Walking side-by-side along the murmuring river, a verdant ribbon winding through the land, were Zhang Ye, the long-traveled old cultivator, and Chen Ping’an, leading his horse.

Perhaps it was the idyllic scenery of this secluded paradise, the tranquil harmony that permeated the air. Or perhaps it was the presence of Chen Ping’an, a bookkeeper who felt almost like family. Whatever the reason, Zhang Ye, a seasoned cultivator who had weathered countless storms, gradually found his heart calming. He began to recount the upheaval at Shujian Lake to Chen Ping’an.

It turned out that everyone had underestimated Su Gaoshan’s ambition. This main general of the Great Li Iron Cavalry, whose gaze was fixed on the Zhu Ying Dynasty, had seized the capital of Shihao Kingdom with almost no effort. Not only did he turn his horse around, but his iron cavalry also marched straight into another vassal state of Zhu Ying. Even though the war was equally brutal, he still had the “leisure” to personally visit the shores of Shujian Lake, making a public appearance and declaring that he would pacify the lake. Those who obeyed would prosper, and those who resisted would perish; the logic was simple. The meaning of “obedience” and “resistance” was even more straightforward: wild cultivators of Shujian Lake who were willing to hand over all their sects’ assets could live and leave the lake “empty-handed.” Those willing to hand over half their assets and become the lowest-ranking auxiliary cultivators in the Great Li army, fighting against the Zhu Ying Dynasty, could temporarily stay in Shujian Lake. However, the ownership of the mountain peaks they occupied and the question of whether to relocate their sects and ancestral halls would still be subject to the Great Li Iron Cavalry’s command.

As for Willow Palace Island, a group of secretive outsiders had arrived in late spring, becoming honored guests. With Su Gaoshan’s public pronouncements to the tens of thousands of wild cultivators of Shujian Lake, just last night, led by Liu Laocheng himself, they unexpectedly launched a surprise attack on Green Gorge Island. One of the old cultivators accompanying him, after Liu Laocheng broke through the mountain and water array of Green Gorge Island, displayed celestial magic, undoubtedly a cultivator of the Upper Five Realms. A single, all-out strike almost completely shattered the entire Transverse Wave Prefecture. After that, this cultivator, who had been lying in wait, used dozens of magical treasures to form an array, intercepting and capturing Liu Zhimao, who had wanted to flee after realizing he could not win. Zhang Ye, sensing the danger, did not rush to his death. He secretly escaped through an underwater passage on Green Gorge Island and rushed to Shihao Kingdom, where he found Chen Ping’an with the help of the ancestral tablet.

Chen Ping’an listened to Zhang Ye’s entire account without saying a word. Only then did he ask, “What is Liu Laocheng’s attitude?”

Zhang Ye shook his head. “It was only after those cultivators, almost all Immortals, ascended Willow Palace Island that we realized that from the beginning, Liu Laocheng had never said a word, nor had he met with a single local cultivator from Shujian Lake, even as they brought our island lord back to Willow Palace Island.”

Zhang Ye sighed. “Although I hate Liu Laocheng, I have to admit that this is the kind of shrewdness one would expect from a wild cultivator of the Upper Five Realms.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Right now, there must be many wild cultivators in Shujian Lake cursing Liu Laocheng as a traitor to Shujian Lake and a dog of Great Li.”

Zhang Ye gave a bitter smile. “Thousands of islands, tens of thousands of wild cultivators, everyone is looking out for themselves, and most are scared out of their wits. I bet that as soon as you mention Liu Laocheng and Su Gaoshan, they’ll start to tremble.”

Zhang Ye gently shook his head. “The little bit of backbone and integrity left in Shujian Lake is completely gone. That dangerous and difficult cooperative effort from before, working together to kill the foreign Nascent Soul cultivator and Golden Core swordsman, will never be discussed at the dinner table again. Liu Laocheng, that old thief! I really can’t imagine what kind of benefits could make Liu Laocheng act like this, willing to sell out the entire Shujian Lake! That gatekeeper girl at Zhu Xian Prefecture, Hong Su, was found after I spent ten years searching and brought back to Green Gorge Island as the reincarnation of the previous Lady of the Jianghu. That’s why I know Liu Laocheng isn’t as indifferent and heartless to Shujian Lake as the outside world believes.”

Zhang Ye’s expression was dismal. He stopped walking, squatted by the river, scooped up water to wash his face, and looked dazed.

His current situation, even worse than when he and Liu Zhimao first started out in Shujian Lake, when an island was sunk to the bottom of the lake by an Immortal, seemed to cause Zhang Ye even more heartache and helplessness.

As one aged, it was inevitable that one’s spirit would decline.

Especially since Zhang Ye only had sixty years of lifespan left. Even if he wanted to fight to the death, he, Zhang Ye, was willing to risk his life, but would they even agree? A flick of a finger was all it would take to make this Dragon Gate Realm cultivator, who was still considered somewhat reputable in Shujian Lake, vanish into thin air.

Chen Ping’an, leading the horse, his sword and sabre at his waist, said calmly, “A person like Liu Laocheng, once he’s determined to return to Shujian Lake, it’s definitely not for the sake of a Lady of the Jianghu. Back then, when he went to Green Gorge Island to suppress Gu Can and that True Dragon descendant, it was just a dispensable smokescreen. In fact, whether he made that move or not, all of you wild cultivators in Shujian Lake could only wait to die, to be slaughtered. Because apart from Liu Zhimao, almost no one saw the approaching storm sweeping across Treasure Bottle Continent. They still thought Shujian Lake could remain aloof, and maybe even thought it would be good for the outside world to be in chaos, making it easier to take advantage of the situation. Just like this war in Shihao Kingdom, many wild cultivators from Shujian Lake took the opportunity to infiltrate, and I bet many of them made a killing. They just didn’t expect that they would be raided after earning a fortune. All their hard work over the centuries was ultimately for someone else.”

Zhang Ye, still squatting by the river, said helplessly, “You can’t entirely blame Shujian Lake for being short-sighted. To put it bluntly, apart from our Green Gorge Island, there’s also the opposing Green Mound and Heavenly Mother Island. To try and cozy up to the Great Li Iron Cavalry, you have to see if they’re willing to extend a hand, and you have to see if you can get through the temple doors with a pig’s head.”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “That’s true.”

Zhang Ye stood up, exhaled a breath of stale air. “But if you were really smart and dared to bet big, you would have come to Shihao Kingdom earlier to contact the Great Li Iron Cavalry, actively submitting your pledge of allegiance, and getting familiar with a certain general. Then, as long as you were recorded by the Great Li Green Wave Pavilion spies, you would be making a fortune now. When Shujian Lake’s forces are redistributed in the future, you’ll definitely get a lot of benefits. That’s what I call really making a killing, a huge profit with minimal investment. We Green Gorge Island have actually done quite well. We lost because we never managed to contact Su Gaoshan, only staying in touch with Tan Yuanyi of Grain Millet Island. Plus, Liu Laocheng interfered, and all our efforts were in vain.”

Chen Ping’an frowned in thought, and after a moment of silence, asked with doubt, “Senior Zhang, do you know if any of the major clan-level immortal residences in Treasure Bottle Continent have been considering changing their sect’s location in the past decade? Even the slightest hint, even if it’s just gossip, have you heard anything?”
Zhang Ye dejectedly shook his head, “No, there isn’t. For example, the Sword Instruction Sect, who has a firm grasp of the reins in our Treasure Bottle Continent, their Sect Leader Qi just ascended to the Heavenly Sovereign realm, as steady as a mountain. Moreover, the Sword Instruction Sect is a group of Daoist immortals who cultivate purity and stillness, with no signs of outward expansion. I heard Island Master mention that the Sword Instruction Sect seemed to have recalled a group of registered Daoists, which is quite abnormal. Island Master even speculated whether the Sword Instruction Sect had discovered a new blessed land and needed to send people in. Besides, True Martial Mountain, Wind and Snow Temple, the Yunlin Jiang Clan, and Old Dragon City, none of them seem to have such intentions.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Understood.”

Zhang Ye went from being tense to suddenly relaxing, feeling extremely weary and looking haggard.

But as soon as he saw the face of the accountant beside him, Zhang Ye smiled. Mr. Chen hadn’t complained, so wouldn’t he be wasting his hundreds of years of life if he acted like a young lady?

Zhang Ye then told Chen Ping’an about his last conversation with Liu Zhimao in Hengbo Prefecture, not to speak well of Liu Zhimao, but to say things as they were.

The old-timers of Shujian Lake were leaving one by one, and the newcomers were more arrogant than the last. Zhang Ye, who originally came from a proper registered immortal background, couldn’t find anyone to chat with anymore. He never thought that he would meet someone like him, a “cultivator” who was just as thankless, at the end. Once he started talking, he said a little too much, paying attention to the expression of the thin young man. Seeing that he wasn’t impatient, Zhang Ye felt relieved.

Chen Ping’an listened patiently all along.

When Zhang Ye ran out of things to say, Chen Ping’an gently reminded, “Senior Zhang, it’s best not to return to Shujian Lake. It won’t help anything. It’s better to stay further away and observe the situation.”

Zhang Ye shook his head, sighing, “Where can I go? Green Cliff Island is my home. If this hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t mind finding a summer resort like a mortal king near Shujian Lake and spending my remaining years in peace.”

Chen Ping’an hesitated for a moment, “Senior Zhang, a question off-topic. In the eyes of you old Dragon Gate Realm cultivators, or has Liu Zhimao ever mentioned, whether passing through a place can trigger a sense, vaguely seeing a bit of… omen?”

Zhang Ye shook his head, “Island Master never said anything about this. At least I don’t have such abilities. Involving the flow of luck in a place, that’s the specialty of mountain and water deities. Even Earth Immortals probably can’t see it clearly. As for Island Master, who is only one step away from reaching the Upper Fifth Realm, whether he can do it or not is hard to say. After all, deities can see the mountains and rivers in their palms, but that only involves physical objects and scenery, not the ethereal matter of luck.”

Chen Ping’an was hesitant and stopped short of speaking.

Zhang Ye suddenly laughed loudly, “What’s wrong, Mr. Chen? Is it so difficult to be a good person? It’s clearly something for the sake of others, but you have to weigh it more carefully than your own affairs? Mr. Chen, there’s something I couldn’t say before because we weren’t close enough. Now, we can’t be considered friends, but since it’s hard to say whether Zhang Ye will live or die tomorrow, I won’t be polite with you and just want to talk to you about it.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Senior Zhang, please speak.”

Zhang Ye gazed at the young man in front of him, not speaking for a long time. He let out a ‘hey’ and said, “Suddenly, I have nothing to say. What should I do?”

Chen Ping’an helplessly took down the Sword-Nourishing Gourd and drank to refresh himself.

Even just hearing about the Green Cliff Island incident was very draining, affecting everything. The subsequent calculations were even more mentally taxing.

Chen Ping’an said, “There’s a small hill that was just moved to the easternmost part of Gullfall Mountain. I saw some strange omens there. If Senior Zhang trusts me, why not settle down there first, just as a change of scenery. The worst-case scenario now is that Liu Zhimao dies in Palace Willow Island, used as a warning. At that time, no one can stop Senior from doing what you think is right, and I won’t stop you either. It’s better than going back now, where you might be seen as a form of invisible provocation and imprisoned in the Palace Willow Island water prison. Senior might not be afraid of this, and might even be happy to see Liu Zhimao one last time. But since only Hengbo Prefecture is suffering from the Green Cliff Island issue, and it hasn’t completely collapsed, and even the affiliated islands like Su Lin Island haven’t been affected, it means that if there’s a turning point in the future, Green Cliff Island needs someone to stand up. I can’t, and I don’t want to, but Zhang Ye, the old man of Green Cliff Island whom Liu Zhimao trusts the most, can command respect even if his realm is not high.”

Zhang Ye carefully considered this and nodded, self-deprecatingly saying, “I’m just destined to be a busybody.”

Zhang Ye suddenly told Chen Ping’an in a heart-lake voice, “Be careful of Palace Willow Island, someone might be using me as bait. If that’s true, why would they go to such lengths? Wouldn’t it be easier to use Gu Can and Spring Courtyard Prefecture as bait? I can’t figure it out, there must be a reason for such a convoluted plan. Of course, Mr. Chen should have thought of this. I’m just being a hypocrite, trying to put my mind at ease. The burden, from the moment I left Green Cliff Island, has already been placed on Mr. Chen’s shoulders.”

Chen Ping’an smiled knowingly and said, “Some polite words are still necessary, at least it will make the other person feel better. This is a small principle I just learned from a young man named Guan.”

Zhang Ye joked, “Mr. Chen still needs to learn principles from others?”

Chen Ping’an pointed at Zhang Ye, then behind him at Ma Duyi and Zeng Ye, and then casually drew a circle towards the village at the foot of Gullfall Mountain, “There are countless principles outside of books. Just take a small matter from earlier, even the villagers in the countryside know to yield when crossing a bridge. How many high-ranking mountain cultivators are willing to practice this small principle? Right?”

The accumulated melancholy in Zhang Ye’s heart slightly diminished, “Then I’ll go to that small hill that Mr. Chen mentioned, and take a look around, to find some principles?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Why not?”

Zhang Ye looked around. How many years had it been since he had calmly looked at the scenery of the human world at the foot of the mountains?

Chen Ping’an said, “I won’t immediately return to Shujian Lake for Liu Zhimao. I have my own things to do. Even if I go back, I’ll only do what I can.”

Zhang Ye nodded, “If I had heard this answer when we first met, I would definitely be anxious, but now, I have no spirit and dare not force you. Mr. Chen, just do things according to your own thoughts.”

Chen Ping’an and Zhang Ye said almost in unison, “Polite words still have to be said.”

The two looked at each other and smiled.
Zhang Yep patted down his robes and departed, foregoing the rainbow-hued flight of a cultivator. He crossed the small bridge and slowly walked away.

Chen Ping An, leading Ma Duyi and Zeng Ye, guided their horses along the village’s bluestone paths. After ascending the mountain, they passed the entrance to Gullfall Mountain, which was surprisingly unfortified. It was merely a small archway, without even a gatekeeper in sight. Gullfall Mountain was a lineage of single-line transmission, and even with multiple branches in the ancestral hall, the actual number of Gullfall Mountain cultivators, excluding those offering services or guest elders, was estimated to be less than twenty. However, Gullfall Mountain had its own version of Azure Jasper Street in Tongye Continent or the Monkey Wail Street of Pond Water City. After all, the principle of “silver paving the way” for cultivation was eternal, so Gullfall Mountain wasn’t too desolate.

Chen Ping An looked back.

Zhang Yep’s figure was already gone.

Given that Zhang Yep didn’t obtain the answers he sought from him, and Liu Zhimao was trapped as a prisoner of Palace Willow Island, possibly facing the end of his cultivation path, how could Zhang Yep not be disappointed? He must have been deeply disappointed.

However.

Disappointment was one thing, but what to do after disappointment was another. It was the handling of such matters that revealed one’s character and skill.

Therefore, Chen Ping An held respect for people like Zhang Yep, Guan Yiran, and even the ghost general from Stone Mill Country he encountered at the Spirit Officer Temple, and Su Xinzai of Yellow Fence Mountain.

We never know if we might encounter even greater storms or kind souls who are like flickering lamps when we walk on muddy paths of suffering.

Chen Ping An summoned the ghost who was a Sea Gazing Realm cultivator in life to act as a guide for Ma Duyi and Zeng Ye, so they wouldn’t be cheated.

On the Gullfall Mountain street, Ma Duyi scoured every shop, comparing prices. She both sold and bought spiritual artifacts, sharing her gains with Zeng Ye. She even helped Zeng Ye strategize, advising him on which spiritual artifact was most cost-effective for his current level. She cautioned against blindly pursuing high quality or rank. Although Zeng Ye was dazzled and often tempted, he still heeded Ma Duyi’s advice. Thus, a girl and a ghost became true friends.

Chen Ping An watched, smiling in his heart.

Because they were immortal shops, some treasures from the mortal world that had gathered decades or centuries of dust, or had just been cheaply acquired, were often added as bonuses in Immortal Coin transactions. It was similar to Chen Ping An’s purchase of the courtesan painting and imitation Qu Huang sword on Monkey Wail Street, where the old shopkeeper gifted him three small items without taking a single copper coin. It was at times like these that the old ghost would come into play. Those who cut ties with the mortal world to pursue cultivation, even if they were engaged in commerce, might not accurately judge the value of secular dynasty antiques and treasures. So, Chen Ping An’s group ended up finding some good deals.

They returned laden with purchases.

Leaving Gullfall Mountain.

Chen Ping An continued along his planned route, walking along the border of Stone Mill Country, passing through cities and passes, fulfilling the wishes of various Yin spirits, both large and small.

During this time, he closely monitored the movements of Book Brief Lake, but the news he gathered from the old gazettes that Gullfall Mountain shops bought cheaply was mostly insignificant gossip.

Around the time of “Small Perfection,” or Small Fullness, in the fourth month, if they were in his hometown in the Li Zhu Grotto-Heaven, people would be focusing on competing for water in the fields, otherwise it would affect the year’s harvest.

As Chen Ping An was about to return to Book Brief Lake, he obtained a widely circulated immortal gazette in the northern region of Stone Mill Country. It contained several earth-shattering news items.

Cao Ping, the general of another Great Li Iron Cavalry, used extremely bold tactics, dividing his troops into three, leaving only the central army to confront the Zhu Ying Dynasty’s border army. The other two cavalry forces successively broke through two of the Zhu Ying Dynasty’s vassal states. This wasn’t annexation, but rather the complete disruption of the two vassal states’ ability to freely mobilize their field armies. Many soldiers could only retreat and rely on fortified cities and towns, confined to their respective areas. This allowed Cao Ping’s Iron Cavalry even greater freedom.

Refugees from the two countries flooded into the Zhu Ying Dynasty’s border regions. Envoys from the vassal states’ temples constantly went to the Zhu Ying capital, crying and begging, prostrating themselves and shedding blood, pleading for the Zhu Ying army to save the people from their misery and decisively attack, fighting the Great Li barbarians outside the cities. Because of this, the Great General stationed at the Zhu Ying border, facing Cao Ping, was heavily criticized. Accusations of cowardice spread throughout the Zhu Ying court, and there were even rumors of his collusion with Great Li. The Zhu Ying court was forced to divide into pro-war and pro-defense factions, mixing civil and military officials, and both the mountain and the lower levels were similarly mixed. The debates in the court were so heated that the Zhu Ying emperor several times became enraged and dismissed the court.

If this was merely a major worldly event, then something earth-shattering had recently happened on the mountain as summer approached.

Wei Jin of the Snowwind Temple Immortal Platform found Xie Shi, the North Ju Lu Continent Celestial Sovereign who was temporarily cultivating in a thatched hut in the central region of Treasure Bottle Continent.

After a battle, Wei Jin left Treasure Bottle Continent, alone, and went to the Inverted Mountain on his sword.

The outcome of the mountain-top battle, witnessed by only a few, wasn’t revealed. But since Xie Shi continued to remain on Treasure Bottle Continent, this Daoist Celestial Sovereign who had already provoked the anger of Treasure Bottle Continent, definitely hadn’t lost.

But even if Wei Jin failed to defeat Xie Shi with a single sword strike, the Treasure Bottle Continent cultivators didn’t hold any resentment towards the newly Upper Fifth Grade Land Sword Immortal, only a sense of shared glory. The sword cultivators of Treasure Bottle Continent were especially proud.

This was a major event watched by the entire continent.

Among these was a certain mountain event that was in the spotlight in the central region of Treasure Bottle Continent.

A True Martial Mountain cultivator named Ma Kuxuan, not yet twenty years old, who had only been cultivating for a few years, had actually fought two deadly battles and killed two Golden Core sword cultivators. It was said that this was on the premise that Ma Kuxuan had concealed his trump card. The Zhu Ying Dynasty chose to remain silent because there were both Ma Kuxuan’s True Martial Mountain Dao protectors and members of the Zhu Ying Dynasty’s royal family present at the two battles. Ma Kuxuan’s actions were without any problems, aboveboard, and upright.

For a time, the name of Ma Kuxuan spread throughout Treasure Bottle Continent.

After Small Fullness, especially once the Plum Rains season began, there would be a lot of dampness. Whether they were cultivators or ordinary scholars, they should pay attention to nourishing Yang Qi and righteous Qi to resist dampness and evil Qi.

When Chen Ping An and his three mounts went north, they took a route east of the Stone Mill Country capital. When they went south, they changed their course.
Amidst the torrential downpour, Chen Ping’an and his two companions sought refuge in a dilapidated wayside pavilion, leading their horses. A tremor ran through Chen Ping’an’s heart, and the wooden box in his sleeve quivered with warmth.

An unexpected transmission sword had arrived, one that shouldn’t have been there.

Liu Zhimao was already imprisoned in the water dungeon. It was inconceivable that he could still command his Little Sword Tomb flying sword to send a message to Chen Ping’an, all under the watchful eyes of Liu Laocheng and those strange cultivators.

Chen Ping’an even contemplated ignoring it altogether.

However, after carefully weighing the advantages and disadvantages, he cautiously retrieved the transmission sword, which was undoubtedly Liu Zhimao’s, and unlocked its restriction.

The message contained only three sentences:

“Be careful on your return trip to Shujian Lake.”

“This warning has nothing to do with you, Chen Ping’an, nor with our pre-arranged deal. It’s simply a matter of being unable to stomach certain faces. To show sincerity, I’ve borrowed Liu Zhimao’s flying sword.”

“Intercept the sword; no need to reply.”

Chen Ping’an put away the wooden box, lost in thought.

It was undoubtedly the work of Liu Laocheng from Gongliu Island, but the reason behind it was worth pondering.

Liu Laocheng’s candid “reminder” was certainly not about the altered landscape of Shujian Lake on the surface. Chen Ping’an wasn’t blind or deaf, and Zhang Ye was already on his way to deliver news. With Liu Laocheng’s meticulousness and ambition, he wouldn’t go to such lengths for something so obvious. Therefore, Liu Laocheng’s so-called reminder and caution must be about something more subtle, something closely related to Chen Ping’an himself.

Chen Ping’an stood at the edge of the leaky pavilion, gazing at the gloomy rain outside. A far worse outcome awaited him.

Zhang Ye’s escape from Shujian Lake through the concealed passage of Qingxia Island might have been anticipated and calculated by certain figures behind the scenes.

But why not directly target Gu Can and Chunting Manor? Why not choose a simpler, more efficient, and immediate method to force Chen Ping’an to rush to Shujian Lake, or simply assassinate him?

Chen Ping’an sighed softly, muttering, “Is it another battle of the Great Dao? Then it makes sense if it’s not a Sect-level power from Treasure Bottle Continent that’s acting. Is it the Tongye Sect where Du Mao resides? Or…? It’s definitely not Taiping Mountain. The first major sect encountered on the ascent to Tongye Continent, the Fuchi Sect? But I was merely passing by with Lu Tai at the time, with no conflicts. Battles of the Great Dao have their levels and scopes. To relentlessly pursue me to Treasure Bottle Continent, the opponent must be an Upper Five Realms cultivator, so the possibility of the Fuchi Sect is unlikely.”

Chen Ping’an frowned deeply, “But it doesn’t seem like that omniscient old Taoist priest either. To him, the Great Dao wouldn’t be so trivial.”

Chen Ping’an suddenly turned his head and said, “Zeng Ye, Ma Duyi, you don’t need to accompany me back to Shujian Lake. Go directly to the border between Shihao and Meiyou, and wait for me at the Liuxia Pass there.”

Zeng Ye wanted to speak, but Ma Duyi tugged at his sleeve.

Chen Ping’an turned back, continuing to watch the rain.

A farewell at the pavilion.

A lone rider headed south.

The thick, sturdy blue cotton robe was replaced by a thin, well-fitting blue shirt.

Chen Ping’an arrived smoothly at Lutong City, within the Shujian Lake region, without any setbacks.

Lutong City was, after all, a peripheral force of Shujian Lake. The undercurrents and shifting winds within Shujian Lake, as well as Su Gaoshan’s shocking words and actions in Chishui City, mattered little to the local residents of Lutong City. Whether they were unattached cultivators who had failed to claim an island and establish a sect, or ordinary folk eking out a living, the bigger the events, the quieter things often became. Under the might of the current, what could they do but accept their fate? Especially those local Confucian scholars; with the world outside in such turmoil, even if they had some savings, where could they move? Did they dare?

Lutong City was known for its cuisine.

Chen Ping’an casually found a steamed bun shop and was pleasantly surprised. He bought two and enjoyed them, so he bought two more. It had been a long time since Chen Ping’an had eaten until he felt ninety percent full.

The shop was newly opened, and the owner was a young man just past adolescence.

Business was doing quite well.

While traveling from Lutong City to Chishui City along the border of Shujian Lake, Chen Ping’an inquired about some news. Compared to the war-torn Shihao Country, the rumors here were obviously closer to the truth.

At the familiar ferry crossing in Chishui City, half a year had passed, and the ferry remained quietly moored on the shore.

Even though Liu Zhimao of Qingxia Island had completely lost power, his identity as a top provider for Qingxia Island still carried some weight.

On the way, he had left the horse at an inn. Chen Ping’an gave the innkeeper some silver, asking them to feed and care for the animal.

The Summer Solstice was approaching. The whole of Shujian Lake was sweltering, like a giant steamer.

It was hard to imagine that when he left Shujian Lake, the landscape was a snow-covered painting.

Chen Ping’an sailed back to Qingxia Island alone.

After docking and disembarking, he passed through the mountain gate. The old gatekeeper was still listless, but his smile remained as he greeted the returning accountant.

It seemed that the disappearance of Island Lord Liu Zhimao, the ruined Hengbo Manor, and the Great Li general’s declaration of war on Shujian Lake had not affected the old cultivator’s leisurely life.

Chen Ping’an greeted the old gatekeeper, chatted for a while, and opened the door. Everything was normal, except for some accumulated dust. Before leaving Qingxia Island, he had instructed them not to clean the place.

Chen Ping’an first went to the Hengbo Manor, now a ruin with no chance of being rebuilt. He stood at the edge of the rubble, silent for a moment, before turning and heading towards the still-grand Chunting Manor.

With Qingxia Island currently leaderless, and Zhang Ye, who could barely maintain order, having disappeared, Tian Hujun, Liu Zhimao’s eldest disciple on Sulun Island, a local Golden Core cultivator, had actually entered seclusion at such a time. Furthermore, tributary island providers like Yu Gui and some of Liu Zhimao’s direct disciples were secretly communicating and plotting among themselves.

Chunting Manor, without the overbearing presence of Hengbo Manor and Liu Zhimao, might seem glorious on the surface, but was in fact enduring a difficult time.

When the sky fell, the tall ones would hold it up. Now that Liu Zhimao was in this state, who would be next?

The entire Chunting Manor, even if they were ignorant of the overall situation, would understand this clearly.

Gu Can’s mother was already waiting at the gate with two beautiful and youthful handmaidens.

Chunting Manor still had some informants and intelligence.
The woman hurried towards Chen Ping’an, softly saying, “Ping’an, why are you getting thinner and thinner?”

Chen Ping’an sighed inwardly, but still smiled and said, “I’ve been wandering around the Stone Millet Kingdom, often eating and sleeping in the open air, but I’m used to it, it’s actually okay. Where’s Gu Can?”

The woman smiled, “After you left Qingxia Island, he liked to stroll around Qingxia Island alone, and now he doesn’t know where he’s gone playing. A dog can’t change eating droppings; he’s been like this since he was a kid. Every time it’s time to eat, I have to shout him with a loud voice. Now, I can’t. No matter how loud I shout, Can’er is too far away to hear me. Auntie wasn’t used to it at first.”

Chen Ping’an nodded with a smile, “Then I’ll wait for him here. After I finish my business, I’ll leave Shujian Lake immediately.”

The woman was full of disappointment, “So hasty?”

Chen Ping’an gave a sound of affirmation.

The woman then accompanied Chen Ping’an for a casual chat, mostly reminiscing about the hardships of the past, the trivial matters of the families in Mud Bottle Lane and Apricot Blossom Lane. Chen Ping’an also talked about Ma Ku Xuan’s recent situation.

The woman was filled with emotion, saying that she really didn’t expect that the little simpleton who was bullied miserably back then is now so promising. It’s just a pity that the foul-mouthed Granny Ma didn’t get to see her grandson’s success, she didn’t have the fate to enjoy the good life. Saying this, the woman seemed to be touched by the scene and turned her head to wipe the corners of her eyes with a silk handkerchief.

About half an hour later, Gu Can slowly returned to Spring Garden Mansion.

Seeing his mother and Chen Ping’an, who were waiting at the door, Gu Can, who was as tall as a young man from the northern lands, the Shujian Lake Mischief King, who was easy to forget his real age, still did not quicken his pace.

When he reached the door, Gu Can greeted the woman and then looked straight at Chen Ping’an, softly saying, “You’re back?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “I’ve heard about the matters on Qingxia Island. There are some things I need to talk to you about.”

The woman had already left knowingly.

Chen Ping’an led Gu Can towards the ruins of the Hengbo Mansion and slowly said, “The more chaotic things are, the more you can’t be impatient. Haste makes waste, which is most undesirable.”

Gu Can nodded.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Yuan Yuan of Oriole Island has already joined the Dali, do you know?”

Gu Can still nodded, “I’ve heard about it. There’s no airtight wall in the world. After I saw you last time, Lü Caisang never came once. However, Han Jingling and Huang He, after Su Gaoshan showed up and Liu Zhimao had an accident, made a special trip to Qingxia Island. Huang He even wanted to go into your house to take a look, but I refused him. His face wasn’t very good at the time.”

Chen Ping’an glanced at Gu Can.

Gu Can laughed, “I know I’m not smart now, but I’m not so stupid, am I?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Don’t be disappointed in people like Han Jingling and Huang He, that’s just being silly. At the same time, don’t be disappointed in Lü Caisang either, that’s not being smart enough. You are true friends. Since you are friends, you have to put yourself in their shoes and consider their situation more. Lü Caisang also has his own sect and responsibilities. True friends should be more understanding. The world is complicated, don’t expect perfection. It’s best to have it, but if you don’t, then reserve that feeling, maybe the day will come when you’ll get the best friendship, and then you can drink to it like a mellow wine.”

Gu Can remained silent, “Chen Ping’an, is it too late for me to understand your reasoning now?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head, “It’s not too late.”

Gu Can said, “But I’m still the same Gu Can, what should I do?”

Chen Ping’an said, “A little better is a little better, and one more principle is one more.”

The two stopped talking and walked to the old site of Hengbo Mansion, which was a pile of ruins.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Do you want to leave Shujian Lake with me, and come back again, just like I did this time?”

Gu Can asked back, “What about my mother?”

Chen Ping’an didn’t give an answer.

He only gave a choice.

Gu Can shook his head and said, “I know you’re doing this for my own good, but I’m not leaving. If I leave, I won’t be at ease. Even if I stay here and don’t have any use, if I just leave like this, I can’t get over it. I’ve already let you down, and let down Little Loach. I can’t let down my mother again. I still won’t regret it, Chen Ping’an, you can scold me if you want.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t insist on his own opinion, nor did he scold Gu Can.

Gu Can was a little strange.

Chen Ping’an cupped his hands in his sleeves, looking at Gu Can, who was full of doubt, and softly said, “Has Chen Ping’an ever scolded the little snot-nosed kid in Mud Bottle Lane?”

Gu Can laughed.

And cried.

So that’s how it is. Chen Ping’an’s reasoning is so simple.