In the heart of Azure Bottle Continent, stood a magnificent royal residence, the Marquis of Everlasting Spring Manor of the Great Torrent. Within the manor’s Azure Cloud Palace, numerous plaques adorned the walls. One, “Everlasting Merit,” was gifted by the Chancellor of Viewing Lake Academy. Another, “Poetry and Propriety as Family Companions,” was penned by the head of the Cloud Forest Jiang Clan. Even the Spirit Deer Academy sent “Shield of the Divine Capital.”

Even Liu Qingfeng, the former Minister of Rites from the Great Li secondary capital, rarely broke precedent, bestowing a calligraphy piece, the four forceful characters of “Plowing in Sunshine, Reading in Rain.”

Yang Hua, ennobled by the Literary Temple, was now undeniably the foremost Water Deity of Azure Bottle Continent.

Chen Pingan did not directly seek out Yang Hua.

He couldn’t, for this female Marquis of the Great Torrent was extremely meticulous. He needed the gatekeeper to announce his arrival.

However, if someone could witness this entire sequence of dreamlike travels, they would notice Chen Pingan’s constructed dream edging closer and closer to reality.

Chen Pingan ascended the steps towards the gatehouse.

Rumor had it that Yang Hua’s first act upon assuming office was to forbid all mountain and river officials within her jurisdiction from visiting to offer congratulations. Therefore, many minor deities and even river gods of considerable rank, along with City Gods from various prefectures in Great Li’s south, had yet to behold Yang Hua’s true countenance.

In contrast, consider Lord Wei of Mount Wei, who was far more “approachable.” Even county City Gods, Earth Gods, and River Grannies had the honor of witnessing their mountain lord at nocturnal banquets.

Previously, Chen Pingan had sent a letter to Yang Hua through Dou Yan, the Mountain God of Stacked Cloud Ridge. Knowing Yang Hua’s meticulous nature, he believed she would have visited Stacked Cloud Ridge and the former site of Jumping Wave River, likely in disguise. Given Dou Yan’s penchant for meddling and Cen Hebo’s flood control expertise, Yang Hua might not be overjoyed by these “hidden gems” within her jurisdiction, but she would at least not be disappointed.

The gatekeeper was an old cultivator of the Watching the Seas Realm, impeccably groomed, wearing a robe said to be woven and refined by the Rainbow Finch Manor of the Northern Entirety Continent. It had become almost standard attire for Great Li’s mountain and river officials.

A prime minister’s gatekeeper held the rank of a third-grade official. The old gatekeeper remained amiable, greeting the guest proactively. Upon hearing the visitor identify himself as Chen Pingan of Fallen Cloud Mountain…

The old cultivator couldn’t help but exclaim, “Who?!”

It was a rude and unbecoming act, especially given the gatekeeper’s vast experience. However, the news he heard was too shocking. The man arrived alone, showing no signs of a sword immortal’s grandeur, like a brilliant sword light appearing on the horizon.

Chen Pingan could only smile and repeat his identity.

Sweat beaded on the old gatekeeper’s brow. He didn’t dare to chatter, bracing himself as he said, “May I trouble the Hidden Officer to allow me to announce your arrival?”

He didn’t call him Mountain Lord or Sword Immortal Chen, instead using the title he held most weight in his heart.

The old man wished to grant immediate passage, but the manor had strict rules. In recent years, he had turned away countless esteemed guests. Previously, the City God of the Great Li secondary capital had come to discuss matters. The gatekeeper carefully considered the situation and felt he should grant entry without announcement. However, afterwards, Granny Liu of the Department of Rites had scolded him severely, saying he lacked discretion.

Chen Pingan nodded and smiled. “Just follow the rules.”

The old gatekeeper felt uneasy, standing with the Hidden Officer outside the manor’s threshold.

He was curious whether the manor would open the ceremonial gate today.

This was a privilege reserved for Great Li’s sovereign, princes, or the Five Marchmounts Lords.

But this young sword immortal from Azure Bottle Continent, who served as the last Hidden Officer of the Sword Qi Great Wall, rarely visited. Moreover, his master ascended from the position of Water Deity of Iron Talisman River, a close neighbor of Fallen Cloud Mountain.

Publicly and privately, it seemed the manor should open the ceremonial gate.

However, welcoming the young Hidden Officer was the second-in-command of the Department of Rites and a seal-bearing goddess from the Marquis Manor’s Seal Office. The Marquis of Everlasting Spring did not personally appear. This alone made the gatekeeper feel guilty, becoming even more cautious, afraid to speak.

Evidently, the viewing of the Righteous Sun Mountain, followed by the shocking identity of the Hidden Officer revealed overnight through the government gazette, had spread throughout the continent. Now, in Azure Bottle Continent’s mountain and river officialdom, the name “Chen Pingan” itself was the most effective pass.

The seal-bearing goddess, first as a female official, bowed to Chen Pingan, then gave a curtsey, apologizing, “Mountain Lord Chen, my master is currently entertaining guests and cannot excuse herself. I hope Mountain Lord Chen understands.”

Chen Pingan smiled. “Of course. I am the one who visited the noble manor without prior notice. It is already good enough that I was not turned away.”

The two manor goddesses, not originally from Iron Talisman River, simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

The Hidden Officer was not as aloof and superior as they imagined, or rather, he was far from it.

As the group of three walked through the corridors, two more female officials in government attire approached. Judging by their insignia, they were likely the heads of various Water Manor offices.

They seemed to have been waiting along the road, coincidentally passing by, and then, conveniently, they could accompany him to the reception hall in the Department of Rites. It was quite seamless, leaving no room for criticism.

The Department of Rites female official glared at them. She had specifically reminded the office officials not to be rash before leaving her office upon receiving the gatekeeper’s report. How could they still be so frivolous?!

The Seal Office goddess could only remind the two in her mind, sternly saying, “Since you’re here, no one is allowed to speak!”

If Liu of the Department of Rites were here today, you two would definitely suffer!

Similar to the Spirit Spring Duke Manor of the Northern Entirety Continent, perhaps because the manor’s owners were all women, there was a large number of female officials, creating an atmosphere of yin dominance.

Afterwards, as they passed by the offices of various departments, heads peeked out from doors or windows, though they remained silent, refraining from loud clamor.

Clearly, they were all curious about the appearance of the youngest inscribed sword cultivator in the history of the Sword Qi Great Wall.
Reaching the main hall of the Ministry of Rites, the Seal-Holding Divine Maiden softly said, “We still need to trouble Mountain Master Chen to wait a moment. Marquis Yang said earlier that it would take about half an incense stick’s time, and he won’t keep Mountain Master Chen waiting long.”

A maidservant working here quickly brought a cup of tea for Chen Ping’an. However, her official robes betrayed her true status. An assistant minister from one of the Six Ministries of the imperial court would never personally serve tea to a guest.

Chen Ping’an thanked her and accepted the tea. The teacup was Longquan celadon from his hometown, with a plum-green glaze of the highest quality. From the craftsmanship, he could tell it was fired in a kiln near Baoxi. Chen Ping’an even knew which master craftsman had made this specific cup, or at least the direct disciple personally taught by that master. Quietly weighing the teacup, Chen Ping’an sighed. The old kilns near Baoxi traditionally used porcelain clay from the Huangmaojian area. Now, they were using soil from the Baxianxian Ancient Road. This was the result of the official kilns becoming civilian kilns.

Laymen watch the spectacle; experts see the details. The same type of porcelain clay, known as Zijing soil, has subtle differences due to the different mountains and soils. The weight, viscosity, and other properties of the clay will vary, resulting in diverse patterns in the fired porcelain. Outsiders may not notice the difference, but experts can tell at a glance. For example, the porcelain clay from the Huangmaojian area is much better than that from the Baxianxian Ancient Road, but the number of successful firings is much lower. In the past, when porcelain was for imperial use, kilns didn’t need to worry about costs. Now that some have become civilian kilns to make money, breaking a single piece of inferior porcelain is like breaking silver.

The Seal-Holding Divine Maiden gave the “maidservant” several meaningful glances before the latter reluctantly left the official hall.

Yang Hua appeared outside the entrance of the Ministry of Rites, seeing the azure-robed Sword Immortal inside, leisurely drinking tea with his legs crossed, looking carefree and unperturbed.

When Yang Hua stepped over the threshold, Chen Ping’an simply put down his teacup.

The two female officials inside quickly bowed to Yang Hua and took their leave, quietly and swiftly exiting the hall.

Yang Hua sat on the chair opposite him and directly asked, “What instructions does Mountain Master Chen have for us today?”

Chen Ping’an deliberately ignored the word “again” and explained his purpose to Yang Hua.

Seeing Yang Hua’s hesitation, Chen Ping’an picked up his teacup again and smiled, “Don’t feel pressured. I’ll leave after finishing my tea.”

A double entendre.

Yang Hua probably needed to inform the Empress Dowager and didn’t dare to act on her own, fearing that the Water Mansion’s association with Chen Ping’an and Luopo Mountain would arouse suspicion.

But if Yang Hua felt pressured, the incense stick’s worth of time would be meaningless.

Although Yang Hua was now a Marquis of the Great River in Chen Ping’an’s eyes, she still hadn’t escaped the shadow of being a handmaiden to the Empress Dowager Nan Zan, which could have significant long-term effects.

However, it was pointless for Chen Ping’an, an outsider, to say too much about it. It might even backfire.

As expected, Chen Ping’an stood up after drinking the tea.

Yang Hua suddenly said, “I have no problem with that incense stick.”

Chen Ping’an was quite surprised but still cupped his fist in thanks.

Yang Hua rarely smiled, returning the courtesy and saying, “It’s a mutually beneficial thing. There’s no need for Mountain Master Chen to thank me.”

From the moment he arrived, he had been extremely polite, except for sitting there with his legs crossed and drinking tea when he saw her.

Afterward, Yang Hua proactively told Chen Ping’an about something. It turned out that the group of guests she had to personally receive earlier came from the Qingmei (Green Plum) Temple of South Pond Lake. Besides two female cultivators from Qingmei Temple, there was also the Water Lord of South Pond Lake. This water deity was now an official under the jurisdiction of Marquis Changchun’s Mansion. They had just left not long ago, and accompanying them were Shao Yunyan, a Sword Immortal from the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, and the Tuhong (Rosy Cheeks) Lady, who had disguised herself as “Mei Qingke” (Elegant Plum Guest).

On the official document, the Tuhong Lady used “Mei Qingke” and the Daoist name “Quxian” (Emaciated Immortal).

Thus, Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but ask with a smile, “If I’m in a hurry to leave and depart on my sword immediately after exiting the official hall, Marquis Yang wouldn’t mind, would she?”

Yang Hua, unaware of the situation, simply said it was fine.

In the corridor of the official hall, a figure in azure robes clasped his fists to bid farewell to Yang Hua, transforming into a sword light that vanished thousands of miles away in an instant.

After Yang Hua left the Ministry of Rites, several Divine Maidens gradually returned to the room in the official hall. The female official of the Ministry of Rites, who had pretended to be a maidservant, serving tea once and refilling it again, raised her arms and giggled, saying that she had gotten goosebumps when she first saw the young Hidden Official. She was scolded by the second-in-command of the Ministry of Rites, her superior, for being a lovesick fool.

Catching up to a private ferry of Qingmei Temple in the sea of clouds, a figure in azure robes, with sleeves fluttering, landed on the bow.

Shao Yunyan sensed the unusual Daoist ripples and used his instantaneous movement technique to arrive at the deck, surprised, and cupped his fist in a smile, “Why has Hidden Official come?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “It’s just a coincidence. You left first, and I entered Marquis Yang’s Mansion right after.”

The abbess of Qingmei Temple was a middle-aged woman with frost-white hair, obviously injured in the recent forced relocation of her ancestral hall, which had damaged the foundation of her Dao. This abbess not only cultivated water-based techniques but was also connected to the fate of South Pond Lake. For the female cultivators of the temple, relocating to another place was just a move, but for her, it was a great injury, almost causing her to lose her cultivation realm even though she hadn’t fought the demon race.

Standing beside the woman was Zhou Qionglin, a junior member of the temple and an expert in the illusions of mirror flowers and water moon. There was also a woman full of water vapor, with light golden eyes.

Now South Pond Lake was full of water again, the plum blossoms had bloomed anew, and the landscape had a fresh vitality.

Chen Ping’an cupped his fist and smiled, “Greetings, Abbess Song, Lake Lord Qin, Fairy Zhou.”

After some pleasantries, Chen Ping’an simply said that he was looking for Sword Immortal Shao to reminisce and wouldn’t disturb Qingmei Temple any further.

It was evident that the three from South Pond Lake were extremely nervous.

The reputation of a person is like the shadow of a tree.

Originally, being one of the ten youngest and most promising individuals in several continents was enough to intimidate people.

So, hearing that Mountain Master Chen was about to leave the ferry soon, they felt both regret and relief.

Arriving at Shao Yunyan’s residence, Shao Yunyan asked if he wanted to drink some wine. Chen Ping’an said it wasn’t necessary, and he would chat for a few words and leave soon.

The Tuhong Lady sat upright, properly and respectfully, with her hands lightly clenched and placed on her knees, not looking sideways, as restrained as if she were attending a meeting in the ancestral hall of her Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, meeting the sect leader, Old Sword Immortal Qi.
Chen Ping’an inquired about the recent developments of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect and the Southern娑婆洲 from Shao Yunyan, then said to Madam Tuoyan, “If possible, Madam Tuoyan would do well to change her daoist name.”

Madam Tuoyan wore a troubled expression, asking, “May I ask Hidden Official Sir, why is that?”

*What’s the matter? I just randomly picked a nice, elegant daoist name. Is it bothering you? Surely you don’t want me to choose some rustic, vulgar name before Hidden Official Sir finds it pleasing to the ear? What wide reach you have!*

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Just a casual suggestion. There’s a pure martial artist named Ma Quxian, who recently suffered a cultivation setback. Do you find that ominous or auspicious? Of course, if Madam Tuoyan doesn’t think anything of it, I certainly don’t mind.”

Madam Tuoyan sighed, lightly stamping her foot. *How could I run into something like this?*

Shao Yunyan paid more attention to the affairs of the Vast Expanse, asking, “Is that Cao Ci’s eldest senior brother, Ma Quxian?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, then took out a white bowl from his sleeve, his fingers seeming to pinch something, as clear and translucent as a black pearl, with treasure light swirling and abundant water essence.

Shao Yunyan recognized it, smiling and asking, “This is?”

Chen Ping’an explained, “I encountered the great demon Yang Zhi in a certain place in the Central Divine Continent, and this was an extra addition to the transaction.”

Shao Yunyan was puzzled in his heart, smiling and teasing, “What is Hidden Official Sir doing? I don’t accept unearned rewards. This trip out is just a matter of errands, no different from a leisurely stroll. I don’t cultivate water arts, so wouldn’t giving this to me be a waste?”

Madam Tuoyan, on the other hand, was getting a headache. *Something that was eaten by an old Throne great demon can also… be obediently spat out?*

*Our Hidden Official Sir truly possesses great authority.*

Chen Ping’an glanced at Madam Tuoyan, saying in an annoyed tone, “Go invite that Qin Hu Jun over for a discussion. Remember, it’s an invitation.”

When that Miss Qin, the Water Spirit of Southern Pond Lake, arrived, she saw that Chen Hidden Official and that Shao Sword Immortal were already standing in the doorway of the corridor, waiting for her to call.

There was a white bowl on the table, and the water pearl within, after Qin Hu Jun sat down, seemed to meet an old friend, to see its former master, its treasure light dazzling, illuminating the whole room.

Actually, Chen Ping’an hadn’t originally intended to do business with this Qin Hu Jun, but it was such a coincidence that he regarded it as an opportunity not to be missed.

After hearing about it, Qin Hu Jun stubbornly refused to accept that reward, only saying that the return of eighty percent of Southern Pond Lake’s water to its original place was already an immense stroke of luck. Not to mention a mere trifle like lighting a stick of incense, Southern Pond Lake ought to build a shrine for Hidden Official Sir, and worship his spirit tablet.

Her sincere words filled Madam Tuoyan with complex emotions. She hadn’t expected this taciturn woman lake spirit to be so forthright when she finally spoke, just like someone from Fallen Mountain.

After the young Hidden Official left the ferry, Shao Yunyan smilingly reminded, “Qin Hu Jun, take my advice and forget about building a shrine. Don’t secretly worship a spirit tablet and offer incense every day. Hidden Official Sir is, after all, a Confucian disciple, and it’s not in accordance with propriety.”

Qin Hu Jun held the white bowl in both hands, not putting it into her sleeve. She thought for a moment and said, “According to the regulations of the Confucian Temple, as a Lake Spirit, I am permitted to establish an office and may request a set of Confucian Temple sacrificial vessels from the academy nearby. Then, if I ask Viewing Lake Academy for a certain sacred book of the Sage Master, that wouldn’t cause trouble for Hidden Official Sir, would it?”

Shao Yunyan revealed an admiring expression, nodding and smiling, “That will work.”

Madam Tuoyan sighed deeply. *Qin Hu Jun, have you been cultivating at Fallen Mountain?*

Jumping Wave River had now officially been renamed Old Fish Lake.

The former River Lord Cen Wenqian had also been smoothly promoted two ranks, becoming a Lake Spirit, of the same rank as the River Water God, just obtaining a seventh-grade official position.

Because Cen Wenqian had followed Lady Marquis Yang Hua on a trip to the Ministry of Works in the secondary capital, offering many suggestions on the dredging of the great canal and certain “closing the dragon” matters, and had been judged by the Great Li Dynasty court as excellent, Cen Wenqian even concurrently held a temporary position as Vice Director of the Water Department in the secondary capital, and needed to “report” for duty every so often. Furthermore, through Yang Hua’s personal recommendation and examination by the Ministry of Rites of the Great Li Dynasty, the matter of promoting her to Lake Spirit passed smoothly. There were many matters and many key points, but the speed was extremely fast.

This filled Cen Wenqian with emotion. If it were in her former kingdom’s bureaucracy, let alone less than a month, it would probably take a year and a half of procrastination before it could be accomplished.

She saw the Azure-Clad Sword Immortal, and they saluted each other, then smiled at each other. Since some things were mutually understood, they were best left unsaid.

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Cen Wenqian agreed without hesitation, “Then I won’t keep Sir Chen.”

Unexpectedly, Chen Ping’an smiled, “There’s still time for a few cups of wine.”

Cen Wenqian asked, “Then shall we go to Stacked Cloud Ridge to freeload?”

The self-brewed wine of the Stacked Cloud Ridge Mountain God’s temple had quite a reputation.

Back then, that scholar surnamed Cui had come all the way for the fish of Jumping Wave River and the wine of Stacked Cloud Ridge. To be able to drink wine and eat fish would be a masterpiece.

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Eating the fat cats, just consider it robbing the rich to help the poor.”

When they arrived at the Stacked Cloud Ridge Mountain God’s temple, the temple keeper hurriedly prepared a secluded house. Dou Yan stood at the door, smiling, quickly stepping forward, his face flattering, “Isn’t this Sword Immortal Chen? I was wondering when I flipped through the almanac today, why it said both ‘suitable for traveling far’ and ‘suitable for receiving guests.’ Turns out it was Sword Immortal Chen doing us the honor, giving our little temple a chance to entertain guests. Come in, come in. Lake Spirit Cen, how could you come empty-handed? That’s not right. Quick, inform the Lake Spirit’s office to send over two big fish. I’ll personally cook a table of home-style dishes for Sword Immortal Chen today.”

Helping his own Stacked Cloud Ridge connect with the Jade Firmament Palace, with Lady Marquis Yang Hua personally visiting the mountain, Dou Yan had managed to become acquainted with the Lady Marquis. Especially since he had helped his old friend Cen Wenqian overcome her difficulties, and had even turned a misfortune into a blessing, with the change of course actually leading to promotion. Now Cen Wenqian even knew how to “flirt” with that Marquis’s mansion. Let alone calling him Sword Immortal Chen, even if Dou Yan had to bow and scrape, learning from those sycophants in officialdom, calling him Chen Grandpa Chen Lord wouldn’t be a problem.

Ordinary young people didn’t know how difficult it was to ask for favors. The poor feel the bone-chilling cold even in summer, asking for help is like swallowing a three-foot sword. Being able to live a lifetime without understanding these old sayings was probably true good fortune.
Originally, Dou Yan was prepared to personally go into the river to catch fish, but Cen Wenqian, perhaps after a few trips to the Marquis’s Mansion and the Dali capital, suddenly became enlightened. She told them to wait a moment and then went to catch the fish herself.

Soon, a table full of food and wine was served. Dou Yan took off his apron, casually draped it over the back of the chair, and emphasized that he had indeed cooked the meal himself.

Chen Ping’an picked up a piece of steamed perch with his chopsticks, the unique apricot blossom perch from the Tiaobo River. He took a sip of wine, made a “slurp” sound, and gave a thumbs up, praising, “Eating fish and drinking wine, the taste is superb, truly worthy of the name.”

Hidden somewhere, Qing Tong had to whisper a reminder, “If you continue to linger, this deal will be a big loss.”

Chen Ping’an’s stay in the river of time’s dream state would inevitably cause some loss of merit.

“What’s the point of working so hard to do business?”

Chen Ping’an chuckled in his mind, “Isn’t it so that when I want to drink, a friend will invite me, and I can eat and drink for as long as I want?”

Qing Tong could only continue to wait patiently.

He hadn’t seen him so magnanimous and heroic when drinking tea at the female Marquis’s residence earlier.

At that time, Chen Ping’an was actually muttering to himself, it seemed he would have to settle accounts with that Yang Hua, who had been reluctant to show his face for so long.

Dou Yan learned that Luo Po Mountain in Tongye Continent was planning to establish a lower sect and began to inquire about information, asking with a smile, “Are they really going to learn from our Treasure Bottle Continent and open up a brand new waterway? If they really start construction, can it really be done?”

In the vast Nine Continents, the three chief and deputy leaders of the Confucian Temple, along with the chancellors and vice-chancellors of the three great academies, had traveled to each continent to officially recognize a total of sixteen major rivers.

Beiju Luzhou and Treasure Bottle Continent each had one, while Tongye Continent had none. Therefore, one of the matters discussed in the Peach Leaf Alliance was to jointly open up a major river, dredge the old waterways, and

Use the buried river as the main artery to connect the river to the sea. The Empress Yao of the Daquan Dynasty probably had this consideration in mind when she was willing to get involved in those matters of the mountain sects.

Of course, not all water flowing into the sea can be called a “major river.”

For example, the Lin River in Tongye Continent, including its tributaries, is tens of thousands of miles long, and even its river god only has a rank of seventh grade. However, some water veins that are only three or four thousand miles long can become major rivers.

The Confucian Temple has never publicly announced the specific assessment methods for renaming rivers, how to promote them, or how to obtain the “major river” suffix.

Chen Ping’an nodded and smiled, “There is such a plan, but it’s quite difficult to implement. First, the interests of all parties are extremely difficult to balance. Lord Cenhu is an expert in water management and knows the pitfalls in this area best. Furthermore, none of the chancellors of the three academies in Tongye Continent, Da Fu, Tianmu, and Wuxi, dare to nod to this. Whether this move is feasible or not, even if it’s a kind of hint, the academies will definitely not give it. Once the main channel of the major river takes shape, the converging ones will converge, the branching ones will branch, and the rerouting ones will reroute. If the Confucian Temple doesn’t approve it in the end, causing this great water to never obtain the title of major river, then for the Daquan Yao family, the Golden Summit Temple in the north, and the Pushan Yuncao Hall, all the dynasties, small countries, and mountain immortal abodes involved in this matter, it won’t just be a loss of dozens or hundreds of Grain Rain Coins. A careless mistake could result in a total of tens of thousands of Grain Rain Coins of bad debts and muddled accounts. Then, everyone will retreat in disarray, returning to their own homes. If they want to fill the holes in their treasuries, it’s estimated that all the ministers of finance and the mountain gods of wealth will resign in a fit of anger, since there’s no hope anyway.”

Dou Yan sighed.

Chen Ping’an raised his wine bowl and lightly clinked it against the mountain god’s, asking with a smile, “What made you think of asking about this?”

Cen Wenqian was also curious. What could the absence of a major river in the Tongye Continent have to do with Dou Yan, this mountain god? She teased, “Acting like a prime minister when you’re just a small official.”

Friends often find pleasure in tearing each other down.

Dou Yan tilted his head back and drained the wine in his bowl. He told the truth, “Isn’t it because there’s a small mountain sect in Tongye Continent, one of the mountain forces of the Peach Leaf Alliance, that has been pulling strings to find connections with our Treasure Bottle Continent? Then, a mountain god friend of mine somehow got involved. This guy thinks there’s an opportunity to make a fortune, so he asked me if I wanted to participate and pool some money together. If it succeeds, we can recoup our investment in at most two or three hundred years, and then we can lie down and count money every day. According to that friend, roughly calculated, we can at least double our profits.”

Cen Wenqian laughed in anger, “You guys are crazy about money!”

The Confucian Temple’s reopening of the major river recognition is thanks to three people.

Wei She of the Ai’ai Continent. Cui Chan, the Grand Tutor of the Dali Kingdom, known as the Embroidered Tiger. Yuan Pang of the Asian Sage lineage, the youngest academy chancellor in Vast Sky history.

One of them had been working tirelessly for this matter for many years. Although Wei She did not participate in the Confucian Temple’s deliberations, it was rumored that Wei She had brought up the old matter again and sent a letter to each of the three Confucian Temple leaders.

As for Cui Chan, he didn’t say a word and never even interacted with the Confucian Temple. He just “did his own thing” and “went his own way” to get things done.

The appearance of Qi Du became the best positive example, proving that a continent’s mountains and rivers benefit more than they suffer from having a major river to gather water transport.

After that, Yuan Pang formally proposed this matter during the Confucian Temple’s deliberations.

In fact, Chen Ping’an also knew a secret. On that night-sailing ship, Chen Ping’an had met with Yuan Pang, the Little Celestial Master of Mount Dragon and Tiger, and the young monk. In addition to examining the subtle shifts in the latest weights and measures of the Vast Sky World, they had indeed made a special trip to complete a Qi Du, which was considered a key inspection object.

Dou Yan refilled his wine glass and raised it towards someone, smiling and looking at the blue-shirted swordsman who couldn’t be judged by appearances. Cen Wenqian, you small lake lord, go cool off to the side first.

Lord Hidden Official, how about you give us a definite answer?

If it won’t work, I’ll advise that friend not to throw immortal money down the drain. If it will work, then I, Dieyun Ridge, will have to break the bank to raise the money.

Chen Ping’an poured the wine, shook the wine bowl, and tutted, “The price of this Dieyun Ridge wine isn’t cheap.”

Cen Wenqian knocked the wine bowl on the table, reminding Dou Yan not to push his luck, and glared, “Great Mountain God Dou, Mr. Chen has already said so much, and you still don’t understand? Have you been a mountain god for too long and can’t understand human speech anymore?”
Because Cen Wenqian could be certain that, barring unforeseen circumstances, Tongye Continent could forget about reopening the Great Waterway. Chen Sword Immortal’s words had already revealed the hidden truth, essentially sealing the matter.

This so-called Peach Leaf Alliance, with its handful of factions from both above and below the mountains, possessed no ability to accomplish such a grand undertaking. The agenda they spoke of was merely for show, a superficial exercise to rally support.

There was only one possibility to forge a Great Waterway for Tongye Continent: Yugui Sect taking the lead, with Wei Ying personally appearing, willing to expend their sect’s own merit. They would also need to enlist an over-the-river dragon like the wealthy Liu Clan of Aiai Continent, and perhaps even the Great Li Dynasty, their northern ally, to sit down and divide the spoils.

Chen Pingan mused, “It’s not just Brother Dou, if Mr. Cen has some spare funds, he can take a share as well.”

Cen Wenqian was taken aback, the new Lake Lord somewhat bewildered.

Chen Pingan continued, “Mountain God Dou, you must give me your word. Borrowing money from all quarters is fine, but even to your fellow deity friend, don’t utter half a word more than necessary. If you can’t withstand their inquiries, just vaguely say you heard it as a rumor on the roadside, nothing to be relied upon, believe it or not is their business. Absolutely do not, after a few drinks, reveal the entire heart-to-heart of today’s gathering to anyone.”

Dou Yan nodded furiously, laughing, “If I didn’t understand these officialdom rules, I would have been Mountain God of Dieyun Ridge for nothing.”

Cen Wenqian curiously asked, “What is this about?”

The other man gave a smiling answer.

“I will make it happen.”

Cen Wenqian was dumbstruck, finding it unbelievable, yet she had no choice but to believe.

The young Sword Immortal’s implied meaning couldn’t have been clearer.

What even the three Academy Deans dared not agree to, I can.

Cen Wenqian remained silent for a long while, but when the Lake Lord finally spoke, Dou Yan nearly spat out his mouthful of wine.

“Mr. Chen, I have been penniless for far too long, you must lend me some money, of course, in Grain Rain coins.”

Chen Pingan, who had just picked up a piece of steamed perch, paused in mid-air, wearing a helpless expression, “This plate of fish is truly not cheap either.”

Finally, after Chen Pingan left Dieyun Ridge.

Dou Yan puzzled, “It’s strange, why do I have this feeling, it makes no sense.”

Cen Wenqian smiled, “Though sitting at the same table drinking, it’s as if we’re worlds apart?”

Dou Yan slapped the table, “You hit the nail on the head! That’s exactly how I feel! Wenqian, are we dreaming?”

Cen Wenqian asked with a smile, “Want to verify whether this is real or not? It’s quite simple, turn your face over, and I’ll give you a slap.”

Dou Yan cursed with a laugh, then, sobering up, he asked softly, “The reason we’ve had so much good fortune, is it because of that scholar surnamed Cui back then?”

Cen Wenqian nodded.

Dou Yan was silent for a long time, only managing to squeeze out a compliment, “This one surnamed Chen, is quite mindful of the past.”

Shujian Lake, which recently gained its first Lake Lord.

For the True Realm Sect, whose jurisdiction encompasses the entire Shujian Lake, this was definitely not a good thing.

It wasn’t just a matter of having a share of the pie taken away, it was practically adding another bed right beside their own.

The new Lake Lord, according to the latest Golden Jade Register of the Wen Temple, held the high position of Rank Three, equivalent to the Iron Talisman River God of Great Li and the former Qiantang Chief.

In this matter, even the spectators among the native Register cultivators of Treasure Bottle Continent felt a measure of sympathy for the True Realm Sect; the Great Li Dynasty indeed seemed to be kicking down the ladder after crossing the river.