White clouds gathered like formations, the mountains were as deep as the sea. The guest arrives with what offerings? Just a few simple cups of wine.

Whether flowers bloom or birds take flight, the wind and smoke have all cleared away, figures stand amidst the snowy landscape.

Chen Ping’an approached Huang Xi and the embroidering woman. Behind him, at a higher point, a young woman in a sable hat and a handsome cultivator with an unfamiliar face, wearing an azure Daoist robe, slowly descended the steps of the sacred path.

Deng Jianping hurried up the mountain, arriving at Chen Ping’an’s side, visibly nervous. Huang Xi found it amusing. Usually, when talking to your sister and brother-in-law, you’re quite irreverent and witty. Why are you suddenly mute now? A bully at home? Chen Ping’an remained silent, making Deng Jianping even more uneasy. Huang Xi, not wanting to appear biased, jested, “Chen Sword Immortal speaks the Elegant Tongue of Northern Ju Lu Continent so fluently, one can’t detect even the slightest accent of Treasure Bottle Continent or the old Great Li Dynasty dialect.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Meeting brings joy, but where is one’s true home? Ultimately, I’m still not as sincere as Brother Huang in treating others, so when settling accounts, I reciprocated by revealing my name.”

The embroidering woman quickly said, “Sword Immortal Chen is right. When traveling far from home, it’s best to be cautious. Only speak a third of your mind to others and don’t casually give your whole heart to just anyone.”

Deng Jianping nodded, deeply agreeing.

Huang Xi wore a look of woe. Good wife, ah, that’s not righteous of you! You’re crossing the river and dismantling the bridge! So, I’m the only ignorant outsider?

Xie Gou and Qing Tong arrived to join the gathering. The embroidering woman quietly asked, “Sword Immortal Chen, who is this young woman?”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “Master Deng can just call me by my name. She is Xie Gou, a registered cultivator of Fallen Phoenix Mountain. Of course, we are definitely not father and daughter.” Xie Gou rubbed her sable hat, grinned, and introduced herself, “I am Xie Gou, as for my Daoist title, no need to mention it, just an external, empty name. You can call me Gouzi in the future. Currently, I am the second-ranked offering of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, like the Mountain Lord and Deng Jianping, all sword cultivators. However, I joined the mountain later, it seems I’m just a little earlier than your younger brother among the registered cultivators.”

Although Huang Xi in Northern Ju Lu Continent was always considered a rootless, wandering cultivator of the marshes, he actually had quite a background and lineage.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have suggested that his brother-in-law, Deng Jianping, come to Wutong Mountain across continents to cultivate the Dao. It was because Huang Xi knew the true identity of the “Azure Jade Patriarch” and his connection to the Demon Suppressing Tower.

Huang Xi said through telepathy, “Huang Xi, a cultivator from Northern Ju Lu Continent, along with my Dao companion Deng Jianqiao, greet Senior Qing Tong. Our intention was to have Deng Jianping secure a seat in the Ancestral Hall here.”

Qing Tong merely nodded in acknowledgement, his expression cold and distant, casually offering a double meaning, “The temple is small. The vegetarian meals are simple, perhaps not to your taste.” Don’t underestimate Qing Tong just because he seems unassuming around Xiao Mo and Bai Jing. After all, he was an Ascended Realm powerhouse with tens of thousands of years of cultivation, moreover, the master of one of the nine great majestic towers in the world, and had been a neighbor of the Old Temple Master for countless years.

People like Huang Xi and the Deng siblings, in Qing Tong’s eyes, didn’t warrant him deigning to show respect. Xie Gou took it upon herself to say, “Once you become a disciple, practice your sword well. If you encounter any difficulties on your path of cultivation, and the Mountain Lord isn’t around, you can ask me. You can also often go to the Sword Worship Platform, one of the affiliated mountain peaks of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, and find Gan Yiban, oh, that’s Offering Gan Tang. Once you arrive at Fallen Phoenix Mountain, you will know his identity. Anyway, that little old man is also a sword cultivator, his realm is passable, his own Dao energy is mediocre, but his ability to impart the Dao is not bad, he is patient, that is a rare advantage he possesses.”

Chen Ping’an was a little surprised. It was rare for Xie Gou to be so concerned about someone else’s cultivation. Old Deaf had suffered quite a few grievances in order to learn some sword techniques from her.

He remembered that when he first arrived at Fallen Phoenix Mountain, Old Deaf was very reluctant, afraid that the young Hidden Official would ask him to carry burdens, adding more social affairs, delaying his cultivation.

Now it was good, hearing that Offering Gan had even moved to Flower Shadow Peak to build a thatched hut to impart the Dao, he instead began to worry that those cultivation sprouts would have no way to learn and their progress in cultivation would not be courageous and diligent enough. Just because Deng Jianping’s visit to the mountain to seek guidance reminded Xie Gou of the human realm tens of thousands of years ago, when many demon clans that had opened their minds and could transform almost all had a pure and unwavering Dao heart, wanting to become disciples of those Daoist Masters. Many demon clans had only heard of the name of a certain mountain or Daoist training ground, knew a general direction, and would make a vow to set out towards that place, resolute. The mountains and rivers were distant, where the Dao was, they did not avoid hardship. This journey often took several years or even decades. They often faced extraordinary difficulties along the way, with dangers lurking everywhere. Only then did they have the opportunity to meet the Daoist they had been thinking about, asking for help in solving their doubts. It was both the hardship of expending endless foot power and a journey of the heart. Even if they were lucky enough not to be driven away and were kept on the mountain by the Qi Refiner, the matter of cultivation was only just beginning. They were mostly temporarily not registered, and whether they could be accepted into the inner circle still required long-term observation. Afterwards, protecting the mountain for decades or even hundreds of years might only earn them a few words or phrases of true secrets from the Daoist.

Therefore, Xie Gou’s first impression of sword cultivator Deng Jianping was not bad, he knew how to choose a master. Knowing how to choose a master depended on both vision and luck, which was a true skill. One must know that in ancient times, how many demon clan cultivators who sincerely sought the Dao ended up miserable, a complete waste of effort, reduced to being the “Dao rations” for climbing the mountain for some insidious Qi Refiners?

The embroidering woman wiped the corner of her eyes, gathering her voice into a line, murmuring softly, “Thank goodness, thank goodness, after hardship comes sweetness. A rather unpleasant beginning, after all, has a satisfactory ending.” In fact, the woman handled everything outside of her younger brother’s affairs, her own progress in boxing, and the large and small matters of the mountain, extremely carefully and thoroughly. Only things related to Jianping, even trivial matters, were more important than the sky, making it easy to lose her sense of proportion and become entangled.
The Departure: A Mother’s Concerns

The mother, her heart wrung a thousand times over, felt as if her soul had departed with her son. She desperately sought counsel from Huang Xi, her brother-in-law. Huang Xi sighed inwardly, offering a calm voice of reason, “Stitcher, this is just the beginning. Jianping has only just become a disciple; his path ahead is long and winding. Merely reaching Fallen Mountain and cultivating under Chen Ping’an’s tutelage is vastly different from training at home. He’ll need to be mindful of many things. How will he relate to his established and renowned fellow disciples? Will he integrate harmoniously, or will he be ostracized? Can Jianping adapt to the rules and customs of Fallen Mountain? Will he find favor with the elders? His everyday interactions can no longer be as carefree as they were in his own courtyard. In the past, everyone knew each other, so there was no need to worry about saying the wrong thing. But now, a single ill-chosen word could be held against him for a long time. Besides, our little sect amounts to barely a hundred souls, far from the hidden dragons and crouching tigers, the myriad temperaments of Fallen Mountain. Take that Miss Xie, for example. She serves as the second seat offering on Fallen Mountain; can we truly fathom her background from her position in a mountainside shop? Such matters will require Jianping to consider and comprehend things for himself, entirely relying on his ability to accommodate others and adapt to new environments.”

Stitcher lamented, “It’s my fault; I didn’t teach him enough about these things. And yours too, brother-in-law. You’re not close enough to your little brother-in-law; you barely share a few drinks throughout the year…” Huang Xi’s head swam with exasperation. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t tried to invite the boy for drinks, but the kid rarely deigned to acknowledge him. The one time they did share a decent amount of alcohol, Deng Jianping ended up sitting on the ground, and the brother-in-law could only join him in his drunken stupor. The little rascal, even while intoxicated, fiercely declared that he would butcher Huang Xi if he ever wronged his sister, even if it meant dying on his mountain. That was during New Year’s Eve vigil, and Huang Xi ended up carrying his little brother-in-law home, only to have his head showered with “heavenly dew.” As a brother-in-law, Huang Xi truly believed he couldn’t have done much more.

Stitcher quietly said, “Husband, I’m sorry for putting you through so much.”

Huang Xi smiled gently. “Stitcher, if you wish to make amends for the past, what you have is not enough; feel free to take it from me. If you feel indebted, repay me in the next life.”

“Then I’ll be the master! I’ll have you grinding ink, adding fragrance to the sleeves, serving tea and water, and helping to wash my feet! Haha, just thinking about it makes me happy…”

Stitcher nudged him again with her elbow, then began to worry again, “But Jianping is going on such a long journey alone, without anyone to care for him. Will he be mistreated when he arrives at Fallen Mountain?”

“A cultivator seeking advancement must endure countless hardships. Don’t worry, we’ll take it one step at a time. You must trust my judgment of character, and even more so, Jianping’s dedication to the Dao.”

Huang Xi then added a conclusive remark, “Besides, what Jianping will truly learn at Fallen Mountain is far more than just Chen Ping’an’s swordsmanship.” Xie Gou, seemingly afraid that the Mountain Master might change his mind, tentatively said, “Sister Deng Jianqiao and brother-in-law Huang Xi are both good people, especially this Stitcher; she’s quite simple and honest. I believe this child Jianping’s character won’t be too far off. The Mountain Master has found a bargain! Is this what they call ‘judge the pig by its sty’?”

Qing Tong, touching on a sore spot, asked, “If Hidden Officer can accept a disciple here, does Wutong Mountain deserve some credit? As a matter of reciprocity, regarding the naming of the sword?”

Xie Gou grimaced, muttering, “Bad luck. I won’t come to this place again.”

Qing Tong sighed in relief, hoping that both of you Daoist partners would never come again.

Chen Ping’an changed the subject, smiling, “Thank you, Daoist friend Qing Tong, for providing a space for us to sit down and chat for a while, and to allow Deng Jianping to perform a simple apprenticeship ceremony. We won’t disturb your cultivation any longer.”

Qing Tong then opened the layers of landscape restrictions and found a quiet place within his private courtyard.

Inside the house, the host Qing Tong and the guest Chen Ping’an sat in the upper seats, while Xie Gou sat cross-legged on a chair, facing Deng Jianping and the other two.

Chen Ping’an sat upright. Once Deng Jianping drank the apprenticeship tea, they would be considered master and disciple. Afterwards, he would need to go to Jise Peak’s ancestral hall to complete the registration process in the golden jade register. Chen Ping’an’s expression was gentle as he slowly said, “Jianping, once you become my disciple, we will have a master-disciple relationship on the mountain. As a teacher of the Dao, I have no expectations for you to reach a certain level in the future, so you don’t need to feel pressured in that regard. I have only one thing to say, and you must remember it well. After you follow me to the mountain for cultivation, you must sincerely pursue the Dao and diligently practice your sword. Furthermore, if you feel that you are not good at interacting with people, you can seclude yourself on the mountain and focus on practicing your sword. If you occasionally leave your courtyard to relax, whether you are on the peaks or in Huaihuang County, when you encounter someone, regardless of who they are or what their status is, a brief greeting will suffice. As for your fellow disciples, there is no need to rush to meet them, and when you do meet them, there is no need to deliberately try to figure out what they are thinking. Just be yourself in your interactions.”

Huang Xi glanced at Stitcher, as if to say, “See, Chen Sword Immortal has already thought of everything you were worried about.”

Stitcher, who had been subconsciously clutching her skirt tightly, felt as if she had taken a calming pill. She felt as if she was dreaming. Jianping had resolved his inner turmoil and accepted a master? Xie Gou immediately chimed in, “These are not just polite words; they are our Mountain Master’s sincere words. For example, in Green Plume Sword Sect, there is a Golden Core Sword Immortal named Tao, whose cultivation base is the same as Jianping’s, He’s a wild cultivator with no backers or background, and he has a terrible temper, and loves to scold people. Jiang Shangzhen, Mi Yu, and even my little Mo, and even the Mountain Master himself, have been reprimanded by him in person. But Tao Sword Immortal is still alive and well. Heh, now that we are all family, I will tell you another of Tao Sword Immortal’s grand deeds. Last time, Green Plume Sword Sect held an opening ceremony, and Tao Sword Immortal was the last one to wake up. He met our Mountain Master on the mountain path and spoke bluntly, advising him to have fewer formalities at these kinds of ceremonies, or he would take a nap in the ancestral hall and sleep in. The Mountain Master had no choice but to obediently nod and say, ‘Alright, alright.'”

Chen Ping’an explained with a smile, “The events have been embellished by Xie Gou and exaggerated a bit. Tao Wen doesn’t just scold people for no reason; there is often a cause.”

Stitcher was dumbfounded. Could that Golden Core sword cultivator really be so audacious? How thick-skinned would one have to be to scold people like that? Did he have several lives to spare, daring to scold people like that?

Huang Xi said in a voice only Stitcher could hear, “Stitcher, it seems that Vice Seat Xie has a good impression of you. I guess that’s what they call having a connection.”
The woman then considered that even if Deputy Chief Xie was exaggerating, the Sword Balance Sect, however unworldly, was surely better at dealing with people than that Sword Immortal Tao?

Qing Tong coughed, reminding her that this was Hidden Official accepting a disciple. In a sense, every word he said was imparting knowledge and skills. Bai Jing, as an outsider, shouldn’t interrupt. It was inappropriate.

Xie Gou rolled her eyes, thinking how unlucky she was. Little did she know that Qing Tong felt he was jinxed whenever he ran into the two of them. Chen Ping’an said solemnly, “Deng Jianping, before you formally become my disciple, let me say this upfront. As far as I’m concerned, it’s not just the master choosing the disciple, the disciple can also choose the master. The saying ‘Once a teacher, forever a father’ is not so absolute. If one day you feel that our paths don’t align, we can part ways amicably. You don’t need to be too constrained by the title of master and disciple, or dwell too much on worldly matters beyond cultivating the Way and practicing swordsmanship. Of course, the necessary Ancestral Hall procedures still need to be followed, but remember not to leave without saying goodbye.”

In truth, the master and disciple were of similar age, but no one present thought Chen Ping’an was putting on airs. Deng Jianping, in particular, was holding his breath and listening attentively. Until this moment, Deng Jianping’s mind was still a mess. Hearing these words, he became alarmed and said in a trembling voice, “Unless Sword Immortal Chen and the Fallen Peak insist on driving me away, I will never leave the lineage. Even if you drive me away, I will stay at the foot of the mountain with my bedding, waiting for Sword Immortal Chen to change his mind.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said nothing.

Xie Gou was delighted, “This kid knows how to take advantage, knowing to find a fallback at the foot of the mountain. Our Fallen Peak’s gatekeeper is Daoist Immortal Wei!”

Qing Tong, however, felt sorry for this young sword cultivator, who was still addressing Chen Ping’an with the distant title of Sword Immortal Chen.

Chen Ping’an said, “Before offering the tea of apprenticeship, Jianping, go wait outside. I have something to say to your sister and brother-in-law.”

Deng Jianping quickly got up, walked to the door, closed it gently, and stood in the corridor as if facing a wall. He pursed his lips, and it was a long time before he came back to his senses and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Xie Gou raised her chin, signaling Qing Tong to hurry up and leave the room since he was a nobody.

Qing Tong, as the host, had no choice but to stand up and make room for this group of outsiders.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “It doesn’t matter. Daoist Friend Qing Tong doesn’t need to stand on ceremony. You are already a registered guest of the Green Plume Sword Sect, so everyone in the room is considered family.”

Qing Tong indeed sat down again, flicking his sleeves with a flourish.

Xie Gou stared directly at him. Millet Grain said that those Jianghu grandmasters with a century or two of inner strength in the books were said to be able to kill with a gaze.

Qing Tong was actually distressed inside. He was annoyed to death by this mink-hatted girl, now going by the name Xie Gou. He’d rather have encountered that sword cultivator, Bai Jing, from ten thousand years ago. Chen Ping’an said, “Daoist Fellow Huang, Grandmaster Deng, first, I must thank you for trusting me to teach Jianping swordsmanship. Then, I ask you to rest assured that I will be extremely careful in matters of imparting the Way, both morally and rationally. Jianping is currently in the Golden Core realm. With his aptitude and foundation, it shouldn’t be difficult to break through the bottleneck and enter the Nascent Soul realm within sixty years. As expected, his real difficulty lies in the closed-door attempt to break through during the Nascent Soul realm. He will face two inner demons. One of them will be the Accompaniment City and the ‘Chen Ping’an’ of that time. I have my own means to prepare in advance, helping him overcome it without taking shortcuts. However, the inner demon of the previous stage requires the person who tied the knot to untie it. Grandmaster Deng needs to have a candid heart-to-heart with Jianping before saying goodbye. Remember, Grandmaster Deng, don’t focus on Deng Jianping’s feelings. Don’t just listen to Deng Jianping’s thoughts. You need to explain clearly, with lightning speed, exactly how Deng Jianqiao thought and why she acted that way in the difficult situation of that year. Know that if this knot is not untied, it will be a tribulation. If he escapes the tribulation, escaping again and again, his Dao heart will greatly regress, and he will find himself in a situation where a dam bursts. Deng Jianping’s achievements in this life will not only stop at the Nascent Soul realm, but he will also be retreating again and again against the current. Therefore, Grandmaster Deng must resolve this hidden danger first. Otherwise, the more I impart the Way, the more mistakes will be made for Deng Jianping’s future on the Great Dao.”

Deng Jianqiao said in a deep voice, “I will definitely live up to your trust and go outside to have a heart-to-heart with Jianping…”

Huang Xi hesitated to speak.

Chen Ping’an said bluntly, “Deng Jianqiao, have you really thought it through? Do you recognize yourself enough to casually tell others who you are? What is the point?”

Deng Jianqiao was taken aback. Huang Xi nodded lightly, realizing that the person involved was often confused while the bystander was clear. Chen Ping’an continued to ask, “When faced with hardship, dare to be angry, dare to speak, fight bravely, kill when necessary. Is it for oneself, or for family? If it is said to be both, what is the order of priority, and what is the emphasis? Deng Jianqiao gave up being an immortal back then and went to learn boxing, against her will. To this day, who is she living for in this life, and who should she live for? From now on, what responsibility should Deng Jianping bear for the name ‘Deng Jianping,’ and how should he take responsibility?”

Deng Jianqiao couldn’t answer any of the questions.

Huang Xi said cautiously, “Sword Immortal Chen, there are a lot of questions. Can we let Embroidered Lady take a breather?”

Chen Ping’an just glanced at him.

Huang Xi was speechless. Good heavens, what imposing power.

This was completely different from the Chen Ping’an who was having a pleasant conversation at the dinner table.

Chen Ping’an was silent for a moment, then answered his own question, “A cultivator’s will is depressed, and their heart is like dead ashes. Can dead ashes be rekindled? Rake through the embers of the brazier, and a bright pearl is hidden.”

Huang Xi secretly praised him.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Grandmaster Deng, go call Jianping in.”

Deng Jianqiao had been looking dazed, her soul not guarding her body. She suddenly woke up, stood up, and went out with Huang Xi.

Qing Tong took the lead in getting up from his seat. Xie Gou deliberately slowed down her pace as she left the chair, determined not to do things the same way as Qing Tong.

In mountain cultivation, what is the meaning of direct lineage? It is the secret transmission between master and disciple, where the Dharma is not passed on to six ears.

Deng Jianping did not sit down, but stood. Chen Ping’an didn’t say anything about this, and said, “Jianping, I can allow you to practice swordsmanship and break through realms slowly. I can even accept my direct disciple often becoming lazy in swordsmanship, wasting time and aptitude, and not having great achievements, but from beginning to end, being a good person with a clear conscience. After all, if a disciple’s cultivation is not good, it is because I, as the person who imparts the Way, did not teach the disciple well. These are all negotiable. I can allow you to make mistakes in the journey of life.”
“On the road, one may err, acknowledge the error, and correct it.”

“But I will absolutely not allow Deng Jianping to one day disappoint his elder sister, who has never asked anything of him.”

“If such a day truly arrives, I will not only personally cleanse the sect, but also let you know what it means to regret becoming my, Chen Pingan’s, disciple.”

“Did you hear me?!”

Deng Jianping shivered, and said in a deep voice: “Sword Immortal Chen, I have remembered every word!”

Chen Pingan smiled, “Hmm?”

Deng Jianping suddenly realized, scratching his head, “Master, this disciple has remembered everything.”

Chen Pingan spoke with a profound meaning, “True empathy does not burden both parties.”

Deng Jianping seemed to understand something. Outside in the corridor, Qing Tong first symbolically cast a layer of formation, isolating the room from the heavens and earth. He looked at the couple from another continent, and asked straightforwardly: “Deng Jianqiao, with your and your daoist partner’s cultivation, why did you let your younger brother come to Wutong Mountain to rely on a Jade Purity Realm sect?”

The embroiderer hesitated, as it involved her husband’s family secrets. Huang Xi was quite candid, and said with a smile: “To be honest, our founding ancestor once traveled the world, visiting real people everywhere. Before his disintegration, he left a notebook recording his experiences, writing that at the Demon Suppression Tower in Tongye Continent, he had a brief encounter with Senior Qing Tong. At the time, he stopped to rest at the entrance of a stone cave sealed by white clouds, and moved by the scenery, chatted a few words about his own cultivation insights. Unfortunately, he did not find common ground with the mountain’s grandmaster, so the founding ancestor took his leave.”

Qing Tong thought for a moment, and finally remembered a slovenly, lame old Daoist he had indeed seen several millennia ago, with profound Dao power and vigorous wit.

However, for Qing Tong, whose Dao age was long, such encounters were like a duckweed skimming the water’s surface, fleeting and never of much concern.

Therefore, Qing Tong only said with emotion: “Your lineage has been passed down for so many years, it is not easy. Continue to work hard, and do not disgrace your ancestor.”

There is an old saying on the mountain: “Better to provoke a rising new sect than to offend an old mountain with an unbroken lineage.”

Because one never knows how many reclusive ancestors are hidden in the latter’s mountain or hanging portraits.

Huang Xi made a Daoist salute, respectfully saying: “This junior will certainly remember the ancestor’s teachings and the senior’s instruction.” Seeing the good atmosphere, Huang Xi said: “Our ancestor also wrote a sentence of judgment in the notebook, saying that in those years in this Tongye Continent, there were only two extraordinary people who dared to say they had attained enlightenment, one in the East Sea Guandao Temple, and the other under the Wutong Tree in the center of the continent.”

Qing Tong smiled noncommittally, “Such biased words, write them in the notebook for your own enjoyment. As for the younger generations who are qualified to read this notebook, too much talk leads to mistakes, so do not spread it.”

If such nonsense were accidentally heard by the Old Temple Master, both the speaker and the listener would be in trouble. Fellow Daoist Huang, don’t harm me.

Qing Tong then said, “To be able to have the Hidden Official spend money to treat you to wine, Fellow Daoist Huang, you have quite the influence.”

Huang Xi laughed heartily: “That’s because Sword Immortal Chen is approachable, it has nothing to do with my influence.”

This trip to Wutong Mountain was not in vain, and he even earned an extra “Fellow Daoist” title from Senior Qing Tong, isn’t that the same treatment as his own founding ancestor? When he goes back to the family ancestral hall to offer incense to that hanging portrait, he must mention it?

Qing Tong let out a surprised sound, “Fellow Daoist Huang, why don’t you go to Fallen Phoenix Mountain as a guest elder?”

Huang Xi asked in confusion, “Why?”

Xie Gou said with a smile, “Because you are sharp and outspoken.”

Huang Xi asked, “Can I really? Isn’t Fallen Phoenix Mountain closed off? Does it still accept guest elders?”

Xie Gou said: “Whether the mountain is closed or not, whether to accept guest elders or not, isn’t it all up to our Mountain Lord?”

Huang Xi exclaimed, “With one heart and one mind, saying is doing, Sword Immortal Chen has great prestige.”

It’s not that Huang Xi is deliberately saying nice things, but Huang Xi knows very well that the hearts of people in a large family or sect are complex, with misunderstandings and grievances growing like weeds.

Inside the house, Chen Pingan said, “You can all come in.”

Xie Gou hurriedly made amends, “Fallen Phoenix Mountain is not a one-man show!”

Entering the house, Chen Pingan sat upright, accepting the tea of apprenticeship handed over by Deng Jianping. Deng Jianping refused to be dissuaded and insisted on kneeling and kowtowing. Chen Pingan drank the tea, and they became master and disciple.

Xie Gou was counting his fingers, silently counting how many disciples the Mountain Lord had now.

Deng Jianqiao raised the back of her hand, wiping away tears. The woman had never been so happy.

Chen Pingan put down the teacup and smiled: “Deng Jianping will now return to Treasure Bottle Continent with me. Sect Master Deng, what do you say, Fellow Daoist Huang? How about visiting Fallen Phoenix Mountain together?”

Deng Jianqiao said with embarrassment: “Sword Immortal Chen, please don’t call me Sect Master Deng, just call me Embroiderer.” She almost forgot that Chen Pingan was a genuine Martial Artist of the Pinnacle Realm. Not long ago, after inquiring about fists with Huang Yiyun of Pushan, they became quite close in private. Ye Yunyun bluntly said that she was able to return to the true state of the Pinnacle Realm, thanks to Chen Pingan’s teaching of fists. Ye Yunyun said teaching rather than asking about fists, and Deng Jianqiao knew the great significance of this.

Huang Xi said: “We originally planned to send Jianping to Wutong Mountain, and then continue traveling south to Tongye Continent, all the way to the Qushan Crossing by the sea, and then take a cross-continental ferry to visit some present-day Daoist sects with family connections in the South Suo Continent.”

Chen Pingan nodded, “Then you follow your planned itinerary. Anyway, Fallen Phoenix Mountain doesn’t have legs, and we are always waiting for you to visit.”

Of course, the embroiderer wanted to accompany Jianping for a longer journey, preferably sending her younger brother to Fallen Phoenix Mountain. However, she would listen to Huang Xi on such important matters. Huang Xi was indeed more skilled in how to interact with mountain immortals and sects.

Chen Pingan said: “Then I’ll talk about some private matters with Fellow Daoist Qing Tong first. You have to say goodbye for now, and you can chat a few more words. After half an hour, shall we meet at the foot of the mountain?”

Huang Xi naturally had no objections. Just now, when Deng Jianping was alone with Chen Pingan in the house, Senior Qing Tong had already told them a place suitable for brother and sister to talk, a small pavilion on a cliff with the best scenery, with the plaque “Cloud Passing”.

After Huang Xi and the others left, Chen Pingan handed over a piece of paper.

Qing Tong took the paper filled with small characters, and asked in doubt: “You’re really giving it?”

Chen Pingan glared, “A trivial matter, can it stump me? Talent gushes forth like a spring, even I am afraid, who can stop it?”

Xie Gou laughed heartily.
Her mood improved considerably, so she ceased to care whether Qing Tong was feigning the Fourteenth Realm or not.

Chen Ping’an chuckled at himself, “I even had the thought of accepting him as a disciple on behalf of my master. Earlier on the mountain path, I almost blurted it out.”

Xie Gou was genuinely astounded this time, and Qing Tong was even more taken aback.

On the path to the small pavilion, Deng Jianping was the first to speak, smiling, “Master told me many things, and also taught me a principle, asking me to remember it well.”

Huang Xi playfully teased, “What precious principle is that? Can I mooch off it and listen in?”

The Embroiderer elbowed him again, but this time, the practiced Huang Xi blocked it with his palm. The Embroiderer tried again, but he blocked again, his skill making Deng Jianping, the younger brother, feel… heartache.

Deng Jianping said, “The principle is very simple, just one sentence: ‘A human body is hard to obtain, a gentleman does not save.'”

Huang Xi nodded, agreeing, Jianping was indeed too fond of splitting hairs, “Sword Immortal Chen is advising you to cherish your life and not casually throw it away?”

Deng Jianping remained noncommittal.

In truth, Master had also said two more sentences at the end, “This is the principle that your Uncle Qi taught me back then, and today I pass it on to you.”

“Coincidentally, back then I had not yet left the small town, and you have not yet gone to the small town, neither of us having ascended the mountain, still outside the mountain.”

The Embroiderer tentatively asked, “Jianping, I want to say something from the heart, do you want to hear it?”

Deng Jianping took a deep breath, his expression resolute, and nodded, “Sister, I have been waiting a long time for these words.”

Huang Xi chuckled, “Oh my, the implication is that you’re complaining your sister doesn’t take the initiative to chat with you? A good counter-attack, brilliant.”

Deng Jianping’s face flushed red, he was not good with words to begin with, and was now extremely flustered. The Embroiderer’s elbow this time was quite forceful, but Deng Jianping grabbed her arm, and together they hurried forward.

Huang Xi clasped his hands behind his head, slowed his pace, and walked behind the siblings, looking around, the wind was gentle and the soil beautiful, then he looked up at the sky, wow, what wonderful weather.

He did not enter the pavilion, but squatted far away on the cliff, occasionally stealing glances into the pavilion.

He didn’t know what the siblings were talking about, he only saw that the Embroiderer finally cried for the first time, the grievances on her face, no longer in her heart.

Huang Xi lowered his gaze and saw a figure in a long azure robe, holding a mountain staff, on the mountain path.

He recalled a saying, above the martial dao of the mortal realm, white-clad Cao and azure-robed Chen.

Huang Xi smiled knowingly, he would have to visit Cao Ci when he had the chance. How strong must this fellow be, to make Chen Ping’an lose several sparring matches without a single victory?

Chen Ping’an first took Xie Gou down the mountain. No matter how high Qing Tong’s airs were, he had to be escorted to the mountain gate to be considered proper etiquette.

On the way down the mountain, they encountered several groups of demon cultivators ascending the mountain. Halfway up the mountain, the Goddess of the Wutong Mountain Ministry of Rites was responsible for receiving guests, and the cultivators of the Patrol Ministry were responsible for driving people away.

Seeing that mature and prudent elder, Chen Ping’an took the initiative to clasp his fist, and the latter returned the greeting. After a nod and a smile, they parted ways.

Living in this world, no need for excessive words, east, west, north, and south, each with their own journey.

Qing Tong recorded this scene in his heart.

Then there was a bewitching fox spirit surrounded by admirers. Seeing the azure-robed guest, she smiled dazzlingly and reached out to greet him, “Handsome brother, we meet again, our fate is not shallow, is it?”

But she was a little puzzled. For some reason, beside the girl in the sable hat, there was also an androgynous green-clad cultivator, a beauty, truly a great beauty.

Chen Ping’an ignored her.

The female cultivator spoke with increasing enthusiasm, “Leaving the mountain already? What’s wrong, didn’t pass the test at the Wutong Mountain Ministry of Rites, or did you simply get the cold shoulder? Do you need your sister to put in a good word for you?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and asked back, “This person beside me is the Qingyu Ancestor of Wutong Mountain, I am going down the mountain, he is seeing me off, who do you think needs help, and who needs someone to plead for them?”

The female cultivator and her companions burst into laughter. She covered her heart, her eyes like silk, and cooed, “Handsome brother has an extraordinary appearance, and his words are even more amusing, how about being friends with your sister?”

Chen Ping’an dismissed it with a smile.

Qing Tong remained silent throughout, his steps unceasing, only turning his head to look at that group of scoundrels who had come to seek refuge with him.

Xie Gou gloated, “Mud plastered on your crotch.”

Qing Tong’s face darkened further upon hearing this. Chen Ping’an held his mountain staff, the bamboo cane gently tapping the ground, making a rhythmic sound. He said in his heart, “Allowing the native demon clans of Tongye Continent to have a place to stay is already very good. If Wutong Mountain can further change customs and habits, it will be another meritorious deed for Daoist Qing Tong.”

Qing Tong nodded, “I will do my best.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Not just do your best, you must do it well, you must first have this intention.”

Qing Tong said, “I am taught.” Chen Ping’an smiled, “In the early days of establishing a sect, there will definitely be thousands of things to do, a complete mess. Everything is difficult at the beginning, don’t be discouraged, I believe you will soon find the trick. If there are really any problems, send letters to Qingping Sword Sect and Dafu Academy, and I have a personal relationship with Wen Yu, the Vice Dean of Tianmu Academy, I will write a letter and ask him to keep an eye on you. Don’t worry, there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Qing Tong grunted in acknowledgement. He had started out on a whim to establish a sect, but now that he truly had the Wutong Mountain signboard, large numbers of demon cultivators were pouring in every day, a mixed bag, and Qing Tong was indeed feeling uneasy in his heart.

Arriving at the mountain gate, patiently waiting for Deng Jianping and the others to meet here, Chen Ping’an looked up at the archway plaque, and smiled, “Did Mountain Head Cheng write it? It seems his skill is not as powerful as my old chef’s golden and stone energy.”

Qing Tong laughed, “It’s adequate.”

Xie Gou clicked his tongue, he really didn’t know how to talk, he hadn’t chatted with the Old Immortal Jia enough.

Chen Ping’an said, “You go back first, don’t wait for us.”

Qing Tong turned and went up the mountain.

Deng Jianping descended the mountain alone, came to Chen Ping’an and Xie Gou, and said with a smile, “Master, Vice-Chief Xie, my sister and brother-in-law want to wander around the mountain a little longer.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, offered the green bamboo staff in his hand to Deng Jianping, and smiled, “Handmade bamboo staff, an ordinary object, don’t despise it.”

Deng Jianping was stunned, and accepted the mountain staff with both hands. Several groups of demon cultivators drinking in the shops at the foot of the mountain were now honestly lining up to register. It was said that the presiding Goddess of the Ministry of Rites was a Nascent Soul Realm water deity from a former dynasty, and that the leader of the Patrol Ministry was actually a peak Distant Travel Realm martial artist. But including those two, everyone who had already obtained official positions in Wutong Mountain was waiting respectfully for that handsome cultivator in a green robe.
Qing Tong, his expression serene, continued his ascent without pause, merely leaving behind a single sentence, “Continue with your tasks.”

The vixen-like female cultivator and her entourage were struck as if by lightning, instantly petrified.

They had prayed and pleaded, hoping against hope that this man was not the renowned Ancestor Qingyu. But the truth, alas, seemed undeniable.

Qing Tong hesitated for a moment, then turned and pointed at a certain elder, instructing the Ministry of Rites to directly register him on the official record, dispensing with any review of his past. The elder, utterly bewildered by this sudden and assured elevation to a position of importance under the Ministry of Rites, remained stunned for a brief moment. But after the golden-mouthed Ancestor Qingyu departed, he did not offer thanks to this founder of the mountain. Instead, he abruptly ran a short distance, gazing into the distance toward the foot of the mountain, lamenting that the commonplace azure robes of the former elder were no longer visible.

This was because the elder possessed exceptionally keen eyes and a discerning mind, recalling that when Ancestor Qingyu escorted his guests down the mountain, as both host and leader of the sect, he had not walked in the center, but rather had positioned himself on either side of that girl wearing the sable hat!

Who in the world was she?

Could it be…him?

Impossible!

A little girl, noticing the anomaly, scurried over and tugged at the elder’s sleeve, softly asking, “Grandpa, what’s wrong?”

The elder chuckled, “Nothing. I must have been mistaken.”

The little girl smiled innocently, “Mistaken about what?”

The elder replied in a whisper, “Mistaken about a name.”

The little girl looked puzzled, “Which name?”

The elder patted the child’s head, afraid that speaking it aloud would frighten her, and said softly, “Just a name with many identities.”

The little girl was filled with confusion, “What does that mean?”

Outside the mountain path.

A disciple inquired, “Master, I am still curious about that principle. Could you elaborate?”

The master replied, “Within Suijia City, there may be individuals like Liu Xianyang and Chen Ping’an.”

Deng Jianping gripped his green bamboo staff tightly, nodding vigorously. “Surely there are. If Suijia City has them, other places will too.”

Xie Gou whispered, “Mountain Lord, in this moment and this setting, my emotions overwhelm me, and I desire to compose a ditty.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Hold! Please, Vice Minister Xie, restrain this divine power.”

Xie Gou grumbled, “I can’t help it. Besides, I only have half a verse in mind…”

Chen Ping’an sighed, “Alright, alright, do as you please.”

Xie Gou, with a hearty laugh, proclaimed, “Allow me to offer this humble contribution, though I fear it is unworthy.” His face brimming with pride, he cleared his throat and loudly recited,

“Mountains and rivers shift at whim, the traveler’s name unknown.”

Chen Ping’an exclaimed, “Hmm, not bad.” Xie Gou, unable to resist praise, puffed out his chest.

Deng Jianping felt increasingly at ease. The relationship between the Mountain Lord and the Vice Minister was truly harmonious.

Reaching a secluded spot in the wilderness, Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Then let us travel by sword. Jianping, keep up. I will teach you the Eighteen Halts of Sword Qi along the way.”

Xie Gou rubbed his hands together expectantly, while Deng Jianping felt apprehensive.

Three streaks of sword light suddenly rose from the ground, the leading figure a color akin to the heavens. Beneath his feet lay a panorama of mountains and rivers like a painted scroll. The Great Dao is like the Azure Sky; if you ask my name, I am a carefree mortal of Qingdu, the righteous swordsman, Chen Ping’an.