Within the Spring Dew Garden Ancestral Hall, the atmosphere hung heavy with an unusual air. Several reclusive elders of Spring Dew Garden were present, their expressions somber, along with a few enshrined cultivators and honored guests.

However, some seemed to relish the unfolding drama, their moods surprisingly buoyant. Among them was Tang Xi, the master of the Night-Illuminating Grass Hall and the benefactor of the Golden Core ferryman, Song Lanqiao, who sat at the very end of the line. The old crone exchanged a subtle glance with Tang Xi, a hint of concealed amusement flickering in their eyes, a sight quite unusual given their traditionally distant relationship.

Sitting in the seat of honor, Tan Ling wore a far more complex expression.

Song Lanqiao had sent two urgent messages via flying sword to the Ancestral Hall. The first, a confidential missive, spoke of an unfathomable cultivator from afar, a handsome, white-robed youth of celestial bearing. This individual had arrived at Skull Beach aboard a HEMP Sect intercontinental ferry, then unleashed a storm of magical treasures upon Jingguan City. Both High Ascent Sect and the Ghost Domain Valley remained silent, seemingly wary of this newcomer. The second message elaborated that this person claimed to be a student of a young Sword Immortal, constantly referring to someone surnamed Chen as “Teacher.” Furthermore, Song Lanqiao conceded he was utterly powerless against this erratic figure.

Tan Ling had passed the two letters around for all to read. Once they were returned, he carefully tucked them into his sleeve and spoke, “I have already sent a message by flying sword to the HEMP Sect’s Wood Robe Mountain, inquiring about this individual’s origins. A response is still pending. Esteemed guests, what strategies do you suggest for Spring Dew Garden? We cannot solely rely on the HEMP Sect, as this person clearly maintains a cordial relationship with Wood Robe Mountain. Furthermore, I suspect that this ‘Teacher Chen’ is the sword cultivator who, last year in the Lotus Flower Kingdom, performed the sword offering alongside Sword Immortal Liu of the Grand Empyrean Sword Sect.”

Silence descended upon the hall, so profound that a pin drop could be heard.

Spring Dew Garden, by all accounts, was a top-tier force among the second-rate immortal families of the Northern Azure Continent, akin to Infant Mountain’s Thunder God’s Abode and Lion Peak. Renowned for its trustworthiness, vast network of friendships, and deep reserves of power, it only lacked a Jade Purity Realm Great Cultivator to serve as a cornerstone and ascend to the ranks of a true sect. Spring Dew Garden’s predicament stemmed from Tan Ling’s inability to break through the Nascent Soul bottleneck, forever barring him from reaching the upper five realms.

Now, faced with this pair of Teacher and Student, they seemed utterly at a loss.

Tan Ling pressed on, “Tang Xi, what is your assessment of this… Teacher Chen’s character?”

Even using that title caused Tan Ling some unease.

Tang Xi, seated closest to the Ancestral Hall’s entrance, gently caressed the armrest of his chair, carefully choosing his words before slowly responding, “His cultivation level is obscured, his origins shrouded in mist, but in business dealings, Teacher Chen is known for his fairness.”

Today marked the first time Tan Ling had earnestly sought Tang Xi’s opinion during a Spring Dew Garden Ancestral Hall council.

The old crone chuckled, “Young Master Chen is a man of reciprocity, a most principled young man. Perhaps some of you haven’t interacted with him and aren’t aware, but this old woman is quite fond of him. Young Master Chen has visited me twice, and I’ve received a spiritual artifact and Small Azure Jade tea cakes as gifts. Now, I’m worried about what gift to offer in return when he next ascends the mountain. We can’t let him make three trips empty-handed. As Young Master Chen himself said, ‘No more than three, or it all adds up.’ Sadly, my own coffers are meager; I fear I might embarrass Spring Dew Garden with a paltry offering.”

Her words were laden with hidden meanings, each phrase a veiled scheme.

Tan Ling’s smile deepened slightly, “Elder Sister Lin, there’s no need for concern. You may select a suitable gift from the Spring Dew Garden Ancestral Hall today.”

The old crone forced a smile, “Tan Ling, would that not cause Spring Dew Garden to incur a significant expense? It hardly seems appropriate, does it? This old woman could, in fact, scrape together enough immortal coins by selling off my paltry belongings and borrowing from that good-for-nothing disciple of mine, Song Lanqiao, to acquire a magical treasure.”

Tan Ling’s expression remained unchanged as he replied with a smile, “There’s no need to trouble Song Lanqiao. He has been diligently managing the ferry business for Spring Dew Garden for many years, which is already a considerable contribution.”

The old crone feigned surprise, “Sister Tan Ling, you are indeed a great Nascent Soul cultivator! Your memory is far superior to this useless Golden Core Sister of yours. This old woman almost forgot that she had such a Golden Core disciple who constantly toils away from home, Song Lanqiao.”

The old foxes within the Ancestral Hall perked up their ears, their senses heightened. Was this old crone trying to bring her disciple into the Ancestral Hall?

This was no trivial matter.

“Let us not speak of my disciple, the toiling one. He was never meant to enjoy the good life.”

Unexpectedly, the old crone swiftly changed the topic, making no mention of adding a seat to the Ancestral Hall. Instead, she turned her gaze to Tang Xi and slowly said, “Our Enshrined Tang is far more burdened than Song Lanqiao. Not only does he contribute hard work, but his merits are also great. Why then does he sit in the seat closest to the door? Half of Spring Dew Garden’s business comes from Night-Illuminating Grass Hall. If I recall correctly, the chairs in the Ancestral Hall were built with funds and effort from Night-Illuminating Grass Hall, were they not? We, who enjoy comfortable lives, must have a modicum of conscience. It seems to me, perhaps I should exchange seats with Tang Xi, and move to the one by the door, to avoid making things difficult for Sister Tan Ling and everyone else.”

Tang Xi immediately rose, cupped his fist, bowed deeply, and said in a deep voice, “Absolutely not! Tang is a merchant. My cultivation aptitude is utterly lacking. Although my business is substantial, it only thrives thanks to Spring Dew Garden. Tang is always aware of his own limitations. To be able to participate in discussions in the Ancestral Hall with everyone is already an act of overreaching. I would never dare to entertain any further presumptuous notions.”

The old crone muttered, “Tang Xi has only one daughter, and she is about to marry. The Wei family of the Ironclad Prefecture of the Great Viewing Dynasty, and even His Majesty, surely they must wonder if Tang Xi in the Spring Dew Garden Ancestral Hall, is merely a gatekeeper? Those casual comments, Tang Xi has a magnanimous heart, a great capacity, able to withstand them. But this old woman, even as an outsider, finds them distressing, truly distressing. This old woman has no grand gifts to offer, I can only exchange my seat with Tang Xi, and do my best to offer a small contribution.”

Spring Dew Garden indeed had an elder responsible for managing the finances, but Tang Xi was the undisputed god of wealth for Spring Dew Garden. Compared to the former’s reputation, Tang Xi was clearly more respected by those within and outside Spring Dew Garden.

The old crone repeatedly said Tang Xi’s name.

This was not disrespect, but rather an undisguised show of favor.

One of the elders overseeing the Ancestral Hall’s coffers, his face a mask of iron, sneered: “Weren’t we discussing countermeasures? How did we end up talking about Tang…”
“As for the marriage of Lord Feng’s daughter? If this ancestral hall, which is governed by strict rules, can be recklessly turned on its head, should we discuss the somber tea of the Bone Beach? Is it to your liking? Should the ancestral hall stock up a few pounds, so we can casually chat about trivial matters for seven or eight hours while sipping tea?”

The old woman smiled faintly, “In the eyes of Senior Gao, who holds immense power and influence, the marriage of Tang Xi’s only daughter and the private friendship between Chun Lu Pu and the Emperor of the Great View Dynasty are, of course, just trivial matters.”

The Chun Lu Pu elder responsible for finances slammed his hand heavily on the armrest of his chair, roaring, “Lin, stop muddying the waters here! Your little schemes are rattling like thunder. Do you truly think everyone present is blind and deaf?!”

The old woman let out a soft “Yo,” and mocked, “So they’re not.”

Tang Xi chuckled bitterly and began to calm his breathing and focus his mind. This new ally was a bit too impetuous. If he added fuel to the fire now, it would be counterproductive. It was better to wait and see what happened.

Tan Ling gently waved his hand, “These are naturally not small matters. Once we resolve this immediate crisis, we will discuss them, and it will be today. First, we will strive to determine the departure date of the two visitors. Second, during this period, how can we smoothly resolve any troublesome matters? As for whether we can capitalize on this opportunity, neither Tan Ling nor Chun Lu Pu desires or forces it. Finally, who should come forward? Everyone, put your heads together and offer a candidate, be it Song Lanqiao or someone else. I will also state my position upfront: regardless of the outcome, good or bad, Chun Lu Pu should commend this person for their efforts. If the result does not meet expectations, and anyone dares to criticize, rehash old issues, or make sarcastic remarks afterward, don’t blame me, Tan Ling, for invoking the ancestral laws.”

At this point, Tan Ling smiled, “If you believe it is necessary for me, Tan Ling, to personally negotiate, as long as it is the decision of the ancestral hall, I, Tan Ling, will not shirk my responsibility. If I fail to do well, and you have grievances, even if you openly reprimand me in the ancestral hall afterward, I, Tan Ling, as the master of this mountain, will humbly accept it.”

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Tang Xi was the first to leave the ancestral hall.

The remaining members of the ancestral hall quietly waited for news.

The old woman chuckled to herself, “Who acts, who cowers, is plain to see.”

These words…

Tan Ling frowned.

The old man flared with anger, “Lin Suo’e, say that again?!”

The old woman retorted, “Deaf?”

Tan Ling said sternly, “Gao Song, Lin Suo’e, both of you be quiet!”

The old man and the old woman huffed and smiled, but ultimately ceased their verbal sparring.

Tan Ling sighed inwardly. These two fellow disciples, who had once been on the verge of becoming immortal partners, had an entangled history of love and hate that could not be untangled.

A Chun Lu Pu retainer suddenly spoke up, “Mountain Lord Tan, should we use the divine ability of ‘Grasping and Observing Mountains and Rivers’ to check for any signs at Jade Glaze Cliff? If Tang Xi’s actions backfire, we can prepare in advance.”

The old woman chuckled, “We’ve already got a deaf one, and now we have a blind one.”

Tan Ling and the retainer both ignored Lin Suo’e’s sarcastic remarks. Tan Ling shook his head, “That would be inappropriate. The other party is at least an old nascent soul cultivator, and possibly even a Jade Purity Realm master. The nascent soul would be manageable, but if it’s a Jade Purity Realm master, even if I am careful, they will detect even the slightest clue. Then, Tang Xi’s trip to Jade Glaze Cliff will be fraught with peril.”

The old woman said in a strange tone, “Hasn’t Tang Xi always been an outsider to Chun Lu Pu? There are plenty of people in the ancestral hall who covet his family fortune. Tang Xi’s unjust death, using his assets to ward off disaster and appease Young Master Chen and his student’s displeasure, might even be a profitable venture for Chun Lu Pu.”

The retainer smiled wryly.

Tan Ling was extremely annoyed. He stood up, glaring at the old woman, whose words had been sharp as knives all day, “Lin Suo’e! Do you still want to help Song Lanqiao secure a place in the ancestral hall?!”

The old woman chuckled, “I won’t say it anymore, I won’t say it anymore. It’s just that I usually don’t have a say, and today, the sun is rising in the west, so I couldn’t help but say a little more. As long as my disciple can enter the ancestral hall, even if Song Lanqiao can only sit on a small stool by the door, acting as a lookout, I, Lin Suo’e, can guarantee here that I will remain silent as I always have been.”

After saying this, the old woman looked towards the gate of the ancestral hall.

Tan Ling had originally wanted to scold her a few times, lest Lin Suo’e take an inch and ask for a mile in the future, but when he saw the old woman’s withered face, he felt a pang of pity.

Besides, the Chun Lu Pu ancestral hall should have a few people willing to actually do things.

Tang Xi of the Night Illuminating Grass Cottage, Song Lanqiao, who had managed the ferries for many years, and Lin Suo’e, who had made a promise today, formed an alliance. Tan Ling felt that the emergence of this small faction within Chun Lu Pu was not entirely a bad thing.

Tang Xi did not ride the wind, but rather took a Chun Lu Pu talisman boat to Jade Glaze Cliff.

Even before stowing the talisman boat, Tang Xi had already spotted a young sword immortal in green robes and the white-robed youth picking up pebbles in the stream, truly a leisurely and refined scene.

Chen Ping’an had heard that Song Lanqiao’s ferry would arrive at Talisman Water Crossing tomorrow, so he and Cui Dongshan were simply waiting. They returned to the stream, picking through the stones in the water, listening to Cui Dongshan talk about his experiences on this intercontinental journey.

When he mentioned Bone Beach and Corpse Citadel, Chen Ping’an asked a question: Could Gao Cheng, with his cultivation and the troops of Corpse Citadel and its affiliated forces, uproot the thorn that was the Pi Ma Sect Sect Master, Zhu Quan, stationed in that small town, in one fell swoop?

Cui Dongshan did not hesitate, saying that it was very simple. If Zhu Quan was willing to survive, he could certainly slip away and return to Mount Muyi. However, according to Zhu Quan’s temperament, he would most likely fight to the death in Ghost Domain Valley, sacrificing his life and the formations of Green Reed Town to cripple Corpse Citadel, so that the next generation of Mount Muyi could grow, such as Du Wensi, the Golden Core bottleneck cultivator who had been stationed in Green Reed Town for many years, a direct disciple of the ancestral hall, the young Pang Lanxi.

However, Cui Dongshan also said that Gao Cheng seemed to view Zhu Quan with a different eye, and therefore was unwilling to tear up the relationship.

Chen Ping’an smiled and asked, “You’ve only been at Bone Beach for a short time. How do you know so much?”

Cui Dongshan smiled, “Observing the subtle to know the obvious is one of the few skills I possess.”

Then Cui Dongshan whispered, “I had some gains on this trip to the Northern Ju Lu Continent concerning Gao Cheng’s origins during his lifetime, and with the…”
The efforts of the Ma Sect have yielded Gao Cheng’s precise birth details, hometown origin, and ancestral tomb’s Feng Shui. These details, normally insignificant, wouldn’t trouble Jingguan City if pursued by an immortal cultivator from Beiju Luzhou; at best, it would be a mere tickle. But Gao Cheng’s misfortune was meeting me, making these details quite significant.”

Chen Ping’an picked up a snow-white pebble and placed it in the pocket formed by his rolled-up blue robe, saying, “Gao Cheng’s manipulation of Zhou Mili was his most dishonorable act.”

Cui Dongshan nodded, “Absolutely inhuman.”

Cui Dongshan then added, “But Brother Gao was never human, to begin with.”

Chen Ping’an glanced at Cui Dongshan.

Cui Dongshan blinked, “Brother Gao now has a little brother. Sadly, I didn’t bring him along on this northern journey. Perhaps Master will have the chance to meet that Little Gao later. The kid is quite handsome, just a bit slow-witted.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Similar to the pageboy serving Mr. Li?”

Cui Dongshan nodded, “One is for practice, the other meticulously crafted, so there are differences.”

Chen Ping’an hesitated before saying, “If possible, one day we should truly treat them as human beings. However, the decision lies with you. I’m merely expressing my thoughts, not dictating your actions.”

Cui Dongshan’s eyes sparkled, more youthful than a youth, and he smiled, “Since Master says it’s possible, why would I refuse?”

Sensing the approach of Tang Xi and the talisman boat, they fell silent.

Tang Xi slowly approached the stream, bowing respectfully, “Tang Xi of the Zhaoye Thatched Cottage greets Mr. Chen.”

Chen Ping’an, holding a pocketful of pebbles, walked ashore and greeted Tang Xi with a smile.

Behind him, Cui Dongshan’s pocket held even more pebbles, requiring both hands to hold it up, appearing somewhat comical.

Chen Ping’an walked alongside Tang Xi, who directly stated, “Mr. Chen, the Chunlu Orchard is somewhat apprehensive, so I took the liberty of coming here to trouble your cultivation.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Immortal Master Tang, assure Madam Tan that I and my disciple will soon board Senior Song’s ferry to Skull Beach. We would never cause trouble for Chunlu Orchard, as that would be deeply ungrateful. From Jade Ying Cliff to the Old Huai Street Ant Shop, to Immortal Master Tang and Senior Lin, we owe Chunlu Orchard too much. When we reach Wood Robe Mountain of the Pima Sect, I will try to speak well of Chunlu Orchard to acquaintances there, hoping that the already friendly relationship between the Pima Sect and Chunlu Orchard can improve even further. However, my words may carry little weight. If my fine words amount to nothing at Wood Robe Mountain, I hope that when I visit Chunlu Orchard again, the doors of Zhaoye Thatched Cottage will still be open, at least for a cup of tea.”

Tang Xi felt relieved and grateful, bowing again, “Mr. Chen’s kindness, Tang Xi will remember forever!”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Shopkeeper Wang Tingfang manages the shop well, so Immortal Master Tang doesn’t need to worry too much, or I’ll feel guilty, and Shopkeeper Wang will be nervous.”

Tang Xi nodded, “Since Mr. Chen has spoken, I’ll let Wang Tingfang manage it himself. But rest assured, Mr. Chen, Chunlu Orchard is both large and small. If there are any lapses, I’ll deal with Wang Tingfang. If he dares to slack off while making money so easily, he has a moral problem. It would be my Zhaoye Thatched Cottage’s failure to educate him and a betrayal of Mr. Chen’s kindness. If that happens, next time Mr. Chen visits Zhaoye Thatched Cottage for tea, I, Tang Xi, will first drink three cups of wine as self-punishment before daring to drink tea with Mr. Chen.”

Chen Ping’an nodded with a smile.

Tang Xi acted decisively, bidding farewell and frankly stating that he needed to return to the ancestral hall to report.

This time, he didn’t take the slow talisman boat but departed directly on the wind.

Throughout, Cui Dongshan remained silent.

Chen Ping’an turned to look at Cui Dongshan, “With you here, I rarely get to act with borrowed authority.”

Cui Dongshan said seriously, “It’s only right for Master to scold his student.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “What are you even talking about?”

They arrived at the pavilion, Chen Ping’an sitting on the steps, Cui Dongshan sitting beside him, intentionally a step lower.

They had piled the “unable to shoulder the blame” pebbles together.

Cui Dongshan leaned back, elbows resting on the higher steps behind him, looking at the distant mountains and rivers. Although lush in autumn, not all the world remains evergreen.

Chen Ping’an smoothed his sleeves and trousers, still barefoot, his shoes behind him in the pavilion, the tips of his boots pointing at the long chair.

Cui Dongshan’s walking stick leaned against a pavilion pillar.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “When I was a Dragon Kiln apprentice, I looked at the soil everywhere, to see if it was suitable for firing porcelain. When I ran the Baofu Shop, I thought about making money, about accumulating wealth.”

Chen Ping’an said wistfully, “Kneading that Zijin clay was a big deal. Firing the kiln was an even bigger deal. No matter how beautiful the clay and glaze looked before, a mistake during firing would ruin everything. The slightest mistake would undo months of work by dozens of people. So, Yao Laotou always oversaw the firing himself, not even letting Liu Xianyang, his favorite disciple, do it. Yao Laotou would sit on a bench, personally watching the kiln fire. But Yao Laotou often said that once the porcelain entered the kiln, its success depended on fate. And it was true. Most of it became fragments on the porcelain mountain. I heard that because it was meant for the Emperor, nothing less than perfection was acceptable. Even a slight imperfection meant smashing it to pieces. At that time, I really understood the old saying, ‘Heaven is high, and the Emperor is far away.'”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “But back then, the top of the old locust tree seemed very high, and the peak of the old porcelain mountain seemed high too. As for how far things were, going up the mountain to chop wood and burn charcoal was about as far as it got. At least it was much further than going up the mountain to gather herbs when I was little.”

Cui Dongshan had been lost in thought.

Hearing this, Cui Dongshan softly…
He mused, “When I was young, I was confined to the attic to study. Whether it was high or not, I couldn’t really tell. I could only see the distance through a small window. Back then, I hated books the most. I had a good memory, remembering everything I saw. In truth, I remembered it all. At that time, I vowed that when I sought a master for further studies, I would find someone with shallow knowledge, few books, and who wouldn’t be strict. Later, I found an old scholar starving in a humble alley. At first, I didn’t think the old scholar was particularly learned. Later, I realized that the master I had chosen randomly was actually quite knowledgeable. After that, I traveled around with the old scholar, who hadn’t yet made his name, and we were turned away many times, but we also met many true scholars. It wasn’t until the old scholar said he wanted to compile a book that I felt we had traveled a long way. The old scholar was very confident at the time, saying that if this book were printed, it would sell at least a thousand copies! It would definitely sell to other prefectures. When he said this, the old scholar’s voice was loud, and I knew he was feeling guilty.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “She chose me because of Qi Xiansheng; at first, it had almost nothing to do with me, Chen Ping’an. You shamelessly begged me to be your master, which is also the same. It was the old master who pressed you to become a disciple; in the beginning, it had little to do with me, Chen Ping’an, himself.”

Cui Dongshan wanted to say something.

Chen Ping’an waved his hand and continued, “But even if the relationship is small, it still exists, because at a certain moment, I am that one, that unlikely chance, even one in ten thousand, very small, but the beginning of everything. I am no stranger to such things, and even for me, there is an even greater one, the entirety of many things. For example, after my father left and my mother fell ill, I was the only one. If I didn’t do something, there would be nothing left, absolutely nothing. Back then, the door of Gu Can’s courtyard, the bowl of rice on their table, was also the only one. If the door hadn’t been opened, Chen Ping’an of Mud Bottle Lane might have lived a different life, but the Chen Ping’an sitting here talking to you today would certainly not exist.”

Saying this, Chen Ping’an gently clenched his fist and knocked on his heart, “When we have many attachments to this world, we will live a hard life.”

Chen Ping’an turned his head and smiled, “But as luck would have it, I fear everything, except hardship. I even feel that the more hardships I endure, the more it proves that I am alive in this world. I can’t help it; if I don’t think this way, life will be even harder.”

Chen Ping’an looked at the white-clad youth, “Only in this matter, you are inferior to me, the disciple is inferior to the master. But don’t learn this, not because it’s bad, but because you don’t need to.”

Cui Dongshan nodded.

Chen Ping’an leaned back, placing his hands behind his head, and said softly, “Pei Qian suddenly started practicing martial arts because of Cao Qinglang, right?”

Cui Dongshan gave a confirming sound.

Pei Qian had already started practicing martial arts, which the master had guessed on his own, and even the reason for practicing martial arts was the same.

Chen Ping’an said, “Then when I meet her, I will tell her that she can miss Senior Cui, but she doesn’t need to feel guilty. It would be even better if Pei Qian agreed but couldn’t do it. I believe she will definitely do that. Pei Qian, you, me, we are all the same, we know the principles, but we just can’t get over that hurdle in our hearts. So after growing up, every time we return to our hometown, whether it’s a thought or a walk, we have to feel a pang in our hearts. The older we get, the less obvious it becomes. For Pei Qian, Fallen Phoenix Mountain’s bamboo building is that hurdle in her heart. Senior Cui of Southern Garden Kingdom was able to help her cross it, but now that Senior Cui is gone, she will never be able to cross this new hurdle in her life. But I think some hurdles remain on the path of the heart for a lifetime, they can’t be smoothed over, and we can only secretly bypass them, which is not bad.”

Chen Ping’an finally said, “What I fear most is when I feel I have a clear conscience, when I feel good about myself, when I feel something is justified, and when I feel a certain way about everything.”

Cui Dongshan turned his head and looked, the master had stopped speaking, closed his eyes, and seemed to have fallen asleep.

So Cui Dongshan also closed his eyes, his thoughts drifting far away.

Only the sound of the water flowed, like speaking words, the mountain’s steep terrain was silent, like solving words.

Cui Dongshan felt somewhat relieved, and also drifted off to sleep.

After an unknown amount of time, Cui Dongshan suddenly said, “Seeing Little Treasure Bottle and Pei Qian grow up, how sad you are, Master. Then how gratified Qi Jingchun must have been to see you grow up, Master.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t say anything, seeming to be still sound asleep.

Cui Dongshan stopped speaking, remained silent for a long time, and couldn’t help but ask, “Master?”

Chen Ping’an softly said, “I’m here.”