The official residence’s courtyard only had three sections, but it spanned a vast area. In the center of each of the three courtyards stood a flourishing phoenix tree, not an ancient immortal artifact, but said to be as old as the yamen itself. Come autumn, a stray leaf would occasionally drift through a window, settling gently upon a young person’s desk. Sometimes it would be kept as a bookmark, seeking a good omen.

An old pine, transplanted from an immortal mountain, had branches like coiled dragons and bark like dragon scales, verdant and lush. A breeze rustling through its dense needles seemed cooler than elsewhere. Beneath the tree, a circle of long bluestone slabs served as benches, providing a place for officials to rest and chat during breaks. In the shade, a stone table with an engraved chessboard invited contemplation. Whenever golden sunlight filtered through the layers of foliage, casting patterns on the table, it was as if an immortal had placed a piece.

In the back courtyard stood a peach tree, personally replanted by Cui Chan about ten years ago, when Rong Yu was still a little girl who would cry from homesickness.

As Rong Yu gradually grew into a graceful young woman, she read many beautiful poems about peach blossoms.

Placing his brush on a three-peaked celadon brush rest and closing a dossier, Chen Ping’an called for Fu Qing, wanting to retrieve a confidential file: Cui Chan’s specific itinerary for inspecting various ministries in the capital over the past twenty years, as well as who he met daily at this residence, the duration of the meetings, and, ideally, records of the actual discussion content.

Unexpectedly, Fu Qing informed him that the State Preceptor’s Residence did not have such files.

Chen Ping’an tentatively asked, “What about the Ministry of Justice?”

Fu Qing shook her head, “They wouldn’t have such archives either.”

Chen Ping’an felt a headache coming on. Leaning back in his chair, his hands tucked into his sleeves, he looked up at the ceiling.

A country is like a human body. The numbers of registered households, garrisoned troops, and total taxes, as listed on paper, are like a person’s outward appearance, visible to the naked eye. Beyond this, there are things like the endless flow of money in the private sector through commerce, and the constant traffic on official roads and relay stations, which are like a person’s qi and blood. The true combat strength of border troops and soldiers on the battlefield is like the muscles and bones beneath the skin. As for academy lectures, village schools, and the people’s hearts and minds, when combined, they constitute the crucially important spirit of a person.

Therefore, a country also has its own pulse. The clues Chen Ping’an sought were akin to studying how Cui Chan diagnosed Da Li’s condition.

Fu Qing said, “Reporting to the State Preceptor, Rong Yu has an excellent memory. She entered this place when she was six. Shall I call her over?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Have her come over.”

Rong Yu soon tapped lightly on the door, stepped over the threshold, her steps light and graceful. She quietly chose her spot, standing on a specific bluestone tile.

Chen Ping’an smiled and asked, “Fu Qing says you have an excellent memory. How good is it?”

Rong Yu replied, “Reporting to the State Preceptor, I can clearly remember everything I’ve seen and heard within at least ten years. I can write it down, draw it, and even mimic the accents when speaking.”

Chen Ping’an was momentarily stunned.

Rong Yu explained, “It’s not a divine ability bestowed by Heaven, nor an immortal’s secret technique. It’s simply a good memory.”

She pointed to her head and smiled, “When State Preceptor Cui brought me here, perhaps because I was young, I had more freedom. Furthermore, things that State Preceptor Cui didn’t specifically warn against or explicitly forbid were generally considered tacitly allowed and could be done. Therefore, State Preceptor Cui’s schedule for the past ten years, who he met in the study, how long they talked, whether State Preceptor Cui sat still or rose to greet them, whether he had the official stand or offered a chair, after finishing the matter, whether State Preceptor Cui saw them out, and where he saw them to – the door, the corridor entrance in the second or third courtyard, or all the way to the residence’s main gate. Whether State Preceptor Cui kept guests here for a meal, what dossiers he requested from the various ministries daily, and all the various transcripts exchanged between the residence and the ministries in the Qianbu Corridor – as long as it passed through my hands, I didn’t dare to record it on paper myself, but I remember it all in here.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Then you’ll have to work hard recently and transcribe it all.”

Rong Yu asked, “State Preceptor Cui often paced in the courtyard outside. What he ate every day, his occasional chats with one or several literary secretaries when dining out, and the content of those officials’ replies, their subtle changes in expression, their expressions after State Preceptor Cui finished eating and rose – should I write these down?”

Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but chuckle, waving his hand, “You can omit those.”

Rong Yu took her leave. Fu Qing remained stationed by the covered walkway, occasionally patrolling the front two courtyards of the State Preceptor’s Residence.

Previously, the young officials in the various ministries regarded Fu Qing’s slow stroll past their windows as a pleasant sight, a small moment of relaxation.

That was no longer the case now.

Xie Gou sat quietly on the doorstep, listening to the rustling sound of the brush tip on paper from the desk.

Chen Ping’an didn’t look up, his writing hand not stopping, and casually said, “With the jade plaque from the State Preceptor’s Residence, you can wander around the capital of Da Li as you please, no need to bore yourself here. You can go find books to read. The Observational Bureau, the Hanlin Academy, and the Imperial Academy’s libraries have many rare and valuable editions, quite impressive. Remember to peek, don’t steal.”

Xie Gou said, “Doesn’t seem very interesting.”

Chen Ping’an suddenly remembered something and said, “Send a flying sword message to Mount Ji Se, and have Pei Xiang of the Fox Kingdom send someone over. It’s her direct disciple, Luo Fumèi. Her staying in the Fox Kingdom and serving as a cultivator of the law enforcement lineage is a waste of talent. Gou Zi, go tell Fu Qing to book a third-class consecration plaque at the Ministry of Justice, and give Luo Fumèi the lowest rank of official status, register her in the archives, and she’ll train at the Ministry of Justice from now on.”

Xie Gou asked doubtfully, “Mountain Lord, isn’t that little fox spirit, Luo Fumèi, traveling in Tongye Continent with Sun Wanyan, Cao Ni, Yuan Huang, and the others?”

Chen Ping’an’s expression remained unchanged, saying, “Then send a flying sword message directly to Cui Dongshan, and have him remember to give Pei Xiang a heads-up.”

Xie Gou sighed, knowing this was the aftermath of that great battle. Some “forgetting” originally used to confine “divinity,” like scattered flowers crushed into mud, were truly gone. Xie Gou was Xie Gou after all, and wouldn’t sigh in worry over this, just a little regretful.

After Xie Gou bounded away, Chen Ping’an stopped writing, shook his wrist, rubbed his brows, and then picked up an uncarved piece of white jade from the desk, holding it in his palm. This object was a river pebble he had repeatedly jabbed at with his hiking staff in the rushing river during his travels.

Regarding the selection of the Minister of Personnel for Da Li, Chen Ping’an had previously consulted two people for their opinions: Emperor Song He and Lin Zhengcheng, the former head of the Cai Fa Yuan in Yuzhang Prefecture, Hongzhou.

Lin Zhengcheng’s reply was simple: the best strategy was for the State Preceptor to personally hold the position of Minister of Personnel for a long time.

The middle strategy was to either select someone from the officials of the six ministries in the auxiliary capital, preferably not over sixty years old, or to choose someone from the border army generals. Since the civil official Shen Chen could be in charge of the Ministry of War, it wouldn’t be anything for a meritorious general to lead the Ministry of Personnel with a progressive spirit. Otherwise, promote Fan Xie, the current Vice Minister of Personnel in the capital, on the spot. This person was a stickler for rules and could suffice for a few years.

The lower strategy was to randomly select a current family head or a designated next family head from among the surnames of the Upper Pillars of the State. It wouldn’t matter even if the State Preceptor drew lots.

The optimal candidate for Minister of Personnel in Emperor Song He’s mind greatly surprised Chen Ping’an.

It was Lin Shouyi.

However, the Emperor also had several transitional candidates: Ma Yuan, Cao Qiao, Yuan Chong, Changsun Mao, Wei Li, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Chen Ping’an compiled a list of Da Li civil and military officials he needed to meet soon.

He assigned Rong Yu and Fu Qing to be responsible for liaising with the various ministries.

Wang Yifu, a peak realm martial artist. In the past, he was the foremost military general of the Lu dynasty. After the fall of the country, similar to the current Marquis of Changchun of the Great River, Yang Hua, he once served as a侍従護衛 to Empress Dowager Nan Zan. After that, as a literary secretary of war, he served as Liu Qingfeng’s escort, traveling to various places and serving as county magistrate several times. After Liu Qingfeng’s death, Wang Yifu resigned from office and did not return to the old Lu dynasty’s territory to “retire,” but lived in seclusion in the auxiliary capital.

Wei Li, an official from the Yellow Court Kingdom, a former vassal state of the Great Sui. He served as the Prefect of Longzhou in Da Li for about thirty years, rising through the ranks to become the Minister of Rites in the auxiliary capital.

Wei Liang, a Legalist cultivator, assisted Cui Chan in establishing mountain rules and compiling the divine lineage records. He was the former Grand Governor of the Green Phoenix Kingdom and the Left Vice Minister of Personnel in the auxiliary capital.

Liu Xunmei, a descendant of generals in Chi’er Street, achieved distinguished military service. He was one of the supervisors of the Great River and currently serves as the Right Vice Minister of War in the auxiliary capital.

General Cao Wu of Yuzhou, a military general from the Stone Hair Kingdom, whose original name was Xu Mao. He married a direct daughter of the Yuan family, an Upper Pillar of the State.

Under the Supervisory Bureau of Da Li in the capital, the Capital Daoist Registry, the Capital Daoist Master Hong Fengxia, with the Daoist name “Jade Peak,” is a Golden Core realm Daoist official and also a sword cultivator.

Han Yi. A provincial general, stationed in the capital region. He was formerly the garrison commander of Yaofu Pass, bordering the Yellow Court Kingdom.

There are also three Langzhong, from the Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Personnel, and Ministry of War, respectively.

Guan Yiran, Langzhong of the Ministry of Revenue’s Qingli Division. It is said that the entire Ministry of Personnel of Da Li belongs to his family; the Ministry of Personnel has been surnamed Guan for many years. Guan Yiran is also one of the three supervisors, the eldest of whom, Liu Qingfeng, became the Minister of Rites in the auxiliary capital, and Liu Xunmei is also the Vice Minister of War in the auxiliary capital. In contrast, Guan Yiran, who has the best background, has had a mediocre official career, although it cannot be called bumpy.

Song Han Hong, Langzhong of the Ministry of Rites’ Sacrificial Qingli Division in the capital. He uses many aliases when conducting business outside the capital, simply changing the “position” of his name and surname. This old Langzhong has been in this position for many years without moving. He is an old acquaintance of Li Jin, the river deity of Chongdan who likes to open a bookstore in Hongzhu Town. In his early years, he participated in a “hunt,” visited the residence of that ghost in a wedding dress, and even traveled to Lake Shujian. He met Chen Ping’an recently. The Minister of Personnel is known as the Celestial Official, so this Langzhong is a minor celestial official in the world of mountains and rivers.

Chao Baoxiang of the Ministry of War’s Wu Xuan Division also manages some of the matters of the martial world within the Da Li Dynasty, secretly accepting martial experts into the various ministries of the Ministry of War.

Those in the capital were prioritized to be arranged into the State Preceptor’s yamen. Chen Ping’an specifically circled Guan Yiran, deciding to meet this person first; the others could be met at his convenience.

This was the first time Guan Yiran had ever set foot in the legendary State Preceptor’s yamen.

The eighteen divisions of the Ministry of Revenue’s Qingli Division manage the purse of the Da Li Dynasty.

Fu Qing waited at the entrance, leading the first official the State Preceptor formally received through the yamen gate. Guan Yiran saw the phoenix tree, entered the second courtyard, saw the ancient pine, and the heads peering out from the windows of the side rooms – these were all destined for high office. Following a winding covered walkway, he saw a peach tree whose flowering season had passed, leaving only green leaves, and the man in the green robe standing beside the tree, his hands behind his back, clutching a jade bamboo fan.

Guan Yiran had served as a military general and also as a civil official. He still chose to bow in salute, suppressing a smile, and said loudly, “Guan Yiran, Langzhong of the Ministry of Revenue’s Qingli Division, pays respects to the State Preceptor.”

Chen Ping’an moved towards the room, smiling, “I’m quite busy, so I can only spare a quarter of an hour to chat with you. I’m about to meet Han Yi and the Langzhong of the Wu Xuan Division and the Sacrificial Qingli Division; I’ll be discussing serious matters with them.”

Entering the room, Chen Ping’an moved two chairs near the entrance. Guan Yiran sat down, shook his official robes, and crossed his legs.

Well now, how audacious, was he trying to take the host’s role?

Chen Ping’an also did the same.

Guan Yiran caught a glimpse of the woman by the covered walkway entrance from the corner of his eye. Just one look, and Guan Yiran felt a pang of guilt, quietly lowering the disrespectful crossed leg.

There were simply too many clever people in officialdom who were skilled at gauging people’s minds. For the few higher-ups he was acquainted with and understood, he needed to truly grasp what they didn’t want and what they wanted, and understand the differences and similarities between what they said and what they thought, without confusing them. For the large group below, he needed to clearly understand what they wanted, what he could give them, and what he couldn’t.

It was a principle that boys in Yichi Alley and Chi’er Street understood at ten years old, but many officials might need twenty or thirty years to grasp, or even a lifetime to figure out.

Guan Yiran was a “笨人” (a simple, straightforward person).

So, he crossed his legs again.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have joined the Da Li border army as an accompanying cultivator, instead of serving as a local official like Cao Gengxin and Yuan Zhengding, gaining experience and rising steadily.

Old Master Guan was also resolute. When this great-grandson said he wanted to use an assumed name and not the Guan surname, wanting to rise through his true ability and accumulate military merit, especially forbidding the family from secretly contacting the border army, Old Master Guan truly didn’t make any calls. When he first arrived at the border, especially during the first five or six years, he fought several fierce battles with the Lu Dynasty, that hundred-legged worm that had died but not yet stiffened. On the battlefield, Guan Yiran saved the lives of many generals, soldiers, and colleagues, and was also saved by others.

By the time Da Li’s iron cavalry had forcefully severed the Lu Dynasty’s lifeline, at an accidental victory banquet, Guan Yiran, among the crowd, was recognized by a general from the capital as Zhenzi Tou. One of Guan Yiran’s superior military officials, who had originally thought this young man was truly promising and had wanted to introduce him to a marriage, was both shocked and frightened upon learning Guan Yiran’s true identity, breaking out in a cold sweat. What if something had happened to this young man in his border army unit?

The general first pretended not to know Guan Yiran’s identity, patted the young man’s head hard, and said a few encouraging words. Afterward, he flew into a rage and immediately sent a letter to an old subordinate from years past who had risen faster in court at the Ministry of War. Not a long letter, just three words: “草你妈!” (Curse your mother!)

I just asked you to pick a few good prospects with family backgrounds who understand military strategy and don’t cry when stabbed, not send a young ancestor!

Earlier, the Ministry of Revenue had not told him what was going on, only that he was to go to the State Preceptor’s residence. Guan Yiran instantly understood that the State Preceptor’s summons meant Chen Ping’an had formally taken office and filled the vacancy.

Tsk tsk, this boy Jing Kuan is lucky. If he’s going to have a smooth official career, nothing will stop it! That bottle of wine by the菖蒲河 wasn’t for nothing.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “When discussing the candidate for Minister of Personnel, His Majesty also happened to discuss Langzhong Guan’s career path with me.”

Guan Yiran’s head instantly swelled up like a winnowing fan. “Chen, is this what you call small talk?!” Don’t just “happen to,” just don’t talk about it.

Sulking, Guan Yiran lowered his legs again and sat up straight.

Chen Ping’an held the bamboo fan, gently rubbing his palm, and said, “I told His Majesty that Langzhong Guan is a person with very little ambition for office. This has both good and bad aspects. Those with strong ambition for office tend to resort to unscrupulous means to climb up. Of course, they can also do practical things, but deep down, their calculations and internal ledger are ultimately colored by selfish desires, thinking about what they will do when they reach a certain level of officialdom, which is just self-deception. However, having too little ambition for office is also not good. They might either become so disgusted that they give up halfway and quit, or they might drift with the current in the sea of officialdom, getting by. Although they understand things clearly in their hearts, they are not responsible in their actions and definitely won’t stick out. Long ago, I saw or heard some ‘temple dark talk’ that is considered a standard in official circles, such as wanting to be a high-ranking official, either being born into a good family, or doing the right things and following the right people. It turns out that there is indeed some truth to it.”

Guan Yiran sighed and said, “Chen Ping’an, you shouldn’t be getting involved in this mess. Isn’t it better to just be a cultivator and pursue longevity?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Isn’t the Mountain Lord of Mount Luopo an official? Isn’t the Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall an official? My ambition for office is greater than yours.”

Guan Yiran was unable to refute.

Chen Ping’an said, “So I suggested to His Majesty that Guan Yiran should spend the next ten to twenty years rotating through various ministries, visiting at least all nine high officials, completing a feat in officialdom. After that, he will have the experience and the age. Whether he wants to retire with a scholar title or take another step up will depend on the wishes of Vice Minister Guan of a certain ministry in the capital or Minister Guan of a certain ministry in the auxiliary capital.”

Guan Yiran’s eyes lit up, “If that’s the career path, that really would be something!”

As long as he wasn’t pushed into a high position by family expectations or factional instigation in the near future, Guan Yiran truly didn’t mind rising through the ranks slowly, doing more practical work that was temporarily unrelated to high-level political principles. As one of the eighteen Langzhong of the Qingli Division, he had already declined how many official banquets? How many relationships and childhood friendships had he quietly estranged?

Chen Ping’an teased, “Alright, the small talk is over. Now, just slowly endure it. As a mere fifth-rank official Langzhong, you won’t have many opportunities to see the State Preceptor here in the future.”

Guan Yiran felt relieved, quickly rose, cupped his hands, and said, “I’m leaving, I’m leaving. This subordinate dare not delay the State Preceptor’s top-spinning like reception of officials.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Have lunch here. I have my own kitchen. Don’t worry, it will be deducted from the State Preceptor’s salary.”

Guan Yiran didn’t look back, striding towards the covered walkway, waving his hand, “Next time, next time, let’s talk about it next time.”

Fu Qing led him out of the residence through a side gate in the front courtyard, and then went to the main gate to escort Han Yi to this place.

Once the imperial court publicly announced the State Preceptor’s identity, there would be no such formality.

Among the regularly stationed provincial generals of the Da Li Dynasty, Han Yi, who was in charge of the capital region’s military and a portion of the capital’s defense, was undoubtedly the foremost.

Fu Qing noticed that this high-ranking old general was very nervous. While waiting at the yamen entrance, he kept secretly pulling at his collar.

Leading Han Yi to the back courtyard and into the study, the sweating Han Yi clearly hesitated for a moment, but the old general still helped to gently close the door. Fu Qing stood guard outside. Soon, Han Yi’s hearty laughter resounded from within. He raised his voice and said, “The State Preceptor is right. It’s easy to fight a war, but difficult to be an official.”

In less than a quarter of an hour, Han Yi walked out of the room sideways, a relaxed expression on his face, and did not forget to tell the State Preceptor not to see him off.

Han Yi received a secret decree from the State Preceptor. In the next few years, he was to try and take charge of matters that he could or could not have managed.

Before coming, he didn’t recognize any sword immortals, not even State Preceptor Cui’s junior brother, but the words “Hidden Official,” Han Yi recognized!

Next was Chao Baoxiang, head of the Ministry of War’s Wu Xuan Division. He was a burly man. Although he had been promoted, even skipping two ranks exceptionally, his expression was downcast when he left.

However, Chen Ping’an walked him all the way to the entrance of the middle courtyard and then stopped there. Fu Qing quickly escorted Capital Daoist Master Hong Fengxia over. They didn’t go to the back courtyard, but sat on the long bluestone bench under the shade of the ancient pine tree. They had met once before, when Chen Ping’an, along with Xiao Mo and the Immortal Official, had taken the initiative to visit.

Hong Fengxia, who managed all the registered Daoists in the capital, was actually quite curious. The even higher-ranking Daoist official, Han Jingling of the Da Li Chongxu Bureau, was also in the capital. Why did the State Preceptor not see him, but summon him? After chatting for a while, the young State Preceptor, with a genial expression, said that he would be visiting the Chongxu Bureau soon to disturb True Immortal Han’s cultivation. Upon hearing this, Hong Fengxia was instantly in a good mood and felt honored.

Song Han Hong, Langzhong of the Sacrificial Qingli Division of the Ministry of Rites. This old man was also one of the Seven Souls of the Second Ancestor of the Military School.

The atmosphere was relaxed. Chen Ping’an talked about some matters in the officialdom of mountains and rivers, and finally asked, “Did Senior Brother Cui give you a Lingxi bead?”

Song Han Hong was slightly surprised and nodded, “Yes. But he told me to keep it and not use it.”

Chen Ping’an said, “You can use it now.”

Song Han Hong nodded, “This subordinate receives the order.”

Outside the door, Chen Ping’an took a jade plaque from Fu Qing and handed it to Song Han Hong, “You can come here for discussions at any time.”

Song Han Hong bowed and left.

Chen Ping’an thought for a moment and said, “Fu Qing, notify Lin Shouyi that if he is free soon, to come here. Tell him I have something to discuss, it’s not about collecting debts. Also, have the Ministry of Rites retrieve the original answer sheets from the last three palace examinations.”

Fu Qing nodded. Of course, she knew Lin Shouyi, who was from the same hometown and the same age as the State Preceptor. She heard that he had recently cultivated in seclusion at Changchun Palace and had entered the Upper Five Realms. He had served as a priest of the Great River Temple in the auxiliary capital for a period of time. The “originals” of the examination papers? That meant even the handwriting needed to be examined? Judging from the State Preceptor’s intention, was he preparing to suggest that Lin Shouyi participate in the imperial examinations, obtain a degree, and become an official?

Emperor Song He himself had already had candidates in mind for the future ministers of the six ministries for a long time.

They were Lin Shouyi, Guan Yiran, Cao Gengxin, Yuan Zhengding, Zhao Yao, and Wu Wangcheng.

South of the Qianbu Corridor, the Ministry of Revenue’s yamen in Nanxun Fang faced the Honglu Temple opposite. The former’s yamen facade looked shabby, while the latter’s appearance was magnificent.

It was also a scene in the capital’s official circles. It was said that one pretended to be poor, while the other flaunted its wealth.

Minister Ma Yuan called Guan Yiran over, neither asking much nor saying anything, simply telling Guan Yiran to pay more attention in the future and speak less.

Guan Yiran kept nodding vigorously while rummaging through drawers, eventually successfully pilfering a jar of tea leaves.

Ma Yuan was so angry that he laughed and scolded, “臭小子 (Stinky kid), you’re really my father.”

Ma Yuan’s examination mentor was Old Master Guan of the Ministry of Personnel, Guan Yiran’s great-grandfather.

In those years, Ma Yuan’s seven promotions in three years at the Ministry of Personnel, even with his identity as a member of the Poyang Ma family, still made the entire officialdom feel unbelievable.

No matter how you looked at it, Ma Yuan’s eyebrows and appearance did not resemble Old Master Guan when he was young.

The eight hidden and open career paths of the Da Li Dynasty. The other few official routes were ultimately not as clear and solid as these.

Song Changjing of the border army. Prince Luo Song Mu of the auxiliary capital. Empress Dowager Nan Zan. The Guan family of the Ministry of Personnel.

The Yuan and Cao families, Upper Pillars of the State. The Zi Zhao Yan family, which manages all the accompanying cultivators of Da Li. And Ma Yuan, who had served as minister of two ministries.

Guan Yiran, holding the tea jar, walked to the door, smiling cheekily and casually said, “I don’t dare to go to Grandpa Mao’s place and get scolded. Could you please ask about his health? Minister, hurry up and don’t be careless.”

Ma Yuan, with a look of suspicion, laughed and scolded him a few times, telling him to quickly scram.

Among the Nine High Officials in the imperial court, in addition to the six ministries, the other three were the Censorate, the Ministry of General Affairs, and the Court of Judicial Review.

The heads of the Censorate and the Ministry of General Affairs were both of the second rank, and for the past hundred years, the Yuan and Cao families have rotated in these positions.

Yuan Chong, the head of the Yuan family, an Upper Pillar of the State, is currently the Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and Cao Qiao is the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, participating in the small court meetings.

Changsun Mao, a native of the capital of Da Li, whose family is only a mid-level gentry. He was formerly the Minister of the Honglu Temple and has just been transferred to the relatively more nominal position of Commissioner of the Ministry of General Affairs, while also being conferred the title of Grand Scholar of the Hall of Literary Brilliance. The capital officialdom feels that the old gentleman is about to retire and the imperial court is paving the way for his future posthumous title. Whether the posthumous title is evaluated by the Ministry of Rites or personally designated by His Majesty, there are a few strict rules. Changsun Mao is of the same generation as Shen Chen in the officialdom of Da Li, but his official position is smaller. The Minister of the Honglu Temple is one of the Lesser Nine Officials, after all, not comparable to the main official of the Ministry of War. Being transferred and promoted to the head of the Ministry of General Affairs, the gap between them is smaller. It is already quite good for Changsun Mao to be able to retire from this position.

By the time Guan Yiran left, Ma Yuan had a pretty good idea.

He didn’t dare to expect to fill the position of Celestial Official at the Ministry of Personnel, but he never expected that it would be Changsun Mao who would transition and then be promoted.

Inside the State Preceptor’s Residence, Fu Qing quickly returned to the entrance and whispered, “State Preceptor, His Majesty has arrived.”

Chen Ping’an burst into laughter. So, he had arrived just in time for dinner.

Only one eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial, the Palace Seal Holder, accompanied His Majesty the Emperor.

With His Majesty’s arrival, Rong Yu temporarily put down her brush. She and Fu Qing skillfully carried the dishes to the back courtyard. After they were done, Rong Yu and Fu Qing smiled and said that it was Fu Qing’s turn to wash the dishes today. Fu Qing nodded. She turned her back to the back courtyard and looked up at the old pine tree in the courtyard. Thanks to State Preceptor Cui’s arrangement, she was able to learn a secret matter unrelated to the Hao Ran world.

In the Qing Ming realm, the Jade Capital sect master Yu Dou, sitting in Mount Yujing, has entered the pseudo-fifteenth realm, successively slaying four fourteenth-realm cultivators and one Ascended realm sword cultivator.

The first to challenge the Jade Capital alone was the master of Xuandu Temple, Master Sun.

After that were Wu Shuangjiang of Sui Chu Palace, Gao Gu of Difèi Mountain, the monk Jiang Xiu, three fourteenth-realm grand cultivators, and the female sword immortal Bao Lin.

Based on this record alone, it is unprecedented and unmatched, truly invincible.

Around noon, while the mountain lord was having a small meal, Xie Gou returned to the Sword Worship Platform.

Xie Gou had recently shifted the focus of his teachings from Fishing Jump Mountain back to the Sword Worship Platform. On the one hand, he had taken in a proud disciple, and on the other hand, the cultivation sprouts on Flower Shadow Peak were truly just sprouts. What was the point of being the head instructor, the great master? They were just empty titles; let Gan Yiban put in some effort.

Previously, Xie Gou had given a jade slip to Chai Wu and also made it clear to the young girl that it could be passed around freely and not be restricted by sectarian views.

Jiang She and his Daoist companion Wuyan only stayed on the mountain for one night. They had already gone down the mountain around noon today, saying they would travel through the Nine Continents of Hao Ran. They might return to Bottle Province before going to Lotus Flower Realm, not even daring to mention Mount Luopo directly. When they went down the mountain, Pei Qian did not show up.

Before going down the mountain, Jiang She was blocked at the gate early in the morning by the boy in green, dragged away to drink. They competed at the table, and the boy in green drank so much he was circling under the table.

They said some drunken words that they couldn’t remember afterward. Waking up from a drunken stupor and forgetting the drunken words is probably the sign of true drinking.

Jiang She was quite impressed by this little snake of Yujiang River, who treated people sincerely. Both at the table and outside, he was decent.

“The martial world is deep and people’s hearts are sinister! My mountain lord is too honest, too kind! So, I, Chen Lingjun, Master Chen! As long as I see a strange face on the mountain, I will probe their depth to let the mountain lord know their ways and temper! If they are kind-hearted, they naturally won’t bother with me too much. If they are evil, I am talented and gifted, with thick skin, so I will take one or two punches first…” “I am stupid, I can’t do more.”

After descending the mountain, Jiang She stood quietly by the mountain gate archway, watching for a long time as the Daoist with a wooden hairpin in his hair licked his finger to turn the pages of a book.

Daoist Lin Feijing returned from being busy at Mount Xianghua and shouted “Master” from afar. Only then did the Immortal Official change books.

The Immortal Official then noticed Jiang She by his side and the woman not far away. The Immortal Official had also cultivated some Dao heart; his face did not turn red and his heart did not beat fast. He exchanged pleasantries with the man, learning that they were about to go on a long journey down the mountain. The young Daoist symbolically tried to persuade them to stay, but failed and could only watch as they walked away on the road, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance.

At the Sword Worship Platform, the girl in the貂帽 (marten-skin hat) and Chai Wu and the others sat around the stone table.

On this mountain, apart from Guo Mengzhu, the leader, who was on patrol with Mi Li. Old Deafy had also moved to Fishing Jump Mountain, and his disciple You Yu, a Golden Core realm sword cultivator, also followed him there to build a thatched cottage, balancing listening to lectures and cultivating. Deng Jianping cherished this hard-won Dao affinity even more.

Yao Xiaoyan, the little girl with three natal flying swords. She was the least anxious about forging swords. The Hidden Official didn’t say anything, her master didn’t urge her, and even Ning Yao told her not to rush, so she was truly not going to be polite. She wasn’t on the mountain at the moment. The little girl had learned a stealth technique from her master, hanging the sword talisman at her waist. With a whoosh, she went to Qilong Alley in the small town and was standing at the entrance eating pastries with her master, saying it was a celebration.

Nalan Yudie liked to follow the ferryboats. She became a little accountant next to Zhang Jia Zhen, the small accountant. How could she delay forging swords? Her master had given her a few bags of Guyu coins, a pile of spiritual books and secret scriptures, a few magical treasures, and even a miniature Daoist field. Her cultivation was extremely fast.

Sun Chunwang was cultivating in seclusion again. She dreamed of becoming a Jade Pure realm cultivator. It wasn’t about competing with her good friend Chai Wu, but simply because Ning Yao had promised her that as long as she reached the Upper Five Realms, she could become Ning Yao’s registered disciple!

As for Bai Xuan, who was currently sitting at the table drinking goji berry tea, one couldn’t say he was shirking his duties. He was still diligent in forging swords.

It was just that when you compared goods, with Sun Chunwang at the Sword Worship Platform and the recent addition of Chai Wu, who broke through realm after realm like a string of firecrackers, he appeared to be a failure.

He had heard from Great White Goose before that there was a martial expert surnamed Jiang at Ji Ling Peak whose boxing was incredibly powerful, clearly a master. Bai Xuan’s spirits were immediately lifted. He rushed over early in the morning to sound him out. After all, he was experienced in handling matters and didn’t easily mention the hero list.

When he felt the time was right, Bai Xuan mentioned it casually, asking if there was any idea of working together to dampen Pei Qian’s spirits. However, the burly man looked at him as if he were an idiot, reached out and pressed the little rabbit’s head, turned his face towards the main gate, and kicked him out of the room.

Even with the unfavorable start, Bai Xuan wasn’t discouraged. He rubbed his butt while riding the wind and returned to the Sword Worship Platform.

Xie Gou, Chai Wu, Bai Xuan, and a young female sword cultivator named Wu Chen were sitting around a table at this time.

The jade slip was a gift from fellow Daoist Bixiao. The content of the jade slip was the last lecture given by Gao Gu of Di Fei Mountain at Huayang Palace.

There were three lectures: explaining the differences and similarities of mundane souls and spirits, how to build a longevity bridge from three hundred and sixty-five qi mansions, and sword techniques.

Xie Gou lifted the restriction on the jade slip and gave it to his direct disciple, Chai Wu, a Jade Pure realm sword cultivator less than ten years old.

The little girl sat by the table, one hand holding a bowl, the other the jade slip, drinking and reading with relish, slightly tipsy, a little drunkard.

About a stick of incense later, Xie Gou asked with a smile, “Chai Wu, can you understand the ‘three lectures’ above?”

The little girl hiccuped, poured herself another bowl, and nodded, “I can understand. It’s simpler and easier to understand than our Mountain Lord’s teachings.”

Xie Gou nodded, “It’s normal for you, with your average aptitude and young age, to not be able to understand our Mountain Lord’s exquisite and subtle explanations of the Great Dao.”

Chai Wu hesitated to speak, feeling it necessary to be honest with her master, and asked doubtfully, “The Mountain Lord said my aptitude is too good, he can’t teach me.”

Xie Gou squinted, “So you believed him?”

Chai Wu frowned, “He lied to me?”

Xie Gou scoffed, “Your aptitude is too good? Your master has seen countless people with your aptitude before, so many. Among the ten people I’ve challenged with swords, at least half have your aptitude, and among that half, about half are even better than you.”

“Besides, is the Mountain Lord’s aptitude not good? Go out now and shout a few times, see if you get beaten, see if any cultivators scold you?”

“Chai Wu, you’ve got a big head since you recognized me as your master.”

Hearing this, Chai Wu was half-believing, half-doubting. She gulped down a large bowl of wine, suddenly stood up, “Master, I’m going to cultivate in the room.”

Xie Gou waved his hand, “Guard against arrogance and impatience, and continue to work hard. You can go to Fishing Jump Mountain, but don’t go often.”

You are my direct disciple, Xie Gou. You want to run to Fishing Jump Mountain and listen to that ordinary consecrated Old Deafy’s lectures and teachings? Aren’t you afraid of being led astray by him?

However, Chai Wu would occasionally go there to sit and listen, mainly to the lectures of the several Daoists from Mount Taofu.

Seeing her small stature and asking her age, which was less than ten, several older sisters would stroke her head and pinch her cheeks. Chai Wu didn’t like it, but didn’t dislike it either.

Those who teased would ask if she was in the Dongfu realm. Those who were more serious would ask about the second realm? The third realm? Did she have a Daoist name now?

However, no one dared to casually ask who her master was.

Among the cultivation sprouts on Flower Shadow Peak, there was a young girl named Wu Chen, who had a naive personality and pretended to be fierce, nicknamed Little Earth by her friends. She became quite close to Chai Wu and often sat together to listen to lectures. In addition, Old Deafy saw that she was a sword cultivator and told Wu Chen to visit the Sword Worship Platform, but did not directly say to “seek opportunities.” If it were an ordinary girl, she would have considered it just an official formality that shouldn’t be taken seriously. However, Wu Chen really did come here to sit whenever she had free time. She was simple, but not simple-minded, otherwise she wouldn’t have been able to go to Fishing Jump Mountain. She kept what she saw and heard here private. For example, after learning that Chai Wu was actually the direct disciple of the head instructor “Bai Jing,” she would also keep it a secret when she returned to Fishing Jump Mountain, keeping her mouth shut. However, at the Sword Worship Platform, she would share her cultivation insights, which she occasionally gained from overhearing or asking questions, with her friends without reservation.

Her only annoyance was that Master Bai Jing always liked to ask her how Zheng Dafeng was in person, whether he was handsome, and so on.

Bai Xuan finally couldn’t help but voice his confusion, frowning, “Listen? Isn’t the jade slip for reading? Listen to what?”

Chai Wu stopped, unsure how to explain. The words on the jade slip were endlessly fascinating to read. Because she had read them so much, she developed a strange sensation, as if someone was speaking in her ears or in her heart. Chai Wu didn’t think too much of it, simply considering it the so-called meaning becoming clear after reading a book a hundred times.

Xie Gou was cracking melon seeds and said with a chuckle, “Bai Xuan, you should go and listen to Gan Yiban’s lectures more often. You’ll understand the Dao methods he teaches.”

Bai Xuan was annoyed, “Bai Jing, stop talking nonsense to me in that sarcastic way. We both share the surname Bai, why are you favoring outsiders?”

Xie Gou suddenly realized, “That’s right, that’s right. I’ll definitely teach you a few powerful sword techniques in the future! What kind of life-saving techniques should you learn? Let the guys you challenge with swords learn more!”

Bai Xuan asked, “Really?”

Xie Gou rolled his eyes and said, “Nonsense, you said it yourself, we both share the surname Bai. Of course, I’m willing to teach you!”

Bai Xuan was anxious, “I’m asking if you really have those advanced sword techniques?!”

Xie Gou squinted and said, “Why didn’t Jiang She beat you into a smart cookie?”

The young girl Wu Chen grinned, listening from the side. Feeling losing face, Bai Xuan grabbed the teapot, slammed the door shut, and went into the room to forge swords.

Wu Chen also returned to Fishing Jump Mountain.

Xie Gou lazily turned and leaned his back against the stone table, placing his marten-skin hat on the table, arms crossed. Haha, Heaven helps me.

Xiao Mo first gave Chai Wu a natal flying sword. Now I will teach sword techniques to my direct disciple. Is this a match made in heaven?

Standing up, Xie Gou took out a stack of counterfeit Three Mountains Talismans from his sleeve. There was nothing interesting to see at the State Preceptor’s yamen. Sister Rong Yu was busy writing something, and she wasn’t on good terms with Fu Qing. Xie Gou then went to the capital of Qiu Kingdom in Hanzhou again.

A large banner flapped in the strong heavenly wind.

Hanzhou, on the border of Qiu Kingdom, aboard an as yet unnamed sword boat, the atmosphere in the council hall was tense.

Prefect Situ Xiguang and General Lu Song of Hanzhou, these two high officials of frontier regions, each had their civil and military subordinate officials standing beside them.

They were inconspicuous here, but back in their respective yamen, as the literati of Qiu Kingdom put it, any casual fart was like thunder in the officialdom of a certain prefecture or county in Hanzhou.

Prefectures and counties in the Da Li Dynasty are on the same level, between the state and county levels, but most prefectures are directly administered by the capital or the auxiliary capital, so local counties all want to be elevated to prefectures, but a state prefect may not be willing to nod.

The Da Li Dynasty is known as the Kingdom of a Hundred States, but there are fewer than thirty regularly stationed state generals, stationed in strategically important locations, often commanding military affairs in several states. Of course, there is competition among this group of state generals, each with their own agenda. For example, you have the Yellow Sky荡 (Yellow Heaven Ditch) shipyard within your jurisdiction, and I also have the renowned Ox Horn Crossing in my state.

The career path for military generals is relatively simple. If they are fortunate enough to become a state general, the next step up is to become one of the twelve generals of “Four Expeditions, Four Garrisons, Four Pacifications,” holding positions of the second rank, deputy second rank, and third rank, or to be transferred to the two ministries of war in the capital and the auxiliary capital as vice minister or minister. The highest position is the first-rank巡狩使 (Imperial Inspector).

There was also a group of officials from the Ministry of Works’ shipyards who boarded the ship, tasked with monitoring the navigation status of the six sword boats.

Of the six sword boats, three were under construction and not yet completed. It didn’t matter; as long as they could ascend, it would be considered an early inspection.

Before a sword boat was “launched,” it belonged to the Ministry of Works as per regulations. Once it ascended, it became a treasure of the Da Li border army.

One side seemed to be marrying off their daughter, filled with sorrow. The other side was bringing in a wife, of course, full of joy.

Therefore, the officials in charge of the sword boats and mountain ferryboats of the Ministry of Works, the lowest-ranked of the Six Ministries, had a rare moment of arrogance. Before handing over to the military generals they had good relations with, they would routinely say in private, “Hurry up, call me ‘Dad’!”

The officials from the Ministry of War responsible for acceptance and takeover didn’t mind this loss of face; they just called out.

Over time, it became a regular practice.

Hanzhou is a large state, so a deputy general was added. The deputy general of Hanzhou is a woman, Huang Meixian, with a background as a military cultivator.

She is nearly fifty years old, with long eyebrows, slightly dark skin, and a stern face. At this moment, she is wearing armor, but she is not standing beside Lu Song, studying the troop deployment of Qiu Kingdom on a sandbox. Instead, she is standing beneath a massive map of Qiu Kingdom, two zhang long and wide. Of course, this is an immortal map drawn using techniques from the mountain, visible to the naked eye with sufficient cultivation and good eyesight, even showing the smallest country paths in detail.

Since ancient times, military strategists have often had a peculiar habit, or rather, a common trait: memorizing maps.

Her resume is similar to that of Wu Wangcheng, the Vice Minister of War in the capital. Both were meritorious military generals who distinguished themselves in the two battles of Old Dragon City and the auxiliary capital.

Huang Meixian was wearing a plain talisman armor, looking up at the map, habitually resting her hand on her saber, her hand covered in scars.

She was formerly an accompanying cultivator from the Daniu Ditch lineage of the Wind and Snow Temple. However, she was used to being in the Da Li border army and preferred leading troops in battle, reluctant to leave. So, she simply abandoned her immortal lineage status.

Except for a very few woodcutters who entered the mountains, even today, the local people in the surrounding counties have no idea that there is a garrison stationed in the mountains.

The young prince of Qiu Kingdom, Han E, stood beside Zhao Yao, the Vice Minister of Justice.

As the only outsider on the sword boat, a “hostage from an enemy country,” Han E’s awkward situation was imaginable.

The sharp gazes of some Da Li military generals were like needles.

Intelligence reports from various places were continuously gathered here. There were reports from surrounding mountain and river deities, as well as secret reports from Da Li’s death squads and spies.

General Lu Song of Hanzhou maintained his usual expression.

However, the Ministry of Justice officials directly interfering in this matter, even recording all intelligence reports one by one, like supervising the army, inevitably caused this General of Hanzhou to feel displeased. Once upon a time, Da Li was one of the Lu Dynasty’s vassal states, but even earlier than that, there were “supervisors of the army” only in the military.

If Zhao Yao could provide the Ministry of Justice’s secret records, and his and those officials’ and accompanying cultivators’ presence was barely acceptable, then what was the meaning of Cao Gengxin from the Ministry of Personnel being here? Was he here to promote someone or demote someone on the spot?

During the march, this fellow was even drinking?!

With a purple-skinned wine gourd hanging at his waist, covered in patina, he hid in the furthest corner of the room, turning his back, secretly taking a few sips.

However, many of the officials present were quite surprised by one thing: Zhou Haichao, one of the four grandmasters of Bottle Province? Why was she here?

Had she also become a house swallow of a noble family? Had she become a close escort of a direct descendant of an Upper Pillar of the State family? Was it really necessary?

Cao Gengxin raised his chin and said with a mental voice, “See? This Deputy General of Hanzhou is the truly ruthless one.”

In these years, Huang Meixian had repeatedly reported to the Ministry of War in the capital, applying to lead troops to kill their way into the capital of Qiu Kingdom, massacring the imperial palace and the various ministries. After that, her subordinate troops would be stationed there. She only needed four or five months, at most half a year, just to kill all the hard bones in the capital and the local areas, and then only the soft bones would remain.

Huang Meixian had some concerns. This time, the sword boat’s ascent shouldn’t be all bark and no bite. That would truly be a shameful farce.

His Majesty had already left the official residence.

In the back courtyard, Fu Qing watched as the State Preceptor strolled around the courtyard for a moment, his hands in his sleeves, occasionally looking up at the peach tree.

Then the middle-aged man, who looked more like a Jianghu swordsman in a green robe, returned to the study and continued to handle official business.

In a quiet room in the second courtyard, Rong Yu rubbed her eyes. She opened a booklet on her desk. Because State Preceptor Cui had personally planted the peach tree in the back courtyard, she had spent her free time over the years specifically collecting and transcribing beautiful poems about peach blossoms by hand, compiling them into a book.

The opening line was “Peach blossoms first bloom in the mountain temple,” followed by “The alchemical stove is first fired, the immortal peach blossoms are falling.”

The final line, however, was written in State Preceptor Cui’s own hand. Therefore, Rong Yu did not continue to collect poems, and this line became the concluding remark.

“Seeking a swordsman among peach blossoms.”