Chen Pingan stowed away the talisman vessel and landed on the city wall.

Both he and Zuo You intentionally or unintentionally restrained their sword qi.

Thus, the two were no more than ten steps apart.

Zuo You opened his eyes and gazed beyond the city wall at the vast天地, asking a question, “Have you considered some of the inevitable events that will transpire?”

North of the Sword Qi Great Wall, that city, with its unfathomable foundation and secrets, gave the impression of strict rules and regulations, yet seemed to have no rules at all.

There were Sword Immortals who, amidst fierce battles, killed countless enemies, yet during lulls in the fighting, lived decadent, muddled lives like worldly emperors, even commissioning a transcontinental ferry to procure female Qi Refinement cultivators from other continents. Those who pleased his eye were taken to his magnificent palace to serve as maids, while those who did not were beheaded by flying swords, albeit with compensation.

Yet, some Sword Immortals preferred to tend to a few small vegetable plots and an orchard, living the life of a peasant year after year.

Some Sword Immortals enjoyed mingling in the marketplace, using illusionary arts to spend their days with rascals in back alleys.

There were descendants of great clans who yearned to leave the Sword Qi Great Wall to study in academies and colleges. And there were dissolute scions of wealthy families, capricious and extravagant, who indulged in the sadistic abuse of servants.

The previous Confucian sage who guarded the Sword Qi Great Wall was outraged by this, but the Old Grand Sword Immortal, Chen Qingdu, merely said, “Beat me first.”

The sage then fought three battles, winning two and losing one, before dejectedly leaving the Sword Qi Great Wall and returning to the Great Bright World. He won against two native Sword Immortals but lost to that Hidden Officer.

The rights and wrongs of the matter were not as simple as one might think.

Even hearing about it afterward, Zuo You understood the intense danger involved.

What’s most frightening in worldly affairs is the absence of a stance, the blurring of right and wrong. What’s most frightening is adhering only to a stance, dividing everything into black and white.

What Zuo You feared most were those clever people who believed that there was only a stance in the world, and no reason.

Chen Pingan asked, “Near or far?”

Zuo You gathered his scattered thoughts and said, “Matters at hand, matters close by, regarding the city.”

Chen Pingan nodded and said, “Eldest Brother warned me before. I am aware of the atmosphere in that city, the uninhibited speech. Therefore, undercurrents will soon stir. After some time, those rumors and gossip will gradually become clear. My four consecutive victories are a cause, my presence in the Ning Residence is a cause, my being a disciple of Mister, a Junior Brother of Eldest Brother, is also a cause. The reason it hasn’t happened yet is because Senior Dong went to Diezhang’s Shop to drink, which forced many who had already opened their mouths to close them again.”

Zuo You said, “Only discuss the consequences.”

Chen Pingan said, “There are quite a few people who fear that the Ning Residence affair will be re-examined, so they are not willing to see the Ning Residence and Yao Family reconcile. With me, the pure relationship between Ning Yao and Chen Sanqiu, Dong Huafu, and Yan Zhuo, in the eyes of some, will become tainted. It might have been unimportant before, but now they will be less willing. Perhaps the Guo Family needs to be added as well, so the situation will be very complicated next. Guo Zhujiu is very likely to be confined to her home soon. Because harsh words will soon reach the Guo Family, such as saying that the Guo Family is good at betting on the underdog, perhaps even saying that the Guo Family Sword Immortal is a calculating person, sending a little girl to curry favor, a good move. No matter what is said, the result is only one thing: the Guo Family can only temporarily distance themselves from the Ning Residence. The Guo Family, after all, is not the personal affair of the Guo Sword Immortal. More than a hundred people, from top to bottom, still need to establish themselves in the Sword Qi Great Wall.”

These were still manageable. What Chen Pingan feared were more disgusting and unscrupulous methods. For example, the sudden death of a child in the slums near the wine shop.

However, Chen Pingan did not say it out loud.

Zuo You said, “Unless Chen Qingdu comes forward to propose marriage.”

Chen Pingan nodded.

Zuo You asked, “Why aren’t you anxious?”

Chen Pingan said, “I dare not and am unwilling to urge the Old Grand Sword Immortal. Besides, whether it’s sooner or later, I have a plan to deal with it.”

Zuo You continued to ask, “How so?”

Chen Pingan replied, “If it’s just words, I won’t pay attention, nor can I control it. If there are outstretched hands, I have fists and a sword. If that’s not enough, I’ll borrow from Eldest Brother.”

Zuo You nodded, a hint of a smile on his face, “Not bad. I’m too lazy to ask about the specifics of your plan. Think about it carefully yourself. Accidents at the Sword Qi Great Wall are often unusually simple and direct, which makes them especially unexpected.”

“Do you know how many Sword Cultivators from the Sword Qi Great Wall are currently sharpening their swords in the Savage Desolate World?”

Chen Pingan shook his head and said, “This is top secret. I don’t know.”

Zuo You smiled and said, “Then what do you know?”

Chen Pingan said, “I only know the names, approximate backgrounds, of the Sword Immortals above the Fifth Realm, the Earthly Immortal Sword Cultivators, and the important figures, one hundred and twenty-one people, of a dozen or so major families, including the Dong, Chen, and Qi families. Although it’s not very significant, it’s better than nothing.”

Zuo You asked in puzzlement, “Do you have so much free time?”

Chen Pingan smiled and said, “It’s become a habit. Moreover, I’m quite familiar with this matter and will definitely not delay my fist training and cultivation. Eldest Brother can rest assured.”

Zuo You asked, “Do you favor merchants and strategists?”

Chen Pingan was stunned for a moment and shook his head, “I have never been exposed to the doctrines and classics of these two schools.”

Zuo You glanced at Chen Pingan and smiled, “Although the learning of these two schools is a fringe pursuit among the Three Teachings and Nine Streams, and has long been rejected and despised by Confucianism in particular, I think it’s okay for you to browse their books appropriately, just don’t get too caught up in them. Many worldly learnings, at first glance, are surprisingly brilliant, but are often superficial. At first glance, they appear vast and boundless, but are often overgrown with weeds. Only after reading through them do you realize they are nothing more than that. But reading them is still necessary, just be careful not to get stuck in them. If you can extract a fundamental truth from a book of the hundred schools of thought and the sages, that would be a great harvest.”

Chen Pingan clasped his fists and bowed, “I am grateful for your guidance.”

Zuo You stood up, “Unless it’s watching fights in the northern city, generally speaking, Sword Immortals won’t use divine abilities to survey the movements of the city. This is an unwritten rule. Some things you need to solve yourself, and bear the consequences, but there is one thing I can help you keep a closer eye on. What do you think it is? What do you hope it is most?”

Chen Pingan said without hesitation, “I hope Eldest Brother can help watch over the children in the slums near the wine shop, to prevent them from dying because of me.”

Zuo You remained noncommittal and asked another question, “Isn’t this the smallest of matters? Is it worth my, Zuo You’s, extra attention?”

Chen Pingan laughed and said, “In the eyes of a scholar, there is no small matter in the human realm.”
Left and Right lamented, “Chen Ping’an, if you had become Master’s disciple earlier, it would have been wonderful. Master wouldn’t have been burdened for a century. You could have managed Master’s purse strings for him, and you could have chatted with Master about many things. I’m not good at any of that.”

Chen Ping’an absolutely refused to engage in such topics.

Left and Right suddenly said, “Back then, even after Master became a Sage, there were still people who cursed him as an old fox spirit of literature, saying he was like a spirit that had cultivated into being, steeped in an inkwell. After hearing this, Master only said two words, ‘How marvelous!'”

Chen Ping’an said, “During the Great Sui Dynasty, after the Gao Clan Emperor signed a treaty with the Great Li Dynasty, public resentment seethed. Among them, there were curses against Senior Brother Mao, calling him a literary demon. Now it seems, Senior Brother Mao must have been pleased.”

Left and Right fell silent.

Chen Ping’an also fell silent.

Practicing swordsmanship could be delayed as long as possible. Anyway, he would definitely overeat in the end.

Chen Ping’an suddenly hesitated, glancing at Left and Right.

Left and Right nodded, signaling Chen Ping’an to speak his mind.

Chen Ping’an then spoke with a silent voice, “Senior Brother, could there be city-dwelling Sword Immortals secretly spying on the Ning Estate?”

Left and Right pondered, “Even if there are, it won’t be for long. It can only be occasional, after all, Nalan Yexing isn’t just for show. Nalan Yexing is an expert in the art of assassination, and one of the most underestimated sword cultivators of the Great Wall of Sword Qi. He can assassinate others, so naturally he’s skilled in concealment and reconnaissance.”

Chen Ping’an’s expression was grave. “The Sword Qi Eighteen Stops that A Liang taught me, I not only taught to my disciple Pei Qian, but also to an ordinary youth from Treasure Bottle Continent, named Zhao Gaoshu, who has impeccable character and is absolutely trustworthy. It’s just that the youth hasn’t gone to Fallen Phoenix Mountain yet, and I fear… what if!”

Left and Right said, “I’ll take care of this matter.”

Chen Ping’an felt a great burden lifted.

Having a Senior Brother really seemed different.

Then Left and Right said, “Talking about all this isn’t a reason for you to delay practicing swordsmanship.”

Chen Ping’an was speechless.

Even that bastard Wei Jin tricking him couldn’t be considered a reason.

With this Senior Brother’s temperament, he wouldn’t think that was a reason at all.

If he really said it, practicing swordsmanship would only be even more miserable.

Those not of the Literary Sage lineage probably wouldn’t understand the reasoning.

Left and Right sat back on the city wall, beginning to sit in silent meditation, continuing to nurture his sword intent.

Chen Ping’an tentatively asked, “How should I practice swordsmanship?”

Left and Right scoffed, “What, being a Golden Body Realm martial artist makes you invincible? Do you still need me to draw my sword?”

Chen Ping’an understood, cautiously asking, “Then can I throw a punch?”

Left and Right ignored him.

Chen Ping’an hesitated. Should he begin the first punch with the Divine Man Drumming posture?

Unexpectedly, Left and Right slowly said, “Within a hundred punches, plus your flying sword, if you can get within thirty paces of me, I’ll call you Senior Brother from now on.”

No longer deliberately restraining his sword qi, Left and Right was like a small world suddenly expanding. Chen Ping’an instantly retreated twenty paces.

No more, no less, the two were thirty paces apart.

The sword qi rushed towards him, like countless tangible flying swords swirling before his eyes. If Chen Ping’an’s own fist aura hadn’t naturally flowed out, resisting the wisps of sword intent leaking out, Chen Ping’an would probably already be covered in injuries, forced to retreat a few more steps. He retreated, but his fist intent soared.

Left and Right smiled slightly. “After a hundred punches, if I think you’re pulling your punches, then you can prepare to complain to Master again next time.”

Chen Ping’an forced a smile. “Senior Brother, I’m not that kind of person.”

Left and Right said, “After practicing swordsmanship, you will be.”

Wei Jin who drinks and does not drink are two different people, a little tipsy and thoroughly drunk Wei Jin are again two different people.

This young Sword Immortal from Treasure Bottle Continent, the first to appear here in a thousand years, was actually very popular in the Great Wall of Sword Qi, especially among the women.

Young women might not particularly admire Wei Jin. After all, their hometown had many Sword Immortals. Although Wei Jin was extremely young, rumored to be an Upper Fifth Rank Sword Immortal at forty, it wasn’t too rare an occurrence in the Great Wall of Sword Qi. In terms of flying sword killing power, Wei Jin was even less outstanding, at least for now. After all, he was only in the Jade Pure Realm. In terms of appearance, the men of the Qi family were famously handsome, and Wei Jin couldn’t be considered the most handsome. Chen Sanqiu’s family was not inferior either.

But older women, almost without exception, liked Wei Jin, saying that watching Wei Jin drink made them feel particularly sorry for him.

When Wei Jin didn’t drink, he seemed to be eternally sorrowful. After a few cups, he had a gentle smile. After drinking heartily, he became radiant and lively.

So for those women who had watched Wei Jin drink, this young sword cultivator from the Wind and Snow Temple’s Divine Platform was truly a celestial being who had walked out of the wind and snow.

No one knew what kind of woman could make Wei Jin so unable to let go.

A heartless A Liang had left, and an affectionate Wei Jin had come. Heaven was still kind.

As for that Left and Right, forget it. Just a few glances hurt the eyes. Why bother? Besides, Left and Right didn’t like to wander around the city. Being far away, they couldn’t see clearly. In the end, it wasn’t as easy to worry about him as Wei Jin, who often drank wine, was it? Every time Wei Jin was heavily drunk, not dispelling his liquor aroma, but retaining his inebriation, staggering as he controlled his sword back to the city wall, that was a pitiful sight.

Today, Wei Jin was a little tipsy at the Diezhang Wine Shop. A table was crowded with a dozen people. Wei Jin had a good habit of drinking, never putting on airs. If there were no seats, two or three people could squeeze onto a long bench. Perhaps that was the infectiousness that people who were used to wandering the rivers and lakes possessed. In this respect, local Sword Immortals and sword cultivators from other continents were indeed not as good as Wei Jin, who possessed a natural spirit of the rivers and lakes.

Regarding Chen Ping’an, who he had first met as a young man, Wei Jin couldn’t say he liked him or disliked him. Now it was better, with a bit more appreciation.

But He Xiaoliang, Wei Jin couldn’t help but like.

The farther he was away, the more he drank. Wei Jin hid in the mountains, hid in the rivers and lakes, but still couldn’t forget.

First, one was in the Wind and Snow Temple, and the other was in the Divine Edict Sect.

Then, one was in Treasure Bottle Continent, and the other was in Northern Glower Continent.

Finally, it had come to this, with one in the Wild Desolate World and the other in the Magnificent World.

As a result, she was still in Wei Jin’s wine cup. No matter how much wine he drank, it was useless. After drinking a cup, filling the next, she was there.

Raising his glass, he loudly asked, “Why is it so difficult for those who dislike drinking to get drunk?”

Wei Jin drained his cup in one gulp. “The first winemaker in the world is truly hateful, too hateful.”

Diezhang was used to it.
Sword Immortal Wei Jin was a habitual drinker, often engaging in soliloquies, but never truly losing control. Otherwise, this humble tavern couldn’t withstand the frenzy of a sword immortal.

At the moment, no one was calling out for more wine. Die Zhang, seizing a rare moment of respite, sat on the doorstep, letting out a soft sigh.

Here it comes again.

Wei Jin stood in place, pouring wine ceaselessly. He surveyed the surroundings, toasting each person one by one, calling them by name. After each toast, he would explain his reasons, invariably related to the fierce battles raging on the southern city walls. He would praise the brilliance of a particular sword strike, or occasionally demand that the recipient down a cup as punishment for some battlefield oversight, such as leaving a fiend only half-dead when it should have been slain outright.

Wei Jin suddenly vanished, roaring, “Despicable!”

In a narrow alleyway, Guo Zhujiu ambled along, swaying slightly.

A gaunt, pale-faced youth had hurried into the alley ahead of her, his steps frantic as he glanced back, seemingly trying to escape someone. Upon seeing Guo Zhujiu, he hesitated, slowing his pace slightly and instinctively moving closer to the wall. In Sword Qi Great Wall, the wealthy, if they survive, only grow wealthier, eventually forming a family, and when a Sword Immortal emerges, the family becomes a noble clan. The poor of the city could discern noble lineage simply by observing attire.

The youth clearly believed Guo Zhujiu to be a scion of a powerful family, and he wasn’t entirely wrong. The Guo family, within Sword Qi Great Wall, was a prominent clan, just shy of the most elite families.

Crossing a noble heir could lead to dire consequences. One needn’t invoke powerful backing; if the noble was a sword cultivator, they’d often handle the matter themselves.

Guo Zhujiu slowed her pace, skipping twice. She noticed four youths of similar age running into the alley behind the first youth, wielding clubs and raising a raucous commotion.

The youth, sensing that Guo Zhujiu didn’t appear to be a sword cultivator, guessed she was just a wealthy young lady from one of the main streets, wandering into this part of town out of boredom.

He grew anxious, waving his hand frantically, urging her to leave the alley quickly.

Guo Zhujiu scratched her head, then stopped, turned, and fled.

Running away was something she was good at, and enjoyed.

Unfortunately, the youth was delayed by Guo Zhujiu, and soon caught up by the club-wielding youths. One swung a club without restraint, aiming for the youth’s head. He barely dodged, but another club came crashing down, forcing him to protect his head with his arms as he retreated. A club struck his arm, causing him to wince in pain, and then a tall youth kicked him in the chest.

The gaunt youth stumbled back, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. He leaned against the wall, turning his head to avoid another club strike, then spun and sprinted.

Guo Zhujiu, peeking out from the alley corner, decided she should step in and be a hero, otherwise it looked like someone might die.

Ordinary brawls, even those resulting in a broken leg, were ignored in Sword Qi Great Wall. But death was rare. Guo Zhujiu had heard her elders say that the fiercest fighters weren’t sword immortals, but rather the hot-blooded youths of the city streets. This seemed to be the case now. This wouldn’t do. She, Guo Zhujiu, had learned to fight, and was now a part of this world. She re-entered the alley.

The frail youth was struck again by a flying kick, and Guo Zhujiu reached out and grabbed his shoulder.

The youth’s eyes were cold. His body twisted instantly. At the same time, his wrist flicked, and a short blade slid from his sleeve. He thrust it backhandedly.

Guo Zhujiu lightly raised her elbow, shattering the arm holding the blade.

The youth’s other hand clenched into a fist and shot out, erupting with potent fist energy, its force like thunder.

The youths who had been beating him like a stray dog were now pale with fright, clinging to the walls.

Guo Zhujiu, as cold and detached as the young assassin, unleashed a punch of her own, fist meeting fist. The assassin’s entire hand was crushed. Both hands fell limply. Guo Zhujiu slightly turned, closing in, slamming her shoulder into the youth’s chest. The assassin died instantly, flying backwards. But a streak of light flashed past the assassin’s ear, arriving with great speed. It was a sword cultivator’s natal flying sword, aimed directly at Guo Zhujiu’s brow.

Guo Zhujiu turned her head slightly, receiving a deep, bone-scraping gash across her forehead.

Conversely, the tall youth who had unleashed the flying sword had his entire skull pierced, a bead of blood slowly forming on his forehead. His body, leaning against the wall, slid to the ground.

Guo Zhujiu frowned, raising her hand and wiping her forehead.

Standing at the alley entrance, Wei Jin sighed in relief, quietly retrieving his natal flying sword. The Wind and Snow Temple Sword Immortal was slightly amused and exasperated, realizing he had acted unnecessarily.

Not only was the little girl unharmed, capable of handling the sudden assassination attempt herself.

But also, at the other end of the alley, a hunched old man with a smiling face had appeared.

Wei Jin nodded to him in acknowledgment. The old man smiled and returned the gesture.

Wei Jin then returned to the tavern to continue drinking.

The old man stepped forward, arriving beside Guo Zhujiu. He smiled and said, “Green Sprout girl, not bad.”

It was none other than Nalan Yexing, the old servant of the Ning estate.

The future son-in-law had instructed that as long as Guo Zhujiu met Chen Pingan or stepped into the Ning estate, then until the moment she stepped through the Guo family’s gate, Grandpa Nalan would need to help look after the young girl.

Guo Zhujiu was smug, saying, “Of course! I can’t beat Sister Ning or Sister Dong, but I can surely beat a few petty thieves?”

The little girl walked forward a few steps, looking at the gaunt youth who had died with his eyes wide open, his expression still calm even in death. She complained, “Didn’t you know I just learned an unparalleled boxing technique? Hmm?!”

Nalan Yexing reached out and tapped her forehead, his head aching.

Such a meticulously planned ambush, specifically targeting a scion of a powerful family, should be approached without any hope of success. Don’t think about tracing it back to its source; it’s impossible.

Back in the days of Sea Mirage, the turmoil was immense. The young mistress was almost fundamentally damaged, and the old hag Bai Lian Shuang also suffered a decline, to the point that even the normally indifferent Old Sword Immortal on the city wall was angered, and he personally issued orders, summoning the Chen family head and striking him with a single sword. The injured Chen family head hurriedly returned to the city, stirring up a great commotion, placing the entire city under martial law, searching every household, and turning the Sea Mirage upside down. What was the final result? It was still inconclusive. It wasn’t because anyone was intentionally being negligent or obstructive; they wouldn’t dare. It was simply impossible to find even the slightest clue.
As for the other bewildered and frightened commoner youths, their identities and origins would be investigated, but only as a formality, an explanation to the Guo family. Of course, the Guo family would surely make a great show of it, employing their influence and channels to scour every inch of the city.

Following this incident, the interactions between the Ning and Guo families would become somewhat complicated.

That girl, Lvdun, in principle, could run amok in the Sword Qi Great Wall, because she was once a disciple favored by the Hidden Official.

Therefore, the Guo family hadn’t particularly arranged sword master escorts for her over the years, as there was no need.

Thus, the magnitude of the ripples caused by this incident, the extent to which the opposition acted, was quite intriguing. It seemed that they regarded the girl Lvdun as dispensable, thus hadn’t employed their true key players.

Guo Zhujiu, with furrowed brows and looking sickly, lamented, “I’m doomed. I won’t be able to go out anytime soon.”

Guo Zhujiu’s eyes brightened, and she turned to look at Nalan Yexing. “Grandpa Nalan, how about we destroy the evidence and pretend this never happened?”

Nalan Yexing chuckled, “Wishful thinking. How can you hide the injury on your forehead? Did you stumble and bump into something again? Besides, such a major incident should be reported to Sword Immortal Guo. I’ve already sent a flying sword message to your family. So, just wait to be scolded.”

Guo Zhujiu sighed, “Grandpa Nalan, you must tell my master that I won’t be able to learn boxing from him lately.”

Nalan Yexing asked with a smile, “When did my son-in-law accept you as a disciple?”

Guo Zhujiu grinned, “It’s just a matter of my master divining it with his fingers.”

Nalan Yexing pointed to the little girl’s forehead.

Guo Zhujiu scoffed, “A minor scratch!”

Then the little girl shivered and said with a mournful face, “Ouch, it really hurts!”

A slender, middle-aged sword immortal arrived in an instant, appearing in the alley and standing beside Guo Zhujiu. He bent down, lowered his head, reached out a finger, pressed it on her head, and gently shook it. Confirming that his daughter’s injury was minor, a slight residue of sword qi, he breathed a sigh of relief, straightened his back, and smiled, “Still want to play recklessly?”

Guo Zhujiu held out a palm.

Sword Immortal Guo Jia laughed, “House arrest for five years?”

Guo Zhujiu timidly said, “Five hours? No, five days will do.”

Guo Jia’s smile faded.

Seeing the situation was unfavorable, Guo Zhujiu quickly retracted four fingers, leaving only her thumb, “One year!”

Guo Jia glanced at his daughter’s wound, and said helplessly, “Quickly come home with me, your mother is worried sick. Whether it’s one year or several, telling me is useless, go and throw a tantrum with her.”

Finally, Guo Jia and Nalan Yexing exchanged a look, without needing to say much.

Subsequently, the Guo family’s retainers and sword cultivators specializing in handling such matters arrived one after another, everything proceeding in an orderly manner.

Nalan Yexing didn’t directly return to the Ning residence, but instead went to the Sword Qi Great Wall first.

Going to the Ning residence, Bai Lianxiang, that old woman, wasn’t good at dealing with these things, and would only fret anxiously upon hearing them. She could only get angry.

Discussing the matter with Miss Ning would definitely be useful; these years, the major decisions of the Ning residence had all been made by her. However, now that the Ning residence had Chen Ping An as its son-in-law, Nalan Yexing didn’t want Miss Ning to be too preoccupied with these trivial matters. The son-in-law was someone who wasn’t afraid of trouble and liked to overthink, and moreover, Miss Ning would surely listen to the decisions made by the son-in-law.

Concealing his aura all the way, he quietly arrived at the city wall, only to find such a strange way of training swordplay and boxing?

He saw Chen Ping An repeatedly practicing a single move, the “Godly Man Pounding Drum” from the boxing manual, while simultaneously controlling two genuine and two imitation flying swords, for a total of four, striving to find a gap in the sword qi, as if only seeking to advance a single step.

He would need to use Ning Family’s elixir for “growing flesh from bone” again.

Fortunately, this time, that old woman Bai wouldn’t be able to blame him.

Sword qi condensed within a radius of thirty steps, but occasionally, a wisp of sword qi would dart out, momentarily hovering near Chen Ping An’s vital acupoints, then disappearing in an instant.

Nalan Yexing couldn’t help but sigh in admiration, “They are both humans, how can there be so much sword qi, and it’s almost being refined into sword intent?”

Zuo You completely ignored the old man, gathered the sword qi within ten steps, and said to Chen Ping An, “That’s enough for today. Your boxing is acceptable, but your flying swords are rigid and slow. Today was just to let you get used to it. The next sword practice will be the real beginning. Also, you essentially died ninety-six times today, try to die fewer times next time. Is being an easy-to-get senior brother that difficult?”

Chen Ping An nodded, without saying anything.

How dare you ask me if it’s difficult?

Don’t you know how heavy and abundant the sword qi is, Senior Brother?

Besides, at this moment, Chen Ping An appeared to be unharmed, except for his fists and arms, with his cultivator’s Qi sea intact. But that wasn’t the case at all. Each time Zuo You hovered the sword qi, seemingly without touching Chen Ping An’s acupoints, the chilling sword intent had already penetrated his bones and was roiling in his Qi sea. The fact that Chen Ping An could speak without trembling was already a testament to his pain tolerance.

Chen Ping An stepped out ten or more zhang, arriving beside Nalan Yexing, and softly asked, “Was Guo Zhujiu injured?”

Nalan Yexing said, “I was watching the whole time, and deliberately didn’t intervene, allowing the little girl to resolve the trouble herself. Her injuries aren’t severe. Guo Jia arrived in person, and didn’t say much, as expected of Guo Jia. But the subsequent troubles…”

Chen Ping An joined two fingers and gently slashed downward, like a sword cutting a long line, shaking his head, “It’s no longer a trouble. For the Ning and Guo families, it’s actually a good thing. I’ve decided to take Guo Zhujiu as a disciple.”

Chen Ping An steered the talisman boat, returning to the city with Nalan Yexing.

Chen Ping An curiously asked, “Grandpa Nalan, can you get close to my Senior Brother?”

“Of course, I can!”

Nalan Yexing smiled, “And then I would die.”