The sky was faintly bright. Outside the city gate of Rouge County in the Kingdom of Flowing Colors, a group of wandering heroes who had traveled from afar waited on horseback for the gates to open. Among them, a renowned martial arts master from the Kingdom of Combing Waters sat high on his steed, slowly caressing a piece of mutton-fat jade in his hand. With nothing else to do, he looked around and noticed a young wanderer approaching in the distance. He looked weary, but his eyes were clear. The old master thought the young man must be a martial artist, but judging by his footwork, his skills were likely not very high. The old man continued to survey the surroundings, glancing at some women and girls, but most were village women with rough skin and plain features. He was a bit disappointed, hoping that the women of Rouge County wouldn’t all be like this after entering the city.

The young man in green robes glanced at the bustling crowd outside the city gate and simply walked towards a breakfast stall. There were no seats available, but he still ordered a portion of white sugar cakes and a bowl of white rice porridge. As he received the food, the stall owner wanted to remind him to return the bowls and chopsticks, but he swallowed the words when he saw the long sword on the customer’s back. “Jianghu” people, better to be polite. After paying, the young wanderer squatted by the roadside, eating the cakes with the porridge. He ate and drank very slowly. By the time the sword-carrying young man returned the bowls and chopsticks to the stall owner, the city gates had already opened, so he stood by the roadside and waited.

The old man put away the unadorned jade in his hand and couldn’t help but glance again at the junior “Jianghu” member. He smiled knowingly, thinking that he had already made much more of himself than that at the same age.

Chen Pingan ignored the old man’s appraising gaze and followed the crowd, handing over his travel documents to enter the city. It wasn’t that Chen Pingan didn’t want to fly back to the house on his sword, but he was simply exhausted. Traveling back and forth from Rouge County to Misty Mountain, he wouldn’t just be diligently practicing the corpse-sitting stance; he would actually be a corpse falling from the sky. Although this sitting practice could benefit the soul as long as one could endure it, benefiting the soul while damaging the physical body would be detrimental to one’s vitality. Like a vessel overflowing, it would be excessive.

However, using the corpse-sitting posture for long-distance travel on a sword might actually be a good method in the future.

But while this was possible in Treasure Bottle洲, it might not be feasible once he arrived in Northern Assembly洲, where sword cultivators were as numerous as clouds. After all, there, someone could find such a seemingly absurd reason to dislike another person and lead to a fight to the death.

Chen Pingan didn’t go directly to Fisherman Wu’s house. Instead, he first went to the City God Pavilion, but he learned that the City God had changed. It was no longer the Golden City God, Lord Shen. Chen Pingan sighed. This wasn’t the Color Robe Kingdom’s court discarding him after crossing the river; Rouge County was an important place, and after Shen Wen’s golden body perished, a new City God would inevitably need to inherit the divine position and be responsible for monitoring the county’s mountains and rivers.

Chen Pingan didn’t go inside. Instead, he followed a familiar route to a secluded Earth God Temple. The temple was too small and had no caretaker. Even those who came to burn incense and pray had to bring their own. It was here that he had bid his final farewell to the Golden City God of Rouge County, Shen Wen.

Chen Pingan pondered for a moment, crossed the threshold, and took out three sticks of incense from his miniature world when no one was around. The fragrance was fresh and genuine, from the mountains. They were more than just incense for driving away mosquitoes; they could also ward off evil spirits in the city.

Back then, on the way to the Lion Garden near the Water God Temple in Green Luan Kingdom, the incense deliverer had caught up with him and his companions, handing over a bamboo incense holder gifted by the temple caretaker. Later, he counted a full twenty-four sticks of rare water incense. When he descended the mountain this time, he had left most of the water incense in Fallen Mountain, but he had brought the incense holder, containing only three sticks of incense for emergencies. He hadn’t expected to use them so soon. Offering incense to mountain and water deities was somewhat taboo, but it was fine in places like the City God Pavilion and the temples of civil and military officials.

Chen Pingan gently twisted the incense sticks, and they ignited without fire.

Chen Pingan stood still, raising the incense above his head, and spoke silently in his heart.

Finally, he inserted the three sticks of incense into a bronze burner and closed his eyes for a moment before turning to leave.

Back outside the alley house, Chen Pingan knocked on the door again.

This time, it was Zhao Luan who opened the door, not Zhao Shuxia. When she saw Chen Pingan, the little girl’s eyes were deep and seemed to speak volumes.

Fisherman Wu Shuowen and Zhao Shuxia stood by the screen wall in the courtyard.

Chen Pingan, having spent so much time with Pei Qian and the pink-skirted girl, wanted to pat his head and brush it off, but suddenly he remembered that this Luan Luan was a young lady now. He forced a smile and said, “It’s nothing. The cultivators at Misty Mountain were quite reasonable. Luan Luan, stay by your master’s side and cultivate in peace from now on.”

Zhao Shuxia secretly clenched his fist to celebrate.

As expected, Mr. Chen, who taught him boxing, was omnipotent!

Although Wu Shuowen had a lot of questions, he didn’t want to ask them in front of the two children, so he just smiled and nodded to Chen Pingan, and then they walked back to the main hall in the backyard.

However, this time Zhao Shuxia and Zhao Luan were still drinking tea to slowly nourish their souls.

Chen Pingan took the initiative to bring out two jars of Crow Cry Wine, one for himself and one for Fisherman Wu.

Wu Shuowen said regretfully, “It’s a pity that Luan Luan and Shuxia are still too young to drink alcohol.”

Wu Shuowen only took a sip, reluctant to drink any more. He smiled and said, “I’ll save it, I’ll save it. When the two children are older and drinking becomes appropriate, I’ll take it out again.”

Chen Pingan quickly took out another jar of Crow Cry Wine and placed it in front of Wu Shuowen, helplessly saying, “Mr. Wu’s skills in tricking people into giving him wine are truly impressive. Just drink it, I have more wine.”

Wu Shuowen was not polite at all, drinking Chen Pingan’s wine without holding back. “Young Master Chen, don’t judge a gentleman’s heart with the mind of a petty person.”

Chen Pingan smiled, raised his wine jar, and so did Wu Shuowen. They toasted each other and drank.

Chen Pingan didn’t plan to go into detail about his trip to Misty Mountain, but he looked at the Fisherman who was in a good mood and said softly, “Mr. Wu, the Misty Mountain matter is completely settled. If you’re still worried, then go travel to the mountains and rivers of various countries, it’s not a big deal. After all, Shuxia and Luan Luan have reached the age where they should broaden their horizons. Seeing more of the world, even if they accumulate some “Jianghu” experience, is always a good thing.”

Wu Shuowen nodded. “Alright.”

Chen Pingan took small sips of wine, a smile on his face. He chatted with Wu Shuowen, inquiring about the situation of the court and “Jianghu” in the Color Robe Kingdom and the Combing Waters Kingdom. Occasionally, he looked at the young man who seemed to be craving the pure wine and the little girl who occasionally glanced at him. Chen Pingan’s mood returned to peace, like returning to the middle position from both ends of a ruler.
In truth, from the first time he entered the house, Zhao Shuxia was exceedingly familiar with the matter of tea drinking, displaying not a hint of awkwardness or unfamiliarity, clearly a habitué.

This was precisely what Chen Pingan admired most about Wu Shuowen.

Zhao Luan possessed the aptitude for cultivation, already creating an insurmountable gap between her and Zhao Shuxia. Moreover, Zhao Luan’s talent for cultivation was exceptional, meaning that, logically, the Zhao Luan who once needed Zhao Shuxia’s desperate protection would, within a few years, far outstrip the simple-minded, fist-practicing Zhao Shuxia, leaving him unable to even see her shadow on the path of cultivation. Wu Shuowen was undoubtedly aware of this, yet these immortal teas, costing spiritual money, were enjoyed by Zhao Luan and Zhao Shuxia alike, with no distinction of favoritism or status.

This was hardly the way to cultivate disciples for the inner chambers; it was more akin to raising one’s own children. To put it bluntly, many parents within sects might not treat their own offspring with such impartiality.

Chen Pingan felt that this old Confucian scholar, despite his modest cultivation, possessed the true bearing of a benevolent and virtuous gentleman.

Precisely because of this, he dared not offer much of the Crow Cry Wine.

Originally planned actions were reconsidered time and again.

For instance, regarding the spiritual money needed for Zhao Luan’s future cultivation path, should he provide it? How should he provide it? How much should he provide? Would Master Wu accept it? And how could he ensure that Master Wu felt no discomfort in accepting it?

Going around in circles like this, Chen Pingan also felt, as Ma Duyi had said, that he was being too indecisive, but he couldn’t change it in the short term.

Chen Pingan suddenly apologized, “Master Wu, I have something to tell you. I might teach Shuxia a few more stances today, but I must depart for the Shushui Kingdom before the night curfew. It will be a rather rushed departure, so even if you and Master Wu were planning to travel to the Shushui Kingdom, we will not be able to travel together.”

Wu Shuowen hummed in acknowledgment, “On the path of cultivation, one must not be overly delayed by mundane affairs. This is not a derogatory remark but a profound truth.”

Chen Pingan stood up, rolling up his sleeves as he said to Zhao Shuxia, “Come, let’s go to the courtyard. I’ll teach you a breathing technique, a stance, and a fist form. Just these three things; don’t think it’s too little.”

Wu Shuowen, wanting to avoid any suspicion, since even among fellow disciples, fist techniques and cultivation methods were not to be casually overheard, intended to pull Zhao Luan away. However, the normally obedient and sensible young girl was unwilling to leave.

The old gentleman was somewhat bewildered.

Chen Pingan also noticed the situation inside the house and hesitated for a moment before smiling, “It’s fine; overhearing won’t matter, but allow me to add a word of caution: do not divulge it, and let it be known only among the four of us.”

Wu Shuowen sighed, shook his head, and left on his own.

Zhao Luan, with her hands propping up her chin, sat by the threshold, softly saying, “Mr. Chen, you only need to tell my brother the incantation. I won’t eavesdrop; I’ll just watch you practice.”

Chen Pingan was indeed concerned that the incantation of the Eighteen Halts Sword Qi might clash with the secret methods Zhao Luan was currently cultivating, so he used the martial artist’s method of condensing sound into a thread to speak the incantation to Zhao Shuxia, repeating it three times until Zhao Shuxia nodded, saying he had remembered it all. Only then did Chen Pingan begin to impart to the youth a sword furnace stance and a new fist form that combined the Autumn Harvest Great Dragon and Zhu Lian’s Ape Form Intent, along with the six-step walking stance. All of these were fundamental to martial arts, and no amount of diligent practice would be excessive. Believing that with Master Wu watching over him, Zhao Shuxia wouldn’t injure himself from practicing martial arts.

Chen Pingan not only personally demonstrated the stance and fist form but also explained them to Zhao Shuxia with extreme patience, breaking them down step by step, clarifying each sentence, and then bringing them back together, explaining the respective purposes and outlines of the stance and fist form. Finally, he spoke of the various subtle and profound meanings that extended from them, narrating in detail and proceeding gradually. If Zhao Shuxia didn’t understand something, he would elaborate on the current steps through fist-method sparring and exchanges.

Zhao Shuxia was naturally not dull; in some ways, he was much better than Zeng Ye.

Even Zeng Ye, that blockhead, could make someone as patient as Chen Pingan scratch his head, wishing he could learn from the Bamboo Lodge Old Man’s method of feeding fists. If he didn’t understand, one or two punches would enlighten him! If that wasn’t enough, then two more punches!

Zhao Luan, propping up her chin, gazed at the two figures in the courtyard, her face filled with smiles.

In fact, on the path of cultivation, whether it was herself or her brother Zhao Shuxia, even their Master was the same; they would all have many worries.

For example, she was afraid of the gazes of many outsiders; in truth, she was timid. For example, when her brother saw those cultivators of the same age, he would also feel envy and disappointment, which he didn’t hide well. Her Master would often space out alone, worrying about the costs of daily life, and frowning over family affairs.

Zhao Luan felt that she was no longer a little girl who understood nothing.

In the courtyard, Mr. Chen, who was even more like a scholar than before, still had his sleeves rolled up, imparting fist techniques to her brother. When he walked those stances or struck those fist forms, in her eyes, it was no less impressive than his previous sword-flying journeys.

However, after reuniting with Mr. Chen, he clearly still treated her like a child. She was happy, but also a little unhappy.

Zhao Shuxia cooked lunch, and Chen Pingan also helped.

Master scolded Mr. Chen for a gentleman keeping away from the kitchen, but he ate a lot of food and drank a lot of wine, his face flushed red.

In the afternoon, Mr. Chen was still tirelessly accompanying his brother in practicing fist forms, demonstrating them again and again.

As dusk approached.

Chen Pingan glanced at the sky and smiled at Zhao Shuxia, “Alright, that’s it for today. Remember, the six-step walking stance cannot be neglected; strive to practice it until you’ve done five hundred thousand punches. According to the method I taught you, before throwing a punch, first adopt the fist form. If you feel the meaning is not there, if something is even slightly off, then do not throw the punch or walk the stance. Then, when you are tired from walking the stance, during the breaks, use the incantation I taught you to practice the sword furnace stance. We are both dull, so let’s honestly practice with dull methods. One day, at some point, you will feel a flash of inspiration. Even if this day comes late, don’t rush.”

Chen Pingan smoothed down his sleeves, gently smoothing them, and then patted Zhao Shuxia’s shoulder, saying, “Alright, that’s all I have to say.”

Zhao Shuxia wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Zhao Luan had already stood up.

Chen Pingan said, “I’ll go chat with Master Wu about something, and then I’ll be leaving.”
Having found Wu Shuowen practicing calligraphy in his room, Chen Ping’an sighed, intending to be frank. When it came down to it, all the rehearsed words in his head seemed useless. “Mr. Wu, Luan’luan is your disciple, so I shouldn’t interfere. But Luan’luan is at a crucial stage of her cultivation. It would be a great benefit for a Qi Refiner to reach the Cave Dwelling realm even a day sooner. So, I’ve prepared some immortal money…”

Wu Shuowen smiled, remaining silent.

Chen Ping’an had to bite the bullet and continue, “And a few talismans as a farewell gift. Of course, there’s also a handwritten copy of the *Sword Arts Orthodox Classic*, along with a magic sword bought from an immortal shop, named Qu Huang, a replica of course, and not of high grade. They’re all for Shuxia’s protection. However, regarding Shuxia’s sword practice, I hope Mr. Wu can guide him. Only when you think his fist techniques have achieved some success should you give him the *Sword Arts Orthodox Classic* and the Qu Huang replica sword. To be honest, if Mr. Wu agrees, I’d like to take Shuxia as a nominal disciple. If fate allows and Shuxia is willing, and Mr. Wu doesn’t object, Shuxia and I can become formal master and disciple.”

Wu Shuowen gestured for Chen Ping’an to sit down. Once Chen Ping’an was seated, he smiled and said, “What, are you worried about embarrassing me? You underestimate how much I value Shuxia and Luan’luan, don’t you?”

Wu Shuowen sighed. “Shuxia is fine; he doesn’t need much from me, and in truth, there’s not much I can do. So, your willingness to take him as a nominal disciple and observe him for a few years before deciding whether to formally accept him is undoubtedly his great fortune. I have no objections whatsoever. But to be honest, guiding this girl Luan’luan in her cultivation has truly stretched me thin. ‘A single copper coin can stump a hero,’ that’s the truth. Not that I’m asking for praise or complaining, but over the years, to avoid delaying Luan’luan’s cultivation, I’ve borrowed money from friends on the mountain more than a few times.”

The old gentleman lamented, then laughed heartily, “After exposing my poverty to you like this, can I rest assured that you’ll give our master and disciple some immortal money? More is fine; I’m too old to fight to the death, but carrying some immortal money isn’t difficult.”

From his miniature universe pouch, Chen Ping’an took out the handwritten manuscript *Sword Arts Orthodox Classic*, a Qu Huang sword, three golden talismans, and then a pile of immortal money, gently placing them on the desk.

Wu Shuowen initially stroked his beard and smiled. But after clearly seeing the immortal money, he was silent for a long time, finally unable to help but ask, “Are you running a money house on the mountain? Lesser Heat money is fine, but why are there three Grain Rain coins?!”

Chen Ping’an looked bewildered and said, “Is this still too little? Do you really want me to sell everything I own?”

Wu Shuowen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He hadn’t expected Chen Ping’an to act so “shamelessly.” The old man picked up the three Grain Rain coins and said definitively, “Take them back. We really don’t need these. When Luan’luan reaches the Cave Dwelling realm, you can give her more, and I won’t stop you, but not now.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t insist.

Chen Ping’an put away the three Grain Rain coins, his bottom-of-the-box treasures for this trip down the mountain, cupped his fist in farewell and said, “Mr. Wu doesn’t need to see me off.”

Wu Shuowen stood up. “Then I’ll just see you to the door. This much etiquette is still required.”

Leaving the room and arriving in the courtyard, Zhao Luan had already fetched Chen Ping’an’s bamboo hat.

Zhao Shuxia smiled and said, “Luan’luan and I will see Mr. Chen to the city gate.”

Chen Ping’an took the hat and shook his head. “No need, I plan to travel quickly.”

Zhao Shuxia scratched his head.

Zhao Luan timidly said, “Then we’ll see you to the entrance of the residence.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and nodded.

Wu Shuowen walked back into the room, looking at the items and immortal money on the desk, shaking his head with a smile, finding it unbelievable. But when the old gentleman saw the three golden talismans, he understood.

He was still the same person he was back then, only changing from a boy to a young man.

Wu Shuowen stroked his beard and smiled, “Thanks to Luan’luan, I’ve finally seen more than one Grain Rain coin in my life.”

Outside the residence.

Chen Ping’an put on the bamboo hat, preparing to fly away on his sword directly to the Sword Water Villa in Comb Water Country. He still owed them a hot pot dinner there.

Zhao Shuxia was fine, not showing too much outward emotion at the farewell.

He kept chatting with Chen Ping’an.

The little girl, however, didn’t say a word.

Zhao Shuxia seemed to suddenly remember something and said he would go back first, letting Luan’luan say goodbye to Mr. Chen herself.

Chen Ping’an smiled wryly. Was this little guy’s cleverness being used in the wrong place?

Zhao Luan lowered her head.

It was as if not speaking would prevent the farewell from happening.

Chen Ping’an hesitated for a moment, then gently patted the little girl’s head and called out, “Luan’luan.”

Zhao Luan raised her head, her face slightly red.

Chen Ping’an wasn’t stupid.

The way the little girl looked at him was different.

Sometimes, the word “like” or “love”, even if not spoken, would be written in the eyes.

So Chen Ping’an thought for a moment and said softly, “Luan’luan, let me tell you something from the heart, consider it a little promise between us, okay?”

Zhao Luan was a little flustered, but also expectant.

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “You like me, right?”

Zhao Luan’s face flushed red.

Chen Ping’an smiled gently and said, “I like you too, but it’s not the same, because I already have someone I love in my heart. But for now, you can still like me. I don’t think that’s necessarily wrong, just keep liking the Chen Ping’an, the Mr. Chen, in your heart. But I hope that in the future, when you’re a little older, maybe in three years, five years, or even longer, ten years, maybe you’ll meet a young man or youth you think is very good. At that time, don’t be afraid. After thinking it over carefully, if you find that you really like him, don’t miss him, okay?”

Zhao Luan blinked.

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Okay, I’ll take your silence as a yes.”

Chen Ping’an adjusted his bamboo hat. “I’m leaving.”

The sword immortal unsheathed his sword and flew away.

Zhao Luan looked up.

A head quietly peeked out from the door.

But the boy didn’t know that there was someone standing behind him. And someone who was clearly much more experienced. The old Confucian scholar had already quietly turned around.

Zhao Luan turned her head, only to see her master’s back and Zhao Shuxia’s head.

Zhao Luan lowered her head, covered her face with her hands, and ran quickly into the residence.

Zhao Shuxia ran after Zhao Luan, saying firmly, “Luan’luan, I didn’t hear a single word! If I did, I’ll change my surname to yours!”
A voice drifted from ahead, “Master truly didn’t see or hear anything. As a disciple of Confucianism, one must not look upon what is improper, nor listen to what is improper. But under the tree, that’s another story. Master personally witnessed him sticking his rear in the air, ears perked up, listening for ages.”

Zhao Shuxia came to an abrupt halt and, without hesitation, began to sprint toward the main gate. Every time Luan Luan was provoked to anger, her attacks were never light, and he couldn’t fight back.

Above the sea of clouds, Chen Pingan wiped away perspiration, feeling more exhausted than running two laps around Misty Mountain.

Zhu Lian was truly asking for a beating. What good was wearing a bamboo hat?

But after the grumbling,

Chen Pingan, in a meditative stance, sat upon his Sword Immortal, a knowing smile spreading across his face.

In the end, he still treated Luan Luan as a young girl. The one she fancied, like a gluttonous child, might cherish a string of candied hawthorns, a piece of cake. Could such affection be anything less than genuine? Yet, it wasn’t truly the love between a man and a woman, but rather a dependence, a trust, and the shared sorrow and joy of that fateful encounter years ago.

And what could be wrong with being liked in such a pure and innocent way?

Even if one day she no longer favored him, and the young woman found a man she truly admired, that would be another kind of beauty.

Chen Pingan declared in a clear voice, “Let’s go! To higher places!”

The Sword Immortal beneath his feet, however, suddenly plummeted downwards.

On a mountain path bordering the Caiyi Kingdom and the Shushui Kingdom,

A figure in a blue robe ambled along, carrying a large bamboo box on his back and wielding a roughly hewn walking stick. He had already walked over a hundred li through the mountains, finally entering a dilapidated ancient temple as night fell. Cobwebs hung everywhere, and the Four Heavenly Kings of Buddhism, their statues toppled, remained as they were from ages past. Gusts of wind occasionally swept through the temple, creating an eerie atmosphere.

The young man built a bonfire, then closed his eyes, dozing off, seemingly worried that the spirits and demons from the books might appear, and afraid to truly fall asleep.

Around midnight, the joyful sounds of singing and laughter echoed once more, drawing nearer.

The scholar in blue, like a traveling student with his satchel, lowered his head, a smile playing on his lips. But when he raised his head to look, his expression was one of confusion and surprise.

The ancient temple occupied a considerable area, so the bonfire was some distance from the gate.

Three graceful women in colorful dresses, a girl with round almond eyes in her youth, a tall woman of about twenty with her hair styled in a high chignon, and a plump woman with loose, “flowery” temples and a lustrous bun, frolicked and played. The beautiful woman, in particular, was a sight to behold. They laughed together as they “floated” like colorful butterflies into the temple. Then, upon seeing the young man with wide eyes, they seemed timid, halting in their steps, gathering together, slowing their pace, and nudging each other toward the bonfire and the scholar.

The beautiful woman seemed bolder. She crouched down, reaching out to warm herself by the fire, staring straight at the young man.

The tall woman stood beside her, looking down with cold eyes, as if assessing whether this young man was a dangerous rogue.

The almond-eyed girl was the most shy, standing sideways, her fingers interlaced, her gaze fixed on the tips of her embroidered shoes peeking out from under her skirt.

The woman suddenly paused.

Because the young scholar suddenly laughed, as if unable to maintain his previous “righteous” facade.

The plump woman, who had been squatting all along, directly pulled a handkerchief from her ample bosom and gently fanned herself, her voice soft and sweet, “Is Young Master hot? This servant suddenly feels like her clothes are a bit thick.”

Chen Pingan kept his hands close to the fire, smiling, “If you feel hot, why are you warming yourself by the fire?”

The woman was speechless, then gave him a coquettish glance, laughing like a blossoming flower, “Young Master is truly witty, surely a man who understands romance.”

Chen Pingan chuckled, “Then you should laugh a bit more.”

Hearing this, the charming and alluring woman laughed for a while, then quickly couldn’t laugh anymore, unwilling to admit defeat. She licked her lips, squinting as she smiled, “Young Master is truly handsome, pleasing to the eye, and his words are pleasing to the ear. I just wonder if he’s pleasing to use?”

Chen Pingan still smiled, “Auntie, you’re quite the joker yourself.”

The woman’s smile froze.

Chen Pingan, who had deliberately returned to this place in this guise, sized up the three women again, finally looking at the shyest girl, and said with a smile, “Alright, I know your background. We’ve dealt with each other before.”

Of the three women, the plump one looked lost and mournful, covering her chest with her handkerchief, the tall one frowned, and the girl acted as if she hadn’t heard, still shy and reserved.

Chen Pingan added a dry branch to the bonfire, still smiling at the girl in the embroidered shoes. He didn’t know if she had a bad memory, or if she simply loved cleanliness too much. Her embroidered shoes, as well as her skirt, remained untouched by dust even after walking through the mountains, and he slowly said, “Don’t you remember? Let me help you recall. About seven years ago, four outsiders sat right here with me: a bearded hero, a young Daoist priest, a refined scholar, and a poor youth… hmm, later, at the Sword Water Manor, we met again.”

The almond-eyed girl stopped standing sideways, facing Chen Pingan, covering her mouth and laughing, “How could I not remember? We suffered a great loss at your hands and Old Turtle Song’s that time. Even now, when I think of that miserable affair, my little heart still aches terribly. You smelly men, not one of you knows how to cherish women. You killed my two poor maids without a second thought. If I’m not mistaken, Young Master, you were the most merciless flower-crusher back then, weren’t you? Oh my, you’ve grown more handsome with age. I wonder what brings you here this time?”

She put her hands behind her back, walking halfway around the bonfire, always keeping a distance from Chen Pingan, “What, could it be that Young Master is no longer as ignorant as he was back then, but has begun to understand the taste of women? After sampling human women, you’ve become a little bored and want to come here for a change? To try out the bedroom skills of us demon beauties?”

Chen Pingan waved his hand, “I wouldn’t dare. I know that Madam enjoys stir-fried…”