Central Plains Wen Miao.

On the steps, Scholar Li enjoyed a moment of leisure, puffing on his dry pipe.

The weather was somewhat muggy, the summer sun casting down like warm wine.

A small, thin elder scurried over from the covered walkway. Gentlemen and virtuous people on the path saw the elder and would hail him as Wen Sheng (Literary Saint). The elder would nod vigorously each time, not slowing down, and seated himself beside Scholar Li on the steps, giving him a thumbs-up with a smile. “Righteous! Thanks.”

Scholar Li waved away the smoke. “In a place like Wen Miao, filled with saints and sages, I just spoke a fair word and received thanks? What kind of logic is that?”

The old scholar chuckled. “You’re famously tight-lipped and difficult to deal with. Aren’t I just making conversation? Why take it seriously?”

Scholar Li looked puzzled. “Such a grand event, why didn’t you go join the fun?”

The old scholar let out a chuckle, offering no explanation.

Scholar Li was silent for a moment, tapping his pipe on the steps. He asked, “It’s midsummer, Master Wen Sheng, would you like to hear a few words about winter?”

The old scholar immediately raised a hand. “Don’t! Don’t listen!”

Scholar Li spoke regardless. “Alone and unaided, with nothing but empty hands, you forcefully carved out a brand new realm, a world of your own. It was not easy.”

The old scholar hurriedly tried to stop him. “That’s enough, that’s enough. Save the latter half. On such a fine day, old Li, don’t speak any inauspicious words to ruin my mood. If you dare ruin my mood, I’ll ruin your private tobacco stash. We scholars keep our word, a spit is a nail!”

Scholar Li continued. “The higher you go, the firmer you must stand.”

“Two empty fists grasping the past and present, controlling life and death, delivering sword light. After succeeding, you must be willing to let go.”

“A single bamboo staff shouldering wind and moon, bearing fame and fortune, and the times. When carried on the shoulder, you must also know how to rest it.”

So that was it. The old scholar smiled leisurely. “This sequence is good, very good. I always say that old Li, you hold my learning in high regard, but you’re thin-skinned and keep it hidden. Those young people never believe it.”

After all, a different sequence would imply a completely different meaning.

The old scholar patted his knees. Yes, taking action is for the sake of future nonchalance with full confidence. Nonchalance is because of the past actions done with a clear conscience.

Scholar Li said, “Whether I hold your learning in high regard or not, justice resides in people’s hearts. In any case, I know clearly that several of your students value my learning more.”

The old scholar was about to let loose some strong words, but then he heard Scholar Li say, “Titles like gentleman and virtuous person, or being a nominal vice head of a academy, or even a director in the Imperial College, even if Wen Miao wants to bestow them, you must advise your closed-door disciple not to accept. It’s meaningless and will only add burdens.”

The old scholar let out a surprised “Ah,” momentarily unable to respond. Gentleman, virtuous person, vice head, these were indeed meaningless, but what about the director of the Imperial College? Shouldn’t he consider that?

Unexpectedly, Scholar Li blew a smoke ring, holding his dry pipe, and the next sentence left the old scholar, who had seen great storms, dumbfounded.

“In my opinion, Wen Miao is still too petty. Even the Sage of Rites is wrong. If they truly want to bestow a Confucian identity, why be so awkward? Be generous and give him a direct title of Deputy Leader of Wen Miao.”

The old scholar was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly slapped a hand over Scholar Li’s mouth, muttering nervously, “Can’t say that, absolutely can’t say that!”

Several Confucian scholars from Wen Miao who wanted to ask Scholar Li for advice were even more startled by this scene. Even if the conversation wasn’t good, how did the Wen Sheng resort to physical contact?!

The highest-ranking five gates in the capital city. Beyond this gate was the Forbidden City. The central, tallest, and widest arched gate was typically only for the emperor’s passage. However, today, Emperor Song He and Chen Ping’an walked through this gate together. Passing through the slightly lower arched gates on either side was also not easy. You either had to be born into a good family, a royal relative from birth, or have sufficient official fortune to serve as a pillar of civil administration and a martial commander, truly reaching the pinnacle of ministerial power.

The onlookers on both sides of the Imperial Road behind the Imperial City speculated that the two groups of sword immortals would use these two gates. The court had indeed not shown any disrespect. However, the Great Li Song Dynasty made an exception again. The two groups of sword immortals did not change their route but followed His Majesty the Emperor and the newly appointed Imperial Tutor, walking together through this gate.

The Emperor values heroes.

After a brief silence, the entire capital city instantly erupted in even more fervent shouts: “Great Li, Great Li!”

Inside, the light was slightly dimmer, and it was noticeably cooler than outside. Guo Du turned and quietly asked his Dao companion, “Are you alright?”

Ling Xun smiled bashfully. “It’s my first time seeing so many people, and I’m really nervous. But it’s okay, I just keep my eyes on your back and silently recite a few Daoist incantations.”

This was because Ling Xun had a strange habit: whenever there were many people, she became nervous. And once a certain critical point was reached, Ling Xun would transform into another person with an extreme personality, her sword strikes incredibly brutal. Her killing power would also increase significantly, approaching the Immortal realm.

There were also grand cities and towns in the Wild World with a large number of humanoid demon cultivators walking around. Ling Xun never set foot in them. Guo Du remembered the first time he met Ling Xun was in a completely ruined immortal’s dojo, a sea of corpses and blood. There were over a hundred cultivators in the immortal mansion, and none had a complete body. He saw a female sword cultivator filled with a murderous aura, like a god of slaughter, her face covered in tears and deep regret, posing as if to commit suicide with her sword… The recovered Ling Xun still urged Guo Du to stay away and not approach her. At that time, Guo Du’s thoughts were simple: killing anyone in the Wild World was a good thing.

Whether leaving the Wild World for Haoran, becoming a registered cultivator of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect in South Posuo Continent, or inexplicably joining Fallen Mountain and participating in this celebration, Ling Xun followed her Dao companion without any objections. Ling Xun had never been to a battlefield. She and her Dao companion Guo Du were not well-known in the Wild World, and their “Daoist leisure” outside of sword cultivation was always about exploring secluded places, seeking out historical sites, and venturing into secret realms.

But for some reason, Guo Du still hadn’t handed over the topographic map, which had taken hundreds of years to meticulously draw, to Qi Tingji. Guo Du didn’t explain the reason, so Ling Xun didn’t ask.

Guo Du said through his heart sense, “I don’t trust Qi Tingji, who doesn’t seek false fame but only focuses on practicality. So I want to enter the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect and see Qi Tingji’s character and conduct for myself before deciding. My fear is that Qi Tingji might act as a hero under pressure, only to become a villain in the future to achieve great deeds that overturn the world.”

In the last battle of the Sword Qi Great Wall, among the three old engraved sword immortals with outstanding military achievements, only Qi Tingji retreated safely. Dong Sanye died in battle, and Chen Xi self-detonated and reincarnated. Additionally, Nalan Shaowei’s life was extended by a longevity lamp, and even the old deaf man fell a realm.

Ling Xun, unfamiliar with worldly affairs, asked curiously, “Then were Zhu Su and Jin Gao and the others also thinking the same way as my husband?”

Guo Du reluctantly explained, “It’s different. They genuinely defected to Qi Tingji. Just the identity of a closed-door disciple of the Wen Sheng scared away Gao Shuang and Huang Ling. Who wants to be too deeply involved with Wen Miao? The identity of the Hermit Official made Mei Kan wary. Plus Zhu Su’s relationship with Zhu An, and Xiao Xun’s grudges with Zuo You, Chen Ping’an is both the Hermit Official and Zuo You’s junior brother. If I were Zhu Su, in his shoes, I would also be nervous.”

In Guo Du’s eyes, generally speaking, cultivators in the Wild World attach more importance to their sects and lineages than those in Haoran. However, they have almost no concept of family and country. Since the concept of family and country is extremely weak, how can one speak of “the world”? Haoran World still emphasizes “the rise and fall of the world is the responsibility of every common man.” If the vastly different reputations of Xun Yuan and Old Jing Wanyan after their deaths still followed the path of “the victor is king, the loser is bandit,” then the harsh criticism of the pure Confucian Chen Chun’an is quite thought-provoking.

As for the native sword cultivators of the Sword Qi Great Wall, their view is simple: neither side is a good person, so it’s none of their business. If the Wild World army could bypass the Sword Qi Great Wall and directly invade the Nine Continents of Haoran, would Guo Du and the others care? Xiao Xun, Zhang Lu, and the others, as well as the sword cultivator who was said to have assassinated the new Hermit Official Chen Ping’an on the city wall, Guo Du doesn’t necessarily view them as enemies. In fact, a considerable number of private swords who were able to leave the Wild World alive, or who are still hidden there, owe it to Xiao Xun, the former Hermit Official, for her deliberate inaction. She intentionally turned a blind eye.

Upon sensing that Zhu Su’s Dao heart was stabilizing, Qi Tingji smiled and asked Zhu Su through heart sense, “How was the effect?”

Zhu Su composed herself, her spirits high. “Excellent. The effect is even better than grinding down a large piece of Dragon-Slaying Platform.”

It turned out that one of Zhu Su’s natal flying swords, named “Three Sounds,” was tempered in connection with all sounds in the world. Thanks to Lu Chen’s pioneering concept of the three sounds of heaven, earth, and man, Zhu Su had previously specialized in the study of music at the Sword Qi Great Wall in order to improve the rank of this natal flying sword. However, the benefits were limited and could not support her breaking through the Nascent Soul bottleneck. She then turned to the battlefield and eventually actively requested to become a private sword, infiltrating the Wild World. This was considered both public and private gain. For a Jade Purity Realm sword cultivator who traveled the human world, the sound of heaven was easy to find, the sound of earth was common, but only the sound of man was difficult. It should be noted that Zhu Su had once become so desperate that she decided to abandon her physical body and almost became a deity, but she was dissuaded.

Just now, the entire capital city, with its mountain-like shouts and sea-like roars, and the “calling of names,” Gao Shuang and the others were each harboring their own thoughts, gaining deeper understanding and feelings towards Haoran, Great Li, and Chen Ping’an. Zhu Su, however, had a unique opportunity, possessing the right time, place, and people, and truly had a session of secluded cultivation and sword refinement. The key was the smooth path to the Dao, ensuring harvest regardless of drought or flood. Sword cultivator Zhu Su reaped the benefits! Nearly a million people, almost everyone with a pure heart, simultaneously shouted Zhu Su’s true name. If this is not a sound of man, what is?

Furthermore, at Qi Tingji’s suggestion, he intentionally or unintentionally chose to do so after Chen Ping’an and Ning Yao, and helped explain a few words, suggesting that the sword cultivators each allocate a wisp of their mind to attach their names to Zhu Su’s flying sword. This action was like writing on paper or engraving on a stele, like monks residing in temples to expound the Dharma, or Taoists borrowing temples to rest their feet, together “giving their names” to the owner. Thus, Zhu Su, who possessed this natal flying sword, was like a mountain and water deity in a temple, enjoying the most refined incense alone.

Zhu Su was uncontrollably excited, her voice trembling. “Breaking through to a new realm is within reach.”

The native sword cultivators of the Sword Qi Great Wall had an obsession with the Immortal realm that surpassed external imagination.

Qi Tingji reminded her, “I was the one who proposed it, but this ‘shrine,’ which is better than a dojo, was created by Chen Ping’an. Of course, the first person to agree to this without hesitation was Master Xiao Mo.”

If Xiao Mo, whose name was called at that time, had remained silent and chosen to ignore it, then Xie Gou would definitely have followed suit, pretending not to have heard anything. The choices of Mi Yu, Jiang Shangzhen, and the other old folks of Fallen Mountain would then have been obvious. Even if Qi Tingji had registered his name with Three Sounds first, Lu Zhi, who stood behind him, with her usual character, might not have done the same. Even if Gao Shuang and the others were nostalgic, adding Mei Dandang, the effect would still be greatly reduced. It is estimated that Zhu Su would have to burn high incense to achieve three-tenths of the current optimal result.

Zhu Su nodded. “I understand!”

Xie Gou praised through heart sense, “Wow, it won’t be long now. We won’t be able to call Sister Zhu Su anymore, we’ll have to call her Sword Immortal Zhu.”

Mi Yu smiled. “Good things come in pairs. I’ll also benefit. From now on, when I’m called ‘Sword Immortal Mi,’ it finally won’t sound like an insult.”

Qi Tingji smiled slightly. “Golden Core in your hometown, Nascent Soul on the battlefield, Jade Purity in the Wild World, Immortal in Haoran?”

Zhu Su said, “I hope so.”

Lu Zhi said, “Then Ascended at Five Colors?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Ascended at Ascended City, that would be even more fitting.”

Ning Yao smiled. “Looking forward to it.”

Xie Gou said, “If that’s the case, Sword Immortal Zhu’s resume is a legend. Sister Zhu Su, are you interested in publishing it? I can write your biography for you.”

Xiao Mo nodded. “It is indeed worth writing about.”

Zhu Su blushed.

Mei Kan and her apprentice walked at the back. After some hesitation, she decided to explain a few things to Chen Ping’an through heart sense. “Hermit Official, I must admit that among this group today, I am the one with the most selfish intentions, without exception. Lu Zhi and the others have a very average impression of me, and I know and understand that I can’t blame them. I never speak grand and eloquent words. I only guarantee one thing to the Hermit Official: as long as Mei Dandang’s Dao is not harmed and he can steadily achieve the Dao, during this period, if someone needs to bear the blame, or do dirty and tiring work that is not visible, whether it is me or my disciple Mei Dandang, we have no second thoughts. The Hermit Official just needs to give instructions privately. If we don’t do well, it’s our problem. If we do well, it’s just our duty as master and disciple!”

Ordinary people down the mountain have their own aspirations. When they become immortals, due to circumstances and temperament, they often go their separate ways and must also be careful of conflicts over the Great Dao.

Mei Kan had a premonition that if she said it any later, it might become stale.

Chen Ping’an patiently listened to Mei Kan’s thoughts and smiled. “The master’s protective heart for her disciple, I, being both a student and a master, understand and accept very well. To be able to take in a disciple like Mei Dandang, anyone would probably cherish him extra. Although I am not a perfect gentleman, I am not a villain either. So let’s be frank. In the future, our sect will become larger and larger. Conflicts on the mountain are inevitable. There will definitely be places where seniors and Sword Immortal Zhen Ze will need to secretly exert effort. So let’s make an oral agreement, limited to three times? If you think three times is too many, we can discuss it.”

Mei Kan smiled without hesitation. “Then it’s agreed, three times of action! The Hermit Official is not a hypocritical gentleman who cherishes his reputation, nor is he a heartless villain without a bottom line. Good, that’s good! Then I can be completely at ease. I was previously afraid that Mountain Master Chen of Fallen Mountain would be constrained by sage books and grand principles in everything he does, and I was also afraid that the last Hermit Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall would hate all demon races and would rather kill a hundred by mistake than let one go. If I brought Mei Dandang to Fallen Mountain, wouldn’t I be throwing myself into a trap?”

Chen Ping’an nodded.

Mei Kan cautiously said, “Can Mei Dandang recognize Master Xiao Mo as a second master? If it’s difficult, even an unregistered disciple would be fine?”

Chen Ping’an smiled slightly. “I kindly request that senior know when to stop.”

Mei Kan said, “Then I won’t mention this matter again in the future, nor even think about it. And please rest assured, Hermit Official, I guarantee I will keep my word.”

“That’s best.”

Chen Ping’an nodded and reminded her, “Fallen Mountain is not a one-man show. My understanding of you doesn’t mean you can ignore the opinions of the majority. Since you’ve become registered cultivators, you must learn to adapt to the local customs. I won’t make you learn from Mi Yu, but you can observe the old deaf man, plus Xiao Mo and Xie Gou. I believe you will always be able to figure out the most suitable path for your master and disciple to ascend the mountain.”

Mei Kan nodded. “Reasonable!”

Chen Ping’an suddenly said, “As a master, you can have a hundred reasons to convince yourself that Mei Dandang is just a pure sword cultivator whose heart is set on the path of the sword, and that being a demon race of the Wild World is just an inherent identity. But on my side, as long as I find one reason, he must die.”

Mei Kan was struck speechless with fear.

Chen Ping’an’s words were spoken to Mei Kan, and he also didn’t hide them from Mei Dandang.

Therefore, Mei Dandang heard it and said, “Find an opportunity, the time and place are up to the Hermit Official. I can open up my dojo heart lake and let the Hermit Official and Master Xiao Mo, or Bai Jing, investigate to determine the truth.”

Chen Ping’an narrowed his eyes. “Determine?”

Mei Dandang said, “Undoubtedly!”

Chen Ping’an smiled slightly. “Xiao Mo and Xie Gou have already investigated.”

Mei Dandang instantly became extremely nervous.

Mei Kan felt relieved, but at the same time, she couldn’t help but complain, “Hermit Official, you just said you are neither a gentleman nor a villain. Isn’t this action both hypocritical and truly villainous?”

Chen Ping’an sighed and chuckled. “I’m just magnanimous and can listen to others’ true words.”

Mei Dandang couldn’t help but laugh. She had imagined a hundred different images of the young Hermit Official, but never expected him to be such a character.

Chen Ping’an also separately asked Mei Dandang through heart sense, “Have you thought about it? When will you give up your master-disciple relationship and recognize Xiao Mo as your master?”

Mei Dandang felt a little guilty and replied with some uncertainty, “Let’s talk about it after I reach the Ascended realm.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Then hurry up.”

Mei Dandang was also carefree. “Relying on my own self-comprehension through practicing the sword, it will take a donkey’s year and a monkey’s month to achieve the Dao. I estimate I still need a lot of guidance from Master Xiao Mo and Senior Bai Jing.”

Chen Ping’an let out a “tsk” and joked, “Could it be that because I didn’t say ‘I’ve offended you greatly,’ Sword Immortal Mei, you’re losing face and will hold a grudge from now on?”

Mei Dandang was stumped by this unexpected question. She just shook her head, thought for a long time, and finally answered honestly, “I’m not a scholar from Haoran World. That kind of thing doesn’t apply.”

Qi Tingji is about to make a trip to the Wild World. Perhaps that’s what you call truly sending someone on their way. “I’ve offended you greatly?”

Xie Gou laughed through heart sense. “Mei Kan is also a tough person. If her thoughts just now were indeed confirmed, and we found out Mei Dandang was a dead soldier, she would personally kill him. She would absolutely not let someone else do it.”

Xiao Mo echoed, “An eye-opener.”

Lu Zhi said, “It seems that she hasn’t lost the true nature of a sword cultivator after all.”

Xuan Yang tentatively asked, “Ning Yao, Huang Ling and I can pay for it ourselves. Can we rebuild the two private residences, Vajra Slope and Bai Hao Temple, in Ascended City? It’s a pity we don’t have the original construction drawings. It doesn’t matter, as long as the three characters on the plaque are not wrong.”

Speaking of this, Xuan Yang amused himself.

Huang Ling smiled. “As long as it’s built, anyone can live in it.”

Ning Yao said, “That’s not a problem. There’s an archive in the Summer Resort Palace. Chen Ping’an has already specifically filed these documents under the ‘Construction’ category and they are well preserved. Earlier, during the discussions in Ascended City, an agenda item was passed that all private swords who have died in battle or are away and haven’t returned, as long as their lineages have been passed down, can choose their own locations and rebuild their private residences. In addition to hanging plaques, they can also erect steles to record their deeds. However, Gao Yehou, who is currently in charge of the money in the Treasury, said that since you have joined Old Sword Immortal Qi and are registered in the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, you can only be considered half our own in Ascended City. There’s definitely no problem with rebuilding the residences, but you have to pay for it yourselves.”

Xuan Yang smiled. “As expected of the Treasury, they’re good at making calculations.”

Ning Yao just smiled.

The style of the Treasury lineage, you’ll see even more eye-opening things when you go there. Just to mention, each “accountant” has their own hall name and plaque, each one very easy to understand.

I heard that the young people there regard a certain person as their pioneering ancestor.

Huang Ling asked, “Ning Yao, I heard that the Hermit Official, in order to accumulate military achievements back then, secretly left the Summer Resort Palace to kill demons outside the city, hiding his identity and even wearing a face covering and dressing like a woman?”

Ning Yao retorted, “Nonsense!”

Xuan Yang was more discreet and asked Mi Yu. As a result, the Great Sword Immortal Mi immediately became agitated. “Do you believe such outrageous hearsay? Don’t listen to rumors! Who said it? Let him come out and confront me face to face!”

Huang Ling and Xuan Yang exchanged glances, understanding perfectly. Ah, it must be true.

Lu Zhi glanced at Sword Immortal Mi. Mi Yu was stunned for a moment. What? Is Lu Zhi also angry about this?

Gao Shuang suddenly spoke up, asking, “Drunkard Gao? Can you even bear not taking a few gulps of horse urine?”

Huang Ling said, “It’s really hard to bear, I’ve been holding back from taking out my wine gourd and drinking a few sips.”

His eyes lit up, and Huang Ling secretly asked through heart sense, “Chai Wu, do you want to drink?”

Chai Wu said, “Yes, but I dare not.”

I heard that the old emperor’s territory has many rules. Her former master, now her adoptive father, Wei Xian, said he used to be an official in the palace, and if the emperor was unhappy, he would drag someone out and chop off their head.

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

Chai Wu thought for a moment. “Forget it, so many people are watching. I don’t want to be mistaken for a drunkard.”

When she was young in that well, only a bamboo basket accompanied her. She kept looking up at the well opening, wanting to see her parents again, or even just a passing living person.

But she gradually realized that her parents wouldn’t come back, and no one in the human world would know about her.

Later, she inexplicably learned to breathe and survived. Later, she earned some money at that funeral shop, and then she met her master who loved to drink and claimed to have a high tolerance.

Her master said that her parents were good people, but the world was too chaotic, and they couldn’t do more. Her master also said that some parents are not like that; they are actually very selfish and only love themselves their whole lives. For example, if they fled to a relief porridge kitchen, they wouldn’t think of giving it to their children first, and they might even hide and secretly eat a steamed bun if they got one.

The world was only in a well.

The little girl’s eyes were sore, and she sniffled.

A hand rested on her head. There was no need to guess, it was Chief Zhou, who was walking at the back of the group.

Chai Wu said softly, “I’m fine.”

Jiang Shangzhen smiled. “Drink if you want to drink. If the Mountain Master asks, just say I gave you the wine.”

Chai Wu was still loyal and courageous. She timidly asked, “Mr. Chen, can I secretly drink some wine?”

Chen Ping’an turned around, smiling kindly, and said, “Drink as you please. If His Majesty the Emperor gets angry, I’ll take the blame for you.”

Emperor Song He also smiled and turned around. “Chai Wu, just drink. In our Great Li territory, you don’t have to pay for alcohol in the future. You can charge it to Song He’s account.”

Chai Wu was confused. “Huh? Really? Is that possible?”

As they were about to step onto the steps outside the main hall, Chen Ping’an seemed to deliberately slow down at this moment.

Emperor Song He also stopped accordingly, took a deep breath, turned around, and cupped his fists. “Fellow sword immortals! Those who wish to drink, drink heartily! The Great Li court is honored!”

In the northeast corner of the Imperial Palace, the residence of the Empress Dowager, the courtyard was deep, lush with greenery. Nan Zan was personally receiving a distinguished guest from Xiandu Peak in Chu Prefecture.

Lu Shen’s visit to the capital to meet the Empress Dowager was reported to the Great Li court. The Director of the Directorate of Rites personally led Lu Shen through layer after layer of gates, walking to this point, stopping outside the palace, and then a close palace maid of the Empress Dowager led Lu Shen across the palace gate.

Finally seeing this ancestor again, Nan Zan’s mood was complex, to say the least. With the help of the bracelet, Nan Zan had recovered the memories of her previous life, like flipping through a book.

In the most vivid memory picture, it was an extremely tall and spacious hall, paved with spotless, unusually hard white tiles. Lu Shen, the head of the Lu family, who was the main officiant at the front, was like a deity with his back to all beings in the human world. At that moment, time seemed to be frozen.

Nan Zan’s thoughts raced. She suddenly knelt down. “Lu Jiang pays respects to Ancestor.”

Nan Zan sobbed uncontrollably, prostrating herself and daring not to lift her head. She choked out, “Lu Jiang has failed in her trust and is a sinner of the family. I implore Ancestor to punish me.”

Facing Lu Jiang’s kowtow, Lu Shen calmly accepted it. After listening to her words expressing her feelings, Lu Shen waited for a moment and said softly, “You may rise.”

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

Lu Shen suddenly made a Daoist salute. “Lu Shen of the Central Plains Lu family, pays respects to the Empress Dowager of Great Li.”

Nan Zan was startled, then relieved, and then overjoyed. Finally, she had completely drawn a line with the Central Plains Lu family!

Lu Shen smiled slightly. “Reporting to the Empress Dowager, not long ago, I took the initiative to visit Fallen Mountain and met with Imperial Tutor Chen face to face to clear up the misunderstanding. I am now living in seclusion on Xiandu Peak, and we are close neighbors with Fallen Mountain. I may not travel to Yuzhang Prefecture to admire the scenery, and the Empress Dowager doesn’t have to go to Xiandu Peak to enjoy the view and relax. We are both subject to fate.”

The content of the words was extremely polite, but Lu Shen’s demeanor and gaze were so undisguisedly distant and cold.

Beside the table stone stool, there was a bright yellow cushion. The two seemed to be seated as equals… Nan Zan felt deeply alarmed upon hearing this and immediately restrained some of her emotions, lowering her eyebrows and humbly saying, “Understood.”

Lu Shen remained silent, only smiling in response. Nan Zan felt as if she was sitting on pins and needles until Lu Shen got up and left. Nan Zan was still distraught and remained uneasy for a long time.

Lin Shouyi’s study in the Imperial Tutor’s residence was one of the six rooms in the east wing of the third courtyard. The desk was by the window, with a set of refined stationery, which was celadon fired in his hometown. Outside the window, several purple bamboo stalks were planted, swaying freely. The wind blew through the bamboo leaves, and the bamboo shadows on the desk also swayed. Lin Shouyi was copying books, his brush rustling on the paper. Occasionally, he would look up. The sunlight shone down, the sky was clear, and the bamboo shadows danced, as if he were in a cool world. The scholar taking the exam was like a person in a green gauze cage.

By the door of this wing room, a Daoist with slender eyebrows and eyes appeared. His appearance was beautiful, androgynous. He often lingered under the peach tree.

His name was Song Yunjian, Daoist name Yingning. He claimed that he and Lin Shouyi were both under someone else’s roof in this mansion.

Song Yunjian smiled. “Young Master Lin, I heard that whether you can pass the imperial examination mainly depends on your ability in imperial examination essays, and also on the marking preferences of your mentor and examiner. But whether you can be among the top three in the first class depends on fate, the abundance of your literary fortune, and whether you have ancestral blessings?”

Lin Shouyi stopped writing, placing his brush on the three-peaked brush rest with blue and white intertwined spiritual fungi patterns. He turned his head and smiled. “I’m not sure. When I was young, my master taught me that reading is about having aspirations and being sincere.”

Song Yunjian suddenly realized. “So that’s it. I was being vulgar.”

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

Song Yunjian asked doubtfully, “Young Master Lin, please forgive my ignorance. Cultivators often have excellent memory. If they know there is no hope for the Great Dao and turn to seeking fame and fortune, after studying for a few years, leaving aside our Great Li Dynasty, participating in a small country’s imperial examination and aiming for a place on the golden list is not an exaggeration to say it’s like picking something out of a bag, right? But it seems there are still not many cultivators willing to participate in the imperial examination?”

Lin Shouyi explained, “In the early days of Bottle-Neck Continent, the general custom was that the first rank was cultivating the Dao to seek immortality, the second was studying in academies, the third was seeking fame and fortune, and the last was martial artists. The reason why our Great Li Dynasty is called northern barbarians is because of our fierce folk customs and emphasis on martial virtue. We either seek fame on horseback or practice martial arts and boxing. Therefore, cultivators who pass the imperial examination have a poor reputation on the mountain and are easily seen as willingly falling. Moreover, if they really pass and become officials, with such meager official salaries, is it to fill their coffers? If they pass but don’t become officials, Guanhu Academy, one of the seventy-two academies of Confucianism, is not just for show; they will be held accountable. Even if they become high officials in a small country, engage in great corruption and fill their private pockets, making the country lean while fattening themselves, they still have to pass the Guanhu Academy test. Naturally, it’s more effortless and convenient to directly become a protector of the country or an imperial consort.”

In the past, Guanhu Academy, which was then located in the corner of Bottle-Neck Continent within the Great Li Dynasty, could be said to manage almost everything, especially gentlemen and virtuous people, evil spirits causing trouble, immortals breaking the law, bandits committing crimes, and martial artists violating prohibitions… As long as they fell into their hands, they would easily reprimand immortal mansions and emperors and kings, prohibit licentious temples and destroy mountain temples. It’s no wonder cultivators compared the wise men of the academy to the rulers of small countries, and gentlemen to the emperors of powerful nations. Just to mention, didn’t one of the four villains of Shushui Kingdom encounter the wise man Zhou Ju from the academy?

However, this kind of restraint by the academy was ultimately just “human effort.” Like a stone thrown into a lake, whether it was ripples or waves, the hearts and customs of a certain place would always return to calm.

Song Yunjian nodded, deeply agreeing.

Lin Shouyi asked, “Does Mr. Song want to bring up the topic of Shujian Lake?”

Song Yunjian nodded. “I’m very curious what kind of place it is that the Imperial Tutor finds so difficult to cut ties with.”

Lin Shouyi smiled slightly. “I need to continue reading.”

Since he had issued a notice to leave, Song Yunjian took his leave.

After arriving here, Nianxin was busy. She just filled the vacancy left by Fu Qing. This seamstress now has a similar position to Rong Yu, inspecting the Imperial Tutor’s mansion and reviewing various files.

Yu Shiwu, Xiao Xing, and the others who were released like “caged birds” for ventilation were temporarily staying in a room in the west wing of the second courtyard. They were allowed to consult the files of a certain department, each with their own responsibilities. However, Chen Ping’an did not make any specific requests.

Today, Xiao Xing was indignant about Gongsun Lingling’s departure, and then she saw the “Xu Jiaoqie” standing next to Nianxin.

Xu Jiaoqie had just arrived in the capital of Great Li from Tongye Continent. Her master told her to work in the Ministry of Punishment of Great Li in the future. She currently has no official position and will start from the lowest level of corrupt clerks.

Seeing that crude fake dare to walk up to her in such an imposing manner, Xiao Xing immediately became furious and cursed, “Bitch!”

Xu Jiaoqie was no pushover either. She immediately “remembered” that this Xiao Xing was one of the Three Corpses that her master had helped her sever with great divine power. She sneered, “Dregs of the Dao.”

Nianxin was also not interested in watching the two women pull hair and scratch faces. She saw Song Yunjian, whose Daoist name Yingning was derived from Lu Chen’s Inner Chapter, Grand Master, standing under the tree, reaching out to pluck a peach blossom petal and placing it in a book page.

“I believe that the Great Li Dynasty will definitely become the strongest country in Haoran World in terms of both civil administration and military might within the next hundred years.”

Song Yunjian held up the book in one hand and gently tapped the cover with the other, smiling slightly. “As long as the emperor dares to think and the Imperial Tutor dares to act.”

The senior brother wrote the preface, and the junior brother wrote the postscript. The paper is Great Li, and the pen name is meritorious deeds.