The name of the pavilion was very long, “May Life Be Long and Joyful, Looking Out at the Evergreen Mountains.” Not far away, there was another pavilion called “Pavilion Pavilion.”

Wei Bo smiled and asked, “What was that sword light about? The commotion was too big. Could it be Mr. Xiao Mo?”

In fact, not only within the Northern Peak Misty Cloud Mountain range, but also the newly appointed divine rulers of the other four peaks had issued strict orders at the time. No governmental offices or domain deities were allowed to investigate this matter, nor were they permitted to gather and discuss it foolishly. Once confirmed, they would be rated down a level in the next assessment.

The mountain and water deities could remain silent, but they couldn’t control the discussions among the mountain cultivators. Could it be that young Hidden Official from Fallen Leaf Mountain again? The mountain and water gazettes across the continent were busy. One could imagine the mood of the sword immortals at Azure Summit.

Chen Ping’an did not rush to answer. He sat down in the pavilion, crossed his legs, and shook his long robe, looking leisurely and at ease.

Wei Bo sat opposite him and said, “Stop dawdling, give me a straight answer.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Xiao Mo is already at the Fourteenth Realm.”

Although Wei Bo had a conclusion in his heart, he was still utterly shaken when he heard the news.

How big was the difference between the Ascension Realm and the Fourteenth Realm? Heaven and Earth!

And how difficult was it to successfully combine the Dao? To fill the sea with mountains!

Wei Bo leaned back against the railing and was silent for a long time. He lazily said, “Comfortable.”

Suddenly, he heard Chen Ping’an call out, “Wei Bo.”

Wei Bo stopped and turned back in confusion, “Hmm?”

Chen Ping’an sat up straight, clenched his fist, tapped his chest, then bent his fingers and tapped his forehead. He said, “Thank you for all these years.”

Wei Bo was stunned for a moment, then laughed and cursed, “Sentimental.”

He strode away, raised his arm, and, with his back to the straw sandal boy of yesteryear, the former earth deity with the golden earlobe rings, waved his hand.

Everything was unsaid. The beautiful scene warmed the heart.

Unexpectedly, Chen Ping’an suddenly said, “That ‘Immortal’s Footsteps’ scroll borrowed by Divine Ruler Wei?”

Wei Bo turned his head and asked, “What borrowing? What scroll? Could Sword Immortal Chen speak louder?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, stood up quickly, walked out of the pavilion, and put his arm around Wei Nightwalker’s shoulder. “Why are you getting angry?”

Wei Bo shook off his arm. “Don’t be like that, we’re not close. I’ll go get the Footsteps scroll and have someone send it to State Preceptor Chen.”

Chen Ping’an laughed heartily.

Wei Bo also felt that he was being sentimental, but he still kept a straight face. They walked side by side for a few steps, also unable to hold back a smile.

They walked together and talked about some matters. Chen Ping’an asked Wei Bo to keep an eye on Ma Kuxuan’s closed-door disciple. If he returned to the Northern Peak territory, he should come to Fallen Leaf Mountain and go directly to the Foot of Fuyao Daoist temple to find him. The firewood boy had once asked Chen Ping’an if he still accepted disciples in front of Ma Kuxuan on the wall of Sword Qi Great Wall. Chen Ping’an certainly didn’t want to snatch Ma Kuxuan’s direct disciple, but merely wanted to pass down a Daoist text on thunder methods to the boy.

Secondly, he asked Wei Bo if he could have the Northern Peak Ritual Department send an invitation to Zhou Qionglin of Green Plum Temple, inviting her to Misty Cloud Mountain for “scenery.” He also mentioned in passing that she could visit Fallen Leaf Mountain, but she had to agree to one thing: the income from the Mirror Flower Water Moon would be split equally with Fallen Leaf Mountain.

The first matter was simple. Hearing the second, Wei Bo smiled and said, “If I remember correctly, that Fairy Zhou’s Mirror Flower Water Moon’s reputation on the mountain… is quite ordinary. Those old fogeys and defenders of the Dao will definitely not like her. Why do you want to actively invite her here in a roundabout way?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “It depends on fate.”

Wei Bo didn’t bother to ask any more questions and said, “Is there anything else, State Preceptor, feel free to command.”

Chen Ping’an said, “I previously reached an agreement with Cai Jinjian of Green Cypress Peak for a business deal. However, Fallen Leaf Mountain has not yet received fifty catties of cloud root stones and two hundred tubes of cloud incense. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to send a flying sword message, like urging for debt. How about you help me urge them?”

Wei Bo retorted, “It’s not appropriate for you to send a letter urging them, but it’s appropriate for me, who has nothing to do with this business, to send a flying sword message?”

Chen Ping’an turned a deaf ear and said to himself, “Divine Ruler Wei can also add a few words of congratulation to the double happy Marquis Huang Zhong in the letter? Heh, I played matchmaker this time. To be honest, Fellow Daoist Huang should thank me.”

Marquis Huang Zhong of Cultivating Clouds Peak not only became the mountain lord of Cloud Mist Mountain but also, through his matchmaking, finally married Wu Yuanyi and became Daoist companions.

Wei Bo immediately became interested and said, “How did you become a matchmaker? Tell me in detail.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and recounted how he had bummed wine from Marquis Huang Zhong, how Marquis Huang Zhong had threatened him, and how he had “repaid enmity with kindness” by being a matchmaker. He told Wei Bo the story, and Wei Bo also found it interesting and laughed heartily.

They walked near “Pavilion Pavilion,” and since they had such rare leisure time to chat, they simply sat down again.

Chen Ping’an remembered something. “Fan Junmao’s Southern Peak is preparing for a celebration. How many skilled goddess officials and officials familiar with banquet procedures did she borrow from you? At least fifty or sixty?”

Wei Bo rubbed his eyebrows. “She asked for a ridiculously large number, directly asking for two hundred. It was hard for me to gather one hundred and fifty, and Fan Junmao was still not satisfied, suspecting that I didn’t want her to do well.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Why doesn’t she just hold the Night Revelry banquet on Misty Cloud Mountain?”

“Exactly.”

Wei Bo twirled the golden earring with two fingers and said helplessly, “She said she wouldn’t do it unless she did it big. I originally wanted to just muddle through, but she’s cunning. She’s surprisingly knowledgeable about the etiquette and customs summarized by the Misty Cloud Mountain Ritual Department, nothing like someone hosting a Night Revelry banquet for the first time. I estimate that Mountain God Wang Juan of Cai Zhis Mountain helped her come up with a lot of bad ideas.”

Chen Ping’an rubbed his chin and nodded. “I guessed it was also planned by Mountain God Wang Juan. We’ve had dealings a few times before, and her actions are very methodical, which left a deep impression. Her demeanor is also good, with the imperial crown, purple robes, and象简 (ivory tablet), especially that jewel the size of a green plum, which has the subtle touch of ‘dotting the dragon’s eyes’. At first glance, it makes people forget the mundane, and after interacting and chatting more, you realize she’s excellent at doing business, with great business acumen. Divine Ruler Fan, with this mountain of the heir apparent, won’t be poor.”

Wei Bo originally didn’t think much of it, but when Chen Ping’an kept praising Mountain God Wang Juan, he became suspicious. Unexpectedly, Chen Ping’an had already asked, “With so many people borrowed, did you discuss revenue sharing with Divine Ruler Fan?”

Wei Bo shook his head. “After all, we’re colleagues, I couldn’t bring myself to say that.”

Chen Ping’an nodded repeatedly. “That’s right, that’s right.”

Wei Bo suddenly laughed and cursed, “Pretend, keep acting with me. Fan Junmao already told me everything in her letter. I just wanted to see if Sword Immortal Chen would treat others with sincerity. Well, it’s really not surprising at all.”

Chen Ping’an remained calm and collected, and spat. “Don’t trick me.”

Wei Bo said, “The Southern Peak territory is currently not within the territory of Great Li. Fan Junmao’s attitude towards the Great Li imperial court is both subtle and important.”

After closing his eyes and resting for a moment, Chen Ping’an put his hands in his sleeves and slowly said, “I heard that there is a vassal state near the Great Ditch, acting furtively with constant small movements, causing trouble for many years. It has always wanted to break free from its vassal status, especially after the new monarch ascended the throne this year, it has become even more blatant, almost openly showing on the surface that it wants to compete with Great Li as the suzerain state? It is rumored that there, from the emperor and generals to the mountain immortals, they are all united and not afraid of death? Rather than living in ignominy and being ashamed to face their ancestors, it is better to die heroically and be remembered in history. So, not long ago, two elite border armies were mobilized and assembled from the inner prefectures and states, to demand an explanation from the Great Li imperial court? Even the prince, the emperor’s own brother, and the Minister of Rites, who is in his prime, dared to go directly to the capital of Great Li without any attendants, just waiting for Great Li to draw its sword and cut off their heads?”

Wei Bo said, “Prince Luo Song Mu in the secondary capital, as well as the Ministry of Rites and the Honglu Temple in the capital, have no good way to deal with such reckless people. The two military departments in the capital and the secondary capital, of course, want to cut the knot quickly. They just need to gather the military strength of the two states and march directly to the capital of that vassal state. Jin Qing is also greatly angered by this. Between spring and summer this year, he even specifically went to see the new monarch and the young empress dowager who gave up her regency last year. In any case, they couldn’t communicate. The other side is extremely tough, especially that empress dowager, who said a harsh word to his face, preferring to be shattered jade rather than intact tile. However, there is some debate within the court. It is estimated that His Majesty the Emperor also has his own plans, so it has been delayed until now.”

With the ascension of the new monarch, high officials and dignitaries, and mountain immortals all had their own selfish desires and demands. After becoming a vassal of Great Li, just the matter of Great Li cleaning up the royal and princely estates, the encroachment by powerful families, and the enlistment of fertile land by big landlords, how many local powerful people’s interests were affected? Not to mention the dozen or so Great Li policies that were almost like moving their ancestral graves. Coupled with a few new dynasties in the south secretly colluding and adding fuel to the fire, the common people there didn’t understand these court secrets. Moreover, after the empress dowager and a group of civil and military officials had managed for five or six years, they deliberately formulated many measures that sounded different from Great Li’s policies and greatly benefited the people. There were also a large number of literati’s pens and community discussions that made the court and the public, even young children who had just started school, regard the Great Li imperial court as an enemy.

It is no wonder that there are rumors that the young empress dowager angrily rebuked Middle Peak Divine Ruler Jin Qing, “My family’s rivers and mountains, the people’s hearts are usable. Let the Great Li iron cavalry just knock on the gates and plunder. Life and death, victory and defeat are not regrettable!”

Chen Ping’an said, “Is Jin Qing genuinely angry, or is he just putting on a show for the court?”

Wei Bo said, “He is genuinely angry.”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “By coincidence, the vassal state also has blood brothers, which probably disgusted His Majesty the Emperor and Song Jixin.”

“I remember when the Great Li iron cavalry went south, this country surrendered quickly. In the battle of the central part of Bottle Gourd Continent, it was also the first to defect to a certain demon army camp. State Preceptor Cui killed a large group of civil and military officials and mountain cultivators at that time. After the battle ended, State Preceptor Cui settled accounts after the autumn harvest and killed a group of white-clothed literati who were instigating trouble. The head of the old emperor was personally cut off by the former巡狩使 (Inspector) Su Gaoshan.”

Wei Bo smiled bitterly. “If war starts, the common people will suffer. They have only had a few years of peace. And those young border soldiers, most of whom are said to be only in their early twenties…”

Wei Bo looked at Chen Ping’an. “What do we do?”

Chen Ping’an said calmly, “I’ll handle it.”

Wei Bo said, “Then don’t take the time to go to the capital. Hurry up. Chen Ping’an, I’m not begging you for anything for His Majesty the Emperor.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Okay.”

Wei Bo scoffed, “Isn’t it disrespectful to talk to the State Preceptor like this?”

Chen Ping’an nodded and said, “A little.”

Wei Bo stood up and laughed and cursed, “Have some shame!”

Chen Ping’an also stood up and walked out of the pavilion with him.

Wei Bo couldn’t help but ask, “It’s not difficult? You can really handle it?”

“I can handle it.”

Chen Ping’an nodded and said, “I remember a hero saying that if you try to reason with someone who is destined not to be reasonable, then you are being unreasonable.”

Wei Bo was a little curious and smiled, “If there’s a chance, please help me introduce him. I’d like to meet this unreasonable hero.”

“No problem.”

Chen Ping’an said with a straight face, “Divine Ruler Wei has already met that handsome and unrestrained young hero on Chess Board Mountain.”

Wei Bo reached out and patted Chen Ping’an heavily on the shoulder. “Such a simple young man, and now, he can brag without blushing and drink and smoke dry tobacco!”

Chen Ping’an was silent for a long time and said, “I will never let the Sword Qi Great Wall and the Great Li Dynasty end in an anticlimax in Chen Ping’an’s hands.”

Wei Bo smiled knowingly and said through telepathy, “Fellow Daoist Meizheng has come to see you proactively. I’ll leave first. By the way, this fellow Daoist whose new title is ‘Lingqu’ and who uses the alias Zhou Ai, his true form is… Hai.”

Chen Ping’an immediately reached out and grabbed Wei Bo’s arm. “Don’t run.”

Wei Bo, however, went straight back to Misty Cloud Mountain, his laughter echoing near the pavilion.

How many difficulties on the road of life, solved easily, suddenly illuminated.

We met at the end of the green duckweed, no need for words, sharing our hearts generously.

Zhou Hu walked down slowly on the road and cupped her fists in salute. “Greetings, Mountain Lord Chen.”

The woman had a calm and ample demeanor, with a detached air like a breeze through the forest.

Chen Ping’an stood at the bottom of the steps outside the pavilion and said, “Welcome, Fellow Daoist Lingqu, to build a thatched hut to cultivate on Jumping Fish Mountain.”

Zhou Hu smiled slightly. “I can’t imagine that someone of demon origin would cultivate again on the mountain of the Hidden Official.”

Chen Ping’an said, “We are both benefiting from Mr. Zheng’s favor.”

Zhou Hu actually had many questions she wanted to ask the young Hidden Official in person, but when she actually met him, she felt that there was no need to say anything more. The two had a tacit understanding, nodded in greeting, and passed each other. One returned to the mountaintop, and the other continued down the mountain.

In his mind, Chen Ping’an was carefully trying to practice a move that could be called a Daoist technique or a sword technique, “Mottled Copying.”

Unfortunately, his Dao power was insufficient, and it was ultimately just a castle in the air.

It was an empty shell, without any Dao charm or divine essence to speak of.

On a whim, he called Xiao Mo over. Chen Ping’an casually instructed him to go to the Guandao Temple, to not be a stranger, but also not to be too familiar. Xiao Mo smiled and nodded. Chen Ping’an also asked about Fu Xuanjie of the Green God Dynasty, mainly about his realm and aptitude. Xiao Mo told the truth, saying that Fu Xuanjie’s aptitude was quite good, but he was clearly slightly inferior to Chai Wu.

However, Mountain Lord Chen couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed. This Fu Xuanjie was too bold. Asking for a seal was a small matter, but that inscription, wouldn’t it be awkward to meet next time?

Forget it, it’s better not to meet if possible.

Chen Ping’an said, “I’ll take you to the sky screen. I need to explain a few things to that Master.”

A green-robed figure rose from the ground and ascended directly to the clouds, reaching the sky screen of Bottle Gourd Continent.

Leaping out of layers of clouds like a ladder to the blue sky.

Xiao Mo followed closely with his sword.

Unexpectedly, the sable hat girl also joined the fun and went to the sky screen. While the Mountain Lord was having a pleasant conversation with that old Master, Xie Gou also wanted to imitate the Mountain Lord’s wife and tidy Xiao Mo’s clothes.

Xiao Mo, however, took the initiative and pressed down on the sable hat with his hand. He said softly, “When I’m not on the mountain, you must protect the Mountain Lord well.”

Xie Gou sniffled. “Xiao Mo, it’s an unfamiliar place. Take good care of yourself when you get there.”

Xiao Mo said helplessly, “I have a very good relationship with Fellow Daoist Bixiao, it’s not an unfamiliar place.”

Chen Ping’an stood next to the old Master who was guarding the sky screen and smiled. “We can chat for a while longer.”

Xie Gou waved her hand and said heroically, “A heart full of love for ten thousand years, what does it matter if it’s not day and night?”

Xiao Mo stepped into the gate, his figure disappearing into the river of time. He turned and glanced at the sable hat girl who was hopping squares.

He arrived in the bright moonlight and drifted down outside the Guandao Temple, where he saw a door god holding an iron mace, who said sternly, “Who are you, report your Daoist title!”

Xiao Mo smiled and said, “I am from Fallen Leaf Mountain in the Hao Ran world, my Daoist title is Xizhu. I’m here to drink with Fellow Daoist Bixiao and chat about some unrelated topics.”

Gu He frowned and said unhappily, “Drinking?!”

This mountain guardian, while waving his hand to usher him away, said with telepathy, “You are really impolite! Fellow Daoist Bixiao, is that someone you can casually call? Go, go, go, I won’t report to the Temple Master. Don’t mistake good intentions for ill will. I am shielding you from disaster! You don’t need to thank me for my kindness. After returning to your Daoist temple, remember not to go out in the near future… If there are accidents like heavenly thunder falling on the mountain in the future, you don’t need to be too alarmed…”

Xiao Mo had actually recognized the identity of this door god, but he pretended not to know, so as not to destabilize the other party’s Dao heart.

The skinny Daoist hurried out of the temple and explained, “Mr. Xiao Mo, Master is personally in seclusion refining pills. The rank is extremely high. Before closing the door, he told us that he would not see anyone who visited recently.”

“Greetings, Fellow Daoist Wang.”

Knowing that Fellow Daoist Bixiao was unexpectedly refining pills this time, although somewhat surprised, Xiao Mo still followed the local customs and saluted Wang Yuanlu. He smiled and said, “I’m not in a hurry. I can just wait in the temple.”

Wang Yuanlu quickly returned the salute, bending very low and not raising his head. He said in trepidation, “I don’t dare, I don’t dare. Just call me by my name, Mr. Xiao Mo. Mr. Xiao Mo and Master are old friends, we can’t mess up the seniority.”

He couldn’t help it, it wasn’t that the young Daoist had many rituals, it was just that Mr. Xiao Mo gave him a lot last time he visited.

Gu He on the side was a little confused. Damn it, it’s only been a few days, and he’s encountered another tough nut to crack?

There was a roar from the pill furnace, and the entire temple shook with it. Many arrays and restrictions were scattered.

The fire-stoking Dao boy’s eyes were blank, covered in dust, standing in a pile of rubble.

He was only a few hours away from completion, just a few hours, not a few days, a few years!

Master, can’t you wait a moment?

Not to mention a furnace of spirit pills that were bound to succeed, he also ruined a pill furnace of decent rank. The old Daoist didn’t care at all. He shook his whisk, dispelling the dust, placed it on his arm, and walked directly to the entrance of the temple, saying angrily, “Why did you only come now? You have no sincerity!”

“I just came to your place not long after returning to Fallen Leaf Mountain. What more do you want?”

Xiao Mo said angrily, “If you were really sincere, why didn’t you come to Fallen Leaf Mountain to find me for a drink?”

Gu He’s Dao heart, which he considered as solid as a rock, was a little unstable.

The highly skilled sword cultivator Chen Qingliu, who met his Temple Master, although both sides were amiable and called each other fellow Daoists, without any difference in status, was not as blunt as this one.

What, could it be? Does the Temple Master think we need a doorkeeper in our temple?

The old Daoist pointed at Xiao Mo with his whisk. “You’re the one who can talk.”

Xiao Mo said, “Before we go in for a drink, let’s talk about two things.”

The old Daoist frowned. “Let’s talk after we drink.”

Xiao Mo, however, remained motionless.

The old Daoist said helplessly, “To put it simply, don’t delay drinking. I’ve brewed a new kind of wine. See how it tastes compared to the ten thousand year brew.”

Xiao Mo said, “The important thing is that after we finish drinking, you’ll accompany me to the Palace of Removing the Old Year. I’m going there to get a few things.”

“There’s also a small matter. I think the Bixiao Mountain in Fuyao Continent should be given to Tianyao Township. That person named Liu is quite decent. He almost died in the battle of Fuyao Continent. If it wasn’t for Qi Tingji’s rescue, he would have not just fallen in realm. In that case, his Dao lineage has not disgraced the name of Bixiao Mountain. Let me say this beforehand, after returning from the Palace of Removing the Old Year, I still need to come back to your temple and help arrange a room. I plan to stay for a few more days.”

The old Daoist smiled and asked, “Giving away Bixiao Mountain, is that Chen Ping’an’s idea?”

Xiao Mo stepped directly over the threshold and said casually, “It’s my intention. Where’s your wine, Fellow Daoist?”

He didn’t even ask if the old Daoist agreed to the two things.

The old Daoist laughed heartily and followed quickly. “Plenty for you.”

Gu He secretly asked, “Who is that? His face is bigger than the sky.”

The fire-stoking boy was in a bad mood and didn’t want to talk. He squatted on the steps, wanting to die.

Wang Yuanlu smiled and explained, “He is Master’s good friend, no exceptions.”

Gu He was puzzled. “An expert from the Ten Thousand Character辈 (generation)? How come I didn’t notice.”

Wang Yuanlu said, “I’m not very clear about Mr. Xiao Mo’s identity either.”

The fire-stoking boy stood up, lowered his head, and returned to his room to sulk.

Not long after, a grand cultivator cast a Dharmakaya and ascended to the blue sky, arriving in the bright moon.

This action was equivalent to visiting the old Temple Master in front of the entire world.

Gu He was slightly surprised that the Temple Master did not slap him back to the human world.

The graceful-looking Daoist retracted his Dharmakaya. It was indeed Ya Xiang Yao Qing of the Green God Dynasty.

Yao Qing saw the skinny Daoist at the entrance of the temple and said, “Wang Yuanlu, I’m not looking for Senior Bixiao. This visit is for you.”

The timid Wang Yuanlu, squatting and not daring to stand up, didn’t dare to look directly at Ya Xiang. He said in a muffled voice, “Why are you looking for me, Ya Xiang?”

Young men from Wuling will also have a disparity between rich and poor.

Let alone the young men from Wuling for the past thousand years, who doesn’t admire Yao Qing, and who isn’t afraid of Yao Qing?

Yao Qing didn’t rush to speak and looked at the beautiful scenery of the human world.

The moon over the sea, a lonely smoke beyond the Great Wall, a secluded orchid in an empty valley, a beauty making up before a bronze mirror.

A green crane soaring through the sky, wearing bright clothes and riding spirited horses, with clear likes and dislikes, a young man carrying wine through a mountain rain.

Yao Qing asked directly, “Wang Yuanlu, in your place, is Daoist Sun dead?”

Wang Yuanlu was astonished, slowly stood up, the skinny Daoist’s aura completely changed, and he actually stared intently at the new Fourteenth Realm cultivator, and retorted, “Yao Qing, what do you say?”

Yao Qing replied irrelevantly, “Do you dare to go with me to the Palace of Removing the Old Year to see Wu Shuangjiang as a remnant of the Five Dou Rice Dao?”

Wang Yuanlu squinted his eyes and asked, “When?”

Yao Qing said, “Now.”

Wang Yuanlu said, “Okay.”

Yao Qing smiled and said, “Don’t you want to think about it anymore?”

Wang Yuanlu didn’t say anything, walked down the steps, turned around, faced the temple, and began to kowtow heavily.

“Master, from today onwards, this disciple will no longer be a registered Daoist of the Guandao Temple.”

“Please take good care of yourself. Everything will be fine. Find a more promising and filial direct disciple in the future.”

“Your unworthy disciple bids farewell.”

Without appearing here, the old Temple Master on the wine table exclaimed, and said in a surprised tone, “Is there only a master who drives away his disciples in the world, and a disciple who voluntarily expels his master from the sect?”

Wang Yuanlu’s forehead was pressed against the ground, and he choked up, “It is this disciple who is rebellious! This disciple will remember Master’s kindness for the rest of his life, it will never be forgotten!”

Wang Yuanlu kowtowed a few more times.

The old Temple Master said impatiently, “Alright, alright, get up and talk. When you’re outside, don’t casually tell people that you are this poor Daoist’s disciple.”

Wang Yuanlu just wanted to kneel longer for his master, his face covered in tears and snot, mixed with the dirt.

The old Temple Master snorted coldly. “If you don’t get up, I will cripple your cultivation and throw you into the Palace of Removing the Old Year!”

Wang Yuanlu quickly stood up, his face covered in dirt, and didn’t bother to wipe it off. He just looked confused and stared blankly at Yao Qing. What should he do?

Yao Qing smiled. “Your Master didn’t instruct you not to casually report your Daoist lineage when you’re outside the temple, and not to act like a fox borrowing the tiger’s might under the banner of Xuandu Temple, relying on your sect to do evil.”

Wang Yuanlu scratched his head. Is this allowed?

After thinking for a while, Wang Yuanlu said, “Master, if anyone kills this disciple someday, please avenge this disciple!”

On the wine table, the old Temple Master stroked his beard and smiled. Xiao Mo, look, this is the kind of scoundrel I’ve taken in.

Xiao Mo sincerely praised, Birds of a feather flock together, Fellow Daoist has taken in a good disciple, it’s worth mentioning.

At Earth Lung Mountain, Sword Cultivator Gao Qiong of Great Wood Temple and a disciple of the Yang family from Hongnong went to her hometown, Ruzhou, Xu County of Yingchuan Prefecture.

In Ruzhou’s Scarlet Gold Dynasty, on Crow Mountain, Lin Jiangxian introduced Su Dian to Zhu Muren. Zhu Muren was most curious about the LIZHU Cave Abode and asked many stories and local customs.

Fallen Leaf Mountain, Bamboo Building.

Pei Qian with a bun hairstyle, the little girl in a pink dress, the little girl in black, and the incense figure from the City God Temple who reported for duty here today.

They secretly hid on the second floor of the bamboo building, sitting in the corridor, leaning against the wall, cracking melon seeds together.

Nuan Shu peeled a melon seed for the incense figure. The little fellow sat in a piece of melon shell, holding the melon seed with both hands.

How could the threshold of their bamboo building lineage not be high?

Nuan Shu wore a thimble on her finger, lowered her head and gently bit off the thread ends. At her feet was a fragrant camphor wood plate filled with needlework.

Nuan Shu casually asked, “Is that guy going to drink early and have a late-night snack with someone again?”

Little Rice Grain scratched her face. “Jing Qing told me not to say, to keep it a secret.”

The incense figure leaned against the melon seed shell and sighed. “Jing Qing is good in every way, except for the fact that he likes to drink early, which is worrying.”

Nuan Shu smiled softly. “Good in every way? Not necessarily.”

The incense figure said, “Sister Nuan Shu, it’s not that I’m saying good things for Jing Qing. You know me, my character is decent, but I suffer from being blunt and not knowing how to talk. For example, Jing Qing has many small flaws, of course, he’s a rough guy, it’s normal. But he’s always prioritizing righteousness, he’s never hesitated for his friends. If he has any good things, he never secretly keeps any of them. He always thinks of his master first, and then us good friends who get along.”

Little Rice Grain nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes, Jing Qing never looks down on anyone.”

Nuan Shu nodded, but bent her two fingers and gently tapped her forehead. “You’re familiar with him, so your good words about him are half price.”

Little Rice Grain frowned with her two sparse yellow eyebrows, pouting, with her hands on her hips and her shoulders shrugged.

Pei Qian had been resting with her eyes closed. At this moment, she opened her eyes, took out a piece of almond shortbread from her sleeve, and dangled it in front of Little Rice Grain.

Heh, Little Rice Grain remained motionless, only her gaze moved. Heh heh, tempting me? The little girl in black opened her mouth wide and took a bite!

Nuan Shu asked softly, “Pei Qian, are they really?”

Pei Qian’s expression was normal, and she hummed in response.

Little Rice Grain’s cheeks were puffed up, and she said indistinctly, “If you’re happy, let people know. If you’re angry, it’s the same. It’s not money, you don’t need to save it.”

Pei Qian tugged at her cheek. “You’re the smallest, but you understand the most.”

The incense figure immediately said, “The smallest one is here, here.”

Little Rice Grain gave a thumbs up. I’ll remember that in my book of merit.

Nuan Shu asked, “Little Rice Grain, did you really agree to go to such a far place as Middle Earth Divine Continent together?”

Little Rice Grain scratched her head. “It’s not a good idea to just stay in the Cave Abode realm. I also want my realm to grow taller. I won’t cause trouble or drag you down on the journey.”

Nuan Shu said, “I’m not talking about you. It’s a good thing that you’re willing to travel. I’m just worried that Jing Qing is reckless and impatient. He’s far away from Fallen Leaf Mountain, not even in the Bottle Gourd Continent territory. I’m afraid he’ll be flustered when something happens, and I’m afraid he won’t take good care of you.”

Little Rice Grain shook her head and said, “Jing Qing is very experienced and knows what he’s doing. Fellow Daoist Yunzi of Gray Misty Mountain admires Jing Qing the most!”

Pei Qian smiled. “Sister Nuan Shu, it will definitely be fine. Master has agreed, so we can rest assured.”

Nuan Shu sighed softly. She had sewn a few new pairs of cloth shoes recently, two large pairs and two small pairs.

In fact, even the incense figure had two pairs of extremely miniature cloth shoes. However, it was reluctant to wear them. Only during festivals and temple fairs at the City God Temple would it take them out and wear them.

In addition to Little Rice Grain’s Cave Abode realm, there was also Nuan Shu’s Dragon Gate realm bottleneck. She was a literary fire python born from the Zhi Lan Tower of the Cao family in Huangting Kingdom. She had a long-standing Daoist connection with the True Man Lu Yan, whose Daoist title was Chunyang.

Nuan Shu said softly, “Little Rice Grain, when you’re outside, remember to keep an eye on him.”

Little Rice Grain immediately sat up straight and said with a solemn expression, “Yes, sir!”

On the back mountain of Fallen Leaf Mountain, Cao Yin, a cultivator and disciple of the Cao family from the Superior Pillar Kingdom, and Cao Yang, a martial artist who was both a maid and a close attendant, saw a woman walking to the entrance. She claimed to be a new registered cultivator from Jumping Fish Mountain, Zhou Ai, with the Daoist title Lingqu.

Flower Shadow Peak, Oriole Song Peak, martial arts genius and cultivation prodigies, instigated by Master Zheng Dafeng and egged on by the new substitute instructor Wen Zixi, the two mountain peaks, two groups of immortals and martial artists, truly became acquainted through fighting.

Since their first encounter, “retreating in defeat from the battlefield,” the old deaf man, whose Daoist title was Longsheng and whose alias was Ganyuan, also became ruthless and specifically moved from Sword Worship Platform to build a thatched hut here for long-term residence. He was truly dedicated to teaching the Dao, not only giving individual tutoring to every Qi cultivator but also supervising their cultivation daily and keeping an eye on their progress.

In the past, he was just going through the motions. Since he had boarded the pirate ship, the old deaf man had to contribute a little bit to Fallen Leaf Mountain.

But now, you little brats, can you just not learn if you don’t want to? It doesn’t matter if you have opportunities or not, but I can’t afford to lose face.

Although there was no formal master-disciple relationship, the Dao was passed down and heard, the two words Dao and method, rooted and sprouted. How could it be so soft and ineffective?

Moreover, Bai Jing’s teaching and Xiao Mo’s entry into the Fourteenth Realm, the old deaf man still wanted to ask them for more guidance.

Zheng Dafeng also brought Master Wen here to wander around and listen to the old deaf man diligently teaching the Dao.

Those few Daoists from Taofu Mountain were both teachers and half-students of the old deaf man, so they all found a seat in the back.

Wen Zixi’s skin had also become thicker. Eavesdropping? Is that a taboo on the mountain? Now we are all one family at Fallen Leaf Mountain, what’s mine and yours?

Zheng Dafeng glanced at a certain girl. Now, when she saw that profligate fellow surnamed Zheng, it wasn’t hatred, just annoyance.

The old deaf man walked out of the “school,” letting a Daoist be responsible for continuing to teach talismans. He went out and told Wen Zixi not to be stunned. Since he was already here, he couldn’t be driven away anyway. It was better to just go in and sit down. Wen Zixi didn’t stand on ceremony with him and went in to fill the empty seat.

The old deaf man was hunched over, with his hands behind his back, and said telepathically, “Brother Dafeng, I’m not being stingy. I let you come here, and I don’t care every time. Can you put in a good word for me with the two offerings, Bai Jing and Xiao Mo, in the future?”

Zheng Dafeng smiled and said, “Easy to say.”

They walked together on a mountain road where wildflowers and weeds grew abundantly.

The old deaf man sighed with emotion and said out of the blue, “I have always wanted to become a true sword cultivator.”

He had always considered himself a sword cultivator. Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been that sword challenge with Chen Qingdu on the city wall of Sword Qi Great Wall back then.

Zheng Dafeng made a gesture of raising his head to drink and smiled. “Want some? I’m free anyway. I’ll drink good wine, and you can pour out your grievances.”

The old deaf man nodded and led Zheng Dafeng to find some wine. He didn’t have any immortal brew. It would be fine as long as there was some in those Daoists’ thatched huts.

It’s not that the old deaf man didn’t have a lifebound flying sword, but every family has its own difficult scripture to read. His sword Dao cultivation was extremely special, simply because he had two lifebound flying swords, and the problem was that the lifebound divine abilities of the two flying swords were mutually exclusive! Refining either one alone would conflict with the other one. Refining both flying swords together? It sounds simple, but it’s like a pure martial artist who doesn’t have someone teaching or sparring with him every day, so he can only beat himself to temper his body?

This hardship is not for outsiders to know.

Cultivation is not difficult!

Refining swords is truly hard!

But this kind of secret related to the foundation of the Great Dao, the old deaf man never told anyone, let alone in the Sword Qi Great Wall. As a demon sword cultivator, who could he talk to about this?

In the early years, the Eldest Sword Immortal did say that his situation was not uncommon ten thousand years ago, and there were indeed some ancient methods that could solve it.

The old deaf man was overjoyed at the time and knelt directly in the thatched hut on the city wall, begging Chen Qingdu for a solution.

Unexpectedly, Chen Qingdu continued, “I don’t know the solution. You’ve worshipped the wrong temple and cried at the wrong grave.”

The old deaf man was heartbroken, but he remained prostrate on the ground and wept loudly.

Perhaps Chen Qingdu took pity on him and said, “Just be patient and wait. Maybe there will be a day when things turn around. It’s your destiny, you can’t avoid it. It’s your opportunity, just seize it in the future.”

The old deaf man stood up and wiped his face.

Chen Qingdu dropped a sentence, “But I doubt it.”

The old deaf man immediately knelt down and continued to lie prostrate.

Chen Qingdu finally helped him up and said with a smile, “With this kind of heart for seeking the Dao, what kind of opportunity can you not have?”

Originally, he just wanted to have a small drink, but he couldn’t resist Brother Dafeng’s excellent drinking skills. Unconsciously, the old deaf man drank until he was crying with old tears.

Chen Ping’an took Xie Gou away from the sky screen and returned to the land, but not to Fallen Leaf Mountain. Instead, he came to the city wall of the outer city of the Great Li capital.

It was noon, the sun was shining brightly, as if a giant spirit was showering countless gold onto the earth.

This was the second time Chen Ping’an stood here. The last time he appeared was in the deep darkness of night.

The man in a green robe, long gown, and cloth shoes, and the sable hat girl, the mountain lord and the attendant, one remained silent for a long time, looking outside the city, the other sat on the city wall, feeling a little bored, so she held up the third-class attendant plaque issued by the Ministry of Justice of Great Li.

The officers and soldiers of the outer city recognized the identity of Sword Immortal Chen. After symbolically asking a few questions, they did not disturb the young Hidden Official.

From noon to dusk and then to deep night, until the sky showed a faint white glow, the patrol soldiers on the city wall changed several times.

The green-robed figure just kept looking at the road outside the city and the pedestrians on the road.

In the early morning, after the grand court assembly, the Imperial Study held a small court meeting as usual. Today’s attendance was significantly larger than usual. His Majesty the Emperor and a group of important civil and military officials of Great Li discussed one matter after another, but it was obvious that even His Majesty was somewhat distracted.

They occasionally looked at the empty chair.

Just as the small court meeting was about to end, a green-robed figure walked directly into the room, with one hand behind his back and the other raised and pressed down.

Chen Ping’an sat down in the empty seat and said, “How many idle swordboats does our Great Li currently have?”