Chen Ping’an didn’t cross the threshold and enter the Sword Rebuke Hall (劍叱堂). After all, it was the ancestral hall of the Ziyang Prefecture. He turned around and smiled, “Let’s go over to the kitchen and broaden our horizons.”

Inside, the portraits of the ancestors were hung, with Wu Yi (吳懿), wearing a Taoist robe and cloud shoes, in the middle. On either side were portraits of successive Prefecture Lords, arranged in order.

Tomorrow, at Celestial Capital Mountain (仙都山), in the ancestral hall of the Azure Ripple Sword Sect (青萍劍宗), a portrait of Chen Ping’an would also be hung in the center.

As Qing Tong (青同) moved, he glanced at the plaque: Sword Rebuke Hall?

In books, martial generals or wandering swordsmen often had a scene where they “reached for their swords, rebuking loudly.”

But the Ziyang Prefecture, a sect without even a single sword cultivator, dared to use such a hall name? This was truly a case of virtue not matching position.

However, it was clear that this Wu Yi, with the Taoist name Cave Clarity (洞靈), seemed to have inherited a portion of the lingering water luck from that ancient ten-thousand-year-old flood dragon. The rest, the Grand Scholar Cheng (程山長) from the Great Fu Academy, must have given to the Cold Food River Water God (寒食江水神).

The grand feast of the Ziyang Prefecture was held in the Snow Vast Hall (雪茫堂), which was originally used to entertain distinguished guests.

After all, few of the larger mountain residences seriously ate large meals.

Registered cultivators were either traveling, in secluded cultivation, or attending various ceremonies and celebrations.

Near the Snow Vast Hall was a long row of kitchens, divided into rooms for delicacies, wine and fruit, and so on. The maids and serving girls of the Prefecture, acting as cooks, moved back and forth like fish darting through the water.

Families with deep foundations always paid attention to “food prepared with utmost care and meat sliced as thin as possible.” Those more particular would put effort into the mountain and field provisions.

Falling Phoenix Mountain (落魄山) had Zhu Lian (朱斂) as its steward, a person who wasn’t afraid of trouble. He handled everything, big and small, so that no one else had to worry about anything.

Zhu Lian received one Snow Blossom Coin (雪花錢) as a salary every year, not every month, saying he was trying to accumulate enough for a Lesser Heat Coin (小暑錢).

Chen Ping’an stood outside a kitchen and glanced at several Treasure Pavilion food boxes, teasingly saying, “According to my old cook, some of the so-called time-honored restaurants only maintain the culinary skills of a beginner.”

In the Book Brief Lake (書簡湖) Poolside City (池水城), Chen Ping’an had tasted bamboo branch crabs, the first time in his life that he had properly played host and thrown a feast.

Such events were rare. The most recent time was in the Great Li Capital (大驪京城), by the Calamus River (菖蒲河), when he invited Guan Yiran (關翳然) and Jing Kuan (荊寬) to drink, but it wasn’t a frivolous drinking session. Now, Jing Kuan had left the capital to take up the post of Prefect of Baoxi County (寶溪郡) in the new Chuzhou (新處州).

Qing Tong asked, “Old cook? Is that the noble young master Zhu Lian from Lotus Blossom Blessed Land (藕花福地)?”

Chen Ping’an countered, “Have you seen Zhu Lian’s true face?”

Qing Tong nodded. “I’m no stranger to Lotus Blossom Blessed Land. I often go there to relax, so of course I’ve seen Zhu Lian.”

And dared not look too much.

Because the Demon Suppression Tower (鎮妖樓) and the View Ascending Temple (觀道觀) were neighbors, Qing Tong had once seen Zhu Lian from afar twice. He was truly… an oddity. Of course, he was also very handsome.

Once, Zhu Lian was young and went to the outskirts of the capital to enjoy the spring scenery. The other time, Zhu Lian was a young man and traveled the world alone with his sword.

In tales of the strange and legends of the pugilistic world, there were often vulgar scenes where women fell in love at first sight with strange men. Believe it or not, Zhu Lian didn’t even need to speak in the pugilistic world; he could attract countless debts of love with just his face.

A romantic young master, looking into the distance from a height, leaning against a railing, just twisting a strand of hair by his temple with two fingers, seemed to twist the hearts of all the onlookers.

It was as if being devoted to one person, regardless of whether they were married or not, whether it was unattainable or growing old together, deep affection was like making an enemy, not stopping until death.

Many white-haired old women in the pugilistic world, even in their old age, still wanted to see Zhu Lang (朱郎) before they died, yet were ashamed to see him.

Qing Tong joked, “When will Falling Phoenix Mountain hold a Mirrored Flowers, Moon in the Water (鏡花水月)? If Zhu Lian is willing to reveal his true form, I’ll definitely support it, guaranteeing a minimum of one Grain Rain Coin (谷雨錢) each time.”

Of the four scroll figures brought out of Lotus Blossom Blessed Land by Chen Ping’an, the three, including Wei Xian (魏羨), showed themselves in their true forms, without hiding anything. Only Zhu Lian changed his appearance, becoming a hunched old man with a foul mouth.

At that time, Chen Ping’an was kept in the dark, but Qing Tong found it very interesting.

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Really? I can discuss it with Zhu Lian and open a Mirrored Flowers, Moon in the Water (鏡花水月) especially for Fellow Daoist Qing Tong. Agreed, just one Grain Rain Coin (谷雨錢). I guarantee you can see Zhu Lian every day, until you’re satisfied.”

Qing Tong didn’t reply.

Qing Tong could be considered a knowledgeable and experienced enlightened person, but he seemed to have never seen a handsome man with Zhu Lian’s appearance. Even women praised as having national beauty and heavenly fragrance would probably feel ashamed.

Beauty, beauty, originally it wasn’t just possessed by women.

The beauty of youth, clear wind and bright moon, pure and innocent.

The handsomeness of youth, unmatched for a time, a banished immortal.

But don’t think that Zhu Lian was just a pretty face with no substance. Later people like Yu Zhenyi (俞真意), so-called reaching the summit and becoming number one in the world, only did so because Lotus Blossom Blessed Land was so small.

And Zhu Lian, who went from being a noble young master to a pillar of the nation who turned the tide, and then to a martial arts madman who unified the pugilistic world, became the deserved number one in the world, also only because Lotus Blossom Blessed Land was so small.

The results seemed the same, but the situations were completely different.

Chen Ping’an suddenly asked in a voice transmission, “Is the Old Abbot’s method of Harmonizing with the Dao similar to the ‘Peaceful World and Bountiful Years’ Great Dao?”

Qing Tong asked in return, “Is Hidden Officer talking about the world of abundant harvests?”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “Just a random guess.”

It really was just a random guess, because Qing Tong had just mentioned Xiao Mo (小陌) brewing wine at Fallen Treasure Beach (落寶灘), and Xiao Mo’s identity was associated with the saying “Heaven-sent Fortune” in later generations.

In addition, the Old Abbot’s true form, and certain actions of this “smelly ox-nosed old Taoist” during that war, seemed to have a slightly wavering stance, but without too obvious a bias, generally still standing on the side of the Magnificent Azure World. The Old Abbot didn’t choose to side with the Barbaric World (蠻荒天下) because of his own Dao origins. As for the matter of brewing wine in the human world, it was always something that only happened in peaceful times. In times of chaos, people were worse off than peaceful dogs. Who would have the leisure and energy to brew wine? Moreover, each dynasty often had varying degrees of alcohol prohibition. As for what was written in books about wandering swordsmen casually ordering several catties of beef in taverns, it wasn’t realistic.
A series of seemingly distant clues, pieced together bit by bit, stirred Chen Ping’an’s heart. He quickly searched through the books in the library within his mind, finally finding an ancient, anonymous “old saying”: “藕断丝连 (ǒu duàn sī lián, like a broken lotus root with lingering threads)” – it was a subtle, latent connection.

Chen Ping’an slowly recited, “时和年丰，多黍多稌，亦有高廩，万亿及秭，为酒为醴，降福孔皆，以洽百礼 (shí hé nián fēng, duō shǔ duō tú, yì yǒu gāo lǐn, wàn yì jí zǐ, wèi jiǔ wèi lǐ, jiàng fú kǒng jiē, yǐ qià bǎi lǐ – In times of peace and prosperity, abundant are the millet and rice, with granaries overflowing, holding countless grains, brewed into wine and sweet liquor, blessings descend upon all, to harmonize the myriad rituals).”

Qingtong remained impassive, uttering not a word, perhaps feeling this action was inappropriate, akin to tacit approval. He immediately added, “Venerable Hidden Officer, you truly possess wondrous thoughts.”

Chen Ping’an glanced sideways. Regardless of the ultimate truth, Qingtong’s rough guess was likely aligned with this line of thought.

Did this imply that in an era of peace and prosperity, the Old Abbot of the Eastern Sea Daoist Temple would possess great combat prowess? But in times of turmoil, his Daoist cultivation would decline, and his offensive capabilities would diminish?

Qingtong found this rather bothersome.

Back in the day, at that Eastern Sea Daoist Temple, corn was dried in the temple corridors, and the threshing ground was covered in golden grain, all done personally by the Old Abbot. Even the arrogant little Daoist boy, who always carried a gourd slung across his back, wasn’t qualified to participate. That gourd, one of the Dao Ancestor’s original gourd vines, was named “斗量 (dǒu liáng, Measuring with a Dipper).” Common cultivators might immediately think of the phrase “海水不可斗量 (hǎi shuǐ bù kě dǒu liáng, the sea cannot be measured with a dipper),” implying immeasurability. But it wasn’t that mystical; in fact, it was profoundly mystical, or rather, a return to simplicity. It truly was just a measuring dipper.

And what would most often require a dipper’s measure in this world? Surely, it was the grains harvested year after year.

Chen Ping’an walked towards the Snow Vast Hall. Ripples formed as if he were stepping out of a mirror, revealing his figure. He then said to Qingtong, “You needn’t conceal your form any longer.”

In the entire Violet Sun Prefecture, only Wu Yi, at the Nascent Soul realm, could perceive that aura. She abandoned Huang Chu and rushed here, filled with killing intent, only to freeze on the spot.

She never imagined this person would take the initiative to visit.

Afterwards, Chen Ping’an’s proposition required no contemplation from Wu Yi. Without hesitation, she agreed on the spot.

Not only could she gain that exceptionally precious merit for free, but even without this immense boon, Wu Yi would have nodded, agreeing to light a stick of Water Incense.

Because the path her father had pointed out for her was inextricably linked to Chen Ping’an, and closely connected to Yu Lu, the Crown Prince of the fallen Lu Dynasty. Yu Lu and Chen Ping’an were old friends, even sharing a half-friendship from their time as classmates. As for why her father was so certain that Yu Lu, the “idling” remnant of a fallen kingdom, would settle in Tongye Continent, striving to restore the Lu Dynasty, Wu Yi was not interested.

Wu Yi asked Chen Ping’an to wait a moment. She quickly made a trip to the Sword Rebuke Hall, opened a secret restriction, and retrieved a treasure from a hidden chamber.

As for the veiled female cultivator, since Chen Ping’an had not introduced her, Wu Yi did not inquire further.

Returning to the carved corridor, Wu Yi handed Chen Ping’an a small wooden box.

Carved on the box were images of a divine official dragon, a celestial maiden phoenix, and an ancient immortal riding a tortoise-qilin.

This item was the Violet Sun Prefecture’s treasure for warding off misfortune, something no previous Prefecture Lord had ever seen.

Wu Yi had originally planned to gift it to some sword immortal prodigy, whom she would take as her personal disciple, and then, after the disciple reached the Golden Core stage, present it as a belated apprentice acceptance gift, as well as a congratulatory present.

Chen Ping’an chuckled in amusement. He hadn’t come to freeload; what was she doing?

“Inside, there is an extremely rare ancient Sword Pellet.”

Wu Yi mistakenly believed that he looked down upon this introductory gift and had to explain, with a slightly reluctant tone, “It was a gift my father gave me when I reached the Cave Heaven Realm.”

Of course, more importantly, her father’s stomach was full at the time, and he was in a good mood, which was why he had bestowed this important treasure.

Qingtong merely glanced at the wooden box. Hearing Wu Yi say “extremely rare,” Qingtong, behind the veil, twitched his lips. Low cultivation, big words.

However, when Wu Yi silently recited a secret incantation and used two fingers to wipe away the layers of restrictions on the miniature sword box, sword energy immediately surged out, accompanied by rising violet mist.

Qingtong was slightly surprised. It really was a valuable item.

A long string of glittering purple-gold characters appeared, including the phrase “面壁千年无人知，三清只需泥土身 (miàn bì qiān nián wú rén zhī, sān qīng zhǐ xū ní tǔ shēn – Facing the wall for a thousand years, unknown to anyone, the Three Purities only require bodies of clay).”

As the several secret restrictions set by Cheng Longzhou were opened by Wu Yi, the characters instantly melted away like dissolving snow, scattering in an instant. Even Wu Yi was caught off guard and couldn’t gather them in time.

Evidently, Wu Yi had likely received a reminder from her father, opening all the restrictions for the first time.

Chen Ping’an waved his sleeve, collecting all the Daoist essence of the characters.

Wu Yi regretted it a little, her tone lowering slightly, “My father mentioned that this Sword Pellet came from the ancient Central Earth’s Western Peak. It was personally refined by a certain Daoist Master, originally intended as a treasure to guard a sub-peak of the Western Peak.”

Generally speaking, the “ancient era,” as referred to by cultivators nowadays, is relative to the “remote antiquity” before ten thousand years ago, starting with the division of the world into four, such as the establishment of Confucian Temples in the Great Downpour World, and ending with the Dragon-Slaying Campaign, “there are no more True Dragons in the world.” This is the ancient era in a broad sense. Of course, there are also narrower definitions that push back three or four thousand years earlier, using a particular, unrecorded incident as a hidden inflection point.

Chen Ping’an still didn’t take the sword box, but simply said softly, “I’ve heard of it. The ancient Western Peak was in charge of the casting and smelting of metals, and also oversaw the birds and fowl.”

During that era, according to the rituals established by Sage Li, the Son of Heaven sacrificed to the famous mountains and great rivers of the world. The Five Peaks were regarded as the Three Dukes, and the Great Rivers as the Princes.

However, the true masters of the Five Peaks were not the Mountain Gods. The Mountain Gods at that time were more like assisting officials, assisting the “True Men.” The Five Peaks were the governing places of these True Men. These True Men had their own responsibilities, holding high positions and great power. For example, the two or three True Men governing the Southern Peak, one principal and two deputies, were in charge of the division of celestial phenomena and also oversaw the affairs of aquatic creatures and dragons. The most noteworthy responsibility of the Western Peak was, of course, “casting and smelting,” somewhat similar to the Ministry of Works in later dynasties.

The so-called governing place of the True Men was the true “Land Immortal,” a permanent Daoist dwelling in the human world.

Of course, the term Land Immortal was not as widespread then as it was in later generations. It was a very prestigious title, not something used to describe cultivators in the Golden Core and Nascent Soul realms. It was more akin to Little Mo and Qingtong in the ancient era…
In their eyes, the so-called “Earth Immortals.”

Wu Yi gritted her teeth, pushed the sword box forward again, and said in a deep voice, “It’s not a free gift. If someone intends to restore their kingdom in the Tongye Continent in the future, I plan to assist them. At that time, I may need Mountain Master Chen to say a few good words.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and asked, “Is this a clever plan taught to you by Headmaster Cheng?”

Wu Yi nodded.

Chen Ping’an accepted the sword box, lowered his head, raised a sleeve, gently placed it inside. After looking up, he smiled and said, “If it’s just this matter, then you might suffer a great loss.”

Wu Yi smiled without comment.

Her father did not tell her to give gifts upon meeting. Firstly, Wu Yi underestimated the weight of this sword box. Secondly, her reliance on Yu Lu, wasn’t it a timely assistance for the latter? In the end, Wu Yi wanted to establish a private friendship with the Fallen Mountain, especially with this Hidden Official. Because earlier in the study of the Great Fu Academy, her father said something meaningful, reminding Wu Yi not to think that she wouldn’t need to deal with Mountain Master Chen just because she had arrived in the Tongye Continent. The mountains are high and the waters are long, and you two might meet frequently.

Chen Ping’an said, “Then let’s take it as a congratulatory gift sent in advance to our Fallen Mountain for establishing a lower sect.”

After the Dragon Slaying Battle, the descendants of the flood dragon species, aquatic spirits, if they can transform from river creatures to flood dragons, can be considered to have attained enlightenment. Only these dragons can change their appearances and join the ranks of the court, complementing a country’s landscape and fortune, which is a mutually beneficial long-term deal. It’s not just one side benefiting; it’s equivalent to stealing the dragon energy of a country’s ruler, secretly eroding the “national destiny.” In the history of the Nine Continents of Haoran, occasionally, the Imperial Seal of a nation would inexplicably develop cracks, which is a harbinger of the end of the national destiny.

The reason it is “occasional” is naturally because the Seventy-Two Academies are watching over the mountains and rivers of Haoran.

Once discovered, if any flood dragon dares to act in such a way, virtuous gentlemen can execute them on the spot.

On the other hand, Wu Yi’s father, Cheng Longzhou, served as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites in the Yellow Court Kingdom in his early years. For this ten-thousand-year-old flood dragon, it might have been just a casual trip in the mortal world, but for the national fortune and the landscape aura of the Yellow Court Kingdom, it was of great benefit.

For enlightened flood dragons who enter the court as officials, the only trouble and aftermath is that they will be implicated when a country is destroyed, at which point they will face a tribulation.

This leads to the fact that even Yuan Ying stage old dragons like Cheng Longzhou still dare not leave their training grounds and easily assist mortal emperors.

Because, according to the historical evolution of Haoran, large dynasties and small countries often face a calamity every three hundred years.

Only some flood dragon descendants who are stuck in the Dragon Gate Realm and are destined to be unable to break through the bottleneck for a long time will choose a newly established dynasty as an opportunity to break through. Regardless of the calamities in two or three hundred years, they will first form a core through this, then talk about other things. After becoming a Golden Core cultivator, it won’t be too late to face that tribulation.

Wu Yi was shocked by the phrase “lower sect,” to the point of being speechless. Wu Yi wasn’t too surprised that Fallen Mountain was promoted to a sect, but to say that they immediately created a lower sect, how many have done that throughout Haoran’s ten thousand years? It’s even rarer than the legendary Fourteenth Realm cultivators, right?

“The lower sect is in the Tongye Continent.”

Chen Ping’an continued, “It seems that it’s become neighbors with Fellow Daoist Wu again.”

Speaking of this, Chen Ping’an glanced at Qing Tong again.

Fellow Daoist Qing Tong, you tell me honestly, isn’t it a coincidence?

Qing Tong had already resigned himself to fate.

Chen Ping’an walked side by side with Wu Yi, but it was more like Chen Ping’an leading the way to a certain place, saying, “Whether Yu Lu will restore his kingdom, I’m not sure for the time being. If there really is such a day, I will definitely help introduce you. Besides that, there is another option, Fellow Daoist Wu, you might want to consider it?”

Wu Yi smiled and said, “Tell me about it.”

Chen Ping’an then told her in a hushed voice about a certain Dugu clan woman who would soon establish a kingdom and become an empress on the banks of the Lin River in the Tongye Continent.

Wu Yi was extremely tempted. Instead of waiting for Yu Lu to restore his kingdom in the Tongye Continent, wouldn’t it be better to seek something more secure?

Or could it be that she actually has a chance to be… the state preceptor of two countries?!

Wu Yi said, “Allow me to consider it.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Such a big matter needs careful consideration.”

Qing Tong said in a hushed voice, “This Wu Yi is still blind. The truly precious thing about this sword pellet is that it’s an unowned object that is easy to refine.”

It’s not to say that it can be used right away, but compared to a sword cultivator embryo nurturing their own natal flying sword, the difference in difficulty is like heaven and earth.

If it were given to a Qi Refinement cultivator who was not originally a sword cultivator, the difficulty would still be considerable. But if it were given to a sword immortal embryo who is already a sword cultivator, then it would be like adding wings to a tiger.

Chen Ping’an nodded and said, “I deeply understand this matter.”

Originally, Qing Tong wanted to say, “A gentleman does not take what others love, are you just going to keep this sword pellet for yourself?” deliberately annoying the young Hidden Official. But after considering it, he felt that he should not provoke this person, so he changed his words and said, “Meeting but not recognizing, being surrounded by treasure but not knowing it, in the end, the fate hasn’t arrived, a wasted effort.”

Chen Ping’an said, “I also deeply understand this.”

For example, that Zou Zi.

Actually, there is also a certain young sword cultivator who seems to have become an “arch-enemy” without ever meeting.

While Chen Ping’an was participating in the Literary Temple conference, near the Mandarin Duck Isle, there was a young man who made a living by copying scriptures and often went fishing there in his spare time.

This person is the sword cultivator Liu Cai, whom Chen Ping’an has been trying to find, one of the young ten from several Heavens.

Liu Cai possesses two sword-nurturing gourds, named “Mind” and “Immediately,” respectively. The flying sword nurtured by the former is the sharpest, and the flying sword nurtured by the latter is the fastest.

Liu Cai has two natal flying swords like Chen Ping’an. Among them, the flying sword “Azure Sky” is known as a sword that can break ten thousand swords.

The second natal flying sword, “White Steed,” can even ignore the constraints of the river of time.

Liu Cai uses the sword-nurturing gourd “Mind” to nourish the flying sword “Azure Sky,” and uses “Immediately” to nourish the flying sword “White Steed,” which is simply a match made in heaven.

It is custom-made for Liu Cai, but isn’t it also custom-made for Chen Ping’an?

Because it is clearly tailored to target, restrain, and overwhelm Chen Ping’an’s two natal flying swords when he just became a sword cultivator, Caged Bird and Moon in the Well.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Does this sword pellet have a name?”

Wu Yi nodded and said, “I heard my father say it’s called ‘Clay Pellet’.”
Chen Ping’an smiled, “That’s quite the prominent name.”

Wu Yi retorted, clearly annoyed, “Mountain Master Chen, please don’t rub salt in my wounds.”

The three, host and guests, meandered along until they neared a secluded courtyard. Chen Ping’an didn’t knock, simply halting, as if waiting for something.

He not only refrained from eavesdropping on any conversation within, but also helped to shield the tea-drinking occupants from prying eyes, even preventing Qing Tong from discerning what was happening inside.

Chen Ping’an tucked his hands into his sleeves and smiled. “The hospitality of Violet Sun Prefecture is as excellent as ever.”

Wu Yi pretended not to notice the barbs in the young Hidden Official’s words. She leaned against a porch pillar, arms crossed, and scoffed, “If our Violet Sun Prefecture were to vacate a large residence for Madam Xiao to stay in, I reckon she wouldn’t get a peaceful night’s sleep these days. She’d never be as leisurely as she is now, brewing famous spring water and sampling fine tea.”

Qing Tong marveled inwardly. Such audacious words from a mere nascent soul water serpent, rivaling even a true dragon!

Yet, strangely, Chen Ping’an seemed unperturbed, even nodding and agreeing with a smile, “Indeed.”

Qing Tong couldn’t help but wonder, what kind of divine being warranted such exceptional treatment from Chen Ping’an?

Was it the widely renowned Water Goddess of White Egret River? Or that commonplace sixth-realm martial artist?

Most likely the latter.

It seemed this Hidden Official had some peculiar quirks. Guessing the opposite often revealed the answer.

Inside the small courtyard, the aroma of tea was delightful. Xiao Luan reflected on the past, marveling at the coincidences of life.

Regarding that “benefactor” who had appeared halfway through, Xiao Luan had been quite bewildered after leaving Violet Sun Prefecture last time.

Back then, the Water Goddess couldn’t understand how a young martial artist who was so respectful towards Sun Dengxian could be so highly regarded by Violet Sun Prefecture’s founding ancestor, ultimately leading him to swallow his pride and let her off the hook.

Therefore, Xiao Luan had tentatively inquired about Chen Ping’an’s background from Sun Dengxian – his mountain lineage, his hometown?

But was he a son of some wealthy clan from the Great Li Dynasty, one fond of traveling the mountains and rivers, from a family whose prominence was second only to the imperial family?

In truth, Xiao Luan had harbored some resentment when asking. Why hadn’t Sun Dengxian revealed his connections in the mountains sooner?

Sun Dengxian had been helpless at the time, genuinely unaware and having no intention of concealing anything from Madam Xiao.

That night, as Sun Dengxian accompanied Xiao Luan to the Snow Vast Hall for the banquet, they happened to encounter Chen Ping’an’s party. Had Chen Ping’an not proactively revealed their connection, Sun Dengxian wouldn’t have recognized him. After all, their first encounter had been on the mountain road before the Centipede Ridge ruined temple, and back then, Chen Ping’an was just a young lad, accompanied by a green-clad boy and a pink-skirted girl, both cunning and clever. As an experienced veteran, Sun Dengxian had recognized the origins of the two youngsters at a glance and had merely offered a casual reminder to the youth. Little did Sun Dengxian know that something he had forgotten would be remembered by the other party for so many years.

Had it not been for the striking appearance of those “page and maid” children, Sun Dengxian would have had only a vague impression. Just based on the young man’s face, Sun Dengxian wouldn’t have remembered him.

So much so that when they met again, Chen Ping’an was able to help White Egret River escape disaster.

At that wine-soaked banquet, Chen Ping’an not only helped to deflect drinks, but also managed to get Violet Sun Prefecture to let bygones be bygones. After that, the relationship between White Egret River and Violet Sun Prefecture had improved somewhat, at least superficially. Even Gao Niang, the River God of the Iron Certificate River, had uttered fewer veiled insults over the years.

Sun Dengxian drank a bellyful of tea, suddenly realizing that the Water Goddess sitting opposite him seemed to be looking at him strangely.

Sun Dengxian asked, puzzled, “Madam Xiao?”

Xiao Luan suppressed a laugh and made a raising hand gesture, striking downward heavily.

Sun Dengxian was even more perplexed. Was this a charade?

Xiao Luan smiled and stopped being mysterious, saying, “If I remember correctly, you made that gesture back then, and then said to him, ‘Good lad, you’ve made a name for yourself. Now you can dine and drink at Purple Qi Mansion.'”

Sun Dengxian flushed with shame and could only utter a weak, “Ignorance is bliss.”

After their reunion, Chen Ping’an kept addressing him as Grand Hero Sun.

Whether he was a grand hero or not aside, Sun Dengxian only felt that he was older by several years, so he didn’t take it seriously.

Back then, in the Carp Pearl Grotto-Heaven, in Locust Yellow County, Dragon Spring Prefecture, the young Mountain Master of Fallen Mountain and the Sword Immortal Liu Xianyang of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect had together challenged the Sword at Mount Zheng Yang.

Then came the report from the Central Earth Continent. First, he became the last Hidden Official of the Great Wall of Sword Qi, then he single-handedly defended half of the city wall. Finally, as the Hidden Official, he led four peak Sword Immortals deep into the savage wilderness to jointly challenge the Sword at Mount Tuo Yue.

Each event was a great shock.

Sun Dengxian was approaching sixty, but still had a strong physique. His hair was graying at the temples, but his face looked less than fifty. This was thanks to his early military career. The Yellow Court Kingdom had always been peaceful. The generals had no battles to fight. Sun Dengxian didn’t complain, but when the Yellow Court Kingdom surrendered without a fight, betraying its alliance with the Great Sui Gao Clan and defecting to the Great Li Song Clan, Sun Dengxian resigned in anger. He only took on tasks of subduing demons, but then the haunting fox he had captured actually transformed and became the emperor’s concubine. This enraged Sun Dengxian again, and he was completely disheartened. Xiao Luan had cordially invited him, so he joined the White Egret River Water Mansion and became a semi-retired gentleman.

Thinking back to those days.

“My name is Chen Ping’an. Grand Hero Sun can just call me Chen Ping’an.”

“Alright, I’ll call you Chen Ping’an.”

Recalling the past.

Drinking tea was like drinking wine.

If they were drinking wine, he might have wept.

Xiao Luan said softly, “Venerable Sun, I can see that Mountain Master Chen genuinely admires you.”

Back then, that person didn’t just say casual pleasantries to anyone.

Xiao Luan was confident in her judgment.

A true person doesn’t show off, like a high official riding a poor horse, wealthy but not ostentatious.

Sun Dengxian smiled. “That was the case back then. I just don’t know if we can still chat when we meet now.”
Xiao Luan hesitated, a hint of resentment in her eyes, “Then why haven’t you visited Falling Mountain like I asked? The Water Mansion isn’t demanding anything of you, just a casual visit like during festivals, a drink and a few stories with the young Hidden Official.”

She had tried hinting and direct requests, but the Chief Attendant of her own Water Mansion just wouldn’t agree, never explaining his reasons, stubborn as a mule.

Sun Dengxian chuckled, still offering no explanation.

After all, the Water Goddess was not a江湖 person; true江湖 talk would be wasted on her.

Drinking together was a matter of social obligation.

Such wine, even celestial brew, couldn’t intoxicate the spirit, and its taste was no match for a humble, roadside wine shared with a chance encounter.

There were already so many clever people in the world; the world did not lack one more Sun Dengxian.

Xiao Luan had just mentioned it in passing and wouldn’t truly want Sun Dengxian to curry favor with the young Hidden Official for her sake or the sake of the White Egret River Water Mansion.

However, Xiao Luan also had a secret she was ashamed to acknowledge, a secret that made her want to crawl into a hole whenever she thought about it.

This matter could be considered a handle held by Wu Yi.

Sun Dengxian bid farewell to the Water Goddess, leaving the room to practice his stances in the courtyard and loosen his muscles.

He actually lived in a wing room on one side of the courtyard.

A lone man and a lone woman, proper conduct between the sexes? The fact that they weren’t assigned the same room already spoke volumes for the Zi Yang Prefecture’s hospitality.

Just then, a knock sounded at the courtyard gate.

Opening the door, Sun Dengxian was momentarily stunned to see Wu Yi himself paying a visit.

Beside Wu Yi stood a young man, dressed in a long green robe, with a refined demeanor and an air of Daoism.

Xiao Luan also hurried out of the house, a hint of shyness flashing in her long, limpid eyes, though she quickly regained her composure.

The man cupped his fist in a salute, smiling brightly, “Greetings, Hero Sun, Lady Xiao, we meet again.”

Sun Dengxian was merely an Attendant of the River God’s residence, while Xiao Luan was a true River God, yet this man, in his words, seemed to place Sun Dengxian before Xiao Luan.

Xiao Luan dared not concern herself with such trivial matters, immediately performing a deep curtsy, her eyes lowered respectfully, “Xiao Luan of the White Egret River greets Mister Chen!”

Sun Dengxian then clasped his fist in a loud voice and laughed, “This Sun greets Mountain Lord Chen.”

Wu Yi curled his lip. This Xiao Luan really had lady luck on her side, always seeming to encounter this fellow of his. Could this woman be considered one who arrived at the perfect moment?

What, had she secretly erected a shrine in the White Egret River Water Mansion?

However, Wu Yi had to admit that the Xiao Luan before him was truly a great beauty, “A captivating woman whose presence is enough to move a man, startling the heart and causing the eyes to linger.”

Even other women would find her pitiful and worthy of compassion.

No wonder there were so many twisted tales within the Yellow Court Kingdom that glorified her name, singing her praises, describing her as a River Goddess with a purple lotus headdress, her feet shod in lotus silk shoes, walking on the waves without disturbing the dust.

Heh. Such poetry might even be of Xiao Luan’s own creation, just finding someone to write it down for her.

Wu Yi looked at Xiao Luan, asking directly, “Lady Xiao, speak, what business do you have with me?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “You discuss your matters, I’ll have wine with Hero Sun.”

Sun Dengxian looked troubled, as he had no wine with him, nor was there any prepared in the courtyard, but Chen Ping’an had already helped alleviate the situation, “I have two jars of homemade Bamboo Sea Grotto wine.”

Inside Sun Dengxian’s room, they poured two large bowls of wine. Sun Dengxian didn’t know what to say, so Chen Ping’an asked if Hero Sun had traveled to Sui’an County. With that, they began to chat, quickly emptying two bowls of wine. Chen Ping’an simply took off his cloth shoes, sitting cross-legged on the chair. Sun Dengxian followed suit, his whole person no longer so tense. An old jianghu man, as long as he wasn’t so reserved, was quite the conversationalist. Without the young Hidden Official needing to prompt him, Sun Dengxian took the initiative to talk about an amusing anecdote, asking if Mountain Lord Chen remembered the others from Centipede Ridge. Chen Ping’an laughed, saying of course he remembered. Sun Dengxian wiped his mouth, laughing, saying that whenever those old fellows gathered, they always talked about Mountain Lord Chen. He didn’t dare say he knew him, and occasionally when he interjected, he would be met with a snappish “The young Hidden Official told you that?” or “Were you even there at the time?”

Sun Dengxian was prone to losing face when drunk and was already flushed, though he was only slightly tipsy. He asked, “May I ask something?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Does Hero Sun want to ask about Cao Ci’s boxing?”

Sun Dengxian asked, “Am I hitting a sore spot?”

“What’s there to be ashamed of? I simply sparred with Cao Ci and lost four times in a row.”

Chen Ping’an raised his wine bowl, lightly clinking it against Sun Dengxian’s, each taking a large gulp, then wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, “Cao Ci’s boxing is like the work of Heaven, each move seemingly preordained, very formidable, I truly can’t beat him.”

However, Chen Ping’an quickly added, “Of course, that’s only temporary. The fight at the Merit Forest was already much better than the three fights I had on the city walls of the Sword Qi Great Wall, where I had no chance of retaliation.”

Sun Dengxian asked, puzzled, “How did Mountain Lord Chen learn boxing?”

Chen Ping’an thought seriously, saying, “In my early years, I had a wise master who taught me boxing and ‘fed’ me punches. I can be considered someone who can endure hardship. Plus, I haven’t been lax all these years. If my later identity as a sword cultivator is the path to ascend, then my earlier martial arts training is the foundation for standing firm, and both are indispensable.”

Sun Dengxian asked with a smile, “How did you think of brewing your own wine?”

Chen Ping’an joked, “To earn money, I’ve been afraid of being poor since I was a child. If I don’t have a few coins in my hand, I feel uneasy. A poor man’s money is like sweat on his palm, without labor there’s nothing, even with labor there’s nothing.”

Taking a sip of wine, Chen Ping’an continued, “Of course, I don’t lack money now, but earning money is like drinking, easily addictive. At most, I just remind myself frequently not to earn money that goes against my conscience, to avoid those shady deals, because they won’t last. And after having some money, I always need to seek peace of mind. Because I heard the elders in my hometown say that saving money for your descendants is not necessarily a blessing, if they can’t accept it, they can’t accept it. Only doing good deeds and accumulating virtue can leave behind blessings for your descendants, and they can’t refuse it even if they want to. Most importantly, as the old saying goes, every household has a field called the Field of Blessings. Wisdom roots easily grow in the Field of Blessings, so leaving a Field of Blessings for your descendants is better than anything, better than money, even better than books.”
Sun Dengxian nodded, “It’s a pity that many people don’t think so now. They’re single-mindedly convinced that you can’t make big money unless you’re ruthless.”

Chen Pingan hesitated, “I have to admit, it often seems that this is the case. Those with fierce hearts seem to live more flamboyant lives.”

Sun Dengxian sighed.

Chen Pingan smiled, “It’s fine, at worst we’ll each walk our own path, cross our own bridges, eat our own meals, and drink our own wine. Besides, both I and Grandmaster Sun are martial artists, our hands aren’t just for holding bowls and drinking wine.”

Sun Dengxian raised his wine bowl and laughed, “That’s true, let’s drink to that.”

Chen Pingan followed suit, raising his wine bowl and saying, “When Grandmaster Sun visits my Fallen Mountain, I’ll personally cook a few dishes to go with the wine.”

Sun Dengxian smiled, “Having those words is the best dish of all.”

The earlier phrase, “A poor man’s wealth is the sweat of his brow,” finally allowed Sun Dengxian to confirm one thing: the young Mountain Master Chen before him was not from a wealthy family, but had truly come from poverty.

Meeting Sun Dengxian and his companions back then was like a confirmation, reassuring Chen Pingan that his cautious approach to navigating the world was the right one.

On a larger scale, it proved that Chen Pingan’s cautious words and actions in this unfamiliar world, so different from his hometown, were not wrong.

However, Chen Pingan had never mentioned these thoughts to anyone. Today, having met Grandmaster Sun, he wasn’t drunk enough to say them yet.

It was like a self-certification and external validation combined, a Dao validation of sorts.

In the corridor.

The Most Sagely Teacher smiled, “He’s been exposed so quickly.”

The High Purity Cave Master’s method of joining the Dao, ascending to the fourteenth realm, was of course not limited to this. It was much more complex than Chen Pingan’s guess.

It involved not only praying for auspicious timing, but also being constrained by geographical advantages, and taking actions to create harmony. Yet, these three could be merged into one, making it a very interesting path.

After a “world” split into four great continents many years ago, many “young” fourteenth realm and Ascendant Realm peak cultivators were naturally curious about how the “first to arrive,” the Old Taoist Abbot, had achieved his success, and why he didn’t stay in the barbaric world but instead ran to the Radiant Sun Continent to become an anomaly.

The great cultivators had speculated about this for hundreds and thousands of years, only reaching Chen Pingan’s conclusion.

Lu Yan said, “Chen Pingan benefits from the widespread circulation of books in later generations.”

The Most Sagely Teacher sighed, “Is it so hard to admit that a young junior is clever?”

That sigh sounded exactly like the old scholar’s tone. But considering their seniority and age, perhaps the Literary Sage was simply imitating him, and had even grasped the essence?

Lu Yan shook his head and smiled, “This humble Daoist has no intention of belittling Chen Pingan. I already thought highly of him when we were at the inn beside the Handan Road.”

The Most Sagely Teacher insisted, “You do.”

Lu Yan felt helpless, “Most Sagely Teacher, you are a teacher for all generations, please don’t make things difficult for this Daoist.”

The Most Sagely Teacher asked with a smile, “Do you think Chen Pingan guessed the identity of that Lu Sheng?”

Lu Yan replied, “Hard to say.”

The Most Sagely Teacher said, “That ancient sword pellet, while not a rare and precious treasure, can still be called ‘remarkable’. Pure Yang friend, do you think Chen Pingan will refine it himself, or give it away?”

Lu Yan said, “Too much to chew is hard to swallow. He’ll probably give it away.”

The Most Sagely Teacher smiled, “Gnawing on vegetable roots, enduring all kinds of hardships, with no taboos, everything is possible.”

Lu Yan sighed, “Cultivators are the most selfish.”

But without selfishness, how can one seek the Dao, cultivate to become immortal, and ultimately be as eternal as heaven and earth?

The Most Sagely Teacher exclaimed, “Pure Yang friend, are you scolding yourself, or me, or are we being scolded together?”

Lu Yan shook his head, “Just saying it casually. I’m about to travel far, inevitably feeling melancholy.”

The green mountains, white clouds, small bridges, and flowing water of his hometown are waiting for the traveler to return.

It’s as if when the day dawns and the dream ends, he will “open his eyes to the sounds of flower sellers all around.”

Lu Yan’s Dao heart was strong, and he quickly restrained this slight sorrow. He was also quite curious about one thing, “Is the sword art of that barbaric female sword cultivator, Bai Jing, who goes by the alias of Bai Jing, superior to that of fellow Daoist Mo?”

The Most Sagely Teacher nodded, “Of course, she’s a very fierce woman, with high sword skills. However, Little Mo is also very troubled. Faced with this constant entanglement, he can’t really engage in a life-or-death sword duel with Bai Jing, otherwise he would irritate Little Mo. Once a certain Natal Flying Sword is unleashed, Bai Jing would also be intimidated. Speaking of that chase back then, if they had really fought to the death, Yang Zhi and Zhu Yan would have suffered more. Three Ascendants, two dead and one injured, they couldn’t have escaped. In the barbaric world, Zhu Yan’s serious injury was no different from death.”

“When acting as a sword servant protecting those people, Little Mo can of course do well, but as a death warrior, he is the most worthy of the name.”

“So, someone’s eye for talent has always been very good, from ancient times to the present.”

However, the sword cultivator Bai Jing is somewhat similar to Xiao Xun of the Sword Qi Great Wall, preferring a pure and unconstrained freedom.

Back then, Chen Qingdu couldn’t control Xiao Xun at the Sword Qi Great Wall, and now that Bai Ze has returned to the barbaric world, he may not be able to control Bai Jing either.

It’s not so much about not being able to control her, but more about respect, or a kind of understanding from a senior to a junior.

The sky is vast, and the earth is wide, so go and be free.