After Cui Dongshan left, about half an hour later, a man of unremarkable appearance made a trip to the inn, found Chen Ping’an, and presented a “Peace Talisman” (太平無事牌) that only spies from the Great Li Immortal Family were allowed to carry.

Chen Ping’an’s expression remained calm, but his heart almost exploded. He knew that the most ruthless calculation he had suffered in Tongye Continent was due to the jade pendant passed down directly from the Patriarch Hall of Mount Taiping. Once bitten by a snake, he was wary of wells for ten years. Moreover, both jade pendants had the word “Taiping” (太平, peace), so Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but feel apprehensive.

The Great Li spy, who had been lying dormant in Qingluan Kingdom for many years, had to possess three qualities to be qualified for such a role: exceptional skills, capable of both killing and escaping; unwavering resolve, able to endure loneliness and remain loyal to Great Li for years or even decades; and finally, keen observation skills, otherwise they would be a dull chess piece without any vitality, of little use.

Therefore, the man instantly caught the subtle abnormality in this young immortal master. However, these things were not his concern. His open appearance and entry into Hundred Flowers Garden would inevitably create many troublesome matters that needed to be resolved afterward. There was no way around it; the identity of that *daren* (大人, esteemed person) was too frightening. After entering this county city under the nose of the Qingluan Kingdom’s emperor, not only did he directly find him, but he also presented a “Embroidered Tiger Tally” (繡虎兵符) of the highest rank, capable of mobilizing all Great Li spies and assassins outside of Great Li.

The Great Li intelligence agencies were originally a tripartite balance of power: the Ox-Horse Corral (牛馬欄), the Copper Man Dew Platform (銅人捧露臺), and the Green Wave Pavilion (綠波亭). The Imperial Preceptor “Embroidered Tiger” (繡虎, Cui Chan), the Prince of the Realm Song Changjing, and that Consort from the harem each controlled a territory. A few years ago, the Consort who held the Green Wave Pavilion suddenly went to a celestial mountain near the capital to build a thatched hut for cultivation, withdrawing from the Great Li central government. The Green Wave Pavilion was then assigned to the Imperial Preceptor. Later, even Prince Song Changjing’s Dew Platform was given to the Imperial Preceptor to manage under the Emperor’s instruction. Cui Chan of the Embroidered Tiger could now be said to hold absolute power.

The man spoke to Chen Ping’an in the long-unspoken official language of Great Li, conveying the instructions from that *daren*.

It turned out that the yellow ox hiding outside the city had decided to follow Cui Dongshan on a distant journey, and Cui Dongshan would also give this terrestrial bovine demon in the View Sea realm an opportunity, with high hopes of successfully forming a Golden Core.

Chen Ping’an breathed a slight sigh of relief and asked, “May I ask, sir, what is the rank of this Peace Talisman you hold?”

The man did not hesitate and frankly said, “Reporting to *gongzi* (公子, young master), it is the second highest rank. This humble one is unworthy of it and feels extremely apprehensive.”

The rank of the Peace Talisman itself was a significant secret, but that *daren* had ordered him to answer any questions truthfully, so the man dared not slack off in the slightest.

The man stood up and respectfully presented a money pouch, “That *daren* also instructed this subordinate to give this to *gongzi*, saying it is ‘a few strips of tuition fee’ (束脩數條).”

Chen Ping’an stood up and took a bag of… copper coins, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. He placed it on the table and clasped his fist at the Great Li spy, saying, “Thank you for making this trip, sir. I hope it won’t cause you any trouble.”

The man showed some signs of a smile. This sentence was actually enough. Moreover, to serve Great Li and offer one’s life was one’s duty. He clasped his fist in return, “You’re too kind, *gongzi*.”

After the man left, Chen Ping’an opened the ordinary cotton money pouch and poured out the copper coins. A small pile. He wondered what Cui Dongshan was up to. Could it really just be a private school initiation gift?

Pei Qian complained, “That Cui Dongshan is really something. Even a bag of Lesser Heat coins or a bag of Snowflake coins would have been better. How can he be so stingy when being your student, Shifu?”

Seeing that the money pouch and copper coins didn’t seem to have any hidden mechanisms, Chen Ping’an’s mood improved slightly. After hesitating for a moment, he didn’t put them into the larger-space Item of Miniature, but instead stored them in the square-inch Item, the Flying Sword Fifteen.

Chen Ping’an smiled and rubbed Pei Qian’s little head, and the dark-skinned little girl narrowed her eyes with a smile.

Like a little kitten.

Afterward, Pei Qian began to copy books and write characters, stroke by stroke, meticulously. Habit had become a part of her nature. Nowadays, if she didn’t copy books for a day, she would feel uncomfortable all over.

Chen Ping’an walked around the table, practicing the boxing stance that claimed to be able to teach the heavens and earth to reverse. No matter how strange the posture was, after others looked at it for a long time, they became accustomed to it.

In the twilight of this day, Zhu Lian came to Chen Ping’an’s room and saw Pei Qian sitting at the table, holding the *xia you* (游俠, knight-errant) romance novel he had given her in one hand, and mimicking the clumsy moves described in the book with the other hand, humming and hawing. After Chen Ping’an sat down, there was a Legalist classic that had not yet been closed beside his hand on the table. Zhu Lian smiled, “Young Master is truly diligent in everything. ‘Nothing is difficult in the world for those who put their heart into it,’ this old saying must have been said specifically for Young Master.”

The four people in the painting, even though they had their own thoughts when they first walked out of the painting, and even to this day, still harbored their own intentions, putting these things aside, they had accompanied each other all the way from Daquan Dynasty in Tongye Continent to Qingluan Kingdom in Treasure Bottle Continent, relying on each other in life-and-death situations and fighting side by side many times. As a result, in the space of a single day, Sui Youbian, Lu Baixiang, and Wei Xian had left on distant journeys, leaving only the hunched old man in front of him. If Chen Ping’an said he didn’t have any feelings of parting, he would definitely be deceiving himself.

So Chen Ping’an took out two jars of Osmanthus Wine, one for each of them, and they sat facing each other, drinking.

Zhu Lian smiled, “Why has Young Master never asked this old servant, how exactly was I able to take two major steps forward in martial arts?”

If it had been before Cui Dongshan finished that “game outside the game,” Chen Ping’an might have weighed his options and hesitated. Or perhaps it was because he had drunk a few sips of Osmanthus Wine, he was unwilling to scheme too much and smiled, “It’s normal to not want to take out those deepest thoughts and secrets, expose them to the sun for others to see. I’m the same. As long as it’s not with the intention of harming others, keep them hidden. Perhaps it’s… just like the Osmanthus Wine in our hands, the longer it’s kept, the more fragrant it becomes.”

Zhu Lian shook the wine jar in his hand and grinned, “But since Young Master is willing to give this jar of wine to drink, then this old servant is also willing to take it out and drink heartily. Old wine, new wine, it’s all wine. I’ll drink first as a gesture of respect, Young Master, shall we?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and clinked wine jars with Zhu Lian, each taking a big gulp. Pei Qian looked very envious. She had tasted the Osmanthus Wine before. During the big meal at Dust Medicine Shop in Old Dragon City last time, Chen Ping’an had poured her a small cup. It was very sweet and extremely delicious.

Zhu Lian wiped his mouth, “Does Young Master still remember that old senior surnamed Xun?”

Chen Ping’an nodded.
Zhu Lian chuckled, “For this old servant to shatter the bottleneck of the Sixth Realm and follow Sui Youbian into the Seventh Realm of Golden Body, it was a natural progression. The young master shouldn’t find it strange. However, the fact that I later secretly reached the Distant Journey Realm is due to the combined effect of Zheng Dafeng’s sparring as a Ninth Realm martial artist, dying once in Old Dragon City, Senior Xun’s insightful guidance, and finally, his help in pulling me along. Moreover, the path of martial arts I tread is vastly different from the other three, each step tightly interlocked and indispensable. Not to boast, but the martial path I walk, though comprehended in such a small place as Lotus Root Blessed Land, boils down to four words: accumulate deeply, then burst forth. I believe even in the vast world of Haoran, filled with prodigies and soaring immortals, it’s not lacking.”

“Allow this old servant to demonstrate a set of fists, so the young master can see if he discerns anything.”

Zhu Lian set down his wine pot, rose with a smile, and walked to the open space between the table and the door. Already short and hunched, his fist intent seemingly loose and weak, the martial madman further “shrunk,” with his limbs, back, shoulders, and waist all doing so. It was awkward to watch. Pei Qian, upon seeing it, felt Zhu Lian became even “smaller.” However, compared to his usual lazy, short self, this shrinking seemed to make his strength and fist intent erupt all at once.

The form of an ape.

Zhu Lian twisted, his steps erratic, his punches seemingly random, his frame contracted. However, at certain moments when his frame stretched, a torrent of mighty fist intent would pour out.

Pei Qian found it somewhat familiar.

Chen Pingan praised inwardly. The martial madman, indeed, was exceptionally talented, truly worthy of being the number one martial artist of Lotus Root Blessed Land before Ding Ying. After all those life-and-death battles, Chen Pingan had firmly believed that, in a one-on-one fight to the death, among the four in the painting, the one most likely to survive, assuming comparable realms, would be Zhu Lian.

He had actually transformed the sword and saber essence that Huang Ting, the female cultivator of Mount Taiping, had imparted to Pei Qian in the apothecary’s backyard when teaching the White Ape Carrying Sword and Dragging Method into Zhu Lian’s own fist intent.

Of course, Zhu Lian had the advantage of being closer to the source. Zhu Lian’s fist techniques and martial arts were, relative to the other three, closest to the spirit and essence of Huang Ting’s sword and saber techniques.

But for Zhu Lian to learn so much of the form and spirit from only a few glances at Huang Ting and integrate it into his own fist intent, Chen Pingan couldn’t help but admire Zhu Lian’s insight and aptitude.

Zhu Lian stopped his stance and smiled, “The young master has sharp eyes.”

Pei Qian was somewhat convinced.

*Old cook, you should know where to stop. How could you even say such bootlicking words? My master hasn’t said a single word yet.*

Zhu Lian suppressed his smile, and with a rare serious expression, slowly said, “This path, similar to Sui Youbian’s sword-aided ascension, can only end in dismal failure. It has already been proven to be a dead end in Lotus Root Blessed Land, which is why this old servant couldn’t wait for that thunderous spring to arrive, but in the young master’s hometown, there are no impregnable passes or cities.”

Chen Pingan sincerely praised, “But ultimately, it’s because you, Zhu Lian, stand tall and see far enough.”

Chen Pingan suddenly worried, “But since you broke through two realms in succession, will the foundation of your Seventh Realm be unstable?”

Zhu Lian sighed and nodded, “Compared to the solidity of the Sixth Realm, my previous Golden Body Realm was indeed ordinary.”

Zhu Lian took a sip of wine, “But there was no choice. Senior Xun revealed a secret, saying that if all the seemingly promising martial artists of Treasure Bottle洲 tarried any longer, then Treasure Bottle洲 would become a sad place for all Seventh and Eighth Realm pure martial artists, with little hope for the rest of their lives. So I wanted to move faster, take bigger steps, and reach the Ninth Realm early, to secure a place first. As for whether I would later become like a weak Ninth Dan in the game of Go, it’s better than staying in the Eighth Dan forever.”

Chen Pingan pondered. Earlier, in the county town’s martial temple, Cui Dongshan had manifested the martial fortune of the Qingluan Kingdom with supernatural powers, so what Zhu Lian said wasn’t entirely unreasonable. The only hidden danger, which Zhu Lian himself had clearly seen, was that after reaching the Ninth Realm, the path to the end would likely be cut off there, without hope of reaching the true limit. Moreover, among the few Ninth Realm martial artists, there were strong and weak. Once they fought, it wouldn’t be like a Go game where a Ninth Dan could turn the tide with a divine move. A Ninth Realm martial artist with a weak foundation would only die against a strong one.

According to Zheng Dafeng, if Yang Laotou hadn’t secretly instructed him, Li Er could have killed Song Changjing, who was also in the Ninth Realm, before he left the Jade Dew Heaven.

Chen Pingan said, “First come, first served, and what’s in hand is secure. It’s not an infeasible path.”

Zhu Lian smiled, “Of course, this old servant yearns for the legendary Tenth Realm of martial arts, but I dare not look down on the Ninth Realm in the slightest. At the Dust Medicine Shop, Zheng Dafeng fought four at once, helping with the sparring. All four of us, in truth, held a bellyful of resentment. But since we were inferior, we had to accept it. The four of us have that much tolerance, otherwise, Zheng Dafeng would look down on our Lotus Root Blessed Land, and maybe the young master would too.”

Chen Pingan sighed, “I’m considered half a person from Lotus Root Blessed Land, because my stay there wasn’t short. The sum of your four ages is probably about the same as my stay there. But like you said, I was walking fast and taking big steps. At the time, I didn’t feel the passage of time deeply.”

Zhu Lian said, “The young master is a favored son of Heaven with great luck. Having such fortune is only natural…”

Pei Qian suddenly became furious, “That’s bullsh*t!”

Zhu Lian was stunned, then smiled playfully. *Oh ho, this little dark charcoal has stiffened her back a bit.* But upon closer inspection, Zhu Lian noticed that Pei Qian’s expression was off, unlike usual.

Chen Pingan was also somewhat surprised, knowing that Zhu Lian wouldn’t get angry about such things, so Chen Pingan didn’t dwell on why Pei Qian suddenly became angry.

Zhu Lian inexplicably remembered the immortal youth with a mole between his eyebrows. Before their first spar, Cui Dongshan had said, *Seeing your smirking, cunning face, I’m very displeased. Let’s fight. I’ll keep my word and won’t move my hands or feet. You can punch and kick me as you like. If I even furrow my brow, I’ll consider it a loss.* In the end, Zhu Lian learned what a treasure-filled immortal of the Great Sui Academy was like, and how Cui Dongshan became famous in a battle in the capital, earning the nickname “Cheap Ancestor of the Cai Family.”

Zhu Lian smiled, “Young master, your student Cui Dongshan is truly a wonderful person, wonderfully indescribable.”
Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “Only I know the bitterness. If there’s a chance in the future, I can tell you about the grudges inside.”

After Zhu Lian left, Pei Qian was still sulking.

Chen Ping’an asked with a smile, “Did you eat too spicy food for lunch, making you irritable?”

Pei Qian lowered her head, not saying a word.

Chen Ping’an just took it as a child’s fleeting temper and continued to read the Legalist book.

The next morning, Chen Ping’an, carrying “Sword Immortal” and a bamboo suitcase, along with Pei Qian, who had a satchel slung across her shoulder, a walking stick in her hand, and a knife and sword at her waist, Zhu Lian, and Shi Rou, set off for the capital of the Qingluan Kingdom. Of course, there was also the lotus-like little figure that could travel freely underground.

It was still a humble long journey on foot, considered the tacitly agreed-upon custom of Chen Ping’an’s group.

Pei Qian, wearing a willow-woven garland on her head, told Chen Ping’an that Cui Dongshan had taught her how to draw circles on the ground with a walking stick, which could scare away mountain spirits and ghosts as soon as they saw it. However, it was too difficult to learn, and she hadn’t even touched the edge of this immortal technique today. She originally thought about telling her master when she learned it one day, but later she thought that if she couldn’t learn it in this lifetime, wouldn’t she have to keep it a secret for decades or a hundred years? That would be too pitiful.

Chen Ping’an listened to Pei Qian’s rambling with a smile.

Among the four people in the painting, the female ghost Shi Rou disliked the lecherous, hunchbacked old man the most.

Now she and Zhu Lian were walking side by side behind Chen Ping’an and Pei Qian, the master and disciple, making her feel uncomfortable all over.

But every time she deliberately slowed down, Zhu Lian would slow down with her, never saying a word, just smiling at the “Du Mao” described by the old man.

Shi Rou couldn’t help feeling nauseous, feeling that Zhu Lian’s gaze was especially greasy and disgusting. Especially when Chen Ping’an was helping Pei Qian break a willow branch, this old bastard Zhu Lian actually pinched “Du Mao”‘s shoulder without her noticing.

Shi Rou was greatly startled.

Zhu Lian smiled at the time and said, “Careless, careless, don’t be offended.”

Although she was now the owner of this immortal’s remains, she was temporarily in an irregular state, similar to a local shrine not recognized by the imperial court’s orthodoxy. Therefore, even if she possessed a convenient method pointing directly to the Great Dao, allowing her to take a shortcut that would astonish a Land Immortal, Cui Dongshan had weighed her up. The little tricks of her previous Yin creature talents were barely enough to beat an experienced Sea Gazing Realm cultivator. Even if Cui Dongshan taught her a self-defense technique and several life-saving talismans, at most, she could deal with a Dragon Gate Realm cultivator. Her only use was to rely on the remains to stand up and help Chen Ping’an take knives, block flying swords, and resist Land Immortal magic weapons in times of crisis.

Cui Dongshan had also told her that the old lecher who liked to watch talented scholars and beautiful women fighting as immortals was now a Distant Travels Realm martial artist, and she should take it easy.

Therefore, Shi Rou had been deliberately speaking in a rough voice and trying not to open her mouth.

Shi Rou believed that she could endure all kinds of suffering in the world, whether her body and skin were cut thousands of times or her soul was burned after death, she could endure it. But Zhu Lian’s gaze was the only thing she was helpless against.

Zhu Lian suddenly got closer, and Shi Rou quickly moved away a few steps.

Zhu Lian chuckled softly, “I can feel that your physique is not that of a woman. Someone cast an immortal illusion. It is indeed a male body…”

Shi Rou said coldly, “Old Mister Zhu has truly sharp eyes.”

Zhu Lian continued, “Then may I ask, young lady, how old are you?”

Shi Rou’s heart trembled, “What are you talking about?”

Zhu Lian kept walking and turned to smile at Shi Rou, “I, Zhu Lian, look at people’s hearts, not their appearances. Whether the skin is handsome or ugly is not that important.”

Shi Rou was almost going crazy.

Shi Rou quickened her pace, intending to “seek refuge” with Chen Ping’an.

This time, Zhu Lian did not follow, but smiled slightly behind Shi Rou, “Just looking at the natural charm that the lady reveals when walking, even if she deliberately conceals it, I can still see the taste of her waist twisting like a swaying willow branch. Therefore, I dare to assert that the lady must have been a beauty in life!”

Shi Rou was truly going crazy.

Chen Ping’an had no choice but to turn around and speak righteously, “Alright, Zhu Lian, restrain yourself. You are not allowed to tease Shi Rou about this matter in the future.”

Zhu Lian immediately nodded, “This old servant will remember.”

Pei Qian was a little confused. Her master had also learned her face-changing magic. Just before turning around, he had a smile on his face. As soon as he turned around, he became much more serious.

Chen Ping’an winked at Pei Qian after turning around.

Pei Qian immediately signaled with her eyes that she understood.

Pei Qian secretly smiled. We, master and disciple, are kindred spirits.

Lotus Root Blessing Land.

Some interested people in the capital of the Nanyuan Kingdom had noticed that a young man who could be judged as a banished immortal based solely on his appearance and bearing had appeared in the residence near Zhuangyuan Lane.

He lived in seclusion and rarely went out. Every time he appeared, he either held a folding fan or carried a pot of wine, strolling leisurely. He wouldn’t go far, and the route was fixed, going back and forth on just those few streets and alleys.

His name was Lu Tai. He didn’t know through what channels, but he had gradually bought several beautiful young girls from official families from the capital’s Jiaofang (entertainment district) as slaves, hiding them in the secluded residence. But to be honest, in terms of appearance, those beautiful maids were actually not as good as their master.

Lu Tai asked a schoolteacher, Teacher Zhong, from a nearby academy for a Nanyuan Kingdom female spy with a decent appearance to serve as a bridge for him to transmit messages to the imperial court, saving him from flying back and forth between the residence and the palace, which would make the Nanyuan Kingdom’s royal family lose face.

Today, at dawn, Lu Tai walked out of the residence, closed his folding fan, and tapped his palm lightly. When he walked past the corner of the street, a woman quickly walked out of a silk shop and carefully approached Lu Tai. She didn’t dare to look at this rare noble young master, fearing that she would become deeply infatuated and one day even disregard the righteousness of her country. Men in the world like beautiful women, but aren’t women the same? Who wouldn’t want to see some pleasing scenery?

This old veteran spy who had once penetrated deep into the hinterland of the frontier was dressed as a prosperous housewife in the market. She said softly, “Young Master Lu, the latest list of ten has been released by Jingyang Tower and will soon spread throughout the four kingdoms’ courts. However, this time there are no detailed rankings, which is a bit strange. Our yamen believes that there are too many new entrants on the list, and there are no comparison records between them, so we can’t give an accurate ranking for the time being.”

Lu Tai looked ahead and smiled slightly, “Tell me about it.”
The woman’s voice was soft, “Besides Young Master Lu and our National Preceptor, there’s also Yu Zhenyi, the Sect Leader of the Lakeside Mountain Sect, Lu Fang, the Sword Immortal of Bird’s-Eye Peak, General Tang Tieyi, the Dragon Martial General who recently departed from our side, Cheng Yuanshan, the Saint of Arms, and the former White River Temple’s old Zen Master who has returned to secular life. The other four are all fresh faces, and the Reverence Pavilion has provided rough backgrounds and their known skills.”

Lu Tai nodded slightly, “Tell me about them.”

“A young Daoist, appearing for the first time by a certain lake, nameless and surname-less, behaving erratically, repeatedly uttering a sentence that no one can understand.”

“A scholar in a blue robe, around thirty years old, who drove the ‘Flower-Adorning Dandy’ out of the Spring Tide Palace. He seems to be proficient in immortal arts, and declared that he will compete with Grandmaster Yu Zhenyi in three years.”

“A tall old man claiming to be the ‘Ancestor of Fangshi’ from the Southern Garden Kingdom, with clothing and accent indeed reminiscent of the early styles of our Southern Garden Kingdom. This person is currently rushing back to the Southern Garden Kingdom, claiming to have completed a secret imperial decree and has taken in more than a dozen disciples along the way.”

“A middle-aged martial artist fighting barehanded, with a dwarfish physique, appeared on the frontier outside the pass. He is bloodthirsty and eccentric, acting solely on his whims, indulging in indiscriminate slaughter wherever he goes. Hundreds of innocent commoners have died at his hands, and four hundred elite cavalry from the grasslands were annihilated by him.”

The woman continued, “Besides the ten people under Young Master, there are also ten on the secondary list, including our Royal Prince and the ‘Flower-Adorning Dandy,’ Zhou Shi.”

Lu Tai waved his folding fan, “No need to elaborate on those, they are of little significance. The ones who will truly have a chance to squeeze into the top ten in the future will not appear on the secondary list so early.”

The woman stopped speaking, understanding his meaning.

Lu Tai walked on a street that was regaining its bustling atmosphere. Earlier, someone had confronted various grandmasters here, fighting with unrestrained vigor and causing a great commotion. The citizens of the Southern Garden Kingdom’s capital had noticed it, so it had now become a martial arts holy land that wandering martial artists had to visit and pay their respects. However, these chivalrous heroes and high-ranking figures from various sects were well aware that there were spies and informants from the Southern Garden Kingdom watching this place, so they dared not act rashly, and usually left after walking through this street.

Previously, some members of the Demonic Sect had taken the opportunity to sneakily probe that residence that held a deep connection for the Demonic Sect. Without exception, they were all dealt with cleanly by Lu Tai. Either he snapped their necks, or they each helped him do something and left the vicinity of the residence alive, spreading the word far and wide. The three fractured mountain strongholds of the Demonic Sect all heard of this person. He was trying to rebuild the strongholds, and had given several giants of the Demonic Path a deadline. If they did not come to the Southern Garden Kingdom’s capital to submit, he would find them one by one and flatten all three branches of the Demonic Sect. This fellow was extremely arrogant, even having someone publicly convey the message to them that the Demonic Sect was facing imminent destruction, and the three branches should unite to fight against a common enemy in order to have a chance of survival.

The day was still early, and there were not many pedestrians on the street. The atmosphere of the common marketplace was not yet strong. Lu Tai walked among them, looking up at the sky, “The times are changing.”

An Lotus Flower Blessed Land, could it really become a minor heavenly domain? How many immortal coins would that cost? This temple master’s wealth is truly unfathomable.

Lu Tai turned into a small alleyway and happened to meet the child, Cao Qinglang, going to the private school.

Lu Tai stopped and asked with a smile, “Why are you so early today?”

Cao Qinglang blushed a little and said, “Brother Lu, I received some silver from the yamen yesterday, and last night I really wanted to eat wontons from a certain stall. It’s a bit far, so I have to go earlier. Would you like to go together, Brother Lu?”

Lu Tai smiled and shook his head, “I don’t really like to eat those. You go yourself.”

Cao Qinglang bid farewell and ran off, stopping and turning around, “Oh, right, Brother Lu, I bought you a pot of wine on my way home yesterday, it’s on the table. Drink it yourself.”

Lu Tai nodded.

He had a key to Cao Qinglang’s residence.

Cao Qinglang turned and ran out of the alley.

When talking to people, Cao Qinglang was always very earnest, so Cao Qinglang would never run and talk at the same time.

Lu Tai walked towards the residence, opened the courtyard gate, and sure enough, there was a pot of wine on the table in the main room, worth seven coins. For Cao Qinglang, who had to think half the night before eating a bowl of wontons, it wasn’t cheap.

Lu Tai picked up the wine pot, grabbed a wooden stool and sat outside the threshold. With a twist of his wrist, a small insect exuding the mellow aroma of fermented wine appeared in his palm. He opened the wine pot, threw this little fellow, called a “Wine Worm,” into the pot, and then slowly waited for the wine to, at an extremely fast speed, precipitate into the mellow taste equivalent to decades of cellar aging.

Lu Tai gently shook the wine pot in his hand, his face full of smiles.

The first time he found Cao Qinglang, Lu Tai got straight to the point.

“My name is Lu Tai, Lu as in land, Tai as in lifting. I am a friend of Chen Ping An, a good friend who has been through life and death together.”

At that time, the child’s eyes immediately lit up.

Later, after Lu Tai told him some things about Chen Ping An.

Cao Qinglang called him Brother Lu.

And then Lu Tai had the key to this lonely residence.

Once, Lu Tai asked Cao Qinglang with a smile, “Do you want to become someone like Chen Ping An?”

“Yes!”

“Then do you want to be even better than Chen Ping An?”

“No.”

“Is it that you don’t dare to think about it? Do you think it’s too difficult, too far of a difference?”

“It’s just that I don’t want to.”

After that casual conversation, Lu Tai, who had the key but didn’t open the door to enter the courtyard himself, often came here to sit, sometimes when Cao Qinglang was at the private school, and sometimes when Cao Qinglang was at home studying in the morning. At first, Lu Tai would bring some delicate food for breakfast to Cao Qinglang, who needed to start a fire to cook some rice porridge to eat. But after Cao Qinglang ate it twice, the third time he finally couldn’t help himself and very seriously said some heartfelt words to Lu Tai, saying that he was now receiving money from the yamen, tuition fees, and enough for firewood, rice, oil, and salt.

Lu Tai patiently listened to this child’s heartfelt words, and then asked with a smile, “Then you really won’t be able to eat the delicacies of these century-old shops in the future? No regrets?”

Cao Qinglang was a little embarrassed, and said with a blushing smile, “If I’m really craving something, and I really can’t help myself, I’ll tell Brother Lu.”

Lu Tai laughed heartily and said, “No problem.”

But after that, until today, the only thing Cao Qinglang craved was a bowl of wontons that he could afford himself.

So Lu Tai was a little happy today.

He had actually found a Cao Qinglang in such a small place as the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, one who was very similar to that guy.

Interesting, interesting.

Lu Tai finally felt that this trip to the Lotus Flower Blessed Land had given him some motivation in his heart.
Back at the residence, a bevy of beauties, some plump, some slender, filled the courtyards. Every corner was spotless, and the paths were paved with bamboo and wood, polished to a mirror sheen by the maids.

Along the way, three maids, freed from their past miseries thanks to Lu Tai, greeted their benefactor and master.

Their greetings were rather peculiar, filled with flowery words gleaned from books Lu Tai had taught them. These three young ladies, originally disgraced daughters of officials from the entertainment district, were no strangers to poetry and prose. Now, with the ancient manor boasting a vast collection of books, it wasn’t difficult for them.

One maid exclaimed that the young master’s poetry was like a newly bloomed lotus, naturally charming.

Another praised his bearing, saying it was like a ship sailing on the Eastern Sea, bathed in radiant sunlight.

And yet another described his appearance as being like jade trees and orchids, illuminating the entire courtyard.

Lu Tai laughed heartily.

As he walked, Lu Tai removed his boots and strolled barefoot. Finally, he leaned back on a simple and elegant Arhat bed. A beautiful maid tried to come forward to serve him, but he waved her away.

He sniffed the wine pot and took a sip. While the flavor was much better than the wine from Lotus Blossom Paradise, it still couldn’t compare to the immortal brews of the Great Harmony World.

Lu Tai casually tossed the wine pot, still containing a rare wine worm at the bottom, onto a distant table. It landed steadily, not a drop spilling.

While laughter and cheer filled this mansion, turmoil was brewing in Lotus Blossom Paradise, affecting both the martial world and the imperial court.

Lu Tai was teaching a clever maid the art of tea brewing when another maid announced the arrival of an elderly Confucian scholar.

Lu Tai set aside his refined pursuit and went to personally greet the old master from the school.

According to Cao Qinglang, Master Zhong was strict but an excellent and patient teacher for all his students.

Outside the gate stood Zhong Qiu, the Grand Preceptor of the Southern Garden Kingdom, looking displeased. He declined the invitation to enter, stating he would say his piece at the door and leave.

Lu Tai smiled, “I am all ears for your teachings, Master.”

Zhong Qiu said sternly, “Young Master Lu, your kindness is misplaced and akin to forcing growth!”

Lu Tai feigned surprise, “How so?”

Zhong Qiu flared up, “You dare to do it but not admit it?”

Lu Tai snapped open his folding fan, gently stirring the air with a graceful flourish, “Pray tell, Master Zhong, where have I erred?”

Zhong Qiu took a deep breath.

Over the past six months, this Lu Tai had been teaching Cao Qinglang all sorts of so-called worldly wisdom and principles.

If not for a chance encounter at the school today, where Zhong Qiu overheard Cao Qinglang arguing with his classmates, he would never have known that Lu Tai had been filling Cao Qinglang’s head with so much “miscellaneous learning.”

Things like “envy the rich, mock the poor,” “it’s hard to be a good person because few truly understand that a gentleman doesn’t seek repayment for his kindness, which makes such good people easily turn bad,” and “those benevolent individuals who set up soup kitchens to aid the refugees are indeed doing good deeds, but the impoverished who receive alms are also the benefactors of these wealthy men.” Besides these, there were countless other odd and bizarre concepts that even Zhong Qiu, known for his vast knowledge, had never heard of, such as the Daoist School of War, the Mechanist School of Mozi, the Herbologist School of Herbal Forging, and the idea of “reversing aging and returning to infancy.”

Fortunately, Cao Qinglang, after being questioned gently by the schoolteacher, did not hide anything and recounted everything he had learned.

Zhong Qiu steadied himself and said slowly, “What is Cao Qinglang’s nature?”

Lu Tai thought for a moment, “Pure, kind, and virtuous.”

Zhong Qiu then asked, “What is Cao Qinglang’s talent?”

Lu Tai sighed, “Acceptable.”

Zhong Qiu asked again, “How old is Cao Qinglang?”

Lu Tai was uncharacteristically sheepish.

Zhong Qiu lamented, “Cultivating a person is not like a martial artist learning skills, where enduring hardship leads to progress, faster or slower. Nor is it like you banished immortals cultivating the Dao, where innate talent allows for rapid advancement, even thousands of miles in a day. It’s not even like scholars of my age pursuing knowledge, seeking breadth, completeness, and refinement. Nurturing a person, especially a child like Cao Qinglang, requires sincerity and simplicity above all else. When a young child reads books, doubts and difficulties are inevitable. Not understanding is fine, and messy handwriting is even more acceptable. But I, Zhong Qiu, dare say that the Confucian classics, while not perfect in every detail, are ultimately the most reliable and unassailable body of knowledge. The more Cao Qinglang internalizes these teachings now, the more assured his path will be when he grows up. How can a child of his age absorb so much disparate and confusing learning all at once?”

Lu Tai closed his fan, bowed, and apologized, “Lu Tai acknowledges his mistake.”

Zhong Qiu sighed and said coldly, “If Chen Ping An were by Cao Qinglang’s side, he would never act as you have.”

Lu Tai raised his head, not angry at all, but rather smiling freely, “Your teachings, Master Zhong, have greatly benefited me, Lu Tai. To express my gratitude, I will send you a large jar of fine wine, an immortal brew unlike any ever seen in Lotus Blossom Paradise!”

Zhong Qiu said sternly, “Spare me.”

Zhong Qiu turned to leave.

Lu Tai suddenly asked with a smile, “If Chen Ping An were to invite you for a drink, Zhong Qiu, what would you do?”

Zhong Qiu seemed to be thoroughly provoked by the banished immortal, not even turning his head as he said, “His drinking capacity is nothing. He’d be knocked down in no time.”

Lu Tai watched the retreating figure in a blue robe and sighed.

The subtlety of the Dao resides in essence and destiny.

Awakening from a grand dream.

If he were born in the Great Harmony World, this Master Zhong would be extraordinary indeed.

Along the official road outside the prefecture city, it was a time for spring outings, so many people were dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses.

Normally, a passing carriage wouldn’t raise too much dust, but when a cavalry troop galloped by, the pedestrians on both sides suffered. Pei Qian was covered in dust, her clothes all grimy, which angered her so much that she quickly pulled out a fragrant pear from her shoulder bag and bit off a large chunk to calm herself down. These immortal fruits, replaced daily by the Hundred Flowers Inn, were something Pei Qian hadn’t dared ask her master if she could take. Instead, Chen Ping An had asked the inn manager if the guests were allowed to take them, and upon learning that they were, he had cleared out all the dishes in their rooms and packed them up!

Then, Chen Ping An gave Pei Qian a fragrant pear and a handful of dates to eat on the road.

Just then, a group of riders, men and women in silk and brocade, galloped past on the official road. Fortunately, Pei Qian had turned around early and held onto the remaining small piece of pear with both hands.

Chen Ping An waved away the dust and smiled at Pei Qian, “Remember to save the pear core.”

Pei Qian finished the pear and put the core into her bag, asking, “Master, do you think these guys on horseback are hateful or not? They have no real skills but like to show off their power.”
Chen Ping’an shook his head, “It’s just eating some dust, nothing truly hateful.”

Pei Qian thought for a moment, seemingly unable to quite grasp the matter.

Chen Ping’an smiled and asked, “When it’s your turn to roam the martial world, will you ride a horse? Do you want to gallop and shout, ‘The martial world, here I come!’?”

Pei Qian suddenly understood, “That’s true.”

Chen Ping’an gently rubbed Pei Qian’s small head, and softly said, “In the future, when you first venture into the world, if you stumble and fall, don’t be discouraged. In the martial world, you’ll always encounter good people who will treat you to delicious wine.”

Pei Qian muttered softly, “But walking too many nights, you still might meet ghosts. I’m afraid.”

Chen Ping’an was amused and laughed, “At that time, you’ll be riding a fine steed, and your master will have prepared swords for subduing demons and eliminating evil. The demons and monsters will be the ones afraid of you.”

Pei Qian obediently flattered, “Master, I want the swords, but I’d rather have a little donkey. It doesn’t matter if it’s slower!”

One day, along the way, Chen Ping’an and his party were cooking by a quiet riverbank.

In the distance, someone hesitated, seemingly struggling whether to approach, but ultimately made up his mind and moved closer to Chen Ping’an’s group.

Stopping about twenty steps away, the man finally turned his gaze to the young man in white robes, who had taken off his bamboo case but still carried a sword, and asked with a smile in the elegant language of Bao Ping Continent, “Young master, may I discuss something with you?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Speak.”

The man approached a little closer and asked, “I wonder if you’ve heard of incense peddlers?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “I know a little. Which Taoist temple or Buddhist monastery in Qingluan Kingdom are you a ‘deliverer of incense’? Is it mountain incense or water incense?”

The man breathed a slight sigh of relief. It seemed this young immortal master was a discerning person, knowing to call himself the more agreeable “deliverer of incense,” and was an expert who understood the business. His judgment was indeed accurate. Although this group was traveling on foot, their aura of immortals could not be faked.

Incense peddlers were a type of occupation among wild cultivators in the mountains and marshes. They acted as messengers, helping mountain and water deities’ shrines or Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries to persuade wealthy patrons to offer incense. Generally, incense peddlers would carry a certain amount of divine incense. This type of incense, carefully crafted by mountain and water shrines and enlightened monks, was quite expensive. After burning it, cultivators could calm their minds and gather spiritual energy more quickly. When high-ranking officials and noble families burned this type of incense in their ancestral halls, it was said to accumulate merit for their descendants. The quality varied, and the prices differed greatly. Mountain incense was produced by mountain god temples and the temples of the Five Sacred Mountains, while water incense naturally came from the shrines of river deities and water gods everywhere.

Chen Ping’an had a strong memory of the incense deliverers that Cui Dongshan had mentioned.

The man pointed to the nearby river and said with a smile, “It’s water incense from the local river god’s shrine.”

Chen Ping’an put down his bowl and chopsticks, wiped his hands, stood up, and walked towards the man, asking, “If I want to offer incense, how many snowflakes taels will it cost?”

The man said, “Three sticks of incense, one snowflake tael.”

Pei Qian’s eyes suddenly widened. One snowflake tael was a full thousand taels of silver!

Chen Ping’an then requested three portions of water incense, handing them to the man, who in turn gave Chen Ping’an three elegant long wooden boxes, each containing three sticks of incense.

Originally, after purchasing incense, it was not necessary to immediately go to the shrine to offer it. It could be done at any time, or not at all. There was no obligation. Burning incense elsewhere was just as acceptable, except that one had to be mindful of the distinction between mountains and waters. As long as one did not offer mountain incense to a water god, it was fine to go to any Taoist temple or Buddhist monastery. Even offering it to ancestral halls, temples of literature and military, or city god pavilions was still a good deed.

Chen Ping’an still asked the man to wait a moment, then had Pei Qian and the others finish their meal before setting off for the river god’s shrine.

On the way, Pei Qian asked softly, “Master, if we go this way, we’ll be detouring.”

However, Pei Qian quickly felt that she had asked a foolish question. It seemed that Master often did this. As long as it was a famous historical site or a nice view, Master would stop and wander around, even if they were not in a hurry to travel, leading them on many unnecessary detours.

Chen Ping’an raised his head, looked into the distance, and remained silent.

In the gentle spring breeze, the young man in white robes, his sleeves fluttering, walked slowly and murmured, “I want to see more.”