On the declining mountain, the young mountain master had embarked on a distant journey, and the old man of the second floor had also departed, leaving the bamboo building unoccupied.

Recently, Chen Lingjun had ceased his aimless wandering, frequently taking a seat at the stone table by the cliff.

He was well aware that he was the least liked individual on the mountain, far inferior to the Cao lineage’s scholarly little fire serpent in diligence and wit, and not even as endearing as the simple-minded Zhou Mili. Cen Yuanji, brought to the mountain by Zhu Lian, possessed decent aptitude and could endure the hardships of boxing practice, leading a busy and fulfilling life each day. Shi Rou managed a shop in the town, earning meager profits, but ultimately contributing to the mountain’s coffers. She also enjoyed a good relationship with Pei Qian, who would visit her whenever she had free time, ostensibly to prevent Shi Rou from embezzling, but in reality, fearing she might feel neglected by the mountain.

Only Chen Lingjun, burdened by pride and self-inflicted suffering, did everything and said everything wrong.

After three spirit banquets, the river deity brothers had become increasingly polite to him, a courtesy that only made Chen Lingjun more dejected. The flattery was so excessive that it made him uncomfortable.

He preferred the days in the water mansion, drinking from large bowls and feasting on meat, exchanging crude words and playful insults.

However, Chen Lingjun was not a fool and could see many things.

For instance, once Senior Cui departed for that lotus blessed land, he would certainly never return.

Yet, Chen Lingjun could not even bring himself to say farewell. When the old scholar left with Pei Qian, he could only sit here in a daze, pretending to know nothing.

Early in the morning, it was usually the time for Pei Qian to ascend the stairs and receive her daily fists.

But now, the bamboo building stood silent.

Chen Lingjun lay sprawled on the table, a pile of melon seeds snatched from Chen Ruchu before him. The warm sunshine made him feel listless, unable even to crack open a seed.

He wondered if he should go to the mountain gate and spar with Brother Da Feng. Brother Da Feng still possessed a strong sense of camaraderie, although his vulgar jokes were too convoluted, requiring much pondering afterward to grasp their meaning.

Chen Lingjun turned his gaze towards the residences, the old cook gone from the mountain, Pei Qian also absent. Cen Yuanji, unable and unwilling to cook, had Chen Ruchu prepare a large assortment of pastries and snacks. Zhou Mili, a small water spirit, did not even require sustenance, leaving the mountain without the comforting aroma of cooking. Amidst layers of peach and plum blossoms, the dwellings stood like sparks of humanity in the clouds.

Chen Lingjun felt that with fewer people and everyone occupied, the mountain had lost much of its warmth.

He shifted his gaze to the second floor of the bamboo building, feeling a sense of melancholy.

When the old man was around, he always felt uneasy. Chen Lingjun knew he could never withstand two punches from the old man. But now that he was gone, there was an emptiness in his heart.

Chen Lingjun sighed heavily, reaching for a melon seed, intending to chew it without peeling, just to relieve his boredom.

Then, Chen Lingjun froze, gently placing the seed back down, subtly shifting his body, and slowly turning his head towards the cliff.

Unexpectedly, the azure-robed scholar, appearing out of thin air, smiled at him.

Chen Lingjun swallowed hard, stood up, and bowed, “Chen Lingjun greets the Imperial Preceptor.”

Cui Chan, the Embroidered Tiger of Great Li.

A formidable figure who could crush him with a finger.

With Chen Pingan absent from the mountain, the old man gone from the bamboo building, and Zhu Lian and Wei Bo in the Central Sacred Continent, Chen Lingjun had no backing at the moment!

Cui Chan smiled and said, “Carry on with your business.”

Chen Lingjun glanced at the bluestone path leading from the bamboo building to the residences, feeling uneasy. He excused himself and, surprisingly, scaled down the stone cliff, choosing this route to distance himself from the Imperial Preceptor for safety.

Cui Chan, recalling the expression of the azure-clad little serpent as he looked at the bamboo building, smiled.

He conceived a small plan, casually implemented without much fanfare.

In the mountains west of Dragon Spring County, there was a temporarily occupied mountain suitable for the dwelling of dragons.

Cui Chan stood in the second-floor corridor, quietly awaiting someone’s arrival.

A white rainbow streaked from the distant horizon, its momentum like the thunder of spring, rapidly approaching.

Regardless of the rules established by Ruan Qiong.

Cui Chan shook his head, sighing inwardly, grateful that he had informed Ruan Qiong beforehand.

A white-robed youth with a mole between his eyebrows, holding a common green bamboo staff, appeared weary and travel-worn.

Cui Dongshan landed on the ground floor, his eyes bloodshot, and angrily shouted, “You old bastard, are you always busy eating shit? Couldn’t you have stopped Grandpa from going to that blessed land?!”

Cui Chan retorted, “Even if I stopped him, so what?”

Cui Dongshan’s face turned ashen, “Stopping him for one day is one day. Couldn’t you wait for me to arrive?! Then you can get the hell out of here as far as you can!”

Cui Chan remained indifferent.

Cui Dongshan abruptly calmed down, took a deep breath, “Grandpa’s scholarship, martial arts, and conduct have always been unyielding. The only time he yielded was for us two idiotic grandsons! This one step back, and it’s all over. The eleventh realm of martial arts is gone! Without the eleventh realm, he will die!”

Cui Chan said, “Also for your master, and this mountain.”

Cui Dongshan stepped back, sat down heavily at the stone table, supported himself with the bamboo staff, lowered his head, and gritted his teeth.

Unable to sit still, Cui Dongshan stood up and paced back and forth, walking rapidly.

Cui Chan, watching the agitated figure, slowly said, “You are inferior to me, you can’t even understand what Grandpa truly cares about and why he made such a choice. What’s the point of coming? Is there any meaning? Letting you go to the lotus blessed land, finding Grandpa, what’s the use? Perhaps there’s a little use, which is to make Grandpa leave uneasily.”

Cui Dongshan stopped, his eyes sharp, “Cui Chan! Watch your words!”

Cui Chan said, “Cui Dongshan, you should grow up and become more sensible. Just because you have re-entered the upper five realms doesn’t mean you are qualified to cause a ruckus here.”
Cui Dongshan gently sat down, clutching his emerald bamboo staff, no longer glancing at the second floor. He muttered to himself, “That struggle for third and fourth place, why did Grandpa insist on participating? And why did he seem to lose his mind? Wasn’t it our fault? Grandpa was a scholar, always hoping we’d become true scholars. All his life’s learning, the very foundation of his knowledge, stemmed from the lineage of the Second Sage. Why, in the heart of the Central Earth Continent, did he have to fiercely defend our lineage of the Literary Sage? And why did we so brazenly betray our teachers and ancestors, further disappointing Grandpa?”

Cui Chan slammed his hand on the railing, finally erupting in fury, “Ask me?! Ask Heaven and Earth, ask your conscience!”

Cui Dongshan’s eyes were vacant, his hands gripping the walking staff tightly. “I’m a bit tired. I don’t have the energy to ask anymore.”

Cui Dongshan recalled when he was a child, forced by that strict and old-fashioned man to visit mountains and ascend to great heights. The journey was long and arduous, causing the child immense suffering.

Once, the old man climbed the stairs, completely ignoring the sweat-drenched child behind him, focused only on his ascent.

The old man seemed to intentionally provoke his grandson, not only walking far ahead but also loudly reciting the poems of a famous Central Earth literary giant, proclaiming, “That noble integrity resembles yours in youth, alas, I wish to speak but lack a giant brush like a long lever!”

The child memorized that poem thoroughly. Later, the child grew up, and the young man, filled with youthful pride, left home and became a disciple of the old scholar. The old scholar inexplicably became the Literary Sage, and the young man inexplicably became the Sage’s first disciple. He finally had the chance to meet that revered Confucian Sage of the Central Earth Continent, but at that time, the young man, more spirited than any of his peers, only held one thought in his heart: one day, he would return to his hometown and tell his grandfather about it, saying that the man you admired, in terms of essays, lost to your grandson, and in chess, he lost so badly he nearly snapped off his beard.

But in this life, he had accumulated so many words in his heart. When he could speak, he didn’t want to say much, and when he wanted to speak, he couldn’t say them anymore.

From afar, the morning bell of Longquan County City echoed, carrying across the distance.

With the ringing of the bell, the city gates would open, and the people would begin their work until the evening drum signaled the end, and families would gather together, full of joy and harmony.

Yu Chun County, near the foot of the newly established Great Li Central Sacred Mountain, was a small to medium-sized county. In the old Zhu Ying Dynasty, it wasn’t considered a wealthy area. Its literary and martial fortunes were mediocre, and its feng shui was unremarkable, failing to benefit from the majestic Purple Peak Mountain. The new Governor, Wu Yuan, was a newcomer. It was said that he had been a county governor in Great Li proper, which was considered a lateral transfer. However, those clever in officialdom knew that Governor Wu was undoubtedly being demoted. Once he was far from the court’s gaze, he lost the possibility of quickly rising to the central core of the Great Li Dynasty. Officials dispatched to vassal states were not even promoted by one rank, clearly indicating a sidelined, disappointed man, likely due to offending someone.

However, even if Governor Wu’s career was dim, he was still a native of Great Li and young. Therefore, the Liang Province Inspector, to which Yu Chun County belonged, secretly instructed the officials of Yu Chun County to treat Wu Yuan with courtesy. If he took any actions of “burning three fires” upon taking office, even if they were against local customs, they had to be tolerated. Fortunately, Governor Wu had been mostly inactive since taking office, simply making his appearances on time. He delegated all large and small matters to the old hands in the yamen. Many opportunities to show his face were given to the older, more experienced officials, and the atmosphere was harmonious. However, such a soft and compliant nature inevitably led to his subordinates looking down on him.

This day, the young governor sat in the yamen as usual, his desk piled high with local county records and topographical maps, slowly reading them and occasionally writing something.

Wu Yuan sensed something and looked up, seeing a familiar face leaning against the yamen’s doorway. Wu Yuan’s spirits lifted, and he smiled, standing up and bowing, “Mountain Lord has arrived, I failed to greet you properly.”

It was Wei Bo, who had removed his illusion.

Wei Bo crossed the threshold and smiled, “Governor Wu is a bit ungenerous. For the previous night banquet, you only sent a congratulatory note.”

Wu Yuan frankly laughed, “My salary is meager. Supporting myself takes one or two-tenths of it, buying books takes five or six-tenths, and with the remaining silver each month, I painstakingly save because I have my eye on an ancient inkstone from the neighboring Yun Xing County. I truly can’t pretend to be rich, so I thought the journey was long, and Mountain Lord wouldn’t bother to come and question me. I never expected that Mountain Lord Wei would be so persistent and actually come.”

Wei Bo twisted his wrist, and an old Banana Leaf Inkstone, renowned in the old Zhu Ying Dynasty, appeared in his hand, gently placed on the desk. “Governor Wu is ungenerous, but I, Wei Bo, am very different. I traveled a great distance to reminisce about old times and didn’t forget to detour and purchase a gift.”

Wu Yuan leaned over, gazing at the lovely and dear ancient inkstone, reaching out to gently stroke its texture, exclaiming in surprise, “Good heavens, it’s taken from the first-class Banana Leaf Inkstone at the bottom of the Green Dragon Pit! The key is that our Great Li general stationed there has already sealed this old pit, dispatching warriors to specifically guard it, clearly indicating that it will soon become a tribute item for our Emperor’s use. Therefore, the few remaining ancient inkstones from this pit on the market are becoming increasingly expensive. Even if I’m governor for a hundred years, I might not be able to save enough money.”

Wu Yuan reluctantly withdrew his gaze, looking at the white-robed deity, and asked with a smile, “Mountain Lord, just speak your mind. With this priceless Banana Leaf Inkstone, I guarantee I will tell you everything I know.”

Wei Bo said, “What about Jin Qing, the Mountain Lord of the Central Sacred Mountain?”

Jin Qing, the Mountain Lord of the newly established Great Li Central Sacred Mountain, was once the foremost mountain god of the Zhu Ying Dynasty. Halfway up the mountain, there was a naturally formed Sword Washing Pool, where many sword cultivators came to temper their blades. Jin Qing often secretly protected them, so he had a good relationship not only with the Zhu Ying Dynasty, where sword cultivators were the most numerous in the continent, but also with many Golden Core sword cultivators across the continent. Among them, Mountain Lord Jin Qing and Li Tuanjing of the Wind Thunder Garden had a close relationship, known throughout the world. Li Tuanjing traveled through the Zhu Ying Dynasty in his early years and had many conflicts, angering a Northern Sacred Mountain deity. There was a dangerous moment, and Jin Qing was willing to offend two fellow mountain lords of the North and South Sacred Mountains to insist on escorting Li Tuanjing, who was only a Dragon Gate realm cultivator at the time, safely out of the dynasty.

Wu Yuan laughed heartily, turned around, and drew a stack of papers written in neat small script from his desk, handing them to Wei Bo. “It’s all written up there.”

Wei Bo lowered his head and flipped through the contents of the paper, tutting, “Along the way, the local people said that Yu Chun County has a ‘parent official’ that no one can see. It turns out Governor Wu hasn’t been idle.”

Hearsay and rumors are of little value and can easily lead to mistakes.
Wu Yuan’s writings detailed the historical actions undertaken by Mount Heng of the Central March and its Mountain Lord, Jin Qing.

Wei Bo carefully reviewed the papers, each entry detailing Jin Qing’s specific actions during various dynasties and reigns. Alongside these records were Wu Yuan’s annotations, reflecting his perspective as an observer examining historical records. Wu Yuan also included popular rumors and legends, marking them with “mythical” or “supernatural” tags.

After quickly finishing the stack of papers, Wei Bo returned them to Wu Yuan, smiling, “The gift wasn’t given in vain.”

Wei Bo glanced at the pile of papers on the desk. “Oh, what a coincidence, Lord Wu is researching the origins of Yunxing Prefecture’s numerous inkstone quarries? Planning to publish a book? For the prefect of Yu Chun Prefecture to secretly profit from Yunxing’s specialties seems a bit unbecoming, wouldn’t you say?”

Wu Yuan candidly replied, “With nothing else to do, I wanted to use this small matter as a starting point to understand the court changes of the Zhu Ying Dynasty. The secret archives of the fallen imperial palace are already sealed, and I have no access. So I can only find another way.”

Wei Bo nodded, praising, “It’s a pity Lord Wu wasn’t appointed as the new inspector of our Dragon Province.”

Wu Yuan chuckled, “Rewards and punishments should be as they are. I am already content with keeping my position as prefect, without offending certain important figures in the court or blocking anyone’s path. It’s a blessing in disguise, one might say. I’m happy to be here, away from the noise.”

Wei Bo didn’t linger long. Wu Yuan said, “Now that you’re leaving your territory, Mountain Lord, you’ll surely visit Xu Ruo, correct? It’s best to visit the Central Mount Shrine first, before seeing an old friend.”

Wei Bo nodded. “That’s the plan. I was in seclusion at Pi Yun Mountain, and Mr. Xu helped guard the area. When I was about to succeed, he quietly left and returned to your Mount Che Zi. Such a great favor deserves a personal expression of gratitude.”

Wu Yuan smiled. “Then I’ll trouble the Mountain Lord to leave quickly and not delay my appreciation of ancient inkstones.”

Wei Bo laughed and departed, his figure dissolving.

In fact, when Wei Bo left the ferry and appeared in Yunxing Prefecture, the majestic divine statue in the Central Mount Shrine on the mountain peak had already opened its golden eyes. However, Mountain Lord Jin Qing chose to ignore the visit of the white-robed deity.

When Wei Bo appeared at the foot of the mountain, in Yu Chun Prefecture, Jin Qing strode out of the golden statue. He was a tall, robust man in purple robes and jade belt. The shrine was filled with fervent worshippers, but none could see this scene.

Jin Qing walked through the crowd of pious men and women in the hall, crossed the threshold, and with a single step, arrived directly at the relatively quiet peak of Mount Che Zi’s secondary peak.

The various Five Mountains of the world are rarely isolated peaks; they usually encompass vast territories and continuous mountain ranges. Mount Che Zi, for example, consists of eight peaks, with the main peak revered as the origin of all mountains in the central territory of the Zhu Ying Dynasty. The Central Mount Shrine, a place of worship for emperors and commoners throughout the ages, was built on the summit.

The secondary peak, named Die Zhang Peak, has no Taoist temples or monasteries. It was Jin Qing’s earliest mountain god palace, now maintained by several mountain god attendants, without a presiding mountain god.

When it was first built, Jin Qing wasn’t yet the Mountain Lord of the Central March. Mount Che Zi was already the ancient Central Mount of the Zhu Ying Dynasty. After the old Mountain Lord’s golden body crumbled, the authority to oversee the mountain was passed to Jin Qing. At the time, a powerful minister of the Zhu Ying Dynasty had built a thatched hut on the north slope of Die Zhang Peak, where he studied and practiced martial arts for many years.

Jin Qing’s expression was indifferent as he looked down upon the earth and mountains.

All human affairs were fleeting clouds.

Jin Qing shifted his gaze to the Feng Long Peak’s Old Lord Cave, where the Moist chivalrous hero Xu Ruo resided alone. He was said to be cultivating diligently, but the mountain and water deities of Mount Che Zi knew that Xu Ruo was monitoring the Central March. Compared to the chaotic battles raging at the new Eastern March’s Qi Mountain, where countless cultivators died, Mount Che Zi had seen very little bloodshed. Jin Qing only knew that Xu Ruo had left the territory twice. The most recent time was to Pi Yun Mountain, to guard Wei Bo’s seclusion. The first time was a mystery. Afterwards, Jin Qing had expected a certain old sword immortal, a linchpin of the Zhu Ying Dynasty, to appear, but he never did. Jin Qing wasn’t sure if Xu Ruo had something to do with it.

If Xu Ruo had indeed stopped that old sword immortal…

As the Mountain Lord of Bao Ping Continent, Jin Qing would feel somewhat relieved.

No one could discern the depth of Xu Ruo’s cultivation; there was no definitive answer. If Ruan Qiong of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect was the most famous fifth realm cultivator in Bao Ping Continent, then Xu Ruo was the most secretive. The only clue was a fleeting mention after Wei Jin of the Wind and Snow Temple challenged Celestial Lord Xie Shi, stating that someone with a horizontal sword at the back could have prevented Wei Jin from winning.

Even with Xu Ruo cultivating right under Jin Qing’s nose, Mountain Lord Jin Qing still felt as he did back then, like a mortal gazing into an abyss, unable to see the bottom.

Jin Qing glanced at the Yu Chun Prefecture magistrate’s office, a cold smile forming on his lips.

As expected, the Mountain Lord of the Northern March met with Wu Yuan and was planning to thank Xu Ruo at Feng Long Peak first.

He would have more confidence when he came to see him next.

Jin Qing frowned.

The next moment, a white figure descended, appearing on Die Zhang Peak, and slowly approached Jin Qing. The figure smiled. “Greetings, Mountain Lord Jin. I apologize for the intrusion.”

Jin Qing said, “We are both Mountain Lord deities, the Five Mountains are different. No need for such formalities. Speak your business, or leave.”

Wei Bo nodded. “That’s for the best. I came to Mount Che Zi to remind you, Jin Qing, not to act so much like the Mountain Lord of the Central March. The Northern March isn’t happy.”

Jin Qing didn’t look at the elegant white-robed deity, only gazing into the distance, asking, “And what if the Northern March isn’t happy?”

Wei Bo lightly tapped the golden ring on his ear, smiling. “Then the Central March might have to close its mountains.”

Jin Qing turned his head. “Do you have a secret edict from the Emperor of Da Li? Or are you carrying a decree from the Ministry of Rites?”

Wei Bo nodded. “Of course…”

Then shook his head, adding, “Neither.”

Jin Qing held out a hand, mocking. “So Mountain Lord Wei is just acting on a whim?”

Wei Bo truly acted on a whim.

The Northern March’s luck, vast as mountains and seas, surged wildly towards the central region of the continent, with the force of a rainbow, from south to north, like Da Li’s iron cavalry in the clouds.

It was clear that this wasn’t just a performance to intimidate.
Jin Qing knew that once the mountains and rivers’ Qi and luck of the two sacred peaks collided, it would be a disaster of immense proportions. He could no longer restrain himself and angrily shouted, “Wei Bo! Consider the consequences!”

Wei Bo, with his hands clasped behind his back, chuckled, “You should address me as Mountain Lord Wei.”

Jin Qing wasted no more words. The main peak of Mount Chezi, the Central Peak Shrine, manifested a colossal divine golden body. It raised its arm high, sweeping through the sea of clouds, intending to strike Mount Diezhang with a single palm.

Behind Wei Bo, atop Mount Diezhang, an equally towering golden body stood proudly. Even though it was not within its own mountain’s territory, Wei Bo’s divine manifestation was still fifty zhang taller than the Central Peak deity.

Wei Bo’s manifestation of the Northern Peak spirit, revealed through his innate divine ability, seized the Central Peak deity’s arm with one hand and pressed down on the latter’s head with the other. Then, with a heavy stomp, he directly forced Jin Qing’s golden body to stagger backward, almost collapsing towards the Sealed Dragon Peak behind Mount Chezi. Not relenting, Wei Bo’s giant manifestation had a golden halo suspended behind him. He reached back, grasped the golden ring, and prepared to smash it down on the Central Peak deity’s head.

Both sides were still somewhat restrained, the golden bodies having already materialized into an ethereal state. Otherwise, countless structures on the three peaks of Mount Chezi would have been destroyed.

Just then, from the Old Lord’s Cave on Sealed Dragon Peak, an unassuming man emerged from a thatched hut, holding his sword in a strange posture behind his back. He seemed somewhat helpless, shaking his head and reaching out to grip the hilt of the sword behind him, gently drawing it a few inches from its scabbard.

In that instant, a mountain range stretched between the two mountain deities’ golden bodies.

He advised, “If you two Mountain Lords truly cannot see eye to eye, it would be better to choose a more civilized method of contention. Otherwise, rolling up your sleeves and fighting would be a disgrace to your dignity, and would give Mountain Lords Qi and Ganzhou a reason to laugh. I, Xu Ruo, would also be suspected of failing to protect my mountain.”

Jin Qing’s face was somber as he withdrew his golden body manifestation.

Wei Bo also retracted his towering deity.

However, the Northern Peak’s momentum of Qi and luck descending southward to “collide” with the mountain remained undiminished.

Jin Qing questioned, “Wei Bo, I advise you to know when to stop!”

Wei Bo retorted, “Jin Qing, if you continue to act according to your old ways, you will not be able to safeguard the peace and tranquility of this old land. The Dali Dynasty is not foolish; they are well aware that you, Jin Qing, have never truly submitted. If you cannot understand this, then I might as well help Dali replace you with another Mountain Lord. Frankly, I find you extremely unpleasant. Xu Ruo’s intervention once was already showing you considerable leniency.”

Jin Qing turned to look north. At the border where the two peaks met, there were already ominous signs of wind and rain.

Jin Qing dejectedly asked, “Tell me, what must the Central Peak do for you to withdraw the Northern Peak’s feng shui?”

Wei Bo chuckled, “You do not even show the slightest respect for the Northern Peak. How can you be truly loyal to the Dali Dynasty? Do you think everyone in the Dali court is a three-year-old child? Do I have to teach you what to do? Bring generous gifts, go to Mount Piyun, bow your head and admit your mistakes, and offer your apologies!”

Xu Ruo rubbed his forehead. Having such friends was truly unfortunate.

Jin Qing questioned with confusion, “Is that all?”

Wei Bo countered, “What else? Besides, you are already in the territory of the Northern Peak. How far is it from the Dali capital? A few steps, is it not? As long as the Central Peak’s territory remains stable, the Dali Dynasty is not insane enough to deliberately start a massacre here. Are you truly unaware that your ambiguous stance, seemingly loyal to both sides, will give many surviving subjects of the fallen kingdom hope that their valiant deaths might awaken you, ultimately leading you to rise up with them? If you, Jin Qing, truly intend to do so, then you are a worthy man. If you are unwilling, willing to bear the infamy, and desire to protect the people’s peace and stability, then why are you being so pretentious?”

Jin Qing remained silent, his expression somber.

Wei Bo said, “When you return to Mount Piyun, do not forget the gifts. A heavy gift signifies a heavy heart.”

After saying that, Wei Bo left Mount Diezhang and went to the thatched hut outside the Old Lord’s Cave on Sealed Dragon Peak.

Xu Ruo stood at the doorway, arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe, and said unhappily, “Mountain Lord Wei, is this how you repay me? Not only did you come empty-handed, but you also caused such a ruckus?”

Wei Bo stamped his foot and lamented, “Truly, great kindness is unrewarded!”

Xu Ruo stretched out his hands and vigorously rubbed his cheeks. “To be a Mountain Lord to this extent is truly unique among the mountain and river deities of the Great World.”

Wei Bo’s eyes were resentful as he said, “It’s just like a skinny horse with long hair, a poor man with limited ambitions.”

Xu Ruo smiled, casually pointing with his hand, “Get lost, quickly.”

Wei Bo smiled and said, “As you command!”

And then he left.

Xu Ruo thought for a moment, then rode the wind to Mount Diezhang. Mountain Lord Jin Qing stood there, his expression solemn.

Xu Ruo did not say anything.

Jin Qing suddenly recited, “The sun blazes, the people climb, a thousand pull the ropes, a hundred wield the axes, bonfires hang below, to extract this treasure.”

Xu Ruo knew what the Mountain Lord was talking about, referring to the historical event of the Zhu Ying Dynasty’s chiseling of mountains to extract water in pursuit of famous inkstones.

And Jin Qing, in his former life, was precisely a quarryman by trade. Some say he accidentally drowned, while others say he was whipped to death by supervising officials. After his death, his resentment did not dissipate, yet he did not become a vengeful ghost. Instead, he became a local hero, protecting the mountains and rivers. Finally, he was valued for his character by the old Mountain Lord of Chezi and gradually promoted to the mountain deity of Diezhang Peak.

Xu Ruo slowly said, “There is no ruler in the world with clean hands. It would be unfair to judge a monarch’s gains and losses solely based on pure benevolence and morality. Regarding the affairs of the state, the well-being of the people, and the happiness of the common folk, we, the various schools of thought, each have our own measuring stick, and there will be considerable differences. You, Jin Qing, as a deity, have never lost your humanity and conscience. I have seen this and deeply respect it.”

Xu Ruo smiled slightly, “However, the affairs of the world are complex, and it is inevitable that one must act against one’s will. I do not advise you on what you must do, whether you agree to Wei Bo’s request or reject his good intentions. You are worthy of your position as the Mountain Lord of Mount Chezi. If you wish, I can leave this place soon. If you do not wish to compromise in such a way, I am willing to personally offer a complete sword strike to shatter your golden body completely, never allowing others to humiliate you, Jin Qing, and Mount Chezi.”

Jin Qing turned his head and laughed, “Your complete sword strike, Xu Ruo, has great killing power?”

Xu Ruo nodded, “Years of nourishing the sword, extremely lethal.”

Jin Qing laughed, “Then let someone else experience that sword strike. My Mount Chezi cannot afford it.”

Xu Ruo hesitated for a moment, then reminded, “When visiting Mount Piyun, the gifts need not be too extravagant.”

Jin Qing cursed with a smile, “So you are all the same!”

Xu Ruo clasped his fist and smiled, “I have disturbed you for a long time. When you arrive in the capital, remember to let me know. I will treat the Mountain Lord to a drink.”
Jin Qing nodded slowly, then inquired, “Did Mister Xu initially intend to visit my Chezi Mountain?”

Xu Ruo halted his steps, responding calmly, “You and I are here ultimately to reduce casualties. However, if you press for the reason why the Mohists chose Dali, causing so many deaths on Baoping Continent, I cannot answer you yet. But please, Mountain Lord, keep a close watch.”

Jin Qing remained silent.

Instead of returning to Fenglong Peak, Xu Ruo departed Chezi Mountain, riding the wind towards the northern capital of Dali.

He disliked wielding a sword.

Because Xu Ruo always believed that the sword and the swordsman should be equals.

The Yu Pu Realm sword immortal of the Zhu Ying Dynasty, who had been in seclusion for many years, attempted to assassinate Cao Ping, the newly appointed patrolling envoy of Dali. Before he could even make his move, he was already dead.

In truth, the man did not need to die. Xu Ruo had only intended to grievously wound him.

The aging man, who had spent a century in seclusion yet failed to break through, refused to be taken prisoner, let alone join forces with his enemy, the Song family. Therefore, after breaking his sword, with no chance of victory, he resigned himself to his fate. He even chuckled, saying that he knew from the start his plan was doomed, and to die at the hands of Xu Ruo, the premier Mohist swordsman, was not too much of a loss.

Xu Ruo then made an exception and spoke of one thing.

Within a continent, the emperors, generals, kings, dukes, merchants, and commoners would all perish, and twilight would fall, with no smoke rising from the cooking fires.

Upon hearing this, the old man felt only sorrow before his death.

Pei Qian sat on a bench, looking around. The small house and courtyard were just as she remembered, almost giving her the illusion that she and Cao Qinglang were still the same as they were back then. That she had only been asked by her Shifu to fetch a bucket of water from the well. Then she came back and met Cao Qinglang, just like that.

The spring couplets pasted on the courtyard gate, she had stared at them a hundred times while waiting for Cao Qinglang outside. The calligraphy was good, but not so good that she felt ashamed of her own.

Cao Qinglang looked at the dark-skinned girl. He had many questions to ask her. Why hadn’t she grown taller after all these years away? Now, just comparing their heights, there was at least a head’s difference. Why was she suddenly carrying a bamboo box and wearing bamboo swords? How was Master Chen doing on his travels?

Pei Qian took off the bamboo box and placed it behind her. She laid her walking stick across her lap, sat up straight, and stared ahead, not looking at Cao Qinglang. She cut straight to the chase, “Do you know that my Shifu actually wanted to take you away from Lotus Flower Blessed Land back then, and didn’t want to take me at all?”

Cao Qinglang hesitated for a moment, not rushing to answer. He smiled and asked, “Did Mister Chen accept you as his disciple?”

Pei Qian’s eyes shone brightly, like the sun and moon illuminating the sky. She nodded solemnly, “Yes! I’ve traveled thousands of miles with my Shifu, and he never abandoned me!”

Cao Qinglang gently clenched his fists and placed them on his knees, smiling tenderly. “Although it’s a pity that Mister Chen didn’t take me away from here, I think it’s a wonderful thing that you followed Mister Chen on a journey of ten thousand miles. I envy you very much.”

Pei Qian was silent.

Cao Qinglang turned his head and asked, “Does Mister Chen still ask you to fetch water, and wash the streets while carrying the buckets?”

Pei Qian turned her head sharply, about to get angry, but seeing the smile in Cao Qinglang’s eyes, she felt as if she had all the martial arts skill in the world, fists weighing a hundred pounds, but was facing a ball of cotton, unable to exert any strength. She snorted coldly, folded her arms across her chest, and said, “You idiot, what do you know? I’ve learned ten thousand skills from Shifu now. I never slack off. Not only do I copy books and learn to read every day, but I also practice martial arts and boxing. Whether Shifu is here or not, it’s always the same.”

Cao Qinglang pretended to understand, “I see.”

Pei Qian felt a little frustrated. Why did Cao Qinglang still look so unpleasant after all these years? And compared to the timid and taciturn boy from back then, he seemed to have gotten bolder.

Pei Qian’s eyes lit up and asked, “Iron flowers embroidering rocky cliffs, killing intent silencing frogs and toads, have you heard of this poem?”

Cao Qinglang shook his head.

He was now half a cultivator. Even if he read ten lines at a glance, he could remember them all. He had also loved reading since he was a child. As time went on, the teacher Zhong Qiu was willing to lend him books. Before this world was divided, Mister Lu would often send him books from other places. Cao Qinglang wasn’t bragging, but he had read quite a lot.

Pei Qian asked again, “Do you know how to write the character 黽 (mǐn)?”

Cao Qinglang smiled and held out a finger, writing the character 黽 in the air, explaining in detail, “Confucian classics record that in the month of Zhongqiu, the cold air is strong and the Yang energy weakens, hence the name ‘killing intent.’ 蛙黽 (wā mǐn) refers to the sound of frogs. Ancient sages had the saying ‘palm goes, frog and toad cease.’ I also once heard a teacher jokingly say, ‘Poetry and lyrics discuss literary talent, like to seek their ancestors from the bold Su Shi and the delicate Liu Yong.’ That teacher then clapped his fan and laughed, saying, ‘I laugh loudly, like frogs and toads croaking, a small victory like a parrot learning to speak.'”

Pei Qian remained calm, her face expressionless. “So you know after all.”

The essence of this statement lies in the word “after all.”

Cao Qinglang was not deliberately showing off his diverse knowledge. He just wanted to know what kind of person Pei Qian was now. It was strange, Pei Qian seemed to have changed a lot, but in many ways, she hadn’t.

Pei Qian suddenly said, “The last time we met, I actually wanted to beat you to death because I was afraid you would steal my Shifu. Shifu has always been concerned about you, not the kind of concern he talks about. Except when he’s drinking, Shifu will say a little more of what’s on his mind. Most of the time, Shifu would just stare into the distance, spacing out. At those moments, Shifu’s eyes would be whispering secrets, so I knew that Shifu missed you, and always wanted to keep you by his side, so you wouldn’t be alone and lonely in Lotus Flower Blessed Land, and afraid you would suffer.”

Pei Qian hesitated for a moment, grabbing her walking stick with both hands, her knuckles turning white, the veins on the back of her hand bulging, and slowly said, “I’m sorry!”

Cao Qinglang nodded gently. “I accept your apology, because it’s not right for you to think that way. But you had that thought, but you were able to hold back and guard your heart, and ultimately didn’t act on it, so I think that’s good. So you don’t have to worry about me stealing your Shifu. Since Mister Chen has accepted you as his disciple, if one day you don’t even have that thought anymore, then don’t even mention me, Cao Qinglang, I reckon no one in the world will be able to steal Mister Chen.”

Pei Qian exclaimed loudly, “It’s the first disciple, not just any disciple!”

Cao Qinglang said helplessly, “Alright, alright, amazing, amazing.”

Pei Qian squinted at him and slowly said, “You mute gourd, are you really not angry?”
Cao Qinglang propped himself up on his elbows, looking at Pei Qian with a furious expression, like a door god on a small courtyard gate, eyes wide open as he gazed upon the mortal world. “I am very angry!”

Pei Qian twitched her lips. “How childish.”

Cao Qinglang asked, “Did you come to the Nanyuan Kingdom alone this time? Did Mr. Chen not come?”

Pei Qian shook her head, sullenly saying, “I came to the Nanyuan Kingdom with an old man who taught me boxing. We walked a long way to get here.”

Cao Qinglang asked curiously, “Where is the old gentleman?”

Pei Qian turned her head, staring blankly in the direction of the Xinxiang Temple, without saying a word.

After a moment.

Cao Qinglang was a little frightened.

He saw Pei Qian, who was slightly taller and a little less of a little dark charcoal, with her mouth open, not crying out loud, but with tears and snot streaming down her face.

In an instant, Pei Qian stood up, her movements too hasty, knocking away the mountain staff placed across her knees. She didn’t care about it. Then the ground of the small courtyard shook with a thud, and Pei Qian’s figure disappeared in an instant.

Cao Qinglang couldn’t help but worry about her, so he rose like a flying sparrow, his green robe fluttering with large sleeves, above the roof ridge, following the thin figure in the distance.

Pei Qian landed outside the Xinxiang Temple corridor, looking at the old man with his eyes closed, and shouted angrily, “Old man, don’t sleep!”

Pei Qian stomped her foot on the ground, took a step back, and adopted an ancient and vigorous boxing stance, crying out, “Grandpa Cui, wake up and spar with me!”

Cao Qinglang stood behind Pei Qian. A middle-aged monk came over. Cao Qinglang put his hands together and apologized.

The abbot monk of Xinxiang Temple nodded lightly, lowered his head, put his hands together, chanted a Buddhist prayer, and slowly left.

Pei Qian maintained that boxing stance for a long time.

Cao Qinglang walked to Pei Qian’s side and gently pressed down on Pei Qian’s fist. “The old gentleman has already passed away.”

Cao Qinglang found that he couldn’t press down on that fist at all. Pei Qian said to herself, “Grandpa Cui, don’t sleep, let’s go home together! This is not our home. Our home is on Luopo Mountain!”

Cao Qinglang had already noticed Pei Qian’s abnormality and had no choice but to press down heavily on Pei Qian’s fist with one hand, and shouted softly, “Pei Qian!”

Pei Qian’s natural boxing intent was like hot charcoal burning Cao Qinglang’s palm. Cao Qinglang’s expression did not change at all. He moved his feet, like an immortal treading the Big Dipper, his two sleeves filled with breeze, and he formed a sword gesture with one hand behind his back. He actually forced Pei Qian’s fist down by more than an inch. Cao Qinglang said in a deep voice, “Pei Qian, do you still want to make the old gentleman leave unsettled and uneasy?!”

Interrupted by Cao Qinglang’s surging boxing intent that was like a waterfall flowing backward, Pei Qian seemed to wake up a bit, squatted down, and began to cry with her head in her hands, her eyes always fixed on the old man in the blue shirt sitting in the corridor.

The next moment, the blue-shirted old man, who was like death itself taking a deep slumber, seemed to be drawn by Pei Qian’s previous divine drum-like boxing intent. The silent boxing intent of a dead man came alive.

From Cui Cheng’s hands, which were gently folded in front of him, there appeared two clusters of dazzling light, like the sun and moon hanging in the sky. All the boxing intent of a peak tenth-realm martial artist, from his withered body, from his hundreds of bones and qi palaces, surged rapidly into those two clusters of light. Cao Qinglang was blinded by the light and had to close his eyes. Not only that, but he was also forced backward by the thick boxing intent that was about to collapse like a mountain. In the end, he leaned against the wall and could not move. The spiritual energy he had cultivated from his path of cultivation could not be gathered at all.

But that thick boxing intent, which even heaven and earth dared not restrain, had no effect on Pei Qian.

Pei Qian clenched her fists and stood up. A pearl hovered in front of her, and eventually surrounded Pei Qian, slowly spinning.

Another pearl shot straight into the sky and collided with the sky, shattering with a bang, like a rain of martial fortune falling on the Lotus Root Blessed Land.

This half of the martial fortune should have been obtained by Zhu Lian, following the old and the young, together into this new Lotus Root Blessed Land. After the old man died, Zhu Lian was a Distant Excursion Realm martial artist, the current number one martial artist in the world, and naturally could get a lot of it, but Zhu Lian refused.

Pei Qian dared not accept the pearl of martial fortune that the old man had specially left for her.

What if Grandpa Cui wasn’t dead? What if she accepted this gift, Grandpa Cui would really die?

Why must there be separations and deaths when she was young, and why must it be like this when she finally grew up?

Cao Qinglang looked at that back and said softly, “Even when it’s most painful, don’t deceive yourself. Gone is gone. All we can do is make ourselves live better.”

Pei Qian, with her back to Cao Qinglang, nodded lightly, and tremblingly stretched out her hand to hold the pearl of martial fortune.

Pei Qian turned to look at Cao Qinglang and said, “Grandpa Cui actually had a lot of things that he didn’t have time to say to Master.”

In the small temple, the melodious sound of the evening drum rang out.