A single table, crowded with guests, demanded a bit of squeezing.

Chen Ping’an was seated between Xiao Mili and Chen Lingjun. Chen Qingliu and Xin Ji’an shared a long bench. Jing Hao and Bai Deng were there as well, while the pitiable Silver Deer, oblivious to the situation, actually had a whole bench to himself.

Although Silver Deer was entirely uncomfortable, he couldn’t very well force someone to sit beside him. He could only discern that the white-robed youth with the daoist title “Jao Jun” was a Jade Pure Realm sword immortal brimming with dragon energy. As for Jing Hao, and especially the two later arrivals from Fallen Mountain, Silver Deer couldn’t fathom their depths. The very fact that he couldn’t perceive their cultivation spoke volumes. Silver Deer knew his own limitations all too well.

Noticing Silver Deer’s awkward predicament, Zheng Dafeng, carrying a tray, pulled the Daoist Immortal Guard to a seat. Silver Deer, having a bit of insight, hurriedly shifted to the edge of the bench, allowing the gatekeeper with the cypress hairpin and Daoist attire to sit in the middle. Xiao Mili used her eyes to inquire with the good-natured Mountain Master. Chen Ping’an smiled and nodded, and the little girl in black stood up and began to busy herself. Zheng Dafeng pushed the tray towards Xiao Mili, who then produced handfuls of melon seeds from her sleeves and placed them on the tray. Then, she opened her cotton satchel and poured two paper packets of dried small fish into the porcelain dish. Zheng Dafeng then placed the dish in the center of the table, making it easy for everyone to reach.

Not just in the vast world of Haoran, but throughout the entire mortal realm, there were few who dared to treat guests in such a manner.

Xiao Mo had already persuaded Xie Gou to leave, or more accurately, dragged the sable-hatted girl away.

Don’t ever think that Bai Jing only knows how to bluff, if a fight breaks out, it will really happen.

Chen Ping’an smiled at Xin Ji’an, “Master Meiqin, let us first drink tea here. We can head up the mountain for wine later, where there will be more space.”

Xin Ji’an raised his teacup and smiled, “It’s fine, this is very comfortable.”

Accustomed to a life of military service, coupled with his natural disposition, Xin Ji’an never possessed the airs of an immortal master like Jing Hao.

Upon hearing the title “Master Meiqin,” Jing Hao, who had just lifted his bowl, trembled. His heartstrings instantly tightened.

To say there weren’t a thousand or even hundreds of scholars with the style name “Meiqin” in Haoran would be a lie, but who else could a “Master Meiqin” be who could travel with the Chen Celestial Sovereign to Fallen Mountain?!

Xin Ji’an glanced at Jing Hao, who had already guessed his identity, and smiled, “On the way here, a friend and I discussed the matter of Blue Palace Mountain’s ownership. I don’t agree with it. Of course, this is your family matter, and I, an outsider, have no place to interfere.”

Chen Ping’an understood with a knowing smile.

The Confucian Temple once had sages who evaluated Xin Ji’an in such a way, with both praise and criticism in their words.

A brilliant commander, sweeping across the realms, yet when he acted willfully, no one dared to say a word of disapproval.

Simply put, when he was leading troops into battle, governing the country, and pacifying the world, others were not to nag and be garrulous.

Chen Lingjun’s mind was not on the refined and scholarly young cultivator, but rather busy winking at Chen Zhuoliu. Good buddy, let’s raise a cup of tea instead of wine, one toast, one toast.

Chen Qingliu raised his wine bowl, drinking tea with the air of downing strong liquor. Chen Lingjun drained his cup in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and exclaimed, “Ah, satisfying, satisfying!”

Xin Ji’an picked up a small dried stream fish, chewing it slowly and savoring the taste, nodding, “A wonderful flavor.”

Xiao Mili scratched her face, smiling shyly, pointing to the other kinds of dried stream fish on the dish, “Master Meiqin, there are also ‘Lying Tigers’ and ‘Yellow Spicy Ones,’ they’re all quite delicious.”

Xin Ji’an squinted his eyes and smiled, indeed reaching out again to pick up two dried stream fish, “Very well, I’ll try them all.”

Xiao Mili also followed suit, squinting her eyes and smiling.

Chen Ping’an smiled and introduced, “Master Meiqin, her name is Zhou Mili, and she is our Fallen Mountain’s Right Protector.”

Xin Ji’an nodded, “Zhuoliu told me, very good, this is the kind of atmosphere a mountain should have. My personal opinion.”

Earlier, Chen Qingliu had specifically reminded Xin Ji’an that his current identity was that of a poor scholar from the Northern Entirety Continent, named Chen Zhuoliu. Once at Fallen Mountain, he must not slip up in front of Daoist Friend Jingqing.

Jing Hao, out of the corner of his eye, noticed that Chen Lingjun was always grinning, and became even more uncertain. Was he completely unaware of “Meiqin’s” importance? Was he poorly read, big-hearted, or did he know and not care? After all, this little lad in blue had brought too many surprises to Jing Hao in these short few days. It seemed that any normal person would be confused by Chen Lingjun.

Chen Qingliu smiled and squinted, “Jingqing, do you remember me telling you that I have a friend surnamed Xin, and I would introduce him to you later?”

Chen Lingjun, who had already taken off his boots and sat cross-legged, looked blank, “Ah?”

Damn it, we’ve drunk so many times, chatted about so many things, I’ve forgotten already, and I can’t lie and say I remember, aren’t you trying to embarrass me?

Chen Qingliu raised his sleeve and pointed with two fingers at the white bowl on the table, signaling with a secret code, smiling, “Cup, before you came!”

“If you had said so earlier, it would have been clear. I remember, how could I not remember!”

Chen Lingjun slapped his knee and laughed loudly, giving the Master Meiqin a thumbs up, “Brother Xin, you’re skilled at the wine table, you’re the best!”

It’s just that he was sitting far away, otherwise, he would have patted him on the shoulder to show his respect.

Xin Ji’an smiled, “I was drunk, don’t take it seriously.”

Chen Lingjun burst into laughter, raising a hand and making a pushing gesture, overjoyed, “Brother Chen also said that you have a normal alcohol capacity. Once you got drunk by the pine tree and tried to push it away with your hand, saying ‘Go away’, and you pushed for a long time…”

Xin Ji’an smiled wryly.

As a result, the little lad in blue got a slap from his own master.

Chen Lingjun was embarrassed and immediately restrained his smile, “Brother Xin, I’m not making fun of you. I can’t control my mouth when I drink. Don’t mind, we’re all family here.”

Xiao Mili gently reminded him, “Jingqing, Jingqing, you haven’t even had any alcohol yet.”

Chen Lingjun imitated his master’s sigh, “You don’t understand, a fellow traveler, meeting by chance, like old friends at first sight, like drinking fine wine.”

Xiao Mili was unwilling to refute Jingqing in public, only secretly frowning her two sparse, light yellow eyebrows, and drinking tea with her head lowered, holding the white bowl in both hands.

Chen Lingjun knew he had said something wrong and hurriedly changed his words, turning his head and putting his hand in front of his mouth, whispering, “Xiao Mili, I’ll help you find ten riddles later.”

Xiao Mili grinned and quickly lowered her head.

Xin Ji’an glanced at the Daoist Immortal Guard, who was just drinking tea, and then looked at Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an nodded slightly.

Jing Hao remained silent for a long time. The old cultivator had attended thousands of ceremonies and banquets in his life, but he had never encountered such a frivolous “wine gathering.”

Across the table, stood the one who slew the dragon, Bai Deng was extremely nervous, and hadn’t recovered until now.
This was a situation Bai Deng never dared to imagine: drinking tea at the same table with an enemy who “slays flood dragons wherever they appear among mortals.”

Even more oblivious was Yin Lu, the former vice city lord of Immortal Hairpin City. He had no idea that the Daoist immortal official sitting next to him was the true master of that city, and the owner of the Daoist hairpin lost to the mortal realm.

After tea, they split into two groups.

Chen Ping An and Little Rice Grain were responsible for taking Xin Ji’an on a detour up the mountain, to casually stroll and see the sights at Jiling Peak, the ancestral mountain. As for Chen Qingliu, he went to Jise Peak to drink with Chen Lingjun.

A white-haired boy never sat at the table, only squatting near the mountain gate, taking out a booklet and recording dates and names.

On the mountain path leading to Jiling Peak, where the ancestral hall was located,

Xin Ji’an took the initiative to say, “This time, the Confucian Temple’s official conferral of the Five Sacred Mountains’ mountain gods in Treasure Bottle Continent wasn’t presided over by the quasi-sage, the sage of literature, or the head of the Confucian Temple and the academy chancellor. Instead, it was done by the five disciples of the Most Sage Master. Their current situation is somewhat similar to yours. One of them showed up with me in the wildlands, and he’s the one the Most Sage Master openly favored. And the one from beyond the heavens, Chen Qingliu said you followed Ritual Sage to stop the wildlands, so you might have met him before. A long time ago, he was the bookkeeper for those ancient scholars, not only deeply learned but also responsible for managing money and earning it.”

Chen Ping An nodded, understanding. “I only caught a glimpse, I didn’t recognize the sage’s identity back then.”

If he had known who it was earlier, to use Chen Lingjun’s drinking-table parlance, he would have had to “throw back a few.”

Previously, in the wildlands, in a place of sparse spiritual Qi, two people had lived next to each other in thatched huts.

Before leaving the Daoist temple, the big-bearded man found an iron sword, a tall crown, put on a Confucian robe, and straightened his crown and sword.

Xin Ji’an gathered his three thousand “Breaking the Array” poems, took a long sword from the wall, and went with his friend to the heart of the wildlands.

Chen Ping An asked with a smile, “Mr. Meiqin, after drinking later, can I ask you for a calligraphy piece?”

Xin Ji’an shook his head. “Mountain Master Chen, drinking is fine, but…”

At the white jade plaza outside the ancestral hall of Jiling Peak, the mountains and rivers were like a painting. Xin Ji’an leaned on the railing and gazed at the magnificent scenery.

Little Rice Grain noticed that the Good Person Mountain Master seemed to be waiting for something. When that Mr. Meiqin silently moved, the Good Person Mountain Master seemed a little disappointed?

He understood. The Good Person Mountain Master wanted to compete in poetry!

Ha, Mountain Lord Wei said that the Good Person Mountain Master’s doggerel poems were a masterpiece!

They followed the mountain path to Jise Peak. Chen Ping An was too embarrassed to take Xin Ji’an to his bamboo house “study.” Zhu Lian stepped forward to help the mountain master entertain the rare guest.

The wind passed through the courtyard, and the iron horse under the eaves seemed to neigh.

Xin Ji’an, who had previously said he wouldn’t drink, after the old cook wearing an apron brought up a few side dishes, said with a straight face, “No need for mountain immortal wine, just local spirits are fine.”

Except for Little Rice Grain, who was eating melon seeds, everyone got a little tipsy. Xin Ji’an asked with a smile, “Is the content of that calligraphy piece from old papers or an impromptu new poem?”

Chen Ping An was a little embarrassed.

He just felt that both old and new poems were fine.

It was just a small thing to take an extra blank piece of Xuan paper.

Xin Ji’an wasn’t yet familiar with the liquor store’s second shopkeeper’s temperament and said to himself, “Then an old poem is fine.”

Chen Ping An smiled. “Just one sentence will do.”

Xin Ji’an was puzzled. “Which sentence?”

Chen Ping An smiled at Little Rice Grain and made a gesture of holding a cup in one hand and twisting his wrist in the other, like a riddle. Little Rice Grain thought for a moment and understood the answer, immediately raising his hand, “I know, I know! The Good Person Mountain Master wants Mr. Meiqin to write a sentence, just six words!”

Xin Ji’an was the dragon among poets.

He had written too many popular and wonderful poems, both heroic and delicate.

Little Rice Grain cleared his throat, straightened his back, and loudly gave the answer to the riddle: “Drunkenly, trimming the lamp, watching the sword!”

Xin Ji’an was silent for a moment, then smiled. “Then I’ll trouble Mr. Zhu to cook two more dishes and bring two more jars of wine.”

Chen Lingjun was radiant, taking his new and old friends to his house to drink, a rare opportunity.

Before climbing the mountain, he spoke a few words in his heart to Zheng Dafeng, asking him to say a few good words to Mountain Lord Wei and ask for a few jars of immortal wine, the more famous the better, the price didn’t matter, anyway, he could spend money to buy it from the Mountain Lord’s mansion. Brother Dafeng was usually unreliable, but he was very reliable at critical moments, nodding in agreement, saying that he would personally deliver it to Chen Grandpa later, guaranteeing it would all be good wine, it had to be mountain wine treasured for many years by the Cloud-Covering Mountain Ritual Department.

If there weren’t friends present, Chen Lingjun would have rubbed and massaged Brother Dafeng’s legs and shoulders.

Walking on the mountain road, Chen Lingjun swung his sleeves wildly.

Chen Lingjun was so happy to see Chen Zhuoliu, he often patted Chen Zhuoliu’s sleeve, tsk tsk, those muscles were so strong. Brother Dafeng said it well, young men have strong fire, their buttocks can be used to make pancakes.

He just didn’t know if his Chen old brother, who was from the same family five hundred years ago, had found a wife yet. It was probably unlikely, he didn’t have money in his pocket, his back wasn’t straight, relying on a good-looking face, he could deceive those young girls who liked talented scholars, but on the mountain, it wasn’t popular. Unless… he looked like Chief Zhou or Sword Immortal Mi? As for old cooks like that, they were ugly, being single was normal.

Although they were all friends, Chen Lingjun clearly distinguished between closeness and distance in his heart.

Chen Zhuoliu and Old Man Jia, Bai Mang, Water God Brother Yu Jiang, Lord Li Yuan of the Jidu Dragon Pavilion, and others, they were all Chen Lingjun’s best friends.

As for Senior Jing and Daoist Friend Bai Deng, they had just met, and it depended on how they drank at the table. Over time, you see people’s hearts, no matter what, friends are always better the more you drink.

Chen Qingliu glanced sideways at Jing Hao, who was walking on Chen Lingjun’s right, and smiled in his heart, “We meet again.”

This Jing Hao still had some brains, knowing to take the initiative to visit Chen Lingjun.

Jing Hao didn’t dare to reveal his mountain origins with the Chen Immortal, only answering in his heart, “This junior never thought I could meet Chen Immortal here again, a double joy.”
Chen Qingliu curled his lip, finding the fellow utterly displeasing. He began to sprinkle salt on Jing Hao’s wounds, “Submitting to the Zuoyou side is one thing, but Chen Ping’an is now just a fledgling Nascent Soul cultivator at the tenth realm. What’s with the arrogance towards you, a Transcendent Realm cultivator? Keeping you at arm’s length, ha! Low realm, yet such a lofty tone! Can you endure it?”

Jing Hao hesitated, wanting to speak honestly, *Senior, I can handle it.*

Slicing open Tuoyue Mountain with a sword, a city wall scribe barely past forty.

Even if Chen Ping’an’s realm were to plummet to Nascent Soul, or even if he had no cultivation at all, what did a few sarcastic words matter when Jing Hao was on his territory?

Chen Qingliu scoffed, “Just because he has two Ascendant Realm sword cultivators from the demon race by his side, what are you so afraid of? You didn’t provoke Fallen Mountain, did you? Do they dare to just kill you with a sword? Do they really think the rules of the Wen Temple are just for show? What, been cooped up on the mountain too long, and cultivated a tortoise technique? Shrinking your head whenever you can?”

Jing Hao remained silent.

He feared that if he opened his mouth and said anything remotely tough, Chen Qingliu would sell him out immediately. Then he really wouldn’t be leaving Fallen Mountain today.

Previously, he had been unable to believe it, but now that Chen Qingliu had revealed the truth, Jing Hao’s Dao heart trembled. So it really was two Ascendant Realm cultivators, sword cultivators!

And what was worse, they were from the savage demon race.

One must know that Ascendant Realm Great Demons from the Savage Lands cannot be treated the same as Ascendant Realm cultivators from the other celestial realms. This was a universally acknowledged truth among the mountains.

Jing Hao glanced at the blue-clad child beside him. Luckily for this one, he had the chance to come to the mountain.

Unable to participate in the Middle Earth Wen Temple conference, but able to drink a cup of wine at Fallen Mountain; if this were to spread, Qinggong Mountain’s reputation could be salvaged considerably.

Chen Lingjun noticed the expressions on Chen Zhuoliu and Jing Hao’s faces, and asked curiously, “What are you two whispering about?”

Chen Qingliu smiled, “Daring to casually chat with Senior Immortal Master Jing, I’m just afraid of saying something wrong and accidentally touching the senior’s inverse scale, causing him to be angry with me.”

Jing Hao was suffering in silence, unable to speak of it.

Only the oblivious Chen Lingjun tried to smooth things over, earnestly advising, “Don’t be like that, we’re all friends. We haven’t even sat down and started drinking yet, and you’re already saying things that hurt feelings? That’s not good, listen to me, hold back, drink some wine and then chat freely. There are no ranks at the dinner table.”

The blue-clad child simultaneously reminded Chen Zhuoliu with a mental message, “What’s going on? Didn’t I tell you about Immortal Master Jing’s identity and background before? With your realm and cultivation, don’t say such blunt things in front of a senior like Jing Hao. These Ascendant Realm Great Cultivators all have their own tempers. Listen to me, don’t be so rash.”

Chen Qingliu replied mentally, “I thought that now that you have a mountain-top great cultivator as a friend, you would forget about an old friend like me, who would be ashamed to be seen drinking with you.”

Chen Lingjun couldn’t stand this the most, and became a little annoyed. He glared and said mentally, “You ungrateful wretch, it’s you who talks the most nonsense! I’ll punish myself with three bowls later, remember to follow!”

After hesitating for a moment, Chen Lingjun was still worried that Chen Zhuoliu had a bad temper and was too idealistic, prone to getting into trouble.

“I know how difficult it is to venture out into the world alone. You, this fellow, don’t have much ability, but you care the most about face, I know that too!”

“So I won’t mention some of the more sentimental things, like whether you want me to help you arrange a household registration or a place to settle down in the Northern Mountain region. But when it comes to immortal money, it’s all external possessions. After we separated, I’ve saved some over the years. You can take it all. Let’s make it clear beforehand, I’ve divided it into two shares, one for you, and the other for Bai Mang, who is also a good brother. Who told me I don’t have many friends? And of those few, you two are the only ones who like to act like big shots even when they don’t have much money in their pockets.”

“Don’t think I’m talking too much, and don’t be embarrassed. We’re brothers, our steadfast friendship forged in hardship is right there. So if you encounter any difficulties, both shares of money are yours. I’ll start saving up again for Bai Mang’s share, and I guarantee he won’t be short a single snowflake coin. If the money isn’t enough, I’ll borrow it from someone. Not to brag, but here at Fallen Mountain, it’s a small matter to borrow money from anyone, I don’t even need to owe them any favors. Mountain Lord Wei of Pi Yun Mountain, the one who likes to host night banquets, is also a close friend of mine, almost to the point of swearing blood oaths. So you tell me, since my money is your money, what does money matter? It’s definitely nothing!”

“And also, I’m just saying if, if you encounter something that can’t be solved even with money, don’t hide it from me today. There’s no need to look down on me. Just say the word, and I’ll leave Fallen Mountain with you, even if it’s to the Northern Ju Continent. I have countless mountain friends there, all of whom are capable. I used to think that you were too proud, and even when you were poor, you were still a scholar, with a sense of superiority in your bones. You might not like to hear these things, so I didn’t want to show off these connections that sound so intimidating when I say them.”

Saying this, Chen Lingjun gently patted his friend’s arm, hesitated for a moment, and said softly, “I know that asking people for favors, no matter how good the relationship is, still makes you feel uncomfortable. Maybe the better the relationship, the more uncomfortable it is. It’s okay, when we get to the dinner table later, let’s have a good drink.”

Chen Lingjun didn’t think he was stupid. Unless Chen Zhuoliu had really encountered difficulties, with his stubborn temperament as a pauper, he would never have traveled across continents to come to Fallen Mountain to see him.

Regardless of others, Chen Lingjun always felt that the most difficult thing in the world was to ask a friend for a favor, because it would make the friend feel troubled.

Chen Qingliu smiled and reached out to press the blue-clad child’s head.

Chen Lingjun slapped the fellow’s hand away angrily, “I’m pouring my heart out here, almost moved myself to tears, and you’re just acting without any respect for elders, looking for a beating.”

“Why wouldn’t I be moved? I’m also very touched, brother.”

“Ha, then cry one for your brother, hurry up.”

Bai Deng, who could only silently follow behind them, was trembling at this moment. This blue-clad child really dared to talk. Did he even know how to write the word ‘death’?

Chen Qingliu noticed the mental messages flowing, turned his head and smiled, “Little one, so you want to see your ancestors that much?”

Bai Deng was sweating profusely, speechless.
To think, as a descendant of the Dragon race, I must share a table and drink with one who slays dragons!

I shouldn’t have left the mountains; indeed, this journey beyond the peaks was ill-advised.

Pushing open the unlocked gate of the residence, Chen Lingjun led his companions to the wine table in the main hall. Soon, Zheng Dafeng arrived, carrying a load of liquor, followed by a girl in a pink dress with a pastry box and a bamboo basket of fruit.

Chen Nuanshu offered a graceful curtsy to everyone, placing the pastries and fruit on the table, saying, “Esteemed cultivators, please wait a moment; the side dishes will arrive shortly.”

Chen Lingjun’s face was filled with awkwardness.

Chen Nuanshu glanced at Chen Lingjun and said softly, “Be a good host.”

Chen Lingjun didn’t dare to look her in the eye, only nodding vigorously.

On Fallen Mountain, besides the old chef, Chen Nuanshu’s culinary skills were also quite remarkable, especially since she had learned several signature dishes from the old chef.

With nimble hands, Chen Nuanshu went to the kitchen of her own residence and quickly brought over a large food box with seven or eight appetizers, all colorful, fragrant, and flavorful.

Leaving the residence, she gently closed the gate.

Soon, the drinking commenced inside, the loud voice of the young man in green robes echoing through the air, indicating that he was playing drinking games with his friends.

Without even looking, she knew that Chen Lingjun was standing on a stool.

Zheng Dafeng waited outside, smiling, and asked, “Not angry?”

Chen Nuanshu gently shook her head, smiling, “It’s rare for him to be busy with proper affairs; why would I be angry?”

Zheng Dafeng began to complain, “I heard that down the mountain, in the small town, Chen Lingjun had several morning drinking sessions.”

Chen Nuanshu raised an eyebrow, biting her lip, “Too lazy to bother with him!”

At the wine table, after punishing himself with three bowls, Chen Lingjun was indeed standing on the stool, waving his hands, “Brothers, our hearts are connected!”

Chen Qingliu waved his hand along, laughing heartily, “I use my brains with my brothers!”

“I fear my brother suffers hardships; if my brother is beaten, I’ll stand idly by!”

Listening to these nonsensical drunken words, Jing Hao and Bai Deng could only stare blankly from the side.

Chen Lingjun and Chen Qingliu began to play drinking games in the small town dialect, “Good brothers, Wukui chief, Liuliu Shun…”

The Chen Immortal, clad in azure robes, looked around aimlessly, his books and sword proving useless. He entrusted all matters, great and small, to a few cups of wine.

Three thousand years drifting by, a sword streaked across the sky, flying over the vast Dongting Lake, then passing through the ancient Shu’s ten thousand green mountains, and now arriving at this place, not to slay dragons, but to seek a hearty drunkenness with close friends, a battle of wine to determine the victor!

On the official road connecting Yu Province and Hong Province, leading to Yuzhang Prefecture, three plainly decorated carriages were inconspicuous.

In the middle carriage, Emperor Song He and Empress Song Mian, both dressed in plain clothes, sat side by side in the carriage. She occasionally lifted the curtain to admire the passing scenery.

In the last carriage, sat Zhao Yao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, who was accompanying the Emperor, and Li Baozhen, the first Director of the Yu Province Weaving Bureau, who had arrived halfway, a fourth-rank official.

One was a highly sought-after official from the capital, the other a local official on the periphery of the officialdom.

Li Baozhen laughed, “I’m enjoying your light, being able to travel by carriage.”

Zhao Yao smiled, “It’s still thanks to His Majesty’s approachability that we don’t have to adhere to those cumbersome formalities.”

Li Baozhen clicked his tongue in admiration.

Zhao Yao responded with a smile. Although the two had a close relationship, official pleasantries still had to be exchanged.

They were genuine old acquaintances, both sons of wealthy families from Fulu Street in Huaihuang County, not exactly the same age, but at least of the same generation.

Over the years, Zhao Yao and Li Baozhen had been corresponding through letters.

Li Baozhen said telepathically, “I heard that in the capital, Yuan Zhengding is leading the charge, suggesting a relocation of the capital?”

If Great Li were to truly move the capital to the current secondary capital, Luo Jing, it would truly be cutting off the source for a certain Prince residing in the wilderness.

The first Lake Lord of Shujian Lake was Xia Fan, who hailed from the spirit army of the Great Li Dynasty, and his aide, Wu Guanqi, who once managed the collection and organization of intelligence for the Great Li Dynasty in the central part of a province. He and Li Baozhen, who was responsible for the southeastern intelligence, were colleagues of similar rank and power. The Song family of Great Li was recognized as having three officialdoms: the court and local areas forming the mundane dynasty, the various deities forming the second officialdom, and the third officialdom being the Longquan County Kiln Supervision Office, the Yu Province Weaving Bureau, and the Hong Province Logging Yard, institutions with relatively low-ranking officials, but each official was undoubtedly the Emperor’s eyes and ears.

Of course, Lin Zhengcheng of the Logging Yard was probably the only exception.

Zhao Yao glanced at Li Baozhen, smiling without replying.

Li Baozhen leaned back against the carriage wall, pointing his finger at Zhao Yao, “You, you always liked to talk in your stomach since you were a kid.”

In terms of official fortune, Li Baozhen, a fourth-rank official, was naturally far inferior to Zhao Yao, his fellow townsman who had been promoted by His Majesty to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

Among the younger generation who had left the small town, not counting those who cultivated to become immortals, Zhao Yao was the one who had achieved the highest official position.

However, if we only talk about Yu Province, the highest-ranking officials were naturally the Governor and the Yu Province General. Neither of them could control the Weaving Bureau and Li Baozhen, but Li Baozhen and the Weaving Bureau could make the two territorial officials of the military and government uneasy.

Because Yu Province was a crucial military stronghold, a strategic location contested by all, Cao Mao, the Yu Province General, also oversaw the military affairs of the neighboring Hong Province.

Cao Mao didn’t have the privilege of riding in a carriage at this moment; he could only ride a horse at the front, leading the way with a group of accompanying cultivators.

When Li Baozhen went to Yu Province to take up his post at the Weaving Bureau, he brought two confidants, both surnamed Zhu, a father and daughter.

At this moment, Zhu He and Zhu Lu were riding horses in the back, following the convoy from afar.

The Empress whispered, “What about Yu Yu’s side?”

Song He smiled and gently patted the back of her hand, comforting her, “Don’t worry, that elder of your family may seem a bit daft, speaking incoherently, but although she’s not old, she’s actually very clever. Otherwise, how could she become the mastermind behind the Earthly Branch cultivators?”

In the lead carriage, a woman and a young girl sat facing each other. The young girl kept glancing at the bracelet on the woman’s wrist.

The woman, a Dowager Empress of the country, had a graceful demeanor, and didn’t mind it. She raised her lotus-like wrist, shook the bracelet, and asked with a smile, “Do you recognize it?”

The girl shook her head, saying something strange, “I have to pretend I don’t recognize it, as if I’ve never seen it before.”

Nan Zan knew the girl’s personality very well. She looked carefree but was actually quite cunning, so she continued to ask, “There’s nothing like this in the Yu family’s collection, nor in our Great Li’s Treasure Vault B?”
The Yu Clan, a pillar of the Great Li Dynasty, maintained a low profile in the officialdom, ostensibly managing local government-run silk and tea businesses. In the annals of their family history, they boasted neither illustrious prime ministers nor renowned generals.

However, setting aside the foremost families of Yuan, Cao, and Guan, and disregarding superficial reputation, the Yu Clan’s true foundation and resources rivaled those of the Zhao Clan of Tianshui and the Yan Clan of Zizhao. The Qiu Clan of Fufeng and the Ma Clan of Poyang, on the other hand, paled in comparison. Yet, such insights remained classified knowledge, with few Great Li officials daring to claim comprehensive understanding of their intricate web and depth.

As for the Great Li Dynasty’s “Yi” Grade Treasury, it was a heavily guarded forbidden area. Even for someone of the Empress Dowager’s status, entering or even inquiring about it was strictly prohibited.

Yu Yu’s expression turned complex as she vigorously shook her head, “There’s no way. National Preceptor Cui warned us all, forbidding the use of that item. Otherwise, even our current life’s memories would be erased, turning us into imbeciles. Yuan Huajing mentioned that a pitiful fool from the Earthly Branch lineage, an elder cultivator who was my senior, didn’t heed the warning. He secretly acquired a certain pearl, and National Preceptor Cui personally dealt with him. His fate was truly miserable.”

The young girl patted her “Xu” character waist token, “It was originally his possession. I’m just filling the vacancy. If he hadn’t knowingly broken the rule, I’d probably still be at home, learning needlework and embroidery.”

Nan Zan feigned ignorance, as if hearing this for the first time, and chuckled, “You are a military strategist. Even if you hadn’t replaced that person’s Earthly Branch position, you would have gone to the True Martial Mountain or the Wind and Snow Temple to cultivate.”

Nan Zan jested, “Our Great Li’s National Preceptor position has been vacant for several years. There’s no need to be so nervous. Besides, National Preceptor Cui always valued you greatly and placed exceptional hope in you.”

The young girl sighed mournfully, putting on a pitiful face. “Of course I understand the political principle of ‘a new emperor brings a new court’. But the problem is that National Preceptor Cui is gone, and he has a Hidden Official junior brother who returned home in glory. Your Majesty, you have no idea. That Hidden Official gave us all a terrible lesson in the capital, one by one, he punished us severely, it was a tragic sight, utterly appalling. We all have psychological trauma now!”

Nan Zan’s face paled slightly, not because Yu Yu’s words were treasonous or violated any official taboos, but because she experienced a headache whenever she heard the title “Hidden Official.”

Seeing that things were amiss, Yu Yu immediately shut her mouth obediently.

Nan Zan subconsciously stroked the string of beads on her wrist, her expression shifting uncertainly.

Yu Yu knew that Chen Ping’an had entered the palace, but whatever transpired remained unknown to her, even as a cultivator of the Earthly Branch lineage.

The ability to feign ignorance of certain things one shouldn’t know was a skill in itself.

The last time Chen Ping’an entered the palace with Xiao Mo to meet with Great Li’s Empress Dowager Nan Zan, it was to demand that fragment of Natal Porcelain from “Lu Jiang.”

At the time, the Empress Dowager wore a mountain-secreted hand string, each bead being a priceless “Telepathic Pearl.” These precious pearls could allow one to recall past lives. A single pearl represented a single lifetime. By meditating and focusing the mind, a Qi Refiner could stroke the pearl, collecting a mustard seed of concentration, and achieve a telepathic connection, transcending the constraints of time. The spirit would flutter through a Time Scroll, a record of past lives. Vivid memories would appear as vibrant paintings, indistinguishable from reality. Faint memories would appear as faded pages, and blurred memories would be reduced to mere outlines in faded ink.

Nan Zan sighed softly and forced a smile, but the thought of potentially encountering that arrogant mud-footed rascal from Mud Bottle Alley on this trip away from the capital caused her face to darken again.

Almost every sect with a deep foundation would keep this item in stock, even White Jade Capital was no exception.

The purpose was to locate the reincarnated forms of their Grandmasters who had departed through dismemberment in the vast mortal world, and bring them back to the mountain to continue their cultivation destiny. If they could recall memories of their previous lives, their path of cultivation would naturally be accelerated. Jiang Zhaomo of White Jade Capital’s Violet Tower and Yu Xin of the Tongye Sect were both such cases.

Therefore, Telepathic Pearls were always rare and invaluable. Upon appearance, cultivators would fight for them, willing to spend fortunes or even engage in violence. Thus, possessing such mountain treasures was always a precaution, never without potential use. Sects without such pearls in their treasuries, whether due to fate or lack of funds, would have to beg those who possessed them when they urgently needed a Telepathic Pearl to help a “Grandmaster” awaken. This illustrated the importance of incense ties among mountain sects.

Nan Zan’s hand string contained as many as twelve Telepathic Pearls. Aside from the few she had used, most of the memory-containing pearls had been completely destroyed by the sharp sword light of Chen Ping’an’s companion, whose Taoist name was “Mo Sheng,” rendering them useless…

However, Nan Zan was uncertain about one thing. It seemed that two of the Telepathic Pearls, although their light had also dimmed, appeared to have only been subjected to some kind of sword technique restriction by “Mo Sheng?”

A single pearl could only recall a portion of one’s past life, specifically those deeply memorable and clear scenes. If one was an enlightened cultivator in their previous life, the obstacles and challenges encountered during their cultivation would naturally not be forgotten with the aid of the Telepathic Pearl. Therefore, this method was considered a shortcut to cultivation without lingering side effects.

The old coachman who had been driving for the Great Li Empress Dowager all these years reminded her in a low voice, “Be careful of the inner demons encountered at the Nascent Soul realm bottleneck. If it’s really that Chen fellow, then forget about reaching the Jade Pure realm in this lifetime.”

The old coachman’s true identity was that of an ancient deity, a Master Official of the Thunder Department’s Inspection Bureau.

The old man continued, “When the heart stirs, all kinds of demons arise. When the heart ceases, all kinds of demons cease.”

Nan Zan’s eyes lit up, and she smiled slightly, “Thank you for your reminder, Senior.”

The old man said, “It’s nothing. It’s a line written in a book of gods, demons, and strange tales. I saw it and thought it made sense. It was very popular in the marketplaces down the mountain back in the day, and it was cheap too. Its sales weren’t much worse than that mountain-and-water travelogue with Chen Ping An as the protagonist.”

Nan Zan restrained the urge to curse.

Yu Yu reverted to her silly and simple-minded demeanor.
Nan Zan, sensing the heavy atmosphere within the carriage, composed her complex emotions and asked in a seemingly casual manner, “Yu Yu, you all retrieve suitable treasures from the ‘B’ ranked Secret Vault. If my memory serves me correctly, those Criminal Justice Department cultivator-retainers possessing the ‘Amulet of Innocence’ can exchange their military merits for treasures of equivalent value from the Criminal Justice Department. And the officials of the Criminal Justice Department select from the ‘C’ ranked treasure vault, which is a mountain of various natural treasures, though their quality is relatively lower?”

Logically speaking, there must also be a more deeply hidden “A” ranked vault.

Yu Yu looked at the Empress Dowager with a playful expression.

Nan Zan, realizing she had misspoke, said, “Forget I asked.”

Yu Yu grinned, “Empress Dowager, this matter is not something that cannot be spoken of; it does not violate any taboos. State Preceptor Cui had told me that if anyone were to ask about it face-to-face in the future, I should tell them the answer.”

Nan Zan’s face turned deathly pale, fortunate only that her complexion was already fair, so it was not so obvious.

Yu Yu pointed to herself, then to the woman, and then gave the answer, “The ‘A’ ranked vault of the Great Li Dynasty is me, is you, is us, is all the Earthly Branch lineage cultivators, is the Great Li Song Clan of which the Empress Dowager is a member, is all the registered cultivators on the mountains, the various Mountain and River Spirits, and even…”

After a pause, the little girl’s eyes were firm, and she said in a deep voice, “It is every ‘Yellow Register’ that meticulously records the population of the Great Li Dynasty, every commoner of the Great Li Dynasty. It is every ‘Fish Scale Register’ that meticulously records the land deeds, every inch of the Great Li Dynasty’s mountains, rivers, and territory.”

Nan Zan remained silent.

Yu Yu smiled, gently exhaling a breath of air, and the young girl began to close her eyes to rest.

Haha, merely imitating State Preceptor Cui Chan’s way of speaking already exhausted her so!

Mount Pi Yun, in a reading pavilion shaded by dense pines, Mountain Lord Wei Bo closed the extremely heavy book, rested his cheek in his hand, and gently tapped the golden earring on his ear with his thumb, hesitating about the matter of devising his own divine title.

One of the subsidiary peaks of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, Sword Worship Terrace, Xiao Mo felt slightly relieved. Xie Gou was whispering with the white-haired child serving as the registrar, and Guo Zhu Jiu, whom they revered as their leader, seemingly discussing important matters together. As for the matter of being provoked at the mountain gate, Xie Gou had completely thrown it to the back of his mind, acting as if nothing had happened. Xiao Mo’s heart stirred slightly, and he moved away.

In the Great Li Capital, a young cultivator named Zeng Ye, the young sect leader of the Five Islands Sect, planned to follow Master Chen’s instructions in the letter, first going to a cultivator inn where, according to rumors, he wouldn’t have to pay if he mentioned his name. Then, he would go to the alley outside the Ren Yun Yi Yun Tower to find a master and disciple named Liu Jia and Zhao Duanming.

At the Old Cook’s residence, Chen Ping An, swaying after drinking wine, left Fallen Phoenix Mountain quietly with only Xiao Mo, and arrived at his ancestral home in Mud Bottle Alley of the small town.