In the Imperial Study, Emperor Song He, who was reviewing memorials, set down his vermilion brush on a celadon brush rest shaped like a sea turtle carrying three mountains. It was an article for the inner court, fired in an official kiln in Xitou County of Baoxi Commandery. Song He rubbed his wrists, picked up a newly delivered simplified confidential report from the Ministry of Justice from the desk. After reading for a while, Song He said, “Immortal realm. An immortal who knows how to pick a day and a place.”

At this moment in the room, the two Chief Eunuchs of the Directorate of Rites and the Directorate of Imperial Stables, the Commandant of the Patrol and Cavalry Department responsible for the security of the capital, the old Celestial Master who oversaw the Song Imperial Household Cultivators, and a Deputy Supervisor from the Directorate of Astrology were all holding their breaths, silently awaiting the moment of the Dragon’s wrath.

Song He flipped through a few more pages, the pages rustling.

Song He suddenly raised his arm and slammed the report heavily onto the imperial desk. “A bunch of good-for-nothings! Should I take you all to the Grand Preceptor’s Residence and apologize to the Grand Preceptor, and explain clearly why such a blunder occurred?!”

The relatively junior Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Imperial Stables and Hong Ji, the official who had just been promoted to oversee the Cavalry Department less than a month ago, were particularly nervous and dry-mouthed. The former was about to speak, to explain to His Majesty why that Old Liu’s escape technique could bypass three capital arrays in succession, and why even the Directorate of Astrology was exploited… But from the corner of his eye, he noticed a subtle movement of the Directorate of Rites Chief Eunuch’s eyelid, and the head of the Directorate of Imperial Stables, a sable eunuch, immediately swallowed all his words, chewed them up, and would not utter a single sound. His Majesty had always been generous and rarely got angry. Today was an exception, and it was indeed their serious dereliction of duty.

Just then, a white-haired sable eunuch in a蟒 robe hurried in. The old eunuch looked strange and bowed to report, “Your Majesty, we just received news that there was an assassin who climbed over the wall and infiltrated the Grand Preceptor’s Residence…”

Song He, no matter how patient he usually was, could no longer listen. The Great Li Emperor was so angry that he laughed, pointing at them and saying, “Good, good, good. I am a diligent and enlightened ruler, and you are all capable and virtuous officials. So, Grand Preceptor Chen is reaching above his station?! Is this the Great Li Court that wants to contend for the title of the foremost dynasty in Haoran? Is this the capital of the Great Li Song Clan? Is this the congratulatory gift we offer upon celebrating the Grand Preceptor’s ascension to the immortal realm during the court assembly?!”

Hong Ji’s face turned pale. This vigorous official, a confidant of the Emperor, was not just wailing about his suffering, but his heart was completely dead. He had originally thought that the celebration had concluded smoothly, and that he and the Patrol and Cavalry Department had put in hard work even if they hadn’t achieved merit. Well, now it was all over. Damn you, Old Liu, you are the Immortal Realm Sect Master of the True Realm Sect, are you? You wait for me. As long as I don’t lose my official position, I will take off my official uniform today. As long as I, Hong Ji, am still serving in the court, even if I am demoted, I will be forever at odds with your True Realm Sect!

Just as a storm was about to break, a young man who bore some resemblance to Emperor Song He appeared at the door. It was the Second Prince Song Xu, one of the Twelve Earth Branches of Great Li, a Golden Core realm swordsman at the bottleneck.

Now, the Earth Branch line of cultivators no longer had the factional divisions of the two mountains. Ever since Yuan Huajing, a Nascent Soul realm swordsman, made a trip to Fallen Mountain’s Sword Altar, he began to cultivate his sword diligently and had no interest in power struggles. It seemed that Yuan Huajing had also privately had heart-to-heart talks with Gai Yan and others, so the eleven Earth Branches now tacitly agreed that Song Xu would be the leader. As for Cao Gengxin, the Vice Minister of Personnel, since he was personally appointed by Grand Preceptor Cui and not denied by Grand Preceptor Chen, Minister Cao became the nominal leader of the Earth Branch cultivators. However, Song Xu and the others did not yet necessarily recognize Cao Gengxin.

Upon seeing Song Xu at the door, Emperor Song He’s angry expression softened. In his heart, Song He felt indebted to this son. In addition, the Emperor also had a partiality that he could not speak of with anyone, not even Empress Yu Mian.

Song Xu, who was currently responsible for some of the inner court’s security duties, said, “Your Majesty, the cultivator from Northern Reed Continent who climbed over the wall, incited by his friend, was not an assassin. His surname is Du and his given name is Yu, taken from one of his parents’ surnames. He is a disciple of the Ghost Axe Palace and has not yet formed his core. Du Yu came to the capital with the group of swordsmen from Duckweed Sword Lake. Years ago, Mr. Chen traveled alone in Northern Reed Continent and met Du Yu in the Cangyun Lake area. They became good friends after a fight. It is said, just said, that Du Yu also saved Mr. Chen’s life, but this matter has not been confirmed or verified.”

Song He was full of doubts, becoming more and more confused as he listened. What did this mean? Since Du Yu was on good terms with Chen Ping’an and was a friend who had gone through thick and thin with him, and he came to the Great Li capital with his friends to attend the congratulatory ceremony, he could certainly enter the Grand Preceptor’s Residence through the main gate. Why would he pretend to be an assassin and climb over the wall?

The Emperor glanced at the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Rites. The old man understood and immediately left the room to retrieve the detailed files on Du Yu and the Ghost Axe Palace of Northern Reed Continent.

Song Xu continued to explain, “The ‘three relinquished moves’ on the ‘Hundred Swordsman Seal Codex’ seems to be referring to Du Yu. After Du Yu and Mr. Chen parted ways that year, he seemed to have changed his personality and began to practice chivalry in the martial arts world, enjoying helping those in need. However, he has a strange habit of never letting people know his name or identity, and he slips away every time he does a good deed. Since Du Yu likes to do good deeds anonymously in the martial arts world, it is estimated that he does not enter through the main gate when visiting friends. At this moment, they should be having lunch together at the Grand Preceptor’s Residence.”

Hong Ji found it interesting and was truly enlightened. This guy Du Yu was an extraordinary person.

Emperor Song He couldn’t help but smile. “So that’s how it is.”

The atmosphere in the room, which had previously been like a forbidden area of thunder, eased slightly. Perhaps it was due to the interesting story from the Grand Preceptor’s Residence, or perhaps it was because the Second Prince Song Xu was standing there.

Song He’s expression softened and he said, “Hong Ji, find an opportunity to go to the Grand Preceptor’s Residence and explain everything to the Grand Preceptor. You must understand that with your current official status, if the Grand Preceptor has any ideas, it doesn’t need to be discussed in the small court assembly or the court deliberation at all.”

Hong Ji braced himself and said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, I am afraid that when I see the Grand Preceptor, I will not be able to speak clearly. Why don’t I ask Deputy Supervisor Ma to go with me to visit the Grand Preceptor’s Residence?”

Deputy Supervisor Ma of the Directorate of Astrology’s heart stirred slightly. This was a good thing. Go, why not go? As long as His Majesty nodded, he would go through fire and water without hesitation. The old man glanced at Hong Ji. Patrol Commandant Hong, thank you!

The Emperor smiled and said, “Just you, Hong Ji, alone, to invite scolding and reprimand.”

Hong Ji clasped his hands in acknowledgment, his face seemingly bitter, but his heart was filled with wild joy. Nowadays, which Great Li official had the opportunity to actively seek out the Grand Preceptor’s Residence for a scolding? It seemed that His Majesty the Emperor was generally satisfied with the arrangements of the Patrol and Cavalry Department.

After the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Rites returned, the Emperor asked, “Besides Du Yu, are there any records of the Ghost Axe Palace in our Great Li?”

The old eunuch placed the file on the imperial desk and shook his head, saying, “The Ghost Axe Palace is just a small training ground. Besides Du Yu, no cultivators have come to Bottle Nose Continent.”

The Emperor looked at Song Xu and casually asked, “Do you know who suggested that Du Yu climb over the wall?”

Song Xu said, “Duckweed Sword Lake, the young Chen Li. A native swordsman of Sword Qi Great Wall, nicknamed ‘Little Hidden Official’. Chen Li has not yet reached adulthood, but he is already in the Golden Core realm.”

The Emperor muttered to himself, “Then he is not a capricious person.”

Song Xu replied, “Certainly.”

The Emperor sighed, “This young swordsman will surely have a bright future.”

At the Grand Preceptor’s Residence, a small private feast was held, with a large crowd of people gathered around the table for lunch.

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Great Hero Du, you are indeed brave with your high skills. To earn a little fame, you don’t even care about your head? And you climbed over the wall, why didn’t you throw your head in first?”

Rong Chang was a little envious, Chen Ping’an and Du Yu were truly informal. Sui Jingcheng listened to the teasing words, picked up a piece of dish with chopsticks, she chewed slowly, it was truly a familiar deliciousness.

Du Yu was so embarrassed that he wanted to dig a hole and crawl in, so he said he would punish himself with three drinks, picked up the Flower God Cup, and gulped down three cups.

Previously, Chen Li had instigated him to be a thief, and even swore that if something went wrong, he would take the blame. But if there were any extra benefits, the two brothers would have a chance to share the profits together. Du Yu asked if doing such a deed wouldn’t lead to immediate execution without even a chance to explain? As for sharing the profits, Du Yu didn’t even dare to think about it, and didn’t bother to ask. Chen Li said just climb over the wall, there would be no accidents. Du Yu trusted this Little Hidden Official from Sword Qi Great Wall, gritted his teeth and did it. Haha, at most he would get beaten up, in exchange for an opportunity to become famous in Bottle Nose Continent. When he returned home, he would have something to boast about for decades. Perhaps you are that Du Yu, Great Hero Du, who dared to climb over the wall to see Grand Preceptor Chen?!

Just after climbing over the wall and landing, he was ambushed by a young woman who called herself a maid of the Grand Preceptor’s Residence. No matter how thick-skinned Du Yu was, he was extremely embarrassed. What was the difference between this and defecating in the street?

At that time, Rong Yu was also shocked. Of course, she knew the identities of the group from Duckweed Sword Lake, but why did Du Yu not enter through the main gate and sneakily climb over the wall? First, there was the open challenge at the gate by Old Liu from Bottle Nose Continent, and now the furtive climb over the wall by Du Yu from the Ghost Axe Palace of Northern Reed Continent? Rong Yu immediately understood. This way, His Majesty the Emperor and the court would just treat it as a farce with more bark than bite, a way to save face? Old Liu and Du Yu were both old acquaintances visiting, just in different ways. The Grand Preceptor’s Residence would handle it, and the court would not need to pursue anything.

Chen Ping’an sat with Chen Li on his left and Gao Youqing on his right. He knocked Chen Li’s head with chopsticks and said with a smile, “You are the most cunning. Who did you learn that from?”

Chen Li smiled and said, “Hidden Official, I will definitely be spending a lot of time in Bottle Nose Continent in the future and will have to deal with various government officials of Great Li. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Entering a temple and burning incense is the rule. Since I have to burn incense anyway, I might as well burn the biggest stick of incense. Why not just get acquainted with the Great Li Emperor and leave a decent impression?”

Gao Youqing didn’t know what Chen Li was talking about. Sui Jingcheng, however, had known all along. When Du Yu climbed over the wall earlier, Senior Brother Rong Chang was bewildered, and she guessed that it must have been Master Brother Chen Li’s idea.

Chen Ping’an nodded and reminded him, “You still need to pay attention to the timing.”

Chen Li hummed and said, “Hidden Official said in the Summer Retreat Palace that it’s like placing a chess piece into a full chess jar, the subtle creaking sound is about trying to figure out people’s hearts.”

Chen Ping’an said, “I never said such a thing in the Summer Retreat Palace.”

Chen Li said, “Anyway, outside the Summer Retreat Palace, everyone says it’s the Hidden Official’s unique insight.”

Chen Ping’an said, “I remember now. It seems that Lin Junbi, that terrible chess player, said it.”

Chen Li suddenly realized, “No wonder I felt that this sentence wasn’t satisfying enough. I used to think that perhaps I was thinking shallowly and failed to grasp more profound meanings. Now it seems that Lin Junbi deliberately used flowery language, not speaking properly, the meaning is there, but not much.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “I misremembered, I wronged Lin Junbi. It was indeed me who said it.”

Chen Li was stunned. “Ah?”

Chen Ping’an cursed with a smile, what “ah”? Eat your food. Chen Li squinted at Gao Youqing, who wanted to laugh but dared not. The latter tugged at the Hidden Official’s sleeve. Chen Ping’an immediately slapped Chen Li’s head and cursed again, only knowing how to scare his junior sister, look how promising you are! Gao Youqing finally found a backer. The young girl smiled and narrowed her eyes, picked up a dish with chopsticks for the Hidden Official. Chen Li muttered something about a sycophant, and as if prescient, immediately tilted his head. Unexpectedly, the Hidden Official had no intention of hitting him. Chen Li sullenly picked up the Flower God Cup and took a sip of wine.

Chen Ping’an told Gao Youqing about the recent situation of the Quanfu in the Ascension City and Gao Yehou. Gao Youqing listened attentively. As soon as she heard that the Hidden Official helped relay her brother’s slightly nagging instructions, telling her to pay attention to this and that, the young girl wrinkled her face hard, and tears welled up in her eyes.

At the wine table, everyone was on their own, so the conversation was naturally unrestricted, and the atmosphere was as relaxed as a family dinner. They casually chatted about the business of making robes and bracelets together with Caique Mansion from Duckweed Sword Lake. Chen Ping’an asked, “Sword Immortal Rong, have you thought about becoming a nominal cultivator in Great Li and getting paid for nothing?”

Sword Immortal Rong? Rong Chang, the Nascent Soul realm swordsman, looked thoughtful.

To be able to become a registered cultivator of the Great Li Dynasty and receive a token of no-trouble would also be a matter of pride in front of his master.

Chen Ping’an explained, “In Sword Qi Great Wall, calling a Jade Purity realm swordsman a Sword Immortal is an insult. Calling a Earth Immortal realm cultivator a Sword Immortal is a blessing.”

Rong Chang smiled and nodded. “Since the Grand Preceptor has personally invited me, I will not be pretentious and accept this position as a cultivator.”

Chen Li said, “Senior Brother Rong, the first sentence of the Hidden Official is true. The second sentence is only valid in the Second Shopkeeper’s wine shop. Outside the wine shop, it is still an insult.”

Rong Chang did not mind and said, “I should go to that wine shop in the Ascension City when I have a chance. Hidden Official, shall we have a drink?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and clinked glasses with him. After they finished their drinks, he said, “Swordsmen from Sword Qi Great Wall and Northern Reed Continent, do we need a reason to drink?”

This sentence seemed to be more potent than any wine. Rong Chang immediately decided to drink freely.

Rong Chang’s alcohol tolerance was okay, but his drinking etiquette was a bit poor. Originally a steady and cautious person, the first disciple of Li Cai, in the end, he even dared to complain about his master’s shortcomings.

Chen Li rolled his eyes and told Gao Youqing to make sure not to report him. He helped the senior brother, who was shouting that he wasn’t drunk and could still drink, to leave. Sui Jingcheng hesitated for a moment, then also got up and left, but she didn’t leave the table completely. She went to help Yu Qing, the cook of the Grand Preceptor’s Residence, because the drinking was still going on. She helped stir-fry a few dishes to go with the wine, and even eagerly carried them to the table, while still saying that Sister Yu Qing’s cooking was really good.

Du Yu was slightly tipsy and was about to kick off his boots and sit cross-legged on the long bench, but he suddenly realized that this was the Grand Preceptor’s Residence, not a place where you could just eat meat and drink wine as you pleased.

Chen Ping’an told him to just relax. Du Yu hesitated for a moment, but still did as he was told. This Great Hero Du was still not well-known on the mountains in Northern Reed Continent, but he was somewhat famous in the martial arts world. When he saw injustice on the road and drew his sword to help, he was even more cautious than a thief. He wore a mask from beginning to end, didn’t say a word, and ran away after saving someone. He struck with lightning speed and escaped with even faster wind control.

That year, the good man Chen and Du Sanrang, who he met after a fight, “humbly asked for advice” on two talismans that were both secret traditions of the Ghost Axe Palace and family heirlooms: the Tablet-Bearing Talisman and the Snow Mud Talisman.

Last time, Fu Lu Yu Xuan visited Fallen Mountain, it was a rare opportunity. Chen Ping’an deliberately hid the origin of the talismans at the beginning and drew two talismans on the spot, not caring if he made a fool of himself.

An expert can tell at a glance. Yu Xuan’s eyesight was remarkable. He picked up the Snow Mud Talisman and tentatively asked, “This humble Taoist once performed a technique of carrying mountains with talismans. Fellow Taoist Chen is thoughtful and has added some meaning of the Flying Bird Seal to it.”

Chen Ping’an thus indirectly learned of an unexpected secret. It was highly probable that the founding ancestor of the Ghost Axe Palace had been to that mountain in Liuxia Continent, had seen that talisman with his own eyes, and by chance, had gained some insights and developed his own techniques?

Yu Xuan’s evaluation of this talisman was “quite impressive, with a hint of divine intent.”

After all, it was a talisman personally drawn by Fellow Taoist Chen, so he had to give him some face. He couldn’t say directly that he only knew a little bit of the surface and had not yet entered the inner hall.

However, given Yu Xuan’s personality, his significance to Haoran Talismanry, and his close relationship with Chen Ping’an, Yu Xuan couldn’t help but add a more tactful and honest sentence, “The names and aliases of the two talismans are better than the talismans themselves.”

The unspoken meaning was that Fellow Taoist Chen, you are indeed good at naming things. As for the actual rank of the talismans, we both know.

Little did he know that Chen Ping’an was waiting for Old True Man Yu’s words. Chen Ping’an then asked Yu Xuan to write two talismans. Of course, they were first-rate, with perfect divine intent.

Chen Ping’an then explained the origin of the talismans to the Old True Man. Yu Xuan listened, laughed heartily, finding it both interesting and enjoyable.

One must know that for a Taoist like Yu Xuan, who had achieved perfect merit and integrated with the Great Dao at level fourteen, such seemingly trivial and interesting matters were precisely what truly tickled his fancy.

Otherwise, just mentioning the battle of Fuyao Continent, even if others said it, the old man couldn’t really say anything, he had to put on a bit of a show.

Of course, the Old True Man also remembered the Ghost Axe Palace, a small sect he had never heard of before.

Chen Ping’an had intended to give them to Du Yu later. To be a good person while roaming the martial arts world, in case of need.

However, he could also guess Du Yu’s thoughts. A protective talisman or life-saving talisman for venturing out? What was he thinking? These two immortal talismans and great talismans must be placed on the incense table in the Ghost Axe Palace Ancestral Hall and properly enshrined!

Since they met, Chen Ping’an slammed the two talismans on the table. “Old rule, they’re for you. Thankfully I kept them separately, otherwise you wouldn’t even see the face of these two good talismans.”

Du Yu stuck out his butt and reached for the talismans. The man with blurry vision from intoxication shook his head hard and propped up his eyelids. “Who drew them?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Personally drawn by Talisman Yu Xuan.”

Du Yu was startled and his voice roared like thunder. “What? Whose?!”

The entire Grand Preceptor’s Residence could hear the loud voice of this “assassin”. The young officials who had finished lunch and resumed their official duties in the government office were all curious. Who was this sacred being who dared to be so unrestrained and speak so freely?

Rong Chang, supported and helped, sat on a stone bench under the pine tree in the second courtyard, lying on the table and sleeping soundly, snoring like thunder.

Gao Youqing didn’t quite understand why Senior Brother Rong was so drunk. Chen Li put his hands in his sleeves, as if napping, and said, “Senior Brother has always felt that he is not worthy of the title of first disciple.”

Over in the kitchen, Yu Qing shook her hands and wiped her apron. She looked at Sui Jingcheng, who had been helping to clear the dishes and chopsticks. The gentle woman softly asked, “Sui Jingcheng, why bother?”

Sui Jingcheng suddenly smiled as brightly as a flower, but she asked the cook a strange question, “What about you?”

Yu Qing was stunned and laughed, shaking her head and saying, “What are you talking about?”

Lin Shouyi was in the room asking Cao Qinglang for advice on imperial examinations. Yu Shiwu and a few others were in a government office that Rong Yu had specially cleared out for them. Everyone had a clear division of labor, checking and copying files. While not delaying official business, Xu Jiaqie and Xiao Xing would always scold each other a few times.

At the door of an ear room, Xie Gou said, “If we keep drinking like this, the Mountain Master will truly be drunk. What should we do?”

Little Mo smiled and said, “Then drink. It’s good to be drunk.”

Xie Gou said, “Then you keep an eye on the Mountain Master. I’ll go stroll around the Thousand Steps Corridor. Many Zhuangyuan and Jinshi are there. I’ll soak up some scholarly atmosphere. Maybe when I write travelogues in the future, it will be divinely inspired and even more eloquent…”

Little Mo said, “You stay here honestly.”

By the end of the drinking session, only the good man Chen and the great hero Du were left at the table.

After our separation like fleeting clouds, how many autumns have passed in the human world, how many times have flowers bloomed and withered, how many times has the wheat turned yellow?

Du Yu was drunk like a drunkard. He said that in these years, he had ventured out into the martial arts world, doing good deeds with trembling fear, and already felt so tired. So, brother good man, are you tired or not? If you say you are not tired, then you are not high on alcohol, you look down on me, Du Yu, and you don’t really treat me as a friend. We must have another drink…

Across the table, the man in the green shirt looked helpless, his eyes gentle, he could only nod with a smile, pick up the wine glass, and say okay, okay, let’s have another drink, let’s have another drink.

At the private residence near the Flower God Temple, the doorkeeper maid suddenly discovered that the owner of the residence was standing on the street outside the door, and for some reason, he didn’t ask her to open the door. She actually didn’t know the true identity of this old immortal, only that his surname was Liu.

When the Confucian scholar who called himself Zhou Shou, with the Taoist name Guardian of Flowers, came to visit, he mentioned Gongliu Island and said that he was looking for Old Immortal Liu and Old Gang Leader Gao. This made her take notice, and her heart was uneasy. She knew that among the registered cultivators on Gongliu Island now, the most famous one with the surname Liu was, of course, the third Sect Master of the True Realm Sect, the former co-lord of Shujian Lake, Old Liu Cheng! She was at a loss for a moment. If the old man was really Old Liu Cheng, then wouldn’t her life be in danger at any time? Fortunately, she had never heard that Old Liu Cheng had a habit of refining cauldrons. Having said that, if he was indeed Old Liu Cheng, then the talisman that the visiting old Taoist casually gave her, which the old Taoist had boasted about to the heavens, might indeed be a treasure talisman worth a fortune?

The doorkeeper maid’s expression changed constantly, and she was actually in a daze, she even forgot to open the door. By the time she came back to her senses, she found that the Confucian scholar named Zhou Shou had already opened the door and was standing on the steps. The man applauded and praised, “First, he used the Sword Locking Talisman to deter Jiang Mouren, used water magic to trap Cui Dongshan, the first Sect Master of the Qingping Sword Sect, and then dueled with Liu Tui, the Sect Master of Tianyao Village, without falling behind, each displaying their divine abilities, fighting a thousand miles, treating the Great Li capital array as nothing, strutting out of the Grand Preceptor’s Residence, was stabbed many times by Xie Gou, the deputy cultivator of Fallen Mountain, still alive and kicking, and able to walk out of the Grand Preceptor’s Residence. Old Brother Liu, this is not an immortal, this is clearly a powerful Ascendant who is only half a step away from integrating with the Dao!”

The man who claimed to be a wild cultivator from Shujian Lake did not use telepathy. The doorkeeper maid’s face turned pale, her head was dizzy, she reached out to support the door, and she sobbed, why was her life so bitter. A person like Old Liu Cheng, who was both notorious and powerful in magic, meant that wherever he went, that place was Shujian Lake.

A handsome young man with a mole between his eyebrows stood outside the door of the ear room. His two extremely long white sleeves almost touched the ground. He smiled and comforted her, “Sister, don’t be afraid with me here. Old Liu Cheng is an old thief whose crimes are too numerous to count, and everyone should kill him. Since we brothers and sisters are fated to meet, let’s join forces and surely we can capture this villain and eliminate harm for the people. From now on, there will be a beautiful tale in the martial arts world about a young hero and a female hero joining forces to kill the wicked monster Old Liu Cheng.”

The doorkeeper maid repeatedly looked at the young man in white. She was speechless and looked dull. You are sick.

Old Liu Cheng was too lazy to use telepathy and said directly, “Your Mountain Master, Sir, just said that he still owes me a winter carp tail. After that, you two will have a chance to act.”

Jiang Shangzhen said aggrievedly, “Old Brother Liu, Old Brother Liu, you really don’t understand things and always treat good intentions as horse liver and donkey lungs. From my visit to your changing face and not recognizing me, from beginning to end, which sentence was about shouting to kill? I originally came to discuss business and partner with you properly. There is no place for you in the True Realm Sect and Shujian Lake. Outside of Shujian Lake, how vast and wide is the world? With Old Liu Cheng’s realm, character, and means, especially the record of dueling with two immortals and two ascendants, you only need to change your face and identity, and wherever you go, you can re-establish yourself within two or three hundred years?”

Old Liu Cheng said, “Indeed, you deliberately forced me to go to the Grand Preceptor’s Residence to see Chen Ping’an.”

Jiang Shangzhen pointed to the young man in white leaning against the door and whispering to the woman inside. “It was probably his idea. I didn’t think that far ahead. I initially came to talk business with you. Since I am willing to give up a Cloud Cave Blessed Land in exchange for a True Realm Sect, I am certainly willing to offer you a good price. It’s a pity you are suspicious and have a strong desire to kill. What can I do? Of course, at the moment you ran to the Grand Preceptor’s Residence, I also really wanted to kill Old Liu Cheng.”

The woman heard this and became even more terrified, her face pale and colorless, her delicate body trembling like a sieve. “Zhou Shou” was actually Jiang Shangzhen, the head of the Jiang family of Cloud Cave Blessed Land…

Cui Dongshan covered his mouth with his hand and said, “Sister, rest assured, this scoundrel Jiang and I are not actually together. We appear to be united but are actually estranged, pretending to be brothers. I have actually endured humiliation for many years, waiting for the perfect opportunity to deliver a fatal blow.”

The woman choked and trembled, “You’re lying. Jiang Shangzhen is the chief cultivator of Fallen Mountain. You are called Cui Dongshan, the Sect Master of Qingping Sword Sect in Tongye Continent. I’ve heard of you…”

“So sister knows my name is Dongshan.”

Cui Dongshan chuckled and reached out his hand. The maid took out the talisman from her sleeve and obediently handed it to him. Cui Dongshan held the talisman that could allow cultivators at the eighth Golden Core refinement to be guided by immortals to tour the Purple Mansion and Crimson Palace. He stepped over the threshold and sat down in a chair, raised his arm and said, “Ink and brush, please.” The female cultivator was stunned, then busily helped prepare the brush and paper and grind the ink. Cui Dongshan wrote a Taoist formula as fast as flying. He gently blew on the ink, and handed it to her with a smile. The woman had just glanced at the content, which seemed to be a detailed explanation on how to use the talisman?

She hesitated, plucked up her courage and reached out to take the paper, but the young man in white pulled it back, and she was stunned on the spot.

Cui Dongshan said telepathically, “Sister, between you and me, let’s stop pretending. I am Sir’s student, and you are his secret agent. In terms of relationships, we brothers and sisters are actually from Mud Bottle Alley.”

She looked confused.

Cui Dongshan stood up and handed the paper over with a smile. “Take it. It’s not hot. Thank you for your hard work, sister. Consider it a pre-paid reward.”

Old Liu Cheng was startled. This inconspicuous doorkeeper maid was actually arranged by that little bastard Gu Can? How was that possible? He bought this residence near the Flower God Temple on a whim. No, Gu Can was actually targeting his friend in the cultivation world whom he hadn’t seen many times? In the final analysis, Gu Can was still coming for him?!

A young man in a Confucian robe appeared from around the corner and walked over to the doorkeeper woman, saying, “You leave here immediately. I will help you change your identity later.”

The latter nodded without hesitation and silently left the street.

Cui Dongshan said in surprise, “How did you do that?”

Gu Can said calmly, “Cast a wide net and rely on luck. As long as you have enough patience and make enough preparations, I believe there will always be one or two people who can be used, and one or two things that can be accomplished.”

Jiang Shangzhen smiled and said, “Old Brother Liu, the person who truly wants to get rid of you is here.”

Gu Can bowed to Old Liu Cheng, stood up, and smiled, “Island Master Liu, until next time.”

Old Liu Cheng laughed heartily and said, “Then we are fated to meet again.”

Liu Tui came to the door and said, “Gu Can, your student, Flower God Huanghua, seems to be looking for you. He’s that wild cultivator with the Taoist name Tallow Tree.”

Gu Can stopped and smiled with cupped hands, “Thank you, Dao Master Liu, for informing me.”

Liu Tui said, “If you want the nominal identity of a Dao Master of a continent, just take it.”

Gu Can smiled and said, “Senior doesn’t need to give it, and junior doesn’t need to fight for it. What belongs to whom will naturally belong to them. Forcing it will not work, nor will taking it by force.”

Liu Tui nodded and said, “I misspoke. After returning home, I will write to Tianyao Village and inform them, then I will go to visit the Fuyao Sect.”

Gu Can said, “Junior awaits your presence.”

At the entrance of Fallen Mountain, the little boy in green sat on a bamboo chair, looking radiant, and said to the young Taoist next to him, “Old Chef said that we can go on a journey tomorrow.”

Xian Wei quickly turned sideways and cupped his hands, “I wish Daoist Jingqing a smooth journey and a good time drinking and having fun with Little Millet.”

Chen Lingjun waved his big hand. “Must do.”

He then chuckled and said, “Let me tell you another piece of news. Brother Zhong is also going to travel with us in the martial arts world.”

Xian Wei was dumbfounded. If Brother Zhong is not on Fallen Mountain, wouldn’t they lose their backbone? What would they do if they wanted to have a midnight snack in the future?

Chen Lingjun laughed heartily, “Little Millet has already discussed it with Stupid Warm Tree and Old Chef. Even if Zhong Qian is not on the mountain, your midnight snacks are guaranteed, every meal!”

Xian Wei smiled and said, “It is truly fortunate to have such a mountain guardian cultivator on Fallen Mountain.”

Chen Lingjun threw a string of keys to the Taoist and said meaningfully, “Xian Wei, even if I’m not on the mountain, don’t feel lonely. I stole some books from Old Chef’s library, a large sackful. They are all in my room. The keys are yours, just open the door and read them yourself. There are about a hundred books, which should be enough. If Old Chef finds the books are missing and curses and looks for the book thief, you and Brother Da Feng don’t have to be afraid, just blame it all on me. Just expose me, and maybe we brothers can even get a richer midnight snack that night.”

Xian Wei took the string of keys and gently put them in his sleeve, repeatedly cupping his hands in thanks. However, he was scolded by the little boy in green for being too formal and not generous enough towards his own brother.

Chen Lingjun suddenly reminded him, “Xian Wei, Little Millet told me not to tell you beforehand. She said she would let Warm Tree notify you temporarily tomorrow night to go to Old Chef’s place and plans to give you a surprise. Don’t let it slip. Xian Wei, you are also a master now. You must be more steady in your actions, understand? Be careful with your words, do you understand?”

Xian Wei nodded vigorously.

Chen Lingjun was skeptical. “I don’t want to be blamed by Stupid Warm Tree. Daoist Xian Wei, make an oath.”

Xian Wei brought his two fingers together, pointing them upwards, and was about to make an oath on the spot.

Chen Lingjun burst out laughing. He was really going to make an oath stupidly? Between us brothers, who are we? The little boy in green raised his palm, and the young Taoist suddenly understood and gently clapped hands with him.

A scorching sun was in the center of the sky.

A unimaginably huge cypress boat slowly sailed through the boundless emptiness.

The ripples created by the cypress boat were waves of the Great Dao that submerged countless stars.

It is said that the Most Holy Sage personally selected and compiled poems, hence the later saying of three hundred poems without evil thoughts, among which is an anonymous poem titled “Cypress Boat”.

In the Grand Preceptor’s Residence, Chen Ping’an, smelling of alcohol, rubbed his temples. He had indeed drunk too much. The room he used for resting had been given to Du Yu, so he had to take a nap in the study and get some sleep.

In a daze, Chen Ping’an found himself somehow standing before a golden gate that seemed to connect heaven and earth. Countless ancient characters and patterns were engraved on the gate. Standing there for a long time contemplating, Chen Ping’an still couldn’t understand the profound meaning. After much hesitation, Chen Ping’an still used his Dharma form and gently pushed the gate. It didn’t open. One Dharma form retreated, then punched the gate heavily. A sound like a great bell echoed in the incredibly lonely and empty world. The gate remained unmoved. After that, Chen Ping’an used all his means, including the Divine Man Drumming Style, and even all his life-bound flying swords. This spectacular gate connecting heaven and earth remained unshaken.

The swordsman in a green shirt with a jade hairpin in his hair was panting, with his hands on his hips, pointing at the gate and cursing, “Senior Brother, don’t force me to curse.”

The jade hairpin that was pinned in the young man’s hair bun at some unknown time that year, at this moment, had also left the swordsman in the green shirt’s hair bun at some unknown time.

The gate slowly opened accordingly.

However, there was still an invisible barrier, as if reminding Chen Ping’an outside the gate that it was just for him to take a look.

To truly enter and reside in it, another key was still needed.

Chen Ping’an suddenly raised his head, but after just one look at the scene inside, his spine felt cold. After only a moment of shock, he shouted angrily, “Close the door!”

The next moment, Chen Ping’an found himself back in the study, sitting properly in a chair. Life is like a dream, the past and present are the same. Who first realized the great dream? Opening the door revealed a new “human” world.