The youth, resembling a drifting cloud, returned to the Ferry of Paulownia Shade. He found the girl in the sable hat crouched by the ladder at the bow. Cui Dongshan, ever playful, inquired, “Pray tell, Miss Xie, dost thou squat to ease thyself, or to waylay me?”

Xie Gou, disinclined to rise, raised a hand to her mouth. “Sect Leader Cui,” she questioned, “canst thou truly guide Qing Mi upon the path to Harmony? Speakest thou not false?”

Cui Dongshan squatted beside her, sighing theatrically. “Our sect’s creed is to treat all with sincerity. When I say five and five, I mean half and half. Deception is foreign to my tongue.”

He adjusted his sleeves with a flourish. “I, a future sect leader, hold my honor dearer than gold!”

Xie Gou remained unconvinced, suspicion clouding her gaze.

Cui Dongshan, feigning sudden realization, wore a mask of horror. “How didst thou learn of such intimate affairs, Miss Xie? Surely thou didst not witness my comrade Qing Mi and I, finding ourselves alone, side-by-side watering the roots of yonder wall? I am yet a blossoming youth! Such gossip would ruin me!”

Xie Gou grinned, teeth flashing. “It’s no privy matter. What’s there to see?”

Cui Dongshan gasped. “Three days apart, one should view with fresh eyes! Miss Xie, but a few days on Mount Fallen, and thy wit hath exploded forth!”

Pei Qian strolled along the bow. “Naught but success or failure, divided in equal measure.”

Xie Gou stared, bewildered. “Ah? Is this sorcery?”

*Have I been stranded on a counterfeit Mount Fallen?* *Ah, Zheng Dafeng did say that Cui Sect Leader now belongs to the Green Reed Sword Sect. A lost cause. He no longer cares.*

Pei Qian elaborated. “He doth not entirely deceive. Qing Mi Senior had not grasped Fire Dragon True Man’s veiled intent, so my junior brother merely offered a hand.”

Cui Dongshan extended both hands, thumbs raised high. “Greatest of all is my senior sister! She knows me best!”

Xie Gou’s face remained unchanged. “Huh? Huh?”

Pei Qian patiently explained. “Qing Mi Senior is one of those Ascended Ones whose spirit hath crumbled. He hath resigned himself to being no match for the Fourteen Realms, believing his talent and fortune to be lacking compared to the ascended powers. This despondency blocks Qing Mi Senior from reaching the final destination. If the Great White Goose were to lecture you, Feng Xuetao, you would dismiss it, that is why Great White Goose said “you need a stronger Willpower”, which is a double entendre. Thus, the Great White Goose employed a… convenient method. He simply rekindled his spirit, reigniting hope, however faint. The Feng Xuetao of yesterday is vastly different from the Feng Xuetao of tomorrow. In a sense, he hath already set foot upon the path to Harmony. Furthermore, the Great White Goose possesses vast knowledge, aiding him in the exchange of Daoist wisdom, which doth benefit all.”

Xie Gou’s eyes widened. “Learned! Learned! Such cunning!”

Cui Dongshan clasped his hands behind his head, chuckling softly. “After a great rain, Harmony is easier to grasp, yet the Fourteenth Realm is not a discarded brick or a common cabbage.”

Xie Gou frowned. “Breaking through is truly difficult. True worry is this worry.”

Cui Dongshan smiled faintly. “Therefore, when I spoke of Feng Xuetao’s chance at Harmony, Miss Xie felt the urge to slay Qing Mi Senior? Am I wrong?”

Xie Gou readily admitted, “Instinct, my friend. What can I do? I can control it.”

Pei Qian smiled. “That is already a boon.”

Cui Dongshan chimed in, “Indeed! Our Miss Xie possesses exceptional talent, learning swiftly. The more difficult, the faster she learns. It is in the tempering of the Daoist heart where room for improvement remains. As an observer, I am both envious and anxious!”

Xie Gou turned to Pei Qian, “Is the Great White Goose speaking ill of me?”

Spending time on Mount Fallen, one discovers that certain phrases possess a strange infectious quality, easily learned and prone to addiction. Such as the epithet “Great White Goose.”

Pei Qian replied, “It is barbed sarcasm, veiled criticism, perhaps even reverse praise. Difficult to say.”

Cui Dongshan feigned innocence. “Heaven and earth bear witness! Do not besmirch a good name!”

Xie Gou waved a hand dismissively. “No matter. I shall take it as praise!”

Cui Dongshan paced in a circle, winking theatrically. “Should not the entirety of the Lotus Leaf Continent, both high and low, desire Sect Leader Jiang of the Jade Tablet Sect to achieve Harmony one day? Does not the Azure Bottle Continent owe me a Fourteenth Realm champion? Would not every demon cultivator in the desolate lands wish for my Teacher to ascend? Nay, it appears not. Is it not strange?”

Xie Gou pondered, then scowled. “Speaks what? None of my business is it.”

Cui Dongshan mimicked the elfin Xiao Mi Li’s delighted cries, “Oh-hwo! Oh-hwo!”

Pei Qian rolled her eyes. “Two childish fools.”

Xie Gou swaggered away, while Pei Qian prepared to return to her chamber to practice her fists. Cui Dongshan called out, “Senior Sister!” then fell into a hesitant silence.

Pei Qian paused, curious. “What is it?”

Cui Dongshan smiled. “Dost thou prefer the old Little Black Ember, or the Pei Qian of today?”

Pei Qian contemplated before replying. “I have little fondness for my former, ignorant self.”

Cui Dongshan murmured, “Yet your Teacher and I often think of the old Little Black Ember.”

Pei Qian chuckled. “Did Teacher tell you this himself?”

Cui Dongshan shook his head. “It need not be said.”

Regarding Pei Qian’s growth, it seemed that Teacher found both joy and melancholy.

The wise and eloquent Teacher had no reasoning to explain this feeling, so remained silent.

Like a child skipping along, transforming into a grown maiden in the blink of an eye.

After polite pleasantries, Chen Ping’an returned to the ferry, approaching them with a cheerful inquiry. “What are you discussing?”

Both spoke nearly at once. The student said, “Senior Sister wished to sneak a drink. I prevented it.”

The disciple said, “The Great White Goose did not speak kindly to Miss Xie.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, nodding. “Very good, very good.” He rewarded each with a flick on the forehead.

Cui Dongshan asked, “Doth Teacher return to Mount Fallen?”

Chen Ping’an replied, “First, a visit to the Paulownia Mountain of Green Peak. I owe gratitude for the Paulownia leaves. Then, a detour to Green Tiger Palace to share wine with the Elder True Man. Afterward, I shall return home to continue cultivating at the Peach Plume Dojo.”

Cui Dongshan said, “Teacher need not be so patient on every journey down the mountain.”

To visit Paulownia Mountain, a selfless intention for that couple, so the couple will not feel they owe him any gratitude. So-called “detours” are merely to spare his disciples from feeling indebted.

“The presence or absence of a sliver of our patience may determine the joy or sorrow of those we meet. How could I not be patient? It was patience found on the path that shaped me, Chen Ping’an.”

Pei Qian hummed in agreement.

Cui Dongshan sighed. “The heavens are vast, but Teacher is supreme. What you say is correct.”

Chen Ping’an announced, “I have finally understood something.”

Sensing danger, Cui Dongshan attempted to flee, but Chen Ping’an grasped the back of his neck. “There’s no need for guilt. Wherefore the haste?”

Pei Qian considered moving away. Teacher and junior brother would discuss matters of great import.

Chen Ping’an, however, signaled for Pei Qian to remain, speaking to them both in a mental voice. “The question I had avoided for all this time, I will finally give the answer, someone have been waiting for the answer.”

Cui Dongshan muttered, “This is the Old Tortoise’s intention. I only realized it a few days ago.”

Chen Ping’an teased, “Therefore, senior brother protecting my Dao is akin to bestowing a ward. Wherefore such guilt, my disciple?”

This talisman’s name might be called “Answer,” concerning right and wrong, the process and the outcome.

Chen Ping’an the sword cultivator, on his life’s path, searching for the “talisman” answer, Cui Dongshan waited patiently, while Zou Zi looked on.

Cui Dongshan muttered softly, “The Old Tortoise goes to the privy without paper…”

Chen Ping’an retorted, “Do not speak so rudely!”

Cui Dongshan asked, “Since naught else presses, shall we resume our drinking?”

Chen Ping’an shrugged. “I have no preference. It is a matter for Pei Qian.”

Pei Qian declared, “My capacity is middling, inferior to Teacher. My behavior, however, ranks second to none.”

Cui Dongshan’s eyes widened. “Little Black Ember, what dost thou imply? Am I last in both regards?”

They returned to the table. Chen Ping’an insisted on cooking himself, dismissing Feng Xuetao’s skills with disdain.

Pei Qian sat waiting, her eyes closed, her brow serene. Cui Dongshan sprawled upon the table, yawning, demanding wine and meat.

That night, neither student nor disciple favored Teacher over the other. Instead, senior sister and junior brother joined forces to intoxicate the one who claimed preeminence in both drink and conduct.

Chen Ping’an shared amusing tales from his days as a kiln apprentice. The Great White Goose recounted the embarrassing memory of being locked away to read. Little Black Ember reminisced of her youthful adventures in the Southern Garden Kingdom.

Xie Gou, feeling the weight of her official position, wished to foster goodwill with the native sword cultivators of the Sword Hearth Great Wall. She failed and ate the doorknob, and then returned again, to say they were now family, no old grudges between them, so no reason for the cold shoulders…The old crone within shooed her away in irritation. The girl in the sable hat stuck out her tongue and knocked rudely, then strutted away. She walked into the hallway and spat. “Jade Peak Sword Immortal,” she muttered, “bah!”

Inside, the intentionally stern-faced old man barely contained a chuckle, while the old crone’s face darkened. She flung open the door and shouted, “Dare you say that again!” Only to find the sable-hatted girl long gone. The old man assumed his bond with the “young girl” to be severed, but then saw that the old crone closed the door and turned away. The old woman smiled. The old man looked straight at her. The woman got angry suddenly and slapped the table. “What are you looking at, an old perv, control your dog eyes!” The old man had no words. The woman continued, “We aren’t young anymore, if you don’t know, buy a mirror!” All of a sudden, the old crone seemed to have heard what was in his heart, her face turned red. “You’re too old to be doing this? Fine, buy a mirror!”

The old man grimaced and left the chamber. At the corridor’s bend, the sable-hatted girl said, “Sword Immortal Xingyun, why take to such a grumpy old woman?”

The old man snapped, “Because I want to.”

Xie Gou cackled. “Serves you right.”

Xingyun frowned. “Two continents are at war, and thou art here wooing a crone?”

Xie Gou retorted, “A youth by nature, yet thou dost masquerade as an elder. ‘Tis but a fleeting moment. Is it funny?”

Angered, Xingyun prepared a retort, but Xie Gou preempted him, striking at his heart. “Such foul breath! Hath thou supped on dung and forgot to rinse? Small wonder Liu Shui shuns thy company. Take heed. Sword Immortal Mi is far fairer than thee. Doth only men crave beauty? Do women not desire handsome youths? Sword Immortal Mi… such a balm to the eyes! Moreover, he is a true sword immortal, unlike your Jade Peak imitation…”

Furious, Xingyun sputtered. The sable-hatted girl leaned against the wall, picking her nose. “Sword cultivator! Bah! Cowardly, useless! Weak of sword, and weaker of spirit.”

The old crone arrived, her face thunderous. “Bai Jing! Silence!”

Xie Gou placed her hands on her hips, puffed up with grandeur. “Impudence! A mere acolyte of a subordinate sect, doth thou not recognize the vice-chairman of the superior sect? On Mount Fallen, my popularity is legendary. Tread carefully when you arrive, lest ye be eaten alive! Know this warning!”

Initially enraged, Xingyun and Liu Shui, hearing such pompous pronouncements, could only feel bemused.

Especially coming from Bai Jing of the Desolate Lands, famed for her proclivity to issue sword challenges on a whim.

Xie Gou retreated backward along the corridor, feigning bravado. “Let words be your weapons, not steel! I fear extortion!”

*The old woman mentally scoffed, “Why dost thou not simply challenge her? In thy youth, thou didst endlessly proclaim the desire to cross blades with an Ascended Demon!”*

Xingyun grumbled, “I would rather argue with her.”

After all, Bai Jing’s unused titles were not gifts from good samaritans.

Gossip said that if Fei Fei were to meet Bai Jing, would she have to call her “Master”?

What stopped them from fighting, was that they all knew that this foul mouthed woman meant no harm.

Xie Gou left, hands behind her back, nose in the air, whistling.

One waits for the other to show her heart, but the other acts like she knows what’s in the other’s heart.

Don’t say it? Can’t say it? They like to save their ammo. Would it taste good later? It will be rotten.

*Alas, only I, a outsider, could play the bad guy and break that paper window.*

*I’m the best Vice Chairman of Mount Fallen, I deserve a promotion!*

Bai Jing leaves the Desolate Lands in defiance of everyone to complete three goals. Find Xiao Mo on Mount Fallen, retrieving the Golden Crow on Azure Bottle, and pay a visit to Pei Qian.

Xie Gou leaving Mount Fallen has two goals, one to be Shan Zhu’s Dao Protector when Xiao Mo can’t, and one to sense a familiar ancient aura. Xie Gou has no plan of visiting the person the aura belongs to.

Also, Xie Gou wanted to tell Shan Zhu about the old blind man from earth, Zhi Ci, wanted to ascend.

Xie Gou remembers asking, “Shan Zhu, do you really remember those place names, or did you just write them down?”

Chen Ping’an replied, “I’ve had a good memory since I was a kid. The names of those places are all on the roads I’ve walked.”

—

Mountains stretched endlessly. As summer arrived, snow fell, and covered the main peak. This was Paulownia Mountain where the Ancestral Hall resided. Far away, the Mountain looked like silver glass.

Xie Gou said, “How beautiful! Who would imagine it to be a place of demon cultivation?”

Chen Ping’an sat on a rock, fishing.

Xie Gou followed the trip. In the past, she never cared, but this time, she paid attention to the small scenery. Chen Ping’an teased that she was going to become friends with one of his friends. Xie Gou laughed, and said that it was the bearded Xu Da Ge in Immortal Tour County, he runs a Wu Shu Hall. Chen Ping’an said she’s spent too much time with Xiao Mi Li.

Xie Gou squatted, holding her cheeks. She asked, “When are you planning to refine the colored soil that the Pure Yang Taoist gave you?”

Chen Ping’an replied, “Wait until I get back to Peach Plume. It’s fine, I haven’t refined the soil the Da Li Dynasty gave me either.”

Xie Gou said, “I heard Tòng Shan Jūn helped you out.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Xiao Mi Li knows about this?”

Xie Gou replied, “I heard it from Wei Ye You.”

The Pillar Cloud Hall said that the Western Mountain raised the price without telling anyone. Some even said that they were just doing all the work when on the Mountain, and that the Gods smoked.

Chen Ping’an smiled, and said nothing.

Xie Gou said, “I often sneak over there to relax. I shouldn’t, Shan Zhu wouldn’t say anything?”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “Just pretend like I don’t know. It’s like you didn’t say anything.”

Xie Gou asked, “What else did the Pure Yang Daoist give you?”

Chen Ping’an said, “In the end, I can get to a point with my five element objects. I was able to do ascension state at the Immortal state.”

Xie Gou said, “Big time. If you build a foundation early, it will be half the work.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Fire Dragon told me not to chase the killing power. Cultivation is cultivation, and if you are too greedy, you’ll burn yourself.”

Xie Gou asked, “So Pure Yang speaking of benevolence is the Old True Man’s way of saying it? So the Old True Man will help the Old True Man’s student?”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “I think that’s true.”

Xie Gou said, “I heard Xiao Mi Li said that you and Xu Yuan Xia and Zhang Shan Feng have known each other for a long time.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “We met back when we were nothing. We used to have to count our money before drinking back then. It felt like we’d walked forever. Unlike today where if we want to move, we can just zoom. We don’t have to care about money anymore.”

Xie Gou said, “It must be nice to know friends from back then. I’m jealous.”

A couple cultivators walked by and talked shit. It was summer, why was the man so skinny. He must like eating small grass.

Xie Gou said, “Shan Zhu, my temper is good. I would turn them into ash.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “You have a great temper now, and you were good back then.”

Xie Gou did a Big White Goose fist bump, “You overpraise me.”

Chen Ping’an said, “You only learn stuff from Cui Zong Zhu.”

If Chen Ping’an wasn’t here, Xie Gou would be wearing a robe, which made her feel good when walking.

Chen Ping’an asked, “I never heard about any enemies you’ve made. When I chat with Xiao Mo, he’s ambiguous.”

Xie Gou laughed, “There’s nothing to chat about. I all cultivate myself, so nobody was nice to me. I don’t complain, I just eat my losses. If they deserved to complain about me, they can’t. You know, those old titles I have. As for those who are weaker, they won’t do anything, scared that I will take their title. Of course, the strong won’t care either. I don’t have any enemies.”

Female cultivators change and do makeup before going out, but Bai Jing just changes her title.

She has no hatred for those old title owners. She has given all of her “Feelings” for Xiao Mo.

A long and not very heartfelt love letter.

Xie Gou out of nowhere, “Green Peak had a lot of things, but it’s all trash, Shan Zhu, Mount Fallen can’t get involved. Paulownia Mountain was only made a sect because you sent a letter to the Confucian Temple. I will talk to Green Peak when that happens, don’t stop me.”

Chen Ping’an said, “He can. Green Peak still loves his feathers, and if he can teach and be patient, it’s going to be a whole different scene. Take it slow.”

Xie Gou asked, “If Green Peak can’t teach?”

Chen Ping’an replied, “The Da Fu Academy is watching too.”

Xie Gou said, “Oh.”

Even though it wasn’t the best route to the mountains, a few more cultivators walked by. One of the foxes asked in a coquettish way, “Is the white mountain, Paulownia Mountain?”

Xie Gou shook her head. “Whore.”

Chen Ping’an only looked at the water, and said, “No.”

Xie Gou laughed.

Those who were going to try their luck at Paulownia Mountain thought it was funny and left.

Initially, the Paulownia cultivators thought it was a trap to go over there.

After that, the Jade Tablet and Pu Mount confirmed that it was a Confucian Temple sect.

The demons were used to being scared, so they waited and watched. They didn’t dare go.

Eventually they were told that Elder Mountain Chief Cheng Long Zhou from Da Fu was going to show up and give blessings. This relieved them. They rushed over to the Mountain to see it. It turned out that the Sect had seats!

The demons that come here have wild auras, and those lower have a stink to them.

Xie Gou asked, “Why did Green Peak change his name to Qing Yu? He made it known that he was just a Jade Peak. Why did he go out of the way to fake being one? Is it unzipping his pants to fart?”

Chen Ping’an explained, “Green Peak wants to make a sect, but doesn’t know how to handle it. Green Peak is concerned that if there’s too many disciples, they will think he’s just there because he’s ascended, and is afraid of not being good enough. That’s why he thought he’d be just a Jade Peak at first. First, a young Jade Peak is not small, and Green Peak can create the sect in the Lotus Leaf, so there has to be something going on here. Second, in the end, Green Peak just has to cultivate and say he ascended, so he would be a young sect leader.”

Xie Gou said, “And then he’ll pretend to be ascension level in five or six years? No, that’s not really pretending.”

She thought, “Is this the same idea where you don’t go too fast?”

Chen Ping’an turned his head, “Are you using Chen Ling Jun’s principles?”

Xie Gou asked, “What is it?”

Chen Ping’an turned back.

Xie Gou continued, “But with that process, Green Peak will be outed in five or six years. He has to be an ascended realm sect leader.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Who said that one trip to close-door will be successful?”

Xie Gou eyes widened, “Green Peak is worse than unzipping his pants to fart, he’s just shitting with his pants on. He did this to fool me? So he can’t enter the fourteenth realm because of this? Or is he already there?! I have to ask him now. If he is already there and pretends he’s not, I’ll force him to use his true form!”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “Could it be that you’re misunderstanding Green Peak? Maybe he has an advisor? Of course, I’m just guessing.”

Xie Gou immediately changed, “A secret plan, someone’s behind the scenes!”

Chen Ping’an was speechless. You are learning from all of the people on Mount Fallen.

Xie Gou said, “Cultivators have a hard time seeing others as people. They can’t see themselves as people. The former have a hard time seeing the latter as the same kind.”

Xie Gou did not consider Green Peak and other demons as the same.

Chen Ping’an didn’t say anything, and said, “You don’t have to speak with the old people tongue. You don’t have to hide anything.”

Xie Gou was confused, “Learning, naturally. Thick skill, I can’t stop myself. I don’t think anything’s out of order, and nobody cares. Am I wrong?”

Chen Ping’an didn’t say anything and said, “Good. No you’re not.”

He collected the fishing pole and put them away, and continued towards the mountain.

Xie Gou smiled. “Do we look like the officials who sneak into town for info?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Anything’s fine with me as long as you’re having fun.”

Xie Gou said, “There’s a lot of mountain’s here. More than Mount Fallen and Blue Reed combined. Green Peak really wants power.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Why are you targeting Green Peak so much?”

Xie Gou sneered, “Would a useless ascension even deserve it?”

Chen Ping’an didn’t say anything.

Xie Gou said, “Let’s pretend you didn’t hear anything.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “I can pretend. Just don’t say it.”

One cultivator built a shop on the mountain path to sell wine. They bought it in bulk and then sold it at a higher price. A steady profit. People in the sect talked about stuff. The fox walked up to the shop and eyed Chen Ping’an. Xie Gou didn’t like it and poked the bitch’s eye.

Xie Gou sighed. “So pricey.”

Xie Gou was not rich. Why would she sell mountain herbs otherwise.

Chen Ping’an said nothing.

Xie Gou was quiet and decided to look around.

There was a cultivator who hogged a table with a sword. People did not want to join him there.

Xie Gou mentally spoke, “Shan Zhu, that sword has age. The maker’s skill is old.”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “Old indeed. Although his state is not high, his Dao is good. Green Peak will make use of him.”

After drinking they can talk with no fear. They talked about canal work, gossip like Qing Mi joining Jade Tablet Sect, the Taiping Mountain Yellow Court Cultivation, martial arts in Cloud Grass Hall, and that Lin Ye sect switching sides to demons. Xie Gou didn’t care, except she did hear about her Mount, about Chen getting together with Empress Daquan, and beating on Lin Ye Sect…

Xie Gou heard, then looked at Shan Zhu.

Xie Gou started drinking and figured Xiao Mi Li and Konghou would do all the gossiping.

Chen Ping’an looked to the door.

Two people walked up.

The man saw the table with the sword, and instead walked to Chen Ping’an.

He bowed and asked in Paulownian, “Can we join you?”

Chen Ping’an replied, “Of course.”

The woman furrowed, but the man sat down and said that he was from the same place. He asked, “Are you traveling here?”

Chen Ping’an said, “I use my feet for a living.”

They recognized that these two were Yellow Xi and Xiu Niang from back during the competition. So they were together! There was a rumor Chen from Azure Bottle was there to watch them in Peach.

Chen Ping’an however was in Peach Plume.

Some looked carefully and decided that this was indeed her. One of the other cultivators said, “I would respect Chen. But since he only watched the water, he’s not that great.”

Xie Gou was excited.

One old demon shouted. “Silence! Today’s world is something to be worried about. The Chen’s sect is in the same area. Who knows if there are spies around. You all are going to be reported to the academy!”

Those who were worried about it shut up immediately.

Chen Dong worried about how his visit will be interpreted.

Because the city was empty because Chen, the last gate guard, got a reputation, I’m afraid that all the Tong Ye mainland monsters will scatter, and the place of residence and a great wealth, better than the body life? Chen Pingan, if there is a killing heart, is not the entire Tong Ye Mountain, everywhere there are war merits waiting to be picked? Wu Tong Mountain has become a hot pot restaurant, which was taken away by Chen’s people in one pot.

Chen Ping’an looked at the old man, and the old man bowed. The people here are mindless, only you are calm.

Xie Gou said, “Shan Zhu, the old man is praising you in his heart.”

Chen Ping’an sighed, “Then you should thank him.”

Chen Ping’an mentally spoke to the couple, “I saw you during the fight at Hard Stone. I didn’t know you two would become daoists.”

Chen had met with Yellow Xi and Xiu Niang once before when he went on a trip to Northern Ju Lu.

Chen’s friends Liu Jing Long and Huang Ting had fought each other there too.

Actually, the Da Li Dynasty was going to get Xiu Niang for the twelve. Instead, they had picked Zhou Hai Jing.

Chen Ping’an raised his bowl, “Hard Stone was good. I benefited a lot.”

Yellow Xi laughed, filled his bowl, and then said, “Cheers.” Xiu Niang just took a small sip.

Yellow Xi asked, “Are you traveling here? Or are you joining the Green Jade sect?”

Chen Ping’an said, “We’ll see.”

Yellow Xi said, “That’s the way. Getting the name recorded is not an easy thing. It’s like checking into a shop.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Agreed.”

This time, Yellow Xi raised his bowl and said, “Cheers.”

Chen Ping’an bumped the bowl, “Meeting is fate.”

Yellow Xi was red and started talking with his heart, “Actually, I have connections in Paulownia. My friend is good, and they will be very useful. You can ask him if you need help. Of course, you better not have any problems.”

Xiu Niang sighed. He was always like this. Always liked to be friends with everyone.

Xiu Niang did not care because her husband’s state was high. She felt safe. Also, she thought the sable girl was cute.

They talked about the north, “The Azure Bottle had Chen. I’m tired of hearing about him. He must be good, but he is one of those step figures.”

Chen nodded in a relatable way. “Reputation is something you have to worry about.”

Xiu Niang thought he spoke well.

Yellow Xi hesitated and was going to tell Chen that you should follow green peak, who has ties to the town demon tower. But Xiu Niang stopped him. She was mad and reminded him not to reveal any big secrets. It will harm their friend. It’s the most important thing. Yellow felt bad and drank.

The face had a lot to say, but decided not to say it.

She found the fur girl smiling at her.

She thought that the fur girl was Chen’s daughter. The two didn’t look alike.

Yellow Xi was going to take his leave.

“This drink is on me.”

Yellow was that kind of person, so he was fine with it.

Also, many in the north, he had his believers. Xiu had to chase a lot away.

Yellow asked, “I have to ask. The previous stuff, was it real?”

Chen smiled. “You have to be careful with what you say.”

Was a vague answer, but still felt good. “We know how to drink.”

Xiu noticed the fur girl blink and say, “My dad sells alcohol too.”

Yellow said, “That’s why you’re paying.”

She suspected that the man was not a scheming person.

They left the shop, and Yellow said, “What’s with you two?”

She was confused. “What else?”

It was just meeting each other. They had met a true fire dragon before, several times.

The sword master said, “There was a time where I was mistaken for Chen.”

Yellow was starting to sweat. “The problem is, he really is the man.”

Xiu couldn’t believe.

Yellow explained, “I can see the daoization and the aura. I can tell if it’s good or not.”

She asked, “You’re saying that he’s Dao bigger than the Mountain?”

Yellow shook. “This is not the case. What happened was I could not see anything. My old book said, “A true man doesn’t know each other.”

He had no idea, but for some reason he felt it.

Yellow sat down on the stairs.

The master of the Sword ran away.

She asked, “What are you doing?”

The sword artist said, “Take a teacher!”

Yellow tried to stop him.

Xiu thought about it. Her friend should be doing.

Yellow asked, “Xiu, is this the first time he’s been thinking of this? When we went to Azure Bottle, why didn’t he do?”

She said, “You should know, he doesn’t tell me anything.”

Yellow said, “True, whenever he talks to you, you smile.”

They had to put up with it. Their status was bad.

Chen wasn’t at the peak.

Xiu said. “He’s happy with you as a brother-in-law. The sword, he doesn’t talk.”

Yellow smiled. “Not family can’t be a family, you know?”

Xiu asked. “It’s fine?”

He said, “Listen to me, and said, it’s really okay with you.”

Later Yellow Xi felt that it was better.

She had two kids. The two kids asked Yellow who he was. He said he was their dad. So the two kids decided to cultivate and not do. Because they felt it’s the mountain that can teach them. Yellow said he got them from a small country outside of Ju Lu, and said they were the poorest. Before they saw Yellow, they knew how to cultivate.

Yellow did not think much. He only felt that the nephew was kind and took them into mountain.

Xiu softly said, “Actually, he’s happy with you being the nephew. He’s just shy.”

Yellow smiled. “I know.”

She asked, “Is it okay to act like this?”

He said, “No choice now.”

Most problems, I will personally make sure, and take care of that.

If anyone is nice to you, you have to get them, and fix it with the help of that family.

She cried later and felt that it was good. Later she knew that he had made it big, and realized the world was small and there was a lot of things to worry about.

There were still some nice people in the world, but everyone was struggling.

She thought that it was okay to be good but not good enough.

She said that Yellow just saw the sky and said what was up.

It was okay that there was a lot of struggles because there were a lot of old people.

He reached the mountain and went home.

Young and was going home.

The boy barely smiled and just said, “Dad, I’m so sorry. If I have not, it has to be that you guys, has been not good enough.”

His face felt the wind.

At this time in the more on mountain up, and was long with what, was also can. The smile was like a spring breeze. “You are to tell.”

The youth thought there was a new feeling but was silent, thought that it would be a test. He said, “Then I also will with you said one “thank””

The youth was.

Dongshan Mountain what he’s seen with what has. Then was that and his what? The you and more will of that could say of all you’s would that you?

All the people thought about what the youth said.

With all of the words that have, Chen said, “That is the most is the, never is the, the is the most is the what. The Dongshan just never to what with the, and that has been. So that’s what would.”