Chen Ping’an was once again summoned by the Old Master Sword Immortal.

On the city wall, the senior of the Wen Sheng lineage was, in truth, just one person, Zuo You. Not some innate sword embryo, he began practicing swordsmanship late, yet ultimately became the foremost swordsman in the Vast World.

Pei Qian, at the peak of the Fourth Realm of martial artists, had her bottleneck loosened by Bai Lian Shuang, a Ninth Realm martial artist, through repeated sparring in the Ning residence. During Cui Dong Shan’s private conversation with Chen Ping’an, aside from the booklet matter, the discussion revolved around Pei Qian’s breakthrough. Should she adhere to Chen Ping’an’s established plan, regarding the magnificent scenery of the Sword Qi Great Wall as the culmination of her travels, prompting a swift return to Upside-Down Mountain? Or should a slight alteration be made, allowing Pei Qian and Master Zhong to linger at the Sword Qi Great Wall, further honing her martial physique? Chen Ping’an leaned more towards the former, as he had no idea when the next great battle would erupt. However, Cui Dong Shan suggested waiting until Pei Qian reached the Fifth Realm of martial artists before setting off. Moreover, Master Zhong’s state of mind had broadened, and his martial arts talent was exceptional. Each additional day spent at the Sword Qi Great Wall yielded nearly visible martial arts gains. Thus, provided their stay at the Sword Qi Great Wall did not exceed half a year, it should be generally fine.

Yet, Chen Ping’an remained uneasy. But with Cui Dong Shan by his side, his uneasiness remained merely uneasiness.

Cao Qing Lang, a cultivator bottlenecked at the Cave Dwelling Realm, was also not a sword cultivator. In fact, whether in terms of background, the path of learning, or the thread of scholarship, he bore some resemblance to Zuo You: cultivating the body, mind, and Dao without haste.

Guo Zhu Jiu, the only daughter of Sword Immortal Guo Jia, a Sword Cultivator of the Sea Gazing Realm, possessed exceptional talent. Had she not been confined at home by her family, she would have been the one guarding the first checkpoint, facing the deceptively unassuming Lin Jun Bi. However, despite being an outstanding innate sword embryo, after becoming a disciple, she wholeheartedly desired to learn fist techniques, the kind that could summon thunder from the heavens with a single strike, an earth-shattering fist technique.

Zuo You said, “Pei Qian, do you know what the shortcomings of your self-created swordplay are?”

Pei Qian wore a mournful expression. She never imagined that her Grand Master Uncle would fixate on her madcap swordplay. It was merely for fun; it wasn’t worth discussing seriously.

What were the shortcomings? Her swordplay had no strengths at all! How was she supposed to answer her Grand Master Uncle? She had been chatting and joking around, and hadn’t dared to show it off much at the Sword Qi Great Wall. How did her Grand Master Uncle take it seriously?

Guo Zhu Jiu leaned back, glancing at the back of Pei Qian’s head. The eldest disciple, not very tall, also lacked courage. She would be stunned when she saw the Old Master Sword Immortal, and dare not speak to her Grand Master Uncle. As a half-closed-door disciple of her master, she needed to shoulder more responsibility in terms of courage and spirit, at least to make up for the eldest disciple’s lack.

Zuo You didn’t mind Pei Qian’s timidity, saying, “Has anyone ever told you that your swordplay is too complex and chaotic? And that it’s easy to unleash, but difficult to control?”

Pei Qian braced herself and whispered, “No one has ever said anything good or bad about my swordplay, Grand Master Uncle.”

As she spoke, Pei Qian’s voice grew softer, “Only that Sword Immortal Zhou, who swings on the swing, said some things I didn’t understand. She gave me a gift as soon as we met, and I couldn’t stop her. After Master found out, he told me to properly thank Sword Immortal Zhou before leaving the Sword Qi Great Wall, and assure her that I would study that sword intent, but couldn’t guarantee how well I would learn it, but I would try my best to understand it.”

Zuo You was not concerned about the strand of sword intent interwoven with golden silk, the embodiment of various sword intents of the female Sword Immortal Zhou Cheng’s lineage. Since Chen Ping’an had taught Pei Qian the proper etiquette, he said nothing more, but simply stated, “Your master praised your swordplay highly on my side, and more than once. He said that among his disciples and students, you were the only one who dared to say, ‘Speaking only of swordsmanship, Pei Qian is most like the Eldest Disciple’. So, I have been very curious.”

Pei Qian hung her head, feeling she had failed her master’s high expectations, “I have disappointed Grand Master Uncle.”

Zuo You laughed, “It’s fortunate that no one dared to say such nonsense to you, that it’s too complex and difficult to control? Otherwise, I, as your Grand Master Uncle, would have to speak up for you.”

Zuo You reached out and pointed into the distance, “Pei Qian.”

Pei Qian looked up, gazing in the direction her Grand Master Uncle was pointing.

Cao Qing Lang and Guo Zhu Jiu also looked intently, but could not see clearly. relatively speaking, Guo Zhu Jiu could see more, not only because her realm was higher than Cao Qing Lang’s, but also because she was a sword cultivator.

Sometimes, those who were born sword cultivators were indeed qualified to look down upon cultivators of the world.

It was a pity that this was the Sword Qi Great Wall. If it were the Vast World, which sword cultivators rarely visited, how could someone as talented as Guo Zhu Jiu not be a sure descendant of the ancestral hall in any sect, a pillar of talent that the sect would willingly spend countless treasures and wholeheartedly cultivate?

However, Pei Qian, who wasn’t even a Qi Refiner, saw more clearly than the sword cultivator Guo Zhu Jiu. Outside the city wall, in the air, between heaven and earth, strands and wisps of complex sword qi suddenly appeared, floating in the air, wandering uncertainly, twisting at will, with crooked trajectories, without any rules, and even five or six out of ten sword qi were fighting each other. It was as if the Grand Master Uncle had seen a passing great demon from the wild world, treating it as a fish in the water, and casually threw out a huge, all-encompassing fishing net, except that the net itself was very crude, making it very difficult for Pei Qian to see clearly.

To take care of Pei Qian’s eyesight, Zuo You made an extra move, gently pinching a sword art with one hand, and in the distance, in the air, wisps and strands of thousands of sword qi were condensed into a ball, about the size of a fist.

Zuo You said: “This little thing, if it hits a Nascent Soul, is enough to destroy both body and soul. Your swordplay should strive for this kind of realm. It’s not that the meaning is too complicated, but that it’s not complicated enough, not nearly complicated enough. As long as you have enough sword qi, enough to be unreasonable, that’s enough. Ordinary sword cultivators should not even think about this, and I would never give such guidance, because it varies from person to person. It’s suitable for me to say this swordplay to Pei Qian. When fighting for life and death, we are not reasoning or debating, so what rules are we talking about? If you want someone to die, just smash them to death with it. If there is enough sword qi, and the other party wants to draw their sword? They have to see if your sword qi agrees!”
With swift, dual-finger strikes, Zuo You cleaved the snowy-white sphere of condensed sword qi in twain. From the slender line of separation, dazzling light erupted, culminating in an explosion akin to a spring thunderclap. The sphere dissipated, a tempestuous wind surged, and the surrounding “innocent” sword qi was shattered. Then, day after day, year after year, it would coalesce anew. If fortune favored it, it might be drawn by the residual will of some ancient Sword Immortal, nurtured once more, and reborn with a refined sword intent akin to that of Zhou Cheng’s lineage. Thus, even if a Sword Immortal perished a thousand years ago, their intent could live again.

Zuo You slowly stated, “This is the realm you should pursue after your sword qi reaches a proficient level. Even if I possessed ten thousand pounds of strength, I would kill with a hair’s breadth of force, like so.”

Pei Qian cautiously inquired, “Grand Martial Uncle, can I choose not to kill?”

Zuo You replied, “Those who should not be killed, no matter how high your swordsmanship, are not a reason to draw your sword. Those who may or may not be killed, it is up to you whether you kill them or not. But remember, those who must be killed, do not hesitate to kill. Do not think that just because your realm is high, you are bullying others and can simply dismiss it with a smile. That is not the case. The weak around you are absolute powerhouses in other parts of the vast world. The harm that a powerful individual can inflict upon the world far outweighs that of an ordinary person. As you traverse more of the pugilistic world and see more cultivators, you will understand. If these people impale themselves upon the tip of your sword, and your reasoning is sound and your swordsmanship is high enough, do not hesitate.”

Pei Qian hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping herself.

Zuo You continued, “For the Wen Sheng lineage, speaking only of swordsmanship is not enough. The principles in your heart are merely for your own peace of mind, and that is far from sufficient. What does it matter if you possess the highest swordsmanship in the world?”

Zuo You turned his head and called out, “Cao Qinglang.”

Cao Qinglang immediately understood and said, “Grand Martial Uncle seems to be speaking of swordsmanship, but in reality, it is connected to principles. The collision of thoughts either results in a scattered retreat, or, like Grand Martial Uncle’s final cluster of sword qi, attracts those with similar paths to gather together. This is like the formation of a person’s fundamental learning. In academic pursuits, one must contend with the books and principles of the Sages, with one’s own heart, and with the ways of the world and the heavens. Only those who ultimately prevail can stand tall, support the heavens with their swords, and continue the legacy of unique learning.”

Zuo You was greatly pleased and nodded, saying, “Indeed, you are most like me, which is why I need not say much to you. Do you understand?”

Cao Qinglang smiled and nodded.

Zuo You turned to Pei Qian and asked, “Does Grand Martial Uncle speaking in this manner mean that you should listen less to the sword principles I have told you?”

Pei Qian recalled her master’s teachings to treat others with sincerity, and she boldly said, “Jealousy is jealousy, and learning the sword is learning the sword. They do not clash at all.”

Zuo You nodded and said, “Very good, that is how it should be. It is fate that you are from the same sect, but that does not mean you must become one person, of one mind. It does not even require that every student be like the teacher, or that every disciple be like the master. As long as the great rules are adhered to, your words and actions are free.”

Zuo You turned to look at Guo Zhujiu, who likely had the biggest heart of them all. At this moment, she was listening to their conversation, and she should have remembered it all. However, Guo Zhujiu’s attention and gaze were mostly directed toward her “Master,” pricking up her ears, intending to eavesdrop on her master’s conversation with the eldest Sword Immortal. Of course, she couldn’t hear anything, but that didn’t stop her from continuing to eavesdrop.

Noticing Grand Martial Uncle’s gaze, Guo Zhujiu immediately sat up straight, adopting an alert posture. “Grand Martial Uncle’s every word weighs ten thousand jun; I must receive them properly.”

Pei Qian sighed. This little girl was truly disrespectful of elders and had no regard for rules.

Zuo You said, “Guo Zhujiu, do you know what it means to learn boxing, acknowledge Chen Ping An as your master, and be recorded in the register of Luopo Mountain in the Great World?”

Guo Zhujiu loudly replied, “Grand Martial Uncle! I do not know!”

It was said with perfect justification.

Zuo You thought that she was actually quite like himself back then. Very good.

But at this moment, having changed roles and being in the situation himself, Zuo You realized that his teacher probably hadn’t worried about him?

Even Zuo You was somewhat troubled. Forget it, let Chen Ping An worry about it himself.

But the little girl had called him Grand Martial Uncle, so he couldn’t just let it go to waste. Zuo You turned to look at Cui Dongshan.

Cui Dongshan trotted to the city wall and asked, “Grand Martial Uncle, what are your instructions?”

Zuo You said, “On behalf of your teacher, take out a few magical treasures at random and give them to Guo Zhujiu. Don’t give her anything too shabby.”

Guo Zhujiu secretly turned around, extending two fingers on one hand and three fingers on the other. As for whether it was a choice between two or adding them together to make five gifts, only heaven knew what she was thinking and why she would think that way.

Cui Dongshan flicked his wrist, revealing a string of multi-colored beads shimmering with treasures, a top-tier magical artifact. He tossed it to Guo Zhujiu.

Guo Zhujiu caught the treasure string and said in surprise, “You’re really giving it? I was just casually asking for a lot. I was planning to haggle with Little Martial Brother.”

The little girl said this, but the action of putting it on her wrist was seamless and without hesitation.

Cui Dongshan grinned and said, “It’s called the Five Treasure String. It’s made from melted Gold Essence Coins, the roots of Mountain Clouds, jade beads imbued with the essence of water, a core of thunder-struck peach wood, and a lion insect refined with the Five Thunder Righteous Method. It was the beloved item of a certain farmer immortal in the Great World. It was just waiting for Little Martial Sister to ask for it. Little Martial Brother was getting anxious waiting for nothing.”

Guo Zhujiu said secretly, “Once we get off the city wall and Grand Martial Uncle can’t see us, I’ll return it to you. I’ll just wear it for a little while.”

Cui Dongshan replied with a smile, “No need. Anyway, Little Martial Brother is being generous with other people’s money. Quickly put it away. Little Martial Brother will tell an old bastard later that it’s lost, a flawless excuse. Little Martial Brother gets to show off once, Little Martial Sister gets the benefits, and it makes an old bastard’s heart ache so much that he cries. It’s a win-win-win situation.”

Guo Zhujiu was confused. She shook her wrist, and the beads shimmered with light and felt a bit heavy.

The gift was too precious. She would have to ask her master before deciding whether to accept it.

Cui Dongshan had quite a few treasures in his pockets.

However, when Cui Dongshan first arrived at the Sword Qi Great Wall and told the female Daoist of the Shidao Room that he was penniless and had borrowed a Flowing Sunset Continent treasure boat, he hadn’t been wrong.

His soul was split in two. Since the body belonged to him, those items and possessions should rightfully be returned to Cui Chan.
Finally, he addressed Pei Qian, Cao Qinglang, and Guo Zhujiu separately, “Swordsmanship can be practiced often, but don’t wield a real sword lightly. In this regard, you should indeed learn from your master. Without knowing what things truly *are*, what can you possibly cultivate?”

“The faster the people around you advance, the less you should be anxious.”

“Eldest Martial Uncle will have a talk with your father.”

Chen Ping’an summoned his own talisman vessel, “gifted” by the old Immortal Huan Yun, and carried the three back to the Ning Mansion in the city. However, before that, the talisman vessel swept past the southern city wall to view the large characters carved there. A horizontal stroke like the Great Dao of the human world, a vertical stroke like a waterfall cascading down, a dot signifying an immortal cave dwelling where a cultivator resided.

Cui Dongshan said he wanted to wander around some more.

Cui Dongshan eventually found the monk.

Cui Dongshan sat cross-legged and said, “I must express my gratitude twice. Once for myself, and once for Bao Ping Continent.”

The monk nodded, “The heart sits alone, facing the light, words spoken roar like a lion.”

Cui Dongshan was unwilling to dwell on his own affairs, and sincerely asked, “My grandfather ultimately rested at the Xinxiang Temple in Lotus Blossom Blessed Land. Before his death, he wanted to ask the abbot about Buddhism, but for some reason, he stopped himself. Can you enlighten me?”

The monk said, “That Benefactor Cui likely wanted to ask if such a coincidence was predestined, if it was the end of it all. But the thought arose and then vanished, truly letting go. Benefactor Cui let go, so why can’t you? The Cui Dongshan of today can’t let go, but did the Benefactor Cui of yesterday truly let go?”

Cui Dongshan frowned and said, “There is only one Heaven and Earth, with fixed increases and decreases. The river of time flows only one way, never to return! If my grandfather let go, then he let go. How can my unease change that!”

The monk laughed heartily, chanted a Buddhist verse, and with a solemn expression, said, “The Buddha Dharma is boundless, does it truly only exist in sequence? Can it not accommodate one who cannot let go? What if one lets go? What if one doesn’t?”

Cui Dongshan shook his head and said, “Don’t try to confuse me with words. Whether it’s the School of Names or Buddhist Logic, I’ve studied them deeply.”

The monk clasped his hands together, looked up at the sky, then lowered his gaze to the vast earth before him. He rested his right hand on his right knee, the tips of his fingers lightly touching the ground.

Then he raised a hand, his thumb and index finger touching, the other fingers naturally spread out, like an opening lotus flower.

Cui Dongshan sighed, clasped his hands together, nodded, and left.

The monk looked serene, raised his hand that had touched the ground, extended his palm, palm facing outward, fingers drooping, and smiled, “Once again, in the sea of human suffering, a lotus flower blooms.”

Cui Dongshan went from the southern city wall, leaping down, traversed the wide horse path, and then to the northern city wall. He stepped off, falling straight down, raising a cloud of dust at the base of the wall. Then he emerged from the yellow sand, clad in white robes unstained by dust, running and skipping, occasionally doing swimming motions in the air. Thus, Zhu Mei’s reason for thinking Cui Dongshan was insane was sufficient: no one would pole a boat while riding a talisman vessel, and no one would walk through the city streets with a little girl, together carrying a light walking staff as if tired and staggering.

Cui Dongshan didn’t go directly to the Ning Mansion, but instead sneakily scaled the wall and entered a grand mansion.

He saw a Sword Immortal sitting on the veranda, holding a cup and drinking wine. Cui Dongshan squatted on the railing, staring intently at the wine cup.

The Sword Immortal Sun Juyuan smiled, “State Preceptor, anything else is negotiable, but this object, I really can’t give it to you.”

Cui Dongshan grumbled, “Sword Immortals are so stingy.”

Sun Juyuan said with a wry smile, “I really can’t believe the State Preceptor is the State Preceptor.”

Cui Dongshan tugged at his lips, “Didn’t the Great Wall of Swords also think you were a spy? But you’re just a gambler who helps people place bets, earns money, and then gives it away?”

Sun Juyuan wondered, “Learning from Ah Liang’s actions, many people actually want to learn, but no one can learn it well. Where does that storyteller’s sense of proportion come from? So many people end up as a laughingstock. After all, everything Ah Liang does has a major premise: his swordsmanship and sword intent. How can outsiders learn that? How did Ah Liang, the swordsman of the vast world for over a hundred years, become Ah Liang of the Great Wall of Swords? I believe you and I know.”

Cui Dongshan said, “I have a junior brother named Mao Xiaodong. He’s not talented in academics, but he teaches people well. My teacher learns everything quickly and well. Everything within sight is a treasure for cultivation.”

Sun Juyuan waved his hand, “Don’t say such things, I’m not used to it. Junior Brother Mao Xiaodong again, and then Teacher Second Shopkeeper, I don’t even dare to drink wine anymore.”

Cui Dongshan raised his chin, clearly not giving up, and said, “If you don’t drink, what’s the point of having a wine cup? Give it to me.”

Sun Juyuan looked at the mischievous young man squatting on the railing, and felt a headache. He made a bitter face like the Bitter Summer Sword Immortal.

Cui Dongshan jumped off the railing, “Everyone is filled with resentment, but they can’t do anything about the Old Sword Immortal. How to dispel the worry? Perhaps the only way is to drink wine, to get drunk and wait to die, which is better than being sober and having to die.”

Sun Juyuan didn’t hide his thoughts, “How you think and how you act are two different things. Ah Liang once told me this principle: one person understood it, and the other listened to it. Otherwise, the sword cultivator killed by the Old Sword Immortal wouldn’t have been the renowned Dong Guanpu, but the insignificant Sun Juyuan.”

Cui Dongshan sat on the veranda, leaning against the railing, “The two Sword Immortals of the Ning Mansion, a couple blessed by the gods, died in battle. Dong Guanpu of the Dong family was killed by his own people. When my teacher first arrived at the Great Wall of Swords, that was the scene. The Ning Mansion declined, and the Dong family remained prosperous, and no one dared to say a word. Who do you think is the most heartbroken?”

Sun Juyuan said, “Naturally, it’s the Old Sword Immortal.”

Cui Dongshan folded his hands in his sleeves, “Everyone having their own reasons is the most troublesome.”

Sun Juyuan laughed, “State Preceptor, you didn’t come here today just to complain to me, did you? Between you and me, the price is fair, it’s just a transaction. Some things have been entangled for too many years, and even a Great Sword Immortal doesn’t have the energy to sort it out. The answer is simply ‘What else can be done? Just let it be.’ Besides, going out of the city to kill demons has become a habit. After fighting for a long time, it becomes something taken for granted. Would you consider me, Sun Juyuan, to be afraid of death? But if I really get to the city wall and go south again, I’ll still get caught up in the killing.”
Cui Dongshan said, “In the past, there was usually a battle every hundred years or so. Not to mention the tragic and bloody massacre after the Thirteen-Person Contest, in just ten short years, the Wildlands had two more sieges. But their scale wasn’t large; it was merely an attempt to support war with war, to coordinate the forces of different factions, a grand military exercise. Are you afraid? Once the battle prowess of half of the Wildlands is gathered, or even the entire Wildlands, the Great Wall of Sword Qi has so few people, so few flying swords. Are you afraid?”

Sun Juyuan said, “That’s the reason why we complain endlessly, yet ultimately don’t do much. Anyway, we have the Grand Sword Immortal guarding the city walls.”

Cui Dongshan asked, “Then what if that ancient master of the Wildlands, who has been gone for ten thousand years, reappears? What if someone can fight Chen Qingdu head-to-head, a one-on-one contest of strength? What will you sword immortals do? Will you even have the spirit to stand on the city walls?”

Sun Juyuan was silent.

Cui Dongshan extended his hand and smiled. “Shall we make a bet? If my words are prophetic and ill-omened, this wine cup belongs to me. It’s useless to you anyway; perhaps you’ll need to rely on a bit of goodwill for some slim chance. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll certainly return it to you in the future. Sword immortals live long lives; there’s no fear of waiting.”

Sun Juyuan tossed the wine cup to Cui Dongshan. “Win or lose, it’s yours. A’liang once said that no gambler at the Great Wall of Sword Qi can win, especially the sword immortals. Rather than losing to the barbarians of the Wildlands, leaving it to the future of the Ascendant Land is the lesser of two evils. Both are disgusting, so let’s disgust ourselves a little less; consider it a gain.”

Cui Dongshan caught the wine cup with a smile. “‘But’?”

Sun Juyuan nodded and stood up. “There is indeed a ‘but’. ‘If you want to pass the city walls, have I given my permission?'”

Cui Dongshan nodded. “I almost couldn’t restrain myself from returning the wine cup to you, prostrating myself and becoming sworn brothers, slaughtering a chicken and burning yellow paper.”

Sun Juyuan laughed. “For the Strategist to say such things is quite jarring. The heroic spirit I managed to muster is about to crumble.”

Cui Dongshan said, “Sword Immortal Sun, if you continue to be so sentimental, I might have to resort to the Falling Mountain’s way of dealing with people!”

Sun Juyuan suddenly became serious. “You are not that Embroidered Tiger, not the Strategist.”

Cui Dongshan feigned shyness. “I am Dongshan.”

Sun Juyuan twitched his lips, finally unable to hold back from retorting, “Then I am Xihe.”

That figure in white scaled the wall and fell to the other side, muttering as he went, “Outrageous, utterly outrageous. The sword immortals of the Great Wall of Sword Qi always bully people, using harsh words that wound the heart…”

Lin Junbi had not been to the city walls to practice his swordsmanship recently, instead focusing solely on calculations.

Yan Lu, along with other prodigies of the Shaoyuan Dynasty, dared not disturb Lin Junbi’s efforts to mend his heart, whenever they returned to the Sun residence to rest.

Only Yan Lu had sought out the dispirited Lin Junbi once. But upon seeing Yan Lu, Lin Junbi seemed more enthusiastic than before, stopping his calculations to chat with Yan Lu for a long time.

Yan Lu was determined that he should indeed form an alliance with Lin Junbi, rather than be secretly instructed by his family. So along the way, Yan Lu always harbored misgivings, hiding them deeply. After all, Lin Junbi had always been the insurmountable obstacle in Yan Lu’s eyes. Once his cultivation reached a higher level, especially when he could truly take charge of some of the Yan family’s affairs, the ascendant Lin Junbi would greatly hinder his rise. But now, Yan Lu had changed his perspective. It would be better to accept fate and wholeheartedly assist Lin Junbi. He believed that, with Lin Junbi’s vision, he would know that Yan Lu would be an extremely competent right-hand man.

Yan Lu hoped to form an alliance with Lin Junbi because Lin Junbi’s existence cost Yan Lu some potential benefits. He would simply recoup them from others, and perhaps even gain more.

With his inner knot gone, Yan Lu was much more decisive, and his words with Lin Junbi were no longer restrained.

A Lin Junbi who no longer spoke of how severely damaged his Dao heart was, who was no longer “perfect and flawless,” actually put Yan Lu more at ease.

Lin Junbi had long seen through Yan Lu’s nature, so Yan Lu’s change of heart was not unexpected. There would be no problems with cooperating with Yan Lu.

Yan Lu would not be an insignificant figure in the Shaoyuan Dynasty in the future.

Today, Senior Brother Bianjing rarely showed his face at the border, playing a game of Go with Lin Junbi.

Bianjing smiled. “Haven’t been disgusted enough by Yan Lu and his ilk?”

Lin Junbi shook his head. “On the contrary, their hearts can be used.”

Bianjing shook his head, suspending a piece above the board, looking at the game. “I find it nauseating. Many words, if one truly believes they are right, are not bad. It’s just that different stances, and varying depths of knowledge, result in different words. In the end, the principle is still a principle. As for whether it’s reasonable or unreasonable, that’s secondary, like Jiang Guancheng. Those who simply don’t speak, like Jin Zhenmeng, aren’t bad either. As for the rest, most are speaking blatant lies, which isn’t very good, is it? How is our reputation at the Great Wall of Sword Qi now? Are these people unaware? Is it they who ruined the reputation? Who will remember who they are? In the end, isn’t it you, Lin Junbi, whose trip to the Great Wall of Sword Qi has been filled with stumbles and setbacks? Making you miss the Strategist’s grand scheme, one thing after another.”

“I will return home and apologize to the Master for my failures.”

Lin Junbi quietly waited for Bianjing to place his piece on the board, smiling gently. “To huddle together for warmth is human nature. Among the crowd, the morally upright are solitary.”

The Shaoyuan Dynasty’s hidden purpose, one of them, was precisely Yu Juanfu.

Lin Junbi actually didn’t understand this, and even felt it was inappropriate. After all, Yu Juanfu’s fiancé was that Huai Qian. No matter how arrogant and proud he was, he was very clear that he was absolutely no match for that Huai Qian, for now. His cultivation, family background, wisdom, favor from elders, and immortal opportunities were all inferior. But the Master didn’t say much about the reasons, so Lin Junbi could only take things one step at a time. The Master only said two serious sentences: “Yu Juanfu, pampered by Zhou Shenzhi, after returning to the Yu family and restoring her identity, is equivalent to half the national power of the Shaoyuan Dynasty.”

“Even the stone lions at the gates of wealthy mansions are not clean. Can there be a clean bluestone brick in the golden palace in the eyes of the common people?”
As for cultivation, the National Preceptor wasn’t worried about Lin Junbi, but merely tossed out a string of questions, testing this prized disciple: “To regard emperors and monarchs as moral paragons, what of this? How should one measure a ruler’s successes and failures? How should emperors and generals view the well-being of the common people, to be considered blameless?”

Bian Jing said, “Looks like your problems aren’t that big?”

Lin Junbi smiled, “If my problems were so great that Senior Brother could see them all, would there still be hope for Lin Junbi?”

After Bian Jing placed a chess piece, he asked, “Do you know why you’ve been losing all along?”

Lin Junbi nodded, “I know.”

Bian Jing nodded as well, “Then I won’t say any more.”

However, Lin Junbi dared to assert that the answer in Senior Brother Bian Jing’s heart was definitely not the same as his own understanding.

Bian Jing and Lin Junbi continued to play chess.

Each harboring their own thoughts.

In the Ning residence’s training grounds, the Eldest Senior Sister and the Junior Sister were engaged in a *wen dou* (a contest of wit and skill, but here, a mock fight).

Their *wen dou* was very… literary.

It was purely Pei Qian, the unrefined martial artist, wielding her crazed demonic swordplay, while the sword cultivator Guo Zhujiu practiced her fist techniques. Each practiced their own skills, without actually fighting.

Chen Ping’an left the residence, planning to wait for Cui Dongshan’s return.

When Chen Ping’an approached the training grounds, the two young girls immediately stopped their fist and sword work.

Pei Qian exclaimed, “Junior Sister, your fists carry the intent of the sword, such a graceful swordplay! Your diligence in practicing swordsmanship all these years hasn’t been in vain!”

Guo Zhujiu praised, “Eldest Senior Sister’s swordplay conceals the meaning of fists. Your fist techniques are invincible, as befitting the Eldest Senior Sister, who has been by Master’s side the longest!”

Pei Qian nodded, “Junior Sister is amazing. If you continue practicing your fists at this pace, you’ll definitely be able to shatter several bricks with one punch.”

Guo Zhujiu echoed, “Eldest Senior Sister is extraordinary. After practicing your sword for a few years like this, traveling the mountains and rivers, your path will surely be barren of grass!”

Having learned from the same master, they were indeed loving and harmonious.

Chen Ping’an pretended not to see or hear them, and walked past the training grounds, towards the main gate of the Ning residence.

As soon as Chen Ping’an left,

Pei Qian raised her Walking Mountain Staff high.

Guo Zhujiu shook the multi-treasure bracelet on her wrist.

Pei Qian said with a chuckle, “I also have a small bamboo box!”

Then, Pei Qian deliberately paused slightly before adding, “It’s not just me talking nonsense, you’ve seen it with your own eyes.”

Guo Zhujiu said with a smile, “I don’t have a small bamboo box!”

She also imitated Pei Qian, pausing for a moment before saying, “Do you have this ‘don’t have’ that I have? You don’t, right? Do you want to have it?”

Pei Qian was caught off guard.

She thought this little girl was a bit silly.

Guo Zhujiu, on the other hand, thought this young girl was a bit simple.

Chen Ping’an, who had already walked far away, secretly glanced back and smiled. If possible, Falling Phoenix Mountain would probably be very lively in the future.

So, after waiting for Cui Dongshan at the gate, Chen Ping’an reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling the white-robed youth into the gate. While walking, he said, “In the future, we’ll go to the Azure Heavens and the Jade Capital together with Teacher. Not saying anything? Teacher will take it as you’ve agreed. It’s a promise, keep quiet, that’s good, very good.”