Reaching a stretch of shimmering lake, Chen Pingan ceased rowing, laid down the bamboo pole, and retrieved a portion of dried provisions from his miniature world, using it to quell his hunger.

Suddenly, Liu Laocheng chuckled and inquired whether Chen Pingan enjoyed fishing, mentioning that Jian Lake possessed three unique delicacies, all prized ingredients at banquets hosted by the Zhu Ying Dynasty’s powerful elite. One of these was a particular fish caught during winter, a species of crucian carp known as “Winter Carp,” whose flavor intensified with the severity of the snow and frigid temperatures. Liu Laocheng gestured towards the lakebed, indicating their presence in that vicinity. Before he could elaborate further, Chen Pingan had already produced the fishing rod from Purple Bamboo Island, a piece of equipment that had remained unused thus far, along with a small jar of fermented grain mash.

Liu Laocheng mirrored his actions, his movements practiced and efficient. However, his bait differed slightly, and his fishing rod was crafted from a vibrant green bamboo, exuding a palpable aura of spiritual energy.

Eventually, Liu Laocheng reeled in three Winter Carp, each about the size of a palm, while Chen Pingan landed two. They simultaneously stowed their rods, and then each displayed their own unique skills, producing chopping boards, stoves, earthen pots, firewood, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, sugar, and more.

One man at the bow, the other at the stern, they began to cook fish.

Steam billowed, and the two men sat cross-legged, one hand holding chopsticks, the other a wine flask.

They exchanged a smile and began to eat and chat casually.

Scheming plots and lurking dangers were, for the moment, banished to the realm of lighthearted banter.

No sooner had they cleared away the stove and pots after their meal, than Chen Pingan patted his Sword Nurturing Gourd, sending the flying sword Fifteen soaring away. In Liu Laocheng’s presence, Chen Pingan declared, “I’m going to inform Liu Zhimao at Green Cliff Island that Liu Laocheng of Gongliu Island is with me. Tell him to activate the mountain protection array. I will disembark alone.”

Liu Laocheng inquired, “Just issue the order? No excuse? Won’t Liu Zhimao become suspicious?”

Chen Pingan replied, “The more I say, the less likely he is to activate the array.”

Liu Laocheng nodded. “A direct approach, either scaring the opponent into submission or tearing away the pretense. Suitable for someone like Liu Zhimao. One shouldn’t give them any room to maneuver.”

Chen Pingan’s eyes lit up.

Liu Laocheng smiled. “What? Did you gain something from my offhand remark?”

Chen Pingan nodded. “I had a vague idea that I should do that, but not as clearly as you put it, Island Lord. It’s as if you placed a ruler before me. In the past, I aimed to avoid extremes in dealing with people, but you’re teaching me to push people like Liu Zhimao towards the opposite ends.”

Liu Laocheng nodded in acknowledgement, but also said, “Only reveal seven or eight parts in your words, never pour out your entire heart. You and I are still enemies. When can we truly open our hearts to each other? Are you misunderstanding something?”

Chen Pingan pushed the bamboo pole. “Those are two different matters. If I solely desired a life-or-death struggle, I wouldn’t have bothered with this trip to Gongliu Island. Ultimately, I hope for a mutually beneficial outcome. You still get your share of the profits, Island Lord. I’m just seeking reassurance, not competing with you for wealth.”

Liu Laocheng remained noncommittal, slowly drinking his wine.

Chen Pingan smiled. “When I learned to play chess, I lacked aptitude. I learned everything slowly. Even a fixed sequence that had been studied to death by my predecessors would take me ages to grasp, and I never understood the essence. So I like to imagine things, like if there was a chessboard where everyone could win, where there isn’t only victory and defeat, but different degrees of victory.”

Liu Laocheng shook his head. “Don’t talk to me about chess. It gives me a headache. I’ve never liked it. Chess skill has nothing to do with being good at handling matters.”

Chen Pingan was about to speak, perhaps wanting to further debate the matter with the old cultivator. After all, Liu Laocheng himself had said that spending one’s leisure time was to be the master of rivers, mountains, and winds. His insistence on slowly returning to Green Cliff Island by boat was to better understand Liu Laocheng’s nature, even if the plans and their success or failure relied on higher levels.

Liu Laocheng raised his hand. “Silence. Don’t take advantage of an inch, thinking me a tutor. At best, you’re just an abacus-whizzing accountant. The ferry is only so big. If you drone on, I’ll have to listen whether I want to or not. If I want peace, I’ll just slap you into the water. Your current physique can’t withstand much more torment. You’re currently clinging to life with the help of one natal aperture. If that mansion shatters, your Bridge of Longevity might break again. By the way, how did your Bridge of Longevity break before? I’m curious.”

Chen Pingan smiled. “It was broken by a female cultivator from the mountains in my hometown alley. But she was mostly set up by Liu Zhimao. That ordeal was quite perilous. Liu Zhimao even tampered with my mind. If it weren’t for luck, the female cultivator and I would have died without understanding anything, in a muddled and chaotic struggle. You mountain immortals, besides being powerful, also enjoy killing without drawing blood.”

This was the first time Chen Pingan had spoken about his own affairs to Liu Laocheng.

It could be considered a token of sincerity.

Otherwise, Chen Pingan was truly worried about angering the unpredictable old cultivator before even reaching Green Cliff Island.

Liu Laocheng seemed moved. “Mountain cultivators fear contamination by the mortal world. I should be the most qualified to say that in Jian Lake. That’s why military strategists are envied by other Qi refiners. No matter how many people they kill, they don’t have to fear the entanglement of karma. So, they, along with legalists, strategists, merchants, and farmers, prefer to cultivate down the mountain. Sword cultivators, included among the four most troublesome mountain entities, are also comfortable and have few restrictions.”

Chen Pingan smiled. “I’ve met legalist cultivators and Daoist knife-lenders. All that’s left is to experience a Mohist debt-knife wielder.”

Liu Laocheng scoffed. “I advise you not to provoke debt-knife wielders. They are the most troublesome among the troublesome, practically the little devils guarding the gates of Hell.”

Chen Pingan nodded. “I’ll be careful.”

The journey, however long, would eventually reach its end.

The ferry passed several vassal islands, including Sulin Island, and arrived at Green Cliff Island. As expected, the mountain and water array had been activated by Liu Zhimao.

In Liu Zhimao’s view, this would naturally incur Liu Laocheng’s displeasure. However, he and Chen Pingan were in the same boat. Refusing Chen Pingan’s request would have corresponding consequences, so he could only choose the lesser of two evils. Although Liu Zhimao couldn’t for the life of him figure out why the Old Ancestor was willing to accompany Chen Pingan back to Green Cliff Island by boat, he kept telling himself that Chen Pingan liked to follow the rules. No matter what Liu Laocheng wanted to do, Chen Pingan had brought him, and might not be able to settle everything, but at least he would solve this mess with Green Cliff Island, rather than remain uninvolved and simply leave.
This is the subtle, intangible influence of a so-called “good person,” like a spring breeze that silently nourishes everything it touches. Even a villain as wicked as Liu Zhimao had to acknowledge it.

Liu Laocheng kept his promise, hovering in the air on the lake surface beyond the ferry crossing.

Chen Ping’an tied up the ferry rope and went to the mountain gate house. After a short while, the jade tablet stopped absorbing the spiritual energy of the Shujian Lake.

Chen Ping’an went to Zhu Xian Mansion, but returned alone to the ferry without Hong Su.

Liu Laocheng frowned slightly.

Chen Ping’an said, “I don’t want to witness Hong Su’s death beside me, powerless to do anything. That’s the worst possible outcome I fear.”

Liu Laocheng laughed heartily, gave Chen Ping’an a thumbs up, and soared into the sky, transforming into a streak of rainbow light as he returned to the Willow Palace Isle, creating a series of booming sounds like winter thunder.

Chen Ping’an stood at the ferry for a long time, and when Liu Laocheng had completely disappeared from sight, he heaved a sigh of relief, raised his hand, and wiped the sweat from his brow.

Liu Zhimao came to the ferry, and said with a wry smile, “Mr. Chen, can you tell me the truth, what is going on?”

Chen Ping’an said, “On the way here, I was chatting with Liu Laocheng, testing each other. I came to the conclusion that Liu Laocheng doesn’t seem to have met with the Great Li military general Su Gaoshan.”

Liu Zhimao’s expression immediately changed slightly.

Both were intelligent men; the speaker had intentions, and the listener understood.

Su Gaoshan, the main general of the Great Li iron cavalry that had already reached the capital area of the Shihao Kingdom, was an insurmountable mountain for Tan Yuanyi of Grain Millet Isle. Initially, when the three of them formed an alliance in Hengbo Prefecture, they all thought that Liu Laocheng had connected with Su Gaoshan. Therefore, they disdained discussing important matters with Tan Yuanyi, a Green Ripple Pavilion spy chief. It was Willow Palace Isle that directly obtained some kind of reply from the Great Li imperial court through Su Gaoshan. That was why they acted so arrogantly, completely ignoring the conditions offered by Liu Zhimao and Tan Yuanyi. If that was the case, Liu Laocheng’s current position would be roughly equal to Su Gaoshan’s.

Now it seemed that all three of them had guessed wrong and underestimated this cultivator of the upper five realms. Liu Laocheng didn’t even take General Su Gaoshan seriously. Willow Palace Isle must have a higher and more hidden connection, perhaps able to directly converse with the Great Li Song clan or even the Great Li National Preceptor.

Liu Zhimao’s expression was even more bitter, “Mr. Chen wouldn’t be assessing the situation and abandoning Green Cliff Isle to join Willow Palace Isle, would you?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and said, “If I were really doing that, I wouldn’t be telling you this. Besides, Island Lord Liu has discerning eyes and must be able to see that my relationship with Liu Laocheng, though seemingly harmonious, is not as good as the Shujian Lake cultivators imagine. It’s not as if we hit it off at first sight or regretted not meeting sooner. I’m not afraid of you laughing at me. If it weren’t for that jade tablet, which made Liu Laocheng wary, Willow Palace Isle would have almost been my burial ground.”

Liu Zhimao laughed, “Then I’m relieved. If Mr. Chen chooses to join forces with Liu Laocheng, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to leave Shujian Lake even with two more legs.”

Chen Ping’an joked, “After the New Year, after the spring, I might often leave Green Cliff Isle, even going beyond the Shujian Lake area. Island Lord Liu doesn’t need to worry that I’m secretly plotting, betraying you and Tan Yuanyi to seek my own path. But it’s hard to say whether I’ll run into Su Gaoshan halfway. Island Lord Liu still doesn’t need to be suspicious. I value the Hengbo Prefecture alliance even more than the two of you. But let’s make it clear beforehand, if either of you temporarily change your mind and want to withdraw, just tell me directly, and it can still be discussed. Once someone betrays the agreement first, no matter what the reason, I’ll make sure you suffer.”

Liu Zhimao said with a wry smile, “I can only guarantee that if I regret it, I, Liu Zhimao, will definitely tell Mr. Chen in advance. As for Tan Yuanyi, I will pass these words on to Grain Millet Isle.”

Chen Ping’an nodded.

Liu Zhimao did not deny that when Liu Laocheng accompanied Chen Ping’an to Green Cliff Isle this time, the more straightforward and clear Chen Ping’an was, the more he distanced himself from Willow Palace Isle. The more unsettled Liu Zhimao felt in his heart.

Because that was the “what if”.

What if Chen Ping’an, relying on his courage and patience, had another possible choice? What if Chen Ping’an himself broke faith? Was he more ruthless than both Liu Zhimao and Tan Yuanyi?

He knew clearly how that arrogant little loach jumped into the fire pit and suffered misfortune, and how Chen Ping’an finished it off.

Liu Zhimao suddenly regretted whether he should have stepped into Chen Ping’an’s “rules” in the first place. Would he suddenly realize one day that his miserable end was no different from that of the little loach?

Chen Ping’an cupped his hands in his sleeves, looked at the lake and mountains in the distance, and said with a slight smile, “Island Lord Liu, you have no choice anymore, so don’t be distracted, otherwise you’ll only add to your troubles. This is not the state of mind a Nascent Soul cultivator should have.”

Liu Zhimao sighed, “Your words awaken me from my dream. I have learned again.”

Chen Ping’an joked, “I dare not, I am not a Confucius先生, just a down-and-out accountant on Green Cliff Isle, living under someone else’s roof, and I still need Island Lord Liu to take care of me.”

Liu Zhimao also joked, “Sometimes I have evil thoughts, thinking that it would be better if Mr. Chen was inexplicably punched to death by someone one day.”

Chen Ping’an smiled slightly, “Likewise.”

After Liu Zhimao left the ferry, Chen Ping’an returned to the house, took the Sword Immortal hanging on the wall, took off the golden-threaded robes, and barely wore thick cotton robes to keep out the cold. He put some charcoal in the small charcoal basket, lit the charcoal, and walked around the room holding it for warmth.

Zeng Ye ran over to knock on the door to greet him. After Chen Ping’an opened the door, he asked about the detailed progress of Zeng Ye’s cultivation. After chatting, Chen Ping’an was quite satisfied. He estimated that by the end of the year, Zeng Ye should be able to use his own body as a vessel to carry the Yin object’s soul and walk freely in the Yang world. By then, Zeng Ye would be able to temper and improve his cultivation by relying on this superior secret technique and his own special talent. Perhaps his realm-breaking speed would be extremely fast, even faster than the poisonous side door of Mao Yue Isle, which encouraged premature growth. He could become a Cave Realm cultivator, who had crossed the first major threshold of the middle five realms, earlier.

Seeing Zeng Ye lingering as if unwilling to leave.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Do you want to ask why we were fighting to the death with Liu Laocheng not long ago, but now we can be like friends and visit Shujian Lake together?”

Zeng Ye was a little embarrassed and nodded.
Even though he firmly remembered to observe more, think more, and speak less on Azure Gorge Island, the tall youth couldn’t suppress his intense curiosity and blurted out the question.

Chen Pingan smiled, “It’s rather complicated, and not something that can be used as a topic of conversation or amusement.”

Zeng Ye hurriedly stood up and said, “Mr. Chen, I’ll go back to my cultivation.”

Chen Pingan told him, “When the day comes that I can tell you, you treat me to wine, and I’ll tell you then.”

Zeng Ye gently closed the door, his face full of smiles. Through the last sliver of the door, he cheerfully said, “Mr. Chen, it’s a promise!”

After this, many islands in the Book Brief Lake, before the snow had completely melted, welcomed another heavy snowfall.

It was truly strange.

What was happening this year? It hadn’t been long, and there had already been two snowfalls that were rare even in several decades.

However, no one was unhappy. This meant that the already abundant spiritual energy of the entire Book Brief Lake had been replenished somewhat, which was like heaven bestowing a gift.

In recent days, the chatter has been feverish. Almost all cultivators have been discussing the accountant from Azure Gorge Island, and the four large lakeside cities of Pond Water and Cloud Tower were no exception.

Yu Gui took the initiative to visit Azure Gorge Island’s mountain gate for the first time, sitting for a while at Chen Pingan’s residence. He also made a small transaction, selling Chen Pingan a high-grade spiritual artifact, only a step away from being a magical treasure, at a low price. Its function was similar to the “Underworld Prison” of the Yama Palace, a pavilion whose style and regulations imitated the “Glazed Pavilion” of the White Emperor City in the Central Continent. Although the number of “houses” where ghosts and apparitions could reside was small, only twelve, far fewer than the Yama Palace from Azure Gorge Island’s secret vault, the quality of the houses was much better. Even a soul-summoning banner ghost general carefully cultivated by a Netherworld Cultivator from Crimson String Prefecture would find it more than adequate to be nurtured within.

Chen Pingan was somewhat helpless. The item was definitely excellent, but he had no money. He could only borrow from Crescent Moon Island. Yu Gui was amused when he heard this, saying that Mr. Chen was being unkind. Such a low price, and he still wanted an IOU? Was he even embarrassed? Chen Pingan laughed and said that he was, and that he didn’t need to stand on ceremony with Island Lord Yu. Yu Gui was even more amused, but said that friendship was friendship, and business was business. He dragged Chen Pingan to the master in charge of the vault, Zhang Yep, to issue an IOU in the name of Azure Gorge Island, otherwise, he wouldn’t be at ease. He even pleaded with old Mr. Zhang to keep an eye on Chen Pingan, so that he, Yu Gui, and the vault could be considered brothers in adversity.

Zhang Yep smiled and nodded in agreement, but he didn’t lend money to Chen Pingan to pay for the small Glazed Pavilion. After all, Chen Pingan already owed Azure Gorge Island a mountain of debt. However, Zhang Yep agreed to write an IOU, which satisfied Yu Gui. He also took the opportunity to invite old Mr. Zhang to visit Crescent Moon Island when he had time. Zhang Yep also nodded in agreement, without hesitation, and directly set a time with Yu Gui.

In the end, Chen Pingan seemed like an outsider.

The Island Lord of Purple Bamboo Island, beaming with joy, rode a spiritual artifact ferry boat and brought three large bamboo stalks from the island’s ancestral lineage for Mr. Chen, happier to give money than to receive it. After only drinking a cup of hot water without even a tea leaf in Chen Pingan’s house, he left. Chen Pingan saw him off all the way to the dock, clasping his fist in farewell.

There were also many who had given Chen Pingan the cold shoulder in the past, or whose island lords hadn’t shown their faces when he visited. They all seemed to have made arrangements to visit Azure Gorge Island one by one.

The heavy snow ceased.

Liu Zhimao came to the house around noon that day, knocking but not entering.

Chen Pingan walked out carrying a charcoal brazier, looking exhausted.

The two strolled together.

Liu Zhimao was somewhat gleeful, “Do you want me to step forward and help you keep those fellows out? Just make up an excuse, say that Azure Gorge Island is going to close the mountain.”

Chen Pingan shook his head and said, “No need, I’m making the best of it, and enjoying it. Dealing with these island lords can actually teach me a lot. But it’s really tiring to exchange pleasantries and say polite words. This has always been what I’m worst at. Just consider it filling in the gaps, cultivating the inner strength of dealing with people.”

Liu Zhimao laughed, “Actually, everyone has to go through this one day. In the future, when you have your own territory, you’ll have to take care of all aspects, even more laborious. Getting used to it earlier is indeed a good thing.”

The two had already walked a long distance from the mountain gate house. Liu Zhimao glanced back and suppressed a laugh, “Chen Pingan, your aunt has left Spring Court Mansion to look for you. If I remember correctly, this is the first time she’s left the house to see you since you moved out of Spring Court Mansion, right? Should we turn back?”

Chen Pingan shook his head, “Let’s walk a bit further.”

Liu Zhimao nodded, “If you were as hard-hearted as us cultivators, you wouldn’t need so much worrying.”

Chen Pingan, carrying the charcoal brazier, smiled, “Strive for a good parting. Even after the affection has dissipated, I would still hope that the other party’s life can be better.”

Liu Zhimao said, “Some half-baked family matters, whether it’s a humble alley house, a mansion of wealth, or a large mountain like our Azure Gorge Island, it’s hard to be a good person when trying to do good things. Chen Pingan, I’ll advise you one more unpleasant thing, perhaps in a few years or decades, that woman won’t understand your good intentions now, and will only remember your bad points, whether she’s living well or badly at that time. Maybe if she’s living poorly, she’ll remember some of your good deeds, but the better she lives, the deeper her resentment towards you will become.”

Chen Pingan looked indifferent, “Does that have anything to do with me?”

Liu Zhimao laughed loudly, “Indeed.”

Liu Zhimao suddenly said with amusement, “Do you think Gu Can’s mother brought one or two maids with her on this trip?”

Liu Zhimao quickly said, “Definitely not inciting anything.”

Chen Pingan thought for a moment, “Is it possible that she brought maids part of the way, and then felt it was inappropriate and sent them back to Spring Court Mansion? My aunt is very clever, otherwise it would have been difficult to raise Gu Can in Mud Bottle Alley back then, but… there are no buts, she really did the best she could in Mud Bottle Alley.”

Liu Zhimao clicked his tongue, “Impressive!”

Chen Pingan smiled, “Did I really guess right?”

Liu Zhimao nodded, “When she walked out of the Spring Court Mansion gate, she was carrying two of the most obedient and pleasing maids, but she didn’t go too far before she figured it out. This wasn’t the posture to take when trying to beg for pity. She quickly had the maids return, and also had them take back the valuable fox fur coat she was wearing. So if we keep walking forward, when we go back, she’ll definitely be freezing at the door with her lips blue and shivering. When she enters the house, she’ll probably have difficulty speaking. So, are we going to turn around immediately and not give her this opportunity to appear pitiful?”
Chen Ping’an sighed, “Let’s go back then.”

Liu Zhimao chuckled, “Actually, you’re more soft-hearted than I imagined.”

Chen Ping’an shook his head, “Since I already know everything, why make her suffer more? Sulking is the most pointless thing.”

Liu Zhimao inquired, “Shall we return together, like when we went to Spring Courtyard Mansion last time?”

Chen Ping’an responded, “That won’t be necessary this time. I don’t have such a great honor to trouble Island Master Liu every time. I’m not that kind of freeloading Qingxia Island retainer.”

Liu Zhimao didn’t insist and vanished in a flash, “Rest assured, I won’t eavesdrop on your conversation. I can pretty much guess what she’ll say anyway.”

Chen Ping’an returned to the house. The woman was huddled like a quail from the cold, her hands clasped around her shoulders. When she could see Chen Ping’an from afar, she hesitated for a moment, then immediately released her grip.

Even she, a common woman, could see Chen Ping’an from that distance.

Naturally, Chen Ping’an would have seen her even earlier.

Indeed.

As Chen Ping’an approached the mountain gate, he quickened his pace. Upon seeing the woman, he first handed her the charcoal brazier. While opening the door, he said, “Auntie, why did you come? You could have sent a message. I could have gone to Spring Courtyard Mansion.”

The woman entered the house and sat at the table, placing her hands over the charcoal brazier, forcing a smile, “Ping’an, Little Loach is dead. Auntie doesn’t dare to say much, but Little Loach has been with us for so many years. Without it, let alone Spring Courtyard Mansion, we might not have survived even in a thatched hut on Qingxia Island. So, could we have Little Loach’s body back, to find a place to bury it? If this request is too much, Auntie won’t say anything, nor will I hold it against you. Just like Gu Can has been saying all these years, besides me, his mother, you’re the only one who truly cares about him. Back in Mud Bottle Alley, just for a bowl of rice, you helped us so much, big and small, things we saw and things we didn’t… you did so much…”

At this point, the woman covered her face and wept, sobbing, “To end up in such a state, it’s all fate. Auntie doesn’t blame you, truly…”

Chen Ping’an listened patiently until the woman was inconsolable and fell silent.

He went to the desk and silently carried out the large brazier stored underneath. Then, he opened the large bag of charcoal in the corner, added charcoal to the brazier, and ignited it with a specially-made fire starter. He squatted on the ground and pushed it under the table where the two were seated, so that the woman could place her feet on the edge of the brazier to warm them.

After finishing these tasks, Chen Ping’an sat on a long bench, remaining silent throughout.

The woman quickly wiped away her tears. Under the table, she gently lifted her foot and placed it on the edge of the brazier, her face pale, “It’s okay if it’s not possible. Little Loach came from the water anyway. It doesn’t need to be like us, where we insist on burial after death.”

Chen Ping’an’s gaze became distant.

He vaguely recalled.

Once, in the alley, after he had protected her and finished arguing and fighting with those gossiping women, the two of them sat on the steps of the courtyard gate. She merely wept silently, clutching the corner of her patched-up clothes. When she saw her mischievous son swaggering into Mud Bottle Alley from afar, she quickly turned her back, wiping her tears, straightening her clothes, and using her fingers to tidy her hair.

Even now, Chen Ping’an still believed that the auntie of that time was the best mother Gu Can could have.

She asked softly, “Ping’an, I heard you went to Gongliu Island this time and met that Old Ancestor Liu. Was it dangerous?”

Chen Ping’an clenched his fists tightly, placing them lightly on his knees.

There was no longer any feeling of extreme sorrow, only helplessness.

He who perceives the hidden fish invites misfortune.

Chen Ping’an took a deep breath, loosened his fists, and extended a finger, pointing to his eyes, “Auntie, true family doesn’t need to speak. It’s all here. When Auntie opened the courtyard gate and gave me a bowl of rice, I saw it. When Auntie sat at the courtyard gate after arguing, giving me a look, telling me to keep it a secret from Gu Can, not to let him know that his mother had been wronged, lest he worry, I saw that too.”

The woman hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping.

Under the table, she gripped the bamboo handle of the small charcoal brazier tightly.

Chen Ping’an wanted to tell her so much.

“Auntie, you probably don’t know, but back in Mud Bottle Alley, I knew that for the sake of that Little Loach, you wanted me dead, hoping Liu Zhimao could kill me.”

“Auntie, you might not know either, but that night you invited Liu Zhimao to Spring Courtyard Mansion to inquire about my background, Liu Zhimao didn’t actually drink that cup of tea. Instead, he took the water from the cup, using the Mountain Secret Art of Echoing Water to collect the tea water and then place it in a bowl, which was placed on this very table. I merely shattered the lingering ripples of your conversation.”

“Auntie, you also don’t know that taking off the fox fur, the maid returning to the mansion, and even that small gesture at the door just now, when you saw me and immediately released your grip, the scheming within, and everything you said upon entering the house, all the hidden meanings, I know everything, all so clearly.”

But these words, Chen Ping’an swallowed them all, one by one, back into his stomach. In the end, he only said one sentence, “Auntie, the Shujian Lake of the future might be different from what it is now. Auntie and Gu Can won’t have to be so afraid then, afraid of not being able to protect the family business, or of assassins seeking revenge, needing Gu Can to kill again and again. But before that day truly arrives, I still hope Auntie can stay in Spring Courtyard Mansion as much as possible.”

The woman nodded gently.

Chen Ping’an looked at her and said slowly, “Shujian Lake will change greatly, and when that day truly comes, I hope Auntie can be as careful as when you moved from Mud Bottle Alley to Qingxia Island, and look around, see how to help Gu Can make the family business of Spring Courtyard Mansion even bigger. Since it’s for Gu Can’s sake, then I think, you’ve endured so much hardship in Mud Bottle Alley for so many years, and you’ve endured three years since arriving at Qingxia Island. In the future, for Gu Can’s sake, Auntie can endure a little longer, right? There will always be a day to rise above it, just like you raised Gu Can, and the snotty-nosed kid never ate or wore anything worse than the children of other neighbors. Just like the ancestral home in Mud Bottle Alley became a Spring Courtyard Mansion, in the future, it might be an entire island of your own, and not just a bigger Hengbo Mansion than Spring Courtyard Mansion, right? What’s more, Gu Can’s father might be able to come to Shujian Lake to see you someday.”

The woman nodded vigorously, her eyes wet and slightly swollen.

Chen Ping’an said nothing more.
The woman sat for a while longer before taking her leave. Chen Ping’an saw her to the door, but she steadfastly refused to take the charcoal basket, saying it wasn’t needed. What was a bit of cold? She’d suffered much worse in Mud Bottle Alley and was long accustomed to it.

Chen Ping’an watched her depart, returning to his room.

The woman walked away, her steps arduous but without complaint.

As she neared the Spring Courtyard Estate, her expression hardened, her lips moving slightly. But when a maidservant hurried out, the woman quickly smiled again.

Chen Ping’an sat at the table, lost in thought, muttering, “It’s useless, isn’t it, Chen Ping’an?”

He rubbed his cheeks. “Then let’s do something useful.”

Chen Ping’an hunched down, moving the stove, and stepping on top of it. Still holding the charcoal basket, he slumped onto the table, dozing off.

Half-asleep, half-awake, he felt like he had returned to his hometown in those bygone years.

The barking of dogs at the wooden gate in the dead of night, the crying of children disturbing his slumber, the sound of old women pounding clothes, their figures hunched.

Many would find it annoying.

Chen Ping’an felt the same way back in Mud Bottle Alley; he could only endure it.

In the end, they were all minor matters.

And they felt increasingly minor. Now, thinking back, he even felt a tinge of nostalgia.

With a thud, the charcoal basket fell to the ground. Chen Ping’an woke up, picked it up, and placed it on the side of the long bench.

He went to sleep.

He woke up late at night, roused by a knock on the door.

Chen Ping’an opened the door, nearly unable to stop himself from cursing.

It was none other than Liu Chongrun, Island Master of Pearl Hairpin Island!

Chen Ping’an opened the door but didn’t step aside.

Liu Chongrun raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you even going to let me in?”

Chen Ping’an countered, “If I let you in, how am I supposed to see Ma Yuanzhi at Vermillion String Manor in the future?”

Liu Chongrun waved a porcelain bottle in her hand. “Such an important matter. Are we going to discuss it at the doorway?”

Chen Ping’an frowned. “Are you doing this on purpose?”

Liu Chongrun nodded with a smile.

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “Island Master Liu, what are you thinking? This isn’t the way to do business, is it?”

Liu Chongrun chuckled. “Don’t reason with women.”

Chen Ping’an was stunned for a moment, then forced a smile. “That’s true.”

He stepped aside. Liu Chongrun walked into the room. Chen Ping’an didn’t dare close the door, but Liu Chongrun kicked it shut behind her.

Liu Chongrun looked down at the large bluestone slabs, glanced at the book trunk in the corner, and the six split stalks of purple bamboo leaning against the wall. Finally, her gaze returned to the bluestone. “So Master Chen hides here all day, tinkering with these gloomy things?”

Chen Ping’an nodded.

Liu Chongrun walked to the table, spotting the stove. “This thing is quite rare.”

Chen Ping’an laughed. “The common folk would think your wealthy families’ heated floors are even rarer.”

Liu Chongrun, a Golden Core Earth Immortal deliberately concealing her abilities in Treatise Record Lake, sat down, placing her feet near the stove. “Oh, it’s quite warm. I’ll have one made for the Treasure Light Pavilion too.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Has Island Master Liu made up her mind?”

Liu Chongrun continued to look around with curiosity, replying casually, “Of course. I wouldn’t dare slight an accountant escorted personally by Old Ancestor Liu. Wouldn’t that be courting death?”

Chen Ping’an said, however, “Our business may need to be put on hold for now.”

Liu Chongrun flared up. “Chen Ping’an, are you toying with me? Who was it that ran to Treasure Light Pavilion to actively do business with me? Now that I’ve come to give you my answer in person, you’re putting on airs? What, you’ve gotten on Old Ancestor Liu’s good side, so you want to raise the price? Fine, name your price! I want to see if you even have the face to ask for both wealth and women!”

Chen Ping’an stared at the fallen kingdom’s former princess. “If not for the many island masters who have already visited Green Gorge Island, I wouldn’t be letting you sit here and scold me tonight. I would truly sever ties with you. Are you truly ignorant, or just feigning ignorance? You could have waited patiently on Pearl Hairpin Island. Your meddling will only plunge Pearl Hairpin Island into a vortex. If I fail, Pearl Hairpin Island won’t just fail to move out of Treatise Record Lake. It won’t even be able to hold onto its current holdings! Liu Chongrun, I’ll ask you the same question again. What are you thinking?”

Liu Chongrun smiled. “I’ve weathered the fall of a kingdom and the destruction of my home. Now there’s no chance of the former, and the latter is just a possibility. What is there to fear?”

Suddenly, Chen Ping’an’s mind stirred. He looked towards the door.

Liu Chongrun was slightly surprised. Could Chen Ping’an truly be the rumored Golden Core sword cultivator? Otherwise, how could he have such keen perception?

Because there was an uninvited guest outside, lurking around like a sleazy man who frequently eavesdrops at people’s walls.

Chen Ping’an winked at Liu Chongrun, then said in a cold voice, “Island Master Liu, I’ll reiterate once more. I won’t be taking any female cultivators from Pearl Hairpin Island as personal maids! This isn’t a matter of how much immortal money…”

But Liu Chongrun didn’t take the bait. Instead, she said mournfully, “I never thought you, Chen Ping’an, would be such a heartless man. I’ve misjudged you!”

Liu Chongrun suddenly stood up, opened the door, and darted away.

Chen Ping’an was dumbfounded.

Forcing himself to stand, he went to the doorway. After a moment, Ma Yuanzhi, the ghost cultivator from Vermillion String Manor, walked over with a cheerful smile.

Chen Ping’an was about to explain, but Ma Yuanzhi was filled with joy and delight, patting Chen Ping’an’s shoulder hard. “No need to explain. I understand. Her Highness the Princess is deliberately trying to make me jealous. Chen Ping’an, I owe you one. If I become Dao partners with Her Highness the Princess in the future, you’ll be the greatest benefactor!”

Ma Yuanzhi rubbed his hands together, laughing loudly as he departed.

Chen Ping’an stood there, muttering to himself, “This works too?”

Chen Ping’an clicked his tongue in wonder.

Walking to the ferry landing, he crouched down, made a snowball, thought for a moment, and simply built a snowman, embedding a few pieces of charcoal for its nose and eyes. He clapped his hands.

Chen Ping’an thought for a moment, then built another one next to it, looking slightly “slimmer” and “more delicate.”

Only then was he satisfied.

Regarding romantic love, Chen Ping’an truly didn’t understand the “principles” before. He could only think and act, even with two distant journeys, including three hundred years of fleeting time in Lotus Root Paradise. It only made him more confused, especially about Zhou Fei from Lotus Root Paradise, now Jiang Shangzhen of Jade Tablet Sect. He couldn’t understand why so many outstanding women in Lotus Root Paradise were willing to be devoted and sincerely love such a philandering, almost promiscuous man.

Now, he understood it a little better.
The principle is akin to mastering one law, mastering all laws.

If those around you are unreasonable, and possess the power to bully outsiders, it ironically brings a sense of security.

In markets and alleys, within the halls of power and the martial world, on mountains and beneath them, throughout history and into the future, there will always be such people.

Zhou Fei of the Lotus Flower Blessed Land and Spring Tide Palace, infamous throughout the martial world, ultimately commanded the unwavering devotion of so many women. This is one of the reasons why.

The world both despises and admires the strong.

This is a fundamental aspect of human nature.

Not that all women in the world are like this, but only those within the Spring Tide Palace. Deep within their hearts, there seems to be a constant echo, reverberating just beyond the edge of their minds. The allure of that sound is like the chanting of the most devout monk, or the diligent study of the most dedicated Confucian scholar. The sound constantly tells them that by offering their “one,” their all, to Zhou Fei, he can seize even more “ones” from elsewhere. And in truth, within the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, where the martial arts ceiling is not high, this is precisely the case. They are correct. Even if the Spring Tide Palace were moved to the Tongye Continent, and Zhou Fei transformed into Jiang Shangzhen, the principle would still hold.

Unless Jiang Shangzhen provokes someone like Du Mao or Zuo You.

It is like Gu Can’s actions, which can completely convince himself, and even those around him.

Gu Can’s logic, from his perspective, is airtight. This is why even Chen Ping’an, someone Gu Can cares deeply about, could not sway him, until Gu Can and Little Loach encountered Liu Laocheng of Gongliu Island.

You may enjoy being unreasonable, and within certain boundaries, you might live a particularly satisfying life. But the Great Dao is long and winding, and one day, no matter how strong your fist, someone with an even stronger fist will casually crush you.

Chen Ping’an’s encounter with Du Mao had both elements of chance and inevitability.

Gu Can’s encounter with Liu Laocheng, however, was purely inevitable. It was just that Liu Laocheng appeared early, so early that even Chen Ping’an was caught off guard.

But as Liu Laocheng said on the ferry, no one knows whether their connection with others will bear good or ill fruit.

If Gu Can’s encounter with Liu Laocheng was inevitable,

Then was it not also inevitable that Chen Ping’an would come to Shujian Lake, plunge into a deadly predicament, and court disaster?

It was.

And in the future, there will be countless other inevitable events, quietly waiting for Chen Ping’an to face, some good, some bad.

This is what Daoists call fortune and misfortune having no gate, but being self-invited.

It’s just that regarding the complex matter of being reasonable or unreasonable,

Chen Ping’an only understood it recently, that day by the still lake, after the clinking of bowls and chopsticks, refreshed by the cool breeze.

That is, the most interesting thing about the Great Bright World is that the ones with the biggest fists are the Most Sage Master and the Master of Rites, and they happen to be the most reasonable people in the world.

At that moment, even though Chen Ping’an had experienced great disappointment in humanity after arriving at Shujian Lake, followed by glimmers of hope, regardless of all that, in that instant, Chen Ping’an suddenly felt a fondness for this world.

He hoped that one day, after he had been to the Northern Ju Continent, the Upside-Down Mountain, and the Great Wall of Swords, he would go to the Central Divine Continent to see the Literary Sage again. He would share his experiences and joys and sorrows since their parting. Next time, he would definitely accompany the old gentleman for a good drink, no longer letting him indulge in lonely drunkenness.

He would even muster the courage to ask the old gentleman if he could meet those two even older old gentlemen, of course, he could wait until the two Sages were free.

The young accountant’s face broke into a smile at this seemingly presumptuous and impolite thought.

How good or bad is the world? Is it important? It is important.

But is it that important? Perhaps not.

In the night, Chen Ping’an squatted down, looking at the two snowmen shoulder to shoulder, smiling brightly, and made a face at them, “Right, Mr. Chen and Miss Ning. Hey? Say something, don’t just be all lovey-dovey, I know you like each other very much…”

Near the end of the year, close to the thirtieth day of the lunar year, the accountant from Qingxia Island, along with a tall young man named Zeng Ye, began his third journey.

And they left Shujian Lake directly, passing through the southern border pass of the Stone Millet Kingdom, heading north.

That night, they stayed at the Spirit Official Temple.