The heavens and earth, a timeless embrace. Gaze upon them inverted, and behold the celestial river ablaze with starlight, mirrored below in the myriad lamps of mortal homes. The land, with its mountains and streams, becomes an intricate, inverted canopy, a cosmic *zaojing*.

A flash of steel, and Chen Ping’an’s hand snatched a messenger-sword from the air. Reading its missive, he chuckled. “Better late than never, I suppose.”

Xie the Second knew her Mountain Lord well. “Struck gold, have we?”

Chen Ping’an passed the sealed message to Xie Gou, nodding. “You could say that. Good fortune comes in pairs.”

News had arrived from the hastily formed Ancestral Hall of Yunyan Kingdom, a boon unexpected. The tireless excavation of the Great Canal, a project where many forces moved mountains and diverted rivers, had borne fruit. A vassal state of the ancient Yu Dynasty, by chance, had stumbled upon the remains of a terrestrial Dragon Palace, its grandeur almost rivalling that of the Four Seas Dragon Palaces of three thousand years past. Within lay groves of millennial coral, treasures beyond measure. A natural reliquary, capable of adorning countless spiritual artifacts, even serving as a sword rack beyond compare, its myriad uses defied understanding.

Such wealth could not remain unclaimed, and the destiny of this unearthed Dragon Palace was a matter of much speculation.

Xie Gou, after reading the letter penned by Master Zhong himself, roared with laughter. “Without those muckrakers from Qingrang, the luck of Willow Leaf Continent truly turns!”

Then, with a shrewdness befitting her station, she asked, “Did the pact we forged with the Jade Decree Sect cover this contingency? Was there a prearranged plan for such a discovery?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “Of course. We needed a framework agreeable to all. Lest greed stir hearts, and the talk of coin become a breach of camaraderie. The nations within whose borders such ancient sites lie, be they blessed grotto-heavens or forgotten sanctums, receive two-tenths of the spoils. It is their ancestral right. Should such a place lie within the clearly defined lands of a celestial sect, they too claim two-tenths. In truth, Chief Cui felt that granting two-tenths was a generous gesture, leaving the division of those spoils to the nations and sects themselves. The Yao family of Great Spring and the Ye family of Mount Pu refused. The Jade Decree Sect sought to contend, but upon seeing the Green Plume Sword Sect’s acquiescence, they relented. As for the remainder, it shall be divided amongst the Green Plume Sword Sect, the Jade Decree Sect, and the Yao family of Great Spring, in proportion to their investment. Of course, any nation or sect may sell their share, seeking a buyer for ready coin.”

Xie Gou grinned, her 山主’s spirits always lifted by the prospect of profit.

Rubbing her hands together, she asked, “If we were to ‘open the gates’ of this Dragon Palace, could we not secure a larger portion?”

Chen Ping’an smiled knowingly. His Second-in-Command was ever vigilant in matters of wealth.

For the geomantic wards of a Dragon Palace are the most intricate and difficult to unravel in all ruins and hidden realms. The Yu Dynasty, fearing cataclysm, dared not act rashly, lest they trigger earth tremors and other disasters. Therefore, no precise valuation could yet be given.

Hermits, having attained enlightenment but resigned to the impossibility of further progress, often created dojos, unwilling to see their lineage extinguished. They either hoped for a worthy successor to carry on their teachings or, with a flicker of hope, awaited reincarnation, that their reborn self might one day return, renew their connection, and ascend to cultivation anew. Success would spare their “future self” much hardship. Such unclaimed dojos invariably left clues, preventing utter despair.

In contrast, Dragon Palaces, both grand and humble, were universally regarded as treasure troves, their contents intended for burial. History teemed with tales of unintended consequences, where the unauthorized opening of a Dragon Palace led to geomantic upheavals and widespread devastation.

Even the might of the Great Li Dynasty hesitated to meddle with the Dragon Palace where Bai Deng hid, were it not for Chen Ping’an’s presence and Lu Shen’s skill in clearing the way.

Chen Ping’an said, “I doubt it will be our task. Feng Xuetao and the Young Daoist are both in the capital.”

One, a nominal patron of the Jade Decree Sect, the other a notorious braggart. These two Ascendants were the ideal candidates to navigate the Dragon Palace’s many barriers.

In truth, another Ascendant would be more suited, but Yang Zhi, who used the alias Jing Xing and served as the Yao Imperial Family’s patron, had already departed the capital. Xie Gou’s recent appearance on the Yunyan Kingdom’s border had startled the great demon, prompting him to retreat.

The calculation was simple. Little Mo and Bai Jing combined, and even with Zhu Yan’s aid, Yang Zhi could only flee, hoping to escape with his life.

At that moment, a vast surge of Dao Qi soared from the direction of Southern Bosuo Continent, radiant with multi-coloured light. A vortex of purple and gold formed in the heavens, from which a single ray of gold arose.

Ethereal celestial music, the chime of jade bells, the scattering of celestial blossoms, and the descent of blessed officials filled the air.

Another had achieved ascension.

In the Daoist’s dojo, thousands of disciples, gazing up at the wondrous spectacle, were enraptured.

As the enlightened one returned to the mountain dojo, they stirred from their reverie, shouting in unison, to congratulate their patriarch’s ascension.

Chen Ping’an, relying on his Qi Observation, could only discern the general phenomenon.

Xie Gou, by some secret art, watched with rapt attention.

Wonders abounded, portents appeared. Auspicious omens and opportunities for spiritual enrichment bloomed like mushrooms after rain.

Xie Shi, the Celestial Monarch of Northern Ju-lu Continent, ascended upon a phoenix.

Cao Rong, Lu Shen’s disciple, achieved daylight ascension upon the sea.

Fu Qi of Old Dragon City, upon emerging from seclusion, joined the ranks of the Immortals.

On Willow Leaf Continent, the nun Huang Ting, who had recently returned to the Radiant World, broke through unexpectedly, unhindered by any bottleneck, becoming a Daoist Yuanjun.

Xie Gou murmured, seemingly without cause, “Unrequited love is like a toothache.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Another saying from Old Chef?”

Xie Gou reproached him. “Show some respect for Old Zhu, won’t you? Don’t call him ‘Old Chef’ all the time.”

Chen Ping’an laughed. “You needn’t beat around the bush. If you and Little Mo wish to become Daoist partners, I would be delighted. I will help in any way I can.”

Xie Gou beamed, her smile as fawning as it was canine, raising a fist in salute. “Master Zhu says that when it comes to matters of the heart, Shan主 is a hidden grandmaster. Has it all figured out!”

Chen Ping’an chuckled. “Senior Xiancha believes that nonsense, and you believe it too?”

Back on Cassia Island, the young Chen Ping’an, in a rare moment of unbridled boasting, had thoroughly bamboozled Gu Qingsong.

Xie Gou asked, “Is Shan主 afraid of the Master of Azure Cloud Grotto?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Of course, I have respect for her. Besides, as Shan主, I must consider Wei Xian and the others. So I must restrain myself when speaking or acting.”

Xie Gou said, “Worried they’ll be used as puppets? Then just say so! Little Mo is there, and the Azure Cloud Daoist will surely give you face. Or is Shan主 too proud to ask for help?”

Chen Ping’an said, “If it were that simple, I would have spoken up long ago. What’s face worth? But the problem is that Old Guan may not accept it. It would seem like taking advantage of her kindness, and I fear it would backfire.”

Xie Gou nodded. “That’s true. The Azure Cloud Daoist is a bit eccentric.”

She neither took disciples nor taught the Dao, remaining solitary with few confidantes.

When the Savage World launched its great offensive against the Radiant World, amid the chaos, she stayed put.

Yet, once peace returned to the Radiant World, she chose to venture into the turbulent Azure Clarity World.

Why? Was her Dao force too strong? Was she deliberately diminishing her cultivation for amusement?

There was another crucial reason. The Azure Cloud Daoist seemed to have a rather high opinion of Shan主.

Xie Gou suggested, “Shan主, we’re bored anyway. Why not hop over to the next mountain and bum some wine?”

Chen Ping’an said, “There’s nothing to talk about with them. It would just be boring.”

But Xie Gou had already dispelled the concealment, and Chen Ping’an allowed it, refraining from casting spells to hide their presence.

Those on the neighboring peak were instantly wary, for who wouldn’t be unnerved by the sudden appearance of two strangers in the wilderness?

Xie Gou unfurled a ribbon of shimmering colors, ten feet long, from her sleeve. It flew towards the neighboring peak, stretching like a rainbow bridge. The girl in the sable cap walked upon it, a radiant smile on her face, cupping her fists in greeting. “Fear not, fellow Daoists! My senior brother and I are upright and righteous individuals.”

She had rehearsed her story: She was a prodigy from an obscure sect, travelling with her senior brother to seek out kindred spirits and vanquish demons. Their journey had been fruitful.

Storytelling, who didn’t know how?

“Sigh, where’s Shan主?”

The others saw the strange girl abruptly stomp her foot and, having reached only halfway, turn and flee, retrieving her exquisite ribbon, crying anxiously, “Senior brother, wait for me!”

She possessed a natural intuition, akin to the Buddhist divine eye, capable of perceiving the true forms, Dharma bodies, and myriad manifestations of great cultivators.

The fleeting glimpse of a blurry figure in green on the neighboring peak had shaken her Dao Heart.

The sixteen-armed goddess-like figure, exuding a terrifying savage aura, had left her breathless.

And before the girl in the sable cap turned away, she had glanced at her, nodding with a knowing smile.

Catching up with Shan主, now a hundred *li* away, Xie Gou said, “A passable seedling for cultivation, though her fate is wanting. She has no chance to enter the sect world’s renowned organizations.”

Xie Gou’s “passable” meant, without doubt, at least Earth Immortal-level. She had overheard their mountain talk, and their revered senior immortals and respected elders were only Golden Core cultivators. The unattainable geniuses were merely Sea Observation realm.

Xie Gou possessed many forms. The sable-capped girl was but one, a form of self-repression.

Another was the form she took against the Ghost Immortal Zheng Dan on the Sword Qi Great Wall. Bai Jing often manifested this form in ancient times.

The third form, seen by the female cultivator tonight, was more akin to Xie Gou’s Dharma body. The fourth, of course, was Xie Gou’s true demonic form.

There was also a perfected state that Xie Gou revealed only in mortal combat.

Even Little Mo, a sword-seeker who loved to challenge the strong, could only flee to the Treasurefall Shoal to avoid Bai Jing.

Old Blind’s discerning eye held Bai Jing in high regard.

Chen Ping’an asked, “The female cultivator sitting on the ivory mat?”

Xie Gou shook her head. “The freckled one, the one who flattered the other.”

Chen Ping’an recalled their encounter by the river and the aloofness of the turquoise-sleeved, yellow-crowned fairy, wryly commenting, “I am wont to judge by appearances.”

Xie Gou asked, “Shall I inform Chief Cui and ask him to keep an eye on her?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “You may.”

On the mountains, one need not change their registry to cultivate in another dojo. Just as the female cultivator with the hairpin registry from Turtleback Isle could cultivate in Lotus Root Blessed Land, or assist on the Dragon Boat Overturned Ink or Buffalo Horn Package Shop, similar to “secondment” in officialdom. Those who had the opportunity of these experiences were often carefully nurtured disciples from small sects, treated with courtesy by the great celestial residences, who willingly aided them in their advancement. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, and the latter would, in future cultivation, regard the former as half a maternal home.

Yu Xuan’s willingness to send Ding Daoist and the others to Falling Petal Mountain was a prime example.

Then there was the Grandmaster Wen of the Spirit Fly Palace, who arrived huffily and stayed delightfully.

Wen Zixi now treated Falling Petal Mountain as his own.

It was unclear what Wen Zixi was thinking. Falling Petal Mountain didn’t pay him a salary. He was constantly targeted by Zheng Dafeng for his goods, and he owed a fortune. Yet Wen Zixi had “repaid evil with virtue”, spending much effort to meticulously compile a boxing manual, which he foisted upon the martial arts children, claiming it was a beginner’s manual, the most fundamental of foundations. If they couldn’t even learn this, they were not fit to practice martial arts.

He also suggested to Zheng Dafeng that the children of Oriole Peak and Flower Shadow Peak should spar, engaging in two brawls a month. With him overseeing, at most, they would suffer minor injuries and would not harm their foundation. Whether they had learned any boxing or grasped any immortal arts in the Fishleap Mountain, their abilities should be tested. Zheng Dafeng, as the Master of Oriole Peak, accepted all of his suggestions. Xie Gou, as the Chief Instructor of Flower Shadow Peak, did not object, but secretly instructed Gan Yiban to give the eight slow-learning children some quick-learning methods.

As a result, the Flower Shadow Peak’s cultivation geniuses were utterly defeated by the ruthless and well-coordinated martial arts geniuses.

Chief Instructor Xie, feeling humiliated, came out to clear her head.

Gan Tang, who regarded his temporary work on Fishleap Mountain as a hardship, directly built a thatched hut on Flower Shadow Peak and no longer returned to the Sword-Worship Terrace.

Zheng Dafeng personally cooked three tables of celebration feast, asking them if it was fun to beat up the Qi Refiners. Wen Zixi reminded them not to be arrogant in victory and not to be discouraged in defeat, placing emphasis on “defeat not discouraged”. The children laughed. Zheng Dafeng and Brother Wen clinked glasses, saying that half the credit for the victory belonged to Brother Wen. It turned out that Wen Zixi had put much effort into this seemingly playful match, helping to draw detailed maps and setting up ambush points, how to lure the enemy deep, when and where to encircle them… He had used military tactics.

It seemed Grandmaster Wen was enjoying his time on Falling Petal Mountain.

During the celebration feast, Zheng Dafeng had raised an issue, feeling they lacked a bit of acting skill. He said that at their age, their Shan主 had already been how how how.

The young boys and girls at the two tables under the eaves were instantly silent. They listened intently, eating with their heads lowered.

The white-haired child squatted at the door, furiously writing: “On the day of such-and-such month, the martial arts head Zheng Dafeng publicly praised the Shan主, the original text is as follows…”

Zheng Dafeng smiled awkwardly, feigning composure, waving his hand. “Ha, drink, drink, eat meat!”

Forcing a smile, Zheng Dafeng called out to Konghou Girl, trying to win her over. The white-haired child stood up, put away his paper and pen, spat, cursed “Disgusting!” and left with the evidence.

Bringing Xie Gou along, they entered Yunyan Kingdom, travelling at a leisurely pace. A beautiful landscape unfolded before them, with lush mountains and clear waters, willows full, flowers luxuriant.

Passing by a temporarily unclaimed abandoned lotus pond, the gentle breeze felt cool, and the lotus leaves stood tall. It evoked thoughts of the old days, when they hid beautiful women’s waists.

Surely, the boys and girls on Willow Leaf Continent would become more and more beautiful.

Some people.

Walked carefully in the world, laboriously trying to please the world.

We were all afraid of hurting people in this world.

—

Inside a fly-infested restaurant in Fish Scale Crossing, a white-robed boy with a red dot between his eyebrows was having supper with a young woman with a ball-shaped bun. They had ordered a grilled fish and two *jin* of locally brewed coix wine. The boy was ill-mannered, squatting on the bench, holding a wine glass and mumbling incessantly. The woman, however, had a quiet grace, chewing slowly and silently, only listening to the boy’s incessant chatter, which even the wine and food could not silence.

The content of the boy’s idle chatter, his tone was grander than the heavens. It was like chatting about a transaction worth millions of taels of silver at a city tavern.

“The Wealth God Liu of Snowy White Continent and the Old Ancestor Fan of the Shang family are actually walking paths that are neither high nor low. One’s Dao is in scattering money, and the other’s Dao is in gathering money. Both are in the category of harmony of man.”

“It is rumored that every snowflake coin is imprinted with a trace of the Wealth God Liu’s mind. Of course, it’s just a rumor. If that’s the truth, it’s too scary.”

“The Confucian Temple can’t control how the Wealth God Liu can merge with the Dao, when and where. Old Fan is one step short, but there’s no way around it. The Rite Sage has too many rules. After all, the hundred schools of thought are under his control.”

“Old Fan scattered money in Treasure Bottle Continent, which was a subtle test by the Shang family. To be precise, it was a means of investigation by the Shang family. Of course, we don’t need to doubt Old Fan’s original intention and intention. He naturally sides with Radiant World, and his attitude towards money is even more detached. However, he couldn’t withstand the Rite Sage’s wickedness. Old Fan and the Shang family scattered countless money, almost moving out half of their family fortune. It was obviously a great achievement for Radiant World. As a result, when the great war ended, and it was time to reward them according to their merits, and then start the Savage Wilderness War and gamble everything on the merger of Old Fan’s Dao, they wanted to start a high tide, and if one person gains the Dao, the chickens and dogs will ascend to heaven, but the result was nothing but a wasted effort. The Confucian Temple only raised the status of the Shang family, so the entire Shang family was stunned. It’s obvious that this road is impassable. Do the Shang family disciples still want to continue scattering money on the Savage Wilderness battlefield? This is a very distressing problem. Old Fan didn’t say anything, and the people in charge of the Shang family thought that giving out half of their family fortune was not enough, so should they gamble a big one? Emptying out all the family fortune would always be sincere, right? Among the hundred schools of thought, which one can be more generous than our Shang family?”

At this point, Cui Dongshan asked with a smile, “Big Senior Sister, guess what happened?”

Pei Qian shook her head and said, “I can’t guess.”

Cui Dongshan said slowly: “The Shang family has never been poor since becoming one of the hundred schools of thought. Now they have become a poor man with an iron shoulder and a clear breeze in his sleeves. Who would believe such a thing if it spread out? However, if the Rite Sage doesn’t nod, Old Fan will not be able to cross that threshold for a day. The Shang family, who had spent all their money, almost fell out over this, and there were complaints. It was a gamble gone wrong. Not only did they not make a big profit, but they couldn’t even recover their capital in a short time. Who wouldn’t feel aggrieved? So the Shang family showed signs of splitting into several factions. Some were gamblers who had lost their minds and didn’t believe that the Confucian Temple wouldn’t nod their heads. Some wanted to stop the loss quickly and tried to negotiate with the Confucian Temple. Others wanted to take the opportunity to establish their own business, such as the Daoist lineage of the Jiran family.”

Pei Qian asked, “What was the attitude of that Old Fan?”

Cui Dongshan said to himself: “As long as you seek profit, as long as there is a trace of impurity, you are destined to fail. However, there is no benefit without getting up early. Is there anyone in the world who doesn’t make money, right, Big Senior Sister?”

Pei Qian said absentmindedly, “That’s right.”

Cui Dongshan smiled and said: “A while ago, Liu Youzhou was bewitched and ran to hang out with Gu Can, otherwise he would definitely come to Big Senior Sister’s side and swing around.”

Pei Qian asked doubtfully, “Does he really like me? Are you guys just making fun of me?”

Cui Dongshan smiled and said: “Isn’t it a very normal thing to like the perfect Big Senior Sister?”

Pei Qian shook her head and said seriously, “It’s not normal.”

Cui Dongshan said helplessly, “Big Senior Sister, you can’t always think of yourself as a little black charcoal, right?”

Pei Qian rolled her eyes.

Cui Dongshan changed his reason, “Even the ugliest woman has someone who likes her.”

Pei Qian nodded and said, “This reason is more reliable.”

Cui Dongshan quickly added, “Sword Immortal Mi said it, I’m just borrowing it.”

After eating half of the grilled fish, the Big Senior Sister and the Little Junior Brother moved their chopsticks together to turn the grass carp over. Cui Dongshan picked up his chopsticks and slurped.

Pei Qian took a sip of coix wine and began to travel thousands of miles again. Cui Dongshan said, “Before that terrestrial Dragon Palace is opened, it can’t be accurately valued without listing it.”

“Generally speaking, as long as we don’t compete for the ownership of the Immortal Residence ruins in the south, the Jade Decree Sect won’t move the heart of this Dragon Palace. This is called reciprocity. In short, we have the opportunity to round up the entire Dragon Palace.”

“Sell it again and make a lot of money!”

Pei Qian listened with one ear in and the other ear out. At this moment, a middle-aged man walked into the restaurant and asked straight to the point: “Mr. Cui, will you sell this wine glass?”

Cui Dongshan smiled and said nothing, as long as this guy asked, the price would definitely not be a problem.

But Cui Dongshan seemed to be deliberately arguing, “Even if I’m willing to sell it, Old Fan may not be able to afford it.”

Old Fan smiled and said, “Then a gentleman will not take what others love.”

Cui Dongshan became anxious and moved his butt to make room for Old Fan, inviting him to sit down. Old Fan was not polite and asked the shop assistant for a pair of bowls and chopsticks.

Pei Qian put down her chopsticks and took the initiative to greet the Shang Family Patriarch across the table. Old Fan nodded and smiled, “A famous teacher produces a great disciple. Mountain Lord Chen is a master of both boxing and teaching boxing.”

Cui Dongshan clicked his tongue in wonder. A businessman is a businessman.

When you’re out and about, you have to talk about fate.

Pei Qian, who was still a little black charcoal, followed the big white goose to the Sword Qi Great Wall in her early years, and she didn’t dare to look at the Old Sword Immortal on the city wall too much.

If you look too much, your eyes will hurt.

The last time was in Lotus Root Blessed Land in her hometown. Pei Qian looked up at the tall old Daoist by the well.

It was much later that she learned that the old view was the veritable Lord of Heaven in Lotus Root Blessed Land.

With the Wine Spring Cup, people who like to drink don’t need to brew or buy wine.

What’s the difference between a poor bachelor who can’t afford to marry a wife and can meet with a goddess in his dreams every night?

Old Fan picked up a piece of fish and asked with a smile, “You really won’t sell it?”

Cui Dongshan sighed, “Of course you can bargain back and forth, but I really won’t sell it.”

Years ago, Cui Dongshan went to Sun Juyuan’s private residence secretly, and the two had a heart-to-heart talk.

Sun Juyuan, who owned a Wine Spring Cup, was romantic and elegant, and had never been to the famous wine shop, so he didn’t write a no-business sign.

As for whether Sun Juyuan had bought the hundred swords immortal, and two hundred swords immortal print book, it is not known.

He and Cui Dongshan, an outsider, got along very well.

“I’m Dongshan.” “I’m still Xichuan.”

The only hero who dared to argue with him face-to-face.

Anyone who has been to the Sword Qi Great Wall will always have some memorable people or things.

Sun Juyuan, who had no good feelings for Radiant World, had a “but” that Cui Dongshan expected.

“But.” “Did I agree to pass through the city wall?”

Old Fan suddenly asked: “I can’t find a way to merge with the Dao. Does Mr. Cui have any good suggestions?”

Cui Dongshan looked strange, “A cultivator in the Ascension Realm, asking an immortal in the Immortal Realm, how to merge with the Dao?”

Old Fan frowned and said, “Are you really forgetting, or pretending to be stupid?”

Cui Dongshan looked puzzled and said: “What’s going on?”

No wonder he called himself Mr. Cui instead of Sect Leader Cui. It turned out that Old Wang Bad Egg owed the other party a debt, and the creditor came to the door now? It’s easy, deny it!

Old Fan said, “Years ago in the Great Li Beijing, Mr. Cui said that the Rite Sage would never let the Shang family’s status be too high. It would always be a step lower than the Yin Yang Family of Heavenly Time, the Agricultural Family of Geographical Advantage, and the Daoist lineages of Poetry and Articles of Human Harmony. In short, it probably means that as long as I am still the patriarch of the Shang family for a day, I will not be able to enter the Fourteenth Realm for a day. No matter what method I use, the Rite Sage will not ‘give way’. But Cui Chui said he had a way to point out a way to merge with the Dao.”

Cui Dongshan blinked and said, “Did he really say that? Word for word, not a word is missing?”

Old Fan felt helpless, “Sect Leader Cui, do you think I would joke about such a thing?”

The Shang family makes money. It is a matter of course for them. Generally speaking, if Old Fan wants to merge with the Dao, he has to make money and become the richest person in the world.

Facts have proved that this road is impassable. Then do the opposite, scatter money like scattering the Dao. Not only is making money the first priority, but spending money is also the first priority. Between the gathering and scattering of money, the human world is filled with countless large and small, invisible “wealth paths”, but the result is still not possible. In fact, Old Fan had expected this.

Cui Dongshan rubbed his chin, thought for a while, and said cautiously: “To be honest, that Old Wang Bad Egg suffered a loss at the wine table when he was young, so he hates businessmen the most. Old Fan, you know, he is the most narrow-minded and petty person. He can hold a grudge for a long time, so…maybe, probably, possibly, maybe he is deliberately tricking you.”

Pei Qian glanced at Old Fan, who was straining his face. It could be seen that he wanted to curse.

Since there was nothing to talk about, Old Fan said goodbye and didn’t waste any time.

Cui Dongshan asked, “Old Fan, what are you doing?”

Old Fan endured it and finally didn’t break out into a curse, and said angrily: “Going out to make money!”

You damn embroidered tiger, do you really think you’re robbing the rich and helping the poor?!

Cui Dongshan muttered: “Settle the bill first.”

Old Fan took a deep breath, turned to wave to the white-robed boy, and said with a smile: “You come here.”

Probably, the feelings of this Shang Family Ancestor at this moment are as Cui Dongshan said, the boy is so handsome, but it’s a pity he’s not a mute.

Cui Dongshan said, “I won’t go over. Just throw the silver over.”

Pei Qian reminded: “That’s enough.”

Cui Dongshan shook his head and swayed, Little Junior Brother is known for his daring and fearlessness.

Pei Qian said, “Master seems to be on the way here.”

Cui Dongshan stood up as if his ass was on fire, and ran quickly to the door, “I’ll take a walk with Old Fan.”

Old Fan walked in the alley, but he didn’t directly shrink the mountains and rivers, so he wouldn’t see or worry.

Cui Dongshan put his hands behind his head, smiling and said: “Those above like something, those below will overdo it. The most powerful people who make money may be able to get out of the money eyes, but those who make the most money can’t get out. The people of the Shang family, both now and in the future, are all looking at you ancestor on the hanging picture, learning from you.”

Old Fan said, “I understand the principle.”

Cui Dongshan smiled: “The key is in a heart. Making money is nothing more than a gentleman taking it in the right way. How much you earn is one thing, and whether your heart is fierce is another thing. The foundation of the Shang family is nothing more than two words: honesty. So how does honesty come about? It’s nothing more than being willing to earn less when you can obviously earn more. But the problem is, on the path of wealth, can honesty become the greatest common divisor of a calculation? There are so many similar questions. You Shang family, there are paradoxes everywhere, and loopholes everywhere. If you can’t reconcile these contradictions, you are destined to be unable to merge with the Dao.”

Old Fan shook his head and said: “Don’t tell me these superficial principles.”

Cui Dongshan sneered: “Superficial?! If I were the Rite Sage, no matter how much money you earn, you will always be at the bottom of the hundred schools of thought.”

Old Fan was silent.

Cui Dongshan tiptoed and patted Old Fan’s shoulder, “Old Fan, making money, don’t be ashamed.”

Old Fan smiled bitterly and said nothing.

Cui Dongshan took his hand back, shook his sleeves, and then put his hands in his sleeves, and said indifferently: “Cui Chui said he would point out a way for you, but he didn’t trick you. In fact, it’s not in the future, but at that time. From that moment on, you were on the road that Cui Chui helped you pave. From that moment on until now, the only thing you need to do is to make the wealth path and the heart path consistent. Therefore, he is also indeed tricking you, deliberately scaring you with the Rite Sage. After all, the hundred schools of thought are different from ordinary cultivators. It’s not so easy to pass the heart level when merging with the Dao and entering the Fourteenth Realm. The last time the Confucian Temple discussed matters, the Rite Sage deliberately raised the status of the entire Shang family, but refused to give way to you alone. Isn’t he testing you? The embroidered tiger is letting you give up. If you still have a glimmer of hope, then the Rite Sage will let you give up again. Old Fan, do you believe that when you walk out of this alley, you will be in the Fourteenth Realm?”

Old Fan was thoughtful and dubious.

Cui Dongshan stretched out his hand.

Old Fan looked puzzled.

“After listening to my words, don’t give me some money?”

Cui Dongshan said angrily: “If the three of us drink wine and eat meat without settling the bill, it will be a joke if it spreads out!”

Old Fan smiled and took out a piece of silver and handed it to the white-robed boy.

Cui Dongshan turned and walked towards the restaurant. Old Fan walked alone in the alley.

Walking quickly into the restaurant, Cui Dongshan took out a few pieces of silver and put them on the table, and winked at Pei Qian.

Pei Qian asked: “What are you doing?”

Cui Dongshan said in his heart: “I’m afraid of being beaten, run away quickly.”

The moonlight was like water, covering the human world.

A remote place in the northwest of Flowing Glow Continent, Rainbow Cloud Country is not big, and the capital is even smaller.

Rainbow Cloud Country is a vassal state of a great dynasty. As usual, it has to offer tributes to the suzerain country every year, but historically, the tributes are less and the suzerain country gives more, because everyone knows that Rainbow Cloud Country is really poor, its products are poor, and it’s enough to have good intentions, and it also has to subsidize it. Therefore, the Rainbow Cloud Country’s envoy fleet is famous for coming empty and leaving full.

Although the sparrow is small, it has all the internal organs. There are as many government offices in the capital as there are hairs, and it is said that the number is more exaggerated than that of the suzerain country.

It is probably as the book says, the reason why the spirits protect the small court is that in the past hundred years, it can be said that the seasons are abundant, the government is harmonious, there has never been a war, and the weather has always been good.

There is Willow Shade Lake in the capital, with willow embankments. Tourists come and go all year round. Various colorful boats and painted boats are arranged in sequence by the water, with singing and dancing, day and night. Along the lake, there are Shangshu mansions, Pavilion Elder’s houses, Middle Noble’s other courtyards, and aristocratic families gathered next to each other, flaunting their wealth. Various family courtyards and private gardens are gathered here, so the traffic is noisy every day, and the servants are noisy. Especially during the early朝 and late return, there is a crowd of people, the roads are congested, and noisy. The women compete for beauty and are impatient with loneliness. They often dress up in palace style and ride horses in sedan chairs, passing through the willows. Their voices are like orioles and swallows, and people are more beautiful than flowers.

In this first-class prosperous place, there is a young poor official who works in the Ministry of Revenue. Although his salary is meager, he has an official position, which is not comparable to those poor scholars who can’t exchange a few pennies for a belly full of ink. He rented a house here and also hired a rough personal maid. She always carries a portable inkstone. This pair of masters and servants are able to pick up this big leak only because it is a haunted house. In short, the master is not a big official, and the maid is not beautiful, and they are not conspicuous.

The maid is called Yan Gua, and the young official is called Shao Bencu.

The master is a sesame-sized official in the Ministry of Revenue in this remote country. The chief in charge sounds good, but in fact, the official hat is very small. Fortunately, it is in the donation room, which is selling official positions, so there is some money to be made. However, the real body remains in the house, often falling asleep, which is the literal meaning of “daydreaming”. Instead, he likes to read and study all night long, reading all kinds of miscellaneous books, like a night owl.

A body of the Yang Spirit outside his body goes to the Ministry of Revenue every day to punch in and do things very seriously. He is good at handling complicated official duties and is as experienced as he can be, but unfortunately, there is no one in the court to rely on. As for the Yin Spirit leaving the body, it is responsible for cultivation, moisturizing the spirit and soul of the real body, so he is cultivating every moment of the day, all year round, with half the effort and twice the result.

In the important place of the capital, by the Emperor’s side, if mountain cultivators travel with the Yin Spirit, and are still officials, entering and leaving the government office and busy with official duties, there are still some landscape taboos.

She, the inkstone goddess who came to Flowing Glow Continent from the Mural City, is said to be protecting the Dao in the house, but in fact, there is nothing to do every day.