## The Literary Temple of Mid-Earth

Upon the weathered steps of the Literary Temple, Master Li, venerable and wizened, snatched a moment’s respite, puffing gently on his long-stemmed pipe. The air hung thick and heavy, the summer sun bathing the world in warmth, like mulled wine spilled across the land.

A lean, ancient figure, known as the Sage of Letters, came scurrying down the hallowed halls. Passing lords and learned men greeted him with reverent nods, each calling him “Literary Saint.” The old man, always in haste, would simply nod vigorously in reply, never breaking his stride. He finally settled beside Master Li, offering a wrinkled thumb in salute. “Generosity itself! My thanks.”

Master Li waved away the smoke with a dismissive hand. “In a temple brimming with saints and sages, simply speaking a fair word earns such gratitude? What madness is this?”

The old scholar chuckled dryly. “You’re famed as a man of few words, a difficult soul. I was merely making conversation. Are you truly offended?”

Master Li tilted his head, a flicker of puzzlement in his eyes. “Such grand tidings. Why did you not rush forth to partake in the revelry?”

The old scholar scoffed, offering no explanation.

Silence fell between them for a moment, broken only by the tap of Master Li’s pipe against the stone steps. “In this summer’s swelter, might the Literary Saint desire to hear a few words of winter?”

The old scholar held up a hand, palm outward. “Enough! I will not listen!”

Undaunted, Master Li continued, “Alone, forsaken, empty-handed, yet cleaving a new path, forging a realm anew. No small feat.”

The old scholar hastily interrupted, “Enough, I say! Hold your tongue. On this blessed day, speak no ill omen, lest you sour my mood. Dare you darken my spirit, I shall despoil your most prized tobacco! We men of letters speak with honesty and resolve, each syllable a nail hammered true!”

Master Li persisted, “The higher one climbs, the steadier one must stand.”

“Two empty fists, grasping all ages, holding life and death, dealing swift justice, yet one must know when to release one’s grip.”

“A lone bamboo staff, bearing wind and moon, burdened with fame and gain, weighed down by the tides of fate, yet the shoulder that carries it must know when to rest.”

The truth of it settled upon the old scholar like a gentle rain. He smiled serenely. “The order matters greatly. I have always maintained, good Master Li, that you held my scholarship in high esteem, yet your modesty forbade you from speaking it aloud. The young ones, alas, could never believe it.”

Indeed, the order shifted the meaning entirely.

The old scholar slapped his knee. “Ah, yes! To strive and toil that one may one day stand aloof and unconcerned. To be unconcerned only because one has striven and toiled with a clear conscience.”

Master Li remarked, “Whether I champion your learnings or not is known only by the conscience of this world. But this I know, your students hold my wisdom in considerable regard.”

The old scholar was about to retort when Master Li continued, “Titles of lord and learned man, or even a mere post as deputy head of a literary academy, or Scribe of the Halls of Learning, even should the Literary Temple bestow them upon you, you must urge your disciples not to accept. They are meaningless burdens.”

The old scholar sputtered, caught off guard. Lordly titles meant little, but the post of Scribe of the Halls… perhaps some consideration was warranted?

Then, exhaling a plume of smoke, Master Li, pipe in hand, uttered the words that would leave the seasoned old scholar speechless.

“Were I to offer my counsel, the Literary Temple is too small of mind. Even the Sage of Propriety is timid. If the Confucian faith must bestow a rank, let them be bold and generous! Appoint him Deputy Head of the entire Literary Faith!”

The old scholar blinked, then lunged forward, clapping a hand over Master Li’s mouth. “Speak no such words! They must not be spoken!”

Several Confucian scholars, seeking to glean wisdom from Master Li, witnessed this scene with wide eyes. Even if their discussion had gone awry, why had the Literary Saint resorted to physical assault?

***

The capital city’s grandest gate, the Gate of Five Ways, marked the entrance to the Imperial City. The central archway, tallest and widest, was by custom reserved solely for the Emperor. But today, Emperor Song and the mage, Chen Ping An walked together, side-by-side, through this archway. The side arches, though still imposing, were less lofty, accessible only to those born into the Imperial family or those whose meritorious service to the throne elevated them to the highest ranks of power and influence.

The onlookers who lined the Imperial Way whispered their guesses, expecting the two groups of sword immortals to take the side arches, respecting propriety. But the Song Dynasty of Great Li was about to shatter precedent once more. The sword immortals, without hesitation, followed the Emperor and the newly appointed Imperial Tutor through the central gate.

The Son of Heaven values heroes.

The city fell silent for a heartbeat, then erupted in a thunderous roar, chants of “Great Li! Great Li!” echoing through the streets.

Within the gate, the light dimmed slightly, and the air grew cooler. Guo Du turned to his beloved companion, “Are you well?”

Ling Xun blushed, “To see so many people at once… I admit, I am quite overwhelmed. But it is enough to keep my eyes fixed upon your back, and whisper the incantations in my heart.”

For Ling Xun possessed a peculiar affliction. When surrounded by crowds, she grew anxious. And when that anxiety reached a certain threshold, she would transform, becoming an entirely different person, her swordsmanship savage, her lethality amplified, nearing that of an immortal.

In the barbaric lands, even the great cities teemed with transformed demonkin, beings she would avoid at all costs. Guo Du had first met her in the ruins of a fallen immortal academy, a scene of carnage and despair. Not a single member of the academy’s hundred or so students had survived. Only a swordswoman, drenched in blood and radiating killing intent, stood amidst the corpses, tears streaming down her face, filled with self-loathing, and preparing to end her own life…

Even in her distraught state, Ling Xun had warned Guo Du to leave, not to approach her. Guo Du, ever practical, had reasoned that slaying demons in the barbaric lands was a simple matter, a worthy cause.

Whether leaving the barbaric lands for the boundless lands, or joining the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect in the Southern Land, or inexplicably becoming part of the Ruined Mountain, and now participating in this celebration, Ling Xun had always followed her husband’s lead, never questioning his decisions. She had never seen the battlefields, and in the barbaric lands, neither she nor Guo Du had earned great renown. They had dedicated themselves to seeking out hidden wonders, exploring ancient ruins, pursuits that served as ‘extra paths’ beyond their primary focus of sword training.

However, Guo Du still guarded the intricately crafted map, years in the making, refusing to hand it over to Qi Tingji. He offered no explanation, and Ling Xun asked no questions.

Guo Du, through their mental link, spoke. “I do not trust Qi Tingji, despite his claims of valuing practicality over hollow fame. I will enter the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect and observe him, his conduct and his motives, before making a decision. I fear he has become a reluctant hero, only to become a tyrant in the future.”

In the final defense of the Sword Qi Great Wall, of the three battle-hardened Old Sword Immortals, only Qi Tingji had escaped unscathed. Dong Sangeng had fallen in battle, and Chen Xibing had chosen to reincarnate. Even Nalan Shaowei survived only through the power of a longevity lantern, and Old Deaf had fallen in realm.

Ling Xun, innocent of worldly affairs, asked, “Do Zhu Su and Jin Zao share the same doubts as you?”

Guo Du sighed, “No, they are truly loyal to Qi Tingji. The prestige of being a direct disciple of the Literary Saint would deter Gao Shuang and Huang Ling, for who desires too great an entanglement with the Literary Temple? The title of Hidden Officer makes Mei Kan wary, and then there’s the relationship between Zhu Su and Zhu An, and the enmity between Xiao Xun and Zuo You. Chen Ping An is both Hidden Officer and Zuo You’s younger brother. If I were Zhu Su, I would be hesitant.”

In Guo Du’s estimation, demon cultivators in the barbaric lands often placed greater emphasis on their masters and traditions than the people of the Boundless Lands, though they often did not have any concepts of the Nation. They valued these things over notions of family, loyalty, and service. How could they even comprehend the idea of “天下”? The Boundless Lands valued the idea of the “天下兴亡匹夫有责” “Every Man is Responsible for the Fate of the World.” While Xun Yuan and Wan Yan Laojing’s reputations rested on the victor’s ability to shape history, the criticism leveled against Chen Chun’an, a Confucian scholar, was rather noteworthy.

As for the native sword cultivators of the Sword Qi Great Wall, their views were simple: neither side was good, why should they care? If the demon armies of the barbaric lands could bypass the Great Wall and invade the nine provinces of the Boundless Lands, would Guo Du and his companions stand idly by? Xiao Xun, Zhang Lu, and the sword cultivator who had attempted to assassinate the new Hidden Officer, would Guo Du consider them enemies? In truth, a good number of the private swords who had left the barbaric lands or remained hidden there owed their survival to Xiao Xun, who had turned a blind eye.

Sensing that Zhu Su’s Dao heart had grown stronger, Qi Tingji asked, “How goes it?”

Zhu Su, her spirit restored, said, “Exceedingly well. The effect surpasses even the grinding of a fragment from the Dragon Slaying Platform.”

One of Zhu Su’s natal swords was named “Three Sounds,” and its forging was inextricably linked to the sounds of the world. Due to Lu Chen’s theory of Heaven, Earth, and Man, Zhu Su had studied music in her early years, but the benefits were limited. Unable to break through the nascent soul realm, she had turned to the battlefield, volunteering to become a private sword, venturing into the barbaric lands. Heaven’s Sound was easily sought, Earth’s Sound was commonplace, but Man’s Sound proved elusive. She had nearly abandoned her physical form to become a deity, but had been dissuaded.

Now, as the city resonated with thunderous chants, Gao Shuang and the others were simply filled with their own thoughts, gaining a deeper understanding of the Boundless Lands, Great Li, and Chen Ping An. However, Zhu Su alone reaped an opportunity, a fortuitous confluence of timing, location, and people, allowing her to close her eyes to practice! The key was the clarity and stability of the Dao, a sword cultivator reaping the rewards with ease. Nearly a million people, their minds almost free of impurities, chanted “Zhu Su’s” true name. If that did not constitute Man’s Sound, then what did?

Furthermore, at Qi Tingji’s suggestion, carefully chosen to follow after Chen Ping An and Ning Yao, he had offered a few explanatory words, proposing that the sword cultivators each offer a wisp of their spirit to be attached to Zhu Su’s sword. The act was akin to writing upon paper or inscribing upon a monument, like a monk taking refuge to give lectures, or a Taoist borrowing a temple to rest, giving their name to the sword’s master. Zhu Su, wielding this sword, was like a mountain spirit dwelling within a temple, enjoying the purest incense.

Zhu Su trembled with emotion, “I might break through to the next realm!”

The sword cultivators of the Sword Qi Great Wall were obsessively dedicated to achieving immortality beyond all else.

Qi Tingji reminded her, “I offered the suggestion, but Chen Ping An forged this ‘shrine’ that surpasses any temple. And the first to agree, without hesitation, was Mister Xiao.”

If Xiao Mo had remained silent, had simply ignored it, Xie Gou would have followed suit, pretending he heard nothing. The choices of Mi Yu, Jiang Shangzhen, and the other elders of the Ruined Mountain would have been clear. Even if Qi Tingji had been the first to give his name to the Three Sounds, Lu Zhi, true to her nature, might not have followed. Even if Gao Shuang and the others were sentimental, adding in Mei Dandang, the results would have been far less impressive. If they had achieved a mere third of the current outcome, Zhu Su would have been dancing in the streets.

Zhu Su nodded, “I understand.”

Xie Gou, through their mental link, exclaimed, “Wow, before long, we won’t be calling her Sister Zhu Su, we’ll be calling her Sword Immortal Zhu!”

Mi Yu smiled, “A double blessing, and I’m riding her coattails. If I’m called ‘Sword Immortal Mi’ again, it won’t sound like a curse.”

Qi Tingji smiled. “Core at home, Nascent Soul on the battlefield, Jade at the barbarian lands, Immortal in the Boundless Lands?”

Zhu Su said, “I hope so.”

Lu Zhi added, “And then ascension in the Five Colored Lands?”

Chen Ping An said, “Ascension at Ascension City would be far more appropriate.”

Ning Yao smiled. “I look forward to it.”

Xie Gou said, “If it comes to pass, Zhu Su’s story will be a legend. Sister Zhu Su, would you be interested in having it written? I can ghostwrite your biography.”

Xiao Mo nodded. “It would be a tale worth telling.”

Zhu Su blushed.

Mei Kan and her disciple walked in the rear. After some hesitation, she decided to offer a few words to Chen Ping An. “Hidden Officer, I must admit, within this group, I am the most selfish, without exception. Lu Zhi and the others hold a poor opinion of me, and I understand why. I offer no flowery words, I merely swear to the Hidden Officer that, so long as it does not harm Mei Dandang’s Dao, that he may steadily reach enlightenment, then during that time, should there be a need for someone to shoulder blame or perform unclean deeds, neither I, nor my disciple, will refuse. You need only give your orders in private. If we fail, it is our fault. If we succeed, it is merely our duty!”

Among the common people in the world, each holds their own aspirations. Once they become immortals, driven by fortune and temperament, they often walk their separate paths, careful to avoid conflicts of belief.

Mei Kan felt that if she waited any longer, the chance would turn sour.

Chen Ping An listened patiently to Mei Kan’s heart. “A master’s love for their disciple, I understand and accept. To have a disciple like Mei Dandang is something to be treasured. I am not a true gentleman, but I am not a petty man either. So let us speak plainly, our sect will grow and the conflicts between us will become inevitable. Should there be a need for you or Sword Immortal Zhenze to secretly lend a hand, we will have a verbal agreement, limited to three times? If three times is too much, we can negotiate.”

Mei Kan laughed without hesitation. “Then the agreement is made, three times! The Hidden Officer is neither sanctimonious nor petty, good! That puts my heart at ease. I had feared that the mountain lord of Ruined Mountain would be bound by the teachings of the saints, and that the last Hidden Officer of the Great Wall would hate the demons, willing to slay a hundred to avoid letting one escape. Had I brought Mei Dandang to Ruined Mountain, I would have fallen into a trap.”

Chen Ping An nodded.

Mei Kan said carefully, “Could Mei Dandang be allowed to recognize Mister Xiao as a second master? If that is too difficult, then perhaps a disciple in name only?”

Chen Ping An smiled. “Please, senior, take your gains and leave.”

Mei Kan said, “Then I will never mention the matter again, nor even think of it. And please rest assured, Hidden Officer, I will keep my word.”

“That is best.”

Chen Ping An nodded, reminding her, “Ruined Mountain is not a one-man show. My understanding does not mean that you can disregard the feelings of the majority. Now that you are registered disciples, you must understand how to integrate. I will not ask you to emulate Mi Yu, but you can observe Old Deaf, and add Xiao Mo and Xie Gou, I believe you will find the best path to ascension.”

Mei Kan nodded, “Understood.”

Chen Ping An suddenly said, “As a master, you can have a hundred reasons to convince yourself that Mei Dandang is a pure sword cultivator with a heart set on the Dao, and that the demon race is merely his origin. But on my side, all it takes is one reason, and he will die.”

Mei Kan stood speechless.

Chen Ping An spoke those words to both Mei Kan and Mei Dandang.

Mei Dandang spoke after a while. “If needed, with a time and place decided by the Hidden Officer, I can spread open my heart to a Dao path examination. If the Hidden Officer, Mister Xiao, or Bai Jing together, finds out that I am not what I seem, I will accept my death without complaint.”

Chen Ping An narrowed his eyes. “Certain?”

Mei Dandang said, “Completely certain.”

Chen Ping An smiled. “Xiao Mo and Xie Gou have already examined you.”

Mei Dandang was instantly alarmed.

Mei Kan sighed with relief, but could not help but ask. “Hidden Officer, you claimed to be neither gentleman nor petty man. Are you not both a hypocrite and a true villain in one?”

Chen Ping An sighed, and said with a chuckle, “I am generous enough to accept the candid words of others.”

Mei Dandang could not help but smile. He had imagined a hundred versions of the young Hidden Officer, but never expected this kind of person.

Chen Ping An also asked Mei Dandang, “Have you decided when to abandon your master-disciple relationship and instead apprentice under Xiao Mo?”

Mei Dandang was slightly embarrassed. “Let me become the Flying Ascension realm first.”

Chen Ping An said, “Then hurry up.”

Mei Dandang was a bit of a rogue. “I still need Mister Xiao and Senior Bai Jing to guide me a little.”

Chen Ping An tsked, and teased, “Without a ‘Please excuse me,’ you will resent this arrangement?”

Mei Dandang was stunned by this random question, but still answered with honesty. “I am not a scholar of the Boundless Lands, I am not familiar with these niceties.”

Qi Tingji was about to make a trip to the barbaric lands. Is it true that he had offended people on the way?

Xie Gou chuckled, “Mei Kan is a ruthless person, she would personally kill him. She would not allow anyone else to do it.”

Xiao Mo echoed, “Impressed.”

Lu Zhi said, “At least he does not lack the nature of the sword cultivator.”

Xuan Yang tentatively asked, “Ning Yao, can I and Huang Ling pay for the construction of private residences at Flying Ascension City? It is a pity that the designs from back then have not been preserved. As long as the letters on the signboard are correct.”

Xuan Yang chuckled to himself.

Huang Ling said, “Whoever lives there is fine.”

Ning Yao said, “That is not a problem. The summer palace has an archive where Chen Ping An has created a separate category. The city council has already approved a proposal that all private swords who have died in battle can choose addresses and build private residences. However, Gao Yehou has said that, since you have joined the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, and that the money has to come out of your own pockets.”

Xuan Yang laughed. “No wonder he is a steward of the treasury.”

Ning Yao smiled.

You will be more familiar with the steward in the future.

It is said that young people there worship someone as the founder.

Huang Ling asked, “Ning Yao, I heard that the Hidden Officer left the summer palace to kill monsters and accumulated merit. That he went out wearing women’s clothes?”

Ning Yao said angrily, “Nonsense!”

Xuan Yang was more tactful and asked Mi Yu. Mi Great Sword Immortal was furious, “Nonsense and hearsay! Who said that? Make him come out and confront me!”

Huang Ling and Xuan Yang looked at each other. Okay, it must be true.

Lu Zhi looked at Mi Sword Immortal. Mi Yu was stunned, how did Lu Zhi not believe it?

Gao Shuang suddenly asked, “Why doesn’t this idiot drink a bit of horse urine?”

Huang Ling said, “It is too difficult to keep from drinking.”

Huang Ling asked through their mental link, “Chai Wu, do you want a drink?”

Chai Wu replied, “Yes, but I am afraid.”

There are many rules in the territory of the emperor. His former master, Wei Xian, said that he had once been an official in the palace and had seen the emperor drag people out to be beheaded.

Huang Ling said, “I will drink first, will you follow?”

Chai Wu thought about it for a while, “Forget it, so many people are watching.”

When she was young in the well, she just looked at the well, hoping to see her parents again, or even just a passerby.

But she gradually realized that her parents would not come back.

Later, she learned to breathe, survived, and then earned a little money in the funeral shop, before meeting her master, who loved to drink.

Her master said that her parents were good people, but the world was too chaotic for them to do more. The master also said that her parents left all the food for her. For example, some people would hide steamed buns when they went to the disaster relief shed.

The world is in a well.

The little girl’s eyes were sore.

A hand was placed on her head. She did not need to guess, it was Zhou.

Chai Wu whispered, “I am okay.”

Jiang Shangzhen smiled, “Drink if you want to drink. I will give you the wine if the Mountain Lord asks.”

Chai Wu was still very righteous. She gathered her courage and asked softly, “Mr. Chen, can I drink a little wine in secret?”

Chen Ping An turned his head and smiled gently. “Drink as much as you want. I will take care of it if the emperor is angry.”

Emperor Song He turned his head and smiled. “Chai Wu, feel free to drink. You do not have to spend money on wine in Great Li. Just charge it to Song He.”

Chai Wu was dazed. Really? Is this okay?

About to step onto the steps outside the hall, Chen Ping An seemed to slow down on purpose.

Emperor Song He stopped, took a deep breath, and turned around. “Sword Immortals! Feel free to drink, the Great Li Dynasty will be honored!”

***

In the northeast corner of the palace, the Empress Dowager’s residence was secluded, with lush greenery. Nan Zan was about to personally meet a guest from Xiandu Peak in Chu Prefecture.

Lu Shen’s visit to Beijing to meet the Empress Dowager had been reported to the Great Li Dynasty. The Director of Ceremonies personally led Lu Shen through the gates, walking here and stopping outside the palace. A maid from the Empress Dowager led Lu Shen through the palace gate.

Seeing this ancestor again, Nan Zan was not at peace. With the bracelet, Nan Zan had recovered her memories of her previous life.

The clearest memory was a vast and spacious hall, paved with spotless white tiles. Lu Shen, who stood at the front as the chief priest, looked like a deity with his back to the people. At that moment, time seemed to freeze.

Nan Zan’s thoughts swirled. She fell to the ground on her knees. “Lu Jiang pays homage to the ancestor.”

Nan Zan wept and did not dare to look up, choking with emotion. “Lu Jiang has failed, I am a sinner of the family. Please punish me.”

Faced with Lu Jiang’s salute, Lu Shen accepted it calmly. After listening to her show of determination, Lu Shen waited for a moment and said softly, “You can get up.”

Nan Zan hesitated for a long time, but stood up obediently and wiped away her tears.

Lu Shen suddenly saluted. “Lu Shen of the Lu family has seen the Great Li Empress Dowager.”

Nan Zan was stunned, then relieved, and then overjoyed. Finally, she had completely broken away from the Lu family!

Lu Shen smiled. “I heard that the Empress Dowager’s ancestral home is in Hongzhou. One day I will visit.”

Nan Zan heard this and felt relieved. She believed that Lu Jiang would never be on the Lu family’s ancestral tablet, the world will know that she is the Empress Dowager of Great Li.

Lu Shen smiled, “Just recently, I visited Ruined Mountain and spoke with State Preceptor Chen face to face. Now I live in seclusion at Xiandu Peak. I may not visit Youzhang, nor do you need to come to Xiandu Peak to enjoy the scenery. We will leave things to fate.”

Lu Shen’s attitude, eyes, and everything made it clear that she was distant.

The stone bench was covered with a yellow cushion. The two seemed to be sitting on an equal footing. The words were polite, but the alienation was obvious.

Lu Shen said nothing, just smiled. Nan Zan felt uneasy. Nan Zan seemed soulless until Lu Shen left and had no heart to remain calm.

***

Lin Shouyi’s reading room in the State Preceptor’s Mansion was one of the six rooms in the east wing of the third courtyard. The desk faced the window, and the stationery was from his hometown. Outside the window were several bamboo trees that swayed in the wind. Lin Shouyi was copying a book, the brush rustling on the paper. Occasionally he raised his head to look at the sky and the bamboo, as if he was in a cool world.

A Taoist with slender eyebrows appeared at the door of the room. His appearance was beautiful. He often lingered under the peach trees.

His name was Song Yunjian, his Taoist name was Yingning.

Song Yunjian smiled and said, “Young Master Lin, I heard that whether you can pass the imperial examination depends on the content, and the tastes of the examiners, but I have also heard that it depends on fate.”

Lin Shouyi stopped writing and placed it on the pen rack. He turned his head and smiled. “I am not sure. I have been taught that reading should be for the sake of learning and seeking the truth.”

Song Yunjian said, “I see, I am mundane.”

Lin Shouyi smiled. “If I was noble, why would I take the imperial examination?”

Song Yunjian asked, “I am ignorant. Cultivators usually have excellent memory. If they knew that the Great Dao was hopeless, but they were determined to achieve fame, they could study for a few years, and could easily win a place on the list. But few cultivators take the imperial examination?”

Lin Shouyi explained, “In Bao Ping Continent, cultivation was first, scholarship was second, fame was third, and martial arts was last. The Great Li Dynasty was called barbarians because of its customs of the people. A cultivator who takes fame would not have a good reputation. Even if you pass, you can be investigated by the academy, for no cultivator actually wanted to be an official.”

Back then, the Guanhu Academy could interfere with anything, especially gentlemen and sages, monsters, immortals, rogue bandits… If they fell into their hands, they would rebuke the immortals and emperors, and banish temples, so monks compared the sages of the academy to the kings of small countries, and gentlemen were the emperors of powerful countries. Didn’t Shu Shui meet the Sage Zhou Ju?

However, the restraint of the academy was still just “human power”.

Song Yunjian nodded.

Lin Shouyi asked, “Mr. Song wants to talk about Shujian Lake?”

Song Yunjian nodded. “I am curious as to why the State Preceptor found it so difficult to cut off.”

Lin Shouyi smiled. “I will continue reading.”

Song Yunjian then left.

Nian Xin was not idle. She just filled the vacancy of Fu Qing. This seamstress was now similar to Rong Yu, inspecting the State Preceptor’s mansion.

Yu Shiwu, Xiao Xing, and the others were allowed to look at documents. However, Chen Ping An did not make any specific requests.

Today, Xiao Xing was angered by Gongsun Lingling’s departure, and then she saw “Xu Jiaoqie” standing next to Nian Xin.

Xu Jiaoqie had just arrived in Beijing from Tongye Zhou. The Lord said that she would enter the Ministry of Punishment of Great Li to work, but has no official position.

Seeing the imitation, Xiao Xing said angrily, “Bitch!”

Xu Jiaoqie immediately said, “Slag of the Dao.”

Nian Xin was not interested in watching them fight. She saw Song Yunjian, whose Taoist name came from Lu Chen, standing under a tree, taking a peach blossom and clipping it in a book.

“I believe that the Great Li Dynasty will become the strongest country in the Boundless Lands in the next century.”

Song Yunjian raised a book and patted the cover. “As long as the emperor dares to think, and the State Preceptor dares to act.”