Sui Jingcheng felt somewhat out of sorts.

In her memory, Senior Wang Dun, the foremost martial artist since the founding of the Wuling Kingdom, hailed as a grandmaster capable of single-handedly dominating the Jianghu, enjoyed universal acclaim. Be it martial artists, scholars, or common folk, all spoke of Senior Wang Dun as a refined old gentleman in a blue robe, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Beyond his extraordinary abilities, he was deeply concerned for his country. He once stood alone at the border in his blue robe, holding back an invading enemy cavalry, thus buying the Wuling army precious time to deploy their forces…

Chen Pingan took a seat first, followed by Sui Jingcheng.

Wang Dun rose again and retrieved three jugs of wine from the counter, one for each of them, declaring magnanimously, “It’s on me.”

As Wang Dun placed the wine jug before Sui Jingcheng, he whispered, “You’re the daughter of the former Vice Minister, Sui Xinyu, aren’t you? Truly a beauty, on par with the Four Great Beauties, each unique, none superior to the others. You’ve brought honor to the women of our Wuling Kingdom. You deserve an imperial plaque more than this lowly Jianghu veteran. But, I must say this fairly, the Sword Immortal you’ve chosen, be it as a master or husband, is a bit stingy, only willing to share a bowl of wine with you.”

Sui Jingcheng glanced at Chen Pingan across the table, who was busy uncorking the wine and pouring it into his large white bowl. Sui Jingcheng smiled at the elder who claimed to have a false face, “Senior Manor Lord Wang…”

Wang Dun frowned, waving his hand, “Not old, not old at all. My body might age, but my heart remains young. Just call me Manor Lord Wang. If you wish to be informal, call me Wang Dun, it’s all the same.”

Sui Jingcheng nodded, “Manor Lord Wang, the Qingci Kingdom swordsman, Xiao Shuye, is now dead.”

Wang Dun sighed, understanding the “Jade Beauty of the Sui Family’s” implied meaning, lifting his wine bowl for a sip, “But I’m still at the bottom, aren’t I? The Great Seal Dynasty could casually pull out some old fogey whose skills surpass mine.”

Sui Jingcheng found herself speechless.

Wang Dun chuckled, turning to look at the young man in the green robe, a Sword Immortal whose deeds had been extensively chronicled in several mountain and water gazettes. The earliest account likely involved a ferry to the Spring Dew Garden, where, eschewing his flying sword, he used only his fists to send a Liao, a Golden Body Realm martial artist from the Ironclad Prefecture of the Great Guan Dynasty, tumbling into the water. Later, the Golden Crow Palace’s Sword Immortal, Liu Zhiqing, flew past on his sword, claiming to have cleaved open the Golden Crow Palace’s protective thunderclouds with a single strike. Subsequently, the two individuals, who should have been enemies, surprisingly shared tea at the Jade Crystal Cliff of the Spring Dew Garden, and were rumored to have become friends. Now, he was within the Wuling Kingdom, having claimed Xiao Shuye’s head.

Wang Dun asked, “This foreign Sword Immortal wouldn’t kill me with a sword for saying he isn’t generous enough, would he?”

Chen Pingan smiled helplessly, “Of course not.”

Wang Dun raised his wine bowl, Chen Pingan followed suit, and they lightly clinked them together. Wang Dun drank his wine and softly inquired, “How old are you?”

Chen Pingan replied, “Around three hundred years.”

Wang Dun set down his bowl, touching his chest, “I feel a bit better now. Otherwise, I’d feel like I’d wasted my long life.”

Sui Jingcheng smiled gently.

Though he barely resembled the Senior Wang Dun she had imagined, it somehow felt better to be sitting at a table drinking with this sweeping-grounds manor lord.

Wang Dun lowered his voice, asking, “Is it truly just fists against fists, sending that Liao of the Ironclad Prefecture falling off the ferry?”

Chen Pingan chuckled, “A bit of bravado, it was quite dangerous.”

Wang Dun asked with a grin, “How about we spar a bit? A friendly exchange, stopping short of harm. Don’t worry, it’s just that I’ve had a little wine, and seeing a true worldly expert, my hands are itching for a fight.”

Chen Pingan shook his head.

Wang Dun said, “I’m drinking two pots of your wine for free, and you won’t even indulge me in this small favor?”

Seeing that the other man showed no sign of changing his mind, Wang Dun said, “Then how about I beg you?”

Chen Pingan thought for a moment, and nodded, “We’ll follow Senior Wang’s suggestion, fists against fists, stopping short of harm.”

Wang Dun stood up, looking around, seemingly choosing a nearby table. He gently pressed down on it with his palm, turning the four table legs to dust, silently, the tabletop softly falling to the ground.

Chen Pingan said, “If we think two people jumping on the table to spar would look like a circus act to onlookers, then why don’t we just move the table?”

Wang Dun was taken aback, “I wanted to do that, but I was worried this Sword Immortal would find it beneath him.”

The two almost simultaneously stepped onto the tabletop.

Sui Jingcheng wanted to get up and leave the tavern, but Chen Pingan gestured for her to remain seated.

Wang Dun stood firm, cupping his fist and saying, “Wang Dun of the Sweeping Grounds Manor of Wuling Kingdom, my fist techniques are just passable, I hope for your guidance.”

Chen Pingan returned the fist salute, but remained silent, extending one hand, palm open, “Please.”

It wasn’t appropriate to reveal his true origin and name.

He wasn’t willing to call himself Chen the Good Man.

A clamor erupted from the distant onlookers, how had this wine-selling old man become Senior Wang Dun?

But when the elder tore off the mask from his face, revealing his true appearance, the crowd was stirred with excitement, it was indeed Senior Wang Dun, the elusive dragon!

Wang Dun’s fist was like a rainbow, the momentum overwhelming, but without malice.

The man in the green robe mostly defended, attacking little.

When the two passed each other, Wang Dun laughed, “I’ve roughly gauged your strength, can we loosen up a bit?”

Chen Pingan nodded.

In the distance, from the streets and rooftops, in the trees, martial artists of the Jianghu watched with stirring hearts. This kind of peak battle confined to a small space was truly a once-in-a-century event.

Senior Wang Dun was worthy of being the foremost figure in Wuling Kingdom, daring to throw punches, let alone holding his own, against a Sword Immortal.

Even though the Sword Immortal had yet to summon his flying sword, Senior Wang Dun, just by doing so, had bet his entire life, his reputation as a martial artist with an unblemished record, to earn a tremendous amount of respect for all Jianghu people in Wuling Kingdom! Senior Wang Dun was truly the martial courage of our Wuling Kingdom!

Those Jianghu heroes who only dared to watch from afar, lacking true martial arts grandmasters and being too far from the tavern, naturally couldn’t see as clearly as Sui Jingcheng.
For instance, she witnessed the senior preparing to conclude their exchange, when suddenly his attack accelerated. He stepped forward, twisted his wrist, deflecting Wang Dun’s fist with a slap. His palm continued its trajectory towards Wang Dun’s face, seemingly poised to knock him off the tabletop they stood upon. Unexpectedly, Wang Dun subtly signaled to the senior, who nodded almost imperceptibly. Wang Dun’s previously slower fist then struck almost simultaneously with the senior’s palm. Both men slid back two steps, their minds perfectly aligned, landing gracefully on the edge of the table.

Sui Jingcheng noticed Wang Dun and the azure-robed senior exchanging furtive glances again. She was utterly bewildered. Did it feel like a haggling session? Despite this “bargaining,” their fists and palms flew faster and faster, each exchange a perfect give-and-take, resulting in an even match. Neither gained an advantage. To onlookers, it was a clash of grandmasters, a battle without a victor.

Finally, they seemed to have agreed on a “price.” Each delivered a punch to the other’s chest, and the tabletop beneath them split in two. They steadied themselves with a stomp, then clasped their fists in salute.

Battle over, business concluded.

Wang Dun boomed with laughter, “Who would have thought that a sword immortal would possess such excellent fist techniques!”

His opponent responded in a clear voice, “Your fist intent, Wang Dun, is even more profound, polished to flawless perfection. In ten years at most, five at the very least, I will return to this Sweeping Dust Manor to spar with you in the art of the fist.”

Sui Jingcheng rubbed her forehead and lowered her head to drink, feeling a sense of mortification. How could the true world of martial arts seem so diluted with insincerity?

If it were Hu Xinfeng or Xiao Shuye engaging in such behavior, Sui Jingcheng wouldn’t mind. But for him and the venerable Wang Dun to be so shamelessly flattering was nearly catastrophic for Sui Jingcheng, making her want to avoid martial arts dramas for the rest of her days.

Wang Dun walked to the entrance of the tavern, clasped his hands high in a greeting to the crowd, and then waved his hand. “Everyone, disperse.”

Cheers and applause erupted, then gradually subsided as people left.

Since the esteemed Wang Dun had spoken, the crowd dared not linger.

As Wang Dun returned to his seat, the azure-robed swordsman was already gathering the two halves of the shattered table, stacking them on a nearby table.

After Wang Dun sat down, he took a sip of wine and sighed, “With your high cultivation, why seek out a mere江湖 trickster like me, Wang Dun? Is it for the sake of the Sui family lass behind you? Hoping that I, Wang Dun, can help look after them after you two leave the Wuling Kingdom for cultivation on the mountains?”

Chen Pingan shook his head. “I have no such request. I merely wish to show my face here to remind certain individuals lurking in the shadows that if they intend to harm the Sui family, they should consider the consequences of incurring my wrath.”

Wang Dun hummed in acknowledgment and nodded. “The schemes and intrigues of mountain cultivators are, in truth, merely 江湖 grudges with extended lifespans. At their core, they are no different, and ultimately meaningless. However, you, this seemingly young swordsman, are unlike the mountain deities I’ve encountered before. Therefore, I don’t feel it’s a waste to share these wines with you. Is that too presumptuous of me to say?”

Chen Pingan smiled. “Martial arts cultivation demands a firm foundation, without shortcuts. If one’s ambition isn’t high enough, their vision far enough, how can one possibly ascend step by step to the summit?”

Although Wang Dun sold wine, he seemed to have little actual fondness for it, always sipping slowly and never indulging in hearty drinking. He lamented, “This tavern won’t be able to continue operating. I won’t be able to hear the genuine words of the 江湖 people.”

Chen Pingan asked with a smile, “Does Manor Lord Wang dislike hearing flattery so much?”

Wang Dun curled his lip. “I love to hear it. When I was younger, I especially loved to hear it. Now, I love to hear it even more. It’s just that if I keep hearing so much flattery without also hearing some genuine and unpleasant truths, I fear I, Wang Dun, will float away into the sea of clouds. And if I float away without the divine abilities of a cloud sea immortal, wouldn’t I fall to my death?”

Chen Pingan glanced at the sky.

Wang Dun asked with a smile, “According to what we agreed upon earlier, besides a dozen jars of fine wine, what else must Sweeping Dust Manor relinquish?”

Chen Pingan replied, “Two swift horses, and the address of a Green Oriole Kingdom immortal ferry.”

Wang Dun asked in surprise, “That’s all?”

Chen Pingan said, “It’s already quite a lot.”

Wang Dun pointed towards the counter. “The wines placed at the bottom are the most mellow. Sword Immortal, take your pick.”

Chen Pingan stood up and headed towards the counter, beginning to pour wine into his sword-nurturing gourd.

He opened one jar after another.

After five jars of aged wine were unsealed, Wang Dun could no longer sit still. He leaned on the counter, softly advising, “Drinking delays matters on the 江湖 road. That’s enough.”

The seemingly young swordsman in azure robes, his back turned to Wang Dun, didn’t pause his pouring. “It’s fine. I can just fill it with more wine and drink sparingly.”

Wang Dun hesitated for a moment, then reminded him, “I can change my face and sell wine in another location.”

The young swordsman raised his head and smiled. “Then I’ll wish Manor Lord Wang great success in your new business and abundant wealth.”

Seeing that he wasn’t taking the hint, Wang Dun continued, “The aged wines at the bottom are too potent, named ‘Slender Plum Wine.’ They’re actually the Sweeping Dust Manor’s old cellar collection. The 江湖 people who frequent this tavern don’t know the name, and even if they can afford it, they wouldn’t dare drink two bowls. The aftereffects are far too strong, so it’s known as ‘Two Bowls Waver’ or ‘Three Bowls Fall.’ You might as well mix it with ordinary wine. The taste is even better.”

The young man shook his head. “It’s not tea, drinking wine. There’s no need to be particular about a lingering aftertaste. Drinking is about getting drunk; it’s a matter of course.”

Wang Dun could no longer restrain himself. “Right now, the manor has distinguished guests everywhere – government officials, 江湖 friends, literary celebrities, all of whom must be treated with utmost care. The thirty jars of Slender Plum Wine stored in the manor are probably nearly depleted. The reason I came here to seek peace and quiet was to try to save at least a few jars of Slender Plum Wine. Can’t you show a little consideration?”

The young man had already opened the last jar of Slender Plum Wine, and he said with annoyance, “Why didn’t Senior say so earlier? Once this mud seal is broken, the aroma can’t be contained. We already drank almost all of it at the table earlier; otherwise, we could have tasted the flavor of this Slender Plum Wine. It’s such a pity, such a pity that I can’t pour it into my wine gourd now. Very well, since Manor Lord Wang wants to save a jar for himself and be as stingy as to only offer a single bowl of wine, I’ll just let you have this one jar.”
Wang Dun waved his hand, chuckling, “No, no, just pour the wine. Wang Dun isn’t that kind of person. Fine wine for a sword immortal, reserved wine to nourish a gourd of swords – a delightful thing in this mortal realm, a splendid occasion indeed.”

Thus, in the end, not a single jar of the Slender Plum Wine remained.

Wang Dun turned his back, as if watching his daughters marry and depart to distant lands, a sense of sorrow washing over him, unwilling to witness it any longer.

With his back to the counter, Wang Dun sighed, “When are you planning to depart? It’s not that I’m unwilling to receive guests warmly, but you truly needn’t bother with Sweeping Snow Manor. It’s mostly tiresome social engagements.”

Then, Wang Dun revealed the detailed location of the Immortal Ferry at the Green Oriole Kingdom.

Chen Pingan stepped out from behind the counter, smiling, “Then I shall trouble Manor Lord Wang to have two horses brought forth. We shall not spend the night in the town, but depart immediately.”

Wang Dun waved his hand, beckoning a manor disciple who had rushed over upon hearing the news. He summoned the man from the distant street corner, a middle-aged swordsman with jade-like features. Wang Dun’s martial arts were diverse, his proficiency in fist techniques, lightness skills, and blade arts making him the undisputed foremost figure in the Five Ridges Kingdom. Therefore, among his personal disciples, each excelled in different areas. This man who arrived at the tavern was a favored disciple who had inherited Wang Dun’s true sword techniques, a figure who firmly held his place among the top swordsmen of the Five Ridges Kingdom.