## The Conduit of Springs

The lineage of the Spring Treasury.

Chen Pingan, accompanied by Xiaomo, traversed corridors and passages, arriving at the residence of Marquis Gaoye.

Marquis Gaoye stood at the doorway to greet them, jesting, “How does it feel to wander through your own domain? Pleasant, I trust?”

Now, in Ascendancy City, who was unaware that the Spring Treasury was the most ardent supporter of the Hidden Official Chen Pingan, surpassing even the Summer Palace with its sparse population of sword cultivators? The clamorous abacus clicks emanating from this place were testament to that.

A young sword cultivator, once thwarted in an attempt to pilfer couplets, had declared openly, “Should I hear a single disparaging word about the Second Manager, apologies, but any future dealings with the Spring Treasury will be met with misfortune.”

Chen Pingan retrieved a stool and sat down, stating plainly, “Treasurer Gao, shouldn’t you first offer thanks?”

Xiaomo stood outside, observing. It was evident that his Lord was held in high esteem here, though the cultivators seemed hesitant to initiate conversation with him.

Marquis Gaoye raised an eyebrow, “To what should I owe such gratitude?”

Chen Pingan clicked his tongue, “Are you feigning ignorance?”

Marquis Gaoye chuckled, “Pray, Hidden Official, enlighten me.”

Chen Pingan shook his head, “Never mind, I might as well be singing to cattle.”

Marquis Gaoye responded with a smile, “Or perhaps, winking at a blind man, to be more precise.”

To castigate oneself before others was a unique tactic of the Summer Palace lineage. *If I shame myself thoroughly, what hold can you have over me?*

Chen Pingan surveyed the surroundings. The room’s furnishings were so austere as to border on poverty, lacking even a simple literary plaque. Earlier, he had glanced into the dwellings they passed, noting a variety of plaques: “Heaven Rewards Diligence,” “Meticulous and Dedicated,” “Practice Makes Perfect,” “The Gentleman Loves Wealth”… Such maxims seemed strangely out of place in the Spring Treasury.

At this moment, Marquis Gaoye understood Chen Pingan’s intent. He was referring to his younger sister, Gao Youqing, who had journeyed to the Northern Domain with the Sword Immortal Lady Licai, accompanied by the young sword cultivator known as “Little Hidden Official,” Chen Li. *Had he gifted me a future brother-in-law?*

Had Chen Pingan not raised this issue, Marquis Gaoye would not have considered it. Firstly, Chen Li’s sword, “Obscure Radiance,” was a relic of a Northern Domain sword immortal, making Chen Li’s training there a strategic arrangement for the Summer Palace. Furthermore, his sister had been enamored with Pang Yuanji in their homeland, shadowing him for years, determined to marry none other. This had troubled Marquis Gaoye deeply.

During their time at the Sword Qi Great Wall, Marquis Gaoye, a man of humble origins, had enjoyed a cordial relationship with Pang Yuanji. Yet, it was plain to all that Pang Yuanji harbored no romantic interest, rendering his sister’s unrequited affection futile.

Therefore, if a match between his sister, Gao Youqing, and Chen Li could be forged in that foreign land, granting her companionship and support, Marquis Gaoye would certainly offer Chen Pingan his deepest gratitude. Given that Chen Li bore the moniker “Little Hidden Official” and greatly admired Chen Pingan, should Chen Li emulate Chen Pingan in some manner, it could only be for the better.

Otherwise, the Radiant World was a tempting and dangerous place, Chen Li’s swordsmanship talent was exceptional, and his youthful appearance was alluring. Without proper guidance, he could become a second Mi Jianxian, another romantic fool.

This thought prompted a surge of worry within Marquis Gaoye. He abandoned all pretense of formality, addressing him by name, “Chen Pingan, if Chen Li does not favor Youqing, so be it. If Youqing’s affections are unreturned, she has no one to blame. However, should Chen Li feign affection, and then prove fickle, betraying Youqing, I will hold you accountable. Of course, Chen Li will not escape my wrath either.”

Marquis Gaoye’s affection for his younger sister was well-known throughout the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Three times he had challenged others to duels because of Gao Youqing, men who had dared to speak lewdly to her – two of whom were his age, the third a drunken wastrel. The fate of all three had been less than pleasant.

To put it another way, were his sister and Chen Li present, Marquis Gaoye would be equally inclined to ambush Chen Li, perhaps even stuff him in a sack and give him a sound thrashing.

Chen Pingan chuckled, “Though it would be unjust to hold me accountable, I have great faith in Chen Li’s character and Gao Youqing’s judgment.”

Marquis Gaoye relaxed slightly.

Discarding any further pretense, Marquis Gaoye inquired, “Have you come to inspect the ledgers?”

As per custom, sword cultivators of the Hidden Official lineage possessed the authority to oversee the Summer Palace of Ascendancy City, with the power to investigate even Qi Shou and Marquis Gaoye, let alone a few ledgers.

“That is not the correct phrasing.”

Chen Pingan smiled, “Rather, it is for the Spring Treasury lineage to proactively submit the ledgers to the Summer Palace on a regular basis.”

Marquis Gaoye shook his head, “There is no such precedent.”

Chen Pingan leaned back in his chair, smoothing his azure robes and crossing his legs. “Precedent and tradition must begin with a good start.”

Marquis Gaoye continued to shake his head. “Do not harbor such hopes. I will not agree to this. Unless the Hidden Official calls for a council in the Ancestral Hall and the matter is approved, the Spring Treasury will continue as usual.”

He had believed that this conversation would lead to a breakdown in negotiations, and Marquis Gaoye was even preparing for the worst. He was not afraid of being publicly humiliated by Chen Pingan in the Spring Treasury.

After all, Qi Shou had been attacked by Ning Yao, a “temporary” Hidden Official. Being berated by the real Hidden Official was a small price to pay.

To his surprise, Chen Pingan merely hummed. “Brother Gao has grown ever more resolute.”

Marquis Gaoye’s spirits sank. It would have been preferable to have Chen Pingan cause a scene in public than be the victim of some hidden scheme.

At that moment, Marquis Gaoye’s mood was complex, and he found himself longing for the days when Ning Yao oversaw the affairs of the Summer Palace.

There were no concerns, no hidden motives, just clear and straightforward official business.

Marquis Gaoye inquired with curiosity, “Did you truly come with no other pressing matters today?”

Chen Pingan smiled, “Indeed, I merely sought to reminisce with Brother Gao. What, do you deem our acquaintance insufficient, and consider me presumptuous for visiting you in your esteemed position?”

Chen Pingan reached into his sleeve, withdrew an object, and tossed it gently to Marquis Gaoye. “Consider this a belated gift for the establishment of the Spring Treasury.”

Marquis Gaoye caught the object. It was a small piece of wood, fashioned from old sandalwood, its design both elegant and peculiar, shaped like a carpenter’s square. Etched upon it were inscriptions and a signature, suggesting it was an antique of some kind, though Marquis Gaoye could not discern its purpose.

The inscription bore the phrase “Raise Head,” followed by “Follow Rules,” beneath which were smaller characters: “He who can apply rules and squares is a man of the state; he who acts with reason and fairness upholds good laws.”

Chen Pingan asked with a smile, “Do you know what it is used for?”

Marquis Gaoye responded with a hint of annoyance, “Do not keep me in suspense, tell me directly.”

Chen Pingan said, “It is an imprint for regulations. It is intrinsically worthless. It might not fetch half a snowflake coin on a mountain, yet I have treasured it for many years. I give it to you. If not for use, let it gather dust, but do not give it away casually.”

Marquis Gaoye gently placed the imprint on the table, nodding. “I feel a kinship with it. I will treasure it.”

Marquis Gaoye inquired, “Are you leaving so soon?”

Chen Pingan replied, “I wish to visit the Spring Treasury’s Hall of Affairs. Is that against protocol?”

Marquis Gaoye chuckled, shaking his head. “Of course not. When one truly considers it, the entire Spring Treasury was moved here by the Hidden Official. With the exception of the treasury and the registrar’s office, you may roam freely.”

The once-renowned Four Private Residences of the Inverted Mountain were the Spring Banner Retreat, the Plum Blossom Garden, the Monkey Play Manor, and the Water Crystal Palace.

Liu Yuzhou, the direct heir of the Money God of the Vast Snow Continent, had offered to gift the entire Monkey Play Manor to the Sword Qi Great Wall. In fact, all that could be moved from the Monkey Play Manor had been transported to the Great Wall, and to this day, the swordsmen of Ascendancy City were grateful for that generosity.

The Water Crystal Palace, which belonged to the Rain Dragon Sect, was the sole residence that had no connection to the Sword Qi Great Wall.

As for the Spring Banner Retreat, the residence of Sword Immortal Shao Yunyan, and the Plum Blossom Garden, the abode of Madam Rouge Face, both were imbued with protective formations. The former could be reduced to a palm-sized abode, while the latter could be “uprooted entirely.” Both were transported to the city and eventually came to the Five Colors World along with Ascendancy City. As a “pledge of loyalty,” Madam Rouge Face was granted the status of “attendant” to Lu Zhi, granting her protection. She had since become an enshrined member of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect’s ancestral hall. Should any Radiant World cultivator seek to trouble her, they would have to consider the possibility of being “disintegrated” or “sent on their way.”

All of this had been orchestrated by the Hidden Official Chen Pingan.

The Spring Banner Retreat, along with its clothing workshops and sword smithies, had been allocated to the Spring Treasury lineage.

Marquis Gaoye set aside his affairs, personally leading Chen Pingan and Xiaomo toward the former Spring Banner Retreat’s main hall.

In truth, Chen Pingan’s understanding of the Spring Banner Retreat’s concealed chambers and secret passages likely surpassed that of Marquis Gaoye.

Along the way, they passed a series of accounting rooms, each permeated with the aroma of ink. Many young cultivators, primarily from the Yan and Nalan families, were curious about the young Hidden Official. Some women, holding fans, leaned against doorways. Catching sight of the azure robes, they were content merely to observe, refraining from greeting him. As she returned to her embroidered stool, she gently smoothed her rounded shape, to avoid creases in her garments.

The woman suddenly turned her head and smiled enchantingly toward the doorway. She was a generation younger than the former head of the Nalan family, Nalan Caihuan; according to the family genealogy, she was Nalan Yudie’s aunt.

Alas, the oblivious azure-clad man strode quickly past along the corridor, eyes fixed ahead.

Chen Pingan inquired, “Do you intend to gift the Plum Blossom Garden to the next Jade Purity Realm female sword cultivator?”

Marquis Gaoye nodded. “That is the intention. At present, Luo Zhenyi of your Hidden Official lineage appears to be the most likely candidate.”

Areas were being demarcated between Ascendancy City and the eight peaks for the construction of future immortal residences.

For example, the three martial siblings from Shezhou had pooled their funds to purchase a plot of land, planning to rebuild a Winnowing Tray Pavilion.

However, it would be difficult to reconstruct other formerly mysterious immortal residences, such as the Elm Planting Immortal Hall, the Resting Cloud Pavilion, the Ten Thousand Ravines Abode, and the Armor Repository.

Once they were gone, they were simply gone.

Chen Pingan reached the familiar hall, paused for a moment, and stepped over the threshold.

Marquis Gaoye sat down on the threshold, his back to the courtyard, facing the chairs within. He drew a flask of wine from his sleeve and asked, “Would you care for a drink?”

Chen Pingan leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, gazing at the rows of chairs, and shook his head.

Mi Yu, Sun Juyuan, Gao Kui, Yan Ming, Nalan Caihuan.

Xie Songhua, Li Cai, Kuxia, Yuan Qingshu, Xie Zhi, Song Pin, Pu He, Shao Yunyan.

And finally, the newly appointed Hidden Official.

In total, fourteen sword cultivators had been present at the Inverted Mountain at that time.

Looking back, it was remarkable how many of them were foreign swordsmen.

Chen Pingan moved and chose to sit in the chair nearest the door, the seat of Shao, the Sword Immortal, resembling the position of someone responsible for “closing the door and striking the dog.”

Chen Pingan inhaled the rich aroma of the wine wafting from the doorway and couldn’t help but ask, “What wine is that? It smells quite fragrant.”

Marquis Gaoye chuckled. “I heard it’s authentic Azure Deity Mountain wine. I had someone secretly purchase a jar, and then divided it into several flasks myself. The price was quite steep. I was concerned I’d drink it all in one go. But when I was buying the wine, I made sure that the shop did not advertise it, as I did not want it to seem too flashy. I honestly do not know if the wine is authentic, but having tasted it, I believe it to be worth the price.”

Chen Pingan smiled, “I cannot speak to the authenticity of the wine, as I have not tasted it, but as for the price, Brother Gao has most likely been fleeced.”

Marquis Gaoye responded with a smile.

Gazing at the chairs before him, Chen Pingan fell silent for a long while before finally speaking. “Gaoye Marquis, we must ensure that Ascendancy City remains Ascendancy City.”

Marquis Gaoye teased, “Is it not strange to hear such words from one who hails from the Radiant World?”

Chen Pingan raised his right hand, condensing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into a sphere, using a strand of pure True Qi as a tether. He raised it high and then gently nudged the sphere with his left hand.

As the sphere swayed, Chen Pingan watched its oscillations and mused, “My senior brother, Cui Chan, was once the tutor to the current Emperor of Great Li. I heard he oversaw two matters for Song He, when he was still a prince.”

“One involved a border prefecture, the other a location near the capital. Both were incidents involving considerable scandal. The former was handled with great brutality, stirring popular resentment, and was forcibly suppressed. In the end, it became a matter of the authorities not pursuing the people not speaking, as if nothing had occurred. The officials in the capital handled things with great…skill. There was no deliberate suppression of the truth, the sealed reports, the official decrees, the news. From start to finish, it was made to seem transparent, as if everything was public knowledge.”

“Yet, in reality, a tacit understanding had been reached with the local authorities, who quietly settled the matter behind the scenes. Even if the Ministry of Justice of the Great Li were to investigate, there would appear to be no wrongdoing, since no one had been found guilty of corruption or dereliction of duty. Furthermore, as far as the residents of the prefecture were concerned, public sentiment was positive; they felt that the government had acted swiftly and justly. However, truth will always come to light. Once revealed, matters would only escalate. To prevent the situation from spiraling out of control, even greater measures would be required to suppress it, to conceal it even more effectively.”

Marquis Gaoye asked, “Are you concerned that the actions of the swordsmen of Ascendancy City will shift from one extreme to another, gradually resembling those officials near the capital of Great Li, becoming skilled, and becoming too polished?”

“I have no need to worry.”

Chen Pingan said, “Because it is inevitable.”

Marquis Gaoye was silenced.

Chen Pingan dispersed the sphere, saying slowly, “A sword cultivator in the Lower Five Realms encountering a sword cultivator in the Middle Five Realms, a sword cultivator in the Middle Five Realms encountering a sword cultivator in the Upper Five Realms, a sword cultivator in the Jade Purity or Immortal Realm encountering a sword cultivator in the Ascendancy Realm. And of course, non-sword cultivators encountering sword cultivators.”

“Once the sword cultivators in the Summer Palace and the other three offices have gained official positions and clear distinctions in rank, will they still dare to shout your names, Gaoye Marquis and Qi Shou, as they once did for Dong Sangeng and Chen Xi, with such familiarity?”

“The greatest enemy of those who cultivate is themselves: forming the Golden Core, nurturing the Nascent Soul, confronting inner demons. Upon reaching the Upper Five Realms, one must ‘return to simplicity,’ a long and arduous path.”

“The enemy of Ascendancy City is the same.”

“However, there is no need to worry too much about such matters. Since it cannot be avoided, prepare early. Ascendancy City is currently in a favorable position. Sword Immortal Chou Miao and I once engaged in a rather crude analysis. I was comparatively pessimistic, while Sword Immortal Chou Miao was more optimistic. To say nothing of me, the rapid yet orderly development of Ascendancy City in recent years has far exceeded Sword Immortal Chou Miao’s expectations, demonstrating the excellent work of Qi Shou and Marquis Gaoye.”

Chen Pingan stood up, smiling. “Much can be achieved; the burden is heavy.”

Marquis Gaoye remained seated on the threshold, saying, “An academy will soon be established within Ascendancy City. What are your thoughts on this? Is there anything that needs special attention? It is currently being managed by the Criminal Office lineage, who are unwilling to involve outsiders, so if you have any ideas, I can hear them and then pass them on to the Summer Palace. When the next council of the Ancestral Hall convenes, you will not need to play the villain.”

Chen Pingan shook his head. “I have few ideas. Qi Shou is a man without petty self-interest, who possesses both vision and open-mindedness.”

A person with a long-term perspective is less likely to be short-sighted.

Ambition and aspiration were nearly synonymous.

It seemed that Marquis Gaoye had no intention of letting Chen Pingan off the hook, as he asked, “Regarding the academy’s name and the calligraphy for the plaques and couplets, who should we seek out?”

Chen Pingan could only sit back down in the chair. “Among the remnants of the Floating Continent, there is no shortage of learned scholars. The meager ink in my belly has already been given to two collections of seals.”

Marquis Gaoye hailed from the lower rungs of society, relying on his sister from a young age, taking on odd jobs. The first time he ventured onto the Great Elephant Street was after becoming a sword cultivator and serving in the battles. The old sword immortal Nalan Shaowei took a liking to him, and he was recruited by the Nalan family as a family sword instructor. After a few years, Marquis Gaoye became the son-in-law of the Nalan family, marrying a virtuous woman of his age. She was also a sword cultivator, albeit one whose appearance and talent for swordsmanship were unremarkable. Initially, Nalan Shaowei had intended for Marquis Gaoye to marry another woman, but Marquis Gaoye had declined.

Schools had been founded in Ascendancy City and the four surrounding vassal cities. Recently, preparations were underway to establish an academy.

The children’s literacy primarily came from *Explanation of Script and Analysis of Characters*, strongly recommended by the Summer Palace, but most of the written material originated from stone tablets scattered throughout the streets of Ascendancy City, rather than the common primers of the Radiant World.

Those ancient stone tablets that had once been disregarded were now being collected and moved to the various schools, creating small forests of stelae.

The inscriptions on the stelae were primarily narratives of past events, their characters weathered and worn, their styles varying from running to formal script, all displaying strength and vigor, distinct from the later calligraphic styles.

*A few scattered stones, ancient characters veiled in moss.*
*If not for the occasional passerby, who would bother to read them?*

In addition to literacy, the children at the schools also studied arithmetic and geography, with the latter course, compiled jointly by the Summer Palace and the Criminal Office lineage, introducing the mountains, rivers, and products of the Five Colors World.

As for *Explanation of Script and Analysis of Characters*, the compiler was Master Xu of Shaoling, hailed as the “Saint of Characters” in the Radiant World.

Furthermore, the selections from the Three Teachings were made with great deliberation by the Summer Palace. For example, only one book from Confucianism was used, *The Book of Rites*.

A separate excerpt from *Exhortation to Learning* was used, and the Summer Palace did not promote the scriptures and teachings of the Sage of Culture’s lineage simply because the old scholar was the Hidden Official’s teacher.

The Taoist text was *The Yellow Court Scripture*, while the Buddhist text was *The Surangama Sutra*.

Ultimately, all the schools shared a common purpose: to ensure that the children of Ascendancy City could read and write.

They did not need to know everything, but they could not be allowed to know nothing.

Chen Pingan casually asked, “Is truancy a common problem?”

Marquis Gaoye looked pained. “Yes, it is. The schools must assign several teachers to stand watch on certain streets, to drag them all back. Like catching chicks. The teachers keep snatching them up and the students keep running. It is a constant battle. It’s better now than it used to be. At first, the schools were empty, and nothing could make them want to read. The students and their parents seemed to think of studying to be a waste of time. The Ancestral Hall even held a special meeting about this. I was on the verge of suggesting that we pay them to go to school, paying a few coins to each child, which the Spring Treasury could certainly afford. Qi Shou advised me not to make such a suggestion.”

Chen Pingan shook his head. “Qi Shou was right, we cannot set such a precedent.”

Speaking of this, Marquis Gaoye became more animated, setting aside his wine, his face beaming as he spoke at length. “After two or three years, more children were willing to attend. However, this created a new problem. Children from the Great Elephant Street and the Jade Tablet Street would start brawls with their classmates from poorer neighborhoods. They would form gangs and fight. They found fighting to be more interesting than studying. The teachers would be reciting the classics, while the students were fighting. The teachers did not know what to do. During class, the students would set up a time and place to meet after school and fight. Every day, the teachers bemoaned their lot, saying that they could no longer teach. Aside from the schools, the students were free to fight without restraint, and they would meet after school to settle matters. The next day in class, they would be covered in bruises, both amusing and frustrating the teachers.”

“Speaking of this, we must thank Guo Zhujiu, who established a few rules for the children, a sort of code of conduct. If the gangs wanted to settle scores, they had to fight bare-handed. Also, those who had learned martial arts or boxing at home could not participate in the fighting but could act as commanders, responsible for leading troops. Before fighting, they had to deposit their schoolbags in the care of two of the children. No one could use the schoolbags as weapons, or the assigned enforcement officers would step in. Finally, any disputes had to be settled in the chosen location and not in the school. Otherwise, it would be unseemly, and not the way of true warriors.”

Chen Pingan suppressed a smile. “Zhujiu never mentioned this to me at Falling Phoenix Mountain.”

Marquis Gaoye chuckled. “Can you imagine it? Later on, more than a hundred schoolchildren would gather at the chosen battlefield, dividing into two sides, with the main force charging forth, with various flanking maneuvers, and even surprise attacks. They were using actual military strategy. Especially when it snowed, that was quite the spectacle, with all four schools from the vassal cities gathering in Ascendancy City, several hundred children crowded together in the Great Elephant Street, many still wearing open-crotch pants, all engaged in a snowball fight. Occasionally, a ‘city gate’ would be opened and a group of children would pour out to ambush the enemy.”

Chen Pingan asked, “Were there any little bastards who tried to pack stones into the snowballs?”

Marquis Gaoye was unable to respond, for it was true.

Marquis Gaoye rolled his eyes. “Some of those brats liked to slowly roll up their sleeves and trouser legs before a fight, copying someone else’s mannerisms.”

Chen Pingan burst into laughter.

A former Hidden Official of the Summer Palace, and the Money God of the Spring Treasury.

They were discussing children’s brawls, their faces animated, their laughter unrestrained.

Chen Pingan departed the Spring Treasury and arrived at Great Elephant Street as the sun was setting, gazing into the distance, bidding farewell to the birds in flight.

Ascendancy City was a city without walls.

Because they were not needed.

Accompanied by Xiaomo, he arrived before a mansion.

The Chen Residence of Great Elephant Street.

Here, a new dawn would rise, soon capturing the attention of the entire Five Colors World.

For the true master of this residence was none other than Chen Xi.

In the past, at the Sword Qi Great Wall, there had been much debate regarding the relative strength of the top sword immortals, particularly Dong Sangeng, Xiao Xun, Chen Xi, and Qi Tingji.

Chen Pingan, of course, was curious, so when the Old Sword Immortal visited the Summer Palace, he had asked. The Old Sword Immortal, who normally refrained from such rankings, had made an exception for the new Hidden Official, answering with a non-answer. Dong Sangeng possessed the greatest destructive force, Xiao Xun possessed the most and the best destiny flying swords, Qi Tingji was the most skilled in swordsmanship, and Chen Xi had the greatest insight into the sword path. Dong Sangeng was hindered by the severity of his injuries in his youth, Xiao Xun by his indecisiveness, Qi Tingji by his impurity, and Chen Xi by his relative physical weakness and his high-mindedness.

The boyish Chen Ji.

Before Chen Pingan could perform the greeting ceremony, Chen Ji waved his hand. “Spare me the formalities, lest we both feel awkward.”

The maid clasped her hands. “Chen Hui greets the Hidden Official.”

Chen Pingan clasped his hands in return, smiling. “Congratulations, Miss Chen, on reaching the Jade Purity Realm.”

If not for Chen Hui’s current station and realm, which were best kept secret, the Plum Blossom Garden outside Ascendancy City would have been her immortal residence.

Within the room, two sat, two stood.

Chen Pingan smiled as he introduced his companion. “Mo Sheng, who also goes by the name Joyous Candle. Just call him Xiaomo. A sword cultivator in the Ascendancy Realm, hails from the Wilderness World, slept in the moonlight for many years, has fought with Yuan Xiang, and has even clashed with the Grand Zenith and Zhu Yan.”

His meaning was that Mo Sheng was a pure sword cultivator with no grudges against the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Even Chen Hui, whose Dao Heart was steadfast, could not conceal her astonishment.

Only the young Hidden Official would speak such words. Otherwise, she would have dismissed it as a joke.

A remote sword cultivator who had lived for tens of thousands of years? Of the same generation as Dragon Lord Guanzhao, Yuan Xiang, and the rest?

Xiaomo saluted. “Xiaomo greets Sword Immortal Chen.”

Equally startled, Chen Ji stood up and clasped his hands. “I, Chen Xi, a sword cultivator from the Sword Qi Great Wall, am honored to meet you.”

Chen Pingan followed Chen Ji’s lead, rising and then sitting back down.

Chen Ji asked, “Shall I help you find a way to attend the council of the Ancestral Hall?”

Chen Pingan shook his head. “I can forgo it this time.”

Chen Ji did not insist, smiling. “Shall we not hold a banquet?”

Chen Pingan demurred. “It was too hasty. When I return next time, I will certainly hold a banquet.”

Chen Ji dismissed this. “Too hasty? What is hasty about it? It’s not appropriate to ask Ning Yao to mention it, after all. She’s still a woman. I find it strange that you’re not bold. Why are you being so hesitant about this? Even without a banquet, are you not going to finish cooking the rice?”

Chen Pingan was embarrassed, but the other man was an elder, and he didn’t want to say anything disrespectful.

Chen Ji shook his head, saying nothing more, as too much badgering would be annoying. He inquired about Chen Sanqiu. On hearing about Chen Sanqiu’s journey, Chen Ji appeared dissatisfied, remarking that he was “walking on watermelon rinds”. Chen Ji also asked about the cultivation of Dong Huafu, Yan Zhuo, and the younger generation such as Chen Li and Gao Youqing after leaving their homeland, which pleased him greatly.

Chen Ji asked, “How fares Qi Tingji’s Dragon Elephant Sword Sect?”

Chen Pingan smiled. “He has taken in over a dozen young swordsmen as disciples. Sect Leader Qi is currently stationed at a ferry crossing in the Wilderness World.”

“It has been difficult for him.”

Chen Ji mocked himself. “It seems that everyone changes.”

Chen Ji suddenly asked, “Do you think Qi Shou is suitable to be the city lord?”

Chen Pingan said, “We can watch for a few more years, at least until Qi Shou reaches the Immortal Realm. However, whether he is suitable is ultimately up to Qi Shou himself to decide.”

Chen Ji nodded, agreeing with the young Hidden Official’s sentiment.

The sword cultivators of Ascendancy City might not yet realize that the two people who most wanted Qi Shou to become the city lord were the two men in the room.

Chen Pingan hoped that Qi Shou would firmly grasp one of the vacant seats, so that Ning Yao would not be distracted.

Chen Ji, on the other hand, had no desire to become city lord, preferring to focus on surpassing his cultivation realm from his previous life.

However, it had been the Old Sword Immortal’s intention that Chen Ji serve as the first city lord. Only Chen Ji himself and the young Hidden Official knew this.

Chen Ji was afraid that Chen Pingan would use this to make Ning Yao’s life easier by bringing this “decree” up for debate in the Ancestral Hall.

Chen Ji then asked, “Should there be a quota for the number of enshrined elders and guest elders in Ascendancy City in the future?”

Chen Pingan thought for a moment. “In my personal opinion, the number should not exceed three-tenths of the Ancestral Hall’s membership.”

Chen Ji asked, “Should Ascendancy City arrange a chief enshrined elder for Deng Liang’s sect below Nine Capital Mountain after he leaves Ascendancy City?”

Chen Pingan shook his head. “There’s no need to keep an eye on it. The intent is too obvious, and it could create a hidden rift. If allowed to spread, it could become the root cause of the division between Ascendancy City and Deng Liang’s Lower Sect.”

Chen Ji smiled. “I think it’s better to be obvious, so as not to tempt people beyond their abilities. Ascendancy City has no time to placate people. Some people are too used to getting what they want.”

Chen Pingan smiled. “Since it’s not an urgent matter, should we discuss it later?”

Chen Ji nodded. “We can.”

After Chen Pingan and Xiaomo departed, Chen Ji resumed reading, while Chen Hui stood silently by his side. Having grown up in the Chen Residence, she was both a loyal retainer and an assassin.

Chen Ji asked, “What do you think?”

Chen Hui respectfully replied, “If I were to face him, I would have no chance of victory.”

Chen Ji laughed. “Do you know what a true genius is? There are two kinds: one is like Ning Yao, who easily surpasses Qi Shou and Marquis Gaoye by two realms, and the other is like Chen Pingan, Fei Ran, and Shou Chen. In an even fight, they will always remain undefeated.”

Chen Hui cautiously asked, “Master, how many Fourteenth Realm cultivators can the Five Colors World accommodate?”

Chen Ji gently turned a page, smiling. “It can accommodate many Fourteenth Realm cultivators, or just one. It all depends on the attitude of the number one person in the world.”

Under the cover of night, in a dilapidated alleyway, a small, dimly lit residence. Niang Xin, as second-in-command of the Criminal Office, had lived here all these years. Her identity remained a mystery. The only fact known to the public was that the master of martial affairs of the Hidden Frost Office was in charge of a jail. Her rank and position had long surpassed those of Elder Long.

Receiving a rare guest, Niang Xin opened the gate and brought Chen Pingan and a young cultivator in a yellow hat and green shoes into the main hall.

Chen Pingan took out his old pipe and began to puff smoke.

Niang Xin frowned. “What happened?”

She had expected that Chen Pingan would now be a Jade Purity Realm sword cultivator and a Layer 1 Returning True martial artist.

Chen Pingan explained, “I went to the Wilderness World and the price was high. My cultivation fell.”

Niang Xin nodded, asking no further questions.

A knock sounded on the door. Xiaomo went to open it and saw a hunched man, one hand carrying a jug of wine, the other hand holding an oiled-paper package of braised meat. Xiaomo smiled and saluted. “Enshrined Elder of Falling Phoenix Mountain, Mo Sheng, greets Mister Zheng. Please call me Xiaomo.”

The man looked embarrassed. “I feel like I have been caught in the act.”

Niang Xin turned to look at the doorway. Scowling, she said in a deep voice, “Zheng Dafeng, watch your tongue!”

Zheng Dafeng’s smile grew brighter. He nodded to Xiaomo, then strode into the courtyard, saying seriously, “Lord, I must explain. I don’t come here often, and I’m barely acquainted with Miss Niang Xin.”

After sitting down, Zheng Dafeng looked at the Lord who was puffing on a pipe and asked, “When did you pick up this habit?”

Chen Pingan smiled. “After visiting the Yang Apothecary.”

Zheng Dafeng put down the wine jug and the oily package, then waved his hand back and forth, shaking his head. “Your technique is far from perfect.”

He turned to Xiaomo and sincerely asked, “Xiaomo, it’s been so many years since we’ve seen each other, wouldn’t you like a drink?”

Chen Pingan wanted to tease him but then, with an odd look on his face, he forced himself to hold back.

Xiaomo immediately stood up, took the wine jug, and poured a bowl for Zheng Dafeng and himself, smiling. “It has indeed been many years.”

Xiaomo had taken only one glance at the doorway to recognize Zheng Dafeng’s double identities. In addition to being a gatekeeper for Falling Phoenix Mountain, long ago he had also been the gatekeeper of another place.

But the “Zheng Dafeng” from before was handsome and heroic, clad in a suit of “Great Frost Armor”.

Zheng Dafeng stepped on a long stool and asked, “Have you visited the Hidden Frost Palace?”

Chen Pingan nodded. “They are all good.”

Zheng Dafeng gave a soft hum. “Good, but just good. It is a shame. These kids are always oppressed by the swordsmen. Their martial intent has not truly risen. Even Jiang Yun, who has the best talent, thinks of himself as lesser. If this idea is not destroyed, it will continue to be a bottleneck. And the worst thing is, the bottleneck will not prevent them from breaking into the higher realms, making it difficult to lecture them. As their martial arts instructor, I cannot hold their heads and have them spar with those who hold themselves above the rest.”

If Chen Pingan, as a martial artist born and raised in the Sword Qi Great Wall, had not met Cui Cheng and had not practiced boxing in a bamboo building, he would find it impossible to overcome the same limitations.

But Chen Pingan was very satisfied with those young martial artists at the Hidden Frost Palace. The recognition came from his heart. He saw his past self in Jiang Yun, Yuan Zhaohua, and the others.

It was like a senior whose realm was high enough to see a junior whose talent was not enough. Although the junior did not boast, his eyes seemed to be repeating a sentence.

*I can definitely become a grand sword immortal, right?*

Chen Pingan found such “words” to be extremely moving.

Zheng Dafeng took a sip of wine, shivered immediately, sighed, and said slowly, “If they were in the Radiant World, then, with the exception of Jiang Yun, who may be blessed with some good fortune, all the rest of them would have