To reach the River God Temple to offer incense, it would take about half an hour’s walk, not exactly close. Chen Pingan didn’t think much of it, but the incense-bearer felt a little apologetic, though he grew even more curious about the origins of this group.

An old farmer in the field sees weeds, a woodcutter on the mountain finds good firewood. Since one relies on the mountain when living by the mountain, and on the water when living by the water, different trades see vastly different things. This man, being a wild cultivator of the mountains and marshes and an incense-bearer, would see more cultivators. Moreover, the Green Luan Kingdom was quite different from most of the Treasure Bottle Continent, being closely tied to the mountains. The imperial court never deliberately elevated the status of immortal sects. With many frictions between those on the mountains and those below, the Tang Emperor had shown considerable courage and toughness. This made the people of the Green Luan Kingdom, especially the wealthy families, very familiar with gods, spirits, and mountain demons.

Therefore, the people of the Green Luan Kingdom had always held themselves in high regard.

Now, with countless gentry families pouring into the Green Luan Kingdom, coupled with the nationally watched Buddhist-Taoist debate, the Green Luan Kingdom was enjoying unparalleled fame in the southeastern part of the Treasure Bottle Continent.

The incense-bearer’s cultivation was shallow, only at the third realm. Occasionally, when his purse was full, he would invite two or three friends for a small drink and a chat, finding that his sense of superiority as a citizen of the Green Luan Kingdom was in no way inferior to that of a Qi refiner.

This was probably patriotism.

However, the incense-bearer couldn’t guarantee that once he became a middle-five-realm immortal, he wouldn’t be the same as those registered celestial masters.

But beautiful visions were too distant. One still had to walk the path step by step, eat the rice in the bowl bite by bite. For example, right now, he needed to try his best to win over this group of outsiders.

Among the group, the young man with the sword and bamboo box was the leader, no doubt. His steps were light, his demeanor solemn, and he seemed to be from the lineage of registered celestial masters. However, his true roots probably lay in a powerful aristocratic family.

Moreover, he wouldn’t have started cultivating too early. The incense-bearer had seen many young immortal masters of humble origins, who were fortunate in their birth, possessed excellent aptitude, and had received an opportunity to cultivate at a young age. They were spotted by wandering experts or cultivators from large immortal sects who specialized in finding and selecting good seedlings, and they rose to prominence in one step. However, the innate temperaments of these young cultivators were truly those of little immortals who nourished on dew and lacked human warmth. Every time they descended the mountain to temper their Dao hearts in the mortal world, they might not be aggressive towards anyone, but they rarely showed approachability. Whether facing high-ranking officials or heroes of the martial world, they treated everyone the same, with nothing but indifference.

The little girl with the dark skin, wearing a bamboo knife and sword, was probably a younger member of the young master’s family, appearing very spirited. As for the two short old men, they were likely guards who provided shelter from the wind and rain on the journey.

While the incense-bearer sized them up and guessed their identities, Chen Pingan was using the elegant language of Tongye Continent to tell Pei Qian about some of the inside stories of River God-level mountain and river deities.

River Gods, River Goddesses, etc., were deities recognized by the imperial court and could enjoy incense offerings from the local people, but their rank was extremely low, equivalent to clerks in the officialdom who were not part of the elite. They were not on the golden and jade register of mountain and river gods. However, compared to the unauthorized and licentious shrines, no matter how large the latter were, the former, no matter how small, were still envied by the latter. The latter belonged to castles in the air. Once the incense offerings ceased, they would be cut off, their golden bodies would decay, and they would simply await death. Moreover, they had no ladder to climb and were easily targeted by registered celestial masters and coveted by wild cultivators as a piece of fat. The former, like River Gods and Goddesses, even if the local feng shui declined and incense offerings were scarce, as long as the imperial orthodoxy remained and was willing to help, could change the position of the deity and receive incense offerings again, and their golden bodies could be repaired.

Upon reaching the River God Temple, which occupied more than ten mu, the temple keeper quickly came out to greet them, personally explaining the deeds of Lord River God, as well as some poems and calligraphy by literati on the walls.

On the way to the main hall to offer incense, the temple keeper hinted to Chen Pingan that he could leave his mark on several blank walls by spending three to five more snowflake coins, with the price calculated according to the quality of the location, so that future generations could admire them. The temple would take care to protect them from wind and rain. Also, making offerings and lighting eternal lamps were all good ways to establish a connection, but these depended on Chen Pingan’s own inclinations. The temple would absolutely not force them.

The incense-bearer’s face was slightly embarrassed. He didn’t interfere. The temple keeper repeatedly reminded him with his eyes to say a few good words, but he still couldn’t bring himself to do so. Although he was doing a business that didn’t match his identity as a Qi refiner, he was probably too honest by nature to say pretty things, and he simply pretended not to see the temple keeper’s glances.

Chen Pingan gave Pei Qian and Zhu Lian each three sticks of incense, but he didn’t give any to Shi Rou, since she was a female ghost living in the remains of an immortal and he was afraid of conflict.

After offering incense, the temple keeper already felt that there was no hope of adding more donation money, but he didn’t change his expression because of this. He was mostly regretful, still being courteous, and even invited Chen Pingan and his group to drink a cup of clear tea at his hermitage. The incense-bearer, who had been silent before, now spoke up, joining the temple keeper in inviting Chen Pingan to drink tea, saying that river water had never been good for brewing tea, but the river water drawn near the River God Temple was very particular, containing a bit of water essence that could benefit the body.

The temple keeper chuckled in amusement. In the veranda, while Chen Pingan and his group were admiring the rubbings of inscriptions on the corridor, the temple keeper deliberately lagged behind a step and secretly kicked the incense-bearer, saying he was siding too much with outsiders.

The incense-bearer seemed to be used to this, chuckling softly.

Chen Pingan declined the temple keeper’s offer to drink tea, but asked Pei Qian, “Do you want to write something on the wall?”

Pei Qian shook her head vigorously.

Three to five snowflake coins! Why didn’t this temple keeper just rob them directly? If converted into silver, it could kill her, Pei Qian! She wasn’t willing to let her master spend this money. The wooden kite bought at the kite shop in the prefecture city was only eight taels of silver!

But Chen Pingan turned to look at the temple keeper, smiling, “Please trouble you to pick a wall that isn’t too conspicuous, the kind that costs three snowflake coins. We’ll write a few words. By the way, is there a limit to the space?”

Pei Qian almost dropped the mountain-walking staff in her hand, grabbing Chen Pingan’s sleeve, shaking her little head like a rattle.

The temple keeper quickly said, “If it’s not our best feng shui wall, then for three snowflake coins, sir can fill an entire wall if you wish.”

After that, the temple keeper quickly led the way, asking the incense-bearer to give a heads-up so that the people inside the temple could quickly prepare good ink and brush.
The group paused beneath the covered walkway of the fourth courtyard. While awaiting the return of the ink and brushes, the temple keeper, wearing a somewhat smug smile, gestured towards a scholar’s poem displayed on the nearby wall, boasting, “Although this location is secluded and unassuming, it is, in truth, a treasure trove of auspicious energy for our temple. To speak frankly, I sensed a rare affinity between you, esteemed guest, and this place, which is why I led you here. Over there, you behold the calligraphy of Lord Liu, the esteemed Vice Minister from our Azure Luan Kingdom. Lord Liu is a true luminary, a veritable scholar of renown, whose cursive script possesses a mastery that is surely evident to your discerning eye, requiring no further elaboration from me.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “The strokes are vigorous and powerful, possessing a robust and venerable strength.”

This was not mere flattery on Chen Ping’an’s part, but rather a genuine appreciation born from having witnessed numerous works of exceptional calligraphy.

Such as those created by Li Xisheng, Cui Dongshan, and Zhong Kui.

The temple keeper raised a thumb in admiration, “The esteemed guest is a connoisseur of the arts, possessing exceptional judgment.”

Chen Ping’an, however, felt a pang of unease.

Much like his lackluster aptitude for the game of Go, his talent for calligraphy was, in truth, quite mediocre. Even further back, his attempts at pottery throwing proved equally devoid of any inherent gift.

Pei Qian grew increasingly apprehensive. The money was undoubtedly going to be spent, so she might as well write something, but if left to her own devices, she would happily cover every inch of the River God Temple, even defacing the very statue of the deity himself, just to feel she got her money’s worth. However, the calligraphy that Zhu Lian often derided as resembling earthworm trails or chicken scratches, now to be boldly displayed upon a wall, she feared bringing shame to her Shifu.

The strong man, accompanied by a young lad raised by the River God Temple, returned with the writing implements.

Pei Qian became even more flustered, quickly propping her walking staff against the wall, removing her slung satchel, and extracting a book, intending to swiftly copy out some elegant phrases. Her memory was usually impeccable, and she had long since memorized countless passages, but at this moment, her mind was a complete blank, unable to recall even a single word. Zhu Lian, standing aside, gloated with malicious glee, mocking her, saying that all those years of reading and transcribing had been for naught, a complete waste, that the wisdom of the sages remained stubbornly outside her grasp, and the little simpleton remained a simpleton. Pei Qian had no time to pay heed to the old cook’s wicked banter, frantically flipping through the pages of her book, but searching high and low, she could find nothing that seemed adequate, nothing she dared to write upon the wall without incurring a great shame.

Pei Qian closed the book, a woeful expression upon her face, and said to Chen Ping’an, “Shifu, don’t you have lots of bamboo slips covered in writing? Could you lend me a few? I don’t know what to write.”

Chen Ping’an, having just received the brush, intending to inscribe a few of his favorite verses and prose, seeing Pei Qian’s pitiable state, restrained his amusement and passed the brush to her. “Just write down the sentences that you believe to be the most reasonable in the book. If you can’t think of anything, just write down whatever is on your mind. There’s no need to be so nervous. Just treat it like you’re copying something in your spare time.”

Seeing Chen Ping’an’s smile, Pei Qian felt a little more at ease. She took a deep breath, accepted the brush, and then raised her head, looking at the pristine white wall, which seemed utterly daunting. Her gaze drifted downwards, until finally, she slowly squatted down. Was she truly planning to write by the base of the wall? Without her most feared demons and specters, without the presence of the one who could always subdue her, Cui Dongshan, Pei Qian’s display of timidity was a rare and unexpected event.

Chen Ping’an recalled an old memory from his youth, when he, Liu Xianyang, and the snot-nosed Gu Can, had gone to the small temple to write with charcoal. Liu Xianyang and Gu Can, eager to surpass the other names already there, had devised countless schemes. In the end, they had stolen a ladder from a local household, carrying it all the way from the small town, across the stone arch bridge to the little temple, propping it against the wall, only then able to write their names at the very top. It was Liu Xianyang who had stolen the ladder from a family in Riding Dragon Lane, Gu Can who had stolen the charcoal from his own home, and in the end, Chen Ping’an who had held the ladder steady. Liu Xianyang had written the largest, Gu Can, unable to write, had relied on Chen Ping’an to write it for him. Chen Ping’an had even sought guidance from his neighbor, Zhigui, to learn how to write the character “Can.”

And so, Chen Ping’an smiled, playfully tugged her ear, and pulled her to her feet. Then, he squatted down, letting her climb onto his shoulders. “Write at the highest point, no one will be able to see it either.”

Pei Qian, holding the brush, perched upon Chen Ping’an’s shoulders, scratched her head, hesitant to begin. Chen Ping’an did not urge her.

Zhu Lian chuckled maliciously, “Pei, you might as well write: ‘Unbending grass on the wall, changing with the wind, a money-losing commodity’, very appropriate, and very honest. Just like those heroic figures in the wandering knight novels I gifted you, after slaying a villain, they always yell out: ‘So-and-so is here!’, it’s the same principle. It will definitely spread your fame far and wide, shaking the Jianghu! Perhaps when we arrive in the capital of the Azure Luan Kingdom, everyone we meet will clasp their fists and address you with respect as Lady Pei, wouldn’t that be a wonderful tale?”

Pei Qian turned her head, her little face wrinkled in displeasure. “Zhu Lian, if you keep this up, if you keep this up, I’ll…cry for you to see!”

Chen Ping’an raised his leg and kicked Zhu Lian, scolding with a smile, “Disrespectful elder, always bullying Pei Qian.”

Zhu Lian laughed heartily, nodding his head. “Since the young master has spoken, this old servant will let her off the hook. That little scoundrel is always so picky with her food even after she’s eaten her fill, this old servant couldn’t stand it.”

Shi Rou found this old man and young girl unbearable.

For instance, when they occasionally left the main road, traversing mountainous terrain and passing through wild villages, they would encounter local dogs that barked fiercely at them as strangers. This girl named Pei Qian would grab her walking stick and rush forward with a flurry of mad swordplay, kicking up dust. She ran faster than the dogs.

The old lecher Zhu Lian would boredly help the little girl block the way, intercepting the dogs that were cowering with their tails between their legs. Pei Qian would squat down, press down on the dog’s head, and glare at it, asking, “Little brother, what’s going on? Still fierce? Apologize to Lady Pei, or I’ll hit your dog head…”

Then the villagers and children would see them and run over, yelling and cursing, and Chen Ping’an would take the lead and slip away, and the group would start running.

Shi Rou didn’t understand, was this fun?

But Chen Ping’an, who was usually quite serious, seemed to be… running quite happily?

Not to mention Pei Qian, that child, but you, the teacher of the Great Devil Cui, a Far Realm martial arts grandmaster, aren’t you ashamed?

Also, when they encountered a big white goose on the riverside road, the old lecher would encourage Pei Qian to spar with it, and as a result, Pei Qian was chased and yelped, pecked on the bottom many times, and ran to Chen Ping’an in a sweat, exclaiming that it was too powerful and impossible to beat. Chen Ping’an laughed no less than Zhu Lian at that time.

Shi Rou always felt out of place with these three.

She even wondered if it would be better to stay by Cui Dongshan’s side?
Finally, Pei Qian began to write, but inscribing on a wall was a different matter than copying books on paper. Her first stroke, a horizontal line, was crooked and uneven. Pei Qian gasped, wiped the sweat from her brow, and gritted her teeth to finish the four characters, “Heaven and Earth Unite Qi.” However, after writing half the phrase, she leaned back slightly, looking comical. Her skill was not even half of what it usually was when copying books. She didn’t need to look at Zhu Lian to know that the old cook was secretly enjoying himself, mocking her strokes as being devoid of spirit.

Pei Qian hesitated and simply left the half-finished phrase as it was.

She moved the brush down a bit, dipped it in ink, and wrote, “Pei Qian and Master Visited Here.”

Done!

Pei Qian felt quite satisfied. The calligraphy wasn’t great, but the content was excellent.

Like master, like disciple. Back in the Shushui Kingdom, Chen Ping’an had done the same clumsy thing on the stone cliff behind the waterfall at the estate of the old Sword Saint, Song Yushao.

Chen Ping’an didn’t force Pei Qian to write more. He put her down and said to Zhu Lian, “How about you write something?”

Zhu Lian rubbed his hands and said with a smile, “Let’s skip it. It’s been so many years since I last held a brush. My hand must be stiff and clumsy, making a fool of myself.”

Chen Ping’an still handed the brush to Zhu Lian.

Zhu Lian wasn’t one to be coy. He took the brush without hesitation, put one hand behind his back, and held the brush, dipping it in ink, as he gathered his thoughts.

Having witnessed the little girl’s “calligraphy,” the temple keeper, the incense bearer, and even Shi Rou didn’t have high hopes for Zhu Lian. Moreover, the hunchbacked old man called himself an “old servant,” implying that he was a servant from a wealthy family. Even if he knew a little about writing, how good could he be?

But Chen Ping’an knew Zhu Lian’s background.

In Lotus Paradise, before Zhu Lian went completely mad, he was known as “Young Master Zhu Lian, putting celestial immortals to shame.”

Zhu Lian wrote a magnificent poem about Lotus Paradise, in cursive script. It wasn’t long, just over a hundred characters, but every word was a gem. The calligraphy on the wall was even more astonishing, flowing like clouds and water.

The temple keeper, being a discerning man, murmured, “Gathering like mountains, scattering like wind and rain, swift as lightning, agile as a hawk… It’s reached the pinnacle of artistry, truly divine! He’s definitely a hidden master calligrapher…”

Zhu Lian used mostly light and dry brushstrokes, so he used very little ink, and the transitions were seamless, creating a unified flow.

Even Shi Rou had to admit… it was outrageous that a dirty old lecher could write such beautiful calligraphy!

Zhu Lian handed the brush back to Chen Ping’an, “Young Master, this old servant has dared to offer a humble brick to attract jade. I hope you won’t laugh.”

Chen Ping’an was amused and exasperated, thinking, “Zhu Lian, aren’t you just putting me on the spot?”

As expected, the three people from the River God Temple looked at him with expectant expressions.

Chen Ping’an knew he could only disappoint them.

Zhu Lian wasn’t just offering a humble brick to attract jade; the three from the temple would soon learn the difference between jade and pebbles.

Chen Ping’an originally wanted to simply copy some text from the bamboo scrolls in his mind.

Zhu Lian smiled and said, “Young Master, why not write something from the heart? You have a vast inner world. You can create your own path, why imitate the ancients in everything?”

Chen Ping’an thought for a moment, then stood still, made a fist with one hand and placed it on his abdomen, and used the other hand to hold the brush and write. His calligraphy was still upright and proper, without any flair, only serious and disciplined.

After Chen Ping’an finished writing two sentences, there was silence.

Chen Ping’an smiled wryly and returned the brush.

The temple keeper and the incense bearer saw them out of the River God Temple.

On the way, the temple keeper mentioned the old Vice Minister Liu again, expressing great concern.

It turned out that this great Confucian scholar of Azure Luan Kingdom, after resigning from his post and retiring to the scenic mountains and rivers of the country, experienced a strange event at the Lion Garden, which was renowned as one of the ten most famous gardens in Azure Luan Kingdom. Last winter, a fox spirit haunted the place, appearing and disappearing unpredictably. It had bewitched Vice Minister Liu’s unmarried youngest daughter, turning a beautiful young woman into a pitiful creature of skin and bones. The fox spirit, with its profound cultivation, had a strange and unpredictable nature. It didn’t kill people; instead, it was highly cultured and knowledgeable in the three teachings. Once, it even engaged in a philosophical discussion with Vice Minister Liu, leaving the renowned old minister speechless. Afterward, the old minister spent his entire fortune hiring many mountain immortals to subdue the demon, but various schools, mountain sects, and even some rogue cultivators with dubious reputations but great skills went to the Lion Garden. Without exception, they were all made fools of by the fox spirit. Their weapons were snatched, their spiritual tools were stolen, and they had to beg the fox demon to return them in private.

Chen Ping’an had seen this matter on the mountain gazette of the Immortal Inn Hundred Flowers Garden in the prefectural city, but he hadn’t paid much attention to it at the time. The gazette also listed the reward money for the Lion Garden. Anyone who could drive away the fox spirit would be rewarded with three ancestral antiques offered by Vice Minister Liu with both hands.

Near the temple gate, the incense bearer couldn’t help but lament, “Vice Minister Liu is a rare good and honest official, and his family has a very good reputation. A few years ago, I had the honor of interacting with a member of the Liu family. That young scholar was indeed gentle and courteous, which shows the uprightness of the Liu family.”

The temple keeper sighed, “That’s right. And look at the Liu family member who serves as the magistrate near us. He has been diligent and conscientious for four years and has done many practical things. We have seen it all with our own eyes. If the Liu scholar you met was only good at academics and family education, this magistrate is truly dedicated to serving the people. Alas, I don’t know how things are at the Lion Garden now. I hope they have already driven away the fox spirit.”

Pei Qian felt a chill down her spine.

She almost took out a talisman to stick on her forehead.

Zhu Lian smiled knowingly.

“Well, do they want us to act on behalf of heaven?”

Shi Rou naturally preferred to avoid trouble.

A fox spirit that could cause trouble in the capital must have a high level of cultivation. If it was a Golden Core Earth Immortal level demon, and Zhu Lian deliberately framed her again, choosing to stand by and watch, would she really have to block knives and magic treasures for the impulsive Chen Ping’an?

Chen Ping’an had remained silent the whole time. After walking out of the gate, he cupped his fist to bid farewell to the temple keeper and the incense bearer.

Then, he continued on his way to the capital of Azure Luan Kingdom.

Chen Ping’an suddenly said, “In a house of eminence, ghosts peer at its door.” (High-profile families attract trouble.)

Zhu Lian nodded with a smile, “Correct.”

After Chen Ping’an and the others left, the River God Temple was temporarily empty of worshippers.
A scholar of ethereal form, wreathed in flowing golden light, emerged from the divine statue and strode to the fourth courtyard, standing beneath the wall of the covered walkway.

The temple keeper, somewhat flustered, earnestly pleaded, “Lord River Deity, the incense offerings are meager these days, please do not linger for too long.”

For a mountain and river deity to manifest in corporeal form, they require the support of purified incense offerings.

While the venerable gods of towering mountains, with their flourishing incense, need not concern themselves, this humble River Deity shrine must conserve every bit.

The River Deity, in the guise of a middle-aged scholar, smiled.

A long-absent look of relief graced his face as he turned his gaze towards the heavens, exclaiming with delight, “My shrine is too small, and the Sage’s spirit is too vast! This insignificant River Deity, it is like drinking the finest wine, intoxicating and intoxicating! Fortunate, fortunate! Exhilarating, exhilarating!”

The temple keeper, lost in bewilderment, knew not what to make of it.

He then noticed that his River Deity, who had always been weighed down by worries and melancholy, now possessed a radiant spirit between his brows. Furthermore, the golden light enveloping him seemed far more concentrated than before.

The temple keeper abruptly turned his head, once more gazing at the wall.

Not at the cursive script, but at the two lines of upright standard script characters.

*The moon in the heavens, the moon on earth, the moon upon one’s shoulder while seeking knowledge, the moon in one’s eyes when ascending to gaze afar, the moon that is shattered and reunited like water scooped in a bamboo basket.*

*The wind in the mountains, the wind by the water’s edge, the wind beneath one’s feet while journeying afar upon a sword, the wind that rustles the pages of sacred books in a scholar’s study, the wind that carries drifting duckweed together.*