Having disembarked, Ning Yao returned directly to the Colorful World. Chen Ping’an mentioned he would visit Ascension City soon. Ning Yao simply nodded. When Chen Ping’an added that he would stay for a few more days this time, Ning Yao still didn’t say anything, only tidied his collar.

Liu Xianyang, nearing the Western Mountain region, was eager to return home. He didn’t wait for the night ferry to dock but flew directly to the Northern Mountain by sword. Sword Immortal Liu deliberately flew close to the sea surface, his sword light splitting the waves. As the sun illuminated the sea, the waves shimmered golden. Liu Xianyang looked up, sighed softly, and inexplicably recalled words he had spoken years ago, words she had seemingly only repeated… Dismissing these thoughts, Liu Xianyang accelerated his sword flight, leaving the glittering sea and soaring into the clusters of green mountains.

Earlier, when the archway at the foot of the mountain was visible from afar, a young Daoist with a wooden hairpin in his hair sat on a bamboo chair under the sun, holding up a poorly printed Daoist book. The sun was dazzling, and looking directly at the book was hard on the eyes, so he had found this method.

Of course, it wasn’t that Luopo Mountain was harsh or mistreated him, this doorman who had never been formally registered. They weren’t unwilling to lend him proper immortal Daoist books.

Xian Wei felt it was his own failing; he truly couldn’t understand those genuine spiritual texts and secret manuals. But he hadn’t returned them to Luopo Mountain. They sat on his desk, and occasionally in the dead of night, when cultivation was difficult and reading in the study was frustrating, he would glance at them. “Am I reading books?” he’d think, “No, I’m looking at money.”

Conversely, the few “Daoist books” he had bought cheaply on his travels from those with the words “骗傻子” (Fool Swindler) clearly carved on their foreheads actually yielded some minor insights and experience.

Once he became Lin Feijing’s master, Xian Wei naturally didn’t hold back. To hold back, he’d need something to hold back, wouldn’t he? He casually shared some insights and cultivation methods he had gleaned with Lin Feijing, and Lin Feijing actually took it seriously. He didn’t understand it then, but upon returning to the town, he would pore over it all night, pondering deeply, always feeling only a partial understanding, unable to grasp his master’s profound meaning. Every few days, he would have a sudden realization and become ecstatic, seeking out his master, the Daoist who was actually older and of a higher realm, sitting at the foot of the mountain as the doorkeeper. He would become quite emotional when discussing how his Dao heart resonated with his master’s teachings, sometimes losing composure, gesticulating wildly, and spouting some nonsensical flattery.

Xian Wei would put on a show of encouraging him to continue his efforts, but inwardly he knew, “This disciple of mine has worrying potential.”

He couldn’t rely on his disciple; in the future, he’d have to rely on himself.

Chen Lingjun had once laughed at him, saying, “You’re used to drinking fake wine, so you can’t appreciate immortal nectar. You don’t have the fate to enjoy blessings.”

The young Daoist was also quite amused and content. He felt he already had enough blessings.

After all, he had a disciple, and he had drunk the master-disciple tea, but Xian Wei hadn’t given a master-disciple gift yet. He wanted to save money to buy a decent one. Since the old saying goes that a horse won’t get fat without night grass, Xian Wei wanted to earn some extra money. So, he boldly asked Wei Bo if he could hold another night tour banquet. He could go to the Pilyun Mountain gate… and lend a hand, perhaps serving tea and water, or helping with the announcements.

The elegant God Monarch Wei was likely bewildered by his unreliable suggestion at the time, several times wanting to speak but stopping himself. Fortunately, he didn’t scold him.

Xian Wei quickly said he was joking and Wei Shenjun shouldn’t take it seriously.

He didn’t know that Wei Bo’s forehead was already covered in fine sweat at the time.

His fear was that if there were a night tour banquet next time, the young Daoist would “kindly” sneak over to “lend a hand” with “announcements”… Frightened, Wei Bo immediately returned to Pilyun Mountain, heading directly to the Ceremonial Department, and not only that, Wei Bo summoned the heads of several other departments to join the discussion. He couldn’t say too much, only emphasizing that if there were another night tour banquet, they must be mindful, and if they saw the Daoist Xian Wei from Luopo Mountain, they must immediately “courteously see him off.” The “courtesy” must not be omitted, and it must be done “immediately”… Those present at the time were all top-ranking, powerful officials of the Northern Mountain, prominent figures in the officialdom of the continent’s mountains and waters. Hearing their God Monarch’s repeated instructions, they exchanged bewildered glances.

As they approached the mountain gate, Jiang She suddenly said, “Wuyan, we won’t take the main divine path of Jiling Peak. We’ll go around the back of the mountain.”

Xie Gou gloated, “Lost your nerve?”

Jiang She snapped, “My neck is stiff, it’s hard to bow. Is that reason good enough?”

Xie Gou laughed heartily, “Just bowing to a Daoist, what’s so embarrassing about that? Besides, no outsiders are watching.”

Jiang She shook his head.

He didn’t think much of the Three Teachings’ Ancestors, and he had significant grievances with them. Meeting them would be on equal footing. But towards this first Daoist in the human world, Jiang She felt genuine respect. He couldn’t do something like curse after eating. However, to wear a plastered smile and speak warmly with him was also awkward. It was simply better not to meet. Moreover, it seemed the Daoist hadn’t fully awakened yet, so there was nothing to talk about.

Wuyan, with a smiling face, said, “I have to take a look at him. See what he’s like face-to-face now. If you can’t bring yourself to do it, don’t go. At worst, I’ll bow twice to that Daoist, what’s the big deal? Consider it making up for yours.”

Xie Gou thought it over and decided to advise her through voice transmission: “Wuyan, are you really not staying? Just settle down here, and I’ll have company. What’s the point of that face? Once you truly live here, you’ll realize that realms, statuses, and everything else are just nonsense. I deliberately said strange things to Jiang She along the way to soften them up. This is strategy, using strategy. The more I scold, the less awkward the Mountain Master and Pei Qian will feel, and they might even be a little less angry. As long as you’re on the mountain, just learn from our little Millet, or even earlier, Pei Qian, who refused to go to the town’s schoolhouse to study, always finding fresh reasons not to go down the mountain.”

Wuyan reached out and linked arms with the sable-hatted girl, speaking with emotion, “It’s really good. Even after ten thousand years apart, you’re still the Bai Jing I know, and you seem to have become even better.”

Pei Qian grew up here.

Jiang She always found fault privately, saying that as a master, he brought her up the mountain but didn’t really teach her martial arts, always preferring to go out and being apart more often than together. Therefore, in his eyes, Pei Qian wasn’t someone he had watched grow up. Wuyan didn’t humor him.

Xie Gou looked up at the archway, her expression serious, saying, “On one side, troops are strong and horses are well-fed, unstoppable. On the other side, they are in full retreat, isolated and weak. Yet the former doesn’t completely destroy the latter but takes the initiative to shake hands and make peace. Do you know what the two opposing sides are?”

Wuyan smiled and said, “How can I guess that? Just tell me the answer directly.”

Xie Gou chuckled and said, “Guess the riddle yourself.”

The master of a sect arrived at his own mountain gate without any fanfare.

Only the young Daoist stood up and put the book into his sleeve.

Jiang She saw a young woman practicing martial arts. Seeing the group at the foot of the mountain, she didn’t speed up her footwork. Jiang She nodded. Although her martial arts aptitude was average, she completely disregarded Chen Ping’an, Bai Jing, Xiao Mo, and the others. Her courage was considerable, a good foundation.

However, soon a white-haired child suddenly popped out from a corner. The Shrinking Earth technique was easy to learn. The registrar held paper and pen, shook his Daoist robe, sending dust flying, and vigorously shook his head, creating even more dust. Now that his realm was low, it was difficult to eavesdrop and collect those unique mountain and water reports. No matter, breaking through cultivation realms requires no haste!

The white-haired child ran to the Hidden Official Patriarch and whispered, “Who is it? Do they need to be registered? Now, I’m useless. I can’t see the visitors’ realms at all.”

Chen Ping’an was somewhat stumped for a moment, not knowing how to introduce the identities of Jiang She and Wuyan, this Daoist couple.

He only transmitted his voice, saying, “No need to record. I’ll talk to you about private matters later. Go wait for me at the bamboo building for a moment.”

The white-haired child replied, “Hidden Official Patriarch, you tend to your matters. I’ll go bathe, change clothes, and burn incense, then go to Old Chef’s place for a vegetarian meal.”

Chen Ping’an was too lazy to waste words with her and asked, “Where’s little Millet?”

The white-haired child reported, “Responding to the Hidden Official Patriarch, she and Alliance Leader Guo are both wearing cloaks and pretending to be heroines patrolling the mountain. Now, the burden on the Right Protector is heavy, and she manages a bit broadly, even going to take a look at that Gray Misty Mountain. The Left Protector of Riding Dragon Alley is also a flatterer and always follows along.”

Jiang She clicked his tongue in wonder. His realm was gone, but his discerning eye remained. He saw her Daoist root at a glance. A demon from outside this world could return to human form?!

The white-haired child put away the paper and pen, put her hands on her hips, and said, “Dog, I’m the second-in-command now. Your seat has to move back.”

Xie Gou was stunned for a moment and rebuked, “Konghou, are you crazy? You don’t even have a register now, what kind of seat do you have? Did you appoint yourself?”

The white-haired child glared, “Presumptuous, how can the third-in-command speak to the second-in-command like that?”

Xie Gou was suspicious. What’s going on? He didn’t become the chief enshrined of Luopo Mountain, and even that Patriarch Hall was stolen by this guy?

Xian Wei was about to bow and exchange a few polite words with the two unfamiliar men and women.

Chen Ping’an shook his head and said, “No need to be polite.”

Xian Wei hesitated but still wanted to bow.

By chance, the woman with a gentle expression had already started being polite, but it was an ancient ritual he didn’t understand.

The burly man beside her also clasped his fists, his eyes shining, and said something strange, “Long time no see.”

Xian Wei was like being in a fog and simply bowed in return.

A young boy in green robes floated down the divine path quickly and immediately saw the unfamiliar man and woman. He ran to the mountain gate, swinging his sleeves. Chen Lingjun asked the white goose through voice transmission, “Who are these divine beings? What are their realms?”

Cui Dongshan said with a smile, “Pei Qian’s relatives, visiting. As for their realms…”

Chen Lingjun sighed, shook his sleeves, and instantly became energetic, scolding, “They’re family, why talk about realms?”

Cui Dongshan said with a mischievous smile, “The man’s name is Jiang, and he’s quite old in Dao years.”

“White Goose, you’re full of nonsense, I know what I’m doing.”

The young boy in green robes trotted closer, looked at the burly stature of this relative of Pei Qian, and looked up in admiration, saying through voice transmission, “Old Brother Jiang, I won’t call you Daoist friend. You’re strong and vigorous, you don’t look old at all. These muscles are really good, you could ride a horse on your arms.”

“Don’t look at me being small and not having a high realm. I watched Pei Qian grow up, and we have a great relationship.”

“Old Brother Jiang, when you’re on the mountain, treat it like your own home. Why don’t you come live at my place? The house is empty. Or maybe let a little housekeeper help you and your wife choose a quiet and clean house? Do you drink? Are you fond of it? If you’re also a hero at the table, then it’s a coincidence. I’ll arrange to have a drink with you tomorrow morning. If your wife is strict, just find an excuse to slip out. If anything goes wrong, I’ll take responsibility. Just blame it on me, say that Daoist Jingqing, that drunkard, insisted on pulling you to the table, how about it?”

“Just when you’re at the table, Old Brother Jiang, be careful when you play finger-guessing games. Tsk tsk, with these big fists, if you get drunk, don’t accidentally injure anyone… Haha, look how scared Old Brother Jiang is, just a joke. To be honest, I’m diligent in my cultivation now. Not to mention accidental injury, I can withstand even a few powerful punches from Old Brother Jiang!”

While talking, Chen Lingjun winked at Pei Qian, “This relative of yours named Jiang, just leave him to me. I guarantee he’ll get drunk enough. When it comes to hosting guests, no one on Luopo Mountain dares to claim to be second if I claim to be third.”

Pei Qian rolled her eyes.

Jiang She remained silent, glancing sideways at Mountain Master Chen. “Aren’t you going to manage this?”

Chen Ping’an pretended not to see, not managing it.

Jiang She was so annoyed that he finally spoke, “Do you drink?”

The young boy in green robes was on high alert, taking the initiative! Expert confrontation! How Old Brother Jiang handles his liquor is hard to say for now, but his capacity is likely at least a dozen Wei Boilings!

Chen Lingjun no longer dared to be careless and said solemnly, “Old Brother Jiang, then let’s settle it at the table?”

Jiang She was defeated.

He could still curse Jiang Shangzhen, that foolish bird, a few times, but here, the young boy in green robes was sincere, hospitable, and it was hard to scold him for anything.

After passing the archway, they began to ascend the mountain. Jiang She said through voice transmission, “Once we’re here, and we reach the summit, after taking a look, we’ll leave immediately.”

Chen Ping’an’s attitude was simple: as you wish. Come or go as you please.

Pei Qian said she was going to find Senior Sister Guo and little Millet. Chen Ping’an smiled and nodded, agreeing.

Halfway up the mountain, Chen Lingjun ran off, as Mountain Master Chen had asked him with a smile about something: “When the Dao Ancestor and the others came to the town, did you talk to the old master of the observatory during that time?” The young boy in green robes immediately claimed that his head hurt whenever he thought of certain names, that he couldn’t say them and couldn’t even remember them, and holding his head, he scurried away.

At the mountain peak, the group stood by the railing. Jiang She stood with his arms crossed, silent, and the atmosphere was a little heavy.

Wuyan was the first to break the silence, saying, “Now that we have two daughters, we are naturally very happy. In one of Daoist friend Bixiao’s blessed lands, we found our daughter. She has a wonderful personality, probably the kind of girl we envisioned. How could we not be happy? But back then, she wasn’t like that. So, what Jiang She has always liked more is the current Pei Qian. Both daughters are very good, too good, but there is still a difference. Who doesn’t like children who are very much like their parents? But Jiang She has never liked saying soft words to anyone in his life, he’s so stubborn. He refuses to say it himself, and he didn’t want me to say these things when we met you. On the night ferry, I was worried that I wouldn’t have a chance to say these words. Several times I wanted to tell Pei Qian and talk to Mr. Wensheng, but I was afraid I couldn’t explain it clearly, so I had to hold back.”

“The inner demon she needed to cut down back then was not the current ‘Pei Qian’ at all, but the daughter we saw earlier.”

“Perhaps she felt that her inner demon was the weakness she shouldn’t have had.”

The woman’s eyes were red, and she faced Chen Ping’an, curtsied, and choked back tears, saying, “I must first apologize to Mr. Chen, and then thank you.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Why didn’t you explain to Pei Qian face to face?”

The woman shook her head and murmured, “The words are at my lips, but I can never say them.”

Xie Gou was stunned on the spot, frowning, “That’s not right. I’ve met that child a few times, and she’s always been very well-behaved.”

On Luopo Mountain, don’t tell lies. Wuyan, don’t use stratagem and overdo it, it won’t be welcomed.

Wuyan shook her head and smiled, “That was all an act for outsiders. With us, she was always very lawless since she was little. Think about it, Jiang She’s daughter, and I also spoiled her terribly back then. What kind of gentle and weak personality would she have? She grew up under the subtle influence of her father, and privately she even helped him compile books. What kind of books? All military strategies. She was also incredibly smart and learned everything quickly. If she wanted to pretend to be well-behaved, how difficult would that be? Many important matters back then, Jiang She discussed directly with her. Father and daughter often deliberated. Mr. Chen, you must have personally experienced Pei Qian’s cleverness when she was young, right?”

Chen Ping’an’s brows relaxed slightly, he smiled and nodded, and said softly, “She wasn’t old, but she was full of cleverness. When I first brought her out of Ouhua Blessed Land, we traveled together, and it was quite a battle of wits. I was both a headache and annoyed back then.”

Remembering something, on the road in Tongye Continent, when everyone was disagreeable with everyone else, Chen Ping’an had said many sarcastic and hurtful things. Once, the little black charcoal sneaked into the water and pulled out a large catfish that was biting her arm and wouldn’t let go, slamming it hard on the shore. Her thin stick-like arms were full of scars, and the little black charcoal stared at Chen Ping’an with wide eyes. “Who did you say was freeloading?”

“Plus, everyone was busy with important matters at that time, rushing about, neglecting discipline was inevitable. We only thought that if her realm was high, she could protect herself. As for her Dao heart, whether there were flaws, the Ascension battle was about to happen, life and death were the least of concerns, no one was an exception. We were unwilling to care about this back then. Jiang She didn’t care, and neither did I!”

“But that was a story from ten thousand years ago. Now it’s different. If Jiang She is still so concerned about his face, not even daring to come to Luopo Mountain, only caring about his dignity and reputation. Then what I’m telling you now, I won’t mention a word of it. The Founder of Military strategists, impressive, cares about face, does he? Even when it comes to his daughter, he still feels like he’s the most important person in the world. Then from now on, he should behave himself. If he can’t speak, then don’t speak, just endure it!”

“If he separates from Pei Qian without saying anything, Jiang She, don’t complain to me privately either. Get lost. Drink your mother’s liquor, I’ll smash it every time I see it.”

He had been silent all along, and even hearing this, Jiang She dared not retort.

To be honest, Jiang Shangzhen even felt a little sorry for Old Ancestor Jiang.

On our Luopo Mountain, everyone is either single or henpecked. Warm Willow at most scolds Chen Lingjun a few times, and Ning Yao has never said a single harsh word to Chen Ping’an, has she?

Chen Ping’an kept a straight face and was the first to move towards the northern side of the mountain peak.

Jiang She silently followed.

After a moment of silence, Jiang She said, “As someone who has been through it, don’t be the kind of person who wins ninety-nine battles and loses the last one. Be the kind of person who can lose ninety-nine times and finally win the last battle. This is true on the battlefield, in martial arts, and in life.”

Chen Ping’an folded his hands in his sleeves, squinting at Jiang She, clicking his tongue repeatedly.

Jiang She looked out at the Gray Misty Mountain in the distance and said to himself, “I don’t believe that in this world with so many smart people, there is truly a person who is willing to give up even his Dao, and even that great private vendetta, just to protect Pei Qian, who is after all not his biological daughter. I, Jiang She, absolutely do not believe this!”

Chen Ping’an continued to click his tongue there.

Jiang She was extremely indignant, forcefully pulling his gaze back from the Gray Misty Mountain, and said angrily, “Chen Ping’an, that’s enough!”

“I’m talking from my heart for the first time in ages, and you’re still being sarcastic with me here, are you?”

“You stole my daughter, I admit it. On this matter, I, Jiang She, dare not, do not want to, and indeed am not qualified to let out half a fart. But if you dare to mistreat Pei Qian in the future, and let her marry anyone, I will come back to Luopo Mountain again! You few usurpers, do you really think I, Jiang She, can’t take it back if I endure patiently and wait a few more years?! I can’t compete for Pei Qian as a daughter, but when it comes to the position of the Military Strategist Ancestor…”

Jiang She was so angry that his Dao heart almost… collapsed, only to see Chen Ping’an nodding with a smile, his eyes full of encouragement. “Curse, keep cursing, curse as hard as you can.”

Just at the moment Jiang She wanted to go directly to the Military Strategist Ancestral Hall.

A low voice, yet one that felt like a thunderclap to Jiang She, sounded in the man’s ear, a cold snort.

Jiang She suddenly looked at Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an had already turned and left.

Earlier, outside the Earth Temple, Chen Ping’an had chatted with Tong Wenchang about the Jade Scroll Kingdom’s court and the Ma family’s disciples.

It was both a matter below the mountain and a matter of officialdom.

Tong Wenchang felt that he was already quite familiar with this young Hidden Official. It was hard to say they were pouring out their hearts, but he felt he had some understanding of Chen Ping’an’s temper and character. However, he didn’t know why, but after a trip out to sea, the young Hidden Official’s demeanor seemed completely transformed. If they had met before, whether sitting outside the small court meeting smoking dry tobacco together, or slurping rice gruel in the small house in the capital, Tong Wenchang’s feeling was that this young man, no matter how many identities he had or what his realm was, was someone who could be reasoned with. But during the casual chat outside the Earth Temple, the young Hidden Official’s expression was still amiable, yet Tong Wenchang had a peculiar feeling that after this meeting, Chen Ping’an, or rather, the new Dali Imperial Tutor, would start to be completely unreasonable with certain people and things in this world!

Chen Ping’an walked along the path in the back mountain. Wei Bo waited at a pavilion with a very long name and said directly, “You should at least give me a definite date. His Majesty the Emperor has already told Pilyun Mountain that he will personally come to Luopo Mountain soon, stay for a few days, and bother Mr. Chen.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Help me pass a message to Song He. Tell him he doesn’t need to rush here. I will make time to go to the capital in the next few days.”

Wei Bo said with a frustrated laugh, “Should I relay the words ‘make time’ exactly as they are?”

Chen Ping’an nodded and said, “Of course.”

Wei Bo laughed heartily.

At a certain house on the front mountain, Cui Dongshan led Jiang She and Wuyan to see the Old Chef, saying that they would have dinner there later.

He left them there and went to the bamboo building to chat with the registrar.

Jiang She and the woman were a little bewildered, but it didn’t matter. They sat on bamboo chairs and chatted with the “old man” who was sitting on a rattan chair and fanning himself. Jiang She was in a good mood. This chief housekeeper of Luopo Mountain, who claimed to be named Zhu and always referred to himself as a junior, spoke sense.

Jiang She didn’t hide his identity. The Old Chef lay on the rattan chair and nodded lightly, his tone casual, and said something that made Jiang She want to drink.

“Senior has a resolute and undying passionate heart, determined to warm up the entire world before giving up. Even if his wish is not fulfilled, he is still a top hero.”

The woman also got an answer from Old Mr. Zhu that left her completely puzzled. It turned out that the opposing sides with vastly different forces that Bai Jing mentioned were “gentleness” and “sadness.”

They exchanged glances. Should they stay in the mountain for a few more days?