Chen Pingan returned with two baskets of wedding sweets from Youyi Peak, mostly Osmanthus Candy. He asked Rong Yu to distribute them to the sixty-odd literary scribes at the State Preceptor’s Mansion, two bags each, to share in the good fortune. The beautifully embroidered and gilded silk bags had different auspicious sayings woven into them, and the scribes, being discerning, naturally kept the embroidery bags.

Since he had missed the morning court session, Chen Pingan took the initiative to discuss it with the Emperor and specifically held a small court session in the Imperial Study. However, the attendees were all high-ranking mountain and water deities appointed by the court. They gathered to discuss the issue of “water regulation” in various regions to prevent major droughts and floods in local prefectures and counties.

Chen Pingan also brought two bags of wedding sweets for the Emperor.

Song He untied the string of an embroidery bag and took out a handful of Osmanthus Candy, giving them one by one to Jin Qing, Yang Hua, and the others.

The Emperor doted on his youngest son, so Song He intended to save the other bag of wedding sweets for his daughter, waiting for her return from her travels.

They discussed the court’s official book compilation while enjoying the wedding sweets, and the atmosphere in the Imperial Study was very relaxed.

Chen Pingan said he had successfully invited Chen Chunhua, and the elder gentleman had agreed to dedicate three months of his time to specially lecture the Great Li historians on the scholarly path of history writing.

Cao Yong, the Marquis of the Great River, lauded, “This is the pure Confucian Chen clan’s family learning that should have been kept secret. Excellent, truly excellent. I will also attend Chen Chunhua’s lectures as an observer.”

It was because he had dozed off in that Pillow Stream Pavilion. Otherwise, Chen Pingan would have asked Master Dong and Deputy Sect Master Han in person if they would lecture at Chunshan Academy sometime when they were free. Should Jiang Taigong also go to the Great Li’s newly established lecture hall at the Ministry of War to discuss military strategy?

Chen Pingan said, “Your Majesty, Ruan Qiong has resigned from the position of Chief three times. I would like to invite Liu Xianyang to fill the vacancy and serve as our Great Li’s Chief Enshrinement.”

Song He took another Osmanthus Candy from the embroidery bag. The taste was indeed excellent. He nodded and smiled, “That was precisely my intention. We were thinking along the same lines.”

This was a method devised by Empress Yu Mian. Liu Xianyang was a sword immortal, the current sect master of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, had studied at the Pure Confucian Chen Clan Academy for many years, and was a close friend from Mr. Chen’s hometown. It was indeed appointing the capable without regard for kinship, and she believed Mr. Chen would agree.

The Emperor had already made up his mind to go to the State Preceptor’s Mansion for some “autumn wind” again. How could two bags of wedding sweets be enough?

An earthly monarch wishing to be remembered in history must be accomplished in both civil and military affairs. The Great Li Emperor Song He’s “military accomplishments” no longer needed to be publicized by the court. The unification of Bottle-Neck Continent and the successful resistance against the monster race had already left a distinct and vibrant chapter in the entire history of Haoran. As for civil affairs, the compilation of history and books had always been proceeding in an orderly manner, but it was less conspicuous compared to the reputation of the Great Li Iron Cavalry.

Which classics, histories, philosophical works, and collections needed to be compiled? Which books required the Emperor’s personal preface? Should some palace editions, in addition to being bestowed upon Chunshan, Linlu, and Guanhu Academies, also be given to private book collectors in the local areas? After all, in the past thirty years, under Cui Chan’s personal supervision, the Great Li court had twice conducted large-scale searches for ancient, rare, and valuable books in various places. In total, they had organized and collated over two thousand kinds and hundreds of thousands of volumes. The problem was that Embroidered Tiger had never mentioned returning the original books, and of course, no one had ever dared to ask the court to return the books.

Jin Qing helped raise this matter. It turned out that many scholarly families in the Central Mountain region did indeed cherish those precious books. However, they did not dare to ask for too much and only said that they were willing to purchase those books from the court at the current market price. Jin Qing considered it and felt it was worth mentioning, but whether the court agreed or not was none of her concern.

Fan Junmao held a different opinion. She used a humorous saying, “Didn’t those scholars say that borrowing a book is like borrowing a legal wife, and giving a book is like giving a beautiful concubine?”

Today’s small court session was all mountain and water colleagues. With His Majesty’s permission, Tong Wenchang sat cross-legged on his chair and began smoking his dry tobacco. Upon hearing Fan Junmao’s remarks, he choked and coughed continuously.

Yang Hua’s original intention was the same as Jin Qing’s, advocating for the return of the books to the local noble families and prominent clans. Moreover, they had said they would pay for them. As a result, she was also silenced by Fan Junmao’s fallacious argument.

However, the relatively junior new Prefect of Qiantang, Cen Wenqian, spoke fairly, “Not only should the originals be returned, but the court should also gift back transcribed copies. This applies not only to families north of the Great River but also those south of it. Whether they have the courage or not, whether they accept them or not, is their business. Whether to give them or not is the magnanimity of our Great Li.”

Fan Junmao scoffed, “Then should His Majesty also do a good deed and send them some plaques and imperial poems?”

Cen Wenqian nodded, “That would be even more appropriate.”

Chen Pingan chewed a wedding sweet and said, “The Divine Lord Cuiwei has a good suggestion. One should look at a scholar with new eyes after three days of absence.”

Fan Junmao retorted angrily and laughingly, “I’m being good-hearted and biased towards the court, and all of you are ganging up to make fun of me?”

His Majesty the Emperor burst into laughter and quickly tossed a wedding sweet to the female deity.

Fan Junmao reached out again to catch the wedding sweet, but her eyes were fixed on the unopened embroidery bag.

Song He pretended to be distressed, picked up the embroidery bag, and threw it to Fan Junmao, complaining, “Is Divine Lord Fan a bandit? I don’t have any left myself.”

Chen Pingan said helplessly, “Your Majesty, if you want to get some autumn wind from the State Preceptor, just say so directly. I will have Rong Yu deliver it later. Why make Fan Junmao the villain?”

Song He laughed, “Alright, it’s settled. Six bags of wedding sweets are not too few, and double that is not too many.”

Jin Qing was slightly surprised, simply because she had heard the name “Rong Yu.”

Jin Qing glanced out of the corner of her eye and, sure enough, Western Mountain Meng Long also seemed to be contemplating something.

Chen Pingan said, “Just received news that several commanding generals of the Great Ribbon Dynasty on the Savage Land battlefield have mutinied. They are planning to return to Haoran Continent with a total of 700,000 elite border troops of the Great Ribbon, aiming to ‘clear the side of the ruler’.”

Fan Junmao asked curiously, “Wasn’t there any general forced to wear the yellow robe?”

Chen Pingan shook his head, “The Great Ribbon Yin clan still enjoys considerable popularity in the court and among the people. Within the next twenty years, it would be a fool’s dream for a general of a different surname to usurp the throne and ascend to power.”

Fan Junmao continued to ask, “Isn’t anyone planning to secretly support a distant royal relative from the founding emperor’s lineage to become emperor and challenge the new ruler Yin Miao, who is from the Taizong’s lineage?”

Wei Bo said, “At least for now, it’s not appropriate. Those meritorious generals who are leading troops still need to use the pretext of ‘clearing the side of the ruler’, otherwise, they will ultimately be suspected of being rebellious subjects and traitors.”

Jin Qing asked, “What is the attitude of the Literary Temple?”

Chen Pingan smiled and asked, “Shouldn’t it be the attitude that our Great Li Dynasty, as the suzerain state, should adopt? Qiu State is a vassal state of Great Li, and isn’t the Great Ribbon Yin clan?”

Jin Qing was speechless.

Chen Pingan said, “I plan to write a letter to Liu Rao, asking him, the State Preceptor, to accompany Emperor Yin Miao on a trip to the Savage Land battlefield. Then, I will have the巡狩使 Cao Ping personally lead a force of Great Li Iron Cavalry to escort them for a while. At tomorrow’s small court session, Your Majesty can ask the Ministry of War for their opinion.”

Song He nodded, “Feasible.”

Cen Wenqian suddenly asked, “Your Majesty, State Preceptor, has the court considered what it ultimately wants to gain from the Great Ribbon Dynasty?”

Great Li either tried every possible means to extract benefits from the Great Ribbon Dynasty, or it appeared to be seeking something intangible but was actually pursuing something practical. In addition to the Great Li Iron Cavalry, it could gain a reputation in Haoran, open up trade channels, and make scholars from all over the world willing to come to Great Li to study. Whether it was a righteous and benevolent path or a pragmatic and profitable hegemonic path, Cen Wenqian felt it was feasible. In any case, the Great Li court itself needed to make a decision. Miao Suan feared indecisiveness and lack of plan. They would only look at the next year instead of the next ten or hundred years.

Cen Wenqian was also aware that the few words he spoke today were highly taboo in officialdom, but that was his personality. He had no addiction to officialdom. At most, he would resign as Prefect of Qiantang and go back to being a River Earl.

Song He smiled knowingly, glanced at Chen Pingan, and said, “State Preceptor, Prefect Cen of Qiantang was promoted by your own hand. You can answer this question.”

Chen Pingan smiled and said, “I have discussed this with Your Majesty in private. We both believe that as long as the Great Ribbon border troops are brave enough on the Savage Land battlefield and their military achievements match the fourth rank of Haoran, our Great Li will proactively abolish the suzerain-vassal status and switch to an alliance between the two nations. Cen Wenqian, rest assured, Your Majesty and I are both people who have seen a lot of money. We will not drain the pond to catch the fish in the Great Ribbon Dynasty…”

Cen Wenqian became anxious and hurriedly said, “State Preceptor, of course, we should not interfere with the livelihood of the people of the Great Ribbon Dynasty, but what’s wrong with severely extorting the mountain sects and powerful families a few times?! The great war in the Savage Land is about to truly begin, and the Great Li court must do so!”

“Great Li only needs to ensure that these two groups of parasites do not recoup their losses through their consistently skilled means, by all possible means, from the common people. Of course, the relevant officials of Great Li responsible for this matter, whether from the Ministry of Revenue or the imperial merchants, must also be people who have seen a lot of money, or at least those who want to be promoted regardless of making a fortune, otherwise, it will truly cause widespread public resentment in the Great Ribbon Dynasty and make them view our Great Li as enemies.”

“Your Majesty, State Preceptor, I can write a memorial specifically on this matter and make some rough suggestions.”

Hearing this, Chen Pingan smiled and asked, “How rough?”

Cen Wenqian clearly had a draft in mind and said, “After all, it’s just a rough framework. The content will be at least 30,000 characters, and it will be delivered to the State Preceptor’s Mansion within two days. A more complete second draft will be completed within ten days.”

Chen Pingan smiled slightly, “It’s a deal.”

The few Divine Lords, including Jin Qing, gasped. Even Tong Wenchang glanced at the new Prefect of Qiantang. Good heavens, does that mean we are all parasites and good-for-nothings who are just coasting along?

Could it be that from now on, the official documents submitted by the Five Peaks to the State Preceptor’s Mansion will all have to follow this rule? They had only heard of the method of sacrificing others but not oneself, and never expected to encounter a mountain and water colleague who pulled everyone together to be diligent in governing?

Song He rubbed his forehead and asked, “Can the Palace of Eternal Spring manage Lu Fanlu properly? Don’t let anything go wrong.”

Wei Bo nodded, “We must keep a close eye on her.”

The Palace of Eternal Spring does not yet have any cultivators in the Upper Five Realms, which is naturally one of the fundamental reasons why it has not been recognized as a Sect for a long time. Lu Fanlu is a cultivator whose Dao power is second only to Song Yu. She has been stagnant in the Nascent Soul realm for many years. She has also been the Palace Mistress in charge of sect affairs for three hundred years. Now she has been stripped of her power and directly deprived of her status as Palace Mistress. She has also been confined by the Ancestral Master Song Yu, in seclusion for sixty years to reflect on her mistakes. The cultivators of her lineage and several confidants have been expelled from the Ancestral Master Hall. From Lu Fanlu’s perspective, this is naturally an act of rebellion similar to usurpation.

Song He is very familiar with the situation of the Palace of Eternal Spring and is not unfamiliar with several young Golden Core cultivators, including the new Palace Mistress Feng Jie. He is only afraid that Lu Fanlu, being greedy for power, will suffer such a blow and her Dao Heart will collapse, leading her to do something excessive. The Ancestral Master Song Yu is unable to handle it, and in the end, the Great Li court will have to clean up the mess. However, if it really reaches that point, the foundation of the Palace of Eternal Spring will be destroyed, the court’s face will be unsightly, and it will not be good for those young Earth Immortals like Feng Jie.

Wei Bo suggested, “Your Majesty, I can invite Lu Fanlu to Mount Piyun, or to a Crown Prince Mountain in the Northern Mountain, to stay as a guest for a few years.”

Song He looked at the State Preceptor.

Chen Pingan simply said three words filled with killing intent, “Let her make trouble.”

Wei Bo hesitated to speak.

Song He, however, was aware of a secret mountain and water matter related to the former Hongzhu Town. After a moment of hesitation, he said, “Divine Lord Wei can notify the several righteous mountain and water deities and the city gods around the Palace of Eternal Spring in advance, lest Lu Fanlu becomes desperate and harms the hard-earned foundation of the Palace of Eternal Spring’s Dao field. I am afraid that many innocent and uninformed young disciples will be implicated. What does the State Preceptor think?”

Chen Pingan smiled and said, “Your Majesty’s thinking is more comprehensive.”

Fan Junmao always felt there was a deeper meaning behind the words. These scholars, especially those in high positions,

In fact, the State Preceptor’s Mansion, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Justice have naturally made a series of secret arrangements, waiting for Lu Fanlu to instigate her old subordinates for a second act of forced abdication. This also allows Chen Pingan to observe the methods of the newly empowered young Golden Core cultivators like Feng Jie. Either they will be met with a cold shower, or they will make the court look at them with new eyes. For both sides, it will be beneficial in the long run.

Song He smiled and said, “Then let’s switch seats. I’ll be the State Preceptor?”

Chen Pingan sighed and waved his hand, “Your Majesty, for what reason would you rebel against yourself?”

Tong Wenchang laughed heartily, “Your Majesty, State Preceptor, let me declare in advance that I haven’t heard anything.”

Jin Qing and the others laughed heartily. Yang Hua was also very surprised. Can a monarch and his subject chat like this?

After the discussion ended, Chen Pingan strolled back to the State Preceptor’s Mansion alone and asked Divine Lord Wei for a small favor.

The date for the alliance agreement in the capital of the Lu Clan Dynasty in the Northern Reed Continent had been set, a propitious day in half a month.

Emperor Song He and the Emperor of the Great Duan Dynasty would both travel to the Northern Reed Continent soon. Chen Pingan suggested that the Emperor set off earlier. The State Preceptor’s Mansion had already arranged an itinerary. In addition to visiting the Chongxuan Bureau’s Cloud Firmament Palace, which was a definite stop, they should also visit the Taifu Sword Sect and the Duckweed Sword Lake. Could they also visit the Southern Fragrant Water Hall of Shen Lin, the Divine Source Lord of Jidu, and the mansion of Li Yuan, the Marquis of Longting? Further north, should they also visit the Lying-down Peak of True Man Huolong if they had any leisure time?

Emperor Song He went with the flow and agreed. The high-ranking officials and deities who could attend the small court session were all exceptionally intelligent individuals. How could they not see that the Emperor and the State Preceptor were putting on a show?

The Great Li Emperor crossing the continents to make an alliance meant that the old coachman, who went by the alias Su Kan, would certainly be accompanying him.

However, they always had to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances. The problem was that Xiao Mo needed to go into seclusion, and Xie Gou was also observing the Dao while guarding it. So Chen Pingan went to ask Pei Qian if she was willing to accompany Emperor Song He to the capital of the Great Source Dynasty. Pei Qian readily agreed. Instead, Song He said there was no need to trouble Sect Master Pei; the Great Li imperial enshrinements and accompanying cultivators were trustworthy.

After much thought, Chen Pingan decided to trouble Liu Cha for help, asking him to secretly protect Emperor Song He. Liu Cha, who had just set up a thatched hut on Huanghu Mountain and had just figured out the fishing situation there and laid down his nest, flatly refused, saying he was busy.

Wei Bo, who was only helping to relay the message at the time, was unwilling to return empty-handed. He said that fishing with a long line from a transcontinental ferry on the sea was also very enjoyable. He heard that there was a lake in the Ghost Realm where a kind of immortal-descended fish lived, which required both fishing skills and luck… After listening to Divine Lord Wei’s rambling, Liu Cha just stared at the lake and laughed, “Divine Lord Wei may have forgotten that I was caught by Chen Chunan on the sea back then and fell from the fourteenth realm.”

Old Deafie was even more unwilling to come out of the mountains. It wasn’t that he hadn’t been an old emperor before. Who was more valuable than whom? Why do the work of an attendant? How could it be as important as teaching and cultivating talents in the mountains! He wouldn’t even let Divine Lord Wei finish his words. With a stern look, he directly said to Divine Lord Wei, if the Mountain Lord forces me, then I will not attend this meeting and will go back to Sword-Returning Platform tomorrow to reflect on my mistakes… Old Deafie waved his sleeve and went straight back to the classroom, immediately changing his expression and continuing to explain the advantages and disadvantages of an ancient Qi Circulation Art to those young Daoists.

Damn it, it was Chen Pingan’s request, not me, Mount Piyun, shamelessly asking you to come out and work. Even clay statues have a bit of temper, so Divine Lord Wei also gave up.

However, Wei Bo felt a bit closer to Old Deafie inside.

After receiving Wei Bo’s message, Chen Pingan had to personally send a flying sword message to temporarily notify Zhusu, who was about to set off for the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect and had not yet left the temporary Dao field at Sword-Returning Lake.

This female sword immortal, who had just entered the Immortal Realm, agreed without hesitation, saying it was a good opportunity to experience the customs of the Northern Reed Continent.

Earlier at Sword-Returning Lake, she had chatted with Ning Yao about the sword cultivators in the Northern Reed Continent. Ning Yao’s two heartfelt words had deeply affected Zhusu.

“I hope the sword cultivators there will never again sacrifice the entire continent for a sword.”

“If Bottle-Neck Continent had been breached by the savage land monster race back then, we might not have rushed to aid the Central Plains Divine Continent, but we would definitely have saved the Northern Reed Continent.”

The private Dao field at Fuyao Foothills was originally established for the purpose of ascending to the Dao. What was its significance for a cultivator of one realm?

Chen Pingan was also unwilling to waste the counterfeit Three Mountains Talismans. They could easily be sold for a lot of immortal coins at market price, and even then, only out of consideration for personal relationships. So he simply stayed at the State Preceptor’s Mansion and consulted some archives, including official résumés and taxation records of various states. Reviewing books was like sweeping dust; as soon as you sweep, it reappears. This was even more true for Chen Pingan’s “reading” habit. Every time he circled a few names or numbers with a pen, he would follow the clues, ask Rong Yu to bring a few more books, or even a large stack of documents, and then he would pore over them, circle them again, and look at new books… It seemed to be an endless process.

Chen Pingan annotated an official document without lifting his head and said to Rong Yu, who gently placed the archives on the desk, “You should rest first.”

Rong Yu asked softly, “State Preceptor, why don’t I ask the kitchen to prepare a late-night meal?”

Chen Pingan shook his head, “No need.”

Rong Yu said, “The schedule for the next three days has been written out. If there are any temporary adjustments, please let me know, State Preceptor.”

Chen Pingan glanced at the densely written names on the few sheets of golden millet paper and the official titles marked with tiny regular script, specifying the exact time. Below these golden millet papers was a small booklet, which, according to his request, had become a regular practice, including brief summaries… Chen Pingan put down his brush, rubbed his eyebrows, and self-deprecatingly said, “I am becoming more and more impressed with Old Man Guan, Shen Chen, Dong Hu, and the others. Being an official is truly a physical job.”

Otherwise, why call it cultivation in the public service?

Each realm has its own scenery. A county magistrate has the responsibilities of a county magistrate, and a State Preceptor has the affairs of a State Preceptor.

Since entering the State Preceptor’s Mansion, Chen Pingan has met two to three people every fifteen minutes. Or he meets one person every half an hour, but this situation is not common.

Rong Yu smiled and said, “In at most two months, the State Preceptor will become increasingly confident.”

Mr. Cui had once talked to her and Fu Qing about the difference between “using people and managing affairs and working hard” and “being mentally and physically exhausted,” and they benefited greatly from it.

Indeed, after Cui Chan became the State Preceptor in Great Li, his tenure could be roughly divided into three stages. First, he was meticulous in every detail, treating trivial matters as important. Then, he focused on using people, treating important matters as trivial. Finally… even Rong Yu and Fu Qing couldn’t quite put their finger on it, but they felt that State Preceptor Cui was somewhat lonely.

Chen Pingan suddenly smiled and said, “Occasionally, I think, if I had been able to enter the State Preceptor’s Mansion earlier back then, would Senior Brother have had it easier?”

Rong Yu thought seriously for a moment and said frankly, “If the State Preceptor hadn’t had those experiences, and had entered the State Preceptor’s Mansion twenty years earlier, he would at most have been a literary scribe advising on military strategy, or he would have been staring at the accounts of the Ministry of Revenue every day. With Mr. Cui’s temper, the State Preceptor would have definitely received the most scolding back then.”

Chen Pingan couldn’t help but laugh, leaned back in his chair, clasped his hands behind his head, and nodded, “That’s also true.”

There was still some light in the official quarters of the second courtyard.

The State Preceptor’s Mansion allowed literary scribes to stay overnight and sleep on the floor. There were also two small rooms with simple beds and bedding for them to rest. However, Cui Chan did not like them working all night, and even disliked it, unless there were truly urgent military matters that required processing official documents. Cui Chan’s attitude was very simple: everyone does their own work, and every official is held accountable. He, as the State Preceptor, had a clear understanding of everything. Is it a skill to be unable to handle affairs during the day and have to drag them out until night to finish?

Despite this, Cui Chan did not prohibit the small kitchen in the State Preceptor’s Mansion from operating. Late-night snacks were still available.

However, the food at the Great Li State Preceptor’s Mansion was strikingly similar to the vegetarian meals at Xuandu Temple.

Late at night, in the quietness, Chen Pingan walked out of the study and strolled in the courtyard. The moonlight was like water, and everything was bright. He began to practice his six-step stake with his eyes closed.

First, there was the battle with Jiang She, then the world-shattering exchange with Zhou Mi that aimed at trading lives, and then dealing with the heavenly tribulation.

Chen Pingan’s personal world had undergone earth-shattering changes. The saying “The vast sea turns into mulberry fields” had never been so visible to the naked eye.

Coupled with entering the Eleventh Realm of martial arts, his vital energy was so abundant that it was almost exaggerated. That is, he had no opportunity to go all out for the time being.

Before on Huanghu Mountain, Chen Pingan actually wanted to spar with Liu Cha, but he was worried that Liu Cha would get serious and accidentally destroy Huanghu Mountain. How would he explain it to Hong Xia then? She had worked so hard to help excavate the Great River in Tongye Continent, only to return home and find her Dao field gone?

The path to becoming a martial arts deity is inherently in conflict with the path to becoming an immortal cultivator. Advancing from the first realm to the second realm as a Qi Refiner is like carving out a bloody path through a myriad of troops, the difficulty is imaginable. A greater difficulty is to maintain this “living path” for a long time and open it up as a riverbed for spiritual energy. In short, the higher the martial arts realm, the more difficult it is to restart Qi cultivation, which is truly a self-imposed restriction.

Song Yunjian, wearing a golden crown and jade robe, appeared and asked curiously, “When will the State Preceptor resume cultivating?”

Chen Pingan continued to walk the stake and said casually, “I am also anxious, but what can I do if I can’t be anxious? First, I need to determine the exact locations of the one thousand and eight personal Qi residences. A difference of a hair’s breadth is a thousand miles off the mark. This is a vast and boundless maze. Fortunately, there are clues to follow, and I have a rough idea of the general course of events. Currently, there are still more than three hundred Qi residences that have not been found.”

Asking others to help determine the locations of one’s own Qi residences is truly a matter of entrusting one’s life on the mountain.

Previously, on Youyi Peak, he had asked Ning Yao to help examine the locations of his Qi residences.

Chen Pingan planned to ask Xianxin, the seamstress, for a diagram of his former Qi residences. At least some of the Qi residences could be found by following the diagram. Moreover, the comparison between the new and old diagrams was itself a subtle observation of the Dao.

For the future path of cultivation, Chen Pingan currently has three preliminary plans.

First, follow the old path and refine the most fate objects.

This path is the most convenient and effortless, but it is the most expensive.

So Chen Pingan had an open and frank conversation with Emperor Song He, saying that if he chose a certain path to resume cultivation, then Great Li’s several secret vaults would likely be emptied by him.

Song He immediately raised his hand and said, “Don’t talk to me about this. I’m not afraid of the national treasury being empty. I’m only afraid that the State Preceptor won’t be able to enter the Fourteenth Realm as early as possible. As long as the State Preceptor says there is a sliver of hope of achieving the Dao in the future, then even if I, Song He, have to personally borrow money from the Great Duan Cao clan and the Great Source Lu clan emperors, there will be no second thoughts.”

Chen Pingan smiled and nodded, “If that day truly comes, Your Majesty, don’t pretend to be ignorant and say you don’t remember what you said back then.”

Song He laughed, “I won’t say anything hollow to the State Preceptor. I’ll just say, as a father, what would I leave those heavenly materials and earthly treasures that haven’t been moved for years or decades for? Leaving behind a powerful Great Li Dynasty for the Song clan descendants is enough.”

Chen Pingan nodded.

The advantage of this cultivation path is that it can steadily improve one’s realm. In one-on-one battles below the Fourteenth Realm, there are enough hidden trump cards. The hidden danger is that when closing off for the pursuit of the Fourteenth Realm in the future, it is highly likely that one will have to disperse one’s Dao.

Second, strive for purity as much as possible. Besides focusing on sword refinement, do not seek any other external objects.

Just happened to finalize the deal with Zhenwu Mountain. The sword-sharpening stone from Dragon Ridge Mountain is estimated to be enough to support his ascension to Dao.

Third, attempt to ascend directly to the Upper Five Realms in the Third Realm, the Willow Tendon Realm.

Song Yunjian asked, “It seems that the State Preceptor is not particularly anxious about the matter of rerouting the river in Bingzhou within the territory of Great Li?”

Chen Pingan smiled and said, “With so many official positions appearing out of nowhere, who will fill them? With so many official hats, who will wear them?”

Song Yunjian wondered, “There are so many talents in the court and among the people of Great Li, which occupies half the continent. Are suitable officials still lacking?”

Chen Pingan asked, “When the Great Li border troops return to Bottle-Neck Continent, if the official positions are already filled tightly, what will they do?”

Song Yunjian suddenly understood.

Chen Pingan said to himself, “Only then will we be qualified to say that everyone we meet is a person of peace.”

Song Yunjian’s eyes lit up. Yes, finally everyone they met was a person of peace. He retracted his figure and went to the adjacent garden, no longer disturbing the State Preceptor’s stroll and relaxation.

The newly built State Preceptor’s Mansion was expanded into three areas. The central building complex remained unchanged, retaining its original scale. The three courtyards on the central axis still had the phoenix tree, ancient pine, and peach tree. In addition, a garden was created on the left side. The literary scribes were almost all mortals. They could also come here to relax, enjoy the scenery, and change their mood, without worrying that even a fart might drift to the third courtyard and disturb the State Preceptor.

Yu Shiwu, Xiao Xing, Dou Kou, Xian Zao, and later Xu Jiaqie, they were all cultivators, so they all moved to the new courtyard on the right side. Guo Zhujiu was temporarily in charge of them. Anyway, none of them had any formal official positions. Guo Zhujiu had already filled her desk with various beloved objects, including a copyist’s inkstone, a small bamboo box, a pot of sweet flag, and a large stack of books she had just bought from Liulichang. They were dazzling and all treasures. Since her desk was against the wall, Guo Zhujiu was like the most mischievous primary school student, covering herself up tightly. As soon as she lay her head on the desk, the teachers wouldn’t know what she was doing.

Xun Qu, who was responsible for connecting with the Flower Deities of the Hundred Flower Blessed Land, also became their neighbor. Chen Pingan specially reserved a room for Fan Dachuan.

Xiao Xing still often went to the kitchen to tease the cook Yu Qing. Xu Jiaqie still called Xiao Xing “scum” and “贱婢” whenever she had a chance, and vice versa.

The young girl Phoenixflower Deity Wu Cai came to the State Preceptor’s Mansion twice but didn’t see the girl with the貂帽, which left her feeling disappointed.

Pei Qian and Guo Zhujiu were also night owls. They were quite idle and actually played chess in the second courtyard. However, they were playing against Cao Qinglang. Lin Shouyi and Rong Yu were also watching the game from the side.

Chen Pingan had a sudden idea and went over to look at the chessboard situation. He was already aware of his own level. A true gentleman doesn’t speak while watching chess. He just asked them if they wanted a late-night snack. Pei Qian looked serious, picked up a piece, and just nodded yes. Guo Zhujiu also said yes, yes, and casually reached out to mess up the chessboard, saying it was a draw, a draw. Cao Qinglang was helpless. Pei Qian glared at her, saying, “What are you messing up? I had already thought of a brilliant move.” Guo Zhujiu said, “After all, Master taught us this, so it’s not a fair win.” Pei Qian thought about it and said, “That’s also true.”

Lin Shouyi laughed happily, and Cao Qinglang also laughed happily.

Rong Yu was impartial and didn’t say anything.

State Preceptor Chen put on a straight face and nodded, while saying that when dealing with two poor chess players, Master’s current chess skills were astonishingly high, boundless. He only needed to use thirty percent of his power… He then quickly walked towards the first courtyard, intending to cook himself and show off his skills.

Rong Yu looked at the State Preceptor’s back.

When Cao Gengxin uncorked the wine jar and poured wine into the gourd, the man beside him stared intently, as if that wine gourd, like the young man of the past, could never be filled.