Though it is a three-courtyard dwelling, it occupies a vast area, its form and scale comparable to a ducal residence. It is topped with a Wudian roof adorned with chīwěi, covered in verdant glazed tiles, and the main hall spans seven bays.

Entering the Grand Preceptor’s Estate, they reached the side hall in the east wing of the third courtyard, used for discussions and receiving guests. Chen Ping’an moved two chairs, and they both sat down, facing each other.

They had swapped their host and guest roles. In years past, Qingxia Island was hard to ascend, but Chen Ping’an finally made it. Now, the Grand Preceptor’s Estate was difficult to enter, yet Liu Laocheng was still seated.

Liu Laocheng had already cast an illusionary spell, temporarily covering himself with a spare robe to hide his shocking injuries. He also had to circulate water qi to conceal the scent of blood on his body.

He was in a truly sorry state. Since reaching the Upper Five Realms, he had never suffered such torment.

Xie Gou followed them into the room. She didn’t move a chair to sit down but went to a towering bookshelf and pulled out a book, pretending to read it.

Chen Ping’an gestured with his eyes for her to leave. Xie Gou, with a serious expression, said, “If this fellow harbors resentment and suddenly tries to kill, I can protect the Grand Preceptor.”

Liu Laocheng’s eyelids twitched slightly.

Chen Ping’an waved his hand. Xie Gou reluctantly put the book into her sleeve. It seemed to be a secret text from the Imperial Astronomy Bureau of the Great Li capital, a precious and rare edition that couldn’t be bought for any amount of money. Chen Ping’an glared, and Xie Gou had no choice but to put the book back.

After Xie Gou left the room, Chen Ping’an shook his green robe, crossed his legs, and said, “Island Master Liu, please make yourself at home. We can chat for a quarter of an hour.”

Liu Laocheng remained silent, reaching a hand to cover his chest. He had been stabbed several times from behind by the貂帽少女 (Diao Mao Shaonu – sable-hatted young woman). Although these were “external wounds” and not fatal, they had injured both his Yin and Yang spirits. One more strike, and it would likely have affected the foundation of his Dao, causing him to fall in cultivation, and it wouldn’t be just one realm.

From this, it seemed that Xie Gou, the second chief enshrinement of Luopo Mountain, who could stand behind the Fourteenth Realm Xiao Mo, had a Dao power even higher than Liu Laocheng’s estimation of a peak Ascension Realm sword cultivator.

First, he fought a battle with Liu Tui’s Yang spirit doppelganger, then was pursued by Liu Tui’s true body, and then attacked by Xie Gou. The cultivation that Liu Laocheng had painstakingly accumulated since reaching the Immortal Realm had gone down the drain. Some of the trump cards he used to save his life and fight to the death were almost completely exhausted. It would be a lie to say he didn’t feel the pinch, and moreover, the current Liu Laocheng was literally feeling the pinch in his heart.

In fact, while escaping, Liu Laocheng had already figured it out. This trap to ambush him was the unilateral decision of the Jiang Family Patriarch of the Yun Ku Blessed Land and had nothing to do with Chen Ping’an.

Liu Laocheng said, “Don’t sour your relationship with Gao Mian.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Of course.”

Liu Laocheng was momentarily unsure of how to speak. Leaning back in his chair, having survived the ordeal, it felt like a lifetime ago.

Chen Ping’an had no intention of killing him, and Jiang Shangzhen might have been deliberately pressing him to lower the price and obtain the greatest benefit he envisioned. But that mad dog Liu Tui from Tian Yao Village truly wanted to kill Liu Laocheng. If near the Flower God Temple private residence, Liu Tui still considered Liu Laocheng’s cultivation level, then in the capital region, with his true body revealed, they had completely become mortal enemies.

Liu Tui was indeed formidable. During their fight in the capital region, this over-the-river dragon from Fuyao Continent exuded an extremely cold and brutal Dao qi, completely devoid of the cautious, weighing-the-pros-and-cons demeanor of a registered cultivator, and he paid no heed to the face or demeanor of a continent’s Dao Master. In short, he was saying, “I am going to kill you today!”

Having been tricked twice by Liu Laocheng, Liu Tui would certainly not let it go. Liu Laocheng, on the other hand, had no resentment or anger about this. He was neither afraid of Liu Tui, to live in fear from now on, nor did he hate Jiang Shangzhen, since he wasn’t a good bird himself anyway.

Jiang Shangzhen was naturally a multifaceted person with an unpredictable personality. As the chief enshrinement of Luopo Mountain, the former Sect Master of Yu Gui Sect, and the Patriarch of the Yun Lin Jiang Family, Jiang Shangzhen would say different things and do different things in his different identities.

As for Xie Gou’s intervention, it was probably just like a child in a commoner’s family kicking a table or chair when feeling sulky?

Otherwise, if she had truly intended to kill with her sword, Liu Laocheng would have had to accept his fate regardless of how unwilling he was.

Liu Laocheng took out a porcelain bottle from his sleeve, poured out several immortal pills, threw them into his mouth, and chewed them vigorously.

For a rogue cultivator with his personality, having survived today’s upheaval without dying, he felt not disheartened but rather exhilarated, wanting to drink heavily by himself!

Chen Ping’an was well aware of the situation at the residence near the Flower God Temple. Not only was he already in the Ascension Realm, but with Song Yunjian stationed at the Grand Preceptor’s Estate, he had a panoramic view of the capital city, which was more effective than any Landscape Observing Divine Power. However, he hadn’t stopped Liu Tui’s attack, only intervening at crucial moments with Xiao Mo or Xie Gou. Shujian Lake was your Shujian Lake, Liu Laocheng, but wasn’t the Great Li capital my Great Li capital?

Liu Laocheng silently circulated his qi, using a secret method to mend his physical body and treat his injuries. Underneath his two robes, his muscles and blood stirred and white bones regenerated flesh at a visible speed.

Seeing that Liu Laocheng had no intention of speaking, Chen Ping’an took the initiative and said, “As for Shujian Lake, not only will the Zhenjing Sect be replaced, but the current Lake Master will also be replaced. However, Jiang Shangzhen is acting a bit hastily.”

If one said Jiang Shangzhen was acting wantonly, that would truly be an injustice to him. Jiang Shangzhen wanted to strike while the iron was hot because the newly ascended Chen Ping’an currently carried a surge of Qi from the Baoping Continent. Thus, decisions made now, for the Great Li court or Luopo Mountain, would be more likely to achieve twice the results with half the effort the deeper they were connected to Chen Ping’an. Such a rare opportunity would not wait. Once missed, even if the same decision were made tomorrow, it wouldn’t be impossible to achieve, but it might achieve half the results with twice the effort. Jiang Shangzhen was a businessman. How he spent money was entirely up to him, but how he made money was something Jiang Shangzhen was fixated on.

Mortals cannot perceive the ethereal national destiny and Qi, but powerful cultivators have their own insights into the unseen world.

Liu Laocheng recovered his Dao power as quickly as possible and came to the Grand Preceptor’s Estate on his own initiative, blocking Liu Tui outside the capital’s grand formation. Liu Laocheng had only obtained a temporary life-saving talisman. What the situation would be like after he left the Grand Preceptor’s Estate today, whether he could even leave the Great Li capital, remained to be seen.

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “Your temper is also a bit quick. You should have at least listened to Jiang Shangzhen finish his words and hear where he planned to demote you to settle down.”

“That doesn’t seem to be your usual style.”

“By the way, under broad daylight, being suspicious and always having a guilty conscience is like being a thief. If there are no ghosts in your heart, why fear the dark?”

Hearing this, Liu Laocheng hesitated for a moment and roughly explained, “The two civil and military temple deities I summoned with a side technique that mimics the Confucian ‘본명자’ (Bon Myeong Ja – 본명字 – original name character) couldn’t be sustained for long. And I had already used this divine ability the moment I saw Jiang Shangzhen. I was neither in the mood nor dared to keep listening to Jiang Shangzhen’s nonsense. I was afraid that since he knew the inside story and was aware of my temper, he was deliberately delaying.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, not prying into the “본명자” issue, and changed the subject, asking, “May I be so bold as to ask the origin of those imitation Zhang Suojian talismans?”

Liu Laocheng said, “I have a disciple, a concubine’s child of the Yun Lin Jiang Family, named Jiang Yun. The Grand Preceptor must remember him. He has an authentic lock sword talisman from Elder Zhenren Yu. I painstakingly studied it for decades before I could barely imitate it.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Island Master Liu’s attainments in the art of talismans are not top-notch.”

Liu Laocheng twitched his lips, remaining silent for a moment. “Aren’t you going to ask how I was able to imitate the 본명자 divine ability? It’s not that I think too highly of myself, but no matter how closely you observe, trying to steal it will ultimately be futile.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Then I would truly be humiliating you.”

After a pause, Chen Ping’an added with a smile, “And I won’t do this business with you.”

In the Grand Preceptor’s Estate, for me to seize your trump card by force would be to humiliate the former master of Shujian Lake. But if you willingly offer this Dao technique in exchange for a protective talisman from me, that’s also out of the question.

Liu Laocheng turned his head to look at the peach tree and the golden-crowned Daoist in the courtyard outside and said softly, “Whether you believe it or not, that last sentence outside the door was my sincere thought.”

Thinking back then, the young accountant from Qingxia Island, carrying a jade tablet engraved with “吾善養浩然氣” (Wú Shàn Yǎng Hàorán Qì – I am good at nurturing noble spirit), could only ascend the island and leave Gongliu Island alive.

Chen Ping’an nodded, “I believe it. However, I still say the same thing, we are both responsible.”

Liu Laocheng scoffed. No matter how deep one’s cunning, how good one’s opportunities, or how fast one’s cultivation progresses, at the end of the day, they were still inherently scholars.

Rong Yu stood at the study door and said softly, “Grand Preceptor, Xiao Pu from the Bamboo Basket Hall has arrived.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Ask her to wait a moment.”

Liu Laocheng said, “Give me a clear answer, how do you plan to deal with me?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Just go back to your Shujian Lake and continue to stay there for now.”

Liu Laocheng frowned, “Is that a clear answer?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Then let’s put it another way. Before戌時 (Xu Shi – 7-9 pm) tomorrow, Liu Laocheng must rush to Gongliu Island and await orders. Is that clear?”

Liu Laocheng was momentarily speechless.

Chen Ping’an said, “I currently only have a rough idea. Wait patiently. Don’t worry, none of you will wait too long.”

Liu Laocheng sighed. It was hard to imagine what the scene would be like when the man before him set foot in Shujian Lake again.

Chen Ping’an turned his head to look at the scene in the courtyard and said indifferently, “Each illuminates a corner, few observe the thoroughfare.”

Chen Ping’an stood up, and Liu Laocheng had to follow suit, even though Chen Ping’an hadn’t explicitly stated everything.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Island Master Liu isn’t worried about the journey back?”

The implication was, Liu Laocheng, you truly aren’t yielding or bowing your head to ask me to accompany you to the Grand Preceptor’s Estate entrance, or even just drag me back to the Flower God Temple?

For example, as soon as he left the capital, Liu Tui, whose Yin and Yang spirits were gathered, blocked his path. Or, instead of daring to leave the city to face Liu Tui, he was first caught by Cui Dongshan and Jiang Shangzhen, who interrogated him about his family assets.

Liu Laocheng laughed and cursed, “He truly holds a grudge.”

Chen Ping’an stepped over the threshold first. Liu Laocheng followed him out of the room, clasped his hands in farewell, and Chen Ping’an nodded with his hands in his sleeves.

Liu Laocheng strode down the steps, but he was slapped on the back of his head. Liu Laocheng stumbled.

Liu Laocheng turned his head in surprise, then realized. Good heavens, this was the true meaning of holding a grudge!

It turned out that Liu Laocheng had once slapped Chen Ping’an on the head back then.

After that, the world was vast, the water rippled, a small boat, two mustard seeds. The young man with sunken cheeks and cotton clothes was responsible for punting and rowing, while Liu Laocheng enjoyed the scenery of the lake and mountains from the boat, allowing the former to pretend to be powerful by associating with him. During that time, the small boat stopped in the middle of the lake, and they fished together, each taking out their traveling gear and stewing the five palm-sized winter crucian carp together. One moment they were mortal enemies, and the next they were drinking and laughing together in the boat.

Chen Ping’an said, “When I return to Shujian Lake, I will give Island Master Liu a winter crucian carp.”

Liu Laocheng felt relieved. “What about Jiang Shangzhen and Cui Dongshan?”

Chen Ping’an smiled slightly, “I have the final say.”

Liu Laocheng continued to ask, “What about Liu Tui?”

Chen Ping’an said, “I still have the final say.”

Returning to the room, Rong Yu soon brought Xiao Pu, who wore a wooden hairpin and a cloth skirt like a woman from the marketplace, to this side.

The three branches of the Vindicator: besides the main hall, the Xishan Sword Hermit branch was led by Liu Taozhi. The assassin branch of Cherry Blossom Green Robe had its leader vacant for many years, and Xiao Pu, who managed the Bamboo Basket Hall, had not been able to fill the position. The Bowl Menders were unknown.

Xiao Pu said, “The roster has been given to Rong Yu.”

Chen Ping’an said, seemingly playfully, “There won’t be any omissions, right?”

Xiao Pu was about to guarantee something, but after a moment of hesitation, she changed her words, “Then I’ll contact the main hall again to verify the secret files, just in case there’s any misunderstanding.”

Chen Ping’an got straight to the point, “I allow you to enter Baoping Continent, but there are two conditions.”

Xiao Pu’s spirit was lifted. She said, “Grand Preceptor, please feel free to say.”

Chen Ping’an said, “First, you must operate secretly south of the Great River. Second, you must maintain communication with the Great Li Ministry of Justice, such as secret talks once every three years.”

Xiao Pu bared her teeth and thought for a moment. She said, “Just happen to report two things to the main hall together. Grand Preceptor, are you waiting for my news?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Hall Master Xiao, can you give me a definite answer before酉時 (You Shi – 5-7 pm)?”

Xiao Pu said, “Yes!”

Chen Ping’an smiled and asked, “What about the return?”

Xiao Pu countered, “Isn’t the Grand Preceptor’s second condition a form of return?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Of course it’s a return. What else?”

Xiao Pu said helplessly, “I need to report three things to the main hall so quickly.”

Chen Ping’an said, “It seems you’re not very used to negotiating.”

Xiao Pu felt like she had been led by the nose the whole time, and she was a bit frustrated.

Chen Ping’an said slowly, “Let’s agree beforehand. You only have one chance to make an offer. If we can agree, this matter is settled. We can maintain a general relationship of minding our own business, and at the same time, we can communicate and exchange needed things. If it’s beneficial, we gather; if there’s no benefit, we disperse. It’s straightforward. We won’t talk about righteousness or the feelings of family, nation, and world. But if I’m not satisfied with the price you offer, then don’t come to me for talks again.”

“You are very busy, and I am not idle either.”

“You are already very familiar with me, but I am still looking at you through a fog. If the Vindicator feels that my price is too high and we can’t agree, and thinks it can bypass the Great Li Dynasty to settle in the south, thinking that the Great Li Dynasty cannot manage the affairs in the south and lacks legitimate authority, so you deliberately extend your reach into the southern part of Baoping Continent, and when disputes arise, the Vindicator Main Hall believes that this fight can be debated at the Zhongtu Wen Temple without being in the wrong, then we will… give it a try?”

Xiao Pu said with a wry smile, “I should have known to let Senior Brother Liu come and negotiate with you. He is better at talking and has a thicker skin.”

Chen Ping’an rubbed his forehead. Also? Again? You guys have all discussed this beforehand.

Xiao Pu tentatively asked, “Can’t you really give us a second chance to make an offer?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Yes, you can. Let alone a second time, you can make one or two hundred offers on the coast of Baoping Continent and see where the feng shui is better.”

Instead of feeling threatened or anything, Xiao Pu found his words amusing and laughed heartily, giving him a thumbs-up, “A straightforward person!”

Chen Ping’an gently clapped his hands and asked with a smile, “Does the Daoist temple in the capital of the Jade Scroll Kingdom need the Great Li’s help in providing protection? We can’t help with big things, but small things are possible.”

Xiao Pu almost blurted out a sentence: How could your Great Li Dynasty, especially you, this young Hidden Official, not be able to help with big things.

Xiao Pu from the Bamboo Basket Hall needed to communicate with the main hall. She quickly took her leave from the Grand Preceptor’s Estate. The Balsam Flower God also visited separately and brought a gift to the young Grand Preceptor, who had simple habits in food, clothing, housing, and transportation.

She hadn’t expected Flower Master Qi to entrust her with such a heavy responsibility. Walking on the solemn and majestic Qianbu Corridor street earlier, Wu Cai was so nervous her palms were sweating.

After all, the Great Li Dynasty could only block the barbarians because of the strategies devised by the civil and military officials in these yamen.

The Great Li Song Clan had once occupied an entire continent as a single nation, a feat unprecedented in the history of Haoran.

Arriving at the Grand Preceptor’s Estate, Wu Cai followed the beautiful elder sister named Rong Yu, walking through courtyard after courtyard. The young flower god’s eyes were full of curiosity. This was where Chen Jianxian served as an official.

Inside a spatial item in the shape of a hairpin, there were twelve complete sets of the twelve-month blue-and-white famille rose flower god cups. There were also three sets of the most precious hundred flower cups.

Wu Cai lowered her voice and said, “Chen Jianxian, I just remembered that Flower Master didn’t say whether to take this spatial item back. What do you think?”

Chen Ping’an joked, “How do I remember that Flower God Wu didn’t bring a spatial item with her this time, but carried large and small bags, panting heavily? The Grand Preceptor’s Estate felt a lot of sincerity.”

Wu Cai was startled, then gave a thumbs-up. The sable-hatted young woman at the door smiled and chimed in, “Terrific.”

Xie Gou volunteered to take a task from Sister Rong Yu and was responsible for seeing off guests. When she heard that Wu Cai was a seventh-grade, three-life flower god, she was shocked and said, “That high?” Wu Cai, ah, was it high?

The sable-hatted young woman gave two thumbs up, “It must be high, you are so strong.” Wu Cai blushed and only asked the contemporary who called herself a dog to retract one thumb, saying that she was only moderately strong.

Chen Ping’an smiled and walked back into the room, asking Rong Yu to bring some files about the Changchun Palace. After reading a large stack of secret records, it was巳正三刻 (Si Zheng San Ke – 10:45 am).

As soon as the ceremony ended, Song Yushao and the others left the capital. Perhaps it was because the old man had drunk many kinds of wine in his life, but he couldn’t drink a jar of wine that “troubled others.”

On the Bei Ju Luzhou side, in addition to贺小凉 (He Xiaoliang) and her disciples from Qingliang Sect, there was also a group of “observing ceremony” cultivators from sects.

They obviously didn’t lack money and stayed at the most famous immortal inn in the Great Li capital in recent years. It wasn’t the largest, but it was definitely the one with the best “reputation.” Out-of-town cultivators often came here attracted by its fame. It wasn’t disappointing to return empty-handed. This inn, whose manager and second manager were said to be women, had a decent reputation in the Great Li Dynasty. Those who spoke ill of it thought the prices were outrageously high, practically a rip-off. Those who spoke well said it was at least clearly priced and didn’t cheat their own people, only out-of-town rich patrons. The inn would check travel permits. If they were local Great Li cultivators, they would quietly remind the guests that staying here was expensive and not to misunderstand, it wasn’t looking down on the guests, but their own people always had to save money for their own people… Plus, they were beautiful young women with soft voices and sincere eyes. Instead, it aroused the deep breaths of some men. After staying, they would leave the inn and sigh from the bottom of their hearts, “It’s really f***ing expensive!”

Since they were cultivators from Bei Ju Luzhou, the inn treated them as their own people, but the other party didn’t appreciate it at all.

Since the other party’s sect was Floating Willow Sword Lake, they found the third manager to discuss the price. After returning, they said they could offer a 50% discount, but the group of guests still said there was no need.

This group of people was a lineage of disciples from Li Cai, the Sect Master of Floating Willow Sword Lake: the chief disciple Rong Chang, Sui Jingcheng, Chen Li, and Gao Youqing. Plus the only outsider, Du Yu from Ghost Axe Palace.

Rong Chang was worried whether he would have come in vain.

So he was reprimanded by Li Cai, who cursed him fiercely, saying that the Great Li Song Clan was not foolish, so if they didn’t choose the Hidden Official as the Grand Preceptor, would they choose you, Sword Immortal Rong?

Rong Chang naturally didn’t dare to retort. However, seeing that his master had no intention of going out with them, Rong Chang asked why she wasn’t going to the Great Li capital together. Li Cai said that if the Hidden Official didn’t become the Grand Preceptor, she would be giving face to an outsider, which would be unlucky and troublesome, wouldn’t it?

Rong Chang still didn’t dare to say anything, only repeatedly saying that it made sense.

It was not a wasted trip; they really didn’t spend any unnecessary money. The inn temporarily set up several tall buildings, and no wonder the outside world guessed that this inn had connections to the heavens, otherwise, how dare it act so “presumptuously”?

The inn also clearly told all guests who paid to go up the buildings that the spells would be immediately removed as soon as the ceremony ended. To ascend to a height and overlook the ceremony, of course, you had to pay an extra fee. Anyway, the inn wasn’t holding a knife to anyone’s neck and forcing them to pay. You are not allowed to casually file frivolous complaints with the authorities. The inn has always earned money cleanly and never engages in fraudulent activities. We are not related to that Assistant Minister Cao from the Ministry of Personnel in the slightest…

After coming and going like this for a long time, some rumors started to circulate in the capital.

So much so that during a family meeting in the study of the Cao family, Cao Gengxin’s father asked him directly, “Are you so short of money?!”

Cao Gengxin was a bit bewildered by the question, and the key was that he was indeed guilty. After all, Assistant Minister Cao was someone who dared to send a flying sword message to Luopo Mountain and send a share of the tea plantation’s profits to Mountain Master Chen.

Today, a scruffy, dishevelled man, extremely bored, left the inn run by Dong Bancheng and came back to this inn’s tall building to enjoy the view.

By chance, another sword cultivator who was about to go to Tongye Continent and was just passing through the Great Li capital had checked into this inn early in the morning, so they met on the same floor of the tall building.

Daoist Gao Jianfu, one of the candidates for the Sect Master of Shengao Sect. Sword Cultivator Xu Xuan, the only direct disciple of the Ascension Realm sword cultivator Bai Chang.

When they met, their expressions were complex. They didn’t know whether to feel sympathy for each other or appreciate each other.

Xu Xuan spoke first, “Coward.”

Gao Jianfu sneered, “Brute!”

They weren’t watching the Grand Preceptor’s ceremony either. When they saw a group of graceful female Daoists leaving the outer city in the distance, they each went downstairs.

At that time, on the top floor of a tall building next door, Rong Chang smiled and said, “We have both heard and seen such a grand occasion. Whether we can see the new Grand Preceptor of Great Li depends on whose face is bigger among us?”

Anyway, he remembered the first time he met Chen Ping’an was in an inn on the coast of his hometown. The deepest impression he had was that he was stubborn?

Gao Youqing was radiant and blurted out, “The Hidden Official is truly majestic!”

Our Hidden Official of Sword Qi Great Wall has finally returned to his hometown. This is how it should be, this is how it is good.

Chen Li said, “These are all what the Hidden Official deserves.”

It was a kind of unlimited glory in front of others gained from enduring bitterness like eating bitter herbs.

Gao Youqing had always been afraid of Chen Li and stopped speaking.

Unlike Bai Xuan’s old-fashioned way of speaking, Chen Li, who had the nickname “Little Hidden Official,” was very steady in his words and actions. Even his master, Li Cai, when she encountered some small to medium matters, would ask Chen Li for advice.

*Smack* It was very crisp. It turned out that Du Yu had slapped himself.

Rong Chang asked, knowing the answer, “What’s this, fellow Daoist Du?”

Du Yu smiled awkwardly and said resentfully, “I’m afraid I’m dreaming.”

In his years wandering the jianghu, Du Yu casually bought a crudely made imitation of the Baotiao Sword Immortal Seal Collection and was surprised to find a seal impression on it with the bottom inscription “讓三招” (Rang San Zhao – give three moves).

This kind of literary connection once made Du Yu feel that the coincidences in the world were truly wonderful.

At that time, he was still happy, wondering which extraordinary Great Sword Immortal? A heroic Grandmaster? Could inspire the Hidden Official in this way?

In the end, Du Yu realized, good heavens! It was me?!

On the street, Fu Nanhua, Cai Jinjian, and Huang Zhonghou walked side by side, each with their own thoughts.

Old Dragon City and Yunxia Mountain are typical mountain-dwelling hereditary families. Otherwise, when Fu Nanhua and Cai Jinjian traveled to Lizhu Cave Heaven, they wouldn’t have gone together and walked through that Mud Bottle Alley. After leaving that small town, both of them had their own opportunities and fortunes. Fu Nanhua first married a direct daughter of the Yun Lin Jiang Family and is now the City Lord of Old Dragon City.

Cai Jinjian is also a Nascent Soul cultivator, the Peak Master of Green Cypress Peak. So much so that Huang Zhonghou of Cultivating Cloud Peak, being only in the Golden Core realm, actually stole a march and became the new Mountain Master. Outside the mountain, there was much discussion, and people felt it was unfair to Cai Jinjian. In fact, Huang Zhonghou himself felt inexplicable. After thinking about it beforehand, it seemed that it all came down to the two guys he had seen? One glib-tongued, mysterious young Daoist, and one even more glib-tongued person who loved wine and never spoke a true word?

Fu Nanhua smiled and asked, “What do you think?”

Cai Jinjian smiled, “It’s alright.”

She had seen Chen Ping’an at her own Daoist site, Green Cypress Peak.

In the past, when the barbarian demons first occupied Tongye Continent and crossed the sea to attack Baoping Continent, the war was brutal and literally wiped out Old Dragon City. However, after the war ended, the Fu Clan and several other families, without asking the Great Li Dynasty for any manpower or financial resources, spent heavily to rebuild Old Dragon City.

Old Dragon City, located in the southernmost part of Baoping Continent, maintains an extremely close relationship with the Great Li court, especially the secondary capital Luoyang, openly, not secretly.

In fact, the Great Li Song Clan Emperor has never visited Old Dragon City, only the feudal prince Song Mu is there, but everyone on and off the mountains of the continent knows clearly that Old Dragon City is like a “traveling palace” of the Great Li Dynasty, even more so than a real one.

Huang Zhonghou brought a pot of “Spring Drowsiness” wine from Cultivating Cloud Peak, wanting to give it to the matchmaker who helped connect them, but due to the vast difference in status, it might not be possible to meet.

Fu Nanhua muttered to himself, “Once a grand feat, now a joke. Once a shameful incident, now a beautiful tale.”

If Cui Chan, the Embroidered Tiger, had always used the greatest rationality to restrain his greatest anger, then what was the true Dao heart of his successor, Chen Ping’an? It seemed outsiders had no way of knowing, only the heavens knew.

In the Grand Preceptor’s Estate, Chen Ping’an suddenly put down the matters at hand and stood at the door, looking at the room opposite, which was the study of his senior brother Cui Chan.

Since returning to the Great Li capital from Qingming Heaven, he had been pondering a crucial question.

Under the peach blossoms, Song Yunjian turned his head and asked, “Grand Preceptor, what important matter are you thinking about?”

After a long silence, Chen Ping’an smoothed his brows and raised his hands to breathe into them.

Since it is an achievement, what is the return?

Since the first principle of Cui Chan’s academic study of achievement was that one must not be stingy with rewards, and even exceed expectations.

Then the senior brother must have left himself a return, it must exist. It was like a riddle, but he, the junior brother, had to solve it and find the answer.

One thing was certain, if Chen Ping’an found it, that answer would be terrifying.