## Chapter 534

This year, Cloud Pavilion City and Mirror Lake City, both situated on the verdant shores of Shujian Lake, lavishly hosted the Water and Land Assembly and the Heavenly Cycle Grand Ritual. Countless riches were expended, for they had invited many mountain immortals from both the Buddhist and Daoist sects – not the kind who merely sought fame and reputation.

This was only possible due to the extraordinary status of the two organizers: Liu Z茂, the Intercepting River True Lord, who had transitioned from a prisoner of the Palace Willow Island to a venerated guest of the True Realm Sect, and Guan Yiran, the garrison general of Shujian Lake. Otherwise, the cost would have at least doubled, and the incense offerings required to entice these mountain cultivators to descend would have been a considerable expense. Of course, accumulating personal merit while befriending Liu Z茂 and Guan Yiran was also a fortunate endeavor. Thus, each Daoist celestial and esteemed Buddhist monk devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the two rituals.

Amidst this grand spectacle, three figures remained inconspicuous, hidden behind the scenes. Yet, the officials under General Guan Yiran marveled at their accounting skills.

These three were named Gu Can, Zeng Ye, and Ma Duyi.

As the two grand events concluded smoothly, everyone praised the immeasurable merit of Venerated Liu and General Guan.

That night, after sharing a celebratory drink with the officials under General Guan, a tall, slender youth in a green robe walked back to his lodgings alone. It was a secluded alley in Mirror Lake City, where he had rented a small residence. A tall youth stood at the entrance, anxiously awaiting his return. Upon seeing the figure of the green-robed youth, he breathed a sigh of relief. This tall youth was none other than Zeng Ye, a fortunate soul rescued from a fiery pit by the old cultivator Zhang Yan of Green Gorge Island. Later, he served at the Green Gorge Island sect, assisting an accountant in cleaning rooms. Later, they traveled through various lands together, diligently cultivating using unorthodox methods akin to spirit possession.

Ma Duyi was also awake. As a ghost, she found cultivation more effective at night. Currently, a lamp illuminated the desk as she calculated accounts using an abacus. The Water and Land Assembly and the Heavenly Cycle Grand Ritual had consumed wealth like flowing water. Fortunately, the hunchbacked old man named Zhu Lian had sent two installments of Valley Rain Money. Zhu Lian himself had arrived for the first delivery, meeting them with a smiling, amiable demeanor and an easygoing nature. The second delivery was entrusted to a young man named Dong Shui, who brought it to Cloud Pavilion City and handed it over to the three of them.

Ma Duyi wore the fox fur talisman garment from the Xu Clan of Qingfeng City, her beauty captivating.

Gu Can stood outside the door, dusting off his robes to dissipate some of the alcohol fumes. He gently knocked and entered the house, pouring himself a cup of tea and sitting opposite Ma Duyi. Zeng Ye sat on a long stool between them.

Ma Duyi didn’t even look up. “The officials from the General’s manor are far less greedy than the state and county officials of our past. Apart from some silver wastage, there was almost no embezzlement.”

Gu Can said calmly, “Not greedy? Firstly, they lack the courage to be so, working under General Guan’s watchful eye; they wouldn’t dare be negligent. Secondly, their future prospects are bright. Losing their official career for money isn’t worth it. Naturally, they need to become great officials first before making big money. If they lacked that kind of intelligence, how could they become General Guan’s assisting officials? However, there are indeed some civil officials among them who aren’t driven by greed and will remain so in the future.”

Ma Duyi stretched lazily, and Gu Can handed her a cup of tea.

Naturally, after spending every day together, even Ma Duyi no longer felt the slightest awkwardness. As for Zeng Ye, he had long since received a cup of tea from Gu Can.

Gu Can smiled. “Everyone has worked hard.”

Ma Duyi drained the tea in one gulp, rubbing her wrists, her spirits high. “Finally, there’s free time to hunt for bargains! I’m going to explore all the countries around Shujian Lake! Stone Bristle Country, Plum Glaze Country – I’m going to visit them all!”

Gu Can reminded her, “I’ll give you that Peace Amulet later. When traveling through these Great Li vassal states, try to keep your route close to the major cities and passes where Great Li troops are stationed. If you encounter trouble, you can seek help. However, it’s best not to display the amulet usually, to avoid attracting the animosity of many exiled cultivators.”

Ma Duyi rolled her eyes. “Nag, nag, nag! Don’t you get tired of it? Do you need to teach me these basic principles? I traveled the world with Mister Chen before you did!”

Gu Can didn’t mind and smiled. “Then I’ll go rest first. Attending banquets is most tiring.”

Gu Can left the room and went to the study on one side of the main house. On the table was the ghost path heavy weapon, the Underworld Yama Palace, obtained on credit from the secret vault of Green Gorge Island, and the imitation Glazed Pavilion that Yu Gui, a venerated guest of Green Gorge Island, had sold to the accountant. Compared to the Underworld, this Glazed Pavilion had only twelve rooms, containing eleven yin spirits, all of whom were Middle Five Realm cultivators in life, transformed into vengeful ghosts with deep attachments. Over the years, roughly half of them still remained as residents.

Gu Can sat upright in the chair, gazing at the Underworld Yama Palace, his mind immersed within it. His consciousness, tiny as a mustard seed, just as Green Gorge Island was to the vast Shujian Lake, the “Gu Can” spirit resided within it. Over two hundred ghosts and yin spirits were willing to leave, aided by the Water and Land Assembly and the Heavenly Cycle Grand Ritual. These beings were mostly yin spirits whose wishes had been gradually fulfilled, while some no longer clung to this life, hoping to be reborn and live a different way.

However, there were still ghosts and yin spirits who chose to remain in this Underworld, day after day, year after year, cursing and denouncing him, the culprit. Many of them also venomously cursed the accountant as well.

Yet, even so, Gu Can still followed his agreement with that person, not only refraining from casually obliterating any of the ghosts but also needing to drop immortal money into the Underworld Yama Palace and the imitation Glazed Pavilion every so often, allowing them to maintain a glimmer of spirituality, so they wouldn’t degenerate into vengeful spirits.

Gu Can withdrew from the Underworld and turned his mind to the Glazed Pavilion. He walked through each room in turn, the interiors pitch black, with no sight to be seen. Only when a fierce ghost stood at the doorway could Gu Can meet their gaze.

At this moment, a female ghost in snow-white attire stood blankly at the entrance. Even though they were only a foot apart, she showed no intention of attacking.

Because before the Glazed Pavilion was handed over to Gu Can, they had made an agreement with the emaciated accountant: if Gu Can entered the Glazed Pavilion in the future, they were free to kill him for revenge. They would bear the consequences themselves, but the opportunity would only come once.

Of the eleven yin spirits back then, none had chosen to attack. Now, two of them had their own desires and chose to leave the mortal realm entirely. One asked Gu Can to promise to take care of his family for at least a hundred years, and moreover…
“One must attain great wealth and nobility, free from major calamities.” Gu Can agreed. Another requested Gu Can bestow upon her a direct disciple, a magical treasure, guarantee the disciple’s entry into the Middle Five Realms, and impose no restrictions on the disciple’s cultivation. Furthermore, Gu Can was not to harbor any malicious intentions. Gu Can also agreed, only stating that the magical treasure would have to be deferred, but he could secretly assist his disciple’s cultivation path.

There were also three individuals who chose to pledge allegiance to Gu Can, serving as ghost generals, equivalent to the lowest-ranking enshrined retainers of Gu Can’s future faction. Their future cultivation needs and prospects for advancement would be determined by their contributions. One of them was the old ghost who had initially left the counterfeit Glazed Tile Pavilion to assist Ma Duyi in appraising and acquiring treasures. He no longer frequented the Glazed Tile Pavilion for cultivation, content to manage the finances of the trio.

Gu Can withdrew his mind from the Glazed Tile Pavilion, closing his eyes to recuperate, in a state between sleep and wakefulness.

In the side room, Ma Duyi and Zeng Ye were still seated at the same table.

Ma Duyi was still filled with longing for his future travels down the mountain, calculating his current possessions and personal savings.

Zeng Ye hesitated to speak, reluctant to leave.

Ma Duyi asked, puzzled, “Is something the matter?”

Zeng Ye inquired, “What are your plans for the future?”

Ma Duyi was taken aback. “What do you mean, ‘what plans’?”

Zeng Ye hesitated for a moment. “I heard that some cultivators from Pearl Hairpin Island are relocating to Mr. Chen’s hometown. I also want to leave Book Brief Lake.”

Ma Duyi frowned. “Isn’t it good here now? This isn’t the Book Brief Lake of the past, where life and death were not one’s own. Book Brief Lake has changed; look, so many rogue cultivators have become registered immortal masters of the True Realm Sect. Of course, they’re mostly from large island backgrounds, with higher cultivation levels, something you, Zeng Ye, a nobody, can’t compare to. But if you’re willing to ask Gu Can to help smooth things over and pull some strings, in a few days, you, Zeng Ye, could be a ghost cultivator of the True Realm Sect. Even if you don’t join the True Realm Sect, you can just cultivate in peace; after all, we have a good relationship with the General’s Residence of Poolside City. Zeng Ye, you’re actually quite secure here.”

Zeng Ye lowered his head. “I’m really afraid of Gu Can.”

Ma Duyi chuckled and scolded, “Look at your timidity!”

After Zeng Ye left, Ma Duyi fell into deep thought.

Gu Can was increasingly resembling that accountant, but Ma Duyi knew that it was only a resemblance, nothing more.

Therefore, Ma Duyi was also afraid of Gu Can.

Within the General’s Residence, located in the Fan family estate of Poolside City, General Guan Yiran was still burning the midnight oil in his study, dealing with official matters. After a knock on the door, Guan Yiran closed a confidential report and said, “Enter.”

A military cultivator named Yu Shanfang strode confidently across the threshold, selected a chair to sit on, slumped back, belched, and laughed, “That was a delightful drinking session! That little bastard surnamed Gu, young as he is, is a true man when it comes to drinking. His skills at persuasion are even more impressive. Dammit, my two brothers and I tried to get him drunk, fully intending to make him crawl around under the table, but before we knew it, the three of us were at each other’s throats. Out of nearly twenty people at two tables, the only ones who could stand up straight were me and that kid. That kid even carried several people back to their residences.”

Guan Yiran asked, “What do you think of that young man?”

Yu Shanfang said, “I’ve heard so many rumors about Green Cliff Island and that kid that my ears have calluses, but after a year of interacting with him, it’s not like that at all!”

Guan Yiran nodded, saying nothing more.

Yu Shanfang didn’t bother to dwell on it. This rough man’s military life didn’t involve much scheming. Anyway, with Guan Yiran, his comrade-in-arms for many years, backing him up, what was there to fear?

Guan Yiran asked, “Yu Shanfang, I plan to get closer to that young man from Dragon Spring County named Dong Shuijing. I’m preparing to help him connect with my family to expand some small businesses.”

Yu Shanfang said glumly, “Why are you telling me all this? I’m not a bookkeeper, nor am I a watchdog to guard your home. I’m telling you, don’t make me Dong Shuijing’s follower. I’m a proper military cultivator of the Great Li Dynasty. That pitted and uneven talisman iron armor is my wife! If you dare make me take off my armor for some damned wealth, that’s akin to taking my wife away. I’ll kick you to death!”

Guan Yiran remained calm. “Down the mountain, waterways have always been a source of flowing silver. Up on the mountain, it’s the immortal ferries. In all mortal dynasties, as long as there are waterways, the officials in charge are of high rank, each a regional official who wields power despite their inconspicuous reputation. Now, our Great Li Dynasty is about to establish a new government office to oversee the ferry routes and numerous ports of a continent. The chief official is only one rank lower than the Minister of Revenue. The court is already vying for positions. My Guan family has secured three, and I can claim the lowest one. This is what I deserve, and no one inside or outside the family can find fault with it.”

At this point, Guan Yiran asked, “Yu Shanfang, I don’t want you to retire to your village. That would only frustrate you to death. Don’t I understand you? I just want to use this opportunity to send you to that new government office. In the future, you’ll be in the open, and Dong Shuijing will be in the shadows. You’ll help each other out. You’ll get promoted, and he’ll get rich. Don’t worry, it’s all above board. Just consider it me helping out, how does that sound?”

Yu Shanfang said sullenly, “I don’t care about titles or promotions. Forget it. Give this opportunity to someone else.”

Guan Yiran asked, “Do you really want to die on the battlefield?”

Yu Shanfang grinned. “Where are there any real battles these days?”

Guan Yiran hesitated, then said tactfully, “The battlefield ahead is just as dangerous, but it’s no longer on horseback. I’ll only tell you one thing, it doesn’t involve any secrets, it’s just something I’ve figured out myself. That is, all military cultivators stationed outside the Great Li territory, anyone, including me, Guan Yiran, could die suddenly and without reason, especially those near the borders of vassal states devastated by national destruction. The closer you are to the old country’s capital or the ruined immortal mountain, the greater the likelihood of military cultivators dying in battle. And I can say with certainty that there will be many, many assassinations.”

Yu Shanfang said “Oh”

Guan Yiran was so enraged that he grabbed a bronze paperweight and hurled it at the burly man.
Yu Shanfang snatched the item with a cheeky grin, “Oh, General Xie is being generous!”

Yu Shanfang stood up and dashed towards the door.

Guan Yiran remained seated, grumbling, “It’s only worth two or three taels of silver, and you’re still shamelessly stealing it?”

Yu Shanfang stopped in his tracks, turned around, and disdainfully tossed back the bronze paperweight, scolding, “You, a scion of the Guan family from Yunzai County in Yizhou, actually display this piece of junk on your desk?! I’m embarrassed for the old master of the Guan family!”

Unexpectedly, Guan Yiran quickly reached out, caught the bronze paperweight, gently breathed on it, carefully placed it back on the table, and smiled, “This is a desk accessory from the imperial study of the Zhu Ying Dynasty’s emperor. Our General Su personally bestowed it upon me. It’s actually quite valuable.”

Yu Shanfang, having just opened the door, turned his back to the future patriarch of the Guan clan, raised his arm high, gave the middle finger, slammed the door shut, and strode away.

An old man quietly descended into the courtyard of the small alley residence.

Gu Can collected the Underworld Yama Palace and the imitation glazed pavilion from the table, placing them in a bamboo box at his feet.

He picked up a bamboo fan made from divine bamboo on the table, tucked it into his waistband, smiled, left the study, and opened the main house door.

This uninvited guest was, in a way, his true master.

The legend who, by fortune, benefited from the Water Prison, and now had a chance to break through the Nascent Soul bottleneck: Liu Zhimao of Qingxia Island.

After opening the door, Gu Can bowed, “Disciple Gu Can greets Master.”

Liu Zhimao nodded with a smile, “There’s no need to be so formal between us, master and disciple.”

The two sat in the main hall, where the plaque read “Everlasting Fame,” left behind by the previous owner of the house.

The couplet hanging on either side was also quite old, never replaced, antique and elegant: “Open the door, mountains and rivers are bright, nourishing the eyes. Close the window, morality and writings cultivate the mind.”

Liu Zhimao sat in the master’s seat, with Gu Can seated to the side.

Liu Zhimao glanced around the house, “The place is a bit small, but fortunately, it’s quiet.”

Gu Can asked, “Does Master want to drink? There’s no immortal wine here, but there’s quite a bit of glutinous rice wine from a friend, though Master may not be accustomed to such common wine.”

Liu Zhimao waved his hand and smiled, “Let’s skip the wine.”

Gu Can didn’t say anything more, a smile on his face, sitting upright.

Liu Zhimao asked with a smile, “Master previously went out with a sect elder. Now, I have a bit of a connection with General Su Gaoshan. Would you like to join the army and seek a military officer position?”

Gu Can shook his head and smiled, “Disciple won’t squander Master’s favor.”

Liu Zhimao didn’t press him, suddenly sighing, “Gu Can, you’re not even fourteen years old yet, are you?”

Gu Can nodded.

Liu Zhimao was silent for a moment, “If Master successfully breaks through and enters the Upper Five Realms, as an elder, I can make three requests to the True Realm Sect. This is what Sect Master Jiang promised long ago. I plan to ask the True Realm Sect to cede a vassal island, including Qingxia Island and Su Lin Island, and gift it to you.”

Gu Can remained calm, not rushing to speak.

Liu Zhimao continued, “Master isn’t entirely considering this for you, my prized disciple. I also have selfish motives. I still don’t want the lineage of Qingxia Island to be cut off. With you on Qingxia Island, the ancestral hall won’t be considered closed, even if Qingxia Island doesn’t manage to retain many people in the end. In that case, I, as the island master of Qingxia Island, can wholeheartedly serve Jiang Shangzhen and the True Realm Sect.”

Gu Can asked, “What does Master need me to do? Master, please just tell me. Disciple wouldn’t dare to say any fancy words about being willing to die for it, but what I can do, I will definitely do, and I’ll try my best to do it well.”

Liu Zhimao looked gratified, stroked his beard, smiled, pondered for a moment, and slowly said, “Help the Qingxia Island ancestral hall flourish. It’s that simple. But let’s get the ugly truth out of the way first. Apart from that True Realm Sect Nascent Soul elder, Li Fuchu, I’m not familiar with any of the other elders, big or small. There may even be potential enemies. Jiang Shangzhen never truly trusts me either. So, taking over the Qingxia Island ancestral hall and several vassal islands isn’t entirely a good thing. You need to carefully weigh the pros and cons. After all, a sudden windfall, too much silver, can also crush a person. You’re the only disciple who has caught my eye, so I’m being so frank with you, Gu Can.”

Gu Can said, “Then Disciple will consider it carefully. At the latest, in three days, I can give Master a clear answer.”

Liu Zhimao nodded, “That’s for the best. Be careful and afraid of death, plan before acting, be willing to risk your life, and gamble big to win big. This is the foundation of our mountain and wilderness cultivators.”

Gu Can nodded, “Disciple will remember Master’s teachings.”

Speaking of this, Gu Can smiled, “Years ago, I thought I understood all the principles, but in reality, I didn’t understand a damn thing. It was Disciple’s unruly ignorance that made Master laugh.”

Liu Zhimao smiled, “In this world, those who loudly proclaim that they understand all the principles are naturally the ones who understand the least. Actually, your actions back then, seemingly lawless, weren’t as bad as you thought. As long as you survive, all the great hardships you’ve endured are the true foundation of a mountain and wilderness cultivator. The principle of swallowing your teeth and blood is the principle you truly understand.”

Gu Can hummed in agreement.

Liu Zhimao took out an ancient book that seemed to be made of gold and jade, its treasure light flowing, mist swirling around it. The title was written in four golden ancient seal characters, “Intercepting River True Scripture.”

Liu Zhimao extended two fingers together and gently pushed the book towards the composed, green-robed youth. The old man said in a deep voice, “The Dao techniques Master taught you before were the Qingxia Island ancestral hall’s fundamental Dao techniques on the surface, only considered side paths. Only this immortal secret book is the core of Master’s Great Dao. To be honest, Master truly didn’t dare and wasn’t willing to pass on this Dao technique to you back then. Naturally, I was afraid that you would join forces with the little mud loach and kill Master.”

After pushing out the secret book that he had cherished like his life for hundreds of years, Liu Zhimao didn’t even glance at it again, “Times are different now. If I enter the Upper Five Realms, everything will be easy to say. If I unfortunately die and disappear, and there is no more Liu Zhimao in the world, then there’s even less need to worry about you, kid, settling accounts later.”

Gu Can didn’t take the immortal ancient book, whose value was almost equal to half an “Upper Five Realms,” stood up, and bowed to Liu Zhimao again.

Liu Zhimao sat upright at the main table of the small house, accepting this disciple’s bow.

The scheming between this master and disciple hadn’t been small over the years.
Tonight, the gifting of a book and the performance of obeisance are acts of pure intent, representing the most unadulterated transmission of Daoist methods on the path of cultivation.

After tonight, the usual debts and calculations between master and disciple will likely remain, a complex situation with nothing missing.

Gu Can placed the celestial secret manual into his sleeve.

Liu Zhimao chuckled, “Your Senior Sister Tian and the other senior brothers are all fools, each more so than the last.”

Gu Can smiled faintly, “They brought fortune and misfortune upon themselves; they can’t blame others.”

Liu Zhimao pondered, “Fetch two jars of wine. Your master will chat with you a while longer, drinking and enjoying it without ceremony.”

The main room’s door was already open, and moonlight spilled inside.

Gu Can went to the kitchen, made two trips, and brought back two jars of the homemade liquor offered by Dong Shuiing, along with two white bowls and several small dishes of appetizers.

Liu Zhimao poured a bowl of wine, picked up a crispy dried fish from Shujian Lake, chewed it thoroughly, and took a sip of wine.

This was the flavor of the mortal world.

Although the prospect of breaking through was very high, and Jiang Shangzhen would spare no effort to protect him, to allow the True Realm Sect to gain another Jade Purity Realm enshrined cultivator.

However, nothing is absolute.

It was still possible that this common fare under the moonlight might be Liu Zhimao’s last midnight snack in this world.

Liu Zhimao smiled, “Back then, you created a Shujian Lake Ten Heroes list. In truth, only nine of you became well-known. I reckon even now, few people would guess that the last one was the accountant at the entrance to our Qingxia Island. What a pity, it could have become an even greater legend.”

Liu Zhimao placed one foot on a long bench, squinted, took a sip of wine, picked up a few peanuts, tossed them into his mouth, and held out a palm, starting to count, “Qingxia Island’s Mischief King Gu Can, Sulindao’s Tian Hujun, Fourth Senior Brother Qin, Sixth Senior Brother Chao Zhe, Chishui City’s Young City Lord Fan Yan, Huanglidao’s Lü Caisang, Gumingdao’s Yuan Yuan, the Fallen Prince Han Jingling, the General’s Son Huang He.”

Liu Zhimao smiled, “Your Senior Sister Tian went to Gongliu Island twice, and I didn’t see her either time. The first time, she lingered at the border for a full day and night, returning in disappointment. The second time, she grew more afraid of death and tried to force her way into Gongliu Island, trading half her life for a guaranteed whole life in the future. Sadly, this stone-hearted master of yours still didn’t bother to look at her; her half-life was wasted. What do you intend to do with her? Beat her? Kill her?”

Gu Can smiled faintly, “Master’s painstaking efforts are to deliberately drive Senior Sister Tian into a dead end, into utter despair. In the end, it’s all in the hope that I, Gu Can, and Qingxia Island in the future, can gain a sensible and useful talent.”

Liu Zhimao grunted in agreement, “The way you used to handle Tian Hujun wasn’t bad, but it was like…”

Here, Liu Zhimao pointed at the dishes on the table, “Just drinking wine, without enough appetizers, the flavor suffers greatly. Combining kindness and power sounds simple, but doing it is not easy. You can learn from me and my old brother Zhang Ye, it’s one of the few acts of kindness your master possesses. As proven by facts, compared to greedily seeking ease and applying a one-size-fits-all, tyrannical approach to everyone, seducing them with benefits, the incense of a mountain will never last long.”

Gu Can nodded, “A single grain of rice feeds a hundred different people, so naturally, one needs to divide and entice them, with fame, wealth, magical treasures, opportunities for cultivation. Fishing is a profound art.”

Liu Zhimao laughed heartily, “No wonder I heard on Gongliu Island that you kid now likes to go fishing by the lake, even if the harvest is small, you still go every time.”

What made Liu Zhimao happy wasn’t the triviality of Gu Can’s seemingly playful matter.

Rather, it was that Gu Can finally understood the proper measure and timing, understood the importance of heartfelt connection at the right moment, instead of simply taking off the ornate dragon-shedding robe of the past and putting on today’s coarse blue shirt, truly believing that everyone would believe Gu Can had changed his nature and become a benevolent, good-hearted youth. If that were the case, it would only mean that Gu Can had grown, but not by much, still habitually treating others as fools. What would be the final outcome? A Fan Yan of Chishui City, pretending to be foolish, merely identified the weakness in Gu Can’s state of mind and was able to play him like a dog, leading him around in circles back then.

Since Liu Zhimao could give away the *True Scripture of River Interception*, he could certainly take it back casually before departing.

Therefore, Liu Zhimao still had a test of character for Gu Can next.

That Tian Hujun, destined for mediocrity, a Sulindao Island Lord who would, at most, become a common Nascent Soul cultivator, was merely an optional side dish on tonight’s table.

But this True Monarch of River Interception wasn’t in a hurry.

They had only just begun to drink.

Liu Zhimao said casually, “Fan Yan has long been the true mastermind behind Chishui City, you realized that, right?”

Gu Can said with a wry smile, “Master, I’m not blind.”

Liu Zhimao smiled, “Then have you noticed that Fan Yan already has someone in the court? It’s not Guan Yiran, the Old Minister of the Ministry of Personnel’s direct grandson, nor is it Su Gaoshan, who first broke through the capital of the Zhu Ying Dynasty.”

Gu Can thought for a moment, “I will try to tolerate him a bit more in the future.”

Hopefully, Fan Yan and his parents would still be alive then, preferably with a prosperous and wealthy family.

Liu Zhimao continued, “Yuan Yuan was born under a lucky star. Both parents are Golden Core cultivators, and Gumingdao’s backing, more precisely, Yuan Yuan’s mother’s backing, was that Nascent Soul sword cultivator of the Zhu Ying Dynasty. As a result, he was pursued for tens of thousands of miles by a white-clad youth of hidden identity and Ruan Xiu of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, then killed at the border. Logically, Gumingdao should have been finished, but now it’s good. He obtained a True Realm Sect’s enshrinement position, and also has a peace amulet issued by the Great Li Ministry of Justice.”

Gu Can didn’t hold much resentment for this chubby fellow nicknamed Yuan Yuan. How clever could someone be who openly displayed their shrewdness?

Gumingdao’s changing of allegiance based on the wind wasn’t a remarkable feat; anyone could do it.

As long as that guy didn’t provoke him again, there wouldn’t be any problem with letting him be a distinguished guest of Qingxia Island.

As for the sarcastic remarks that Yuan Yuan muttered behind his back, how much weight did those spittle carry?

From childhood to adulthood, Gu Can had heard countless words that would break one’s back.

Now, Gu Can wouldn’t kill for asking his heart.

At least not for now.

And this “for now” might be extremely long.

But Gu Can could wait; he had the patience.
Because he understood a principle: when you can only break rules but lack the power to create them, you must first abide by them. During this process, every hardship endured, as long as you don’t perish, becomes an intangible gain. Because he, Gu Can, can learn more; every stumble, every rejection, every closed door, is a lesson in the ways of the world.

Liu Zhimao said, “The new Emperor of Shihao Kingdom, Han Jingling, truly has extraordinary luck.”

Han Jingling disregarded the lives of the people in his domain, fleeing to Shujian Lake for refuge. Yet, inexplicably, he became a widely praised virtuous king. Now, he wears the dragon robe and sits on the dragon throne. It’s likely the lad wakes up laughing in his dreams these past two years. Moreover, the favored prince, Han Jingxin, died violently in the wilderness outside the capital, leaving Han Jingling to sit firmly on his throne. As for Huang He, who helped his brother onto the throne, he’s also doing well. A young Vice Minister of Rites and appointed as one of the new Five Peaks of Shihao, all these honors were bestowed upon him for staying by the new Emperor’s side as they traveled east and west. Even the Minister of Rites dared not utter a complaint. It’s said that upon arriving at the yamen, the Minister would proactively pour tea for Huang He. Huang He’s father, even, is rumored to be the uncrowned emperor of Shihao’s court, not wearing the yellow robe, yet allowed to carry a blade to court.

Gu Can smiled, “Good luck is also a kind of skill.”

Huang He, this conceited fellow, perhaps won’t even require his intervention. Sooner or later, Han Jingling, with his hidden needles, will deal with him harshly.

However, Gu Can still hoped that Huang He would fall into his hands.

Because this fellow was the only one who, after Gu Can’s decline and silence, dared to ascend Green Gorge Island and demand the opening of that room’s door.

Gu Can was waiting for an opportunity.

And this opportunity, once seized, must be reasonable, according to the rules.

After Liu Zhimao finished naming each person…

Gu Can’s general attitude towards each of them allowed the Intercepting River True Lord to discern a rough idea.

Still holding grudges.

But compared to his past impulsiveness and indiscriminate killing, Gu Can was now clear-headed. He could not only endure without striking, but also seemed to enjoy the current situation of being a guest in another’s home, constantly lowering his head and doing things for others.

Very good.

This way, he can live longer, live better.

In the great predicament of hardship and difficulty, the most resilient can endure; bitterness will eventually turn to sweetness.

This is another form of cultivation.

Liu Zhimao never worried about Gu Can’s overt cultivation path being rough and uneven.

This boy was a natural wild cultivator, and perhaps the kind that wouldn’t lose to Liu Laocheng of Gongliu Island!

Liu Zhimao poured himself another bowl of wine and asked, “What about the remaining yin spirits and wraiths? If you cannot speak of this matter, then do not.”

Gu Can had just lifted his wine bowl but then set it down. After a moment of silence, he shook his head and said, “There’s nothing I can’t say. If their only obsession after death is revenge, it’s simple: I’ll give them the chance to avenge themselves. Master, you should already know that Sect Leader Jiang has allocated several islands with connected mountains and rivers near Shujian Lake, close to Cloud Tower City, intending to hand them over to me, Gu Can. When the time comes, I will build a ghost cultivator mountain there. All yin spirits can cultivate. Short of money for cultivation? I, Gu Can, will provide it! Lacking secret manuals? I will help them find suitable ones. Whenever they feel ready for revenge, they only need to give a word. Besides that, whatever requests and wishes they may have, I will do what I can, one thing at a time. I know that many yin spirits are currently waiting for the best offer. It’s fine, as long as they are willing to speak up.”

Liu Zhimao suddenly laughed, “If Chen Pingan had killed you with a single punch or sword back then, would that have been an easier choice for both of you?”

Gu Can lowered his head, picked up his wine bowl, hesitated, and said expressionlessly, “Chen Pingan is not that kind of person, and I don’t want to die so early.”

When he raised his head to drink, the boy’s face had returned to normal.

Liu Zhimao smiled and dismissed the matter.

In fact, Liu Zhimao’s heart was in turmoil.

He, Liu Zhimao, had no knowledge of the ownership of those islands!

Liu Zhimao sighed. In this case, the final test of Gu Can’s temperament had become somewhat unpredictable.

However, after weighing the matter, Liu Zhimao still asked, “What do you think is the way out for Green Gorge Island? Don’t rush, think it over slowly after drinking your wine.”

Gu Can put down his wine bowl, wiped his mouth, bent down, picked up a small dried fish, a delicacy of Shujian Lake sold to the banquets of nobles, chewed it slowly, and then said, “First, I can ascend to the Upper Five Realms. Second, I find a backer in Great Li, at least a powerful family head of a Pillar Kingdom surname. Third, through this backer, I meet the Emperor of Great Li and first become a chess piece he places in Shujian Lake to check the True Realm Sect.”

Liu Zhimao’s eyes gleamed, “Is there no fourth?”

Gu Can smiled, “Slowly.”

Liu Zhimao pressed, “Wouldn’t you be ungrateful and unrighteous to me, your teacher and benefactor who is a True Realm Sect’s enshrined elder, and to Jiang Shangzhen of the True Realm Sect who allocated the islands to you, if you did this?”

Gu Can’s expression was calm as he turned to look out the door, “The night is long, enough for several bowls of wine and several dishes. Today is only talking about this matter, so naturally, there is a suspicion of ingratitude and unrighteousness. But when it is done in the future, perhaps it will be like sending charcoal in the snow. Moreover, there is so much business to be done in these words and actions. Who knows, maybe one day I, Gu Can, will die just like that.”

Liu Zhimao didn’t drink much each time, but he raised his bowl frequently. Only one bowl of wine remained, which he drank in one gulp.

To talk to this extent was more than just sharing confidences.

This trip tonight was worthwhile.

Unexpectedly, Gu Can saw that Liu Zhimao had no wine, neither in his bowl nor in the wine pot. He stood up, picked up his own pot of wine, and poured another bowl for the old man.

Liu Zhimao didn’t stop him.

After sitting down, Gu Can raised his last bowl of wine and said to the old man, “Judging the matter, not the heart, I, Gu Can, want to thank you, Master, for taking me out of Mud Bottle Lane, giving me the opportunity to do so many things, and to live until tonight to say so many words.”

Liu Zhimao raised his wine bowl and clinked it heavily against Gu Can’s, each drinking the wine in their bowls.

Liu Zhimao stood up, and Gu Can also stood up.

They came together to the threshold of the main house and stood side by side. Liu Zhimao laughed, “If you don’t make merry when you’re young, and don’t seek pleasure when you’re young, you’ll waste the good times.”
Gu Can shook his head, saying, “A young man, full of vigor, spends his fleeting youth with little regard.”

Liu Zhimao let out a surprised “Oh,” somewhat astonished, turning his head to smile, “You’ve read quite a few books?”

Gu Can nodded, “Official gazettes and miscellaneous books from the foot of the mountain, I’m willing to read anything. After all, I only attended the village school for a few days, which is a bit of a regret. From Mud Bottle Lane to Scroll Lake, I haven’t really moved much. I want to learn more about the world outside through the gazettes and books.”

Liu Zhimao glanced at the bamboo fan at his waist, and smiled, “It’s a good treasure.”

Gu Can took off the folding fan and handed it to the old man, his eyes clear, “If Master likes it, then take it.”

Showing this object already implied that Gu Can had made a decision regarding a certain choice.

Liu Zhimao waved his hand, “Keep it for yourself. Who gave it to you?”

Gu Can said, “A friend of a friend.”

A friend of a friend, but not his friend.

Even if that person was Liu Xianyang.

But Gu Can never considered Liu Xianyang a friend.

Ever since childhood, Liu Xianyang was just that person’s friend. Even Gu Can had to admit that Liu Xianyang was one of the few kind-hearted… good people in their hometown.

But Gu Can still wouldn’t treat Liu Xianyang as a friend.

Gu Can didn’t like Liu Xianyang’s carefree and boisterous personality, and he even liked to joke about his mother. So Gu Can chased after Liu Xianyang to fight him, his face covered in snot and tears, several times.

Often, in the end, Liu Xianyang would smile and apologize.

Then the little snot-nosed kid with a tear-streaked face would follow another person back to Mud Bottle Lane, looking weak and listless.

Walking along, the little snot-nosed kid would often smile again, free from worry.

So, his friend, Gu Can’s friend.

There was only ever one.

It was so in the past, it will be so in the future, and it will be so until death.

But Gu Can would never become a person like that person in his lifetime.

Gu Can is Gu Can.

There is only one Gu Can in the world.

But he is willing to change his words and actions.

And he learned very well and changed very quickly.

Because that person said a sentence upon parting.

A tree standing out in the forest, and a fine tree returning to the forest, are two different principles.

Liu Zhimao finally said, “Gu Can, do you know what family fortune means?”

Gu Can smiled, “Please enlighten me, Master.”

Liu Zhimao said, “It’s not the wealth of the gentry and merchants, with countless gold and sprawling fields, nor is it the officialdom’s lineage of generals, father and son in the same court, and it’s not even the mountains’ clouds of immortals.”

Liu Zhimao only said half, still not giving an answer.

Gu Can pondered for a moment and nodded, “I understand. It’s a family that, after making a big mistake, can still recover, not the kind that disappears without a trace.”

Liu Zhimao said with regret, “I, Liu Zhimao, failed to do so. After suffering this tribulation, I have disappointed Zhang Ye after all. Even if I fortunately reach the Jade Purity Realm, I am still a house dog of the lineage immortals.”

Gu Can smiled slightly, “Green Gorge Island still has me, Gu Can.”

Liu Zhimao shook his head, “It is our Scroll Lake that still has a Gu Can!”

Wild cultivators of the mountains and lakes, clear about their grudges.

Even between master and disciple, it is so.

Liu Zhimao disappeared in a flash, returning to the Ancestral Hall of the True Realm Sect on Willow Island, beginning his seclusion.

Gu Can didn’t sleep all night.

He just strolled slowly in the small courtyard.

Although Liu Zhimao concealed the sounds and movements in the room, the old man did not deliberately hide anything after leaving the room.

So Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi naturally knew of the arrival and departure of this River-Cutting True Lord.

Ma Duyi opened the window, looking around left and right, then used her eyes to ask Gu Can if he was in trouble.

Gu Can smiled and waved his hand, signaling her not to worry.

As for that Zeng Ye, he was honest and timid, so he hid in the room, worrying on his own.

But the matter of cultivation is so strange. Zeng Ye has good innate qualities, but Ma Duyi has better aptitude for cultivation. At the same time, Zeng Ye has better opportunities, while Ma Duyi’s acquired nature is obviously better.

In the end, Zeng Ye has a better chance of going further.

Fortunately, Ma Duyi, who had died once, didn’t care about these things at all.

So Gu Can sometimes envied Zeng Ye’s ignorance and lack of understanding, and also envied Ma Duyi’s carefree attitude.

Zeng Ye tossed and turned, finally falling into a drowsy sleep.

Gu Can sighed. If this Zeng Ye had cultivated in Scroll Lake back then, even with his current cultivation level, he would have been like a sheep entering a tiger’s mouth, leaving no bones behind.

Through the large and small banquets at the General’s Mansion, Gu Can discovered a clue.

The rules of Scroll Lake, set by that young General Guan Yiran, who was destined to be from a powerful family, must have been based on a ledger he had obtained beforehand, because Gu Can felt familiar with it.

So it can be said that the current Scroll Lake is full of the traces of that Green Gorge Island accountant.

Gu Can held the folding fan, gently tapping his shoulder, muttering to himself, “There is still much to learn.”

The bamboo fan in his hand, made of Divine Firmament Bamboo.

Both sides of the fan had inscriptions.

Clear wind and bright moon. Five thunders arise.

It should have been Liu Xianyang’s own writing on the fan, showing off his academic foundation from the Chen clan of pure scholars to Gu Can.

But Gu Can always felt that if Liu Xianyang and that person went to the school together, Liu Xianyang would only be left eating dust.

But the affairs of the world led that person to wander the pugilistic world, while Liu Xianyang pursued his studies.

So Gu Can never liked this kind of world very much.

As for the Immortal Scripture hidden in his sleeve, Gu Can didn’t read it at all that night.

Why should I, Gu Can, be anxious about cultivation?

At dawn, Gu Can opened the door and sat on the steps outside. The door gods and Spring Festival couplets were bought last year during the New Year.

There used to be a snot-nosed kid who vowed to hang the Spring Festival couplets he wrote on a certain house in Mud Bottle Lane.

At that time, that person must have been very happy, so he vigorously rubbed the snot-nosed kid’s head, saying this year…