**The Law-Wielding Elder and the Young Grain**

Longming, the Law-Wielder of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, strolled idly along with Xiaomili, the small rice grain.

Meanwhile, Chen Ping’an walked with Jia Sheng, chuckling as he asked, “Are you settling into your new role?”

Jia Sheng immediately bowed deeply, filled with gratitude, “I am deeply honored by the Mountain Lord’s trust, fortunate to hold this position. I tread carefully, daring not to slacken or to overreach. I have decided upon a simple principle: to observe, listen, and smile much; to speak, act, and boast little. My cultivation is shallow, a mere Dragon Gate, unfit to aid the Phoenix Ferry in times of need, let alone to add gilded lilies. I seek only to avoid mistakes, to take things one step at a time, and contribute what little I can to Fallen Phoenix Mountain. I must not betray the Mountain Lord’s high hopes.”

Longming, Law-Wielder, and Wei Wenlong, God of Wealth, were only temporarily assisting at the Phoenix Ferry, awaiting the end of the sub-sect celebrations before returning to Fallen Phoenix Mountain.

As arranged by Cui Dongshan, the true managers of the ferry were Jia Sheng, responsible for greeting guests, and Zhang Jiazhen, the master of accounts.

The Phoenix Ferry traversed three continents, passing through seventeen docks in total. On this single continent of Tongye, there were seven docks, including Lingbi Mountain’s Wild Cloud Dock and Daquan’s Peach Leaf Dock.

To travel by Phoenix Ferry was to witness the grandeur of the land: to stand high in the void, spying upon the backs of birds; to roam the vast seas, counting the scales of dragons. It was as if an Imperial Son descended from the emerald heavens, to see countless green mountains bowing before a thatched hut.

Crossing the three continents of the Grand Unification World, from the Cloud Canopy Palace of the Great Source Dynasty in the far north to the Mountain-Driving Dock in the far south, Jia Sheng had met all manner of mountain immortals. Even Wei Yushong, God of Wealth from the White Bone Beach of the Hemp-Clothed Sect, now addressed him as “Brother Jia.” The fair maidens of the Everlasting Spring Palace in the Great Li capital called him “Daoist Jia,” warming the old immortal’s heart. Not to mention the five Great Mountain Lords of Treasure Bottle Continent: Wei Bo, Mountain Lord of the Northern Peak, was family, his Cloud-Cloaked Mountain famously sharing a bond with Fallen Phoenix Mountain. Jia Sheng had also become acquainted with Jin Qing, Mountain Lord of the Central Peak, and Fan Junmao, the Mountain Lady of the Southern Peak.

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Know much in your heart, speak little with your tongue.”

The old immortal Jia was startled, amazed, and sighed, his face a perfect accompaniment to his lament. “After all my rambling, I still cannot match the Mountain Lord’s wisdom. I, Jia Sheng, find managing the ferry a struggle, yet the Mountain Lord, with his tranquil nature and indifference to worldly affairs, is constrained only by the boundaries of the two mountains and two sects. Had he the desire, I believe the Mountain Lord could be the Fire Dragon True Man of Treasure Bottle Continent or the Talisman Immortal Yu of Tongye Continent, and all would follow.”

Chen Ping’an ignored this flattery and changed the subject, “Where is Bai Xuan?”

Jia Sheng stroked his beard and smiled softly, “He’s on the ship, in seclusion, or he would have rushed to greet the Mountain Lord. Compared to Fallen Phoenix Mountain, our little Hidden Official now trains with his sword with much more diligence, perhaps driven by a desire not to be outpaced by Sun Chunwang. Mountain Lord, I eagerly await the future of Fallen Phoenix Mountain and Immortal Capital Mountain a century from now. The mere thought of being a part of it fills me with pride. Any hardships of travel are nothing, especially since we travel in comfort on the Phoenix Ferry. To speak of toil and hardship would be boastful.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “Though the work is not abundant, the effort is great. The Law-Wielding Elder sees it all, I’m sure.”

Jia Sheng was silent for a long while, muttering, “What virtue or ability do I possess, to witness the Mountain Lord?”

These words were not flattery, but a sincere sentiment from the depths of his heart.

Early wisdom and late fortune were two great blessings in life.

One relied on the good deeds of past lives; the other, on the virtuous acts of this one.

Chen Ping’an asked, “What do you think of Wang Ji, the jade tablet sect offering at the Mountain-Driving Dock, and Xu Xie, the guest of the Liu Clan on Snow White Continent?”

Jia Sheng carefully chose his words, “Wang Ji is a Confucian scholar, with a strong and straightforward character. The great swordsman Xu seems aloof and unapproachable, but possesses a warm heart. He does not easily make friends, but those he considers friends can entrust their lives to him.”

Wang Ji was not raised by the Jade Tablet Sect. He had once been the harshest critic of Jiang Shangzhen in Tongye Continent, yet he had become an offering of the Jade Tablet Sect. It was said that the current sect leader, Wei Ying, had personally invited Wang Ji to Nine Chess Peaks.

Xu Xie, known as “Lord Xu,” was a Great Swordsman from Golden Armor Continent, guarding the Mountain-Driving Dock for the Liu Clan. At the age of two hundred, during a high-level council in his homeland’s northern battlefield, the old Ascension, Wan Yan Lao Jing, secretly allied with Wenhai’s Zhou Mi, suddenly launched a violent attack. If Xu Xie had not drawn his sword first, together with a Golden Armor Continent martial artist, the casualties among the Earth Immortals would have doubled, devastating the battlefield and potentially engulfing neighboring Flowing Haze Continent.

Chen Ping’an said, “I will introduce you to a Taoist master from Dragon-Tiger Mountain. This elder will also attend our sect celebration.”

Jia Sheng bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude, then asked curiously, “Is it a Yellow-Purple Noble from the Celestial Master’s Mansion?”

With the Mountain Lord’s current status, knowing a Yellow-Purple Noble was nothing. He might have even met and conversed with the current Grand Celestial Master, as fellow Daoists.

Chen Ping’an smiled slightly, “After the Fire Dragon True Man stepped down, this elder took on the mantle of Grand Celestial Master, though he is not a member of the Zhang Clan. His name is Liang Shuang. The elder prefers solitude and dislikes noise, so his name and Daoist title are not widely known in the Central Earth Continent. Master Liang once performed a great feat in Tongye Continent that is now only whispered on the peaks. He and the previous Grand Celestial Master were old friends, so the current Celestial Master treats him with the respect due an elder.”

Jia Sheng’s Daoist heart trembled. He stopped, bowed deeply, and intoned, “Boundless Life and Blessings, Heavenly Venerable.”

Jia Sheng cultivated the Way of Thunder, though his family’s thunder magic, compared to the orthodox Five Thunders Dharma of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, barely qualified as a side path. Meeting a Grand Celestial Master of Dragon-Tiger Mountain was of great significance to the blind old Daoist, far beyond mere reputation.

Jia Sheng steadied himself and chuckled, “Mountain Lord, when Sword Immortal Mi achieves his breakthrough, Fallen Phoenix Mountain will astound others once more.”

A Sword Immortal in the Immortal Realm would be famed throughout the Nine Continents. Wei Ying, leader of the Jade Tablet Sect in Tongye Continent, and Bai Chang, the foremost figure of the Northern Lands in Northern Dipper Continent, were both at that level.

Chen Ping’an teased, “Then we can no longer tease Sword Immortal Mi.”

Jia Sheng chuckled, a hint of regret in his voice.

After parting with Jia Sheng, Chen Ping’an changed course, not heading to Zhang Jiazhen’s counting house.

Jiang Qu was deeply engrossed in a booklet filled with talismans and writing. It was a collection of talisman secrets written by the old True Man Huan Yun, the chief offering of Cloud City. This booklet represented Huan Yun’s life’s work, likely not even shared with his own disciples.

Hearing a knock, Jiang Qu opened the door in surprise to find the Hidden Official.

Having been at Fallen Phoenix Mountain for many years, he had few opportunities to speak privately with the Hidden Official, who was often away.

Chen Ping’an sat down and asked the young Qi cultivator from Rain Cape Alley in Sword Qi Great Wall about his progress in talisman practice.

As the only talisman cultivator on Fallen Phoenix Mountain, Jiang Qu’s formal Daoist ground was at Ashy Mist Mountain. Chen Ping’an had given him a hand-copied edition of “The Book of Divine Traces,” the first volume.

Jiang Qu felt ashamed, and said truthfully, “I have only learned the first three beginner talismans from ‘Traces,’ and have yet to master them. I can barely produce a rough approximation, still far from the ‘minor success’ described by Huan True Man in the booklet.”

Jiang Qu dared not conceal anything about his cultivation, especially before the Hidden Official, for whom there was no need for pretense.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “All beginnings are difficult.”

On the table was a stack of yellow paper talismans drawn by Jiang Qu. Chen Ping’an picked up the one on top, a familiar Yang Energy Lamp-Raising Talisman. It was one of the talismans he had used most often during his long journeys.

Chen Ping’an lightly flicked his fingers, and the talisman paper dissipated, leaving only a floating crimson talisman drawing. With a twist of his wrist and a gentle push, the talisman, no larger than his palm, transformed into a towering “Great Talisman,” standing like a deity within the room.

Chen Ping’an stood up and approached the talisman, followed by Jiang Qu.

Chen Ping’an pointed to a crimson line, “See here? It is noticeably skewed. You tried too hard to complete the talisman in one breath, causing problems with the regulation of spiritual Qi, leading to exhaustion and a faltering of the talisman path, resulting in this subtle deviation. A thousand-mile dike is destroyed by an anthill. A cultivator must be aware of such things. In the Way of Talismans, one must have an eye and a mind that sees Sumeru in a mustard seed, and a mustard seed in Sumeru.”

“And here, at the junction of these horizontal and vertical lines, there is a problem. Though it doesn’t prevent you from drawing the talisman, this place is considered a clash of mountains and rivers, which will diminish the talisman’s Qi. Once activated, the talisman’s power will be greatly reduced. In a Daoist contest, the flaw will be easily exploited, making it difficult to sustain.”

Chen Ping’an pointed out each flaw, where to immediately correct and what to improve later, in great detail. Jiang Qu listened attentively, remembering each word.

Chen Ping’an then joined his fingers and drew an identical Yang Energy Lamp-Raising Talisman in the air, without brush or ink. As the talisman formed, golden light filled the room.

Chen Ping’an condensed it into a golden talisman and gently pushed it towards Jiang Qu, smiling, “Compare it to yours when you draw talismans in the future. When you reach the Middle Five Realms, I will ask an old immortal for a talisman that held a mountain aloft for centuries, as a gift. Of course, it will not be the true talisman, but a rubbing, far removed from its divine essence.”

Chen Ping’an said slowly, “Heaven and man together experience the true Dharma, heaven drapes patterns and man enacts them. The sages of old followed the Great Way, divided yin and yang, determined cause and effect, and established Heaven and Earth to govern all. The Way of Talismans, in a sense, is like the history and calendar of a dynasty. Not only for talisman cultivators, the path of climbing the mountains is to use the human body as a small world, connecting to the vast world outside. The Immortal Yu, famed as the master of all talismans, stated in the preface to a widely circulated talisman book, ‘The round head follows heaven, the feet follow earth, the eyes follow sun and moon, the limbs follow the four seasons, the five organs follow the five elements, the nine orifices follow the nine continents. Hence, the ancients said, man has many forms, all following heaven.'”

Chen Ping’an, having drawn countless talismans, shared his insights without reservation. “Ancient sayings speak of mountains, rivers, and stars. The essence of mountains and rivers ascends to become stars, corresponding to their territories and dividing them into countries, all manifesting as spiritual talismans. Heaven has four limits to maintain the spirit, earth has waterways and seas to bring forth drawings and books. Mountains, rivers, and stars are the best and largest talismans in the eyes of a talisman cultivator, the true ‘Daoist Books and Talismans,’ awaiting those with affinity, who may take what they need, practice their methods, and prove their Way. Jiang Qu, think: the winding mountain ranges are strokes of immortal talismans; the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper hang in the sky for millennia, a complete talisman drawing.”

“If these are mere words, let us see for ourselves.”

Chen Ping’an suddenly said, “Jiang Qu, stand still, focus your mind, and steady your form!”

Giving Jiang Qu little time to compose himself, Chen Ping’an swiftly struck his shoulder. Jiang Qu felt himself drifting backwards, but was shocked to see his own back, unmoving, before him. A separation of mind and body? A primordial spirit wandering? According to mountain lore, those who could form a clear golden elixir could send their primordial spirit on distant journeys. When a nascent soul was birthed, the form and spirit would unite, growing stronger, becoming a shadow of the sun god.

Just as Jiang Qu stopped, Chen Ping’an gently pushed his forehead, sending him sliding back several steps.

Then Chen Ping’an flicked his sleeve. The “Jiang Qu” who no longer knew who he was stood in the void, between heaven and earth.

Beneath Jiang Qu’s feet was a map of the Nine Continents. Above, the starry sky, with stars small as mustard seeds, seemed within reach.

Chen Ping’an joined his fingers and touched the center of “Jiang Qu’s” brow, as if opening a celestial eye.

Then, reaching out, he grasped the thousands of rivers of the earth like strings. He summoned the starry sky, and with a flick of his sleeve, the stars and rivers flowed into “Jiang Qu,” becoming mountains and Qi grounds, channels and rivers, within his personal small world.

After a moment, seeing that Jiang Qu’s Daoist heart was not strong enough to sustain the vision and that he was lost within it, Chen Ping’an gently pulled back his spirit and soul, reuniting them with his body.

When Jiang Qu regained his senses, he was drenched in sweat, swaying. Chen Ping’an steadied him, preventing him from falling.

Guiding one’s disciples was like how Wu Shuangjiang treated the disciples of Year-End Palace.

The method of imparting the Dao was borrowed from Liu Jinglong.

Chen Ping’an had Jiang Qu sit down to steady his mind, smiling, “Walking ten thousand miles can be divided into two types: traveling abroad and cultivating the small world within the body. By practicing this way, cultivating both internal and external, small and large, with lofty ambitions and grounded feet, I believe you will one day draw your own unique talismans.”

Jiang Qu wiped the sweat from his forehead, embarrassed. “I dare not think of it.”

“You must think of it.”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and chuckled, “What future can a talisman cultivator have if he does not even dream of drawing some ‘Great Talismans’?”

Jiang Qu grinned and nodded vigorously.

Chen Ping’an retrieved a long wooden box from his sleeve and placed it on the table, smiling, “The box contains ten cinnabar inkstones, all for you, engraved with auspicious words like ‘Heaven Drapes Luminous Stars,’ written by Earth Immortals, full of spiritual Qi. Thank Xiaomo, who bought them for you at a city market while visiting the Five Color Heavens. He bought this set of Yuanling cinnabar ink, thinking of you. They thought Xiaomo was a Sword Immortal from Ascension City, and wanted to curry favor.”

Jiang Qu was embarrassed, and said softly, “Why does Senior Xiaomo always give such valuable gifts?”

Chen Ping’an joked, “Because his realm is high and his pockets are deep, so his only hobby is thinking about who needs what. I have tried to persuade him to stop, but it’s useless.”

Paper and cinnabar were essential for drawing talismans, divided into two categories: cinnabar and soot ink, gold powder and silver powder, all of which cost money.

Cinnabar was an ingredient for immortal elixirs and was used by emperors for reviewing decrees. In the eyes of cultivators, red was the purest color of Yang, capable of warding off evil. Cinnabar ink was said to have a divine connection and a solid form. Because cinnabar rhymed with “诛杀” (zhusha), meaning “to execute,” the higher the quality of cinnabar, the better it worked for exorcising demons.

Cinnabar came from many places, but Yuanling’s cinnabar was considered the best. Ink made from it was said to be scarlet truth text, often used by rulers to bless mountain spirits.

Chen Ping’an stood up and chuckled, “Let’s go mooch off the accountant Zhang.”

Besides Fallen Phoenix Mountain’s God of Wealth, Wei Wenlong, the Phoenix Ferry’s accountant was the uncultivated Zhang Jiazhen.

Jiang Qu and Zhang Jiazhen were from the same town and were of the same age, but one had become a cultivator and the other remained a mortal scholar, so they now looked a decade apart.

When they arrived at the counting house, Zhang Jiazhen smiled and asked, “Hidden Official, Jiang Qu, do you want wine or tea?”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “Tea will do. Wine can lead to mistakes. Accounting is a delicate task, not poetic inspiration. Wine can aid talent in that.”

Zhang Jiazhen nodded, “Wait a moment, I will boil water for tea.”

The room had tea leaves, pre-rain tea, roasted by the grand housekeeper Zhu Lian, stored in tin cans.

A stove stood in the corner, with a bag of wood charcoal. Zhang Jiazhen skillfully lit the stove, indicating he drank tea often.

There was also a large brazier under the table, warming his feet.

Jiang Qu looked on with a complex expression.

If he were to boil water for guests, he could use a simple fire talisman, its spiritual cost negligible.

He remembered Zhu Lian telling him while they were working together as carpenters, “Knowing what cannot be changed, and accepting it, is the height of virtue.”

These words were for Jiang Qu, but not praise.

If not for Zhu Lian’s reminder, Jiang Qu would have felt alienated from Zhang Jiazhen.

Zhu Lian’s words, “Why can the Mountain Lord treat Zhang Jiazhen with an ordinary heart, but you cannot?” had shocked him.

The principle was clear.

But today, following the Hidden Official here, seeing the simple counting house and the self-possessed Zhang Jiazhen, he understood something more.

Xiaomo had also brought Zhang Jiazhen a gift, which Chen Ping’an placed on the table. Zhang Jiazhen tried to refuse, but accepted it.

Chen Ping’an drank his tea, flipping through the account books, and told them about the situation in Ascension City. Both Zhang Jiazhen and Jiang Qu were eager to hear news of their hometown.

Closing the book, Chen Ping’an looked up and asked with a smile, “Do you regret coming to the Grand Unification World with me?”

Jiang Qu and Zhang Jiazhen exchanged glances and smiled.

Chen Ping’an left alone. Jiang Qu remained in the room. Zhang Jiazhen refilled his tea, and said softly, “If you need money for cultivation, tell me. I will never use all of my wages, anyway. It is just sitting in the books, gaining a small amount of interest, and will not help you much. It’s just my feelings.”

Jiang Qu looked at Zhang Jiazhen’s sincere eyes and nodded, “We are so close, no need to be polite.”

Then Jiang Qu joked, “Lending money is harder than borrowing it, did you learn that from the Hidden Official?”

Zhang Jiazhen smiled, but didn’t reply.

Jiang Qu hesitated, and asked, “Zhang Jiazhen, don’t you have any long-term plans?”

The accountant was not a cultivator or a martial artist.

Understanding Jiang Qu’s meaning, Zhang Jiazhen nodded and smiled, “Yes, I have already spoken with Mister Zhu. I want to see if there is a chance to become a mountain god.”

Jiang Qu was surprised. After thinking about it, he slowly said, “Zhang Jiazhen, do you know how difficult it is for a mortal scholar to become a mountain god? Even with imperial recognition, it would be easier for ghosts or spirits. A living person would have to endure a withering body and tormented soul. Cultivators would be fine, but even martial artists might not be able to bear it. Failure means the soul shatters, with no next life!”

Zhang Jiazhen poured himself tea, “Do you remember the medicine from the Yang family pharmacy? It’s being controlled by the Great Li Dynasty, but it wouldn’t be hard for us to get some.”

That medicine eliminated pain and kept the mind clear.

Zhang Jiazhen continued, “Mister Zhu told me that becoming a mountain god is just the first step. There are two more gates to pass. But even if I cannot pass all three, I can retreat. At worst, I can remain as a spirit or ghost on Fallen Phoenix Mountain, but getting an imperial decree for me would be difficult. It would be like building a vulgar shrine to me. Even with a shrine and golden statue, it would not be a pure gold body, and receiving incense would be restricted. But that is the worst case, so don’t worry.”

Simply put, for a mortal to achieve a golden body and become a god was incredibly hard.

Zhang Jiazhen smiled, “The Hidden Official must know this, but has never mentioned it to me. Jiang Qu, what do you think that means?”

Jiang Qu realized that the Hidden Official must believe it was possible.

Jiang Qu chuckled, “You’re much smarter now, Zhang Jiazhen.”

Zhang Jiazhen pointed at the account books, “Could a fool be an accountant?”

Chen Ping’an found Xiaomo at Xiaomili’s house. Chai Wu and Sun Chunwang were there. Chai Wu would come here for a drink when he wasn’t cultivating.

Fallen Phoenix Mountain’s Right Guardian’s house had a cabinet, made by Sword Immortal Mi, filled with jars of wine for Chai Wu.

Xiaomo was teaching Daoist arts and sword techniques to the two young girls.

They were both talented, and learned quickly.

Chen Ping’an sat on a long bench with Xiaomili, eating melon seeds.

Xiaomo was worried that his cultivation methods might differ from the current Daoist arts. To avoid misleading them, Xiaomo taught them an ancient language.

Xiaomo was teaching an ancient method of cultivating the mind. His teachings differed from the current Daoist sayings. He referred to the throat as the Twelve Heavy Towers above the Crimson Palace of the Heart. Each of the five organs had its own method of refining and the body’s fluids must mingle. Xiaomo had the two girls guide a trace of spiritual Qi, which resembled a martial artist’s pure Qi, from top to bottom, and visualize ancient gods with different responsibilities, descending from heaven to patrol the mortal realm.

Xiaomo alone could teach such ancient methods.

When the two girls visualized the different gods, an extraordinary aura rose from them.

Chen Ping’an knew he would have needed months of practice to achieve that kind of effect when he was their age.

Xiaomili covered her mouth and whispered to the Mountain Lord, “I don’t understand a word, what should I do?”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “It’s an ancient language, it’s normal to not understand.”

In Ascension City, Chen Ping’an had obtained hand-copied versions of several sword manuals from Questioning Sword Tower. Sun Chunwang was from Sword Qi Great Wall, and Xiaomili was Ning Yao’s disciple, so it was not a violation of rules.

When they entered a state of “stillness in motion becomes truth,” Xiaomo looked at his master.

Chen Ping’an nodded, signaling that it was time to move.

Taking Xiaomili outside, Chen Ping’an stood at the bow of the ship.

After a moment, rumbling thunder echoed from the clouds. As the “uninvited guest” neared the Phoenix Ferry, it became silent: Chen Ping’an’s sword, Night Wanderer.

Chen Ping’an stroked Xiaomili’s head, smiling, “I will be back soon.”

Xiaomili nodded obediently.

Chen Ping’an transformed into streaks of sword light and rushed hundreds of miles away from the Phoenix Ferry. When he reformed, he was wearing a cyan robe.

Xiaomo followed behind.

Under the blazing sun, several celestial masters overlooked the mortal realm from a celestial ferry.

A streak of sword light, accompanied by thunder, flashed past hundreds of feet away.

The celestial ferry was like a boat tossed about by waves.

When they turned, the sword light and cyan figure were gone.

In a kingdom’s capital, a heavy rain fell, darkening the day.

A streak of light tore open the dark clouds, shining sunlight upon the world.

A river flowed from east to west. As the cyan figure flashed past, a trench appeared on the surface of the river, revealing the riverbed.

At a celestial dwelling, the sharp-eyed cultivators discovered a speck of light appearing from afar, then rushing at their mountain.

The sword light scattered, circling the mountain, and reforming as a streak of light, leaving thunder echoing across the heavens.

The sword light stopped, revealing a figure with a sword on his back.

Chen Ping’an looked up. It seemed empty, but it was actually complicated. Only the Sage and the Rite Saint could find this place easily.

The Nine Fortifying Towers were used by the Temple of Literature to anchor the Qi of a continent.

The Tongye Continent’s tower was called Demon Suppression Tower, which was a paulownia tree.

The last visitors had been Wenhai’s Zhou Mi, Fei Ran, and She Yue.

Fei Ran and She Yue had witnessed a “part of the truth” about the Demon Suppression Tower. Zhou Mi had tested its mountain-and-river barrier, but had not tried to enter it.

Zhou Mi had said that the Lotus Nun would die, though sooner than he had expected.

She Yue was the “previous moon,” more rightful than the Lotus Nun. However, She Yue was not the Moon Lord. Xin Zhuang often chatted with She Yue, because Xin Zhuang’s Daoist form had been a Moon Palace goddess.

In ancient times, there had been many moons. She Yue was a minister. If not for She Yue being sent to Treasure Bottle Continent, Zhou Mi would have taken her to the new heavenly court.

Chen Ping’an took a deep breath and squinted. Layers of colored glaze rippled like water, warning him.

The site opposed and suppressed the great demons he carried.

Chen Ping’an lowered his head.

It seemed his host did not want to see him, and he would be turned away.

Forceful entry was unacceptable.

Then Xiaomo appeared, revealing two longswords. He looked up and smiled, “Is this how you treat an old friend? Don’t blame me for being disrespectful.”