(Myriad-character chapter.)

A hoarse, aged voice echoed from behind Ruan Xiu, “Why bother dirtying your hands beating them to death?”

The women, initially startled by Xiu Xiu’s outburst, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the old man. He was a familiar face in the town, one who, regardless of wealth or status, everyone had to deal with, or rather, with the Yang family’s apothecary he represented. After all, even King Yama, when claiming a life, had to first seek the approval of the Yang family’s physicians, though their exorbitant fees were a source of resentment.

Ruan Xiu turned to glance at the old man, but remained silent.

Old Man Yang puffed heavily on his dry tobacco pipe, surveying the gossiping women. While not outright malicious, they were far from virtuous. When Chen Ping’an was orphaned and struggling to survive, many neighbors had offered assistance, as his parents were kind and compassionate. People like Gu Can’s mother, and some elders now deceased, often invited the child to their homes for meals, meager as they were, and provided old clothes patched and mended. It was a lifeline in those harsh times.

But the irony of life lay in the fact that those who truly helped the most never expected anything in return. When the young man prospered, they were simply genuinely happy for him, reminding their younger kin that good deeds were rewarded, that Heaven had eyes, and that the blessings of the deceased parents now fell upon their son.

It gave them hope and anticipation for their own lives, believing that fortune might favor them as well.

Conversely, those who had barely offered a hand, perhaps even whispered unkind words, now clamored for recompense, positioning themselves as saviors. The three before them, for instance, frequented Riding Dragon Lane, freeloading without shame, bringing their families along. Ruan Xiu endured it all, unwilling to have Chen Ping’an criticized and unwilling to make the accounts suffer, she often used her own money to fill the gaps, amounting to four or five hundred taels of silver a year.

In impoverished places like Mud Bottle Alley and Apricot Blossom Lane, where people rarely saw even a few pieces of silver throughout the year, it was a substantial sum.

Old Man Yang turned to one of the women who hadn’t brought her children, and said, “Tell your husband, the one who works in the county yamen, to pass a message to whoever’s behind him. Heaven is watching. Stop with the disgusting schemes, or you might give birth to a son without an anus. If that happens, no one can cover it up.”

The woman looked guilty, “Old Man Yang, what are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

“If you don’t understand, too bad.”

The old man blew out a cloud of hazy smoke, “Then I’ll say something you will understand. From now on, medicine from our shop will cost double for you. And if a fatal illness strikes, the Yang family physicians won’t even step foot in your homes. Just prepare the coffins.”

The women were stunned.

Old Man Yang glanced at a child with clear eyes and strong bones, standing timidly beside his mother, and shook his head, sighing. “What a pity. That hundred taels of silver for your mother has severed your path to immortality. When you can no longer stand firm in the western mountains, and have to leave your home and wander, remember what I’ve said today.”

The old man walked away directly. “Miss Xiu Xiu, if they still don’t leave, then you really can beat them to death. It’s perfectly reasonable and in accordance with the rules, no one can find fault. After beating them to death, don’t bother collecting the bodies, just remember to throw them out of Mud Bottle Alley. After dirtying your hands, just wash them in the Dragon Whisker River.”

Ruan Xiu’s impression of Old Man Yang had been decent before, but not particularly strong. She always felt he was obscured by clouds, difficult to see clearly, so she remained somewhat wary. But now her goodwill surged, and she smiled, saying, “Next time, I’ll visit the shop with Chen Ping’an for the New Year.”

Old Man Yang grunted in acknowledgement, nodding, without refusal. The old man walked through the alley, passing dilapidated old houses, many like the Cao family’s ancestral home, crumbling and abandoned. But few houses had such a chance of revival like the Cao family, many offsprings dwindling away, a family vanished as easily as that.

The old man thought of Li Er’s shrewish wife, then looked back at the sensible young woman, and his mood became complicated, a mix of good and bad.

This little town, perhaps only that scatterbrained, ignorant woman had the guts and the ability to spew nonsense at the old man.

The old man had once been cornered and verbally abused by the woman, unable to take it anymore, he told Li Er to control his wife’s foul mouth. Li Er hesitated for a long time, and his answer made the old man even more furious: Master, if you’re really angry, just beat me up. But remember not to hit my face, or my wife will see it when I get home and come to scold you again.

If it weren’t for Li Er’s daughter’s sake, Old Man Yang would have slapped that woman into meat paste.

The three women in the alley dared not stay any longer, arriving with enthusiasm and departing in dismay. They started fighting among themselves, blaming each other, cursing and shoving.

The child singled out by Old Man Yang, remained composed while his mother ranted and cursed. He turned to look at the narrow, deep alley, feeling an emptiness in his heart, unable to explain the reason. It was as if he had lost something very important, like salt missing in a woman’s cooking, or a woodcutter losing his hatchet in the mountains.

After the women scurried away, Ruan Xiu noticed that the two painted door gods at Chen Ping’an’s house had somehow lost their spiritual essence.

This was strange. Even ordinary paper door gods sold at the market contained a trace of spirit, as long as the depicted deities had not faded from the river of time, their golden bodies remained and incense still burned before them. But this trace of spirit would soon be dispersed by wind and rain, unable to withstand much evil energy, which was why new door gods were needed every New Year, not just for the festive atmosphere.
However, in Ruan Xiu’s eyes, the martial and civil sages depicted on these two door gods were the founders of the Yuan and Cao families, the two pillars of the Great Li Dynasty. Today, they are even more prosperous and enjoy abundant incense offerings in the Great Li. It was unreasonable for their true spirits to dissipate as soon as they were pasted. Ruan Xiu frowned and stepped forward, gently stroking the crude colored paper with her palm. Golden light quickly flowed on the paper, exuding a righteous aura, though invisible to mortal eyes.

Only then did the girl in green leave with satisfaction, completely disregarding the state of the door gods at Song Jixin’s house next door.

She strolled to the alley of Liu Xianyang’s house and whistled. Soon, a local dog joyfully bounded out, circling around the girl. She smiled and tossed down a fragrant, fiery red pill. The old dog quickly swallowed it and followed behind the girl with the ponytail, its footsteps light and silent, its tail gently wagging.

One person attains the Dao, and even their pets ascend to heaven.

If comparing people can make one bitter, then comparing oneself to even a dog could enrage a cultivator to death.

Unable to see the person she longed for, Ruan Xiu’s originally somewhat disappointed mood began to lift.

See? She was taking good care of everything he wanted her to, whether it was the coop of chicks or this dog.

The girl in green walked on the blue stone path, her green temples tied into a ponytail. The sky was high, the land was vast, and the scenery was especially beautiful here.

After sending Chen Ping’an back to the Fallen Mountain, Wei Bo disappeared again, not returning to Cloud-Draped Mountain but going directly to Fallen Mountain. He even knew a lot of lewd jokes.

Wei Bo said helplessly, “Well, Mr. Song has immediately integrated from one officialdom into another, his comprehension is very high.”

Song Yuzhang asked with a smile, “The one to the north?”

One mountain cannot harbor two tigers; even Buddhas contend for incense. How much more so these mountain and water spirits who rely on incense to survive.

The twists and turns, the petty intrigues, are no less than those in the secular officialdom.

Wei Bo thought for a moment and said softly, “He’s not an easy character. He was a meritorious general of the Great Li during his lifetime, with a foul temper. However, I heard he has a very good relationship with the two in the Martial Saint Temple of the Wenchang Pavilion.”

Song Yuzhang joked, “You can’t be an official like that, not worshiping the proper gods but side sects. Entering the wrong temple and burning incense to the wrong deities will lead to suffering.”

Wei Bo laughed heartily, giving a thumbs up, “Those words make me feel so much better.”

Wei Bo extended a finger and gently lifted it. The Fallen Mountain in the midst of the mountain and water mists grew taller and taller, eventually revealing a detailed scene.

On the surface of a stream, someone had stretched a rope, its two ends tied to two trees. A small bottle, after its stopper was removed, hung from the rope.

Under a tree on the bank, a girl in a pink dress would occasionally jump up and shake the rope, causing the bottle on the river to sway.

Wei Bo explained, “This is a Resonance Vase of passable quality. They can collect many beautiful sounds in the world. This bottle here needs someone to gently shake the rope next to it, helping the bottle to better absorb the sounds of the water. Otherwise, it would take much longer to fill it with sound.”

Song Yuzhang asked, “Is it the mountain master Chen Ping’an’s bottle?”

Wei Bo nodded, “Yes. What is your impression of Chen Ping’an?”

Song Yuzhang said without hesitation, “Because of Song Jixin… because of His Highness, I know Chen Ping’an’s growth very well, so my impression is very good. I think it’s very good that he can become the mountain god of Fallen Mountain.”

Wei Bo suddenly turned to stare at this subordinate mountain god, calling Song Yuzhang “Lord Song” for the first time, and then said with a smile, “Don’t tell me you didn’t think of one possibility: that the Great Li needs you to monitor Chen Ping’an, and maybe one day it will ask you to do something dirty that violates your conscience.”

Song Yuzhang laughed freely, “Of course I have guessed it. My Great Li has put so much effort into it. How many Great Li royal descendants died in order to build that corridor bridge? You must already know. So now that Chen Ping’an’s fortunes have turned for the better, how could my Great Li not be prepared for accidents?”

My Great Li!

Proud of it in life, and still unrepentant after death. Is that what they call unrepentant to the end?

Wei Bo was silent for a long time, gathering the mists back into his wide sleeves, like tired birds returning to the forest. Song Yuzhang could actually feel their cheerful aura.

Wei Bo smiled, “Okay, then I understand.”

Wei Bo’s figure disappeared.

Song Yuzhang remained alone in the mountain god temple, sighing. Was he really unsuited to be an official, with so many hardships, both in life and after death?

Wei Bo, this white-robed immortal, toured around with the young Chen Ping’an, the meaning behind his actions was clear to everyone.

Of course Song Yuzhang knew, the statue in the mountain god temple to the north knew, and all the immortal families who had bought mountain territories knew. Which of them wasn’t a sharp as a fox, understanding everything perfectly?

Wei Bo deliberately led the youth to walk through the major mountain territories, undoubtedly and clearly demonstrating one fact.

Chen Ping’an is protected by Wei Bo. You outsiders, no matter what your background, if you want to make a living in my territory, you have to weigh the importance of a new Northern Mountain Lord. Because he, Wei Bo, is not an ordinary mountain deity. In the future, he is highly likely to be the Northern Mountain Lord of Baoping Continent north of Guanhai Academy, with the greatest power, territory, and authority. Without exception!

It was only the third day of the new year, and someone was already starting to travel through the mountains and waters.

In the mountains west of the town, a young man in Confucian robes was leading a boy who looked like a page. Each carried a bamboo staff as they waded through the water and crossed the mountains, heading towards Fallen Mountain.

The scholar carried a box of books on his back.

The boy page had a beautiful face, no less than a beauty, without flaw.

The man he followed was a local of the town. He was now an assistant teacher in a school founded by the Chen family in Longwei County. His reputation was small, far less than those famous Confucian scholars and great writers, so he could not yet bear the title of master or teacher. However, the children in the school liked him the most, liking to listen to him tell those wonderful stories of strange people and events, such as the charming stories of fox spirits who liked scholars. The boy was even more so, pestering him until he agreed to be his teacher.

The boy was naturally curious about everything, living alone in the Yuan family’s ancestral home in the town. At this time, he asked, “Teacher, the Taoist sage said, ‘Our life has a limit, but knowledge has no limit. Using the limited to pursue the unlimited is perilous.’ What is to be done?”

The man in Confucian robes was thinking about something and did not reply for a moment.
The youth, long accustomed to the teacher’s spiritual travels covering vast distances, continued to ask his question, unperturbed. “That Sage also said, ‘Life between heaven and earth is like a white steed flashing past a crack, gone in an instant.’ This clearly supports the former statement. What is the solution?”

The man finally snapped back to reality, smiling gently. “That is why we cultivate. Each time we cross a threshold, we gain decades or centuries of life, allowing us to read even more books.”

The youth still felt unconvinced. “But while our Confucianism also values cultivation, reading is primarily for engaging with the world, to make it a better place. It is unlike Daoism, which only seeks personal transcendence and the attainment of the Dao. How can this be reconciled?”

“Without utmost sincerity and dedication, one cannot move others.”

The man spoke eight words with a smile. Standing still, he gazed at the surrounding scenery, the mountains and waters beautiful. Then, he spoke another eight words: “Tread firmly on the earth, and let things unfold naturally.”

Upon hearing the four words “unfold naturally,” the youth naturally thought of the flourishing Daoism in Eastern Treasure Bottle Continent. He sighed. “I read in a book that in times of chaos, Daoists descend the mountains to save people, while Buddhists close their doors and chant. In times of peace, Daoists return to the mountains to cultivate in tranquility, while Buddhists open their doors to collect silver. Teacher, it seems Daoism is truly admirable. The Buddhist monks are not so great. No wonder they are not popular in our continent and Buddhism does not prosper.”

The man shook his head and chuckled. “These are merely the embittered and extreme words of some scholars. It’s not entirely without reason, but it lacks nuance. It’s better not to speak it. The three religions can each establish a sect, of course each has its own strengths. Moreover, the traditions of the three religions are very complex, with many branches and interwoven paths. Therefore, if you want to truly understand the tenets of the three religions, you must trace back to their origins before you can offer any judgment. Otherwise, you are merely scratching the surface and speaking carelessly. Seeing one or two bad Daoists or bad monks and condemning them all is very wrong.”

The man in the Confucian robes looked toward a grand fortress tower named ‘Suppress White Marsh’ on the distant mountain. “Isn’t it strange? Why is it named ‘Suppress White Marsh Tower’? After all, White Marsh is the name of a… being. It would be quite inappropriate if it were named Suppress White Tower or Suppress Marsh Tower.”

The youth was anxious and frustrated, wearing a bitter face. He wanted to ask another question but hesitated.

Li Xisheng couldn’t help but smile. “Ask away. The weather is beautiful today, and the scenery is picturesque. You can ask a few more questions.”

The youth was overjoyed, hopping around beside his teacher. “Does the White Marsh that Suppress White Marsh Tower suppresses have anything to do with the White Marsh Diagram that almost every Qi cultivator possesses?”

Li Xisheng nodded. “Yes, it is the same name.”

The youth clicked his tongue. “Master, there must be a lot of knowledge within this, right?”

Li Xisheng subtly raised his head, smiling apologetically in a certain direction, then advised the youth. “Confucian sages taught us to respect our elders, not only those sages in the Confucian Temple, but also the sages of the three religions and the hundred schools of thought. Therefore, in the future, when you travel alone among the mountains and lakes, do not casually call out his name directly.”

The youth was puzzled. “White Marsh?”

Li Xisheng chuckled and tapped the youth’s head. “What do you think?!”

The youth laughed heartily, not taking it to heart.

The two continued to travel through the mountains and rivers, heading towards that Fallen Mountain.

On the Western Sea coast of Eastern Treasure Bottle Continent, a man in sable fur stood on the cliff, his thoughts stirring. He turned his head to look east, frowning slightly.

Beside him stood a woman in palace attire wearing a veiled hat, the same fox spirit who had fallen off the cliff in the snowy night on the plank road.

She asked cautiously, “Did a Sage in Treasure Bottle Continent say something disrespectful to Master? Does this servant need to teach them a lesson?”

The man retracted his gaze, saying calmly, “It’s just a sixth-realm Qi cultivator from Great Li. ‘The world is not yet in chaos, but the bottle is changed first.’ Indeed.”

The woman was stunned into silence, obediently closing her mouth, inwardly warning herself to speak less.

Wei Bo found Chen Pingan at the bamboo lodge. He was practicing the Sword Furnace Stance in the courtyard under the setting sun.

The green-clad boy and the pink-skirted girl were sitting on bamboo chairs, even more like little old men than their master, snacking on tidbits.

Wei Bo came to stand beside Chen Pingan, not disturbing him until Chen Pingan put away the Sword Furnace Stance. Wei Bo then turned to have the pink-skirted girl bring over two bamboo chairs, saying he had serious matters to discuss with her master.

Before the pink-skirted girl could move, the green-clad boy had already rushed over, carrying one chair in each hand, fawningly. After placing the chairs down, he bent over, sticking out his rear, and vigorously wiped the chair surfaces with his sleeves.

He returned to stand beside the pink-skirted girl and saw her look of disdain. The green-clad boy declared righteously, “What do you know? This is called a true man knowing when to yield and when to stand tall!”

Wei Bo and Chen Pingan sat side by side on the small bamboo chairs. Wei Bo spoke first. “Don’t blame me for peeking at what happened in the bamboo lodge at the time. Your clash of wills with that sword embryo was far more dangerous than you imagined. It could easily have resulted in going mad or even death.”

Chen Pingan nodded, setting aside that minor grievance.

Wei Bo said slowly, “There are two aspects to sword cultivation: practicing the sword and refining the sword. Practicing refers to swordsmanship and sword techniques. Refining refers to the sword itself and the natal flying sword, using the ‘refine’ of forging.”

After this brief and clear introduction, Wei Bo paused, showing how seriously he took the day’s discussion. “Because I cannot discern the grade of your sword embryo, I cannot make any reckless predictions. However, I can explain some common principles. For example, to polish a physical flying sword or to refine and nurture a natal flying sword requires countless rare and precious materials. That’s why I took you to all the mountain peaks, to make you understand one thing: cultivation on the mountains consumes mountains of gold and silver. The rich people at the foot of the mountain may be immensely wealthy, their fortunes seemingly inexhaustible for generations, but on the mountains, no one possesses money that can be spent for eternity. Perhaps… the Patriarchs of the Three Religions might be exceptions?”

The pink-skirted girl in the back sat upright, listening attentively.

As a fire python, it had nothing to do with her, but it had everything to do with her master. How could she not listen carefully? In case her master missed something, she could help him fill in the gaps later.

The green-clad boy listened with boredom, rolling his eyes.

Of course, Chen Pingan was listening very seriously to what Wei Bo was saying. If Wei Bo didn’t say these things today, he would have gone down the mountain to ask Ruan Xiu soon anyway.
Wei Bo tucked his hands into his sleeves, a habit somewhat resembling young Cui Chan, and slowly said, “Having the aptitude to become a sword cultivator is the first threshold for a Qi refiner. Becoming a sword cultivator, whether or not you have the resources to cultivate a flying sword, is the second threshold, and it’s by no means a small one. The sturdiness of a sword depends on the density of its blade, requiring a master swordsmith’s countless hammerings and refinements. Furthermore, the sharpness of the sword requires constant honing. That’s why the Dragon-Slaying Platform cliff is so valuable, to the point that even a Sage like Ruan Qiong wouldn’t dare to monopolize it, but had to rope in the Wind-Snow Temple and the True Martial Mountain to share the spoils, in order to prevent others from coveting it.”

Chen Ping’an felt a sense of awe. Even a Sage had his own helplessness.

Wei Bo casually pointed towards a distant mountain peak, where a massive Dragon-Slaying Platform existed. “For any divine weapon, the quality of the whetstone is extremely crucial. This is why Dragon-Slaying Platforms are priceless treasures, rare and in high demand. Holding onto one is always a profitable venture, unless you’re desperately in need of life-saving funds, only then will someone be willing to part with it. If the Bao Fu Zhai released news that they had a palm-sized piece of Dragon-Slaying Platform for sale, I reckon the entire Ox Horn Mountain would be a bustling scene of people vying for it.”

Speaking of this, Wei Bo pointed a finger at the boy, “Chen Ping’an, oh Chen Ping’an, the snake gallstones you so casually give away like cabbages, why are they valuable? Because in this world, medicine is three parts poison. Ordinary elixirs, no matter how effective or of high quality, will inevitably leave some impact on one’s Qi ocean, extremely difficult to eradicate completely. Initially, they can be suppressed and accumulated in some remote Qi points within the body. However, as a Qi refiner’s cultivation grows, these accumulated impurities become more apparent. Under the insight of inner vision, that flaw becomes increasingly large, hindering the path to greater understanding. A tenth-realm Qi refiner can be called a Sage in the secular world, but why do they all huddle up and remain inactive? Is it because they enjoy being old turtles? Of course not. It’s because they are painstakingly removing the accumulated filth, bit by bit.”

The young boy in green robes grew somewhat apprehensive and sat up straight, motionless, no longer daring to look around so casually.

The young girl in the pink dress felt a bit guilty. Truthfully, she had been thinking about the third superior snake gallstone, it was just that she was keeping it safe for the Master, that was all. She wouldn’t eat it.

Wei Bo became serious, “Next, I’m going to tell you some secrets, even for me to know these things, I had to pay a considerable price. Chen Ping’an, I hope you won’t spread them around carelessly.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Rest assured, besides Miss Ruan and Brother Li, I don’t have anyone in the town to chat with anymore.”

Only then did Wei Bo continue, “Have you heard of the Upside-Down Mountain?”

Chen Ping’an’s expression changed. He didn’t speak, nor did he nod or shake his head.

Wei Bo assumed that the bamboo-hatted man had told him about it, and wasn’t surprised, “The Upside-Down Mountain, born from the grand design of one of the Dao Ancestor’s three disciples, is arguably the greatest mountain-shaped seal in the world, fortified with immense Daoist power, making it virtually indestructible. This place is the border between the Vast Expanse and the Savage World, the foremost and most formidable stronghold… and potentially the last.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Why the last?”

Wei Bo gave a wry smile, “Once the floodgates are breached, how can you stop it?”

Wei Bo tilted his head back, leaning against the chair, and sighed, “Therefore, not only the Northern Reed Continent, which is abundant in sword cultivators, but also those immortals who swept past the Treasure Bottle Continent, those who briefly lowered their flying swords and showed their faces in your town, and the rest of the world’s sword cultivators, have all been conscripted to the Upside-Down Mountain this time. They will traverse the Upside-Down Mountain to reach a place called the Sword Qi Great Wall, to resist the invasion of the demonic race from another world.”

“Whenever the demon race stirs up trouble, igniting conflict, they are called upon to go to the Upside-Down Mountain, pass through the mountain and enter the city, to hone their swordplay between life and death on that high wall.”

“The Sword Qi Great Wall, that place is where the most renowned sword immortals in the world gather, the most numerous sword immortals, undertaking the most dangerous exploits in the world. But do you know what that place lacks most?”

Wei Bo turned to look at Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an could only shake his head.

Wei Bo gave the answer, “Swords!”

“Because the battles there are too frequent and too brutal. Many peerless divine weapons carried there by external sword cultivators, famous swords that qualify to be among the top magic weapons of a continent, are broken, their sword intent shattered, their owners fallen, countless dead and wounded. So, for the native sword cultivators there, owning a good sword is very, very difficult.”

“Plus, among the demon race, there are also a considerable number of sword cultivators who enjoy collecting and scavenging fragments of famous swords. Sooner or later, the sword cultivators at the Sword Qi Great Wall who are resisting the demon race need a lot of swords, and even need to constantly buy and seek swords from the outside through the Upside-Down Mountain. The merchants gathered outside the Upside-Down Mountain, raise their prices, waiting for the highest bidder, countless people have become rich because of this.”

Chen Ping’an hesitated, wanting to say something.

Wei Bo seemed to know what Chen Ping’an was thinking, and scoffed, “Do you think everyone is like you? A soft-hearted fool, casually giving away treasures? Giving them away and worrying whether they’re too heavy for people to carry, wondering if you should help them carry them?”

The young boy in green robes looked awkward, pinched his nose, and felt that he should show some conscience and treat Chen Ping’an better in the future.

Chen Ping’an remained silent.

“Chen Ping’an, don’t take my crazy words to heart. To be honest, I actually admire you very much.”

Wei Bo felt a little apologetic, and let out a long breath, as if he had been holding it in his stomach for too long and had to release it. Then his eyes turned sharp, and he coldly laughed, “Among the great demons of that other world, based solely on the information I currently have, there are three well-known peerless sword immortals, whose combat power is so high, and their killing power so great, it’s unimaginable. Now that so many years have passed, whether the number has increased or decreased, who knows.”

Wei Bo smacked his forehead, “I almost forgot to say, as for why the demon race tirelessly attacks the Sword Qi Great Wall, it’s very simple, the living environment is simply too harsh, the spiritual energy is thin, unfavorable for cultivation. Their physical bodies are strong, proficient in killing. That world is like a huge Gu breeding ground, the strong occupy most of the mountains and territories, cultivation resources, and numerous descendants. And our Vast Expanse world is a piece of fat meat, not in their mouth, but they can see it. The leftovers and cold food in their own bowl, compared to the big fish and meat in other people’s bowls, how can they not salivate?”
Wei Bo’s expression gradually calmed, “To speak of right and wrong, one seeks survival and expansion, ensuring a prosperous life for their descendants. The other defends their home, vowing to protect their borders. If a detached observer were to view this matter, there might not be such a stark division of good and evil. I only learned of these hidden truths after entering Pi Yun Mountain and agreeing to become a mountain deity, forging a significant alliance with the Song Clan of Da Li. You can treat what I’m about to say as mere tales, not needing to dwell on them.”

“It’s said that a devastating battle occurred long ago. Over a dozen great demons gathered beneath the Sword Qi Great Wall, engaging in negotiations with the pinnacle cultivators of humanity, hoping to exchange for a piece of land near the Upside-Down Mountain, the size of Eastern Treasure Continent, as a condition for a ceasefire. But of course, we wouldn’t agree. Giving an inch, they’d want a mile; even a child understands that.”

“After that battle, a wagered war ensued, thirteen against thirteen. It happened not long ago, just a few years back. The demon race and the Sword Qi Great Wall each sent thirteen champions. A score of seven wins and six losses. If the demons won, they could seize the Sword Qi Great Wall without firing a single shot. If we won, we would claim all the swords in the demon realm!”

At this point, Wei Bo couldn’t help but stand up, “Fight! Why would we fear to fight those thirteen battles!”

“Do you know?!”

Wei Bo, brimming with spirit, pointed south, “Just for the matter of determining the order of battle for both sides, our Vast Brightness World racked its brains. The Lu Clan of the Central Earth, known for commanding half the Yin-Yang School, had an ancestor who paid a tremendous price to roughly deduce the order in which the demon experts would appear!”

“In this unprecedented and unparalleled peak battle, both sides excluded their three strongest powerhouses to prevent them from getting carried away and shattering the boundaries between the two realms, causing instability that would outweigh any gains. This ensured the fairness of the duel.”

“However, the Sword Qi Great Wall had already secured six wins out of the first seven battles, seemingly guaranteeing victory. But in the eighth match, we lost. And that female sword immortal became the first to be slain on the battlefield by the demons. After that, it was like a landslide defeat, losing until the twelfth match. And that match, the Sword Qi Great Wall believed, was certain victory, because that great sword immortal was recognized for his extraordinary combat prowess, seasoned in countless battles, and never defeated!”

“But he still lost, becoming the second sword cultivator to fall in battle.”

“After that, our Vast Brightness World was somewhat in despair, because everyone felt defeat was inevitable. Not because the last sword cultivator from the Sword Qi Great Wall wasn’t strong enough, quite the opposite, he was so strong that he was considered invincible. But the last one of the demon race…”

“…Was a powerhouse recognized as being in the top three of most lethal fighters in that world for the last ten thousand years, it had simply just emerged from a life-or-death seclusion, and had been in closed-door cultivation for a thousand years previously, so it was not within the top three excluded previously. Thus, the Lu Clan experts, despite their best calculations, couldn’t foresee this. Clearly, the demon race had paid a considerable price to conceal this heavenly secret.”

“That great demon was a sword cultivator! A sword cultivator at the thirteenth realm pinnacle!”

“In history, during countless demon attacks, it was often the first to climb the city walls and the last to leave.”

The green-robed page and the pink-skirted girl behind him were already pale with fright.

Even Chen Ping An, whose determination far exceeded ordinary people, clenched his fists tightly, placing them heavily on his knees, sweating profusely without realizing it.

Wei Bo, without warning, burst into loud laughter, striding forward, his sleeves fluttering wildly. He pointed one hand towards the distant south, turned his head, and raised a fist in the other, “But we won.”

“The man who slayed that sword demon, everyone calls him Ah Liang! No one knows where he came from, where he’s going. They only know that he killed the most demons at the Sword Qi Great Wall!”

Wei Bo, in his utmost joy, shook his arm fiercely, shouting to the heavens and earth, “His name is Ah Liang!”

Chen Ping An slowly turned his head, looking towards the small bamboo building that someone had personally named “Ferocious Character House.”

The stubborn youth’s tears streamed down his face.

He remembered their first meeting.

There was a middle-aged man wearing a bamboo hat, leading a donkey and carrying a saber, smiling as he introduced himself to the boy.

My name is Ah Liang, the “Liang” of “kindness”.

I am a swordsman.