In the end, only Chen Ping’an, Pei Qian, and Yao Xianzhi witnessed the Sunlit Peak.

Pei Qian widened her eyes, leaning over the railing, intently watching the great sun leap from the East Sea, as if she were seeing a huge golden pancake, eager to snatch it for herself.

Yao Xianzhi, after a brief moment of amazement and sentiment, didn’t pay it much more attention. After all, he had experienced countless times the sight of the moon surging over the great river and the stars hanging low over the plains in his hometown, scenes no less impressive than this sunrise. This talented youth was a bit surprised. How could Pei Qian stare at the rising sun for so long without her eyes hurting? Chen Ping’an lightly hopped and sat on the railing by the cliff. Yao Xianzhi had wanted to do this for a while, but last night, with his grandfather and Sister Jinzhi present, he dared not act rashly. Later, with the most admired Chen Ping’an sitting by the stone table, he was still too embarrassed. Now that Chen Ping’an took the lead, Yao Xianzhi quickly followed, gazing at the East Sea alongside Chen Ping’an, as if his state of mind had broadened, filled with anticipation and hope for life in Mirage City.

When descending the mountain, the old general wore a face of chagrin, complaining that Chen Ping’an was unkind, not giving him a heads-up before the sunrise, missing the magnificent view and wasting so much effort climbing the mountain. Chen Ping’an ignored the childlike Yao Zhen. Yao Jinzhi said, “Grandfather, I exceptionally allowed you to drink last night, aren’t you satisfied?” The old general immediately quieted down.

Whether it was Yao Zhen or Yao Xianzhi, the grandfather and grandson closest to Chen Ping’an, knew that they would soon be parting ways with him.

Departure was imminent, with a unique sorrow stirring in their hearts.

However, the old and the young were both martial types accustomed to the wind and sand of the battlefield. A little parting sorrow could be kept in their hearts. There would always be opportunities to gather and drink again in the future. To imitate the affected airs of a young lady would be laughable.

Finally, they arrived at the Peach Leaf Ferry outside Mirage City, where the Yao family stopped their carriages.

Chen Ping’an carried his green bamboo book chest on his back.

The saber-wearing maiden, Yao Lingzhi, openly cupped her fist in a salute, expressing her gratitude to Chen Ping’an, “Young Master Chen, I wish you smooth sailing on your journey north! And may your martial prowess flourish!”

Chen Ping’an smiled and nodded, reminding her, “Martial arts practice cannot be rushed. The better the talent, the less one should focus solely on breaking through realms. Fist techniques emphasize both giving and taking. To have a light body and heavy fist intent, one must build a solid foundation. Constant dripping wears away the stone. The stone is like a great enemy, and the dripping water is your true martial intent, Miss Lingzhi. As long as you can calm your mind, you will surely achieve great success.”

Yao Lingzhi snorted, her eyes containing a smile, saying, “You’re not that much older than me, yet you act so old-fashioned!”

The maiden tossed her head and walked away.

Yao Zhen didn’t say much, just the words “Take care.” The green bamboo brush holder engraved with a sage’s article had been carefully put away by the old man, determined to keep it as a family heirloom.

Yao Xianzhi had shamelessly begged Chen Ping’an for a calligraphy scroll yesterday, treasuring it as the most precious thing in the world. Today, the young man didn’t say much either, only hoping that Young Master Chen would definitely visit Mirage City in the future.

Yao Jinzhi, wearing a veiled hat, surprisingly said she wanted to walk along the Peach Leaf Ferry with Chen Ping’an alone for a while.

Yao Xianzhi whistled, earning a sharp elbow to his waist from Yao Lingzhi, causing the young man to break out in a cold sweat.

Yao Jinzhi noticed Chen Ping’an’s jade pendant. It was slightly different from before, with a different side facing out.

Before leaving Crane-Riding City and arriving at Peach Leaf Ferry, Chen Ping’an had only shown the side of his jade pendant that read “Ancestor Hall Seeks Incense.”

Today, however, it was the ancient seal script for “Taiping Mountain Cultivates Me.”

Yao Jinzhi’s mind stirred slightly, taking a deep look at this young man who had come from the Northern Jin Kingdom to the capital of Great Quan.

She spoke some polite and customary words, nothing extraordinary, but yet seemingly genuine, warm and heartfelt.

However, Chen Ping’an accepted the sentiment without necessarily reciprocating. The flavor of it, the taste of it, was probably only truly understood by the two of them.

Yao Jinzhi finally casually spoke of the origin of the character “zhi” in the names of the Yao family’s generation, like chatting about family affairs. It turned out that a wandering fortune-teller who had traveled to the borderlands in his younger years had unfortunately encountered a time of war and chaos, and had been saved by Grandpa Yao Zhen. The fortune-teller had divined a hexagram for the Yao family. In the hexagram, he mentioned that an extraordinary figure had appeared among Yao family’s ancestors. The character “zhi” was that person’s natal character, and it was naturally compatible with Yao Zhen’s grandchildren. As long as everyone had a “zhi” character in their name, they could bask in the glory of the ancestor. This could help gather good fortune, and perhaps some descendant could rely on the protection of the ancestors to achieve unimaginable success. Yao Zhen did not think too much about it, only taking it as a good thought. He gave all of his children, including the twenty or so in the side branches, a “zhi” character in their names. Yao Zhen showed no favoritism.

Among them, the three Yaos by Yao Zhen’s side were the most outstanding.

Chen Ping’an seemed to understand something after listening.

Yao Jinzhi finally performed a curtsy to Chen Ping’an, graceful and charming.

Chen Ping’an cupped his fist in return. After hesitating for a moment, he still said sincerely, “Miss Jinzhi, besides helping the old general devise strategies and guarding against various villains in Mirage City, you must also pay attention to your own safety. Speaking frankly, if you ever encounter something that you think is insurmountable, you might as well ask the old general to make the decision. You don’t have to keep everything to yourself and bear it alone.”

Yao Jinzhi unusually removed her veiled hat, smiled beautifully, but said nothing, only looking at Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an once again cupped his fist in farewell.

Yao Jinzhi, a refined young lady, even learned to cup her fist like a Jianghu person. Her pair of watery eyes was filled with a strange light, and she loudly said, “May the green hills never change, and the green waters flow forever!”

Chen Ping’an had no choice but to say, “Until we meet again.”

Yao Jinzhi’s cheeks were flushed even though she hadn’t drunk any fine wine.

In the distance, Zhu Lian smiled and squinted, “The beauty’s kindness is hard to bear, and her lingering gaze is most captivating.”

Sui Youbian stood with her sword, ignoring him.

Chen Ping’an returned to their side. Pei Qian had her bag slung across her shoulder and held her walking stick. For the rest of the journey, there would be no carriage to ride in, but she was eager to try. What was there to be afraid of walking? Otherwise, the calluses on the soles of her feet would have grown for nothing.

Chen Ping’an waved goodbye to the Yao family’s group.

Yao Xianzhi, on horseback, raised his butt high and waved vigorously to Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an and his party continued north, softly sighing, “It’s a pity that there wasn’t a heavy snowfall, otherwise we could have climbed Sunlit Peak again and see just what kind of fairyland Mirage City really is.”

Pei Qian laughed, “Then shall we wait until it snows before leaving?”
For the past two days, she had been constantly circling around Yao Jinzhi, calling her “immortal elder sister” with every breath, trying her best to ingratiate herself with the “beautiful woman who dares not show her face” in her heart. As expected, Yao Jinzhi sent her a farewell gift afterward, packed in an exquisite multi-treasure wooden box. Inside were several ancient auspicious coins that had been painstakingly collected from the previous dynasty, as well as a simple wooden carving of a small lingzhi mushroom, along with a dozen or so other scattered items. At first, Pei Qian had been thinking of swindling a few taels of silver, which Chen Ping’an wouldn’t stop her from doing, and she could keep for herself without it being too heavy. But Yao Jinzhi had presented her with such a difficult problem that Pei Qian didn’t dare to act on her own. Instead, Yao Jinzhi took Pei Qian’s hand and handed the multi-treasure box to Chen Ping’an, explaining that everything inside were ingenious but not valuable items, hoping that Chen Ping’an wouldn’t refuse. Chen Ping’an originally wanted to decline, or just pick one item, but Yao Jinzhi insisted, so Chen Ping’an had no choice but to accept it for Pei Qian and put it in the bamboo box. Pei Qian didn’t show the slightest displeasure about this, but regarded it as a matter of course. Such a large wooden box was heavy! Carrying it in her own package and walking to that Heavenly Citadel Peak would be exhausting!

At that moment, while encouraging Chen Ping’an to go to Mirage City to wait for the heavy snow, she was happily thinking about another farewell, perhaps she could get the real gold and silver that she coveted the most!

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Then shall we leave you in Mirage City?”

Pei Qian hefted her package, tightened her grip on her walking stick, showing the backbone of a flexible weed on a wall, and declared with righteous indignation, “I suddenly feel that it’s more important to hurry on our way!”

Chen Ping’an said to the four people, “We didn’t ask the Yao family for war horses, so we can only walk to the immortal ferry at Heavenly Citadel Peak.”

Zhu Lian immediately laughed and said, “Walking more can strengthen our muscles and bones.”

On a small black awning boat on the Peach Leaf River, far away from the Yao family’s group, Du Hanling, the master of the Golden Peak Temple, slowly retracted a jade-white palm and said to a young female cultivator beside her, “Send a message to the Duke of Shen, don’t provoke Chen Ping’an. This person is a direct disciple of the Taiping Mountain Ancestral Hall. Killing him will not only bring disaster to the Great Quan Dynasty, but our Golden Peak Temple will also face extermination.”

The female cultivator got up and left, swiftly disappearing.

Another female cultivator remained, continuing to brew tea for the ancestor. After all, she was a female immortal who had achieved a small success in cultivation, with skin as white as snow.

This Nascent Soul Earth Immortal sat silently, her eyes indifferent, and said, “A project foiled at the last moment.”

Due to their extreme scarcity, the Taiping Mountain Ancestral Hall jade token that Chen Ping’an wore on his waist was only circulated among the larger immortal mansions on the mountain.

However, most ordinary Earth Immortals, whether Golden Core or Nascent Soul, would certainly know the inside story.

After all, that female Daoist Huang Ting had caused many sects to suffer greatly in her early years, but she had been quiet for the past sixty years, it was unknown whether she was in seclusion breaking through her realm, or whether she was restricted to Taiping Mountain by her ancestor.

Provoking Taiping Mountain at this moment was even more insane than provoking the Tongye Sect and the Jade Gui Sect.

Du Hanling also did not dare.

Besides, he had only made a small deal with the Duke of Shen’s Mansion and the mastermind behind Gao Shizhen, adding flowers to the brocade. It would be best if Chen Ping’an was killed, but it didn’t matter if he wasn’t, it wouldn’t hinder the overall plan of their Golden Peak Mountain.

It was just that Gao Shizhen might jump up and down cursing.

But what did that matter to his Golden Peak Temple and Du Hanling?

Human affairs were small, and how great could emperors and generals be?

This Nascent Soul Earth Immortal thought for a moment, the situation was chaotic, and some of the Golden Peak Temple’s pawns had already taken root in various places, so he should try to climb another step, otherwise his current realm was still not enough.

As for whether Gao Shizhen would frantically pursue the young man, that had nothing to do with the Golden Peak Temple, which had already withdrawn early.

“Ancestor, should I secretly remind Chen Ping’an?”

The young female cultivator asked softly, but quickly denied it herself, “Adding feet to a snake, too much is as bad as too little.”

Du Hanling smiled and shook his head, “It’s not that it can’t be done, but the timing isn’t right. And even if someone is going to be a good person, it should be Shao Yuanran, not you.”

The female cultivator’s eyes and eyebrows were smiling, “Ancestor is wise.”

Du Hanling smiled without comment.

Without Chen Ping’an even having to ask, Yao Zhen had already gotten Chen Ping’an a map of the northern border of Great Quan, as well as two more detailed maps of the state and county situation, so that Chen Ping’an already had a general idea of the route to Heavenly Citadel Peak.

The group left the official road and walked on a yellow dirt road.

Pei Qian had a yellow paper talisman pasted on her forehead, held a walking stick, and walked like the wind.

Pei Qian, having nothing to do, asked, “Old Wei, do you fart after you’re full?”

Wei Xian ignored her.

Pei Qian went to bother someone else, “Little White, why haven’t I ever seen you poop? That’s not good for you, it’s all stuck in your stomach.”

Lu Bai elephant was speechless.

Pei Qian ran to Sui Youbian at the very back, raised her head, and said with a flattering face, “Sister Sui, can you fly? I often hear the storyteller under the overpass tell stories, saying that immortals can not only fly over eaves and walk on walls, but also scatter beans to form soldiers, and ride the clouds and mist. That old man is cheating people for wine, I don’t believe him, but I believe you, Sister Sui. I’ve seen people flying on swords before. Sister Sui, you’re so beautiful, you must be able to too, right? If I could be half as pretty as Sister Sui when I grow up, I’d be so happy.”

Sui Youbian chuckled at this little flatterer.

Pei Qian finally returned to Chen Ping’an’s side and said with inexplicable emotion, “I used to think in my hometown that if eating dirt could fill our stomachs and not kill people, that would be the happiest thing in the world.”

Chen Ping’an said, “I read in a book that north of this Tongye Continent, there is a mountain where the Guanyin clay can really be eaten as food.”

Pei Qian’s face was full of shock, “Can dirt really be eaten as food?! Then should we go and carry back a basket?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and said, “It’s not on the way.”

Pei Qian’s mind always had strange ideas. For example, she would seriously ask Chen Ping’an if he felt that every house and every tree looked like a person.

Her reasoning was that windows were like the eyes of a house, and the door was the mouth of a house. Leaves were the clothes of a tree.

Chen Ping’an asked back, then why was it so cold in winter, but the trees didn’t wear clothes, and so hot in summer, but they wore so many?

Oh, that’s right.

Pei Qian scratched her head, thinking that Chen Ping’an, who had read so many books, was indeed more reasonable.

Along the way, apart from Pei Qian’s occasional nonsense, Chen Ping’an and the four hardly exchanged any words.

Incredibly, the five people on foot were actually five “Number Ones Under Heaven” in the history of Lotus Root Paradise.
Chen Pingan, as he walked, was constantly mulling over the refining incantation on the jade slip.

As they traversed the mountain path paved with bluestone slabs, Zhu Lian softly inquired, “Young Master, what do you make of it?”

Lu Baixiang and the others maintained their pace, yet they had all simultaneously sensed something amiss.

Chen Pingan said, “No rush.”

This northward journey had deliberately bypassed some of the northern border army’s jurisdiction, opting for more mountainous routes.

But today, someone had finally revealed their hand. It was still unclear whether they were from a border faction, wary of the five of them and thus compelled to investigate, or whether it was a premeditated ambush aimed directly at Chen Pingan.

As dusk descended, a fine drizzle fell, making the mountain path treacherous. In this desolate wilderness, they encountered a dilapidated temple abandoned for many years. Pei Qian was overjoyed, finally finding a place to shelter from the wind and rain. Her boots and trousers were caked in mud, each step feeling like lifting several pounds of weight. Even with the oiled paper umbrella, the slanting rain still plastered her hair to her forehead, causing her great discomfort.

Chen Pingan told Pei Qian to stop and took out a Yang Energy Ignition Talisman, holding it between his fingers. He was the first to enter the empty, broken temple. Only then did he signal for Pei Qian to enter from outside the temple gate.

There was an old saying: “You can sleep in a graveyard, but don’t enter a ruined temple.”

There was truth to this. Aside from the risk of encountering highwaymen and brigands, dilapidated and abandoned temples and shrines, once the deities had departed, were more likely to attract wandering ghosts and malevolent spirits. These would take root here, becoming dens of filth and evil, beguiling and harming travelers seeking shelter. When traveling with Zhang Shanfeng and Xu Yuanxia in Bao Ping Continent, they had once encountered a little fox spirit. But such benevolent mountain demons were rare; more often, they encountered fierce ghosts and evil spirits coveting the flesh of the living and resenting the Yang energy of passersby.

Inside the broken temple, the altar had collapsed, and the clay statues of the deities were nowhere to be seen. Cobwebs of all sizes hung from the beams.

Zhu Lian gathered some scattered dry branches, but it wasn’t enough to light a bonfire. He had to go outside to collect and chop some damp wood, taking quite some time to start a fire.

After entering the broken temple, Pei Qian immediately found another excuse to pester Chen Pingan for a talisman to stick on her forehead, claiming she was timid and needed a talisman to ward off evil spirits.

Now, she could only borrow a talisman to show off on her forehead after copying five hundred characters of sage’s writings.

Chen Pingan asked her to write five hundred characters on the ground with a small twig. Pei Qian made a face and said she wouldn’t stick the talisman then, as she was too tired today and asked if she could copy the writings next time.

Looking at the mud-caked, miserable little black charcoal girl, Chen Pingan nodded. Pei Qian was overjoyed and moved closer to Chen Pingan, asking if she could peek at the multi-treasure wooden box Yao Jinzhi had given her.

It was originally her thing, but it had always been kept in Chen Pingan’s bamboo box.

Chen Pingan told her to get it from the bamboo box herself. Pei Qian carefully took out the exquisitely crafted multi-treasure box, sat beside Chen Pingan, but turned her back to Wei Xian and the others, not letting them see any of the treasures inside.

This stinginess and pettiness would probably be difficult to change.

And Chen Pingan didn’t seem to be deliberately making things difficult for Pei Qian in this matter.

Zhu Lian had previously teased Pei Qian, hiding the walking stick that no one was allowed to touch, and Pei Qian almost fought him to the death.

The multi-treasure box was divided into nine compartments of varying sizes.

Besides the delicate, finely grained wooden Ganoderma mushroom, and the few rare and exquisite coins from the previous dynasty, there was also a Daoist token with a thick patina, engraved with the image of a Daoist spirit official, with a red face and beard, golden armor and a red robe, and a celestial eye in the middle of his forehead, the image was mighty and lifelike. This jujube-red token was extremely small, probably an item that a wealthy family had requested from a Daoist temple to be worn by their children, hoping it would ward off evil and protect the child.

The rest were mostly delicate and exquisite ornaments for women.

Pei Qian quietly looked up and asked Chen Pingan, “Which of these is the most valuable?”

Chen Pingan leaned back slightly and glanced at the dazzling array of items in the multi-treasure box. “The wooden Ganoderma mushroom and the spirit official token are both decent spiritual artifacts. It would be lucky for a cultivator in the Lower Five Realms to possess one of them.”

Pei Qian’s eyes lit up. “Then how many taels of silver are they worth?”

Chen Pingan knocked her on the head with a flick of his finger. “Someone kindly gives you something, and all you think about is how much it’s worth?”

Pei Qian shrank her neck and said carefully, “If it were just me, Sister Jinzhi wouldn’t have given me so many things.”

Chen Pingan asked with a smile, “You even know that? How did you figure it out?”

Pei Qian pointed to her eyes and smiled. “I used my eyes to see it.”

Chen Pingan raised his hand again, scaring Pei Qian into quickly covering her head, almost dropping the multi-treasure box on the ground.

Chen Pingan helped her steady the box and didn’t actually hit her.

Pei Qian put away the multi-treasure box again, turned around and sat down, handed it to Chen Pingan, and lowered her voice. “Sister Jinzhi is really beautiful. I think she’s more…more womanly than someone else.”

Chen Pingan remained noncommittal and glanced outside the temple. The rain was getting heavier.

Zhu Lian was busy cooking.

Chen Pingan stood up, picked up a branch that had been used to start the fire, about the length of a sword, came to the temple gate, stood still, and looked up at the rain.

Almost simultaneously, Zhu Lian and the others turned to look at Chen Pingan.

Even Sui Youbian, who was sitting cross-legged in the farthest corner, was no exception. After opening her eyes, she placed her hands on the head and tail of the long sword, “Infatuation.”

But Chen Pingan held the branch as if it were a sword, yet remained motionless.

Over time, Sui Youbian had already closed her eyes again. Zhu Lian continued to make a fire and cook, Wei Xian wandered around the broken temple, squatted by the wall, holding a broken stone painted with colorful paint, probably a remnant of the broken statues of the mountain temple. Lu Baixiang was reading a chess manual, a gift from Yao Jinzhi, which supposedly recorded the “Ten Colorful Cloud Games” between the White Emperor City Lord and the Great Li national Preceptor, Cui Chan. Lu Baixiang cherished this chess manual, taking it out to read whenever he had time, believing that opening the book was beneficial.

In the meantime, while waiting for the uncooked rice to turn into cooked rice, Zhu Lian took out a crudely printed romantic novel from the market. Pei Qian mustered up her courage and tried to peek at it, but Zhu Lian pushed her little head away.

Pei Qian looked at the chess manual in Lu Baixiang’s hand, unable to understand it, and even less interested in it. She hated chess the most; one move at a time, and you have to think about it for a long time, it’s too boring. If someone else played a chess piece, she could play three or four in rapid succession, that would be more interesting.
As the aroma of cooked rice filled the air, Chen Pingan calmly announced, “A group of people is heading towards the small temple. Ignore them and continue with your tasks. Eat if you’re hungry.”

Amidst the torrential downpour, a group of figures trudged towards the dilapidated temple, seeking shelter from the storm.

A dozen or so individuals, clad in straw hats and rain capes, their movements lithe and their waists adorned with sabers, exuded an aura of calm strength.

Having spent considerable time with the Yao family’s entourage, Chen Pingan immediately recognized them as elite soldiers from the military.

Leading the pack was a robust man in his thirties, his every step radiating power and dominance, standing out amongst the others like a crane among chickens.

Halting ten paces from the temple’s entrance, the man, noticing Chen Pingan holding a tree branch, smiled and inquired, “Are you the Young Master Chen who rescued General Yao from the hands of the sword cultivator and slew the Little Duke Gao Shuyi?”

Upon receiving no response, the man chuckled. “My name is Liu Cong, a member of the Daquan Liu clan. I’ve spent years enduring the harsh conditions of the northern border. Upon hearing of these two events, I felt compelled to pay my respects to Young Master Chen. I apologize for the clandestine surveillance by my military scouts; I hope you can forgive this transgression!”

Liu Cong.

The Daquan Dynasty’s eldest prince.

Wielding immense authority over the northern border armies, his prestige within the Daquan military was unmatched, earned not only through his lineage but also through hard-won victories on the battlefield.

Chen Pingan questioned, “Is that all?”

Liu Cong burst into laughter. “Of course not. Young Master Chen may not be familiar with Mirage City. Gao Shuyi used to follow me around like a shadow when he was a child. We’ve been close for years. While I wouldn’t say I’m heartbroken over his death, especially since he leaned towards the Third Prince after I left the capital, I am curious. Just how high must one’s martial cultivation be to fight the Imperial Horse Supervisor Li Li to a standstill?”

Chen Pingan surveyed his surroundings.

Liu Cong extended a palm. “Not much, just five thousand soldiers. Two thousand elite border infantry on the mountain, three thousand at the foot. I wonder if Young Master Chen finds this welcoming gift sufficient?”

Chen Pingan found it strange. “With so many troops to encircle us, why would a prince risk himself? We’re only ten steps apart. Even if you’re a formidable martial artist, surely you wouldn’t be so reckless?”

Liu Cong guffawed. “Chen Pingan, how old are you? Not even twenty, I presume. Do you know my age? Thirty. Before the rigorous training in Mirage City, I spent years fighting on the border. Now, I’ve barely reached the sixth realm! If I were to face our Daquan Dynasty’s Guardian Locust Tree, I wouldn’t dare even attempt to strike or draw my blade against the old eunuch. Wouldn’t you agree that some people are just inherently superior?”

Chen Pingan asked, “So, you came here… to die?”

Liu Cong grasped the hilt of his saber, gesturing behind him with his thumb, grinning. “These are the most outstanding military cultivators from the northern borders. Do you truly disregard them all?”

Seeing the young man holding the tree branch remain silent, Liu Cong’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Some desire your head, others want the treasures from the Jade Green Mansion, and still others crave the wine gourd on your waist. Chen Pingan, do you honestly believe that a deceased scholar of the academy and a dubious jade token from the Ancestral Hall of Peace Mountain will ensure your safe passage to Skyreach Peak, allowing you to board a celestial ferry and depart from Tongye Continent unscathed?”

Inside the dilapidated temple, Zhu Lian, holding a bowl of rice, squatted by the fire, wolfing down the rice in a few mouthfuls before standing up.

Wei Xian slowly chewed his rice, muttering, “That blabbermouth won’t live long.”

Lu Baixiang, hand on his saber hilt, strode towards the temple entrance. Sui Youbian, her long sword strapped to her back, followed closely behind.

Wei Xian handed the remaining half-bowl of rice to Pei Qian, who was squatting beside him. “Here, have it.”

Pei Qian took the bowl and poured it into her own, stacking the bowls. She looked up and said earnestly, “Old Wei, if you kick the bucket, I’ll definitely find a place to bury you… Can I take the silver on your body as a reward then?”

Wei Xian, clutching the armored pill, retorted with a stern face, “The four of us? It’ll be hard even if we tried to die.”

He went straight to Chen Pingan’s side, focusing his voice into a narrow beam, relaying something he was reluctant to say.

Chen Pingan heard it clearly, as did Zhu Lian, Lu Baixiang, and Sui Youbian, though their expressions varied.

The rain continued to pour heavily, rendering the conversation inaudible to those outside.

Zhu Lian’s smile turned sinister. “Young Master, after this battle, could you reward me with something nice as well? Of the four of us, I’m the only one without a protective treasure.”

Chen Pingan stated plainly, “I have nothing to give you at the moment.”

Zhu Lian expressed his disappointment before turning to the uninvited guests, tutting. “Young Master, if I start killing later, I won’t be as considerate as I was at the inn, concerning myself with the aesthetics of my fist techniques.”

Sui Youbian stood on the far right, her expression icy. “Young Master, if I break through a thousand armors, will the ‘Infatuation Sword’ belong to me from then on?”

Lu Baixiang stood on the far left, smiling. “Master, if I break through a thousand armors, I only need to borrow ‘Lingering Snow’ for ten years.”

Wei Xian spoke last. “I’m tired of killing armored soldiers. All the Qi Refiners are mine.”

Chen Pingan laughed. “Then what am I supposed to do?”

Pei Qian, still devouring her rice in the temple, mumbled indistinctly, “Dad, you eat with me!”