Chen Pingan raised his head, gazing at the night sky for a long time, not retracting his gaze.

He stood beneath the eaves of the house, a charcoal brazier clutched in his hand.

Gu Can wept with heart-rending cries, like a wounded cub.

Even though Chen Pingan had turned his eyes back to Gu Can, he still remained silent, allowing Gu Can to wail, his face streaked with tears and snot.

Gu Can cried until his body convulsed, until he was drained of strength. Then he began to sob, gathering what little energy he had to dry heave, as if weeping away all his spirit.

Chen Pingan slowly asked, “Why didn’t you plead for mercy for yourself? Is it because you knew it would be useless? Unwilling to lose the last chance? Because when you spoke up for Tan Xue, I not only severed ties with the Spring Courtyard Residence and your mother, but also with you, Gu Can. The last thread of connection is gone, is that it? Is it because you finally realized that even with Tan Xue, you might not survive in Shujian Lake anymore? Replacing Tan Xue with me, Chen Pingan, as your Spring Courtyard Residence’s guardian deity, maybe you two could still live as you did before, just not as freely, not able to righteously tell me, ‘I just like killing’? But compared to being randomly slapped to death one day by a cultivator you’ve never met, with no grudge, and your whole family going to be reunited underground, is that still a profitable deal?”

Gu Can remained silent, not even wiping his face full of tears and snot, just staring blankly at Chen Pingan.

Chen Pingan sighed, walked to Gu Can, and bent down to offer the charcoal brazier in his hand.

Stepping on the accumulated snow, each step crunched and creaked.

Gu Can didn’t take it.

Chen Pingan squatted down, face to face, looking at Gu Can, “Little snot-nosed kid, it’s okay, just tell me the truth, I’m listening.”

Gu Can grabbed a handful of snow, turned away, and smeared it on his face. Then he turned back, choking, “Chen Pingan, you’re the worst person!”

Chen Pingan gave a helpless smile, hesitating for a moment, “In your Shujian Lake, I am indeed a good person. Either the good people are clever, or they are villains.”

Gu Can’s tears burst forth like a dam breaking, “Your Shujian Lake, your Spring Courtyard Residence, you two! Chen Pingan, you just love to say things like that, we don’t want that, okay…”

Gu Can covered his face with the backs of his hands, sobbing.

Chen Pingan said, “Go back.”

Gu Can punched Chen Pingan in the chest, knocking him back into the snow.

Gu Can stood up, staggering away.

After running a dozen steps, Gu Can stopped, not turning around, sobbing, “Chen Pingan, you are more important than Little Loach, it’s always been like that. But from now on, it’s not like that anymore. Even if Little Loach dies, you are still worse.”

Chen Pingan sat in the snow, gazing at Shujian Lake.

His heart was as still as water.

Standing up, shaking the snow off his cotton coat, Chen Pingan walked towards the ferry, waiting for Tan Yuanyi from Li Su Island to arrive. With Liu Zhimao’s decisive style, he would definitely send a flying sword message to Li Su Island as soon as he returned to Hengbo Prefecture. But then it suddenly occurred to him that this Dali Green Ripple Pavilion’s spy chief in the middle of Treasure Bottle Continent would probably not arrive by boat, but would secretly sneak into Green Gorge Island after first contacting Liu Zhimao. Chen Pingan turned around and went directly to Hengbo Prefecture.

Spring Courtyard Residence.

The woman, draped in a snow-white fox fur, waited anxiously.

Seeing Gu Can’s figure, she quickly trotted over and asked, “How was it? Is Tan Xue with you?”

Earlier, when the two were making dumplings together in the kitchen, Gu Can’s expression suddenly changed drastically, and he fell to the ground, clutching his chest, as if he had fallen seriously ill.

At that time, the woman knew something was wrong, probably something had happened to Tan Xue outside the Spring Courtyard Residence.

Gu Can raised his head, stunned, “Dead.”

The woman was stunned, thinking she had misheard, “Can Can, what did you say?”

Gu Can repeated, “Dead.”

The woman said sternly, “Dead? Just like that? Tan Xue is a Nascent Soul stage flood dragon, how could she die?! Apart from that old bastard surnamed Liu on Gongliu Island, who else in Shujian Lake could kill Tan Xue!”

Gu Can looked at his mother’s face and said, “There’s also Chen Pingan.”

The woman said angrily, “What nonsense are you talking about! How could Chen Pingan kill Tan Xue? What right does he have to kill Little Loach who no longer belongs to him? Has he gone mad? This ungrateful little bastard should have been starved to death in Clay Bottle Lane back then. I knew he had bad intentions coming to our Green Gorge Island this time, this cursed thing…”

Gu Can suddenly said, “Chen Pingan might be able to hear us.”

The woman immediately shut her mouth, panicking as she looked around. Her face was pale, almost the same color as the snow on the ground and the fox fur on her body.

Gu Can was silent.

The woman hugged him, crying, “My poor child.”

Gu Can was expressionless. His body and soul were extremely weak now. After returning from the Spring Courtyard Residence and the mountain gate in the snow, his hands and feet were already ice-cold.

Returning to Hengbo Prefecture again, Liu Zhimao hesitated, and asked his trusted steward to invite Zhang Ye.

Then he went to that secret small sword mound, similar to a sword room, where he treasured a high-grade messenger flying sword, carefully pondering and brewing his words before sending a message to Tan Yuanyi, the island lord of Li Su Island.

Finally, Liu Zhimao came to the hall paved with lichen, a specialty of Colorful Clothing Kingdom, flicked his hand, and scooped up a ball of water mist, sprinkling it on the ground, revealing a scroll painting of the Green Gorge Island mountain gate.

The heavy snow had stopped, making the scene seem a bit desolate.

Liu Zhimao lowered his head, staring at the scene generated by the water mist.

During this time, he raised his head several times to look outside the door.

Liu Zhimao smiled helplessly. Of the nearly thousand cultivators on Green Gorge Island today, only Zhang Ye dared to come leisurely at the behest of Hengbo Prefecture, never hurriedly riding the wind. As for whether he, the island lord, would harbor resentment, Zhang Ye, the old fellow, never cared.

Liu Zhimao sighed.

Almost all of his old brothers who fought alongside him in the earliest days were dead. Some died on the battlefields of expanding territory, some died from endless ambushes and assassinations, and some were rebellious and disobedient, killed by Liu Zhimao himself. Of course, more of them died of old age. In the end, only Zhang Ye remained by his side, the last old companion on Green Gorge Island.

Liu Zhimao walked straight through the water painting and arrived at the gate. After hesitating for a moment, he stepped out of the threshold, waiting for Zhang Ye there.
As a Dragon Gate cultivator, not yet ascended to the realm of the Earth Immortal, Zhang Ye could have easily claimed a territory and become an island lord amongst the thousand-island expanse of Jianjian Lake, even without his friendship with Liu Zhimao. In fact, after Liu Zhimao spent the last two years expanding his influence by befriending distant powers and attacking nearby ones, annexing over ten large islands including Sulin Island, he had intended to grant Zhang Ye, his loyal supporter, a large island as his domain. However, Zhang Ye twice declined, and Liu Zhimao ceased to insist.

In their early days, when both were merely at the Seascape realm, Zhang Ye, a cultivator of noble lineage, was not only Liu Zhimao’s friend, but also his strategist, advising him from behind the scenes. It could be said that Qingxia Island’s ability to overcome numerous difficulties in its initial stages was not only due to Liu Zhimao’s ruthlessness in eradicating enemies, which awed the surrounding powers, but also to Zhang Ye’s crucial strategizing.

Liu Zhimao had always treated Zhang Ye with respect, not only because of the cherished bond forged in those difficult times, but also because after Qingxia Island had established itself, especially as Liu Zhimao’s cultivation steadily rose, far surpassing Zhang Ye’s, Zhang Ye never hesitated to voice his opinions. He had essentially turned a founding meritorious official, who should have been enjoying the fruits of his labor, into a reckless, annoying court censor. Liu Zhimao had been greatly angered several times by Zhang Ye’s lack of consideration. He believed the rules for conquering and governing were different. Yet, Zhang Ye remained obstinate. After Liu Zhimao ascended to the Nascent Soul realm, he became increasingly distant from Zhang Ye, assigning him to manage the Fishing and Secret Vault departments, effectively treating him like a local official while maintaining the facade of a court position. Zhang Ye’s unpopularity was evident. While his situation wasn’t dire, compared to the dazzling prominence of later arrivals like Yu Gui, Zhang Ye’s appearances on Qingxia Island became rarer. He would attend celebratory banquets, but never spoke, neither flattering the True Lord of Interception nor dampening the mood with criticism.

As these old memories flashed through his mind, Liu Zhimao felt a long-lost sense of nostalgia.

“He’s finally here.”

Zhang Ye, upon seeing Liu Zhimao, still walked at a leisurely pace.

Not only that, but he was even holding a solid snowball in his hand, indicating how leisurely his journey had been, and how anxious the person who summoned him must have been.

The chief steward of Hengbo Prefecture, also a Dragon Gate cultivator, had indeed been troubled by this errand. However, upon seeing the True Lord standing outside the hall, his heart skipped a beat, and he immediately regretted urging Zhang Ye so many times. Fortunately, he hadn’t complained, or he would have likely suffered repercussions.

Liu Zhimao waved his hand to signal the chief steward to stay away from the main hall. The latter immediately bowed and left.

Zhang Ye clasped his fist in salute, “Greetings, Island Lord.”

Liu Zhimao smiled and raised his hand slightly, gesturing for Zhang Ye not to be so formal.

The two crossed the threshold one after the other. Zhang Ye looked at the scroll hovering above the embroidered tapestry, remaining silent.

Liu Zhimao cut straight to the chase, “Back then, you and the Fishing Department spent eight years painstakingly locating the reincarnation of that Golden Core female cultivator. You advised me to detain her on Qingxia Island, but never to harm her. You said that when Liu Laocheng returns to Gongliu Island and we finally break ties, we should reveal this matter. You believed that this might save my life. I didn’t believe it then, and argued with you, calling you soft-hearted and your assessment of Liu Laocheng’s character laughable. Now it seems, you might not have been entirely correct, but I was definitely wrong.”

Zhang Ye said without expression, “It’s rare for the Island Lord to admit a mistake. I wonder if the sun will rise in the west tomorrow morning.”

Liu Zhimao pointed at the old stubborn mule and said with a chuckle, “With your foul temper and sharp tongue, I would have killed you ten or eight times over if you were anyone else.”

Zhang Ye responded with an “Oh,” and added, “Then I thank the Island Lord for the grace of not killing me.”

Liu Zhimao was about to speak when he suddenly pointed to the scroll and said, “Watch carefully.”

On the scroll, Gu Can was kneeling in the snow outside the door.

After the accountant opened the door and said those words, he looked up, holding the charcoal basket with both hands, gazing upwards.

Liu Zhimao’s expression shifted.

Zhang Ye said, “I advise the Island Lord to withdraw it, but I reckon it’ll be useless.”

Liu Zhimao first pointed a finger gently at a certain spot on the scroll, then waved his sleeve, truly withdrawing the scroll.

Liu Zhimao said, “What do you think of this Chen Pingan?”

Zhang Ye thought for a moment, “He’s terrifying. If he were a rogue cultivator from Jianjian Lake, the Island Lord would be in trouble.”

Liu Zhimao nodded, “Some secrets between him and me, I won’t tell you. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but it might be better if you don’t know. However, some harmless trifles can be shared as amusement.”

Zhang Ye no longer intentionally used words to prick at Liu Zhimao.

What Liu Zhimao called “trifles” were certainly not minor matters.

Liu Zhimao then described in detail his conversation with Chen Pingan after leaving the mountain gate, how they ate winter solstice dumplings at Chunting Prefecture together, and then went their separate ways, doing their own things.

Liu Zhimao said, “Why do you think Chen Pingan deliberately brought me along to frighten that woman, and needlessly gave me a huge favor, insisting that I hide the truth from the woman and let me, Liu Zhimao, play the good guy?”
Zhang Ye pondered for a moment, then struck the nail on the head, “It’s not complicated. From the moment Chen Ping’an moved out of the Spring Courtyard Mansion, he was drawing a line between himself and Gu Can’s mother. He just did it in a gentle way, giving both sides an easy out, so it wouldn’t become too stiff. But at that time, the woman probably only felt relieved, unable to guess Chen Ping’an’s intentions. Afterward, Chen Ping’an would occasionally go to the Spring Courtyard Mansion for a meal, just to ease her mind. The woman gradually felt at ease, in a state she considered most ‘comfortable.’ She believed Chen Ping’an wouldn’t abduct Gu Can, causing him to ‘go astray’ and become some do-gooder seeking death. Moreover, Chen Ping’an was still on Azure Gorge Island, which was a protective charm for the Spring Courtyard Mansion, like having a guardian spirit at the door. Of course, she liked that. After that, Chen Ping’an went to the Spring Courtyard Mansion less and less, and subtly, because this accountant was indeed very busy. So the woman was even happier, until tonight, when Chen Ping’an brought the Island Master to sit at the Spring Courtyard Mansion dining table and eat dumplings, she finally belatedly realized that the two sides were already strangers.”

After Zhang Ye said these words that were almost the truth, he asked, “An outsider like me, who only paid a few extra glances at Chen Ping’an, could see through it. Not to mention the Island Master. Why ask? What, are you afraid that I’ve been sitting on the sidelines for so many years, not using my brain, and have become as rusty as the woman in the Spring Courtyard Mansion who likes to call herself a titled noble lady? Besides, even if my brain isn’t enough, it’s still enough to help the Island Master manage the Secret Vault and Fishing Affairs departments, right? Could it be that you feel uneasy about me holding the Secret Vault department, afraid that I’ll see Azure Gorge Island about to fall apart and run away with a bundle of treasures? Speak, which confidant are you planning to hand the Secret Vault department over to? Rest assured, Island Master, I won’t cling to the position. But if the choice isn’t suitable, I’ll give the Island Master one last piece of unwelcome advice.”

Liu Zimao scolded with a smile, “Stop talking nonsense here!”

Zhang Ye slowly said, “Then what is the purpose exactly? It’s not that Zhang Ye looks down on himself, but in the current situation, I really can’t help much. If you want me to be a martyr, I won’t agree. Even though I know my life is short, I still have sixty years of time left. That’s a lifetime for a mortal teacher. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed the blessings and suffered the hardships. I don’t owe you or Azure Gorge Island anything.”

Liu Zimao didn’t answer Zhang Ye’s question, and said without reason, “You say, if Quill Lake were all people like Chen Ping’an, how could we old, undying fellows, who are cursed as being too numerous to count our sins, yet also worshiped, survive as the greatest villains? How could we thrive?”

Zhang Ye laughed, “Island Master, there aren’t many people like that.”

Liu Zimao turned to look at this old Dragon Gate Realm cultivator whose soul was decaying, and stared for a long time.

Zhang Ye simply remained silent.

Liu Zimao said, “Zhang Ye, find an auspicious day, and then at the end of this year, don’t wait until spring, quietly leave Quill Lake. Go far away, find a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters, and live out the last sixty years in peace.”

Zhang Ye frowned, perplexed, “Has the situation deteriorated to this point?”

Liu Zimao hesitated, then frankly said, “As it stands now, it’s not the worst. But things are unpredictable. The Great Li Song Clan taking over Quill Lake is inevitable. Once Great Li has a brain fart, or feels that Liu Laocheng has taken too much and wants to get it back from me, Azure Gorge Island will be dealt with after the harvest. At that time, Great Li can find any excuse to kill me, pleasing the people of Quill Lake and getting the assets of a dozen large islands. If I were the one in charge of Great Li’s affairs, I would definitely do it. Maybe they’re already sharpening their knives.”

Liu Zimao patted Zhang Ye’s shoulder, “I’m not deliberately trying to buy people’s hearts. If you weren’t Zhang Ye, an unremarkable Dragon Gate Realm cultivator, you wouldn’t be worth a fart. There would be no need for me, Liu Zimao, to be so long-winded and talk for half a day. If I had that free time, couldn’t I just go into seclusion and cultivate? If I accidentally cultivated to the Jade Pure Realm, damn it, let’s see if Great Li would still dare to sharpen their knives, still be willing to kill the donkey after it’s done the work. We’re both in the Jade Pure Realm, but Ruan Qiong is practically being praised to the heavens by the Great Li Song Clan. My Nascent Soul Realm, which is only half a step away, compared to Ruan Qiong, is really a half-realm difference that makes people want to die.”

“Speaking of buying people’s hearts, you were the one who taught me how to do it back then.”

Liu Zimao took his hand off Zhang Ye’s shoulder, straightened his collar, and laughed, “I hope that at least one of my old partners can have a good ending. Anyway, it’s just a matter of lifting a finger. Don’t thank me, or you’ll be a stranger.”

Zhang Ye suddenly burst into a torrent of abuse, “You old bastard, if you’re really beaten to death by Great Li or Liu Laocheng one day, and I’m hiding, how am I supposed to catch up with you on the road to the Yellow Springs after sixty years, and talk to you?”

Zhang Ye shook his head and said softly, “I’m not leaving.”

Liu Zimao looked at this stubborn fellow and said something irrelevant, “You could be friends with our accountant. When he’s smart, he’s so smart that he doesn’t seem like a good person at all. When he’s stubborn, he’s like a fool with water in his brain.”

Zhang Ye said, “Your state of mind isn’t right now, and it’s not conducive to cultivation. He who walks a hundred li is halfway at ninety. If you fall in one breath at this time, it will be difficult for you to ever get back up in this life. How will you ascend to the Upper Five Realms? You’ve weathered so many storms, don’t you understand that many of the opponents who died in our hands were just a breath away from success?”

Liu Zimao cried out, “Zhang Ye, not bad, you’re starting to lecture me again, and you even dare to talk to me about cultivation. Do you really think we’re still the two hot-blooded youths in the Sea Gazing Realm from back then?”

Zhang Ye laughed, “When I ascended to the Cave Mansion Realm, you could be considered a hot-blooded youth. But you, Liu Zimao, were already old at that time. There’s nothing to be done about it. You wild cultivators who forage in the mountains and swamps are just not as good as us who are recorded on the immortals’ register.”

Liu Zimao mocked, “After being a wild cultivator in Quill Lake for so many years, you still like to identify yourself as a cultivator listed on the register of immortals?”
Zhang Ye muttered, “There’s something I’ve kept buried in my heart, never spoken to anyone. From the very first day I followed that fellow Liu Z茂 to Shujian Lake, I desperately hoped that one day, I could witness Liu Z茂, as a rogue cultivator, establish his own sect in Shujian Lake. So over the years, I’ve often frequented a certain place, the very first foothold Liu Z茂 and I had in Shujian Lake, a small island named Hengbo Island, the same name as Hengbo Prefecture. It was a mere palm-sized piece of land, later completely destroyed by a Golden Core cultivator, a seemingly invincible enemy, using his natal magic treasure. It infuriated me! Back then, I carried the utterly undaunted Liu Z茂 on my back, rowed a boat there alone, and silently shed tears. Alas, the bitterness!”

Chen Ping An and Tan Yuanyi arrived at Hengbo Prefecture almost simultaneously.

One openly, one covertly.

Liu Z茂 personally led the ledger clerk, holding a charcoal brazier, into a secret chamber. The walls and floor were actually covered in snowflake coins, with only four prayer mats placed within.

Island Lord Tan Yuanyi of Lisudao was already sitting on one of the mats, meditating. Upon Liu Z茂 and Chen Ping An entering side by side, he opened his eyes, stood up, and smiled, “Mr. Chen’s name precedes him; it’s like thunder in the ears.”

Chen Ping An asked a seemingly irrelevant question, “Island Lord Tan, does Li Baozhen, your colleague at Green Ripple Pavilion currently in Qingluan Kingdom, have access to the recent happenings in Shujian Lake?”

Tan Yuanyi replied, “Key intelligence is exchanged periodically. If Mr. Chen prefers not to have too much mentioned in the intelligence reports, I can personally edit it a little.”

Naturally, Chen Ping An cupped his fist in gratitude.

Tan Yuanyi then offered some polite words, stating that Mr. Chen was the overlord of Longquan County and a close friend of Wei Bo, the righteous deity of the Northern Mountain. Within Green Ripple Pavilion, everyone had long admired Chen Ping An’s name.

However, Chen Ping An felt no joy or gratitude; instead, he began to worry about tonight’s secret meeting.

The officialdom of Dali, especially the spies stationed outside the Dali Dynasty, placed the utmost importance on rules and laws. Tan Yuanyi’s so-called “editing” was an exception to the rule. If it were a rogue cultivator from Shujian Lake, it could be understood as a prelude to a transaction and a display of sincerity. However, Chen Ping An happened to be extremely familiar with certain operational rules of Dali. He couldn’t help it; his former enemy, the Palace Consort, was the previous master of Green Ripple Pavilion, the most powerful woman in the Dali Dynasty. Since Tan Yuanyi dared to break the rules, even slightly, it meant that he needed to quietly recoup something from Chen Ping An. This was simply part of doing business, commerce being commerce. Many friendships were ruined by money, turning into animosity, not necessarily because the so-called friends were ungrateful, but because they themselves failed to understand the situation. As for the order, correctness, and magnitude involved, it was often because of emotional reasoning, harming oneself and others, resulting in mutual destruction.

The three of them sat down together.

A Dali intelligence chief, a dragon crossing the river.

A Shujian Lake Nascent Soul cultivator, a local tyrant.

A ledger clerk who was both a native of Longquan County in Dali and a worshiper of Qingxia Island, a passerby.

Chen Ping An sat cross-legged, placing his hands on the charcoal brazier, and asked directly, “Due to the incident in Old Dragon City, the Song family of Dali owes me spirit money. Does Island Lord Tan know about this?”

Tan Yuanyi nodded, “This is top-secret within Green Ripple Pavilion. Only I have access to some details of all the spies and assassins hidden in the central part of the Treasure Bottle Continent, belonging to the deliberately vague part of the Dali official documents. Therefore, I am still not qualified to know the specifics.”

Chen Ping An then asked, “Is the Dali military, such as the two Iron Cavalry that arrived at the border of Zhu Ying Dynasty one after another, very dissatisfied with Island Lord Tan?”

Tan Yuanyi’s expression changed slightly.

Dali valued martial prowess, from the imperial court to the Jianghu and even the common people. The tough folk customs were by no means an exaggeration, so it was always ridiculed by the Treasure Bottle Continent as “Northern barbarians”.

Most of the foundations of the Dali’s Grand Pillar State surnames were in the military, jointly controlling Iron Cavalry border troops who were used to fighting “old battles”. No one could completely control one Iron Cavalry force. Often, two or three major powerful surnames would check and balance each other and form alliances. Of course, there were also those who hated each other, like the Yuan and Cao Grand Pillar State surnames.

If it weren’t for Dali’s State Preceptor Cui Chan, Dali civil officials would have no chance to rise to the top. Even though Embroidered Tiger had managed the court for a century, a big joke still occurred last year. The messenger of one of the Dali’s southern Iron Cavalry forces, in the capital, aggressively went to the Ministry of Revenue to demand money. A Vice Minister of Revenue, whose rank was higher than his, personally came out to receive him. Of course, the Ministry of Revenue would follow the procedure, first complaining, then claiming poverty, and finally shrugging its hands, saying there was no money. If there was some connection or favor to be pulled, they would at most secretly say some heartfelt words about trying their best to find a way around. If there was no connection, they would just say, “Do whatever you want. Go ahead and smash the Ministry of Revenue if you dare.”

That fellow who went to the Ministry of Revenue to demand money had a so-so relationship with the Ministry of Revenue. After listening for a long time, he suppressed his temper until the end and finally exploded. He slammed the table, glared, pointed at the nose of one of the Vice Ministers of Revenue, and cursed him out, listing the country-destroying merits of his Iron Cavalry force all the way south, and then reporting the tragic casualties of the soldiers on which battlefield in which country, one by one. According to State Preceptor Cui Chan, this was “Warriors also need to say some civilized words that civil officials can understand”. Finally, he questioned that Vice Minister of Revenue whether his conscience had been eaten by dogs, daring to stutter and act like a big shot on the matter of military pay, and then revealed exactly how much silver the Ministry of Revenue still had, leaving the Vice Minister of Revenue to lament that he might as well come to work at their Ministry of Revenue.

The end result was that the person returned fully loaded, and there was an unexpected surprise. The Vice Minister of Revenue separately allocated a sum of money that was not urgently needed to the Iron Cavalry force that had deep roots in the capital.

However, before that person could leave the capital with the good news, he was dragged back. Not only that, but the Vice Minister of Revenue and his superior, the Minister who was known as Dali’s God of Wealth, gathered together.

Sitting in the main seat was an Embroidered Tiger, State Preceptor Cui Chan.

At that time, Cui Chan sipped his tea and smiled, “Are you Ministry of Revenue officials embarrassed to delay the small amount of money for our Dali’s impoverished Confucian scholars? Weren’t you born as scholars? You, Vice Minister of Revenue Song Yan, if I remember correctly, also received your early education in a village school. Are you really willing to wield your pen so ruthlessly? Is our Dali really that broke?”
Ignoring the trembling Vice Minister of Revenue, Cui Chan turned his head to look at the white-haired, but vigorous, Minister of Revenue, “Han, Grand God of Wealth, why is Great Li so poor? Is it my fault? Or yours?”

Unexpectedly, the old Minister showed no fear, pointing at Song Yan, “How dare I blame the Imperial Preceptor? I may be old, but my desire for office is even greater. Besides, our Ministry of Revenue isn’t poor, we have plenty of silver, just unwilling to spend it recklessly. So, you can’t blame me, blame Song Yan. That sum of money, from beginning to end, our Ministry handled according to the Imperial Preceptor’s instructions, meticulously, not a single copper coin more, not a single copper coin less. But Song Yan messed things up, a hero takes responsibility for his own actions. Song Yan, come on, show a little spine of a Ministry of Revenue official.”

The money-grubbing fellow from the border army widened his eyes, thinking, damn it, the high officials of the Six Ministries, is this how they behave? Not much better than the roughnecks from our border army.

It seems shameless people and words are the same everywhere?

Cui Chan took a sip of tea and smiled at the old Minister, “Alright, stop trying to find a way out for your subordinate. Song Yan’s mistake is not small, but not enough to cost him his position. His performance in several capital assessments has been decent. Just take out three years’ salary and put it into that fund.”

Song Yan, whose knees were weak, felt like he had been granted amnesty, “This subordinate is willing to offer ten years’ salary…”

The old Minister slapped his forehead, “Idiot, courting death!”

Cui Chan was still not angry, holding the teacup in one hand, and using the lid to wave at Song Yan with the other, “This is not the proper conduct of an official. After you return, pull yourself together, calm down, and properly learn some ways of being an official from the old Minister. Don’t always think that your superior is only in the central government because of his money-making skills.”

The old Minister left the hall with the Vice Minister, both wiping sweat. The old Minister kicked the Vice Minister in the leg in anger, cursing in a low voice, “If I were three or forty years younger, I could kick the shit out of you.”

The latter smiled wryly, is this still the old Minister who loves to spout literary jargon all day long?

The fellow who was causing a ruckus in the Ministry of Revenue swallowed, he was indeed a clever man who could get money from the Ministry of Revenue, imitating the old Minister’s rogue-like behavior, “Imperial Preceptor, you can’t kill me, this is my duty.”

Cui Chan nodded, “What you did was not only not wrong, but very good. I will remember your name, and continue to work hard in the future, maybe you will have a great future. At least you won’t have to grit your teeth to buy a new set of clothes that won’t disgrace the border army just to make a trip to the yamen. This money for the clothes, after you leave here, go to the Ministry of Revenue to demand it, this is not silver you should have to spend, it’s owed to you by the civil officials of Great Li. The military funds you obtained from Song Yan, except for the small amount that should have been allocated to the teachers, you can take the rest out of the capital.”

That fellow looked incredulous, “Imperial Preceptor, is that really all?”

As for why the dignified Imperial Preceptor of Great Li would know such trivial matters as buying clothes, he couldn’t think about it for the moment.

Cui Chan smiled, “Of course, that’s not all. This matter distracted me, especially since it made me feel a little unhappy. Since I can’t blame you, the errand runner, and Minister Han is too slippery, not giving me a chance to let the Ministry of Revenue suffer a bit, so I have no choice but to bring up your general. During the journey south, I plan to settle some accounts that he could have turned a blind eye to, with Su Gaoshan. Tell him that the imperial court has deducted his merit of destroying the Night Wanderer Kingdom, so the patrol envoy post, which should have been in his grasp, is a bit uncertain. Next, he and Cao Ping will advance side by side to attack the Zhu Ying Dynasty. Remember to put in more effort. If he can be the first to lead his troops into the Zhu Ying Dynasty’s capital, it will be a great merit. He, who was born a woodcutter, likes to use dragon chairs to chop wood, doesn’t he? I can promise him that chair today, as long as Su Gaoshan takes the lead and sees the high walls of the capital, that most valuable chair in the middle of Bao Ping Continent is his firewood. The flames that swallow that chair will hopefully allow the fire python he keeps to ascend to the Golden Core realm.”

The border army man’s face was extremely ugly.

This was clearly forcing General Su to break into the hinterland at all costs.

Cui Chan put down his teacup, “I have other matters to attend to, and so do you, so I won’t offer you tea. A cup or two of tea won’t make you any less anxious.”

The man hesitated, but finally gave up the idea of discussing it further with the Imperial Preceptor. He dared to make a scene in the Ministry of Revenue because he was forced to, driven to the wall, but here, it was meaningless.

Before leaving, the man mustered his courage and said, “Imperial Preceptor, can you spare me a moment longer, just one sentence.”

Cui Chan smiled, “That’s two sentences.”

The man laughed straightforwardly, “I used to hear that the big shots in the imperial court like to say things that are vague and incomprehensible, relying on others to guess. The Imperial Preceptor’s words are also roundabout, but not too much. Although today’s matter has caused the Imperial Preceptor some trouble, to be honest, I still feel quite happy.”

Cui Chan waved his hand, “You can brag to people in the future, but don’t overdo it. Don’t talk about anything like me, Cui Chan, being your bosom buddy.”

The man sincerely admired him, clasping his fist and saying, “Imperial Preceptor is truly a deity.”

It’s hard to imagine.

The seemingly insignificant matter of a border army man asking the Ministry of Revenue for money at the end of last year would ultimately directly affect the fate of tens of thousands of rogue cultivators in Shujian Lake.

The main general of a Great Li iron cavalry, Su Gaoshan, from last year to the end of this year, for a whole year, had only one feeling: I have no money, I lack money.

Especially after driving straight in and reaching the central area of Shihao Kingdom, a vassal state of the Zhu Ying Dynasty, taking down Shihao Kingdom was easy, but after weighing Cao Ping’s forces, Su Gaoshan worried that the pretty boy had a better chance of taking the lead in conquering the Zhu Ying Dynasty’s capital.

One can’t be held back forever, especially a high-ranking general with real power like Su Gaoshan. So, within all the rules, he wanted silver, and he especially wanted the ‘immortal’s money.’

Therefore, he set his sights on Shujian Lake south of Shihao Kingdom.

He personally sent someone to Chishui City for a meeting with Tan Yuanyi of Lisu Isle.
He, Su Gaoshan, regardless of whether it’s Liu Zhimao or Ma Zhimao, whoever becomes the leader of Shujian Lake is immaterial, as long as the money is there. As long as there’s enough silver, he can accelerate the pace of his southward march to support that person. Those vagrant cultivators from the mountains and marshes, akin to rats scurrying across the street, anyone who dares to disobey, that’s perfect. This time, with Su Gaoshan’s southward expedition, let alone rogue Earth Immortals, even those established Immortal Masters with their great mountain strongholds, he’s already flattened over forty of them. Now, apart from the martial scribes assigned by Dali, he has directly recruited over two hundred cultivators along the way. And that’s only those who caught his eye, otherwise he would have exceeded a thousand long ago. Moreover, if he plans to engage in a major mountain-based battle, behind his army, those Immortal Masters and divine grottoes who either had their kingdoms destroyed by him or were recognized as vassal states by Dali, kowtowing and scraping before him, can still summon three to four hundred, at least that many, who must obediently ride the clouds and rush to support Shujian Lake.

What’s more, within the army, there are specially configured giant sword galleons specifically designed to target cultivators on the mountains. These are massive contraptions crafted by the Mo family’s machinists. A single volley in the air unleashes thousands of flying swords like falling rain.

It’s just that it costs money, and a vast fortune of immortal money at that. Every time he uses it, Su Gaoshan feels like his heart is being sliced apart, as if flesh is being scraped from his soul.

Every time he hears the civil official advisors calculating with their abacuses, saying that using the sword galleons this time is not worth the cost, making a great clatter, and finally telling Su Gaoshan how much “Minor Heat money” he has lost, Su Gaoshan wishes he could tear down all the old beams of the ancestral halls of those destroyed mountain gates and sell them for money, then send people to dig three feet into the ground to re-scourge them. Maybe they’ll find a secret treasure trove or something, and perhaps that would break even or even make a profit. These kinds of things have actually happened on the southward journey, and more than once. Those old immortals on the mountains, they’re all like rats digging holes, each one hiding deeper than the last.

At the thought of all the centuries-old fortunes and savings amassed by those rogue cultivators of Shujian Lake, Su Gaoshan almost wants to shamelessly ask Cao Ping, that pretty boy, to borrow a few more sword galleons.

And Su Gaoshan, bearing the momentum of Dali and being a general holding great power, prefers to keep things as simple as possible.

But for Tan Yuanyi of Lisuli Island, a master spy accustomed to calculating gains and losses on the edge of a blade, encountering a powerful military general like Su Gaoshan, a true big shot who can rank in the top ten of Dali’s frontier army, a future patrolling envoy who is practically a certainty, is both a joy and a headache for Tan Yuanyi.

The surplus of Lisuli Island over the years, as well as the little immortal money previously earned from Qingzhong and Tianmu Islands, compared to the military expenses required for that rapidly expanding iron cavalry, is, in a word, a drop in the bucket.

Su Gaoshan’s method of sustaining the army through warfare is no longer sustainable. After all, on the southward journey, besides the thunderous hooves of the Dali iron cavalry, there are also Dali supervisors and a group of civil officials specifically responsible for cleaning up the mess, the latter of whom will try their best to avoid the military’s excessive exploitation of the defeated lands. Within this, National Preceptor Cui Chan has already formulated a set of almost cumbersome rules. Those frontier generals can either choose to look at them or not, whether they find them pleasing or not, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, there are advisors to help them understand, and once they violate the rules, they will have to pay the price. They can use military merits to offset the transgression. As long as the battle merits are sufficient, and they encounter stubborn cities that are difficult to conquer and suffer heavy casualties, then once they successfully breach the city, the commanding general can even order a massacre, not just killing people, but also slaughtering pigs and dogs, leaving no one alive. However, for this kind of venting of anger that violates the Southward Expedition Code, the Dali accompanying supervisor and those remaining civil officials will at most offer advice, not persistently dissuade, and even less will they impeach, because this situation is also within the rules of the National Preceptor. Just take out that booklet, flip through it, and calculate the merits accumulated along the way and the military merits for breaking the city. If it’s enough and they are willing to sacrifice those merits, willing to forgo a newly established Dali official position of a “patrolling envoy,” then just do it, and the Dali court will absolutely not hold them accountable afterward.

But if the military merits are not enough, and they dare to wantonly massacre the city or bury enemy soldiers who have surrendered, it’s even simpler, they will be beheaded. The supervisor can directly order all the martial scribes in the army, even those trusted martial scribes around the commanding general, to obey the Dali National Preceptor’s token given to the supervisor, and immediately execute the commanding general who ordered the massacre. Then, his head will be sent to the various Dali frontier armies as a warning. One head is not enough; his family in Dali proper will also help to make amends until it is sufficient. If killing them all is still not enough, it doesn’t matter. The Dali National Preceptor has said that it will be considered Dali granting an exceptional pardon for your years of military service.

But if Liu Laocheng had not appeared.

This deal, for him, Tan Yuanyi, for Liu Zhimao, for General Su Gaoshan, and for Dali, would have been a win-win-win-win situation.

As a result, Liu Laocheng, who hasn’t shown his face at Gongliu Island for two hundred years, popped up.

Therefore, the appearance of Liu Laocheng, this turd-stirrer, caused Liu Zhimao to lose control of Shujian Lake overnight. Tan Yuanyi’s fate is no better than Gu Can of Qingxia Island and that beast. They all suffered unwarranted disasters.

At this moment, Liu Zhimao keeps his eyes down, like an old monk in meditation.

Chen Pingan slightly raised his hand and rubbed his palm. “Island Master Tan, what is your relationship with Su Gaoshan, the Dali general who attacked Shishao Kingdom?”

Tan Yuanyi said very frankly, “The relationship is very ordinary. What Su Gaoshan is eyeing is the tribute money and the life-selling money of the thousand-plus islands of Shujian Lake. If we can’t produce it, he may turn his face at any time, not even sparing me, who is half considered one of his own. Although a military general can never interfere with the affairs of Green Wave Pavilion, there are more than a dozen spies of my level within the Green Wave Pavilion alone. Not to mention the Ox-Horse Pen and the Copper Man Dew Platform, which are similar in nature and no less inferior to the Green Wave Pavilion.”

Chen Pingan smiled and said, “What’s even worse is that the Green Wave Pavilion was originally created by that Consort, although it has now become the adopted son of the Dali National Preceptor, it is not his own. The worst of all is that for spies in the Green Wave Pavilion who have risen to Tan Island Master’s high position, Li Baozhen’s path to promotion is destined to be smoother, while someone like Tan Island Master, a veteran official of the previous dynasty with deep qualifications in the Green Wave Pavilion, will have a harder time.”

Tan Yuanyi smiled and said, “The National Preceptor will not show any favoritism towards the Ox-Horse Pen and the Green Wave Pavilion.”
Chen Ping’an pinpointed the core issue, saying, “Of course, there will be no bias between the cattle and horse pens and the Green Wave Pavilion. But specifically, will each old confidant promoted by that Consort be treated fairly? Perhaps the Imperial Advisor possesses great magnanimity and will not be prejudiced. Perhaps his capacity is not so vast, and he will. Perhaps in these chaotic times, talents are needed, and he will not be. Perhaps when the world is at peace, he will. Perhaps today, you present your pledge of allegiance, severing ties with the Consort, but tomorrow, a sudden calamity befalls you, and you are implicated by someone less intelligent. It all seems possible.”

Tan Yuanyi sighed, offering no rebuttal.

Liu Zhimao maintained his detached, aloof demeanor, as if none of this concerned him.

Chen Ping’an also sighed inwardly.

For Tan Yuanyi, untangling this Gordian knot had some significance, but not much.

But even so, knowing the outcome would be less than ideal before even beginning negotiations, tonight’s meeting was still a necessary step.

Chen Ping’an needed to discern the small truths revealed in every subtle detail from Tan Yuanyi, to confirm the doubts in his heart, and then to assemble and distinguish the seemingly vague, yet traceable, trends of the overall situation.

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “The situation is indeed not favorable, but adversity breeds friendship. Island Lord Tan, Island Lord Liu, shall we become allies, working together sincerely? Shall we begin discussing the detailed steps? The three parties can identify and remedy any oversights together?”

Tan Yuanyi sat up straighter, and said in a low voice: “If Mr. Chen is willing to present a peach, then Tan Yuanyi will definitely repay him with a plum!”

Liu Zhimao even spoke up, smiling and saying, “Excellent indeed!”

In the dead of night.

Chen Ping’an left the Hengbo Manor alone and returned to the Qingxia Island mountain gate. He put the charcoal basket, where the embers had long been extinguished, back in his room, hung up the sword-nourishing gourd, changed into the golden thread robe of the Dharma, and then put on a thick cyan cotton robe over it. He drew the Sword Immortal hanging on the door, sheathed it, and carried it on his back, heading straight for the ferry. He untied the mooring rope of the small ferry boat and headed for Gongliu Island.

The waterway was long and distant.

But Chen Ping’an was not anxious. He used a punting pole to propel the boat, and the ferry boat flew like an arrow, cleaving through the water.

Shujian Lake was too vast, and even though the ferry boat sped like a swift bird, dawn arrived, and still, there was no sign of Gongliu Island.

Heavy snow fell, and the birds were gone.

Chen Ping’an rested for a moment, then stopped the boat in a certain part of the lake, holding a pair of chopsticks and placing a white bowl, gently tapping it, with a ding-ding-dong-dong sound.

He cocked his ear and listened.

He was like a beggar on the street asking for alms, but also like a young immortal who had retired to the mountains and lived like a solitary cloud or a wild crane.

Chen Ping’an enjoyed himself like this for the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, then put the bowl and chopsticks away in his pocket dimension.

Chen Ping’an rubbed his cheeks and then took a deep breath.

A cool wind filled him with vitality!