A simple supper was laid out, accompanied by potent country wine brewed in-house.

Midway through the meal, Xu Yuanxia used a long bamboo pole to dislodge a cured ham from the rafters of the courtyard above. She then plucked some green peppers from the garden, frying up a plate of green pepper and ham specifically for Chen Ping’an. He took a bite and remarked that it was a tad too salty, to which Xu Yuanxia retorted that he could go squat by the doorway and eat it there.

At the table, the girl in the sable hat was hunched over her bowl, muttering between mouthfuls, “Mountain Lord, Xiao Mo, I might need to return to the Wild Lands. Just some business to attend to. I’ll try to be back soon.”

Chen Ping’an subtly glanced at Xiao Mo, who was still engaged in a raucous drinking game with Xu Yuanxia, sleeves rolled up, shouting and gesturing wildly.

It infuriated Chen Ping’an. What could she do besides drink and swing a sword? Nothing useful, it seemed.

Xie Gou looked up, cheeks bulging, her smile as bright as ever. “Don’t worry. It’s just personal stuff. Old rules, no meddling in the affairs of the two worlds. I won’t cause trouble for the Mountain Lord or Lord Bai.”

Chen Ping’an, expressionless, kicked Xiao Mo under the table.

Xiao Mo, finally taking his cue, asked, “When do you depart?”

Chen Ping’an took a deep breath, barely managing to resist hurling his wine bowl across the room. A trip to the Azure Heavens, and he thinks he’s high and mighty.

Xie Gou scratched her cheek. “After we eat and I help clear the dishes.”

Xu Yuanxia narrowed her eyes, amused. To think they were seasoned Qi Refiners, yet their emotions were as turbulent as those of young lovers.

True to her word, Xie Gou cleared the table and busied herself in the kitchen before bidding farewell. As she headed towards the gate, she turned, flashing a radiant smile, reminding Chen Ping’an, “Mountain Lord, be sure to have a walking stick ready!”

Chen Ping’an grunted in reply, “Once I’m back at Fallen Peak, I’ll chop down some bamboo on the neighboring mountain.”

The sable-hatted girl nodded vigorously, then turned and strode towards the gate, raising her arm and giving a thumbs up. “Farewell.”

After Xie Gou departed, Chen Ping’an sat on the steps, puffing on his pipe. Xiao Mo squatted beside him, looking utterly clueless. Chen Ping’an didn’t even bother to speak.

Xu Yuanxia reclined in his wicker chair, fanning himself and patting his stomach.

Chen Ping’an broke the silence. “How fares the matter?” he inquired.

Xiao Mo replied, “One more sword stroke must be unleashed, as if to announce it to the world.”

That singular sword light would traverse five worlds, passing over great mountains and rivers. The act of delivering the sword was itself a harmonizing with the Tao, and its return to its sheath would signify enlightenment, a formal entry into the Fourteenth Realm.

Chen Ping’an looked puzzled.

Xiao Mo explained, “It’s not mere showmanship. This stroke is needed to prove that the sword cultivator, Mo Sheng, has truly achieved a sword path both lofty and far-reaching.”

Chen Ping’an seized upon the key point. “As the sword light crosses five worlds, surely masters of considerable power will attempt to intercept it.”

Xiao Mo nodded. “Indeed. Many of the Dao Lords could see it as a challenge. Daoist Bixiao has made a rough divination. Across the five worlds, along the paths of light and shadow, roughly seven or eight such masters will attempt to block the sword.”

Chen Ping’an frowned. “Would a failure to retrieve the sword equate to a failure of harmonization?”

Xiao Mo laughed. “It won’t come to that. According to Daoist Bixiao, I’ve already stepped over the threshold. It’s just that, being a sword cultivator, it’s as if my sword is being held at the door.”

Chen Ping’an considered this for a moment, then casually asked, “Does Xie Gou know all this?”

He expected a redundant question, but Xiao Mo shook his head. “She didn’t ask. I didn’t say anything.”

Chen Ping’an was so vexed by this answer that his liver ached. He could only manage, “Good. Good. Good.”

Xiao Mo looked aggrieved. “If I were truly so obtuse, I would have unleashed the sword in Daoist Bixiao’s Radiant Sanctum.”

Chen Ping’an’s expression softened slightly. “There’s still hope for you.”

Xiao Mo said softly, “While on the mountain, Master Zhu reminded me that the sword cultivator Bai Jing is proud. So whether she is Bai Jing, or Xie Gou, she doesn’t know how to face a Xiao Mo whose realm has suddenly become higher than hers. Truth be told, she doesn’t know how to interact with me, and how am I to know how to get along with her? So I wanted to return to Fallen Peak quickly, to seek some advice from you.”

Chen Ping’an sighed. “You should have asked Old Cook Zhu.”

Xiao Mo looked even more helpless. “I did. But Master Zhu said that he is a heartless man, in no position to teach those who are deeply sentimental. To ask him about love between a man and woman is like asking a blind man to lead the way.”

Chen Ping’an tapped the steps with his pipe, then pulled a booklet from his sleeve and handed it to Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo flipped through it, reading carefully. “These travel notes don’t sound like her writing. It’s obvious that you helped to embellish them.”

Chen Ping’an then gave him the original draft. Xiao Mo looked at it, and smiled, “This is definitely her.”

He then noticed that Chen Ping’an was staring at him fiercely, and had no idea what he had said wrong.

Not far away, Xu Yuanxia softly waved his fan, chuckling, “Both booklets come from the same heart. The first is not *unlike* her. The thing is, Xiao Mo, you’re mistaken, greatly mistaken. Zhu Lian isn’t ignorant of love. Rather, he understands it too well, which is why he can’t give you the absolute right answer. Those who see love too clearly often lose the ability to love others. I don’t know how old Xie Gou is, nor what her realm is, but when it comes to liking someone, she’s always been a girl matching her current appearance and age. The more authentic booklet, the one you feel truly reflects her, is the essence of Xie Gou, like a village girl without makeup, natural and lovely, carrying a bamboo basket, barefoot, picking wild vegetables, leaving a string of shallow footprints in the fields. The booklet you feel is not her own, is as if the same straightforward girl bought rouge and powder, awkwardly dressing up in front of a mirror, and timidly coming out to meet that boy.”

“If the boy ignores her, it’s still bearable. The girl might just feel disappointed.”

“But if the boy *has* to say something stupid, he deserves to be a bachelor for life.”

Xiao Mo had a sudden realization, and asked, “Brother Xu, what should I do now?”

Xu Yuanxia poked Xiao Mo with his fan, laughing, “If I knew what to do, your sister-in-law would be cooking today!”

Chen Ping’an chuckled. Xu Yuanxia threw the fan at him. “You weren’t any better in your day. You just relied on your thick skin to swindle Ning Yao!”

Chen Ping’an caught the fan, put down his pipe, leaned back, crossed his legs, and gently waved the fan, a gentle breeze caressing his face. He smiled, “Swindle? I’d say I won her fair and square.”

Xiao Mo asked, “Young Master?”

Chen Ping’an said sagely, “Hurry and catch up. Tell her to join her in the Wild Lands if she’s going. If there’s business to be done, do it together. If she wants to tour the mountains and rivers, accompany her. And sincerely ask her to protect you after you release the sword.”

Xiao Mo nodded, his body turning into a rainbow as he vanished.

Xu Yuanxia asked curiously, “Can he catch up?”

Chen Ping’an wasn’t sure. “Depends on how sulky Xie Gou is.”

Xu Yuanxia said, “An ordinary woman would pout for at least a few days, let alone a Qi Refiner with a firm Dao Heart.”

Yet, in what seemed like mere blinks of an eye, Xiao Mo, with his yellow cap and green shoes, appeared alongside the sable-hatted girl at the gate of the martial hall.

Xie Gou put her hands on her hips. “Halfway there, I suddenly remembered that there’s nothing much to do in the Wild Lands after all, haha, what an embarrassment.”

Chen Ping’an and Xu Yuanxia exchanged glances.

Such a clumsy excuse!

Truly worthy of someone who calls herself a dog.

Xu Yuanxia asked with a smile, “You’ve eaten and drunk your fill. When will Mountain Lord Chen be departing?”

Chen Ping’an replied, “The landlord’s granary is empty. The martial hall business seems to be doing alright, though?”

Xu Yuanxia waved his hand. “Go, go, go. I’m not going to say anything about all the things you do. Just don’t forget about the truly important matters. Remember to send invitations to me and Zhang Shanfeng when the time comes.”

Chen Ping’an stood up, hesitant.

Xu Yuanxia smiled. “My seat and Zhang Shanfeng’s can’t be in some dark corner. We need to save face.”

Chen Ping’an said, “You haven’t visited my mountain yet.”

Xu Yuanxia raised his hand. “I’ll go. And probably without telling you.”

Maybe he’d leave tomorrow, maybe the day after, maybe later. In any case, the former bearded wanderer wanted to bestow his final journey of the mountains and rivers upon a visit to Fallen Peak.

Chen Ping’an walked over and returned the fan to Xu Yuanxia, again hesitating, unable to voice what was on his mind.

Xu Yuanxia took the fan. “After so many years of friendship, there’s no need to speak as if you weren’t Chen Ping’an. Just speak your heart.”

Chen Ping’an ultimately said nothing.

Together, he and Xie Gou took to the sword and left Xianyous county. Along the way, Xie Gou said via mental transmission, “Xiao Mo, Xiao Mo, it’s rare to see the Mountain Lord so… how should I say it, lost and indecisive.”

Xiao Mo nodded. “In front of Brother Xu, the Young Master is always low key.”

“The Mountain Lord really wants Xu Yuanxia to visit Fallen Peak, right?”

“Of course.”

Xie Gou thought for a moment and then said, “Mountain Lord, I think Brother Xu wants to go to Fallen Peak, but he feels that you’re not sincere enough, so he’s too proud to agree.”

Xiao Mo felt his head spin.

Chen Ping’an asked, puzzled, “Is that really how it is?”

Xie Gou affirmed. “Mountain Lord, trust me. I’m good at reading people. Brother Xu is a man of the *jianghu*, so saving face is important. He’s just short of a few sincere words.”

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “I *have* said similar words.”

Xie Gou waved her hand. “That’s easy then, just kidnap him to Fallen Peak!”

Chen Ping’an hesitated. “Wouldn’t that be bad?”

Xie Gou boldly declared, “Xiao Mo can do it. It’s like snatching a woman to be a bandit chieftain’s wife. Once the rice is cooked, it’s the same principle. After Brother Xu is kidnapped to the mountain, I’ll grit my teeth and join the Mountain Lord in scolding Xiao Mo.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t say anything.

Xiao Mo transmitted, “Don’t give terrible suggestions.”

Xie Gou rolled her eyes. “Xiao Mo, you can’t see it? The Mountain Lord has clearly tacitly agreed.”

After that, Xie Gou concocted a very Xie Gou-like excuse, saying that she saw a scenic mountaintop and wanted to say some private things to Xiao Mo, and so asked that the Mountain Lord go on ahead while they caught up later. Mountain Lord Chen said, “Is that so?” Xie Gou said, “Yes, yes, absence makes the heart grow fonder, ha ha ha.” Xiao Mo, upon hearing their “jianghu code,” felt it was wise to return to Fallen Peak as soon as possible. After that, Xiao Mo and Xie Gou snuck back to the Xianyous county martial hall in the dark of night, finding Xu Yuanxia meditating. One nearly a Fourteenth Realm and one a perfected Ascension Realm, they teamed up to whisk away a pure martial artist on a leisurely tour of the mountains and rivers. It was easier than flipping a palm.

Chen Ping’an stood at the archway of the main mountain’s Gathering Peak, eagerly waiting.

At the Mountain Lord’s appearance, the Daoist Xian Wei was about to finish his work. Earlier, Xiaomili had come to the foot of the mountain to deliver a message from Zong Shi, saying that the old cook was having late-night snacks today. Xian Wei, even if he wasn’t hungry, still followed him up the mountain to freeload a meal. Now he felt slightly bloated, and strolling down the mountain would be perfect. He sat at the mountain gate for a while longer, reminiscing and remembering the past, thinking about how he was living a heavenly life now. Thinking of a certain dog-eared book, Xian Wei was about to return to his study for a bit of revision when the Mountain Lord arrived. Xian Wei had no choice but to put down his little bamboo chair. Even though Chen Ping’an said he could leave Xian Wei didn’t need to stay here. As the gatekeeper for so long, and with no shortage of brains, he figured he would wait with the Mountain Lord for the honored guest.

Daoist Xian Wei was a little curious about who they were waiting for. It wasn’t unheard of for the Mountain Lord to personally greet a guest, but it was more common. What was unusual was that it seemed even more elaborate than before.

As if waiting for a very important figure.

After a while, Xiao Mo and Xie Gou arrived at the foot of the mountain, bringing someone with them.

Xian Wei was a bit confused, as it looked more like a kidnapping?

Chen Ping’an’s eyes were full of smiles, but he complained, “Xiao Mo, what’s going on? This is not acceptable…”

Xu Yuanxia said irritably, “Unacceptable? Should Xiao Mo take me back to Xianyous? Stop talking nonsense.”

Chen Ping’an strode forward. Xu Yuanxia looked up at the mountain gate archway.

Chen Ping’an introduced them. “Xu Yuanxia, Brother Xu. Nianjing, Daoist name Xian Wei, our new Mountain Lord of Incense Mountain.”

Daoist Xian Wei hurriedly made a bow to the distinguished guest.

Xu Yuanxia immediately returned the greeting with a fist salute, laughing, “Greetings, Immortal Xian Wei.”

Xian Wei laughed. “I’ve heard of you for a long time! The Mountain Lord showed me a travelogue you wrote. The prose was brilliant, describing the peaks as ‘topped with spring flowers, like hairpins in a bun’, so vivid! And for describing the rapids in Kongxia, you used nine ‘or’ characters in a row, writing about things ordinary people wouldn’t dare to think or use. For describing the ascent of Folded Waters, you wrote, ‘Quiet and still, touring the vast emptiness, the high heavens,’ such grandeur!”

Xu Yuanxia flushed, unsure of what to say.

A white-haired child darted out of nowhere, holding paper and pen, muttering, “Walk together, walk thousands of miles, see and hear, record everything, describe all things, write with a skillful hand.”

Chen Ping’an pulled Xu Yuanxia to climb the mountain together.

Xian Wei looked slightly regretful, and said, “Mr. Xiao Mo, the old cook just cleared away the late-night snacks.”

Xiao Mo nodded with a smile. “Let’s have them together tomorrow.”

Xian Wei nodded, “That sounds good.”

With Xiao Mo around, there would be late-night snacks tomorrow. Tonight, the old cook asked Zhong Qian if he needed to move the restaurant to Oriole Peak, where Grandmaster Zhong taught boxing, to save him the trip. Zhong Qian was picking his teeth at the time and said that walking a hundred steps after a meal would help him live to ninety-nine. He didn’t need to go to such trouble. A few more steps wouldn’t hurt. The old cook smiled and asked if he should thank him? Zhong Qian picked his teeth while saying that they were good friends, and there was no need for polite words. Friendship was in the wine bowls and dishes. Xian Wei watched and listened, worrying about whether the old cook would add something to the food tomorrow. But with Xiao Mo around, it would be safe.

Xie Gou laughed mischievously. “Xian Wei, seeing the Second-in-Command Offering, why don’t you hurry up and make a bow?”

Xian Wei’s smile froze. There was nothing he could do. Xie Gou always liked to joke about him pretending to be a Daoist.

Xiao Mo frowned. “Don’t mess around.”

Xie Gou cried out in alarm, pretending to have sprained her foot, leaning towards Xiao Mo. Xiao Mo simply pressed down on her sable hat, and the girl with the bright eyes shook her head.

On the mountain path, walking up the steps, Chen Ping’an kept raising his hand, pointing, probably telling Xu Yuanxia about the vassal peaks of Fallen Peak.

The Mountain Lord was elated, flying his eyebrows, radiating high spirits, and feeling proud.

The white-haired old man with a straight back clasped his hands behind him, and looking in the direction of Chen Ping’an’s fingers, occasionally nodding and saying a few words.

At the foot of the mountain, the two figures gradually moved away and grew taller, but their laughter grew louder and louder.

– – – –

Earlier, Deng Jianping had been brought to Fallen Peak by Xie Gou and thrown at the Sword-Worshipping Platform, with only the words, “Go find Gan Yiban at Jumping Fish Mountain if you’re bored.”

Standing on the Sword-Worshipping Platform, one of the vassal peaks, and holding his green bamboo cane, Deng Jianping was a little lost. It would definitely be inappropriate to rush off to find that Gan family offering.

Soon, a white-clothed child walked out of a simple thatched cottage, holding a purple clay teapot in his hand, asking in an old-fashioned manner, “Who goes there?”

Deng Jianping was in a quandary. Saying that he was the master’s new disciple as soon as he arrived at Fallen Peak was too awkward. Deng Jianping had no choice but to tell him his name first, then say that he was a sword cultivator from North Ju Continent who had just parted ways with the Mountain Lord in Xianyous county and had been sent here by the Second-in-Command Offering. Bai Xuan nodded when he heard the words Xianyous county. “Since you know Brother Xu, you must not be a bold thief sneaking up the mountain. Nowadays, there are many sword cultivators who desperately want to become students of the Hidden Official. I have to keep an eye on them.”

Deng Jianping felt even more awkward.

Bai Xuan looked at the strange-faced youth and asked, “You are also a sword cultivator?”

Deng Jianping nodded. “I’m a sword cultivator.”

Bai Xuan asked, “How old are you and what’s your realm?”

Deng Jianping replied, “I’m nearly forty and only in the Golden Core.”

Bai Xuan stared. “‘Only’. How arrogant!”

Deng Jianping was speechless.

The child unexpectedly lifted his head and took a sip of wolfberry tea, then nodded. “For someone so old to be in the Golden Core, your aptitude is indeed a little lacking, but it doesn’t matter. Hard work can make up for deficiencies. Just don’t feel pressured by being my neighbor and destabilize your Dao Heart.”

Deng Jianping was speechless.

Bai Xuan said to himself, “Let me introduce myself. My name is Bai Xuan, Bai as in white, Xuan as in Xuan…”

Deng Jianping could only remain silent.

Unexpectedly, a figure arrived quietly and came to Bai Xuan’s side. Raising his hand and dropping it, he delivered a solid chestnut, causing Bai Xuan to wail.

Deng Jianping was shocked.

The girl got straight to the point. “Deng Jianping, are you the master’s new disciple?”

Deng Jianping was at a loss for words.

Guo Zhujiu laughed. “Easy to guess. Oh, my name is Guo Zhujiu. Like Bai Xuan, I’m from Sword Qi Great Wall, which is very close to your North Ju Continent, so it’s a double blessing?”

Deng Jianping recovered, and holding his bamboo cane in his arms, lowered his head and clasped his hands. “Deng Jianping greets Senior Sister Guo.”

Guo Zhujiu raised her palm, and said, with a straight face, “Junior brother, you may dispense with the formalities.”

Bai Xuan rolled his eyes. “Hey, I’m dodging!”

Unexpectedly, Guo Zhujiu didn’t give him a chestnut, but kicked Bai Xuan flying, who was only concerned with protecting his purple clay teapot. Bai Xuan swaggered down the mountain, not forgetting to look back at Deng Jianping, feeling sorry that he had become Guo Zhujiu’s junior brother.

Guo Zhujiu said, “The Sword-Worshipping Platform is full of sword cultivators. Gou Zi told you to learn swordsmanship from Gan Tang?”

Deng Jianping had no choice but to deliberately ignore the word “Gou Zi”, and nodded. “The Second-in-Command Offering did have this intention.”

Guo Zhujiu said, “Then I’ll take you to Jumping Fish Mountain to take a look around, so you can know the way. After that, you can come and go as you please.”

Deng Jianping thanked her immediately.

Guo Zhujiu laughed. This junior brother was very similar to Xuan Can and the others.

Guo Zhujiu took out a talisman sword from her sleeve and explained, “Of course you can fly your sword freely between our own peaks, but in addition to that, there’s an unwritten rule throughout the former Emerald Sphere Paradise. When cultivators fly, they need to wear this sword talisman. Even our Fallen Peak registered cultivators are no exception.”

Deng Jianping began to thank her again.

It turned out that Old Deaf moved out of the Sword-Worshipping Platform and officially settled in Flower Shadow Peak some time ago, building a thatched cottage himself, and even moving in his bedding. It seemed that Offering Gan was planning to live here for a long time.

Although the Grand Instructor and Chief Instructor here was nominally Bai Jing, the real teacher was still Gan Tang. There was no way around it. The competition between the Qi Refiners and the martial artists at Flower Shadow Peak had been too embarrassing, and most importantly, it had to do with whether Old Deaf could learn some exquisite swordsmanship from Bai Jing. It had to be admitted that even among geniuses, there were different levels when it came to cultivation. Old Deaf believed that he couldn’t compare with Xiao Mo, and even more so with Bai Jing.

Generally speaking, once one arrived on the mountain, there was a distinction between the immortals of the mountain and the common people of the city. When Qi Refiners went down the mountain again, they would stand out from the crowd wherever they went. But the problem was that on the mountain, surrounded by people who cultivated the Tao, there was also the fear of comparison, which could easily destabilize one’s Dao Heart, or even cause it to collapse. There were plenty of people who ascended the mountain with hearts higher than the sky, but after a long time, they became mediocre, reduced to mediocre materials. There was no talk of reaching the top of the great Dao. Day by day, their Dao Heart regressed, their spirits were worn down, and their forms and spirits withered like old wood. If Old Deaf wasn’t at Sword Qi Great Wall, if the tender Daoist wasn’t in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, where wouldn’t they be powerful heroes?

On Flower Shadow Peak today, Old Deaf was solemn, like a teacher sitting in a hall expounding, giving an enlightened discourse, “Everyone needs to know that there are three realms of cultivation, one on the futon in the Daoist hall, one in sparring and fighting, and one on the battlefield of life and death.”

Outside the house, there were even two unusually thick-skinned martial artists from Oriole Peak, the archenemy of Flower Shadow Peak, listening to Old Deaf’s sermon at the door in broad daylight.

Old Deaf didn’t care about these petty matters, and gave “the three realms” of the strong and the weak to the students of Daoist refinement.

The old sword cultivator simply gave an example, and the young men and women were enthralled.

Just because the people that Offering Gan mentioned, whether they were positive or negative examples, none of them were easy to deal with.

There were the former Hidden Official and Southern Reward Envoy, who were on opposing sides on the battlefield of Sword Qi Great Wall, Fei Ran, and the young sword cultivators in the Wild Lands’ Jia Shen Camp.

Zheng Dafeng crossed his arms and leaned against the door, looking as handsome as ever, smiling and beckoning to the room, but unfortunately no one paid attention to him for the time being. It didn’t matter, those girls were just pretending that they didn’t have Brother Dafeng in their hearts. After all, they were thin-skinned, which was understandable. Thinking back to when he was a wine shop clerk in Soaring City, he was so handsome and witty that many girls on the street, when they caught a glimpse of him, would stand like soldiers, their eyes eating him up. He wondered how much willpower he had to have to remain chaste year after year.

Zheng Dafeng whispered to Wen Zixian, “Brother Wen, after living here for so long, there are still some unexpected joys, right?”

Wen Zixian replied, “If Brother Zheng hadn’t dragged me here, I wouldn’t have dared to come here even if you beat me to death.”

Wen Zixian had long known that Brother Zheng was informal, but he had never thought that he would be brought along to listen to that Offering Gan’s sermons. Although Wen Zixian had already earned the nickname of Grandmaster Wen here at Fallen Peak, and was a kindred spirit with that Zhong Qian, don’t forget that Wen Zixian, who came from a good background, was also a Spirit Flying Palace registered Daoist.

Zheng Dafeng rubbed his hands and laughed. “In the future, when I visit the Spirit Flying Palace, Brother Wen, remember to be a good host, and don’t learn from Wei Bo hiding things and guarding against thieves.”

Wen Zixian didn’t dare to agree to this matter casually. Zheng Dafeng was different from ordinary people. Even Wen Zixian, a well-known rogue, was often ashamed of himself.

For example, Zheng Dafeng always said that he had watched Mountain Lord Chen grow up with his own eyes, almost saying that he had raised him on his own. Fortunately, there was a white-haired child who claimed to be a registrar and often ran to Oriole Peak to expose him and reveal his secrets. He spoke with certainty, with reason and evidence, as if he had been there at the time, seeing and hearing with his own eyes. Even Zheng Dafeng wasn’t sure if he had really stolen something from someone’s house or eavesdropped on a fight under someone’s bed on a certain night in a certain place?

Zheng Dafeng said for no reason, “Brother Wen, have you noticed that you seem to have become a different person?”

Wen Zixian was stunned when he heard this, and lost in thought. Had he?

As he thought about it carefully, he felt a little sad.

Zheng Dafeng raised his eyebrows askew, flirting with the oldest and best-looking girl in the house, and continued to chat with Wen Zixian, “Is it a refreshing change, a new person? Or have you returned to your original self? To tell those who are trying to polish a brick into a mirror that sitting in meditation will not make you a Buddha may give them the opportunity to be enlightened. But telling you this principle is of little use. The principle of time being money is different when told to a farmer whose face is closest to the earth than when told to a scholar who studies hard in a study.”

Wen Zixian was actually quite talented, but he was still made dizzy by Zheng Dafeng.

A girl in the room gnashed her teeth and began to complain. Old Deaf endured it again and again, turned his head to look at the door, and said telepathically, “Zheng Dafeng, it’s fine if you’re chatting with Wen Zixian, but don’t disturb the students in the house!”

Wen Zixian put his hand on his forehead, too embarrassed to stay any longer, and left first.

Zheng Dafeng walked while gathering his voice into a line, and said to the one in the room with a smile, “Although the possibility is extremely small, I still have to say that if anyone bullies you, remember to tell Brother Dafeng.”

The girl in the room blushed and spat softly. “You lecher, you scoundrel, you shameless bastard!”

Zheng Dafeng put his hands behind his head, his shoulders swaying, high and low, swaying to Wen Zixian’s side.

Wen Zixian asked doubtfully, “Brother Zheng, do you have a past with that woman in the house?”

Zheng Dafeng laughed. “For guys like us, which girl was unlucky in her past life to get involved with us?”

Wen Zixian said helplessly, “It’s not like that.”

You can scold yourself, but don’t include me.

Zheng Dafeng said to himself, “Brother Wen, you know, we’re very compatible!”

Wen Zixian had a bitter expression on his face. He only knew that Cen Yuanji, who also taught boxing at Oriole Peak, had originally regarded him as an arrogant fool, but because he had become close to Zheng Dafeng, Cen Yuanji thought he was a wastrel who didn’t know anything. Wen Zixian was innocent. He didn’t have any improper thoughts about Cen Yuanji.

Zheng Dafeng thought of Xiu Hu, and naturally thought of playing chess, and said, “Let’s have a game of Go. It’s a small gamble.”

Deng Jianping followed Guo Zhujiu and landed on Flower Shadow Peak.

Guo Zhujiu stood outside the door, and said telepathically, “Old Deaf, his name is Deng Jianping, he’s my master’s new disciple, and he’ll often come here to listen to your lectures. Give him a seat.”

Old Deaf was reluctant, but nodded.

Guo Zhujiu said, “It was Xie Gou’s suggestion that he come here to listen to your lectures.”

Old Deaf looked at Guo Zhujiu, Guo Zhujiu smiled noncommittally, and Old Deaf’s smile became awkward. Before leaving, Guo Zhujiu said another sentence, which made Old Deaf feel complicated.

“It’s good that you still don’t regard this place as Fallen Peak, but as Sword Qi Great Wall.”

Old Deaf didn’t say anything, and sighed in his heart. The young sword cultivators who had been through the summer palace were all very cunning.

Deng Jianping first paid his respects to that Offering Gan, then quickly sat down in the corner. He had no extra futons, so he sat on the floor, placing a walking stick across his knees, and quickly said telepathically, “I’m listening to the teachings of my seniors.”

Old Deaf nodded. He was old, his realm was not high, his aptitude was average, but he knew his manners.

He continued to lecture. It had to be said that Old Deaf’s preaching was indeed more useful to those students of Taoist refinement than that of a certain chief instructor. At least they could understand every sentence!

On the white jade railing at the top of the mountain, Xie Gou sat next to Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo was silent for a long time, and said, “You’re afraid of me entering the Fourteenth Realm, and I’m a little worried too. If you can not care so much, I won’t have to worry.”

Xie Gou, wearing her usual appearance, shook her legs, looked ahead, and said in surprise, “That doesn’t sound like something Xiao Mo would say. Who taught you?”

Xiao Mo shook his head. “No one taught me. It’s just what’s in my heart.”

Bai Jing narrowed her eyes and smiled. “Then I’ll take it seriously.”

Xiao Mo said, “It’s best if you take it seriously.”

A black-clothed little girl with a cotton bag slung across her shoulder was returning from patrolling the mountain behind the mountain, and happened to pass by the old mountain god temple in the White Jade Square. When she saw this scene, she was stunned. What should she do? Mr. Xiao Mo was with an unknown woman? Could this be what they wrote about in books about love and romance? Was there a misunderstanding? What was she to do? Should she tell Gouzi? If she told Gouzi, what would happen to Mr. Xiao Mo?

Xiaomili had a flash of inspiration and quickly closed her eyes, walking backwards, muttering in her heart that she hadn’t seen anything and hadn’t seen anything…

After tiptoeing a dozen steps, Xiaomili returned to the back of the hall, squatted down, frowned, and scratched her face, worrying about Gouzi.

A voice sounded in her ear, “Guardian Zhou, what’s wrong?”

Xiaomili was startled, and turned her head blankly. “Ah?”

The sable-hatted girl stretched out her finger and hissed, “Don’t make a sound, I’m catching them in the act…”

Xiaomili tilted her head, looking miserable. “Ah? Ah?”

Tonight was truly a dark and stormy night. It was a dangerous world.

It would be nice if the kind Mountain Lord was here.

Xiao Mo said unhappily, “Don’t scare Xiaomili.”

Xie Gou hugged Xiaomili and rubbed her face, laughing. “Xiaomili is loyal!”

Xiao Mo gently explained, “Xiaomili, the woman you saw just now is Xie Gou’s true appearance, one of them.”

Xiaomili was relieved, and laughed, giving a thumbs up. “Gouzi, you’re really tall.”

Xiao Mo was confused. Gouzi?

Xie Gou pulled Xiaomili up, “Let’s go, let’s go listen to the lecture. Our Mountain Lord has just taken in a disciple who’s being misled by Gan Yiban.”

Xiaomili was a little nervous, and asked carefully, “How old is he, how tall is he?”

Xie Gou grinned. “He’s tall, young, and a sword cultivator.”

Xiaomili scratched her face, and grinned, raising her green bamboo cane. “Let’s go, Gouzi, let’s go take a look!”

Xiao Mo followed behind them with a gentle smile.

At the teaching place at Flower Shadow Peak, Xie Gou had arrived, and Xiao Mo was also there, not to mention Zhou Mili, a Mountain Guardian Offering of Fallen Peak.

Old Deaf was inevitably nervous, and all the students of Taoist refinement in attendance couldn’t help but be nervous.

He heard that the Mountain Lord was now in seclusion at Fuling Peak, and that this Guardian Zhou was the only one on Fallen Peak who could come and go freely?

In fact, the most nervous one was Xiaomili, who was straining her face.

Xiao Mo and the others walked to the back, took out four futons, and Xiaomili let out a long sigh as soon as she sat down.

Xie Gou sat cross-legged, waved her hand, and told the wooden man Gan Yiban not to be stunned, and to continue preaching and teaching them swordsmanship.

Old Deaf glanced at Xiao Mo just now, and was finally able to calm down, when a blue-clothed figure appeared at the door.

The newcomer just said with a smile, “Sorry to bother you, please continue teaching.”

Old Deaf had a bitter expression on his face. How could he teach with them here?

Deng Jianping, as a disciple who paid great attention to etiquette, couldn’t compete with the Second-in-Command Offering, and was already rushing to give up the futon.

However, Chen Ping’an just casually sat next to Xiaomili, and said with a smile, “It’s fine here.”

Old Deaf played a trick and tentatively asked, “Why doesn’t Hidden Official give a lecture