Second floor of the bamboo building.

Chen Pingan sat cross-legged, his fists resting on his knees, panting heavily, his face covered in blood, which dripped onto the floor with a rhythmic patter.

Fortunately, the bamboo building was incredibly mystical, essentially acting as a cleansing talisman, so there was no need to worry about affecting its “refined elegance.”

However, it was said that the pink-skirted girl often carried a small bucket to wipe the floors on the second level day after day, and as such, she was the only “outsider” who was allowed to enter.

The sparring session was over. As for the truth of the so-called teaching and exchanging of blows, one glance at the battered Chen Pingan and the composed, barefoot old man made it clear.

Yet, Chen Pingan still felt something was odd. Unlike the old man’s method of toughening his sinews and bones back then, where Chen Pingan could only endure, this current learning of boxing seemed more about honing combat skills. There was also the intentional, or unintentional, aid in solidifying the “no one before me” boxing intent. The old man, when in a good mood, would recite some rather rhythmic boxing principles. As for whether Chen Pingan, constantly being knocked down, could hear them, or whether he could remember them even if he did, the old man didn’t care.

At this moment, Chen Pingan couldn’t help but ask, “Why is there no need to temper the physical body and the three souls and six spirits?”

Cui Cheng sneered, “If I taught a toddler to use chopsticks to pick up food, and he’s already a teenager, would I need to teach him again? Are you so daft, or am I so blind that I chose an idiot?”

Chen Pingan hesitated, half believing, half doubting. For a martial artist, the pursuit of “purity” was theoretically needed at every realm, which was different from a Qi cultivator who relied on personal effort after receiving a mystic art from their master.

Cui Cheng seemed unwilling to dwell on the matter and asked, “I heard you used to have Zhu Lian spar with you in his golden body state?”

Chen Pingan nodded. “It was very difficult to handle.”

Cui Cheng shook his head and said, “The heat is far too low. Zhu Lian doesn’t dare to kill you, and you know Zhu Lian won’t kill you. It’s like a pair of infatuated lovers flirting. You scratch me, I touch you, how can it truly benefit martial arts?”

Chen Pingan’s scalp tingled.

Cui Cheng said, “Starting tomorrow, call Zhu Lian up to the second floor. I’ll watch your sparring.”

Chen Pingan asked in confusion, “Isn’t it the same?”

Cui Cheng sneered, “The same? If Zhu Lian dares to lack a killing intent, dares not to kill you, I’ll kill him with one punch. Do you think it will still be the same? Remember, make it clear to Zhu Lian, don’t take it lightly. I don’t want to have to repeat myself to a corpse.”

Chen Pingan smiled. “Senior has taken a liking to Zhu Lian?”

Cui Cheng twitched his lips. “Only when this fellow’s cleverness and air of affluence are completely beaten out of him, leaving not a trace, will he barely enter my sight.”

Chen Pingan shook his head. “When I spar with Zhu Lian in his golden body state, I’ve never been able to seriously injure him. He always has energy to spare. Just listen to his flattery after a sparring session, and you’ll know.”

Cui Cheng chuckled. “You don’t have it, but I do.”

Chen Pingan smiled knowingly.

There were plenty of people in the world who weren’t afraid of hardship, but there weren’t many things where hard work guaranteed a reward.

Although Chen Pingan didn’t know why Zhu Lian had stayed in Luopo Mountain for three years without learning boxing from the old man, as long as the old man made the offer, it would be a great opportunity for Zhu Lian, whose own boxing stance and martial realm were both extremely difficult to break through. Chen Pingan would discuss almost everything with the person involved, never insisting that they had to do something. Whether Sui Youbian went to the Jade Decree Sect, or whether Shi Rou was willing to accept the immortal remains, it was all the same. But regarding Zhu Lian learning martial arts on the second floor, if Zhu Lian was unwilling for some reason, Chen Pingan would persuade him and wear him down.

Cui Cheng suddenly said, “It’s good to care about the people around you. But you must remember, reaching the pinnacle of martial arts, with invincible fists, is ultimately a very…lonely thing. You need to clearly distinguish between the two.”

Chen Pingan nodded. “I once watched chess and comprehended a sword technique of empty words, which is about cutting and circling. I relied on it in Shujian Lake to overcome many difficulties…”

Before Chen Pingan could finish his heartfelt words, the old man tutted. “No wonder you’re a swordsman carrying a sword immortal’s sword. Your boxing is mediocre, but your swordsmanship is so extraordinarily talented…It seems I’ve delayed your becoming a great sword immortal. How can this be good?”

Chen Pingan knew something was wrong and was about to slap the ground, sliding backward in a seated position to avoid the old man’s unreasonable vent of anger. As for getting up to dodge, there was no point in even thinking about it.

Sure enough.

The devil is always one step ahead.

The old man stomped his foot, causing the bamboo building to shake. Chen Pingan, who had barely leaned back, was sent flying into the air. The tall figure arrived in an instant. If it was the Iron Cavalry Charge style, it would have been fine; being knocked unconscious with one punch, the pain would only be momentary. But the old man clearly didn’t intend to let Chen Pingan off so easily. It was the God-Man Drumming style, which Chen Pingan was most familiar with and liked to use against enemies. After that, a full fourteen punches sent Chen Pingan drifting like willow catkins, never able to land.

Pitiful Chen Pingan fell just as he lost consciousness.

The feeling of being hit by the God-Man Drumming style dozens of times, especially when executed by Cui Cheng, the progenitor of the technique, was truly enough to make one want to die and live again.

Even though Chen Pingan had fainted and completely lost his mind, his body was still rolling on the ground.

The old man watched for a moment, nodding, seemingly quite satisfied. This meant that the boy’s boxing intent was truly “alive.”

A true martial arts grandmaster, even when sound asleep, could sense a hint of murderous intent from a top assassin, still able to activate their boxing intent and rise to strike the enemy dead in an instant.

But the old man still didn’t let Chen Pingan go, kicking the pure Qi within Chen Pingan’s body, which flowed like a fire dragon, precisely severing it in half.

Like an elite cavalry charge, forcefully piercing through the enemy’s infantry formation on the battlefield.

The joints throughout Chen Pingan’s body immediately popped like firecrackers, like the sound of drums and gongs signaling the start of battle. Because the old man’s Astral Qi stopped immediately, the “cavalry” pierced through without lingering. Therefore, Chen Pingan’s pure Qi quickly gathered again.

During the battle of Old Dragon City, Du Mao’s natal object, the Sword-Swallowing Boat, pierced through Chen Pingan’s abdomen with one strike. The reason why it left no lingering effects on Chen Pingan…
The ailment of poverty lies in its difficulty to eradicate, its refusal to dissipate, its persistent erosion of the soul. Yet the old man’s strike carries no such flaw. Hence, the tales of the martial artist at the peak – “a punch with the force of a tidal wave demolishing a city, a technique as precise as a flying sword threading a needle” – are no exaggeration.

A martial artist’s unbroken connection to their pure true qi, even when severed, does not tarnish the “pure” essence. This is one of the signature abilities of the Refined Spirit Realm: Golden Body, Distant Wanderer, and Mountain Peak.

For martial artists below the Golden Body Realm, a break in true qi means a complete severing. Replacing it with new qi exposes a vulnerability. How could they possibly engage in prolonged combat with grand cultivators?

However, this method of “feeding” punches is not suitable for all junior martial artists.

It’s akin to an ordinary person holding a bowl of rice, only to find it scalding hot like burning coals. They’d not only drop the bowl but also burn their hands.

Whether it be Cen Yuanji of Fallen Mountain or the kiln worker from the Yang Family Apothecary, they are undoubtedly martial arts prodigies, but they are destined to be unable to withstand this kind of tempering.

Yet, they have their own unique martial arts opportunities. The path of martial arts, though seemingly a narrow lane, offers each their own precarious bridge to cross.

Women practicing martial arts have both advantages and disadvantages. Cui Cheng, during his travels across the Central Continent of Divine Lands, personally witnessed many astonishing female grandmasters. Their mastery of subtlety and softness reached its zenith. Even Cui Cheng, who was then already a tenth-realm martial artist, couldn’t help but marvel. Moreover, compared to men, they often enjoy longer lifespans and a longer martial arts journey.

Cui Cheng has a few great regrets in his life. One of them is never having faced the female Martial Goddess of the Central Continent.

He can only hope that this young man before him won’t disappoint.

It’s not that the old man looks down on the heroines of the world, but the pinnacle of martial arts in the four corners of the world being solely occupied by a woman, looking down upon all heroes, still makes the old man feel a bit uneasy.

As for Chen Ping’an’s current inferiority to the contemporary named Cao Ci, the old man isn’t worried in the slightest.

Chen Ping’an’s most remarkable traits lie in his resilience and comprehension. Resilient and highly perceptive. So what if Cao Ci is a martial arts genius unseen in a millennium? So what if he reaches the ninth or tenth realm first? He will ultimately have to wait obediently at the perilous eleventh realm for his destined rival to contend. Of course, if Chen Ping’an progresses too slowly, it won’t do either. Perhaps Cao Ci will turn to challenge his master instead. If she has already reached the legendary eleventh realm, then Cao Ci will compete with that old fellow who enjoys fishing for whales in the sea of clouds.

Things should not happen more than three times.

A cultivator who truly stands atop another lofty peak will not stand idly by, watching pure martial artists build bridges to that dead end one after another.

When Daoist Leader Lu Chen came to the bamboo house to see him, pulling Cui Cheng into the world where Lu Chen held sway, was it just for fun?

Cui Cheng sighed, squatted down, and used his thumb to gently wipe the blood from Chen Ping’an’s face.

His ability to endure hardship truly surpasses his own grandson’s by far.

The sons of noble families, if of good character, see it as their birthright to govern and benefit the people, leaving their names in the annals of history. Those of poor character indulge in a life of pleasure, believing it their birthright to enjoy luxury.

Those from humble backgrounds, if ambitious, aspire to glorify their ancestors. Those without the ability are full of resentment. In any case, they are better able to endure hardship.

The old man sat beside Chen Ping’an, gently waving his sleeve. The bamboo door swung open, and the mountain breeze entered unbidden.

Chen Ping’an’s breathing had become steady.

The recuperation of a pure martial artist emphasizes a deep, death-like sleep.

Chen Ping’an has been most lacking in this during his years in Shujian Lake.

In fact, in the old man’s eyes, Chen Ping’an’s several distant travels lacked the restful beauty of deep slumber. Only during the practice of the Sword Furnace Stance did it improve slightly. Otherwise, with his bowstring always taut, if he wasn’t killed on the streets, his martial arts path would be riddled with flaws. But the old man still didn’t point it out, just as he didn’t reveal the strongest martial fortune bestowed upon each realm. Some hurdles must be overcome by the young man himself to truly understand the principle. Otherwise, even if the Sage Master himself were standing before him, showering him with spittle and offering earnest advice, it might not be effective.

Cui Cheng gazed into the distance, muttering to himself, “But then again, aristocratic families also rise from humble roots. It’s just that families of power and influence fear the saying ‘the grace of a noble lasts but five generations’, while the impoverished worry about ‘dragons begetting dragons, phoenixes begetting phoenixes, and mice giving birth to hole-diggers’. Once Fallen Mountain has its own sect, its worries will be different from many aristocratic and immortal residences. It’s not a dispute over who is right and wrong, but a struggle over who is more right. That kind of trouble, seemingly trivial, can be as vast as the heavens. It will depend on whether you, Chen Ping’an, can win people’s hearts at that time. That kind of mental tempering, and facing the terrible mistakes of loved ones in Shujian Lake, will be two different landscapes.”

Cui Cheng turned to look at the sleeping young man, smiling, “It’s good to fear death. At such a young age, you must not die. There are such beautiful rivers and mountains. Just the Magnificent World alone has nine continents. How much have you seen?”

The old man seemed to be in a sudden good mood, laughing, “With the fifth realm against the fifth realm, of course, I would still win. But I would inevitably have to take many punches from you. In that case, winning is also losing. Where would I put my face?”

The old man laughed heartily, “Little rascal, so what if you’ve taken a few distant trips? You’re still too green.”

After laughing, the old man said in a deep voice, “It’s time to break through. As long as you don’t let that Cao Ci open a two-realm gap, stick to him tightly. Someday, not to mention getting revenge, you can win three matches in a row. Once you catch up and surpass him, it won’t be a problem to win thirty matches!”

The old man suddenly looked gloomy. Although this young man’s future achievements are worth anticipating, the thought of it being an extremely long process made the old man unhappy. He turned his head, looking at the snoring fellow, and was filled with resentment. He swept his sleeve over, scolding, “Sleep, sleep, sleep! Are you a pig? Get up and practice your punches!”

Chen Ping’an was blown away by the gust of wind, crashing into the wall. He groggily woke up. Cui Cheng had already stood up, his face grim, and took a step forward, stomping down heavily.

Chen Ping’an rolled sideways, barely dodging the kick.

Cui Cheng said, “When you can calmly deal with a Golden Body Realm martial artist, and not lose too miserably in a life-and-death battle, then you can go down the mountain. After that, whether you go to the central part of Precious Bottle Continent to see friends, or wander in Northern Ju Continent, it’s up to you. But if you can’t do it, then obediently stay in this bamboo building and enjoy yourself. Otherwise, you’ll just be sending your wealth to others. Do you want to be a charitable boy who also sends his life?”
Chen Ping’an shook his head, “Cannot die!”

Cui Cheng asked, “Based on what? Is your life, Chen Ping’an, more precious than others?”

Chen Ping’an said in a deep voice, “Because the senior who taught me boxing is named Cui Cheng!”

The old man was stunned, then nodded gently, pleased, “This isn’t mere flattery. Just for this truthful, well-spoken remark… I’d be doing you, Chen Ping’an, a disservice if I didn’t reward you with an old fist!”

The old man’s figure and aura were like a mountain bearing down, and Chen Ping’an’s vision went black. He was knocked unconscious on the spot.

The old man stomped his foot, and Chen Ping’an, who was sprawled on the ground, jolted awake in mid-air, just in time for the old man’s leg to arrive.

Unsurprisingly, he fainted again.

This repeated.

Chen Ping’an cried out inwardly, struggling to cope.

The old man was enjoying himself immensely.

Close-fitting power exertion, striking to produce sound.

This was naturally no ordinary martial arts style, pursuing what some martial arts manuals called “no sound in boxing practice, no paddle in a boat.” It was simply that Cui Cheng’s sleeve was brimming with boxing energy, making each punch too unrestrained.

Finally, the old man delivered a sweeping leg, striking Chen Ping’an’s neck. Chen Ping’an spun several times before landing, staggering a few steps, but the force was much less than before, so he did not fall.

Using the stance of six-step retreating, supplemented by the intent of the ape form, crouching and retreating a few steps, Chen Ping’an did not slacken in the slightest, staring intently at the old man.

Having been beaten so badly, both his stance and boxing intent were wavering.

However, there was a vague “meaning” on Chen Ping’an’s body, always unshakeable, like an old monk in meditation.

Cui Cheng smiled, “Alright, that’s it for today. If I keep beating you, your bones will fall apart.”

Chen Ping’an remained motionless.

Cui Cheng nodded, “Not bad, you’ve earned yourself one less punch. Go downstairs yourself. Same rules as before, soak in the medicinal bath, but remember, it’s different this time. You can’t let the water cool down completely. Only when you can boil the medicinal water with your true qi can you leave. Otherwise, stay in the tub like a good boy and practice treading water. Wei Bo has already prepared the herbs. Go downstairs and have the pink-skirted girl boil the water.”

Only then did Chen Ping’an muster his strength, leave the room, and stumble downstairs. Walking down the stairs, he had to hold onto the railing, feeling like when he was young, going up the mountain to burn charcoal was easy, but going down was hard.

The pink-skirted girl was already downstairs starting to boil water.

Seizing the opportunity, Chen Ping’an did not immediately return to the room on the first floor, but went to the stone table by the cliff to practice the sword furnace stance.

It was not until the pink-skirted girl came to greet him that he got up and went into the house.

Half an hour later, Chen Ping’an changed into a simple blue robe, one of those given to him by Wu Yi of the Ziyang Mansion.

The pink-skirted girl busied herself skillfully, cleaning up the mess.

Chen Ping’an sat on a bamboo chair under the eaves, smiled, and thanked her. The little girl smiled brightly, as if doing these chores gave her more sense of accomplishment than breaking through in cultivation.

Chen Ping’an clasped his hands behind his head, leaned back against the chair, and stretched out his legs.

It turned out that not being beaten was like living the life of an immortal.

From afar, Zhu Lian and the girl Cen Yuanji slowly approached.

Chen Ping’an turned to look.

Zhu Lian took a bamboo chair and sat down to the side, Cen Yuanji standing stiffly behind the old immortal.

Zhu Lian smiled, “Young Master, regarding Cen Yuanji’s martial arts training, is there a plan?”

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “You can just lead her through the door. Whether or not you want the title of master and disciple is up to you.”

Zhu Lian quickly shook his head, “That won’t do at all. This old servant is only passable at fighting to the death, but teaching people martial arts is far beyond me. As for being a teacher, Young Master is young, but already has the bearing of a master…”

Cen Yuanji felt resentful in her heart.

It was a pity that such a heroic man as Zhu the Old Immortal had been reduced to being a servant to this young Mountain Lord.

Chen Ping’an asked softly, “Does Zheng Dafeng have any ideas?”

Zhu Lian shook his head regretfully, “That Brother Dafeng is now focused on building the thatched cottage of the mountain gate. It must look good, not disgrace the reputation of the Fallen Mountain, and not cost too much, so that Young Master doesn’t waste money for nothing. Brother Dafeng really can’t spare any time.”

Chen Ping’an had a headache.

Cui Cheng walked out of the second floor, “First practice the six-step retreating stance of the Mountain-Shaking Fist two hundred thousand times, then talk about learning martial arts.”

Chen Ping’an hesitated.

Zhu Lian thought it was feasible, and turned to Cen Yuanji and smiled, “What great fortune! This stance is a rare and unique skill in the world, seemingly simple but profoundly powerful, containing endless boxing intent. Cen girl, from today onwards, you must be single-minded and walk the stance again and again.”

Zhu Lian turned and smiled at Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an said, “The six-step stance, you can’t teach it properly.”

Zhu Lian said guiltily, “Even if this old servant walks the stance perfectly, it’s not graceful enough, inevitably giving people the impression of a duck walking. It might cause Cen Yuanji to underestimate this peerless stance. Young Master walks it like flowing clouds and flowing water, unrestrained and exhilarating, making people feel like a spring breeze…”

Chen Ping’an couldn’t stand his flattery, so he roughly explained what Cui Cheng had said, but omitted the golden body realm and other such things. Zhu Lian frowned with a bitter face, and said nothing.

Chen Ping’an suppressed a smile.

Zhu Lian took Cen Yuanji back home.

Along the way, Cen Yuanji found that the Old Immortal seemed to be in a heavy mood.

Back in the Cen Mansion, the Old Immortal had been frank with her, saying that he was a sixth-realm martial artist about to enter the golden body realm, and that her future achievements could reach the seventh realm.

Could it be that the tall old man who liked to hide in the bamboo building was a golden body grandmaster? Otherwise, saying that he would beat Zhu the Old Immortal to death was too shameless.

Zhu Lian taught Cen Yuanji the six-step stance in a serious manner, repeating it three times. Cen Yuanji already looked very similar.

Zhu Lian only told her to practice the stance diligently, and quickly finish walking it two hundred thousand times, it must be fast and stable.

Furthermore, he would demonstrate it for her three times a day in the future, so that Cen Yuanji could observe from the side, lest she strayed from the path.

Cen Yuanji was full of fighting spirit and promised Zhu Lian that she would not be lazy.

Zhu Lian walked out of the courtyard with his hands behind his back.

In fact, the first test for Cen Yuanji had already begun quietly.

But the girl was completely unaware.

Next, it would depend on when Cen Yuanji could complete the two hundred thousand walks, and during the walks, how long it would take her to go from similar in form to similar in spirit, and after similar in spirit, how much boxing intent she would have, or whether she would relax her stance in pursuit of speed, unknowingly taking shortcuts, and becoming clever only to be mistaken by her cleverness, ending her martial arts path early at the end of her own dead end.
Cen Yuanji’s martial arts practice, comprehension, resilience, and temperament will all be on full display.

Her future achievements, whether the Golden Body Realm that seems within reach, the Distant Wanderer Realm that holds some promise, or even the Mountain Peak Realm with its almost negligible possibility, are all intertwined with these twenty repetitions of the Six-Step Stance.

Perhaps this is the so-called “seeing the future in childhood.”

All of this stems from a single sentence from the barefoot old man.

Zhu Lian isn’t particularly willing to get involved in the sparring between Chen Pingan and the old man surnamed Cui.

It would delay his trips down the mountain to select, purchase, and hoard books!

For the next half a month, Zhu Lian was beaten half to death multiple times, and Chen Pingan fared no better.

But unlike Chen Pingan, who relied on gritted teeth to persevere, Zhu Lian, who was initially somewhat nonchalant, eventually became addicted to the beatings. As expected of the martial arts fanatic from Lotus Root Blessing Land who wanted to single-handedly take down nine individuals. His subsequent martial arts practice even exceeded Cui Cheng’s expectations. Zhu Lian, a Distant Wanderer Realm cultivator, kept provoking Cui Cheng, a Peak Tenth Realm Grandmaster. The result was as Cui Cheng said: Zhu Lian couldn’t genuinely kill Chen Pingan, but he could force Chen Pingan to fight with deadly intent. With him watching from the sidelines, nothing would go wrong. But when Zhu Lian adopted a rogue-like stance, seemingly begging for death, demanding that Cui Cheng prove his skill by striking him down, could Cui Cheng actually kill Zhu Lian? He could only beat Zhu Lian half to death each time.

These days were the most enjoyable for Chen Pingan’s martial arts practice.

Of course, Zhu Lian was truly ruthless when sparring with him.

But whenever Chen Pingan lay in a corner, barely alive, watching Zhu Lian getting a horrific beating from the old man, he immediately felt fortunate.

However, when Zhu Lian’s punches reached their peak, that state of near “Qi Deviation,” yet with a crystal-clear and unblemished mind, truly broadened Chen Pingan’s horizons.

Presumably, Cui Cheng deliberately didn’t allow him to pass out after each session, intending for him to observe.

If not for the age gap and Zhu Lian’s unwavering dedication to his role as a servant, they would have been true brothers in hardship.

Late one night, the two sat by a stone table.

Zhu Lian glanced at the bamboo building, itching to try, barely restraining himself from yelling over there, hoping to earn a satisfying beating.

Chen Pingan was speechless.

He, at most, could be considered someone who could endure hardship. Zhu Lian, on the other hand, truly enjoyed suffering.

Zhu Lian sighed, “The old senior purely used Golden Body Realm strength to beat me, a Distant Wanderer Realm cultivator, to the point of tears and screams. Back then, Young Master used the Fifth Realm to withstand my Golden Body Realm attacks. The senior and Young Master are indeed rare geniuses in this world.”

Chen Pingan reminded him, “Don’t include me in that.”

Zhu Lian suddenly became serious, “The old senior has good intentions.”

Chen Pingan nodded, “He wants me to know that when it comes to martial arts, there are people like you and Zhu Lian in the world. My perseverance is nothing.”

Zhu Lian looked guilty, “Every punch that lands on Young Master pains this old servant’s heart.”

Chen Pingan laughed in exasperation, “Give it a rest.”

Zhu Lian sighed, “Cen Yuanji’s stance practice is still slow.”

Chen Pingan nodded, not intentionally saying anything nice about Cen Yuanji, but still said fairly, “One can’t expect everyone to be like you. Even I, back then, was only so diligent to save my life.”

Zhu Lian shook his head, “Young Master shouldn’t say that. Otherwise, you’d be disrespecting the one million plus punches you threw after your life was no longer in danger.”

Chen Pingan asked, “Is there a way to elevate her martial intent without affecting Cen Yuanji’s state of mind, and in a relatively natural way?”

Zhu Lian nodded, “There is a way, but Young Master’s sacrifice would be quite large.”

Chen Pingan was curious, “Tell me.”

Zhu Lian looked awkward and lowered his voice, “Young Master can pretend to be a lecherous Mountain Lord, but your martial arts realm shouldn’t be too high. On a dark and windy night, after some struggle, just when Young Master is about to succeed, this old servant happens to appear, helping her beg for mercy on her knees. Young Master, for the sake of face, temporarily leaves in indignation, but glances back at the bed before crossing the threshold, your eyes still filled with reluctance. Then this old servant will comfort her, hoping to make Cen Yuanji think that as long as she practices her martial arts more diligently, she can beat Young Master sooner and avoid that harassment…”

Chen Pingan took off the Sword Nurturing Gourd and took several gulps of wine to calm his nerves.

Finally, he asked, “Why don’t we switch positions?”

Zhu Lian said helplessly, “Cen Yuanji isn’t really stupid, she wouldn’t believe it. And once the little girl really believes it, she might try to run down the mountain even if it costs her life.”

Chen Pingan asked again, “I’m just curious, why does Cen Yuanji think you’re a good person and I’m a bad person?”

Zhu Lian thought for a moment, “Bad boys get all the girls?”

Chen Pingan hesitated whether to unsheathe that sword immortal and hack Zhu Lian half to death.

Zhu Lian stopped joking, putting on a flattering expression and asking Chen Pingan for a pot of wine, saying that as a loyal old servant, he had resisted the rebellion of the wine worms in his stomach, and still hadn’t dared to secretly hide a few jars of good wine when burying the wine. Now he was regretting it terribly. Chen Pingan told him to get lost.

Zhu Lian knew there was no hope, and smiled, “Young Master, you are still so young, yet you are so rigid about matters of men and women. Aren’t you being too pedantic and uninteresting? What good man doesn’t have a few confidantes?”

Chen Pingan put the Sword Nurturing Gourd back on his waist, folded his hands in his sleeves, looked into the distance, and said softly, “In the future, when I travel the world, if there are women who truly like me, I may not be able to stop it, but whether I can only love one person in my life, I can do it, and I must do it.”

Zhu Lian scratched his head, and didn’t say anything.

Chen Pingan waited for a long time, then turned around and teased, “What, no flattery to follow for once?”

Zhu Lian shook his head, and muttered, “In this world, only deep affection should not be mocked by others.”

Chen Pingan said with emotion, “It’s not deep affection…”