They strolled back together, heading towards the stone arch bridge, ascending the steps. Chen Ping’an stopped abruptly in the middle of the bridge, sitting down with his legs dangling over the edge.

The white-haired child mimicked him, sitting down beside him.

Chen Ping’an turned to look towards Mount Luopo, seeming to see Xiaomili just finishing her patrol near the Jise Peak Ancestral Hall, walking at a leisurely pace.

Mount Luopo’s Right Protector was renowned for her diligence in patrolling, a task performed twice daily without fail, never once shirking or sleeping in.

Even the Crimson-Clad Child, who checked in monthly, admitted he was far behind Deputy Helmsman Zhou’s daily patrols. During these patrols, when no one was around, Xiaomili would practice a martial arts masterpiece, the Mad Demon Swordplay taught by Pei Qian. However, Pei Qian wielded the sword in one hand, while Xiaomili was different, using her walking staff in one hand and her golden shoulder pole in the other, wielding the “sword” with both hands, doubling the power!

No need to be envious, for this was the result of self-taught genius.

Then she’d go to the stream, lifting stones to find crabs and playing the finger-guessing game, always winning without fail, leaving no room for doubt. Such actions were indeed childish and unbecoming.

Next time, she wouldn’t bully those defeated opponents. She’d catch a fish instead. The patrolling envoy would first show “cloth”, then gently press the fish’s abdomen. The fish would open its mouth, revealing a “fist,” ensuring a guaranteed victory.

When the kindly mountain master wasn’t home, Xiaomili’s patrol was quick, always running back and forth.

But when the kindly mountain master was home, the patrol was slow, leisurely and unhurried, the time spent on the mountain path at least doubling.

It seemed that the faster she ran, the sooner the kindly mountain master could return home.

Conversely, the slower she walked, the slower the kindly mountain master would descend the mountain for his travels.

Chen Ping’an smiled, withdrawing his gaze, and took off his cloth shoes, sitting cross-legged. He brushed off the dust from the soles and gently patted the fabric, asking, “That boxing manual?”

The white-haired child seemed to have a mind-link with the Hidden Official Ancestor, and said with nonchalance, “Just don’t let greed cloud your mind and have it printed by mountain foot merchants to make money.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “I’m being serious.”

The reason why the jade records on the mountain were called “Golden Jade” was twofold: one was symbolic, reminding cultivators that their record status was hard-earned; the other was practical, the materials themselves being extremely exquisite. As for that boxing manual, like the sect’s secret and precious Taoist texts, ordinary paper simply couldn’t bear that dense Taoist intent. In short, copying and transcribing it was extremely difficult. At most, a second-rate true copy of the boxing manual could be made, which might even require Chen Ping’an to set up layers of mountain and river restrictions.

To use an analogy, this boxing manual was like a mountain peak, containing Taoist energy that needed a mountain protection formation to stabilize the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, preventing the boxing intent from leaking and dissipating from the book.

The white-haired child said, “Besides the Hidden Official Ancestor’s own observation and practice, future disciples from Mount Luopo and Immortal Capital Mountain, whether they’re the Ancestor’s direct disciples like Pei Qian and Zhao Shuxia, or their disciples like Zhou Junchen, or even future descendants, third-generation, fourth-generation, fifth-generation, sixth-generation, seventh-generation, as long as they are direct descendants with record status, they can read this boxing manual, but it cannot be passed on to outsiders, and the boxing techniques cannot be taught outside the sect.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Consider that I owe you a favor.”

It wasn’t Wu Shuangjiang’s intention. Palace Master Wu didn’t have that kind of leisure. It must be the idea of this outer sect handyman disciple beside him.

Of course, it could also be Wu Shuangjiang’s deliberate act, intentionally making Chen Ping’an owe her, rather than Mount Luopo owing him and Suichu Palace a favor, the former being optional, while the latter was completely unnecessary.

The white-haired child’s eyes darted around, and tentatively asked, “Hidden Official Ancestor, I have a very farsighted suggestion, but I don’t know if I should say it.”

In the past, the conversation would have ended here. But after all, he had received a favor, so Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Tell me.”

The white-haired child became radiant and said, “As an outer sect handyman disciple, I am also a member of Mount Luopo and should do my best. I want to dedicate myself wholeheartedly, spare no effort, work day and night, to compile a detailed, well-written, and wonderful chronicle for the Hidden Official Ancestor and the many big shots of the Jise Peak Ancestral Hall of Mount Luopo!”

Scholars in the mortal world and sects on the mountain both had the habit of compiling chronicles. The former was mostly descendants recording the life deeds of their family’s virtuous ancestors, centered on the chronicle master, with years and months as the main framework. The latter was similar, but the scope was broader. According to commonly accepted rules, top sects could record the resumes of all cultivators above the fifth realm. General sects and larger immortal estates only recorded Golden Core cultivators. General sects only recorded cultivators in the middle five realms, including the Cave Realm. In short, there was a certain threshold.

Mount Luopo could have done this long ago. The reason why it hadn’t been started was probably because the mountain master himself didn’t mention it, so everyone pretended it didn’t exist.

The compiler was somewhat similar to the historian and court recorder of the mortal dynasty, often held by a cultivator in charge of law enforcement within a sect.

Chen Ping’an didn’t speak, and lowered his head to start reaching into his sleeve.

First return the boxing manual, then settle the score with you.

Earlier, by the wooden stool in Qilong Lane, we still have an old score to settle.

The white-haired child hurriedly grabbed the Hidden Official Ancestor’s arm with both hands, “Don’t, don’t, compiling the chronicle isn’t urgent, Hidden Official Ancestor doesn’t need to rush to give me a blank booklet.”

Chen Ping’an was just about to get up, but the white-haired child picked up one of the cloth shoes that the Hidden Official Ancestor had neatly placed in the middle of the two of them, and looked at it carefully, “Good craftsmanship, you can tell a lot of effort was put in.”

Chen Ping’an took back the shoes and put them back in place, as if he had changed his mind, and said, “Compiling the chronicle is not a small matter on the mountain. Next time I have a meeting in the Jise Peak Ancestral Hall, I will include this matter in the agenda. If no one raises an objection, you will be responsible for the compilation.”

The white-haired child began to push his luck, and tentatively asked, “When compiling the chronicle of Mount Luopo, can I be credited?”

Chen Ping’an started reaching into his sleeve again.

The white-haired child slapped the stone bridge and said in a deep voice, “Forget it, forget it, doing good deeds without leaving a name.”
Chen Ping’an flicked his sleeves and said, “It’s no problem for you to compile the mountain’s annals. I only have two requests. First, the writing must be simple and unadorned, the wording concise, and the events factual. No embellishments or whitewashing allowed, and there’s no need to protect the reputation of any esteemed figure. Second, start the annals from when I was fourteen years old as a prologue. Don’t write about anything before that, as there’s nothing worth writing about.”

The white-haired boy nodded like a chick pecking at rice, rubbing his hands together, planning to make a big splash. With this accomplishment, becoming a branch leader would be a piece of cake, right?

Chen Ping’an was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, “If you hadn’t brought it up yourself, I would have reminded you to have the annals signed with your name.”

The white-haired boy was filled with regret, scratching his head. “I was gilding the lily, underestimating the Hidden Official Grandmaster’s magnanimity. It’s my fault, I can’t blame the Hidden Official Grandmaster for being petty.”

Chen Ping’an reminded him, “If you keep acting like this, you can forget about the signature.”

The white-haired boy immediately composed himself, straightened his back, glanced at the mountains to the west, and asked curiously, “That Pearl Mountain, you bought it for just one copper coin?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “You can see the hidden profundity because of your high cultivation level. Back then, who would have been willing to waste money buying a small, barren mountain?”

The white-haired boy asked, “Did the Hidden Official Grandmaster receive guidance from an expert in secret?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and said, “At the time, I just thought that ‘Fallen Mountain’ and ‘Pearl Mountain’ sounded similar.”

“Also, Pearl Mountain is closest to the town, making it the most visible from there. And if you want to enter the mountains, Pearl Mountain is the only way to pass through. I wanted to take this opportunity to silently tell the whole town, without having to shout, that Chen Ping’an from Mud Bottle Alley now has money. Whether you’re happy or not, whether you care or not, you have to acknowledge this undeniable fact.”

“This is just a digression; don’t write it in the annals.”

The white-haired boy was uncharacteristically serious, simply nodding in agreement.

Life may not have true shared joy or sorrow, perhaps like two people, two separate worlds.

Each with their own thoughts, willing or unwilling, rising and falling, leaving no arrangement for the world.

Having stayed in Horseback Lane for a long time, the white-haired boy was quite clear about the general history of Chen Ping’an and Fallen Mountain’s rise to prominence. Chen Lingjun often went to drink and chat with Jia Sheng. The young man in green robes was always shouting that a hero doesn’t dwell on past glories, while the old Taoist, whose flattery skills were unparalleled, would complain that there were no outsiders at the table, and that the heroic spirit of their brotherhood, the hardships and difficulties they had faced, couldn’t be shared with outsiders. Could it not be used as a small dish to go with their wine?

So, the white-haired boy would sit on the threshold, eating melon seeds while listening to those two live treasures showing off and praising each other. Occasionally, when they got drunk, they would hug each other and cry bitterly – real tears. One old and one young would sit under the table, cry, and then look for more wine to drink.

Fallen Mountain and Pearl Mountain, plus the Treasure Records Mountain, which was originally leased to the Dragon Spring Sword Sect for three hundred years, as well as Colorful Cloud Peak and Immortal Herb Mountain, were the first five mountains that Chen Ping’an bought with money.

It seemed that Chen Ping’an was fourteen years old that year.

Afterward, he bought Gray Mist Mountain adjacent to the north of Fallen Mountain, Ox Horn Mountain, which the Treasure Pouch Master of Precious Bottle Continent voluntarily withdrew from, Vermilion Sand Mountain, which the Xu family of Qingfeng City voluntarily abandoned, as well as鳌Fish Back and蔚Red Mist Peak, and the Sword Worship Terrace located at the westernmost end of the mountains. In addition, through Chen Lingjun’s matchmaking, he bought a Yellow Lake Mountain.

This was the second “expansion” of Fallen Mountain’s territory, giving Fallen Mountain eleven affiliated mountains.

Then, the inner mountain heads including照Read Post belonged to the third “recruitment.”

The white-haired boy cautiously asked, “Hidden Official Grandmaster, what about the three inner mountains of Treasure Records Mountain now?”

Not long ago, the Dragon Spring Sword Sect suddenly changed its Sect Master, becoming Liu Xianyang. As a result, even the ancestral mountain was moved away, but those three mountains remained unmoved.

Chen Ping’an said, “I used twenty-seven Grain Rain Coins to rent back the three mountains from the Dragon Spring Sword Sect for two hundred and seventy years.”

The white-haired boy rolled his eyes, thinking that this was like taking off his pants to fart, wasn’t Ruan Qiong an idiot…

No wonder Chen Lingjun often boasted about how he and Ruan Saint became old friends at first sight. They were truly kindred spirits.

Chen Ping’an stood up and said, “Go back to the shop in Horseback Lane. I’ll take a shortcut along the Dragon Beard River to Fallen Mountain.”

Afterward, Chen Ping’an walked upstream along the Dragon Beard River, passing by the stone cliff that locals called Green Ox Back. Then, he detoured, passing by Pearl Mountain, where construction had never started, and then walked into the mountains to the west. Chen Ping’an didn’t return directly to Fallen Mountain. He planned to take a trip to Clothing Belt Peak first, as a close neighbor is better than a distant relative. He would then descend the mountain to visit Pearl Hairpin Island on 鳌Fish Back. The Dragon Boat Black Ink and the shops left behind by Ox Horn Ferry Treasure Pouch, in recent years, had actually been managed by Liu Chongrun and the female cultivators of Pearl Hairpin Island’s genealogical records.

Strangely enough, Chen Ping’an didn’t seem to care too much about the enormous amounts of immortal money he received, such as the congratulatory gifts received by the Green Ripple Sword Sect. The Liu family of皑皑洲 alone sent so many Grain Rain Coins. It wasn’t that Chen Ping’an wasn’t pleasantly surprised, but he was never too concerned. However, he always paid extra attention to any steady stream of income, no matter how small.

But Chen Ping’an hadn’t mentioned this idea to anyone. Anyway, if he did, he would probably just receive a flurry of flattery.

But if Liu Xianyang heard it, he would definitely laugh and tease him, saying that he was just afraid of being poor since he was a child, had no concept of big money, and only felt that small money was real.

In the past, when the Precious Bottle Continent talked about the history of Chen Ping’an’s rise to prominence in Mud Bottle Alley, they always talked about North Peak Cloud-Draped Mountain and the Dragon Spring Sword Sect. To be precise, they couldn’t avoid talking about Wei Bo and Ruan Qiong.

Including North Peak Cloud-Draped Mountain, there were a total of sixty-two mountains west of the town, all of which had long been occupied.

The reason why it was “in the past” was because the last military strategist who sat in the Li Zhu Grotto Heaven, Ruan Qiong, stepped down from the position of Sect Master and let his disciple Liu Xianyang take over.
Then, the Dragon Spring Sword Sect relocated Divine Show Mountain, where their ancestral hall was located, along with all their mountain peaks, including Tiao Deng Mountain and Heng Shuo Peak, to the Jingji area, formerly the Northern Mountain, in the north. However, they left behind the three mountain peaks that were originally leased to Fallen Mountain. Outsiders speculated that this might be the intention of the Song Clan of Great Li, who didn’t want the two sects to be too close, preventing a “one mountain cannot harbor two tigers” situation. Or, perhaps some unknown discord had arisen between the two mountains. After all, if the rumors were true, Chen Ping An, a rising star from the Blessed Land of Carp Leaping, had once worked as a hired hand in a sword-forging shop by the Dragon Beard River. Yet, he never attended the Dragon Spring Sword Sect’s celebration, nor did he even show his face when his friend Liu Xianyang became the sect leader. Similarly, when Fallen Mountain first established its sect, they didn’t invite Dragon Spring Sword Sect. Later, when they ascended to a “Zong” level sect, they didn’t invite Ruan Qiong either. It was said that only Liu Xianyang appeared at Gleaming Peak…

Chen Ping An arrived at the foot of a mountain peak. There was no sect gate to display its identity. Not many cultivators resided on Ribbon Peak. Without a sect gate, there were no gatekeepers to welcome guests or announce their arrival. Only a small stone tablet stood at the foot of the mountain, engraved with eight characters: “Halt unless needed, cultivate individually.”

It was mainly intended to remind Qi refiners not to wander around without purpose. No hospitality was offered.

However, local residents like woodcutters and herbalists were not affected at all. Ribbon Peak became one of the few mountain peaks in the western mountains where one could still see villagers from the nearby town.

This Ribbon Peak was covered with ancient trees reaching for the sky, like verdant pines transforming into dragons and emerald cypresses becoming phoenixes. It was indeed a secluded and tranquil blessed land.

Actually, Chen Ping An had once taken a liking to this mountain peak because it had a variety of herbs, and the soil was suitable for firing porcelain. However, he only had so many refined copper coins back then, and the price of buying this mountain was much higher than Immortal Herb Mountain. Ultimately, when faced with the choice between buying Ribbon Peak or buying Immortal Herb Mountain and Colorful Cloud Peak at the same time, Chen Ping An chose the latter.

The mountain lord, Liu Hongwen, was a Golden Core old cultivator from the Yellow Millet Sect. In terms of seniority, the old man was the grand-uncle of the current sect leader, Gao Zhen.

It was Liu Hongwen who insisted on using the remaining bag of refined copper coins to buy this Ribbon Peak, saying that he wanted to cultivate quietly here, to avoid being a nuisance in the Yellow Millet Sect.

The old man’s granddaughter, Liu Runyun, raised a young white fox. She had been persuaded by some to hold a “Mirror Flower, Water Moon” event, which had few attendees, but she seemed to have actually earned some immortal money from it.

Liu Hongwen had once led a group of direct disciples, including Song Yuan, to visit the young mountain lord of Fallen Mountain. But that was many years ago, when Fallen Mountain had not yet risen to the “Zong” level. Liu Hongwen often made appointments with the Grand Steward, Zhu Lian, to drink wine, inviting him to Ribbon Peak to help cook some dishes to accompany the wine. Often, an entire afternoon would pass in idle conversation. Later, when Fallen Mountain became a famous place known throughout the world, the old cultivator deliberately distanced himself from Fallen Mountain, and no longer made appointments with Zhu Lian.

The young mountain lord was often away from home, traveling year-round, and was never to be seen.

However, during every festival, the pink-skirted girl named Chen Nuanshu, the little steward of Fallen Mountain, would hint at bringing some gifts to Ribbon Peak, such as specialty pastries from Riding Dragon Lane and tea leaves personally roasted by Zhu Lian. Initially, Chen Nuanshu would be accompanied by a small charcoal-skinned girl. Later, a black-clothed girl holding a mountain staff and carrying a golden carrying pole was added. Still later, the child named Pei Qian no longer came along. It was said that she was practicing boxing. And later, Xiao Mili no longer climbed the mountain either. It seemed that she had stirred up a commotion in Red Candle Town and had become timid, afraid to leave Fallen Mountain.

The Yellow Millet Sect, which was originally a bottom-tier second-rate immortal estate in Treasure Bottle Continent, now had three Golden Core Earth Immortals: the founder Liu Hongwen, the sect leader Gao Zhen, and the direct disciple of the ancestral hall who had just held the Opening Peak Ceremony. In particular, Gao Zhen was also a sword cultivator.

As a result, the Yellow Millet Sect had firmly secured its position in the forefront of the second-rate immortal estates in Treasure Bottle Continent, lacking only a Nascent Soul cultivator.

As for Jade Purity Realm, it was still something they dared not hope for.

The old immortal master held a yellow boxwood lingzhi mushroom, a smiling face to greet them, a single hand forming a mountain gate finger gesture, showing propriety, “Yellow Millet Sect’s Liu Hongwen, greets Mountain Lord Chen.”

Chen Ping An returned the greeting with clasped hands, “This junior greets Old Immortal Master Liu.”

Liu Hongwen laughed, “Don’t mention it, seniority on the mountain is not determined by age. Mountain Lord Chen can address me as fellow Daoist.”

Earlier, when Chen Lingjun and Guo Zhujiu attended the Opening Peak Ceremony, Gao Zhen was actually worried that Martial Uncle Liu might have spoken ill of him and the Yellow Millet Sect to Fallen Mountain over at Ribbon Peak. After all, with Martial Uncle Liu’s temper, Gao Zhen thought he could say anything unpleasant. But little did he know that at Ribbon Peak, even when Liu Hongwen introduced himself, he didn’t mention “Ribbon Peak,” but only said Yellow Millet Sect.

Chen Ping An took the initiative to apologize, “For so many years, I have rarely come to Ribbon Peak to visit Immortal Master Liu. It really isn’t appropriate.”

Liu Hongwen laughed indifferently, “It’s nothing, Mountain Lord Chen doesn’t need to dwell on such things. Precisely because we are so close, as if it’s just a few steps away, we don’t feel the need to rush to meet. As we procrastinate, regrets often arise at the foot of the mountain, but it doesn’t matter on the mountain. If we meet too often, we might run out of things to talk about, and then we can only say awkward things like ‘the weather is nice today,’ which would be unpleasant. Mountain Lord Chen doesn’t need to do anything differently in the future, just continue as before. Just like children these days, when you’re free and feel like it, come and stroll around Ribbon Peak.”

The old man spoke sincerely and casually.

Obviously, this Golden Core old cultivator didn’t take Chen Ping An’s new identities too seriously. The friendship of gentlemen is as light as water. He only felt that after a few more centuries,

In these western mountains, among the immortal families who bought mountain peaks with refined copper coins back then, aside from the female cultivators of Hairpin Island on Turtleback Isle, Ribbon Peak and Fallen Mountain were probably the closest in relationship, besides Ruan Qiong’s Dragon Spring Sword Sect. Nowadays, Old Immortal Master Liu has a saying in the entire Treasure Bottle Continent’s mountains, that he is “good at warming cold stoves,” which is not exactly a compliment, but everyone envies Liu Hongwen and Ribbon Peak very much.

The old cultivator’s residence had an open space in front of the house, separated by a small stream. The water was clear and slightly sweet, suitable for brewing tea.

Bamboo fences were erected around the house, planting more than a hundred varieties of herbs and trees, planted in a haphazard manner, with the flowering and withering of different seasons, the density and sparseness all possessing a sense of beauty.
Beside the stone steps, wisteria vines bloomed, each flower as large as a dipper, a venerable sight indicating the ancient age of the mountain.

In a corner of the courtyard, a stand of goose-yellow peonies, a single plant with three trunks, grew tall and luxuriant. Its branches and leaves, scattered and sprawling, extended beyond the eaves, providing ample shade from the scorching sun. During the sweltering summer months, the floral shadows painted the ground, offering a cool and refreshing respite.

In Chen Ping’an’s eyes, Liu Hongwen, the Old Immortal Master of Yidai Peak, was a pure cultivator.

His cultivation realm might not be exceptionally high, but his devotion to serene cultivation was unwavering. He held no bias in his heart, a truly carefree Daoist.

Due to the opening ceremony, the Old Immortal Master’s granddaughter, Liu Runyun, and his favored disciple, Song Yuan, had not yet returned to the mountain. It was expected that they would travel back to Niujiaodu aboard a ferry boat, along with Chen Lingjun and Guo Zhujiu.

Liu Hongwen brought out a jar of mountain-brewed wine, along with two celadon cups crafted in Longquan County.

The Old Immortal Master first filled Chen Ping’an’s cup, smiling, “Let us drink at our own pace. If you feel you’ve reached your limit, there’s no need to force yourself.”

It seemed the old man had picked up quite a few local customs and colloquialisms from Zhu Lian.

Chen Ping’an smiled and nodded, holding the cup with both hands. “With this first cup, I must make up for the years of deferred respect, toasting the Old Immortal Master.”

Liu Hongwen had no choice but to hold his cup with both hands. The two cups gently clinked, the one offering respect slightly lowered his, and they both tilted their heads back and drained the wine. Chen Ping’an helped refill the cups, and Liu Hongwen chuckled, “I’m indebted to Mountain Master Chen for taking time from his busy schedule to personally attend the opening ceremony of the Huangliang Sect, granting me such great honor. Headmaster Gao sent a letter not long ago, saying that he will, at the latest, visit this old martial uncle of his at Yidai Peak in late spring, bringing with him several enshrined elders from the Ancestral Hall.”

Knowing each other’s true nature, the old cultivator didn’t bother pretending to have harmonious relationships within the sect in front of Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Headmaster Gao manages such a large sect. As the head of the Ancestral Hall, he has to consider all aspects, both internal and external, while also taking care of his own cultivation. It must not be easy. Many things are beyond his control.”

Liu Hongwen said, “It seems Mountain Master Chen has a good impression of Gao Zhen.”

Chen Ping’an jested, “Those who often need to seek help from others tend to sympathize with each other.”

Liu Hongwen seemed to have resolved a knot in his heart. Now, mentioning Gao Zhen, a junior disciple he once disliked, the old man held no resentment. Hearing this, he nodded and smiled, “Gao Zhen is indeed the most suitable choice for Headmaster. On this matter, I have never doubted my Shidi’s decision. If someone else were to become Headmaster, I probably wouldn’t have come to Yidai Peak, and I would have been constantly worried, even if I knew I would be annoying, I would still stay there and spout nonsense.”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “The day you don’t even bother to scold is the day you’ve truly lost all hope.”

Liu Hongwen nodded, “That’s exactly the rough-but-true principle.”

When Gao Zhen comes to the mountain later, he must teach this lesson to his junior disciple.

After that, they drank in silence. After finishing the first jar of wine, which was divided roughly equally, the old man, without urging, went back into the house and brought out another jar. This was perhaps the true meaning of persuasion.

The Old Immortal Master took out a brocade box from his sleeve and placed it on the table. Inside was a white jade disc inscribed with poetry, strung with a crimson silk thread and adorned with a bead. The old man gently pushed the box towards Chen Ping’an, smiling, “We can’t just drink. I almost forgot the main purpose. This is my gift to congratulate Luopo Mountain on becoming a sect. To be honest, I’ve been reluctant to give it away. It’s not that the gift itself is precious. It’s not worth many immortal coins, but I simply love it. The inscription on this jade disc is exquisitely carved, and the words are even better. Accept it quickly, and don’t spout any nonsense about a gentleman not taking what others cherish. If you’re going to be polite again…”

Good heavens, before the Old Immortal Master could continue, the young Mountain Master had already said his thanks and pocketed it safely.

After that, the young sword immortal surprisingly began to inquire about matters of cultivation. Spurred by the alcohol, the old Golden Core answered with all his heart.

“May I ask, Senior, what is cultivation?”

“To walk one’s own path, to pass through the trials of the heart alone.”

“What is enlightenment?”

“Everyone is well. What does this mean? It’s not meant to be cryptic, just an ordinary saying. It simply means having a road to take, a bridge to cross, mutual exchange, without obstruction.”

“Senior must have read many scriptures from the three teachings.”

“Not many.”

“Then Senior possesses the spirit of ancient sages, understanding what he reads thoroughly, never superficially.”

“That’s not an exaggeration. Mountain Master Chen is no different. If you didn’t have some enlightenment from reading, how could you have achieved today’s fortune? Others say you are blessed, but I say you cherish your blessings.”

“Far inferior to Senior.”

“You and I are at most a hair’s breadth apart, so there’s no need to be overly modest. I have quite a collection of books here. You’re welcome to borrow them anytime.”

In the end, Old Immortal Master Liu brought out another jar of wine.

Finally, Chen Ping’an left Yidai Peak with a slight buzz, his face flushed red.

Sequestered to read, the years slip by,
Planted pines grow old, their bark like dragon scales.
A brush sweeps across paper, smoke and clouds arise,
Words do not contend for a few phrases,
The heart must hold thousands of years.

After Chen Ping’an reached the Turtleback, he cupped water from the mountain stream at the foot of the mountain and washed his face.

That year, Liu Chongrun signed a landscape contract with Luopo Mountain, bringing twelve direct disciples from Shujian Lake. She spent thirty Gu Yu coins to rent the Turtleback from Luopo Mountain for three hundred years.

This was of course the result of Liu Chongrun pleading poverty. Is she even a woman if she doesn’t haggle when doing business?

After that, she paid out of her own pocket, hiring Mo family artisans and machinists at great expense to build a series of continuous mansions, tightly clustered like fish scales. This made the Turtleback, due to the continuous mountain buildings and the special materials used, shine brightly whenever sunlight or moonlight fell upon it. The ridges of the buildings gleamed, one golden and brilliant, the other silver and snowy, a truly beautiful sight. The Turtleback has unintentionally become a famous scenic spot.
In truth, back then, Pearl Hairpin Isle only had a handful of registered cultivators, and many residences stood empty. Liu Chongrun didn’t mind, willingly spending a fortune on them. She also refused to rent the buildings out, unlike many sects with mountain peaks here, who made a tidy sum of spirit money from such arrangements. Plenty of Treasure Bottle Continent sects and registered cultivators were willing to pay a hefty rental fee to nominally own a residence on a mountain peak in this western mountain range. It gave their disciples or mountain friends a place to stay while traveling, a matter of prestige.

Back then, when Chen Ping’an was away from his hometown, and Zheng Dafeng was still a gatekeeper, yet to journey to the Five Colors World, he complained to Liu Chongrun in person, “Sister Chongrun, don’t do this again, really. You’re only bullying an honest and simple man like me, Brother Dafeng. What’s the point? These buildings on the mountain are worth far more than thirty Grain Rain coins. You can swindle my money, but you can’t break my heart!”

“What if, by some mishap, the world loses an honest, upright man and gains a philandering rogue instead? Who would be responsible? Sister Chongrun, if you’re willing to take responsibility, let’s settle this marriage today! I’ll pack my bags and go live on Ao Fish Back…”

In reality, the expenditure by the Fallen Mountain’s chief offering, “Zhou Fei,” alone far exceeded thirty Grain Rain coins.

In his early years, Chief Zhou, being wealthy and generous, personally took out four mountain treasures of considerable grade as suppressing artifacts for Gray Mist Mountain, Vermilion Sand Mountain, Azure Glow Peak, and Ao Fish Back. These precious treasures took root, closely connected to the mountain’s foundation and water veins. When Liu Chongrun salvaged the water palace, a relic from a fallen kingdom, it complemented the former, further enriching Ao Fish Back’s water energy.

Liu Chongrun was planning to sign a new land deed with Fallen Mountain as soon as possible, wanting Pearl Hairpin Isle to extend the existing three-hundred-year lease for another… six hundred years!

Because according to the terms of the first contract, after three hundred years, when Pearl Hairpin Isle cultivators moved away from the mountain, they couldn’t take the buildings with them. They couldn’t dismantle the immortal lumber used as beams and pillars, nor could they transplant the immortal flowers and trees in the mountains. Everything would automatically become the property of Fallen Mountain.

There was no way around it. This contract was signed under the authority of Zhu Lian, with everything written clearly in black and white, point by point.

The female cultivators of Pearl Hairpin Isle had complained about this back then. If the accountant from Azure Cliff Isle had personally negotiated the deal with the island lord, how could he have been so harsh and meticulous? It was simply impossible.

Ao Fish Back in Chu Prefecture, when combined with Pearl Hairpin Isle in Book Brief Lake, was almost like having both an ascending and descending path, much like the Yellow Millet Sect.

As a reward for helping salvage the ruins beneath the Great Li Dynasty’s watchful eyes, Liu Chongrun gifted a dragon boat to Fallen Mountain, along with a verbal agreement for a fifty-fifty split of any discovered treasures.

As a treasure trove of the old kingdom, besides the water palace and dragon boat, there were many other precious artifacts. According to Zhu Lian’s estimates at the time, Liu Chongrun’s income from this venture should have been around five or six hundred Grain Rain coins. However, Zhu Lian deliberately ignored this, and Liu Chongrun was happy to play along, pretending it wasn’t such a big deal. Later, Liu Chongrun volunteered to manage the Ink Flip Dragon Boat, largely because of this matter, as a return favor, helping Pearl Hairpin Isle repay a debt of gratitude.

Among them, the water palace, a precious treasure refined by an immortal, was now placed by Liu Chongrun near the Ancestral Hall’s Jeweled Pavilion.

Today, it seemed like a rare and first-time occurrence for the young mountain lord of Fallen Mountain to proactively visit Ao Fish Back, mainly because Chen Ping’an was frequently away.

The happiest person was definitely not Liu Chongrun, who had been struggling to find a way to broach the subject of contract renewal, but rather the young female cultivators who were already familiar with the accountant from Azure Cliff Isle.

In recent years, Fallen Mountain had proactively extended goodwill, allowing Liu Chongrun of Ao Fish Back to select several of her direct disciples with stable personalities and outstanding talents to cultivate diligently in the Lotus Root Blessed Land.

For a period of ten years, the abundance of water energy in those two feng shui treasures had reached an almost exaggerated level, making them exceptionally suitable for water-method cultivators, practically tailor-made for the cultivators of Pearl Hairpin Isle. They naturally had grand origins, both coming from the Northern Entirety Continent. One was a portion of the Southern Fragrance Water Palace gifted by Lord Shen Lin of the Ji River Source, and the other was a stream gifted by Marquis Li Yuan of Dragon Pavilion.

Over the years, Liu Chongrun had advanced to the Golden Core stage, and it was difficult for her to improve further. Therefore, she had embarked on two journeys to gather new disciples.

Small and insignificant sects didn’t have high requirements for the aptitude of their disciples. If they managed to find someone with the potential to reach the middle five realms of cultivation, it was already considered a lucky break.

In addition, among Liu Chongrun’s direct disciples, many orphaned girls from the mountains were taken in as attendants. They were nominally called maids and servants, but in reality, they were allowed to cultivate on Ao Fish Back if they could, with the chance to join the registered cultivators. Those who couldn’t cultivate received a monthly stipend. If they had family and relatives outside the mountain, they could receive about dozens of taels of silver each month, an unimaginable blessing.

With the female cultivators and the maids in the various residences, there were nearly a hundred people in total, making Ao Fish Back more lively than ever.

Those who came from humble beginnings might not necessarily treat others kindly after they rose to prominence; in fact, they might even become more tyrannical.

However, Liu Chongrun was skilled in management, and while she didn’t have high requirements for her disciples’ cultivation aptitude, she paid close attention to their moral character. Therefore, there was no dishonesty or deception on Ao Fish Back, and the sect’s reputation was excellent.

Chen Ping’an walked along the mountain path. The female gatekeeper had already notified the Ancestral Hall.

Upon seeing the figure in the green robe, three female cultivators, one after another, rushed over, saying in unison, “Mr. Chen!”

They were still accustomed to calling him Mr. Chen.

Chen Ping’an smiled and nodded, remembering their names clearly, “Liuxia, Guanqing, Baique, it’s good to see you all.”

Of course, this was only because Chen Ping’an had a good memory.

The accountant from Azure Cliff Isle was notoriously unsentimental, with every word and action being rigid and proper, only spoiling the mood.

Moreover, back in Book Brief Lake, because of the ghost cultivator who carried food, Chen Ping’an, as the negotiator, had been turned away many times at the Pearl Hairpin Isle’s ferry, unable to even set foot on the mountain, let alone meet Island Lord Liu.
Actually, this affair was much talked about among the women within Pearl Hairpin Island. Heh, it’s true our Pearl Hairpin Island is a small sect, but the airs of our mountain gate are grand indeed! Tell me, under the heavens, which mountain stronghold could repeatedly bar Mister Chen from ascending? Was it Orthodox Yang Mountain? Or the Divine Edict Sect? Surely they wouldn’t dare, nor could they.

However, Liu Chongrun’s discipline was strict; none dared to spread it abroad. For if discovered, the island master would directly expunge them from the family records, banishing them down the mountain without any leniency.

Chen Pingan chatted idly with the three female cultivators for a few words before taking his leave.

Back then, each time Chen Pingan received a cold shoulder at Pearl Hairpin Island and went to Azure Gorge Island’s Vermilion String Manor, he might still have had to endure Ma Yuanzhi’s cutting remarks. Things like, “We are brothers in misfortune, sharing the same plight. In the realm of women, we both suffer from being plain-looking. Chen Pingan, you should visit my manor often. Seeing you, who is even uglier than I, makes my heart feel much better…” Or he would force Chen Pingan to swear a venomous oath: “You must swear to me, a friend’s wife is not to be trifled with! Don’t you be acting ugly and causing trouble, harboring any wicked thoughts! Don’t give me any of that ‘treating me without ceremony’ nonsense! Even if Her Highness the Princess hasn’t yet been wedded into my household, she is still your future sister-in-law. When you see her, remember to keep your eyes disciplined, don’t let them wander! We are all men with dangly bits, I know how you think… Chen Pingan, tell me truthfully, when you see Her Highness the Princess, do you have any thoughts? None? Really none? Alright, I’ll believe you this once. To actually see a paragon of beauty like Her Highness the Princess and not have any amorous thoughts… bah! You’re not a man, truly worthless…”

Once Mister Chen was far away, White Crane burst into laughter, extending her hand, “Losers pay up, quickly, cough up the cash!”

Flowing霞(Xia) was Liu Chongrun’s second disciple, White Crane was the youngest. Years ago, they had used Chen Pingan as a betting stake. As a result, Flowing Xia lost ten snowflake coins, while White Crane remained as youthful as ever, the only one to profit that time, because only she bet that Chen Pingan could ascend the mountain. The result was a clean sweep!

Chen Pingan paused and turned his head.

The laughter immediately ceased.

After all, times had changed. Mister Chen now had many identities, each more alarming than the last: Master of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, closed-door disciple of the Literary Sage, junior brother of the Embroidered Tiger Cui Chan, Dao Companion of Ning Yao, the number one person under the Five Colors Sky, a martial artist at the End Realm who exchanged blows with Cao Ci… a Jade Purity Realm sword immortal in his forties… What they could do before was now, especially in person, somewhat inappropriate. Yet, they were still caught red-handed.

Chen Pingan stood in place, jokingly remarking, “Guan Qing, take my advice: first, don’t gamble with Junior Sister White Crane, her luck is truly good. Second, even if you must gamble, don’t bet with Senior Sister Flowing Xia, bet against whatever she bets.”

They were momentarily speechless.

Once that figure in azure robes had walked far away, the three harmonious sister disciples burst into laughter once more.

The usually stern Mister Chen, when he occasionally became humorous, was quite amusing.

Like the time when Flowing Xia complained that Chen Pingan caused her to lose ten snowflake coins, Mister Chen asked if he could still meet the island master if he said “Serves you right.” When Flowing Xia reluctantly said he could, the accountant indeed uttered, “Serves you right.”

White Crane raised her hand, making a waving gesture, muttering to herself, “Handsome!”

Back then, there was a maiden, earning so much money that her hands could barely hold it all. She and the young accountant’s receding figure laughed and expressed gratitude. The man in the azure cotton jacket didn’t turn his head, only raising his hand to wave, perhaps indicating “You’re welcome.”

White Crane clenched her fists, shaking them slightly, filled to the brim with snowflake coins, exclaiming gleefully, “Ha, we can’t let Master know about this.”

Making money was joyous, of course, but reuniting with Mister Chen, who was still so “unchanged,” seemed to be an even more joyous thing.

“Why are we afraid of Master, but not of Mister Chen?”

“I think even if Mister Chen reaches a higher realm in the future, we still won’t be afraid of him when we meet again.”

“Is it because Mister Chen, like us, comes from a poor background, so he doesn’t put on any airs, and isn’t the kind to feign approachability?”

“But not everyone who becomes wealthy is like that. Look at Lake of Scrolls, aren’t there many who turn their backs on others when their realm increases? Aren’t they even crueler and fiercer when they mistreat others? Their methods are so varied, whatever we can’t imagine, they can think of. Even now, being so far away from Lake of Scrolls, it’s still frightening to think about.”

“Then why is that?”

“Because Mister Chen is just a good person by nature, isn’t he?”

“How could you come up with such a reason… but come to think of it, it seems that way.”

The Pearl Hairpin Island’s ancestral hall was named Precious Pearl Pavilion.

Liu Chongrun stood alone by its entrance, waiting for Chen Pingan to appear.

Her hair was styled in a high bun, her figure plump, with a square forehead and broad face.

Liu Chongrun habitually narrowed her long, slender phoenix eyes, watching the approaching figure in azure robes.

This former princess, who had for many years ruled from behind the curtain and presided over a nation’s affairs, had she not been relentlessly pursued by that sword cultivator from the former Vermilion Radiance Dynasty, might have become the first female emperor of the Treasure Bottle Continent.

Strictly speaking, the first sect to formally establish a mountain alliance with Fallen Phoenix Mountain was Liu Chongrun’s Pearl Hairpin Island.

The beginning is always the hardest. This debt of gratitude was not small.

Back then, all the direct descendants of Pearl Hairpin Island’s ancestral hall followed the extremely decisive Liu Chongrun to migrate to Dragon Province, taking root on the Pincer Crab’s Back, establishing a new sect, essentially abandoning their old family business and starting anew.

Liu Chongrun had never been negligent in her cultivation these years, and with a water palace as her Daoist temple, she was now at the Golden Core Realm bottleneck, primarily cultivating water arts, while also practicing talismans.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have chosen the Pincer Crab’s Back among the affiliated mountain peaks at first glance, precisely because the water energy was the most abundant there.

Because Fallen Phoenix Mountain hadn’t bought Yellow Lake Mountain at that time, otherwise Pearl Hairpin Island’s ancestral hall would probably not be on Pincer Crab’s Back now.

In the warm spring sunshine, Liu Chongrun directly set up a low table on the white jade plaza, placing a bowl of melons and fruits and various pastries, personally brewing a pot of tea to entertain her guest.

Liu Chongrun handed Chen Pingan a cup of misty immortal tea. Sunlight shone through, and a miniature rainbow appeared on the cup.
A sentimental person always cherishes the past.

Chen Ping’an accepted the teacup, offered his thanks, and smiled, “These Rainbow Sip tea leaves are now monopolized by the True Realm Sect. The price is calculated by the tael, and even wealthy immortal abodes can’t easily acquire them.”

They had just started drinking tea when a lively young girl, showing no timidity whatsoever, strode in, carefree and unrestrained.

Liu Chongrun introduced with a smile, “This is my newly accepted disciple, Yunxiang.”

No wonder the girl was so bold, daring to come over here uninvited. It could only be explained by the Emperor’s love for his youngest child. The others, like Liuxia and her companions, would never dare to join in the fun here.

After Yunxiang bowed to Chen Ping’an, Liu Chongrun told her to fetch a embroidered stool for herself.

Liu Chongrun went straight to the point, asking, “Mountain Master Chen has honored us with his presence. May I ask what instructions you have?”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “I’m not here seeking anything, Island Master Liu, no need to be nervous. I’m just taking a stroll, a visit between neighbors. Zhuchai Island has already helped enough, how could I dare…”

Liu Chongrun was immediately speechless.

Yunxiang, sitting upright nearby, blinked her eyes.

*Tsk tsk*, listen to that, Mr. Chen is quite the smooth talker.

Her master’s words were subtle and veiled, and it was no wonder her master had a hidden meaning. Her master was practically becoming the housekeeper of Fallen Peak.

Now, in Treasure Bottle洲, Zhuchai Island, with its Ancestral Hall moved to the Turtleback Isle, was regarded as a vassal sect of Fallen Peak. The cultivators of Zhuchai Island, for the most part, didn’t mind. It was good to have a big tree to lean on, especially since Fallen Peak had such a good reputation. Therefore, regardless of the rumors circulating in Treasure Bottle洲, there was one thing that was never whispered – no one ever thought that the female cultivators of Zhuchai Island were currying favor with Fallen Peak through their beauty.

Chen Ping’an asked with a smile, “Island Master Liu, among your direct disciples, has anyone had a chance to form their Golden Core recently?”

Upon hearing this, Liu Chongrun became irritated, scoffing, “Do you think every mountain is like your Fallen Peak?”

At Fallen Peak, even a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator seemed insignificant.

Because her disciples cultivated in the Lotus Root Blessed Land, Liu Chongrun often interacted with Hongxia and Peixiang.

Chen Ping’an chuckled helplessly.

Aside from Chen Ping’an, the master, outsiders might not know that the little black imp he had brought out of the blessed land to roam the world had once sincerely admired two people.

One was Wu Yi, the founder of Ziyang Prefecture. The first time she followed her master to freeload there, she saw over a thousand people, including cultivators, maids, and servants, gathered in the square, kneeling and kowtowing, calling out “Ancestor.” Good heavens, that kind of spectacle, that kind of formation, instantly stunned Pei Qian. How magnificent, how imposing! The little black imp secretly resolved that when she ventured into the world, what did it mean to be successful, how could one truly make a name for oneself? It had to be measured by this standard: having hundreds or thousands of lackeys, who would kneel and prostrate themselves upon seeing her, shouting “Old Ancestor Pei” loud enough to shake the heavens!

The other was Liu Chongrun of Zhuchai Island. Pei Qian had heard Old Chef say that Island Master Liu was once a princess regent who ruled from behind a screen. The little black imp thought it was amazing. In the grand hall of a court, a long line of civil officials stood on the left, spouting classical allusions, while generals who wielded weapons and slaughtered like cutting melons stood on the right, all officials, and all high-ranking officials. After all, she, the princess who had fled among the common people, was just a fake, just for show. Liu Aunt was different!

In addition, Liu Chongrun had been in charge of the Dragon Boat Ferry for many years, relying on the shops left by the Buffalo Horn Ferry’s Package Shop to help Fallen Peak resell goods transported from Northern Entirely洲. According to Nuan Shu, the income to their own treasury every quarter was a large sum of immortal money! Second only to the commissions that the Buffalo Horn Ferry dock received from the various ferry boats. Therefore, Pei Qian was particularly fond of Liu Chongrun, sincerely feeling that this Aunt Liu was righteous, dedicated to her work, incredibly good at making money, and very particular about how she conducted herself! Admirable, admirable, must be admired!

When Pei Qian was young, she was lazy, never standing if she could lie down, and never taking a step if she could stand.

But only when Nuan Shu went to Turtleback Isle to visit and give gifts would Pei Qian be especially diligent, always following along. When she saw Liu Chongrun, she would call her “Aunt Liu” warmly and affectionately.

And Liu Chongrun never disappointed her, always giving her gifts.

On a certain small peak of Fallen Peak, the bamboo building lineage had its own genealogy, its threshold so high that even the Mountain Master Chen Ping’an himself had failed to join, let alone Chen Lingjun.

There were not many who could simultaneously be admired by Pei Qian, appreciated by Nuan Shu, and liked by Little Millet. Liu Chongrun of Zhuchai Island was one of them.

In the end, doing things came down to dealing with people. As time passed, people’s hearts were revealed. Nowadays, generally speaking, Zhuchai Island didn’t dare to walk sideways in Treasure Bottle洲, but at least they didn’t have to be afraid of causing trouble.

Moreover, Mi Da Jianxian and Liu Chongrun had also become familiar faces on the Dragon Boat Ferry. Although they basically didn’t chat, the female cultivators of Zhuchai Island liked to chat a few more words with that guy called “Yu Mi.” A man who was so good-looking, it wouldn’t hurt to chat a few more words. Unfortunately, Yu Mi was too quiet, not very talkative, and really too shy. Therefore, they liked to joke and tease him even more. Hehe, he would even blush occasionally.

Liu Chongrun wasn’t really willing to talk business with Chen Ping’an, but since the other party had already come to the mountain, she endured her discomfort and reluctantly opened her mouth, “I want to renew the lease for Turtleback Isle with Fallen Peak for six hundred years.”

Added together, it would be nine hundred years, occupying a Daoist temple for nearly a thousand years. In fact, this was equivalent to directly buying Turtleback Isle from Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an just raised his teacup and took a sip of the Rainbow Sip tea.

In Northern Entirely洲, inside the Dragon Palace Little Paradise, Chen Ping’an bought Floating Water Isle, which had special significance for him, spending eighty Grain Rain Coins. Of course, this was an extremely low price. With Shen Lin, the Duke of Spiritual Springs, and Li Yuan, the Marquis of Dragon Pavilion, as well as the floating duckweed sword lake of Sword Immortal Li Cai helping, these prominent figures were all potential pressure for a Water Dragon Sect. Moreover, the Water Dragon Sect itself was willing to increase their mountain incense ties with Chen Ping’an through this.

Therefore, Liu Chongrun was embarrassed to suggest a price, thinking that if Chen Ping’an flatly refused, she would use a type of water elixir recipe hidden in the Water Palace as an exchange.
Chen Ping’an pondered for a moment, then said, “For the previous three hundred years, it was thirty Gu Yu coins. So, to renew for six hundred years, we’ll calculate it at the same rate. Just give our Fallen Mountain sixty Gu Yu coins, Island Master Liu. What do you think? Of course, this price is very low, but as I said earlier, Pearl Hairpin Island has helped us immensely over the years, providing both manpower and resources. Fallen Mountain must remember this kindness.”

If he were a young man, he would have given Pearl Hairpin Island the entire鳌鱼 Back, let alone just leasing it for six hundred years.

But as one grows older, one understands a principle: even when offering kindness to others, my conscience may be clear, and I may not have given it much thought, but others’ minds may be filled with twists and turns and repeated considerations. The same matter can give rise to two different sets of thoughts. Understanding this principle isn’t about feeling helpless; it’s about growing up. Considering others’ feelings is never a simple matter.

Liu Chongrun couldn’t hide his surprise and delight. After holding back for a long time, he tentatively asked, “Not going to add a few more Gu Yu coins?”

Chen Ping’an gave a thumbs up, praising, “Island Master Liu is quite the businessman! I’ve seen people try to bargain prices down, but I’ve never seen anyone actively try to raise them.”

Island Master Liu squinted and smiled, “I just couldn’t live with my conscience otherwise.”

Chen Ping’an pretended not to understand a thing, just chuckled and lowered his head to drink his tea.

Afterward, the two drank tea and chatted idly, their demeanor relaxed and comfortable, a beautiful painting to behold. In the eyes of the quiet young girl beside them, her master and him, though not involved in romance, were both like immortals.

Leaving鳌鱼 Back, nearing Fallen Mountain, Chen Ping’an stopped. There was a roadside pavilion with a table that had never been removed.

He’d heard that Bai Xuan had met many heroes of the martial world here, eventually compiling a register of heroes.

Bai Shou hadn’t agreed to be included. Having suffered greatly and stumbled before, he was wary. However, Qiu Zhi of Nine Yi Peak, who had only met Bai Xuan once, had been “listed” in a daze.

Chen Ping’an walked into the pavilion, taking a temporary rest.

But life isn’t like leisurely strolling through the western mountains. If you visit it today, you can revisit it tomorrow or the day after. The pavilion won’t move, but life moves ever forward.

Just like going to鳌鱼 Back, Chen Ping’an would find himself missing his first disciple, Pei Qian, whom he had watched grow up.

Back when Chen Ping’an wasn’t in his hometown, Pei Qian would go to the school every day. Back then, near Riding Dragon Lane, there was a persistent woman who claimed that Pei Qian had beaten her family’s white goose to death. Little Black Charcoal had paid compensation but always maintained that she hadn’t killed the goose. Chen Ping’an could even imagine the little girl, her face stubborn as she produced the money.

That was probably the first time Pei Qian had saved money and then given it away.

Did it hurt?

And what about the mud dolls she had hidden somewhere?

According to what Pei Qian had told Zhu Lian and Shi Rou at the time, a heavy rain had come, and she had forgotten to sound the retreat. The torrential rain had washed them all away, scattering them.

But Chen Ping’an knew very well that they had been smashed by her peers, perhaps not even thrown far away, but deliberately smashed into pieces and left on the ground.

Was he angry?

But perhaps in Little Black Charcoal’s heart, no matter how upset she was, it couldn’t compare to the night when she was a child fleeing from disaster, and her mother secretly hid a steamed bun and ate it in secret, behind her father and her.

Many hardships, difficulties, and setbacks can be countered by a beautiful childhood, holding their own without falling behind.

Just like a cold winter can be resisted by remembering warm spring, difficult times will always pass.

Perhaps many people’s later hard work, effort, and silent dedication are all about fighting an unknown, difficult tug-of-war in their hearts with their less-than-perfect childhoods. This fight may accompany them for life, at most ending in a draw, with no chance of victory.

In fact, Chen Ping’an himself had persevered through such trials, so he had more patience and compassion than the average person. But what truly softened Chen Ping’an’s heart the most was those who were… understanding.

Like Xiao Mili, who suffered grievances but didn’t seem to mind.

And like Pei Qian, who was still a mischievous Little Black Charcoal back then. It was the first time Chen Ping’an had received a gift on the Dragon Boat Festival.

So, over the years, Chen Ping’an had always cherished it, keeping it in his spatial pouch rather than his close-fitting one, always carrying it with him.

When he was young and drinking, he always liked to use that Sword-Nourishing Gourd. After he grew up, it seemed like he took out the Sword-Nourishing Gourd to drink less often.

I and that which is not I, are as different as heaven and earth.

Some have had flirtatious and contentious relationships with this world like lovers, while others have had grudges and reconciliations with this world like enemies.

A young girl with a sable hat and red cheeks suddenly appeared outside the pavilion, looking at the blue-robed man who was propping his head on the table, lost in thought.

Chen Ping’an turned his head and asked with a smile, “Miss Xie, what do you think of the scenery at Sword-Worship Terrace?”

Xie Gou smiled and said, “Not bad, not bad at all.”

Chen Ping’an took out two jars of wine and said with a smile, “Mind drinking while standing?”

Xie Gou squinted and smiled, striding into the pavilion, “We’re all wanderers of the martial world, accustomed to the streets and countryside, we don’t fuss over formalities. As long as there’s free wine to drink, what’s not to like?”

For some reason, seeing the previous “Chen Ping’an,” she wasn’t stupid, of course, she felt a lot of pressure. Despite being vigilant from beginning to end within the vortex of the Stream of Time at Riding Dragon Lane, she relied on her intuition to be even more wary of the fellow whom Little Mo addressed as “Young Master.”

But when she saw the gentle and amiable young mountain lord before her, strangely, the pressure was even greater!

Xie Gou asked casually, “Do you remember what happened before?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Knowing what I have seen is also a form of cultivation.”

Xie Gou took a sip of wine and nodded, not sure if it was because the wine was delicious or because the words made sense. “Then, in Mountain Lord Chen’s opinion, how should Boundless Heart be settled?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and said, “I won’t discuss this with Miss Xie. It taxes my mind, and it wastes your wine… hmm, it seems like it’s still my wine.”

Xie Gou chuckled, “You think I’m an amateur, or a self-made man, and we can’t see eye to eye?”

If it were someone else, she would have phrased it differently, like “we can’t pee in the same pot.”

But now that she was relying on others, she had to be more careful with her language.
Before, wasn’t it precisely because she spoke improperly that she was chased down the mountain by the old Mr. Zhu? If she were to further anger this current, true head of the household, the Hidden Official, wouldn’t she be in a miserable state?

Where else could they banish her to? Buy a residence in Huaihuang County? Wouldn’t that mean she’d be faring worse than that white-haired, stunted fellow?

She might as well just spend the money to purchase the three peaks, including Tiandu Peak, outright. Alas, the three sects are asking for quite a sum; they’re taking advantage of her ignorance of mountain prices, fleecing her like a hog.

Chen Ping’an clearly didn’t want to discuss these matters with her, so he changed the subject, smiling as he asked, “Honestly, I’ve always been curious, why is it that you particularly like Xiao Mo?”

Xie Gou’s face was initially filled with sorrow, but she eventually found release. The complexity of her expression, the progression of her mood, was like a clear mountain stream winding its way down the slopes. She took a large gulp of wine, let out a deep sigh, and offered a single sentence as an answer, leaving Chen Ping’an utterly bewildered. Could it be that the great demons of the wild territories now all possessed such literary refinement?!

“This body was once ignorant of sorrow, most fearful of encountering tenderness.”