rivers to create land. On that scarred and sword-intent-filled earth, it parted the vast sword intent condensed like giant lakes. This method of water separation, which could be called unreasonable, far surpassed the mountain and soil arts of later generations, capable of arbitrarily separating the waters of rivers and seas, revealing stones and exposing land, a visible transformation of the mundane world.

Zhu Yan landed heavily again, stepping on the exposed mountain roots, its true form suddenly increasing by fifty percent. Sweeping the staff horizontally, it roared, “Hurry up and get out, obediently kowtow to grandpa and admit your death!”

Xin Zhuang, watching from afar, frowned slightly, disliking Zhu Yan’s fighting style, its chaotic shouting was truly annoying.

However, Xin Zhuang knew it inside and out, knowing that these were all deceptive tactics. Despite Zhu Yan, the mountain-moving ancestor, always loving to utter harsh words and speak outlandish bravado on the battlefield, smashing mountains and crushing peaks all the way across the two continents of the Great World with tyrannical methods and unrestrained behavior, in reality, Zhu Yan was always very measured when encountering powerful enemies, using insidious means, the same path to killing as Shou Chen. If Zhu Yan were regarded as a great demon with only brute force, the consequences would be dire.

The golden-armored knight beside Xin Zhuang had already taken out a meteor hammer from his waist, twisting his wrist, golden light flowing, rapidly spinning, condensing into a flawless golden circle, and finally throwing it out swiftly, smashing towards that heavenly comet that seemed to be trying to split the heavens and open up the earth.
His two miniature meteor hammers were forged from intercepted celestial meteors of unusual quality, then refined with countless rare and precious materials. For millennia, most of the Confucian Temple’s enshrined sages had been stationed beyond the heavens with the Sage of Rites, constantly battling the deities. Furthermore, the Sage of Rites, along with the founders of the Hundred Schools of Thought and the Celestial Masters of Dragon Tiger Mountain, had embarked on a joint expedition to the outer realms long ago. The fighting beyond the heavens had never ceased, creating numerous anomalies in the human world. For example, two forbidden “leaks in the sky” had appeared in the desolate realms, one in the towering northwest and the other in the southeast, as if the sky had collapsed. The former was frequently bombarded by fiery meteor showers, while the latter suffered incessant torrential rain, shrouding the land in perpetual darkness.

The Grand Demon Consort, Crimson Consort of the Old Throne, had found Yu Si, who would later become the Sword Cultivator of the Jia Shen Camp, in one of these cursed locations.

Before A Liang made his move, Xiao Xuan had already warned, “Zhang Lu, be careful when the real fighting starts. A Liang won’t hold back against you, or he’ll be courting death. It’s better to pay respects at someone’s grave than to be the sacrifice himself.”

Xiao Xuan, who had served as the Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall in her younger days, was notoriously carefree. She only had one requirement for friendship: whoever disliked the Great Harmony World, she would immediately get along with.

A Liang was an exception to this.

Perhaps it was because this Confucian descendant, a scion of the Sage, was simply too unlike a scholar.

Combined with A Liang’s identity as a sword cultivator and the fact that he had stayed rooted at the Sword Qi Great Wall for a century, Xiao Xuan was actually extremely close to him.

Back then, every winter, on the city walls, there would be a slovenly man holding a little girl’s pigtails, pretending to “write characters.”

Perhaps, as A Liang himself said, every sad story has a warm beginning, and every harsh winter arises from the warmth of spring.

Zhang Lu stood up and smiled, “I’m not a child anymore, I know the limits. Today’s battlefield is only for sword cultivators, no friends allowed.”

This Grand Sword Immortal, who had once been reduced to a gatekeeper at the Sword Qi Great Wall, possessed two Natal Flying Swords: “Reflection” and “Dismemberment.”

Xiao Xuan stood up and leaped forward, without manifesting her Golden Body Dharma. She welcomed the incoming sword intent with her true form, plunging into the emerald river formed by the sword aura. Wielding her slender arms, she punched wildly, shattering the sword intent.

Besides the fight with Zuo You, which stretched from the Great Harmony World to beyond the heavens.

During her time as the Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall, Xiao Xuan had never unsheathed her Natal Flying Swords, nor even used a handy longsword. She didn’t even bother with the standard swords from the sword workshops whenever she went to the battlefield.

Today would be different.

Because Zuo You would definitely arrive on the battlefield.

Old Ancestor Chu Sheng signaled Fei Ran not to rush into action. The old cultivator lightly tapped the ground with his cane several times. Each tap was the execution of a supreme divine ability, with the Great Dao’s creation manipulated at will: Cauldron Heaven, Qi Restriction, Nightmare Prayer…

Liu Bai sighed softly, trapped within an encirclement capable of killing even a Fourteenth Realm cultivator. Even if you are A Liang, can you truly hold out until Zuo You arrives?

In the next moment, the elusive A Liang finally appeared on the battlefield, with sword light preceding his presence.

He wasn’t going after Xin Zhuang, but instead sent a sword beam directly towards Zhu Yan’s nape, shouting, “You son of a bitch, you like spewing nonsense, huh? Today, I’ll teach you how to boast without thinking!”

Zhu Yan had no time to withdraw his true form, so he activated a secret art, replacing his true body with a dharma body. Even though his feet were rooted in the earth, he still didn’t dare to show his true form, instantly shrinking back into the ground.

Zhu Yan’s dharma body head was instantly severed by the sword. It barely bounced before being shattered by another sword beam.

Xin Zhuang’s eyes widened, while Shou Chen said in a low voice, “He’s coming for you!”

As expected, a sword light, instead of a straight line, perfectly matched the curve of the Yin-Yang Fish array. A single sword broke the array.

A Liang strode forward, sword in hand, entering the misty realm. His sword intent was like an iron cavalry piercing through the ranks, completely ignoring Xin Zhuang’s second array restriction.

Fortunately, Xin Zhuang hadn’t been arrogant and had immediately chosen to activate the array, reversing Yin and Yang, swapping their small world with Shou Chen, and exchanging positions.

Shou Chen’s sword box detached from his back, transforming into an ancient array diagram. This Ascended Realm sword cultivator manifested a Golden Body Dharma with three heads and six arms, each holding a sword.

A Liang, with only two swords in his hand, had no swordplay to speak of, just wild slashes.

Compared to Shou Chen’s Dharma, A Liang’s minuscule mustard-seed form delivered sword strikes time and again, the sword light drawing arcs, dazzling and crisscrossing, forcing Shou Chen’s Dharma to retreat with each parry.

On the last strike, his figure flashed and disappeared, heading straight for Xin Zhuang. Xin Zhuang had just activated the array again when Shou Chen sighed, too late to warn her. A Liang returned to his original position and thrust his sword straight down. Xin Zhuang was shocked and unable to resist, forced to use a magic robe to take the blow for her. The robe suddenly expanded like a sea of clouds, eventually shattering like scattered flowers, but Xin Zhuang was nowhere to be seen.

A Liang was expressionless, twisting his wrist and holding a longsword that was about to shatter upside down. He casually stabbed the sword tip into the void of the earth. The sword vanished like an immortal treading on nothingness.

In the next moment, the longsword pierced through Xin Zhuang’s back, skewering her body. At the same time, the longsword shattered, and a rain of flying swords fell within Xin Zhuang’s personal small world.

Fighting sword cultivators was like this: never protracted, often deciding victory, defeat, and life and death in the blink of an eye.

A Liang had dealt with countless mountain-peak cultivators and seen all sorts of bizarre spells and divine abilities. After injuring Xin Zhuang’s Dao foundation with a single sword, he shattered his second longsword almost simultaneously. Countless shards of the sword, their sword qi soaring to the sky, gathered around Xin Zhuang, creating a temporary sword array to trap Xin Zhuang’s surroundings. Whoever has the ability to reverse the river of time, go ahead, but you can’t make Xin Zhuang flow backward along the river.

Fortunately, Old Ancestor Chu Sheng pressed his palm against his cane, silently chanting, unleashing some unknown technique that not only protected Xin Zhuang’s life but also allowed Xin Zhuang to temporarily maintain her immortal state. At the same time, it dissipated A Liang’s remaining sword qi and successfully repaired the Yin-Yang Fish array, which had been impossible to gather.

A Liang had expected this and was used to it. He was being ganged up on by a group of people, so taking a little loss was nothing.

His hands pressed on the hilts of the two swords at his waist, and A Liang disappeared from his original location once again.
Liu Bai watched, aghast. Was this really Ah Liang, unleashed and fighting with unrestrained ferocity?

In a corner of the desolate wilderness, the heavens churned. Swirling vortexes gave way to roiling clouds, finally birthing a suffocating aura of the Great Dao that slowly descended upon the mortal realm.

No flying sword was visible, yet there was no doubt it was his Natal Sword.

Meanwhile, from the north of the desolate lands, a beam of sword light hurtled south at an unbelievable speed.

To Ah Liang’s left and right, a vertical strike and a horizontal sweep – sword principle and sword art united, cleaving through the wilderness.

At the Fire God Temple in the capital, the venerable Grandmaster Yu Hong no longer looked at the young woman. Forcing down a mouthful of blood, the martial artist, who firmly held the third spot on the martial rankings, strode out of the Lo Si Dojo. His originally small frame gradually enlarged, returning to his normal height in the eyes of the crowd. Finally, he stood firm and respectfully saluted the four directions, instantly earning countless cheers.

This First-Class Enshrinement of the Ministry of Punishments of the Great Li Dynasty could roam an entire continent unhindered, even without relying on his famed martial arts. After this battle, Yu Hong’s prestige among both cultivators and martial artists would undoubtedly soar to even greater heights.

Within the crowd, some silently clasped their fists or quietly bowed, respectfully seeing Yu Hong off.

They were all descendants of the fallen Zhu Ying Dynasty, who had later taken official positions in the Great Li court or made a living in the capital, much like the Mountain God of Middle Peak, Jin Qing.

Today, they were here with more complicated feelings than the average spectator. The Zhu Ying Dynasty, once the strongest power in the central Treasure Bottle Continent, was far superior to the many tributary states of the Great Li, whose territories were like scattered tofu squares. Therefore, the Zhu Ying’s Dugu clan was destined to fail in their attempts to restore their kingdom.

As for whether this gesture would be considered taboo, they didn’t care. The Song clan of the Great Li Dynasty had the magnanimity to tolerate it. Ultimately, it was their national strength that supported this tolerance. Back then, the Great Li iron cavalry had swept south, unstoppable, their hooves echoing along the shores of the Southern Sea, turning every land into a distant memory, inspiring fear and awe. In the end, the Great Li Dynasty had protected the continent from collapse, earning respect in return.

Zhou Haijing, also a mountain peak realm martial artist, did not currently hold an official position. She had previously joked with the Green Bamboo Sword Immortal, asking Su Lang to help introduce her to the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Punishments, to connect her with the influential ministers Dong Hu and Zhao Yao.

However, Su Lang knew that this was just Zhou Haijing’s usual way of speaking and shouldn’t be taken seriously. After this martial duel, in which Zhou Haijing had only lost slightly, the position of First-Class Enshrinement was undoubtedly hers. Perhaps before Zhou Haijing even returned to her lodgings in the capital, officials from the Military Selection Division of the Ministry of War or the Ritual Sacrifice Office of the Ministry of Rites would take the initiative to find her.

Thinking about the location Zhou Haijing had chosen, said to be a feng shui blessed spot she had stumbled upon in the capital, Su Lang felt helpless. It was truly too shabby. Su Lang couldn’t imagine that the capital of the Great Li Dynasty had places so covered in chicken and dog droppings, even with pigsties on the roadside. When he went to find Zhou Haijing earlier, it was the first time in his life he had walked past the entrances of brothels – a narrow, dimly lit alleyway lined with them on both sides, impossible to avoid. When he finally found Zhou Haijing, she laughed uproariously, her first words being that he deserved a new pair of boots.

At that moment, Su Lang softly asked, “Miss Zhou, are you alright?”

“Not really. That old bastard hit hard.”

Zhou Haijing reached around to her back, rubbing the spot where Yu Hong’s elbow had struck, complaining, “Doesn’t know the first thing about cherishing women.”

Her exquisitely made-up face was now a smeared mess, and the mountain of hair ornaments had been scattered by Yu Hong’s fist force. What a pity – all that money! If she could have salvaged a few pieces, she could have made a small profit.

She grumbled, “I’ll definitely get my revenge in the next duel. Without so many spectators, I’ll go straight for his groin. Then I’ll treat you to fried rice with eggs.”

Su Lang was speechless. This female Grandmaster, close in age but a realm above him, was still as… amusing as ever.

Zhou Haijing climbed into the carriage, took out a handkerchief, and spat out a large mouthful of clotted blood, concealing it in her sleeve. She didn’t care about the injury. She moistened her fingers with saliva and counted a few receipts – all her bets from the capital’s major gambling houses.

On the rooftop, Chen Pingan asked, “I’m going to see an old friend. Want to come along?”

Ning Yao glanced at the carriage in the distant alley, “The coachman?”

Chen Pingan nodded and explained, “His name is Su Lang, nicknamed ‘Green Bamboo Sword Immortal’. He’s a martial artist from the Pine Creek Kingdom, and a neighbor of Senior Song.”

Now that Su Lang had an official position and had reached the Far Wandering Realm, even if he couldn’t reach the Mountain Peak Realm, he still had at least a hundred years of lifespan. Therefore, he would definitely have to deal with the Mountain God Shrine and the Song Fengshan and Liu Qian couple for a long time in the future.

Back when Su Lang had just broken through to become a Seventh Realm martial artist, just as Song Yu was washing his hands and retiring from the martial world, Su Lang, as a junior, had already gained fame but was still aggressive. Chen Pingan had given Su Lang a punch, knocking him back to the town, but later cooperated with Su Lang, who took the initiative to visit, putting on a show to give him a way out, freely giving Su Lang the great reputation of “sword skills below the mountain not inferior to sword immortals above the mountain.”

That was how the old generation of martial arts rules and favors worked.

In the martial world, as long as there was no mortal feud, pleasant words were spoken at the dinner table. When paths narrowed, one should give way to others, turning a single-plank bridge into a wide, sunny avenue.

Ning Yao looked at Chen Pingan.

Chen Pingan immediately understood and shook his head, smiling, “I don’t have so many strange intentions. I’m just catching up with Su Lang.”

Like traveling the martial world, one shouldn’t reveal their wealth. Under normal circumstances, Chen Pingan wouldn’t easily open his basket and reveal his “assets.” In simpler terms, one shouldn’t hit someone in the face.

Ning Yao said, “Then I won’t go.”

Chen Pingan smiled, “Then I’ll buy some capital delicacies on the way back.”

Ning Yao nodded and vanished in a flash, disappearing without a sound.

She actually knew that Chen Pingan was still worried about the war and just wanted to find something to do, distraction being a way to ease his mind.

So she let him go alone to see his so-called martial arts friend.
Amidst the watchful gazes of various government runners and clerks, the crowd dispersed in an orderly fashion. In a secluded alley, a carriage slowly came to a halt. Su Lang frowned slightly as he noticed a monk and a Daoist blocking their path. Both the young Daoist and the novice monk were unfamiliar faces.

The young Daoist announced his name and produced a jade token from the Daoist Registry’s Office of Records, a symbol of his identity. “Ge Ling of the Capital’s Daoist Registry. I have some matters to discuss with Miss Zhou. I implore Miss Zhou to alight from the carriage and accompany me to the Daoist temple for a conversation.”

The young monk pressed his palms together. “This humble monk is a novice from the Bureau of Translation.”

Su Lang narrowed his eyes. A Daoist official under the Dali’s Bureau of Purity and Sublimity?

Under the Capital’s Daoist Registrar, there were six offices: Records, Litigation, Petitions, Seals, Geography, and Regulations. This young Daoist, who called himself Ge Ling, was in charge of the Office of Records.

The Daoist Registrar’s superior was the Capital’s Daoist Director, who managed the issuance of Daoist credentials, promotions, and demotions within the capital. However, he had no authority over Su Lang, a pure martial artist. If the Daoist Director himself were to appear, Su Lang might be willing to show some respect. Although the Daoist Director’s official rank was not high, he held real power. As for a mere director of an office like Ge Ling, he was just a minor official, and the Department of Justice and him were entirely separate. Did he truly believe that the second-class enshrinement title issued by the Department of Justice was merely a decorative honor?

Su Lang wore a section of green bamboo at his waist, tied with a colorful thread and an unadorned jade pendant. Second-class, not low. Only martial artists at the Mountain Peak Realm had the opportunity to wear a first-class pendant.

The Dali’s second-class enshrinement was usually granted to Golden Core sword cultivators, Far Roaming Realm martial artists, and Nascent Soul Qi refiners. Unless they had made immense military contributions, Golden Core Qi refiners who were not sword cultivators could only be ranked as third-class.

Su Lang said calmly, “Speak your business, or step aside.”

Ge Ling smiled. “Are you the Green Bamboo Sword Immortal from Songxi? I have long admired your name. However, I have some matters to discuss with Miss Zhou today that are not suitable for outsiders to hear. Sword Immortal Su, please forgive me.”

The young monk asked softly, “Sword Immortal?”

Now, the young monk’s bald head felt particularly heavy whenever he heard the word “Sword Immortal.”

Had it only been a few days? He had already donated to Buddha’s lamp twice.

This invitation to Zhou Haijing for discussion was Song Xu’s idea. After the martial arts exchange, he was to formally invite her into the Earthly Branch lineage.

In fact, Yuan Huajing had approached her once before, but they had failed to reach an agreement. Firstly, Yuan Huajing had not revealed his identity. Secondly, the Ministry of Rites and the Department of Justice wanted to use Yu Hong to test Zhou Haijing’s martial prowess to see if she was qualified to fill the vacancy.

As for this dashing coachman, the young monk did not recognize him. He only recognized the unadorned pendant.

The Earthly Branch lineage consisted of eleven cultivators, all of whom were favored by destiny and rose to prominence in Treasure Continent. Most of them were not natives of Dali. The Dali court had high expectations for them, pouring countless resources and spending a great deal of Mountain Peak incense. Their greatest strength, besides their cultivation realms and innate abilities, was the Qi of the continent. Their only weakness was that they relied too much on the completeness of their numbers in battles.

This meeting with Zhou Haijing was not only causing the young monk anxiety, but also Gai Yan, Nushou, and the others shared the same worries. In the end, Yu Yu helped to voice everyone’s concerns. “If we can find someone to complete the last position, our strength will undoubtedly increase greatly. But as the old saying goes, ‘things should not be done more than three times’. We won’t be going to bother Lord Hidden Official again, right?”

Song Xu joked at the time, “Yuan Huajing and I certainly have no such thoughts. If you are still upset and unwilling to accept it, and insist on fighting again, I can bite the bullet and try to persuade Yuan Huajing.”

At this moment, Su Lang looked displeased and said, “I don’t care about your Bureau of Purity and Sublimity or Bureau of Translation. Get out of my way!”

Relying on some official status, they dared to act mysterious in front of him?

Ge Ling was in a difficult position. The most suitable person to invite Zhou Haijing here was Song Xu, after all, he had the identity of the Second Prince. Otherwise, it would be Yuan Huajing, who had the highest cultivation realm. Unfortunately, the latter had begun his closed-door cultivation.

Zhou Haijing heard the commotion outside and circulated a pure Qi, making her face appear paler. Only then did she lift a corner of the curtain, her smile charming. “Are you colleagues of that Sword Immortal Yuan? What’s going on? Why do you all like to be so secretive? Are your identities so shameful? You’re just secret enshrinements of the Department of Justice, doing dirty work behind the scenes. I know, like assassins in the Jianghu, who kill for money and solve problems for others. What’s there to be ashamed of? When I first entered the Jianghu, I was thriving in that profession.”

Zhou Haijing continued to say to herself, “Unfortunately, my martial arts realm is not enough to catch the eyes of the mountain experts. I don’t dare to hope for a first-class enshrinement of Dali. But when it comes to second-class enshrinement, I still have a chance. Besides, I don’t trust you. What if you are habitual offenders who abduct women? If I suffer a great loss, you are all local snakes, and I am a helpless foreigner. Who can I complain to?”

After Zhou Haijing finished speaking, Su Lang was about to continue driving. If they didn’t want to make way, then they had the ability to block them.

In any case, in this Jianghu journey, divine companionships were lacking a shared adversity. Today, the opportunity was rare.

Moreover, in this capital city, Su Lang was not afraid of conflicts with these Qi refiners from the three religions. His greatest reliance was not even the unadorned pendant from the Department of Justice, but his identity as a Dali military cultivator.

Ge Ling sighed. It seemed he would have to call a few more people over to invite this Miss Zhou.

The young monk said earnestly, “Mr. Chen said that in all things, one should be humble and polite, and not be overbearing.”

A warm voice sounded behind the young monk. “No, I did not say that.”

The young monk immediately turned to the side, pressed his palms together, and lowered his head. “Mr. Chen is best at giving people auspicious and kind words. He hasn’t said it yet, but he will say it in the future.”

Ge Ling turned around and gave a Daoist bow to the person who had come, his expression respectful. “Greetings, Mr. Chen.”

Chen Ping’an returned the greeting with a cupped fist and smiled. “I’m here to catch up with a friend. You go ahead with your business.”

Su Lang immediately stopped the carriage, not daring to rush forward.

Because he recognized the other party’s identity.

Zhou Haijing, who was about to put down the curtain, stopped her movement. A pair of watery peach blossom eyes instantly narrowed into a line, looking at the man in a blue shirt standing next to the little bald head. Perhaps because the young monk was too short, the man looked especially slender.

The dual intuition of a woman and a Mountain Peak martial artist made her realize that this uninvited guest who had descended from the heights of the alley was definitely not easy to provoke.
Great Li’s War God, Song Changjing, Wind and Snow Temple’s Great Sword Immortal, Wei Jin, and the former Sect Master of True Realm Sect, Wei Ying… None of them feel right.

How utterly strange, what kind of divine being could possibly make me feel completely outmatched and unable to defeat?

Chen Pingan nodded inwardly, this Grandmaster Zhou is indeed one of us, thrifty and diligent, unwilling to spend extravagantly on illusory mirages.

Su Lang’s expression shifted subtly, his emotions a complex tapestry, and he swiftly composed himself, channeling his voice into a focused line, reminding Zhou Haijing, “Miss Zhou, be careful of this man, he is Chen Pingan, the one who challenged the Sword at Zhengyang Mountain!”

Of course, Su Lang hadn’t missed the grand spectacle of the Zhengyang Mountain celebration, witnessed through the illusory mirror…

He and Misty Mountain are in a similarly awkward situation, though the Green Bamboo Sword Immortal is slightly better off. Back then, during the turmoil near Swordwater Manor, both sides managed a relatively amicable parting.

Upon hearing the name “Chen Pingan,” Zhou Haijing’s eyes sparkled with interest. She couldn’t help but take a few more glances at the young Sword Immortal, now the most renowned in Treasure Bottle Continent and potentially the youngest sect leader in all of Vast Sky. She’d heard about him until her ears were numb. “Can’t afford to mess with him, can’t afford to mess with him. A sword cultivator who can make Yuan Zhenye’s punches feel like tickles? Why provoke him? It’ll only cost me money.”

She immediately lowered the curtain, bundled up all the large and small objects inside the carriage, slung a large package across her shoulder, and stooped low as she walked out of the carriage. She was about to jump off the carriage, “Then I’ll go with True Man Ge for a while. Mister Su, I’ll trouble you to look after the carriage!”

The rivers and lakes run deep, drowning the daring; the mountain winds blow strong, scattering the carefree airs of immortals.

Ge Ling laughed, “I’ll help drive the carriage then.”

Su Lang hesitated for a moment, then stepped down from the carriage.

Chen Pingan turned aside, standing by the wall, giving way to the carriage.

Zhou Haijing settled back into her seat, then lifted the curtain on the window beside the carriage wall, smiling and asking, “Sword Immortal Chen, allow me to be nosy and ask a question, just to confirm, we don’t have any grudges, right?”

Chen Pingan smiled and nodded, “We’ve never met, no grievances or animosity. I was just watching from afar earlier, and I learned a few boxing moves from Mister Zhou, benefiting greatly.”

Zhou Haijing squinted her eyes and smiled, naturally charming, raising her arm and gently wiping the remaining rouge from her cheek, “It’s just that I look a little ugly right now, making Sword Immortal Chen laugh.”

Chen Pingan shook his head and said, “Not at all.”

Zhou Haijing was suspicious. *Mister*? I’m a woman. Is it appropriate to address a lady like that?

These mountain cultivators are truly strange.

But she couldn’t show weakness. So what if I came from a small place and never went to school? If you look good, you are a book, and men will fight to flip through it.

She assumed that the young Sword Immortal was probably from a wealthy and influential family of Great Li. *Hah*, children of the upper class, just looking at them is annoying.

The carriage slowly drove out of the alley, the sound of the wheels gradually fading away.

Chen Pingan turned and smiled, “Congratulations, Sword Immortal Su, on your breakthrough.”

Su Lang immediately cupped his fist and said, “Su Lang, a courtier of Great Li, is honored to meet Sect Leader Chen again.”

Listening to Su Lang’s self-introduction, Chen Pingan couldn’t help but chuckle. It wasn’t like he was blind. The Ministry of Justice plaque was so large that it was impossible to miss.

Su Lang was naturally extremely nervous, but since he had no further dealings with Song Yushao in recent years, logically speaking, Chen Pingan shouldn’t be looking for trouble.

But these sword immortals who occasionally descend the mountain and frolic in the mortal world are truly unpredictable in nature. Their immortal traces are elusive, and every time they act, they rely solely on their mood, regardless of right or wrong. Often, the sword light falls directly, and heads roll.

The saving grace was that Treasure Bottle Continent now had many restrictions on these lawless, arrogant cultivators who looked down on royalty. Moreover, after Su Lang was recruited by the Great Li Ministry of Justice, he had done several secret missions targeting several groups of forbidden cultivators who thought they were acting discreetly.

But the most hurtful thing at the moment was that Zhou Haijing had just left him here alone. *Women*, sigh.

Chen Pingan took out a talisman-free token from his sleeve, “What a coincidence, Sword Immortal Su and I are half colleagues.”

Su Lang glanced at the talisman-free token. It was actually a third-class courtier’s token… only slightly higher than the probationary courtier.

Su Lang couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.

Chen Pingan didn’t want to take the opportunity to ridicule Su Lang, but just to let him not overthink things and not to emulate the immortal Yun Miao of the Nine Truth Immortal Hall.

The two walked side by side in the alley. Chen Pingan smiled and asked, “I’ve been traveling abroad for many years, away from Treasure Bottle Continent. I just returned. How is Senior Song’s Swordwater Manor?”

Su Lang carefully drafted his response, choosing his words carefully, “After our farewell back then, I never went to Senior Song’s manor again. I only heard that he gave up the ancestral manor and moved to the border of Comb Water Country, becoming a neighbor to the Song family. If it wasn’t for participating in several battles of the Great Rivers, and later being in closed-door cultivation, then coming to the capital, I should have congratulated Madam Liu’s mountain god shrine. I’ve heard from friends in the pugilistic world that Senior Song is still hale and hearty, having traveled the rivers and lakes several times to relax. This is a good thing. When I have free time, next time I return home, I should make up for that congratulatory gift.”

Chen Pingan maintained a pleasant expression, like two old friends from the rivers and lakes reuniting after a long separation, only lacking a good bottle of wine each. He nodded and smiled, “That’s how it should be. Sword Immortal Su is very thoughtful. Old friends in the rivers and lakes, may all be well, may all things be good.”

Su Lang’s originally tense nerves relaxed a little.

“By the way, Pine Creek Country is close to Comb Water Country and Rainbow Garment Country. Has Sword Immortal Su heard of the Liu family from Rouge County of Rainbow Garment Country?”

“Is Sect Leader Chen referring to the old Minister Liu, or the Liu Gao Hua and Liu Gao Xin siblings?”

Liu Gao Xin was originally a direct disciple of the Divine Decree Sect, but unfortunately, she suffered severe injuries in that great battle, her path to the Great Dao was hopeless, and she never returned to the sect, only practicing at home. Liu Gao Hua was a mortal teacher, but in Su Lang’s eyes, he was even more formidable because he had an official position in the secondary capital of Great Li.

Chen Pingan said, “They are all old friends.”

Su Lang immediately understood.

As if remembering something, Chen Pingan took out a pot of Hundred Flowers Wine and handed it to Su Lang, “I’ll trouble Sword Immortal Su to help me deliver this to Immortal Master Liu. I won’t say any polite words of thanks to Sword Immortal Su.”

Su Lang accepted the pot of mountain immortal wine, which he had never seen before, with both hands, and smiled, “It’s a small matter, an easy task. Sect Leader Chen doesn’t need to thank me.”

Su Lang had already made up his mind. When he returned home in glory in the future, he would visit Song Yushao in Comb Water Country and the Liu family in Rainbow Garment Country along the way. And in the future, it would be simple. There was no need for frequent contact, that would be inferior. Just provide some covert support to both sides.
Chen Ping’an and Su Lang reached the alleyway’s entrance. Chen Ping’an halted first, saying, “Farewell, then.”

Su Lang clasped his fist in farewell, but couldn’t resist asking, “May I inquire as to the esteemed Sect Master Chen’s age?”

Chen Ping’an chuckled. “Not yet a century.”

Su Lang sighed. “Sect Master Chen is truly a peerless prodigy on the path of the sword. In this junior’s eyes, he is in no way inferior to the Snow Wind Temple’s Grand Sword Immortal, Wei.”

Chen Ping’an smiled without comment. No wonder this Azure Bamboo Sword Immortal got along with Zhou Haijing; one didn’t gaze into illusionary reflections, the other didn’t read mountain and river gazettes.

Over by the carriage, Zhou Haijing teased from behind the curtain, “Ge Daolu, you wouldn’t happen to be a palace servant, would you? Could it be that His Majesty wishes to meet this humble woman?”

The little novice monk seated beside Ge Ling quickly chanted a Buddhist prayer, his dangling legs swinging.

The scent of cosmetics wafted from the purple bamboo curtain, almost overwhelming the young monk.

Ge Ling, adept at driving, having come from a family of border patrol generals, skilled in archery and horsemanship since youth, smiled and said, “Master Zhou jests.”

The little novice monk sighed in envy. “Master Zhou and Mr. Chen met by chance today, and yet you are addressed as ‘Mister’ by Mr. Chen. This humble monk is truly envious.”

Zhou Haijing teased, “A monk, concerned about such superficial titles?”

The little novice monk immediately shook his head vigorously. “I dare not be called a ‘monk.’ This humble one has yet to be fully ordained.”

Ning Yao returned to the inn, finding two unexpected guests. She smiled, asking, “What brings you here?”

It was Pei Qian, staff in hand, and Cao Qinglang, in a scholar’s robe.

Pei Qian grinned. “We received a flying sword message from Master, saying he’d be staying here for about half a month. Eldest Brother asked Cao Qinglang to attend a wedding here, saying it wasn’t appropriate for Master to show his face. Cao Qinglang’s identity is more suitable, so I came along to see Master and Mistress.”

Cao Qinglang bowed. “Student Cao Qinglang greets Mistress.”

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Pei Qian, for once, didn’t just drop to her knees and start kowtowing without a word.

Straightening up, Cao Qinglang explained, “Pei Qian accompanied me to the capital to prevent any unforeseen circumstances. Also, I need to formally resign from the Hanlin Academy.”

Leaving Treasure Bottle Continent to establish a lower sect south in Tongye Continent…

Originally, Eldest Brother wanted me to retain my Hanlin Compiler position, saying Eldest Brother had ways.

But Cao Qinglang refused. Receiving a salary without doing any work, not even attending the daily roll call, was simply improper. To rectify one’s heart, one must first be sincere in one’s intent. As a scholar of the Wen Sheng lineage, one must take sincerity as the guiding principle.

Ning Yao nodded. “Your master is meeting a martial arts friend. He won’t be back for a while.”

She borrowed two long benches from the old innkeeper. After sitting down, Ning Yao asked, “Why didn’t you watch the martial arts contest at the Fire God Temple?”

Pei Qian answered sheepishly, “Waiting here for Master is more important.”

Cao Qinglang sat silently on the other bench.

A skipping girl approached from the street, becoming more composed as she neared the inn.

The girl didn’t stand on ceremony with Instructor Ning, plopping down beside her, asking in confusion, “Instructor Ning, didn’t you go watch the fights at the Fire God Temple? It was so exciting, way better than those brats throwing bricks and scratching faces in Intentional Delay Alley and Chi’er Street!”

Ning Yao smiled. “I did, but there were too many people. I arrived late and couldn’t find a good spot, so I couldn’t see clearly.”

The girl apologized. “My bad, my bad. I left early this morning, worried my dad would stop me, so I didn’t call Instructor Ning. I got a great spot with some martial arts friends!”

Sitting next to Ning Yao, she chattered incessantly.

“That Woman Knight Zhou, she’s so pretty!”

“Immortal Fish, truly living up to his name. Just like those legendary figures who casually bestow secret manuals or sixty years of inner power. Instructor Ning saw him earlier, right? Flying all the way from the sky, standing there at the ring, that expert aura, that grandmaster demeanor, it was simply…!”

“I wonder how awesome the ranked higher Pei Qian, Grand Woman Knight Pei, must be? Surely, one glare would be enough to make her opponents’ livers and gallbladders rupture, scaring them into internal injuries!”

“I heard Woman Knight Pei is young, a martial arts prodigy unparalleled in centuries, her fists and feet already transcendent, overflowing with righteousness. Instructor Ning, you’re a woman knight who travels the pugilistic world too, have you had the honor of glimpsing Woman Knight Pei from afar?”

Ning Yao suppressed a laugh. “What do you think?”

The girl pondered, then comforted, “It’s okay, it’s okay, I haven’t seen her either.”

Pei Qian sat expressionlessly on Ning Yao’s other side, her head aching from the chatter.

Luckily, Master wasn’t here.

And thankfully, the little rice grain who doubles as an ear-reporter and messenger didn’t come to the capital, or else Old Cook and Chen Lingjun would never let her live it down.

Cao Qinglang remained seated upright on the other bench, his hands clasped lightly on his knees, gazing straight ahead.

A gentle smile, a refined gentleman, a composed demeanor – such was he.

Ning Yao turned to Pei Qian and smiled. “Your master wanted to take Miss Liu as a disciple earlier, but she refused.”

Pei Qian leaned forward, smiling slightly at the girl.

The girl blinked, glancing at the weapon leaning against the bench beside Pei Qian. Full of confidence, she could fight!

What, you’re defending your master? Then let’s follow martial arts rules. Have Instructor Ning give up her seat, and we’ll sit here and exchange blows. Agreed beforehand, just a touch, no hurting each other. Whoever leaves the bench loses.

Pei Qian smiled without speaking, as if saying just two words: “Dare not.”

Can you understand me?

I do not.

The two communicated with their eyes, and both understood perfectly.

Pei Qian was curious. Where did this simpleton come from? Thinking for a moment, she quickly glanced at the girl’s state of mind, and paused, then immediately retracted her gaze.

The little girl inside the girl’s heart was completely different from the cheerful and lively girl on the surface.

Chen Ping’an returned to the inn soon after parting ways with Su Lang. He was also surprised to see his eldest disciple and prized student.

Pei Qian and Cao Qinglang stood up at the same time.

Chen Ping’an walked quickly, waving to them with a smile.
This scene made the young woman nod secretly. It seemed to be a proper Jianghu sect, with some rules. This foreigner named Chen Ping’an seemed to have quite the prestige in his sect. She just didn’t know who their Sect Master was, how old they were, how high their fist techniques were, and whether they could beat the masters of the nearby martial arts schools.

Moreover, that young man looked very scholarly, almost like those bookworms in Yichi Lane.

She was even more certain that Master Ning’s sect wasn’t some ragtag group.

Chen Ping’an sat beside Cao Qinglang and asked, “How did you guys come?”

Pei Qian pursed her lips, not daring to laugh.

Master and Mistress had the exact same opening line.

So Cao Qinglang explained to Master once again.

Chen Ping’an thought for a moment and asked, “Did Cui Dongshan ever say why he suggested you retain your position as a Compiler in the Hanlin Academy?”

Cao Qinglang shook his head and said, “Little Brother didn’t say. Perhaps he saw that I was determined to resign, so he retracted his words.”

Chen Ping’an turned his head and said, “Then don’t rush to resign. Pei Qian, send another flying sword message, asking Cui Dongshan for the detailed reasons.”

Cao Qinglang understood the implication and softly asked, “Does Master, like Little Brother, also hope that I retain my official position in Great Li?”

Chen Ping’an folded his hands in his sleeves, smiling and said, “Nonsense. Although Zhao Yao currently holds the highest official position in the imperial court among our Literary Sage lineage, serving as a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, he doesn’t have a pure background. His path is unconventional, a case of the imperial court promoting talents without sticking to the rules. You are different. You are the most legitimate third-ranking graduate of the highest imperial examination. If you resign, Master will lose half of his power when bragging to others in the future.”

Cao Qinglang was speechless.

Chen Ping’an reached out a hand and patted Cao Qinglang’s shoulder, saying, “Before coming to the capital, I didn’t feel anything. But after truly arriving here, especially after visiting the yamen near Nanxun Ward, I realized that I’m still a little disappointed that you didn’t win first place in the imperial examination, failing to achieve the greatest honor under the heavens.”

That kid Lin Junbi has already become the State Preceptor of the Shaoyuan Dynasty.

It’s alright. His student will soon be the youngest Sect Master in the Nine Continents of the Vast Expanse. It’s hard to say if there will be someone after him, but he is destined to have no predecessor.

Previously, Chen Ping’an had specifically discussed this matter with Master, and they both felt that making an exception was not appropriate, because Cao Qinglang was still far from reaching the Jade Purity Realm. So, they would give him the position of Acting Sect Master of the Lower Sect of Fallen Mountain.

Cao Qinglang became more and more helpless. “I can’t take the exam again. Moreover, the ranking in the provincial examination might be easier to manipulate, but for the palace examination, no one dares to say that they can definitely win first place.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “I’ve met that Xun Qu. You two have good taste in making friends.”

Cao Qinglang was a little worried, but he quickly felt relieved.

He was worried that Xun Qu would be dragged into the officialdom disputes of the Great Li Dynasty, but with Master handling things, what was there to worry about? Even a bad thing could be turned into a good thing.

Ning Yao asked in her heart, “Are you still worried about the Savage Desolate World?”

Chen Ping’an hummed, folded his hands in his sleeves, hunched his back, and said helplessly, “It’s hard not to worry.”

Ning Yao asked, “Then shall we take a trip to the Sword Qi Great Wall?”

Chen Ping’an asked in confusion, “Here in the capital?”

In fact, even if he went to the Sword Qi Great Wall, he wouldn’t be able to help much. If he really got involved, he would only be a hindrance.

But even just taking a look would be good, whether it was the Sword Qi Great Wall ruins, or the four Returning Ruins named Tianmu, Qingji, Shenxiang, and Rizhui by the Confucian Temple, or the three fords of Holding Candle, Running Horse, and Earth Vein built by the Vast Expanse, anything would do.

Ning Yao said, “Why think so much? You agreed with that shorty for ten days. At worst, let Pei Qian send a message to the palace, saying that when you are not in the capital, it shouldn’t be counted into those ten days. Even if she doesn’t agree, who cares?”

Chen Ping’an’s eyes lit up. That was feasible.

Unexpectedly, Ning Yao had just stood up when she sat down again. “Forget it, you travel too slowly. Maybe the results will be in the Landscape Gazette before you’re even halfway there.”

Chen Ping’an was stunned, rubbing his chin. Could it be that he had to wait for Master to return and then ask Master to beg the Sage of Rites? It wouldn’t be appropriate for him to ask, he still had to let Master take the lead.

Suddenly, two scholars appeared at the entrance of the inn, both traveling from afar across continents from the Confucian Temple, one old and one middle-aged. The latter smiled and said, “Traveling too slowly? Not necessarily. Say it, where do you want to go?”